Chapter 107 Goodbye From now on, he will never again stir any emotion in her heart...
The thin, sharp blade penetrated deep into the wood, and fluffy wood shavings fell in a soft rustling sound. With each gentle carving, the undulating contours gradually became clear.
Even though he knew her features by heart, Li Xunhuan still felt he hadn't captured her spirit in his painting. No matter how exquisite his carving skills were, he couldn't make the wood catch fire. The burning intensity in those cat-like eyes was something no one could truly depict.
His slightly calloused fingers carefully touched his eyebrows and eyes, stroking and caressing them repeatedly. As if thinking of something, his eyes gradually dimmed.
He would die with regrets if he didn't speak the words hidden in his heart.
If you are disgusted or angry, I'd gladly give you my life. But... please let me see you one more time.
His eyes were red-rimmed, and a burning, watery light shone in them; anyone who saw him would have thought that Little Li Flying Dagger was drunk. But who would have guessed that he now dared not touch a drop of alcohol?
Even a man as strong as Li Xunhuan, who takes life and death lightly, is afraid that a sip of wine might shorten his life. Truly, life is unpredictable.
But he was no longer young. How could he not seize the day in the decades he had left? He had made a promise to love her and protect her for the rest of his life.
He wished it were her whole life. Li Xunhuan lowered his eyelashes, leaving only darkness and bitterness in his eyes.
The wheels creaked, and Tie Chuanjia tightened the reins, saying in a hoarse voice, "Young Master, we've arrived."
Li Xunhuan did not respond. He coughed loudly again, a tear about to fall from the corner of his eye. The cough was drowned out by the loud chatter of the crowd and did not cause a ripple.
"Was Master Sun also invited to attend the Master's birthday celebration?"
"Why should we raise flags between ourselves? Everyone here today is here for the sword appreciation event."
"I wonder where this mysterious Qique Manor came from?"
"Never heard of its name! If you dare to use the name of this precious sword to attract attention, ask me if my Green Wind Blade would approve!"
......
Li Xunhuan listened silently for a long time, and only when the voices faded into the distance did he lift the curtain and get out of the carriage, saying in a hoarse voice, "...Let's go."
The Qique Manor sent out invitations widely, using the occasion of a birthday celebration to invite martial arts figures to admire a precious sword and choose its master. This news sparked much speculation. Many in the martial world had never heard of the Qique Manor before; could such a charlatan truly possess a world-renowned sword?
Some in the martial arts world scoffed at it, while others were skeptical. Those who came to the gathering, besides seeking entertainment, mostly came to investigate the true nature of the manor.
Li Xunhuan had no interest in the precious sword. Although he had only met Xi Rao once, he knew that given Xi Rao and Nian Nian's character, if it were truly just for the sake of rewarding the sword, they probably wouldn't have sent him an invitation.
But he still came. It was just one life after all.
If she wanted him to pay with his life, why bother with roundabout methods? She only needed to say the word, and he would agree to anything now.
The gatekeeper accepted the birthday gifts and invitation, bowing respectfully. "Young master, this way please. Today is the master's birthday, and a banquet to test our skills has been specially prepared."
Since this is a trial banquet, Nian Nian should be able to be seen at the banquet.
Li Xunhuan's heart tightened, his face remained expressionless, but his palms were already damp with sweat. He had been eager to go, but as the moment approached, he was filled with unease.
Nestled against the mountain and facing the water, the Qique Manor boasts a majestic and solemn architecture, yet retains a touch of rustic elegance and refinement. Passing through the main hall, which is filled with weapon racks, one arrives at the well-arranged pavilions and towers. Li Xunhuan, with no interest in appreciating the scenery, hurriedly stepped onto the long corridor.
At the end of the winding corridor was a plum grove, which was now full of guests.
Upon seeing him take his seat, some people fell silent for a moment. Having come to the gathering, many were there to seize the treasured sword. But if Little Li the Divine Sword also desired the sword, who would it ultimately belong to?
A burly, red-faced man clapped his hands and laughed loudly, saying, "Qique Manor has quite the influence, managing to invite Scholar Li! Has Scholar Li grown tired of throwing knives and now wants to try his hand at a broadsword?"
Qique Manor is nameless and unremarkable, and most renowned martial arts masters wouldn't even consider it a threat. Li Xunhuan has only recently entered the pass, and only one or two people present could recognize him. Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.
Some people sighed inwardly, wondering why Li Xunhuan, instead of forging his throwing knives, had to interfere and try to steal them.
Some people wondered to themselves, "Even Little Li Flying Dagger came after hearing the sound. Could it be that the Qique Manor really has a treasured sword hidden inside?"
Regardless of what others speculated, Li Xunhuan suppressed a cough and simply smiled, saying, "Knives and throwing knives are of the same origin. If you can use a throwing knife, why can't you use a precious sword?"
The burly man's smile faltered for a moment as he suppressed his resentment and offered a few words of praise, only to be met with a sarcastic rebuke from Li Xunhuan.
He has always treated hypocrites this way, speaking bluntly and without reservation.
The faces of everyone in the martial arts world present were already quite grim, but Li Xunhuan was still leisurely sipping his tea.
He certainly didn't appear as composed as he seemed; who would have guessed that the cuffs of Little Li's flying daggers were already wet from gripping them so tightly?
As the atmosphere grew tense, dozens of servants filed out carrying lacquered wooden trays, their footsteps barely audible.
A deep, resonant voice echoed from the end of the grove, "We are honored by the presence of all you heroes. We have prepared a simple banquet; we hope you will not find it offensive!"
Upon hearing that voice, Li Xunhuan felt a pang in his heart, suddenly gripped his teacup tightly, and gazed longingly into the distance.
The dishes were full of delicacies from land and sea, making people gasp. No matter how you look at it, it could not be called a meager feast. But who among the people present was really there for the food and drink? Hearing this, they all craned their necks, wanting to see who this mysterious owner of the manor was.
The thick snow settled firmly with a soft 'rustling' sound, leaving a trail of footprints. Finally, the owner of the mountain villa revealed his true face. Xi Rao was still wearing his dark blue cedar, with only half a mask covering his left cheek, adding a touch of mystery to his handsome appearance.
While everyone was scrutinizing Xi Rao, Li Xunhuan, already in a state of utter confusion, looked behind him.
The frostbite marks on Niannian's face had all disappeared, and her delicate little face was even more radiant than a peeled lychee. However, the light blue rouge applied to the corners of her eyes, combined with her jet-black eyelashes, made her cold gaze sharper than a blade when she lowered her eyes.
Li Xunhuan stared at her intently, as if he had lost his soul and could no longer look away.
His gaze was too direct; in the blink of an eye, those beautifully shaped cat eyes swept coldly over from afar.
Li Xunhuan's breath caught in his throat, and he suddenly felt helpless, almost forgetting the occasion. He opened and closed his lips, about to get up. The words in his throat were already about to burst out, and he didn't want to wait a moment longer.
However, before he could move, with the words "Niannian" still stuck in his throat, he saw her gaze lightly sweep across his eyes, as if glancing at an insignificant snowflake, before she abruptly looked away without any emotion.
Li Xunhuan stood frozen in place, his nostrils filled with ice crystals. The desolate land, which had just been warm, was suddenly hit by a blizzard, as if to bury him completely.
He had imagined many possible reactions from her, whether it was disgust or hatred, or a reluctance to see her again, but he never expected this one. She treated him like a complete stranger, as if she wanted to erase everything from the past and sever all ties with him.
From then on, he could no longer stir any emotion in her.
The sudden panic almost overwhelmed him. In his trembling state, his cold hands reached into his wrist and clutched the red rope as if it were a lifeline.
Under the naked gazes of everyone with their own thoughts, Xi Rao lightly tapped the table with his fingertips and said calmly, "The journey through the martial world is long, and you have all had a long and tiring journey. Let's have a meal first."
He raised his glass, his gaze meeting Li Xunhuan's from afar, and raised an eyebrow slightly. "Let me first toast everyone."
Li Xunhuan frowned, subconsciously looking for Niannian's eyes, only to see her gazing at Xi Rao, not glancing at him once. She had returned to the peacock feather green dress she wore when they first met, along with the tattered crimson skirt. When the two stood side by side, they were more than just a perfect match.
He pursed his lips, his peripheral vision falling on Xi Rao's young face, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the teacup tightly.
He and Niannian used to always wear blue robes together...
He took a sip of tea with an unreadable expression, but couldn't taste anything; all he felt was a sour aftertaste.
Seeing that the owner of this manor was only twenty years old and had a child with tender eyes by his side, many people's minds started to stir. Some couldn't help but squint and laugh, "Swords have no eyes at the Trial of Swords Banquet, why bring a baby along!"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter.
This man had a bushy beard and a dark face; he was over fifty years old and had a certain reputation in the martial arts world. His use of the term "baby" carried a derogatory and sarcastic tone, not only directed at Nian Nian.
Xi Rao twitched his lips, stared at the dark-faced giant for a few moments, his narrow phoenix eyes darkened, and the black hair inside his sleeve shot out like an arrow, instantly biting off the tongue like a snake.
The steaming half of the tongue suddenly fell to the ground, staining it with blood. Insects and ants, which seemed to have found it from nowhere, swarmed around it and devoured the fresh flesh.
The entire venue was silent.
Xi Rao said slowly and deliberately, "What are you to dare gossip about her?"
The man's eyes were bloodshot with rage. He covered his mouth and whimpered, about to draw his sword, but his limbs seemed to freeze, and he suddenly couldn't move. In his terror, he looked up and met a pair of sinister cat eyes.
Niannian tilted her head, her lips parted slightly, and she silently uttered, "Useless thing."
Xi Rao reached out and put his arm around her shoulder, bent down slightly, and whispered a few words of coaxing in her ear. Only then did the corners of her mouth slowly turn up.
He chuckled and turned to the side, speaking with a pointed remark: "The trial banquet is not only about swords having no eyes, but also about being careful with words. If you offend my master, I'm afraid a joyous occasion will turn into a tragedy."
Li Xunhuan's breathing became erratic, his gaze falling on those glaringly large hands. His jawline tightened, and he subconsciously gripped the throwing knife that had slipped into his palm.
Niannian crossed her arms and said with a half-smile, "I see that all of you uncles and elders have come here to admire the swords, so you probably won't enjoy the Seven Treasures Feast."
Even though she offered the words, no one dared to respond. The speed of the Qique Manor Lord's Horizontal Strike Technique was truly astonishing, and since they were on someone else's turf, even those who were confident in their martial arts skills could only suppress their temper for the time being.
At this moment, everyone's gaze subtly turned to Li Xunhuan, hoping he would step forward to 'uphold justice'. But Little Li the Divine Blade would only draw his blade for Nian Nian, so they could only be disappointed.
Xi Rao stepped forward and clapped his hands in greeting, "In that case, let's test the knife first."
The group exchanged glances in twos and threes, and finally became serious.
Several strongmen entered carrying swords, their scabbards trembling slightly with each step. The crowd gasped in amazement, and someone couldn't help but exclaim, "How come there are two?"
Xi Rao raised an eyebrow, his pupils shifting slightly to meet Li Xunhuan's gaze precisely, and said meaningfully, "As you all may not know, these two swords are a pair, one male and one female, and are a pair of swords that fly together. It is precisely because my junior sister is not skilled with swords that I did not want these precious swords to be left to gather dust, so I specially set up this sword appreciation event to choose a master for her."
As soon as the scabbard opened, the twin blades were drawn, their humming sound causing all the plum branches in the forest to fall backward. When the two blades overlapped, the patterns on the male and female swords blurred and solidified into the shape of a pair of lovebirds.
Truly a pair of swords flying side by side!
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Author's Note: In the next chapter, Xiao Li won't be able to take it anymore!!! Everyone, get ready to explode!
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