Chapter 204 Epilogue - The New World Arc (Part 1)
Li Xiao has recently sensed that Yu Qingzhou is acting strangely.
—Perhaps it's because I slept for too long.
Li Xiao thought that it was like when he sometimes took a nap and was so confused that he would sleep until dusk and look at the dark sky as if it were just dawn.
should……
It should get better after a while.
Li Xiao likes Yu Qingzhou.
He had liked her for a long time, but he couldn't explain why. He liked Yu Qingzhou very much the moment he saw her.
It's unlikely to be love at first sight, after all, the other person was only eight or nine years old when they came up the mountain?
In short, he was short and thin, with a dry and wiry appearance and dark skin. At first glance, he looked like a wilted bean sprout.
In short, she looks younger than her actual age.
Although Li Xiao didn't consider himself a great person in the traditional sense, he still had basic moral values.
So it's impossible for him to have any other thoughts about a child, after all, he's not some perverted pedophile with a woman's face.
That's right, he was talking about Shen Yun's deadpan face.
Li Xiao disliked Shen Yun.
Even though they're only a year or two apart, he insists on acting like a superior older brother, making himself seem so childish in comparison.
Always trying to outdo others.
—Absolutely despicable.
Fortunately, Shen Yun has one fatal flaw: she has a woman's face.
Before he was ten years old, no one who met him for the first time could help but mistake him for a little girl.
On one occasion, when he went down the mountain with his senior master on business, he was targeted by a filthy creature that wanted to do something improper.
The result... was, naturally, utterly disastrous.
The word "tragic" here specifically refers to a womanizer whose fingers were crushed, who was then hung up by a rope and thrown into a fishpond to be eaten alive as animal feed.
Of course, Li Xiao had absolutely no sympathy for that kind of scum.
Although he did dislike Shen Yun, he still had a sense of right and wrong.
That said, after this incident, Shen Yun hated being seen as a woman even more.
Sometimes, if fellow disciples were to make a joke in private and it was overheard, Chen Yun would immediately put his sword to the unfortunate guy's head and start a martial arts show, not stopping until the other person was crying for their parents and regretting that they had opened their mouths when they were born.
Over time, no one dared to bring this up in front of Shen Yun.
Especially as she grew older, she no longer resembled a girl as much as she did when she was a child.
Although he was slightly inferior to Li Xiaofeng in terms of handsome appearance and lacked a bit of masculinity... but after all, they were relatives, so he couldn't be that much worse.
So, on that day, when Li Xiao heard the crisp words "sister" from the bean sprout, she almost burst out laughing.
This kid is really bringing up the very thing he shouldn't have said.
Good lad, Li Xiao suddenly began to admire this little guy who had been found in some obscure corner.
The more I look, the more suspicious I become.
I always feel that the other person looks familiar, but I can't remember where I've seen them before.
But in any case, Li Xiao was determined to befriend this brat who could make Shen Yun suffer.
Surprisingly, Shen Yun, who had always been extremely averse to being treated as a woman, remained remarkably calm upon hearing this, as if she didn't care at all...
—That's strange, so strange.
If it weren't for the other person still sporting that grumpy, half-dead face, and the icy smell emanating from them making Li Xiao sneeze several times as they brushed past him.
Li Xiao almost thought that Shen Yun had been possessed by some kind of god or ghost.
Since Shen Yun hasn't changed much, the key must lie with the new bean sprout.
Li Xiao became increasingly curious and couldn't help but look at him a few more times.
Li Xiao swore that it was only a few glances, and he didn't stare at it for a long time.
Unexpectedly, when the little devil met his scrutinizing gaze, he was first taken aback, and then actually stood behind Shen Yun, looking as if... he was a little scared.
What's there to be afraid of? Do I have extra eyes or something?!
Li Xiao suddenly became unhappy.
In particular, of all places to hide, the brat had to hide behind his thorn in the side.
Isn't this... blatantly disrespecting him?
When Li Xiao was thinking about these things, he completely ignored the fact that the other person was originally brought back by Shen Yun. So naturally, he was more familiar with Shen Yun and had a closer relationship with her.
He immediately crossed his arms and snorted disdainfully, then looked away before the child could make a move.
—Pshaw, what's the point of making friends?
Li Xiao couldn't help but secretly despise his previous thoughts.
I thought I'd found someone I clicked with, but it seems they're just a shallow person... Hmph.
Shen Yun, a cold-hearted and clumsy person, would never know anything about caring for the elderly, weak, sick, or disabled. Her unusual kindness now is just a passing whim... Once this phase passes and she gets tired of it, she'll probably forget about it.
When they arrive in an unfamiliar place with no one to talk to, there will be times when that little brat is huddled in a corner wiping away tears.
However, after a while, Li Xiao discovered that things did not happen as he had imagined.
That bean sprout... well, actually kids grow pretty fast once they're full. In just half a month, it looked whiter and fatter, with a round, chubby face that always made Li Xiao's hands itch.
However, Li Xiao certainly didn't observe them intentionally; it's just that everyone lives on the same mountain, so they see each other all the time.
Good morning, Senior Brother Li.
Good morning, senior brother.
He ran into two familiar disciples who greeted him warmly, and Li Xiao could only nod in return.
It was just an ordinary little incident.
But one clueless person had to ask, "Senior Brother Shen has gone out and probably won't be back for at least a day or two. Senior Brother Li will probably have to make a trip now."
"Who said I—"
Li Xiao was about to explain that he hadn't come to see Shen Yun when he suddenly stopped.
They say this is a classic case of "protesting too much," and some things get more confusing the more you try to explain them. You can't exactly say you just wandered around here because you were bored.
So he coughed lightly and nodded in agreement.
After all, it's reasonable to stroll around here after dinner and then casually scout out the enemy situation.
While scouting enemy positions, it's perfectly reasonable for the veteran here to also check on the new disciples.
Of course, Li Xiao was just repeating it to himself to convince himself.
If Chang Li heard the same words, he would probably make a face and spit at himself before he would stop.
Thinking this way, Li Xiao felt at ease again.
He didn't care about the whispers of the two disciples in the distance, such as why he kept seeing Senior Brother Li lately, and when Senior Brother Li and Senior Brother Shen became so close...
He completely disregarded this.
—Ha, what a shallow fellow.
Li Xiao inwardly scoffed. They only know how to read the surface; his purpose here was clearly… well, how was it again… oh right, to scout out enemy positions!
As the saying goes, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated." Li Xiao firmly believed that he was preparing for the sect competition next month.
As for why he chose to visit when Shen Yun was not there...
—Isn't that obvious?
There's no such thing as being a spy openly and honestly.
No sooner had Li Xiao thought this than he walked into the courtyard through the gate.
—What? You're asking why we need to go through the main gate?
What a joke! He's a grown man, a true man of stature. Does he expect to climb walls and crawl through dog holes?
Shen Yun's courtyard was as dull as Shen Yun herself. Outside, the snow was heavy, and the vast expanse of white was desolate because of the high mountains.
Each part of the sect has its own independently operating magic array. Along the way, it was a pleasant journey with spring warmth, blooming flowers, birds singing, and flowing water. However, when we reached the secluded courtyard, it felt like stepping into an ice cave.
White walls, black tiles, and if it weren't for the few plum trees planted there, adding a touch of red for balance, one might think they had suddenly become colorblind.
However, the thought of the courtyard owner's temperament—who would readily swing his sword and chop at the slightest provocation—made even the tiny specks of color resemble splattered blood, making one dizzy just looking at them.
Li Xiao met Yu Qingzhou under those plum blossom trees that bloomed as brightly as fresh blood.
At that moment, the child was looking up, peering through the blooming flowers at something unknown.
That expression, that movement... for some reason, seemed to gently knock on Li Xiao's heart.
—Strange. It's that familiar feeling I had when we first met.
It's as if I've seen a similar route somewhere, at a time that's impossible to pinpoint...
There are no high walls built of bricks and stones, nor is there anything resembling red plum blossoms or white snow...
All there is is... just...
In one of those moments, Li Xiao seemed to actually see something.
However, the scene was too blurry and fleeting, lasting only a moment, and was already gone without a trace.
Only the children, looking up at the red plum blossoms and white snow, remained, their figures appearing from afar with an indescribable solemnity and seriousness.
It was as if the other person had been looking at him like that for a very, very long time...
So long that it seems to transcend eternity.
Li Xiao quickly came to his senses and chuckled to himself at his own wild thoughts.
He's just a newbie, a bit slow and timid at best... Well, he seems smarter than I expected, and he even knows to slack off while Shen Yun is out.
—Not bad, not bad, worthy of recognition.
Actually, this wasn't a lazy act that deserved praise. In Li Xiao's eyes, as long as someone was going against Shen Yun and hadn't committed any serious wrongdoing, then they were a great person.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend" has always been one of Li Xiao's principles.
Seeing this scene, Li Xiao's previous dislike for Yu Qingzhou because of Shen Yun was effectively alleviated. Looking at that ordinary face, he even became kind and lovely.
Then, Li Xiao had a mischievous idea.
He quietly approached the child from behind and then suddenly patted him on the shoulder.
Li Xiao's original intention was to tease Yu Qingzhou, but he did not expect that the other party was much more timid than he had imagined. Li Xiao even wondered if she was not even as big as a pinhead, otherwise how could she be so frightened by a light touch?
If Li Xiao hadn't intervened in time, the child would probably have hit the back of his head on the tree trunk.
A sudden sharp pain shot through Li Xiao's palm. He truly hadn't expected Yu Qingzhou's head to be so hard, but thankfully, it hadn't actually broken her head or caused any serious injury.
Just kidding. If that were really the case, maybe Shen Yun could actually abandon blood ties and fellow disciples (although it seems like there's no such thing), and really get serious about it.
Although she didn't really want to admit it, judging from Shen Yun's attitude, she seemed to really care about this kid.
He even went so far as to accept a disciple on behalf of his master, recognizing the latter as his junior brother, and simply waited for his master, who was always in seclusion, to emerge and complete the formalities. Not only that, he even personally taught the disciple step by step…
Could this be something my cousin, who's always fighting and killing, would do?
After thinking it over and over, Li Xiao still felt that something was amiss.
Could it be!
A sudden thought flashed through his mind: Could it be that Shen Yun had some kind of leverage over that brat, which was why...
Before Li Xiao could even applaud his ingenious idea...
A sudden chill ran through my head, in a physical sense, and I snapped back to my senses.
It turned out that Yu Qingzhou had bumped into the plum tree through his own fleshy cushion, and the white snow accumulated on it had fallen all over Li Xiao's head and face, with even a few drops leaking into his collar.
Li Xiao couldn't help but shiver.
He has always been afraid of the cold, and this became even more pronounced after he fell ill.
Li Xiao, who was afraid of the cold, naturally didn't get along with Shen Yun, who liked to live in snow caves.
Even though he could use talismans to protect himself, he would still avoid rainy and snowy days whenever possible.
Because of the pampering she received, she has grown up to this age without experiencing even the slightest bit of hardship.
Unexpectedly, this was the first time I'd ever gotten caught in the snow, and it was with a kid I barely knew, all because of him...
Thinking of this, Li Xiao suddenly felt a strange feeling welling up in his heart, which he couldn't quite put his finger on.
Actually, if Shen Yun is acting strangely, he himself is just as baffled. He went to such lengths for such an insignificant little brat, and now he's been both used as a human cushion and frozen in the cold. It's simply unbelievable.
—What exactly is the purpose?
Li Xiao couldn't explain it. He had never been good at thinking, not because he was inherently stupid or unable to understand things.
More often than not, it's because of laziness and aversion to trouble.
After all, his good days didn't come from thinking.
Li Xiao thought that instead of wasting time and energy on useless thinking, it would be better to just lie down and relax, since you won't starve if you lie down... On the other hand, if someone like Shen Yun were to fight desperately, they would probably be long gone if they lacked the strength to do so.
Therefore, Li Xiao's current dilemma and concern are strange in themselves. Yet, he can't control himself from thinking and acting in that way.
It was as if his mind and limbs had their own ideas.
It's as if... this kid possesses some kind of bewitching, mysterious power.
"That shouldn't be the case—"
Li Xiao muttered to himself, staring at that barely decent-looking face over and over, but couldn't figure it out.
However, the soft touch on the fingertips is indeed quite nice.
Thinking this, Li Xiao added another evil claw on his own.
Lost in this rare moment of contemplation, he paid no attention to the child who was constantly retreating and almost embedding himself in the tree trunk behind him, or the dangerous presence emanating from behind him—
It is getting closer.
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