Lave

Chapitre 40

The sound was like an ice bead falling on an icy stream, so pure and clear, so melodious and pleasant, yet so cold and devoid of warmth. The three people in the bamboo house felt a chill run through their bodies, as if they were suddenly immersed in a cold pool under the scorching sun. Although cold, it instantly refreshed and comforted them.

The east was not yet bright! The three of them were startled.

Her voice alone was enough to make one imagine her pure beauty and elegant charm. Although the three people in the building had never seen her face, they were already captivated by her from the bottom of their hearts. If such a person was not a beauty, then where in the world could there be a better one?

"Disciple greets Master." Lan Qi's voice had lost all its demonic influence, becoming clear and respectful like never before.

Yuwen Luo could no longer hold back. He tiptoed toward the door, wanting to peek through the crack. But as soon as he took a step, a wisp of wind brushed past him from behind, and his whole body went numb, leaving him unable to move.

"Brother Ming..." Yuwen Luo called out stiffly. The only person in this room who could immobilize him by striking his pressure points was Ming Er; Ning Lang would never have such intentions.

“Didn’t you listen to what Master Sui said?” Ming Er’s voice was gentle but serious. “He will really gouge out your eyes, and even Seventh Young Master can’t save you.”

Hearing Ming Er's solemn tone, Yuwen Luo couldn't help but tremble. Only now did he believe that the words "eye gouging out" were not a threat.

"Brother, since the leader said we can't watch, then let's not watch," Ning Lang advised. He felt it didn't matter whether he watched Dong Weiming or not. If it was just because a woman was beautiful, then Qiu Hengbo, Hua Fushu, Rong Yue, Shang Pinghan, and others were all very beautiful, but Lan Qi... was there anyone in this world who could surpass her?

“But… Dong Weiming…” Yuwen Luo was extremely unwilling.

“In the past twenty years, how many people in the world have seen Dong Weiming? You are already so close to her, so cherish this fate and don’t force it,” Ming Er said calmly.

"Sigh..." Yuwen Luo sighed, but there was nothing he could do but strain his ears to listen to the conversation outside the building.

"It's been so many years, you've grown so tall." Dong Weiming's voice was still icy, not indifferent but certainly not warm, as if he regarded everything in the world as mere grass and trees.

"I am only alive today because of my master's kindness." Lan Qi's voice remained respectful, making everyone in the building very curious about the expression on her face at this moment.

"Our meeting is merely the will of Heaven," Dong Weiming said calmly. "The fact that you can come here shows that your martial arts have progressed quite well."

"This disciple dares not slack off for even a day."

"That's good. Most of the people outside are wicked. Only if you master martial arts can you protect yourself."

"Weiming, she doesn't need your concern. There are plenty of people outside who are afraid of her."

Sui Qinghan interjected, her voice as soft and gentle as spring water. The three people in the building dared not associate this voice with the arrogant and unruly leader of the demonic sect from before.

“Weiming, you haven’t come to see me for two months and seventeen days. You have no idea how much I miss you. Look how much my hair has turned whiter.”

Sui Qinghan continued, her tone sounding like a child who felt neglected, causing the three people in the building to shiver.

"Then let's meet again next year." Dong Weiming's voice was cold and devoid of any emotion. "I want to see what you look like with all your hair white. You must be as beautiful as these pear blossoms."

"Ah?" Sui Qinghan cried out in anguish, "No! Weiming, I don't want my hair to turn white!"

"Look how beautiful these pear blossoms are, so pure and white." Dong Weiming remained unmoved.

"No! Weiming, I don't want to grow old and ugly, otherwise I won't be good enough for you." Sui Qinghan's voice gradually lowered and became more affectionate, showing how deep her feelings were. "Weiming, you've always been so young and beautiful, and I want to be like you too, so that we can be the most perfect couple in the world."

"Sui Qinghan." Dong Weiming's tone remained unchanged, but at this moment everyone could feel her displeasure, and they couldn't help but feel heavy-hearted and worried about her unhappiness.

“Unclear…” Sui Qinghan lowered his voice even further.

"See you next year," Dong Weiming said casually.

"Unknown!" Sui Qinghan's voice was filled with anxiety and apprehension.

"Once you step across the pond, we will never see each other again." Dong Weiming's voice sounded distant, suggesting he had already departed.

17. Unparalleled Beauty (Part 2)

"Hahaha..." Lan Qi's unrestrained laughter rang out, "Just like the old man, just like the old man! How can I not laugh at you? With such a foolish appearance, how could Master like you? If it were me, I would like you too..."

"Shut up!" Sui Qinghan's voice was filled with icy coldness and murderous intent. "This sect leader is worse than him? Hmph!"

"Old man, do you know what you look like now?" Lan Qi laughed wildly, "It's called 'furious with shame'! Haha... Come out and take a look."

Upon hearing Lan Qi's voice, Yuwen Luo, who had been enduring immense discomfort, was the first to rush out of the bamboo house. However, he did not go to see Sui Qinghan's expression, but instead stretched his neck across the pond to look into the depths of the pear blossom forest, hoping to catch a glimpse of a figure. Alas, apart from the cold moon, pear blossoms, and evening breeze, there was nothing else.

"Alas! Just a door separates us, and I've missed the chance to meet the most beautiful woman in the world!" Yuwen Luo sighed in regret, then turned to look at Sui Qinghan with a hint of resentment.

Ning Lang also glanced at the pear blossom grove, but only for a moment before turning back to look at Lan Qi. After a few glances, he lowered his head and stopped looking. In the shadows of the flowers, Lan Qi's figure became somewhat dim and blurry.

"Yuwen Luo." Lan Qi stepped closer, raised her hand and placed it on his shoulder. She lifted his chin with her jade fan, turning him towards her. Her face slowly drew nearer, and she asked in a low, seductive voice, "Am I not the most beautiful woman in the world?"

Yuwen Luo stared at that breathtakingly beautiful face, at those alluring emerald eyes, and his heart pounded wildly. He leaped away, turned around, closed his eyes, and repeatedly chanted, "Amitabha, Amitabha, Amitabha..."

"Ha... Yuwen Luo, are you going to become a monk?" Lan Qi found his reaction somewhat amusing.

“I’m not trying to become a monk, I’m exorcising evil spirits,” Yuwen Luo replied with his eyes closed.

"Hmm?" Lan Qi's voice deepened slightly, and Yuwen Luo felt extremely threatened. A tingling sensation ran down his spine, and a cold sweat broke out on his back. He quickly turned around and grinned, "I mean, I'm asking Buddha to expel the evil thoughts from my heart."

"Is that so?" Lan Qi smiled, her emerald eyes fixed on Yuwen Luo, making him feel cold and stiff all over.

Over there, Ming Er strolled over slowly, a faint smile on his face, his features serene and elegant. Under the moonlight and pear blossoms, he looked like an immortal descending to earth.

"Your appearance truly disgusts this sect leader." Sui Qinghan narrowed his eyes, looking at the blue figure under the pear blossom snow. A cold light flashed in his eyes, and killing intent arose in his heart.

Ming Er remained calm and fearless, gazing leisurely across the pond. He said, "Senior Dong Weiming was once renowned for his beauty. I have only heard his voice and I am already deeply impressed by his reputation. No wonder he has followed the sect leader for decades with unwavering loyalty." He then turned his gaze to Sui Qinghan, "No wonder the martial world still remembers him so fondly."

Having roamed the martial world for decades, Sui Qinghan had always been arrogant and self-important. Yet, under that one glance, his blood boiled, as if he were excited to meet a formidable opponent for the first time when he was young. At the same time, his heart was chilled, as if all the grudges and grievances of the past decades had been seen clearly by those hazy eyes, leaving nothing to hide!

After a long pause, Sui Qinghan slowly spoke, "Back then, when he was your age, he didn't have your kind of imposing presence." He glanced at Lan Qi, "The martial world is about to get lively again."

Upon uttering these words, I suddenly realized how old I had become. The lofty ambitions and heroic spirit of my youth were long gone. The endless companionship and waiting at the Pear Blossom Tomb was my heart's desire, yet also the helplessness of this life.

Turning around, my gaze fell on the opposite side, where beneath the heavy snow of pear blossoms lay a patch of quiet, serene floral shadows.

I wonder if, before I die, I will get what I want?

Ming Er observed the slight bewilderment and desolation on the face of this outstanding figure, his brow twitching slightly, a thought flashing in his eyes. As the leader of the Demonic Sect, the "Lord of the Jade Moon," standing at the pinnacle of the martial world, a man who could command the winds and rains, he had cast aside everything, simply remaining in this pear blossom grove, simply accompanying this cold-hearted woman, simply waiting in vain. Why? Could love truly make one selfless and without regret? Yet, even for someone like him, even if he had gone to the extreme, wasn't this all he received?

Without equal reward, all the effort and hard work is futile!

Suddenly, Sui Qinghan shouted, "Who dares to sneak into the Pear Blossom Tomb!"

“I came here openly and honestly, how can you say I ‘sneaked in’?” A calm and leisurely voice came, sounding very familiar.

The group couldn't help but turn to look, and Sui Qinghan's expression instantly changed. He gritted his teeth and said, "It's you!"

"It's me." With this voice, two white figures walked gracefully through the flowers and trees, none other than Ming Kong and Feng Yi.

"It's Senior Ming!" Yuwen Luo exclaimed in surprise, and stepped forward.

Ming Er and Ning Lang greeted them with smiles from behind.

When Mingkong saw them, he was also a little surprised, but when he saw Lan Qi, he understood. "So you've all been here."

"I didn't expect Sect Leader Ming to come too." Lan Qi moved over, her gaze falling on Feng Yi, and smiled slightly, "Brother is here too."

As expected of a martial arts master, Mingkong didn't show much surprise at seeing Lan Qi dressed as a woman. He simply smiled and said, "You look even better this way."

Feng Yi glanced at her, her white robes and jade-like face were beautiful and elegant, her eyes sparkled, she seemed to want to say something but stopped herself, she quickly looked away and lowered her eyes to stand quietly behind Ming Kong.

Sui Qinghan's gaze fell on Feng Yi, a strange look flashing across her face. Then she looked at Lan Qi, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she just calmly looked away.

"So, Master Sui and Senior Ming are friends!" Yuwen Luo's eyes gleamed. "Master Lan Yin and Master Bi Yue" are actually friends? This is absolutely shocking news for the martial arts world!

"What friends?" Sui Qinghan's eyes turned cold. "They're mortal enemies!"

Huh? Yuwen Luo was taken aback. The mortal enemy he had mentioned earlier, whom he hated so much, was Ming Kong? He turned to look at Ming Kong, but saw no anger or dissatisfaction from him.

"It's been many years. I hope you've been well, Brother Sui." Mingkong turned his gaze to Sui Qinghan.

"How have you been?" Sui Qinghan snorted, glancing sideways at Mingkong. "If it weren't for you, would this sect leader and Weiming have ended up like this!"

Perhaps it was the name "Weiming" that struck Mingkong, for his carefree and leisurely expression changed instantly, a flash of sharpness crossing his eyes. After a long while, he said, "Then isn't my relationship with Weiming today thanks to Brother Sui?" His voice was calm but extremely deep.

Sui Qinghan frowned upon hearing this, "It was clearly this sect leader who encountered Wei Ming first!"

Mingkong's brows furrowed. "Could it be that Weiming also fell in love with Brother Sui first back then?"

Sui Qinghan glared, "Of course she likes me!"

A hint of helplessness gradually surfaced in Mingkong's eyes. He gave a bitter smile and sighed deeply, "What's the point of arguing about this now? Weiming and I know each other but must forget each other. You and Weiming are together but cannot be intimate. Decades have passed and this is all we've achieved. What good will it do for us to argue any further?"

Sui Qinghan paused for a moment upon hearing this, then a bitter expression slowly rose on her face as she murmured, "If it weren't for you... if it weren't for you..."

Mingkong ignored him, turning her gaze to the pear blossom grove, a mixture of deep affection and melancholy in her eyes. "So many years have passed, I wonder how Weiming is doing..."

"You are not allowed to see her!" Sui Qinghan snapped back to reality.

Ke Mingkong ignored him, stepped onto the wooden bridge, crossed the pond, and walked straight into the depths of the pear blossom grove.

"Come back here!" Sui Qinghan flew after him, but in the end, she followed him.

"Ha! We've finally found him an opportunity!" Lan Qi laughed from behind.

“Let’s go check... Is everything alright?” Yuwen Luo stared intently in that direction.

"If you don't want to live anymore, you can try it." Lan Qi smiled wickedly, waving her jade fan.

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Luo gave up and turned to see Ning Lang standing quietly under the shadow of the flowers, Ming Er looking ahead with a faint smile, Feng Yi looking down at the ground, and Lan Qi fanning herself with her jade fan, her green eyes darting around but not looking at Feng Yi. With a thought, she said, "Seventh Young Master, shall we stay here tonight?"

"Of course, but find your own place to stay in the bamboo house. Don't expect the old man to know how to treat guests."

"Is that so? Then Ning Lang, let's go take a look and see if we need to tidy up and clean up." Yuwen Luo called to Ning Lang. As for Ming Er, he thought that Ming Er was such a perceptive person that he didn't need anyone to give him pointers.

Sure enough, Ming Er also said, "This building has been in the hands of the sect leader and has many extraordinary features. I would like to take a closer look and perhaps learn something from it."

The three of them walked towards the bamboo house. As they passed Feng Yi, Ning Lang suddenly stopped, looked at him, and asked, "Brother Feng Yi, are you a man?"

Feng Yi was taken aback, and looked up at the young man in front of her. His face was slightly dark but clear and pure, and his round eyes were extremely bright and clear. She couldn't help but answer, "Yes."

"So your name is Lan Fengyi, not Lan Canyin, right?" Ning Lang asked again, his brows relaxing.

"Yes." A hint of warmth rose in Feng Yi's indifferent eyes.

"That's good." Ning Lang smiled with relief after receiving the answer.

Looking at that smiling face, Feng Yi was momentarily stunned. They had lost that pure and innocent smile forever!

After the three left, the pear blossom grove was completely silent.

Lan Qi stood on this side, and Feng Yi stood on that side.

They were separated by a distance of two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters).

Lan Qi looked at the pond and the wooden bridge, while Feng Yi looked at the ground and the shadows of the flowers.

There was a long silence in the middle.

“Ning Lang is a good boy, you should treat him well.” After a long while, Feng Yi said in a low voice.