Jiangnan Journey
Half a year later, it was late spring.
The rain in Jiangnan always arrives just in time, like smoke and fog, barely wetting clothes but transforming the distant mountains and nearby waters into a misty ink painting. The bluestone pavement is washed to a warm, gleaming shine, reflecting the light of the sky and the shadows of the clouds. Occasionally, a boat passes by, creating ripples and scattering duckweed leaves in the pond.
In front of a riverside inn, a steed neighed softly and halted. A man in azure robes dismounted from his steed, his movements as graceful and elegant as snow drifting through the wind. A drizzle dampened a few strands of his long, jet-black hair, which clung carelessly to his neck, accentuating his jade-like complexion. A hint of unbridled mirth lingered between his brows, and the corners of his eyes were slightly raised, lending him a virtuous yet sinister quality. He possessed the sharpness of a swordsman, yet possessed an almost bewitching beauty, making it difficult to distinguish between male and female, leaving one breathless with astonishment.
He walked a few steps to the carriage, smiled, reached out, and lifted the curtain, thrusting his hand inside. A delicate, white hand gently rested on his palm, its knuckles slender and smooth as jade. Then, the curtain moved slightly, and a woman in a moon-white dress stepped out, her head lowered.
When she raised her eyes, the sound of rain around her seemed to quiet for a moment. Her face was of unparalleled beauty, her features picturesque, and her temperament as calm and tranquil as the still waters of a deep pool. But when her gaze met the man waiting outside the car, the corners of her lips unconsciously curved slightly. The smile was light, but like a spring breeze across a frozen lake, instantly melting the ice and snow, and a bright light shone in her eyes.
The two of them stood, one in blue and the other in white, one was unrestrained and flamboyant, the other was as quiet as water, but standing together they seemed made for each other.
As soon as the woman had gained a firm footing on the shaft of the cart, the man leaned over with a smile, his arms slipping through her knees and back, gently lifting her sideways. She seemed accustomed to this, wrapping her arms around his neck naturally and leaning into his embrace. She looked up at his rain-soaked eyelashes and smiling face, her eyes filled with tenderness and trust.
A waiter came running over, and attentively led the horse and carriage over and took them away.
The drizzle continued to fall silently, enveloping the two of them in a hazy mist. He held her but was in no hurry to go into the house, and she didn't rush either. She simply raised her hand and gently wiped the tiny raindrops that had condensed on his brow with the corner of her sleeve.
"Hey guys, would you like to take a boat?" An old boatman leaned against the black sail and greeted people on the shore with a smile. His voice was mixed with moisture, warm and long.
The man tilted his head at the sound, but didn't respond directly. He simply lowered his gaze to the woman in his arms. She nodded slightly, a smile playing on her lips. He then took a few steps closer, holding her in his arms, and leaned over to place her on the cushions in the boat, his movements gentle as if he were handling a treasure.
Then he stood up, took out a shiny silver ingot from his arms, threw it casually, and the silver light drew an arc and fell into the boatman's trembling palm.
"I'll book this boat for three days."
The boatman was stunned for a moment, staring down at the ingot of silver in his hand, enough to buy several new boats. His lips moved a few times, and he said nothing for a long time. After a long time, he finally woke up as if from a dream and hurriedly declined: "This... This is too much, sir..."
"No problem, the rest is just a drink for you."
The boatman still wanted to decline politely, but he saw that the other party's eyes had already fallen back on the woman, so he had to bow and thank her again and again, and his voice could not hide the gratitude: "Thank you very much, sir, thank you very much, young lady... You two can rest assured, I will not disturb you." After that, he carefully stepped back, his steps light and a little panicked.
The woman watched his almost panicked back, shaking her head slightly. She squinted her eyes, glancing at the man, her tone a mixture of anger and sigh, "The Young Master of the Azure Dragon Sect is truly extraordinary. He spends money like water. If one day his fortune is completely gone, will he really take me out to sleep on the streets, living on the wind and drinking the dew?"
Tiaotiao chuckled softly, leaning closer, his fingertips gently lifting her chin. His eyes were blazing, a hint of unruly hue etched between his brows, and his warm breath brushed against her lips. "Whether it's the street or the wilderness, as long as I'm with you, I'd be happy to drink dew, even poisoned wine."
Su Baiwei, feeling his approaching presence, raised her hand. Her fingertips, like feathers, gently caressed her wet cheek, gliding across his slightly moving Adam's apple, before finally lightly touching his slightly open collarbone. Her eyelashes lifted slightly, her eyes shimmering with a hint of almost provocative charm. "I never realized the Green Light Sword Master was so articulate."
Tiaotiao's breathing suddenly hitched, and he gripped her lingering hand, his palm burning. He leaned in, completely enveloping her in his shadow. His eyes were terrifying, as if a ghostly fire flickered. "I had no idea that Dr. Su, known for his compassion and generosity, could harbor such a torturous method."
The air suddenly stagnated, the only sounds in the small cabin being the mingling of breathing and the rippling of water beneath the boat. Their gazes locked, like a sharp clash of blades, neither willing to yield an inch.
Tiaotiao's Adam's apple rolled, and sweat broke out on his forehead. He finally forced himself to suppress his emotions, suddenly retreating back to sit on the mat, his chest still rising and falling. His voice was hoarse, "Okay, remember this, Su Baiwei." He took a deep breath, and a hint of wildness rose at the corner of his lips: "Tonight, I will make you admit defeat in person."
Su Baiwei slowly withdrew her wrist, which had turned red from his grip, and unhurriedly adjusted her sleeve. When she raised her eyes, a faint blush still lingered between her brows, but her expression was as calm as autumn water, only a cluster of bright light danced in her eyes.
"Oh?" She curled her lips, her eyes flickering with a hint of seduction. "Who will win or lose is still unknown."
Tiao Tiao laughed out loud, a blazing light in her eyes. "Alright! It's settled." His voice suddenly dropped, and his low voice, wrapped in a scalding breath, brushed past her ear. "Tonight, we'll decide the outcome."
The boat drifted slowly, gliding into a turquoise waterway. Willows on both banks dipped in the spring water, their tips adorned with fresh green. The wind blew past the green eaves and white walls, dropping feather-like catkins that drifted onto the shimmering water. Tiao Tiao, holding the oars with both hands, paddled slowly, the boat rocking gently, pushing ripples through the water.
Su Baiwei watched him rowing and suddenly whispered, "I want to row too."
A playful glint flickered in Tiao Tiao's eyes, and the corners of his lips curved. Instead of offering the paddle, he leaned closer, tilting his face. "Kiss me, and I'll give it to you."
"Scoundrel." She scolded softly, but her eyes curved.
"No kiss, no give." He snorted and chuckled, holding the oars, leaning back, deliberately tilting his head, his black hair brushing across his slightly raised chin, and muttered, "Stingy."
A hint of smile flashed across Su Baiwei's eyes. She suddenly leaned forward and placed a light kiss on his lips, as light as a dragonfly touching the water, but leaving ripples.
"Is that enough?"
"Not enough." He answered in a hoarse voice, his eyes suddenly dimmed, as if they were suddenly ignited by this spark.
"We can't tolerate you in this black shop." Before she finished speaking, her fingertips had already reached out like lightning and pressed directly on his shoulder.
Tiaotiao reacted quickly, dropping the oar with one hand to block, his wrist flipping to neutralize her force. His smile didn't fade, but rather intensified, "Oh, you're going to do it already?"
The small cabin suddenly became their arena. Her fingers were sharp, focusing on attacking the target, while he countered her moves with a cunning technique, always deftly slipping away just before reaching her. The breeze from the intertwining of his sleeves ruffled her long black hair.
"You've made considerable progress," Tiao Tiao laughed as he parried her moves, his eyes brightening dramatically. "You're truly worthy of being the one my husband has chosen." Seeing her attack intensify, he had no choice but to drop the oar in his other hand and engage with both hands. With both hands free, Su Baiwei found it difficult to break through.
Her eyes flashed, and she pretended to concentrate her force on attacking his chest, Dan Zhong. Tiao Tiao, as expected, defended herself. However, her attack was a feint. Her other hand slid down, swiftly snatching the oar beside her. Using the momentum of the handle, she twisted it and struck at his Zhong Wan point. Tiao Tiao instinctively dodged to the side, but she had already seized the split second, twisting her slender waist and grabbing the other oar.
In the blink of an eye, the oars changed hands.
Su Baiwei gracefully returned to her seat, holding the oars in her hands. She calmly tested the current, as if the struggle had never occurred. Only the slight rise and fall of her chest and a sly glint in her eyes betrayed her pride.
"What a great trick." Tiao Tiao raised an eyebrow, and it was hard to tell from her tone whether it was frustration or praise, but more of a strong interest.
"Master, you taught me well." She rowed the boat with a slight smile on her lips.
The boat lost its stability and slowly spun in place, sending ripples flying. Tiaotiao stopped fighting for the oars and just smiled and shook his head, his eyes glued to her. "Be careful not to disturb your old injury."
"I know," she replied, a light smile in her voice.
The spring water rippled gently, and the boat swayed, no longer circling, but slowly drifting towards the depths of the misty water. Inside the cabin, only his deep voice of instruction and her occasional responses remained, blending with the gentle sound of the water, blending into the beautiful spring scenery of the south of the Yangtze River.
The boat gently approached the shore. Tiaotiao jumped onto the bluestone slab on the shore first, tied the boat rope, then turned around and stretched out his hand to her.
Su Baiwei held his hand, used it to step steadily onto the shore, and said, "I can walk by myself."
"Doudou told me that I need to be extra patient to recover from my leg injury." Tiaotiao's hand was still resting on her side.
Su Baiwei walked forward slowly, her steps slow but steady. "It's been half a year, and I'm no longer a problem. Besides, the miracle doctor's Tianshan Dipsacus Ointment is no ordinary thing." She looked at him sideways, a gentle smile in her eyes. "If you hold me like this all the time, I'm afraid I'll really forget how to walk."
Tiao Tiao walked side by side with her, his arms still ready to support her at any time: "It's okay if you forget. From now on, I will be your legs."
Su Baiwei shook her head gently. "No matter how good someone is, it's not as solid as being on your own." She looked into the distance. A winding waterway, a small bridge shaped like the moon, and a few white walls and black tiles could be vaguely seen through the mist. "Is my sister-in-law's residence still far away?"
"Turn the corner ahead and you'll see a small courtyard with white walls and an old pear tree. That's it." Tiaotiao casually plucked a newly-bloomed pear blossom from a branch and gently shook off the dew on the petals. "Thanks to Hongmao's connections, I was able to find the exact place." He stopped and carefully pinned the flower to her temples. He looked at it for a moment, a smile on his lips.
Su Baiwei also stopped and raised her hand to brush away the fallen petals on his shoulder: "You have been in the Demon Sect for ten years, you must have a lot of spies?"
Tiao Tiao's brows suddenly furrowed slightly. He looked back and saw that the alley was empty. Then he continued, "After the seven swords joined together, they were allowed to disperse and live out their days in peace."
Su Baiwei looked into his eyes and said, "So, back then, you really intended to just rely on the two of us to shake the Holy Fire Hall?"
Tiaotiao met her gaze and said frankly, "Yes. I've estimated that our chances of winning aren't completely lost." There was a hint of coldness in his voice. "I just didn't expect Chi Lian to possess the Blood Soul Bell. We nearly lost everything." He continued walking side by side with her, his voice lowered. "Fortunately, that day, you persuaded me to seek help from the Six Swords."
"You're such a fool," Su Baiwei said softly, her words not blaming her, only distressed. "You always want to shoulder everything on your own. Since we're on the same path, don't do that anymore."
Tiaotiao replied solemnly, “Okay.”
Side by side, they turned the corner of the alley. The drizzle had just subsided, and the wet bluestone slabs reflected the thin sunlight. In the distance, the sound of oars drifted across the water. Tiaotiao slowed his pace slightly and whispered, "Yesterday, I received a letter from Hongmao. He and Lantu will be getting married at Yuchan Palace in half a month."
"They both enjoy high prestige both in the government and in the opposition. This is a great occasion, and there will surely be a constant stream of people coming to offer their congratulations. The banquet will probably last for several days." He walked up to her and stopped, gently placing his hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes. "You don't like noise, so on that day, we can drink the wedding wine and then quietly leave, okay?"
Su Baiwei shook her head gently and leaned into his arms. "You've been reunited with them after a long time, how can you leave early because of me?" She raised her eyes to meet his, her gaze gentle. "I understand your feelings, but there's no need to be like this. How about after the wedding banquet, I'll go down the mountain and find a quiet inn to stay for a few days. When the banquet at Yuchan Palace is over, you can come pick me up. They'll be busy on their wedding day, and they might need your help. How's that?"
Tiao Tiao was silent for a moment, his brows furrowed slightly. "I'm still worried. Back when I was dealing with the Demon Cult, I was involved in a lot of old things, and there's no guarantee there won't be any repercussions." He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, his voice growing deeper. "I don't want to put you in danger again because of what happened in the past." Suddenly, as if remembering something, his expression tightened. "It's been so peaceful these past six months that I almost forgot. The fire-starter incident isn't settled yet, and everyone in the martial arts world believes I died in the mass grave. If I were to show up in public now, I'm afraid it would cause complications."
"Your disguise skills are so real that this little thing won't be a problem for you." Su Baiwei lowered her eyes, pondered for a moment, and said softly, "However, if you have to hide your identity even at a close friend's wedding..." She paused and looked up at him. "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have to worry so much. It seems that I really need to practice martial arts with you and learn to protect myself, so that I won't always keep you worried."
A trace of sadness flashed across Tiao Tiao's eyes, and she whispered, "After all, it's me who has implicated you. Sometimes I don't know whether staying with you is because I love you or because I've let you down."
Su Baiwei took his hand on her shoulder, her eyes clear. "Since we agreed to share joys and sorrows, then we must shoulder the past and future together." She spoke gently, "Don't say such things again."
Tiao Tiao was silent for a long time. Finally, he held her fingertips with his backhand, slowly closed them, and said solemnly, "Okay."
The two continued to walk slowly. Su Baiwei suddenly trembled slightly and subconsciously tightened her grip on his hand.
"Are you cold?" Tiao Tiao was about to take off her coat, but suddenly her eyes fixed and she turned back. The alley was deep and quiet, with only the drizzle wet her clothes, but nothing unusual. He suppressed his slight anxiety and draped the still-warm blue coat around her shoulders, saying gently, "Be careful not to catch a cold."
Su Baiwei shook her head gently. "It's nothing, I just felt a chill." She followed his gaze and looked back. "What's wrong? Why do you keep looking back?"
Tiaotiao mused, "I always feel like someone's following me. Maybe I'm just being overly suspicious."
The two stopped and looked at the old pear tree with lush blossoms in the yard, and then looked at the quiet white-walled courtyard in front of them.
Su Baiwei whispered, "The old pear tree...it should be here."
The two men knocked on the door. After a while, the door opened gently, and a beautiful woman appeared inside. She looked puzzled and asked, "Who are you?"
"I'm Chen Jin's junior sister, Su Baiwei."
The woman was shocked when she heard this, and quickly stepped aside to welcome the two in: "Come in!"
From the shadows of a nearby alley, where Tiao Tiao and Su Baiwei had just turned their gaze, a burly dark figure slowly emerged. His complexion was swarthy, his left ear missing, and his rough knuckles cracked as he gazed gravely at the closed wooden door.
"You're not dead yet?" He sneered through his teeth, his eyes sinister. "You're quite tough."
The remaining warmth in the air seemed to freeze in an instant, and even the lingering spring rain suddenly became a bit bitingly cold.
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