Cherry Blossoms Upon a Wintry Sword

Chapter 23: The Dust Settles

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Xie Zhiyao left for a while before returning. This time he was followed by Yu Rui and Fu Hua.

The expressions on the two maids were both very ugly. While Fu Hua was still holding up, the younger Yu Rui had already started sobbing. Luckily, Lin Rufei was prepared and took out the corn candy and stuffed her mouth. Finally, the little girl stopped crying and smiled. 

But Fu Hua was so guilty of her own negligence that she knelt on the ground without saying a word and asked Lin Rufei to punish her. Lin Rufei tried to persuade her to get up, but the corner of her eyes also started to tear up. In a trembling voice, she said: “It’s all our fault for being too careless and letting that Xie Wanlin get away easily. If something really happened to young master, how are we gonna explain when we get back to Kunlun?”

Lin Rufei said: “I’m fine and you’re also overthinking things. If I am gone, will that Xie Wanlin let you go back?”

Fu Hua bit her lips and did not say anything.

Lin Rufei asked her to tell him what had happened.

It turned out that Xie Wanlin came for Lin Rufei in the beginning. However, when he saw that Lin Rufei was not in the room, he attacked the two maids. He knew that Lin Rufei had never practiced the sword, so he thought the two maids were playing the role of guards. Without the maids, Lin Rufei became a turtle in a jar[1]. 

Xie Wanlin’s plan should have been seamless, but man’s plan was not as good as God’s plan. He did not expect that Lin Rufei would have a miraculous encounter; with a simple raise of his hand, he easily shattered his sword blade. In the end, he was killed by the sword of Xie Zhiyao.

Xie Zhiyao brought the maids back and told Lin Rufei to rest well. The other matters would be discussed in detail tomorrow. Lin Rufei also nodded in agreement.

Fu Hua and Yu Rui rolled up their sleeves. They wanted to help Lin Rufei clean up the messy house.

Yu Rui got the broom. She only made a few sweeps before she let out a shriek of fright. With a frightened expression, she choked out: “Young master, young master—why is there a head here—”

Lin Rufei made an “oh” sound. He remembered that just now Xie Zhiyao threw his brother’s head in but forgot to take it away.

“Send it to Xie Zhiyao, that’s his brother’s head.” Lin Rufei thought about it and instructed, “And …… neatly pile the ashes on the ground, that is Xie Zhiyao’s father. Together with the head……”

Fu Hua: “……”

Yu Rui: “……”

Both of their expressions were distorted, it was quite complex. It was hard to imagine what kind of gruesome picture they conjured up.

Lin Rufei saw this and smiled. He said in a warm voice: “If you two are afraid, leave it for now. Tomorrow, I will come and clean it myself. Go rest first, if you guys don’t sleep now, the sun will rise soon.” 

Fu Hua gritted her teeth. In the end, she rolled up her sleeves and picked up the head. But Lin Rufei was slightly shocked to see the appearance of the head. He didn’t know when the head of Xie Ji had dried up. The skin was wrinkled together like a tight walnut. His appearance was very ugly, just like the person Lin Rufei saw in the coffin that day.

While carrying his head out, Fu Hua asked Yu Rui to sweep the ash on the ground together, saying that later she will bring both over to Xie Zhiyao.

Yu Rui’s hand trembled as she swept the dust on the ground into the dustpan. She was crying and followed after Fu Hua.

The two people also did not forget to considerately close the door and urge Lin Rufei to rest early.

Lin Rufei sighed. He thought that he had really made things difficult for the two young girls. Gu Xuandu, who had been silent for the whole time, sourly said, “Lin gongzi, you really pity the jade[2].”

Lin Rufei twisted his head to look at him and said seriously: “Yes, otherwise why would I bring you around.”

Gu Xuandu: “……”

It was rare to see a defeated expression on Gu Xuandu’s face. Lin Rufei was in a good mood.

So many things have happened and he did not sleep the entire night. Lin Rufei tossed and turned but still was not sleepy. Plus, he kept coughing non-stop until dawn. He took a hazy nap for a moment and didn’t wake up until noon when Fu Hua called him up to eat something. 

He was already sick and after tossing around all night, Lin Rufei’s face was haggard. He had dark circles below his eyes and he couldn’t stop yawning as he drank his porridge. 

“Is there any difference in the Xie’s residence today?” Lin Rufei asked.

Fu Hua answered, “Nothing is different.”

Lin Rufei said, “Where is Xie Zhiyao?”

Fu Hua said, “I’ll go and ask.”

After a while, Fu Hua returned to the room and told Lin Rufei that the subordinates had seen Xie Zhiyao leave an hour ago and hadn’t returned yet. Lin Rufei nodded, indicating that he heard her.

The fact that Xie Zhiyao’s cultivation had soared was certainly not concealable. But the good thing was that, on the path of cultivation, the strongest was always the most important. As long as his eighth level of cultivation was still there, no one would dare question him. However, he went out in such a hurry, no one knew what it was for. 

Lin Rufei yawned again, thinking that when he came back, he would give him the invitation to the sword competition.

However, even until the afternoon, there was no sign of Xie Zhiyao in the residence. Lin Rufei took a nap after eating and woke up all limp and weak. He didn’t have the energy to lift himself up. 

When Gu Xuandu saw him wake up, he sat on the edge of the bed with his head down and helped him change the medicine for the wound on his right hand. When he saw the wound across Lin Rufei’s right hand, he looked quite upset. Lin Rufei knew he was in the wrong and obediently let him grasp his hand.

“Your body is weak. It’s unknown when this wound will heal.” Gu Xuandu complained, “That Xie Zhiyao is also unreliable. He wasn’t even clear on what kind of person his father is.”

Lin Rufei laughed: “One may know a person for a long time without understanding their true nature.”

“You’re right.” Gu Xuandu lifted his head to look at Lin Rufei, “One may know a person for a long time without understanding their true nature.”

Lin Rufei instantly understood Gu Xuandu’s meaning. He slightly hesitated and said, “Xie Zhiyao isn’t easy.”

Gu Xuandu sneered, “No one is easy.”

Being able to kill all his brothers, at this point is Xie Zhiyao really as innocent as he seems? If he really considered Lin Rufei as a friend, he should have asked him to leave when he first entered the residence. But Xie Zhiyao did not say anything. He pretended that nothing happened and caught up with Lin Rufei on their old friendship—as if nothing would happen. Of course, it was possible that he didn’t expect Xie Wanlin to make a move against Lin Rufei. But in the end, Lin Rufei was injured, this Xie Zhiyao could not escape suspicion.

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Gu Xuandu had always been a petty person. This time, he had given that Xie Zhiyao a mark in his book.

Lin Rufei did not dare to persuade. He always felt that if he continued to speak for Xie Zhiyao, Gu Xuandu would be angrier. So he blinked his eyes and said he was thirsty and wanted a cup of hot tea.

When Gu Xuandu heard this, he decided to skip the topic. He took a cup of tea and carefully fed it to Lin Rufei.

After drinking the tea, Lin Rufei stayed in bed for a short while.

There was a storm last night. The grasses and trees in the courtyard were viciously □□. He lifted his eyes and saw that there were stumps everywhere. There were even small trees with shallow roots which were blown directly upside down. At this time, although the yard has been cleaned up, but compared to yesterday, it still looked wretched.

The good thing was that after the rainstorm, it was all sunny. Today the sun was just right and the breeze was light. It was a good day for a walk.

If Lin Rufei was not unwell, he would have gone around for a walk. However, he felt weak in his arms and legs so he could only sit on the edge of the bed. He propped up his chin and looked lazily at the not-so-exciting scenery outside the room.

Xie Zhiyao went out for most of the day and came back during nightfall. He landed directly in front of Lin Rufei’s door with his sword with an expression that was ugly as hell. This expression was even worse than last night when Xie Wanlin had threatened him. Using the words of Gu Xuandu, it was as if he lost three whole fathers. 

“Rufei.” Xie Zhiyao called out, “Are you feeling better?”

“I’m fine, just the same as always. But what happened to you?” Lin Rufei asked curiously, “Why do you look so pale.”

Xie Zhiyao wanted to say something but stopped.

Lin Rufei said, “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Xie Zhiyao let out a breath: “I’ll go get some wine then we can talk.” He said and flew away again.

Lin Rufei blinked his eyes. If he still had the heart to drink, then things weren’t as bad as he thought. Gu Xuandu snickered saying that what should come will come in the end.

The weather was good. Drinking outside also had its own appeal. Unfortunately, Lin Rufei was coughing quite heavily so he did not dare drink, instead he poured some tea. He watched as Xie Zhiyao filled up another cup. They all said one would drink their sorrows away. Xie Zhiyao drank several cups in a row before his movement slowed down. His brows were tightly knitted before he tentatively spoke up: “Rufei, have you ever liked someone before?”  

Lin Rufei said, “Liked someone? Then there’s a lot of people.”

Xie Zhiyao said, “I mean the ‘like’ that happens between men and women.”

“Between a man and a woman?” Lin Rufei shook his head, “Then no.”

Xie Zhiyao smiled bitterly, “Should have expected.”

The Lin family treated him as the apple of their eye. How could they let a woman with other thoughts come near him? The two maids, Fu Hua and Yu Rui, were probably selected after innumerable choices. He was sure that the Lin family had a way to control them. Being able to use two people who have already reached the fifth level of cultivation as maids, Lin Rufei was probably the only one.  

“What, did you find a pretty girl?” Lin Rufei heard the meaning behind Xie Zhiyao’s words and became interested, “Is it because they aren’t interested in you? That’s why you’re so distressed?”

Xie Zhiyao shook his head.

Lin Rufei said, “Then why?”

Xie Zhiyao said: “I just don’t understand what kind of thoughts I have about him[3].”

Lin Rufei said, “How so?”

Xie Zhiyao said, “Although he is sometimes very annoying, he does treat me very well. After my mother passed, no one has ever treated me that way.” He drank another cup and lowered his voice, “But I couldn’t respond to him. I couldn’t understand …… whether I liked him or not.”

Lin Rufei blinked. He felt that he couldn’t give Xie Zhiyao any good advice in this type of matter. After all, he also had no experience. For Xie Zhiyao’s distressing problem, he also felt confused. “Like” this feeling, shouldn’t it be very pure? However looking at Xie Zhiyao’s appearance, it seems like encountering a big problem.  

“So what do you want to do now that you’ve figured it out?” Lin Rufei asked.

“He won’t see me.” Xie Zhiyao said, “I have to say that I like him before he would agree to meet.”

The more Lin Rufei listened, the more he felt that something was wrong. He dissected for a while. After he dissected some more, his eyes widened as he said out that name: “Lv …… Lv Er?”

Xie Zhiyao confirmed.

Lin Rufei was incredulous: “But isn’t Lv Er a man? Could it be that he is actually a girl dressed as a man?”

“He’s a man.” Xie Zhiyao frankly said, “Men can also have love affairs between them ……” As he said this, he was a bit fearful that he led Lin Rufei astray. He hurriedly added a sentence, “Of course, this kind of thing, it is best not to try. “

Lin Rufei froze for a long time and did not react. In his understanding, men should be with women. Men and men …… this …… how would they …… as he kept thinking about it, he inadvertently glanced at Gu Xuandu, who was sitting next to him and staring at him with interest. The tips of his white ears inexplicably reddened.

Lin Rufei would like for Gu Xuandu to not stare at him anymore. However, with Xie Zhiyao present, it was difficult for him to speak up. He could only embarrassingly pretend that he couldn’t see. 

Xie Zhiyao did not notice Lin Rufei’s strange expression as he continued: “Now that the dust has settled in the Xie residence, I should be happy, but I can’t let go of the matter with Lv Er. After all, he followed me for so many years……”

Lin Rufei said, “Where is Lv Er now?”

Xie Zhiyao said he was hidden by his mother’s people in a canyon on Canglan Mountain.

Lin Rufei also couldn’t wrap his head around this matter. Xie Zhiyao then drank his sorrows away while Lin Rufei tasted the tea and only felt bland and tasteless. He deliberated for a moment before picking up a cup of alcohol and carefully took a sip.

The wine was good wine. It entered spicily but after passing through the throat, it brought up a mellow sweet aftertaste. Lin Rufei’s pale cheeks floated with a sweet red. He lowly coughed twice and praised: “Good wine.” 

“It’s the Zhu Ye Qing[4] that Lv Er hid under the tree.” Xie Zhiyao said, “He said that after I became the head of the Xie family, he would celebrate for me. At this time, I’ll drink a jar with you. When he returns, I will drink the rest with him.”  

Xie Zhiyao usually doesn’t talk much, but after mentioning Lv Er, he seemed to have endless topics to talk about. Lv Er was not likable, especially his obnoxious mouth. Even with Xie Zhiyao’s calm nature, sometimes he would get pissed off as well.

But since the death of his mother, he has lived with Lv Er for decades and they have been through countless storms.

Lv Er said that his young master does not need to envy Lin Rufei. Lin Rufei was the apple of the Lin family’s eyes. Xie Zhiyao was the apple of Lv Er’s eyes. Even though he doesn’t have much use, as long as he still had one breath left, then he would use all his strength to offer Xie Zhiyao with the best. 

And because of this, after knowing Lv Er’s mind, Xie Zhiyao still can’t decisively refuse.

“No matter, let him stay there for a few days. After I straighten out the Xie family’s affairs, then I’ll take him back.” The wine jug reached the bottom yet Xie Zhiyao still couldn’t think of a reliable method, “Anyway, Xie Wanlin is dead.” There will be no one to threaten the safety of Lv Er.

Lin Rufei thought that he had a point. Matters in regards to feeling was like cooking a small fish, it cannot be rushed.

Who knew that Gu Xuandu, who was listening on the side, opened his mouth coolly, “Xiao Jiu, you’d better persuade this Xie Zhiyao to go see that Lv Er soon.”

Lin Rufei looked confusedly at him.

“Lest you regret it for the rest of your life.” Gu Xuandu said.

Although Lin Rufei didn’t understand what was going on, he knew that Gu Xuandu would never make baseless claims. He must have known something for him to say such words. After thinking for a moment, he carefully said: “Zhiyao, I think you should go see Lv Er again. That child is disagreeable. Leaving him be, you best make sure nothing happens.”

Xie Zhiyao said, “Then if he asks me whether I like him or not, what should I do?” 

This was a difficult problem. Lin Rufei came up with a bad idea: “Why not try and coax him first. Once you coax him back then you can discuss the other things.”  

Xie Zhiyao frowned. After a long moment of silence, he actually said yes. He seemed to have figured out something and put the cup of wine in his hand heavily onto the table. Carrying a strong smell of wine, he flew out on the sword. Lin Rufei was dumbfounded, he looked down at his own cup of wine and carefully said, “Say……such little wine, do you think Xie Zhiyao is drunk?”

“It’s not the wine that intoxicates but the drinker who gets himself drunk[5].” Gu Xuandu had no expression on his face, “Sometimes it’s good to get drunk.”

“Good?” Lin Rufei doubted.

“Naturally.” Gu Xuandu said, “At least you would have the courage to say something you normally wouldn’t say and do things you wouldn’t normally do.” 

Lin Rufei drank the rest of the wine in his cup.

Xie Zhiyao’s cultivation has reached the eighth level. His sword travels in a matter of moments to the canyon where Lv Er was hidden. His mother’s clan people were a little surprised to see him return. They had just wanted to greet him when they saw that his face was serious. Without any regard, he headed towards the house where Lv Er lived.

The house where Lv Er lived was a wooden house built only a few days ago. It was very simple as if a gust of wind could blow it down. When the Xie family chased after Lv Er, he also suffered a lot. This made Xie Zhiyao’s heart soften a little.

“Lv Er—” Xie Zhiyao called the servant boy’s name.

“Why are you here again?” Lv Er was surprised, “Didn’t you say you had to go back and think about it. It’s only been so long and you’ve figured it out?”

Xie Zhiyao said, “I did figure it out.”

Lv Er was silent for a moment and squirmed, “Then do you like me or not? If you say you like me, only then will I let you in.” As he said this, he muttered a few words in a low voice, saying that all the Xie family members were no good, and only Xie Zhiyao could barely catch his eye.

However, Xie Zhiyao said, “I don’t know.”

When Lv Er heard this, he was furious: “Xie Zhiyao, have you been kicked in the head by a donkey? Why is it so hard to use? If you don’t know then why did you come here again? Is it just to piss me off this time?” He gritted his teeth, “I’m just asking for you to say ‘like,’ it’s not like I’m asking you to marry me. Why are you so afraid?” 

Xie Zhiyao slightly pursed his lips.

“Is it possible that you are still worried that I will delay you from marrying a wife and having children?” Lv Er’s voice was sharp and piercing, “Don’t worry, I will never stop you from having children and grandchildren!

Xie Zhiyao said, “I’m coming in.”

Lv Er yelled angrily: “No! You can’t come in!!”

But with this broken wooden door, how could it stop Xie Zhiyao? With a push from his hand, the wooden door opened. He saw Lv Er sitting on the couch inside the house. When Lv Er saw him enter, his angry face was full of scarlet. His body shook like a sieve: “I hate you, I hate you! Xie Zhiyao, you get out, get out!!”

Xie Zhiyao said: “I won’t.”

Lv Er bawled. While crying, he scolded Xie Zhiyao, saying that Xie Zhiyao and the Xie family people were not good people. They only knew how to bully him. He just wanted to hear the word “like,” is it so difficult, so difficult?

Xie Zhiyao frowned in distress. He approached Lv Er and whispered: “Lv Er, currently I still don’t know if I like you or not, but you are very important to me. There is still a long time……why are you so anxious?” 

Lv Er’s sobs intensified.

Xie Zhiyao stopped in front of him. He gently wiped Lv Er’s tears with his fingers and said, “Come back with me.”

But Lv Er couldn’t stop shaking his head.

Xie Zhiyao said: “Why won’t you?”

Lv Er said in a trembling voice, “I won’t go back with you unless you say you …… like me.”

Xie Zhiyao’s brows furrowed even more tightly. He looked at Lv Er’s dirty crying face and thought for a while: “Even if you do not wish to, it doesn’t matter. I’m already a level eight cultivator, if I want to take you away, no one can stop me.” As he said this, he extended his hand to Lv Er. 

Lv Er screamed: “You are not allowed to touch me—”

But it was already too late. Xie Zhiyao grabbed Lv Er’s hand and pulled him into his arms. However, when his hand moved, he noticed something was wrong and blurted out, “Lv Er, why are you so light ……”

Lv Er was pulled into Xie Zhiyao’s arms. His chin was on Xie Zhiyao’s shoulder. He was still crying and his cries grew more and more desperate: “Xie Zhiyao, let go of me—”

Xie Zhiyao slowly lowered his head. He seemed to have perceived something. His whole body froze in place for a while. His hands shook like a sieve as he gently peeled off the outer layer of Lv Er’s clothes. 

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The layer fell off gently and revealed the upper half of Lv Er. He noticed that on the originally white back of Lv Er, there seemed to be an addition of a hideous wound. The wound ran from the neck to the waist and he could almost faintly see the scarlet organs.  

Xie Zhiyao froze. He called the boy’s name: “Lv Er?”

Lv Er wailed in Xie Zhiyao’s ear. He angrily bit the side of Xie Zhiyao’s neck. Only when he saw blood did he let go, “Onlookers all say I’m bullying you, but clearly you are the one bullying me. I just wanted to hear a ‘like’ …… just a… …just a ‘like’ ……”

Xie Zhiyao said, “Your back ……”

Lv Er didn’t speak. When he saw the blood on Xie Zhiyao’s neck, he gave a heartbreaking lick. His hands and feet were unable to move and he relied on the inlaid talisman on his back to continue to live. It was a good thing Xie Zhiyao survived the fight within the Xie family, he now had a stable road for the rest of his life.  

“Who did it, who hurt you.” Xie Zhiyao asked through clenched teeth.

“I accidentally fell down the mountain and got seriously injured and it just so happened that your mother’s clan met me and saved me.” Lv Er said, “Xie Kongcheng is so powerful, I thought you would die.” He fondly rubbed his against Xie Zhiyao’s shoulder, “Luckily you are alive.”

Xie Zhiyao stared at Lv Er’s wound and said in a quiet voice, “You’re lying.”

Lv Er was silent.

“You lied to me.” Xie Zhiyao said, “You’ve become bad, you never lied to me before.”

Lv Er cried again.

Xie Zhiyao hugged him and said, “Come on, let’s go back to Moyu. If not, I will take you to Kunlun. Kunlun has that Wan Yao, who has excellent medical skills. Such a small injury, he will certainly be able to cure.”

Lv Er murmured: “It can’t be cured, it can’t be cured.”

“It can be cured.” Xie Zhiyao gritted his teeth. The little drunkenness from a while ago has now disappeared. He carefully held Lv Er, like he was holding fragile porcelain. Lv Er leaned into Xie Zhiyao’s arms. He was no longer noisy and with a gentle gaze, he gazed at Xie Zhiyao.

He knew that his time was running out. In that case, it was good to see Xie Zhiyao a few more times. The only pity is that he did not get the answer he wanted the most.

Xie Zhiyao held Lv Er while flying on the sword. The wind was howling. He pursed his lips and was as stiff as a stone. 

Lv Er, who was in his arms, was still talking.

Lv Er said, “Young master, how nice. No one can bully you anymore.”

Lv Er said again, “Young master, Lv Er is really happy.”

The corners of Xie Zhiyao’s eyes finally flooded with water and he said, “Lv Er, don’t leave.”

“Okay, Lv Er won’t leave.” Lv Er’s voice has never been so gentle, “Lv Er will always, always, stay with young master, Lv Er is not going anywhere ……”

********

The author has something to say: 

Lin Rufei: It’s possible between a man and another man?

Xie Zhiyao: Men are scary creatures, as long as you’re idle, don’t say men……even a sword is possible.

Lin Rufei: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Huh? ? ?

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[1] Idiom meaning “trapped” 

[2] Idiom meaning “kind/compassionate towards the opposite sex” 

[3] For people who don’t understand, the pronouns for him(他)and her(她) in Chinese both use the same pronunciation(ta), only different characters. So you really can’t tell by ear unless you see the character too. That’s why it’s “him” there, well Lin Rufei doesn’t know until later heh.  

[4] Alcohol name – direct translation is Green Bamboo Leaf