An old friend returns (Part 3)
Chapter 33
early morning.
Chushan Bamboo Grove Retreat
The young man's sword aura was clear and cold as frost, concealing a sharp edge. Wherever his sword passed, the bamboo leaves rustled, and the falling emerald green bamboo leaves turned into ice powder and scattered with the wind just before hitting the ground.
In the blink of an eye, ten moves had passed.
He deftly and cleanly sheathed his sword behind his back and walked toward the red-clad girl who was leaning against a bamboo grove with her sword in her arms, watching.
"Ah Ling, it seems your swordsmanship hasn't slacked off while I was away."
His sword moves were all extremely powerful and decisive, without the slightest hesitation, clearly showing that he had practiced a lot.
"I will never forget what my master taught me," Song Ling said with a smile.
"Not bad, not bad, worthy of praise." Xie Yuan gave him a thumbs up, and then she took out a note that she had prepared beforehand from her sleeve.
"We need to finish all of this in one day!"
Song Ling was slightly taken aback: "Within a day?"
“Yes, all within a day,” she suddenly said, sounding a little annoyed.
"Master just arrived yesterday, shouldn't you stay here a little longer?" Song Ling feigned confusion.
Xie Yuan gave a forced smile: "I'd like to, if you're willing to tell me your plan..."
"Master, the weather is really nice today. We should be able to finish before sunset."
Before he could finish speaking, Song Ling abruptly interrupted him.
The boy smiled at her with a carefree and innocent expression, looking eager to see her.
Xie Yuan: ""
Okay, I don't want to.
——
last night.
Xie Yuan led Song Ling to the library and amassed some money.
As agreed, he will stay in Ancheng for a while, so there's no need to rush.
But to her dismay, being with him meant that plans always fell short of expectations, as if they were racing against time.
As soon as they came out, they encountered a mysterious young man in white. He appeared out of thin air like a ghost, without disturbing the killing formation outside, and stood on the railing, his robes fluttering without wind.
This person can actually tear through space directly, and is not bound by the rules of space?
Xie Yuan then noticed what he was holding in his hand: a black datura flower. Her brows furrowed slightly. This was a unique symbol that the Wujian Pavilion would place after killing someone.
Could it be that Song Ling's enemy is the Wujian Pavilion?
Xie Yuan was a little confused, but this shouldn't be the case. In the original novel, Wujian Pavilion was clearly founded by Song Ling. The reason why black datura was used as a "gift" after murder was not just a gift. A Gu worm would be parasitized on it. If a person touched it directly, the Gu worm would be parasitized without their knowledge, and they would not notice it until seven days later, when the Gu worm would travel to various parts of the body.
Therefore, the black datura is not actually an ordinary datura.
Cultivating this black datura requires human blood, which causes one of its pure black petals to turn deep red.
But the one in the person's hand is clearly a counterfeit.
"My lord," the white-robed youth said proudly, brandishing the black datura in his hand, "the mission is complete."
Xie Yuan showed no surprise upon hearing the words "Master".
It's obvious that Song Ling is the owner of Buzhichun Pavilion, but what's the meaning of this person holding a pirated flower from Wujian Pavilion?
Could it be that we'll finally get in touch with his plans?
Xie Yuan pretended not to hear, but she had actually pricked up her ears. She wanted to hear what was going on, since Song Ling was not going to kick her out anyway.
The young man in white also noticed her, and quite oblivious to the situation, he happily called out to her, "Lady Xie Yuan!"
Xie Yuan was startled by his sudden, loud voice.
"Master, you go back first, I'll be back later."
Xie Yuan was shocked: "Oh, no..."
She was about to reach out and grab Song Ling when, in the blink of an eye, he had vanished into thin air, as had the white-clad youth.
Xie Yuan: ? ? ? !!!
She was truly impressed.
Is it really necessary?
——
Xie Yuan and Song Ling enjoyed a pleasant day in Ancheng.
As night fell over the western mountains, the fiery afterglow illuminated half the sky.
However.
Such beautiful times were always fleeting and ephemeral for the two of them.
Their relationship was always forced to move forward by fate.
What was once Luoqi Mountain is now...
——
Ancheng City Gate.
The two rode their horses slowly against the flow of people towards that direction.
"Master, shouldn't you go back to Jingyu Manor first to say goodbye to your master and senior brothers?"
Xie Yuan's red dress was as fiery as fire, but her slender back remained ramrod straight. By this time, her horse had already left the city gate.
She turned her horse around and took one last look at the place where she had lived since childhood in this life and the next. The bustling city of Ancheng was still prosperous.
She had always wanted to show him this kind of down-to-earth, everyday life.
But Ah Ling could never truly fit in. He always watched her interact with others like an outsider, his eyes still only able to see her.
The plans and schemes devised by someone like him are always flawless, and no one can stop them.
Xie Yuan had no idea what he was up to.
But she knew.
This must be related to her.
What could she, as his mentor, do but accompany him on this journey?
"I'm not going back. I don't like this kind of scene. Some people and some things, once you say goodbye, you can never see them again."
Xie Yuan hates parting.
She always felt that such a scene was very sad. All good things must come to an end, and if the closing act was accompanied by such a sorrowful finale, it would not be worthy of their passionate and beautiful past.
Even if things have changed, even if we are worlds apart and our paths have diverged.
Those days of mutual sacrifice and shared life and death will at least remain as joyful as ever in our memories.
"No, it won't..."
My master and I will never be separated.
"Can't do anything"
Xie Yuan's dark hair was ruffled by a gust of wind. She raised her hand to brush it aside, and heard the person next to her say softly, "No, it won't happen."
"It's nothing, Master, you misheard." Song Ling smiled. "Yesterday, Master, weren't you curious about what I was doing? How about I tell you on the way?"
Xie Yuan gave him a suspicious look: "Tell me everything?"
He then changed the subject, "Of course not."
Xie Yuan: (each)
Is this apprentice even worth keeping? I want to beat him up.
He's so spoiled and capable now. I should have given him a good beating when he was a kid. Now that my apprentice's grown up, I can't beat him, I can't outwit him, and I can't even fathom human nature.
Now they're not only openly setting things up in front of her, but they're also not telling her. Isn't that just keeping her in suspense?
It would be better to keep it from her and not let her know!
Anyway, this is something he's best at!
Song Ling looked at her resentful expression with amusement. "Master, don't be angry, okay?" His horse paced to stand beside her, and he took her hand and intertwined their fingers. He shook it in a conciliatory manner, his peach blossom eyes slightly upturned, filled with bright and cheerful laughter.
Xie Yuan remained unmoved, her little face stern, with an expression that said, "You can't coax me today, I won't talk to you."
"How about this, Master?"
Song Ling suddenly leaned down slightly, approached her, and gently kissed her lips, then blinked innocently at her.
Xie Yuan suppressed the rising heat on her face and gritted her teeth, saying, "Song Ling! That's not how you use a honey trap!"
"I don't care, as long as it's useful to Master, Master already paid attention to me." Song Ling said, her eyes crinkling with laughter as she tried to justify herself.
Xie Yuan knew he wouldn't tell her, but she still tried desperately to get something out of him each time, playing all her emotional cards and master-disciple relationship cards, but he remained unmoved.
She didn't know when it started, but she always felt a vague unease in her heart.
He still acts recklessly, even at the cost of self-harm or enemy injury, as long as he achieves the desired result.
Life was worthless in his eyes.
Song Ling might be swayed by her words, but he wouldn't change his already made decision.
But since he chose to tell her only part of it, he would never lie to her.
"Then tell me how much you want to achieve if your plan has ten parts."
"Less than one-tenth."
"Song Ling!"
Xie Yuan was so angry that she clenched her fist as if to hit him. Well, he didn't even have one-tenth of the power!
Instead of flinching, Song Ling moved her face even closer, her eyes sparkling with no fear whatsoever.
I spoiled you too much before!
Xie Yuan couldn't bring herself to hit him with that face, and in the end, she could only give him a light pinch on the ear and then stop.
“My master is very indulgent towards me now.” Song Ling smiled.
"That's why I gave you the opportunity to push your luck!" Xie Yuan sighed in frustration. "With your willfulness, you'll cause big problems sooner or later. You keep everything from me. I'm not afraid of the worst-case scenario, but what if something goes wrong and I can't protect you...?"
"I know you have your plans, but I'm still worried about you. I've told you so many times not to take your life lightly, not to do anything reckless, but you just won't listen..."
When facing Song Ling, Xie Yuan didn't say anything or stop him because she knew she couldn't stop him. But not stopping him didn't mean she wasn't worried. It was true that he was very strong, but in her eyes, she had seen Song Ling's cutest side when he was young. He was cruel and innocent, but when he was cared for, he would show childlike helplessness, confusion, and awkwardness.
if
If only there were a "what if".
If she had always been there, she could have protected him as he grew up safely, taught him how to conduct himself in society, and helped him experience the world...
He will never become the Song dynasty figure from the original story, who caused widespread suffering, cruel killings, and ruthlessness towards his own family.
But the rules cannot be broken...
“Master, although I have lied to you many times before, this time will be the last time I lie to you. After this is over, I will only be your Song Ling, and no one else will bother us anymore. Whether it is the past or the past, we are just us.”
"If my master says east, I will never go west. I want to live the life that my master envisions as Song Ling."
"I want to start over with my master."
Xie Yuan turned her face away, gazing at the gradually emerging night sky, trying to suppress the rising tide of emotions, and whispered.
"good."
She knew in her heart how difficult it was for him to grasp something that was so simple and easily obtained by ordinary people.
so.
Ah Ling.
This time, I hope you can really get what you want.
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