The Seven Peaks Martial Meet was a grand event held once every sixty years at Qingyun Sect. With several hundred extra people suddenly on Tongtian Peak, lodging naturally became tight. For the disciples of Dazhu Peak, the carefree days of one person per room back on Dazhu Peak were nothing but a vain hope now. Besides Tian Ling'er staying with the ladies of Xiaozhu Peak, the male disciples of Dazhu Peak numbered seven in total, starting from Song Daren, all squeezed into one room.
On Tongtian Peak, Qingyun disciples usually stayed four to a room. Now they had laid three extra bedrolls on the floor, barely managing to fit everyone, though the crowding was unavoidable. At this moment, someone could be heard complaining loudly, “Really, they always say how great the main branch is, and now they make seven of us squeeze into one room. How stingy!”
“Old Sixth, stop complaining. If the main branch senior brothers hear you, it won’t be good.”
“Second Senior Brother, you’re sleeping on the bed, so naturally you’re very comfortable. Why don’t you look at your junior brother lying on this cold floor? How about we switch beds?”
“Zzzzzz...”
“…No way, you fell asleep just like that, and you’re snoring?”
“Zzzzzz...”
“Hmph, ah, Fourth Senior Brother, you’ve always been handsome and dashing, romantic and debonair, gifted with extraordinary talent and dazzling brilliance…”
“Zzzzzz...”
“What’s going on, is instant sleep popular now? Eh, Eldest Senior Brother, you’ve always been kind-hearted, how could you watch your junior brother me…”
“Zzzzzz...”
“You—ah, Third Senior Brother…”
“Hoooo-hoooo…”
Everyone was startled. Just then, the wall suddenly banged heavily, and someone next door shouted angrily, “Hey, do you people from Dazhu Peak always snore this loudly at night?”
The room suddenly went completely silent. After a long while, someone let out a few sneaky laughs. Shortly after, the previous voice suddenly seemed to remember something: “Ah, Fifth Senior Brother, you…”
“You, you, what about you? I’m sleeping right next to you, both of us on the floor. You want to switch places? I don’t mind!”
“Ahem, it’s nothing. Sigh, this bedroll being icy cold is one thing, but it’s also short by a section, so I can’t even sleep comfortably. Speaking of which, our youngest junior brother has it best, his build is just right.”
“Sixth Senior Brother, how can you speak with your eyes closed? Can’t you see I still have a big dog and a monkey fighting me for the blanket? Mine is the most crowded, and you still say that?”
“…But I still—”
“Shut up, Old Sixth!” Several people in the room shouted simultaneously.
After dark, many young disciples from the other six peaks who were visiting Tongtian Peak for the first time came out for walks, greatly amazed and curious about the scenery of Tongtian Peak. But as the night deepened, everyone returned to their respective rooms to sleep.
When darkness fell upon this mountain peak piercing the heavens, above the firmament, a cold moon sprinkled its clear radiance upon the summit.
Zhang Xiaofan was sleeping soundly when he suddenly felt some movement beside him in his drowsiness. Blurrily opening his sleepy eyes, he saw that the monkey Xiao Hui and Dahuang lying beside him were both gone. He propped himself up and looked around, only to see Dahuang’s yellow figure flash past the doorway, a shadow on his back that was most likely the monkey Xiao Hui.
Zhang Xiaofan felt strange in his heart. The night was so deep—where could this monkey and dog be going? He quietly and cautiously got up, randomly threw on a piece of clothing, and walked to the door. Under the cold, clear moonlight, Dahuang was running toward the Sea of Clouds with Xiao Hui on his back.
Zhang Xiaofan looked in the direction they were running and after a quick calculation, recalled that this was the location of the Tongtian Peak kitchen that Song Daren had told him about earlier. He was both amused and annoyed. This Dahuang had been raised by Tian Buyi for who knew how many hundreds of years; it could be considered an enlightened old dog, yet unexpectedly it was so greedy. He originally wanted to ignore them and go back to sleep, but upon second thought, he worried that if someone saw Dazhu Peak’s yellow dog and grey monkey stealing food, it would be far too embarrassing. He should chase them back.
Having made up his mind, he looked up and saw that Dahuang carrying Xiao Hui was already just a blurry figure. He hurriedly chased after them.
He ran swiftly all the way, carefully not startling the fellow disciples in the other rooms along the path. By the time he ran to that plaza at the Sea of Clouds, he could no longer see any trace of Dahuang and Xiao Hui. Under the cold moon, clouds drifted faintly here, like silk, like smoke, unspeakably beautiful.
But after looking a couple more times, he had no mind to keep watching. He turned to look around and was about to walk in the direction of the kitchen when suddenly, his heart thumped heavily.
Deep in the Sea of Clouds, on the other side from the direction of the kitchen, amidst drifting, ethereal clouds, there was faintly a slender figure walking forward. Judging by the direction that person was walking, they seemed to be heading toward the Rainbow Bridge.
Zhang Xiaofan stared blankly at that figure. Though separated by a great distance, this figure was as if deeply engraved upon his heart; he recognized at a glance that it was his senior sister, Tian Ling'er.
Night, so deep!
Why had she gone out alone, and where was she going by herself?
Zhang Xiaofan stood frozen in place, at a loss for a moment. He only felt thousands of thoughts flooding into his mind, his heart in turmoil, as if faintly guessing at something. But he stubbornly refused to admit it.
He turned his head, his gaze fixing on the direction of the kitchen where Dahuang and Xiao Hui had run. Hardening his heart, he walked toward it, while telling himself: “Zhang Xiaofan, mind your own business! Mind your own business!”
He walked seven steps like this. The moonlight was like water, shining upon this youth, exceptionally lonely. Then he stopped, raised his head to look at the sky, and saw a cold moon hanging at the edge of the heavens. His mouth seemed to move. A moment later, he abruptly turned around, clenched his teeth, and ran in the direction that figure had disappeared.
The moonlight shone upon his running figure, carrying a desolate gentleness.
In just a moment, Tian Ling'er’s figure had already vanished into the Sea of Clouds. But Zhang Xiaofan didn’t look anywhere else; toward the direction of the Rainbow Bridge, he kept running. Very quickly, he got on the Rainbow Bridge. The mountain wind blew, and the water streams on both sides of the bridge rippled slightly, reflecting the moon in the sky, cold and beautiful. But Zhang Xiaofan completely disregarded this, only running with all his might.
Run, run, run!
Running past the Rainbow Bridge, he still hadn’t seen anyone’s shadow. Until he ran to the end of the Rainbow Bridge, a sudden sense of bewilderment arose in his heart. The cold moonlight illuminated the Blue Water Pond at the end of the Rainbow Bridge as bright as day. He saw a beautiful figure standing gracefully by the pond, gazing at the sparkling water surface, lost in thought.
Zhang Xiaofan suddenly became afraid—a fear he himself could not explain. He only knew that he could not let his senior sister discover him. He looked all around and saw on the right side near the Rainbow Bridge by the pond there was a small grove. He quietly ran over and hid there, peeking at Tian Ling'er from the shadows.
This one gaze seemed like eternity!
Under the moonlight, by the blue water, that young woman carried a few parts sorrow, a few parts anticipation, her brows lowered, her eyes seemingly holding a faint glow as if longing for something, looking so beautiful. The mountain breeze blew gently; passing over the water surface, sweeping past her side, it also held its breath and stilled its voice, lightly stirring her clothes and hair, setting off her skin like snow.
From the depths of Zhang Xiaofan’s heart, an ineffable tenderness suddenly surged forth. It was as if that woman was the one he wanted to protect all his life. Even if he endured hundreds of tribulations and thousands of disasters for her, he would not hesitate and would never regret.
This moment—how he wished it could be eternal!
“Junior Sister Ling'er.” Suddenly, a call came from the Rainbow Bridge. Tian Ling'er immediately turned around. In an instant, her eyes were filled with joy, and the corners of her mouth revealed a smile from the bottom of her heart.
“Senior Brother Qi, you’ve come.”
Zhang Xiaofan’s heart seemed to shatter at that moment, yet he felt no pain. His entire heart was empty and hollow, only echoing with those words “Senior Brother Qi, Senior Brother Qi, Senior Brother Qi…”
He turned his head with difficulty. He saw a person walking quickly down from the Rainbow Bridge—sword-like brows, starry eyes, extraordinarily handsome, with an outstanding bearing. Who else could it be but Qi Hao?
He watched Qi Hao quickly walk to Tian Ling'er’s side and say warmly, “My apologies. Those junior brothers of mine are young and love to make a fuss, so it took quite a while before they fell asleep. That’s why I came late. I made you wait long, didn’t I?”
Tian Ling'er had originally felt some resentment, but for some reason, the moment she saw Qi Hao’s figure, it vanished without a trace. She immediately shook her head and smiled, “It’s fine, I didn’t come long ago either.” She paused, glanced at the pond beside her, and said, “But why did you arrange to meet here? During the day, Spirit Venerable suddenly got angry. I’m still a bit scared.”
Qi Hao smiled, “It’s nothing to worry about. I heard from my master that Spirit Venerable is completely normal; it was just playing a joke on us young disciples. Moreover, with the commotion it caused during the day, this place is even quieter at night, isn’t it?”
Tian Ling'er’s face reddened. She lowered her head and said, “Us meeting secretly like this, I wonder if it’s okay?”
Qi Hao looked at her tender, beautiful face and said softly, “Junior Sister Ling'er, ever since we first met on Dazhu Peak two years ago, I have been unable to forget you. My longing is hard to stop; often I cannot sleep at night, and my mind is filled with your shadow.”
Tian Ling'er subconsciously bit her lip. Her face reddened another degree, yet she showed not the slightest sign of anger. Instead, she felt strands of sweetness in her heart.
Qi Hao continued, “Junior Sister Ling'er, I…”
Tian Ling'er suddenly raised her head and said, “Senior Brother Qi, you can just call me Ling'er.” Speaking to this point, she suddenly lowered her head again and said in a low voice, “My, my father and mother both call me that.”
Qi Hao was overjoyed. As if unable to believe his ears, he hesitated a moment before pressing, “Really? Lin… Ling'er.”
Tian Ling'er glanced at him, reached into her bosom, and slowly took out a small brocade box. Her eyes lowered, looking at the ground, as if she had mustered all her courage before saying in a low voice, “This ‘Cold Clear Bead,’ I have carried it on me these two years.”
Having said this, she didn’t dare look at Qi Hao again. Unexpectedly, after quite a long time, Qi Hao made no sound. Tian Ling'er felt strange in her heart and secretly raised her eyes to look at him. She saw that Qi Hao’s eyes were full of joy, his face wreathed in smiles, an indescribable appearance of happiness.
The two of them gazed at each other like this for a long while. Suddenly they opened their arms and embraced each other.
The moonlight was cold, sprinkling upon their bodies, sprinkling upon that grove, yet it could not shine into the dark corner.
Who knew how much time passed? This pair of lovers spoke tender whispers until Qi Hao looked at the sky and saw the moon had passed the eastern heavens. Then he said, “Ling'er, it’s getting late. We should go back, otherwise if we’re discovered, it won’t be good.”
Tian Ling'er thought for a bit and nodded. The two of them looked at each other, then suddenly both smiled; everything was understood without words. Qi Hao took Tian Ling'er’s hand and slowly walked toward the Rainbow Bridge. Under the moonlight, they were like an intimate pair of lovebirds, leaning close together. After a while, they disappeared onto the Rainbow Bridge.
This night grew a few parts more desolate.
In the grove, in the shadows, Zhang Xiaofan slowly walked out. Dazedly he walked to the edge of the Blue Water Pond, looking at the sparkling water surface, looking at the cold moon reflected in the water, bobbing and swaying gently with the water ripples.
He suddenly wanted very much to cry.
But in the end, he did not cry. That inexplicable pain raged like a wild beast within his heart, charging and crashing everywhere, leaving scars all over his heart.
Yet he clenched his teeth, not making a sound.
It was as if he had returned to how he was five years ago. Back then, he had lost everything. Except for Lin Jingyu by his side, the entire world had completely changed.
And tonight, at this moment, there was only him alone, facing it by himself.
“Huff,” a low sound, seeming like the snort of some beast, suddenly rang out behind him. Zhang Xiaofan started awake from his confused emotions. Turning his head to look, he immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
That mountain-guarding spirit beast of Qingyun Sect, the colossal creature respectfully called “Spirit Venerable” by everyone—the Water Kylin—had suddenly and silently appeared behind him, and it was extremely close. Lowering its head, its giant eyes seemed practically pressed against Zhang Xiaofan’s body. How a creature with such a massive body managed to do this, he didn’t know; perhaps Zhang Xiaofan’s heart was so dead that he hadn’t noticed.
But at this moment, Zhang Xiaofan’s heart nearly leaped out of his chest. Seeing this Water Kylin’s mountain-sized body right before him, and the long, sharp fangs in its bloody maw gleaming in the moonlight, he was so frightened that he retreated several steps in succession. His foot tripped on something—he had been tripped by a large rock and fell to the ground.
When he came out, his clothes had already been in disarray; he had only randomly thrown on an outer garment. Now his body swayed, and only a “clink” was heard as something fell to the ground.
This sound rapidly spread in this peaceful place, echoing above the water surface.
Zhang Xiaofan and the Water Kylin simultaneously lowered their heads to look. On the ground by the water, between Zhang Xiaofan and the Water Kylin, a blackish so-called “firestick” was lying there quietly.
In the Water Kylin’s giant eyes were reflected Zhang Xiaofan’s pale face and that ugly firestick on the ground. Zhang Xiaofan only felt his throat go dry, cold sweat pouring down. In his heart, he desperately screamed “Run, run, run fast!!”
Yet before the Water Kylin, no matter how he willed it in his heart, his feet seemed not his own, not moving at all. But the Water Kylin was somewhat strange at this moment. After looking at Zhang Xiaofan twice, its attention seemed drawn entirely by that firestick. He watched as this massive beast stared fixedly at that blackish firestick, looking up, looking down, its huge head turning this way and that, yet still unable to make anything of it. A moment later, as if hesitating, it stretched out a forepaw and cautiously nudged the firestick.
Zhang Xiaofan watched from the side with his mouth hanging open. Although he was still very frightened in his heart, curiosity simultaneously welled up. He thought, could this “Spirit Venerable” have lived for thousands of years and already become senile? Or perhaps, like that Dahuang dog on Dazhu Peak, was it disrespectful in old age and still childish at heart, actually so interested in a firestick?
He saw the Water Kylin’s massive claw lightly touch the firestick, then immediately withdraw. Judging by its appearance, it seemed quite wary of this stick. But the firestick shifted slightly, rolling a few times, still lying there peacefully, motionless.
The Water Kylin’s eyes showed great puzzlement, yet it still refused to give up. Its massive head swayed, then suddenly looked toward Zhang Xiaofan. From its bloody maw came a low yet powerful roar. Zhang Xiaofan’s heart lurched violently. In an instant, he tensed every muscle in his body, even stopping his breathing.
Unexpectedly, the Water Kylin only glanced at him before looking back at the firestick. And this time, it even lowered its head, bringing its nose close to the stick, sniffing carefully. Zhang Xiaofan’s heart was still pounding wildly, but watching the strange behavior of the beast before him, he subconsciously thought that this really resembled Dahuang. If not for being too tense at the moment, he almost would have laughed out loud.
The Water Kylin sniffed for a while. Obviously, it still came up empty. It raised its head and looked all around with its big head, seeming unable to figure it out, confused. But a thousand-year spirit beast was, after all, a thousand-year spirit beast. After thinking for a moment, it decided to give up. The Water Kylin let out a “pfft” snort. Its giant eyes glared at Zhang Xiaofan, scaring him half to death again. Then it shook its head and tail, turned around, and walked down into the pond. Soon, water splashed everywhere, and its massive body submerged into the pond.
Only then did Zhang Xiaofan begin to calm his frightened soul. Slowly crawling up, he then felt that the clothes on his back were completely soaked, not to mention the cold sweat on his forehead raining down like a deluge. He walked to the firestick, picked it up, and examined it from top to bottom, yet no matter how he looked, he couldn’t see anything unusual about it. He couldn’t help complaining loudly, “What the hell!”
Before his voice fell, he suddenly heard a splash by the Blue Water Pond beside him. A huge surge of water overturned, and in the white spray, the Water Kylin’s massive tail could be vaguely seen flipping above the surface.
Zhang Xiaofan was greatly startled. He immediately stuffed the firestick into his bosom and ran for his life. All along the way, he only heard constant sounds of water in the pond behind him. He didn’t dare look back again, only running for his life, getting as far away from this place as possible. In no time, he ran onto the Rainbow Bridge, running straight upward until he could no longer hear any sound behind him, until he ran to the very top of the Rainbow Bridge, before stopping to gasp for breath.
“Huff, huff, huff!…”
Zhang Xiaofan’s breathing slowly calmed. But he suddenly felt very tired—a weariness rising from the depths of his heart. Lowering his head, he saw under the moonlight, a lonely shadow had been following him all along.
He suddenly raised his head, looking up at the sky. He saw only the cold firmament, a cold moon hanging high at the edge of the heavens. He gazed at it blankly, momentarily lost in a daze.
※※※
In the early morning, everyone woke up.
Du Bishu rubbed his waist and complained loudly, “Really, my waist is almost broken after sleeping one night. How am I supposed to compete today?”
Lu Daxin frowned. “Old Sixth, don’t shout so loudly. I also slept a whole night, and I don’t feel any problem with my waist.”
Song Daren also said from the side, “Exactly, Old Sixth, you complained all night last night, isn’t that enough? Didn’t you see Fifth Junior Brother and Little Junior Brother didn’t make a sound?”
Du Bishu rolled his strange eyes. “Fifth Senior Brother has thick skin and rough flesh; he has no feeling. If you don’t believe me, ask Little Junior Brother and see if he… eh, Little Junior Brother, why are your eyes full of red threads? Did you really not sleep well last night?”
Zhang Xiaofan had finished packing up the bedding. Now he sat on a chair, staring blankly out the window without any response. Dahuang was lying at his feet, and the monkey Xiao Hui was rummaging through Dahuang’s dog fur, seemingly looking for fleas.
Du Bishu walked over and heavily patted his shoulder. Zhang Xiaofan jumped in surprise, startling Dahuang and Xiao Hui as well. He looked around and said, “Wh-what is it?”
Du Bishu frowned. “Xiaofan, why are you so absent-minded? Did you not sleep well last night?”
Zhang Xiaofan was stunned for a moment, then shook his head. “N-no.”
Du Bishu said, “Then why are your eyes full of red threads, so red?”
Just as Zhang Xiaofan was about to speak, He Dazhi walked over from the side and interjected, “Old Sixth, mind your own business. It doesn’t matter even if Little Junior Brother’s spirits aren’t good; he has a bye today anyway. But if you don’t wash up soon and miss the competition later, you won’t be able to blame anyone else.”
Du Bishu suddenly came to his senses. How could he still care whether Zhang Xiaofan had slept well? He rushed over, completely disregarding Lu Daxin, Zheng Dali, and others who were currently washing their faces, and snatched the washbasin. Splash splash splash, he poured water fiercely onto his face, still saying, “Hmph, Little Junior Brother has such good fortune. Look at him with that half-dead sleepy face, really… ah, Fifth Senior Brother, quickly give me back the washbasin. I don’t have time!”
“Pah, I haven’t even washed yet!”
Zhang Xiaofan watched his senior brothers arguing over a washbasin on the other side of the room. He felt slightly annoyed in his heart. Standing up, he walked out. Just as he reached the door, Song Daren suddenly called from behind, “Little Junior Brother, have you washed up?”
Zhang Xiaofan turned his head. “I have, Eldest Senior Brother.”
Song Daren nodded. “That’s good. It’s fine if you go out for a walk first, but in a while you need to go to the dining hall for breakfast. Understand?”
Zhang Xiaofan responded, “Understood.” Saying this, he walked out. The monkey Xiao Hui chattered twice, ran over, and jumped onto his shoulder. When Dahuang saw Xiao Hui leave, he also lazily climbed up, wagged his tail, and followed him out. In the corridor, Zhang Xiaofan saw the busy figures of Qingyun disciples from various peaks who had just gotten up on both sides. He strolled along and, without realizing it, arrived at the Sea of Clouds plaza.
At this time, it was still early. Only a few scattered Qingyun disciples walked upon the Sea of Clouds. The cool mountain wind blew, brushing past Zhang Xiaofan’s face, carrying a slight cold feeling.
As if it were last night!
Pain flashed through Zhang Xiaofan’s heart. He was already a sixteen-year-old youth this year. Love had just begun to sprout. Having lived on Dazhu Peak for five years, spending day and night with Tian Ling'er, he had long since planted deep roots of affection for this beautiful, lively senior sister in the depths of his heart. Unexpectedly, last night he had personally witnessed Tian Ling'er’s secret meeting with Qi Hao. For a moment it was like a bolt from the blue; his thoughts were in great turmoil.
At this moment, his mind was completely jumbled. Flashing back and forth were all those scenes from last night that made his heart ache as if he were dying. His entire person was also like a masterless wandering soul, walking aimlessly without purpose.
“Eh?” Suddenly, an exclamation of surprise rang out beside him, startling Zhang Xiaofan. Awakening from his daydreaming, he looked to his side. It was a young Qingyun disciple with delicate features, wearing a long robe, around twenty years old, holding a gilt fan. On it seemed to be painted some landscapes of mountains and rivers. At this moment, he was leaning close, but a pair of bright, large eyes weren’t looking at Zhang Xiaofan at all. Instead, they stared fixedly at the monkey Xiao Hui on Zhang Xiaofan’s shoulder without looking away.