Счастье совсем рядом, за следующим поворотом

Глава 71

He must have been extremely disappointed.

I released his hand and said calmly, "Wait for me here." I bent down and took off the guard's coat, then turned and entered the stone chamber. Just as I stood still by the ice bed, I heard Yan Shu's footsteps following me in.

He stood beside me, tilting his head and looking curiously at Lu Ning on the ice bed.

"What a pity." I exhaled a puff of white mist and said with a wry smile, "If you weren't stupid, I could have shown you the real me. But I'm afraid... there won't be another chance."

He tilted his head to look at me.

Life is truly wondrous. I never imagined that one day I could say goodbye to my dead self. The past will pass, and the dead will continue to die.

I covered Lu Ning's face with my coat, and Yan Shu carried her for me. We returned to the woodshed once again.

Still no one was there; the silence was strange.

I set fire to the woodshed, burning it along with Lu Ning, who was already dead.

What's the point of keeping it? We can't go back, we can't go back anymore, or it should have been buried long ago.

As the fire raged, I stood outside the door watching my former self being slowly consumed by the flames. Images began to surface in my mind, like charred paintings in the roaring fire, gradually turning yellow and curling up...

Ruan Bicheng under the pear blossom tree, Ruan Bicheng with a lamp lit at night, Ruan Bicheng practicing her sword, Ruan Bicheng sitting half-awake and half-asleep under the tree...

Lu Ning.

Lu Ning...

Each word spoken, the words of my youth, and the words of his youth, have all been reduced to ashes today.

Yan Shu suddenly reached out and touched my face; it was covered in cold tears. He frowned and looked at me. "You cried..."

I turned to look at him and smiled, "It's all in the past."

Everything is in the past. What should have been let go, and what shouldn't have been let go, is all gone and can never be brought back.

A commotion broke out in the mansion, and I grabbed Yan Shu and ran outside. The more we ran, the stranger it seemed. Everything went too smoothly, without any obstacles.

It wasn't until we escaped the mansion and were surrounded on the hill behind where I had once died that I realized how easily things had gone—because someone wanted to see this scene unfold.

I was extremely surprised when Gu Biyun turned out from behind the guard with the knife.

She was extremely smug, glaring at me and saying, "Thank you for helping me burn that unsightly corpse. Without you, I really wouldn't know how to dispose of it to put an end to my cousin's thoughts. However, I also allowed you to linger in this mansion for so many days, and even let you rescue Yan Shu so smoothly, so we're even." Her eyes suddenly sharpened, and she said viciously, "Today I'll settle the score for the grudge you inflicted on my Gu family!"

The author has something to say: You probably didn't guess that Ruan Bicheng really didn't have any ulterior motives this time... It was really his personal feelings, his love, his habit, and his regret at losing her. In short, it was a complicated desire to find her again.

But the most powerless sentence in the world is, "We can't go back."

Let me finish this story slowly. I hope to satisfy myself and everyone else, at least let the female lead confess her feelings to the priest, right?

Haha, I've finished my sentimental rant. Now, let me say something a little wicked: When Su Xie said, "I pity you," the priest's heart shattered. I really wanted to push him down! To torment him until his eyes were brimming with tears! (Get lost...)

Eighty-three

Surrounded by men from all sides, swords drawn, Gu Biyun had managed to assemble a large force that completely encircled Yan Shu and me.

I glanced at them and saw that the person leading the group was none other than Ruan Xin, the old leader's capable subordinate. Even Ruan Bicheng respectfully called him "Uncle." The people he brought must all be subordinates of the Ruan family.

It's truly astonishing. When did Gu Biyun become able to mobilize Ruan Bicheng's people? This method is truly surprising. Did she act on her own initiative? Or did she have someone's tacit approval?

Yan Shu tugged at my sleeve from behind. I smiled at him, then turned to look at Ruan Xin, cupped my hands in greeting, and said with a smile, "To have troubled Senior Ruan Xin to come and intercept us personally, I wonder if it's because I have a lot of influence, or because Miss Gu has such a great deal of influence?"

Ruan Xin was slightly taken aback, frowned, and looked me up and down. "You recognize me?"

I remember that when Ruan Bicheng was the new leader of the alliance, he was hard to convince the people. It was Ruan Xin and several other sect leaders who supported his appointment. I had dealt with him a few times in private, mostly as a messenger for Ruan Bicheng. He even taught me a couple of martial arts moves. I never thought I would see him again, especially when we were facing each other.

Gu Biyun is incredibly capable.

Knowing that I had entered the manor, she had endured it for so long. I realized that from escaping the house to rescuing Yan Shu, and even breaking into the stone chamber, everything went smoothly. It turned out that Gu Biyun had given me a helping hand.

The guards in the woodshed and the stone chamber were also transferred away by Gu Biyun.

I didn't answer, but asked Gu Biyun out of curiosity, "Since you knew I had entered the manor, why didn't you do it there?"

"Do you think I don't want to! I won't feel comfortable if you stay for even one more day!" Gu Biyun said with a cold glare, "My cousin is infatuated with you, this vixen, and protects you at every turn. If I were to kill you in front of him in the mansion, he would definitely turn against me! Besides, I'm counting on you to help me dispose of Lu Ning's body. My cousin is sentimental, and someone has to put an end to his hopes for me. You're just the right person."

I couldn't help but laugh when I heard the first sentence. This is the real Gu Biyun. The words that followed were not what she thought she was saying. She was thoughtful and meticulous, and she understood Ruan Bicheng's thoughts perfectly.

I couldn't help but ask, "I'd really like to know, who taught you all this?"

Her expression immediately changed, and she shouted, her voice trembling with fear, "Who it is doesn't matter, what matters is that you are going to die today!"

I glanced around at the number of people. Although there were many, none of them were highly skilled in martial arts. Apart from Ruan Xin, the rest could not stop Yan Shu.

How long has it been?

I took a half step back, pulled Yan Shu aside, and said to Gu Biyun, "You'd better hurry up, or all your efforts will be in vain when Ruan Bicheng arrives."

"Cousin is coming?" Gu Biyun exclaimed in surprise, her face turning pale. "Shouldn't he be held back by Aunt right now? How could he possibly be coming!"

I think I have a pretty good idea of who is the person who is giving Gu Biyun advice behind the scenes.

Just as he was about to continue trying to extract information, Ruan Xin said coldly, "Aren't you going to make a move?"

Gu Biyun choked on her words, and I pulled Yan Shu close to his ear and whispered very quickly, "Hold on tight."

As Gu Biyun shouted and made her move, I grabbed Yan Shu and whispered, "Go!" and turned and ran.

They couldn't fight Ruan Xin. Although they weren't necessarily outmatched, if they stalled for time and ran into Ruan Bicheng who was chasing after them, their escape would be even more difficult.

I grabbed Yan Shu and rushed to the right. They were just mediocre henchmen. I snatched a knife and slashed two of them. Yan Shu held me tightly and threw a punch and a palm strike. I could only hear the crisp cracking sounds as he passed by without any hindrance.

Ruan Xin rushed up from behind, letting out a low shout. A gust of wind came from behind my head. I turned around sharply and drew my sword. With a loud clang, I took the blow that was coming at me. I was jolted back several steps and fell to my knees with a thud. My hands were being torn apart.

Before I could react, I slid to the side to dodge the knife, and then swung it at his lower body.

He quickly took two steps back, looking at me in surprise, "Who taught you this move?"

This trick was taught to me personally by Ruan Xin as a gift when I married Ruan Bicheng.

I stood up, supporting myself with my sword, and smiled with narrowed eyes, "Naturally, I learned it from Senior Ruan Xin."

"Impossible! This move... I've only ever taught this move to one person!" He must have been extremely surprised, standing there dumbfounded, staring at me in astonishment.

My arms were numb from the shock. I grabbed Yan Shu, who was about to pounce on me, turned around, and ran away.

My palms were damp with blood and sweat when someone lunged at me. I barely managed to block him with my sword, but my arm went weak and I almost dropped the sword. Yan Shu reached out and choked the man's throat, threw him aside, grabbed me, and charged forward.

He rushed out in a few steps. Just as he put me down, he heard the whistle of an arrow piercing the air behind him. It was swift and fierce, like a startled swan, heading straight for me.

Before I could dodge, a figure flashed before my eyes. Yan Shu grabbed me and dodged to the side. I heard the whistling of an arrow whizzing past my ear. The arrow grazed Yan Shu's face and embedded itself in the tree behind him.

Warm liquid dripped onto my forehead, and when I looked up, I saw Yan Shu's slashed face, with beads of blood oozing out.

Someone rode up behind me on horseback and slashed at me with a sword. I raised my sword to block, but froze for a moment.

Who is shooting the arrow?

Who is wielding the knife?

He rode on horseback, slaying demons and monsters. When I met his eyes, I staggered and fell to my knees. The knife pressed against my blade, cutting into my shoulder, piercing my skin and bone.

"Father..." My words were cut off by the whistling of the sword.

Lu Mingyu and Lu Mingxiu chased after me from behind, surrounding me with swords on either side. Lu Qiancheng, riding on his horse, looked down at me and shouted, "Let's see where you, you vixen, can escape to today!"

My hand clenched instantly, and I slowly raised the knife.

"Su Xie!" Yan Shu grabbed the knife stuck in my shoulder.

Suddenly someone nearby shouted in alarm, "Master, be careful!"

As I looked up amidst the flashing blades, I saw the person standing not far away—none other than my mother.

Standing at the back of the crowd was Ruan Bicheng's mother. Even amidst the shadows, I could see her calm and collected expression.

She calmly ordered, "Everyone, step back. Let Sect Leader Lu deal with this vixen personally." Then she looked up at me and said, "Fight back."

Those three seemingly casual words made my hand holding the knife freeze.

It was her, it really was her. She was the only one who devised the plan for Gu Biyun and managed to lure Ruan Xin and the person who carried out the attack without Ruan Bicheng's knowledge.

She not only knew Ruan Bicheng, but she also knew who I was. Otherwise, why would she have sent Lu Qiancheng and my mother, who has no martial arts skills, to come?

She doesn't like me. She didn't like me before, but now... she hates me to the core.

"Your name is Su Xie, right?" She raised an eyebrow and looked at me, saying in a calm voice, "If you can defeat Sect Leader Lu today, I will release both of you."

Lu Qiancheng sheathed his sword and snorted coldly, "If you want to leave, step over my dead body!" He raised his hand and slashed down with his sword again.

Yan Shu suddenly raised his hand, grabbed his knife, and pulled him off his horse by his wrist.

"master!"

I looked up and saw my mother's eyes were red with anxiety. She grabbed Yan Shu and hissed, "Stop, Yan Shu!"

Yan Shu turned to look at me, confused and anxious, "Su Xie..."

"Let him go." Warm blood seeped into my clothes from my shoulder. I grabbed Yan Shu's sleeve. "I don't want that woman to shed another tear."

Yan Shu looked at me and obediently let go of my blood-soaked hand. Just as he turned around to help me up, Lu Qiancheng suddenly shouted, "Today it's either you or me who dies!" He dismounted and slashed at Yan Shu with his sword.

With the knife right in front of me, I didn't have time to think. I suddenly pulled Yan Shu away and hugged him. The blade cut through my clothes and into my flesh on my back. I trembled all over in pain and collapsed onto Yan Shu's back as if I had lost all my strength. Hot, sticky blood gushed out from my back and snaked down my drooping arms.

"Thank you!"

"Don't move." I reached out and grabbed Yan Shu's shoulder. Blood soaked through his white shirt and stained his face and ear. I leaned on his back and said, "It doesn't hurt. I can take it."

Beads of blood trickled down his neck, dripping down his neck. Yan Shu stared at the small drops of blood staining his shirt, stunned as if he were frozen in shock, and called out to me, "Su Xie..."

I reached out and touched his face, and then I burst into tears. "Fool..." I struggled to sit up and pressed down on his shoulders, saying, "Don't turn around unless I call you, understand?"

"Su Xie!" He grabbed my hand in a panic; blood and sweat were mixed together, making it slippery and hard to hold.

"Be good, don't turn around." I leaned against Yan Shu to steady myself, then turned to look at Lu Qiancheng. He was staring at me with a cold glare, as if he wanted to tear me to pieces.

He picked up a knife from the ground and threw it at my feet, saying, "Witch, don't think I'll let you go just because you don't fight back. Hold the knife!"

I glanced at the knife, then looked up at my mother standing in the cold wind. She was shivering, her eyes were red, and her disheveled hair was streaked with white. She had aged so much.

How should we fight back?

I gripped the knife handle and then released it, looking up at Lu Qiancheng and saying, "Be nice to her, just as... pity her for being alone in her old age."

He was slightly taken aback, then angrily said, "What nonsense are you spouting when you're about to die!" He swung the knife horizontally and handed it over without hesitation.

It came straight for my heart, swift and ruthless.

How should I fight back?