Chapter 75 Who is the Hollow Man Who Lost His Heart?
Outside the secret realm, time flies by.
In the courtyard behind a small house, the boy gripped his long sword and charged towards a woman in white. When she was not far in front of him, he swung his sword down with a bright flash.
The woman gripped a slender sword, raising it only as the blade approached to block it. The immense spiritual power of the strike dissipated instantly upon contact with the sword, leaving no trace.
She nodded slightly, and the young man sheathed his sword and walked over.
He thought he was going to be scolded for being too reckless, but Si Liuhua smiled slightly and said, "Xiao Wu, you did very well."
The boy in front of her was going through a growth spurt, and his height had increased dramatically. When she first met him, he only reached her waist, but now he was shoulder-length, like a sapling that had absorbed plenty of nutrients over the past three years, finally making up for the losses of the past and spreading out its branches.
His youthful face has become more refined, and his eyes, though still resolute, have grown increasingly composed. He used to be as fragile as a porcelain doll in his white robes, but now he's grown strong enough to be a handsome young man.
Wu Zhuyue lowered his head and said, "I know I am not as good as my master, and I need to practice more."
She had thought that Si Liuhua only practiced swordsmanship, the kind of swordsman who focused on maintaining oneness with the universe, but she never expected that Si Liuhua also knew how to use a knife. However, it was only a knife technique, which took her three years to learn.
Even after mastering the skills, he was still no match for a single sword strike, which was quite frustrating for the highly competitive young man.
On second thought, her master was the strongest sword master in the world, while she was only at the Foundation Establishment stage; what kind of trouble could she possibly cause? Besides, this was her master, an opportunity that countless people could only dream of.
Cool fingertips cradled Wu Zhuyue's chin, causing her to lift her head and meet those calm eyes.
"Xiao Wu, when you speak to someone, make eye contact." Si Liuhua withdrew her hand. "It's best to be neither humble nor arrogant, and don't let people think you're easily bullied."
Wu Zhuyue's gaze met the other's, and she was speechless for a moment, letting a blush spread from her cheeks to her ears, blooming like spring in the cold winter. Si Liuhua turned around and walked into the house first.
Winter had arrived, and the bricks, stones, and small trees all had a grayish-blue tinge. Soon, smoke from the burning charcoal fire drifted out of the house.
Si Liuhua added charcoal to the fire pit, and a stove nearby was lit, boiling a pot of water. Wu Zhuyue sat beside her, folding his overly long robe over his lap. The firelight flickered in the boy's eyes, melting away the frost and adding a touch of childishness once again.
Whether in memory or now, the hearth is a place of great comfort for her. In her memory, her mother would place potatoes and sweet potatoes under the embers, and after roasting for a while, perhaps just after she had finished sweeping the snow in front of the house, they would become sweet and soft. The tea brewed over the hearth didn't seem so bitter either, but rather had a lingering sweetness.
She cautiously moved closer to Si Liuhua. The slender figure beneath her thin white robes couldn't melt away the warmth she felt; only a faint, cool herbal scent remained. Perhaps due to her recent intensive sword practice, Wu Zhuyue's mind became hazy, her thoughts drifting from exchanging blows to other things, such as "Did Master not eat properly before becoming a cultivator?" and "Is Master still growing?"—these were all sorts of random thoughts.
Si Liuhua put down the fire tongs, remained silent for a while, and then gently woke the sleeping boy when the water boiled. Wu Zhuyue was startled and quickly checked her sleeves for water stains. She only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that they were completely clean.
She would never forget a similar situation before—when she opened her eyes and saw damp marks on Si Liuhua's clothes, she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
The woman, whose features were also illuminated by the firelight, smiled and said gently, "Xiao Wu, if you're really sleepy, go to bed."
Wu Zhuyue shook her head and moved to the other side to sit up straight. Si Liuhua poured tea and handed her the teacup. Holding the hot tea, Wu Zhuyue suddenly remembered what she had been wanting to tell Si Liuhua, and immediately hesitated. Despite preparing for a long time, when it came time to speak, her lips opened and closed repeatedly, but she couldn't utter a single word.
Some people drink alcohol to bolster their courage, and upon hearing that tea can replace alcohol, she decided to drink tea instead. The same heat flowing down, how different could the effect be? Just as Wu Zhuyue was about to raise her glass, Si Liuhua raised her hand and pressed down on the rim.
"It's very hot..."
"Master, I—"
Their voices rose simultaneously, merging in mid-air. Wu Zhuyue was taken aback, but forced herself to continue, "I've made up my mind. I'm going to Emperor Taihui."
After speaking, she took a deep breath, feeling her heart burning, yet also feeling as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her chest, finally bringing her a sense of lightness. Si Liuhua withdrew his hand, looked at her carefully for a moment, and then smiled, saying, "Okay."
Silence returned, broken only by the sound of tea being added. Cups clinked, the kettle was placed back on the stove, and the sound of running water was faint. Wu Zhuyue carefully examined them all before looking at Si Liuhua.
She wasn't wearing a mask at the moment, and her jade-like face, illuminated by the firelight, was still a striking sight even in the dimly lit room. Her lips were thin and pale, and her eyelashes cast delicate shadows, these subtle details adding a touch of coolness to her otherwise gentle features. Her eyes were calm, as still as stagnant water, and Wu Zhuyue had never seen any ripples in them before.
If the dead could have a pair of vibrant eyes, these would be the ones before me. They are clearly born of a living person, yet they inexplicably contain the aura of death.
When does Xiao Wu want to leave?
Wu Zhuyue thought for a moment, considering that she didn't want to delay any longer and that the longer she delayed, the more reluctant she would be, so she said, "We'll set off at dawn tomorrow."
Si Liuhua nodded, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Then come with me to the market later to buy some fresh fish and meat. It is a custom in the human world to prepare a sumptuous farewell feast before a long journey. Also, the Sixth Region is colder than here, and it may have already snowed. Bring more silver and spirit stones, and a few more warm clothes."
Although the Foundation Establishment stage already grants a constitution beyond that of ordinary people, making them less susceptible to illness, Wu Zhuyue's physique is still somewhat thin, so wearing two more layers of clothing would make her feel more secure.
Wu Zhuyue blinked, not expecting Si Liuhua to bring up such a thing. She also thought that she was about to start abstinence from grains, and this might be the last bit of smoke and dust she would have to live. So she nodded and said gratefully, "Thank you, Master. Zhuyue will definitely focus on cultivating in the sect and live up to your expectations."
"As long as you are happy, that's enough. Just follow your own wishes."
Until the game progresses to that point, you can grow as you wish.
“There’s one more thing,” Si Liuhua paused, “Xiao Wu, form a pact with me.”
Upon hearing this, Wu Zhuyue nearly spat out her tea. She managed to hold it in, but the water choked her and caused her to cough for a while.
A contract? Isn't that something only Daoist couples do? A person as upright and virtuous as Master wouldn't think she doesn't understand the meaning of a contract and try to take advantage of her. Then why? A contract? Them? Her and Master?
At this moment, the young girl had not yet read those messy novels; she was only guided by Si Liuhua to read various poems and books, and had little exposure to matters of romance. Even so, she knew that such a relationship between master and disciple was extremely unusual, and her understanding was somewhat overturned.
Si Liuhua seemed unfazed by her intense reaction, nodded, and calmly explained: "There are many kinds of bonds, not just between Daoist partners. It is simply a connection that links the souls, cultivation levels, or perceptions of both parties. The bond between Daoist partners is a bond of the heart, usually involving sharing life and death, and also being able to sense each other's spiritual aura."
There is more than one kind of bond in the world, and a bond does not necessarily require sincerity.
She continued, "The contract I wish to form with you is one that allows me to connect with you through our spiritual consciousness and to share my cultivation with you. This contract is not profound; it is merely a contract that allows us to perceive each other only when we open our spiritual consciousness."
This contract was often formed between a master and his disciple, and was called the "Qingjin Contract".
At this point, Si Liuhua smiled and said, "In this way, if you encounter any danger, I can give you a portion of my cultivation to help you through the crisis. You can also ask me for help. The contract is different from a message; it exists within your soul, and unless you are a cultivator who is proficient in this art, you cannot extract it."
Seeing the boy's astonished expression, she wanted to say more, but was stopped. Wu Zhuyue nodded emphatically and cupped her hands, saying, "Zhuyue is willing to form a sworn brotherhood with Master. I will trouble Master to take care of me."
Compared to the person before him, the young man's thoughts were much simpler: his master was busy and couldn't always keep in touch with her. If he formed this pact, he could check on her condition and avoid worrying.
Moreover, cultivation level is extremely important to a cultivator like Si Liuhua. The fact that she was willing to share such a precious item—even if it was only a portion—with Wu Zhuyue so that she could use it to save her life in times of crisis shows how much she valued it.
"A teacher for a day is a mother for life." Wu Zhuyue felt a warm glow in her heart, grateful to Heaven. She had endured hardship in the first half of her life, but now sweetness had finally arrived, thanks to such a loving and devoted master. She did as Si Liuhua instructed, and their hearts intertwined, their spiritual energy entwined.
A barely perceptible wisp of dark energy flowed through Si Liuhua's spiritual power. She glanced at Wu Zhuyue and silently made slight modifications to the contract.
The moment the bond was formed, their hearts could have been in perfect harmony. Wu Zhuyue felt her emotions opening up to the other person, and couldn't help but feel a little shy, afraid that some secret would be revealed. She waited expectantly for the moment when she could sense what Si Liuhua was thinking, but unexpectedly, the bond was formed in the blink of an eye, and a subtle surge of energy filled her spiritual power, which quickly dissipated and entered her soul.
She looked at Si Liuhua with a puzzled expression. His eyes were slightly lowered, and a smile was still on his lips, as gentle as a spring breeze.
But why didn't any emotion reach her? Was it because that moment passed too quickly, and she couldn't grasp it?
That must be it.
Wu Zhuyue silently blamed herself for being too complacent and missing a precious opportunity.
After all, her master could never be an empty shell.
-
Snow fell all over the ground, its silvery white color adorning the branches.
In the valley of Maoyue, all was quiet. A person stood in front of a small house, holding a broom, slowly sweeping the snow.
The steps and the small courtyard behind the house were gradually cleared away, revealing a dark blue expanse. Snow fell softly, blending with the woman's silvery-white hair and disappearing into it. Her clothes were thinly colored, and the swan feathers covering them made them lose their color as well.
“In the past, when winter came, you were always the one who swept the snow for me.” Yan Xueya put down the broom and looked at the tree near the corner of the courtyard. “It was also because you thought Frostblade Peak was too cold in the depths of winter that you decided to come and stay here after the New Year.”
A gust of wind swept by, rustling the sword tassels hanging from the treetops, their subtle sound seeming to answer her question.
She stood silently facing the tree, her eyes fixed on its bright red tassels.
That was a hundred years ago. Senior Sister Frostblade Peak loved red the most; her clothes were red, and so was her sword tassel.
Even in winter, Frostblade Peak remains frigid, its entire landscape white, except for Yan Xueya's hair and eyes, which are entirely black. She comes from the snowfields, her pale skin nurtured by the endless snow-capped mountains, and with the slightest excitement, her complexion becomes clearly visible.
Yet, the young man was exceptionally handsome, and even in his fiery red robes, he didn't appear jarring against the vast white landscape. Instead, he resembled a winter plum blossom, blooming amidst the bitter cold, so beautiful that he inspired envy.
The sword tassel was something she had made for Yan Xueya in the winter, when she was dressed in red and used her birthday as an excuse to coax him into making it for her. Yan Xueya rarely made such things after embarking on his path of cultivation. The sword tassel was simply woven, but the young girl happily kept it and treasured it ever since, never replacing it.
Now, this red has lost its spiritual luster and its color has faded.
Yan Xueya took out wine and cups, filling one cup to the brim. She raised the cup, as if she had a thousand words to say, yet also as if she had nothing to say at all.
Finally, she waved her hand and poured the wine under the tree.
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Author's Note: Shen Yuan's timeline is out of sync with the outside world, so while the internal chaos on Xia's side seems to have passed quickly, three years have actually gone by outside.
The next chapter also features the supporting characters; if you're not interested, you can wait for the update the day after tomorrow!
I've been revising the first three chapters recently because I don't feel they're quite good, and I plan to rewrite them. I'll also do an overall revision of the text later.
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