Volume One: The Turmoil of Yan and Yun Chapter Forty-Nine: As If We Had Just Met (Part One)
After returning to the inn, Windrise shut himself in his room and did not emerge, not even for the evening meal.
Luoxing felt somewhat concerned, but Murong Xue seemed unconcerned and simply pulled Luoxing along to eat at her own leisure.
“He always fancies himself clever. Now he’s suddenly confronted with a troublesome problem; who knows what scheme he’s plotting,” Murong Xue said carelessly.
Luoxing asked, “Aren’t you worried at all?”
Murong Xue replied, “What does it have to do with me? Not my position, not my responsibility. The Prime Minister is my father, not me.”
Luoxing was momentarily taken aback, thinking that this young lady was quite different from other scions of noble families.
Perhaps guessing Luoxing’s thoughts, Murong Xue continued, “Whenever my brother speaks, it’s always ‘the people come first, the nation second, the ruler last.’ He repeats ‘water can carry a boat, but can also overturn it.’ He sounds deeply concerned for country and people, but to me, it’s utter foolishness.”
Luoxing was stunned again. “The rise and fall of the realm is everyone’s responsibility. As nobility, what you receive is the best…”
Before she could finish, Murong Xue interrupted, “Let me ask you this: even if you talk yourself hoarse, can you influence the current government in the slightest? If not, what’s the use?”
Luoxing said, “But the Prime Minister’s son will eventually take part in governance. Cultivating such thinking early is good for the future.”
Murong Xue shrugged. “That’s not wrong, but since I don’t participate in politics, if he brings all that rhetoric to me, he deserves my scolding.”
Luoxing thought to herself that perhaps it was simply a matter of position.
As they spoke, sudden commotion erupted; more and more people rushed past, the sound of dishes shattering echoed occasionally—clearly, urgency filled the crowd.
Murong Xue glanced at the bustling, anxious throng and raised her brows. “Did the sky fall?”
Luoxing said, “These people are anxious but not distressed; it seems not to be a bad thing.”
Murong Xue pondered and replied, “I heard some rumors lately.”
Luoxing asked, “Has the Saintess of Scarlet Qilin Pavilion emerged?”
Murong Xue smiled faintly. “After decades of seclusion, she appears now, but for what purpose?”
Luoxing said, “Whatever the reason, it will surely be an extraordinary event.”
The Dugu Dynasty boasted three great sanctuaries: Jige Palace, Chan Sect, and Scarlet Qilin Pavilion.
The first southern incursion of the demon race saw the sages of Jige Palace wield their pens to stabilize the realm, seizing half a month from the Demon Lord. Only then did Li Wei'an and two others descend like gods, saving the masses from peril. Afterwards, nearly all the sages of Jige Palace perished, and for two thousand years, they never regained their former glory.
The second demon incursion: the abbot of Chan Sect fell outside Windguard Pass; of three hosts of discipline, only one survived; six hosts of pure rules left no remains; eighteen arhats were buried together in Eagle Gorge. They delayed the demon army outside Windguard Pass for half a month, giving the human forces time to fortify and postponing the demon campaign by three months, until Dugu Feiyun emerged to challenge the Demon Lord, forcing him to retreat.
Only Scarlet Qilin Pavilion suffered its greatest blow in recent years.
The cult uprising ignited from Xu Hai, blazing through Qingchuan and Bibo, spanning a thousand leagues of yellow sands and ten thousand leagues of red earth, reaching Tian Mountain.
From the northwest of Dugu Dynasty to the eastern shore, the Five Pavilions of Qingyi Tower and the Blood Demon Cult wove a vast net to ensnare the heavens.
Chan Sect departed for Tian Mountain, and its leader, Hua Manlou, vanished from the world.
Scarlet Qilin Pavilion relocated entirely to Xu Hai, destroying the Soul Seizing Pavilion and Corpse Commanding Pavilion. Three saints of Scarlet Qilin and the master of Qingyi Tower journeyed together to the underworld; from then on, they secluded themselves, never to emerge.
After the Blood Moon Rebellion was quelled, Dugu Feiyun formally honored the three sanctuaries, acknowledging their deeds.
To this day, Scarlet Qilin Pavilion has remained secluded for more than sixty years.
Murong Xue stretched lazily and said to Luoxing, “Care for a walk?”
Luoxing stood up, glancing upstairs with some concern.
Murong Xue said, “I know all too well what people like him are thinking. Best not to disturb him until he figures things out; otherwise, it’s just wasted effort.”
Luoxing pressed her lips together. “Let’s go, let’s see the Saintess of Scarlet Qilin Pavilion.”
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What Luoxing did not expect was that while they were still eating, Windrise had already arrived at Nai Xi River.
Twilight had arrived, yet the sun still painted the clouds with relentless brilliance. Through the multicolored layers, against the backdrop of deep blue, stars and moon could be faintly glimpsed. A gentle breeze stirred the air, lifting his long hair and robe.
Nai Xi River was about five fathoms wide, and upon it stood an arched bridge with eight horse statues, known as Purple Willow.
Purple Willow Bridge was deserted; no one stood at either end.
Yet Windrise’s gaze remained fixed on the bridge, unmoving.
Scarlet Qilin Pavilion had secluded itself, but he was certain he had seen someone from that sanctuary.
Beyond the frontier.
That person had saved his life, employing the unparalleled art.
The unparalleled art was never taught to outsiders. Since that person mastered such a secret technique, she must belong to Scarlet Qilin Pavilion. Moreover, judging by her age, she was likely the new generation’s Saintess. He wanted to see if he could encounter her again here.
The lively-eyed little girl he once met should now be a graceful young woman. If they met, how should he address her?
Lost in his thoughts, he suddenly heard a melodious flute in the distance, followed by strings, then the sound of a pipa, and finally a gentle, graceful singing voice.
Through the willows by the river bend, a painting barge appeared.
The barge drifted slowly, its music emanating from within.
The flutist, harpist, qin player, pipa player, and singer were all famed entertainers from Ji Province, gathered at the bow, some standing, some seated, drawing the crowd’s attention.
Windrise raised his brows and let out a soft exclamation.
He noticed a man dressed in pale robes, tall and imposing, with an extraordinary presence.
As Windrise watched the man, the man also looked back at him.
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Was it an illusion? Windrise thought the man smiled, and he nodded in greeting.
Suddenly, cries of astonishment erupted.
Both the man and Windrise turned toward Purple Willow Bridge.
A woman in a red gown descended from the sky, graceful as a solitary blossom drifting home.
As her feet touched the bridge, the music on the painting barge reached its finale. The entertainers glanced at the woman on the bridge and withdrew into the cabin.
Windrise had imagined the Saintess of Scarlet Qilin Pavilion’s beauty many times—so beautiful that fish dive and birds fall, moon eclipses flowers, kingdoms are lost, and ages are brightened.
He had thought these phrases would suffice to describe a person’s beauty, but he found he was utterly mistaken.
Among all the books he had read, not a single word could capture the woman before him.
Even “peerless” fell short.
He was not lustful, but in that moment, he could not tear his gaze from her exquisite face.
Of course, he had excuses to cover this.
He could claim he was carefully studying the features of his savior.
Yes, he had met her before, ten years ago, beyond the frontier.
“I once believed myself well-read, my learning unmatched, but only now do I realize how ignorant I am,” he murmured softly.
Someone nearby cast a disdainful glance at him.
Windrise shook his head, sighing as he did so. “If only I had read more books… No, even if I read every book in the world, I fear I’d still find no word to describe the Saintess’s beauty.”
The disdain beside him transformed instantly into reverence; the person gave Windrise a thumbs-up and a meaningful smile.
Windrise nodded at him and said, “I have just made a decision.”
The man responded with a grunt.
A second grunt.
Windrise gazed at the dancing figure on the bridge, and solemnly declared, “Windrise, son of Yanbei, makes a vow here. For the rest of my life, I wish to marry her and wander the immortal realms together.”
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