During the month I returned to Kongshanling, I saw Cen Ji no more than three times on the eighth day of the lunar month.
However, Cen Ji was also very busy. His twelve years in Kongshanling couldn't compare to this one month.
As for what he was busy with, Cen Ji couldn't say. It was mostly trivial matters: Su Qiao would ask him to spar today, Zhai Huan would chat with him tomorrow, and Xiong San Niang would use him to test medicine the day after.
He was very fortunate that Huang Shen, who possessed the highest martial arts skills, was in Qingluan Forest; otherwise, if she were in the mood to challenge him to a duel, he would have suffered several more whip marks.
He smiled faintly: "Yes, Huang's martial arts are indeed superior. I am not as good as her."
Zhai Huan sat opposite him, engrossed in counting the gold leaves, and replied casually, "Yes, yes, that woman is made of some unknown material, she's always so cold. It's a good thing the master locked her up in the Azure Phoenix Forest, otherwise I'd tremble every time I see her."
Mentioning Huang, Cen Ji couldn't help but think of Ban Lan.
He raised his hand and touched his left shoulder. There was a whip mark there, a scar that still remained.
Zhai Huan finally finished counting the gold leaves, looked up at Cen Ji's stiff face, and said, "What are you thinking about? You look like a talking stone." After saying that, he took out a bag of loose silver and counted it carefully.
A talking stone?
The words sounded familiar. Cen Ji's expression suddenly drifted away. He remembered a girl who once asked him to treat her like a "talking stone."
"Just think of me as a talking stone."
"Um?"
"Have you not heard the legends of Kongshan Ridge?"
The silvery voice still lingers in my ears, but the person is no longer there.
"Fifth brother."
"Hmm?" Zhai Huan raised her eyelids slightly.
"Are there any rumors about Kongshan Ridge?"
"Rumors?" Zhai Huan thought for a moment and said, "I don't think so?"
No? Cen Ji was somewhat disappointed.
“That’s it! I remember now.” Zhai Huan suddenly looked up: “There are indeed rumors about Kongshan Ridge.”
Cen Ji leaned forward: "What is it?"
Zhai Huan chuckled, “People say that Kongshan Ridge is the most beautiful place in the martial arts world, but it is also the most dangerous place.”
Cen Ji nodded in agreement, "That's very true."
Zhai Huan continued, "People say that the most dangerous thing about Kongshan Ridge is not its steep cliffs, but the ten secret guards."
Cen Jiqian said modestly, "Rumors should not be entirely believed."
Zhai Huan added, "People say that Master Kongshan's daughter, Wen Moyin, is beautiful and talented, the most beautiful woman in the world."
Cen Ji smiled gently, "That's natural."
Zhai Huan continued, "People say that Wen Moyin's junior sister, Ban Lan, is rude and violent, and her behavior is unkempt. Compared with Wen Moyin, she is like a beautiful jade compared to a piece of rubble."
Cen Ji concealed his smile, remaining noncommittal.
Reunion
one,
Old Guo's liquor store was always especially bustling near closing time. So Old Guo always extended his closing time.
Old Guo's liquor store wasn't big, just two floors. Besides selling liquor, it also sold all sorts of dishes and snacks, and occasionally even offered to store odds and ends.
When he wasn't on any missions, Cen Ji would occasionally visit Old Guo's tavern, order half a duck head and a plate of peanuts, and listen to the casual conversations of the ordinary people around him, chatting about everything under the sun. He always felt quite content with how life went by.
Today, Lao Guo saw Cen Ji walking towards him from afar again, and turned around to skillfully prepare his favorite side dishes.
When Cen Ji entered the shop, he said three words to Old Guo: "Two jars of wine."
Old Guo was stunned.
It's been almost ten years, and this is the first time I've heard Cen Ji ask for alcohol.
Old Guo was stunned for a long time before stammering, "Sake or spirits?"
Cen Ji paused.
He knew very little about wine; he was lucky if he could taste it, let alone identify its type.
"Whatever," Cen Ji waved his hand and went upstairs.
Soon after, the dishes and wine were served.
Cen Ji tasted the duck head and chewed a few peanuts.
The taste is still the same, but it doesn't seem as delicious as before to Cen Ji.
He uncorked the wine and was about to pour it into a glass when he thought for a moment, then picked up the wine jar, tilted his head back, and took a big gulp.
Strong liquor.
Excellent spirits.
The taste was spicy and pungent, even more so than the jar he and Ban Lan had drunk a few days ago; the burning sensation shot straight from his stomach to the top of his head.
Cen Ji coughed, his face turning red.
One sip and it's like this; who knows what will happen with two jars?
Cen Ji smiled wryly and pushed the two jars of wine aside. He really wasn't cut out for drinking; he didn't know how that girl could drink so much.
When Cen Ji thought of Ban Lan, he felt another dull pain in his heart.
But then he remembered Wen Moyin's gentle eyes.
Yes, he must feel he owes Ban Lan too much to be so sad.
Yes, yes.
He grabbed another jar of wine and took a big gulp.
It started raining outside.
The rain was heavy, and soon it flowed down the roof tiles in a trickle.
"Shopkeeper, it's raining heavily outside. Could I borrow your umbrella? I have something to do today, so I can return it to you tomorrow."
The silence in his back instantly stiffened from top to bottom.
He sprang up from his chair and rushed downstairs in a few quick steps.
Old Guo was looking down at his accounts.