Une demi-vie de musique et de maquillage

Chapitre 47

"Who are you?" This young nobleman was clearly not a member of the martial arts world. Everyone looked at him warily. A middle-aged man raised his chin and said, "State your name!"

"Hey, a name is just a title, it doesn't matter what you say." The young nobleman had a smile on his lips, his skin thick as hell. "We're just chatting and having some fun together. Once we leave this tavern, none of us will know each other."

Some people agreed with his words, saying, "Well said! People in the martial arts world should not be bothered by trivial matters. No matter who you are, we're just having a chat!"

"I'm a businessman. I went to the Western Regions a while ago, and when I returned, the whole city was in an uproar," the young nobleman said. "Is Baili Liushang dead?"

"There is such a rumor, but no one knows if it's true. Wu Tanhuan is currently in charge of most of the affairs at Zhengyang Palace. Because Baili Liushang suddenly disappeared, many people thought he was dead. However, Zhengyang Palace has not held a funeral, so no one knows what really happened."

The young master nodded. "I heard that Baili Liushang discovered the secret of the Lonely Dust Sword and went to find the treasure on his own." "That's one theory, but the Lonely Dust Sword is currently in Wu Tanhuan's hands. To find out the truth, we need to get the Lonely Dust Sword. But who in the martial world would dare to snatch something from that woman?"

A cold wind was blowing outside, but everyone was chatting animatedly and enthusiastically. The young nobleman who joined in midway was very good at enlivening the atmosphere, and his words and laughter dispelled the wariness of those around him.

With a creak, the tavern door was pushed open, and a young woman wearing a cloak entered. Her face was exquisitely beautiful; it was Tan Huan. Half a month ago, she had sent a letter to Pei Gu Mo by carrier pigeon, wanting to discuss some matters. She had been traveling wearily and wanted to rest here, but as soon as she opened the door, she saw the person she didn't want to see. She frowned slightly, took a step back, and decisively closed the door and left.

The young nobleman's eyes lit up when he saw her, and he immediately jumped up from his chair and chased after her, shouting as he ran, "Slow down! I'm not as skilled in martial arts as you. It's rare for us to meet, why don't you even say hello?"

Tan Huan walked faster and faster, becoming unhappy whenever she saw Du Suizhi; none of the memories she had of him were good. She pursed her lips into a tight line and quickly shook him off.

Unable to catch up with her, Du Suizhi resorted to shamelessness, shouting, "Is Baili Liushang dead?" If Baili Liushang was dead, who would he do business with at Zhengyang Palace next? This finally elicited a response from Tan Huan. She immediately stopped, flipped over, and leaped to Du Suizhi's side, coldly staring at him. "Is this all you've got a tongue for? Believe me or not, I'll cut it off?"

Seeing that the beauty had finally responded to him, Du Sui smiled broadly, regardless of what she said. "Wrong, wrong, I misspoke. Palace Master Baili's martial arts are unparalleled and invincible. Of course, he will live forever, standing tall and never falling."

Tan Huan got goosebumps listening to him. "Why are you asking around about Zhengyang Palace?" Du Suizhi's expression was as frivolous as ever, but his voice was unusually serious. "For money." But as soon as he said that, he immediately grinned again. "I'm a businessman, and I do business with people in the martial arts world. I have to be sensitive to the situation in the martial arts world, otherwise I might lose everything one day." Tan Huan glanced at him, lowered her eyes for a moment, and a breeze blew, making her hair under her cloak tickle her cheek. "Master is still alive, but..." That bastard Luo Yi, he asked her to take care of Master, but he actually ran away with Master without leaving a trace. If she catches them, they're doomed!

Du Suizhi was a man who could understand the unspoken meaning behind a song, and seeing Tan Huan's expression, he didn't press the matter further. The person before him was no longer the second young lady of the Wu family from years ago, but someone capable of defeating Pei Gumo with a single sword strike; a slight misstep could cost him his head. "Since even the Tang Clan is no match for you, why don't you prove yourself? You are not the murderer who wiped out the Wu family!"

Tan Huan smiled faintly and said, "It doesn't matter. As long as I did what I wanted to do, nothing else matters. I will often go to worship them."

"Everyone thinks you're the murderer who wiped out the Wu family. Wouldn't it be inconvenient for you to go and pay respects like this?" Tan Huan didn't care. "Now that I'm going to pay respects, who would dare say anything?"

Du couldn't help but chuckle; the tone and manner of his speech were just like Baili Liushang's. "Where are you planning to go now?"

Tan Huan glanced at him, knowing there was nothing to hide, and said, "Go to Youming Valley. Youming Valley wants to cooperate with Zhengyang Palace." Du Suizhi's eyes widened in surprise. How could he have missed such a big deal? "I'll go with you."

Tan Huan frowned, looking reluctant, "No."

"I'm your cousin, after all. Give me some face." Du Suizhi shamelessly said, "Tanhuan, please?" Tanhuan glared at him for a while, but seeing that he still wouldn't give up, he could only close his eyes and sigh, "Before going to Youming Valley, I need to go to the Wu family's old residence first."

"It's okay, I'll go with you." Seeing that she was showing signs of relenting, Du Suizhi was practically wagging its tail excitedly. "I might also go to Pei Gumo's place."

"It's okay, I'll go with you." Du Sui agreed without hesitation.

Tan Huan sighed, "Fine, come along if you want." She turned and strode forward, "Let's set off now. Since you're coming with me, you'll pay for all the expenses along the way."

"……good."

The two walked further and further along the wide road, their figures gradually shrinking. The sun peeked out from behind the clouds, golden and warm. A small snowdrift by the roadside melted into water, flowing downhill and reflecting a shimmering light.

Since the Wu family was wiped out, Tan Huan had never returned. Before coming this time, she knew that everything had changed. Perhaps Wu Canyang and Du Shuizhen didn't want to see her, but she finally acknowledged that this was her home, her first home. Without Wu Canyang, her life would not be like this.

Humans are such strange creatures; our perspectives change a little with each passing year. Things that seemed so serious as children become less significant in retrospect. Sometimes, we remember the kindness of others after we've lost them.

Most of the weeds that had been growing around the tombstone had withered, and there were still a few small patches of snow on the tombstone. Tan Huan reached out and brushed them off, and through the thick snow, he could see several clumps of emerald green moss mixed in, white and green interspersed among them.

The tombstones for the Wu family of four were handmade by Tan Huan that year. She knelt before them and politely kowtowed. Life is like that; remember more of the good and less of the bad. She had felt resentment, jealousy, and hatred as a child, but now , looking back, the Wu family hadn't gained anything from her, while she had gained a great deal from them.

Thinking about it this way makes me feel much more at ease.

Rest in peace, dear ones, who now rest in eternal peace in the earth.

Besides heading to the Netherworld Valley, Tan Huan also wanted to settle many things for herself. That bastard Baili Liushang wanted to avoid her? She'd go find him herself. So what if he lost his martial arts? She wouldn't despise him. Thinking this, Tan Huan unconsciously reached for her bundle, inside which was the Golden Cicada Armor Pei Jin had given her years ago. Tan Huan looked up at the sky, the sunlight stinging her eyes. She squinted slightly, as if she could see the scene from the martial arts competition at Lingfeng, the gift that the handsome young man had given her, the center of attention. A faint smile played on her lips. It was time to return it to him.

Suddenly, a cry of an eagle rang out in mid-air, and a majestic eagle circled overhead, exuding extraordinary power. Tan Huan composed herself; it was Zheng Yangguan's eagle. She raised her arm, and the eagle perched on it. Tan Huan took a slip of paper from the eagle's body; it read: "Master is in Baihai, come quickly." It was Luo Yi's handwriting.

Tan Huan froze, then her lips uncontrollably widened, widened, and widened again. Good lad, he finally agreed to contact her! Without saying a word, she flipped over and leaped up, disappearing from the Wu family mansion in an instant.

Du Suizhi, who had been standing beside her, didn't react for a while. He suddenly moved, staring blankly in the direction where Tan Huan had disappeared, and shouted, "Hey, Wu Tan Huan, you're cheating! Are you still going to the Netherworld Valley or not?" What on earth happened?

He was her master; a teacher for a day is a father for life.

(End of article)