Lan Yin Bi Yue

Chapitre 17

Lin Suyang wasn't a martial artist; she didn't have a concept of good versus evil. Who said that those on the righteous path were all good people, and those in evil cults were all bad? Regardless of whether Si Junxing was a member of the demonic cult, Lin Suyang would treat him the same as always. It was only due to various powerful circumstances that she had to resort to this tactic. Perhaps, this way, Si Junxing would forget her and stop worrying about her; perhaps, this way, she wouldn't make an irreparable mistake for this budding romance…

Outside the door, Han Yufeng stood quietly in the shadows, having heard the conversation inside, seen Si Junxing's anguished departure, and witnessed Lin Suyang's indifferent expression. Shouldn't he be happy that Lin Suyang rejected Si Junxing? Why did his heart feel like it was weighed down by a heavy stone, impossible to move? He slammed his fist against the wall, then leaped towards the direction Si Junxing had gone.

"What injury did she suffer?" They followed her all the way to the woods outside the city and saw Si Junxing kneeling in the grass that was half a foot high.

"I'm asking you, what exactly is her injury?" Han Yufeng leaped over and grabbed Si Junxing's collar, asking.

"Fire Nether Palm," Si Junxing said calmly, brushing away Han Yufeng's hand that was holding him.

Fire Nether Palm, the Fire Nether Palm of the Fire Cloud Sect? Wasn't the Fire Cloud Sect wiped out? Han Yufeng's heart skipped a beat: "Who exactly are you?" His sharp eyes were filled with intense suspicion and wariness.

"Who am I? Haven't you already guessed?" Si Junxing rolled over and lay down on the ground.

"The annihilation of the Fire Cloud Sect is related to you." This was a statement, not a question. Han Yufeng looked down at him.

"Yes. The Fire Cloud Sect had thirty-two members. I sent a hundred men to wipe them all out." Si Junxing's lips curled into a cruel smile. He was a completely different person from when he was with Lin Suyang.

The Fire Cloud Sect's name wasn't well-known in the martial arts world. However, its unique and supreme martial art, the Fire Nether Palm, was universally acknowledged. This was mainly because the technique was extremely ruthless. Those who considered themselves righteous generally disdained to acknowledge its power. The Fire Nether Palm would exhaust all the user's internal energy. Therefore, even the disciples of the Fire Cloud Sect rarely used it, only unleashing it in a desperate, mutually destructive manner. This was also why the Fire Cloud Sect dared not recklessly challenge others. Who would have thought that such a cautious sect would suffer such annihilation because of a traitorous disciple? It was a profound irony.

"So you want to steal the Nine Lotus Ice?" The Nine Lotus Ice is the only cure for the Fiery Dark Palm. Han Yufeng knew this.

Si Junxing remained silent. He seemed to be recalling Lin Suyang's words again. His expression turned very somber.

“You can’t steal it even if you try, the Nine Lotus Ice isn’t even in the Kong family’s possession.” Han Yufeng said, sitting down as well. Si Junxing turned to look at him.

"She must have already told you my identity, right?" Seeing Si Junxing's tacit agreement, Han Yufeng continued, "Kong Mingqi's ancestors were originally military officers from Yan and Liao. Although they came to Dayang to live in seclusion, they remained loyal to Yan and Liao. Two years ago, when I ascended the throne, the Kong family offered me the Nine Lotus Ice as a tribute." No wonder he could freely come and go from the Kong family; it turns out he was the master of the Kong family.

"Where is the Nine Lotus Ice now?" Si Junxing asked anxiously.

Han Yufeng glanced at him and continued, "In the ice chamber of the Yanliao Imperial Palace." The Yanliao Imperial Palace? It's still over a thousand miles to Yanliao. Not to mention whether Lin Suyang is willing to go, even if she is, her injuries might flare up at any time on the way, and the long journey might exacerbate her pain.

“I have a way to get her back to Yanliao with me and treat her injuries,” Han Yufeng said.

"Why would I let her go with you?" Si Junxing sneered.

"Do you think you have the ability to come and go freely in the Yanliao Imperial Palace? Besides, didn't you already say you didn't want to see her anymore?" Han Yufeng said casually.

"You were eavesdropping on our conversation?" Si Junxing stood up.

"I just overheard it by chance. Besides, all the righteous people want to get rid of the demonic sect as soon as possible. I can use my strength in Yan Liao to help you." Han Yufeng patted the dirt off his hands and stood up.

"Why should I listen to you? The righteous path? What's the righteous path? I can still beat them to a pulp," Si Junxing said.

"And what about Lin Suyang? Don't you love her very much? How can you bear to watch her suffer in the cold?" Han Yufeng said with a half-smile. "Or were all your vows just lies?"

"What exactly do you want?" Si Junxing finally couldn't help but ask.

"As I just said, I will take Su Yang back to Yanliao and use Nine Lotus Ice to heal her injuries. At the same time, if your Demonic Sect needs any help, Yanliao can provide whatever you want, whether it is manpower or financial resources. However, before that, you must agree to two conditions."

"What are the conditions?" Si Junxing frowned.

"First, you and I, representing the Demonic Sect, have formed an alliance with Yan Liao. If Yan Liao needs the Demonic Sect's help, the Demonic Sect cannot refuse. Similarly, if the Demonic Sect is in trouble, Yan Liao will never stand idly by. As for the second point," Han Yufeng looked at Si Junxing, "I want you to never see Lin Suyang again." His tone suddenly turned cold.

"That's impossible!" Si Junxing said coldly, then turned and left.

"I'll give you one night to go back and think it over. Tomorrow will be the final answer," Han Yufeng said from behind, a sly smile playing on his charming face.

Lin Suyang didn't sleep well that night. Perhaps it was because her injuries were starting to flare up again. Her whole body was as cold as ice, and she curled up in the blankets without moving. Gradually, she became a little delirious. Later, in her drowsy state, she felt someone climb onto her bed and hug her tightly from behind. Warmth emanated from that person, making her unconsciously move closer to them.

Si Junxing held Lin Suyang's cold hand, continuously channeling his inner energy into her until her entire body warmed up. Then he sighed softly in her ear, "Tell me, what should I do?"

Lin Suyang opened her eyes and looked to her side. It was empty; no one was there. Was last night just a hallucination? She blinked, staring blankly at the slightly swaying tent ceiling. How much longer could she hold on?

As soon as I stepped out of the room, I saw Lin Ziyan standing blankly at the door. "Yan'er? When did you arrive?" It must still be very early; it was barely dawn.

"I just arrived. Brother... Sister, when are we leaving?" I'm not used to being addressed like that yet.

Lin Suyang said, "I still have some friends I've just met, and I need to say goodbye before I leave." With that, she walked towards Chen Xiao's room.

Before she could even knock, Shen Xiao called out from behind, "Sister Su Yan, did you want to see me?" Lin Su Yang turned around and saw her walking over with a large bunch of golden wildflowers.

"Hmm, where did you go so early?" Lin Suyang asked.

Volume Two, Fallen Dust, Chapter Forty-Three: Intrigue at the Banquet (Part 1)

"Is that so?" Shen Xiao pouted and said, "If it weren't for Brother Mu Qing having to go back to the mountain, I would have wanted to leave with Brother Feng." Han Yufeng's good looks were really deceiving, almost making that young girl deceive him into betraying her master and ancestors.

"Are you all going back too?"

"Well, Brother Muqing said that Master instructed us to only come down the mountain this time to celebrate Alliance Leader Kong's birthday, and not to meddle in other people's business," Shen Xiao answered honestly. It seems that Yan Muqing has truly inherited his master's skills! Lin Suyang was quite impressed with these three masters and disciples. One liked to mind his own business, one was dull and inflexible, and the other was a hopeless romantic and easily fooled. They were simply a super strong combination.

"When are you leaving?" Lin Suyang asked again.

"Maybe today too. Oh, right, Kong Ling is coming with us too. She said she's too bored staying at home, and the martial arts tournament doesn't involve her, so she wants to come up the mountain with us for some fun." Thinking back to how Kong Mingqi spoke so passionately yesterday, displaying the aura of a leader, his daughter is such a playful person. This is truly a case of a tiger father and a dog daughter.

As Lin Suyang was thinking, he looked up and saw Lin Ziyan standing not far away, so he said to Shen Xiao, "Xiao'er, I'm in a hurry. Please tell Mu Qing for me that I won't wait for him."

"Then, Sister Suyan, will we meet again?" Shen Xiao asked, holding her hand.

"Of course." Lin Suyang smiled at her, then walked towards Lin Ziyan.

Kong Ling, Shen Xiao, and Yan Muqing strolled around for a while, stopping to rest after traveling about ten miles from Yan City. Yan Muqing rolled up his sleeves, wiping his sweat as he pulled a water bottle from his bundle and handed it to Shen Xiao. Shen Xiao took a sip and then passed it to Kong Ling. Kong Ling used the water bottle to slightly moisten his chapped lips, then casually asked Yan Muqing, "Brother Muqing, shall we head back to Ganshan now?"

Yan Muqing said, "Yes, Master told us to hurry back to the mountain after we finished our business. Poor Huangniu must have been hungry again while we were away."

"Who is Huang Niu?" Kong Ling asked curiously. "A female dog that my master keeps," Chen Xiao interjected from the side. Kong Ling suppressed her anger and said, holding her breath, "But Brother Mu Qing, you've finally managed to come down the mountain, why don't you take this opportunity to travel around and broaden your horizons?"

Shen Xiao's eyes lit up. She looked at her senior brother with great anticipation and said, "Yes, yes, Brother Mu Qing. There are so many places I want to see. I don't know when I'll be able to come down again after this trip. Brother Mu Qing, can we stay a few more days? Just a few more days."

Yan Muqing said with some difficulty, "But Master..."

Kong Ling quickly interjected, "If you don't say anything, and I don't say anything either, and Xiao'er doesn't say anything either, your master won't know. When he asks, just say that my father strongly urged you to stay, and as your juniors, you couldn't refuse, so you stayed a few more days. With me as your witness, you definitely won't be suspected."

"Wow! Kong Ling, you're so talented!" Chen Xiao clapped his hands and exclaimed. "That's it. Brother Mu Qing, don't worry. Huang Niu won't starve. I even saw it sneaking into the kitchen to steal food last time. Before we went down the mountain, I put all the game you hunted on the cupboard. It'll be enough for it to eat for a long time."

Wild game? Dead land? Cabinets? You know, the chef never cleans. I wonder what's going on in that kitchen now… Yan Muqing shook his head, trying to banish the disgusting image, and looked at Kong Ling, saying, “But where should we go?”

Kong Ling thought for a moment and said, "Why don't we go find Brother Si Junxing and Sister Su Yan? They should know some fun places to visit."

Shen Xiao nodded in agreement: "That's right, they shouldn't have gone far yet, it's not too late to chase after them now."

There was only one official road leading out of Yan City to the nearest county, Chenggao. Lin Suyan was in a hurry and would inevitably take this smooth, wide, and short road. Yan Muqing packed the water bottle from Kong Ling's hand, led the horse, and said to the two of them, "Then let's get going."

Two magnificent horses, one black and one white, rode side by side on the official road, each carrying a handsome young man in flowing white robes. One of them possessed bright eyes and white teeth, with exquisitely beautiful features. His coldness carried a chilling aura, yet he was like a fine wine aged in a thousand-foot ice cave—one glance was enough to make one feel content for life. Who else could be such a stunningly handsome man but the Grand Tutor of the Great Yang Kingdom?

The sun was warm, and the wildflowers were in full bloom, yet he frowned slightly, as if something was weighing on his mind. Lin Ziyan, who was traveling with him, noticed his absent-mindedness and asked worriedly, "Brother, are you alright?"

Lin Suyang seemed to be startled awake, turned around and smiled faintly, "It's nothing."

Lin Ziyan knew he must have something on his mind, and seeing that he was unwilling to talk more, he didn't want to ask any more questions. So he changed the subject: "We don't need to rush. They probably haven't reached Chenggao yet. We can go back to Yundu after we meet up." Lin Suyang absentmindedly replied, "Mm."

A gust of wind blew by, and Lin Ziyan quickly bent down and raised his sleeve to shield Lin Suyang from the oncoming sand and dust. At the same time, the sound of horses' hooves clattered from behind, and in the blink of an eye, they had passed by them. Lin Ziyan looked ahead and saw about three horses, and he could vaguely see someone looking back, but the horses were too fast and soon disappeared without a trace.

As Kong Ling spurred his horse on, he muttered to himself, "Why haven't I seen anyone after chasing for so long?" Seeing Shen Xiao constantly looking back, he called out, "Xiao'er, what are you looking at?"

Shen Xiao paused for a moment, then replied, "It's nothing, I just thought I saw someone familiar." After a pause, she added, "Maybe I mistook them for someone else."

Arriving in Chenggao once again, Lin Suyang felt a sense of loss, as if the scenery remained the same but the people had changed. Counting the days, it had only been a little over ten days, yet his emotions had fluctuated so dramatically, making him sigh at the impermanence of life. Upon entering the county town, he and Lin Ziyan headed straight for the county government office. As soon as they arrived at the entrance, they saw County Magistrate Liu Ming and his entourage waiting there.

Upon seeing Lin Suyang dismount, Liu Ming immediately came to greet him. "This humble official, Liu Ming, has been waiting here for Your Excellency, the Grand Tutor, for quite some time," he bowed respectfully.

Lin Suyang quickly went over to help him up: "Since you are traveling incognito, Lord Liu, there is no need for such formalities. Please make yourself at home."

Liu Ming smiled obsequiously, "I have long heard that you are gentle and polite, and today I see that your reputation is well-deserved." Lin Suyang frowned as he listened. This Liu Ming, considering the two times at the Peach Blossom Banquet and the Golden Harmony Hall, should know each other, but today he pretends not to know him at all. What is he up to?

"This humble official has prepared a small feast to welcome you, sir. Please come this way." Lin Suyang wanted to refuse, but seeing that Lin Ziyan had already gone inside, he had no choice but to follow.

At the banquet, apart from Liu Ming, everyone else was a wealthy official from Chenggao. They kept toasting Lin Suyang, but Lin Ziyan turned them all down. Lin Suyang noticed that Lin Ziyan seemed like a completely different person. He, who rarely spoke to outsiders, was now chatting with them about romance and poetry, behaving like a typical playboy.

"Commander Lin, Lord Lin is a first-class talent in our Great Central Government, with outstanding literary talent. I'm sure you've already benefited greatly from his teachings. Now that we're all gathered here, why not compose a poem so that I can learn from it?" Liu Ming squeezed out a face and looked at Lin Ziyan with great "sincerity."

A glint flashed in Lin Suyang's lowered eyes. Ziyan had loved martial arts since childhood and had never studied poetry and literature. Wouldn't it be difficult for him to compose a poem on the spot? He thought Lin Ziyan would refuse, but to his surprise, he said as if he didn't care at all: "Since you all don't mind, I'll make a fool of myself. I just happened to write a short poem last night. Brother, can you give me your opinion?"

He put down his wine glass, paused, and began to recite: "The cold wind and rustling leaves keep me awake, the long night is filled with sorrow and the moon hangs alone. The light veil cannot bear to be looked back upon, and I still pity her smile that could topple a city."

Liu Ming was the first to clap his hands: "Great poem, great poem!" Then a chorus of applause followed, and the crowd cheered.

Lin Ziyan smiled and raised her glass to her lips again, but her eyes secretly glanced at Lin Suyang. She took a small sip and looked at him, asking, "Brother, how did I do?"

Lin Suyang's heart suddenly skipped a beat, as if something had grabbed a previously unexplored area of his mind and stirred it up completely. Complexity, doubt, and disbelief surged into his mind, making his body tremble.

Lin Ziyan was eagerly awaiting Lin Suyang's answer when someone walked in. If Lin Suyang had looked closely, he would have recognized the man as the leader of the guards who had protected him that night. The man leaned down and whispered a few words in Lin Ziyan's ear before leaving. Then Lin Ziyan stood up and said to everyone, "I have to leave for a moment. Please enjoy your meal."

He turned and whispered to Lin Suyang, "Brother, I'll be right back." Lin Suyang didn't look at him, but nodded faintly.

Volume Two, Fallen Dust, Chapter Forty-Four: Intrigue at the Banquet (Part Two)

After seeing Lin Ziyan leave, Liu Ming picked up the teapot on the table and filled Lin Suyang's cup, saying, "I know that Lord Lin rarely drinks alcohol, so I have specially prepared some top-quality new tea from Chenggao. Would you be so kind as to have a cup of tea with me instead of wine?"

Lin Suyang was still unsettled by Lin Ziyan's words, so he didn't notice anything amiss and took the cup, saying, "We are both officials in the same court, so there's no need for you to be so polite, Lord Liu."

Liu Ming quickly waved his hand: "It is already an honor for me that you would grace me with your presence, sir. There is no need for you to be so concerned. Come, let us all wish you a smooth journey!" They raised their cups and clinked them together. Lin Suyang then drank the tea in his cup in one gulp.

"My lord, what do you think of this tea?" Liu Ming asked cautiously.

"This tea warms the spleen and stomach, and leaves a pleasant aftertaste; it is indeed a fine tea," Lin Suyang praised.

“If you like it, why not have a few more cups?” Liu Ming suggested. Actually, Lin Suyang didn’t particularly enjoy tea. He would only drink it occasionally when he was in a bad mood to relieve his frustration. Now, since he was feeling irritable, he couldn’t help but drink a few more cups.

As Lin Suyang drank, he felt his head gradually becoming dizzy, so he gently rubbed his temples with his fingertips. Seeing this, Liu Ming asked with apparent concern, "Sir, are you tired? I have prepared a guest room for you. Would you like to go and rest?"

Lin Suyang shook her head: "No need, Ziyan hasn't come back yet, let's wait a little longer." After a while, still no sign of Lin Ziyan, Lin Suyang finally collapsed onto the table with a "thud"...

After Lin Ziyan came out of the room, he asked the leader of the guard standing outside the door, "What's going on?"

The chieftain bowed his head and replied, "Reporting to the commander, our horses have all eaten something unclean, and they are all foaming at the mouth and lying on the ground. I'm afraid they can no longer continue our journey."

"Just for this?" Lin Ziyan asked, somewhat displeased.

"Your subordinate dares not. It's just that I went all the way to Chenggao and couldn't find a place to sell horses. So I came to ask for your instructions."

Lin Ziyan pondered for a moment and said, "Go and tell the steward at the county magistrate's residence to borrow a dozen or so horses. Just say they're requisitioned by the imperial court. If that's not enough, I'll ask Liu Ming to inquire about nearby horse farms." Fortunately, most of his men had been sent back to Yundu that day. Otherwise, where would they find so many horses so quickly? But a dignified county town not having any horses to sell—who would believe that? It seems there's something fishy going on. We need to send someone to investigate.

"By the way, where did Liu Ming arrange for you all to stay?" Lin Ziyan asked. It shouldn't be too far. That way, we can buy some supplies while we're there.

"Reporting to the commander. It's outside Chenggao."

"The outskirts? That far?"

"Lord Liu said there weren't enough houses in the city and he was worried about disturbing the people, so he arranged for them to be in the suburbs." This Liu Ming is quite the smooth operator, Lin Ziyan thought to himself with a sneer.

"Forget it, just make a plan first and buy what you need before you set off."

"yes."

After the leader left, Lin Ziyan thought for a moment, wondering what his brother needed. He wasn't busy now, so why not quickly buy the things? Thinking it over, and figuring out what Lin Suyang might need, Lin Ziyan headed towards the street. After putting all the bags and packages in the room, he hurried back to the banquet, only to find Liu Ming and a few others drinking there, while Lin Suyang was nowhere to be seen.

Upon seeing him arrive, Liu Ming quickly stood up and said, "Commander Lin is back. Please sit down, I've been waiting for you."