Chapter 39

Even if there is a light skill that can leave no trace in the snow, it is impossible to walk so effortlessly.

That would defy reason and go beyond what martial arts can achieve.

Jian Shisan, who came from the Famous Sword Manor and had extensive knowledge, knew that even if one could connect the Ren and Du meridians, link with the primordial energy of heaven and earth, and have an endless flow of internal energy, it would still be impossible to do so.

Even Ling Chongxiao couldn’t do it.

Unless this woman was weightless, or had some divine power.

Xin Shisiniang noticed the hesitation in the mortal’s eyes but was not surprised. Would she pretend to be an ordinary woman just for a few mortals? That would be truly impossible.

"Whether you stay or leave, it’s up to you," Xin Shisiniang said coldly. Whether it was because Xin Shisiniang was too cold or the weather was truly terrifyingly cold, Jian Shisan was intimidated and couldn’t speak, feeling a chill in his heart, thinking that this beautiful woman was more terrifying than any expert he had ever encountered.

Jian Shisan took a deep breath, suppressing his fear, and replied respectfully, "My young master is still outside. I will go and report. Would the young lady mind?"

"If I say I mind, will you not report? Don’t dilly-dally, go and come back quickly." Xin Shisiniang was very impatient.

******

"In the temple, there is a young lady who moves without a trace?" the young master in the sedan chair said leisurely.

"Yes, this temple is said to have been abandoned for a long time. Logically, there shouldn’t be anyone there. The woman’s origin is mysterious. Should we go in, young master?" Jian Shisan was really unsure about Xin Shisiniang’s true nature. His experience in the martial world told him it was best not to take risks, but the young master’s pride was high, and if he advised against it, it might backfire.

"Jian Shisiniang, what do you think?"

"The young master wants to go." This time, it was four words, still as if squeezed out of a stone.

"Good, Jian Shisiniang, you are truly wronged to serve in my house." The young master in the sedan chair clapped his hands.

Jian Shisan sighed helplessly. They had to go.

Entering the temple, Xin Shisiniang was not waiting there.

"Guests from afar, how delightful. Please proceed to the back courtyard." It was not the previous woman’s voice but that of an old man.

The direction from which the voice came was a small path. Although the grass was covered with snow, it had not lost its vitality, occasionally showing a bit of green, giving a Zen-like feeling under the moonlight.

Walking down this path, Jian Shisan felt the scene open up. An old plum tree swayed in the wind, with small yellow flowers and a faint fragrance.

The sedan chair stopped outside, the curtain opened, and the young master’s true appearance was revealed. His lips were naturally red, his features handsome, his eyes clear like a spring, and a red dot on his forehead shone like flowing light. The innate nobility he possessed needed no further description.

This was the young master of the Famous Sword Manor, an outstanding figure among the young generation in the martial world.

With his status and appearance, he could be any young lady’s dream lover.

In theory, such a life had no regrets. Even a prince might not be as carefree as the young master of a martial family, let alone being the only son of the Famous Sword Manor’s lord.

But fate was ultimately fair.

Because as the curtain opened, he did not walk out but slowly came out in a wheelchair.

He lifted his head and said, "What a beautiful moon."

He lowered his head and said, "What beautiful snow."

Finally, his gaze fell on the plum tree, and he said, "What a beautiful plum."

At this moment, Xin Shisiniang appeared. When he saw her, he was at a loss for words.

Xin Shisiniang placed her hands on her hips and laughed, her eyes sparkling, "What’s wrong, boy? Speechless? You said three ‘goods,’ but am I not good? Am I not as good as the moon in the sky, the snow on the ground, or this little plum tree?"

As she said the last sentence, the plum tree shook, fearing that Xin Shisiniang would vent her anger on it. Plants with such a high level of consciousness were rare, and it cherished its hard-won intelligence.

If it could transform into a human, it would probably bang its head on the ground to show its loyalty, rather than stand against the cold wind with pride, as praised by scholars for its noble character.

After all, the harsh winds and frosts were nothing compared to the fear of Xin Shisiniang.

When he saw Xin Shisiniang, he saw him in the wheelchair without any change in expression, no sympathy or ridicule, and he felt a strange liking for her.

Thus, he felt that Xin Shisiniang’s straightforward words were unmatched by any woman he had ever met.

He said gently, "The young lady is so beautiful that a single ‘good’ cannot describe you. I can’t think of anything else to say, feeling that the common phrase ‘flower-like beauty and moon-like face’ would be a desecration of you."

"Sir, don’t flatter her, or she’ll get too proud. Since we met by chance, why don’t you come in and chat?" It was the old man’s voice again.

"Since the elder has invited me, I have no reason to refuse."

Entering the room, it was a Zen room, clean and bright.

The old man was neatly dressed, with silver hair, and had a scholarly and elegant demeanor, different from Xin Shisiniang’s lively nature.

The two sword slaves pushed him to the old man, and Xin Shisiniang stood behind the old man.

The old man said, "I am surnamed Xin, and this is my daughter, Shisiniang. Sir, traveling in the snow at night is not something ordinary people can do. Where are you from?"

"I am Ye Liuyun, meeting Mr. Xin for the first time."

"Originally from the Famous Sword Manor, no wonder you have such grace and demeanor."

Ye Liuyun thought: They say one must be careful of three types of people in the martial world: the old, the women, and the children. This father and daughter cover two of them. They revealed my identity so easily, which is quite interesting.

"It’s an honor that my name could reach your ears, sir. May I ask who you are? I apologize for my lack of knowledge, but I couldn’t recognize your high status."

The old man smiled faintly but did not answer, instead raising his wine cup.

Ye Liuyun, who had a high tolerance for alcohol, felt drunk after a few cups. Later, he knew nothing.

When he woke up, it was already morning, and he was back in the sedan chair.

When he lifted the curtain, Jian Shisan and Jian Shisiniang were startled awake. They were already on the road down the mountain, and the outer walls of Qingzhou City were in sight.

Ye Liuyun pondered, "What happened last night?"

Jian Shisan said, "We seemed to have entered a temple on the mountain to stay overnight. How did we end up here when we woke up?"

Jian Shisiniang remained silent because what Jian Shisan said was what he knew, so there was no need to repeat it.

Ye Liuyun recalled the events of the previous night and sighed, "Indeed, there are always higher mountains and better people. The father and daughter we met last night were either immortals or demons. Otherwise, how could they play with us so effortlessly without a trace?"

"Fortunately, they had no ill intentions."

"Even if they were demons, they wouldn’t dare to act recklessly in the human world. There’s no need to doubt that. Let’s enter Qingzhou City and retrieve the item to avoid any trouble." Ye Liuyun made his decision. What’s done is done, and dwelling on it would be futile.

ps: Thank you to Iker Casillas for the 1888 reward, Dugu Zuimian for the 300 reward, and Jian Ming Jiu Xiao and Hai Shui for their support. Thanks also to Leyu Zhidance, Dengfeng, Heimubu, Jiuyue, and Wo Shi Ge Shui Shui Shui for the recommendation ticket red packets. We are now second on the signing list, and I am very grateful for everyone’s support.

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