It was the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, and most of the soldiers on guard duty were on leave, so the heavens were exceptionally quiet.
Beneath his feet lay the soft, sandy snow, while behind him hung his cool yet clingy Issa.
Even though the surroundings were quiet, Yun Wei's heart was like a string of fireworks exploding, making a great commotion.
Isaac called him "Baby" again.
Last night, I even buried a shiny gold coin under his pillow.
Even on ordinary days, the other party took very good care of him, almost meticulously.
But the other person was clearly almost ten years younger than him.
Mingming, in that "Don't Move" game, the other person was just as inexperienced and nervous as he was.
Even after so long, the shiver that came from the other person's uncontrollable leg muscles was still imprinted on his palm.
Scalding hot, breathtaking, just like the surging emotions in my heart right now, unstoppable.
Yun Wei couldn't understand why Isaac could always so easily stir his heartstrings.
Just as he couldn't understand why these soul-stirring contrasts always made him hopelessly addicted to them, making him dance in a complex mix of shyness, unable to stop.
"Let's teach each other instead," Yun Wei finally replied.
His voice was somewhat low and hoarse, like the soft, crunching snowflakes underfoot.
...
Shortly after noon, Xie Mulang arrived at the Taichang Temple.
The three of them sat down around the table.
Yun Wei noticed that this swordsman, who was always expressionless, seemed somewhat absent-minded.
He couldn't help but ask, "Brother Xie, what happened?"
"It's nothing." Xie Mulang was clearly taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, but seeing Yun Wei's sincere expression, he finally replied:
"After all, with what happened to the head of the Huo family, the four major families' houses were in complete chaos today. Moreover, I vaguely heard that my niece and Uncle Miaoyuan seemed to have been in love for some time... Brother Mingchan, Uncle Miaoyuan is probably the real biological father..."
The affairs between the two families back then were already a tangled mess, impossible to unravel.
With Huo Miaodan's downfall, some unfounded rumors gradually came to light and revealed their true nature.
But for the Xie family, this was hardly a glorious thing.
Therefore, Xie Mulang stopped there.
Xie Mulang continued, "In short, my eldest uncle lost his temper today and admonished his nephews and younger generations to cultivate virtue and self-discipline. But my third uncle felt very gratified. The two of them ended up parting on bad terms, and I was caught in the middle, which put me in a very difficult position."
Yun Wei recalled that he had just heard Xie Mulang say yesterday that the granddaughter of the other party's third uncle was originally engaged to Huo Miaoyuan, but married Huo Miaodan after Huo Miaoyuan's accidental death.
These were other people's family matters, so Yun Wei didn't say much.
If this were indeed the case, he would actually feel relieved, at least he wouldn't feel much guilt when he saw Huo Mingchan in the future.
After all, if Elder Xie hadn't arrived in time yesterday, he would have almost become the other party's "father's killer".
After offering some polite words of comfort, seeing that the atmosphere was still somewhat heavy, Yun Wei and Isaac exchanged a glance and changed the subject, saying, "By the way, Brother Xie, yesterday I saw that the sword you took out was gleaming with a cold light, and it was definitely not made of ordinary iron. Does it have any history?"
In fact, Yun Wei had already noticed that rare divine weapon when they were outside Moonflower City.
The other party only uses this sword in crucial battles, so it must be something they treasure very much.
However, after hearing Yun Wei's question, Xie Mulang remained silent for a long time.
The young man in black gently stroked the jade pendant at his waist, then took out the exquisitely crafted sword, even its scabbard, and placed it on the table with utmost care.
“This sword is named ‘Linlang’,” Xie Mulang said softly. He looked at the inscription on the hilt, his eyes filled with remembrance and reminiscence.
He spoke slowly, recounting a story from the past.
“My father was the second son in the Xie family, and his given name was Lang. My mother came from the Ouye Crafts Shop in the Third Heaven, and her given name was Lin…”
In his gentle narration, a heartwarming yet poignant story unfolded before Yun and Wei.
Xie Erlang was born into a prominent family. He was a handsome and talented young man. At the age when he was young and carefree, he went down to the Three Heavens to search for a sword, and happened to run into the feisty and precocious Ou Yelin.
Love arises without warning, and deepens with time. After many twists and turns, the two finally became husband and wife.
This loving couple was the envy of countless people in Bili City, and their father-in-law, Ou Yefeng, even forged the divine weapon "Linlang" as proof of their affection.
However, her good fortune was short-lived. When Ou Yelin gave birth to Xie Mulang, she unfortunately died in childbirth.
In her final moments, filled with boundless reluctance, she named Xie Mulang.
Tonight, I grieve at our parting; though jade shatters, pearls return.
Though mountains are high and roads are long, my admiration for you remains unchanged.
After that, Xie Lang seemed to be nothing but an empty shell. He became increasingly depressed and soon followed Ou Yelin to his death.
At that time, Xie Mulang was still young, and Xie Jin, the eldest uncle of the Xie family, was busy with Bili affairs, so he only entrusted the servants in the family to take care of him.
The Lantern Festival twenty-five years ago was extraordinary. The servants were so dazzled by the sight that they didn't realize Xie Mulang had disappeared.
"As a result, I got lost and was taken away by the opera troupe backstage." Xie Mulang laughed as he said this. "It was there that I learned the Seven Heart Sutra, which injured my five internal organs and will, and was blessed by the creation of heaven and earth."
The way of Heaven is to take from those who have too much and give to those who have too little.
It was precisely because he practiced this self-destructive technique that shortened his lifespan that he was finally found by the Xie family, having already reached the initial stage of the third level.
"At that time, I actually harbored resentment. To my shame, I felt incredibly lonely and longed for the happiness of an ordinary family. It was such a simple thing, yet it seemed so far out of reach for me."
"So I practiced martial arts like a madman, damaging my body. Finally, one winter, I collapsed in the snow, covered in blood, which even alarmed my uncle."
“I was determined that no matter what he said, I would not waver. But then he took out this sword and told me about my parents.”
“At that moment, I felt like I was alive again. I cried for a long time…” Xie Mulang said, a little embarrassed, and changed his words: “However, I really fell in love with swordsmanship, because in the selfless sword intent, I was no longer alone.”
That concludes his story.
Yun Wei's eyes reddened upon hearing this, and he remained stunned for a long time.
The flaw he had deliberately forgotten in his heart was now aching, causing him to feel an overwhelming sadness.
"I'm sorry, Brother Xie, I brought up your painful memories." Yun Wei sniffed and awkwardly comforted him, "You're so outstanding now, your uncle and aunt would be very pleased if they knew in the afterlife."
In any case, at least the other person is a child born in the love of their parents.
Xie Mulang laughed and patted Yun Wei's hand casually. "You look terrible. It's strange, I thought I would never talk about these past events with anyone, but seeing you two, I couldn't help but say so much."
Just then, Isaac quietly took Yun Wei's other hand and placed it between his own palms.
"I think Yun probably didn't use any mental magic," he joked, while his fingers gently pressed again and again.
Even without the power of the contract, he could sense the low spirits of his contract master and wanted to try to cheer him up.
He didn't know if what he was doing was right or wrong.
Perhaps Yun Wei also needs to vent, rather than keeping it hidden in his heart.
"Of course not!"
Yun Wei was indeed drawn to the attention and shook his head like a rattle drum.
He raised his hand and hurriedly swore an oath.
Then all three of them burst into laughter.
Finally, Xie Mulang carefully put away the Linglang Sword again, and said, "Alright, Brother Yun. Take out the ring left by the apostle. It's time to take stock of the spoils of war."
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