37 together
There was no sun or moon within the forbidden area, only a perpetually bright blue sky. Mottled shadows cast by the rustling leaves swayed across her shoulders, not blindingly bright, only softly illuminating the side of her face. Her loose hair draped over her shoulders, a strand clinging to the corner of her lips. Her fingers brushed it away, and she turned towards him, Yun Ruchen's figure reflected in her pupils. "I've always wanted to ask..." He rubbed his elbow, easing his slightly tense nerves, "why didn't you break off the engagement immediately?" "Perhaps my mother and father gave me many instructions before I left, but..." He covered his lips with his hands and coughed softly, "I've always felt you had a slight preference for me." "And you're clearly not someone who would go against your heart for someone else." After Feng Jingluo finished, he teased, "You don't trust yourself?" He sighed softly, averting his gaze. "I do." Feng Jingluo smiled, dropping the teasing. "You've forgotten we met a long time ago." Turning back suddenly, Yun Ruchen frowned, thinking, had he met Feng Jingluo before? How could he not remember someone with such a unique temperament like her? "When?" "I first went up the mountain and joined the sect." It must have been twenty years ago, dressed in dirty linen, with disheveled hair and a dirty face, I was begging at the alley entrance. By chance, a woman in a plain robe passed by. As usual, she raised a broken bowl, hoping to pray for a few coins or a little food. Most of the ladies who passed by her would stop and buy her some food. But this time, it was different. The woman squatted down, gently brushed her hair aside, and tried to see her dirty face clearly. "Although my physique is ordinary and this path is difficult, it's better than begging here." "Little girl, are you willing to go up the mountain with me to cultivate immortality? You must endure pain and loneliness that ordinary people cannot endure, fight against others, fight against yourself, and finally fight against the heavens." The dirty face raised, his eyes numb but bright. "What is an immortal?" The woman hesitated for a moment, then replied, "The strongest, the most benevolent, the most natural, the most kind, the most omnipotent, and immortal." "Omnipotent, immortal..." This was too profound for a child, so she put down the bowl and asked, "If I could become an immortal, could I go anywhere in this vast world?" "Of course," the woman nodded with a smile. "What about the heavens beyond?" The woman was stunned. This didn't seem like a question a child would ask. "Why do you want to go beyond the heavens?" She answered without hesitation. "If I had the chance to see a world I'd never seen before, how could I be content to see only the inside and not the outside?" "Even the infinite, endless?" The woman lost her mind, then suddenly laughed. "Okay, okay, maybe I really should take...
There was no sun or moon in the forbidden area, only the long, bright blue sky. Mottled shadows cast by the rustling leaves swayed over her shoulders, without any obvious glare, only softly illuminating her profile.
Her hair was scattered on her shoulders, and a strand of it stuck to the corner of her lips. It was moved away by her fingers. Her face turned towards him, and the figure of Yun Ruchen was reflected in her pupils.
"I've always wanted to ask..." He held his elbow and rubbed it to ease the slight tension, "Why didn't you cancel the engagement immediately?"
"Perhaps my parents gave me many instructions before I left, but..." He covered his lips and coughed softly, "I always felt that you had some preference for me."
"And you're clearly not someone who would go against your conscience for someone else."
After Feng Jingluo heard what he said, he actually teased, "Ruchen doesn't believe in himself?"
The latter sighed and avoided his gaze, "I believe you."
Feng Jingluo smiled and stopped joking, "You forgot that we met a long time ago."
Suddenly turning his head, Yun Ruchen frowned and thought, had he seen Feng Jingluo before? How could he not have an impression of someone with such a unique temperament like her?
"when?"
"This is my first time going up the mountain and joining the sect."
I think that was twenty years ago. I was wearing only dirty linen clothes, with unkempt hair and a dirty face, begging at the alley entrance.
By chance, a woman in a plain robe passed by. As usual, she raised her broken bowl, wanting to pray for a few copper coins or some food.
Most of the ladies passing by her would stop and buy her some food.
But this time it was different. The woman squatted down, gently lifted her hair, and tried to see her dirty face clearly.
"Although my roots are ordinary and this road is hard, it is better than begging here."
"Little girl, are you willing to go up the mountain with me to cultivate immortality? You will have to endure pain and loneliness that ordinary people cannot endure, fight against others, fight against yourself, and finally fight against the heavens."
The dirty face raised, his eyes numb but bright, "What is a fairy?"
The woman hesitated for a moment, then replied, "The strongest, the most benevolent, the most natural, the most kind, the most omnipotent, and immortal."
"Omnipotent, immortal..."
This was too profound for a child of a few years old, so she put down the bowl and asked, "If I could become an immortal, could I go anywhere in this vast world?"
"Of course." The woman nodded with a smile.
"Where is Tianwai?"
The woman was stunned. This didn't sound like something a child would ask.
"Why do you want to go beyond the sky?"
Without hesitation, she said, "If I had the opportunity to see a world I had never seen before, how could I be content to see only the inside and not the outside?"
"Even millions and millions, endless?"
The woman was distracted, then suddenly burst into laughter. "Okay, okay, maybe I will really bring back an interesting child."
She held the child's hand and took him back to Wentian Sect on a flying boat. She washed him and dressed him in light and simple clothes.
When the woman learned that she had no name or surname, she gave her a name. Seeing that she spoke and behaved in an unrestrained manner, she gave her the surname Feng and the given name Jingluo.
Just like a gust of wind passing by slowly, it startled the leaves in the pond and rippled the clouds reflected in the lake.
The woman told Feng Jingluo that she was Huo Yufeng, an elder of the Wentian Sect. She was practicing in the sect and told him that he could come to her if he had any questions. She would then send him to the Jiange for training.
Feng Jingluo was a new arrival and an orphan. She had an indifferent personality and didn't like talking to others.
The other young children naturally would not approach on their own initiative.
She was the only one in the pavilion, practicing alone after class every day.
Until one day, she saw a short figure hiding here and there in the bamboo forest, and then ran along the stairs to the vicinity of the bamboo forest.
But he was caught by the man, who held him under his armpits and spanked him on the buttocks, and angrily scolded him.
Seeing that he couldn't convince her, she put the boy down and left angrily with her hands on her forehead.
After he left, the boy shuffled over to the stone and lay on it to ease the pain.
Feng Jingluo walked out from behind the bamboo. The boy heard the sound of bamboo leaves rubbing against each other and looked up. "Who are you?"
"A disciple of Jiange." she replied.
"I have never been to Jiange and have never seen you." He wanted to stand up, after all, this posture was not elegant, but his butt hurt so much that he couldn't straighten his back.
"Why were you beaten?" He looked about four or five years old, even younger than me.
The boy turned sideways with difficulty and said, "I don't want to practice, so of course I will be punished."
"Isn't your cultivation good?" Although her talent was average after testing, Feng Jingluo did not become discouraged and continued to practice diligently.
She always remembered Huo Yufeng's words. She wanted to become an immortal and see all the unknowns outside the world.
The boy scratched his head. "It doesn't matter whether it's good or bad. Those who want to practice will naturally think it's good. Those who don't want to... like me, will naturally think it's bad."
"Every day I practice breathing exercises, then go down the mountain to fight others, year after year, day after day, from birth to death."
"What's the fun in living like this?" He smiled, revealing his white teeth. "I'd rather live an ordinary life, enjoying the pleasures that people are meant to have."
She was puzzled. "If I become an immortal, wouldn't I be able to enjoy everything I want for a longer period of time?"
The boy shook his head. "Let's not talk about how difficult it is to become an immortal. It's been a long time since anyone in the world of immortal cultivation has become an immortal."
"If one truly could become immortal, a long life would bring nothing but boredom. In the face of an endless lifespan, fleeting joy would turn into eternal suffering. Those things that attract people would become numb and empty over endless time."
The pain in his butt eased slightly, and he stood up to straighten his clothes. "Perhaps immortals are beings without emotions, otherwise they wouldn't be able to endure eternal loneliness."
"So, I would rather possess these beautiful things for a short time, which I cherish and appreciate. And then fall asleep forever with my love and longing for them in my heart."
"Ah, you must not want to hear these words from me." The boy slapped his forehead. His words were extremely disrespectful.
"No," Feng Jingluo shook his head, "Make the choice you want and follow the path you choose. There is no right or wrong."
The boy was stunned for a moment and lowered his head embarrassedly. It was the first time someone agreed with him.
"By the way, I haven't asked your name yet."
"The wind is startling."
"My name is Yun Ruchen." He smiled brightly and looked adorable. "I have to go now. I need to read a book. See you sometime!"
He waved and limped out of the bamboo forest. Feng Jingluo watched him walk away, lowered her head and thought for a while. Was this the first friend she made?
After listening to Feng Jingluo's brief account of their first meeting, forgotten memories of the past emerged, and Yun Ruchen recalled the girl he had met when he was young.
She has very short, messy hair, simple clothes, and a dull and lacking complexion, but her eyes remain the same, still bright and lively until now.
"So that's the reason. We've met each other when we were young!" He held his forehead and laughed, feeling an indescribable joy. They met once and met again by chance many years later.
"So, after you knew it was me, you didn't decisively cancel the engagement?"
Without waiting for Feng Jingluo to answer, Yun Ruchen muttered to himself, "Yes, if it weren't for this old relationship, why would you give in?"
"You haven't changed, you're the same as you were then." Feng Jingluo laughed, "I recognized you by the waterfall. But you didn't recognize me."
Yun Ruchen was embarrassed and covered his face with shame. "The difference is too big, and I really forgot about it..."
"I didn't expect you would still remember me."
"You're the first person in Jian Ge to speak to me." Feng Jingluo walked over, his unwavering gaze forcing Yun Ruchen back until his back slammed against a tree trunk. "Unfortunately, I haven't seen you since."
"Until, Junior Brother sent the wrong token."
Yun Ruchen looked at her, then looked away, pressing his palm against the rough bark. It was so quiet that not even the wind could be heard. The only sounds were his strong heartbeat and rising body temperature.
There was always a smile on his lips, and his already gentle eyes and brows became even gentler. The person who understood him so well had actually supported him decisively when they met when they were young.
This feeling... was like a gift that had existed for him for a long time, and he couldn't suppress his heartbeat.
He covered his lips and didn't dare to look at Feng Jingluo, "Is this... destiny?" He tried to make a joke and change the subject, but his confused thoughts made him not know what he was saying.
"Okay!" Feng Jingluo nodded confidently, "I'm very happy to see you again."
She raised her palm and placed it in front of Yun Ruchen, "Feng Jingluo."
He belatedly placed his hand on it, and the other person held it, "Yun Ruchen."
After meeting again after twenty years, you and I remain unchanged, and still... trust each other's decisions.
"After the forbidden area ends, will you enter the sword tomb to continue your training?"
The two of them walked out of the forest. The tent had already been folded up by Bai Yuge, so he stayed there and waited.
In the distant sky, a small flying boat was speeding towards this place.
Feng Jingluo shook his head, "Doesn't Ruchen want to see other places?"
"We're together."
Bai Yuge looked over and noticed that the eyes between the two of them seemed more familiar.
The flying boat landed and Xu Mobai jumped down swiftly. Jiang Chen walked down slowly. Although her injury had healed, she still felt phantom pain from time to time, making her grimace.
He rubbed his arms and beat his legs. When he passed by Bai Yuge, he looked him up and down. Why was he standing there like an idiot?
"What are you talking about?"
"Where to go after the forbidden area is over?"
Jiang Chen's eyes lit up. "You're not going back to Wentian Sect?" She continued, "It's just right that you're not going back. It's boring to stay in the sect and practice every day."
"I want to go too."
Xu Mobai came over and said, "Don't forget me."
Bai Yuge looked at Feng Jingluo.
The latter smiled and said, "Okay, let's go together."
"But before that, I'll avenge you first."
A few of them smiled at each other, rubbed their hands together, and walked side by side.
The best thing in life is that there is someone accompanying you on every journey. Even if it is a short journey, this beauty will always remain deep in your memory.
(over)
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