Chapter 154
The night was dark and windy, with no bright moon. The observatory was eerily quiet, with spruce trees standing tall and casting swaying shadows.
This place is the summit of Yunhua Mountain, the highest point in the entire Yunhua Palace. Because it contains the cenotaphs of the various grandmasters, few people usually walk here, not even the patrolling disciples. As far as the eye can see, the night is deep and the visibility is poor, with only a few blurry wooden tombstones visible.
Wen Chaoyu took a tinderbox and ordered Xue Tan to light the palace lanterns set up at the four corners of the observatory. Although the candlelight was not bright, it was enough to illuminate the area. As the light spread out, the entire observatory gradually appeared before their eyes.
Upon seeing the neatly arranged and numerous cenotaphs, Wen Chaoyu exclaimed in disbelief, "Are you kidding me?... How can there be so many?!"
Surrounded by towering spruce trees, there were over a hundred cenotaphs standing on the flat ground in the center. The sight was astonishing, yet also sent a chill down one's spine.
Coming to a cemetery so late at night is really creepy!
“When I left, this place was used by those old men and women to preach and discuss the Tao,” Wen Chaoyu said, dumbfounded. “How did it become such a mess? I don’t remember Yunhua Palace having so many grandmasters!”
Xie Yijun stood far away, not wanting to get any closer. Upon hearing this, she replied, "Nonsense, don't you think about how many years you've been on the run from justice? Tianchi is a long way away, and the palace makes a huge fuss every year when they go there to worship. I changed the use of this place so that it would be more convenient for my disciples to worship."
Wen Chaoyu said, "There's no need for so much! Where did Yunhua Palace get more than a hundred grandmasters?"
Xie Yijun said, "Besides the founder, all the past sect leaders and all the grandmaster uncles are here." As she spoke, she glanced at Wen Chaoyu, "If you weren't an undercover agent from the Ziwei Sect, you would be qualified to have a monument erected here after you pass away. But don't even think about it now. If you die, I don't even want to bury you."
“Who cares?” Wen Chaoyu scoffed. “If I’m about to die, I’ll find a scenic mountain and jump off, and live a life of listening to the wind and watching the snow every year. That’s more comfortable than being buried here.”
Xue Tan, carrying several shovels, was also startled by the scene. He whispered to Wen Chaoyu, "Guardian... isn't this too much? There are only six of us in total. Each of us has to dig at least ten. How long will it take?"
Wen Chaoyu said, "Where did these six people come from? Does this esteemed sect leader look like he's about to make a move?"
Xie Yijun bluntly stated, "I already made a huge decision by agreeing to open the grave. Don't even think about doing such a heinous thing myself!"
"I wasn't expecting anything from you anyway! You're just lazy!" Wen Chaoyu grabbed a shovel, eager to try it out. "Then stop talking nonsense and start digging!"
After she finished speaking, she was the first to walk into the center of the field. She kicked over the tombstone and began to shovel soil. Xie Yijun was so angry when she saw that she was rude, kicking the tombstone and throwing the wooden plaque on the ground. She was so angry that she almost fainted on the spot.
Ji Wanshu chose the spot furthest from Wen Chaoyu and silently began digging a hole. Yin Qiu took the shovel from Xue Tan and said to Man Jiangxue, "Uncle and Sect Leader, you should rest. We can handle this."
Man Jiangxue took off her outer robe, picked up a shovel and held it in her hand, saying, "It's alright, I have no taboos about this. You are still injured and can't be tired. Go and sit down."
The cold wind was even stronger on the mountaintop at night. The four palace lanterns were covered with lampshades, but they did not help much. The candlelight flickered, casting a jumble of tree shadows on the ground.
Man Jiangxue's sleeves were slightly rolled up, and her hands holding the shovel were well-defined, with clear veins on her fair skin. They looked slender and beautiful, yet steady and powerful.
In the dim light, Yin Qiu looked at those hands, and a series of images flashed before her eyes—those hands that had held her, embraced her, and caressed her. They had combed her hair, added clothes to her clothes, and even wiped away her tears.
Those were the most beautiful and reassuring hands she had ever seen.
Yin Qiu couldn't help but chuckle softly, lowering her voice to say, "Uncle-Master's hands should be used to hold swords, not these things. They don't suit you."
Man Jiangxue had indeed never done such a thing. Although she was strictly disciplined by her mother during her childhood and was not as pampered as other imperial heirs, she would never have been involved in any manual labor. Later, when she arrived at Yunhua Palace, she became the disciple of the sect leader when she was around ten years old. She was the senior uncle of all the disciples in the palace. Apart from a few things that she liked to do herself, she had no opportunity to do hard labor at all.
Wen Chaoyu had previously called her an aloof and detached person, and that was half true. When Man Jiangxue heard Yin Qiu's words, although she knew that she did not mean the same thing as Wen Chaoyu, she still smiled and said, "There is no such thing as matching or not matching. I am also an ordinary person. What you can do, I can naturally do too."
Yin Qiu wanted to say, "How could my uncle be an ordinary person?" But seeing that Man Jiangxue had already bent down, he didn't say anything more. Except for Xie Yijun, the others dug up the cenotaph without complaint, and the observatory fell silent, with no one speaking again.
Fortunately, the people here tonight are all martial artists, not weak and powerless. Except for Xue Tan, who is slower due to his inconvenience, the other four are very agile. In addition, these cenotaphs do not actually contain any personal belongings; they are just empty shells with steles erected for people to worship. Therefore, there is no need to worry about damaging anything while digging, and they can do whatever they want.
Although Wen Chaoyu had lost an arm, she had long since gotten used to doing things with her left hand over the past five years, and was even more efficient than Xue Tan. She dug several holes in a hurry, but couldn't find a trace of the Holy Sword. She became somewhat irritable and started digging here and there, digging wherever she didn't like, and almost dug up the whole place.
After an unknown amount of time, Wen Chaoyu was covered in sweat and was about to put down the shovel to rest for a while when she bumped into something as she got up and stepped back.
The soil was soft and covered with snow. Wen Chaoyu slipped and almost fell, but luckily a hand reached out in time and caught her steadily, preventing her from getting covered in mud.
Wen Chaoyu glanced sideways, and Ji Wanshu lowered her head and withdrew her hand, neither looking at her nor speaking to her, and turned away as if nothing had happened.
Since their reunion at Mingguang Hall today, Wen Chaoyu and Ji Wanshu have not exchanged a single word. Moreover, Wen Chaoyu keenly sensed that Ji Wanshu seemed to be deliberately avoiding her. Throughout the day, the two rarely made eye contact, and even their brief brush past each other was a first.
Logically speaking, this kind of interaction should be something Wen Chaoyu would be happy to see. Moreover, after parting ways in Weicheng, she clearly knew that Ji Wanshu would no longer bother her. However, Wen Chaoyu really did not expect that Ji Wanshu's words about no longer pursuing her would actually mean being like strangers.
Wen Chaoyu felt both that it was expected and that it was completely unexpected.
At the same time, she was gratified by Ji Wanshu's choice, but along with that gratification, another inexplicable emotion arose within her.
The emotion was indescribable, but it lingered deep within her heart, making Wen Chaoyu extremely restless. She pondered for a whole day but couldn't figure out what that emotion was. However, after that brief touch just now, Wen Chaoyu finally understood—she wanted to get closer to Ji Wanshu.
Sometimes people are just like that. When being pursued, they refuse to face it head-on and try to find ways to avoid it. But when the other person really gives up and stops pestering her, Wen Chaoyu suddenly feels empty inside. She sincerely hopes that Ji Wanshu can pursue her like before.
But now that Ji Wanshu wants to sever ties with her, what should she do? Should she go against her own wishes and give in to her, or should she shamelessly go after her?
Wen Chaoyu was conflicted and filled with worries.
She stood there lost in thought, countless ideas flashing through her mind, until Ji Wanshu's figure gradually disappeared into the distance. Only then did Wen Chaoyu suddenly come to her senses, quickly strode after her, and grabbed Ji Wanshu's wrist.
The warmth of her palms was almost fiery, spreading through the fabric to Ji Wanshu's arm. Ji Wanshu was slightly surprised by her sudden action, but remained silent, simply watching her quietly.
Wen Chaoyu glanced at the others who were engrossed in their work, and then saw Xie Yijun turn her back because she couldn't bear to see the cenotaphs of her ancestors destroyed. Wen Chaoyu secretly felt relieved, and forced a smile onto her backlit face, saying in a light tone, "What, now it's your turn to avoid me?"
Ji Wanshu stood upright, her plain blue dress swaying slightly in the wind. She looked away, but did not break free from Wen Chaoyu's hand. She simply said, "No."
Wen Chaoyu said, "Then why don't you dare look at me?"
Ji Wan paused for a moment, then turned her gaze back to her face.
Bathed in the dim light, Ji Wanshu's face was expressionless, and not a trace of emotion appeared in her eyes. She looked very calm, except for her other hand, which was behind her back, gripping the handle of the shovel tightly, revealing her tension and panic where Wen Chaoyu could not see.
The person before her was as calm as a pine tree. Her usually cold face showed a rare gentleness in the dim light. The two stood facing each other, looking at each other. Only at this moment did Wen Chaoyu realize that Ji Wanshu had grown quite a bit taller than five years ago. She had to tilt her head up slightly to see her completely.
This sudden discovery made Wen Chaoyu feel somewhat bewildered.
Before she knew it, her little apprentice had grown up so much.
The little girl who used to practice swordsmanship with her has grown into a mature woman over time. Although she still looks unapproachable and seems to have not changed much from the past, Wen Chaoyu felt an inexplicable sense of unfamiliarity towards Ji Wanshu at this moment.
She wondered if she was too slow to notice, or if Ji Wanshu was growing up too fast? So fast that she didn't even have a chance to catch up with her growth and changes.
But then I thought about it again, more than ten years have passed. Such a process can be described as long, let alone fast.
She just happened to miss it.
·
The wind carried a lingering frost, damp and cold, stubbornly swirling around the two, yet it couldn't dispel the warmth transmitted between their skin as they touched; instead, it made that warmth all the more apparent.
One of the lamps suddenly went out, and the surrounding light dimmed instantly. Ji Wanshu withdrew her hand in the moment of the shifting light and shadow, but her gaze remained fixed on Wen Chaoyu's face. She said softly, "If you have nothing to say to me, then don't waste time."
A faint bitterness welled up in her heart. Wen Chaoyu smiled and said, "Didn't I already ask?"
Ji Wanshu frowned slightly: "What did you ask?"
Wen Chaoyu said, "You seem to be avoiding me, don't you?"
Upon hearing these words, Ji Wanshu fell silent once again.
Wen Chaoyu leaned closer to her and whispered, "You said you wouldn't bother me anymore, were you serious?"
A glint appeared in Ji Wanshu's eyes. She turned her face away and gave a soft "hmm".
Wen Chaoyu stared at her and asked, "From now on, let's not have any contact with each other, be like strangers, and pretend we've never met?"
Ji Wanshu's clenched palms were sweaty. She closed her eyes and did not answer.
"That's not very ethical of you," Wen Chaoyu laughed, raising her hand to touch Ji Wanshu's cheek, gently turning her to face her. "You think I'll turn my back on you after kissing you?"
Ji Wanshu was stunned for a moment before she realized what Wen Chaoyu had said. She frowned even more and pushed Wen Chaoyu away without hesitation, but then grabbed her hand in the next moment.
“Isn’t this what you wanted?” Ji Wanshu said. “I’m just respecting your wishes.”
“This has never been what I really wanted,” Wen Chaoyu said.
"Then what do you really want?" Ji Wanshu asked.
Wen Chaoyu paused, then said slowly, "Don't you understand what I want?"
“I don’t understand,” Ji Wanshu said calmly. “I’ve never understood what you’re thinking.”
Just as Wen Chaoyu was about to reply, Ji Wanshu suddenly released her and took two steps back, her expression complicated. "Romantic matters are no longer my primary concern right now. I made it very clear to you that day that I am the chief disciple of Yunhua Palace, and I bear heavy responsibilities. Besides, now is not a good time to talk," she said, sighing. "Right now, I only want to find the traitor as soon as possible and give Huaiwei justice. As for anything else, I don't have the energy to deal with it right now. Whatever you want to say to me tonight, let's put it aside for now. Once everything has settled down, I will have something to say to you."
Wen Chaoyu instinctively wanted to ask her what she wanted to say, but Ji Wanshu clearly didn't want to give her a chance to reply, so she turned around decisively and ended the conversation.
Although Wen Chaoyu usually seems carefree, she is actually quite meticulous. As she pondered Ji Wanshu's words and recalled Ji Wanshu's behavior today, it was hard for Wen Chaoyu not to feel confused.
Just now, she asked Ji Wanshu if they should stop seeing each other from now on and pretend they had never met. Ji Wanshu did not answer this question, which means that she did not want to do that.
Why is she avoiding me?
What exactly did she want to say to me?
Her thoughts raced, considering every possible reason. The more Wen Chaoyu thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. She stared at Ji Wanshu's retreating figure, lost in thought. After a long while, she picked up the shovel again and continued working. But after only a couple of shovelfuls, she walked straight towards Man Jiangxue, who was not far away.
Wen Chaoyu didn't waste any words and went straight to the point: "Did you tell her?"
Man Jiangxue straightened up, looked Wen Chaoyu up and down, and asked, "What did you say?"
Wen Chaoyu, with a sullen face, pointed at Ji Wanshu.
Man Jiangxue realized what was happening and replied calmly, "No."
"No?" Wen Chaoyu put her hands on her hips. "I don't believe it even if you beat me to death! The way she acted today, it's obvious that she already knows something."
Man Jiangxue raised her chin, gesturing for Wen Chaoyu to look at Yin Qiu on the other side, and said, "Her behavior today clearly indicates that she already knows something."
Wen Chaoyu looked at Yin Qiu and said, "What does that have to do with me? I didn't say anything."
Man Jiangxue looked at Ji Wanshu and said, "Well, it's none of my business, and I didn't say anything."
Wen Chaoyu said irritably, "Then what exactly happened? Could these two possibly be precognitive? Besides you, who else could have leaked my secret!"
Man Jiangxue said, "That's what I wanted to say too. No one but you can reveal it... Of course, it's not a secret to me either."
“But they must know,” Wen Chaoyu said. “Compared to what happened to me, what happened to you is nothing. Man Jiangxue, we’ve known each other for a while, you have to help me.”
Man Jiangxue said, "Helping you is no problem, but you have to tell me how you want to help."
This question stumped Wen Chaoyu.
How can I help?
It would be a lie if she knew!
"...Why don't you ask her indirectly for me?" Wen Chaoyu scratched her head. "She won't tell me, but you're different. Don't you two have no secrets between you? Go and try to find out for me."
Man Jiangxue said, "Then you need to think it through. What if she doesn't know about this and you're just being paranoid? If I ask her about it and Wan Shu notices something amiss, how will you deal with that?"
Wen Chaoyu was taken aback, then said irritably, "So, when you're alive, you should never have anything to hide..." She sighed softly, "Never mind, never mind, let's not ask and just wait and see."
While the two were talking in hushed tones, Yin Qiu and Ji Wanshu also huddled together on the other side. Ji Wanshu was feeling annoyed because of her conversation with Wen Chaoyu earlier, and after holding back for a while, she suddenly asked Yin Qiu, "Yin Qiu, there's something... I want to ask you."
Yin Qiu said, "Please speak, senior sister."
Ji Wanshu turned her head slightly, glanced at the two people behind her, and whispered, "Has your martial uncle ever told you about Wen Chaoyu's background?"
Wen Chaoyu's background? Yin Qiu thought for a moment: "No, right... What about her background?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Wanshu hesitated for a moment before replying, "Never mind, it's nothing."
Yin Qiu didn't press the matter, but seeing that Ji Wanshu had taken the initiative to ask her a question, she figured that Ji Wanshu also had something on her mind. Yin Qiu couldn't help but feel a little melancholy and asked Ji Wanshu in return, "Then Senior Sister, please answer one of my questions too."
Ji Wanshu looked at her and said, "Is there something you can't figure out?"
Yin Qiu organized her thoughts and, after much deliberation, asked, "Senior Sister entered the palace early and has met my mother before. I want to know if anything happened between my mother and Uncle-Master in the past?"
Ji Wanshu asked, "Which aspect are you referring to?"
In what aspect? Yin Qiu was slightly confused, wondering how to put it.
She paused for a moment, finally suppressing the urge to ask further. Besides, Ji Wanshu might not even know. Yin Qiu said, "Never mind, it's nothing."
The four, each preoccupied with their own thoughts, quickly dispersed, ceasing their private conversations and focusing solely on their tasks.
The long night slowly passed, the darkness was pushed back by the dawn, and the light of day arrived. All the cenotaphs on the observatory had been dug up. The group of people, who had been working hard all night, sat down in the pavilion and looked at the empty space that had been dug up but found nothing.
There is no holy sword at the observatory.
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