Cueillir des fleurs et sourire

Chapitre 36

“I…I didn’t understand anything at all…Nobody would tell me what happened. Lingyan wouldn’t tell me, and neither would you…” Tears welled up in Li Shuangli’s eyes. “I…I don’t even know what you men are busy with all day long.”

“Miss Li, please don’t be angry. It was me who gave in to Xiao Bi, not you,” Sheng Xiang said quietly. “A Wan, take her to rest. Xiao Bi and I have something to talk about.”

After a while, Li Shuangli was taken away by Wan Yuyue in a gentle and refined manner.

“You don’t need to worry about me.” Shengxiang stood in the center of the empty hall, looking at Bi Qiuhan with clear eyes. “Shengxiang… has always been very afraid of death. That day I…” He paused for a moment, then said in a low voice, “I was just too excited.”

“You don’t understand anything at all!” Bi Qiuhan said coldly. “Even if you could kill Li Lingyan, Tang Tianshu, Leng Zhuoyu, and Nan Ge… so what? So what? So many people know about what happened back then, so many people want to know the truth. Are you going to kill them all one by one? Shengxiang, Shengxiang, those who do wrong should be punished. This is a sin left behind by the Song Dynasty court. How can we clean up its mess? A life for a life, a debt for a debt! This is a matter of course. I cannot help you hide the truth and deceive the world—Emperor Taizu dared to order the killings, he should have known this day would come! Did he think that just because he was the emperor, he could do whatever he wanted…”

“Little Bi!” Shengxiang hissed, “That’s because you have a sense of justice. You hate lying and killing to the core… But for me… nothing is more important than my father and Rongrong. And for them… the people—are more important than themselves. According to Rongrong’s calculations, the happiness of two or three people is not as important as the happiness of two or three thousand people, so regardless of whether it’s just or not, sacrificing the happiness of two or three people is the right thing to do.” He looked at Bi Qiuhan almost blankly, and also at the wall behind Bi Qiuhan. “I don’t have a sense of justice, but since Rongrong believes in it so much, and is even willing to give up Gushe and choose death for this ideal, he takes it so seriously, so how can I… not take it seriously?”

Shengxiang's eyes were now almost desolate with desolation, and Bi Qiuhan suddenly felt the surging passion in his heart cool down, turning somewhat cold. "You..."

“So…no matter what you say, it’s no use. Even if it hurts my father or Rongrong, I will keep it a secret even if it costs me my life…” Shengxiang said. “They are men who value the country and its people more than anything else. I know they would be willing to die for them.” After a moment of silence, he added, “I will not pity them, and you don’t need to pity me either.”

“I will show you no mercy—I will proclaim this to the world!” Bi Qiuhan stared coldly at Sheng Xiang, “Those who kill shall die!”

If the bell of Wudang Mountain heard Bi Qiuhan's resounding cry of "Death to the murderer!", it might resonate, and the murderer himself might tremble upon hearing it. But Shengxiang merely stared at him blankly, then sighed softly.

For some reason, Sheng Xiang's gentle sigh sent a shiver down his spine. The words he uttered, fueled by the barely suppressed passion in Sheng Xiang's eyes—"The murderer shall die!"—were almost drowned out by that sigh. Bi Qiuhan watched him turn away silently, preparing to walk away desolately, when he suddenly blurted out: "I'll give you ten days. If you still decide to frame Zhao Chengxiang, take the blame yourself, or commit murder, I will announce to the world who the real culprit is!"

Shengxiang glanced back with a faint smile, neither confirming nor denying, and walked away.

Epilogue: Tonight, who knows the wind's whisper?

at night.

Bi Qiuhan sat alone in his room, still unable to sleep.

The Emperor Taizu's order to kill people, Li Shuangli's unauthorized arrival at Wudang, Shengxiang framing Zhao Pu for the sake of the overall situation... every single thing made him extremely confused.

"Tap, tap" twice.

In the dead of night, someone was knocking on his door? Bi Qiuhan hadn't even heard the approaching footsteps. Who could it be? He hadn't changed his clothes yet. He stood up and opened the doors and windows, and suddenly there was someone in front of him.

The newcomer was tall and slender, dressed in old clothes, with broad, straight shoulders, a handsome face, and sword-like eyebrows. Bi Qiuhan was startled to see the man raise an ancient sword. Upon seeing the words "Zhufang" engraved on the sword, he exclaimed, "Zhufang Sword! The Iron Horse of Chu, Qu Zhi Liang!"

The newcomer was indeed Qu Zhiliang, whom Shengxiang had met at the foot of Wudang Mountain. He nodded, his gaze lingering on Bi Qiuhan for a moment before he said simply, "Come out."

Having heard his senior say this, Bi Qiuhan had no doubts and followed him out of the room, heading towards the back of Wudang Mountain.

Chu Shen Tie Ma Qu Zhi Liang hadn't been seen in the martial world for twenty years, so why would he suddenly appear outside his room? And why would he summon him? Bi Qiu Han was filled with doubts, but the "Candle Room" sword was the only question. With Qu Zhi Liang's martial arts skills, it was impossible for someone to take his sword away. Could it be him? Just as he was wondering, Qu Zhi Liang had already stopped.

He stopped in a secluded spot with dense forest behind Tianzhu Peak in Wudang Mountain. Bi Qiuhan became increasingly surprised and suspicious, wondering what this once powerful and famous person wanted to say to him.

"The first of the 'Seven Sages' Butterfly Dream,' Bi Qiuhan!" Qu Zhiliang greeted slowly, his tone indifferent.

"This junior is... Is this senior the Chu God Iron Horse Qu Zhiliang?" Bi Qiuhan bowed and said, "I have long admired your heroic spirit and superb martial arts skills. As a legend in the martial arts world, I have long admired you. It is my honor to meet you today."

Qu Zhiliang did not turn around.

He didn't even answer.

After a long while, he said, "It's not an honor to meet me."

"How could that be?" Although Bi Qiuhan was surprised and doubtful, he still had great respect for Qu Zhiliang. "Senior is famous throughout the world for his chivalry and is a model of the martial arts world. At the age of nineteen, he was known as invincible. At the age of twenty, he defeated thirty-three masters in a row and retired from the martial arts world. He never cared about money or women. He is a god in the hearts of the younger generation."

Qu Zhiliang ignored him, "I heard you're investigating the bloody case involving Li Chenglou, Nan Bibi, and a few others?"

Bi Qiuhan was taken aback. "Is it... does Senior know some clues?"

"I killed them all," Qu Zhiliang said curtly.

"What..." Qu Zhiliang suddenly froze, staring blankly at Qu Zhiliang. "What—"

“I killed Li Chenglou, Nan Bibi, Ye Xianchou, and Leng Yuqiu,” Qu Zhiliang said coldly.

"What...why?" Bi Qiuhan was completely stunned, muttering to himself, "How could this be...with your martial arts skills and reputation, why...why kill those four?" He suddenly raised his head and shouted, "Weren't they ordered to be killed by the founding emperor?"

Qu Zhiliang, whose face had been revered throughout the martial arts world for decades, showed a slight shock. "You know?"

“I know—I just didn’t know that the person who did it was…” Bi Qiuhan lowered his head in anguish, clenching his fists, his whole body trembling with pain, “Your martial arts skills and reputation are unparalleled in the martial world, why would you willingly become the Emperor’s killing blade… why…”

"Why bother?" Qu Zhiliang didn't sneer. He simply put his hands behind his back and said with the same indifference that would never be moved by anything that happened, "Bi Qiuhan, you are still very young, and you are not smart."

"Senior, were you forced into this situation by others? If you have your reasons, why don't you..." Bi Qiuhan didn't hear what he just said at all.

“You’re not smart, why should I tell you the truth—haven’t you figured it out yet?” Qu Zhiliang pushed the sword, and Bi Qiuhan was caught off guard and suddenly had the sheathed sword pressed against his chest. “The truly smart people… do you know how Nan Bibi died? After seeing me, he committed suicide by cutting his own throat with his sword—since there was no way to escape, he might as well end it himself.”

Murder to silence him? The thought flashed through Bi Qiuhan's mind in a split second, but then an overwhelming pressure from the Zhufang Sword pressed down on his chest. He simply couldn't believe that this legendary figure he revered would do such a thing. His face was filled with disbelief, and he was completely unprepared.

In his current state, Qu Zhiliang could easily kill him on the spot with just a little more force. But Qu Zhiliang suddenly sheathed his sword and slowly drew it from its sheath, saying, "If I kill you like this, I know you won't accept it. Draw your sword."

Bi Qiuhan, having narrowly escaped death, was drenched in cold sweat. Had Qu Zhiliang reacted even slightly slower, he would have been struck by that astonishing power, his heart shattered, and he would have died on the spot! Qu Zhiliang had clearly come to kill and silence him, yet he acted with the honorable code of the martial world, neither hiding his identity nor resorting to underhanded tactics. Bi Qiuhan drew his sword, his heart pounding. No matter what, having the opportunity to fight Qu Zhiliang was the dream of countless martial arts heroes! Although he had many doubts about this man, he could set them aside. Qu Zhiliang was indeed far superior to him in martial arts, but a surge of eager ambition overwhelmed the many questions he held about Qu Zhiliang.

With a soft "whoosh," there was no way for Qu Zhiliang to reveal any weakness. Therefore, Bi Qiuhan acted first, slicing off Qu Zhiliang's proud, sword-like eyebrows with his sword, luring him into an opening. This sword technique was known as "Yellow Between the Eyebrows," said to have been created by the Lady of the Biluo Palace. Don't be fooled by his seemingly simple eyebrow-raising strike; the sword was aimed at six vital points: the eyes, ears, philtrum, and throat—a truly ruthless strike.

Qu Zhiliang slightly tilted his head, allowing Bi Qiuhan's sword tip to graz his eyebrow by a hair's breadth. As he turned his head, Bi Qiuhan felt a chill in the air. Looking down, he saw that Qu Zhiliang's "Candle Room Sword" was an ancient sword, unusually long. Although his own sword had struck first, Qu Zhiliang had arrived faster, his sword already pressed against his lower abdomen. Startled, Bi Qiuhan flicked his finger against Qu Zhiliang's sword, then somersaulted to dodge the thrust. With a "Ha!" he exhaled, his fist whipping out like a whip, a solid, powerful punch landing on Qu Zhiliang's left elbow.

"I haven't seen anyone who can fight me to this level in twenty-seven years." Qu Zhiliang's elbow went numb from the blow, and he could only retaliate with his right hand. Suddenly, a surge of ambition rose within him, and with a roar, he threw a punch of his own.

Bi Qiuhan's eyebrows twitched. This was Qu Zhiliang's famous "Chu God Fist"! His sword vibrated continuously, and the hilt, guard, blade, and tip struck four major acupoints on Qu Zhiliang's right hand in succession.

"Impressive skill! He had practiced this sword technique targeting four acupoints for eighteen years before mastering it." Qu Zhiliang let out a long laugh, his left hand recovering from numbness, and with a sweeping motion, he caught Bi Qiuhan's sword with his bare hand. With a "crack," Bi Qiuhan's sword shattered, and his right fist showed no mercy, striking straight at Bi Qiuhan's throat. If this blow landed, Bi Qiuhan would surely die from a shattered Adam's apple.

Bi Qiuhan was horrified. His right-hand sword shattered, so he slashed out with his left hand.

With a sharp crack, his left palm intercepted Qu Zhiliang's right fist. Qu Zhiliang's punch was powerful and heavy, sending a surge of pressure straight into Bi Qiuhan's arm. With a "whoosh," Bi Qiuhan coughed up a mouthful of blood.