Chapter 19 Peach Blossom Valley is a fake; Shi Wenzhe remained nonchalant...

Shi Wenzhe sensed a warning in his nonchalant tone and broke out in a cold sweat.

"Heaven can bear witness, how come she keeps stepping on landmines? This is not good. What does Qin Wenxue mean by this? So this place is indeed the place of ascension. People in the Three Realms do not know, but Qin Wenxue does. Unfortunately, she just found out too."

"Sigh." She sighed, thought for a while before explaining, and then said in a somewhat reckless manner, "I didn't mean to... I just found out, but I didn't mean any harm. Fine, if you don't want to say it, then don't."

Shi Wenzhe straightened his cloak, quickened his pace, and stood beside Qin Wenxue. He looked up and gave her a flattering smile. The clouds and mist had dispersed, and the morning light shone through his layers of black hair, which cascaded like a waterfall. The silver bells shimmered with tiny light. Shi Wenzhe was stunned by her beauty. His mind and eyes were filled with her cold eyes and the red mole under her eye. The red mole was very small and not obvious at all. It was hidden by her long eyelashes and could only be seen clearly when she looked closely.

Shi Wenzhe stared blankly, his lips trembling, and said in a solemn yet light tone, "Qin Wenxue, anyway, I only know you, and I only rely on you. As long as you don't sell me, I will follow you forever."

She spoke with such sincerity, it was truly touching. Did Qin Wenxue take it all in? Even if she only took in a little bit, she probably wouldn't make things too difficult for her. She was an outsider from another world, and only Qin Wenxue had treated her well. She really didn't want to create any rift between them.

Qin Wenxue glanced at her lightly, but Shi Wenzhe didn't notice. He only heard him say softly, "Don't believe everything others say."

Shi Wenzhe suddenly looked up. "What is this, a reminder?" He felt that the other party was teasing her, but Qin Wenxue's eyes told him that it was not like that, so complicated... Shi Wenzhe thought to himself, "She doesn't like to use her brain the most, she can't understand such complicated eyes."

"Never mind," she told herself. "Just take this as a reminder."

She nodded obediently and sweetly replied, "Okay." Looking at Qin Wenxue, her heart was filled with joy. This person was truly beautiful, like a graceful peony.

The world is so vast. If only this road were a little longer, she could walk behind Qin Wenxue and watch his back without being noticed or offending him, until much later. Unfortunately, although the road down the mountain was difficult, it eventually came to an end.

After emerging from the forest, Shi Wenzhe was exhausted, but thankfully, they finally reached the official road. The road was fairly smooth and wide, suggesting it must have been a prosperous place long ago, otherwise there wouldn't have been so many cart tracks.

After the clouds and mist dissipated, the view opened up and became bright. Shi Wenzhe took a deep breath with pleasure and looked at the scenery on both sides. The road meandered and twisted, extending directly to another mountain, its destination unknown.

Shi Wen asked, "How much longer do we have to walk?"

"Wait here."

Shi Wenzhe asked in confusion, "Waiting for what?"

Qin Wenxue gazed ahead, as if looking at the distant green mountains, and said softly, "Waiting for the destined one."

"Ah..." Shi Wenzhe scratched his forehead.

However, she wanted to rest for a long time. She was still very weak. The only thing she could do was chase after the beautiful woman ahead of her. Otherwise, she would not have been able to keep going. She found a tree with lush branches and sat down to rest.

The road was near a river, and the sound of the flowing water was so pleasant. Coupled with the pain and exhaustion from the occasional sneezing, she really wanted to sleep. But when she glanced at the person leaning against the tree, who seemed to be lost in thought, she could only fight off her drowsiness and mutter to herself, "I can't leave someone so indifferent to watch over me. Who knows if they'll sneak away while I'm asleep?"

Shi Wenzhe sighed, lamenting his ill-fated life.

Feeling rather bored, she looked at the breathtaking scenery and suddenly asked, "This place clearly doesn't even have a single peach tree, so why is it called Peach Blossom Valley?"

Qin Wenxue said, "When you first woke up, wasn't there a peach tree next to you?"

Shi Wen was speechless: "But there's only one tree. Shouldn't Peach Blossom Valley be full of peach trees? Otherwise, why is it called that?"

Shi Wenzhe felt a chilly gaze. She glanced at the expressionless Qin Wenxue and shut her mouth, thinking she wouldn't hear a reply. Unexpectedly, Qin Wenxue spoke up: "That tree has grown for thousands of years without decaying, witnessing countless seasons in the human world. No matter how the human world changes, it always exists. People call it Peach Blossom Valley, firstly because the peach tree is planted at the entrance of the valley, making it an extremely conspicuous presence; secondly, people pray that this place can be like a paradise, free from worldly disturbances, hoping that they can be as immortal as this peach tree."

Shi Wenzhe was somewhat shocked. She thought to herself, "Isn't that right? That peach tree is so tall and lush, it must have become a spirit. It's immortal..." She continued, "A spirit should be able to take human form. That tree is so beautiful, the human form it transforms into must be very beautiful. It's a pity, why is it fake..."

Shi Wenzhe looked towards the mountaintop, but she could no longer see the peach trees. However, the sound of the rustling wind remained imprinted in her mind, playing a silent symphony that was both beautiful and intoxicating.

Qin Wenxue lowered his eyes, his interest had been lukewarm the whole way, and he became more and more silent as they got closer to the valley. He wore a wooden ring on the middle finger of his right hand, with branches wrapped around and encasing a red pearl. It was a pearl, Shi Wenzhe wasn't sure. The color was too bright, almost dazzling. She hadn't actually noticed the ring until Qin Wenxue kept turning it.

Apart from the dazzling pearl, the ring was quite ordinary, made from trees that could be found anywhere on the mountain. But with that pearl inlaid, everything changed. It became like a priceless treasure passed down through the ages, bearing the marks of time and exuding a subtle sense of vicissitude.

The sound of the folded quilt caught my eye, and I couldn't look away.

The pearl shone with a dull luster in the light. "Why is it dark... It's so bright, as red as blood." As Shi Wenzhe thought of this, her heart was struck hard. Her eyes widened involuntarily, and even her senses became clear. She stared intently at the pearl, trying to calm her pounding heart.

Qin Wenxue noticed Shi Wenzhe's stunned gaze, then gathered her sleeves and hid the ring inside her wide robe, revealing only a slender finger.

The melodious birdsong echoed through the valley. Sunlight filtered through the leaves and branches, casting dappled shadows on the winding path. The shadows swayed and changed shape in the wind. Shi Wenzhe blinked, finding the sunlight bright and beautiful beyond measure, until tears welled up in her eyes. She heard Qin Wenxue say, "Peach Blossom Valley was destroyed a thousand years ago. This is an old shadow forcibly preserved. There are many dangers here. Stay close to me."

"Ah..." Shi Wenzhe hadn't yet realized what Qin Wenxue had said, but she was subconsciously reminded by the phrase "Stay close to me." She remembered Ming Shu, who had also said the same thing to her, "Stay close to me," and had protected her ever since. Until now, they had not yet reunited.

Shi Wenzhe's thoughts were in a jumbled mess, completely unable to sort them out, but she just didn't want to hear those words. She didn't agree, stubbornly looking at Qin Wenxue, wanting to firmly imprint this person in her mind.

Her gaze was actually quite fierce, like a puppy throwing a tantrum, but Qin Wenxue didn't take her rudeness to heart.

Shi Wenzhe murmured, "Is everything here fake?"

Not entirely.

The sounds of wind, water, and birdsong fill the air; butterflies flutter and dragonflies skim the surface; lush greenery and blooming flowers abound; even the earthy scent is vivid; and the sunlight on your fingertips is warm.

Qin Wenxue tilted his head, his eyelashes trembling as if he were reminiscing and reminiscing. He said softly, "I've never been here before, but the old shadows should contain familiar faces. Everything that happened here must be real, including the danger. I wonder which period of the old shadows remain..."

He paused for a moment, pursed his lips, and called out, "Shi Wenzhe."

Shi Wen straightened up and softly replied, "Mm."

Qin Wenxue looked straight at him, his eyes like the moon submerged in water, making one unable to resist sinking in. He said, "I don't know what connection Peach Blossom Valley has with you, but this barrier was opened because of you. The destruction of Peach Blossom Valley was full of regrets and hardships. If there is anything you need to remember, tell me."

"Mmm." Shi Wenzhe nodded obediently. Although her face seemed calm, her heart was actually rippled with emotion. That "Tell me" was so gentle that Shi Wenzhe could hear the support and reassurance in it, making her soul slumber in the warm spring sun.

She couldn't take her eyes off it.

"Someone's here," Qin Wenxue said.

Shi Wenzhe looked up and saw an elderly man with white hair walking from the end of the road. The old man walked with a faltering gait and a hurried back view. He carried a cloth bag on his shoulder, which looked quite heavy. He was thin and short, as if he had traveled a long way and was covered in dust.

Shi Wen asked, "Is this the person you're waiting for?"

"Okay, let's go."

Shi Wen asked, "Where are you going?" But he subconsciously stood up.

"I need to confirm one thing by following him."

Shi Wenzhe followed closely behind the old woman, wanting to get closer to observe her. The marks left by the years on the old woman's face were vivid and three-dimensional; she was truly a living, breathing human being. She looked around again. Peach Blossom Valley was peaceful and serene, with clouds drifting by. Even walking in the deserted mountains and forests, the old woman's face was calm and undisturbed. This must be an extremely good time, so good that the seas are calm and the rivers are clear, and the world is at peace.

Shi Wen turned back to look at Qin Wenxue and tentatively asked, "Can I only follow him and not talk to him?"

Qin Wenxue replied, "You can give it a try."

She blinked, not hearing any rejection or agreement in Qin Wenxue's response, but she still wanted to try, so she cautiously asked, "Won't this trigger something?"

"Perhaps," Qin Wenxue said calmly, "but it won't be too serious. I'll keep an eye on it. Go ahead."

"Okay." Shi Wenzhe moved his fingers and walked lightly to the old man's side. He tentatively patted the old man's shoulder. The old man paused for a second, and like a character refreshing in a game, his figure flickered a few times before turning back and staring at Shi Wenzhe without saying a word.

"Hello, sir." Shi Wenzhe greeted him awkwardly, but the old man seemed detached, unaware of what was happening, and turned back to continue on his way, leaving Shi Wenzhe frozen in place.

"I feel like he can't sense my presence." Shi Wenzhe confirmed, "Like a shadow..." More accurately, like a pre-programmed NPC.