Cherry Blossoms Upon a Wintry Sword

Chapter 24 Chapter 24: Lv Er, Lv Er

───────

Xie Zhiyao didn’t return to the Xie residence. He carried Lv Er directly to Kunlun. When he left, he sent a letter to Lin Rufei. The letter gave a general explanation; Lv Er was seriously injured and in urgent need of medical treatment.

Lin Rufei was a bit surprised when he received the letter from the paper crane. He turned his head to look at Gu Xuandu: “How did you know that something had happened to Lv Er?”

Gu Xuandu said, “The ancient headed beast Lijin, whose shape resembles that of a man, and whose bone is so hard that it can shatter ten thousand blades.”

Lin Rufei was stunned.

Gu Xuandu continued, “Therefore, the Lijin beasts were hunted down by the human race and almost exterminated. It’s a good thing they looked like humans and learned human habits. As a result, they hid amongst them and were barely able to maintain their racial bloodline.” He sighed, “This was only what had happened a few hundred years ago. Now that it has been so long, the Lijin beasts are almost extinct. However, I didn’t expect to see one in the Xie residence.” The moment he saw the bone sword on Xie Zhiyao’s waist, he guessed everything.

Lin Rufei also understood the meaning behind Gu Xuandu’s words. The servant boy, Lv Er, was the foreign beast Lijin. The bone sword in Xie Zhiyao’s hand came from his body.

“The most precious thing in the Lijin beast is the spine that runs through the whole body. This bone does not need to be refined, it can be pulled out and made into a sword. The blade is sharp. It can shatter the stars and break the mountains.” Gu Xuandu carelessly talked about other people’s stories, “If not for that sword, Xie Zhiyao would have long died.”

Lin Rufei said, “Can Lv Er still survive without a spine?”

Gu Xuandu stared into Lin Rufei’s eyes, “Naturally, he cannot.”

Lin Rufei felt a lump in his throat. He remembered the occasional tenderness in Xie Zhiyao’s eyes when he talked about Lv Er, perhaps even he didn’t notice. But now that the Xie family’s troubles have just subsided, Lv Er was ……

“I don’t know what method the people over there have used to let Lv Er hang onto his life, but that servant won’t live long.” Gu Xuandu said, “Even if the best physicians in the world are invited, they can’t save his life.” No living thing can live after losing its spine.

Lin Rufei said, “What should Xie Zhiyao do?”

“What do you mean ‘what should he do?’ ” Gu Xuandu said flatly, “He got the family head title that he wanted the most and he is also on the eighth level of cultivation. He simply lost a foul-mouthed servant, isn’t that a good deal?”

Lin Rufei listened to Gu Xuandu’s emotionless words and slightly wrinkled his eyebrows.

“Don’t you think so?” Gu Xuandu asked rhetorically.

“Naturally, I don’t think so.” Lin Rufei said disapprovingly, “Lv Er has been with Xie Zhiyao for so many years, Xie Zhiyao must have some affection for him. Seeing Lv Er just gone like this, I’m afraid his heart won’t be able to handle it.”

Gu Xuandu’s attitude, however, seemed unusually cold. He did not sit beside Lin Rufei as usual but leaned against the beam. His hands were crossed on his chest as he slightly tilted his chin and looked down at Lin Rufei. He calmly asked: “If you were Lv Er, what would you do?”

Lin Rufei thought about it, “If I were Lv Er ……”

“That’s enough.” Before he could finish his words, he was coldly interrupted by Gu Xuandu. From the time Gu Xuandu arrived at Lin Rufei’s side, this senior, who had never been serious, had never shown such a cold and icy look. He said, “I know how you would choose.”

As the words fell, his figure then abruptly dispersed, leaving a room full of silence.

Lin Rufei was bewildered. He didn’t understand why these words had touched Gu Xuandu’s scales[1].

Without Gu Xuandu, the room was quiet and somewhat uncomfortable. After noticing his thoughts, Lin Rufei couldn’t help but reveal a bitter smile. In his heart he thought that people were really greedy animals, it had only been a few days and he was already accustomed to Gu Xuandu’s presence.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Xie Zhiyao spent the whole day and night rushing to Kunlun.

Wan Yao received the paper crane beforehand. He knew Xie Zhiyao was coming so he arrived early at the mountain gate to wait.

“Quickly, put the person down.” After seeing Lv Er, Wan Yao instructed Xie Zhiyao to put the person on the prepared wooden bed. He raised his hand and took the pulse for Lv Er.

Xie Zhiyao stood on the side. He was afraid to let out a breath and set his eyes dead on Lv Er. His chest could not stop heaving.

Wan Yao figured out Lv Er’s condition. His expression gradually turned serious and from his bosom, took out a few silver needles. He stuck them into Lv Er’s body and Lv Er’s expression finally looked slightly better. However, his breath was still very weak.

“Should we talk about this outside?” Wan Yao asked.

Xie Zhiyao nodded. He was about to take a step out when he heard Lv Er’s weak cry, “Young master …… don’t …… go …… “

Xie Zhiyao leaned down and whispered: “Don’t be afraid, you also know Wan Yao’s medical skills, he will certainly have a way to save you.”

However, Lv Er shook his head. He said with great difficulty: “Just …….say it here.” His body couldn’t hold on much longer but his heart was clear. It was naturally best if he could see his young master for a while longer.

“Okay. You can say it.” Xie Zhiyao held Lv Er’s hand and looked up at Wan Yao.

Wan Yao hesitated slightly. After seeing Xie Zhiyao’s firm expression, he sighed and said quietly: “I’m afraid that Lv Er …….won’t make it.”

Xie Zhiyao’s expression instantly turned hideous: “What did you say?!”

Wan Yao said: “His spine was taken out alive[2]. Being able to live until now is already a miracle. If I apply needles onto him, he might be able to live another day or two, it’s just that…..”

Xie Zhiyao said: “Just that ?”

Wan Yao said, “It’s just that …… he will be in extreme pain.”

The wound on his back can’t be healed. Every second and every moment, it gives Lv Er extreme pain. The current him was weak and could only lie on his stomach, he couldn’t even turn over otherwise it would touch the wound.

After Xie Zhiyao listened to Wan Yao’s words, his Adam’s apple moved up and down. He seemed to be suppressing some kind of emotion. Lv Er sensed his thoughts and gently squeezed his hand that was holding his. He forced a smile: “No worries…… If I can accompany young master for another day, that is enough.”

Xie Zhiyao did not speak. He thoroughly understood everything. Lowering his head, he stared ruthlessly at the white bone sword hanging on his waist for a long time. In his black eyes, a manic storm was silently brewing.

A weak call from Lv Er ripped Xie Zhiyao from his emotions. He responded to his call, “Lv Er.”

Lv Er looked docile: “Lv Er is here.”

Xie Zhiyao said, “Who did this?”

Lv Er did not say anything.

“Tell me who did it.” Xie Zhiyao asked word by word, “Who took out your spine alive, who was it?”

Lv Er calmly looked back at Xie Zhiyao. His lips wriggled with difficulty and he gave Xie Zhiyao an answer he least expected to hear: “It was Lv Er who did it.”

Xie Zhiyao’s body trembled.

“It was Lv Er himself who did it.” Lv Er said, “Blame no one ……”

Xie Zhiyao let out a hiss of despair as if he was a cornered beast. He wanted to hug Lv Er but was also afraid of hurting him. Finally, he could only kneel on the edge of the bed and hold Lv Er’s increasingly cold hand. He couldn’t help but give it a kiss: “Lv Er, why ……… why……..”

Lv Er said, “Lv Er just doesn’t want onlookers to bully young master again.” Most likely Wan Yao’s needle skills have started to work since he had the strength to speak again. Lv Er stared at Xie Zhiyao, his eyes were bright like the stars in the sky and he said, “Young master doesn’t need to envy that Lin Rufei, young master also has someone who cherishes him dearly. Lv Er cherishes young master the most.”

Xie Zhiyao couldn’t say anything until there was a wet liquid that dripped down onto the back of his hand and he realized that he had shed tears.

Lv Er has never seen this expression of Xie Zhiyao. He suddenly started to panic and said quickly that young master shouldn’t cry.

Xie Zhiyao said, “You’re right, you cherish me but you’re also leaving. Who will cherish me now?”

Lv Er said, “When young master becomes the head of the Xie family, there will be many people who will love you.” He murmured, “When the young master marries and has children, he will not need Lv Er anymore …… it’s just a pity ……”

Xie Zhiyao revealed a look of despair.

Wan Yao said Lv Er has already used medicines and acupuncture stones, he has no more methods.

Lv Er still had some strength left so he began to speak again. He scolded Xie Zhiyao’s father, scolded Xie Zhiyao’s brother, and scolded all the Xie family except Xie Zhiyao, his young master. Xie Zhiyao listened numbly. He watched in a trance as if his soul had already floated out from his body.

If you aren’t reading this on acupofhalfmoon.wordpress.com, then it has been reposted without permission. Please don’t give ad revenue to them and come join us for tea. I promise we don’t bite.

When Lv Er said he felt tired, his voice gradually quiet down.

Xie Zhiyao suddenly opened his mouth and said: “Lv Er, why don’t you ask anymore?”

Lv Er said blankly, “Hmm?”

Xie Zhiyao said: “You have always wanted to know if I liked you or not, why don’t you ask anymore?”

Lv Er’s lip wriggled slightly. He said in a voice as soft as a mosquito: “I …… don’t want to know anymore.”

“Why, why don’t you want to know anymore?” Xie Zhiyao said in a trembling voice.

“Because young master will definitely pity me.” Lv Er said, “I don’t want young master to pity me.” He stared with wet black eyes, like an innocent deer, “I …… I just want young master to like me.” After he said this, his eyes drooped in embarrassment.

Xie Zhiyao completely collapsed.

His shoulders shook and he covered his face in pain. He whimpered and was gradually losing his voice. This was the first time he hated himself for that hesitation. He hated himself for forcing his way into the room and he hated himself for not giving Lv Er that desired answer.

Lv Er looked at Xie Zhiyao’s painful expression helplessly, he wanted to comfort but he did not know what to say to make his young master feel better. So in a panic, he could only grab Xie Zhiyao’s hand and coax him not to cry.

Xie Zhiyao was two years older than Lv Er. They met when Xie Zhiyao was three years old. They have spent more than twenty years together. Xie Zhiyao’s mother passed away early, in the entire Xie family, the only one that cherished him was the obnoxious servant boy by his side.

No one in the Xie residence liked Xie Zhiyao and no one liked Lv Er.

The good thing was that Lv Er didn’t mind. He just wanted young master to like him, to him that was enough. This kind of like, from the time he became a servant, he didn’t know when it started to change. It wasn’t until Xie Zhiyao encountered danger, did the fire in his heart start like a little star.

Lv Er knew he didn’t have much time left, his only wish was to get the word “like” from his young master’s mouth. Not pity for the dying, but just a pure and simple like.

But, unfortunately, he didn’t get what he wanted in the end.

Lv Er should have felt regret, however, when he saw Xie Zhiyao’s expression of despair, his regret turned into concern for his young master. His death was something that he had been prepared for, for a long time, but he didn’t expect to make Xie Zhiyao, who had always been unperturbed, suffer so much.

“Lv Er, Lv Er ……” Xie Zhiyao said, “Ask me, ask me once again, ask, ask.”

Lv Er was scared by Xie Zhiyao’s expression and he whispered, “Okay, Okay…… young master, do you like Lv Er?”

“Like, I like Lv Er.” Xie Zhiyao sobbed one word at a time, “Xie Zhiyao likes Lv Er the most.”

Lv Er showed a smile.

Xie Zhiyao said, “He likes you so much, how can you make him sad, Lv Er ……”

Lv Er patted Xie Zhiyao’s head like he was coaxing a child. He whispered: “It’s okay, aren’t I always with young master, by young master’s side.”

Xie Zhiyao once again cried out.

Outside the room, Wan Yao heard Xie Zhiyao howling cries and he let out a deep sigh.

The seven sufferings of life; birth, old age, sickness, and death. Love and separation, resentment and hatred, and being unable to do anything. As long as they are still on the human path, it was difficult to escape this torture.

(t/n: so for people who might be like “that’s not seven” it’s grouped like this; [birth], [old age], [sickness], [death], [love and separation], [resentment and hatred], and [unable to do anything])

Xie Zhiyao and Lv Er, he had technically watched them grow up. Currently, the two were going to be separated because of life and death, naturally, he would also feel some sorrow.

The doctor’s heart is benevolent. However, the things he can do are still too little, too little.

“Something must have happened in the Xie residence.” At some point, Lin Bianyu appeared beside Wan Yao. He looked at the room behind Wan Yao where Xie Zhiyao was howling in tears and said lowly, “I don’t know how Xiao Jiu is right now.”

Wan Yao said, “Xie Zhiyao has reached the eighth level of cultivation.”

Lin Bianyu revealed a surprised look.

Wan Yao was an old man so he naturally knew the rules of the Xie residence. However, Lin Bianyu’s generation was still young, so they didn’t understand these things. He explained: “Xie family’s infighting should not be detrimental to Xiao Jiu.” After saying “no matter,” he explained the Xie family rules to Lin Bianyu. After Lin Bianyu finished listening, his expression showed pity. No one knew if the pity was for the Xie family or if the pity was for Lv Er, who would die soon.

Within the Xie residence, Gu Xuandu was still sulking at Lin Rufei. He didn’t show his figure for the whole day.

Lin Rufei also didn’t know how to coax him. After some thought, he put on a cloak and went to the streets alone. He walked around the street a few times before finding an old man selling flowers.

The old man was selling some beautiful flowers like peonies, so Lin Rufei asked if there were any cherry blossoms for sale around here.

The old man smiled and said that there were cherry blossom trees everywhere, so there was no need to buy cherry blossoms. Just leave Moyu City and go east for less than two miles and he would see a cherry blossom forest. But because of last night’s sudden rain, the cherry blossoms were probably beaten to pieces.

Lin Rufei got the news, then slowly and leisurely walked out of the city. When he left, he did not forget to buy a bright red candied hawthorn at a stall. He nibbled on it as he headed towards the grove.

Outside Moyu City were the mountain roads. Last night it rained again so it was slightly muddy. However, the weather was good today and although the mountain wind was strong, it wasn’t too cold.

Walking through the winding paths, Lin Rufei soon saw the cherry blossom grove that the old man talked about. But the forest here was only a small one, far from the wide and bright forest under Kunlun Mountain. The blossom colors were also lighter. Lin Rufei looked left and right, after seeing no one, he quietly snuck close to a tree. Using his hands and feet, he climbed up and reached out to pick a bunch of intact cherry blossoms.

Who knew that when he stepped on the tree, his foot slipped and he rolled down from the tree with the flowers. Lin Rufei let out a cry and then he was caught by a pair of hands.

“Are you trying to drop yourself to death?” Gu Xuandu gritted his teeth.

Lin Rufei looked at him innocently and handed the cherry blossom to him, “Here.”

Gu Xuandu said coldly, “Don’t want it.”

Lin Rufei blinked. He then reached out and covered his mouth—coughing hard.

Gu Xuandu: “……”

Lin Rufei coughed while glancing at Gu Xuandu. The narrow-minded senior finally could not stand his endless coughing and angrily said, “Okay, okay, just give it to me. Stop coughing, be careful or you’re going to cough out your lungs.”

Lin Rufei immediately stopped coughing and happily patted the mud off his hands. He said that the cherry blossoms here were not as good as the ones on Kunlun Mountain.

Gu Xuandu said, “Is that so.”

Lin Rufei said, “Of course, the best one is the one in my yard.”

When Gu Xuandu heard that, his expression eased quite a bit.

Although Lin Rufei did not understand why Gu Xuandu was angry, after he saw that he put the matter aside, he also relaxed. Touching the rough bark of the cherry blossom tree, he wondered how it was going on Xie Zhiyao’s side.

“He’ll be back soon.” Gu Xuandu said casually, “Lv Er will not live for long.”

Lin Rufei sighed.

The atmosphere was not good when they started talking about Lv Er so Lin Rufei had to change the subject. He said that the candied hawthorn he just ate tasted good. Gu Xuandu, on the other hand, blamed him for eating candy despite coughing so hard.

“It’s okay.” Lin Rufei waved his hand, “I’m used to coughing, I won’t die.” After saying that, there was a series of coughs again.

The two of them enjoyed the flowers for a while and then went down the mountain.

The night was approaching and the lights in Moyu City also lit up. On the green stone-paved streets, there were vendors shouting loudly. There were also bargaining residents and tourists who just arrived in the city, looking around. It was very lively.

The dust has settled in the Xie residence for the position of the family head. Therefore, there was no more of that suffocating atmosphere from the previous few days.

When Lin Rufei returned, he saw several carriages parked in front of the Xie residence. When he went up to ask, he learned that several stewards who had left the house for half a month had just returned. They obviously knew the Xie family rules so they specially picked this time to go out and seek refuge. Now that Xie Zhiyao has won the position of family head, they have returned to begin preparations to accept the new family head.

This was very efficient, but for some reason, Lin Rufei’s heart was always feeling a little discomfort.

It was Fu Hua’s words that made him understand why he was uncomfortable. Fu Hua said, “This Xie residence is really strange as if the death of so many people were insignificant.”

Yu Rui said, “Yes, if they died then they died. They are casually dragged off to be buried and not even allowed a grave….. By the way, sister Fu Hua, that Xie Ji’s head……”

Fu Hua expressionlessly glanced at Yu Rui. When she saw Yu Rui’s neck shrink, only then did she answer: “Xie Zhiyao took it.”

Yu Rui said: “Buried?”

Fu Hua said: “Burned with fire.”

Yu Rui: “……” she did not even dare to ask what happened to Xie Wanlin’s ashes.

Both of them looked unhappy and did not want to talk about it anymore.

Lin Rufei sat in the courtyard. He looked at the servants who came and went. The Xie family, which seemed to be revived and lively, brought a lot of emotions to his heart. The person who should have been celebrating his victory was now on Kunlun Mountain. Most likely…….he was grieving right now.

That night, Lin Rufei received a family letter from Lin Bianyu. The letter said that he had seen Xie Zhiyao and the dying Lv Er. Xie Zhiyao was almost completely devastated after learning that there was no cure for Lv Er, and he didn’t know if he would do anything drastic if Lv Er was really gone. He also asked Lin Rufei how he was doing and whether he was affected by anything.

If you aren’t reading this on acupofhalfmoon.wordpress.com, then it has been reposted without permission. Please don’t give ad revenue to them and come join us for tea. I promise we don’t bite.

Lin Rufei wrote back, saying that the Xie family had treated him courteously and had not overstepped any boundaries. However, he did not tell Lin Bianyu about the matter regarding Xie Wanlin.

After all, if Lin Bianyu really knows, he might actually chop Xie Zhiyao up in a fit of anger. Lin Rufei was very clear about his own brother’s protective nature.

After replying to the letter, Lin Rufei drank another dose of cough medicine. He planned to rest early. Gu Xuandu looked at the porcelain vase on the table which held cherry blossoms, no one knew what he was thinking about.

“Senior Gu, I’m going to sleep first. What about you?” Lin Rufei covered half of his face with a cup[3], revealing only a pair of light-colored eyes, and asked in a muffled voice.

Gu Xuandu’s face was expressionless: “Going out to catch ghosts.”

Lin Rufei said, “Catching ghosts?”

Gu Xuandu nodded his head.

Lin Rufei became energetic in an instant and he sat up with a whoosh, “Where are you going to catch ghosts? Are there really ghosts in this world?”

Gu Xuandu said, “What do you think?”

Lin Rufei said, “I believe in it, but I’ve never seen it.” He thought about it and said tentatively, “Others can’t see senior Xuandu, so senior you ……”

Gu Xuandu’s expressionless face looked back.

Lin Rufei quickly added: “Joke, it was just a joke. Senior, please don’t take it seriously.”

Gu Xuandu said, “You are quite lively compared to when you were on the mountains.”

Lin Rufei helplessly said: “On the mountain, my brothers kept me under a tight watch. Even if I go out in the snow to look at small flowers, they’ll chide at me. In order to keep me from catching a cold, they even cut the small flower that bloomed with great difficulty in the snow……”

When Gu Xuandu heard this, he let out an unnaturally dry cough. He averted his gaze and calmly said: “You get well. When you get well, I’ll take you to catch ghosts with me.”

Lin Rufei: “Really?”

Gu Xuandu: “Really.”

Lin Rufei then shrunk under the blanket again. He wrapped himself up tightly and just showed his eyes. He had a look of obedience making Gu Xuandu unconsciously hook up the corners of his mouth.

It was warm under the blanket and soon Lin Rufei felt sleepy. His eyes slowly closed and his breathing evened out. When Gu Xuandu saw him sleeping, he waved his long sleeves and his body faded—disappearing from the room.

Lin Rufei had a good sleep and when he woke up the next day, his cough had gotten better. When he opened his eyes, he saw Gu Xuandu sitting in the room eating the dim sum brought in by Fu Hua.

Lin Rufei yawned. He rubbed his eyes and got up from the bed. Slowly, he started to change his clothes.

Gu Xuandu sat watching on the side. After seeing that his injured right hand was holding him back, he got up and took the clothes that were on the bed. He very naturally put them on for Lin Rufei.

Lin Rufei was still dazed from his sleep, when he felt a tightness on his waist, he realized what Gu Xuandu was doing. He reflexively wanted to turn around, but Gu Xuandu said not to move and helped him fix the belt on his waist carefully before letting go.

The two of them looked at each other and it was quiet for a while.

“What?” Gu Xuandu sat back down at the table and said, “This expression?[4]“

Lin Rufei said, “This …… this. Letting senior change my clothes isn’t quite appropriate, right?”

Gu Xuandu said indifferently, “If you think it’s not appropriate.”

Lin Rufei: “Mnn?”

Gu Xuandu said seriously, “I can take mine off and let you help me put it back on. Would that be more appropriate?”

Lin Rufei immediately shut up and quietly went to wash up.

When Gu Xuandu saw his expression, he let out a chuckle. He grabbed the mung bean cake that was still warm and put it into his mouth before frowning in dissatisfaction.

“What, is the mung bean cake not to senior’s taste?” Lin Rufei asked casually.

“It’s too sweet.” Gu Xuandu said, “The taste is not as good as the one made by my love……..my friend.”

Lin Rufei was about to speak, but Gu Xuandu raised his head to look outside the room. He softly said, “Your friend is back.”

Xie Zhiyao came back to the joyful Xie family with Lv Er, who died struggling in pain, in his arms.

********

The author has something to say:

Gu Xuandu: Sulking, cold war[5].

Lin Rufei: cough cough cough cough cough.

Gu Xuandu: ……..

Lin Rufei: cough cough cough cough——

Gu Xuandu gritting his teeth: You’re doing this on purpose, right?

Lin Rufei blinks.