(Six) (Five)

(five)

The next day, I was delayed for a while due to the Dark Team's mission. When I rushed to Leng Yue's room, I happened to hear her conversation with Sai Hua Tuo:

"It's not that I don't mind at all, but we are all human and to err is pointless. It's pointless to dwell on what has already happened. Besides, you're not a casual person. I believe there must be hidden reasons behind these things."

"This is the second reason, which is what I was talking about yesterday, the darkest side of my heart."

"The darkest part of your heart?"

"Do you know why I continued to be with Xiaoyan despite all the injustice I endured? Because I felt that once I left Xiaoyan, no man would want me anymore. And the saddest thing is, I wasn't with him because I liked him, I was with him because I was afraid. ... So, in the end, I agreed, just to satisfy him. It had nothing to do with feelings or love. I was like a beggar, begging for others' care and companionship... You said I wasn't a casual person, but I felt that I was too casual. A woman like me, what qualifications do I have to hope for true love?"

"No one blames you, it's you who refuses to forgive yourself."

"Don't you think I'm cheap? Can you forgive my absurdity?"

"It's not that you're mean, but you had no other choice under the circumstances at that time."

"So what! No one held me to a knife. I ruined my reputation. I deserve it."

"You blame yourself too much. That's all for today. You can rest now."

Sai Huatuo walked out of the room with a sullen face, closed the door, and left without a word. Through the door, I heard Leng Yue's voice trembling uncontrollably: "Haha... You still say you don't mind? I mind it a lot myself, how can you not mind it? Forget it, we have no future anyway, so why not end it here? You don't have to think about me anymore, and I... hehe..."

She was crying very suppressedly. I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists, but in the end I didn't go forward.

I don't mind what happened to her, not at all. It's heartbreaking to see a woman who values ​​chastity so highly compromise herself, with such deep fear, and each time she does it, it's a real pain in the ass.

And what can I say to her? It is better for her to hear what she wants to hear from the person she wants to hear.

I approached Sai Huatuo's room and heard him mutter, "In the past, I was deeply in love with Miss Shangguan, and her every frown and smile was all I could see and feel. Now, Leng Yue and I have mutual feelings, but this has led to so many complications. Is love really so difficult? How wonderful it would be if she and I could be as innocent as when we first met."

"Really?" I sneered.

He frowned slightly and whispered, "Master Nong Yue, I feel very confused tomorrow."

I snorted coldly, "Since ancient times, chivalrous women have emerged from the dusty world. If a woman of dusty world is affectionate and righteous, she will still be respected. Moreover, Leng Yue is not a woman of dusty world. Sai Hua Tuo, are your feelings for her so fragile?"

"I..." Sai Huatuo's expression froze, and he lowered his head and said, "So it's you."

Haha, maybe you thought I finally didn't come today, but you are wrong. I smiled in my heart.

"Yes, it's me. Nong Yue has never seen anyone dare to analyze their deepest thoughts so frankly. It is harder for a person to admit that they have done something wrong than to admit that they have committed suicide. The reason why Leng Yue is in this situation today is because she cares too much about other people's feelings. If she didn't care about that person's feelings back then, I believe no one could take her away; and now, if she doesn't care about your feelings, how could she say these heartfelt words to you?"

"Don't you have the darkest side of your heart? Don't I have it too? Sai Huatuo, I don't care what you think. In Nong Yue's heart, Leng Yue is pure and innocent, and her heart is even more dazzling. If you still have any grudges, you might as well give up on her. Nong Yue takes his leave."

I don't know if these words can wake up Hua Tuo.

I don't care about Leng Yue's past at all. If it were me, I would only cherish her even more. It's a pity that she chose him instead of me.

Sai Hua Tuo, please don't let me down.

Fortunately, Sai Hua Tuo did not let me down after all. Listening to his considerate words and watching them embrace each other again, my heart finally settled down.

Leng Yue, maybe you don’t need me to give you happiness, but I will protect you silently and never let anyone bully you.

Don’t be afraid, sister. Nong Yue will protect you.

(six)

Ever since I took over the Dark Clothes Team, I have been systematically weakening the power of the Divine Moon Cult.

First, they conducted secret investigations, identifying and eliminating all of Bantianyue's spies within the palace. Then, they exterminated the older members of the Shenyue Cult. Then, they eliminated several newly appointed leaders and their followers.

I've been searching for Shi Qiuyan, but he's never shown his face. Having never seen his face, I've intensified my campaign against the Divine Moon Cult, adhering to the principle of "better to kill a thousand by mistake than to let one go." Under my leadership, using strategies, formations, and poison, the Dark Clothes Squad has killed over a thousand cultists.

Unexpectedly, even so, it is still like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

On the day of Frost's Descent, the imperial palace fell.

Hundreds of thousands of people surged toward the palace, devouring it like a flood. Only then did I realize that the Divine Moon Cult was far more terrifying than even the scariest scenario I'd imagined. Where did all these followers come from? Could it be that Shi Qiuyan wasn't just trying to win over people from Sifang City?

We couldn't stay in the palace any longer. I quickly rushed to the city lord and asked him to lead everyone to meet up at Chunfengdeyi Palace.

I rushed to Ouyang Feiying's bedroom and dragged him out. Unexpectedly, the old man didn't distinguish friend from foe and started fighting with me as soon as we left the bedroom. In a moment of desperation, I raised my iron fan and knocked him unconscious with a bang.

But I soon regretted it, because it was too inconvenient to break through the encirclement with an unconscious person. Although those people's martial arts were not good, they were still outnumbered. If Ouyang Feiying hadn't been knocked unconscious, he might have been able to help deal with these small fry.

Outnumbered, I injured my shoulder. Fortunately, I was able to bring Ouyang Feiying out of the palace alive.

"I'm sorry, Sai Huatuo, it's my fault that I failed to protect Uncle Ouyang," I said.

"Don't say that. You risked your life to rescue my father from the palace. You are my great benefactor tomorrow. Let me help you treat your wound first."

Sai Hua Tuo removed the bandage I had haphazardly bandaged, carefully treated the wound, and re-bandaged it. After finishing the treatment, he walked to the bedside to check Ouyang Feiying's pulse.

"My father suffered a severe head injury, but his life is not in danger. I don't know when he will wake up," he said.

Oh, it seems I used too much force. Feeling a little guilty, I said, "It's good that your life is not in danger. Uncle is a lucky man, and he will definitely wake up."

"Uncle will be fine tomorrow." Leng Yue also comforted him.

Sai Huatuo nodded: "I also believe that he will be fine, you go back and rest first."

"I'll accompany you." Leng Yue said.

"I didn't expect Ban Tianyue's power to be so great, and the Shenyue Cult's traitors' martial arts have greatly improved. We must find a way to eliminate them as soon as possible, otherwise there will be endless trouble." I muttered quietly to the side. So many people are injured now. If Ban Tianyue attacks now, it will definitely be disastrous. We must find a way.

Leng Yue heard me mumbling to myself, walked up to me, frowned, and said, "Nong Yue, you must not act rashly. The enemy is strong and we are weak. Every soldier and general we have is precious. We must not make the slightest mistake."

These words warmed my heart: "Thank you for your concern, sister."

Leng Yue's expression became even more serious. "This isn't concern, it's an order. You always like to come up with some crooked and bad ideas, which are too risky. If you have any ideas, you must discuss them with everyone and never act on your own."

I smiled innocently and said, "Nong Yue hasn't come up with any crooked or evil ideas yet."

"Really?" Leng Yue stared into my eyes and said word by word: "This is your home."

Nothing can be hidden from her. I sighed helplessly: "Sister still understands Nong Yue."

"Did you know that the underground water source of the entire Sifang City is connected? If we rashly poison the water source of the imperial palace, it will harm the people. What's the point of killing the people of the Shenyue Sect? Wouldn't we become more terrifying than Bantianyue?"

I was startled. Chunfengdeyi Palace lacks everything except poison. Since the enemy is strong and we are weak, poisoning the palace's water supply is the best solution. Once those people are dead, I'll remove the poison and everything will return to normal. This plan seems flawless, but I've completely forgotten what to do with the poisoned civilians. So, poisoning the water supply is definitely not an option.

"Sister, what you said makes sense. Don't worry, Nong Yue won't act on her own again." I agreed.

"Nong Yue, you are incredibly intelligent, but your inconsiderate nature is what's most worrying. Now that you're the master of Chunfengdeyi Palace, the City Lord and all the seniors are here. If you have any ideas, you must discuss them with everyone. We really can't afford to lose. If we're not absolutely sure of victory, we must not act rashly. This is both a matter of self-preservation and a strategic consideration, and it's also about the overall situation that we must consider."

She spoke slowly, word by word, with great seriousness.

"Don't worry, sister. Nong Yue will never make you worry again." I promised.

There was a subtle awkwardness in the air, and it seemed like I shouldn't stay here any longer. So I politely said goodbye to Leng Yue and Sai Huatuo. As soon as I closed the door, I heard Sai Huatuo say sourly, "It's nice to have a sister."

This time, I didn't feel helpless. I knew he would never say such a thing under normal circumstances. At this moment, his father was hurt, his sister was hurt, and he was in turmoil.

So I'd better leave. Their affairs have nothing to do with me.

As the host, I still have a lot to deal with.

After taking care of the city lord, the seniors, and the soldiers, I returned to the room I hadn't seen in a long time. I unlocked the secret mechanism and knocked on the familiar door.

Ten maids remained in the secret room, each one loyal, skilled in martial arts, and possessing unique skills. On the eve of the Battle of Bailu, I placed them in this secret room, instructing them to await my return. No one was allowed to leave without permission, let alone be discovered by outsiders. Another door from the secret room led to the back mountain, a place rarely visited. Because of its remote location and lack of offensive or defensive value, Ban Tianyue never set foot in that wasteland. So, even back when the Palace Master Wuyou was still alive, I had them plant food, vegetables, and fruit trees in the back mountain, just in case.

Seeing these ten sisters again after over a year was filled with emotion. They were also incredibly excited to see me, repeatedly asking why I had just returned. I briefly explained the reason and quickly assigned them tasks. First, they were to bring all the civil and military officials and their families to Windless Valley, then disguise themselves as palace maids and infiltrate the palace. They were to report back to me every night.

All the details were arranged. I breathed a sigh of relief and slowly walked to the altar, where I spoke to the tablets of my father, mother, Wuyou Palace Master, and Xing'er.

Nong Yue believes that your spirits in heaven will surely bless us to get through this disaster safely.

There was a familiar knock on the door. I knew who it was from the strength and rhythm of the knocks. I pushed the door open and asked with a smile, "Sister, are you still worried about Nong Yue?"

"I just came to see your injury," she said.

"Wouldn't Sai Huatuo be unhappy?"

"He's not such a stingy person."

I sighed: "Sister, you really don't understand Hua Tuo."

I hope you will never know about the secret battle between me and Sai Huatuo.

Leng Yue greeted my family. After burning incense, she resumed her zither playing. Though her technique was rusty and the melodies stiff, I could still sense the uneasiness in her heart.

"What exactly is your plan, sister?" I asked.

"I just wanted to talk to him and talk it out," she replied.

"If that's the case, why are you so worried?"

"I'm just afraid that I'm not brave enough to truly face all this."

I suddenly felt that Leng Yue was truly exhausted. At this moment, she wasn't suited to encouragement or comfort. I was speechless, unsure what to say. A tightness filled my chest, and I could only sigh.

Leng Yue smiled and said, "I did it for myself."

I sneered. He had so many good reasons, yet he insisted it was all for himself. Did he think everyone else was a fool? How amusing.

"That's an interesting excuse," I said coldly. "We both know what's going on. Sister, please don't say such things again. It's getting late. Please go back."

Leng Yue nodded and said softly, "Go to bed early."

I turned my head and said calmly, "Goodbye."

I feel a bit heavy-hearted. I don't mean to act childishly, I just feel sad.

I wish you could be more selfish and not get involved in this bloody storm again.

The thunder outside the window was getting louder and louder, and the rain was getting heavier.

Looking at the tablets of my parents, the Lord of Wuyou Palace and Xing'er, scenes from the past kept replaying in my mind.

"Poor child, can I be your mother?"

"Xing'er will always be yours..."

"Then let's become a drunken immortal on Yaotai..."

"Sister will protect you..."

There have been few moments of tenderness in my life. They flashed through my life, but not one stayed for me. No one belongs to me, Sima Lingfeng. All my treasures are just these memories.

But what good is it even if you have it? Since everything is nothing.

Just like Hua Tuo, even if he has it now, he will be very desperate when he thinks about losing Leng Yue in seven years. In this case, why do we have to hold something in our hands?

No, I don't need to hold anything in my hand. This kind of procrastination doesn't belong to me, and this kind of fragility doesn't belong to me either. Just a little bit of warmth is enough, why be so greedy?

Thinking of this, the corners of his mouth curled up beautifully again, as cool as usual.