Young master, are you really being low-key? You seem to be constantly looking for a reason to show off!
The black-clad rider remained silent, head bowed, and quietly slipped away. A silent scream welled up inside him: "Fine, Baochan Palace, you win! Hiring an unprofessional undercover agent for no reason. Now they've got their comeuppance."
Two young men, drenched in sweat, walked along the winding path.
"Leng Wushuang, just because I agreed to accompany you doesn't mean you can give me attitude." The eldest son of the Duan family finally couldn't resist changing into a light blue robe today. Large peony flowers spread out in front of the robe, which made his handsome features, red lips and white teeth even more striking.
As usual, Leng Wushuang wore a black robe with a string of vines faintly embroidered in gold thread at her waist. Three swords were on her back. Because she had been traveling, her bangs were wet.
Hearing Duan's accusation, he didn't even turn his head and coldly said, "I've always been like this. If you're impatient, you can take the official road yourself."
Duan Shuixian immediately lost her reason to be angry. She smiled and leaned closer, asking, "Why are you in such a hurry? Is it because you've really taken a fancy to the girl from the Xiao family?"
He asked seemingly casually, but a hint of worry was in his eyes.
Leng Wushuang turned his head slightly, his face frosty, and said, "So what if it is, so what if it isn't?" He glanced at Duan Shuixian and saw the displeasure in her eyes. An inexplicable anger rose in his heart, and his tone became even colder.
Duan Shuixian was well aware of his emotional changes, and smiled slightly, saying, "Naturally, it has nothing to do with me, but it has a lot to do with Luo Jinfeng."
Leng Wushuang suddenly scoffed, but quickened her pace. After walking for a while, she suddenly turned around and replied to him arrogantly, "Wu Shilang, your taste isn't that bad."
He spoke with extreme confidence, his eyes radiating determination.
Duan Shuixian's face stiffened slightly, and she felt even more displeased. She quickened her pace, the jade sword at her waist jingling, and caught up with him. She put on the most nonchalant look and asked casually, "Indeed, we can disregard Young Master Luo. Wu Shilang is not such a superficial person."
He unconsciously started using the word "we".
Leng Wushuang glanced at her sideways, gave a cold snort, and said, "You don't need to tell me what kind of person she is; I know perfectly well."
After saying that, he pursed his lips, wiped his sweat, and quickened his pace.
Duan Shuixian was speechless, clutching her chest, frowning, and taking a deep breath in anger. She said, "Leng Wushuang, do you know what my relationship is with Miss Xiao?" Leng Wushuang didn't stop walking and continued on his way with an indifferent expression.
Duan Shuixian waited for a long time, but he didn't seem to find it strange. She felt even more frustrated and caught up with him, standing side by side, and asked, "Aren't you curious about my relationship with her?"
He walked with an indifferent gaze, not even glancing sideways, and didn't utter a single groan.
Duan Shuixian was severely provoked by his harsh and cold aura, her chest churning with anger. "If you're not surprised, I won't say anything. My relationship with her is closer than with anyone else."
He smiled smugly, flicking a strand of hair that had fallen onto his shoulder, waiting for Leng Wushuang to make her move.
"You're so noisy." Leng Wushuang frowned, coldly tossed out the words, and walked away even faster.
Huh? Duan Shuixian was stunned. Shouldn't he be jealous and furious at this moment?
"What did you say?" Duan Shuixian asked, unwilling to give up.
Leng Wushuang frowned, his icy gaze shooting towards Duan Shuixian beside him, and coldly replied, "What does your relationship have to do with me?" He spoke casually, as if he really didn't care.
Duan Shuixian immediately felt depressed, lowered her head, and began to suspect the ambiguous relationship between Leng Wushuang and Wushilang.
Leng Wushuang remained expressionless and strode ahead.
His hands hung limply, tucked into his sleeves, clenched into tight fists, his nails digging deep into his flesh, a dull ache radiating from his heart.
From then on, neither of them spoke another word, both feeling depressed.
The two walked silently, one in front of the other.
After walking along the winding path, the road ahead became even more rugged and muddy, clinging tightly to the cliff face. It was a narrow strip of road, and because of the rain two days ago, it had become even more slippery.
Sand and gravel continued to fall intermittently.
With a somber face, Leng Wushuang leaned against the cliff and slowly moved forward. Duan Shuixian, who was following behind him, looked at the muddy road again and again and couldn't help but sigh deeply.
“That’s why I hate walking on these paths.” Duan Shuixian lifted the hem of her robe high, tied it around her waist, gritted her teeth, pressed her back against the cliff, and moved over.
Leng Wushuang gave him a cold look, said nothing, and continued to move slowly with her chest out and her back against the stone.
More and more sand and stones fell from the mountaintop, some even the size of fists. They grazed Leng Wushuang and Duan Shuixian, plunging towards the bottomless cliff.
“These stones were broken by human hands.” Leng Wushuang reached out and caught one, then looked up coldly. Sure enough, there was a dark figure peeking out and trying to break the stone. “You, use your lightness skill to get over there first.”
He slightly opened the door a crack, his face cold, and said to Duan Shuixian.
Duan Shuixian was taken aback and asked, "What about you?" He wasn't particularly kind, after all, because many clues pointed directly to Xiejian Manor, and the strange things that had happened these past few days seemed to only involve the Leng family's area.
I thought that bringing Leng Wushuang along would make things safer, but who knew that someone would choose to attack from such a steep cliff.
"I'll go there myself." Leng Wushuang coldly watched Duan Shuixian gather her strength, lightly skimmed over the edge of the cliff.
The sand and stones fell even more violently, and the stones were even larger than before.
Leng Wushuang slowly drew the golden sword from his back, twisted his wrist, and used the sword to deflect the stones that were about to hit him. Because he had no internal energy, his sword was deflected several times by the rapidly falling stones.
"Leng Wushuang, extend your hand." Duan Shuixian stretched out her hand from the other side of the path. Leng Wushuang paused for a moment, then slowly stretched out her hand as well, moving closer little by little.
A huge rock suddenly crashed down from above.
The boulder was as big as a one-year-old baby. With a whooshing sound, Leng Wushuang and Duan Shuixian simultaneously withdrew their hands. Before they could even stand up, the second boulder of the same size also fell. This time, Leng Wushuang could no longer hold his sword. The boulder grazed his body, completely disrupting his balance.
"Leng Wushuang..." Duan Shuixian was shocked and rushed over to help him, but she was too late.
Leng Wushuang swayed, her chest tightened, her vision went black, and she plunged headfirst down the cliff along with the boulder.
In his final moments before losing consciousness, his mind was filled with Isoro's tearful smile, calling out again and again: "Musou, I will be very good to you, very good, very good, very good..."
I know you'll treat me very well!
He closed his eyes and smiled slightly. What a silly girl! I'm sorry, Ishiro, I must ultimately break my vow…
Duan Shuixian stood frozen at the edge of the cliff, holding in her hand the torn corner of Leng Wushuang's robe.
My mind is in complete turmoil. That girl will probably be very heartbroken by this outcome...
"Ah..." Startled awake from the endless darkness, Igorō was covered in sweat, his hands flailing helplessly in the air, his face filled with terror.
"Little Fifty, what's wrong?" Her hand was warmly enveloped by a pair of large hands. "What were you dreaming about? You're sweating so much."
“Wushuang…” Isoro’s lips trembled slightly, tears slowly welling up in her eyes. Her eyes and ears seemed to have lost their function, and she was in complete panic. “Wushuang, Wushuang…”
Luo Jinfeng gripped Ishiro's struggling hands tightly with both hands and whispered soothingly, "Ishiro, it's me, it's me. You were just having a nightmare!"
His voice was gentle as water, but his eyes were filled with heartache.
Isoro's eyes suddenly focused, and her voice trembled as she said, "It was a nightmare!" Unable to control the tears that kept rolling down her face, she repeated uncertainly, "That was a nightmare, wasn't it?"
"Yes, it's all a dream, not real."
Isoro's body slumped down, and with the shaking of the carriage, he leaned limply against the side of the carriage. He struggled to pull his hand out of that warmth, and after calming down for a moment, he said timidly with lingering fear, "I saw... Musou fall off the cliff."
The dream was so vivid, it was as if I was standing on the edge of a cliff, watching Leng Wushuang fall. He was falling so fast, and my hand passed through the air countless times, but I could never grab his hand.
That feeling of helplessness, accompanied by a heart-wrenching pain, enveloped her completely.
“Fifty, look at me,” Luo Jinfeng placed his hands on Fifty’s face, turning her face toward him, and said firmly, “Those were all dreams. Dreams are the opposite of reality. You have to believe me.”
His hands were warm, and he spoke with unwavering conviction, as if making a promise to Isoro.
Goruro stared blankly at him, a thin layer of mist covering his usually bright and lively eyes, pleading with extreme sorrow: "Young Master Luo, please take me to find Wushuang. I'm worried sick about him every day. He's lost his inner strength and is so clueless about human relationships. I'm really afraid something will happen to him!"
Seeing her tearful eyes, Luo Jinfeng's heart clenched painfully. He loosened his grip, turned his head away, and choked out a sob in his throat, "Okay!"
Fine, let's send her there. At worst, I'll just have to compete fairly with Leng Wushuang.
Thinking of this, he breathed a sigh of relief, turned his head with a slight smile, and nodded, saying, "Alright, I'll take you to see Wushuang and heal his injuries while I'm at it."
Wu Shilang's face immediately lit up with excitement, and he jumped up from the car. "Young Master Luo, I know you're a loyal and righteous guy."
Luo Shao watched as Wu Shilang immediately perked up, his face full of bitter smiles and a heart full of sorrow.
My loyal and devoted friend, it turns out that's how she sees herself.
Despite Luo Jinfeng's countless attempts to comfort and tenderness, Wu Shilang remained listless, sitting silently in the car, rarely silent. When pressed for answers, he would only respond to one out of ten questions.
"Wu Shilang, it's rare to have such a pleasant autumn day. Shall I get off the train and walk with you?" Luo Jinfeng frowned slightly. Seeing Wu Shilang looking at him lazily and listlessly, he suddenly felt angry and grabbed her wrist, saying, "Walk with me. I've been traveling for so many days and I'm feeling really stifled."
He originally wanted to project an image of a refined gentleman, gentle and affectionate, but Wu Shilang always acted like a dead pig that wasn't afraid of boiling water, which immediately provoked his spoiled young master temper.
"I don't……"
"No, you can't refuse!" Young Master Luo was truly furious. He gripped Wu Shilang's hand, tightening his grip. "Don't forget, my feelings are tied to the poison in your body and Leng Wushuang's internal injuries!"
With that said, Isoro had no choice but to compromise.
These past few days, she has been unable to eat or drink properly, and her face has become thinner and thinner. The pink clothes she wore before now look much too big on her, and her pale complexion is heartbreaking.
"Fifty, look at this rouge. It's light and fragrant, and it will make a girl look very pretty." Young Master Luo picked out a box of rouge from the small shop and awkwardly handed it over, his eyes full of smiles. This was the first time he had helped a girl choose these things. Some girls in the village had come to him asking for it, but he had never taken the initiative to buy it for any of them.
Wu Shilang reached out and took it, sniffed it, and immediately started sneezing incessantly, his face stinging with tears and snot: "Young Master Luo, can I not use this? It smells awful."
Luo Jinfeng's face immediately turned cold. Without saying a word, he threw down the silver and called out dejectedly, "Qisan, come out."
The third rider in black immediately stepped forward, looking at the young master with a blank expression.
"She doesn't want it, you can have it!" Young Master Luo's spoiled temper flared up again. He crushed the rouge box in his hand and said fiercely, "I hate being rejected!"
The third rider in black almost burst into tears. How was he supposed to use this? How was he supposed to use this? Did the young master mean for him to dress as a woman?
"Huh?! Even you want to refuse me?!" Young Master Luo's face was tense, and two flames shot from his eyes, startling Qi San into shaking his head repeatedly.
"Thank you, young master," said Qi San with a bitter face, but pretending to be happy. "Qi San likes it very much."
Luo Jinfeng immediately turned his anger into a smile and comforted him, "Alright, remember to use it properly and don't waste it. Three taels of silver for a box is really expensive."
His mood instantly improved, and he pulled the stunned Ishiro along, smiling faintly as they passed by.
A gust of cold wind made the wry-faced Qi Sanchou shiver. What to do? Did he have to use it every day?! Three taels of silver worth of rouge, the young master ordered that it not be wasted!
The third rider of the Luo family was thus distinguished, his skin tinged with red...
The towns we passed through were very lively.
From time to time, Wu Shilang and Luo Jinfeng saw young girls dressed in their finest clothes running by.
"Miss, what kind of ceremony is being held here?" Isoro pulled a young girl who kept glancing sideways at Young Master Luo and asked curiously, "There are colorful balls everywhere, it looks very lively."
The young girl blushed and looked at Luo Jinfeng again and again, then said shyly in a low voice, "Every year at this time, there is an autumn harvest fair held here. If there is someone you like..." She glanced shyly at Luo Jinfeng again, then took a purse from her waist and threw it over, "Just like that, throw your purse over."
After she finished speaking, her face flushed, she stared intently at Luo Jinfeng, bit her lip, and said, "If you are interested, young master, you may come to propose marriage."
Luo Jinfeng, clutching his purse, frowned and said, "I'm already engaged. Miss, please find another suitable husband." If Wushilang hadn't secretly pinched him, he probably would have yelled out a single word: "Get out!"
The girl who had lost her purse blushed again, took it from him without a word, and ran away in a flash.
“Little Fifty,” Luo Jinfeng suddenly stopped after taking a few steps and suggested with a smile, “Why don’t you make me a purse?”