31 Heartless
"Lianxi, are you alright?" I reached out, tore the food out of his mouth, and then draped my coat over him. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."
"Feiwu? You saved me again?" Lianxi choked up, holding me tightly, her voice trembling with excitement. "I knew Feiwu wouldn't just stand by and watch over me, Feiwu."
"Who betrayed you?" I patted his back and gently comforted him.
"No, it's not Nian. It's the Demonic Sect trying to curry favor with Yelü Hong, and Yelü Hong trying to curry favor with the Eighth Prince... Fei Wu?"
I sneered, turned my head, and looked at the excited Yelü Hong and the trembling Eighth Prince.
"So it was you. My closest confidant turned out to be the least trustworthy. If it weren't for that little brat Juexin kidnapping me, I would still be in the dark. Yelü Hong, do you Khitans never keep your word?" Calling him by his name directly inflicted unparalleled pain on him. He might have been unwilling and resentful, but deceiving and betraying me only led to one path: destruction.
"Feiwu," Yelü Hong called my name cautiously. I didn't turn around, but walked out of the dungeon with pity in my arms. Fortunately, I had marked the way beforehand, so I was able to make my way out of that disgusting place through a maze of twists and turns.
“Not fog.” Yelü Hong followed closely behind me, neither daring to go forward nor to give up.
I placed the drowsy Lianxi onto the carriage and looked at the people coming from behind.
"The battle at Nether Valley will take place around this time next month," I said softly, jumping onto the carriage.
Stroking the tender, sleeping face, I played a soothing melody. Ruoyao, can you hear it? If you can, come and help me.
My journey westward was unimpeded. Because I was in a bad mood, I not only spurred my horse on, but also killed anyone who blocked my way without saying a word.
As I stroked the dazzling purple flute in my hand, a fleeting smile appeared on my lips.
"Lianxi?" Ruoyao dragged that Left Protector, whose name was Nian, out of the Demonic Sect and brought him to meet us in Yunnan. He rushed over, glared at me, and hugged Lianxi tightly. "Has he suffered any injustice?" After a long while, he finally managed to ask this question.
"With me here, will he suffer any injustice?" I glanced at him with disdain, feeling no pity for someone who couldn't even protect his own lover. I continued to despise and scorn him.
“I knew perfectly well that I couldn’t save him, the cult leader…” he explained, sounding somewhat aggrieved.
"Anyway, you've already betrayed the sect, so leaving the Demonic Sect is a good thing. You can be with your lover forever, right? From here, head west to Tibet. Although conditions there aren't very developed, the people are simple and kind. Tibet has a history of intermarriage with the Tang Dynasty, so they won't make things difficult for the Tang people. There are some jewels here, enough for you to live a wealthy life. Things might be a bit chaotic here recently, but it's not too late to come back after the Demonic Sect is wiped out. At that time, Juying Tower in Hangzhou will still welcome you, Young Master Lianxi." Ruoyao, as expected of someone who has seen many storms, is very sensible.
"You want to destroy the Demonic Sect? How is that possible?"
I nodded. "It's unlikely, but the ability to renew and replace the Demonic Sect is still possible." I looked at Ruoyao.
Ruo Yao smiled. "Don't you believe in Fei Wu's abilities anymore? With Fei Wu here, and me here... In short, for the next few years, unless you receive definite news, don't come back. I'm afraid those remnants of the demonic sect will pursue your treason. However, you don't need to worry. Fei Wu has probably already placed a superior Gu poison on you, making it impossible for ordinary people to get close. That's probably why Lian Xi has been able to maintain her innocence, right?" Ruo Yao looked at me, and I smiled. Except for this extremely unpleasant-looking guy, everyone who approached Lian Xi would be corroded for several days and nights, slowly disappearing. (The adversity level has been upgraded again.)
"Why is Feiwu so happy?" Ruoyao stayed at Master's bamboo house, helping me clean and giving me advice.
"Of course I'm happy. It's been a long time since I've gone on a killing spree. Just imagining those bloody scenes gets me excited. Is Yao really so confident in entrusting Huixin to me this time?"
"Hehe, thanks for the medicine, Fei Wu. Otherwise, how could I trust that guy and stop him from going out and seducing men? He'd probably go crazy. It's actually quite a happy thing to think about." The grudge between these two is getting deeper and deeper, so I might as well just pair them up.
Who was the one who regretted their past?
“The Demonic Sect Leader, Lu Buwang,” Ruoyao said calmly.
I spat out the half-filled cup of tea in my mouth with a puff. "Is he forty years old?"
“You’re already sixty.” Ruoyao still smiled.
-_-||, speechless. Is it that Huixin lacks foresight, or that Lu Buwang's charm is irresistible?
"Who can say for sure about these things? Fortunately, Hui Xin is still a clean person."
You know that too?
"However, I've worked in that kind of place for so many years, age isn't a problem, gender isn't a difference. Use lubricant beforehand, remember to clean up afterwards, only the price matters. Classic, right?"
-_-||||, speechless again. I'm starting to think about becoming Ruoyao's apprentice.
I waved goodbye to Ruoyao. I embarked on a difficult journey alone. It wasn't far from the Netherworld Valley, just a few hills away. However, this time, I was going back to settle things.
"You've come." I smiled as I looked at the person who came. Summer has turned to autumn. We haven't known each other for long, but we've been the closest of friends. I cherish the time when he loved and adored me. There were no schemes, no deceptions, no lies, just natural interactions.
"Feiwu, do you really have to do this?" Even now, Yelü Hong still doesn't believe that I would settle things with him, especially not in this way.
"Otherwise what? You can't bring yourself to do it, I can't bring myself to do it, and we can't possibly rekindle our past relationship. I'm decisive and efficient. This battle with you today will be the last. Don't hold back, because I won't." As I spoke, I drew my sword.
"Feiwu, you're not good with a sword." ☆Fried☆Ice Cream☆Organization☆
"Enough with the nonsense. I'm already being generous by not poisoning you." I said viciously, turning my sword to stab at his vital point. Yelü Hong passively drew his precious sword from his waist. His gaze towards me was as fervent as ever, his handsome brows furrowed. I knew he definitely had feelings for me, but no loyalty.
I was dependent on him, but I had no feelings for him, and I no longer trusted him.
I leaped lightly, flying off the ground and spinning in mid-air. Taking advantage of the withered yellow leaves obscuring his eyes, I floated down from the sky, heading straight for his chest. Yelü Hong frowned, watching my changing moves without moving.
I thought he would take my sword strike head-on, but at the last moment, he reached out and laughed, brandishing his sword at the sky.
In the loneliness of falling autumn leaves, he laughed heartily, and I could vaguely see a glimmer of light in the corner of his eye. I suppressed the sharp pain in my heart. The crisp sound of clashing swords echoed in the desolate valley where only the two of us remained. Once the sword was drawn, there was no turning back. Once the blade was unsheathed, we were strangers from then on. You were ruthless, I was heartless; we could never have any interaction. From this parting, I severed all the thoughts in my heart. You be your Genghis Khan, conquering the world without hesitation; I will be my solitary dancer, free and unrestrained, for freedom is my ideal, and carefree living is my longing. Our pursuits are different, and we will never meet again. Let it all be like a fleeting glimpse last year, a dream shattered into nothingness. The dream is over; you continue on your path, and I alone guard my ideals.
I stood in the fierce wind
I wish I could wash away all the lingering heartache.
Four directions of clouds move, sword in hand
Who are the heroes of the world?
--I think the lyrics from "Farewell My Concubine" are very suitable for this context.
Finally, Yelü Hong made up his mind: to accomplish the great cause of unification, he could not let personal feelings interfere. His sword gleamed coldly, his moves were sharp, his luck was boundless, and his unwavering resolve was indescribable—all of this pained me. I thought I had let go of my emotions, so why did my heart still ache? I will not think about it, I will not question it, I will not search for it, for our fate is like the fallen leaves in this valley, withered and yellow.
Yelü Hong roared to the sky, unleashing his most direct and decisive move as he charged forward. I smiled and extended my hand horizontally. Just as his sword was about to strike my blade, my precious sword silently fell to the ground. He was shocked and immediately withdrew all his strength, but alas, it was too late. Crimson blood spurted from beside my sword, its color dazzling, beautiful, alluring, and tragic. Anyone who saw it would be moved to tears, let alone you, who deeply loved me.
I looked at him, his expression desolate, his eyes misty, his lips raw and bluish, his purple hair fluttering in the autumn wind. I looked at you, my expression desperate. My frail body and my white clothes stained with blood added to the sadness of the setting sun in the desolate valley.
I turned my head, I strode forward, I didn't look back, I didn't regret it, and I quickened my pace.
"Not fog! Why?" Yelü Hong's terrified cry rang out behind me. I didn't turn around, I didn't stop, and with the wind, along with the withered yellow leaves, I drifted back to my master's valley.
You'll never get an answer, because it was all expected. It made you feel guilty towards me, made Beiming feel pity for me, made my elder brother indignant, and made all the righteous people of the Central Plains know that I, Ziyan Feiwu, have severed all ties with you, Yelü Hong. It made those fools who followed me risk their lives for me, and those idiots who groveled at my feet pledge their loyalty. It also gave me a perfect excuse, so that when I see you again, I won't think of the beautiful scenery of that year, won't think of you risking your life to pick orchids for me, climbing icy cliffs alone in the dead of winter. I won't think of you holding me, giving me boundless warmth, and I won't think of the person named Yelü Hong who once loved me deeply, doted on me, cherished me, pitied me, and protected me in my life. Now I think I've begun to forget that passerby in my life who came and went so quickly, who once looked at me with burning eyes, kissed me with fiery lips, and protected me with steadfast shoulders... I touched the corner of my eye, and it seemed as if something warm had flowed through it.
"Feiwu!" Ruo Yaofei rushed over and hugged me tightly. As I fell into his arms, I saw a mixture of surprise, pity, heartache, resentment, self-blame, sadness, and regret on that cold face.
"You've come." I closed my eyes.
Yelü Hong, I swear, tonight I will miss your embrace one last time, because when I open my eyes again, someone will rush to take your place, giving me warmth and strength.
(End of Part Two)
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