Sept nuits de neige

Chapitre 96

"Nineteen is the most important person to me, and I must protect her!" Tian Man straightened her back, her face resolute.

"That's ambitious!" Shen Yun praised. "But if you and I are like oil and water, how can Shijiu be happy? A truly good man is not about how to save a damsel in distress or how to spend lavishly, but about knowing how to keep the woman he loves from being sad and heartbroken."

This was a conversation between pure men. Tian Man had always heard stories of heroes and valiant men, but never such heartfelt and honest advice between men. He listened with shining eyes, feeling that he was also a man, a truly good man.

"Brother Shen is absolutely right!" They had completely fallen for Shen Yuntan's carrot and stick approach to win people over.

Shen Yuntan stroked his beardless chin: "There are many things that I will prepare for as long as they do not violate my principles. Since she will be angry if she finds out, it is better not to let her know."

These words were mysterious and profound, but Tian Man understood them: "For example, if I go and tease Senior Sister Gu and Senior Brother Xu, I can't let her know! Even though Shijiu doesn't like them either, and even though this is to help Shijiu vent her anger and it's out of good intentions, I still have to keep it from her."

"If you understand one principle, you'll understand all principles! Kid! You have a bright future!" Shen Yun thought to himself that this kid was so insightful that he would definitely become a charming womanizer in the future.

Tian Man chuckled and said, "Brother Shen's words are invaluable."

Shen Yuntan added, "If you've already angered her, you must wait for the right opportunity to coax her back. Don't go too early, because she'll still be angry and you'll only get a scolding. If you go too late, she'll think you don't care about her and be annoyed that you're too indifferent." These were all insights he had recently gained, fresh lessons from his own experience.

Tian Man was stunned. Just as he was about to praise it, he heard a cold laugh from the doorway: "Indeed, just right, praiseworthy and admirable!"

The two, who were talking animatedly, suddenly froze, staring dumbfounded at Tang Shijiu, who stood at the door with a cold smile. Tang Shijiu slapped Shen Yuntan hard across the face, his voice trembling with anger: "Tianxiu... Tianxiu was indeed harmed by you and Tianshu! It's laughable that I was the most foolish and naive one, actually believing you a second time."

Not long after she left, she remembered that Shen Yuntan hadn't drunk the medicine bowl she brought in. Worried that he might have forgotten and the medicine would be cold and difficult to drink, she went back to remind him. But as soon as she reached the door, she overheard Shen Yuntan's explanation about having two plans and how to make his lies sound convincing.

Tang Shijiu forgave Shen Yuntan for two reasons. First, it helped her calm down, as she truly couldn't let go of this man in her heart. Second, when Tianxiu was in trouble, he had indeed arrived "timely" and treated her with gentleness and consideration, which moved and touched her deeply.

I originally thought that this came from Shen Yuntan's sincere heart, but I never expected that it was all a deception he had set up.

They arrived just in time to save her, but couldn't save Tianxiu.

He deceived her with tender words, but didn't tell her a single thing about his master—if Xie Dongsheng hadn't said that Shen Yuntan's master could be considered Tang Shijiu's uncle, she didn't know how long she would have been kept in the dark!

This man's thoughts are unpredictable, like playing chess with every move. You don't know if you are a piece in the game or the opponent's territory that he is eyeing.

If everything is a strategy... then the so-called hero rescuing the damsel in distress is not accidental...

That day, Xiu died...

Tang Shijiu felt as if the sky had darkened and the earth had gone dark.

The Xuanbei sword was too heavy to carry with him. Tang Shijiu drew Tian Man's sword with a backhand motion, the gleaming tip pointing directly at Shen Yuntan's heart.

"Tian Man, step back!" She rarely called him by his full name, and Tian Man knew that Shijiu was truly angry, so he dared not say anything more and stepped back with his hands at his sides.

Her large eyes were filled with anger, and her heart felt as if it were being strangled by a rope.

"You killed Tianxiu! You're an accomplice! An accomplice!" she shouted hoarsely, as if she had used up all her strength.

Shen Yuntan, who was originally sitting on the bed, slowly stood up without flinching.

"Is your anger because I lied to you, or because of Tianxiu?"

His voice was calm and even, as if he were asking an ordinary question, yet it sent a shiver down Tang Shijiu's spine. Yes, was her anger due to the overwhelming grief and indignation at Tianxiu's death, or was it because this unpredictable man before her was not a suitable match?

“If it’s because of me, then please believe me. I’m not an accomplice, and I know nothing about this matter. I don’t deny that Tianxiu’s life or death has no impact on me, nor do I deny that I did follow the marks left by Tianshu to find that place. However, the only person I cared about that day was you.” He looked into his eyes, unwavering. “I bear no responsibility for Tianxiu’s death.”

"Shut up!" she uttered, the longsword trembling with each sound. "I'll kill you, you beast!"

"Then let's do it. If it's for Tianxiu's sake, since you refuse to believe me, it's only right to take action." His eyes were dim, as if he were mocking himself or others. "Anyway, I'm no longer worthy of being human."

That expression pierced Tang Shijiu's heart, and tears filled her eyes, making it impossible for her to see anything clearly.

"Stop pretending. How long are you going to keep lying to me? What do I have that's worth you lying to me again and again?" Her voice was already out of tune.

"I've already answered that question, and I don't want to repeat myself." Shen Yuntan slowly closed his eyes, looking somewhat weary. "I also want to know just how important Tianxiu is, and whether it would make you take action and kill me."

The sword tip trembled more and more violently, and Tang Shijiu's tears fell uncontrollably, but she did not wipe them away with her hands.

“A swordsman’s hand must not tremble…” He pinched the swaying blade between two fingers and pulled it closer to his heart inch by inch. “When you encounter someone you want to kill, you must not be soft-hearted either.”

The instinct to fight back when faced with danger was a conditioned reflex he had developed since childhood. Shen Yuntan suppressed the demons roaring in his blood, fearing that a single misstep would cause him to lose control and snatch the longsword from the nineteen-handed man, doing something he would regret for the rest of his life.

"If the other party shows even the slightest murderous intent, they cannot be let go." This is part of his blood, and the reason he has survived to this day.

The killing intent roared at his fingertips, driving him mad with an itch. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, the discomfort was unbearable. Shen Yuntan tried his best to endure it, forcing a smile: "Nineteen, you've practiced the Tuanfu Heart Technique very well, I didn't even notice when you were standing outside."

"Don't bring this up." Tang Shijiu bit her lip, trying her best to control her emotions that were about to collapse. "Don't think that I wouldn't dare to kill you."

"Is that so?" He gently tugged at the blade, and the longsword sliced through his clothes, cutting into his flesh. Blood gushed out immediately, staining his clothes red. "A little deeper, and you'll reach a vital spot."

The crimson stain on her snow-white long gown was so glaringly painful that it broke her heart and brought tears to her eyes.

His heart was heavy with tears, so heavy he could hardly breathe. The beast within him was soothed and gradually calmed down. The bewilderment, helplessness, and despair in Tang Shijiu's eyes became an invisible sword, piercing straight into his heart. The pain was far greater than any physical agony.

"Don't cry." Shen Yun sighed, his earlier aggressive demeanor vanishing, exhaustion like a beast quickly engulfing him.

As long as she stops crying and getting sad, what difficulty is there in resolving the issues at Xiaoyao Manor and staying far away from her so as not to cause her distress?

Shen Yuntan smiled bitterly to himself. He was destined to be a lonely phoenix forever, so why did he have to try to be a Casanova? Someone like him didn't deserve anyone's sincerity, let alone love.

She should do what she likes. If she doesn't like him, she can simply disappear. What's the big deal? He's already incredibly fortunate to have survived this long with his wretched life. He has no relatives, friends, or confidantes to begin with, and meeting her is already a blessing. Why should he ask for more?

The slender fingers suddenly released their grip, and the longsword clattered to the ground. Tang Shijiu's hand couldn't even hold the sword; she was only supported by the strength of Shen Yuntan's two fingers. Like a child, she stared blankly at the sword lying on the ground, wanting to cry but not knowing what to do.

He sadly discovered that he was completely helpless against Tang Shijiu.

Suddenly, a wishful thought arose: since I can't have it in the future, it's good to cherish this moment.

Shen Yuntan suddenly grabbed Tang Shijiu's hand.