Chapter 79: Departure

Recollection——

"Hey, Qi Ran, from childhood to now, do you have any dreams?"

"Dreams?"

I nodded excitedly, "Exactly, it's what you most want to do, what is it?"

Qi Ran set down the medical book in his hands, lowered his head in thought for a moment, then smiled gently and said, "Medicine to the world."

"Good… impressive." I glanced at the silent Bu Sha beside me, clicked my tongue, and said, "Surely not an ordinary person's ambition. I also want to roam the world, but not through medicine—through eating, hehe."

"And Bu Sha, what about you?" I hopped up to Bu Sha, tilted my head to look at him, and asked, "What is your dream?"

Bu Sha looked at me, then at Qi Ran, and coldly said, "Explore the pinnacle of martial arts, and then… someday, defeat Qi Ran."

My jaw dropped, shocked, extremely shocked; I never expected him to answer, let alone with that answer.

Qi Ran also stared, raised his head, looked at him, and asked, "Really?"

A fleeting, hardly noticeable smile flickered in Bu Sha's eyes as he stood up and said lightly, "Just joking."

Qi Ran watched Bu Sha's back disappear outside the door, then softly smiled and said, "Looks like Bu has been happy lately!"

Exploring the pinnacle of martial arts… I wiped my tear-stained face, pushed the door open and walked inside, lightly smiling and said, "Bu Sha, how's your body? Can you move normally now?"

Bu Sha was sitting on the edge of the bed, gazing out the window, and nodded lightly.

I placed the tray in my hands on the table and sat in the chair opposite him: "Here, this is food Qi Ran made himself; I guarantee that in this world, besides you and me, absolutely no third person has had the fortune to taste it."

He glanced at me, reached out, took the tray, and finished it in a few bites.

I was speechless, sighed, "Poor Qi Ran, despite his careful cooking, it's basically like an ox chewing on peonies!"

A faint smile appeared in Bu Sha's eyes as he was about to reply, then he suddenly lifted his head to stare at the tightly closed door.

I stared in surprise as he looked, and after a moment, Qi Ran gently pushed the door open and entered.

I stared dumbfounded at the cold-faced Bu Sha, trembling finger pointing at him, "You… you really lost your martial arts? How come you seem… even stronger than before? What monster…"

Qi Ran couldn't help laughing, stepped forward two steps, tapped my forehead, and chuckled, "When I was giving him the Gold Needle Point-Passing, I don't know what medium I followed, but I transmitted most of my spiritual sense to him."

I sweated, sweated again, a waterfall of sweat! Can that even be transmitted?

"So, your spiritual sense has lost about half?"

Qi Ran looked at me with brows raised and eyes smiling, annoyed, "Yeah! So what?"

"Not a big deal, not a big deal…" I grinned widely, then solemnly said, "Qi Ran, you should know that a person shouldn't be too perfect, or even heaven will envy them."

Qi Ran rubbed his head, exchanged a glance with Bu Sha, both annoyed and amused.

"Bu, do you really not remember who hurt you?"

My heart clenched, I lifted my head and frowned at him.

Bu Sha shook his head and said lightly, "It seems part of my memory was siphoned away. I only remember exchanging for the White Tiger Stone from Wei Lingfeng's hands; after that, everything's blurry."

"It's strange; I later examined your Bloodsucking Sword and found it broken." Qi Ran sat beside Bu Sha, his handsome sword-brows furrowed tightly, "In the whole Celestial Harmony Continent, those who could surpass your Bloodsucking Sword and wound you so severely are few and far between."

"What does 'Bloodsucking Sword broken' mean?" I asked in surprise.

"\"Bloodsucking Sword, as the name suggests, draws human blood, to…\""

Bu Sha abruptly cut off Qi Ran's words, "When do you plan to set out?"

Qi Ran startled, his long eyelashes drooping to cover his shimmering blue eyes, he said softly, "Maybe in three days. After I tend to Xin Hui's hand tendons and settle the palace affairs, I'll hit the road."

The room was quiet, even a bit oppressive, though it was just a normal conversation!

Bu Sha suddenly curled his lips, revealing a bitter smile as cold as indifference, "Now I finally understand your feelings; it really is an annoying ability…"

Qi Ran suddenly lifted his head, the fists braced at his sides tightening with a 'crack-crack' sound, almost shouting, "Then what do you think I should show—excited? shocked? eager?"

"Do you think, to me, a stranger I've never met, merely sharing a bit of blood relation, and this world's sole friend of mine, which is more important?!"

Yeah! For Qi Ran, Bu Sha living well and staying by his side means far more than knowing his mother is still alive; it's what he hopes for. From the start to now, everything Bu Sha has done, the injuries he's suffered, the grievances he bears—none of it is anything but for Qi Ran. No wonder Qi Ran harshly blames himself.

I let out a long sigh, mother…

"Qi Ran, don't be so certain." I grabbed his clenched fist, prying open each finger dug deep into his palm, and said gently, "That person, after all, is your mother!" Since the sacrifice has already been made, we must ensure that all the harm Bu Sha endured has value, rather than mere regret.

Qi Ran shot up his head in anger, "Even you…"

"Are there not good things too?" I pressed his slender palm, lifted it lightly before my eyes, then extended my other hand toward Bu Sha, "We three have finally gathered together again."

In Bu Sha's eyes, a faint smile appeared; he raised his hand and pressed it against my fair palm with a loud clack.

I hid my numb heartache behind a smile and said lightly, "Then in three days, let's set off together, the three of us!"

"You're coming too?" Qi Ran exclaimed, pulling his hand back.

"Me too?" Bu Sha's usually cold expression also showed a hint of surprise.

"Huh? This…" I scratched my head, "You didn't plan to let us go together? I know the road will surely be dangerous, but are we two safe staying here? I…" I'm terribly afraid of seeing Bai Shengyi and Lan Yingruo.

Qi Ran lowered his head in thought for a moment, then lifted it; his blue eyes already held a faint joy and relief, "Alright, together then. We three are the Unbound Group, never to part."

I stared blankly for a moment; the creed of the Unbound Group, heard now, felt like a forgotten warm current flowing through my whole body.

If the heart is free, the body basks in the endless wind; roam the world unbound, never to part.

I glanced sideways; though Bu Sha remained as cold as ever, he clearly showed some emotion, so I kindly patted his shoulder and laughed, "I say, Bu Sha, just resign yourself to letting us two protect you! The chief has spoken—this lifetime, you won't think of escaping the Unbound Group."

Bu Sha gave Qi Ran a faint glance, then his gaze turned extremely contemptuous toward me, "You? Protect me?"

"Hahaha…" Qi Ran grabbed me, who was angry to the point of frenzy, pulling me into his embrace; his voice was the unreserved joy he hadn't felt since our reunion, "Don't worry, I'll protect you both."

The moonlight shone like silk; a tall, slender man's figure suddenly appeared on the cobblestone path without warning, swaying as he walked arrogantly, humming a disjointed tune under his breath.

The man's steps halted abruptly, the corner of his mouth hooked, then pressed down, turning into an extremely alluring cold laugh; a voice both male and female poured out, "What wind blew you here today?"

The man standing in the center of the house with its doors wide open slowly turned; his peerless face bathed in the moon's silver glow was nothing short of ethereal like an immortal. Who else could it be but Qi Ran?

He furrowed his delicate brows, spoke indifferently, "Senior Brother."

Bai Shengyi's whole body shuddered violently; he suddenly raised a hand to his chest, his face deathly pale.

Qi Ran swayed, instantly appearing beside him, raised his hand and drove the silver needle between his fingers into his shoulder well point, easing the pain.

After a while, Bai Shengyi slowly raised their head, casually wiped away the blood at the corner of their mouth, and gave a bitter smile: "How long has it been since you called me like that? Let me think... it seems since Xue'er died."

"I... I don't remember." Qi Ran retreated a step without emotion, took out a token from their bosom and handed it to Bai Shengyi, saying lightly: "I will be away for some days; during this time, the affairs of Yi Guo are entrusted to you and Ruobin."

Bai Shengyi took it without hesitation and tucked it into their bosom.

"I gave the same instructions to Ruobin. Remember, before I return, do not expand territory, and for now avoid attracting the attention of Bing Ling and Yin Yao. If you truly encounter a crisis, when necessary, you may seek aid from Qi Guo."

Bai Shengyi's eyes flashed with a faint gleam, and they nodded.

Having given the instructions, Qi Ran walked past them, about to leave, when Bai Shengyi's cold voice suddenly sounded: "If I have no use value at all, would you kill me?"

Qi Ran's steps paused, they did not turn back, their peerless face cold and unfeeling. After a moment they turned, frowned, and said: "Was your elder brother's Soul-Devouring Technique really not done by you?"

Bai Shengyi snapped out of their daze, gave a faint cold laugh: "I swear, when I learned of this I was even more shocked than you."

"Logically, the only ones in this world who know Soul-Devouring Technique are my master and me, and what I learned is only superficial. But back then, my master, deeming the technique too vicious and unreasonable, sealed his and my meridians; later, when you became his disciple, he did not pass this wondrous art to you."

"In other words, except for my accidentally clearing your meridians, there should be no second person on the Tianhe Continent capable of using Soul-Devouring Technique."

"No. Should... should not." Bai Shengyi's brows knotted tightly, their tone gradually becoming uncertain; suddenly their eyes brightened, they lifted their head and trembled: "Ran, could it be that you suspect... he is still alive? No! Absolutely impossible! Back then, my father personally saw him fall off the cliff, and below is a blood pool—there is no chance of survival."

Qi Ran slowly lifted their head, blue eyes flashing with light, then coldly laughed: "Can you tell me which cliff?"

Bai Shengyi's face instantly turned completely pale, their eyes like cold pools surging with waves, they silently uttered a few words.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye; Xinhui's tendons were finally reconnected, though the final outcome would not be known for another month. I, Qi Ran, and Bu Sha have all made preparations to depart.

Actually, aside from feeling very sad seeing Xinhui and Xinluo's red-rimmed eyes, my mood is generally pleasant. After all, staying in the imperial palace is boring and dull, and I have to deal with a host of troublesome people.

When seeing me off, Xinhui prepared a huge pile of things, almost moving the entire imperial palace onto my horseback.

"I say, Xinhui..." I shook my head with a wry smile, "I'm not getting married; even if this were dowry preparations, isn't it too much?"

Xinhui gave me a resentful glance, probably still blaming me for not bringing her along. But the problem is, given her current condition, I'm afraid that if I bring her, Wen Ruobin will cut me down with a single sword!

"Miss, I keep feeling there's something stuck in my heart that I want to tell you, but I just can't recall it." Xinhui anxiously repeated this for the N+1th time.

"All right, all right!" I couldn't help laughing, "You've repeated this sentence several times over the past three days; don't worry, with Qi Ran and the others around, I'll be fine."

Only then did Xinhui reluctantly show a smile.

Wu Ye was originally supposed to join us, but for some reason Qi Ran disagreed, Bu Sha kept a cold stare and said nothing, so I had no choice but to give up grudgingly.

Wu Ye didn't seem angry at all; when only the two of us remained, they spoke with a muffled voice behind the iron mask: "Master, after I finish handling things here I will return to the Emperor's side. The Emperor will also go to a separate cave heaven, so we will surely meet up then."

I blinked, "Is Wei Lingfeng going too?" What are they going to do?

Wu Ye's eyes flickered with surprise: "You don't know, Master? Didn't Bu Sha tell you?" They paused, then said: "In any case, you'll understand when the time comes."

I sighed and said softly: "Sorry, Wu Ye."

I didn't know what I was sorry for, but I truly felt a faint guilt in my heart, to the point that even my words lacked confidence.

A faint starlight flashed in Wu Ye's eyes, but their tone was deliberately aloof and detached: "Master, you're being too serious."

"I really want to punch that 'master' out of your mouth." I glared at them fiercely, "Anyway, if I happen to kick the bucket, remember to send someone a message to me so I can rush over— to collect your corpse!"

A deep, low chuckle suddenly leaked from beneath their mask, their dark eyes flashing with an unusual bright light: "Then, take care of yourself."

Remembering that year when we five were together every day, I suddenly felt a bit wistful, I nodded earnestly: "You too."

"... Let us roam the mortal world as companions, living freely and elegantly, riding horses side by side to share the prosperity of humanity. Raising our cups in song to express inner joy, we will seize our youthful years with grandeur..." 〖HT〗

I hummed the tune softly, in this intoxicating warm wind I swayed the reins now and then, feeling that the most carefree days of life, the most unrestrained living, were nothing more than this.

A voice softer and more melodious than a clear breeze came from Qi Ran's ear: "Now you won't be all bruised and battered from horseback riding, right?"

I gave an embarrassed laugh, then felt a bit wronged and retorted: "That day was my first time riding a horse, and I was anxious about Bu Sha's injury—falling off is completely normal! That I'm still alive to see you means you two should be saying 'Amitabha Buddha'."

"Ah!!" I suddenly cried out.

"What's wrong?" Qi Ran nervously turned their horse toward me, and Bu Sha also slowed their steps ahead of us, turning to look at me.

"No... nothing." I put on a bitter face, full of regret: "I seem to have forgotten that white horse."

Qi Ran let out a breath, wearing an expression of helpless yet indifferent resignation: "Just grabbing a sheep along the way?"

I gave an embarrassed laugh, thinking back: in that situation, if I didn't just take the sheep, would I really have waited politely for the seller to negotiate price? Besides, I had no money to pay anyway!

"Up ahead we reach Linyue Town on the border of Yao Guo; let's rest there tonight and set out again tomorrow."

"Sure!" I shifted my slightly numb buttocks and replied happily.

We three handed our horses to the attendant and entered Luo'an Lou together.

The teahouse was packed with guests, hardly any place to sit. I clicked my tongue—business was surprisingly booming, practically on par with Ting Guo's Tianya Lou.

Bu Sha and I were led through the crowd to a window seat on the second floor; because Hei Feng refused to let strangers near, Qi Ran had to go tend to the horse themselves, recalling that day Hei Feng's abnormal gallop... I couldn't help but feel a chill.

"What would the two guests like to order?"

I took the menu, glanced at it a few times— as usual, I saw it but didn't understand. As for Bu Sha, forget it; if they studied the menu, I'd write the three characters "Shui Bingyi" backwards.

"Um... let's just have a few of your signature dishes."

"Sure thing! Please wait a moment." The attendant immediately withdrew, respectful and smiling.

"Looks like the dishes coming up will surely be outrageously expensive— heh, this is called spending other people's money without feeling the pinch. Anyway, I don't know what else the Young Master of Bing Ling has, but their silver is definitely not lacking."

As the first dish was served, Qi Ran also returned; the moment they sat down, the teahouse erupted in an uproar.

I looked at Qi Ran in surprise— they're clearly wearing a mask! It couldn't possibly be...

Qi Ran helplessly glanced at my curious expression, then turned and seized someone, asking in their heavenly, magnetic voice: "May I ask what's happening here?"

"Let go quickly..." The captured woman was about to flare up, but upon hearing Qi Ran's voice they paused, then spoke in a shy, reserved tone: "You don't know, sir? Today, one of the Four Great Beauties of Jiangnan, Ma Yingyan, whose virtue is supreme and who excels at music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, famed as a talented lady of the generation, is coming to this teahouse to perform."

Qi Ran released their grip, glanced at me— meaning "Are you satisfied now?"— then turned to the woman and gave a light smile: "Thank you for the explanation, miss."

Watching that woman step away with reluctant steps, I buried my head and couldn't stop chuckling.

"Have you laughed enough yet?" Qi Ran shoved a dish into my bowl, asking irritably.

"Mm, heh..." I chewed the vegetables in my mouth, mumbling: "With so many people today, we actually managed to get a seat— what good luck, heh."

Qi Ran and the drunk Bu Sha exchanged a glance, their looks like they were viewing an idiot, falling on me as if to say— you don't really think good luck guarantees a seat, do you?

"This Luo'an Lou is actually one of Bing Ling's enterprises." Qi Ran patted my head, wearing an exasperated expression as if saying "I wish I could turn you into steel."

I grin at him, then suddenly I realize— right, Luo An— isn't that the tavern where Qi Ran issued a wanted order for step‑killing? Ice Spirit's business?

Suddenly, the noisy crowd below surged upstairs to the second floor, cutting off what I was about to ask.

The crowd reached the round platform in front of the second floor, then slowly dispersed, revealing a woman in orange robes and a light gauze white skirt, her beautiful back facing us as she slowly walked up to the platform.

An ancient‑style jade zither already rested on the platform; Ma Yingyan walked over to it, turned slowly, and sat down on the floor.

Only see her ice‑silk silkworm robe adorned with glazed paired pearls cleverly arranged on her chest, accentuating her graceful figure; gold‑silk glazed tassels hang on either side of her pure white long skirt, and with just a gentle turn, endless fluorescence flows forth.

My gaze fell upon her skin‑like‑jade face, her delicate, handsome features; I couldn't help but admire in my heart, a beauty no less than Lan Yan and Yin Tianxue.

Qi Ran's hand, which had been picking food for me, paused slightly; he then gave Ma Yingyan a careful look before murmuring softly, "Surely it's Cheng'er."

(End of chapter)