The avalanche came too suddenly. No one had time to react. Snow covered the sky, blurring all vision. The village was buried under snow. It was as if the Duanmu clan had never existed.
Xing Shuishui came to her senses and ran down, but couldn’t outrun the avalanche. Her feet slipped slightly, and her whole body was carried away by the snow. Her ears were ringing, the scenery spinning before her eyes.
The last thing she saw clearly was the young man desperately lunging toward her.
He Liansheng… don’t come.
She reached out to He Liansheng, but was mercilessly blocked by the ice and snow.
The fire barely touched the surrounding snow.
The collapse got worse…
She didn’t know where she had been carried to. When Xing Shuishui regained consciousness, she felt the silence all around.
She moved her arm and heard the sound of crushing snow – she seemed to be trapped under it. She used fire to keep warm, but didn’t dare let it reach her outer body, or else the snow above would collapse again, which would be troublesome.
Was He Liansheng also buried under the snow?
She opened her mouth to call his name but got a mouthful of snow, the melting snow choking uncomfortably in her throat.
If only she had used qinggong.
The situation was getting worse, her forehead burning hot. At first she thought it was the departing fire, until things started appearing bigger and smaller, her whole body weak – she realized she had a fever.
Of all times for this to happen. Though she couldn’t really blame anyone – if they wanted to erase all traces, this was the best way.
Just didn’t know how He Liansheng was… he must be going crazy looking for her. Don’t blame yourself, you’ve already done so well.
…
The snow mountain was a vast expanse of white.
Du Dizhu had transformed back into his dragon form and was circling in the air from the moment the avalanche started. When everything stopped, he jumped down from the sky, patted the snow off his body, and looked at He Liansheng with interest, asking a question he already knew the answer to.
“Hey He Lian, where’s that dead lover of yours?”
Swoosh — the Peach Spring sword was at his throat. Du Dizhu narrowed his eyes, actually unable to see when he had drawn his sword.
Du Dizhu pointed at the ground: “Instead of wasting time tangling with me, why don’t you think about where to start digging? The Galan Snow Mountain is huge – you might find her if you dig for a thousand years.”
He Liansheng lowered his eyes to stare at the ground, the red hair tie on his wrist fluttering in the snowy wind.
He flew into the air, his white clothes floating, spread his hands as spiritual power wrapped around his wrist. Xing Shuishui’s hair tie instantly spread into countless red threads, scattered in the snow.
Du Dizhu casually found a snow pile to sit on, deeply sighing: “Earlier I was still advising you all to take it easy and not cause an avalanche, but sometimes an avalanche can be good – once it’s done, all the bothersome people and things are gone.”
The demon-binding rope flew out. Du Dizhu jumped up immediately: “I was talking about that fool Jing Wushuang’s clan members, not your lover! What’s the rush – have you figured out where to dig? If you ask me now, I might still help you dig.”
He Liansheng held the demon-binding rope, curled his lip, his eyes cold: “Where do you get the face to say that?”
Du Dizhu didn’t bat an eye: “Naturally borrowed it from your master.”
Seeing He Liansheng about to make a move again, Du Dizhu directly dodged, saying playfully: “Since Xue Jiuling isn’t here, don’t you want to know what happened between her and General Fu Qi back then? I bet she won’t tell you.”
He got more excited: “Those two had quite the romance back then — a perfect match. This General Fu Qi had even met with her sister. And isn’t it strange, ever since Xue Jiuling left the Luo Dan country, this general also mysteriously disappeared, supposedly eloped. Many years later, people only discovered the general’s lonely grave, personally erected by Xue Jiuling. A mortal’s lifespan is ultimately limited, unlike us demons who can live many years.”
He Liansheng remained completely calm.
Du Dizhu: “You’re not angry?”
He Liansheng: “What’s there to be angry about with a dead person? If he has the ability, let him come back to life, and I’ll kill him again.”
Du Dizhu: “You’re really generous. Unlike me – I want to kill Jing Wushuang even though he’s not coming back to life.”
He looked up at the sky, lightly playing with the snow and wind: “But I don’t understand why you all like her so much. Just a little girl. Not like me – I just like her sister. Her sister is much prettier, and has a better personality, all soft and gentle. Truly deserving of being called heavenly beautiful.”
He Liansheng crossed his arms, narrowed his eyes, the surrounding ice and snow shattering into powder: “Du Dizhu, are you looking to die again?”
Du Dizhu shrugged: “What a waste to die. I’m just curious. You, a demon hunter, actually falling in love with a demon, even to the point of disregarding life and death. If I had known this path was possible, I should have tried to seduce your master. After all, as an extremely selfish person like me, I just like others dying for me. Maybe by now Lingshan would be mine.”
He Liansheng said coldly: “You can still go seduce him now.”
Du Dizhu: “…”
“Never mind.”
“I don’t like old ones, only young and beautiful ones.”
He cupped his hands: “Uh… you better hurry and dig, wait any longer and your little demon might start thinking about General Fu Qi.”
Too much time had been wasted in the snow mountain.
Dawn was already appearing on the horizon.
The hair tie on He Liansheng’s wrist suddenly tightened.
The young man curved his lips. Found her.
He leaped down.
Two fingers together, fingertips becoming wind, the ice and snow beneath him scattered, snow fragments floating in the sky.
Xing Shuishui lay below, her cheeks flushed red, her thin skirt hem pressed by snow, already wet.
She vaguely heard someone calling her name, struggled to open her eyes, and fell into a warm embrace.
“Shuishui.”
Mmm…
Seemed like He Liansheng.
Xing Shuishui said: “I’m here.”
His voice was a bit hoarse: “I came late. I’m sorry.”
Don’t say sorry, you’ve been so good.
Xing Shuishui wrapped her arms around his arm. He Liansheng discovered her forehead was very hot.
He raised his hand to press on her brow, inputting spiritual power.
Xing Shuishui felt a warm current flow through her body and slowly opened her eyes.
His features enlarged before her eyes, incredibly vivid. This proud, impatient young man had given all his life’s tenderness to her. It made her want to cry a little.
He Liansheng looked up and said: “Look there. Isn’t that the sun-gilded mountain you talked about?”
Xing Shuishui turned her head to follow his gaze. The morning sun had risen from the horizon, the snow-covered ground tinged with radiant light, like scattered jade and flowing gold.
The tall, sharp snow mountain peaks were golden like autumn wheat, ancient ravines carved into her pupils. In two lifetimes combined, this was the first time she had seen the sun-gilded mountain with her own eyes. He Liansheng saw the mountain in her eyes.
She pointed and said: “Yes! They say people who see the sun-gilded mountain will be lucky for a whole year.”
She was too excited, to the point of forgetting she still had a fever.
Her vision went black.
Then she passed out.
She fainted too early, so she didn’t hear He Liansheng’s last words.
“Too many souls have fallen under the Peach Spring sword, the spirits will not forgive me. If there’s to be luck, let it be yours.”
Sun-gilded mountain, light drifting up the snowy ridge, the young man in white robes with the Peach Spring sword, his voice devout, echoing through the mortal realm, three lifetimes of scenery falling for him.
When she opened her eyes again, Xing Shuishui found herself lying in bed, the blankets warm, holding a hot water bottle in her arms. She climbed up, touched her forehead – the fever had broken. This should be an inn, with poor soundproofing, very noisy outside.
Lifting the blanket, she ran down from the bed, wanting to find He Liansheng.
The door was pushed open, an old man smilingly brought in Chinese medicine.
“Young miss, this Cangchuan weather is cold, snow lasting all year round – it’s easy to catch a cold indeed. This medicine is brewed from the finest herbs. You’re just recovering from illness, drink it and you’ll be fine. Though medicine is bitter, good medicine tastes bitter.”
Just smelling the bitterness of the medicine, Xing Shuishui wished she could lie back in bed and pretend to faint.
She paused for a moment, asking anxiously: “Where is the spiritual cultivator who came with me?”
The old man said: “Said he went to handle some matters.”
Xing Shuishui guessed he went to deal with Du Dizhu – He Liansheng’s dislike of Du Dizhu wasn’t just a matter of one or two days.
The old man placed a piece of candy on the table, smiling: “This is what he left for you.”
Xing Shuishui was startled.
He continued: “That young master said you’re afraid of bitterness, must have candy with medicine, so he asked me to give this to you. This candy… should be made from malt, haven’t seen it before. Cangchuan doesn’t grow malt, quite hard to buy – don’t know where he got it from.”
She held the candy in her palm, feeling something melt in her heart. Outside the window, the snow had stopped at some unknown time, the human world a bustling scene.
Xing Shuishui suddenly asked: “Has he been here before?”
The old man thought for a moment, saying: “He came several years ago. Also stayed in this room. Looking for a place and a person – I don’t know if he found the place, but as for the person—”
He smiled at Xing Shuishui: “I guess he found them.”
These five years apart. Passed by so lightly. One person trapped in an ice lake, one person trapped in the past. They hadn’t mentioned the past, but after reuniting, traces of the past were everywhere.
Love is endurance, self-deception, and also knowing you’re not by my side but still living life properly, steadily, not letting you worry.
Xing Shuishui had actually guessed long ago, but still wanted confirmation, fingers gripping the medicine bowl as she asked: “What place was he looking for?”
“Jiangsu. A place I’d never heard of. I remember, I asked him if Jiangsu was beautiful. He said he’d never been there either. But in that place, there was a legend. In that legend, demons and humans could fall in love, everyone could accept them being together. Sounds like a nice place.”
She took the candy from the table and put it in her mouth, swallowed the very bitter medicine, tears dripping from her chin into the medicine bowl. He Liansheng… how could you possibly find Jiangsu (T/N: Jiangsu is a province in modern day China)?
The old man said helplessly: “Is the medicine really that bitter?”
After drinking the medicine, Xing Shuishui sat by the window in a daze. He Liansheng hadn’t come back yet, must have been held up by something. Confirming she no longer had a fever, she pushed open the door and went out.
The jianghu inn’s lanterns were strung together in rows, the clamor fermenting with wine fragrance. Today was unusually lively – three by the window, two by the door, the main hall completely packed, all cultivators.
Xing Shuishui swept a glance around – a lot of familiar faces. Just going into the mountain for a while and so many Lingshan people had come. Thinking of hearing earlier they were coming to catch traitors, she couldn’t help but laugh. Catch He Liansheng? So this was what he said he needed to handle.
Most of those who came from Lingshan were from prominent families, either wielding long swords or wearing magical tools at their waists, lifting their chins with arrogant expressions, carelessly spilling tea and melon seeds, looking down on Cangchuan.
“So cold, so cold, what kind of place is this! Would He Liansheng senior brother really run to such a backwater?” “You still call him senior brother! Don’t you know what you’re here for? He betrayed the way for a demon! He’s already a traitor! Righteous hearts, weak will, everyone should kill him! All that hatred before was just an act! I was completely fooled!”
Li Yiqiu had admired He Liansheng since childhood. Hearing this, she gripped her hands tightly and stood up excitedly: “I don’t believe it! How could senior brother He Liansheng betray the way? And for a peach blossom demon not even a hundred years old – I’ve caught thousand-year flower demons that weren’t much better! Just a bunch of trash, begging for mercy when they meet this young lady. Senior brother must have been bewitched, that demon woman must have used some demonic arts on him!”
In past and present lives, too many people had cursed her.
Xing Shuishui couldn’t be bothered to deal with it.
Her gaze was drawn to a particularly eye-catching figure – it was Du Dizhu in female form. Most people had never even seen Du Dizhu, let alone recognize him. Xing Shuishui’s expression stiffened as Du Dizhu just sat cross-legged, carelessly eating melon seeds with them, stirring up trouble: “Mm, mm, mm, everything you say is right, they’re all no good. Better kill them all. If dogs bite dogs that’s even better!”
Xing Shuishui: “…”
The Lingshan people quickly sensed something was wrong – how was there a faint demonic aura in this inn? They stood up abruptly, clearly recognizing Xing Shuishui. Long swords drawn, several talismans flew out, instantly burned to ash by the departing fire.
“Demon woman! You dare show yourself! Truly not afraid of death!”
Xing Shuishui didn’t bother hiding anymore, swaggering before them, arms crossed as she sized up the Lingshan crowd, laughing: “What can you do to me even if I appear? Cangchuan isn’t your Lingshan, I can go wherever I want. The Departing Fire Manor happens to need some wooden stakes – if you’re interested, you can try going there.”
Li Yiqiu’s eyes turned fierce as she summoned her magic sword, hands crossing to form a seal: “Demon! I see your cultivation isn’t even a hundred years, still talking tough at death’s door! You won’t shed tears until you see the coffin – today senior brother He Liansheng isn’t here, let’s see who can protect you!”
This female cultivator was just over twenty, her magical arts second only to Li Guanyu. The magic sword hummed, golden light interweaving on the blade as it flew toward Xing Shuishui’s brow, clearly determined to succeed.
But Xing Shuishui just laughed mockingly: “How amusing – when I killed Guan Yinzi you weren’t even born yet. Why not call your master instead? I might even let them have a few moves.”
Just one finger’s distance away.
The young woman didn’t dodge, catching the sword barehanded.
The hair tie tangled with her hair, flying up and falling down.
She didn’t retreat an inch.
Li Yiqiu’s magic sword was easily caught between her fingers. No matter what magical arts were used to call it back, it was useless. She couldn’t help but grow anxious as crack crack — the magic sword broke, shattering into flying ash.
Li Yiqiu immediately turned pale, sitting on the ground clutching her chest, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
“How vicious you are! Was that necessary!”
Xing Shuishui said calmly: “Victory and defeat, what’s necessary or not? You were about to take my life – breaking your sword was firstly because I’m in a good mood today. Secondly because you didn’t disrespect my sister.”
She formed a seal with one hand, summoning Qitong, departing fire wrapping around the blade tip.
“Speaking of this move, I used it against Du Dizhu years ago. You actually dare use it in front of me.”
Xing Shuishui turned gracefully to look at Du Dizhu, smiling.
“Isn’t that right? Old thing.”
The spell formation complete, Qitong flew out without warning. The sudden gust of wind overturned tables on the ground, the wooden boards overhead breaking, departing fire gathering at the blade tip with an overwhelming pressure that made people’s hearts tremble.
Du Dizhu leaped to dodge, changing back into a black-clothed man with long hair and bandages wrapped around his small arm, coldly laughing: “Xue Jiuling, who the hell are you calling old thing, little girl who hasn’t even grown up trying to act tough here! You go ahead and fight with these Lingshan dogs, what’s it got to do with me?”
Li Yiqiu’s legs went weak. She wasn’t even a thousandth as strong as this…
“Lord Du Dizhu of Wuxiang Mountain!”
“How could Du Dizhu be here!”
With the exclamations of surprise, Du Dizhu was recognized and stopped pretending, saying arrogantly: “Don’t make such a fuss, I know you Lingshan people haven’t seen much of the world. Today I’ll let you witness this lord’s peerless grace. Back then your Li family sent a dog to kill my master, I haven’t even settled that score yet.”
The inn was already in complete disarray, the scene descending into chaos, rising dust obscuring vision.
Creak. The window was blown open. The sky was slate blue, snow and wind like needles and blades, plum blossoms blown into the inn, a faint fragrance drifting around.
Xing Shuishui suddenly had a premonition. She looked toward the inn’s entrance.
The golden bells under the eaves suddenly rang. White mist dispersed.
The young man holding the Peach Spring sword returned from the snow and wind. His expression cold, white clothes gathering snow, sword tassel swaying with each step as he entered the inn, examining everyone.
A young man in red helped Li Yiqiu up. Seeing He Liansheng had returned, he pointed at Xing Shuishui angrily: “He Liansheng! It was all this demon woman who injured junior sister! Look! Just look! See what state she’s put junior sister in? This is a demon’s true nature! Stop being so obstinate!”
The young man didn’t even bother asking what had happened, glancing at Li Yiqiu: “Who are you?”
He turned to look at the person beside her, impatiently: “And who are you? Pointing fingers at me, tired of living?”
The Peach Spring sword swept across, leaving fine long cuts on both their necks. Their faces turned paper white – He Liansheng truly wanted to kill them.
Xing Shuishui had already noticed the blood on the sword blade. She put away her knife, calling out softly: “He Liansheng…”
He Liansheng had already walked up to her. What had he gone out to do?
The young man grabbed Xing Shuishui’s wrist. She struggled hard, but having just had a fever, really didn’t have much strength. Her waist was forcefully held by He Liansheng as he set her on the table.
Her knees apart, back against the wall, hands held by him as she looked up to meet his gaze. His eyes were very dark, his body carrying a pleasant woody scent mixed with the cold plum fragrance from the snow.
Xing Shuishui lowered her hands, but was pressed back against the wall by He Liansheng.
She lowered them again, was pressed back again.
This repeated three times.
Xing Shuishui said softly: “What are you doing…”
He was a bit fierce: “Be good, letting you get revenge.”
Coming at her shouting about killing and beating – did they think he was dead?
In others’ eyes, these two were excessively intimate, the young man’s fingers pressing her dress pleats, their hair tangled together. Lingshan was about to go mad with anger, but didn’t dare rashly approach.
Li Yiqiu’s eyes were red from crying: “Senior brother He Liansheng…”
She didn’t understand why He Liansheng would willingly fall from grace, didn’t understand why he would abandon his bright future to accompany a demon in infamy.
“Don’t… don’t be like this… what’s so good about her?”
He Liansheng seemed to hear a joke: “I told you once before and you didn’t believe it, so fine. I’ll say it again—”
Xing Shuishui’s pupils widened slightly. From this angle it was like he was kissing her cheek. The air was full of plum blossom fragrance, heartbeats pounding.
This world-renowned young man actually held her in his arms, turned back to provoke them, his lips incredibly arrogant: “Go back and tell your mountain master. He Liansheng has betrayed the way.”
“From now on, whoever dares touch Xing Shuishui. I’ll kill them!”
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