"It's dawn!"
As dawn broke, the demons were finally slain by the sword, and the crowd cheered wildly.
But at the same time, something began to slip away from them.
The rising sun illuminated the glazed tiles and eaves of the palace, where people played chess in the hall where the lights shone all night.
A black stone is placed, surrounding the white stone in the corner, and is then captured.
Her rosy fingertips lightly tapped the edge of the chessboard before placing the last white piece, accompanied by a nonchalant murmur.
"Just two useless pieces, I still won this game—"
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Author's Note:
Exciting! It's almost over, almost over!
Chapter 138 Swordsman and Exorcist (Twenty-Four)
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The gentle spring rain moistened the fertile soil where the seeds had just been sown. Tender shoots of wild grass sprouted from the cracks in the soil, welcoming the gift of life.
The trees in the mountains spread their broad leaves, creating a pool of clear spring water, which then slowly slides down and soaks into the soil covered with withered branches and fallen leaves.
People wearing raincoats walked along the ridges of the fields, while children in short jackets ran and played in the rain in the wide streets and narrow alleys.
Raindrops fell between the winding river channels, creating fine ripples that spread out in endless circles.
Occasionally, swallows will fly in from the horizon, lightly touch the water's surface, and then return to their peaceful home under the eaves.
Raindrops patter on the green tiles, playing a crisp melody for this peaceful and tranquil water town.
"Sister, the eggs you ordered this weekend have arrived!"
A child's innocent voice rang out, accompanied by loud banging.
A woman dressed in a plain blue dress pulled open the gate and gently opened the creaking wooden door, as if afraid of making a noise.
"Shhh-keep it down."
She put her finger to her lips as a shushing gesture and glanced back into the room.
"Okay...okay."
Upon seeing this fairy sister who only existed in stories again, the little boy wearing a straw hat blushed and began to stammer.
He hurriedly handed the bamboo basket forward, his eyes darting around.
"Here, take it."
The woman took the basket, handed him the prepared coins, and spoke to him gently.
"Too much...too much..."
The boy glanced at the money he had received, counted out a few coins, and handed them back.
"You've worked hard today, take this and buy some snacks."
The woman smiled slightly, reached out and patted his straw hat, then closed the door.
The boy stood at the door for a moment, then happily ran towards the familiar food stall.
—The fairy sister is such a kind person. I wish they could stay here forever.
Turning around, Lingyan saw Gu Zhong standing at the door.
She was wearing only a black outer garment, with a thin, moon-white undergarment underneath. She leaned against the peeling paint on the wooden door, gazing absently at the sky.
"You're awake? It's cold outside, why didn't you put on some clothes before coming out?"
Lingyan hurriedly stepped forward and unceremoniously pushed the person into the house. The door slammed shut, shutting out the joyful rain and spring breeze outside.
"It's been so long since I've seen rain, I want to see some... cough cough..."
Gu Zhong's voice was hoarse and weak. He hadn't said more than a few words when he broke into a violent cough.
Since the great battle in the capital a month ago, the demonic energy in Gu Zhong's body dissipated with the death of her ancestor, and her health has been very poor. She often catches ailments such as typhoid fever and needs careful recuperation.
"Gu Zhong, can't you just listen to me and take good care of your health?"
Lingyan placed the bamboo basket on the tall cabinet by the door, put one hand on her hip, and scolded sternly, just like the unapproachable private tutor next door.
This sight made Gu Zhong chuckle, but he coughed again after only a few laughs.
Lingyan, who was about to continue her outburst, had no choice but to temporarily suppress her anger. Helplessly, she stepped forward and gently patted her back to help her catch her breath.
"Gu Zhong, if you do this again, I'll really get angry!"
Ultimately, Lingyan couldn't bear to lose her temper with Gu Zhong.
"Yes, yes, yes—I promise, there won't be a next time! I'll do whatever you say, Madam!"
Gu Zhong grinned and wrapped his arms around her waist, snuggling into her embrace without any semblance of propriety.
"Don't call me that. Who's your wife?"
Pushing away the unruly patient in her arms, the slightly shy young woman said with embarrassment and annoyance.
"You have to take responsibility for what you say when you're drunk! Ah Yan, you can't just abandon me after one night of passion!"
When it comes to being unreasonable and argumentative, Gu Zhong is no less capable than those street thugs.
"You! You've turned black into white! Who started this mess and then abandoned us!"
The already innocent Lingyan blushed even more with embarrassment.
"Yes, no one starts something and then abandons it, so you are my wife—"
Gu Zhong smiled, his narrowed eyes full of cunning.
Lingyan was not good at arguing and could not win against her no matter what, so she simply shut her mouth and protested fiercely with her eyes.
A sudden stillness descended, and the rain outside poured down harder. Apart from the sound of the rain, the only sounds were the mingling of breaths.
Gu Zhong looked at his lover, at the face he had longed for day and night, his brows softened, and he reached out to trace her features, a subtle tenderness hidden in his eyes.
—Her Ah Yan still hasn't regained her memories.
Gu Zhong could vaguely sense that the flickering soul flame deep within Lingyan's sea of consciousness would eventually dissipate under the strain if it were to be worn down a few more times.
What are you looking at?
The annoyance she felt from being teased several times had dissipated. Lingyan stretched her hand out in front of Gu Zhong's eyes, blocking his view, as if this would sever the lingering ambiguous atmosphere.
"Look at the lady."
Gu Zhong's response came without hesitation, uttered without a second thought.
"I wonder how many sisters and cousins have said this to each other, how come they are so familiar with it?"
Involuntarily and without reason, Lingyan retorted in this way.
Gu Zhong was taken aback, then gently took Ling Yan's hand, which was covering his eyes, into his palm and blinked.
"No, perhaps I've said it to you many times in my dreams?"
She brought her nose close to Lingyan's cheek, her black eyelashes drooping down, allowing her hidden gaze to earnestly fall into the eyes of the person opposite her.
Two pairs of dark eyes reflected each other's figures, presenting a clear yet hazy image.
Her once steady breathing began to become erratic, harmonizing with the music falling from the sky.
Her red lips savored the lingering fragrance of wild herbs from this morning, lingering between her teeth and on the soft, tender surface, leaving no trace untouched.
A white, jade-like scroll slowly unfolds, with a waterway running along it, dotted with lush reeds.
The boatman poled the boat, sometimes gently, sometimes heavily, gliding along the winding path, stirring up ripples that moistened the surrounding fields.
The plaintive boat tune was drowned out by the sound of rain; ditches and rivers converged into the sea, fierce and unstoppable.
The afternoon downpour continued until the sky began to dim before gradually subsiding.
A welcome spring rain makes for a good night's sleep.
Lingyan lay limply in the crumpled brocade quilt, her eyes closed, unwilling to move an inch.
Gu Zhong wrapped his arms around her waist, rested his chin on her shoulder, and leaned close to her.
"Respect."
Lingyan suddenly spoke, calling her name.
"I am here."
Gu Zhong's voice was listless, though not particularly strong, but it still sounded reliable.
"A letter arrived from home yesterday, but I haven't told you yet."
This topic came up unexpectedly for Gu Zhong; her fingers, which were rubbing her waist, suddenly stopped.
"What happened?"
"Nothing much, just some greetings, and—"
Unseen by anyone, Lingyan held Gu Zhong's hand.
"Um?"
"Let me go home—with you."
Ling Yan paused.
Do you want to go back?
Gu Zhong asked softly, full of consideration.
Unlike herself, Ayan in this world has family and other attachments, feelings that are not easily severed.
"I don't think that way—do you think I don't know what they're up to? They just want to find you to go back and continue to fulfill your duties as a guest elder, teaching swordsmanship to the clan's disciples, since magic is declining now."
"With your current frail health, I'm afraid you're not up to the task."