The sky-kite glided steadily through the air thousands of feet above the ground. The late autumn wind was bone-chillingly cold, but as it howled toward them, it was entirely repelled by the barrier Master Guining had unfurled around the vessel.
It would take three days to travel from Rizhao to the Sun-Blocking Cliff. Fortunately, those who had come were well-accustomed to solitude, and the time seemed to vanish in an instant.
On the evening of the second day, Ye Weiyang emerged from his room. Aside from Shen Di’an, who was too ill to leave her bed, nearly all the Rizhao disciples were gathered in the spacious central courtyard between the rows of cabins.
Ye Weiyang had little to say to them. He swept his gaze over the group and asked, "Where is Ming Zhu?"
Shen Hongchuan pointed toward a specific room. "With Master. He hasn't come out for the past two days; he’s probably been scared out of his wits."
Ye Weiyang was well aware of Ming Zhu’s temperament. He nodded and walked to Master Guining’s door. After knocking and receiving permission, he stepped inside.
Master Guining, dressed in white, was reclining languidly on a small low couch by the window. The window was open, offering a view of the clouds whistling past outside, yet he seemed oblivious to the world. His eyes were downcast, focused on the yellowed pages of a book held by the light of a candle on a small table.
Ming Zhu was sprawled on the fur rug beside the couch, his red robes spilling across the floor like fallen petals on flowing water. He was currently fast asleep, his head resting on Master Guining’s lap. He felt far too insecure at such high altitudes; even in sleep, his fingers gripped Master Guining’s sash tightly, having wound it around his wrist several times.
At the sound of footsteps, Ming Zhu furrowed his brows in a daze. Master Guining looked down and gently stroked Ming Zhu’s forehead. Feeling that familiar, reassuring presence, Ming Zhu drifted back into a deep slumber.
Only after soothing Ming Zhu did Master Guining look up coldly. "What is it?"
Ye Weiyang looked at Ming Zhu with a complex expression. After a long silence, he said, "Do you intend to protect him? He has already guessed that Na Lian of the Sun-Blocking Cliff is not yet dead."
Master Guining’s fingertips lightly brushed the red tear-stain mark beneath Ming Zhu’s eye. He said nonchalantly, "What he knows is far more than what he says."
Ye Weiyang’s brow furrowed deeply. "You mean he already knows everything about the Sun-Blocking Cliff?"
Master Guining replied, "Nine times out of ten."
"Then Zhou Mingzhong..."
"Can Zhou Mingzhong kill him?" Master Guining countered calmly. "His father is that madman Ming Zhao, and his sect is Rizhao of Ximu. Who would dare touch him?"
Ye Weiyang remained silent.
"And then there is you." Master Guining ran his slender fingers gently through Ming Zhu’s ink-black hair, stroking it softly. "You know Ming Zhu is aware of Na Lian, yet you haven't made a move. Do you mean to tell me you don't want to protect him?"
Ye Weiyang snapped his head up, staring at Master Guining with a gaze that was almost frigid.
Master Guining seemed not to notice the coldness in his eyes, maintaining his relaxed posture. "You will protect Ming Zhu, but you won't protect Shen Hongchuan. I know that in the end, you two will never let him go, which is why I haven't bothered to interfere. However, this time, if Ming Zhu is truly dragged into your schemes, I will make both of you join him in the grave, even if it costs me my life."
His words were so cold that Ye Weiyang couldn't bear it. He snapped back sharply, "I won't harm him."
Master Guining said tonelessly, "I don't trust you."
"You..."
Perhaps Ye Weiyang’s voice was too loud, for the sleeping Ming Zhu was suddenly startled awake. His body gave a small shiver as he blearily opened his eyes, his gaze filled with confusion.
Whenever he woke up in a daze, he failed to recognize people. He stared blankly at the person above him.
Master Guining gently patted his forehead and whispered, "It’s nothing. Go back to sleep."
Even with Master Guining by his side these past few days, Ming Zhu hadn't slept well, plagued by constant nightmares. He had finally managed to catch some sleep, only to be woken by Ye Weiyang.
In this state of grogginess, Ming Zhu was exceptionally obedient, doing whatever he was told. Hearing this, he nodded and said, "Okay."
He submissively laid his head back down on Master Guining’s lap, closed his eyes, and quickly fell back asleep.
Once he had coaxed Ming Zhu back to sleep, Master Guining said coldly, "Whether you will or won't is up to you. There is no need for further words. Please leave."
Ye Weiyang seemed to have more to say, but after a moment of hesitation, he turned and walked out.
The next day at noon, the sky-kite landed outside Shou’an City, the closest city to the Sun-Blocking Cliff. The group disembarked one by one. Having flown through the high altitudes for three days and two nights, the kite was covered in a thin layer of frost, looking quite travel-worn.
Lu Qingkong performed a hand seal to shrink the kite back to the size of a palm, shook off the frost, and tucked it into his storage ring.
Shen Di’an and You Nü, neither of whom had seen much of the world, looked at Shou’an City standing amidst the vast, desolate plains in the distance. They let out a simultaneous "Wow!" and nearly jumped for joy.
You Nü circled the group happily before lunging at Lu Qingkong. Her soft body pressed tightly against Lu Qingkong’s stiffened frame as she nuzzled him gently. "Ninth Senior Brother! So this is Shou’an City! It’s You Nü’s first time here!"
Lu Qingkong’s face turned red enough to boil an egg. "Get down! How many times have I told you? Don't go hugging and clinging in front of so many people!"
You Nü giggled.
Under normal circumstances, Ming Zhu—who rarely left Rizhao—would have behaved exactly like You Nü. But now, he was expressionless. Whether he was still groggy or something else was wrong, he stayed obediently by Master Guining’s side, his hand unnaturally clutching the corner of the Master's sleeve. He was gripping it so hard that his fingernails had turned white.
Master Guining maintained a calm expression as he led the group into the city using their travel permits.
Shou’an City was located in a remote area and was usually sparsely populated. This time, likely due to the commotion caused by the demon cultivators at the Sun-Blocking Cliff, the wide main street was a sea of people. They were all cultivators who had flocked from across the Five Provinces; it was unclear how many truly wanted to expel the demons and how many were just there to watch the spectacle.
The aura radiating from Master Guining was so intimidating that even though Ming Zhu’s beauty was transcendent, no one dared to approach them. Some didn't even dare to lift their heads to look.
The group reached their lodgings without hindrance. By the time they were settled, the sky had already darkened.
Once his feet were on solid ground, Ming Zhu became a "hero" once more. It was impossible for him to stay quietly in his room. Although Master Guining had forced Ming Zhu to stay with him and strictly ordered him not to wander more than ten paces away, Ming Zhu had agreed readily, only to jump out the window to play the moment the Master turned his back.
Zhou Fuxue caught Ming Zhu as he leaped from the window, saying helplessly, "Aren't you afraid Master will punish you?"
Ming Zhu landed on the ground and said dismissively, "He won't, he won't. Come on, let's go out and have some fun."
Aside from Yi Fuji and Ming Fuhua, who disliked going out, almost everyone from Rizhao followed.
Lu Qingkong and You Nü were acting all lovey-dovey; they gave Ming Zhu a quick word before vanishing in a flash, likely heading off to find a quiet place for a tryst.
Shen Di’an, who had just recovered slightly from her illness, watched the two of them leave. Thinking of something, she leaned in close to Ming Zhu and whispered, "Eldest Senior Brother, let me tell you, let me tell you, let me tell you!"
Ming Zhu was busy picking out masks at a stall and said distractedly, "Tell me, tell me, tell me."
Normally, the main street of Shou’an City wouldn't have many people, but with so many cultivators arriving, the locals had clearly seen a business opportunity. They had set up countless stalls along the entire street, selling everything from food to toys.
Seeing that he wasn't paying attention, Shen Di’an picked a random mask and slapped it onto his face to block the predatory gaze of the stall owner. She whispered, "On the sky-kite, I once saw Second Senior Brother and Eldest Senior Sister talking on the deck."
Ming Zhu’s mind was entirely occupied by the curious trinkets. Hearing this, he nodded lazily, let Shen Hongchuan pay behind him, and hopped over to the next stall to browse. "The two of them talking? Isn't that normal? What are you trying to say?"
Shen Di’an followed him and added, "They weren't just talking. They were holding hands."
Ming Zhu gave an "Oh." He held up a red pendant toward Shen Hongchuan. "Is this pretty? Ah... the black one looks better? What kind of taste do you have? Forget it, I'm not asking you. Go play somewhere else."
"Isn't holding hands also normal?" Ming Zhu was incredibly casual. "Maybe Fuhua had something dirty on her hand and Second Brother was helping her wipe it off."
Shen Di’an said, "They even hugged!"
Ming Zhu froze. The items in his hands dropped instantly, and the pile of trinkets he had bought scattered all over the ground. He stood rooted to the spot, stunned.
The group didn't browse much longer before heading back. Ming Zhu cried the entire way home.
"I don't believe it, I don't believe it! I refuse to believe it! You must be lying to me!"
"My sister! My soft and cute little sister! How dare Yi Fuji touch her?!"
"I don't care! I don't agree to this marriage! I don't agree!"
"If he wants to marry Fuhua, he'll have to marry me first... *waaaaah*..."
Everyone: "..."
Shen Hongchuan glared at the culprit, Shen Di’an, before offering a helpless consolation. "Senior Brother, if Senior Sister Fuhua and Second Senior Brother really do become a couple, it’s a good thing. Second Senior Brother is of noble character and has a gentle temperament; he certainly wouldn't mistreat her."
Ming Zhu cursed through his tears, "I'm not listening! Shut up! It’s easy for you to say—it’s not your sister who’s getting married off!"
Shen Hongchuan: "..."
After Shen Hongchuan was defeated, Zhou Fuxue immediately stepped up, saying softly, "If Eldest Senior Sister and Second Senior Brother are really together, she won't be marrying into some far-off place. In fact, she’ll be even closer to you. Senior Brother, you..."
Ming Zhu snapped angrily, "Married? What marriage? Nothing is set in stone yet! You’re talking nonsense! Why would you even imagine such a terrifying thing? If you say another word, I’ll hit you!"
Zhou Fuxue: "..."
*Obsessive brotherly love. This man is beyond saving.*
Ming Zhu cried all the way back to their lodgings. Just as he entered the door, he ran into Ye Weiyang, who was about to head out.
Ye Weiyang had never seen Ming Zhu in such a pathetic state. He was quite surprised and let out two "tsk-tsks," mocking him, "What’s this? Did someone beat you up?"
Ming Zhu originally didn't want to pay him any mind, but he felt he had to vent. He stepped forward, grabbed Ye Weiyang’s black sleeve, and wiped it across his face, smearing tears and snot all over it.
Ye Weiyang immediately jumped back. "Ming Zhu, you motherf—!"
Ming Zhu looked like his soul had left his body. "Fuhua is going to be stolen away."
Ye Weiyang froze, then immediately pressed, "By whom?"
"Yi Fuji."
Ye Weiyang gave an "Oh," turned around, and started walking.
Shen Hongchuan, seeing that this man also seemed to have something wrong with his head, hurriedly asked, "Manor Lord Ye, where are you going?"
"To get a sword," Ye Weiyang said. "To cut someone down."
Everyone: "..."
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 首安城 | Shou'an City | A city near Biri Cliff (Sun-Blocking Cliff). |
| 那帘 | Na Lian | A character mentioned as being alive at Sun-Blocking Cliff. |
| 明昭 | Ming Zhao | Ming Zhu's father, referred to as a "madman." |
| 析木 | Ximu | Likely the region or a larger sect affiliation for Rizhao. |
| 周明重 | Zhou Mingzhong | A character mentioned by Ye Weiyang and Guining. |
