Chapter 115 Don't Treat Me Like This: Is It a Deviant Way or an Elopement...?
The dark blue hem of her dress cascaded down like a waterfall, and the fierce wind slashed the ice shards off her cheeks, scattering them all over the ground.
His eyelashes were pressed down by the strong wind, and a pair of narrow phoenix eyes were suddenly reflected in his emerald green pupils.
Xi Rao raised the corners of his mouth, his eyes sweeping mockingly over the broken leg. Suddenly, he frowned and drawled, "Master Li, what happened to make you look so disheveled?"
Under that oppressive gaze, Li Xunhuan felt as if the bone fragments embedded in his flesh were faintly burning. He took a deep breath, the muscles in his jaw bulging with effort, his hand, bleeding from between his fingers, slipped into his sleeve, but he did not respond.
As he climbed to the mountainside, he vaguely noticed that the red thread on his wrist was protecting his lungs and heart. Although he looked seriously injured, he had not suffered any internal injuries and would be fine after resting for more than a month.
Li Xunhuan still had people he couldn't bear to leave behind, and he was reluctant to risk his life for them.
However, he did not want to, nor was he willing to, lower his spine in front of Xi Rao.
He suddenly gritted his teeth, his hands climbed onto the stone tablet on one side, his shoulder blades embedded in the inscription, and he used almost all his strength to slowly get up.
The coughs and the groans of the shinbones were all carried away by the gale, leaving no trace as the wind passed.
Xi Rao's gaze turned cold, he gave a light scoff, and turned away with an ambiguous expression.
As the bell tolled, more and more martial arts practitioners climbed to the top. Although these people were not renowned heroes, they were still quite famous. At this moment, however, they were all pale, with damaged meridians and reversed blood flow. Some of them could no longer gather their inner strength.
"Master Xi has given us quite a hard time!"
Hearing the shout that was barely concealing his anger, Xi Rao said casually, "I had already advised you all to act according to your abilities, but I did not expect the precious sword to be so dazzling."
"you!"
"Second brother, Master Xi already said that our skills are not yet up to par, so we can't blame anyone else." The man's lips twitched slightly, but his facial muscles were extremely tense.
Internal injuries are difficult to treat, requiring not only the assistance of a master with internal energy but also precious medicinal herbs for treatment. Divine doctors are often eccentric geniuses, and it's necessary to persuade them to come out of seclusion. This time, they lost both their wife and their army, so how could they not harbor resentment?
But they are still on Xi Rao's territory, and they have suffered internal injuries. How dare they offend him at this time?
As the group remained locked in a stalemate, the martial arts practitioners who had stopped at the foot of the mountain earlier, knowing their internal strength was insufficient, all reached the summit. This steep mountaintop was crowded with people, but apart from the sound of the wind, the voices grew weaker and weaker, and the atmosphere gradually became stagnant until one could hear a pin drop.
Everyone noticed that the powerful figures who had climbed to the higher levels had all suffered internal injuries, and their momentum had receded like a receding tide, while those who had circled at the foot of the mountain had only suffered minor injuries.
With the strong and weak reversed and the world turned upside down, wouldn't the precious sword become a death warrant?
As everyone's thoughts raced, Xi Rao had already put his hands behind his back and smiled, saying, "Before the bell stopped ringing, only Master Li, Sect Leader Fang, and Senior Wu ascended the last step."
As he paused, the gazes of the crowd toward the group grew increasingly intense.
The two men besides Li Xunhuan were both over fifty years old. Upon hearing this, they showed no joy whatsoever; instead, their expressions became even more somber.
The majority of the remaining people, however, became eager and urged even more impatiently than the three: "The winner has been decided, so what about the third round..."
Xi Rao raised his eyebrows: "The third challenge is right here."
His fingers traced the inscription on the stele, and he said slowly, "This Hundred-Refined Stele is hard enough to break a hundred blades. The third challenge is the Broken Blade Tomb, which is also known as the Broken Blade Tomb. Each person can only make one strike, and the winner will be determined by the depth of the mark left by the blade's energy."
"Three esteemed heroes, who would like to make the first move?"
It's easy to seize the knife, but difficult to guard it. We can wait until my injuries heal before taking further action.
Now that this hot potato is in their hands, everyone wants to get rid of it as soon as possible. The two men immediately stroked their beards and sighed, "Having climbed this far, our inner strength has been completely exhausted. Since our skills are inferior, we are willing to relinquish our precious swords and let the capable person have them."
Everyone knew the reason behind these words, but they were spoken so smoothly and frankly that no one could find fault with them.
After the two men clasped their hands in greeting and made their agreement, everyone's eyes were fixed on Li Xunhuan.
If he were to seize the knife, no one would object. But once he leaves the gates of Qique Manor, even if he were Little Li Flying Dagger, he wouldn't be able to escape unscathed.
Anyone with a modicum of intelligence knows that this death warrant must not be accepted.
Li Xunhuan was certainly not stupid, but he still threw the throwing knife from his sleeve.
With a 'ding', the tip of the knife embedded itself in the blue stone tablet, and the hilt was still trembling slightly in the wind.
Xi Rao curled his lips and slowly said, "As expected of 'Little Li's Divine Blade, never missing its mark.' Hero Li truly deserves the title of 'Master Li,' now that he has acquired these twin blades."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a servant came slowly approaching, carrying a knife case.
Li Xunhuan knew, of course, that what was drawing ever closer to him was not just the Twin-Winged Blade, but a guillotine hanging over his neck. It seemed that by tomorrow, no one in the martial world would not want Li Xunhuan dead.
But what can we do?
He loves green plums, their green color and rich aroma, as well as their sweet, sour, and bitter taste.
He opened the sword case and, without a trace of emotion, gripped the hilt of the male sword.
With a 'whoosh', the tip of the knife pierced through the compacted snow and cut deep into the rocks.
Li Xunhuan pursed his lips, his face pale as he clutched the other knife box tightly. Without uttering a word, he turned his back, casting aside all the greedy and malicious gazes. His back was deeply bent as he limped down the mountain, leaning on his knife.
The raging wind whipped up his blood-stained shirt. He staggered, his back swaying, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Xi Rao turned his head to the side, and said slowly, "Congratulations, Master Li, on obtaining the treasured sword. My junior sister and I are planning to get married in three days. Master Li has obtained the sword, and I have gained my beloved. It is truly a double blessing."
He stopped.
The moment those words entered his ears, it felt as if all the blood in his body had been drained in an instant, and a sharp pain rose in his heart, as if something was struggling and suddenly awakening, rampaging and gnawing wildly in his heart, tearing his flesh in two with every bite.
His grip on the knife case loosened abruptly, cold sweat pouring down his face, and he pressed his trembling hand to his heart.
it hurts.
This excruciating pain pierced his heart, completely obscuring the agony of broken bones. Li Xunhuan gasped for breath, too preoccupied to ponder when he had been poisoned or ingested a Gu poison; his mind was filled only with the thought, "My junior sister and I intend to marry in three days."
The loud thud in my ear pierced through my eardrum and penetrated deeper into the bloody mess.
'No...' he murmured listlessly, the last two words nearly exhausting the last breath in his chest.
How could she marry someone else?
How could his "Niannian" and his "Lingxing" become someone else's Lady Xi?
He was in so much pain that he wanted to clutch his chest and collapse to the ground, but he also felt that the images in his mind of her marrying someone else, having children with other men, and having no connection with him anymore, were sharper than knives and even more painful than the present moment.
no.
In his panic, he lost his senses and lunged forward to go down the mountain to find Niannian, completely forgetting that he was still dragging an injured leg.
He had barely taken a step when he lost his footing and tumbled down the mountain steps. The whistling wind and flattering voices rushed into his ears, swirling wildly in his head. His body slammed against the steps, the sharp edges nearly shattering his bones.
His breathing became more and more rapid, and the excruciating pain spread to his limbs and bones, making it impossible for him to hold onto anything. He could only tense his waist and grit his teeth as he slammed into the protruding rocks on the side of the steps.
With a loud thud, his shoulder blade got stuck in a crevice in the rock, and the scabbard slammed deep into his chest. Li Xunhuan's face turned deathly pale in an instant. He tried to raise his hand to support himself, but he didn't have the strength to move even a finger.
He collapsed to the ground, the more aching and anxious he felt, the more intense the pain in his heart became. Unable to move, he lay there like a living dead, guarding the two deadly blades, repeating in his mind, 'Nian Nian, don't marry him.'
**
When Li Xunhuan closed his eyes, he realized he would never see her again.
When he opened his eyes and saw those upturned cat eyes again, he still felt dazed.
He blinked his eyelids laboriously, his lips moved, but his mind was blank.
Niannian felt a tightness in her chest, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the medicine bowl tightly. She swallowed the concern that almost spilled from her mouth and bit her lip, saying, "...How can you be so useless?"
Even she herself didn't realize how thick the sense of grievance was in those words, more sour and astringent than spoiled plum syrup.
If it were any other time, how could Li Xunhuan not have deciphered the meaning behind this?
But it has to be now.
The fangs of the worms pierced his flesh, and he groaned, swallowing the metallic taste in his throat as he endured the pain. He trembled and asked, "You really... want to marry him?"
His face was blank, but his dim eyes were filled with an unspeakable plea.
They locked eyes for only a moment before Nian Nian subconsciously lowered her eyes. "So what if it is?"
Li Xunhuan suddenly fell silent, a silence so profound it was eerie.
His body trembled violently, his hands gripping his clothes tightened abruptly, the veins bulging as if they would burst through his skin. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and with hot tears welling in his eyes, he gasped, "And what about me?"
Niannian stared intently at his chest and said in a hard voice, "You are nothing but my puppet."
Her eyelashes fluttered twice, and she turned her head away: "If you hadn't actually taken the knife, I wouldn't have saved you."
Tears mingled with cold sweat streamed down his face. The excruciating pain, as if his heart were being devoured, made him instinctively curl up. He vaguely recalled a sentence from a distant memory: "However he hurt you, I will make him pay a thousandfold."
Li Xunhuan suddenly chuckled softly, but his eyes were gradually moist. He felt that he had only himself to blame and no one else could be held responsible.
What else could he do?
She was determined to marry her senior brother. Could he possibly kidnap her and prevent her from getting married?
Even if Li Xunhuan were the most despicable person, he wouldn't resort to such shameless tactics.
His shoulders trembled violently as he laughed until his voice was hoarse, while tears silently streamed down his face.
Niannian parted her lips slightly, and after a long while, she suppressed the soreness in her heart and said in a low voice, holding a grudge, "Didn't you say that you used to be my father? Even if I marry my senior brother, we can still call each other father and daughter in the future."
Li Xunhuan raised his head, his eyes instantly bloodshot, but his laughter grew even more unrestrained until he was breathless. Then, as if drunk, he repeated, "Father and daughter... let's address each other as father and daughter..."
He swallowed the metallic taste in his throat, his eyes crinkling with laughter, but hot tears fell one by one onto the bed, splashing up larger and larger: "We've already made love, how can we call each other father and daughter?"
He choked back a sob, forced a smile, and said in a hoarse voice, "Do you expect me to send you off to your wedding and watch you make love with someone else?"
These words were filled with countless bittersweet emotions and sorrow. He finally lowered his head, covered his eyes with his hands, and his hoarse laughter gradually turned into intermittent sobs.
Blood and tears mingled together, dripping onto the ground through his fingers, drop after drop.
Li Xunhuan pleaded weakly, his voice trembling, "Don't do this to me."
He admitted that love is more important than dignity.
Tears welled up in his eyes, and his voice trembled as he said, "Niannian... I was wrong, please don't treat me like that."
He reached out tremblingly, clutching the blue hem of the garment before him, and pleaded humbly, "Love me."
"I beg you, love me again."
what to do.
His eyes were bloodshot, and his hands, gripping the hem of his clothes, clenched so tightly they spasmed, and he refused to let go.
Love cannot be begged for, how could Li Xunhuan not understand that?
But now he realizes that perhaps love is a plea for help that uses all one's strength and all one's reason—just begging another person to lend a helping hand.
Niannian's fingertips twitched slightly, and she bit her tongue to suppress the urge to wipe away his tears.
Those delicate, soft hands were twisted into knots under her sleeves, and anxiety mixed with heartache and a tingling numbness spread densely throughout her heart.
Her heart is so soft, how can it be so soft?
Her heart was in pain just like that back then.
She sighed inwardly, couldn't help but stomp her foot, and said dryly, "Why should I give you my love unconditionally?"
After saying this, she dared not stay any longer. She placed the bowl of medicine on the bed with a 'clatter' and ran out without looking back.
What if we wait a few more breaths and end up kissing?
The dark red medicinal ripples swayed incessantly, a few drops spilling over the rim of the bowl. Li Xunhuan watched as the ripples gradually shrank and then returned to calm.
After a long while, he picked up the bowl of medicine with trembling hands and drank it down sip by sip, savoring every drop.
It's like drinking sweet soup.
After he finished the bowl of medicine, he belatedly moved his leg—and there was no more stiffness or pain as he curled it up. His face was pale as he touched his shinbone, but there was no trace of injury where the bone had been broken; it was as if he had never been injured at all.
Li Xunhuan looked blank for a moment, sitting stiffly without moving, suddenly unable to understand the meaning behind it.
Why?
What exactly is she...?
Just then, two or three light footsteps sounded outside, and there was a gentle knock on the door. Someone said softly, "Miss, the master of the manor has specially prepared a wedding dress for you. Please take a look."
Li Xunhuan's breath hitched, and he instinctively clenched his fists, but he didn't say anything.
The maids, with their heads bowed, waited quietly outside the house, kneeling and holding the wedding dress.
This had likely happened several times before, and no one asked a second time. After about an incense stick's time, the group put down their wedding attire and gracefully withdrew.
Li Xunhuan pursed his lips, his eyes unconsciously glancing at the wooden door.
Wedding attire.
As if thinking of something, he slowly closed his eyes, swallowed hard, and his breathing became heavy and rapid.
He gripped his trouser leg tightly, still unwilling to give up.
You clearly have a soft spot for me too.
**
As dusk fell and the moon hid behind the clouds, the lanterns of the mountain villa lit up one by one, casting a dim, yellow glow across the eaves.
Niannian held the soul-nourishing soup, touched her chest, and after a while slowly pushed open the door.
The candlelight flickered inside the room, but it made no sound, and no one called her.
Niannian bit her lip, frowned, and walked into the house. She was sulking, and she wasn't going to let anyone have a good time.
The aroma of the Soul-Nourishing Soup filled her nostrils. She slammed the bowl of medicine onto the table and angrily flung open the bed curtains: "Who told you to stay here...?"
The question was broken in two, with the remaining part stuck in the throat, unable to be pulled out at all.
She stood frozen in place, her expression stiff for a few moments. Her gaze fell on the red silk brocade knot tightly tied around his wrist. After a long while, she slowly spoke, enunciating each word clearly: "What are you doing?"
Li Xunhuan raised his head, his cheeks flushed, suppressing a muffled cough in his chest, and said tenderly, "As you can see, I'm seducing you."
His attire at this moment completely lacked the dignity and composure expected of an elder; even the word "frivolous" seemed too light.
Snowflakes were faintly falling outside, but he seemed oblivious to the cold, wearing only a loose red veil embroidered with twin lotus blossoms and adorned with auspicious cloud and ruyi patterns—the very style of a wedding robe.
Niannian's pupils shifted slightly, and sure enough, she saw a crimson robe behind him, but the red gauze overcoat was nowhere to be seen.
Li Xunhuan propped himself up, raised his tightly clasped hands, and gently hooked the knot at her waist. He didn't untie it for her, but just silently gazed at her.
The lush lamplight illuminated his handsome features, and the hazy red gauze made his skin appear even whiter than warm jade.
Niannian's gaze drifted down, landing on his lean waistline, and she subtly raised her eyelids, "You're crazy."
His prominent Adam's apple bobbed for a moment, and he said in a hoarse voice, "How come you only found out now?"
As he spoke, he released her hand, but his gaze remained fixed on her, like a lone wolf eyeing its prey in the wilderness.
Seeing that Niannian was standing there calmly, he slightly pulled his wrist, grabbed the wine pot beside him, and stuffed it into her hand.
Niannian curled her lips into a sweet smile and said to him, "Uncle, do you want to drink a toast with me?"
Li Xunhuan led her to raise her hand, lowered his voice, and said cryptically, "Want to drink something else?"
The clear liquid poured down, the damp red gauze clinging to the firm, muscular skin, the water droplets trickling down the narrow waist.
The strong aroma of alcohol wafted from the bed curtains. He tensed his waist and abdomen, leaned closer to her, pressed her neck down from behind, and turned slightly to the side, revealing the red stains all over the bed behind him. He panted, "I will only be your puppet, as long as you command me."
He paused, his voice slightly hoarse: "Don't leave me behind."
He kissed her lips, gently nibbling, his arms sliding down to embrace her slender waist, suddenly tightening his grip and pulling her down into the bed curtains.
Her nose bumped against a broad chest, and the hazy smell of alcohol and the heat of blood enveloped her in an instant. Nian Nian's ears turned slightly red as she stared at the water droplets hanging on the muscles in front of her. She said mischievously, "Didn't those old geezers find out that I not only have an affair with you, you shameless scoundrel, but I'm also having an affair with you behind my senior brother's back? I'm still young. What will happen to my reputation if word gets out?"
Li Xunhuan's breathing was unsteady. His burning kiss landed on her collarbone, and he lightly bit it as if to vent his anger, without answering.
After a long while, he closed his eyes, buried his face in the crook of her neck, and coughed softly, trying to hide his emotions, saying, "No one else will know. Besides, I seduced you. I was shameless, immoral, and depraved..."
Hot tears streamed down her shoulders and down her spine.
It's so hot.
Without any warning, Niannian picked up his head and kissed him on the cheek with a crisp, loud sound.
She curled up and hugged him tightly, nuzzling against him as she sighed, "Never mind. Uncle, please don't cry anymore, okay?"
She had already planned how to bully him, intending to use all the red silk and then forbid him from soiling her senior brother's wedding clothes.
But who taught him to cry like a child?
She suddenly looked up excitedly, met his stunned eyes, and blinked: "Uncle, do you want to elope with me?"
"For me, deviate from the norm once."
She leaned slightly closer to him, touched the tip of the wooden figure's nose, and asked curiously, "Compared to me, which is more important: the code of honor in the martial world or the reputation of a chivalrous person?"
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