Chapter 171 Drunken Jade Elixir Immortal
Looking at the note in his hand, Lin Feiran's expression gradually calmed down.
She pulled out a piece of white paper from the side and wrote down the two characters "Ding Yi".
She wasn't too surprised when she saw the name.
After all, in the memory he just recalled, it was he who introduced Zhang Chunhe to the Emperor, so the two must have had a close relationship.
Based on this calculation, the more than one hundred incantations laid out in the city should also have been done by Ding Dingyi.
Without hesitation, Lin Feiran wrote the words "bright moon" on the paper.
They originally intended to use the Sacred Valley as leverage to negotiate a marriage alliance with Ru Xian, thereby placing Ming Yue into the Xingzhi Palace, concealing her identity as a mortal, and waiting for an opportunity to order her to break open the Yongling Well.
This plan was indeed very successful.
But due to a twist of fate, it was she who went to Xingzhi Palace, not Mingyue.
Although she and Mingyue tried to conceal it, and Ding Yi and the others seemed unaware, the substitution must have already been exposed...
They were just putting on an act.
After all, the people have been exchanged, and things have come to this point, so there's no point in pursuing further accountability.
Pretending not to know gives you time to make amends.
Such incantations are a way to remedy the situation.
But when exactly did it fall?
Lin Feiran tapped the table lightly, picked up his pen and pondered. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him, and he wrote the three characters "Flying Flowers Gathering" on the paper.
For both sides, the only method they wanted was to enter the Sacred Valley for pilgrimage; the marriage alliance was merely a pretext.
Before the opening of the Pilgrimage Valley, they still had leverage, but no one expected that the Flying Flowers Society would change its rules, requiring no sword fights and only those who had collected all twelve of the Flower Manuals could enter the valley.
In this way, their qualification to enter the valley becomes meaningless.
Meanwhile, as Ru Xian left the demon realm, it wasn't hard for Ding Yi and the others, with their intelligence, to guess that he had gone to Chuncheng... Perhaps at this moment, they realized that their bargaining chips were useless and changed their methods.
During the Flying Flower Festival, the Demon Capital is empty, with only Ping An guarding it, making it the perfect time to cast the curse.
After casting the spell, one can still use the power of the spell to join forces with King Qingping and fulfill his dream of seizing the city.
Lin Feiran wrote down the name of Qingping Wang, picked up the pen and turned it around, held his wrist for a few breaths, and finally wrote down the two words "spiritual energy".
Everything originates from and is planned for this purpose.
But why did Ding Yi use the power of the Qiongling Well to break through the barrier of the Endless Sea and introduce so much spiritual energy into the human world?
To help mortals develop spiritual veins?
In order to make the human world abundant with spiritual energy?
His reasons were so valid that Lin Feiran could not find a single fault with them.
...And what about Tantric Buddhism? What benefits do they gain from it?
The so-called Revolving Pearl must be a treasure that ordinary cultivators cannot reach. Perhaps there is only one. Why would they give it to Ding Yi and the Human Emperor?
As Lin Feiran reminisced about the past, he suddenly remembered what he had seen in Xunfang's memories.
That night, on the road to ambush her, besides her, there were also followers dressed in esoteric Buddhist robes embroidered with clouds.
She had wondered before, since Xunfang had secretly gone down the mountain and the people of Daohe Palace did not know about it, then who else could have sent her out?
Looking back now, and with Wei Chang's almost certain letter, it's pretty clear who sent Xun Fang.
The person who ordered her to do it could not be anyone other than Ding Yi.
She couldn't understand why her mother was intercepted and killed in the past, but now she has some thoughts about it.
Could it be that, just like when she stumbled upon the Human Emperor's secret, her mother also stumbled upon the unspeakable secrets of the esoteric sect, which is why they chased her like mad dogs until she died before letting go?
Secret...and another secret...
The saints of the pilgrimage valley remained silent, and Zhang Siwo, who had entered the Dao through sword forging, only said that it was unspeakable.
Thinking of this, Lin Feiran frowned slightly.
There seemed to be a hidden thread running through everything, yet it was quite scattered.
The information she now possesses is too fragmented, with several gaps in the connection, making it impossible to find the most crucial point.
Her guesses were written densely on the paper, but in the end they all came back to the words "esoteric Buddhism" and "mother".
She made a hand seal, and a burst of flame suddenly appeared, burning the paper to ashes.
In the end, she still thought of the woman with her eyes closed and her expression ethereal.
Now that the seal has been broken, she must already know. When will she inform the Emperor of this matter?
Tonight, tomorrow morning, or the day after tomorrow?
After she said that, the Emperor's side will definitely take action. It seems we need to be on high alert these next few days.
To avoid implicating others, it would be best to travel alone for a few days. If there is still no movement after seven days, it might mean... she didn't say anything.
Lin Feiran composed himself, stood up, looked at the duty roster Xun Feifei had given him, and quickly devised a cultivation plan for himself.
She has now opened the Three Realms of Sword, but she is not yet familiar with it. She must enter the Iron Khitan Book and practice with her seniors more often.
Breaking into the Advanced Realm means that you can master many techniques, but you still need to learn from your grandmaster.
As for the Golden Wave Sword's swordsmanship, she always felt it was incomplete, as it seemed to abruptly stop at the fourth move. She had to ask the sword spirit.
And that winter cicada plum blossom...
Lin Feiran drew a small plum blossom on the paper, stared at it for a long time, and unconsciously rubbed the corner of the paper with his left hand.
...
Lin Feiran disappeared for almost seven days.
She hasn't completely disappeared; you can still see her on ordinary days, but it's always just a fleeting glimpse, and you have to part ways quickly after exchanging only a few words.
Biqing and the others had recovered well from their injuries, and the demon capital was almost fully rebuilt. With nothing else to do, they gathered together to check on each other.
Xun Feifei and Qingzhu stood aside, watching the two people opposite them speak vividly.
Bi Qing lowered her eyes and said, "Last time I went to her courtyard to find her, I had just climbed over the wall when I saw her squatting alone in the corner, her hair slightly disheveled, her expression sad and dejected. I didn't dare to go up and disturb her."
Xuanzhen couldn't help but nod: "The last time I saw her sitting alone in the noodle shop, I wanted to jump out from behind to scare her, but as soon as I got to the door, I saw her wiping away tears with her head down... It was the first time I had ever seen her like that, so I jumped up to comfort her. But as soon as I sat down, she immediately got up, apologized to me, said she would treat me to noodles again in a few days, and then left in a hurry."
Qingzhu sighed, her face showing some worry: "So that's how it is..."
I went to find her that evening, but she was practicing swordsmanship, so I didn't disturb her. I intended to wait until she finished practicing before we talked, but she practiced until sunrise. Perhaps she was feeling quite frustrated.
Biqing and the others nodded and sighed.
Xun Feifei paused, then asked in confusion, "What were you doing looking for her in the middle of the night? And you even waited until sunrise. Did you stay up all night?"
"Yeah, did you watch it all night?"
Biqing and Xuanzhen turned their heads to look, and along with their puzzled gazes came a cool, indifferent look.
Qingzhu unfolded her folding fan and said with a smile, "I heard about the matter of Night Wanderer. She even pleaded with the Lord on my behalf. I naturally have to thank her for this kindness."
Upon hearing this, the group looked together at the jade throne in the main hall, bathed in sunlight, where the person sitting on it was propping their chin up and looking at it.
He raised an eyebrow slightly: "It's true. How do you know?"
Upon hearing this, Qingzhu smiled, as if bathed in a spring breeze: "That's what the executioner said when he carried out the execution. The Lord once mentioned a few words to him."
Ru Xian responded with a sound of agreement, not denying it: "Is that really the reason?"
Qingzhu lowered his eyes: "That's entirely because of this."
This action was perfectly normal for Qingzhu, and the group quickly moved on from the matter and returned to their original topic.
Biqing looked at the person in the upper seat and asked, "Although we haven't seen her much these past few days, you, Your Excellency, must have seen her; she always comes to report."
Does Your Excellency know why she is so downcast?
He tapped the armrest lightly like a hailstone, his expression unchanged.
He didn't actually see it either; after making that cryptic move at the Bitter Sea Pool, Lin Feiran never reappeared.
He was a free spirit; if she didn't come, he would go. But he was afraid that if he approached her too hastily, she would back down, so he had to suppress his thoughts.
He would have a table of delicacies prepared for him every day, and then have it cleared away, repeating this for seven days in a row. Even he was surprised by his own patience.
"Why are you so downcast?" He pondered for a moment. "Perhaps you're homesick."
Lin Feiran's eyes were vacant in the Bitter Sea Pool that day because he missed his parents, and it is likely that this is why he is depressed now.
“So that’s how it is.” Biqing sighed. “I understand this homesickness all too well. I can only fall asleep every night by holding our precious jade from Luoyu City.”
Just as the group was talking, Ru Xian suddenly spoke up: "Xun Feifei, you said the other day that the city is going to hold a Taibai Banquet?"
Xun Feifei immediately replied, "Yes, the great victory in defending the Demon Capital coincides with the opening of the Jade Elixir, which has been brewed for a hundred years. The Ginseng Clan wants to hold a Taibai Banquet to celebrate the Lord's victory and invite everyone in the city to drink together."
Bi Qing couldn't help but sigh: "The Ginseng Clan is weak, yet it is full of treasures, just like my Jade Clan. If we lose the Demon Capital Lan City and are not protected by the Lord, we will probably be as miserable as before."
They should be the happiest of all, having won a great victory in defending the city.
Bi Qing and the others have always been unable to grasp the key points, but Xun Feifei, who has worked for Ru Xian for a long time, is well aware of the unspoken meaning in his words.
He adjusted his silver mask, raising an eyebrow slightly: "Does Your Excellency mean that we should use the pretext of the Taibai Banquet to summon Lin Feiran and celebrate together?"
The fingertips that had been tapping on the armrest paused slightly before finally casting a satisfied glance.
"She was also a hero in this battle to defend the city, and she should share in the joy of the Taibai Banquet."
Xun Feifei nodded: "Yes."
In fact, Lin Feiran had always been on the list. Even if the Lord hadn't spoken, Xun Feifei was originally going to drag her into the banquet anyway.
Lin Feiran is a very organized person. Apart from the Flying Flower Gathering, he has never taken a day off. He is also very conscientious when on duty, and there will never be any chaos.
With her around, Xun Feifei was indeed much more relaxed. For both emotional and rational reasons, he would never forget Lin Feiran.
Bi Qing asked excitedly, "Lord, are you attending the Taibai Banquet this time? The Jade Liquid Immortal of the Ginseng Clan is a rare top-grade one!"
Before Ru Xian could speak, Xuan Zhen continued, "Jade Liquid Immortal was originally brewed for the Venerable Lord, so it can't be considered a top-grade product for the Venerable Lord... However, it definitely is for Brother Fei!"
Biqing recalled the anecdote of Xun Feifei passing out after one drink and then dancing wildly all night. She pursed her lips and held back for a long time, but still couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Xun Feifei: "..."
As expected, Lin Feiran is the most worry-free.
The Jade Elixir is full of spiritual energy, and its effects are comparable to those of spiritual herbs. Pour her a lot of it; she seems to have a better alcohol tolerance than him and can enjoy this blessing.
...
Seven days passed peacefully. Lin Feiran, who was able to eat well, spent a day lying in bed and breathed a long sigh of relief.
Even an iron body couldn't withstand such training, but she persevered, and it must be said, the results were remarkable.
She raised her hand in a hand seal, and the soft bed beneath her transformed into a meadow, unfolding a vast sword realm as if it were her own arm.
With a slight movement of his fingertips, the Golden Wave Sword flashed through the air like a sharp light, its melodious ringing echoing across the plains.
She sat up abruptly, instantly withdrawing all her sword energy. Although her face looked somewhat tired, her eyes shone brightly, brimming with vitality.
"Grandmaster..."
She excitedly took out the Iron Khitan Book, but just as she was about to open it, she discovered that the stone book was stuck together and she could not turn it no matter what she did.
"What happened?"
Feeling somewhat anxious, she called out to her grandmaster, then lifted the stone book and shook it, finally managing to shake out only a few drops of ink.
The ink flowed onto the ground, transforming into a short sentence.
"The seniors are exhausted, they need to rest, please do not disturb them."
Lin Feiran: "..."
Concise and to the point.
She coughed awkwardly, gently put the book away, and then, as if unable to stay still, got up and wandered around the table, her gaze seemingly glancing at the tabletop, where she had written down her plan earlier.
Everything on the paper was crossed out, leaving only an uncolored plum blossom.
She picked up the papers, then quickly put them down again. Sometimes she squatted on the stool, sometimes she climbed onto the roof. In short, she was restless and couldn't stop.
Looking out from the rooftop, Lin Feiran saw that the brightly lit houses, like scattered snowflakes, were very eye-catching in the night and could be seen at a glance.
Just as she made up her mind and was about to head straight for Ru Xian's bedroom, Xuan Zhen rushed over and stopped her in mid-air. After quickly explaining the matter of the Taibai Banquet, Lin Feiran was quite flattered.
"Was the Taibai Banquet set up for us?"
Xuan Zhen nodded, smiled, revealing two tiger teeth: "Actually, it was organized for those who guarded the city, but since you are the greatest contributor, it's practically organized for you. Come and celebrate with us!"
Lin Feiran wouldn't refuse someone's request, so he had no choice but to agree. Before leaving, he asked, "Isn't Your Excellency going?"
Xuanzhen shook her head: "There are too many people. He doesn't like these kinds of occasions."
"That makes sense." Lin Feiran glanced back and thought, then she would go again tomorrow.
The two of them hurried to the restaurant. The banquet was held in the rooftop pavilion, with gauze curtains hanging on all sides. In addition to the envoys, there were also many elders and clan leaders of the demon race who were attached to the demon capital. There were not many people, but there were not few either.
Lin Feiran and his group sat at their own table. When someone came to express their gratitude and exchange pleasantries, Xun Feifei and Qingzhu stepped forward. They just focused on eating and drinking.
Biqing smiled and poured Jade Elixir for the group: "This is the real finest nectar. Although it is wine, it is mellow and sweet, without any spiciness."
Lin Feiran leaned closer and smelled it, her face showing amazement: "It smells so good, it doesn't smell like wine, it smells more like flowers."
Ping An raised his finger and said, "You know your stuff. Your Lordship doesn't like drinking, but you have to, so the Ginseng Clan brewed this Jade Liquor, which is unique in the world."
Must I drink it?
I heard Ru Xian say that because there was no cure for her illness, her spiritual veins were constantly in pain. Could it be that she drank the Jade Elixir to relieve the pain?
Lin Feiran was a little lost in thought. Biqing glanced at her and, thinking she was still immersed in her sorrow, couldn't help but pat her head and say something.
"Why don't you ask Xun Feifei for leave and secretly go back to the human realm for a few days? You won't miss home so much then. You never ask for leave, so he'll definitely agree."
Lin Feiran was somewhat puzzled: "Why are you suddenly bringing up homesickness?"
Xuanzhen leaned closer and said, "You've been hiding away and secretly wiping away tears these past few days. If it's not because you're homesick, then what is it? Tell us, and we'll definitely help you!"
"When did I secretly wipe away tears?" Lin Feiran was even more puzzled.
Xuanzhen blinked and said, "I ran into you last time you were secretly wiping away tears at the noodle shop. Your eyes were so red then."
Lin Feiran took a breath, but still couldn't help but smile, explaining, "I ate too fast and got choked by the chili."
Bi Qing was taken aback: "Then why were you squatting in the corner earlier, looking so sad?"
"...Because I practiced swordsmanship with several seniors, I was beaten out by them with black eyes and swollen faces for two consecutive days. Feeling depressed, I lay down in the corner to rest for a while."
"Is that so?" Biqing scratched her head. "Then why have you been spending so much time alone these past few days?"
Lin Feiran looked at them, her expression pausing slightly.
In the past, few people noticed her unusual behavior, and she was used to bearing it all herself, but she never expected that Biqing and the others would have noticed it for so long.
For the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of being seen.
After a moment's consideration, Lin Feiran decided to tell the truth: "Because there might be dangerous people around me during those days, so..."
Bi Qing suddenly realized, then looked closely and pressed Lin Feiran's head onto her shoulder: "Lin Feiran, can you feel it?"
Lin Feiran was puzzled, but still leaned her head in and asked, "What did you feel?"
"Look at those arms, as hard as jade!"
Biqing pinched herself.
"Xuan Zhenfei's legs are like flying, Ping Jie's chest is like a mountain, Qing Zhu has a cunning mind, and Xun Feifei has fiery dance moves. Aren't we enough to put your mind at ease?"
Xun Feifei sat back down and glanced at her: "I won't touch a drop of alcohol tonight."
Qingzhu remained silent, simply sitting beside her and watching her quietly with a smile in her eyes.
Lin Feiran looked at them, her gaze gradually calming down. She straightened up and spoke.
“I have been feeling a bit emotional lately, but it’s not homesickness, it’s missing my parents… Winter is approaching, and the anniversary of my father’s death is coming soon, but I probably won’t be able to go back this year.”
The others looked slightly surprised, but Qingzhu lowered her eyes and took out a mermaid lantern to hand to her.
"Even though your parents are not by your side, you have become such a good child. If they knew, they would be very pleased."
Lighting a mermaid lantern before the memorial day, which will remain lit for a month, is believed to guide the deceased on their way home.
In the past, when she was in Sanqing Mountain, she would light such a lamp in the hope of seeing her parents.
Lin Feiran took it in surprise, while Xun Feifei glanced at it sideways and asked again in confusion, "How do you have a mermaid lantern?"
Qingzhu just smiled and said, "When traveling, it's always good to have everything you need on you, it's more convenient that way."
Lin Feiran looked at the item in his hand, carefully accepted it, and then raised his glass and said, "I will always remember your deep concern for me, but what happened a few days ago was indeed dangerous. I don't want anyone to get hurt or be implicated. Please understand this shared concern for protecting me."
Xun Feifei and the others were slightly taken aback, then couldn't help but shake their heads and chuckle.
Bi Qing hummed twice, turning the matter aside: "Although Jade Liquid Immortal is easy to drink, it is specially made for the Venerable One and is very strong. Have you ever drunk alcohol before?"
Lin Feiran shook his head: "Daohe Palace has strict rules and does not allow its disciples to drink alcohol, but I think it's fine. I have a good appetite now, so I might be able to drink quite a bit too."
After saying that, she tilted her head back and swallowed it in one gulp.
Jade Elixir is like a mellow honey syrup, with a lingering floral fragrance in the aftertaste, and a smooth, silky texture. It is truly a fine product.
Seeing that Lin Feiran showed no reaction, everyone felt relieved and began chatting and joking with each other.
...
After several rounds of drinks, the clan leader and elders went elsewhere to enjoy the moon and discuss matters, leaving only a group of young people.
The banquet continued on the pavilion, but no one was awake anymore.
Some bowed and toasted the pillars, while others squatted under the table and slept soundly. Beside the carved railing, some even called themselves birds, ready to spread their wings and fly away.
"..."
Ru Xian slowly walked in through the window, looked at the wine glasses scattered all over the floor, and clicked her tongue softly.
Upon hearing the sound, the burly creature immediately darted out, its fluffy tail sweeping around, clearing a path by scattering wine glasses and leftover food.
Ru Xian looked around the room, even tilting her head to carefully examine the area under the table, but all she saw were unfamiliar faces, Xuan Zhen sleeping soundly while holding her little iron-eating beast, and Ping An lying flat on the table with her cheeks flushed.
Lin Feiran was nowhere to be seen.
Outside the pavilion, Xun Feifei happened to be flipping down from the roof and was taken aback when she saw him.
"My Lord, what brings you here?"
Ru Xian did not answer, but only asked, "Weren't you in the Flying Pavilion just now?"
Xun Feifei nodded: "There were quite a few people buying wine tonight, and the East City was a bit noisy, so Qingzhu and I went to check it out. He's still there now, and I'll come back and take them back."
He was indeed somewhat surprised to see Ru Xian here, but he quickly figured out the reason.
Xun Feifei walked into the Flying Pavilion, stepped over the sprawled-out demon youth, and counted the number of people.
One is missing.
Unfortunately, the one that is most indispensable is missing.
He walked to the corner and patted Biqing: "Where's Lin Feiran?"
Biqing hugged the bench tightly in her arms: "Isn't it right here, in my arms..."
Xun Feifei released her without a word, then turned and grabbed Xuanzhen: "Xuanzhen, smell which direction Lin Feiran is in."
Xuanzhen remained completely still, quietly curled up under the table, breathing shallowly.
Xun Feifei tried to wake Ping An, but was pounced on by the little iron-eating beast beside her, making it impossible for her to get any closer.
"Lin Feiran has a good alcohol tolerance. He was still able to stand, sit, and talk just now, so he must have gone out for some fresh air. I'll go find him..."
“No need, you can take them back.” Ru Xian had already walked to the railing. “I will go find her.”
The next moment, his figure vanished and quickly reappeared on the highest roof ridge.
The full moon hung high, and the snow-white hair was hidden in the night wind. The golden and white robes shimmered with light and fluttered in the wind. The city was in the midst of celebration, and no one saw such a night scene.
As Ru Xian raised her hand, a glint of light flashed in her eyes, and a snow-white yin-yang fish leaped out of her eyes, hovering in her palm.
He flipped his hand and pushed it away, saying only, "Go find her."
The yin-yang fish swung its tail and circled, then floated forward. The hamster immediately chased after it, sometimes transforming into a bird soaring into the air, sometimes into a beast carrying the white fish, having a great time.
Like snowflakes leaping from the rooftops, they strolled slowly through the streets, walking behind the two beasts, their robes shimmering like clear waves in the night.
"Where could it be, Lin Feiran?"
Jade Elixir is a rare and precious spiritual treasure. The Ginseng Clan had people set up wine jars on the banks of the Jade Belt Stream, which was tantamount to handing over a treasure. Many people came to pour wine.
Golden lanterns hung everywhere in the market, casting bright, golden light that shone on everyone's faces with an indescribable radiance.
Besides the demons who came to pour wine, there were also many children playing in the streets and alleys.
Several of them were chasing each other, playing so enthusiastically that they didn't care about their surroundings and just rushed forward. Suddenly, the leader bumped into something and looked over in surprise, covering his head.
There was clearly no one here before, but after bumping into him, a corner of clothing suddenly appeared in front of him, fluttering in the night wind.
It is golden and white, with a subtle glimmer.
He looked up and saw a tall man standing before him, with a half-smile on his face. He was wearing a sky-blue cloak, and his snow-white hair, visible under the hood, fell to his chest, revealing half of his face.
The child inhaled slightly, his eyes, illuminated by the lamplight, momentarily stunned.
It was clearly a gentle bounce, but the force was immense, sending him staggering back seven or eight steps and crashing into his companion's arms.
When he got further away, he looked up again, but the person was nowhere to be seen.
As he scratched his head searching, the person had already walked past him.
Ru Xian had never liked such chaotic and complicated places, and given his special status, he simply put on this "snowy outing" outfit to avoid trouble.
If they don't run into him, people won't see him and will subconsciously avoid him.
Following behind the yin-yang symbol like this brings a lot of peace and quiet.
However, in the ever-strife-ridden demon realm, there is no city as peaceful as the Demon Capital. Therefore, when people drink and chat, they can't help but mention Ru Xian.
He had heard it many times along the way, but he didn't care. However, he would always pause slightly when passersby mentioned Lin Feiran.
She was already a prominent figure in the Demon Capital, but she was ultimately a human and still quite young, so many people still held prejudices against her.
But after the battle to defend the city, most of the people in the city praised her, and even those few who disliked her status still admired her.
They said, "Our Lord has excellent judgment; he has a keen eye for talent and is open to accepting people regardless of their background."
"First comes the pearl, then people will appreciate it. That little human is quite good. If our clan had such a young man, the elders would probably be laughing in their sleep."
Ru Xian deeply agreed.
He casually raised his hand, and two orange-yellow pills popped out, falling into the two men's wine cups and quickly dissolving into nothingness.
He thought that the two of them did have some taste and deserved to be appreciated.
After doing a good deed, he followed the Yin-Yang Fish, turning left and right in the market. The number of people around him gradually decreased, and the lights were not as bright as they were in the city center.
Ru Xian suddenly felt unsure. Had Lin Feiran come to such a remote place? Was she drunk or not?
The snow-white yin-yang fish gradually slowed down, and the pufferfish stopped trying to catch it. Instead, it stopped and looked around, seemingly searching for Lin Feiran's figure.
Finally, they stopped at an alleyway, then turned around together and waited quietly for the hail to approach.
This is a secluded corner of the bustling street. Golden moon lanterns hang from the eaves, but there are not many of them, and they can only illuminate this place with a soft yellow light.
As Ru Xian walked to the alley entrance, she looked up and gazed inside.
The alley wasn't very long; at the end was a bright red wooden door, like the back alley of someone's house.
Behind the courtyard walls on both sides of the short alley, several branches of cold cherry blossoms transplanted from Yingzhou extend out. They do not bloom in early spring, but bloom in early winter. The tiny petals fall one after another in the lamplight, overlapping to create a patch of shadows.
At first glance, it looked as if a solitary snow had fallen in a corner amidst a sea of lights, with the ground covered in tiny petals, and a gentle breeze would lift a few petals up.
The scenery was indeed beautiful, but there was no one there.
As Ru Xian turned around, she saw the Yin-Yang Fish swimming at the alley entrance. Seeing that he was not moving, it even spat out a bubble the size of a bean. It was obvious that she was here, but it could not find Lin Feiran's trace for a moment.
Although the alley was empty, it was not completely devoid of anything.
A bamboo basket stands in front of the lacquered door and at the base of the wall. It is probably used by this family to collect fallen petals. At first glance, it seems normal, but upon closer inspection, you can see that under the half-open bamboo lid, a couple of petals occasionally fly out of the basket.
The yin-yang fish began to swirl again, and the chubby creature lowered its head to sniff, but it wasn't a real fox and couldn't actually smell anything, so it turned around and circled around the hail-like creature.
In a bamboo basket not far away, tiny flower petals rhythmically escape from the bamboo lid, mingling with the fallen petals scattered on the ground, making it impossible to distinguish which petals are new and which are old.
Ru Xian simply stood at the alley entrance, watching quietly, until the rammed earth emitted two or three low hums before he stepped forward.
The ankle-length robe kept swirling open and closed, and the silver-white boots made soft sounds in the alley, the air currents they created lifting up a few wisps of white fabric.
He stopped in front of the bamboo basket, his painted eyes lowered slightly, his emerald eyes staring straight at the basket.
For some reason, he couldn't help but laugh, as if he were angry, yet also quite helpless.
The idiot rubbed his face, as if he knew something, then squatted down to the side and whimpered loudly at the bamboo basket.
Ru Xian reached out and pinched its fox mouth, then bent down slightly, and with her slender hand lifted the bamboo lid, revealing Lin Feiran, who was sleeping soundly in the basket.
She was almost buried in the snow cherry blossoms, with only her head and a few arched folds of her clothes showing. Her head was tilted to the side, and with each breath, two more petals were blown out and landed on the back of Ru Hai's hand.
She wasn't short to begin with, and it looked as if she had dug a hole in the basket full of flower petals and squeezed in herself in a daze, even remembering to close the bamboo lid properly.
...Tsk, he saw a basket and jumped in, not caring that it was covered in dust.
He bent down and placed the bamboo lid on a plate. The bundle of goods immediately leaped onto the edge of the basket, transforming itself into a tabby cat, stretching its neck as if to rub against Lin Feiran to wake her. Rushan raised her hand and lifted it by the scruff of its neck, clicking her tongue slightly.
The dog dared not move again, obediently squatting on the basket, not daring to move further.
"Lin Feiran."
He called out, and the person who had initially thought it was dirty now reached out and poked her cheek.
One poke, two pokes, as if they were addicted to it, they stopped shouting and just kept using their hands.
Lin Feiran's eyes twitched slightly, as if she was about to open them, but then she sniffed halfway through. She then suddenly raised her hand, sending a flurry of cherry blossoms flying through the alley. She caught the mischievous hand precisely, then buried her head and took a deep breath.
"Such a strong plum blossom fragrance... icy and vibrant, a plum blossom fragrance I can't afford..." she mumbled indistinctly.
His usually cold palms pressed against her flushed face, as if suddenly immersed in a spring pool. He gripped a hot stone, and a burning sensation spread from his palms to his fingertips, even causing a burning pain.
Ru Xian raised her eyebrows slightly, but before she could react, her hand went limp, and she buried her head in her hands.
Only when Lin Feiran looked up did he slowly withdraw his hand, straighten up as he did so, and a trace of warmth remained in his palm.
Lin Feiran's gaze was still unfocused. She gripped the frame with both hands and looked up at him. The warm yellow light made her already clear eyes appear even brighter.
She didn't say anything, she just looked up at him.
Ru Xian really liked that focused gaze, especially in Lin Feiran's eyes.
He looked down, barely aware of the curve of his lips, only his fingertips twitching slightly as he brushed aside a few cherry blossom petals from the back of his hand: "Awake? Why aren't you in the restaurant? Why did you come to such a remote place?"
Lin Feiran was clearly not fully awake. It took her a few moments to understand what he meant, so she answered every question he asked.
"I'm waiting for someone to come to me."
"Waiting for whom?"
"Anyone is fine. I want to see if anyone comes looking for me if I disappear. It might seem a bit selfish, but I want to see if anyone comes looking for me. Have I caused you any trouble...?"
I want to see if anyone comes looking for me.
She spoke in a way that was completely unlike her usual organized manner, repeating the same idea over and over again, as if that was the only sentence left in her mind.
After repeating it several times, she suddenly stopped and asked him in a daze, "Why is it you who came to find me?"
Ru Xian raised an eyebrow: "What, now that I've come in person, are you neglecting the little hero guarding the city?"
He joked as usual, but Lin Feiran, drunk, was clearly much more relaxed and just looked at him.
He looked at it for a moment, then raised his hand and pulled the hood down completely, revealing his full face, as if he were comparing himself to an invisible person, or as if it were just a casual action.
He said, "If I hadn't come, who else would you have wanted to see?"
Lin Feiran couldn't understand the implied meaning, so she just shook her head.
She didn't know who she wanted to see, and she thought no one would come.
So she just shook her head, leaned on the edge of the basket, looked at the golden moon lanterns, and said nothing more.
Ru Xian didn't urge her either, but just stood quietly in front of the basket, tracing her expression with her eyes.
After a long while, Lin Feiran suddenly spoke up: "It's fine whoever comes, I'm happy whoever comes, but I think I'll be even happier if you come."
"And you said you would discipline me, you would always discipline me... you would always discipline me. No matter where I go, you will come."
Ru Xian knelt down in front of the bamboo basket, looking at her at eye level, but his gaze was fixed on her face as he spoke softly.
"Of course, I will always be with you and will never leave."
Upon receiving this reply, Lin Feiran finally smiled and looked at him earnestly, saying, "You're very good."
These words were very pleasing to him. He had just raised an eyebrow when he heard her say, "But it's not good either."
Ru Xian chuckled ambiguously.
Seeing this, Hanhuo immediately nudged Lin Feiran with his head, trying to bring her to her senses and stop her from saying such horrifying and frightening things.
Lin Feiran's attention was originally focused on Ruxian, and he hadn't seen the cat at all. But when it nudged him, he turned his head and met the eyes of the blue-eyed kitten.
She quickly grabbed it and rubbed it in her arms.
Ru Xian's eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't seem angry. She simply rested her chin on her hand, as if she had heard something novel.
What's wrong with it?
Lin Feiran was very frank: "If you don't like interacting with other people, then I can't either."
Ru Xian smiled and lowered her eyes, not discussing whether she could touch him or not, but simply saying, "Are you troubled by not being able to touch me?"
Lin Feiran nodded at first, then shook her head after a moment: "I don't know."
Ru Xian suddenly remembered that Bi Qing had been tightly hugging that bench earlier, insisting that it was Lin Feiran, and now he actually felt that it made perfect sense.
It's practically all wood.
"Then how will you find out?" he asked bluntly.
Lin Feiran's thought at this moment was very simple: "Practice makes perfect."
Ru Xian chuckled softly, raised her hand to wipe the thin layer of ash from her chin, and looked at the basket again. She neither agreed nor refused outright.
He simply stood up, his face half-hidden in the shadows of the flowers, revealing only his slightly upturned thin lips.
"If you want to put your ideas into practice, come out yourself. What can you do by burying yourself in a pile of flowers?"
Lin Feiran understood the implied meaning in those words.
She never procrastinates, so she immediately stood up from the basket, stepped out, and kicked up the rustling snow cherry blossoms, but she didn't go any closer. Instead, she bent down to brush off the dust.
It took almost fifteen minutes to film.
She always had such meticulous patience, but she forgot that she was a cultivator, and could become spotless in an instant simply by using her spiritual power.
As expected, even when drunk, a person's original character remains; they will not do things they would never normally do, even when drunk.
Seeing that she had finally stopped, he sighed softly, raised his hand to brush away the delicate petals at her collar, and asked, "Are you done? Do you want to go straight back to Xingzhi Palace, or do you want to stroll around the streets?"
He didn't think Lin Feiran would do anything from the beginning. Just as he had said before, she wouldn't take the initiative to get close to him, even when she was drunk.
He continued, "Or we could go eat something else..."
Before he finished speaking, Lin Feiran, who had been quietly dusting off the dust, rushed forward like a small whirlwind. It was like an embrace, but the force was enough to knock an ordinary cultivator into the wall.
However, sleet is unusual.
He caught it with some surprise, without moving an inch.
They embraced for a long time. Ruoshan's eyelashes fluttered slightly as he looked down at her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Now, when you touch me, do you feel distressed or happy?"
"I think...it smells so good."
Lin Feiran's embrace while drunk was unusual.
She seemed to really like his scent. She wrapped her arms around his waist and secretly sniffed his neck, but she could never find the source. She even prepared to lift the "snowy safari" cloak he was wearing.
Ru Xian's gaze suddenly shifted, and she subtly pulled away, moving a few inches away from Lin Feiran, and asked in a seductive manner.
"You really like this flavor?"
Lin Feiran looked at him, her gaze somewhat unfocused, but she still nodded very honestly.
He chuckled softly and raised his hand to stroke the back of her neck.
With that familiar posture and strength, Lin Feiran quickly relaxed, drooping her head and resting it on his shoulder. For a moment, all her thoughts were scattered, and she only felt drowsy.
"If you want to smell it again, you have to tell me who you want to give your winter cicada plum to."
Unfortunately, all he received in response was Lin Feiran's sound breathing as she slept.
He sighed softly, "What's the point of asking this? No matter who it's given to, the Cicada Plum will only return to him."
...
When Lin Feiran woke up again, it was noon the next day. The sun shone brightly through the window, illuminating the luxurious furnishings in the room.
She immediately sat up, looked down, and saw that she was sleeping on Ru Xian's soft bed.
This is his room.
Lin Feiran silently rolled out of bed and stood in front of the bed in deep thought, like a little puppet.
It would be good if I really couldn't remember anything.
Unfortunately, she remembered it all vividly.
...Actually, it's not that much of a pity.
Thinking of this, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily, she had a good memory; it would have been a real pity if she had forgotten everything.
Lin Feiran walked to the window, looked at the dawn in the sky, stood there for a long time, and finally turned around and went to his study, where he found a precious pearl in the Danxin Bottle.
She remembered that last night, Ruxian sat by the bed for a long time, with the sound of turning pages echoing in her ears. Just before she fell asleep, he finally put down the book, brushed her hair away, and went to the Bitter Sea Pool.
Perhaps he always knew he was pretending to be asleep last night.
Lin Feiran stopped thinking about it and simply raised her hand to form a hand seal. She was already very familiar with the incantation to enter the Bitter Sea Pool, and after a moment she appeared above this small world.
The Bitter Sea Pond seems to have changed quite a bit. The pink lotuses that used to occupy only half of the pond have increased significantly, with lotus buds and leaves everywhere, densely covering the surface and dazzling the eyes. The water level in the pond also seems to have risen considerably compared to the surrounding green mountains.
Lin Feiran couldn't find the familiar boat for a while, so she had no choice but to prepare to fall into the pool. However, before she could enter the water, she was caught by someone.
Ru Xian was sitting on the boat's canopy, looking at her with a smile: "What's the rush? The small boat is right in the middle, isn't it?"
"I didn't see it clearly..."
Lin Feiran immediately rolled over in his arms, but in her haste, she lost her footing and fell into the Bitter Sea Pool.
With eyes as round as snowflakes, he waited until she surfaced from the water before saying in a cool voice, "I don't often help others. I finally did, and you still ended up falling into the water."
He stretched out his hand, raising an eyebrow slightly: "Come on up."
Lin Feiran not only didn't reach out, but instead sank half an inch herself, leaving only her clear eyes on the surface of the water, quietly watching him with gentle eyes.
Ru Xian was somewhat puzzled: "This Bitter Sea Pool is made by steeping lotus seeds. If you drink a few more sips, everything you eat for the next few days will be bitter."
Upon hearing this, Lin Feiran moved slightly closer, and there was also movement underwater, as if she wanted to grab his outstretched hand.
But she couldn't stop her.
She held a sprig of winter plum in her raised hand.
The winter cicada plum tree still has strong branches and its petals, as thin as cicada wings, are as delicate as ever. It is clear at a glance that she has taken excellent care of this flower.
Ru Xian paused, looking at him meaningfully. His gaze remained as focused as ever, yet it held a depth of unspoken meaning. However, he did not reach out to take it.
His emerald eyes reflected the shimmering light, and as if hunting, his gaze clearly encompassed her, yet he spoke slowly and deliberately.
"Why did you give it to me? Was it out of gratitude, to curry favor, or... to propose to me?"
He said this on purpose, thinking that Lin Feiran would deny it outright or explain it immediately, since it was too direct and bold for her.
But she didn't.
She was only submerged in the water, with half her head above water, and even close to the small boat, holding onto the edge of the boat with one hand and extending the flowers forward again with the other.
A pair of clear, innocent eyes looked at him quietly, gently, and directly...
She looked at him without any denial.
The answer is self-evident.
Ru Xian leaped off the boat's canopy, walked slowly to the gunwale, then sat down, immersing his legs in the Bitter Sea Pool, and leaned close to her.
In an instant, snowflakes fell in profusion, almost filling Lin Feiran's entire field of vision.
As he moved, the small boat creaked and rocked, ripples spreading out and washing over Lin Feiran's chest again and again...
The two looked at each other, and neither of them spoke.
After an unknown period of time, the ripples subsided, the pond became still, and everything seemed to return to normal, calm and peaceful. Even the lotus branches not far away stopped swaying.
Thus, undercurrents surged, gently swirling and washing away.
Lin Feiran did not run away. Although she was not used to such a bold act, she acquiesced and even slowly squeezed his ankle.
For the demon race, the implications of such a response are self-evident.
Her face flushed slightly, and her gaze wavered a little, but her eyes remained fixed on him, and she even offered him a few more pieces of the winter plum blossom.
"..."
He looked down at her, his gaze like a bottomless whirlpool, almost swirling her in it, but he still didn't take her, though her shadow floating underwater was clearly visible.
After a long while, he finally spoke, saying softly, "...I love you very much, so I'll give you one more chance to take it back."
Perhaps I am different from what you imagine.
If you accept it, you'll never have a chance to regret it.
"..."
Lin Feiran still didn't come out of the water, but only blew a few bubbles in response.
In that instant, the bright sun on the shore of the Bitter Sea Pool suddenly softened, and the sky was tinged with a rosy glow. The lotus buds in the pool were in full bloom, and a sweet fragrance wafted over.
He looked at her, then at the sunset glow on the horizon, and the clear green in his eyes seemed to be covered with a layer of pale pink.
He seemed to have been looking at it for a long time, yet it also seemed to have only been a moment. Lin Feiran looked at him as he turned his head, her eyes smiling, and said, "You only thought of giving me this plum blossom these past few days?"
Lin Feiran surfaced, shook his head, and replied, "...When I saw it, I thought of you. I thought you would like it. Even if this hadn't happened today, I would still have given it to you."
She saw a flower in the distance and brought it back for him; there was no other reason.
Ru Xian bent down and grasped her raised wrist. The distance between them slowly closed, and her slightly widened eyes were reflected in his emerald eyes.
He parted his lips slightly, calling her by her name in a low voice.
"I like this winter plum blossom very much, and I allow it to live with me."
He curled up a strand of hair, cut it cleanly, and then slowly wrapped the snow-white hair around a brown plum branch, tying it into an interlaced knot.
Author's Note: [Loud-eared rabbit head]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
