Huancheng Shen Shen

Chapitre 38

“Clean,” she blurted out.

"What?"

"That's what you used to call me."

"Alright." Xuan Sheng smiled gently. "Jing."

“I know we’ll get out of here!” Shuangjing laughed, her voice crisp. “So, you don’t need to worry about me, go find…” She suddenly stopped, a chill running through her: “Did you hear that…?!”

"I heard you." Xuan Sheng replied after a moment of silence, his tone serious, and he couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

Beneath their feet, an endless stream of water flows swiftly.

The Road to Life and Death: Unspeakable Soul-Stealing Experiences in Sleep (Part 4)

The Lin family of Tianxia Inn has produced three famous figures among the martial arts world in this generation.

The first is the next successor of the inn, the seventh master, Lin Haitang.

The second is the youngest of the Eighth Hall Masters, Lin Meihua, who shone brightly in the conflict between the Seven Stone Gate and Flying Eagle Fortress.

The third is Lin Shaoyao, the iron-fisted princess of the Northern Desert, who ranks third among her eight children.

Skilled in using soft whips and hidden weapons, she once assisted the local people on the edge of the northern desert in resisting the invasion and attack of foreign bandits. She defeated fifty strong men of the Iron Sand Gang single-handedly and managed the Peony Hall in an orderly manner with only ten people. Her lightness skill and perception were far beyond Lin Meihua's reach. She has been the object of Meihua's admiration since childhood. Although she is her elder sister, she is more like her teacher.

Therefore, after her sudden and violent death, Plum Blossom immediately went out to investigate the cause of death. Although she suspected that Flying Eagle Fortress was responsible, she found no relevant clues. So now, when Plum Blossom stood before her elder sister, she felt little joy at the reunion. Driven by the nature of her profession, she was more interested in knowing who had committed the heinous act.

“Plum blossoms…” Peony smiled gently, “It’s been a year since we last met, have you missed me?”

“Third…Third Sister…” Mei Hua murmured, but when the other woman reached out to grab her, she involuntarily took a step back.

"What's wrong?" Peony shook her head with a smile, then stepped forward and took her arm, patting her hand affectionately. "You've only been together for a year and you're already so distant with your sister. What will you do when you get married?"

"Are your hands warm?" Plum Blossom stared at her hesitantly, letting Peony pull her hand and lead her into the room.

The two sat down at the table. In the teapot was the Yunzhen Jinye tea that Shaoyao used to love. The pale yellow, long, slender leaves floated in the emerald green water, the colors looking comfortable and serene.

Meihua turned her head and looked out the window at the boundless yellow desert and the clear blue sky. Several camels and lean horses, carrying heavy bundles and jingling bells, slowly walked towards the horizon. The travelers riding them waved and greeted the peony as they gradually disappeared into the distance. Soft cotton gauze hung down by the window, like a wisp of cloud flowing through the room. The climate of the northern desert is always hot, the air filled with the fragrance of the earth and the warmth of the sun; even in winter, it is as warm as spring.

"You haven't visited me at Peony Hall in a long time." The Third Master smiled and poured her a full cup of tea. "Have you been very busy lately?"

"Even when I'm busy, it's not a third of what I'm doing here, sister." Plum Blossom said, gazing absently at the scenery outside, then looked back at her: "Third sister, have you heard anything about Begonia lately?"

When choosing a successor for the Lin family's Tianxia Zhan (天下栈), martial arts skills and fame are not the most important factors; the ability to govern and manage is paramount. With members spread across the land, Tianxia Zhan is the largest gang in the martial arts world. Without sufficient imposing presence, authority, and wisdom, it is impossible to suppress this organization that possesses all the information in the world.

Lin Haitang, the seventh of the eight sisters and only nineteen years old, showed amazing skill and decisiveness from a young age. When she was fifteen, she was designated as the next successor of Tianxia Inn.

"I heard she went to Jiangnan." Peony smiled gently but helplessly, "She said she's been too busy these past few years and wants to relax." She shook her head, "She has no intention of taking over the position of gang leader at all. I really don't know why she doesn't give it to you."

Plum Blossom frowned. Back then, her competition with this twin sister was fierce, and the two were almost evenly matched. However, she lost to Begonia in the final test because she valued money more than the reputation and fame of the gang.

“While Begonia dislikes being bound, she dislikes being ordered around even more,” Plum Blossom said calmly. Years ago, in a fit of anger, she never spoke to her twin sister again, but after meeting Che Shui and the others, she finally came to terms with many things. If she had ascended the throne back then, she wouldn't be able to roam the martial world so freely. She smiled slightly, a hint of schadenfreude in her voice: “But the greatest freedom is also the greatest constraint. However… thinking about it now, if she hadn't ascended the throne, the martial world would truly be in chaos.”

“You have the same talent and ability, there’s no need to be so modest.” Peony looked at her gently and said softly, “It’s alright. If necessary, I will ask the elders to let you ascend the throne.”

Mei Hua looked at her without saying a word.

In my memory, Peony was always strict with herself, even harsh, because she had high expectations of herself and was always stingy with comfort, advice, or praise.

Peony and her fourth sister, Lotus, were childhood enemies and rivals, much like she and her twin sister. Lotus's disciple, Begonia, was chosen as the successor, while she only earned the title of the most astute hall master. People in the martial world knew Lin Meihua's emphasis on money, so Meihua Hall didn't have many customers. In the last few years of Peony's life, every time she saw her, she couldn't help but frown and sigh.

Later, when his fame soared, the person who had been like a teacher and a mother to him was no longer there.

A person I both hate and love. The person I most want to prove my strength to.

She disappeared from this world at the height of her glory, so all the envious and admiring glances were meaningless.

"What's wrong, Third Sister?" Meihua smiled and took a sip of tea, the fragrant taste spreading from the tip of her tongue to the bottom of her stomach. She couldn't help but smile: "Why are you saying such things to Meihua?"

"Don't laugh at me." Peony sighed, took her hand and patted it gently, looking at her tenderly and earnestly, saying, "Actually, these words..."

I've wanted to say this for a long time, but I just haven't had the chance. Little sister, don't let my harshness and strictness towards you these past few years fool you; I've seen your talent and ability firsthand. To be honest, I'm actually a little humbled by yours.

Mei Hua was startled, and unconsciously lowered her head to stare at the cup of tea in front of her, suddenly unable to speak.

I remember when I was three years old, I held hands with Haitang and went to watch my older sisters practice martial arts for the first time. At that time, she and her twin sister were still very small. They were wearing pink and purple clothes, with soft braids. They were wobbling unsteadily in the large field, watching with wide eyes as six girls who were not much older than them darted and leaped through the air. The weapons in their hands reflected the sunlight, and streaks of silver and gold light intersected into lines, creating dazzling and shining halos all around.

The two girls were born with fair and delicate skin. The chubby and adorable twin girls stood there staring blankly ahead, looking incredibly cute. Since their birth, their older sisters hadn't had much time to cultivate a relationship with them, but now, seeing them, they all fell in love with them instantly. They all put down their weapons and ran over to pick them up and play with them.

Meihua was held in someone's arms, her cheeks being kissed and pinched. She pouted unhappily, her little face all scrunched up. She still wanted to see those amazing kung fu moves from before.

Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out: "What the hell! Are you guys even going to practice or not?!"

Meihua peeked out from her second sister's arms and looked curiously. She saw a woman descending from the sky. She was dressed in men's light clothing, her ponytail was tied high, and she held a silver knife. The wind blew through her hair, like ink spreading on white clouds. Her eyes were clear and bright, and her face was delicate and slightly heroic. She was like a thousand cranes descending from the sky, graceful, elegant and noble.

That was the first time she met her third sister. Later, when Peony was training her, no matter how hard or difficult it was, she would always think of that figure that was slowly fading in her memories.

She also wanted that figure and demeanor.

I will always remember those days when I trained hard under her guidance.

Peony had a bad temper, which fostered her fiery personality. In the end, Plum Blossom couldn't help but argue with the Third Master, and their quarrels always ended in a fight. Plum Blossom was always beaten so badly that she had to rest in bed for several days. The two sisters could go for more than a month without speaking to each other, and in the end, someone had to intervene to make up.

Even so, she still misses it.

When they learned of Peony's death, they hadn't seen each other for two years.

Plum Blossom took over the position of the Eighth Hall, while Peony thrived in the Northern Desert, conquering her own territory.

She paused for a moment, then dropped the brush in her hand, leaving a large smudge on the letter she was writing.

She's gone. The person who told her to carry ten stone slabs and hop up the mountain is gone.

She's gone. The person who would kick her into the winter river if she made a mistake is gone.

She's gone. The person who would send her out on missions, who wouldn't say a kind word if she returned successfully, but would prepare a lavish dinner for her that night, is gone.

She suddenly felt lost and confused, as if the vast world had suddenly lost all meaning.

Those things that she hated so much back then have now become incredibly good.

Sometimes, she would wake up in her sleep to that incredibly familiar voice saying, "Get up!" She would look around blankly, but besides the deep darkness of the night, there was no longer any tall, dashing figure lifting the curtain to wake her. If she felt anything then, Plum Blossom knew it was a piercing, excruciating pain, like a million needles stabbing into her heart, making her want to cry at the slightest movement.

With trembling fingertips, Mei Hua touched the teacup, and it took her a long time to stop her tears from flowing.

She took a deep breath, looked out the window, and said calmly, "Third sister, do you know? Ever since you left, I've been thinking about what I should do now." She looked calmly at the ripples in the teacup. "I've admired you since I was little. If you asked me to do something, I would do it. Every time you casually said 'Well done,' it would make me so happy that I couldn't sleep for several nights. Fighting with you was the thing I looked forward to the most each year because I could see your surprise and satisfaction after I successfully attacked you. So... when you said something like 'I make you feel inferior,' I suddenly didn't know how to react."

She paused, raised her eyes, and looked directly at the peony in front of her:

"Because you would never say that. How could my third sister, who knows me so well about my character and goals, give me such high praise? If you say that, then... what am I supposed to pursue in the future? What direction should I take in the future?"

It is said that the person who understands your preferences best is your friend; but the person who understands your desires is your enemy.

She and Peony were not only sisters, but also teacher and student, and even rivals. Peony knew her best.

Even though she was often teased and ridiculed from a young age, Peony truly poured her heart and soul into cultivating her.

If that's the case, how could she have so easily lost her way and her goals?

"It's so nice to see Third Sister." Plum Blossom smiled happily, her bright, sparkling eyes reflecting genuine, pure joy. "I really wanted to tell you the words of thanks and apologies that I hadn't had a chance to say yet. But..."

She paused, a string of tears sliding down her cheeks. Though she maintained her smile, she couldn't help but choke back a sob: "But...you're already gone, so...please don't come back..."

Peony's expression froze, but it was too late. Plum Blossom suddenly raised her hand and slammed it against the teapot beside her. With a loud crash, the celadon shattered! The surrounding scenery only paused for a second before, like shattered glass, it began to fall and crumble, thousands upon thousands of crystal-clear fragments bouncing off the ground like falling stars before turning into powder and disappearing.

Mei Hua stared intently at the peony before her, still maintaining that gentle smile and serene tranquility she had never seen before.

She knew from the beginning that it was an illusion; Peony would never treat her so gently. But she still couldn't help linger a little longer in this fake world. Because she thought, how wonderful it would be if this were real. If her third sister were still alive, then after she and Che Shui and the others had built a great enterprise, they could proudly run to the Northern Desert to show off, saying, "Look, look, I'm not as incompetent as you say!" Then she would watch the serious woman snort coldly, listen to her lectures and sarcastic remarks, and then comfortably enjoy the exceptionally rich dinner and feast.

However, this is fake.

That person is truly gone; the fact that she's hallucinating here is the best proof.

The surrounding illusions had mostly disappeared, leaving only a few remaining decorations that had not yet been shattered.

Meihua felt something blocking her throat, and the pain made her unable to speak.

Even knowing that the scene before her was fake, she still couldn't help but kneel down, clasp her hands in greeting, and said with tears in her eyes and a slight tremor in her voice, "Plum Blossom is here to pay respects to Master. If there is an afterlife, I am willing to give my life to repay your kindness."

At this moment, the peony, who had been watching her like a statue, changed slightly. Her illusion seemed to overlap; in front of her was a shadow that still maintained its expression and posture, but another layer of hazy illusion began to move. She looked at the plum blossom with a touch of sadness but also with calmness, and finally, a faint, serene smile slowly appeared on her face.

Actually, I've always been proud of you.

Mei Hua was stunned, and large tears immediately fell. She suppressed the pain and bitterness in her chest, gritted her teeth to hold back her sobs, and after a moment of pause, she managed to say, "Yes, sister, I know... I've always known."

Peony's face suddenly became as bright as light, and then slowly disappeared like sand and dust blown away by the wind.

Silence and darkness returned to all around. Plum Blossom sat quietly in a dilapidated, ancient room, staring blankly at the moonlight streaming through the cracks in the walls. In her hand, she held a jade bead, the only thing left from the illusion, along with the teapot she had smashed beside her. She squinted at the bead, a cold, chilling glint in her eyes.

There were eight beads in total, one for each of the eight Lin sisters, who carried them with them and never parted with them. It seems that the maze was set up using these beads and the teapot they had taken from the Peony Hall.

Eagle Fortress, is it?

Mei Hua narrowed her eyes dangerously.

Just wait and see, Tianxia Inn isn't so easy to bully.

She frowned as she stood up, then turned and disappeared into the darkness.

Fallen leaves scatter like silken threads, the night is still, and the cold sounds are fragmented.

In the martial world, a fierce storm is about to approach in the long, endless night.

The maze deepens, a melancholy awakening brings a sense of loss and delusion.

Flowers warm the reclining ox, tall pines shelter the sleeping white crane.

A few rays of gentle sunlight slanted down on me, and the air was filled with the delicate aroma of tea and the refreshing scent of morning dew.

“…Che…A-Che!” A clear voice rang in his ears, and someone shook him vigorously: “A-Che, get up quickly, Xuan Sheng and Xiao Jing have gone up the mountain!”

She mumbled something in her sleep, mumbled a few words, and then turned over to continue sleeping. But the person behind her wouldn't have it. Something soft bumped into her head, and a voice that was half coquettish and half annoyed called out to her, "Du Cheshui, if you don't get up, I'm going to get angry!" So she smiled, reached out, gently hugged the person to her side, and pulled them with a strong pull. With a low gasp, the person fell down beside her. The soft body felt very comfortable to hold, and the size was just right, as if it had been born to fit her perfectly.

With a slight smile and her eyes closed, she pecked at the side, and immediately heard a complaint: "Ah Che...!"

She opened her eyes and saw slightly flushed cheeks and bright eyes. She looked at him with a mix of shyness and annoyance: "Where did you kiss me, honestly!"

Che Shui laughed heartily, then leaned down for another kiss, covering up all the complaints that were about to come out. Only when the other person started pinching and hitting because they couldn't breathe did they finally separate. With a satisfied sigh, he smiled and said, "Good morning, Madam."

"Who's your wife!" Tian Sha sat up abruptly, her face flushed with embarrassment. She grabbed a cushion and pressed it against his face, then jumped off the bed, tidying her disheveled hair as she said, "Get up quickly! Xiao Jing and Xuan Sheng have gone up the mountain; we should go too!"