Chapter 258

Pei Ye felt as if his heart was being clenched to death.

At the same time, annoyance surged up like fire—thinking of his cowardly acceptance, fleeing halfway, and indecision just now, he felt the air suffocating in his mouth and nose.

He couldn't figure out how he could be so stiff and dull; as soon as he saw the young girl, that inexplicable timidity and panic entangled his heart, everything he thought about was erased, and his brain was blank.

That wasn't what he really thought last night.

He either wanted to pretend he didn't know anything and block all the young girl's probes, or simply reject the young girl, and then stand quietly in front of her, accompanying her until the stars fell at night.

Anyway, it was definitely not leaving a sentence that was ambiguous, and then running away like a coward.

Because in this matter, he should be in the superior position, should have such... such composure, and patience.

He clearly stood in an invincible position, and the silk thread that moved the young girl's emotions was held in his hand; he should take the responsibility of carefully returning it.

But this process cut him first.

The annoyance about his performance wasn't the worst part of Pei Ye's heart.

That just made him feel that he was as frustrated as a waste, but it could be relieved; no one can do everything well forever, and he was just a youth who was strange to such emotions to the point of panic.

At this moment, what was truly deeply suppressing him was another thing that made him unable to breathe.

From the pitch-black stone street, from the cold-caged green willow, from the fine rain and cool air, from the gray walls and black tiles, from everything around him now. This was a discomfort Pei Ye had never experienced; it wasn't pain or sorrow, it was stuffing his heart into a sealed steamer, suffocating and twisting.

Although he performed a mess, he did show his attitude; the things that had been suppressing him these days had an outlet, and he should have felt a kind of relief from unloading the burden in the depression.

However, no.

Only a deeper suppression covered him; Pei Ye walked quickly, suddenly let out a heavy breath, and kicked the willow tree beside him.

The broken rain splashed like flying beads.

He grabbed his hair in annoyance, lowered his head, and walked quickly back to the martial arts hall.

Pushing the door open, Yang Yan was still reading "Snow Collapse" carefully under the eaves; seeing him return, he raised his eyebrows and handed him the book: "Did you chat for so long? The sword must be practiced quickly..."

"Don't bother me!" Pei Ye waved his hand, drilled into the room, and closed the door with a "bang!", and the sound of him throwing himself onto the bed came from inside.

The courtyard returned to silence, as if no one had returned at all.

Yang Yan was dazed: ".?"

——

Lakeside.

The silk rain was like weaving, the thin waves were like folding.

Li Piaoqing stood quietly on the boat, her exquisite hair bun was soaked soft by the fine rain, until the youth's panicked back completely disappeared from her field of vision, she still stood motionless like a statue.

For a long time, she lowered her head and walked off the boat lightly, re-tied the untied cable, and then squatted in place and started to daze.

Still feeling somewhat unable to find her body.

The beauty like petals needed many pieces of laughter to pile up, but it only took a light push to shatter.

So Pei Ye doesn't like me.

This sentence floated up blankly from her heart; the young girl couldn't even feel the sharpness and cutting it should have.

Quiet for a while, there was no one around, no one helped her; the young girl supported herself and stood up, feeling the cold rain and cold fog again.

The cold wind blew from behind; she looked back at the lake. This clear scene had just moved her heart and suppressed her budding jump, but now it was just a common picture.

She shivered lightly, warmed her body with true energy, lowered her head and walked on the stone street; the young girl kicked her steps lightly.

Actually, there was nothing.

She thought.

Pei Ye... he doesn't like me... it's also very normal.

You have been too happy these days, Li Piaoqing, you must be deducted a bit; how can everything go as smoothly as you wish.

Actually, Pei Ye must have been very uncomfortable these days too; that embarrassment and suppression were imposed on him by herself; now that it was said, it fell through, and that was just right.

There was nothing between them anymore; this strange thing was unloaded, and they were still good friends who could talk about anything.

Pei Ye should be very relaxed now.

Thinking of this, the young girl's heart truly fell, but she felt comforted again.

You are too troublesome, Li Piaoqing, apologize to him properly tomorrow.

The young girl's heart was covered in a layer of thin membrane, thinking blankly.

——————

Returning to the Cuiyu courtyard, she pushed open the door, and Li Weiru was sitting in the hall with tea.

Seeing the young girl, he raised his eyebrows and smiled: "Why didn't you even bring an umbrella, getting yourself all wet."

The warm room and this familiar kind smile made Li Piaoqing's nose sour; she lowered her head and didn't speak, bypassed, and walked toward the inner room.

". What's wrong?" Li Weiru leaned forward in confusion and grabbed her arm with a smile, "What's wrong?"

The frail and kind old man tilted his head and opened his eyes, looking at the young girl from bottom to top: ". What's going on, are you going to cry?"

". No," Li Piaoqing said in a low voice.

". What's going on? Is there anyone in Bowang who can make our Cuiyu Young Sect Leader feel aggrieved?" The old man was joking as usual, but the concern and heartache in his eyes were truly revealed; he gently pulled the young girl to his side, "What's wrong? Tell Master."

This was the comfort she often got when she cried as a child; at this moment, that distant reflection responded, and Li Piaoqing's nose was sour again.

But it was no longer childhood; she had long been far away from the age when she would chatter in front of the old man whenever something happened. She could tell Senior Sister Shen about these things, but she was no longer willing to reveal them in front of the old man.

". Nothing," Li Piaoqing lowered her head, "A small matter... I'll go back to the room first."

". Alright," the old man lowered his eyes, but his smile remained, and he didn't pursue it, "But you can't go back to the room yet."

". Hmm?" Li Piaoqing raised her eyes.

"I have something to tell you—I made an appointment for Magistrate Sui to see you tomorrow."

". Oh, is it about the Sword Academy?"

"Right," Li Weiru nodded with a smile, this time it was genuine happiness; he sighed lightly and said, "I said long ago, while I can still support you for two years, I must send you to a higher place, so as not to waste your talent for a lifetime. I chatted with Magistrate Sui today, his tone was very loose, saying that you were originally on the list of candidates, and he is willing to take some time tomorrow to take a careful look at you."

". Oh." This was indeed a serious matter, Li Piaoqing cheered up a bit, "Then I... should prepare?"

"Hmm, don't be nervous, the 'Washing Tree Copper Shadow' you just learned in the martial arts competition was used very well, just show it to Magistrate Sui."

"Good." Li Piaoqing nodded, turned and walked two steps toward the room, then remembered and turned back, "Where is it, the Immortal Terrace or the Prefecture Government Office?"

"It's the Changdao Martial Arts Hall," Li Weiru smiled.

". Why there?"

"The matter of today's gathering."

"Oh."

"And Magistrate Sui won't show his face; you go to the martial arts field of the martial arts hall tomorrow morning and practice the sword technique once, he will see it in the dark."

". Good."

Li Piaoqing was about to return to the room when she saw the old man also get up with his sword: "I won't be back for the next few days, you and Shen Yao take care of things here in Cuiyu."

The young girl was stunned: "What are you doing?"

"It's also a task of the gathering," Li Weiru smiled, "Things have started to be handled, everyone is busy."

"."

"I'm going to watch another 'fruit'," Li Weiru tied the sword to his back, his voice lowered, "Today's gathering said that Huan Si Lou might still come, so a trap was set. Magistrate Sui is watching Pei Ye, and Master An and Inspector Wu must be exposed on the surface, so I'll watch this one."

". Shang Huaitong?"

Li Weiru smiled approvingly and put on his cloak: "Alright, I'm leaving, sleep early."

". Hmm." Li Piaoqing didn't know what to say; she felt her brain was still somewhat sluggish, "Take care of yourself."

Li Weiru nodded and smiled, turning and disappearing into the darkening sky.

Li Piaoqing stood quietly in the hall for a while.

Although she really didn't want to reveal her heart to the old man, the old man sitting in the hall really gave her a warmth and support; at this moment, the figure went away, and the whole room was empty again. She thought for a while, knowing that she should prepare for tomorrow's sword test.

So she returned to the room and took out the Shicui Sword, practicing for two hours, and the sky was completely dark.

Everything around was quiet.

Marking some small problems in her heart and practicing repeatedly several times to ensure there would be no mistakes tomorrow, the young girl stood for a while, feeling that the quiet around her was about to hook up something in her heart; she took a light breath, sheathed the sword, and walked back to the room.

Lighting the candle, the young girl opened "Yellow Jade" at the table; it was full of dense notes from her practice, the oldest of which was two years ago.

Li Piaoqing flipped through it page by page, reading carefully. Although there should be no sword principle Q&A session tomorrow, one's realization of sword principles can be reflected in the sword; it is said that compared to the practical school of the wild road, the Sword Academy prefers the type that understands sword principles, so more attention must be paid to this aspect.

【Stepping on Water to Pick Scales】

【Hiding Clouds to Catch Sparrows】

【Sweeping Fire through Waterfalls】

【Immovable Dangerous Wind】

The young girl flipped through them one by one, combining her notes at the time, and carefully read the summary and analysis of each sword. The candle shadow swayed, the young girl's face was calm, and she gestured lightly with a finger sword in her hand.

Flipped to the next page.

【Breaking Leaves Returning Waves】

Suddenly the young girl frowned, seeing a sentence: "The boundary of the third chapter lies in this sword; before this, it is mortal, after this, it is spiritual."

She had seen this sentence many times, and the meaning was easy to understand—starting from Breaking Leaves Returning Waves, this sword art was indeed a level more complex, and its power was also obviously a level higher; saying it was the beginning of "spirit" was not impossible.

But after learning 【Washing Tree Copper Shadow】 a few days ago, she suddenly had a new understanding when looking at this sentence again.

This... is it not sword moves?

Starting from this move, the yellow jade used as an observation image is no longer just a mortal bird that steps on trees, sweeps water, and rests; it seems to have begun to possess stronger autonomous consciousness and stronger abilities.

This discovery made the young girl suddenly open her eyes; she immediately picked up the pen beside her, quickly recorded it on it, and then heavily circled it.

Halfway through drawing, she was stunned.

On this page, there were two identical circles with dry ink.

There were more on the previous pages.

They were all inspirations or puzzles that sprouted when the young girl held the book and read the scriptures a few days ago; circling a circle... was waiting to chat with Pei Ye next time.

The young girl was stunned for a while; actually, the sourness had already surged from the bottom of her heart, but she still gave herself a smile, drew this circle lightly, and murmured as usual: "Wait until we meet and ask Pei Ye."

But when the word "meet" swept across her mind, the huge piece it involved suddenly enveloped the young girl's heart, and she was stunned again and didn't speak.

How should we meet when we meet?

Pretend nothing happened, like before, and directly hold this book to ask him?

Of course not; since things have happened, if you want to return to a normal relationship, you must solve it.

If we meet, we must talk... about this matter.

Then how to talk?

Use a very relaxed tone, open two very ordinary jokes. Tell him with a smile, "Pei Ye, it's nothing," and then, he will point at himself and tease, "Haha Li Piaoqing! You actually like me!"

Then she would glare at him.

Things would just pass like this.

This picture made the young girl feel relaxed in her heart, and a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, but the next moment inexplicable sourness and grievance collided; her nose was sour, and her eye sockets turned red all of a sudden.

Is this the result?

How can it end so vaguely and casually?

My feelings... are they that cheap and light? Pei Ye, will he feel that I am not serious at all...

The young girl suddenly found that she absolutely did not want to accept such a result... it must be worth a formal and serious conversation.

She must tell him seriously, Pei Ye, I am serious, I really... like you very much. But... you don't like me, then there is no way, anyway...

She was stunned again.

Then Pei Ye... what is he thinking?

Will he already find me annoying?

Perhaps, he doesn't want to be "good friends" with me at all; how many times before, have I already only made him feel burdened?

Perhaps after leaving today, he already thinks that I will never disturb him again.

Anyway, I am very smart... he also knows I am very smart...

The young girl's heart slowly clenched into a ball; she put down the pen, squatted on the chair, and wrapped her hands around her knees.

Pei Ye shouldn't be like this, right? Before today, they were still chatting quite happily—what if he still has a little, a little bit of... liking me?

A panic surged up; Li Piaoqing suddenly found that she had no way to determine the answer to this question.

She needed to probe, but what the probe brought back was only a new round of speculation.

She suddenly felt a very annoyed grievance—why can't she go directly and tell him?

Just go and ask him directly; haven't they always been communicating so frankly? When did they ever need speculation?

But she quickly thought down to the bottom of the valley again, don't you really know the answer, Li Piaoqing? Everything that happened today... isn't it obvious enough? Is there really a need to go and ask, to go and entangle and disturb him? Is your so-called doubt just an excuse for your own unwillingness?

It was also at this moment that Li Piaoqing found that she didn't know when she had become cold all over.

She suddenly realized that she and Pei Ye... seemed to never be able to return to the way they were before.

Those jokes without scruples, those frank trusts that talked about everything... when she was uncontrollably guessing and struggling like this for a meeting, she had already lost them forever.

She could naturally pretend that nothing had happened, pretend that she didn't care about anything, but that couldn't deceive Pei Ye, nor could it deceive herself.

The membrane had been planted between the two people forever; when they meet again, it will never be a squint at each other; it will either be a stiff and distant light smile, or a hot and cold pretense of nothing.

There are no more "good friends", and Pei Ye will never take the initiative to find her to vent all his worries and troubles again.

In an instant, the membrane that had been covering her heart since she got off the boat was cruelly torn open; the bloody, sharp, and acute pain hit her senses at this moment; the brain couldn't think or soothe at all, and the young girl's heart had already shrunk into a ball.

She felt like an ignorant child who lit a fire for the sake of pleasure, only to discover its terrifying consequences that she dared not touch until now; a huge panic rose from her heart, and Li Piaoqing grabbed something on the table tightly, murmuring with a crying voice: "No... no..."

Damn it, I didn't have time to modify it, I sent it at the card point, I'm afraid there are wordy and abrupt places, just watch it for now.

(End of chapter)