Cherry Blossoms Upon a Wintry Sword

Lin Rufei completely lost consciousness.

He did not know how long he had slept, everything around him became blurry. His eyes could only perceive darkness and his five senses plunged into a bottomless abyss.

When he opened his eyes again, it was already a few days later.

When Yu Rui, who was guarding his bedside, saw him wake up, she burst into tears and pounced onto his bedside, calling out to her young master.

Lin Rufei’s eyes were half-open and it took a while before he had the strength to speak again. It’s just that the words he spat out were as indistinct as smoke and dust that easily dissipated in the wind: “How long have I been sleeping?”

“Young master has been sleeping for three days.” Yu Rui rubbed her eyes and sobbed.

“Am I badly hurt?” Lin Rufei asked again.

Yu Rui said, “Dr. Wan said that young master was not injured, it’s just that your foundation is poor ……” She looked at Lin Rufei sadly, wanting to say something but then stopped.

Lin Rufei understood her meaning, and lightly coughed twice: “You and Fu Hua’s ears are not seriously hurt, right?”

“Nothing serious, Dr. Wan Yao prescribed some medicine. Once we eat it, we will be fine.” Yu Rui dried her tears. She said brokenly: “Since young master woke up, I will go inform sister Fu Hua and the other two young masters. They were guarding you earlier.”

As she said this, she lifted the hem of her skirt and ran out in a flash.

Lin Rufei opened his eyes and looked at the overhanging beam hidden in the shadow above his head. His body was now so weak and feeble that he could hardly move. After exchanging a few words with Fu Hua[1], a layer of itchiness floated up to his throat making him involuntarily let out a low cough. His body was no longer as light as it had been when he fought against Wang Teng a few days ago; rather it was now as heavy as stone armor. It really made him want to break out from it.  

“Are you there?” Lin Rufei suddenly spoke.

No one answered, only a clear breeze filled the room.

This was not strange, but Lin Rufei’s heart felt some disappointment. He gently pursed his bloodless lips, suppressing a low cough.

“Awake?” The man’s voice suddenly came.

Lin Rufei turned his head in surprise and saw the man sitting by the window. He seemed to like the wooden chair very much as he leaned on it with a lazy look. His hand propped up his chin and he looked at Lin Rufei from afar.

“Did you lend me your strength?” Lin Rufei asked.

“Lend? No, no, no.” The man said in a slow voice, “It belongs to you.” He sighed sadly, “It’s just a pity that the blade is too sharp, I’m afraid there are not many sheaths in the world that can seal this sword of yours.”

Lin Rufei said, “What does that mean?”

“The divine soul is the sword, the torso is the sheath.” The man said, “How come you were born with such a shabby body.”

Lin Rufei lost his smile, “My parents gave me this body, I don’t have the right to dislike it”

“That’s true.” The man laughed, he suddenly turned his head to look outside the house and said, “I’ll leave first, your brothers and the others are coming.”

“Wait.” Lin Rufei hurriedly spoke out, “I wonder if …… I can ask the name of this senior?”

“Senior?” The man thought over this honorific and a subtle expression appeared on his face as he said, “Well …… that’s not bad.”

Lin Rufei was bewildered, “Hmm?”

Only then did the man spit out three words, “Gu Xuandu.” He smiled, “Remember, my name is Gu Xuandu.”

Someone pushed the door in, and when Lin Rufei turned back again, the man’s figure had already disappeared.

The visitors were none other than Lin Minzhi and Lin Bianyu, as well as Fu Hua who was carrying a tray full of food with a tear-stained face.

“Xiao Jiu.” Lin Bianyu saw him awake and hurried up to him.

“Second brother.” Lin Rufei said softly, “How are your injuries?”

Lin Minzhi sighed unhappily, “You are still in the mood to worry about your second brother. He is very strong, he won’t die even if he receives two more sword wounds.”

Lin Bianyu helplessly called out an “elder brother.”

“You still know that I am your brother?” Lin Minzhi said coldly.

Lin Bianyu didn’t dare argue again and obediently stood aside to listen. Luckily, Lin Minzhi was concerned about Lin Rufei’s health and didn’t say anything else. He told Lin Rufei not to worry about Lin Bianyu. His injury was serious, but his internal organs weren’t damaged so he would be fine after a few months of recuperation.

“Counting the days, your sister will be back soon.” Lin Minzhi sighed, “If she comes back and sees you in this tattered state, she’ll make a fuss for half a day.”

Lin Rufei said, “I’m not in a tattered state ……” The moment he finished, he coughed up another mouthful of blood.

Fu Hua with a crying voice called out a young master. She hurriedly used a silk handkerchief to wipe the blood from Lin Rufei’s lips.

Lin Rufei immediately felt guilty.

Lin Bianyu said, “Look at you, you almost coughed out all your blood, and you still say you’re not in a tattered state?” He continued brokenly, “I have remembered that Wang Teng, next time don’t let me see him again.”

Lin Minzhi sneered, “So what if you meet him, it’s not like you can beat him.”

Lin Bianyu: “I can’t beat him this time, but don’t be so sure about next time.”

Lin Minzhi sighed: “You’d better think about the He family first. From what Wan Yao said, their family’s Xuyu tree gave birth to six iron-gold walnuts ……”

Lin Bianyu said: “So what? One iron-gold walnut can’t even compare to half a Wang Teng.”

Lin Minzhi did not bother to say anything more. He only asked Lin Bianyu to take advantage of Lin Rufei’s waking time to go to Wan Yao to get the medicine he was making. Lin Bianyu was still in the wrong so he did not dare refute anything. He just obediently left to go get the medicine.

After Lin Bianyu left, Lin Minzhi sent out Fu Hua and Yu Rui. Lin Rufei looked at his elder brother and he knew that he must have something to tell him.

As expected, Lin Minzhi reached out and patted Lin Rufei’s head. His voice was low as he said, “Xiao Jiu, would you like to leave Kunlun to gain experience?”

Lin Rufei was a little surprised and even wondered if he had heard wrong: “Big brother ……”

Lin Minzhi said: “It means exactly what you think.”

Lin Rufei had been on Kunlun Mountain for more than twenty years, and the farthest place he had been was only the town below the mountain. He had read many travelogues and had fantasized about traveling ten thousand miles with his sword in the air. He imagined carrying a pot of good Dukang wine around his waist and being able to drink a cup whenever he wanted to. That would be satisfying.

But as Lin Minzhi said just now, Lin Rufei’s body was in a tattered state and would fall ill when the wind blows. Where would he have the extra strength to leave Kunlun?

“You also know the rules of the Lin family.” Lin Minzhi said in a deep voice, “Every Lin family direct disciple, after reaching adulthood, has to go out for some travel. I went, your second brother went, and now your sister will soon return …… the only one left is you.” He reached out and touched Lin Rufei’s head, and said sadly, “Xiao Jiu, if possible, us brothers and sister would like to protect you for life, but are you willing to be a canary in a cage?”

Lin Rufei’s light-colored eyes lit up with a layer of light. He said, “Big brother, can I really go?”

“As long as you are willing.” Lin Minzhi said.

“I want to go.” Lin Rufei gave an answer that did not surprise anyone.

If this question had been asked half a month ago, Lin Rufei would have refused. He was not only weak, but also had no ability to defend himself, but after experiencing the sword competition with Wang Teng, he found that his body seemed to have a hidden power. Although he did not know how to use it, in the end, it gave Lin Rufei infinite hope. He didn’t want to be powerful, he just wanted to have the power to protect himself and be able to see all the rivers and mountains on the Yaoguang continent.

It was said that elder brothers were like fathers. Lin Minzhi and Lin Rufei’s relationship was indeed more like that of an elder. Even though considerate, he wasn’t like Lin Bianyu, who capriciously spoiled him. He said: “If you want to, then go. The next sword competition invitations should also be sent out soon. This trip, take the invitations with you.”

Lin Rufei was overjoyed, but as soon as his emotions fluctuated, his body reacted again and he emitted a violent coughing sound. His cheeks rose to an abnormal shade of red.

Lin Minzhi wanted to say something but stopped.

Lin Rufei said brokenly, “No …… cough, nothing, I cough cough cough, I’ll be fine in a while cough cough.”

Lin Minzhi looked at Lin Rufei’s appearance and became sad, not knowing if he was regretting what he had just said.

Lin Rufei coughed for a while before he finally suppressed it. He leaned listlessly against the bed, like a flower that had been knocked down by the rain. Lin Minzhi touched his forehead to make sure it was just a cough. After seeing that it wasn’t a fever, his mind was at ease.

Lin Bianyu went quickly and came back quickly. He hurried into the room carrying medicine. There were still beads of sweat rolling off his forehead, he said, “Xiao Jiu, quick, drink the medicine.”

Lin Rufei dutifully drank the medicine.

Lin Minzhi saw that Lin Rufei was drinking the medicine, so he gave Lin Bianyu a look—indicating that he should follow him out to talk about something.

Lin Bianyu kind of guessed what Lin Minzhi was going to say and had a feeling that the situation would not be that easy.

As expected, within a few moments, a fierce argument broke out outside the house, and the loudest and most intense voice was that of the usually gentle and jade-like Lin Bianyu.

“Elder brother, what are you talking about? Xiao Jiu’s health is so poor, you’re sending him to his death by letting him deliver the invitations!” Lin Bianyu said in a stern voice, “Besides, you have seen his current state. He fainted for three days after using a single move, if he meets someone with no good intentions outside—”

Lin Minzhi whispered something.

Lin Bianyu gritted his teeth and said, “No, I won’t agree, and neither will third sister—” His voice shook in vain, “Why would she agree, what the hell are you guys thinking? If Xiao Jiu met with some accident outside and never came back, you really won’t regret it?!!”

It was unknown how Lin Minzhi persuaded Lin Bianyu, but after he finished his sentence, Lin Bianyu turned around and left. He angrily slammed the wooden door of the courtyard.

This was the expected reaction. How could Lin Bianyu be willing to let his younger brother, who he always spoils, go out and see the dangerous places of Jianghu. 

Lin Minzhi pushed the door in and said, “He agreed.”

“Second brother agreed?” Lin Rufei was a little incredulous.

“Mn.” Lin Minzhi reassured.

Lin Rufei said, “But ……”

“No buts.” Lin Minzhi raised his eyes to look out the window and saw the thin cherry blossom tree, he said, “Xiao Jiu’s destiny has arrived. It cannot be prevented by manpower. If you like the great mountains then there is no harm in going to see it.” After saying that, he revealed a helpless look, “It’s just that your second brother is really angry, when you come back, remember to coax him properly.”