Безымянный убийца

Глава 32

"I...!" Whenever she was cornered, Shao Hua would resort to the same tactic: going all in and stubbornly refusing to back down. So, she pouted, raised her eyebrows, glared at him, stood up with her hands on her hips, and angrily declared, "I'm running away from this marriage!"

"Why?" Xuan Sheng was very curious. Didn't she agree to this marriage back then?

"Huh?" Shao Hua saw that he didn't seem to be blaming her but was just looking at her curiously. She thought that he might have something to say to her since he was here at this time, so she softened her tigress-like demeanor and asked in return, "Second brother, what makes you think I want to marry you?"

"Huh?" Xuan Sheng was taken aback, unsure how to answer. After a long pause, he slowly replied, "You agreed to this marriage back then, didn't you?"

Upon hearing this, Shao Hua frowned slightly. She sat down again and looked intently at her childhood sweetheart standing by the wall.

The early autumn weather was slightly cool, but the afternoon sun shone brightly. The clear blue sky was indeed perfect for a wedding. The stunningly handsome man in red looked up at her with a relaxed smile. Golden sunlight covered his shoulders and back, highlighting his clear eyes, as bright as autumn water. His red clothes were like fire, and his hair flowed like a spring. If this man had a touch of charming, languid, and passionate allure, countless women would have been heartbroken for him. But he had an expression as cold as ice and an indifferent attitude.

But for her, it was an exception from childhood.

From a young age, this person would save her delicious snacks, fly up trees to pick flowers for her, carry her on his back and leap across mountains. When she threw a tantrum, he would only sigh helplessly, pat her head, and slowly explain the reasons to her.

She liked him very much too.

but……

"You like Ye Shuangjing, don't you?" she finally asked. Immediately, her warm, gentle smile was replaced by bitterness. She shook her head and sighed deeply in her heart.

I had met Ye Shuangjing before.

At that time, the head of Ziwei Hall was still alive.

She accompanied her second brother to Jincheng to visit her eldest brother's family, where they encountered the once-in-a-century gathering of talented individuals.

That night, the city was ablaze with lights, bustling with activity, and filled with the sounds of music. Looking around, one could see a throng of people, and the streets were filled with the fragrance of clothes and the shadows of fans, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

She was drinking in the pavilion of a restaurant when she suddenly saw everyone pushing forward. She and her sisters-in-law looked on curiously and saw someone playing the zither and flute on the far-off rooftop. The sound was like raindrops falling from the sky, turning into melodious and clear sounds that fell down. Gradually, the shouts of vendors disappeared, the laughter of young ladies and maids disappeared, and the voices of scholars reciting poems and composing lyrics disappeared. The entire city of Jin was silent, with only the rise and fall of the zither and flute echoing among the thousands of breathless people.

Suddenly, the two musicians dropped their instruments, and their companions beside them laughed and shook their heads as they took them from them.

When the music started again, two swords appeared like the moon, the figures graceful as immortals, and the clanging sound echoed in the empty and silent city of Jin, taking people into another world with the rising and falling melody.

She was sitting very far away at the time and couldn't see clearly, but even from that fleeting glimpse, she could still remember the elegance and charm Ye Shuangjing exuded.

I can still remember that Xuan Sheng, whom I haven't seen for many years, has grown into a tall and upright young hero, and he only smiles at that woman.

Later, Chongchonglou changed its owner, the head of Ziwei Hall died, and Ye Shuangjing's kung fu was ruined.

Xuan Sheng is back.

Later, she agreed to the marriage, shattering that myth.

“If you liked me before because you didn’t know about Ye Shuangjing, then we could still get married. Because Second Brother is a very responsible person. But now that you know, why do we still have to get married?” She rested her cheeks on her hands and blinked at him as she spoke.

Xuan Sheng suddenly didn't know how to answer.

The little girl who used to stumble and run after him has suddenly grown up, sitting on the wall with a wedding bouquet, looking at him, and saying what he has never dared to admit.

You like Ye Shuangjing, don't you?

Do you like it?

Putting aside those lewd and obscene actions, and those nonsensical and crazy thoughts, he remembered praising in his heart more than once how wonderful the woman he had left behind was, worthy of being deeply admired by any upright hero.

He was no exception.

"Second brother, don't you wish there was a man who would treat me the way Master Du treated Master Shen?" Shao Hua jumped down from the wall and stood in front of him, asking.

Xuan Sheng was taken aback, then slowly smiled.

I wish to find a soulmate, to stay together until our hair turns white.

In heaven, we wish to be birds flying wing to wing; on earth, we wish to be trees with intertwined branches.

I wish to be with you forever, through thick and thin.

May I be like a star and you like the moon, shining brightly together every night.

Who in this world doesn't wish for such devoted treatment and lasting happiness?

When Xuan Sheng smiled, it was as if the clouds had suddenly dispersed and the sky had cleared, with even the sunlight shining on his face.

The usually aloof and distant man smiled and nodded, bending down to pick up Shao Hua's package and handing it to her, his eyes sincere and clear: "Yes. Shao Hua, I was wrong."

"Then let's pretend this marriage never happened and you didn't see me here, so you don't have to tell my parents I ran away, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay?" Shao Hua suddenly blinked her eyes, wagged her tail, and tugged at his sleeve.

"Is marrying me that scary to you?" =_=a Xuan Sheng looked at her speechlessly, but in the end, he gently patted her head, just like when she came to him feeling wronged after being scolded by her parents as a child. He asked softly, "Where are you going? You've always been pampered and spoiled. It's so dangerous outside..."

Shao Hua grinned and blinked at him: "Before you ventured into the martial world, you had never left Half Moon City, right? Besides... I have Chun Bi with me. She's waiting for me at the village entrance." She was the maid who had served her since childhood and was also her protector. She had been practicing martial arts with Xuan Mu Xuan Sheng in Half Moon City since she was a child, and her skills were many times better than hers.

Xuan Sheng felt slightly relieved upon hearing this, but still couldn't help frowning: "Going like this isn't really a good idea... Shao Hua, let's go together to..."

"Ahhh, Second Brother, you should go alone!" Shao Hua waved her hands hastily, glared, and backed away. "I'm not going to face Father and Mother. Even if the engagement is canceled, I won't be able to leave!"

“Shaowa…” Xuan Sheng sighed helplessly, “We still need to talk to the guests and both sets of elders…”

"I'm not going! I'm not going! I'm not going!" The girl hurriedly shook her head and backed away. Because she did so forcefully, all the jewels on her head fell off. She didn't bother to pick them up, but quickly turned and walked in another direction, raising her hand and waving it loudly as she ran and shouted:

"Second brother, I'm leaving, otherwise it'll be troublesome if Father and Mother come after us! Second brother, please take care! I'm sorry, I don't want to marry you, but you already have another woman! Second brother, you should go find Sect Leader Ye quickly! Otherwise you'll regret it—!" She stopped abruptly, as if suddenly remembering something, and turned back to stand in front of Xuan Sheng, looking around nervously, and whispered to him:

"Second brother..."

"Hmm?" Xuan Sheng was a little confused as she kept turning back and forth, and could only look at her speechlessly: "What's wrong?"

“In my room… under the bed there’s a round sandalwood box. That thing… is yours. It’s something Aunt Ningfeng threw away when you came back before. I… kept it for you.” She said nervously, twisting her hands and lowering her head. Every time she acted like this, it meant she was feeling guilty, but Xuan Sheng didn’t know what she was afraid of.

But then Shao Hua timidly raised her head, glanced at him with a slightly flushed and somewhat awkward expression, turned her head away, and said softly, "Back then... I really wanted to marry you... so... I..." That's why I agreed to the marriage.

Her face flushed red as she spoke, then nervously fiddled with her hair. Before she could finish, her eyes welled up with tears: "Anyway...anyway, I'm leaving!" With that, she ran off like the wind, as if a ghost were chasing her.

Xuan Sheng looked at her long, messy curly hair, which was scattered in the wind, and her slender figure. He had a premonition that he would not see this charming girl again for a long time.

Suddenly, he remembered what Murong Jin had said to him, and couldn't help but call out, "Shao Hua!"

She abruptly stopped in her tracks, turned around timidly, and saw the man in bright red standing in the sunlight, smiling warmly like spring. It was just like when she was a child playing in the courtyard catching grasshoppers, her face covered in mud, she looked up and saw that calm and gentle young man, who smiled at her with the same tenderness.

“I’ll wait and see,” Xuan Sheng said with a smile.

I look forward to the day when your name will become a household name in the world.

I look forward to the day when you and other outstanding young men and women will conquer the world and reign supreme.

Because the martial arts world is a place where anything can happen.

The spoiled and willful heiress of yesteryear can also become a glorious legend of the next generation. As long as she has enough courage and perseverance, he saw in Shao Hua a talent and brilliance about to blossom, as well as an arrogant and dashing demeanor that is no less than that of Lin Meihua, Hua Wushuang, Jing Shan, or anyone else.

Siu-wah waved vigorously at him, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she turned around and left quickly.

Xuan Sheng shook his head with a mix of helplessness and relief, looked back at the pavilion where the bride had just been waiting to be married, frowned slightly, and then lightly leaped towards the highest window.

The ends of the earth are far away; except for Wushan, there are no clouds.

Xuan Sheng shook his head with a mix of helplessness and relief, looked back at the pavilion where the bride had just been waiting to be married, frowned slightly, and then lightly leaped towards the highest window.

Shao Hua's room was eerily quiet. All the maids and old women were asleep, some lying down, some sitting up. Even the maid who had dressed up as Shao Hua's bride was sitting upright on the bed, head bowed, snoring softly. Xuan Sheng looked on helplessly. He glanced at the burning incense and realized that the girl had used a hypnotic incense. He estimated that these people would wake up in less than half an incense stick's time, so he had to quicken his pace and hold his breath as he rushed into the inner room.

The walls inside were crystal clear, decorated with colorful soft gauze curtains. The floor was made of emerald green inlaid with flowers. To the left was a large rosewood and marble table with a sword on it. The weapon inside was long gone. Next to it was a large blue and white porcelain vase, filled with purple flowers that looked like crystal balls. Above it hung a couplet, a poem by Li Bai: "Man cannot reach the bright moon, yet the moon follows man as he walks."

Xuan Sheng didn't linger long. He glanced around, silently apologizing for his rash behavior, before quietly making his way to the large bed in the center. Deep purple curtains hung around the sandalwood bed, and white and pink vines cascaded down the bedposts, which were carved with exotic flowers and plants, emitting a faint fragrance. He stepped forward and looked under the bed. Sure enough, there was a round sandalwood box, its color dark, locked with a copper lock, nestled among a pile of other items.

Suddenly, he heard a sound outside. He held his breath and listened. He heard footsteps, the maids' soft cries, and the old women's yawns. He knew that the people outside were gradually waking up. He reached for the box, not caring where the key was, and rushed out the window with the box. In a few leaps, he was already outside the attic.

Sitting on the wall, Xuan Sheng held the box and examined it carefully. It was a very exquisite object, a three-inch-long circle with chrysanthemum patterns carved along the edges. The black sandalwood gleamed brightly in the sunlight, and even the brass lock was carved with tiny, delicate patterns. It was clear that Shao Hua often took it out to examine it, because there was no dust on the lid or anywhere else.

He looked at it for a moment, and after confirming that there was no other way to open the box except with the key, he apologized in his heart, grasped the brass lock with his hand, and with a slight force, he heard a crack, and the lock broke into several pieces, and the lid of the box opened automatically and quietly.

He was stunned the moment he opened the box.

They were pieces of crimson cloth, seemingly made of the finest material. Holding them in my hand, they felt like mist, soft and delicate, with no fine threads to be felt. They seemed as if a piece had fallen from the sunset sky, cut naturally and smoothly, far superior to cloth created by human hands. The crimson color closely matched the colors he wore, and small, exquisite bell pendants hung from the edges, ringing crisply when picked up.

—Xuansheng, do you remember what I looked like in red?—

When he suddenly heard such a low whisper in his ear, Xuan Sheng was startled, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

In his dream, Shuangjing ran towards him dressed in fiery red.

His whole body was ice cold. With slightly trembling hands, he reached into his sleeve and found the small bag that Lin Meihua had thrown to him when he left Shuangjing and the others.

He almost dropped the bag because his fingers were trembling. He eagerly opened it, but froze on the spot when he saw the contents.

A small silver bell lay quietly in his palm, just like the bell on the red cloth.

He suddenly understood.

Shuangjing was not wearing red.

It's a wedding dress.

The night of the power struggle in Chongchonglou was their wedding night.

At that time, the fragrance of hibiscus veils the curtains, and the candlelight illuminates the embroidered boudoir. However, before the red candlelight had fully penetrated the silk curtains and before the moonlight had fully illuminated their snow-white skin, they had already donned their battle robes and gone out to fight. Then, life and death were separated by an unknown distance, and they wept through the seasons and spent their fleeting years in tears. From then on, their hearts were broken at the ends of the earth, and the person who brushed past them never looked back.

That unforgettable past, like this bridal veil, is locked in a box, never to see the light of day again.

Xuan Sheng stood there, holding the bridal veil in a daze, without saying a word.

Suddenly, pain overwhelmed him like a raging wave. The excruciating pain struck his heart, and without realizing it, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

He held onto the wall with both hands, but he couldn't stand up no matter what he did. He felt cold all over and was in excruciating pain. Breathing was painful, and even blinking his eyes was a painful, aching sensation. His vision was blurry.

It turned out that she had been waiting anxiously for his return, watching the willows wither and the flowers fall.

It turned out that she was the one who supported his frail body as they wandered the world together.

It turned out that she had already donned the phoenix coronet and wedding gown, and made a vow with him to grow old together for life.

Even after youth fades, beauty turns to dust, and fallen petals return to the earth, she is still waiting.

So that's how it is.

She is already his wife.

Xuan Sheng leaned against the wall, panting heavily. His mind was buzzing, and he could hear thousands of voices rising at the same time, as well as countless images flashing by like lightning.

Suddenly, he turned around, propped himself up, and punched the wall. With a loud crash, the smoke and ash vanished, sand and stones flew everywhere, and cracks began to appear on the wall from beneath his fist, eventually crumbling and collapsing. After the tiled wall turned to ash and the smoke dissipated, only an exquisite round box remained on the ground in the courtyard, lying quietly.

Xuan Sheng had already disappeared.

He wants to go back.

No longer will I be the second young master in Half Moon City, gazing at the ever-changing clouds in the sky.