La ville solitaire a fermé

Chapitre 8

"Hmm..." Bai Qianqian thought hard and finally came to a conclusion. "I think before that incident, you must have had your own ideals and pursuits, right? You still can!"

"Ideals? Pursuits? Heh, back then I only wanted to help my father strengthen the Wuya Sect. Now, do you think the Wuya Sect isn't strong enough?" He sneered, a cruel smile creeping across his face. He didn't want to be like his father, who believed in benevolence and righteousness, only to end up with his family destroyed. He wanted to be ruthless, to suppress with violence, so that no one dared to resist.

"Well, it is powerful, but... how about you develop it into the number one righteous sect that everyone envies and admires?" This reason should be acceptable, right? Bai Qianqian comforted herself, although she herself felt it was a bit, no, very far-fetched.

"I'd much rather it become the number one cult, feared by everyone and dreaded by all, and that goal is almost achieved." Watching her furrow her brow and pout with amusement, he threw out another bait, "However, I have indeed become a little interested in something..."

"Really? Okay, as long as you don't use such shady... uh, improper methods and attitudes to obtain it, I will absolutely support you!" Whew, finally a step towards the light, so tiring! Letting out a soft sigh, Bai Qianqian felt truly gratified.

“You perfectly meet your requirements. The one I want to pursue… is you!” he thought to himself, standing up and walking towards her. He was very happy with this decision, and his smile reached his eyes.

"Oh, me?" The person hadn't reacted yet. "What! Me?!" What kind of interstellar joke is this? Bai Qianqian was dumbfounded. They already have a flying eagle, okay? What are you doing here causing trouble!

"No, absolutely not! Find another one!" Bai Qianqian's anxious words enraged him.

"What, do you despise me? You actually look down on me, don't you? Were you just toying with me with what you said earlier?" With each cold question, An's heart sank. He didn't want her to look at him like that.

"No! It's not that I'm wiping, it's just..." Bai Qianqian was full of apologies, but he suddenly interrupted her.

"Then it's settled. From now on, my target will be you!" Heh, she's really amusing. Watching her ever-changing expressions, I was secretly very satisfied with my decision, and my heart... soared.

"No way?" Watching his satisfied figure disappear, Bai Qianqian didn't even have time to protest. "What am I going to do now?" Bai Qianqian suddenly thought of sneaking away with Flying Eagle Liu Xiao and the others to escape reality, to run, run, run. But... she had promised Xue'er to help her solve the Dark problem. Sigh, one really shouldn't be too impulsive! The crazy woman Bai Qianqian from the 32nd-century technological age just wanted to find an open space, look up, and shout three words: "Heavens—ah—!"

At this moment, Murong Xue'er, who had rushed over, only saw Bai Qianqian looking extremely dejected...

Chapter Twenty-Five: Undercurrents

An arranged for Bai Qianqian to stay at Lianxue Pavilion, the closest residence to Jue'an Palace. As for Feiying, Liu Xiao and Mei'er were left to Nangong Xiao's care. When Nangong Xiao saw Feiying again, he keenly sensed the change in his aura. Last time... wasn't it him? (Last time, Feiying, wearing Bai Qianqian's disguise, completely concealed his unique temperament. But now, without the disguise, out of concern for Bai Qianqian, he unconsciously revealed a calm yet sharp killing intent—an aura he had cultivated over a decade as an assassin, indelible and ever-present.)

To ensure absolute stability within the Wuya Sect, Nangong Xiao settled them in the most remote corner of Wuya Fortress, which was originally the Xiaoxiang Academy built for Hongxiang's convenience in refining medicine.

"Flying Eagle, I'm so glad to see you. It seems everyone is safe and sound." Liu Xiao was so excited when he saw Flying Eagle at Xiaoxiang Courtyard that he rushed to greet him, and the weight in his heart was finally lifted.

"By the way, where is Miss Qianqian?" Mei'er looked left and right but couldn't find Bai Qianqian, so she asked curiously.

"What, she's not with you?" The hidden worry in his heart began to surface. Flying Eagle turned around and caught up with Nangong Xiao, who had just left.

"Hmm? You're asking about Bai Qianqian? She lives in Lianxue Pavilion. She lives with Murong Xue'er." Sensing the unusual killing intent emanating from him, a mixture of domineering power and composure, and though a hint of worry could be detected in his eyes, his aura remained perfectly steady. A master, a top-tier master! Nangong Xiao didn't want to clash with him directly. He'd better appease him first, then investigate his background before making any further plans. "Those two are best friends now, hehe." A smile played on his lips, but upon closer inspection, it didn't reach his eyes.

"Okay, thanks." She felt a little relieved, but she couldn't let her guard down yet. After finding out the direction of Lianxue Pavilion, Feiying immediately rushed there, wanting to confirm with his own eyes that she was safe and sound.

Meanwhile, Nangong Xiao rushed off to arrange the investigation and response.

"Now, Wuyabao is in for a good show... Hmph!" A tall, slender figure sneered from the shadows. "Deadly Flying Eagle versus Darkness, who will win? Whichever side wins, they'll both be severely injured... Heh heh." Suddenly, the figure vanished...

Love Snow Pavilion

"Miss Qianqian, thank you so much! You're amazing!" Xue'er's maid, Ziyan, saw her mistress's savior, Bai Qianqian, and her eyes immediately lit up with light. She rushed... well, she rushed to greet her. That morning, when she brought breakfast to her mistress's room, she was overjoyed to find that her mistress had already recovered! And that beautiful, divinely skilled doctor had already left, leaving her with nowhere to vent her excitement and admiration.

"Hehe, thank you." This beautiful woman's enthusiasm was too much for her. Bai Qianqian's smile was a little stiff. Her biggest problem wasn't solved yet; how could she possibly smile? Forcing a smile was really exhausting!

Noticing Bai Qianqian's distress, Xue'er asked Ziyan to bring some of the flower cakes she had made herself.

"Did you make these pastries? They're so cute and delicious! You're amazing!" Bai Qianqian exclaimed sincerely, while eating one piece after another.

"Hehe, just a little interest. If you're interested, I can teach you. This Hundred Flower Cake is relatively easy to make, and it's good for your skin, complexion, and overall health," Xue'er said with a smile, extending an invitation.

"Hehe, no need. I'm not very good at cooking." Her cooking skills were terrible, absolutely awful. Xiao Ke used to do it, and then Fei Ying; she'd never lifted a finger. Bai Qianqian said apologetically.

"Then I'll cook it for you myself whenever you want to eat it, okay?" Xue'er said softly.

"Wow, Xue'er, you're so understanding!" Bai Qianqian was deeply moved.

Hearing the cheerful laughter inside, Flying Eagle left with peace of mind.

Now, he needs to investigate what the leader of the Wuya Sect intends to do by capturing them. Based on his observations and his sixth sense as an assassin, things are not so simple! It seems that there are also unstable elements in this Wuya Sect. Thinking back to when he was talking to Nangong Xiao earlier, there seemed to be another figure lurking not far away, with that cold aura... Trying to hide it from him? Heh, sorry, his sensitivity to his surroundings is top-notch.

A cold, bloodthirsty smirk crept across his lips. "If anyone dares to threaten her life, don't blame me for being ruthless!" Flying Eagle would never allow anyone to harm her, the one he protected with his life!

Chapter Twenty-Six: Showdown

"What's been happening these past few days?" An leaned back on his special sandalwood throne, his lazy expression carrying a hint of aloofness.

"Reporting to the Master, in recent days 'he' has been frequently contacting the outside world. Apart from the Red Gate that was destroyed last time, and the three relatively weaker ones, Brocade Pavilion, Giant Blade Gang, and Crimson Lotus Gate, who dare not contact him, other forces, although they have cut off contact with him on the surface, still communicate with him from time to time in secret," Left Envoy Nangong Xiao replied calmly.

"Hmph, they really aren't afraid of death. It seems that destroying one Red Gate isn't enough to stop their greedy desires. In that case... let's wipe them all out." An remained calm, but a fierce killing intent burned in his eyes.

“…Yes!” Nangong Xiao sighed inwardly. So many innocent people were about to be killed. When would human desires ever end?

"Xiao Ruoshui, this is as far as I can go with you. Since you cannot awaken to the truth, then death is the only option." A faint sense of despair lingered in his voice. Xiao Ruoshui, the Right Envoy of the Wuya Sect, was four years older than him. Over a decade ago, he had become his father's disciple, and the two had always been inseparable, like brothers. When he was ten and Xiao Ruoshui was fourteen, the two went together to the cliff on the left side of Shuanglang Peak to pick the rare Wolf Fang Lotus for Murong Xue'er, who was only six years old at the time and already possessed remarkable medical talent. Unexpectedly, Murong Ming accidentally lost his footing and was about to slip off the cliff. Xiao Ruoshui quickly grabbed him, and the two slid down several centimeters together. Their situation was extremely dangerous; any slight struggle would have sent them both plummeting to the bottom. Xiao Ruoshui managed to hook himself onto a vine with his feet, but he never let go of Murong Xue'er's hand. An hour passed in this way until someone finally came looking for them and rescued them. From then on, their friendship deepened. But no one could have imagined that they would now turn on each other. It was all because of power!

"Hehe, guests outside, please come in. What are you waiting for?" Not long after Nangong Xiao left, a cold smile appeared on An's lips as he spoke softly to the outside. Although it was a soft voice, it was infused with internal energy, and the cold tone reached Fei Ying's ears precisely.

It seemed as if a gust of wind swept by, and suddenly the person was standing in front of the darkness.

"Who exactly are you, and what is your purpose?" An focused intently on scrutinizing the man before him. Thick, sword-like eyebrows were sharp and menacing, his long, deep-set eyes revealed a profound chill, and his resolute physique and perfectly steady breathing all demonstrated the absolute strength of the man before him. The only person with such skill, courage, and the leisure to come to his Wuya Fortress was the long-lost Deadly Flying Eagle.

"It seems you already know my identity. That's right, I am the Deadly Eagle." Eagle went straight to the point. "I have found out why Qianqian stayed behind, but I must warn you not to do anything that could endanger her." He would support her wishes, but he would never allow her to be put in danger.

"Qianqian? You're calling me that so affectionately! Aren't you a cold-blooded killer? When did you fall in love?" An's lips curled into a teasing smile, but his eyes grew increasingly cold. The word "Qianqian" that came out of his mouth made An extremely uncomfortable, and an unnamed fire slowly rose within him.

“You seem to have no right to interfere. As long as you promise me you won’t hurt her, I will keep my distance and let her fulfill her promise.” Flying Eagle clenched his fists; he was very uneasy about Dark’s attitude.

"And then? Take her away after you're done? Heh, do you think that's even possible?" Dark killing intent surged to its peak.

"It seems the only solution is force!" Flying Eagle and Darkness reached a consensus and headed straight for the cliff on the left side of Twin Wolf Peak. That was the best place for a duel.

This battle was a duel between two equally matched masters. This battle determined the fates of two men and one woman. This battle, fought for an ideal, was incredibly fierce. At dawn, two exhausted men lay on the edge of a cliff. Their bodies were covered in wounds, some from swords, some from palms.

"Hmph, you win." An sighed softly; it was only a hair's breadth away. But a loss is a loss. He smiled helplessly and began to admire Flying Eagle.

As the saying goes, "No fight, no friendship," and Flying Eagle began to look at Dark with new respect. His straightforwardness in accepting defeat earned Flying Eagle's admiration, and he also felt a sense of relief. (Indeed, if the leader of the Cult wanted to renege, there was nothing he could do. Dark's reputation has never been good.)

After looking at each other for a while, the two got up together and went back to their respective rooms.

An turned to look at Flying Eagle's retreating figure, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Flying Eagle, although I lost this battle, don't think you can take her away so easily."

Once she fulfills her promise to Xue'er, then we'll have to see how he performs. An began to sigh for Fei Ying's fate, yet his heart was filled with smugness. He just wanted to tease her a little longer, but… it seemed that the spice of her life would soon be gone. A trace of melancholy flashed in An's eyes.

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Showing Weakness

Within days, another bloody storm swept through the martial world, with numerous sects, large and small, being wiped out, especially their leaders, whose deaths were gruesome. Panic gripped the martial arts community, particularly among the elders of those sects who knew the truth. However, a few days later, their fears subsided, for they had all departed for another world…

“Xiao, let me offer you this toast. Perhaps you will hate me…” An stood on the edge of the cliff of Langya Peak, with a handful of fresh soil and a lonely grave in front of him.

The sky was dark and gloomy, as if it too was lamenting the lost affection.

“It’s quiet for now…” A few soft coughs came from the Jue’an Palace. “Why…why doesn’t she come to see me?” The slightly weak An lay on the down couch and muttered to herself.

Today it was Green Luo's turn to serve, and she saw that the usually cold, terrifying, and domineering cult leader was now listless and somewhat weak. It was unbelievable! What was wrong with the cult leader? Green Luo was filled with questions. Could the recent rumors be true? Was the cult leader refusing to eat? Why? Was she referring to Miss Qianqian?

“Water.” An Leng glanced at the maid before him, who seemed lost in thought. Her name was Green Luo, wasn't it? She seemed quite helpful? He remembered that day; it was she who had brought Bai Qianqian to treat Xue'er. Of course, after that day, all the other women besides her were expelled from Wuyabao Fortress.

"Yes! Please have some tea, Master." Green Luo brought over the tea, but saw that An was still lying down, the blanket still tightly covering him. It's only September, isn't he cold? "Master, let me help you sit up. -- Ah! Master! You...you're injured?" The blanket slipped down, and Green Luo was startled by An's numerous injuries!

"It's alright. You may leave." He handed over the tea, gesturing for Yi Lulu to leave. A smile played on his lips. Qianqian...you'll come, won't you?

Love Snow Pavilion

"What? Brother is injured!" Xue'er exclaimed with concern.

"Ah Guai is injured? No way? Who's that powerful?" Bai Qianqian was very surprised. How could he be injured? Thinking back, she remembered seeing Fei Ying a few days ago, whose complexion seemed a bit unnatural and whose body was stiff... Could it be...? No, that's unlikely! There's no reason for that. Besides, Fei Ying has fully recovered now. She even saw him practicing swordsmanship yesterday.

"Yes, it's absolutely true. The sect leader is not only injured, but has also been on a hunger strike for several days!" Green Luo looked at Bai Qianqian with concern.

"Um... Look at me, is there something you need?" Bai Qianqian noticed strangely that Green Luo seemed to have been staring at her ever since she entered the room.

"The Master seems to want Miss Qianqian to visit him. Please take some time to visit him and try to persuade him!" Green Luo knelt down sadly. In her eyes, the Master, though cold-hearted, was not cruel. Shortly after she was sold into Wuyabao Fortress, she was nearly raped while cleaning a secluded courtyard. Fortunately, the Master happened to pass by, his cold face fixed on the lewd man kneeling and begging for mercy. He uttered, "I hate men who force women!" and then sent him to his death with a single blow. Then, he turned and left without a word. The next day, she was told she was being transferred to work at his Jue'an Palace. This… was a form of protection? She had always thought so, and he, too, had never touched her, just as he said, he didn't force women.

“I think you should go see him, Xue’er. After all, you are his sister and you know medicine.” Bai Qianqian turned to Murong Xue’er.

“If my brother doesn’t want to see someone, he won’t see them even if he goes. Qianqian, you go ahead, don’t you know medicine too?” Xue’er knew her brother’s temperament all too well.

"Me? Hehe, I only treat difficult and incurable diseases. I haven't studied those simple minor injuries, hehe." Bai Qianqian knew nothing about medicine, oh dear.

"Don't all medical students have to start with the basics?" Suppressing her doubts, Murong Xue'er fetched several bottles of medicine and handed them to Bai Qianqian. "This is Jade Dew, for treating sword and knife wounds. Brother probably hasn't used any medicine, that's why it hasn't healed for so many days. The wound is probably infected. Take one Jade Pill a day, and you'll see results in two days. There's also the Mutual Heart Nine-Turn Pill for treating internal injuries, which can be taken together with the Jade Pill..."

Okay...so many medicines. She only remembers the first few. That should be enough, right?

Clutching the medicine, Bai Qianqian, her face flushed with anger, walked towards the Jue'an Palace with Lüluo. "You stinky monster, what are you pretending to be weak for? You're injured and won't even apply medicine, you're even going on a hunger strike. Don't you know your sister will worry!" Besides anger, she also felt a pang of sadness. That man, was this how he pursued her? Indeed, other methods were completely ineffective against her, but using this self-torturing method to get her attention would be exhausting… And no matter the process, she still couldn't be with him in the end.

Chapter Twenty-Eight: "Taking Care"

Footsteps…it’s hers! Getting closer…and there’s a hint of exasperation in them! I don’t recall her ever being this angry before, heh, I’ll take it. An lay on the bed, a slight smile on her weak face.

The door was flung open with a whoosh, not at all gentle. Standing outside was a beautiful woman, her angry eyes radiating a captivating charm.

Walking straight to the dark bedside, Bai Qianqian said rudely, "Hey, Sect Leader, what's wrong with you? Don't you plan to continue developing the Wuya Sect? Are you planning to shut it down?"

"Heh, call me An, Qianqian." She had never called him by his name before, and An really wanted to hear it.

"Alright, then I won't be polite. An, are you really injured?" Bai Qianqian was still a little incredulous, but his expression didn't seem to be faking it.

"Hmm, do you want to confirm?" He looked at Bai Qianqian with a malicious gaze.

"Did you... apply the medicine?" Her anger gradually subsided, and she glared at him, knowing he was deliberately putting on an act to see her make a fool of herself? No way!

"Hehe, no, I'm waiting for you to help me apply it." He said this while getting up with apparent difficulty.

"How did you know I'd apply it for you? I didn't agree to that." Bai Qianqian supported him, retorting defiantly. But when did he become so weak?

"It's okay, if you're not going to help, just let it be like this. I don't need anyone else to help." He chuckled as he watched Bai Qianqian roll her eyes.

"You! Really..." Bai Qianqian suddenly felt that the man in front of her was a stubborn and mischievous child, and she was his pitiful, exploited mother. Hehe, good son, Mommy will help you. Thinking this way made her feel much better, and Bai Qianqian unconsciously smiled.

Pulling off his blanket and unbuttoning his clothes, Bai Qianqian gasped in shock at the numerous wounds, large and small, before her. Almost all the sword wounds were inflamed and festering, surrounded by bruises. "You! You don't take care of yourself at all!" Bai Qianqian scolded loudly, but her hands gently applied medicine to his wounds. "Does it hurt?" Looking at the injuries before her, were they all because of her? Bai Qianqian couldn't help but tear up.

"Heh, what, feeling sorry for me?" Dark-faced, there was only a calm smile, without a trace of pain, even though his forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat.

"Feeling sorry for you? I'm the one who feels sorry for these medicines! Xue'er personally prepared them." How could Bai Qianqian give him a chance to find fault with her?

"Oh, am I not even as good as these medicines? Then I'd better not apply them, so as not to waste them." An lowered her head and said softly, as if she were aggrieved.