Cherry Blossoms Upon a Wintry Sword

On the way back, Xie Zhiyao had a very complicated look on his face. In his heart, he was repeatedly thinking of how to explain the matter of killing his own brother to Lin Rufei. Lin Rufei has lived on Kunlun Mountain since childhood and he was well protected by his brothers and sister. It was normal for him to not have seen these kinds of dangerous things. As Xie Zhiyao kept thinking about it, he grew more concerned. He kept looking at Lin Rufei and several times he debated on not talking. 

Lin Rufei’s expression remained unchanged. He was looking around and took great interest in the surroundings. Xie Zhiyao sighed in his heart. In the end, Lin Rufei gave him face as a friend. In order not to embarrass him, he deliberately pretended to look interested in the surrounding scenery. 

He didn’t know that Lin Rufei was currently in a good mood. The bloody scene he saw just now had long been put behind him. Lin Rufei, who had never traveled alone on his sword, was like a child who had found an interesting toy. His eyes and eyebrows dazzled with curiosity. He didn’t even notice the strange look on Xie Zhiyao’s face.

They returned to the Xie residence by sword and the two of them landed in Xie Zhiyao’s courtyard. Xie Zhiyao had a lot on his mind, but Lin Rufei was not yet satisfied.

The servants in the house have long been accustomed to the appearance of their third young master being covered in blood. When they passed by Xie Zhiyao they didn’t even bat an eyelid.

During the time when Xie Zhiyao was bathing, Lin Rufei waited in the front hall. The servants brought him freshly brewed hot tea in a very respectful attitude.

After about half an incense, Xie Zhiyao, who had changed into clean clothes, appeared in front of Lin Rufei. He sat down beside Lin Rufei, picked up a tea bowl, and downed it. He took in a long breath, “I’m sorry that you had to see all these things in my family.”

Lin Rufei said thoughtfully, “Is it convenient to say?”

Xie Zhiyao self-deprecatingly said: “There is nothing inconvenient. If outsiders knew about this kind of vile family matter, it would just be shameful.”

Lin Rufei had already known some of the old matters regarding the Xie family from Gu Xuandu so he was already prepared: “If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to force yourself.” In the end, he was only an outsider.

Xie Zhiyao said: “There is no harm in talking about it.” 

He waved his hand and closed the door. He proceeded to pour himself a cup of hot tea and only then did he start talking about the Xie family.

Xie Zhiyao spoke carelessly, making it seem like it was just a trivial matter. However, the more Lin Rufei listened, the creepier he felt. Miao Jiang refining Gu was taking a bunch of poisonous insects and putting them into a jar. The insects will kill each other and the one that survives until the end is deemed the Gu King. The Xie family also refined Gu, but the ones that they used were the descendants who wanted to become the Xie family head.  

(t/n: might not have explained it last time when mentioning the Gu king, but Gu is basically like a type of poison. You can read more about it here)

“It was probably hard for the Xie family ancestors to come up with such a method.” Xie Zhiyao said self-deprecatingly, “Other families are counting on their children and grandchildren to branch out and spread leaves. Only our Xie family can’t wait to have a few sons less—”

Although Xie Zhiyao’s talent was good, his mother passed away early, and he even lost the power of his mother’s clan. He was not favored by his father and barely received any attention in the Xie family. His food and clothing expenses were even less than the popular steward by his elder brother’s side. Logically speaking, because of this, he should have nothing to do with the family head position, but the head of the Xie family said that as long as one of his sons could survive then he was the real head of the Xie family.

Lin Rufei said, “What your father means is that you must participate?”

“Yes.” Xie Zhiyao said in a deep voice, “We don’t have the right to withdraw.” He gritted his teeth and said in a hateful voice, “Either you win or you die.”

Lin Rufei was instantly dumbfounded. He still thought too well of the Xie family. He thought that as long as they didn’t compete, then they were safe. 

Xie Zhiyao continued, “The good thing is that soon everything will be over.” He smiled indifferently, “Now there is only me and my youngest brother left. Either I kill him or he kills me.”

After Xie Zhiyao finished talking, he let out a long sigh, and leaned back in his chair as if he had lost his strength. He turned his head to look at Lin Rufei: “I’m done talking about me, let’s talk about you too. I haven’t seen you for so many years, you have changed a lot.”

Lin Rufei said vaguely that he had met a senior on Kunlun Mountain some years ago and after that, he was able to control the sword. However, he was still not considered a swordsman.

Xie Zhiyao listened carefully and when Lin Rufei finished, he gave a self-deprecating laugh: “Xiao Jiu, I may not have told you before, although you can not practice sword, on Kunlun, I envied you the most.”

Lin Rufei laughed: “You also said ‘on Kunlun.’ If this was in Jianghu, would you still envy the me who can’t even lift a sword?”

Xie Zhiyao said, “You have a point.”

As the two continued to chat, Xie Zhiyao’s expression slightly changed. He said, “Someone is here, Xiao Jiu should head back first.” 

Before he finished speaking, the wooden door to Xie Zhiyao’s room slammed open and turned to dust.

“Xie Zhiyao.” The visitor was dressed in a black outfit similar to the one Xie Zhiyao was wearing and even his appearance was similar to Xie Zhiyao. He said nonchalantly, “Father asked for you.”

Xie Zhiyao’s face was gloomy and he called out the name of the visitor: “Xie Ji, what are you doing here?”

“It’s because father has orders so he sent me to call you.” Xie Ji was most likely the younger brother that Xie Zhiyao had talked about. He noticed Lin Rufei who was sitting next to Xie Zhiyao and unrestrainedly looked up and down. He probably noticed that Lin Rufei did not have any sword intent on him and was like a mortal, so a mocking laugh came out: “Yo, you already found a new servant? His appearance is pretty good, much better than that Lv Er. But unfortunately, you will die soon, it is a pity that such a beautiful ……”

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Xie Zhiyao scolded: “Xie Ji, shut up! This is—”

He did not finish his sentence when a sharp sound was heard slashing through the air. Xie Ji, who was arrogant a minute ago, let out a scream. He covered his mouth and fell to the ground. When he raised his head again, his whole face was covered in blood. A hideous cut was made on his lips, if he didn’t close his mouth quick enough, most likely a piece of his tongue would have been cut off. 

This was a move made by Gu Xuandu. Only, no one was able to see the grim-faced man behind Lin Rufei. They only thought that Lin Rufei, who was sitting expressionlessly in his seat, was the one who did it.

“You ……” Xie Ji raised his head with difficulty. He looked at Lin Rufei with a frightened look and said vaguely, “You dare to cause trouble in the Xie family …… “

“You idiot!” Xie Zhiyao was livid. He really wanted to rush over and tear off the mouth from his blabbermouth brother’s face, “This is the fourth son of the Kunlun Lin family, Lin Rufei!”

Xie Ji was stunned and he wretchedly got up from the ground. With great difficulty, he put on a pleasing smile. He was about to apologize to Lin Rufei, but he saw Lin Rufei raise his hand, indicating that he did not need to speak.

“Isn’t the family head looking for you or something, you should go first.” Lin Rufei said lightly, “Don’t make your father wait.”

That was an understatement. However, with blood on the ground, Xie Ji felt a sense of horror at the man in front of him. The handsome young man in front of him, who he couldn’t see the slightest sword intent on, was pale and like an Asura who could take the heads of people while laughing.

“Go.” Xie Zhiyao also noticed Lin Rufei’s displeasure. He walked forwards a few steps and reached out to subdue his brother. He turned his head to Lin Rufei and said, “Xiao Jiu, I’m really sorry, you should go back to your room first to rest.”

Lin Rufei nodded.

Xie Ji, who was arrogant and domineering a few moments ago, did not dare raise his head at all. He was carried away by Xie Zhiyao like a poor little chicken. Even when he left, he didn’t dare look at Lin Rufei again.

After the two left, Lin Rufei also prepared to go back to the room.

Gu Xuandu said behind him: “Is Xiao Jiu not happy? I was a bit heavy-handed, but that Xie Ji was looking for death when he dared to say such words. I have given the Lin family face by keeping him alive.”

Lin Rufei was puzzled: “Why should I be unhappy?”

Gu Xuandu said, “Xiao Jiu has lived on Kunlun since he was young, it’s normal that he doesn’t like these bloody things.”

Lin Rufei thought for a while and said, “Around the time when I was ten years old, people on Kunlun knew that the Lin family had a fourth son who couldn’t wield a sword.”

The Lin family’s children, whether it was Lin Minzhi or Lin Weirui, were already amazing at swordplay when they were ten years old. Especially Lin Bianyu, who was hardly a match for anyone on the entire Kunlun Mountain.

At the age of ten, when Lin Rufei was celebrating his birthday, the people who attended his birthday didn’t see a trace of sword intent on Lin Rufei’s body. It was because of this that the rumor of Lin Rufei being a waste started to spread on Kunlun Mountain.

When Lin Bianyu knew this, he carried Tian Xiao and found all the people who had gossiped. He carried them to Lin Rufei and cut off their tongues one by one.

That was the first time Lin Rufei saw blood and his sister was worried that he would be frightened. But in fact, looking at those wailing people and smelling the smell of blood in the air, Lin Rufei, who was held in Lin Weirui’s arms, was indifferent. His eyes did not move away for a moment.

Later, when he thought about it, Lin Rufei felt that it was probably because of the Lin family bloodline. However, he didn’t know that when his second brother, Lin Bianyu, saw blood for the first time, he was stunned for several days before he recovered.

After listening to Lin Rufei’s story, Gu Xuandu’s expression became a bit strange, “That’s right, you shouldn’t be afraid of blood.”

Lin Rufei blinked, revealing a bit of slyness: “But in the end, Xie Ji is Xie Zhiyao’s opponent. You have done my friend a favor by injuring him.”

Gu Xuandu said, “Oh. If I had known then I would have hit a little harder.”

The two stared at each other and then laughed out loud.

Lin Rufei slowly and leisurely returned to the room, but he didn’t see Fu Hua and Yu Rui. After asking the other servants, he learned that his two maids had left to go shopping.

It was a bit strange that the two went out without notifying him. 

Lin Rufei felt bored just sitting in the room. Originally, he wanted to go out for a stroll too but he was also worried that there might be accidents on Xie Zhiyao’s side. Although Xie Ji didn’t look like he could be Xie Zhiyao’s opponent, he must’ve had some means if he was able to survive for this long. 

Gu Xuandu saw Lin Rufei’s restlessness and proposed: “Otherwise …… Do you want to take a peek?”

Lin Rufei said, “We can still peek?”

“Naturally.” Gu Xuandu said, “As long as you don’t want to, no one can see you. Do you want to go?”

Lin Rufei’s eyes lit up: “Yes.”

A few moments later, Lin Rufei and Gu Xuandu appeared on the beam of the Xie family head’s study. They leaned down to look at the three people who were talking below.

The head of the Xie family was named Xie Wanlin. His cultivation has reached the eighth level and has been the head for about a hundred years. Unfortunately, surpassing the eighth level was very difficult to achieve. In the past hundred years, he has been in seclusion several times and as a result, his life expectancy has been exhausted. No wonder they were busy at this time selecting the next family head.

The Xie family had a large number of children. There were five people with direct lineage. However, the children often had an accidental death. Plus or minus, now the first son and concubine son, the total was only around six people.

Xie Zhiyao was the third son and Xie Ji was the youngest. The two were currently standing in front of Xie Wanlin’s desk. They had their heads bowed as they listened to him speak.

Xie Wanlin most likely did not see the cut that Gu Xuandu made to Xie Ji’s face, since he didn’t even bother asking. 

“Not only did you not search for Lv Er, but you also cover for him?” Xie Wanlin pointed at Xie Zhiyao and cursed, “He is a scourge, you dare protect such a demon, I should really kill you!”

Xie Ji hissed in pain but did not forget to pour oil on the fire. He smiled cheekily: “Father, how can third brother have the heart to lay his hand on his servant. Although that boy has a nasty mouth, his appearance and body are one of the best. Third brother usually does not get close to women, having some fun with the servant is also a normal thing.”

Xie Wanlin said angrily: “Some fun? If it was just for fun, would he let him enter the Xie family’s study and take away such a valuable thing?”

Xie Ji said: “Then I don’t know. However, third brother, don’t tell me you have your eyes on that cheap little plaything?” 

Xie Zhiyao listened to Xie Wanlin and Xie Ji one after another. His expression did not waver, he simply lowered his head and showed a tamed look.  

Xie Wanlin said coldly, “If you can’t find Lv Er, then you can stay in the ancestral hall for another night.”

“But father—” Xie Zhiyao frowned, “Tomorrow, I will have a sword competition with sixth brother, the ancestral hall ……”

“Then find Lv Er!” Xie Wanlin roared. His fist came down heavily and broke the laburnum wood table into dust. He glared with red eyes, like an enraged beast,  “Otherwise, get your ass to the ancestral hall and reflect.”

Xie Zhiyao’s throat moved slightly and finally squeezed out the word okay from his mouth.

Xie Ji was laughing gleefully on the side.

“Go.” After Xie Wanlin finished fuming, he reverted back to being an amiable father figure, “Do your best in tomorrow’s competition.” He said this lightly as if it was just an insignificant sword competition and not a battle of life and death for his only two remaining sons.

Xie Zhiyao and Xie Ji both bowed and withdrew, leaving Xie Wanlin alone in the study.

Xie Wanlin sat alone in the chair. He coldly looked at the broken desk in front of him and started quietly chanting some incomprehensible sentences to himself. It was like casting a vicious curse and anyone who saw this scene would feel uncomfortable. 

Gu Xuandu saw that there was no more drama to see so he took Lin Rufei and left the study.

After leaving the study, the two went to Xie Zhiyao’s courtyard and saw him sitting silently inside the room. His eyes stared off into the distance and no one knew what he was thinking about.

Xie Zhiyao murmured, most likely he sensed Lin Rufei approaching, “Actually, my father really doesn’t want me to win.” 

Lin Rufei could see that Xie Zhiyao and his father did not have a good relationship. No, not even just a bad relationship. Listening to Xie Ji’s tone, the ancestral hall was obviously not just a simple ancestral hall. It would certainly affect the next day’s competition with Xie Ji. However, looking at Xie Wanlin’s attitude, he did not care about Xie Zhiyao’s life.  

In the face of such injustice, Xie Zhiyao behaved very calmly. His hand clasped the bone sword at his waist and said indifferently like a piece of ice: “Rufei, you go back first, I still have some business.”

Lin Rufei said, “You’re going to the ancestral hall?”

Xie Zhiyao was surprised: “How do you know that?”

Lin Rufei said, “I guessed.”

Xie Zhiyao smiled bitterly: “Yes. I will be going to the ancestral hall to be punished.”

Lin Rufei said, “What exactly did you do wrong? Are you being punished because of Lv Er?”

Xie Zhiyao said indifferently: “Even if there is no Lv Er, there is still Hong Er[1] and Bai Er[2]. Give a dog a bad name, then hang him[3]. Lv Er is just an excuse anyway.”

Lin Rufei could not understand why Xie Wanlin disliked his own sons so much. Tempting them to kill each other and also digging a hole for Xie Zhiyao. It looked like he really wanted Xie Zhiyao to die immediately.

As a son, Xie Zhiyao was defenseless in the face of his father’s recrimination. He stroked the snow-white bone sword at his waist as if he were drowning and grabbed the last straw. He should have died in this fight long ago, but only this sword, gifted by his mother’s clan, gave him hope to live.

“I’m leaving, and you should be more careful these days.” Xie Zhiyao said, “I always feel that something is not right.”

Lin Rufei nodded and watched Xie Zhiyao leave. He suddenly remembered something and asked offhandedly, “By the way, the coffin that was sent out of the Xie residence this morning, which brother of yours was it?”

“Hmm? This morning?” Xie Zhiyao thought for a moment, “It might be my fourth brother …… he was killed by Xie Ji just the day before, but I’m not certain.”

Lin Rufei was naturally unclear as well. He simply described the scene he saw this morning to Xie Zhiyao. However, who knew that Xie Zhiyao was also full of bewilderment after listening. He didn’t know what had happened. 

“Strange.” Xie Zhiyao said, “The description you gave of the dead, I have no recollection of. My elder brother died under the sword and has been buried, naturally, it’s not possible for him to be entirely dried up.”

Lin Rufei said, “Then why is it like this?”

Xie Zhiyao shook his head.

Both of them noticed the strange aura. The undercurrent in the Xie residence was surging. And under the calm and waveless surface of the water, lurked a human-eating monster, and it could swallow the entire Xie residence with one bite. 

The Xie Zhiyao on the mountain was hard to recognize and when Lin Rufei suddenly appeared, it seemed to have given him some warning. 

“No matter, when I kill Xie Ji tomorrow, things will be over.” Xie Zhiyao let out a long sigh. Some fatigue surfaced between his eyebrows and he reached out to rub the corners of his eyes. He forced himself into high spirits, “I will go first, Xiao Jiu, you should be careful tonight. It’s best if you don’t leave the room.” 

Lin Rufei said goodbye and didn’t forget to ask Xie Zhiyao what was so special about the ancestral hall.

Xie Zhiyao smiled bitterly and said that the Xie family’s ancestral hall had always been used to punish people. Inside the ancestral hall, there was a special stone. Once a person enters, they would feel their meridians break followed by excruciating pain. When he spent the night inside, even if he did not faint, he would feel exhausted the next day. 

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Lin Rufei wanted to say something but stopped, Xie Zhiyao had already turned around to leave. His back carried indifference. When Lin Rufei saw this, he let out a sigh. 

“Tormented by this Xie family, being able to still continue really isn’t easy.” After Xie Zhiyao left, Lin Rufei started to complain. “To continue a famous family, having heirs is important. However, for him to choose a family head, it was actually getting rid of a few sons.”

Gu Xuandu said: “Refining Gu isn’t that easy, moreover…….” 

Lin Rufei turned around: “Moreover?”

Gu Xuandu said: “Moreover, this matter of the Xie family is not that simple.”

Lin Rufei said: “What does that mean?”

Gu Xuandu did not answer but instead told Lin Rufei to go back into the house to see if Fu Hua and Yu Rui had returned. Lin Rufei didn’t understand. Now that it was dark, the two girls who went out shopping should have come back, but after listening to Gu Xuandu’s words, the situation seemed to have changed.

Lin Rufei hurried back into the house and knocked on Fu Hua and Yu Rui’s door. No one answered so he forced the doors open. The rooms were empty, Fu Hua and Yu Rui were nowhere to be seen. 

When Lin Rufei saw this, he quickly released paper cranes that could contact them from his dimensional ring. However, who knew that when the paper cranes were released, they simply flew in circles and refused to fly out—it was like they couldn’t find their targets. 

Lin Rufei’s expression sank. He knew that Fu Hua and Yu Rui must be in trouble. And it looked like since this morning, there had been no movements from them. He didn’t know if it had happened inside the Xie residence or that they were taken captive when they were out shopping. 

“Don’t be anxious, the people who have moved them are certainly not coming for them.” Gu Xuandu saw Lin Rufei’s anxious look and spoke out to soothe him.

“Then they’re coming after me?” Lin Rufei said, “If that’s the case, why didn’t they just go after me? What’s the point of moving my two maids?”

Gu Xuandu smiled, “Of course it is because everyone knows that the fourth son of the Lin family has been unable to practice swords since he was young—his hands are powerless.”

Lin Rufei frowned slightly.

Gu Xuandu continued: “The two maids have already reached the fifth level and cannot be handled by ordinary people. With the two of them protecting you, you can leave at any time. Now that the maids have gone missing, the you that cannot practice the sword, have been trapped inside the Xie residence. Look, even the paper cranes can’t contact them, it seems that the person has made preparations for everything.”  

Lin Rufei also figured this out. He turned around, sat down in the room, and poured a cup of hot tea before taking a sip: “What’s the use of keeping me here?”

“This, I don’t know.” Gu Xuandu laughed, “There are always some ideas.”

Lin Rufei smoothed his cuffs, “Then wouldn’t I be waiting for that person to come to me now?”

Gu Xuandu said, “Waiting for the rabbit[4] is a good method. That person is aiming at you so he will not do anything to those two young girls. Besides, once Xie Zhiyao wins tomorrow, the fight for the Xie residence’s family head spot will be settled.”

As long as Xie Zhiyao wins and succeeds in killing Xie Ji, even if Xie Wanlin was not willing, he would have to admit this fact.

Lin Rufei also figured this out. In this residence, those that wanted to attack him could be counted with one hand. After a little thought, he could easily guess who did it.  

But even after he had guessed who did it, he did not understand why he had done it. After all, the Lin and Xie family were still considered old acquaintances. Once he made a move, it was like declaring war against the Lin family. 

“Say, do you think Xie Zhiyao can win?” Lin Rufei suddenly asked.

“Win?” Gu Xuandu recalled the word for a moment and returned quite profoundly, “As long as he still uses that sword, he will definitely win.”

“How can you tell?” Lin Rufei didn’t understand.

Gu Xuandu did not speak but gave a meaningful smile.

Lin Rufei was puzzled by his smile: “What are you smiling for?”

Gu Xuandu said, “I just remembered a poem.”

Lin Rufei said, “What poem?”

Gu Xuandu said, “Nowadays I rely on my steed by the color of its hair ……“

Lin Rufei picked up the next line: “Green-eared bay horse earns money to kill people?[5]“

Gu Xuandu said, “If only the color of the hair is used to identify the steed, even a steed like the green-eared bay horse will be omitted. Say, do you think Lv Er is actually a steed that is kept by Xie Zhiyao?” 

Lin Rufei thought for a moment and curved his eyes into a light smile: “Then this steed of his, must have two horse bits[6] in his mouth.”

Otherwise, he was afraid that the master would be angrily flung off this horse. 

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