Лучжоу Луна

Глава 69

It wasn't that he didn't want to call her "Young Madam," but rather that he had heard Leng Shuangcheng disliked the title intensely. Right now, the young master was still in the pavilion by the pool, so he dared not be presumptuous.

Leng Shuangcheng returned the greeting and asked, "What is it that troubles Master An so much?"

An Jie was secretly surprised, and only then did he understand why Leng Shuangcheng had been waiting for him to come out. He smiled wryly and mentioned the young master's order.

Leng Shuangcheng pondered for a moment with her hands behind her back, then replied, "I suppose the young master wants you to investigate the vegetation and minerals of Baishi Mountain. Master An is a master of flowers and plants, and usually knows how to explore mineral sources by examining the roots of plants, so I won't presume to show off my limited knowledge. However, there is one thing I need to remind Master An—" After a gentle and kind smile, she continued, "Try to go up the mountain during the day. If you encounter a pack of wolves, don't panic. Wild wolves only see black and white. Master An can wave his clothes to make flames, and the wolves will naturally avoid you."

Leng Shuangcheng once again cleverly resolved two major worries for An Jie, precisely the concerns that had kept him from venturing to Baishi Mountain. Her words, "Look at the soil like a commoner, adapt to wolves," seemed to awaken him from a dream. An Jie was deeply impressed and bowed respectfully, saying, "An Jie thanks you for your kindness, Madam."

Leng Shuangcheng leaped aside to dodge, and said with a wry smile, "Last time I got into trouble because of drinking, and the young master uprooted all the flowers in front of and behind Master An's house. I really feel bad about it..."

The thought of those poisoned plants that had rendered the land barren filled An Jie's face with unbearable heartache, and he hurriedly prepared to take his leave. Leng Shuangcheng blocked his way with a gesture of apprehension, saying, "Master An, don't rush, I have a bamboo pole here for you."

Having said that, Leng Shuangcheng grasped the bamboo joint, not minding its rough and uneven surface, and pulled out a stalk, saying, "The bamboo is hollow. Cut off both ends and stick it in the soil. If there is smoke, it will surely come out..."

An Jie suddenly realized, grinning, "Shuangcheng is incredibly clever, with so many ways to explore geology." He took the bamboo and walked on happily, laughing all the way. Leng Shuangcheng watched his back, secretly relieved, cut off a small branch, held it in her hand, and twirled around.

Behind the bright, carved window, Qiu Yeyi stood with his hands behind his back, a tree and a bamboo stalk making his face appear as if he were in a painting. Leng Shuangcheng, carrying a slender bamboo pole, walked forward calmly. When he saw Du Bing running towards him with a pout, he smiled slightly and left Qiu Yeyi's sight.

Leng Shuangcheng walked silently along the corridor. A warm breeze blew by, carrying a faint fragrance of lotus blossoms. She looked up at the azure sky and inadvertently noticed a white paper kite.

It was a signal from Yuwen Xiaobai, indicating that he had arrived safely. Thinking of Yuwen Xiaobai's childlike nature, Leng Shuangcheng couldn't help but smile in the deserted corridor.

When Xiaobai left Yangzhou a few months ago, he was extremely reluctant to part with her and begged her to take him on the journey. They even clapped hands and vowed that if he saw this kind of white kite, it would mean that he had arrived at a certain place, and if she was also there, she would definitely come to visit him.

Thinking of Yuwen Xiaobai, it's hard for Leng Shuangcheng not to think of Nan Jingqi.

After Leng Shuangcheng recounted her complicated situation, she suggested that Nan Jingqi take Xiaobai and live in seclusion in the mountains. Nan Jingqi looked into her eyes and smiled handsomely: "Shuangcheng, Xiaobai is just my sister."

Leng Shuangcheng recalled Nan Jingqi's aloof and elegant figure, like a black bamboo, and sighed softly. Qiu Yeyi was still watching her every move, and she certainly wouldn't leave him now and cause him trouble. Just as she had remained inactive in Bianjing, she calmed her mind and continued on her way.

Qingzhou, situated by the sea, is intoxicated by the warm breeze, and boasts a prosperous and peaceful landscape.

Wu San stood against the wall, looking helplessly at the person beside him: "Shuangcheng, are you determined to follow me?"

Leng Shuangcheng pursed her lips and looked down into the shadows, remaining silent.

Wu San, his hands tucked into his sleeves, squinted at the sunset: "You've been following me all day. I know you're worried about my safety, but with the three elders here with you, what else could you possibly be worried about?"

A few feet away, the three elders stood scattered under the elm tree, watching the two whispering back to back without urging them on. They had received orders from their young master to protect Wu Sanshou, which was why they had been following him. However, they hadn't expected Leng Shuangcheng to also be silently following Wu Sanshou, neither making a fuss nor ignoring Songbai's provocative gaze.

Wu Sanshou pulled out a sheepskin map in small seal script and handed it to Leng Shuangcheng: "Here, this is what you asked me to draw last month. It's finally finished." Leng Shuangcheng took the map and said in a deep voice, "You shrunk the Song territory... This drawing is truly ingenious." Wu Sanshou smiled smugly, unable to suppress his pride. After a while, he whispered, "Young Master has been staying in the council hall and hasn't come out. Why don't you go back and check on him... Also, I want to go to the market to buy some pollen for Ruan Ruan..."

His voice trailed off, a faint blush rising on his face. Leng Shuangcheng glanced at him in surprise, then immediately understood, beaming with joy: "Alright, I won't delay your important business." With that, she turned and walked away even faster than she had come, as if propelled by a whip.

As dusk approached, pale purple clouds lingered in the sky, and the setting sun could only peek through tiny gaps, shooting out streaks of crimson light, like fish swimming in a deep sea, occasionally shimmering with golden scales. Leng Shuangcheng, bathed in the afterglow, tinkled the slender bamboo in his hand as he walked along the corridor, the lonely sound echoing endlessly.

Her calm face remained expressionless, and her movements, unlike those of a mischievous child, produced a series of piercing sounds that echoed through the silent camp. —She did this not unintentionally, but rather calculated the time.

As soon as Pu entered, Leng Shuangcheng's lips curled into a cold smile. He coughed, gathered his strength in his chest, and thrust his bamboo sword backward with lightning speed. In just a moment, the three moves—the smirk, the pale face, and the attack—were executed in one fluid motion, as if he had anticipated it all.

The sound of air being torn apart was sharp and resolute. Amidst the myriad dazzling sword moves, a single point of emerald green focused her attention. She unleashed the "Weeping Plum Blossom" sword technique with her wrist, decisively and fiercely stabbing towards the attacker.

Qiu Yeyi was caught off guard. A white shadow flashed and she dodged at the doorway. She did not expect Leng Shuangcheng's sneak attack to be so fierce. A strand of her hair was cut through her ear and flew to the ground.

Qiu Yeyi stared coldly at her pale face, remaining motionless. Leng Shuangcheng clutched her chest and bowed respectfully: "I did not know the visitor was a young master; please forgive my rudeness."

The setting sun cast its last rays behind the autumn leaves, and through the cold contours of his face, the dappled red shadows resembled an early spring breeze on a small peach branch, blooming into a vibrant weeping crabapple. He was more handsome and flawless than the flower, yet his face was like ice crystal. He gazed at Leng Shuangcheng's lowered eyebrows for a moment, his expression remaining silent and still.

Leng Shuangcheng coughed lightly, slowly walked to the table and sat down, his face ashen, and said, "I have already apologized, young master, what else do you want?"

Qiu Ye coldly closed the door behind him with a backhand slam, his white robes fluttering as he lunged towards where he was sitting: "Leng Shuangcheng, only you dare to be so presumptuous!" Leng Shuangcheng dodged quickly, but then slowed down after a moment's thought, and was pulled into his arms. His face was still as white as jade, with that indifferent expression.

Qiu Yeyi hugged her tightly, then lowered his head to kiss her face that made him want to grind his teeth in hatred. Leng Shuangcheng turned her cheek slightly, letting him entwine his ears and neck while she calmly coughed.

The intense passion clashed sharply with the cold, coughing sounds, finally allowing Qiu Ye Yijian to regain his composure. Reluctantly withdrawing his handsome lips, his snow-lotus-like fingers lingered on the slightly open collar, repeatedly caressing it, he mumbled, "Knowing I can't bear to see you suffer even the slightest grievance, you're holding me hostage like this... Stop coughing, I'll agree to your terms."

After saying that, he tightly embraced Leng Shuangcheng's waist, his hands wandering haphazardly, and then buried his lips deep in her neck, coldly saying, "Playing dead for a day will torture me for a day. If you do this again next time, I will definitely tear Lin Qingluan apart."

Leng Shuangcheng reacted swiftly, grabbing the increasingly restless hand: "If you let me visit Young Master Lin, it will also benefit you."

Qiu Yeyi's sword gripped Leng Shuangcheng's back, his eyes unusually bright as he stared directly into her clear, watery pupils, almost seeing her reflection in the depths of her eyes. So close, he slowly lowered his sharply defined lips, his handsome face like the setting sun behind a curtain, casting a soft glow upon countless mountains and valleys: "I can scheme against everyone in the world, but I will never again use you."

Leng Shuangcheng dodged his deep, gentle, dark eyes, struggling and panting. Qiu Yeyijian passionately kissed her, seizing every opportunity to revel in her scent. Seeing that he continued his unreasonable advances for so long, Leng Shuangcheng could only kick his white robes in frustration, yelling, "Qiu Yeyijian! Where are your hands?"

Although Qiu Yeyijian complied with Leng Shuangcheng's coercion, she secretly used tricks to send away the guards that night, allowing Leng Shuangcheng to meet Lin Qingluan through the wall.

Lin Qingluan's cell was a separate, dark room in the backyard of the military headquarters, with a small window letting in some moonlight and starlight. He remembered what Leng Shuangcheng had told him: that although owls are fierce and ugly, they can still spread their wings and fly high, unlike him, who had his shoulder pierced by Qiu Yeyi's sword and was imprisoned in darkness, suffering a fate worse than death.

Lin Qingluan recognized the chain that ran through the Jianjing acupoint. It was said to be the "One-of-a-Kind Chain," a secret treasure passed down through the Kongtong Sect. When forcibly escaping, the chain's thorns would twist and twist around the meridians, and the further away one went, the more intense the pain became.

He had no way to escape. During the execution, Qiu Yeyijian didn't say a word from beginning to end. Her deep, dark eyes were fixed on him, as if she wanted to tear his pale, snow-white face apart. She didn't even blink.

Lin Qingluan felt a chill run down his spine just thinking about it, but he knew why.

For every bit of love Qiu Ye Yijian had for Leng Shuangcheng, there was an even greater hatred for him, and no one in the world could compare to this man's madness. He knew he couldn't do that, so when Qiu Ye Yijian gripped his chin and coldly said, "Let's see how long you can hold out," he wisely remained silent.

The dark green leaves of the camphor trees outside the window were bathed in soft, gauze-like moonlight, which shone on his bloodless face. He looked at those leaves and recalled the autumn leaves falling in the forest, as if they carried a kind of emotion, willingly falling into the abyss, mixed with a heart full of trembling despair, never to fly away again.

Lin Qingluan stared at the blurry light and shadow, his blood suddenly boiling with a burning sensation. He sighed and called out, "Miss Leng."

Leng Shuangcheng never dared to guess why Lin Qingluan stayed behind, because there was a gap between when she left the gambling den and when Qiu Yeyi went to capture her, but she did not escape.

At this moment, Leng Shuangcheng slowly approached the wall, her face, which had been calm, trembled slightly upon hearing Lin Qingluan's call. "Lin Qingluan, Lin Qingluan..." she stammered, asking softly, "Did the young master torment you?"

Lin Qingluan remained silent for a moment, then said calmly, "No. But I knew you would come."

Leng Shuangcheng pressed herself against the white wall, placing her right palm flat on it, and slowly said, "Are you like Brother Owl, with an innate ability to sense things in your blood?" (Past life entanglements, explained in later epilogues for those who are curious)

“I don’t know who the owl is, but every time I meet you, the blood in my veins boils like boiling water, burning me all over,” Lin Qingluan said bitterly, then added, “It’s even more painful not to see you.”

The wind rustled the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Leng Shuangcheng desperately wanted to play a tune to soothe the sorrow in the frail Lin Qingluan's heart on the other side of the wall. But she looked up at the pale sky, glanced at the traces of the wind, and finally lowered her head to face the wall, saying firmly, "Lin Qingluan, I only came to see you. I love the young master and would never do anything to betray him. I cannot save you either; otherwise, I would only put you in an even more despicable situation."

After a long silence, Lin Qingluan finally spoke in a pained voice: "Miss Leng, you did not utter a single harsh word, yet your words have made me feel far more ashamed than any criticism in the world."

Leng Shuangcheng pressed her head against the wall, closed her eyes, and said, "It is said that Young Master Qingluan once traveled thousands of miles for a stranger, a woman or child, just to deliver a letter of peace to her mother. When I first heard this, I remembered your name..."

The night was cool and still, and silence reigned both inside and outside the screen wall. The moon rose above the willow branches, pale as frost. Leng Shuangcheng stood silently for a long time, then turned and left, heartbroken. Lin Qingluan heard her footsteps, and with a heavy heart, he stretched the chains, placed his hand on the moonlit wall, trembling as he groped for a moment, then pressed it against a spot as cold as snow, and never moved it away.

A shimmering white rabbit, wandering east and west; clothes are not as good as new, but people are not as good as old.

Leng Shuangcheng gazed at the moonlit night sky, recalling the poem her father had recited to her. Her heart was in turmoil, overwhelmed with unspeakable sorrow. If she were to hate, whom could she hate? If she were to trace the origins of all this, how did it all come to be?

She looked up at the orange glow in front of her. It was a solitary lamp, and under the moonlight, a person sat quietly by the open window, bathed in the candlelight. Everything was so dark and silent, yet he was still guarding that one glimmer of light.

Leng Shuangcheng approached slowly, step by step, and looked inside through the window. She said woodenly, "Young Master, torturing him will only make me suffer more." Qiu Yeyijian, his long hair disheveled and clothes half-undone, sat indifferently on the brocade couch beneath the window. He glanced at Leng Shuangcheng's pale face and replied coldly, "It's cold outside, come in and talk." Leng Shuangcheng obeyed and entered. Qiu Yeyijian took off his clothes, draped them over her, and then pulled her tightly to his chest.

A crystal curtain swayed in the gentle breeze, and the fragrance of blooming roses filled the courtyard. Moonlight filtered through the flowers and trees, casting their reflections in a bright, watery glow. Qiu Ye Yi Jian remained silent for a long time before suddenly saying, "Seeing you like this, I am actually in more pain than you. Yuwen Xiaobai, Nan Jingqi, Gu Du Kaixuan, Lin Qingluan—I don't even dare to mention their names. Just thinking that any of them is connected to you drives me mad with jealousy..."

Leng Shuangcheng was suddenly shocked, as if she had come to her senses. She grabbed his collar and asked urgently, "What did you do to them?" Noticing that his eyes had turned cold, she sighed and let go, resting her head on his chest in defeat. She gave a silent, bitter smile: "Qiuye, do you really not understand what I'm saying? I treated them with respect because I considered them as relatives and friends. I was harsh and accommodating to you because I considered you as..." She couldn't finish the last few words. She twisted her elbow to break free from his grasp, calmly leaned back on the brocade couch, and closed her eyes.

"Go to sleep, I'm very tired."

A cool breeze swept through the night, rustling the treetops and thinning the clouds. The rustling leaves whispered and whispered, like an invisible, powerful hand suffocating the heart of autumn leaves.

He glanced at the moonlight and tree shadows outside the window and smiled calmly: "The tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease." Leng Shuangcheng turned and saw his hateful and shameless smile, then turned away from the dark wall without saying a word.

Qiu Yeyi's dark eyes locked onto her profile, and he leaned down to kiss her cool, moon-like brows and eyes, saying indistinctly, "Just pray that God will help you and not let them provoke me." Leng Shuangcheng raised her hand and slapped him without looking, forcing away the smug smile on his face, and covered his eyes with his sleeve.

Qiu Yeyijian exerted himself again and entangled with her for a while. Seeing that her eyes were filled with annoyance and her cheeks were slightly red, he chuckled twice and walked into the inner room with satisfaction.

11. Reality and Illusion

Looking out the window, the sky was a deep blue with undulating clouds, and the newborn red sun spared no effort in radiating its myriad rays of light.

The early bird catches the worm, and sunlight gently caresses Lin Qingluan's pale amber eyes, infusing them with a transparent vitality. Under the moonlight, Leng Shuangcheng sighs across the wall, each sound like a needle piercing his heart. She said nothing, yet those sounds lingered like unforgettable music.

He recalled his carefree and elegant life in the past, when he was a handsome young man in a blue robe by Guiyun Lake, captivating many young girls with budding feelings. Back then, he was dignified and refined, as if all the blessings and favors of heaven had been bestowed upon him by the heavens.

But once he went to Japan and entered the secret sect, his body, like white sand in mud, was involuntarily stained with some filth.

Lin Qingluan still remembered the mocking hints Lin Jianqiu made when he was chasing Leng Shuangcheng. Now, looking at the first rays of morning sunlight, he decided to speak up to gain peace of mind, the tranquility and dignity of being able to stand on equal footing with Leng Shuangcheng.

A breeze drifted through the gauze window, carrying the delicate, sweet scent of roses and lotus. A faint fragrance wafted through the front hall, where Qiu Yeyijian was calmly enjoying her breakfast. Leng Shuangcheng, some distance away through the crystal curtains, stood by the window, silently watching the outside world.

The breeze carried the fragrance of lotus blossoms, and the dew dripped from the bamboo with a clear sound. In the secluded courtyard, the lush vegetation and canopy of trees concealed the irises blooming on the wall, and also her gaze upon the sky. Qiu Yeyijian knew the longing in her heart, but he ate very slowly and carefully, his silver spoon and cup only touching the soft and smooth lotus-flavored dumplings.

Yin Guang stood patiently and humbly to the side. After recounting Lin Qingluan's request, he dictated the list of various groups that had gone to Qingzhou the previous day. Apart from Young Master Chu Xuan from Yangzhou, all sorts of forces from the martial arts world and the imperial court responded enthusiastically, pouring into the gathering like rivers flowing into the sea.

"Soft and sweet, tasteless." Qiu Yeyijian seemed not to have heard the Silver Light report, glanced at Leng Shuangcheng's back, and suddenly gave a cold and disgusted look.

Leng Shuangcheng, having never heard of such a thing, did not turn around. Yin Guang, wary of the young master's admonition to remain silent while eating and sleeping, hesitated for a moment, unsure how to respond.

“I know what Lin Qingluan is going to say even if I don’t go.” Qiu Ye put down her cup and spoon and slowly began to speak: “Since he is the Right Protector, there must be a Left Protector lurking in the Central Plains; since his master has abandoned him, it is clear that Lin Qingluan has limited knowledge of the Secret Sect and is simply an insignificant pawn.”

Leng Shuangcheng suddenly pinched the edge of the window frame and said coldly, "Young master, you are meticulous and intelligent, able to deduce so much, yet you are ruthless and merciless."

Qiu Yeyi casually picked up the teacup and took an elegant sip. The buds and leaves were tender and slightly purple, curled like bamboo shoots, and the tea soup was emerald green and fragrant, leaving a lingering aroma on the palate. He savored the taste for a moment before casually saying, "Early morning tea is refreshing and soothing, good for clearing liver heat. Leng Shuangcheng, would you like to try some?"

Leng Shuangcheng remained silent, her back to the table. At the young master's signal, Yin Guang turned and left. Qiu Yeyi slowly rose and crept towards the window. When he had almost silently reached Leng Shuangcheng's back, she suddenly moved away warily and stood in front of the doorway.

Qiu Ye Yijian smiled sinisterly and said, "Leng Shuangcheng, why are you so afraid of me?" Leng Shuangcheng faced him and sneered, "I thought... ordinary people would be afraid of you, young master." Qiu Ye Yijian stretched out his white sleeve with cloud brocade stripes and moved his fingers slightly, "Come, kiss me and I will release Lin Qingluan."

His face remained pale and aloof, like snow, yet the clear light in his pupils shone brightly, carrying the translucent hope of dewdrops on leaf tips. Leng Shuangcheng gave a cold, mocking laugh, the lines of his smile like a waning moon, its luster faded, drifting hazily to the horizon: "Young Master's shamelessness is as high as the world's highest mountain, worthy of the admiration of ten thousand..."

Qiu Yeyi held out her hands as if to strike, but before Leng Shuangcheng could finish speaking, she lunged at her. Leng Shuangcheng focused on dodging, only to see white-clad figures fluttering in the air, the room filled with ghostly, unspeakable figures. She twirled through flowers and trees, but within ten moves, she was grabbed by the waist.

Having landed a successful blow with his sword, Qiu Ye immediately thrust his sword at her face and neck without hesitation, saying calmly, "Do you think I've practiced this great grappling technique for nothing?"