Chapter 47: Reflections on Emotion
At Xiyu Manor, Ling Beixiao called Ling Qichen to his bedside, as if giving his last instructions. He said earnestly, "Qin'er, this is my fate. You don't need to be sad. I have something to tell you, and you must remember it."
With tears streaming down her face, Ling Qichen choked out, "Father, please tell me, I will remember it."
Ling Beixiao: "Although you have memorized the mental techniques and moves of the 'Floating Rain' technique, you must not seek revenge before you have mastered the ultimate skill, lest you lose your life in vain."
Ling Qichen said in a low voice, "Father, I remember. I will definitely learn to float in the fine rain and take charge of the fine rain manor."
Ling Beixiao: "No need. I know you don't like fighting. You can live on your own. I have entrusted the matter of the manor to Xueyan. She is clever and resourceful, so you don't need to worry about her. There are dark forces watching from behind, but she has already gained their trust. In the future, no matter what she does, don't ask too many questions, otherwise, you will put her in danger."
Ling Qichen's mind went blank; she could only nod, unable to think clearly or utter a word.
Ling Beixiao continued, "After I die, you don't need to keep vigil for me. Leave Longyang City immediately, the farther the better."
Upon hearing this, Ling Qichen immediately called out, "Father..."
Ling Beixiao: "You should leave now. I will have Xueyan see me off on my final journey. You should know that if you stay here, your sister will be in danger."
After explaining the situation, Ling Beixiao proceeded according to plan and entered the secret room of the manor alone.
Ling Xueyan summoned the housekeeper, Xi Shang, and said that Ling Beixiao wanted to see him in a secret room. Xi Shang didn't say much and went with Ling Xueyan.
The secret chamber of the mountain villa was built under the supervision of Shang. Everyone who knew about this secret chamber except for him has died and is no longer alive.
When Xi Shang arrived at the secret chamber, he saw Ling Beixiao sitting on a stone platform.
Xi Shang respectfully asked, "Master, what can I do for you?"
Ling Beixiao said calmly, "Xi Shang, how many years have you been with me?"
Shang Gongyan said, "This old servant has served my master for more than eighteen years!"
Ling Beixiao: "Eighteen years have passed. In these eighteen years, I know I have treated you well. Now I want to borrow something from you. Are you willing to lend it to me?"
Xi Shang asked in confusion, "My clothes, food, and clothing are all given to me by my master. I wonder what my master wants to borrow from me?"
Ling Beixiao coldly said, "Your life!"
Upon hearing this, Xi Shang's eyes lit up, and he immediately sensed something was wrong. He knelt down and said, "I don't know what this old servant has done wrong that my master wants to take my life?"
Ling Beixiao: "You are fine, but I am seriously injured right now, and the manor is in grave danger. Only by taking your life can we overcome this crisis!"
When Xi Shang heard this, he knew there was no way to turn the tide, so he focused his energy and his killing intent suddenly arose.
In an instant, his left palm slammed into the ground and rose up, while his right palm descended from the sky, striking directly at Ling Beixiao.
Upon seeing this, Ling Beixiao closed his eyes and remained expressionless.
Just as the palm strike was about to kill, Ling Xueyan, who was behind, swiftly withdrew her energy. Her body, which had been immobilized, could not advance even an inch, and then it suddenly veered off course, her entire body floating in the air.
His true energy and palm strikes were all neutralized, leaving him suspended in mid-air, powerless to resist. He looked at Ling Xueyan and exclaimed in surprise, "You've also mastered the levitation technique?"
Ling Xueyan declared boldly, "That's right, I'll test my skills on you today!"
After speaking, she channeled her inner energy into her left hand, directly absorbing Xi Shang's internal energy. Xi Shang's face gradually aged, and his hair turned snow-white. A moment later, Xi Shang, whose internal energy had been completely drained, became emaciated. Ling Xueyan withdrew her hand to regulate her energy, and Xi Shang fell to the ground, dead.
After Ling Xueyan's inner energy was enhanced, she became radiant and light as a feather, her vast true energy seemingly able to absorb the energy of heaven and earth.
Ling Xueyan looked at Xi Shang on the ground, his face full of wrinkles, making it difficult to discern his features. She exclaimed happily, "Father! That's wonderful! In this way, Ouyang Longyuan will have no choice but to believe us!"
Ling Beixiao couldn't bear to see the old butler, who had served him for decades, end up like this. He said shamelessly, "Alright, handle the rest carefully."
...
Inside the courtyard inn on Xiangcheng Street, Yu Linglong sat gracefully before a bronze mirror, her beautiful face reflected in it as she dressed and groomed herself with a smile. Her long, black hair was styled into a slanted spiral, with a beautiful strand cascading across her forehead. Nine silver-white jade lotuses accentuated her noble status as a palace mistress, and two pearl pendants added to her considerable wealth.
At this moment, Xiaoyao Lang approached from behind, holding the pale white jade hairpin in his hand, and slowly inserted it into Yu Linglong's beautiful hair, adding a touch of elegance.
Yu Linglong then smiled slightly, her smile incredibly sweet and alluring.
Xiaoyao Lang laughed and said, "You laughed again!"
Yu Linglong said calmly, "So what?"
Xiaoyao Lang said softly, "It's really beautiful!"
Yu Linglong coldly replied, "Glib-tongued."
Xiaoyao Lang joked, "That depends on who the other person is!"
Yu Linglong stood up, turned her head and glared at Xiaoyao Lang, saying indifferently, "If you're ready, then set off. Shanshui City is picturesque and full of beautiful women. Save your sweet words for there and pour them out to your heart's content."
Xiaoyao Lang was taken aback, then spread his hands out and said, "You're planning to set me up on a blind date?"
Yu Linglong said calmly, "If you're willing, I don't mind helping you!"
Xiaoyao Lang picked up the sword on the table, walked closer to Yu Linglong, and whispered in her ear, "Is that so? I'm really looking forward to it!" Then he looked out the window and said, "I've been prepared for a long time, but it looks like it's going to rain. I need to find a carriage to take shelter from the wind and rain."
Yu Linglong asked directly, "Do you need me to come with you?"
Xiaoyao Lang shook his head and said, "No need for that. There are sweets and fruits on the table. Eat something if you're hungry. I'll be back soon." With that, he took his sword and left.
Yu Linglong looked at the food on the table, shook her head, but smiled slightly, her beauty captivating all who saw her.
Inside that luxurious room in Southeast Asia, Ouyang Fanhuang sat on his throne and suddenly stood up angrily, saying, "What? Say it again."
Ling Xueyan said tremblingly, "My father has passed away!"
Ouyang Fanhuang looked incredulous and said calmly, "How could he have died so easily?"
Ling Xueyan: "My father's inner energy was shattered, and his appearance suddenly aged. In a fit of anger, he was seriously injured and could not save his life."
The young emperor stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, let me go and investigate."
Ouyang Fanhuang: "Very well, Ling Beixiao is also a figure in the martial arts world, so I will send you to offer this incense on my behalf!"
Young Emperor: "Yes!"
Ling Xueyan looked up and asked, "What should I do next? Please give me your instructions, Your Majesty."
Ouyang Fanhuang's majestic voice rang out: "Recruit soldiers and horses, expand our territory."
Ling Xueyan: "Yes!"
In the backyard of the Sihe Inn, Xiaoyao Lang bought a sheltered carriage, tied two horses together, and rode them together.
At this moment, Yu Linglong walked gracefully over, her elegant figure like that of a celestial being. Her white silk skirt covering her hips fluttered in the wind. As she approached Xiaoyao Lang, an alluring fragrance of white lotus wafted towards him.
Yu Linglong asked softly, "Can we go now?"
The carefree man laughed and said, "The carriage is ready, all that's missing is the beauty!"
Yu Linglong glanced at Xiaoyao Lang, her expression unchanged, and silently boarded the carriage. Xiaoyao Lang then rode off on horseback.
Yu Linglong sat down in the shed, feeling a warmth in her heart. The shed was reddish-brown, with oiled paper lining the walls. Although it looked old and worn from the outside, the inside was cleverly designed.
The stool was covered with three layers of cashmere, and there were already backrests on the back and right walls. The inner walls were lined with fine patterned fabric, and the curtains were also made of silk. In the lower left corner, there was a tatami stool with food and water, as well as an orange velvet canopy. There wasn't much space left when Yu Linglong sat down, so it was probably reserved for her alone.
As Xiaoyao Lang rode his horse through Willow Grove Street, thunder rumbled and lightning flashed, and a torrential downpour began. Xiaoyao Lang was prepared and quickly put on his raincoat and straw hat, which provided some protection but not complete shelter from the wind and rain.
Hearing the sound of wind and rain, Yu Linglong felt a pang of pity and gently pulled back the curtain, saying softly, "If you really can't take shelter from the rain, come in."
Xiaoyao Lang declared, "How can one avoid all the storms of life?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Linglong withdrew her jade hand and said with emotion, "Who caused all this turmoil? In the midst of the tribulations of the mortal world, there is you. I only wish that everything is as empty as a dream, that we would never have parted even if we had never met."
Xiaoyao Lang exclaimed, "Such profound insights! It sounds like you're even more sorrowful than I am!"
Yu Linglong said calmly, "Do you know what love is?"
Xiaoyao Lang declared, "The word 'love' is truly powerful, controlling the joys and sorrows of life. How could I not know that?"
Yu Linglong said sweetly, "Is that so? Let me hear your opinion."
Xiaoyao Lang boldly declared: "A hundred years of dust have sealed away a drunken dream; fame and fortune are all in vain. If I have a beautiful woman by my side in this fleeting life, I will stay with her until death."
Upon hearing this, Yu Linglong smiled slightly and asked softly, "If you already know that the beauty's life is short and she will not live to a ripe old age, what will you do?"
Xiaoyao Lang immediately said, "If that's the case, I don't ask for a life of leisure, but only for the pleasures of flowers and moonlight, to live life to the fullest. Then I will have no regrets in this life." He then spurred his horse and galloped away, with only the sound of wind and rain pattering on the leaves.
Yu Linglong sat in the carriage shed, listening to Xiaoyao Lang's emotional words with great satisfaction. She pulled back the curtain again, looked at Xiaoyao Lang's back, and smiled sweetly before sitting down to meditate and fall asleep.
Murong Hanchan and her group, drenched in the heavy rain, rode their horses to Xiangcheng Street and stopped in front of the Sihe Inn.
Murong Hanchan said, "Senior Brother, let's stay here for the night."
Xie Yunfeng: "Alright! We'll do as Junior Sister says."
Yi Mingzhao hurriedly said, "Miss Murong, Young Master Xie, it only takes a moment to cross Xiangcheng Street to reach my humble abode. Why not stay at my residence instead of lodging in this inn?"
Murong Hanchan smiled and said, "Young Master Yi, we have already disturbed your esteemed residence upon our arrival in Longyang City. How could we possibly bother you again?"
Xie Yunfeng added, "Second Young Master, my junior sister is absolutely right. We will be returning tomorrow, so we won't trouble you any further."
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