Lave

Chapitre 55

That smile could wither a hundred flowers and ten thousand trees, and turn the hearts and souls of the dead to ashes. There is no smile in the world more ruthless, colder, or emptier than that smile.

That was Ming Huayan's smile.

"It turns out that Seventh Young Master really is my confidant."

His voice was as melodious as a clear spring, and his appearance as beautiful as a banished immortal, yet it could chill one's heart and make one's soul tremble. However, the one facing all of this was Lan Qi, so he remained as enigmatic and alluring as ever. He chuckled lightly, fanning himself, "Likewise."

Their eyes met, and they smiled at each other.

Their gazes penetrated into the other's heart, piercing straight into the other's soul.

In this world, there is no one who understands you better than the other person.

In this world, there is no one more eager to kill than the other person.

But now, no, it's impossible.

They looked at each other for a moment, then looked away.

The moonlight was bright, the Milky Way was dazzling, and the sky and earth were filled with silvery light. The firelight gently gilded them with a layer of crimson. The night was so tranquil and beautiful.

After a moment of silence, Lan Qi suddenly said, "I wonder what time it is now. Second Young Master, do you think your men found this place first, or my men arrived first?"

Ming Er looked up at the night sky and said after a moment, "It should be nearing the end of the Chen hour on the 12th of October."

"Huh?" Lan Qi asked in surprise.

"Seventh Young Master, don't you know that there is something called 'astrology' in this world? By observing it, one can know the seasons and the time of day." The Second Young Master Ming's vast knowledge was finally put to use at this moment.

Lan Qi pouted again, "Why didn't the Second Young Master seek help from the 'astrology' when he was hungry?"

"It's getting late, it's time to rest." The Second Young Master Ming always avoided Lan Qishao's verbal provocations, either using minimal force to deflect them or simply avoiding them altogether.

Moonlight streamed in through the cave entrance, making the cave half-lit and half-dark.

Lan Qi took off her cloak and spread it on the rattan bed, then took off her outer robe to use as a blanket. Ming Er's eyes were dazzled by a flash of silver light. He looked over and then said softly, "No wonder."

Lan Qi, who had already jumped onto the rattan bed, asked upon hearing this, "No wonder what?"

Ming Er's gaze fell directly on Lan Qi, and he said, "No wonder people say that Seventh Young Master is androgynous. With this thing, who can tell?"

Lan Qi took off her outer robe, revealing the small silver soft armor she was wearing on her upper body.

"But is that all... Second Young Master has already decided?" Lan Qi glanced down at himself, secretly regretting his carelessness.

“Hehe…” Ming Er suddenly chuckled softly, with a hint of mockery in his voice. “Doesn’t Seventh Young Master often say that we are confidants? So, apart from Brother Feng Yi, I should be the person who understands Seventh Young Master’s identity the most in this world, not to mention last night…” At this point, Ming Er suddenly stopped, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Shut up!" This time it was Lan Qi's turn to be angry. She glared at Ming Er, her ears burning. Of course, she knew she could hide it from the world, but she couldn't hide it from this fake immortal. But... he dared to bring up last night! However... a glint flashed in Lan Qi's green eyes. Hehe... last night... Hmph, fake immortal, this young master knows how to deal with you!

This time, Ming Er obediently kept quiet, wondering to herself why she had blurted it out. She knew perfectly well that there was no need to point it out, and for a moment she felt a little lost. Fortunately, the light in the cave was dim, and they were far apart, so she couldn't see each other's expressions clearly.

Lan Qi covered himself with his outer robe and fell asleep, while Ming Er also took off his outer garment and covered himself with it before lying down on the stone bed. The cave immediately fell silent, with only the moonlight quietly shining in. The two hadn't had a proper night's sleep for many days, and now that they were full and satisfied, they both drifted off to sleep in no time.

In the middle of the night, Ming Er woke up from the cold, as if he were lying on ice, which chilled his otherwise warm body.

In the late autumn and approaching winter season, the temperature at night is unimaginably low, and even the best constitution cannot warm up the cold stone bed. Ming Er had never slept on a stone bed before and did not know this, but now that he did, he did not have a rattan bed like Lan Qi's that did not touch the ground, nor did he know how to weave one himself.

Sitting up, he could clearly see the scene inside the cave. The cave entrance was bathed in a dazzling silver light, suggesting the moonlight outside must be even more beautiful. Looking towards Lan Qi, there was no movement at all; she must be sleeping soundly. He quietly got up and moved over. On the rattan bed, Lan Qi was curled up in a ball, looking as small as a child. Ming Er looked at her, somewhat surprised and somewhat amused. Her captivating green eyes were closed, and her face lost some of its imposing presence, appearing delicate and frail. Her brows were slightly furrowed, as if she were deep in worry in her dream.

Lan Qiming had never seen anything like this before. He had already gripped the bamboo flute in his sleeve, but when his gaze fell on the curled-up body, for some reason, the murderous intent in his heart suddenly disappeared. He slowly released his grip, turned around, and quietly walked out of the cave.

As Ming Er stepped out of the cave, Lan Qi opened her eyes, her clear blue pupils devoid of any confusion. She had awoke the instant Ming Er stood up; for over a decade, she had long forgotten the feeling of being lost in a dream, and even the sound of wind rustling through leaves could instantly awaken her. She loosened her grip on the jade fan, turned over, and gazed thoughtfully towards the cave entrance.

Outside the cave, it was indeed a silver world.

Ming Er stood with his hands behind his back at the cave entrance, gazing up at the night sky. The bright moon was like jade, its clear light like frost, and the night was chilling to the bone.

Reaching into his sleeve, he pulled out a purple bamboo flute, intending to play a tune, but then remembered the person sleeping soundly in the cave, and stopped. He toyed with it in his hand, unexpectedly recalling Lan Qi's words: "The Second Young Master's flute music is like the Second Young Master himself—perfect on the outside, but empty inside. Even the icy plains and deserts are better than the Second Young Master; at least there's ice and sand there. But the Second Young Master… nothing in this world touches your heart. Even the supreme martial arts 'Lan Yin Bi Yue' is nothing more than something the Second Young Master wants to play with."

Is it empty, with nothing at all? An unconscious laugh, a desolate laugh.

How could it be empty? Isn't the Ming family already under his control?

How could nothing possibly concern him? Qiu Hengbo had already gifted him the silk robe.

But... why... is my heart always so cold? Why have I never experienced the fulfillment and warmth that others have described?

I opened my palm, and there was really nothing there.

Upon careful searching, it was truly empty.

Raise your palm, and grasp the bright moon in the sky with your five fingers.

The Orchid Moon... an object of supreme beauty and holiness, representing the entire martial arts world, which he must seize.

If you can grasp the "Orchid and Jade Moon", you may have everything and no longer be empty.

"As long as you hold the 'Orchid Moon Jade', you will have everything."

The thought that had been on his mind suddenly echoed in his ears, startling him, but then he relaxed. In this world, only she could be so close to him, only she knew him so well, and it could only be her.

“Such a bright moon, it’s always a bit lonely to admire it alone.” Lan Qi walked closer and stood side by side with Ming Er.

Ming Er turned to look at her, "Why is Seventh Young Master awake?"

“It’s definitely not because I was cold that I woke up.” Lan Qi smiled sweetly. “It’s just that as soon as the Second Young Master left, I felt empty inside and woke up all at once.”

Ming Er raised an eyebrow, looked at Lan Qi, and after a moment, he smiled lightly. In the moonlight, he was truly as handsome as a fairy, beyond words. "So, Seventh Young Master has changed his tactics."

Lan Qi nodded, smiling at Ming Er with an expression that said, "You are indeed my confidant." She leaned slightly closer and whispered, "Second Young Master, will you accept the challenge?"

“Seventh Young Master’s hospitality is too kind of me to refuse,” Ming Er replied gently.

"Alas, there is no one in this world who can inspire such devotion in me as the Second Young Master." Lan Qi sighed softly, reaching out to stroke Ming Er's face with boundless tenderness. Her emerald eyes shimmered with moonlight, as if all the light in the world was contained within them, captivating and mesmerizing.

Ming Er turned to face Lan Qi, bowed slightly, and met those unique blue eyes with his hazy gaze. He asked softly with a smile, "What do you think will happen in the end?"

At this point, we know some things are true and some are false, so what will the final outcome be?

"The unknown is what's interesting." Lan Qi looked into those hazy, distant eyes and moved closer, wanting to see her own reflection in them.

A purple bamboo flute was suddenly inserted between the two.

"You ate snake gall, snake meat, and the 'Silver Pearl Fruit' nourished by snake fluid tonight," Ming Er clearly stated. The implication was clear: he wanted him to stay away.

Lan Qi's emerald eyes flashed with an eerie light in an instant, and Ming Er knew something was wrong.

"You should try some too."

Bang!

Despite his quick retreat, the Second Young Master Ming failed to escape. His head slammed against the cave wall, followed by a sharp pain on his face. Lan Qi, on the other hand, felt as if his teeth were about to break.

Ming Huayan and Lan Canyin's first intimate encounter took place in front of a cave on a deserted island in the East Sea. The feeling was that Ming Huayan got a headache from the bump, and Lan Canyin got a toothache from the bump.

Of course, no one else knew except them.

Chapter 23: First Encounter with Dongming (Part 1)

When Mingying and Lantong, hand in hand, appeared side by side before Ming Er and Lan Qi, leading their subordinates, the two were initially surprised, but their eyes twitched. Their masters' discord was only in secret; what were these two doing?

Lan Tong, who had been pulled aside by Lan Qi, explained, "I'm worried that if the Ming family finds out first, it will be detrimental to Seventh Young Master."

Mingying, carrying Lan Qi on her back, explained to Ming Er in the same way: "That 'Azure Demon' is treacherous and despicable, and her subordinates must be the same. I was worried that they would harm you, so I had no choice but to do this."

As for Dongming Island, which they had never set foot on before, Ming Er and Lan Qi had already secretly taken action from the moment they heard its name on Ying Mountain. They personally took risks and made various arrangements in advance. As soon as the two large ships carrying three hundred martial arts masters set off, Ming Er and Lan Qi's servants behind them acted according to their masters' orders.

When the storm first struck the East Sea, subordinates sent messages to the mainland via snow eagles. Upon receiving the news, the subordinates immediately set sail to rescue their master after the storm subsided. They knew what kind of person their master was, and it was impossible for him to have perished in the storm. However, the search in the vast ocean still took some time. What was even more unexpected was that the people from Ming and Lan would meet by chance in the sea.

Although both families were considered righteous clans in the martial arts world and had always been on good terms without any enmity, and even when Ming Er and Lan Qi met, they would outwardly be polite and amicable, their trusted confidants, Ming Ying and Lan Tong, had obviously received prior instructions from the two. Therefore, although they did not engage in a major fight upon meeting, caution and vigilance were inevitable. After some negotiation, they reached an agreement: Ming Luo and Lan Long would continue their journey to Dongming Island together on a boat, while Ming Ying and Lan Tong would continue searching for their missing master.

To the Ming and Lan families, Ming Ying and Lan Tong were highly skilled in martial arts and capable individuals. To Ming Er and Lan Qi, they were exceptionally talented and capable subordinates. However, it was unclear whether they shared a karmic entanglement with their masters from a past life or a deep-seated grudge in this one. Despite reaching a consensus and knowing rationally that they should turn enemies into friends, the two simply couldn't stand each other.

Lan Tong's deep dimple on her left cheek, even when she wasn't smiling, seemed cute and approachable to others, but to Ming Ying, it was a dagger hidden in a smiling tiger's eyes. Ming Ying's small, bright eyes seemed intelligent and reliable to others, but to Lan Tong, they were a den of intrigue and scheming. Any word or action from the other was seen as provocation and manipulation. In the end, the two of them fought fiercely for three hundred rounds without a word, resulting in a stalemate. The two of them walked together to their respective masters with their hands tied together, which prevented the other from arriving first to harm their masters. As for themselves, their subordinates found it laughable, and even Ming Er and Lan Qi felt extremely ashamed.

However, Ming Er and Lan Qi had neither the mood nor the time to blame the two. Without any hesitation, they left the deserted island that had sheltered them for several days and nights, boarded the clean and comfortable ship, and set sail.

After they had freshened up and eaten and drunk their fill, they each called Mingying and Lantong into their cabins. As for what they asked and what they gave, only they themselves knew.

The sudden attack in the East Sea and the unpredictable storm were not unexpected, but equally, they seemed to be part of East Sea Island's plan! They were both people accustomed to being in control, and since the disappearance of "Lan Yin Bi Yue," the Imperial Dynasty's martial arts world had repeatedly suffered defeats against this mysterious enemy, East Sea Island, which greatly displeased them! Whether for themselves, for the Imperial Dynasty's martial arts world, or for Ming Kong's request, they had to shatter this boulder of East Sea Island! At this moment, for both of them, there was a common enemy—East Sea Island!

Therefore, one of the many orders that Mingying and Lantong received was the same.

Dongming Island, the martial arts world of the Dynasty, you dare to toy with and trample on me before I have even taken control of it!

On the large ship sailing with the wind, Lan Qi and Ming Er sat upright in the cabin. One was still incomparably beautiful, and the other was still elegant and refined. At the same moment, they both smiled coldly.

The ship sailed at sea for five days and five nights, and at Shenshi (3-5 PM) on October 18th, it very discreetly stopped behind a group of reefs.

As Lan Qi and Ming Er stepped out of the cabin, they saw another ship hidden behind a reef. Upon seeing this ship stop, two young women from the opposite ship leaped over and landed steadily on the deck.

"Seventh Young Master".

"Young master."

The pretty and beautiful Lan Long, with crescent-shaped eyes, strode towards Lan Qi, while the slender and petite Ming Luo walked towards Ming Er like a willow swaying in the breeze, her clear eyes filled with concern.

Lan Qi and Ming Er each smiled as they watched their subordinates approach.

"Young Master, are you alright?" Mingluo examined Ming Er's entire body with the eyes of a healer.

"Seventh Young Master, you weren't ambushed, were you?" Lan Long asked more directly.

After saying this, Mingying glared at Lanlong, while Lantong nodded in deep agreement.

Lan Qi spread his hands and laughed, "Although the enemy is cunning and treacherous, I am blessed with good fortune and have escaped unscathed."

Ming Er replied in a gentle and refined manner, "With the Seventh Young Master's help along the way, we managed to survive almost every life-threatening situation."

The two looked at each other with smiles on their faces.

"Lan Tong, why don't you quickly greet Young Master Ming the Second?"

"Mingluo, why don't you quickly pay your respects to the Seventh Young Master?"

Having been instructed by their master, Lan Long and Ming Luo naturally could not be impolite.

"Lan Long greets the Second Young Master."

"Minglu greets Seventh Young Master."

Lan Long and Ming Luo bowed respectfully, and also took the opportunity to take a good look at the person their master often wanted to devour.

This appearance is pleasing to the eye and delightful to the heart; there is no one like it in the mortal world. Lan Long thought to himself.