Chapter 39: Qīng Yè |
[August 28, 2019] . . .
Shěn Lí’s recovery was exceptionally fast; her body had mostly healed by the next morning. When she opened her eyes and looked around, she saw that Shī Luó, the sleeping woman Jǐng Yán had been caring for, was awake and sitting quietly in a corner. Upon noticing her gaze, Shī Luó waved. Shěn Lí returned the greeting.
Turning in the other direction Shěn Lí saw Xíng Zhǐ leaning against a pillar with his eyes closed. A ray of sunshine shone through the torn window paper onto his face. He looked at leisure and idle. In a daze, it reminded Shěn Lí of the tiny courtyard and the man who habitually sat in his rocking chair under the grape trellis.
Shěn Lí closed her eyes and calmed her thoughts to clear her mind. When she opened them again, she found Xíng Zhǐ staring at her.
"How is your body?”
“Good . . .” Shěn Lí purposefully blinked twice before swiftly standing up and opening the temple door. Morning light streamed in, bathing her in a warm glow. Even without any wind, the miasma had dissipated overnight and the air was considerably cleaner. Shěn Lí sucked in a deep breath. Her face was still pale but her eyes were bright and clear. With a slight smile she said, “We didn’t catch the mastermind, but to experience this kind of peace is also good.”
Xíng Zhǐ’s shoulders were stiff from sleeping against the pillar all night. He kneaded his arm. “In my opinion it’s because Your Highness lacks wisdom and doesn’t have nearly enough life experience.” His words came out husky from having just woken up.
Shěn Lí raised her eyebrows at this. “It’s strange, but before meeting Immortal High God, whether it was on the battlefield or in a personal fight, I have never been injured like this. Suddenly after meeting Immortal High God every fight hurt and every injury is serious.” She continued in a semi-mocking tone. “Can’t say for sure, but if this continues, I might even die. If that happens High God better be ready to make proper compensation.”
Xíng Zhǐ laughed. “Utter nonsense.”
Xíng Zhǐ stood up and patted his clothes, arranging the fabric carelessly to one side before speaking. “Should that day come, then I, Xíng Zhǐ, will compensate you for the loss.”
Shěn Lí didn’t expect him to say such a thing. She stared blankly at him for a moment before smiling and shaking her head. What could she say to that?
“Ah!” an alarmed cry came from outside the temple. Shěn Lí recognized Jǐng Xī’s voice immediately. Shī Luó was still sitting quietly in her corner when the cry rang out. She leaned forward to look outside.
With her brows still wrinkled, Shěn Lí stepped through the doors. She hadn’t reached the source of the noise when a clamor broke out. Many people were standing in a circle and whispering as they watched.
Jǐng Xī stood inside the circle. Her voice sounded anxious as she cried out. “Brother Yán! What are you doing?!”
Shěn Lí broke through the crowd just in time to see Fú Róng thrown to the ground.
Instead of looking embarrassed, he looked pleased with himself, as though he’d just gotten away with something wicked. Standing next to him was Jǐng Yán. Though he looked sallow, his body was emitting a great aura of murderous intent. It was as though he was trying to kill Fú Róng with the power of his gaze alone.
Jǐng Xī moved to stand in front of Fú Róng, blocking him from view. She resentfully said, “Brother Yán! That’s too much!”
Jǐng Yán’s face was cold. “Get out of the way. Today is the last straw!”
Fú Róng coolly said, “Your good senior brother is very violent Little Jǐng Xī!”
Shěn Lí didn’t have to think about it; she could tell what was happening immediately. Her expression was cold as she stepped forward and kicked Fú Róng in the butt. “What is this? Stand up and stop harassing people.”
Angry, Fú Róng turned around to see who kicked him. His anger turned into surprise when he saw it was Shěn Lí. He said, “Tough guy! That was a fast recovery!”
Xíng Zhǐ slowly walked over.
Seeing this, Fú Róng gasped and energetically sprang up into a proper standing position. He waved his hand, shooing away the people who were watching. “That’s enough. There’s nothing more to see here. Return home.”
The crowd dispersed but one person remained behind. When Jǐng Xī caught sight of who it was, her expression froze and she dropped her head in silence.
Jǐng Yán watched as Jǐng Xī lowered her head, he turned to find Shī Luó standing there, her face getting paler by the second as she looked at them. He stared in surprise at her. Though the angry expression on his face softened, his hands curled into fists.
Xíng Zhǐ had a slight smile playing on his lips as he reached the group. “Lord Fú Róng, this play ended so quickly I didn’t get to see it.”
Fú Róng’s lips twitched. “High God Xíng Zhǐ, yesterday you commanded me to leave for the Immortal realm post haste. I, Lord Fú Róng, wouldn’t dare delay even a little bit.”
“Oh? Now you want to leave?” Hearing this made Jǐng Yán’s heart boil with rage. He pulled his sword out of its scabbard and aimed it at Fú Róng’s belly.
Ignoring the danger, Jǐng Xī hurriedly interposed herself between the two. “What are you doing?!”
Jǐng Yán curved the sword mid-air and threw it to the ground.
The loud clang of the sword surprised both Jǐng Xī and Shī Luó. Jǐng Xī stared in stunned silence at the normally calm and reserved Jǐng Yán. It seemed he could no longer restrain himself. In an angry voice he yelled, “Why don’t you tell me what you were doing! Staying out all night with some strange guy!”
Jǐng Xī stared blinking at Jǐng Yán for some time before replying. “Lord immortal showed me the sky . . .”
Jǐng Yán’s face turned green. Shěn Lí glanced doubtfully at Fú Róng as she asked, “Seriously?”
Fú Róng brought two fingers up in a gesture of an oath. “Of course, yes.” He glanced at Jǐng Yán. “Little Jǐng Xī’s senior brother is full of fire isn’t he? Was jealousy nibbling at his bones when he couldn’t find her the entire night?”
Jǐng Xī looked at Jǐng Yán with bright, hopeful eyes. Jǐng Yán’s own eyes were dark and hard to read. He shot a glance at Shī Luó but otherwise didn’t say anything. The hopeful light in Jǐng Xī’s eyes dimmed considerably. She had the sudden urge to ask him why he cared so much about Shī Luó . He had told her there was a reason, but hadn’t told her what it was.
Xíng Zhǐ spoke up, breaking the silence. What he said stunned everyone. “All this flirting is quite dizzying. The ladies must be tired. Young Master Jǐng Yán will you take a walk with me?” All eyes turned to him. Laughing he said, “Please do not misunderstand. I simply wish to take a walk.”
There were no people, wildlife, or immortal beings in the woods outside the temple. Together, the two walked in silence, their steps taking them farther and farther away from the building.
Finally, Xíng Zhǐ spoke. “Young Master Jǐng Yán is studying under the Dao to learn magic correct?”
Jǐng Yán hesitated but answered frankly. “Honestly speaking, I’m ashamed of myself. I have followed my master since I was a child, but I haven’t learned the slightest bit of magic. My master says I don’t have an affinity for it so I can only learn some martial arts.”
Xíng Zhǐ silently walked two more steps before speaking. “If Young Master Jǐng Yán wishes, there is a spell I can teach. This spell can force poisonous miasma out of the body. Is Young Master Jǐng Yán interested?”
“I want to learn but . . . I . . .”
“If Young Master Jǐng Yán wishes to learn, then it will surely be a success.” Xíng Zhǐ stopped moving and raised an arm up to lightly touched Jǐng Yán’s forehead. Bright light flowed forward. It encompassed all of Jǐng Yán’s vision and engulfed his body.
Jǐng Yán’s eyes turned an awe inspiring, bright, lively silver. Though the smile on Xíng Zhǐ’s face was slight, it was obviously a happy one. “Qīng Yè, it’s been a while.”
“My old friend Xíng Zhǐ.” Qīng Yè (Jǐng Yán) sighed. “I didn’t think we would ever meet again.”[notes]
“Had it not been for the young ladies of the past generation intersecting, I would never have known your reincarnated form.” Xíng Zhǐ shook his head.” The forces of the Heavenly Dao are powerful. It’s only because I am a god that I am here now. But even as a god I am unable to peer in or deviate from the path set. To be able to find you is already truly fated.”
Qīng Yè laughed a small bitter laugh. “Before I was naïve and behaved frivolously, but with each passing generation, I understand how binding the Heavenly Dao is. All of us, you and I, without exception are just grains of dust and sand. Fortune and strength are all bestowed by Heaven. It will give and it will take. No matter who you are, it is fruitless to resist.” He sighed. “My friend Xíng Zhǐ, the Heavenly Dao will not like you rousing my godhead. It is surely not good idea!”
“I won’t do anything unnecessary beyond this, but will you allow your present incarnation to use your meridians to learn a miasma dispelling technique?” Xíng Zhǐ paused before continuing with, “Also open your immortal eye and look through your previous lives. Find the one you have been seeking. This way your red thread won’t continue to be wrongly entangled.”[notes]
Qīng Yè laughed. “Contrary to popular belief, you quite like to meddle, don’t you? This matter won’t be looked upon favorably by Heaven.”
That made Xíng Zhǐ laugh. “There’s one more thing I want to ask you. Do you remember a person named Fú Shēng?”
Qīng Yè muttered to himself. “A little bit. In the early days back before I was king and the crown prince was scheming various murders, I heard there was an advisor by that name. This Fú Shēng person played a crucial role in the fight for the throne between myself and the crown prince. I remember he was executed.”
“Is there a person in this generation that resembles him?”
“This . . .” He thought for some time before replying. “Oh. There really is a person. In this life, I was orphaned at a young age after my parents suffered some misfortune. I survived two years of hardship before meeting a young lady. With her help I was able to escape the misfortune following me. Then I chanced to meet Jǐng Xī’s parents but at the same time, the young lady who helped me passed away. Thinking about things now, the person who harmed my parents really did resemble Fú Shēng.”
Xíng Zhǐ was silent. A cold light had settled in his eyes as he thought over Qīng Yè’s words. As he did this Qīng Yè’s silvery light eyes began to fade. With a small smile Qīng Yè said, “Your spiritual powers can only hold me here for so long. It is time for me to bid you farewell. I do not know when we will meet again. Take care of yourself my friend.”
Xíng Zhǐ’s eyes darkened but he laughed nonetheless. “And you as well.”
The brilliant light faded and Jǐng Yán fell to his knees. Xíng Zhǐ supported him. “Try touching the ground.”
Jǐng Yán’s body was so weak he didn’t really have much choice but to brace his hands on the ground. He noticed his palms were warm. Upon looking down he saw the ground directly under his touch was purified. “This . . . this is?”
“Purification technique,” Xíng Zhǐ said. “Your ability just woke up so you’ll suffer some discomfort. Go back and rest. You’ll be able to eliminate the poison from the others in a few days.”
Jǐng Yán was amazed. He jogged back to the temple as soon as he was able to stand up.
After watching Jǐng Yán’s figure disappear, Xíng Zhǐ picked up a stone and threw it at a tree behind him. "How long does Your Highness intend to stand there?”
Shěn Lí slowly came out from behind the tree. She cleared her throat before speaking. “I was just out on a casual stroll.”
Xíng Zhǐ laughed. “Is that so? Then why not accompany me on my walk?”
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