Chapter 82 Echoes, My Beloved

The paper of the letter had turned slightly yellow, and the ink had blurred a bit, clearly indicating that it had been handled and read countless times.

Yin Lisheng's handwriting evolved from its initial immature and neat style to a more steady and powerful style, and in the last few letters, it was clear that he was suppressing an intense and painful emotion.

Fu Yunshu read through the letters one by one, as if he could see those twenty years through the words. He saw the peach trees his disciple planted every year, from seedlings to full bloom; he saw the fun and helplessness he experienced when "exchanging and learning" on various peaks; he saw his growth and sorrow as he went down the mountain to train and pay respects to his family; he saw him silently cultivating and striving not to let down the title of "disciple of Immortal Huaiwei"; and finally... he saw that love that had been hidden for twenty years and dared not be spoken.

Every word seemed to carry warmth, soothing his heart, yet also like a dull knife, slowly cutting into it.

It turns out that during his twenty years of seclusion, this is how the child spent his time. He used mundane daily routines, diligent cultivation, and one letter a year that he dared not send to combat the long and hopeless wait.

It turns out that the feelings he thought he needed to carefully test and respond to had already taken root and grown into a towering tree in that young man's heart many years ago, but were deeply buried by Yin Lisheng himself with reason and responsibility.

"In terms of ethics and morality...in terms of status and position...in terms of cultivation and spiritual realm...there is no possibility between us."

“I am all alone... but I cannot let my master bear the stigma of ‘immorality’.”

"Master is like the bright moon hanging high in the sky... how can he tolerate being sullied by mud?"

"The only thing I can do is to keep this feeling to myself and stay by my master's side as his disciple."

Fu Yunshu's fingers traced the words, his fingertips trembling slightly. He could almost see that boy, always with a straight back and bright eyes, writing these words by candlelight in the dead of night, locking his love and self-loathing, his deep longing and lucid despair, into these thin sheets of paper.

"This idiot..." Fu Yunshu murmured, his voice hoarse, filled with a heartache he himself didn't even realize, "How could he be so foolish..."

They only knew how to give silently and endure silently, thinking that bearing everything alone was the best way to protect their loved ones.

If Fu Yunshu hadn't seen these letters today, he wouldn't have known that Yin Lisheng harbored such a heavy love and such a painful struggle in his heart.

Fu Yunshu closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and suppressed his surging emotions. Now was not the time to dwell on these things. Yin Lisheng was still on Sword Inquiry Cliff, risking his life to attempt a breakthrough that was almost impossible. And all of this was for obtaining the "Concentric Pact" to save Song Wenzhuo, and ultimately... it was all for him.

In order to prevent his master from being saddened by the loss of his beloved junior.

Fu Yunshu fastened the white jade safety buckle to his waist, carefully put the letter back into the wooden box, and hugged it tightly to his chest. He raised his head again and looked up at the sky above Wenjian Cliff.

This was a dangerous move. Yin Lisheng probably feared that if he couldn't get out, his feelings would never be known by the person he loved. He confessed with the intention of dying.

“Then I should respond to you.” Fu Yunshu turned and left.

Ye Xiuzhu and the others, who had been busy traveling, rushed back. Even Gu Zhinan, who was focused on Song Wenzhuo, had to spare some attention for them.

"Grandmaster Uncle, what happened? Why is Junior Uncle suddenly going into seclusion to attempt to break through the tribulation? Didn't he just break through to the Nascent Soul stage?" Ning Xuexi asked anxiously.

Fu Yunshu looked at the crowd that had gathered around him—Wen Xun frowned, Ye Xiuzhu looked worried, Du Zhun looked puzzled, Ning Xuexi's eyes were slightly red, and even Gu Zhinan forced himself to look at him with concern.

“Lu Yanci said that the demon race has a secret technique called ‘Heart-to-Heart Pact’, which can bind two people together and share their lifespan. This technique might be able to save Wen Zhuo,” Fu Yunshu said in a complicated tone. “However, this technique is sealed in the demon race’s palace, and the demon race itself is sealed in the northern border.”

Everyone's expression changed.

Fu Yunshu continued, "Li Sheng is not only my disciple, but also the son of Yin Tianhe's sister, Yin Lanyuan. He is the only remaining member of the Yin family bloodline in the world."

"So Junior Uncle went into seclusion to forcefully break through to the Tribulation Transcending stage in order to open the Northern Border seal?" Wen Xun immediately understood the key point, his eyes filled with shock and disapproval. "That's too risky! He's only at the Nascent Soul stage. Even if he has high talent and a solid foundation, forcibly crossing two major realms is simply..."

"It's just suicide." Ye Xiuzhu finished his sentence, his face grim.

Ning Xuexi's eyes welled up with tears, not understanding how things had gotten to this point.

Du Zhun clenched his fist: "Grandmaster Uncle, what can we do? We can't just stand by and watch our junior uncle take such a risk."

“Yes, Grandmaster Uncle,” Ye Xiuzhu also said, “Even if the Northern Border Seal requires the Yin family bloodline, it doesn’t necessarily have to be Junior Uncle who opens it. We can think of other ways.”

Gu Zhinan, who had been silent all along, finally spoke in a hoarse voice: "Grandmaster Uncle, this matter arose because of me, I..."

“It’s none of your business,” Fu Yunshu interrupted him. “This is Li Sheng’s own choice, just like Wen Zhuo’s choice to shorten his lifespan by seeking divination for you was his own choice.”

He looked at everyone and said slowly, "I know you are worried, and so am I, but what's done is done. Li Sheng has made his decision. What we can do now is not to stop him—nor can we stop him. What we can do is to support and help him to the best of our ability after he succeeds."

"The journey to the Northern Territory is extremely dangerous. The demon race has been sealed for ten thousand years, and their internal situation is unknown. The secret technique of 'Heart-to-Heart Pact' is also nowhere to be found." Fu Yunshu's voice was resolute. "I will accompany Li Sheng when he comes out of seclusion."

"Grandmaster Uncle!" the group exclaimed in unison, trying to dissuade them.

Fu Yunshu raised his hand to stop them: "My mind is made up. Li Sheng is my disciple, and also... the lover I want to spend my life with. I will not let him take the risk alone."

He hugged the wooden box he was holding even tighter. The letters inside confirmed his feelings and strengthened his resolve to stay with Yin Lisheng.

"Xuexi, you will stay in the sect and protect Wen Zhuo, and work with Jiang Heng and the others to stabilize the situation."

"Reopening the Northern Border Seal is no small matter. It's the Lin family and the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion's turn to guard it for the next ten years. I'm afraid we'll have to rely on you to persuade them."

“Once the seal is broken, the demon race will definitely take the opportunity to cause trouble. Xiuzhu and Duzhun, you two go to the Northern Territory to set up an array to ensure that the demon race inside cannot come out and cause trouble during the period when the seal is broken.”

“As for Xiao Gu,” Fu Yunshu looked at Gu Zhinan, “I know you’re worried, so why don’t you come with us then?”

He gave instructions one by one, in a clear and organized manner, as if he were arranging an ordinary trip rather than heading to the perilous forbidden land of the demon race.

Seeing Fu Yunshu's calm yet unwavering expression, everyone knew that further persuasion was futile. They understood their grandmaster's temperament; he usually appeared aloof and indifferent, but in reality, he was extremely protective of his own and deeply loyal to his friends. Once he made a decision, no one could change it.

"Yes, Grandmaster Uncle." The group could only bow in response, their hearts heavy with gratitude.

Ning Xuexi wiped away her tears and nodded vigorously: "Grandmaster Uncle, don't worry, I will definitely protect the Sect Master. You and Junior Uncle must come back safely!"

Fu Yunshu nodded slightly, his gaze once again turning towards the direction of Wenjian Cliff.

Please stay safe.

After arranging everything, Fu Yunshu left the main peak and returned to Tingxue Peak. He did not immediately return to his meditation room, but instead headed towards the courtyard where Yin Lisheng lived.

The courtyard wall was covered with vines. Pushing open the gate, a tall and lush peach tree came into view. It was not the flowering season, but the branches and leaves were lush and green, casting a tranquil shadow in the setting sun.

There was a stone table and benches under the tree, and a tea set that had not been put away was on the table.

Fu Yunshu slowly walked in and pushed open the door. The furnishings inside were simple, and the items were arranged very neatly, in Yin Lisheng's style.

The air still seemed to retain a faint scent of the owner, a blend of peach blossoms and bamboo.

Fu Yunshu walked to the desk and sat down, his gaze sweeping over the familiar objects. He couldn't help but wonder, was this the place where Yin Lisheng wrote those letters?

He opened the box and took out the letters again, reading them one by one. This time, Fu Yunshu read them more slowly and carefully, his mood changing accordingly.

When Fu Yunshu read that heartfelt letter, every word of which was filled with sorrow, it felt as if an invisible hand was gripping his heart tightly, causing him so much pain that he could hardly breathe.

Love arises without warning, and deepens with each passing moment...

"I have fallen hopelessly in love with Fu Yunshu..."

"The only thing I can do is bury this feeling in my heart and stay by my master's side as his disciple..."

Fu Yunshu closed his eyes and gently pressed the letter to his forehead. The paper was so cold, yet it seemed to carry a burning temperature, searing his skin and his heart.

He recalled the first time he met Yin Lisheng, who was a thin, quiet child with wary and stubborn eyes. It was Fu Yunshu who, with patience and indulgence, gradually nurtured Yin Lisheng into the outstanding and upright person he is today, yet who always showed a hint of dependence and sincerity in front of him.

He recalled how Yin Lisheng always followed him silently, his eyes intently following his every move; he recalled how Yin Lisheng would pretend to be relaxed and say "it's nothing" after being injured while practicing swordsmanship, but his eyes were filled with apprehension at the thought of being blamed; he recalled how Yin Lisheng's eyes would light up instantly, like they were filled with starlight, whenever he received his approval or praise.

What should I do, Lisheng? I miss you so much too.

Fu Yunshu came to the bed and buried her face in the pillow, the familiar scent still lingering around her nose.

He began to ask himself when his feelings for Yin Lisheng had started.

Perhaps, long ago, without him even realizing it, Yin Lisheng had already seeped into his life, which had been cold and lonely for ninety-nine lifetimes, becoming an indispensable part of him. Fu Yunshu had grown accustomed to having this person by his side, accustomed to his care, and accustomed to the focus in his eyes that reflected only him.

“Fool…” Fu Yunshu whispered, her voice hoarse, filled with deep heartache and self-reproach, “We are all fools.”

The last rays of the setting sun shone through the window, casting a warm but fleeting glow into the room. Fu Yunshu lay alone in the empty room, clutching a wooden box full of letters. His long-held composure crumbled at this moment.

A warm drop of liquid slid down his cheek without warning and dripped onto the pillow.

Fu Yunshu was stunned. He reached up and touched his face, feeling the dampness on his fingertips.

How many years has it been since he last shed a tear?

I can't remember. It seems that ever since he achieved great success in his cultivation and became the revered Immortal Venerable Huaiwei, Fu Yunshu has never had such a vulnerable moment.

But now, in this room filled with Yin Lisheng's aura, reading these confessions that came twenty years late, imagining the inhuman pain and danger that young man was enduring on the Sword-Asking Cliff, his proud self-control completely crumbled.

Fu Yunshu's shoulders trembled almost imperceptibly as he thought, "I'll just indulge myself this once..."

"Li Sheng..." A suppressed murmur echoed in the empty room, tinged with a sob, "You must... come back safely."

"I still have so much to say... but I haven't had a chance to tell you yet."

As the sun completely sank behind the mountains, night enveloped Tingxue Peak.

Fu Yunshu sat in Yin Lisheng's room for the entire night. He didn't light a lamp, just sat quietly in the darkness.

As dawn approached, he slowly rose, carefully put away the letters, and then picked up his pen to write a letter using the remaining paper on Yin Lisheng's desk.

Dearest:

...

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Author's Note: It'll be sweet soon, trust me, I'm a loving author! [Please!]