Chapter 107 Cloud Soul and Rain Spirit (Part Six) As if all the makeup had been washed away, the wind carried it away…
Her gaze was peaceful and serene, as if she wanted to etch that figure into her mind, yet it also seemed as if she was simply gazing at the vast crowd.
Shen Qi turned his head and looked at her, his eyes red like a rabbit's, but he still wiped them clean, walked to her side, and sighed.
"The ways of the world are so helpless. On the street, some people spend money like water, some beg for mercy with a bowl, some ride horses in the bustling market, and some are cautious and timid. We just pass by in the middle, neither getting any gold or silver nor helping the beggars."
If I could help... but alas, I am nothing.
Lin Feiran withdrew her gaze, tidied the white egret grass in her hand, but did not appear as dejected as Chen Qi.
"Aren't we just people on the street too? We're just passing through the street."
In the eyes of those who squander money, everyone is a beggar, including you and me. In the eyes of those who beg, we are no different from those who squander money.
As I pass by, I simply place a few coins in the broken bowl to stop a few horses; that's enough. As long as my conscience is clear, that's all that matters.
Shen Qi was taken aback, pondered silently for a moment, and then suddenly laughed: "Yes, I am clearly a person on the street... Maybe those who spend money like water will feel sorry for me, and the beggar who prays to gods and Buddhas will feel that I am hateful. Just do whatever you want."
I thought you would think the same way I do.
With no tables or desks around, Lin Feiran took the notes and the spiritual herbs and sat down on a stone staircase.
“I used to think like you. When I first came to the city, I saw you writing mud tablets for them. But at that time, I was just like you, worried. I wanted to help everyone, but I was afraid that I couldn’t do it, so I chose to leave in the end.”
But I don't think that way anymore; saving even one person is saving one person.
Shen Qi couldn't help but smile: "I almost forgot, you have already broken through to the realm of questioning the mind."
A moment of silence fell over them. The two remained silent, sitting on the stone steps. One read out the names on the journal, while the other sorted through the medicinal herbs.
Shen Qi suddenly spoke again: "That fellow Daoist climbed the tree, is he feeling unwell?"
There is still some sunlight left, so he can rest for a while. When the moon rises, he will have to wake up and sit alone until dawn.
She paused for a moment, then said, "He's just a little tired."
Shen Qi responded, lowered his eyes and sketched in his notebook. In between delivering the herbs, he started talking again.
“Wenran, I’ve found that whenever I’m with you, I’m less unlucky and I can get quite a few things done.”
Lin Feiran found it strange: "Aside from the bad luck we had when we first met, I haven't seen anything else unlucky about you."
Shen Qi smiled: "I'm actually somewhat glad you didn't see my unfortunate state. Earlier at the festival, I saw you with the demons..."
At this point, as if afraid Lin Feiran would misunderstand, he immediately looked at her: "I don't hate demons! I think humans and demons are the same!"
Lin Feiran's expression remained unchanged. He simply lowered his eyes and picked up some herbs, counting a few before handing them to the woman. "It's nothing. When I entered the valley earlier, I heard many people cursing me for turning against them, but I don't really care."
Shen Qi then withdrew his gaze, turned to the next page, read the person's name, and asked, "Were you invited by them to enter the valley to retrieve spirit herbs, or did you grow up in the demon realm?"
At that time, Lin Feiran was only on the side of the demon race, and her identity was unknown, so everyone thought that she was a human aid invited by the demon race.
Lin Feiran nodded: "I'm here to collect spirit herbs, but I originally also wanted to enter the valley to retrieve the sword."
Shen Qi's eyes brightened slightly: "So, you'll be returning to the human realm later? Where did you originally live? Was it Dongyu Prefecture?"
Lin Feiran looked at him, puzzled, and said, "Of course I'm going back to the demon realm."
Shen Qi's gaze dimmed again, and then he lowered his eyes and sighed softly. He wanted to say something, but hesitated for a long time before finally leaving her with only paper cranes to exchange messages.
"If you ever come back to the human world, you can look for me at the Imperial Academy."
"good."
Lin Feiran naturally wouldn't refuse; she felt that Shen Qi was an upright person and worth befriending.
As the sun set completely and the stars filled the sky, all the names recorded in the notes were searched through. Those who had not previously made a record here also received the spiritual herbs. Finally, the matter was over, and the two had to part ways.
Lin Feiran got up and looked at the sky, feeling a little hesitant. Night had fallen, but Ru Xue had not yet made a sound. Should he wait until he woke up before going back?
Just as he was hesitating, Shen Qi seemed to have made up his mind, and facing the starlight, he spoke word by word.
He took out a bottle of clear liquid from his mustard seed bag, poured it into his palm, and then haphazardly wiped it on his face, slowly revealing his true appearance.
With deer-like eyes, a high nose, and thin lips, she looked somewhat timid, yet her lips were slightly upturned, giving her a naturally smiling appearance.
"So, this is what I actually look like. I hope you'll recognize me if we meet again in the future."
He looked at Lin Feiran, his gaze shifting away somewhat flusteredly, but then quickly returning.
Lin Feiran: "..."
She stared at him for a long time before finally saying, "You look familiar."
But I can't remember where I saw it.
Shen Qi subconsciously raised his hand to cover his face, revealing only a pair of wide, doe-like eyes: "But I have never been to the demon realm!"
Lin Feiran was speechless for a moment. It seemed that he thought he was going back to the demon realm because he had grown up there.
She wanted to explain, but didn't know where to begin, so she simply turned the page.
"You just look familiar. Besides, I've already seen your true face. It's too late for you to cover it up now."
Shen Qi awkwardly lowered his hand and said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it. It's just a habit. I've always disguised myself at the Imperial Academy. In fact, even I am a little unfamiliar with this appearance. I've only seen it in five people within the sect."
He muttered to himself, and at the end, he even showed a hint of regret.
"Actually, I shouldn't have let you see me. It wasn't a good thing for you. I just wanted to... I was reckless. You must never say you've seen my true face again..."
Halfway through his speech, Shen Qi suddenly began to tremble uncontrollably, as if thinking of something.
Lin Feiran looked puzzled. Although she knew there must be some hidden story behind it, she did not ask. She simply raised her hand and put it on Shen Qi's shoulder, suppressing the trembling with an irresistible force.
Shen Qi was startled and looked over, half-covering his face.
She looked at herself quietly and said, "I won't tell anyone. But since you're being so honest, I won't hide anything from you either."
She took out a piece of jade from her bag, used it to wipe away the ink covering her face, and gradually revealed her true appearance.
It's as if the makeup has been washed away, and the wind has swept away the dust.
The furrowed brows that had been lowered by the repainting relaxed, and the terrifying ferocity vanished abruptly. Her eyes, as calm as a clear pool, remained unchanged, her nose was actually straight, and her lips were subtly parted, giving her a face full of charm.
It is as if the blade is sheathed, its cold light returning to its sheath, or like a lone pine tree welcoming the snow, pure white and fluttering.
Upon looking at the scene, Shen Qi couldn't help but sigh.
Yes.
This is the real her.
Her previous appearance seemed out of place compared to her expression, but her current appearance is perfectly harmonious and fitting.
He simply watched, his heart pounding, unable to express the feelings he was experiencing. Despite having read so many books by sages, he could not put them into words; all his emotions could only be summed up in six words.
"So this is you."
Lin Feiran had always considered himself to be of average appearance, so he simply nodded in response.
Shen Qi's face flushed slightly, and he felt as if thunder was ringing in his ears: "Since you've disguised yourself to enter the city, wouldn't it be bad if someone were to see you at will?"
Lin Feiran was silent for a moment, recalling what his master had said before, and only said: "Now it's just you and me, nothing's wrong."
Shen Qi nodded and said, "I will not tell anyone that I have seen your true face!"
Lin Feiran paused for a moment: "My appearance shouldn't be as mysterious as yours."
Shen Qi shook his head, glanced at Lin Feiran, his lips parted several times, but he really didn't know what to say. His ears were ringing, and after hesitating, he had no choice but to say goodbye and head towards the inn.
After he left, Lin Feiran walked to the tree, intending to check if Ru Xian was still asleep, when she was unexpectedly met with a pair of eyes.
He was awake.
I don't know how long I watched it.
Ru Xian leaned against a tree branch, looking at her with a half-smile: "Finished saying goodbye?"
Lin Feiran nodded: "He is a very good friend."
Ru Xian nodded: "He is indeed a good person and can be considered a good friend."
Besides that, he didn't say anything else, but slowly got up and jumped down from the tree.
"Let's go back."
He took off the silver mask and hooked it between his fingers. He walked with Lin Feiran toward their residence. On the way, he untied his long hair, which was tied up and hung down to his waist. It was snow-white and carried a cold plum fragrance.
Lin Feiran glanced at him and couldn't help but speak up: "When we were distributing herbs earlier, a man walked towards me..."
She slowly recounted what had happened that day, and Ru Xian listened with a sidelong glance. The two of them stepped into the moonlight, their voices lingering softly as they talked.
...
Inside the inn in the eastern part of Chuncheng, the lights were lush and bright, and three figures stood to the side.
With a resounding clang, weapons were drawn, their blades gleaming faintly with a purple light.
"The Spirit Sword Kunwu is indeed extraordinary." Zhang Chunhe examined it closely, and finally a genuine smile appeared on his face.
Ji Changying smiled and said, "Congratulations to my junior brother on obtaining the spirit sword."
Wei Changzai remained silent, placing Kunwu on the table while still carrying Lianyan on his back. He bowed to Zhang Chunhe.
"This disciple has successfully completed the mission and retrieved the spirit sword."
This Kunwu sword was originally the sword that our grandmaster first possessed. Now that it has been retrieved by Wei Changzai and brought to Daohe Palace, it can be considered to have been returned to its rightful owner.
The Kunwu sword spirit in the realm looked proud, yet also somewhat excited.
Back then, he only had a small wisp of spiritual consciousness and had never actually seen Daohe Palace. Now that he knew the person who took the sword was a descendant of his master, a surge of joy for the inheritance rose in his heart, and the blade became even sharper.
With a major matter settled in his heart, Zhang Chunhe's expression became even more serene.
He looked at Wei Changzai, and then, recalling the fact that the leader of the Flying Flower Society had broken through to the next realm, he couldn't help but ask, "Changzai, you have been in the Questioning Mind Realm for three years, but you have yet to break through to the Freedom Realm. Have you ever thought about the reason?"
Wei Changyi raised his dark eyes, about to speak, but then heard Ji Changying say something.
“Master, one must not rush the matter of cultivation. Junior Brother is exceptionally talented, and progress is only a matter of time.”
Zhang Chunhe shook his head: "It is precisely because of his extraordinary talent that he should not have stayed here for three years. The Taoist scriptures passed down by my master say that breaking through to the point of questioning one's heart is not the end. After questioning one's heart, one must accept one's heart in order to enter the realm of freedom. However, the 'acceptance of the heart' and freedom are not the same for everyone."
Is there anything in your heart that you cannot accept or that you find difficult to understand? Please speak freely, and Chang Ying and I will work together to help you resolve your doubts.”
Ji Changying also turned to look, her eyes smiling.
Wei Changzai stood tall and straight, his eyes slightly lowered: "I have already asked the Mad Daoist about the doubts in my heart, and now my mind is clear. As for the matter of advancement, perhaps I still need to wait for the right opportunity."
Zhang Chunhe then remembered that he had met the sage, and a slight ripple appeared in his usually calm eyes, as if he were recalling something.
"It is excellent that you have this opportunity to discuss the Dao with him, as he is very familiar with your master."
I saw him when I was a child. At that time, my master had not yet passed away. He would often come to visit. He was a mysterious but very powerful person. He could naturally hear the sound of the wind, the language of animals, and the whispers of plants.
Unfortunately, despite his talent, he lacked ambition. He not only stole chickens and fished every day, but also fell in love with some female venerable one, stealing his master's fish every day to offer as a substitute for his master's.
Such neglect of his duties has resulted in him remaining stuck in the Divine Travel Realm even after his master has attained sainthood for a long time.
In the end, all I wanted to do was remind Wei Changzai that love can lead people astray.
The ancestor was ruthless, so he entered the Realm of Returning to Truth early on and became a saint.
Ji Changying, standing to the side, seemed not to understand the implied meaning and laughed.
"Later, the woman the mad Taoist loved became a saint and said that she had no interest in love. So the following year, the mad Taoist entered the Realm of Returning to Truth and also became a saint. He said that being a saint means loving even more, and then he shamelessly chased after her."
Wei Changzai was indeed unaware of such past events, and his expression paused slightly. Zhang Chunhe glanced at him sideways, his eyes flickering slightly.
Seeing the expressions on their faces, Ji Changying remained calm and said, "Oh dear, it's one thing for Junior Brother to be oblivious to what's going on around him, but he should read more books to avoid taking things out of context."
Zhang Chunhe withdrew his gaze, about to say something, when he heard someone knock on the door.
He looked outside: "What is it?"
A disciple's voice could be faintly heard from outside: "Elder Xunfang is about to enter the Fire Virtue realm. We request that the Head Abbot go and take charge."
He then sighed softly and said to the two of them, "Let's stop here for today. Now that you have obtained the Kunwu Sword, you must keep the matter of breaking through to the next realm in mind and not live your life in a daze."
Wei Changzai bowed and said, "This disciple will remember."
Zhang Chunhe then hurriedly left the outer room, leaving the two of them standing facing each other.
Ji Changying looked at Wei Changzai, a small mole on her lips slightly raised, bringing with it her usual smile.
"Junior Brother's talent and nonchalant attitude have prevented him from entering the Freedom Realm in two years, which is truly perplexing."
Ji Changying is acting very strangely today.
Leaving aside the fact that he refuted his master's words, let's just talk about the fact that he has not made any progress.
He had been struggling with this mental state for more than a day or two, and Ji Changying only brought it up now, and in an unpleasant tone, for reasons unknown.
He looked back and said, "Senior brother, speak frankly."
Ji Changying looked at him, her smile fading slightly, and the spring breeze in her eyes gradually hardening: "I only learned a few days ago that when Junior Brother agreed to form a contract with Junior Sister, it was for her sword bone. Such planning... such an open-minded state of mind, if not a free spirit, would be an injustice to Heaven."
Her usually gentle voice was now unusually icy, sending chills down one's spine.
Wei Changzai stared intently, his dark eyes unwavering.
Ji Changying has always been gentle and open-minded, with a smile on his lips. Whether it was a pretense or not, he was always like that.
This was the second time Wei Changzai had seen him so emotionally expressive.
This is for the sake of taking it slowly.
However, the first time is also for the sake of slowness.
Her spiritual veins were unusual, making it difficult for her to progress. One time, she was surrounded by people who said many cold and sarcastic things, which led to a fight between the two sides.
She was outnumbered and suffered a great loss.
Ji Changying had just returned from Beiyuan when he heard about this, and his face turned cold for the first time.
He rushed over, found out what had happened, and then had a witty debate with the elder of the Discipline Hall. He didn't back down and took Lin Feiran away on his own. He also punished the remaining disciples who had attacked him.
However, in his anger at the time, he forgot that such "unfair" treatment would only fuel the resentment in others' hearts.
When he brought up the matter of bone removal, a familiar chill appeared in his expression.
Wei Changzai was not affected by his words; he simply said...
“Senior brother, words and deeds are often not the same. We cannot change what Master thinks, but whether we can do it is within our control. Removing bones is not easy, and those who can do it are even rarer. If they are all erased, this matter is nothing but empty talk…”
He stopped talking, not wanting to say more.
"Senior brother, you have more to say to me today than just these things, don't you?"
Ji Changying looked at him, the coldness still lingering, but a hint of a smile appeared in her eyes: "Yes, it's not just that. I used to think it was because you had fallen for someone else, but after learning about this, I know that your relationship with her has indeed come to an end."
You should know her better than I do. After this incident, she won't turn back. Your relationship is irreparably broken.
He didn't say it explicitly, leaving only these vague words before departing.
Wei Changzai raised his hand to stop him, his voice suddenly turning cold: "What do you mean by that, Senior Brother?"
"Oh dear, junior brother, why do I need to spell it out for you?"
Ji Changying's eyes curved into a smile, as if a spring breeze had blown through them again. He sighed and said, "I thought the two of them were like butterflies flying wing to wing, and I shouldn't interfere. But I never expected that they would fly away separately now, and the decline is irreversible. With such a great opportunity, I should go and be a wildflower, attracting the butterflies."
The person had left, and the gust of wind extinguished the candlelight in the room, but the door was not closed, so a sliver of light leaked into the dark room, reflecting on his icy and snowy eyebrows and his pursed thin lips.
He unconsciously closed his hand with Kunwu's.
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