Roi céleste

Chapitre 34

As I carried the Duijun Sword, turning back every few steps, just as I was about to shout, "Master, do we, the dignified Thousand-Year Sect, have to rely on taking orders to make a living?", I saw Yu Buzhou and Li Yiyao, those two damned devils, happily waving their little handkerchiefs to see me off, without any intention of stopping me.

They actually sold me out for 100,000 taels of silver! Don't these short-sighted people know that even a single inch of her foot-binding cloth, the future leader of the Thousand-Year Sect, is worth far more than 100,000 taels? Because she doesn't even have foot-binding cloth...

Once we emerged from the towering mountains, a carriage and driver were already waiting at the mountain pass. I hesitated for a while, thinking that taking someone's money was a matter of righteousness, so I reluctantly got into the carriage.

Having spent almost all of my time in the mountains for several years, I finally had the chance to see the human world with its people and firewood.

It was nearly the end of summer, but the lotus flowers in the small pond outside the village were still in full bloom, the red lotuses leaning against each other as if drunk, unaware that they were about to wither away.

Today, a light drizzle fell intermittently. When we came out after having lunch at a farmhouse, the drizzle had just stopped. On the rooftops of every house in the village, we could only see wisps of green smoke, like a swimming dragon, swaying gently. This startled the birds that were taking shelter from the rain in the wild bamboo grove. They thought the fog had cleared and that it was going to rain again, so they flew low and uneasy for a few moments before heading deeper into the bamboo grove.

I rubbed my stomach, crawled into the carriage like a pig, and fell asleep immediately.

These days I've been either sleeping, eating, or spacing out, and haven't said much. When Qing Jiu tries to talk to me, his responses are extremely brief. After one impatient frown, the Palace Master Qing wisely stopped bothering me. But when I was staring out the window in a daze, he just stared back at me, occasionally chuckling to himself for a while, which only strengthened my belief that he had suffered brain damage from tetanus.

I drifted off to sleep, and to my surprise, for the first time in years, I dreamt of being in a slightly swaying carriage, next to someone.

...

In the dream, the thin mist was like the hem of a weaver girl's skirt, and the folds of her clothes were filled with the sweet fragrance of flowers.

I sat there dumbfounded under the peach tree, not knowing where I was for a long time, until something big and round nudged my back. I turned around abruptly and looked up to see an astonishingly large red peach. On its skin, which was as red as the sunset, a pair of long, upturned eyes were staring at me, looking both delighted and apprehensive.

I sprang to my feet with a thud, and hesitated before asking, "...Fat Peach Spirit?"

Fat Peach was so angry she almost jumped up, yelling twice, "Where am I fat?!" Then she fell silent, staring at me blankly for a few moments, her skin scrunched up, looking rather nervous: "I've been away on business for quite a while now. Have you been here again? I'm sorry, I even said we could be friends, but I ended up leaving..."

"It's nothing." I smiled nonchalantly, but before I could say anything more, Fat Peach started nagging again: "But didn't I say I would bring you delicious peaches? I brought you so many! Look, look!"

As he spoke, his fat body stumbled forward with difficulty, and a pile of ripe red peaches rolled down from his head and piled up at my feet.

The chubby peach spirit blinked at me, looking at me with a fawning expression. "If you eat these peaches, you won't blame me, okay?"

I was taken aback by the huge, adorable peaches. I nodded quickly, sat cross-legged, picked up a peach, and started eating. To my surprise, it was so sweet and delicious that I became addicted and couldn't stop eating it.

Big Peach, standing to the side, watched me eat his peer with a happy smile, looking quite pleased.

"Hey, what have you been doing all these years?" I couldn't help but ask, since eating was still too boring.

"Well... I'm actually a bit confused. It seems like I only appear here when I'm in a good mood. I have no memory of being in other places. It's like I'm dreaming all the time."

I stopped what I was doing and turned my head to stare at the chubby peach spirit, who seemed to be deep in thought.

I actually had a vague feeling that everything in front of me should be a dream, but this fat peach spirit thought that I was awake here, and that I was dreaming at other times.

Suddenly, I realized that dreams are life, or life is dreams; which is real and which is fake? Often, those involved are confused.

"Hey, you're not going to be agonizing over dreams and reality, are you?" Fat Peach raised her head with a rather heroic air, her soft peach skin stretched taut. "A dream is real until you wake up."

Before you wake up, a dream is real... What's the point of worrying about whether it's real or not? Just enjoy the present moment.

"Good! As expected of a spirit that's been around for hundreds of years, your words are quite profound. For that alone, I won't blame you for leaving me behind for so long!" I let out a hearty shout, slapped the large peach beside me, and then took a big bite of the small peach in my hand, only to—choke...

I collapsed, clutching my throat, under the astonished gaze of the chubby peach spirit. I meant to say, "It's okay, see you next time," but before I could finish, I couldn't breathe properly, and everything went black. I choked to death in my dream...

...

I suddenly sat up, clutching my throat. My vision blurred, but I gradually realized that I was in a carriage heading to Tian Shu Peak, wearing an ivory satin robe embroidered with swastika patterns. I was stunned for a moment, then looked up and saw that Qing Jiu was sleeping against the other side of the carriage wall.

From that day on, I never saw him wear light blue clothes again, that cold and aloof color.

I stood up and went closer, carefully putting the robe that was covering me back over Qingjiu's body.

His long, arched eyebrows were as clear and distant as green mountains, and his thick, long eyelashes hung down smoothly. At this moment, he did not look like a martial arts hero who was unparalleled in the world, but just an ordinary, handsome man sleeping peacefully. He was not heartless, not scheming, not cruel, but would lean against the car wall and sleep peacefully like a small animal next to me.

I don't know how long it lasted, but the carriage was quiet except for the occasional sound of wheels turning and horses neighing outside. Just looking at it so closely made my eyes feel hot.

Recalling the first time I saw him this close, he looked down at me with his eyes crinkling, a faint smile on his lips, and said, "Miss, haven't we just met?"

Seven years have passed in the blink of an eye; time flies like water, leaving one helpless.

And this person who has been a part of the best years of my life, I probably can't forget him.

The carriage must have passed over a pothole; the wheels went in and out, causing the carriage to sway slightly, and the person in front of them suddenly opened their eyes.

Her phoenix eyes, which should have been haughty, became slightly dazed. When she came to her senses and saw that it was me, they gradually curved upwards, making the corners of her eyes appear even longer and thinner. Her eyelashes covered the flickering light in her pupils, like candles that had been lit.

Qingjiu looked at me and smiled, feeling satisfied and at ease.

"...selling clothes."

He reached out and touched my face, as if to make sure I wasn't dreaming. He didn't make any further moves, but his hand didn't leave. It was a warm touch.

He said with a smile, "Guyi, I just dreamed about you."

I opened my mouth as if to say something, but I remained silent. What could I say? That I was the same as Qingjiu.

Me too.

With this realization, I suddenly felt a sense of despair. Just then, the carriage swayed again, and Qingjiu quickly reached out to support my shoulder, but I suddenly stood up, looking at the person in front of me whom I had liked for who knows how many seven years.

"倾镹".

I called his name and suddenly said, "Let me go."

Then I turned around and jumped off the carriage.

The people behind them also resolutely chased after them.

The oblivious coachman didn't seem to notice the carriage had become lighter; he just kept going forward, kicking up a cloud of dust.

I drew my sword and pointed it at the person in front of me.

"I want to travel around, and then I'll go to Tian Shu Peak by myself."

"Don't stop me." This seemed rather shameless, as if he had taken the money but did nothing and was still throwing a tantrum.

I'm not foolish enough to think that bringing up the old treaty is just to bind me to his side. This is an opportunity to announce the relationship between Tian Shu Palace and Qian Sui Sect to the world, forcing those who are eyeing the rising power of Tian Shu Peak to reconsider. As long as there is no war, it is almost impossible for Youlong Tian Palace and Qinghong Manor to unite. The martial world has returned to balance, but it is already clear who has the advantage. Qian Sui Sect plays a restraining role. And seeing that Master Yu Buzhou agreed to let Qing Jiu take me down the mountain, his attitude is very clear.

On one hand, I can't help but overthink, and on the other hand, I still feel too tired. When too many interests are mixed into a relationship, it makes people afraid to trust. For example, I don't want to get hurt anymore.

I was going to just go through the motions, but just now, I dreamt about him, and he dreamt about me. It sounds wonderful, but I can't imagine what will happen next. I don't want to see myself wallowing in tenderness and losing my backbone.

Now I'm afraid. I wasn't brave when I was young, and now I'm even more afraid of getting hurt once I let my guard down.

I've been drifting aimlessly for years, and I don't want to continue like this anymore.

Qingjiu looked at me, pursed her lips, and then smiled gently. I was afraid of her doting expression.

“Okay,” he said, “I’ll wait for you.”

Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed my sword blade. Blood dripped from his fingers. In my astonished gaze, he pulled the sharp blade toward himself. Before I could react, the slender, cold blade of the sword had already pierced through his chest.

I subconsciously loosened my grip on the sword and stared blankly at the person in front of me whose clothes were rapidly turning red.

He still smiled gently, pressed acupoints to stop the bleeding, and then pulled out his sword, wiped the blood off with his sleeve, and put it back into the scabbard at my waist.

“I know Gu Yi has always been bothered by that sword, and I feel guilty too,” he coughed twice, and blood foam quickly flowed from the corner of his mouth. Qing Jiu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth as if nothing had happened, and continued to smile and say, “I think no matter how much I apologize, it’s better to ask you to return it. Maybe that way you will forgive me a little.”

The handsome and exceptionally skilled martial artist in front of me winced in pain. His shoulders slumped due to blood loss, but he refused to fall. His hand, pressed against his wound, was stained red with blood, yet he still looked at me with gentle eyes and a warm voice.

"Now that I've finally made it down the mountain, I should naturally take a stroll around."

"I'll be waiting for you at Tian Shu Peak... Don't forget to come back."

He knew what I was thinking. He was telling me that he wasn't using me. Otherwise, he wouldn't have seriously injured himself during the prime time when he was famous and ready to make his mark after the Qishan martial arts competition. It was not worth it at all than hiring three thousand-year-old masters.

Even if it was to deceive me, this shouldn't be the kind of foolish thing that Qingjiu, who is usually rational and indifferent, would do.

Unable to find an excuse, I was about to cry as I looked at Qingjiu, who was pale and weak but still held on to not fall. The next moment, I suddenly turned around.

Having long since given up hope on Qingguyi, I could only flee.

Forty-eight cups of milk wine

Milk Wine - Mountain Bottle Milk wine descends from the clouds, its rich aroma a fortunate sight. Do not laugh at the old earthenware pot of the farmer's family, for since it was filled with wine, it has nourished their children and grandchildren.

...

The lingering clouds dispel the summer heat, and the new rain brings the autumn mist.

The rain and mist had just stopped, and the setting sun slanted faintly over the river. The sky was clear and the clouds were thin. Occasionally, water birds would be startled and take flight from the damp reeds.

I sat cross-legged at the bow of the boat, staring blankly at the misty river surface.

"Sitting outside the boat like this all the time, aren't you afraid of getting rheumatism after a while?"

Startled by the voices behind me, I flinched before regaining my senses. I turned around and said, "How could that be? I'm perfectly healthy, you tough girl."

The woman who spoke was a truly robust and strong woman, dressed in typical pirate attire, with a tall frame and an eye patch on her face; she was none other than Tie Cuihua.

"I don't know what you're thinking about all day, you're like a lost soul," the female bandit leader shook her head at me, "You get so startled every time I call you, you don't even notice when someone as insignificant as me gets close."

"No way," I stammered, then asked, "Any news from the martial arts world lately?"

“This is the third time you’ve asked me,” Tie Cuihua said, giving me a malicious look with her only remaining glasses. “Tell me, whose news do you want to hear? I’ll find out for you. No news that enters these waters can escape my ears.”

I stood up and dusted off my clothes. "I was just asking casually. I'm going inside to lie down for a bit. Don't forget to bring me some good food later, my host."

"...It must be that noble person from Tian Shu Palace," Tie Cuihua suddenly said from behind.

I didn't answer and went straight into the cabin.

After two more days of being in a daze, he saw a third familiar face on the boat, besides Tie Cuihua and Hua Cuitie, someone who shouldn't have been there.

The man standing at the bow of the ship had a slightly immature face, but a tuft of beard grew on his fair chin, which looked rather contradictory. The man seemed unaware of this, and just stood calmly on the deck, his eyes occasionally darting around, a glint of light flashing in them, like a cunning young man.

I poured him a cup of tea and said with a smile, "I wonder what brings Protector Baiya here."

“Isn’t it obvious?” Bai Ya spoke as bluntly as ever, “I’m here to see you.”

"Oh?" The man named Qingguyi, as thick-skinned as ever, asked, "What is it?"

Bai Ya's eyebrows twitched twice before he patiently said, "Come back to Tian Shu Palace with me. Don't forget we paid you."

“I remember saying that I would wander around and then go to your Tian Shu Palace.”

“That’s what our Palace Master said too,” Bai Ya said expressionlessly. “I came to find you myself.” After saying that, he took a sip of tea, frowned, and threw the teacup into the water. “It’s awful.”

I glanced at Bai Ya, whose face was as cold as an iceberg, and said with some helplessness, "Protector Bai, I remember the last time we met was a few years ago, but we had a very pleasant conversation. Besides, I'm sure I didn't dig up your ancestral graves, so why do you have to give me this look?"

After hearing my words, the cold-faced Protector Baiya suddenly drew his iron-bone fan from his waist, startling me so much that I took two steps back and instinctively tried to draw my sword. In the late summer and early autumn weather, Protector Baiya used the iron-bone fan, which had killed countless people, to fan himself a couple of times before putting it back on his waist. Only then did he slowly speak. "The Palace Master is seriously injured and has not yet recovered."

“I know, it wasn’t you who wanted to stab her.” Bai Ya interrupted me, “It was our Palace Master who made a foolish mistake and stabbed herself.”