Cueillir des fleurs et sourire

Chapitre 11

"How about we all stay at White Fish Village tonight?" Yi Shanqing was eager to take Nan Ge out for drinks, especially since the misunderstanding had been cleared up and they were now friends.

Bi Qiuhan hesitated for a moment, and was about to refuse when he heard Nan Ge laugh loudly, "Tonight, Brother Yi and I will drink until we drop!"

"Brother Nan is still as heroic as ever, but after ten years, your drinking capacity has increased by leaps and bounds..." The two were already embracing intimately, completely forgetting that there were others on the boat.

Bi Qiuhan and Weng Laoliu looked at each other and could only smile bitterly. Nan Ge had already agreed to the request, so they couldn't refuse.

This boat is full of strange people. Bi Qiuhan began to worry that if they continued like this, they might not even reach Junshan in half a year. If someone would agree to Nange's invitation as soon as they were invited, would want to interfere in any excitement at Shengxiang, and would agree to everything Wanyu Yuedan said, then if these three were to travel alone, they might never reach Dongting Lake in their entire lives.

At night, Baiyu Village prepared several local specialties from the Han River region and got two jars of wine.

Wan Yuyuedan looked the youngest and most delicate, yet he was the best drinker. After dozens of cups, even Bi Qiuhan and Nan Ge were tipsy, but he remained as pleasant as ever, showing no signs of drunkenness or even the smell of alcohol.

Originally, I thought that Shengxiang would be most interested in drinking, but the young master said that he didn't like drinking and took two dishes to the riverside village to see the big white fish.

After about 80% of the food and wine had been consumed, Gu Yinfeng's sallow face flushed slightly. "This time, the news was leaked to us by Fan Nong'er, a salt smuggler who regularly travels the Han River. Nong'er has always been extremely respectful to our Baiyu Village. This time, he was probably forced by someone, otherwise I don't believe he would dare to do it." With that, Gu Yinfeng raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Gu Yinfeng was clearly furious about being provoked and taking action against Bi Qiuhan's side. Yi Shanqing, on the other hand, seemed more magnanimous and didn't mind the matter once it was over. He smiled and said, "It has allowed me to reunite with Brother Nan. Nong'er has also made a contribution. Brother, you don't need to hold it against him."

"Whether he cares or not depends on whether he listens or not." Gu Yinfeng sneered. "Does he think my White Fish Village is really just a big white fish to be slaughtered?"

Bi Qiuhan coughed lightly, "Has Chief Gu already sent people to look for Fan Nong'er?"

Gu Yinfeng snorted again, as if in response.

Nan Ge ignored their discussion of the matter. Slightly tipsy, he strummed his sword and sang: "Such a man is unrestrained and talented. Look at Cao Cao's career, the moonlit night at the Sparrow Terrace, the grandeur of Jianfeng, and the spring breeze of the swallows. His shouts are like thunder, his heart is as hard as stone, but he is different when he comes to the wine cup. In this world, only the sword of the moon goddess can grind down all heroes."

Others may not understand his sorrow. He was once a handsome and dashing young man, with a bright future ahead of him, but he carelessly became controlled by a woman for ten years… By the time he finally broke free from being manipulated, he had grown old and changed, and could no longer be the person he once was. If Shengxiang were here, perhaps she could understand his grief. That line, "In this world, only the sword of the moon goddess can grind down heroes," was truly sung by Nan Ge as a lament. He was originally unconventional, but after finishing his song, he burst into tears, raised his cup, and recited poetry to himself, oblivious to those around him.

His singing and crying left everyone around him stunned, looking at each other in bewilderment, wondering what was wrong with him.

"I ask the cuckoo, urging you to return to your death, why do you not return?" Wan Yuyue lightly tapped her wine cup with her fingernail and sang along with him, "Like the white crane of Liaodong, still searching for the Huabiao; the black bird of the sea, still remembering the black-clothed bird. Wu and Shu are not far away, and your feathers are fine. You should take advantage of the east wind to fly west. Why then do you stay here, bound to a desolate tree, your blood staining the fragrant branches?"

As soon as he sang, Bi Qiuhan and Gu Yinfeng frowned, wondering what the two were singing. Then, as Wan Yuyuedan sang, Nange burst into tears, washing her sword with her tears.

"Qiuhan, you've studied a few more years than this old man. What did your young master sing that made him cry like this?" Old Man Weng was completely baffled.

Bi Qiuhan shook his head. He knew absolutely nothing about poetry and songs and had no idea what Wan Yuyuedan was singing.

"He said..." Yi Shanqing's eyes welled up with tears. He took a deep breath, swallowed a glass of wine in one gulp, and said softly, "Cuckoo, cuckoo, I desperately urge you to go home, why won't you go home? Even the white crane of Liaodong and the black bird of the sea still long for their homeland. Wu and Shu are not far away, and your feathers are beautiful. You should be taking advantage of the east wind to fly west. Why do you perch on the barren mountain tree, bleeding on the branch?" His voice choked for a moment, then he suddenly burst into laughter. "Ten years ago, ten years ago, Brother Nan and I had just left our master's school, full of pride. We thought we couldn't go home without making a name for ourselves. Home is good, but how can a child who has never left home understand... how can he understand..." He and Nan Ge were good friends, and their personalities were somewhat similar. He was already infatuated with these words. "Why did you become bound to the barren tree, your blood staining the fragrant branch... How would I know, how would I know?"

Bi Qiuhan and Gu Yinfeng frowned even more deeply. They couldn't understand such madman behavior at all. Even if they understood that Wan Yuyuedan was singing "The Cuckoo," they didn't understand what was there to cry about.

Wan Yuyue paused for a moment, then continued singing: "The rise and fall of dynasties are common occurrences, so don't grieve. How long does worldly glory last? Look at Jinjiang, it's still there, but the Crouching Dragon is gone. Jade Mountain is unharmed, but where has the Leaping Horse gone? You don't understand how to comfort yourself, and you only offer empty advice. How could you know our fate? On the road to Fujian, once the matter of being enfeoffed as a marquis is settled, it will not be too late to return."

As soon as he finished singing, Nan Ge, who had been crying uncontrollably, suddenly cheered and slammed his hand on the table, exclaiming, "What a wonderful line, 'How could you know the ways of us?'" His face was streaked with tears, but he laughed loudly, "For this line, I, Nan Ge, toast you three cups!" He really did pour himself a drink and drank three cups in a row.

Wan Yuyue looked frail, but she drank just as fast as anyone else. After Nan Ge finished three cups, he drank three with her, smiling slightly, "There's plenty of time ahead. A man should not be put to death until he is fully recovered."

"Well said!" Yi Shanqing muttered to himself, "A man should not be buried alive! Brother Nan, although we have been down on our luck for ten years, there are still ten years to go, and ten years after that! What are you crying for? Let's drink!"

Bi Qiuhan looked at the mess on the table and couldn't help but shake his head inwardly. Nan Ge and Yi Shanqing were both wild and impulsive; if it weren't for Wan Yuyuedan's singing, who knows how long they would have been drunk and crying! He couldn't help but feel fortunate that the Palace Master had accompanied them this time. Although Wan Yuyuedan was young, he always did the most appropriate things. That was why he was able to tame hundreds of experts from Biluo Palace; no matter how high one's martial arts skills were, they couldn't compare to being reasonable.

"Reporting to the chieftain." A thin man entered from outside and whispered a few words in Gu Yinfeng's ear.

Gu Yinfeng frowned, snorted, and told the man to leave.

"Fan Nong'er said who asked him to spread false information?" Bi Qiuhan asked.

Gu Yinfeng said coldly, "He's dead."

"Dead?" Old Man Weng asked in a low voice, "Silenced?"

“No, it’s a demonstration,” Gu Yinfeng said sinisterly. “They left a letter saying that people are blood sacrifices and will be killed.”

Li Lingyan is so arrogant! Bi Qiuhan's expression changed. "What else did the letter say?"

"It is said that Nan Ge, as Nan Bibi's biological son, would not be worthy of being born as a human if he did not avenge his father and refused to join the Blood Sacrifice Society. The Blood Sacrifice Society will act on behalf of Heaven and take his life." Gu Yinfeng said coldly, "Furthermore, the Blood Sacrifice Society knows that your Junshan Conference is going against Li Lingyan. They will also participate in the Junshan Dongting Conference to proclaim to the world what is true morality and truth."

In other words, if Nan Ge "unwillingly joins" the Blood Sacrifice Society—meaning she doesn't leave them and immediately joins, they'll be hunted down the entire way? Bi Qiuhan suddenly felt a heavy responsibility and couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh, "Brother Nan..."

Nan Ge's face was still wet with tears, but he had already smiled. "No need to ask me. I hate being coerced the most." He said casually, then added, "If anyone tries to threaten me with their life again, I'm afraid I've heard it so many times that my ears are calloused, and I'll just ignore it."

"We will protect your safety." The speaker's voice was very gentle. This most arrogant sentence was spoken first by the gentlest and youngest person. Then Wan Yuyue smiled lightly, not taking the Blood Sacrifice Ceremony's demonstration seriously at all.

Yi Shanqing and Gu Yinfeng began to understand why this eighteen-year-old boy commanded such respect from Bi Qiuhan. Such talent and temperament, like a pearl with a subtle luster, were beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

Having said that, they finished their dinner and enjoyed it to the fullest. Bi Qiuhan exchanged a few pleasantries with Gu Yinfeng before standing up to say goodbye and return to the ship. Nan Ge had already gone out the door first, and Wan Yuyuedan took a few steps while supporting himself against the wall. Nan Ge then came back and led him out.

Once you leave Baiyu Village, you'll reach the riverbank.

The boat was on the riverbank, the moonlight cold and still.

The group bowed in farewell, and Bi Qiuhan and his companions slowly walked to the riverbank. The boats were far away, and the boats seemed to be empty, silent and still.

A figure sat motionless at the bow of the boat, hugging his knees, gazing at the moon reflected in the river.

Who is that?

Chapter Four: The Source of the River is Angry and Turbid, the Wind is Like a Knife

Black boats, bright moon, lonely cold river.

Such a figure makes people stop in their tracks without realizing it, especially after just experiencing the hustle and bustle of a meal. Suddenly seeing Jiang Qingshui sitting alone in a cold and aloof manner, everyone suddenly feels a chilling wind blowing in their face.

Suddenly, the figure moved slightly, raising his hand to gently stroke the object in his arms. The object pricked up its two ears and twitched.

Rabbit? Saint Incense? Yes, everyone on the ship has gone to eat, except for Saint Incense. But when you suddenly see this figure, who would think it's Saint Incense? That carefree, jovial young master, whose presence always makes things more lively?