The sea of jealousy protects Zhou Quan
Gongsun Sheng's words, "The word 'love' has disturbed my heart," echoed in my mind like a mantra, leaving me in a trance and secret joy for several days. Although there were no further intimate actions or words between us, his tacit approval and the complex warmth of his glances that occasionally lingered on me reassured me that I wasn't hallucinating.
However, Liangshan was not a place for romance. The plan to rob the execution ground in Jiangzhou was proceeding intensively. The leaders who had been called out were gradually leaving the mountain. Beneath the surface of calm, the atmosphere within the mountain stronghold was a tense atmosphere, hinting at the impending storm.
One day, I was practicing drawing a simple "evil-repelling talisman" in the courtyard, following Gongsun Sheng's instructions. Spiritual energy flowed through the tip of the brush, outlining the trajectory of the cinnabar, requiring extreme concentration and mental alignment. Just as I was concentrating and calming my breath, about to complete the final stroke, I heard a commotion and footsteps outside the courtyard, approaching from afar, seemingly heading towards me.
His mind was distracted, the tip of the pen trembled slightly, and the spiritual light on the talisman that was about to take shape instantly dissipated, and the cinnabar also blurred into a small ball, and all the previous efforts were wasted.
I frowned, put down the talisman pen, and looked towards the gate.
Leading the way, Wang Ying, known as "Dwarf Tiger," walked in with a few equally slick, friendly leaders. Wang Ying's lecherous eyes roamed over me, lingering for a long time on my cheeks, which had flushed slightly from my concentrated practice, and my slightly disheveled hair.
"Master Bu, you're in such a refined mood!" Wang Ying rubbed his hands together and chuckled as he moved closer. "Are you drawing talismans? I didn't expect Master Bu not only plays music well, but also understands such magical spells. He's truly a man of both talent and beauty!"
The people behind him also started to make noises:
"That's right, Miss Bu is the female Zhuge Liang of Liangshan!"
"Brother Wang Ying, please don't offend this beautiful lady!"
The words are frivolous and the eyes are wanton.
I felt a surge of disgust, but I knew these people were ruthless bandits who would kill without blinking an eye. It was difficult to offend them directly, so I suppressed my anger, took a half step back, and said coldly, "Captain Wang, you are too kind. This is just a few pointers from the Taoist priest in his spare time. They are just trivial tricks, not magic. If you don't have important matters, please do as you please and don't disturb my quiet cultivation."
"Practice in seclusion?" Wang Ying leaned forward as if he had heard something funny. He could almost smell the mixture of alcohol and sweat on him. "Master Bu, fighting and killing are the real thing on Liangshan Mountain. What's the point of practicing in seclusion? Look at you, so delicate and tender, learning those mysterious things from Mr. Gongsun all day long. How boring! Why don't you go drink with us brothers? I, Wang Ying, know how to be gentle and considerate to women..."
As he said that, he actually stretched out his hand and tried to pull my wrist!
"presumptuous!"
My face darkened, and I was about to use the "Heart Purification Mantra" to concentrate my mind and be on guard. If necessary, I would teach him a lesson even if it meant exposing my "Soul Sound" -
A green shadow appeared silently between me and Wang Ying like a ghost.
It’s Gongsun Sheng!
He didn't even look at Wang Ying, but just turned his back to me, but his tall figure was like an insurmountable barrier, blocking all the dirty words and obscene looks.
"Captain Wang," Gongsun Sheng's voice was calm, yet it carried a bone-chilling chill that seemed to freeze the air. "This is a place for quiet cultivation, not a place for you to make a scene. Please return."
Wang Ying's hand froze in mid-air, the expression on his face frozen in an instant, replaced by a hint of fear and embarrassment. He might have dared to say a few words to a "weak woman" like me, but facing this powerful and unfathomable "Cloud Dragon", he would not dare to act rashly.
"Uh... Mr. Gongsun..." Wang Ying withdrew his hand awkwardly, sweat on his forehead. "I... I was just passing by and was joking with Miss Bu, just a joke... I'm leaving now, leaving now!"
The people behind him were even more silent, not even daring to breathe. They followed Wang Ying out of the yard in shame, running faster than rabbits.
The yard returned to peace.
Gongsun Sheng then slowly turned around, his eyes fell on me, and his brows furrowed slightly: "Are you okay?"
"It's okay." I shook my head, but my heart was moved by his timely appearance and unquestionable protection. "Thank you, Taoist Priest."
He glanced at the broken talisman on the stone table, then at my slightly pale face. He was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "If anyone dares to harass us again in the future, you can report it directly to me, or ask Qingsong to find the patrol leader."
His tone was still calm, but the protectiveness in his voice was more touching than any sweet words.
"Yeah, I remember that." I murmured.
He nodded, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just said, "When drawing talismans, calm your mind first. That's all for today. Go back and regulate your breathing."
After saying that, he turned and left the yard.
I watched him walk away, touched my still-burning cheek, and felt a mixture of emotions. There was the sweetness of being protected by him, a dislike for people like Wang Ying, and a tinge of worry. Today it's Wang Ying, but who will it be tomorrow? In this den of wolves and tigers, I am ultimately an outlier.
In the days that followed, I became even more reclusive, rarely leaving my courtyard except for necessary activities and visits to Gongsun Sheng to seek guidance. Gongsun Sheng, it seemed, had sensed something. Though he didn't explicitly state it, his appearances around my courtyard increased significantly. Sometimes he'd just happen to be passing by, sometimes to check on my progress, and sometimes even just stand outside the courtyard and chat with Qingsong.
This silent protection can soothe my uneasy heart better than any words.
However, the tree wants to be still but the wind does not stop.
A few days later, victory news arrived from Jiangzhou! Song Jiang had been successfully rescued, and Dai Zong, Li Kui, Zhang Shun, and other leaders were protecting him. They were joined by a group of brave men, including Dai Zong's new friend, the "Black Whirlwind" Li Kui, who had recently arrived on the mountain, Xiao Rang, the "Sage Scholar" Dai Zong's friend, and Jin Dajian, the "Jade Arm Craftsman," who had met along the way. They returned to Liangshan in a mighty force!
When the news came, the whole Liangshan Lake was in an uproar! Chao Gai was overjoyed and ordered the whole mountain to decorate with lanterns and flowers, and slaughter pigs and sheep to prepare a welcome for Song Jiang and others.
Standing in the courtyard, I could hear the distant clamor and celebration, but I felt no joy. I knew that Song Jiang's arrival marked the end of one era for Liangshan and the beginning of another. The dispute between Gongsun Sheng and Wu Yong that day over "recruiting" was not groundless; I feared the conflict would only intensify in the future.
More importantly, with the arrival of Song Jiang, the core figure, the personnel structure of Liangshan will become more complicated. People like me with a special identity and close relationship with Gongsun Sheng will probably attract more attention, and there will be a lot of trouble in the future.
Sure enough, just two days after the grand welcoming banquet, a new "trouble" came knocking.
The one who came this time was not a crude fellow like Wang Ying, but one of the heroes who had gone up the mountain with Song Jiang, Xue Yong, also known as the "Sickly Bug." Although he was known as the "Sickly Bug," he was actually quite skilled and, more importantly, knowledgeable, even among the ruffians.
The reason for his visit was quite legitimate - he heard that I was proficient in music, so he came to ask for advice.
However, the look in his eyes when he looked at me was different from Wang Ying's naked greed. It was a look that was scrutinizing, probing, and a hint of... an inexplicable desire to conquer. He seemed to think that a woman with "talent" like me shouldn't just cling to a cold and aloof Taoist like Gongsun Sheng.
"I have heard of your song 'Guangling San' when I was in Jiangzhou and have longed to listen to it. I am proud to have come to visit you today and hope you will give me some advice." Xue Yong said with a bow. His words seemed polite, but his posture carried a bit of scholarly arrogance.
I was feeling impatient and was just about to find an excuse to shirk my responsibility when I heard the familiar sound of footsteps outside the yard again.
Gongsun Sheng walked in, glanced at Xue Yong lightly, and said nothing. He just walked to the stone table where I usually practiced the piano and sat down, with the whisk lightly draped over his arm, as if he was just here to sit quietly.
Xue Yong's expression changed slightly when he saw Gongsun Sheng. His arrogance instantly subsided, and he quickly stood up and saluted: "Xue Yong greets Mr. Gongsun."
Gongsun Sheng didn't even raise his eyelids, but just said "hmm" lightly.
The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
Xue Yong was in a dilemma, neither standing nor sitting, sweat forming on his forehead. He might not be afraid of me, but he held Gongsun Sheng in deep awe.
Seeing this, I sighed inwardly and said to Xue Yong, "Captain Xue, I need to practice with the Taoist today, so I'm afraid it won't be convenient for me to discuss music. If I have some free time later, I can discuss it with you."
Xue Yongru was astonished and said hurriedly, "I apologize for being rude! I disturbed the meditation of sir and Mr. Bu. I will take my leave now, I will take my leave now!" After saying this, he almost ran away.
Looking at his embarrassed back, I looked at Gongsun Sheng who was sitting quietly like a pine tree beside me, as if nothing had happened, and I couldn't help but laugh softly.
"What are you laughing at?" He looked up at me, and there seemed to be a faint smile in his eyes.
"Nothing," I shook my head and walked over to sit down opposite him, "I just think that your sitting here is more effective than any evil-repelling talisman."
He was slightly startled when he heard this, and then the corners of his mouth seemed to curl up in an almost imperceptible arc, but he quickly returned to his usual coldness.
"Concentrate on your practice." He closed his eyes and began to meditate.
I looked at his peaceful profile, and the ripples in my heart caused by the harassment from outsiders gradually subsided.
There may have been a few ripples of jealousy, but his protection was like a stabilizing force, allowing me to find a safe place in this chaotic Liangshan.
I know the road ahead remains uncertain, but with each overt and covert effort, the bond between us is deepening. This road of love, though strewn with thorns, also seems all the more real and precious because of it.
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