Chapter 25 It hurts so much, is it because I did something wrong?
A meteorite fell from the sky and became a divine weapon. Weapons forged from meteorite are a rarity in the world. Today he holds it in his hands, but tomorrow it may be played with by some royal family member. Ajiu sighed inwardly, gripping the hilt of the sword, which was imprinted with dragon scales, and tried to weigh it. He didn't use much force, which showed that the sword was not heavy. The blade was as thin as silk, with most of the weight on the hilt. Such a thin blade could bear a thousand pounds, which showed that the meteorite was far purer than any other mineral in the world. If the molten stone had luck and the slurry had spirit, the skill of the blacksmith who could forge it into such a form was unparalleled. A smile flashed across Ajiu's eyes, and he lifted it up almost without hesitation.
Ajiu lowered her eyes to look at the sword, blood dripping from her brow bone onto the blade. The blood droplets congealed but did not fall, wandering back and forth on the blade, reflecting the bloodstains at the bottom of the blade. The patterns were endless, revealing the soul-devouring and heart-eating technique. Ajiu's chest sank, as if something was pulling her and she could hardly breathe.
"Ah Jiu!" Guan Ye shouted, "Everyone, wait patiently, don't dawdle!"
This sound startled Ajiu's soul from the sword. With a swift and elegant sword flourish, Ajiu's face was as cold as ice. The green blade flashed and crisscrossed, as if she were personally present at the killing scene. The sword energy suddenly became like a rainbow, breaking through the clouds and piercing the sun. It was not like flowing water, but like raging waves rolling up dust.
The sword's edge sliced through Guan Ye's eyes, and she suddenly couldn't see A Jiu clearly. All she saw was a flash of blue light mixed with blood, dazzling and blinding, moving like a blade through the wind.
Pei Yuan and Pei Bi exchanged a strange look. A Jiu's sword momentum gradually subsided, and her previous arrogance disappeared. She lightly touched the ground with her toes and rose into the air. The blade drew a bright arc in the air. She naturally put away her sword. Her eyes lingered from the sword's edge to the hilt. She reverently picked up the treasure and respectfully returned it to the box. When she turned around, she glanced at Guan Ye, her brows full of meaning.
He seemed to be born for the Meteor Sword. Although he could only try it once, the sword seemed to become one with him from the moment he picked it up. His moves were perfectly synchronized, and all who saw it were captivated by it.
“You really like this sword.” Pei Yuan closed the red box. “To lose oneself in the test of a sword is a cardinal sin for a swordsman.”
“Who wouldn’t like it?” Ajiu smiled calmly. “I have no regrets about being able to test this sword in this life. I dare not have any other desires.”
"Do you like it?" Pei Yuan turned his gaze to Guan Ye, his sudden voice startling everyone. "You're looking at her intently, it seems you know about swords too?"
Guan Ye was still savoring A Jiu's swordplay when she was suddenly asked a question. She quickly replied, "The sword energy is like a rainbow, soul-shaking and spirit-stealing. It is indeed a fine sword." Seeing the meaningful look in Pei Yuan's eyes, a chill rose from her body. "Everyone here can see that."
“Take Ajiu back to heal her injuries.” Pei Yuan turned to look at the ancestral tablets of the Pei family. “The six-month period is approaching. Grand Preceptor Cui will come to take away the Meteor Sword. The journey home is just around the corner. Are you willing to return to Rongdu with Xingguo Ward?”
"We are willing!" Lou Cangyu shouted, "Your subordinate is willing to go through fire and water for Xingguo Ware without hesitation!"
"Yes! Yes!" The crowd shouted in unison. Aunt Lou tried to reach for her little stone, but the stone was standing too far forward, and she couldn't touch the clothes even if she reached out. Aunt Lou opened her mouth, but her throat felt like it was blocked by something, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't respond. The ancestral hall was empty, and the echoes continued, making her eardrums buzz. The figure of the little stone in front of her gradually blurred. Aunt Lou blinked and suddenly burst into tears.
In the secluded courtyard where the swordsman lived, Guan Ye wrung out a damp cloth to wipe the blood off A Jiu's face. The wound on his brow bone was about two inches long and deep enough to expose the bone. Anyone else would have been unable to endure it for even half a moment, yet A Jiu had managed to withstand it until now, defeating Lou Cangyu without changing his expression or feeling any pain, and even testing the Meteor Sword? Guan Ye was preparing the medicinal powder and couldn't help but look at A Jiu. Blood was streaming down his face, yet he didn't utter a sound. He could be considered a hero.
“If this wound had been half an inch lower, your left eye would have been ruined.” Guan Ye said with lingering fear, “Lou Cangyu’s hands are ruthless.”
Ajiu didn't respond, letting Guanye handle him. The handkerchief, soaked in well water, was cool to the bone. This girl was used to doing rough work and thought that treating him would be similar to carrying heavy loads. Seeing that Guanye's technique was delicate, wiping him carefully tuft by tuft, Ajiu closed his eyes and savored it, feeling a sense of pleasure. He heard Guanye say something, but he couldn't understand a word.
Seeing that Ajiu didn't move at all, Guan Ye pressed a lump of medicine onto the still bleeding wound. This man was truly made of iron. Guan Ye was already shocked just by looking at him. Ajiu didn't even flinch, let alone raise an eyebrow. The word "hero" stuck in Guan Ye's throat. Guan Ye wished she could bite off her own tongue.
"Aren't you... in pain?" Guan Ye poked him with trembling hands.
"You want to see me wail and scream like a banshee?" Ajiu squinted lazily. "Even if it hurts, I have to endure it. Do you think you can see it?"
"It's just the two of us here, so even if you see me, you won't tell anyone." The bleeding finally stopped, and Guan Ye was slightly relieved. She gently blew on the wound, and the girl's fragrant scent lingered around the man's soft skin. A Jiu's long eyelashes covered her eyes, revealing only a slit. Her neck felt as if it were being touched lightly, sending waves of tingling sensation through her.
Seeing his strange expression, Guan Ye stopped what she was doing, lifted the handkerchief and said, "Was it something I did wrong? Are you in pain?"
“No.” Ajiu wanted her to continue, but didn’t know how to guide her.
Guan Ye reached out and touched his brow bone, which had been cut by a sharp sword. Her warm fingertips pressed gently, and the coldness between A Jiu's brows seemed to gradually fade away. His eyes brightened, and a smile suddenly appeared on his face. At the moment Guan Ye was caught off guard, he stood up and pressed his forehead against Guan Ye's.
Guan Ye froze, unable to move. Was this man bewitched by the Meteor Sword? A Jiu gently raised his head, the stubble on his chin brushing against Guan Ye's face. It was the first time she had been so close to a man, close enough to clearly see A Jiu's long, fluttering eyelashes, his deep amber eyes, his bobbing Adam's apple, and the unfathomable vortex in his eyes. The man's breath was heavy, startling her so much that she broke out in a cold sweat and dared not even breathe.
"It hurts so much!" A-Jiu cried out gruffly, then suddenly leaned back on the couch. "Guan Ye, be gentle."
"Guan Ye isn't a doctor." Feng Shisan strode in. "It's already quite good that you've done this well. You'd only be howling if I had to do it myself."
Little Ma darted forward and waved his hand in front of Ajiu's eyes, "Thank goodness, you didn't go blind. If you really went blind in one eye, I'll gouge out both of Lou Cangyu's eyes to make up for it."
Behind the two followed an unfamiliar young man with fair and delicate features, slightly upturned red lips that accentuated his handsome appearance, and eyes that held a touch of childishness. He looked even younger than Guan Ye, and Guan Ye knew that he was the swordsman named Ji Fang. Upon seeing the blood on A Jiu's face, Ji Fang was so frightened that he stepped back, lowering his eyes and not daring to look up, for fear of accidentally drawing blood again.
— Ji Fang was indeed timid.
Guan Ye wiped her sweat. She didn't know what illness A Jiu had just had. There were many people around, so she couldn't scold him. She could only act naughty and apply more force to the medicine, making A Jiu cry out in pain. This time, he was definitely not faking it.
"Does it hurt that much?" Feng Shisan didn't believe it. "You've had enough, or are you addicted to being waited on?"
"Try it yourself?" Ajiu winced in pain. "Guan Ye, your hands are even more ruthless than Lou Cangyu's."
"It would be better to kill him." Feng Shisan laughed. "Guan Ye, you don't know, I've known him for years and I've never heard him yell. We're all wondering, is this guy made of iron? Quick, quick, let's do something else to him."
“It seems your brotherhood isn’t that deep after all.” Guan Ye rubbed the handkerchief. “This sword cut into the bone; it will definitely leave a scar and disfigurement.”
"So bad?" Little Ma exclaimed.
"A broken eyebrow means brothers will turn against each other." Ji Fang, with his eyes downcast, spoke softly. Seeing the atmosphere suddenly become awkward, he quickly added, "I...I heard it from someone else."
"That's with Lou Cangyu," Feng Shisan said, pulling Xiao Ma over. "What does it have to do with us?"
Guan Ye handed the damp handkerchief to A Jiu, but A Jiu stared at it blankly without taking it. Guan Ye simply threw the handkerchief in his face, got up, and went out with the plate. A Jiu pulled off the damp handkerchief, his cheeks were moist and damp.
"Did you offend her?" Xiao Ma chuckled knowingly. "I sensed something was off the moment I walked in." Xiao Ma held up two fingers together. "You two were clearly leaning against each other earlier, but as soon as we entered, you collapsed onto the couch. Tsk tsk tsk, you and Guan Ye?" Xiao Ma pressed his two fingers against A Jiu's chest. "You and Guan Ye..."
Feng Shisan belatedly realized what was going on, scratching his head and asking blankly, "What about him and Guan Ye?" Seeing that no one responded, he looked at Ji Fang again, "What did you figure out? Tell me quickly."
Ji Fang chuckled to himself, his handsome face showing a hint of youthful innocence. "Thirteenth Young Master, you have such discerning eyes. Is there anything you can't see? That's truly rare."
"You're so stupid, so incredibly stupid!" Little Ma was so anxious he was about to jump up and down. "We came at the worst possible time. It's all your fault for coming at this time."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Feng Shisan wanted to draw his sword.
"Stop talking." Ah Jiu said, but a smile played on her lips. "They're still outside."
Guan Ye, who was outside, splashed water and hesitated to go back. She felt that her face still carried A Jiu's unique masculine scent. The masculine scent—Guan Ye recalled that night when she was nestled under A Jiu and felt a light, intoxicating fragrance. Today, the scent was familiar, just stronger. What was it...? Guan Ye racked her brains but couldn't figure it out. This scent lingered in her nostrils, making her head feel dizzy. And when she felt dizzy, she couldn't think straight. Why did her mouth feel dry? Guan Ye swallowed hard, turned around and went back into the house. Ignoring the people watching, she picked up A Jiu's teacup and drank it down in a few gulps. She then wiped the water from her lips with her sleeve.
“This is…A-Jiu’s bowl,” Xiao Ma timidly reminded him.
Guan Ye put down her teacup without saying a word, took a few steps, and then turned around. Xiao Ma thought she was going to scold him and took several steps back in fright. Guan Ye didn't even look at him, her big eyes staring straight at A Jiu. She pointed to the empty bowl and said, "Did you write your name on it?"
"No..." Xiao Ma shuddered, "...it didn't write the name..."
"That settles it then." Guan Ye stopped, glanced at the three of them, snorted, and didn't turn back.
“Just now…” Xiao Ma came to his senses and asked, “Who answered Guan Ye?” Seeing Feng Shisan pointing at him, Xiao Ma’s face suddenly turned red. “Did I speak? He asked… A Jiu. Why would I answer her?”
“This Guan Ye…” Feng Shisan was also a little scared. “It’s extraordinary, truly extraordinary. Ji Fang, what’s wrong? Didn’t Guan Ye scare you?”
Ji Fang blinked his big eyes. "She didn't lie to me at all, so why should I be afraid of her?" After saying that, he looked at Guan Ye's back outside the house. "I think Miss Guan is a woman who is not afraid of blood. She is a person worth befriending."
Ah Jiu got up and refilled the empty teacup. She held it in her palm and followed the spot where Guan Ye had drunk from, pressing it to her dry lips. The ordinary water tasted as sweet as honey.
A note from the author:
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