Chapter 83 Embracing her for a day as her teacher, from then on, it would be as if there were no blood ties between them...
The journal entries are dated precisely, from the day she asked herself what she was writing to today. There were some breaks in between, during the time she spent in the Southern Kingdom with Shen Yuan.
I wrote very little today, just a few lines: "I didn't see my senior sister this morning, and I felt a little resentful towards her. She always makes me cry and then runs away. I accidentally ate too much maltose, so I still need someone to supervise me. I hope my senior sister comes back soon; I miss her very much."
Her handwriting was still immature, but this time every stroke was written with care, as if even though it was recorded in the form of a diary, she still intended to show it to her, and unconsciously wrote it well. If she had copied books with this attitude before, how could she have been scolded by Yan Xueya?
"I miss you so much." Qiao Yanshen's gaze swept over this sentence, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Who said that she always said "things like this" that made his heart beat fast? Shen Lixia was just as straightforward. At least, she wouldn't say "I miss you so much" if it were her.
She lowered her eyes, picked up the paper, and noticed that Yan Xueya was flipping through files and not paying attention to them, so she leaned over and gently kissed the period at the top of the page.
I want to see you too. With a sigh and a hint of secret joy, Qiao Yanshen folded the letter and put it away, then sat down next to Yan Xueya.
After Shen Yuan returned, they both seemed unwilling to be separated from each other for too long.
but......
She turned to Yan Xueya, pursed her lips, and asked, "Master, is it alright for Li Xia to kill people like this?"
Upon closer inspection, the letter reported that at least seven people had died at the hands of the boy. She didn't care about their lives, but she feared that Shen Lixia would be targeted because of it, or perhaps develop a bloodthirsty nature. The latter was actually unlikely; the former was more probable. Yan Xueya treated them very well, and Qiao Yanshen didn't want to cause her any trouble.
So if things get complicated with her master, she'll learn more about how to handle these matters more cleanly, such as faking it as an accident.
However, Yan Xueya simply said calmly, "It doesn't matter if she becomes a troublemaker. Besides, she didn't kill people; she was just some scum who had infiltrated Taihui."
Qiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, "Yes."
"Will you continue practicing swordsmanship this afternoon?" Yan Xueya raised her eyes slightly. "You've learned a new technique, yet you're so proficient it's like you've practiced it a million times... This period must have been very arduous."
“No…” Qiao Yanshen paused, realizing that no matter how much he tried to hide it, he couldn’t outsmart Yan Xueya’s incredibly sharp mind, honed over thousands of years. Or rather, from the very beginning, her every move had been noticed as something was amiss.
Today, she simply applied the medicine to the gauze and wrapped it hastily around the wound. In the silence, the heavy, bitter smell filled the air, making the already cold atmosphere even chillier. Telling her master was better than telling Li Xia—her master had seen much and wouldn't shed tears like Li Xia. The tears of a young boy always troubled her; seeing them made her want to run away, to become a magpie that only brought good news, to avoid causing further sorrow.
Thinking this, Qiao Yanshen sighed softly, erasing the part about Luo Yang from Shen Yuanzhong's experiences, and recounted them to Yan Xueya in detail. Time passed slowly, and Yan Xueya's brows hadn't relaxed since she mentioned being pierced by a sword. By the end, her silver eyes shimmered with a complex light. Unlike youths, the elderly don't readily display their emotions; they are more reserved.
Furthermore, due to their distant personalities, she and Yan Xueya rarely discussed anything outside of cultivation. While there was affection between them, it wasn't like with Li Xia, where they could occasionally exchange a joke, only to be punished with an ear-twisting or a chase across the mountains with a sword. In the words of Aunt Yi, Yan Xueya had indeed taken on a good student, "What a pair of old-fashioned master and disciple!"
After speaking, Qiao Yanshen fell silent, his hands already clenching the clothes on his knees, twisting them into several knots before letting go, leaving many wrinkles.
Would Yan Xueya be pleased? After all, she had finally finished learning the sword technique. Back in the modern era, her mother was very strict; if she fell ill, she would be required to attend classes as soon as she felt slightly better. Thinking about it from her mother's perspective, she had managed to finish her studies despite being ill, without neglecting anything... Yan Xueya should praise her for her strong willpower, right?
Unexpectedly, Yan Xueya said nothing. Qiao Yanshen lowered her head and waited for a long time. Just as she was anxiously wondering if she should say something more, she heard the woman sigh. Then, a pair of hands encircled her shoulders, avoiding her wound, and gently pulled her into an embrace. The woman's breath, clean and soft like frost, washed over her, but it wasn't cold. Instead, it felt like it was burning Qiao Yanshen, making her stiffen.
This was the first time she had received a hug from an elder.
“You’ve suffered a lot during this time,” Yan Xueya sighed softly. The child in her arms was like a kitten, its fur standing on end at first, but slowly it relaxed against her, no longer motionless, and began to tremble slightly.
Only then did she notice the weariness hidden beneath the other's surface. They remained silent for a long time, until soft, intermittent breaths broke the silence. Qiao Yanshen didn't know how to describe her feelings at that moment. Everything she had feared seemed to have suddenly collapsed, and the long-held belief in the value of silence held no weight. The person before her showed her through their words and actions that it was possible to open one's heart and to admit one's limitations.
She was strong enough, but that didn't mean she was invincible. If needed, Yan Xueya would always be there for her. Perhaps, there were many, many others like her.
Including Shen Lixia. She can open her heart to them.
But... there was one feeling that remained unspoken. Qiao Yanshen feared this feeling more than he feared revealing his weakness to others. Because it arose from the deepest recesses of his being, sharp on both sides; if buried deep within, it would only cause him pain; but if he revealed it, the other party might also bleed. To Qiao Yanshen, it was like a raging flood, an uninvited beast. Realizing it was like turning back to see everything ablaze, beyond redemption, leaving only despairing acceptance.
"If you're too tired, I can set a seal for you to suppress your cultivation. It won't be too late to break through in a few days," Yan Xueya said softly, patting Qiao Yanshen's back.
Qiao Yanshen's eyes were still red, but he held back his tears, suppressing the soreness and bitterness in his heart. His voice became somewhat indistinct due to his nasal tone: "It's alright, Master. I want to break through tonight."
Her purpose in improving herself seemed to have changed slightly. Although she couldn't quite put her finger on what had changed, Qiao Yanshen understood that she no longer seemed to be doing these things simply to pursue what others considered "excellence," nor was it merely out of a habitual protective instinct.
Yan Xueya released Qiao Yanshen, watched her wipe her eyes with her sleeve, and couldn't help but smile helplessly, "Then at least rest for an afternoon."
After speaking, she closed the file, pressed it down, put away the pen and ink, stood up, and gestured for Qiao Yanshen to follow her.
"Come, I'll teach you something else."
Once outside, the snowfall lessened. Qiao Yan felt a deep connection between the snowfall on the peak and Yan Xueya, changing with her. At that moment, the woman in white, her mood calmed, and the snow began to fall softly, no longer howling.
But it will never stop.
She saw Yan Xueya summon his natal sword again and couldn't help but ask curiously, "What is the name of Master's sword?"
Yan Xueya twirled her sword, the longsword flashing coldly.
"Frosty sky".
Frost and snow covered the sky.
Qiao Yanshen asked, "Master, are you going to teach me new sword techniques, or refine my sword intent?"
She stopped and stood in front of Qiao Yanshen, smiling as she said, "Neither. We'll still learn swordsmanship, but not the techniques, but... sword dancing."
Long-forgotten memories suddenly overlapped with these two words, transcending time, causing Qiao Yanshen to blink in realization. Right, sword dancing, knife dancing…
Master, you are a cavalryman from the Snow Plain.
-
"How can there be so many...?"
Shen Lixia walked in carrying a thick stack of books, muttering to herself.
Tang Huairou, who was sitting and reading a book, heard footsteps and quickly went over to help her with some of the work. Just as they finished putting all the books on the table, a young man in black robes walked in.
She didn't look too good; her hair was a bit messy and no longer tied up in a bun, just simply tied back. She had dark circles under her eyes, making her look like a panda.
"Why does Junior Sister Lin look so tired?" Tang Huairou glanced at her, slightly surprised.
Lin Yuxian rubbed her temples with a pained expression and said, "The competition is just around the corner, I dare not relax."
He couldn't help but yawn after saying that. Shen Lixia suppressed a laugh, feeling like she was seeing a classmate studying all night before a big exam.
Although such repetitive practices are tiring, they always lead to good results. She sincerely wished Lin Yuqian well.
The girl pulled up a chair and sat down at the table. She had been called by Shen Lixia to help her search through books, looking for information about a strange disease and historical plagues. Besides, it had been a long time since they had seen each other, and they agreed to talk about their lives over the past few years after they finished searching.
She came for the latter. It had been so long since they'd last met, and she was genuinely curious about what Shen Lixia and Qiao Yanshen had been up to. It was a pity she hadn't asked where they were then, otherwise they could have corresponded.
The three were engrossed in flipping through books when they heard footsteps again. The Taihui Library was divided into cultivation techniques and ordinary classics, stored on both sides, each with its own practice area and discussion space, facilitating exchanges among students.
They specially booked this small room with spirit stones, so they shouldn't be disturbed.
However, upon hearing the boys' voices, Tang Huairou suddenly looked up and blinked, "It can't be..."
As if to confirm her guess, two young men walked in. One was dressed in white, slender, and had a cold expression; the other was dressed in bright and extremely luxurious clothes, seemingly from a wealthy family.
As soon as Lu Changqing saw Tang Huairou, he affectionately leaned close and rested his chin on her shoulder: "Senior sister, what are you looking at?"
Seeing Lin Yuqian walking hurriedly, she pulled Wu Zhuyue along to follow, not expecting Tang Huairou to be there as well.
Although they hadn't known each other for long, their relationship quickly and naturally became very close. Tang Huairou smiled and replied, "I'm looking up records related to the epidemic. Shall we have a seat, junior sisters?"
Lu Changqing pulled Wu Zhuyue to sit down. The two chairs were close together, and Wu Zhuyue seemed quite uncomfortable, but because there were many people around, she didn't say anything more.
"Alright, alright," Shen Lixia said without looking up, "Get to work now that you're here, we can chat later."
Upon hearing this voice, Wu Zhuyue was slightly taken aback.
Why... does it feel so familiar?
-----------------------
Author's note: I'm late!
Because I want to portray the complexity of each character well, I'll also work on developing them. I hope it won't feel too drawn out! I should update according to the rankings this week, since I have exams coming up soon.
I feel like the number of favorites is likely to increase! But no matter what, I'll try my best to finish the story and I won't abandon it. Thank you all for reading! I'm quite curious to know how many of you have been following along...!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com