35 Ice Purple
"..." Looking at the smug Bing Hong and the expressionless Bing Zi, I didn't know what to say.
"But what do I need him for?" she finally asked, voicing her inner question.
"I've already said it, he's durable and resilient, able to withstand hardship and training." Binghong, as if afraid I hadn't understood, went on and on about her apprentice's merits, making it sound like a top-tier product. But, I don't know if my comprehension has declined, or if I just didn't understand. I can't exactly unleash my full power on him and use him as a punching bag for training, can I?
"In short, he will stay with you and protect your safety."
"Hmm." I nodded, feeling a little uneasy. If he was protecting my safety, how could I possibly plot to let the Demonic Sect capture me? I had a bit of a headache. Binghong, are you helping me or framing me?
“You’re still so stubborn, Fei’er,” Binghong suddenly said. “Since I can’t stop you, I can only help you unconditionally. Fei’er, Fei’er, you’ve changed a lot. Some things are what I hoped for, some are beyond my control. If I had been able to rescue you in time back then, perhaps you wouldn’t be like this now. Actually, sometimes giving up everything in your heart and being a free person isn’t so bad. It depends on… your fate.” Binghong said, patting my head. “I’ll be waiting for your good news in Tianshan. Don’t make yourself suffer.”
“Okay.” I nodded. It seemed he understood my plan to risk my life, which, although dangerous, was the catalyst for this whole thing.
That person didn't speak to me the entire way. I couldn't tell if he was just naturally like that, or if he was specifically targeting me. Actually, being treated like merchandise and given away by his master to some unknown junior must have been frustrating for him.
"Feiwu, let's stop and get something to eat." Ruoyao pulled back the curtain and looked at me. He looked at the block of ice next to me with amusement.
"Okay." We arrived at a secluded teahouse in the countryside. While I ate hot tea and steamed buns, Ruoyao and the others ate their meals.
"You like steamed buns?"
Suddenly, a sound nearly choked me to death—it was that ice cube. "Yes," I nodded obediently. After all, he was my senior. Although Ice Red, who was so disrespectful and wrinkle-free, treated me as an equal, this Ice Purple looked to be at least thirty years old. Plus, I didn't know if he was wrinkle-free like Ice Red; he might even be sixty.
"I'm only twenty-eight," he said coldly. I quickly went to get some tea. "The youngest disciple of my master; his eldest disciple has already passed away."
"Oh. You're from Tianshan?" The disciples of Tianshan rarely interact with the world. It's said they can become immortals or demons. They are chosen at birth and cultivate without desire or hope. In the end, they can separate their souls from their bodies in a mountain cave. Their bodies remain unchanged for a thousand years, while their souls can ascend to heaven.
"Can Binghong also become an immortal?" I suddenly asked.
"No."
I couldn't get a direct answer, but I could guess that someone with his personality was probably attached to the mortal world and unwilling to leave. Actually, being a mortal isn't so bad; there are troubles and joys. Once you reach a state of no thought, without any attachments, there's no pursuit or satisfaction. Besides, immortals are lonely, aren't they? While saving all beings, they also cultivate their own spiritual power, unable to experience forbidden love or understand its joys and sorrows.
The already short journey was further shortened by Bingzi's urging. By the time we reach the Central Plains, even if Han Beiming is frantic with worry, he probably won't be able to catch up. However, caution is always necessary. Although his Underworld Palace doesn't have much interaction with the Central Plains, it still has its share of spies and informants hidden here. My only hope is that even if he arrives now, it won't be in time to stop my plan.
I didn't disguise myself the whole way because my second brother didn't know that Fei Wu was actually his Fei'er. He didn't know, but the Mo family's influence in the Central Plains was so vast that I hoped he would never know. That way, he wouldn't worry about me.
We chose to stay at the most famous inn in Kaifeng. Everyone knew about this urgent heroes' gathering, and everyone knew that Young Master Feiwu was a must-attend. Even if it was just to catch a glimpse of Young Master Feiwu, some bored people would still join in. Since we're using our reputation to promote this alliance, we should make good use of it.
I looked at my reflection in the basin of clear water. I'm actually not good-looking at all, at least that's how I see myself. Although years of soaking in ice pools and occasional exposure to arsenic have changed my face, if you look closely, you can still see traces of that unknown, unremarkable Mo Fei in me. I touched my face, not understanding why anyone would say that such a face is like that of a celestial being. Perhaps it's the effect of Yao Yi's purple hair; the dark purple hair paired with her jade-like skin isn't bad, but it's far from matching Ruo Yao's elegance, her bewitching purple-gold allure, or Hui Xin's stunning beauty.
With a whoosh, my door was pushed open, and Bingzi still had that same unchanging expression.
"What's wrong?" I looked at him with some surprise.
"I'll sleep with you." That was all he said. ☆Fried☆Ice Cream☆Organization☆
"Huh? Not enough rooms? Or do you want to..." protect my safety every step of the way?
"Go to sleep." Short and clear.
I watched helplessly as he lay down on the floor, not asking for any extra blankets, just a thin one. Although the weather was quite nice, the floor was undeniably chilly.
"You're sleeping on the floor?" That's a bit unbelievable. I thought we'd share a bed. Two grown men, and I've done this kind of thing plenty of times, ever since Fei Yu insisted on sleeping with me. I guess Fei Yu just sees me as a pillow. Honestly, I'm not going to molest him, why is he making such a fuss?
He opened his eyes, but didn't answer my question. He just looked at me with a strange, unsettling gaze. However, I could still clearly sense the rejection and hostility emanating from him.
"The bed is spacious enough for two people. I won't sneak up on you while you're asleep," I said calmly. "If you catch a cold, it'll be me, the doctor, who suffers the most."
"..." He didn't struggle, and suddenly moved to the bed again, then fell asleep without even looking at me.
What an awkward person. I watched his retreating figure, feeling a strange sense of dissatisfaction. It's not like I wanted to take you in, even though I know you didn't want to come with us either. But, after all, it's always better to be a little gentler in your dealings with others.
"It is truly an honor for this old man to have Young Master Feiwu arrive." (It's so painful to try to imitate the ancients' meticulous use of words.)
"It is an honor for Feiwu to be invited by the Abbot." (The pain intensifies.)
Actually, everyone knows perfectly well that it all boils down to the same goal. I'm not good at socializing and prefer to be straightforward. So, I asked the abbot to give me a place that was both conspicuous enough for everyone to know that Zi Yan Fei Wu had indeed arrived, and secluded enough so that it wouldn't disturb my nap.
The Heroes' Gathering was incredibly boring, at least for someone like me with nothing better to do. The first day consisted of speeches expressing gratitude and explaining the situation, especially how hateful the Khitans were and how they oppressed the Han people. After being revised by scholars, the length of these speeches was astonishing, and the writing was quite subtle, never explicitly denouncing the Khitans, yet still capable of stirring patriotic sentiments in the more radical members. Then came the introductions, with those prominent and righteous sects having already pledged their allegiance and vowed to defend their country to the death. This would inevitably lead smaller sects to follow suit, as forming alliances with these groups now would be unwise and could potentially hinder their future standing in the martial arts world. When it was my turn, I nodded slightly. I didn't like to talk anyway, and since they were there to see me, there was no need for me to be overly enthusiastic. However, the story of my relationship with Yelü Hong had been distorted beyond recognition. He claims I initially saw Yelü Hong as a talented individual, and the two even swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden. Then, Yelü Hong, exploiting my identity, despicably betrayed my trust. Worst of all, he swindled my friends into serving him, only to then abandon me and severely wound me, intending to kill me to silence me. However, due to his shrewdness and resourcefulness, I escaped with my life on the line and vowed to fight the Khitans to the death. What a load of rubbish! It's a shame he's not a storyteller.
During the meal, someone subtly inquired about Yelü Hong. I shrugged; I didn't care. They were trying to smear Yelü Hong's image anyway, so I neither agreed with their claims nor pointed out how ridiculous they were. As long as everyone was happy, that was fine. The Heroes' Gathering was just about eating, drinking, having fun, and forming alliances—alliances that were rarely used. But with the martial arts alliance leader present, things became even easier.
When I was little, I secretly watched the martial arts alliance leader, who was my father's sworn brother. But after so many years, my memory of him is a bit hazy. His motto was that he was a righteous man, and seemed trustworthy. Of course, he couldn't possibly recognize me, since he'd never even met Mo Fei. I toasted him three times to show my respect and approval of the alliance. Then I could go back and sleep soundly. Because my alcohol tolerance is terrible, and my drinking manners aren't exactly endearing. I heard that once, after getting drunk, I actually went diving in a lake. It was the dead of winter, and Yelü Hong rescued me in time, preventing me from freezing into a block of ice. Thinking about ice, I wonder what happened to Bing Zi. He wasn't included in the martial arts tournament, and I was afraid that the more he saw me, the more annoyed he'd become, so I didn't let him come. Anyway, the Demonic Sect might try something against me in front of so many masters. If they wanted to attack, they'd wait until my defenses were weakest. And that would be tonight?
I looked up at the bright moon and smiled. There wasn't much time left; Han Beiming would be catching up soon.
“Not Fog.” Ice Purple’s voice echoed in my ears. “You’ve got your wish. We’ve been kidnapped.”
I rubbed my eyes. I looked at him, then at the solid, unyielding walls around me. This place was cold, dark, and damp, making me feel very oppressed.
"Why did they kidnap you too?" I looked at him, but in the darkness, I couldn't see his eyes clearly.
"What do you think?" He reached out, took my hand, and made a mark on the back of my hand.
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