Chapter 16

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—Meow!

Perhaps it was the warm leather canteen in Rong Luoyun’s arms, but a thin layer of sweat coated his body in the middle of this freezing night. His eyes were opened and his lips pursed tightly. His searing red face was hidden in the darkness and his heart was pounding. With his hand held so firmly by the other, he couldn’t help but be nervous.

He curled his index finger, intending to struggle, but once his finger brushed the other person’s palm, his struggling became like he was trying to make a scene. He moved his lips to call out “Du Zhong”, but no sound came out. The silence prevailed, and in their deadlock, their touching palms became very warm and sweaty.

Rong Luoyun attempted to withdraw his hand, but those big palms clamped down, not leaving even the tiniest gaps. He finally spoke up: “Du Zhong, let go.”

Huo Linfeng had already closed his eyes, refusing to answer or pay attention to him. He had been lying there nicely, minding his own business. That one surnamed Rong was the one who touched him first. It can’t be called just touching. He had felt up and caressed his waist, palm, and five fingers. Even palm reading wasn’t this thorough.

Then, where was the wrong in his response in holding his hand back? Besides, the leather canteen was given by him, the robes covering them were his. Him holding these hands for some warmth isn’t too much, right?

At this time, Rong Luoyun asked: “Du Zhong, did you fall asleep?”

Huo Linfeng answered: “When I fall asleep, I will naturally loosen my hand.”

Rong Luoyun said with a hint of anger: “You’re overstepping your boundaries.”

Low laughter drifted from the darkness. Huo Linfeng thought, this was far from the first time he overstepped his boundaries. Asking him to beat the drums at the martial arts competition, using him to bet while training the disciples on the plum blossom logs, and today, causing him to fall into the water… He held on a little tighter and said fearlessly: “I’m really tired, Palace Lord can punish me tomorrow.”

This shamelessness rendered Rong Luoyun helpless. He tried to think of a countermeasure, but as he continued to ponder, he grew sleepy himself. Whatever, if they continued, they would wake Diao Yuliang up with all the noise. Since he would let go once he fell asleep, everything would be fine if he fell asleep as soon as possible.

Besides the two sources of steady breathing and the occasional snoring, the carriage had no other sound.

Mount Lingbi [1] rose high into the clouds. Wild animals lurked in the night. The Spirit Jade Stream was caged in the darkness, the roaring of the waterfalls was endless. The stones stashed under the carriage turned cold and the leather canteen gradually lost its warmth in the chilliness of spring.

Thank goodness it didn’t rain, or else, don’t even mention having to hold hands for warmth, they would have to entangle together completely to escape the cold. The long night drew out and the break of dawn arrived. The birds within the trees woke, their chirping breaking the tranquility that had lasted the whole night.

Hu!

Diao Yuliang suddenly opened his eyes and took a big gasp of air. Sweat covered his forehead, rolling off his temples, evident that he had just woken from a nightmare. He was unable to move the slightest. On his left was Rong Luoyun and on the right was Huo Linfeng. These two people’s arms were piled upon him, interlocked closely.

“Second Brother……” He called out, aggrieved, “Du Zhong…”

Huo Linfeng and Rong Luoyun woke up at the same time. They hazily looked past Diao Yuliang at each other. With only thin rays of light escaping through the window’s carvings, the carriage was lit dimly. In this haziness, the two were still drowsy-eyed and sluggish.

But Diao Yuliang could not bear it for another second and started wiggling out from below. Inch by inch, he was released from his imprisonment. “Aiya!” He let out a sigh and gave the small braid behind his head a shake, “You guys almost strangled me!”

As he rubbed his eyes with strength, his two eyes suddenly widened. He was baffled: “Du Zhong, why are you holding Second Brother’s hand to sleep?”

Rong Luoyun lowered his head when he heard these words. It was true, his hand had been tightly held by Huo Linfeng for the whole night. He sent a quick glance, evidently inquiring him about this crime— didn’t you say you’ll let go once you fall asleep?

Huo Linfeng was in the wrong. He suddenly let go and coughed lightly as a cover. His palm had gone clammy from the warmth after holding hands all night. He spoke without thinking, wanting to change the subject: “Fourth Palace Lord, were you cold last night?”

Diao Yuliang shook his head: “I wasn’t cold.” He sat cross-legged and continued in an unhappy tone, “But I had a nightmare. I dreamed that I was caught and thrown into a black inn [2]. The innkeeper was one scary barbarian. He saw that I had soft skin and tender flesh and wanted to kill me to make me into meat patties.”

Rong Luoyun was not interested in listening, but that child unexpectedly stole a secret glare at him, leaving him momentarily speechless.

“And then, I was tied up and hoisted onto the table.” Diao Yuliang first glared at Rong Luoyun, then glared at Huo Linfeng. His look seemed to be judgmental, “Ten of his assistants came and stacked stone slabs on me without stopping. I was almost squashed flat and crushed into meat paste alive. I was scared awake, and wow! It turns out it was you guys squishing me.”

Huo Linfeng and Rong Luoyun looked at each other in silence. They turned away, eyebrows knitted, and both looked at this annoying little kid. Diao Yuliang had some guts, but he was quite dense. Seeing their reaction, he changed his tune: “…….. It was all thanks to us cramming together that I wasn’t cold. I slept so well!”

It was like the affectionate exchanges of a family of brothers. After idling for a while, they got off the carriage to stretch their muscles.

Huo Linfeng crouched next to the water to wash his face. He rolled a large, thick leaf into the shape of a conical hat [3] and scooped some water for Rong Luoyun to use. When he rose to head back, he saw Diao Yuliang gnawing the leftover fish from last night, but not a trace of Rong Luoyun.

He asked: “Where did Second Palace Lord go?”

Diao Yuliang had a full mouth, so he only rampantly lifted his head.

Huo Linfeng looked up at the trees. The leaves danced in the wind, but with his eyes closed, he could catch a trace of the rustling of clothing. When he opened his eyes, a silhouette of a person swooshed over. Like the morning dew, swift like falling rain, the figure had leaped onto another tree in just a blink of an eye. His body was light like a flying bird.

This was the first time he had seen Rong Luoyun’s qinggong. He was faintly discernible like the ghost of an immortal. He couldn’t help but ask: “What qinggong technique does Second Palace Lord practice?”

Diao Yuliang grunted: “Roaming the Eight Directions. Have you heard of it?”

He had more than just heard of it. In Huo Linfeng’s childhood, when he learned the “Incorporeal Divine Dragon”, he had heard Huo Zhao say personally that there were a hundred qinggong techniques in the world. “Incorporeal Divine Dragon” was superior to ninety-nine of those, but was inferior to only one, the immortal-like “Roaming the Eight Directions”.

Roaming the Eight Directions, light like a feather, too fast to be pursued.

Huo Linfeng watched the forest fixedly. The fuzzy figure came and went, not giving people enough time to follow. After a cup of tea’s time, Rong Luoyun descended and landed silently like a feather. He had used his robes as a pocket to hold fruits and sent them scattering towards Diao Yuliang: “This should be enough for you to eat, right? The trees have almost been made bald by me.”

Diao Yuliang said joyously: “Thanks, Second Brother! It’s enough to eat for the whole journey!”

Rong Luoyun gently stroked the child’s head. He lifted his eye and saw Huo Linfeng standing a distance away, holding a leaf filled with water. He strolled toward him, feigning to be observing the green mountains and examining the blue water. He pretended to unintentionally arrive near the other. When they were three steps away, he then copied his technique of coughing lightly.

Huo Linfeng collected his thoughts and handed the water he had scooped to the other. Rong Luoyun lowered his head to clean his face. As he lifted his hand to wipe away the beads of water, an extra wild fruit fell from his sleeve. He caught it, wiped it, and stuffed it into Huo Linfeng’s hand.

“For me?” Huo Linfeng was a little surprised.

Rong Luoyun nodded: “En.” He stepped back and listed out: “Thank you for the water canteen, the clothing, and also for this water.” After he finished, he turned around. He picked the wooden tub of carp up and got on the carriage, preparing to return.

With a crack of the horsewhip, they were on their way.

The curtains were bound tightly, allowing the sunlight to pour into the carriage. Rong Luoyun leaned against the carriage wall and stayed in that position for a long time, watching the scenery outside. Diao Yuliang had his bosom stuffed full of wild fruits. His mouth never stopped eating, even his tongue was dyed the faint hue of the fruit’s color.

In one breath, they had already traveled more than ten li. Huo Linfeng slowed down to allow the horse to rest a little. Just then, a dragonfly came flitting over. It was dipping lower and lower as if it was losing energy. It unexpectedly landed on his shoulder to rest.

Diao Yuliang grew excited: “There’s always this saying that beautiful people attract bees and butterflies. Du Zhong, you’re so handsome you attracted a dragonfly!”

Huo Linfeng couldn’t help but laugh. He held his shoulder steady and turned his head slightly to look out of the corner of his eye behind him. Through his peripheral vision, he caught sight of Rong Luoyun. That person stayed silent. When he saw Huo Linfeng looking at him, he lowered his head, unwilling to talk to him. But, Huo Linfeng pursued: “Palace Lord, how about I give this dragonfly to you?”

Rong Luoyun’s voice was very soft: “Dragonflies fly freely in the world, what say do you have in giving it to me?” His intention was not to bicker. His words were filled with what seemed to be sorrow. After he finished speaking, he punched the other in the shoulder, “When dragonflies fly low, it means rain is coming. Hurry and go.”

Huo Linfeng raised the whip: “Jia!” The small carriage sped along, leaving the dragonfly behind. After traveling another few li, he suddenly remembered that punch and turned around to condemn: “Palace Lord, why do you keep hitting me?”

Can’t take a scolding, can’t take a beating, what are you doing in Jianghu? Rong Luoyun secretly insulted him on the inside, but showed a splendid smile on the outside: “I can’t?”

That smile was quite abrupt. Those bright eyes and white teeth seemed to be glowing, brightening the whole carriage. Huo Linfeng urgently turned his head away. After struggling over this for half the day, he had lost in the end. He pushed down the rising feeling of disappointment and covered up the feeling of defeat before it completely emerged, answering: “Palace Lord can do as he wishes.”

He brandished the whip without another word, thinking about how he, a twenty-three year old forged of tough iron and steel, had unexpectedly been bent by a smiling face.

The carriage rushed towards Xiqian Ridge without stopping. By the time they arrived back in the city, it was noon. The smoke spiraling from chimneys filled the wide streets and narrow alleys. As they passed by the Long River, Rong Luoyun stopped the carriage, “You two can go back first, I want to go to Dusk-till-Dawn.”

He borrowed Huo Linfeng’s shoulder to help himself down the carriage and turned around to look at the other. The words they had exchanged previously submerged in his mind. I love going to pleasure houses the most, the rain’s traces and the clouds tracks. The love and tenderness there comfort me to have a good night ….. He gave an indifferent smile and said deridingly: “Are you coming with me to find your tender beauty to experience the cloud and rain [4]?”

Huo Linfeng was not lustful to begin with. That day, he had spent four thousand taels on a song, but he would absolutely not do anything more than that in that establishment. “Thanking the Palace Lord for being considerate,” he declined, “but after being away for two days, it is more important for this subordinate to train the disciples.”

Rong Luoyun wasn’t really inviting him, so he left alone with a flick of his wide sleeve. After not showing his face for a short while, the girls all squealed when he arrived at Dusk-till-Dawn. The proprietress called for someone to set one more bowl and chopsticks at the table. A small servant ran to get Rong Duanyu. All in all, it was bustling with excitement.

He climbed the steps to the upper floors. As he walked with his head lowered, staring at the tips of his shoes, a strong fragrance greeted his senses. He heard a soft “Young Master” and lifted his eyes. An elegant, beautiful person stood before him. A white fan covered her face, revealing a pair of watery round eyes.

Rong Luoyun suddenly remembered: “…… Bao Luo?”

Bao Luo smiled widely: “Young Master hasn’t been coming much recently, yet you can still remember me.”

Rong Luoyun nodded, but his mind was elsewhere— “I like Bao Luo and am willing to devote myself wholly to her.” These words were still ringing in his ears, making him shiver from the cringe. After these phrases had dispersed, he asked: “Bao Luo, if an extraordinarily handsome man who excels at martial arts fell in love with you, what would you do?”

Bao Luo answered shyly: “I wouldn’t dare dream of something that good.”

Rong Luoyun said: “There’s no need to dream about it, perhaps it will really happen.” He had drawn the girl’s interest, yet he said no more and went to find Rong Duanyu. The two siblings haven’t seen each other for a few days, so they set aside everything else to spend some time together.

Rong Duanyu took the initiative to ask: “Do you have anything urgent coming up today?”

Rong Luoyun answered: “I don’t. I’ll return to the Extraordinary Palace at sundown.”

The carriage jolted along and arrived at the foot of Mount Lengsang. The palace gates opened, and the horse galloped through the long street. Huo Linfeng sent Diao Yuliang to the lotus pond, watching the young kid drift off on the small boat. Only then did he return to the Thousand Opportunities Hall.

He carried the bucket containing the six red carp to his small courtyard for the time being. The courtyard was in an utter mess with the chopped tree lying horizontally in the middle. Without stopping to rest, he rolled up his sleeves to tidy up. After busying himself for one or two shichen, he started to feel more and more wronged.

Back at the Marquis Manor, when had he ever had to accept this kind of punishment? There had been countless people waiting upon him. They would even worry that he would tire if he merely stooped down to pick up a fallen leaf.

Huo Linfeng threw down his hoe and stopped working thus forth. He entered the bamboo house [5] to clean himself. When he sank his body into warm water to soak, he realized that there was no one here to scrub his back for him. He thought of Du Zheng and decided that he would bring that dimwit to the Extraordinary Palace tomorrow.

While pondering, his ears twitched. Like two blades, his eyes suddenly looked out the window. In the sky filled with the colors of the sunset, a concrete-gray pigeon flew by. A note was bound on its leg, and it seemed to be headed towards the Nameless Abode. This is a spy returning with a message!

This opportunity was hard to come by. Rong Luoyun is currently doing it in Dusk-till-Dawn and most likely won’t be done until late at night…… Huo Linfeng immediately got out of the bathtub. After wearing his clothes and tying up his hair, he lifted the tub of red carp and left Thousand Opportunities Hall.

He hurried cautiously along the way. When he got to the Nameless Abode, he nimbly made his way to the pigeon cage.

The entire cage only had a small opening for the carrier pigeons to enter and exit. It was not big enough for a regular person’s arm to fit through. He searched for the one that had just returned. Gray like concrete, short beak, and bean-like eyes. It was currently drinking water.

“Chirp, chirp chirp.” He mimicked teasingly, wanting to lure the bird out. The carrier pigeon gave him a look but snobbily went on to eat food.

Coincidentally, this was the time for dinner. From the Distant Gray Platform, a group of disciples finished their training and was making their way to eat. A disciple with good eyes said: “Second Palace Lord is back.” Everyone bowed simultaneously and greeted Rong Luoyun.

Rong Luoyun nodded and followed the long street to his courtyard. The sun behind him slowly disappeared under the horizon.

Huo Linfeng had yet to coax the carrier pigeon out. He suddenly got a brilliant idea. From the edge of his robes, he pulled out a strand of yarn. He tied a small piece of rock at the end of the string and threw it into the cage. The string wrapped around the pigeon’s leg. The bird shook its wing trying hard to throw it off, but the little thing was hauled out by him. He untied the paper strip and read the small words.

“— Meow!”

The bobcat suddenly whined outside the yard. It must be that it had seen a scary person. Huo Linfeng froze, urgently listening for movements.

At this time, Rong Luoyun arrived outside the Nameless Abode, his sleeves fluttering in the wind.

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