Looking back on old dreams, I feel a chill.
More than twenty people knelt outside the stone house in the Valley of Retreat. The four protectors of "Silver Jade and Wealth" and the leaders of the various altars and branches of the main altar were all very respectful, and their faces showed more or less grief. Although Jin Yue was ruthless in his actions throughout his life, and many people in the sect hated him to the core, they had to admit the effort he had put into the Thousand Hands Sect and admired him to some extent. As the leader of the sect, he reigned for a full thirty-seven years, which brought the Thousand Hands Sect, which had almost fallen apart, to its current state of revival.
Only Qiu Lingling, with a completely sincere heart, couldn't stop crying.
Jin Yue was finally relieved when his two apprentices returned safely after being missing for five days. His spirits and complexion improved. Qiu Lingling didn't understand, but everyone else knew that this was a final burst of energy before death. He was usually very kind to his servants, but now they were all in tears.
With his death approaching, Jin Yue himself was not in a bad mood. After bathing and changing his clothes, he smiled and called everyone in to give them a few words of advice. As the saying goes, a dying man's words are good, and no one dared to disagree. They all looked somber. He then gave his little apprentice some instructions, sent her a few things, and then ordered her to leave with all the servants, leaving only Jin Huanlai behind.
The door was closed.
Seeing the leader's true face for the first time was quite an eye-opener for all the Dharma Protectors and Altar Masters. However, no one knew what the master and disciple were talking about inside, and no one dared to inquire. It must have been important matters within the sect.
Outside the fence, the green bamboo swayed in the wind, its rustling sound like a sigh, and a deep sadness permeated the entire Retreat Valley.
There was no movement in the room for half a day.
Qiu Lingling couldn't help but look up. Her big eyes were already red and swollen, and her small face showed more tension and anxiety she had never felt before. She stared straight at the door, which was tightly closed. A strong sense of unease lingered in her heart, but she couldn't explain why. That unfamiliar feeling frightened her and left her feeling lost.
The door finally opened.
Everyone hurriedly looked up, only to see Jin Huanlai standing quietly inside the door, his handsome face appearing much darker against his black robe.
He walked out slowly and uttered two words: "A proper burial."
Everyone was stunned.
"The old leader has passed away!" Someone realized this first, and cries of grief arose everywhere. Apart from Qian Hufa, Yin Fei, and others who always respected Jin Yue, even those who hated him in the past were now saddened and genuinely saddened. Qiu Lingling cried loudly and tried to enter the room, but was stopped by the servants.
Jin Huanlai seemed oblivious to all of this, his face expressionless and his tone calm: "Let Protector Cai handle the funeral arrangements."
After saying that, he left on his own.
The old leader has passed away. As his personal disciple, how could he just leave like that? Everyone was so shocked and confused that they forgot all their grief. Even Qiu Lingling wiped away her tears and stared at his departing figure in astonishment.
.
I thought I had no past, that those things were like a dream, gradually fading away from me. However, when I found a new dream and was truly ready to abandon it, it came back to me.
At dusk, Jin lay in the bamboo forest, listening to the sound of the wind blowing through the bamboo leaves overhead, and the sound of the bamboo leaves rubbing against the ground.
The moment he learned the truth, he thought he would kill the dying old man with his own hands. His respected and trusted benefactor and master had ruined everything for him, but saved his life and gave him a status that everyone in the martial arts world envied. Yet, on his deathbed, he revealed such a cruel truth to him.
He felt no excitement or anger as he had imagined; he just felt cold, a bone-chilling cold.
Who can she blame? Even though others blamed and cursed him, some people still pitied him and brought him food. Even though she didn't trust him enough, she still worried about his life and death. Five years, a full five years, how could a weak person endure such humiliation just to find out where he was? Finally, she died in depression under her husband's neglect and ridicule.
From beginning to end, no one abandoned him; he abandoned himself.
"Never betray her," the gentle voice had never been so clear. He should have known what kind of woman she was. He had always blamed her for not trusting him, but he didn't realize that it was he who didn't trust her enough.
Jin slowly sat up.
"Jin, come back—" The shouts, mixed with the sound of bamboo, came from afar and grew closer, then lingered in my ears, and I could clearly distinguish the anxiety and worry in them.
They were separated only by a clump of green bamboo, yet neither of them could see the other.
He slowly lay down again, merging into the shadows cast by the twilight.
I'm sorry, I've found my past again. I can't embrace you with it, and abandoning it would make me feel guilty.
.
In the small attic, behind heavy curtains.
"Really dead?" Knowing about Jin Yue's condition beforehand, the young master wasn't too surprised to receive the news; he merely frowned.
Liu Bai said, "The obituary has been issued, so please rest assured, young master. I heard that Jin Yue had left a will that he should not hold a mourning ceremony."
The young master laughed: "That does seem like the old man's way of doing things, sending two people to attend the funeral on my behalf." It's good that he doesn't wear mourning clothes, otherwise the death of an old ghost would have ruined my good deed. Wasn't she supposed to be there to see you off? Now she's done.
Liu Bai agreed, then thought for a moment and said, "There's something I find strange."
The young master raised his eyebrows.
Liu Bai said, "Now that Jin Yue is dead, Jin Huanlai was his personal disciple. He should be in charge of the overall situation in the sect. Who would have thought that he would disappear without a trace and leave the matter of encoffining and burial to the four guardians."
The young master seemed somewhat interested and was about to speak when someone came in to report that Cheng Xiaolin had arrived.
"Just tell her I'm taking a nap and ask her to go home first."
"yes."
After the man left, Liu Bai hesitated for a moment, then felt it necessary to remind him: "The old lady and Madam Cheng are close sisters, so they might not be so fond of Miss Lingling..."
The young master, with his peach-blossom eyes slightly tilted, interrupted him: "I've noticed that you're becoming more and more like a woman."
Liu Baihan: "Your subordinate..."
The young master smiled and patted his shoulder with his folding fan: "Don't worry, with your looks, no one will dare to make a move on you."
Liu Bai burst into cold tears: "Young Master..."
The young master turned to the side and said, "If a man can't even protect his own woman, what kind of business is he doing? He might as well go back and take care of his child. Don't you think so?"
Liu Bai was embarrassed.
The young master chuckled lightly: "How can a person live in this world and please everyone? The position of the third wife of the Yi family is being watched by many eyes. If everything is arranged by others, what is the point of my life?"
.
Amidst the romantic atmosphere of Zhangtai, with its beautiful women and laughter, Jiang Xiaohu, arm in arm with a pretty woman, went downstairs to gamble. However, they ran into a man coming from the opposite direction. The man glanced at him, said nothing, and was about to leave.
Jiang Xiaohu quickly grabbed him, smiling apologetically, "I was just about to borrow a few taels of silver from Third Brother. Once I've made my money back, I'll definitely pay you back!"
The man snapped, "Get lost! I don't have any money to lend you!"
Jiang Xiaohu looked distressed: "I lost too much the other day, and I really have no other choice. If even Third Brother won't help me, I'll have to go to Third Sister-in-law."
The man choked for a moment, then said angrily, "Fine, fine, come and get it."
Jiang Xiaohu beamed with joy, immediately gave a few words of advice to the beautiful woman beside him, and then happily followed him upstairs.
There was a beautiful girl in the room, but Jin made an excuse to send her out as soon as he entered. Then he turned to Jiang Xiaohu and said impatiently, "Speak quickly if you have something to say, or shut up if you have something to say."
Jiang Xiaohu sighed: "I know your teacher has passed away, you..."
“It’s good that he’s dead,” Jin interrupted him, sitting down at the table. “Is this all you wanted to say to me?”
Jiang Xiaohu was taken aback, then smiled wryly: "Lingling said you went to Huai'an City. When did you come back?"
The day before yesterday.
"Didn't you go back?"
Jin glanced at him and said, "Are you my wife? What business is it of yours when I go back?"
Jiang Xiaohu was speechless, muttering to himself, "Everything was fine the day before yesterday, it's like we've encountered a ghost!"
Jin ignored him and asked, "What about that Thousand-Year-Old Warm Jade Cup?"
Upon hearing his words, Jiang Xiaohu also remembered the important matter: "As previously agreed, the eight water gods will escort us along the way, and we should arrive in Qingjiang City next month. At that time, he will personally lead people to welcome us."
Jin Huanlai said, "Okay, I'll go get it for you."
Jiang Xiaohu nodded: "I will inform him beforehand."
Jin glared at him coldly: "What's with the greeting? Do you think I'm afraid of him? If he could cure all poisons, and there really was such a treasure, I would definitely snatch it from him. You don't need to say anything more."
Jiang Xiaohu smiled wryly: "He's at least the lord of Tianshui City, but you..."
Jin interrupted him: "His martial arts are indeed better than mine, but it may not be difficult for me to take his things. Tell him that if I cannot take the warm jade cup from him, I will relieve him of the 'half-moon dew'."
Jiang Xiaohu put on a stern face: "If he kills you, don't blame me."
Jin snorted: "Are you sure this will lure that person out?"
Jiang Xiaohu said, "He already knew that the Thousand Hands Sect had sent people to follow me. He must think that you also want that treasure. Dealing with the Thousand Hands Sect is not easy. If you make enemies with Shui Fengqing now, he will definitely ask Shui Fengqing for help."
Jin replied, "That makes sense."
Jiang Xiaohu looked annoyed and changed the subject: "Let me tell you, I'm fucking getting a wife soon."
Jin paused for a moment, then laughed: "Who?"
"When I was a child, my grandfather arranged a marriage for me."
"The one from the Lan family?"
“It’s that young lady, I think her name is Lan Xinyue,” Jiang Xiaohu said, distressed. “That woman just sent someone over to say that she wants to come and marry me.”
Jin asked in surprise, "Looking like this, would Master Lan agree to it?"
Jiang Xiaohu glared: "What do I look like? I'm handsome and charming, and countless women are throwing themselves at me!" After a long pause, he sighed: "Actually, he really didn't want to. We had already broken off the engagement. He had already chosen another good match for the young lady, but that girl insisted on acting like a chaste and virtuous woman, saying that she would only marry him and had a falling out with her father."
Jin suppressed a laugh and patted him on the shoulder: "You're so amazing, good luck to you."
Jiang Xiaohu thought for a moment, then said indifferently, "Don't worry, I'm a useless Jiang Xiaohu. Who can I support if I'm this poor? Even delicate young ladies would be scared away."
Jin remained silent.
“I’m leaving now, I’ll find you later,” Jiang Xiaohu stood up and took two steps, then stopped and turned back. “No matter what you mean, you shouldn’t make that young girl wait for you at the door.”
Jin glanced at him and said, "Get lost."
.
Now, when Jin Yue passed away, the obituary was issued on the same day. However, no one from the Thousand Hands Sect wore mourning clothes. It turned out that Jin Yue was a free spirit who did not care too much about conventional etiquette. He had left a will instructing everyone not to wear mourning clothes and to abandon many taboos. He was buried hastily after only three days. The great leader of the sect was extremely famous, but he did not leave behind a single child, which is a pity.
Qiu Lingling tearfully bid farewell to her master and worried about Jin Huanlai, spending her days in a daze. It wasn't until Protector Qian hurriedly came that she found the Third Young Master Yi, who had personally brought his servants to pay their respects. They were waiting at the branch headquarters. Given the special relationship between the Thousand Hands Sect and the Yi family, and the absence of the sect leader, none of the four protectors dared to make decisions on their own. After discussing it, they decided to come to find Qiu Lingling, which was also a way of shirking responsibility.
Qiu Lingling hurriedly followed Protector Qian to the branch headquarters, where she saw the young master dressed in plain clothes waiting in the hall, with Liu Bai standing beside him, as well as two servants carrying things, and several protectors and altar masters accompanying him.
"Lingling." So affectionate.
"You've come." He lowered his eyes.
Her little face was still streaked with tears, making her look even more pitiful. The young master pulled her to his side, reached out to wipe away her tears, and sighed, "Don't cry, sweetie, it's because Brother Yi is late."
In her grief, Qiu Lingling didn't think much of it. The other Dharma Protectors and Altar Masters were all dumbfounded, bowing their heads to look at the floor. Jade Dharma Protector Hua Yunfeng's face turned green. How dare they take advantage of the Sect Leader's wife in public and treat us like air! What angered and disappointed him even more was how pleasant it would be to see the Sect Leader's expression at this moment, but damn it, he wasn't there!
Liu Bai stood to the side, his facial muscles twitching, extremely embarrassed by his master's actions. "Young master, please be mindful of your behavior in front of so many people. How can you be so shameless as to call me 'Brother Yi'!"
Fortunately, the young master didn't linger on the mushy act for too long. He turned to the four protectors and said, "It just so happens that I was out that day and couldn't come in person. I hope you won't blame me."
The four guardians hurriedly smiled and acted politely.