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墨書 Inktalez
Upon reaching the Azure Oil Temple, everyone almost tumbled down the Flying Sword.
The two escorting elders had pale faces and were panting as they performed hand seals to open the door of the Azure Oil Temple, urging the disciples to hurry inside, preparing to send them back to Nine Li Mountain Gate as quickly as possible.
Li Hong resolutely shook his head at the two Master Uncles: "You go ahead. I'll wait for Master Uncles to return before entering."
The two elder masters did not insist. Their injuries were severe, which was why they had chosen to retreat with the disciples first; delaying any longer could lead to their dantian shattering. They hurriedly advised, "Be careful. We must conceal the Azure Oil Temple again."
Li Hong nodded and stepped back. Just as the door was about to close, a slender white figure swiftly slipped through the gap and stood firmly beside Li Hong.
Chu Xi calmly said, "I'm not leaving either. I will wait for Master to return with Chu Hong."
The door of the Azure Oil Temple closed tightly again, dust and leaves instantly covering the steps and entrance. The Restrictions were reactivated.
Li Hong could not blame Chu Xi; he understood her deep feelings for Ling Xiangzi. He pointed towards a dense thicket across the way and said, "Let's hide there. We can cultivate while we wait."
Chu Xi silently nodded. Her face looked haggard. Li Hong felt a pang in his heart; she had endured enough these days. He walked over to the stream, took out a silk handkerchief from his pocket, wrung it in Clear Water, and handed it to Chu Xi gently, saying, "You should wipe your face; there's dust on your brow."
Chu Xi quietly accepted it and carefully wiped her face before wringing it in the water and returning it to Li Hong: "You should wipe your face too." Just as she handed it to him, she suddenly exclaimed and pulled back the handkerchief to examine it closely.
Li Hong's gaze flickered; he remembered that this handkerchief was made by Wanyi. He had been reluctant to use it and kept it in his sleeve. How did he end up taking it out now?
One corner of the handkerchief was embroidered with a small character for "Hong" and a tiny red flower.
Chu Xi curiously asked, "Where did this handkerchief come from? The embroidery work is very exquisite."
Li Hong hesitated, thinking of Wanyi down the mountain. Was she doing well? The image of her gentle and beautiful face surfaced in his mind, and he seemed to hear her soft sighs nearby.
The two sat cross-legged on the ground beneath the bushes, a distance of about ten feet apart, and began to cultivate their energy. However, Li Hong found it strangely difficult to enter a meditative state. Wanyi was right here, just down the mountain, only a moment's journey away.
The more he thought about it, the harder it became to focus. He opened his eyes and quietly glanced over at Chu Xi.
Chu Xi held the Supreme Fire Jade Essence in her hand, her entire being emitting a faint red glow as she had completely entered a meditative state. Her fair face was serious and dignified, exuding an aura of solemn beauty reminiscent of the female bodhisattva he had seen in a temple during his childhood.
Chu Xi was very different from Wanyi. This thought unexpectedly crossed Li Hong's mind at that moment. Chu Xi resembled a fairy from the snowy mountains; she was intelligent, wise, pure as ice and jade, and sacred beyond reproach. In her presence, he had never truly relaxed for fear of losing to her and being looked down upon. In contrast, Wanyi was fragile, flesh and blood, merely an ordinary woman waiting quietly down the mountain.
Li Hong took out the small faded Red Velvet Flower from his Cosmic Bag and toyed with it in his hand, the beautiful yet sorrowful face of Wanyi surfacing in his mind.
Unable to sit still any longer, he quietly stood up without disturbing Chu Xi and soared towards the Farmstead below. Just one glance… he told himself.
He did not notice that the meditating Chu Xi had finished her practice and slowly opened her beautiful eyes, deep in thought.
********
The vast fields had just been harvested, and the rich scent of grass filled the air as people were still busy in the fields. Li Hong moved silently, familiar with the surroundings as he leaped over the wall and slipped into the farmstead.
The house was very quiet, with the front door slightly ajar. Li Hong stood hesitantly at the doorway like a thief; one hand raised but hesitating to push the door open.
At that moment, footsteps echoed from inside as someone approached the door and called out, "Who's there? Aunt, are you back?"
A delicate white hand pulled open the door, and upon seeing Li Hong standing there, Wanyi was instantly stunned. She could hardly believe her eyes: "Li Hong! You’re back!"
Li Hong said nothing; he simply gazed steadily at Wanyi, his eyes filled with deep emotions that even he could not articulate.
Wanyi's cheeks slowly flushed. She stepped back from the door, lowered her head to smooth her hair, and playfully said, "You could have just come back without standing at the door like a thief. Come in."
Li Hong lowered his head and walked into the room.
The sun was already setting, and the room was dimly lit. He turned around and met Wanyi's scrutinizing gaze.
They were only an arm's length apart, and he could smell the faint fragrance on Wanyi. It seemed like the scent of Forget-Me-Not Butterfly, but it was slightly different—more vibrant, with a pleasant hint of fireworks.
In less than two months, Wanyi looked even better; she had gained some fullness in her face, which was now rounder. Her delicate hand that nervously brushed her hair had two soft dimples. She was becoming more beautiful.
Li Hong felt blood rush to his head, and a loud ringing echoed in his mind. Almost instinctively, he grabbed the hand that had been brushing her hair.
Wanyi's hand trembled slightly, but she did not pull away; she allowed Li Hong to hold it tighter. She tilted her head slightly, her expression a mix of shyness and joy.
The two maintained this strange posture. Time seemed to pass both slowly and quickly. Li Hong heard his heart pounding violently in his chest; his lips felt dry. After a while, he finally spoke: "Have you eaten?"
"Ah?" Wanyi did not expect Li Hong to be so dazed for so long only to ask this question. She burst into laughter. Before she could say anything else, she suddenly felt her arms tighten as Li Hong pulled her into his embrace. She blushed deeply and was about to speak when she felt herself lifted off the ground entirely.
"Ah—" came a long, delicate cry.
The people in the farmstead were just beginning to notice; they looked up and saw only a strange elongated cloud shadow in the sky. But they couldn't see anything else.
********
The earth rushed past beneath them. Wanyi was tightly held in Li Hong's arms, completely enveloped by his breath. Her heart raced with excitement and anxiety, almost jumping out of her chest. After struggling to open her eyes, she glanced down and felt even weaker; she weakly murmured, "So high... I'm dizzy..." Leaning against Li Hong's warm embrace, she refused to open her eyes again.
The sound of the wind whistled in their ears for a long time before Li Hong said, "This is it. Let's eat."
Wanyi opened her eyes and saw the green earth rushing towards her feet, startling her into a cry. Before she could finish, she realized her feet had already landed on solid ground.
Li Hong supported her and gently said, "We've arrived."
Wanyi's heart raced. Li Hong held her hand in his palm and slowly led her forward.
His hand was warm, steady, and strong. This strength resonated deep within Wanyi, making her feel a surge of energy in her legs.
Before them loomed a dark and imposing Great City, likely a key stronghold at the border. Flags of the Song Dynasty fluttered atop the city walls, and the guards were extremely vigilant, with long spears and crossbows peeking out from the battlements.
Seeing the large familiar character for "Song" on the flag warmed both their hearts. Wanyi smiled and said, "This is still our Song Dynasty territory; it's wonderful."
Upon hearing this, a shadow quickly passed over Li Hong's heart as he thought of his older brother Li Wu, who had joined the Jin Army.
Wanyi immediately thought of it too; she glanced at Li Hong and lowered her head anxiously.
"Let's go; we’ll have a nice meal," Li Hong tightened his grip on Wanyi's hand again.
"I'll follow your lead," Wanyi softly replied.
The line to enter the city was long, filled with refugees from the Song Dynasty. Many were in tattered clothes, looking gaunt and weary, as if they hadn't had a proper meal in ages. The two couldn't help but feel a sense of compassion.
Li Hong pondered for a moment before deciding to approach the front of the line. He cupped his hands in salute to the soldiers who were inspecting luggage for Jin spies and said, "Brother Soldier, may I trouble you? We would like to enter the city first; please allow us this convenience."
A large group of Song Soldiers raised their heads from the pile of luggage and looked at the two in front of them with confusion. The leading young soldier scrutinized Li Hong and Wanyi, then pondered, "You can search me, but the woman doesn't need to be searched. This way, you can go in."
"Alright," Li Hong replied indifferently, stepping forward and raising his hands, ready for them to search him.
The young soldier exchanged glances with his comrades, and suddenly, about ten soldiers drew their swords and pointed them at Li Hong and Wanyi, shouting, "Where did these spies come from? How dare you enter our Lord's territory without any luggage in Tokyo Prefecture!"
Tokyo Prefecture! Li Hong was taken aback that he had flown all the way to Bianjing, far in the Central Plains, without even realizing it. Looking down at himself and indeed finding no belongings, he couldn't help but smile wryly. However, thinking about it made him happy again; Bianjing had returned to their hands! Last time he heard from Chuxuan that it had already fallen.
Wanyi was already terrified and shouted, "Li Hong, let's not go into the city! Let's leave."
Li Hong shook his head. Thinking about how Bianjing had returned to their control made him feel very good. He looked at the young soldier, who seemed to be the leader, clasped his hands together and smiled, "Not bringing any luggage is because we are fleeing. Brother Soldier, feel free to search us; rest assured we are not Golden Dog spies; we are Authentic Song People."
Under the threat of swords, he remained unflinching and even smiled cheerfully. The young soldier found him increasingly inscrutable. The evening sun cast a slanting glow on Li Hong's face; his skin shone brightly, and his dark eyes sparkled with vitality. His amiable and righteous smile instantly made a good impression on others.
After a moment of contemplation, the young soldier resolutely waved his hand: "No need! You definitely aren't spies! You can go in."
"Thank you, brother," Li Hong said as he took Wanyi's hand and confidently walked through the dark entrance.
Bianjing had endured numerous battles and still bore the scars of war; many houses were burned down, and charred bricks and broken tiles were now sprouting green grass. Only the three-layered high Great City walls stood tall and imposing; it was these thick walls that had repelled the Jin Army's invasions time and again.
They were currently entering through the first city wall. Once inside was the outer city.
Refugees were everywhere; beggars clad in rags lined the streets. The further they walked, the more desolate Li Hong felt.
Wanyi also looked troubled; she bit her lower lip, lost in her thoughts.
After walking through several long streets, they arrived at the bustling center, where beggars gradually became fewer. In the distance, many flags appeared, and Li Hong pointed to one of the establishments, saying, "That looks nice; let's go in."
The waiter at the entrance had keen eyes. After sizing them up, he immediately smiled and welcomed the two of them to a private room on the second floor without needing any instructions. Inside was a redwood Eight Immortals Table, surrounded by two plain white silk screens. The screens were adorned with paintings and calligraphy by famous artists. The place was spacious and elegant.
The waiter carefully opened the snow paper window and meticulously wiped the clean table surface again before asking with a smile, "What would you like to eat, gentlemen?"
This was Li Hong's first time in such a luxurious place. He had never been to a grand restaurant in Bianjing City, which he had longed for countless times in his dreams. Despite having seen many things in life, he still found himself at a loss for words—he had no idea how to order.
Suddenly, a clear and melodious voice rang out at the door: "Four cold dishes, four hot stir-fries, eight plates of fruit, and a pot of Bamboo Leaf Green."
A graceful fragrance wafted in as a person stepped out from the entrance, speaking cheerfully. She was pure and beautiful like a snow mountain fairy; it was Chu Xi.
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