Cherry Blossoms Upon a Wintry Sword

Chapter 42: The Swordsman’s Gift

The gyrfalcon on Liu Rugong’s hands was very beautiful. With its shrugged shoulders and taut tail, carved head, and swan’s back, it was a standard beauty. Lin Bianyu had also raised a green-feathered gyrfalcon named Qingluan. Lin Rufei grew up watching it, so he had some understanding of this handsome bird.

Seeing that Lin Rufei was quite interested in his bird, Liu Rugong introduced him, “It’s called Liaoshan, it’s only one year old this year, it’s a girl, just not very good-tempered.”

All things resemble their owner. This Liaoshan slightly raised its neck showing off a proud look. It was quite similar to Liu Rugong, however, Liu Rugong apparently didn’t notice. He rubbed Liaoshan’s head in a doting way and looked at Lin Rufei: “Lin gongzi, want to try?”

Lin Rufei smiled and refused: “No thanks.”

Playing with an eagle was quite a private affair, the owners generally do not like other people touching their own eagle. Liu Rugong only exchanged a few words of courtesy with him so he also knew better. 

The two of them walked and talked as they strolled through the street. Many people besides the street cautiously cast a glance and most of these glances were of fear. It seems that in Gusu City, this Liu Rugong indeed had a lot of authority.

Liu Rugong was unaware of this and took Lin Rufei all the way forward. He was saying that the wine from this place was pretty good and that the gold silk from this store was one of a kind. If he had the chance, remember to buy one or two; the womenfolk at home would certainly like it. Lin Rufei listened with interest. It wasn’t until they strolled almost half of Gusu City did this Liu Rugong start talking about business. He stared at Lin Rufei with blazing eyes as if he was trying to burn a hole through his body: “Lin gongzi.”

Lin Rufei was startled by his expression, “Hm?”

Liu Rugong said, “I heard that you had a sword competition with someone on Kunlun Mountain?”

Lin Rufei hesitated for a moment and nodded gently.

“Is that swordsman named Wang Teng?” Liu Rugong said.

He didn’t expect him to be so well-informed. Not only did he know that Lin Rufei had a sword competition with someone, but he even knew the swordsman’s name. Lin Rufei said, “Do you know him?”

Liu Rugong said, “Yes.” He waved his hand and Liaoshan, who had been resting on his arm, waved its wings and brought up a strong wind before flying off, “I met him once in Gusu City.”

It was probably on his way to Kunlun, Wang Teng rested for the night in the city. He brought a jug of wine and sat on the top of the highest pavilion as he looked down at the illuminated Gusu City.

Liu Rugong happened to bump into him and with one glance he recognized the long sword called Qing Ji hanging on the side of Wang Teng’s waist. He couldn’t move his gaze until Wang Teng cast an unkind look at him through his bamboo hat. A swordsman’s sword being stared at in such a rude manner would be unpleasant to anyone else, let alone Wang Teng, whose temper was not good in the first place.

“Your sword is good.” Liu Rugong walked up to Wang Teng and sat down. He reached out towards Wang Teng’s wine jug, wanting to ask for a sip of wine. Who knew that Wang Teng did not give any face to the most unreasonable son of the Liu family in Gusu City and directly ignored Liu Rugong who asked for wine. The cold gaze, even through the veil of the hat, sent chills down one’s spine. If this were an ordinary person, he would have backed off, but who was Liu Rugong? He was the second young master of the Liu family. He was the most capable of tormenting others, so he was not moved at all by Wang Teng’s indifference. Instead, he was more interested.

“Where are you going?” Liu Rugong said, “Why did you come here to drink?”

“A sword match.” Although his tone was cold, Wang Teng at least spoke back.

“Oh?” When swords were mentioned, Liu Rugong became eager, “Are you going to Kunlun? Who do you intend to find for a sword competition?”

The Lin family’s reputation was so well known that almost every year, countless swordsmen would go to Kunlun, either to compete with swords or to watch the battle, making it very lively. And there was only one way to Kunlun. They must go through Gusu City, then over the Xiliang Mountains, and follow the Canglan River all the way forward then they would reach their destination.

“A member of the Lin family.” Wang Teng said.

“A member of the Lin family? Which member of the Lin family? Lin Weirui is still away on her travels. Unless it is Lin Minzhi…….but it’s not easy to compete with him with a sword.” Liu Rugong said.

Who knew that Wang Teng would shake his head.

Seeing this, Liu Rugong wondered, “Could it be you’re looking for Lin Bianyu? Tsk, tsk, tsk, you’re still young and you already don’t want to live? Even I was defeated by Lin Bianyu’s sword. With you, I’m afraid you won’t be able to get more than ten moves under him.”

Wang Teng raised his eyes and gave him a cold laugh, completely ignoring him.

The smile on Liu Rugong’s face narrowed slightly. In the next moment, he raised his hand and snatched the wine jug from Wang Teng’s hand, and poured it into his mouth. Wang Teng was caught unaware and said angrily, “You Midlander, why are you so rude?”

Liu Rugong finished the wine in a few gulps. He then threw the jug back into Wang Teng’s hand and said seriously, “Since I drank your wine, I owe you a favor. I can’t just stand by and watch you die. Come, come, come. If you want to compete with Lin Bianyu then you must win against me first. I have a better temper than him so I will let you live.” He said whatever he wanted and even had the nerve to say he had a better temper than Lin Bianyu. If his family knew about this, they would have laughed at him for using every possible means just so he could compete with the sword.

Wang Teng stared coldly at Liu Rugong like he was staring at a desperate madman, “I’m not looking for Lin Bianyu for a sword competition.”

“Oh?” Liu Rugong wondered, “Then who are you looking for?”

“Lin Rufei.” Wang Teng said.

Lin Rufei? Liu Rugong has heard of this name. However, he only heard of it and had never seen the person before. It was rumored that this Lin Rufei was too weak to practice swords since he was young, so he seldom showed his face in front of people. For such a person, Liu Rugong really had little interest.

“Oh? Is that Lin something fei, also a powerful character?” Liu Rugong was interested.

Wang Teng looked at him and did not speak. He obviously didn’t like this nonsensical Liu Rugong, but he didn’t want to cause trouble, so he took the wine jug and turned around to leave. Liu Rugong was not willing to let go of such an interesting person so easily. He raised his hand and pulled out Luo Shen. However, before he could make his move, the man in front of him became a shadow and disappeared in front of him. Along with Wang Teng’s disappearance, a lock of hair at Liu Rugong’s temple was also gone. He froze in place. He actually wasn’t able to see when the other side had pulled out their sword. 

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After that, Liu Rugong firmly remembered the name, Wang Teng.

Later, he heard that he had gone to Kunlun to find Lin Rufei for a sword competition and lost to Lin Rufei. Sighing with regret, he left the matter behind. Until yesterday, when he returned home and casually talked about meeting the fourth of the Lin family, he was reminded that Lin Rufei was the one who had a sword fight with Wang Teng. So today, Liu Rugong changed his cold attitude from yesterday and even took the initiative to take Lin Rufei around.

The fourth son of the Lin family, although handsome and elegant, had a weak body and no sword Qi. It was as if a gust of wind could blow him down. Liu Rugong was only interested in strong people. People like Lin Rufei, if he were not from the Kunlun Lin family, he would not even bother to ask a question.

But this Lin Rufei does not seem to be as harmless as he appears. Liu Rugong smiled and narrowed his eyes, his right hand unconsciously patted Luo Shen on the side of his waist and laughed: “Lin gongzi, a few days later, it will be my big day. You must give me, Liu Rugong, this face. Remember to come to the feast, ah.”

Lin Rufei was walking forward when he heard Liu Rugong’s words. He slightly paused his movements and said: “……..okay.” 

“I know what Lin gongzi is thinking, but it doesn’t matter. If you have anything to say, just say it, I don’t mind.” Liu Rugong said.

Lin Rufei twisted his head and looked at him, but he didn’t want to ask. Although he was very curious, in the end, this was the private affairs of others. And Liu Rugong’s sudden enthusiasm felt out of the ordinary. He always felt that this Liu gongzi was planning something. 

Liu Rugong waited for a while. However, he saw Lin Rufei’s lack of interest and averted his gaze, wondering: “Hey, is Lin gongzi not curious as to why I want to marry a sword?”

Lin Rufei said frankly: “Actually, I don’t really want to know.”

Liu Rugong: “……”

“If Liu gongzi particularly wants to talk about it, then there is no harm for me to listen.” Lin Rufei said.

Liu Rugong obviously did not expect this reaction from Lin Rufei. In this Gusu city, who wasn’t curious about his marriage? However, no one dared to comment with their opinion. But this Lin Rufei was apparently not interested at all. Liu Rugong gave a tsk. In his heart, he thought that the Lin family’s little gongzi didn’t play by common sense. 

But it doesn’t matter. It just so happens that he was also a person who doesn’t play by common sense, so Liu Rugong showed a smile and said, “Lin gongzi, we are also considered friends at first sight, right?”

Lin Rufei: “……” Why did these words sound so intimidating?

Liu Rugong said, “Right?”

How else could Lin Rufei answer? It’s not like he could say that they were actually not familiar with each other, so he could only nod helplessly. 

As soon as Liu Rugong saw Lin Rufei nod, he immediately smiled: “Since we are friends, then at my big wedding, have you thought about what to give me?”

So he was waiting for him here. Lin Rufei cried and laughed, thinking that this Liu family’s son was really interesting. Just to get a bridal gift, he went about it in such a roundabout way. As he was about to speak, Liu Rugong added, “I don’t want to bother Lin gongzi to prepare a gift for me. How about this, will Lin gongzi grant me a small wish as a gift for my wedding?”

Sure enough, it came. Lin Rufei said, “What wish?”

Liu Rugong heavily pressed Luo Shen on the side of his waist and said seriously, “To compete with me with swords.”

Lin Rufei said, “With Luo Shen?”

Liu Rugong said, “Naturally!”

Lin Rufei slightly hesitated, “But you just got married. Won’t it be a bit inappropriate…… for me to fight with your bride………?”

Liu Rugong’s expression froze. He was choked half-dead by Lin Rufei’s words. Gu Xuandu, who hadn’t spoken at all, could not hold back his laughter next to him. He actually saw his own shadow in this glaring expression of Liu Rugong’s. It had to be said that when this Lin family’s little gongzi deliberately acted mischievously, it was really difficult for people to fight back.

Luckily, this Liu Rugong was not an ordinary person. After a moment of silence, he reached out with a big grin and gave Lin Rufei a pat on the shoulder: “We are now considered brothers, what’s the point in talking about this. Your sister-in-law is generous and certainly won’t mind——”

Lin Rufei was speechless.

Only after he managed to get a big gift from Lin Rufei did Liu Rugong call back his Liaoshan and energetically walk away. Lin Rufei stared at his back for a long time without speaking, and only after a while did he sigh, “How are we supposed to compete?”

Gu Xuandu said, “Yes, we have to be careful.” He glanced at Lin Rufei, “Don’t kill him with one swing.”

Lin Rufei: “……”

In recent days, Gu Xuandu guided him in sword practice behind Fu Hua and Yu Rui’s back. But Lin Rufei’s bottom line was there. His physical condition was poor and his progress was extremely slow. Fortunately, he was able to barely lead the sword Qi onto Gu Yu. Although there was no suitable place to test it, in the end, he was much stronger than before. Gu Xuandu was not nervous about the competition between Lin Rufei and Liu Rugong and urged Lin Rufei to try the golden silk pastry[1] sold on the street, saying that it looked very delicious.

Lin Rufei then bought two, one for Gu Xuandu and one for himself. They ate while they walked back. 

When he went back, he happened to see Fu Hua coming out of the pharmacy next to the inn, looking slightly nervous. He wanted to go up and ask her a question, but he suddenly remembered what he had overheard during the day, so he stopped in his tracks and did not go over. He simply sighed deeply.

Most likely this medicine was bought for him. After all, his self-talking problem was getting more and more serious. As Lin Rufei thought about this matter, he worriedly looked at a certain senior who had no self-awareness at his side and let out a sorrowful sigh.  

Gu Xuandu didn’t notice the correlation he had with Fu Hua entering the pharmacy and himself. He was nibbling on the golden silk pastry with joy. The pastry was fresh out of the pan and had a thin layer of white sugar sprinkled on top. It was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, the sweetness was also just right. It was very delicious. When he saw Lin Rufei looking at himself, he smiled brightly and said, “It’s been some time since I ate this, and the taste actually hasn’t changed much.”

Lin Rufei didn’t utter a word and continued to nibble together with Gu Xuandu.

In the evening, Fu Hua really brought the medicinal soup, but she did not dare tell what this medicine was used for. She was probably afraid that she would increase the psychological burden of her gongzi and only said that the medicine had a calming effect. If he wasn’t able to have a good night’s sleep, drinking it may be useful. 

Lin Rufei knew she was worried about him, so he obediently answered yes. However, when Fu Hua went out, he took advantage, turned around, and dumped it into the potted plant next to the window.

Gu Xuandu even wondered why the medicine was poured out.

Lin Rufei said: “I’m afraid that if I drink it, I really won’t see you.”

Gu Xuandu: “Hmm?”

Lin Rufei said: “This is the medicine for the bewitched.” 

Only then did Gu Xuandu remember the daytime conversation the maids had and was speechless for a while.

It was getting late and another night passed. Lin Rufei still didn’t feel much sleepiness and he was really bored. He opened the window and sat by the bed to watch the people walking on the street to relieve boredom.

The city of Gusu was not lonely at night, the streets were hung with red lanterns and the flow of people was endless. At first glance, it seemed to be more lively than in the daytime. Lin Rufei’s eyesight was much better than before and he could clearly see every interesting detail on the street.

A man had a falling out with his beloved girlfriend. They found a quiet place at the end of the alley as he was explaining something with a sad face. However, the girl was angry, how could she listen? She was pouting and wiping away her tears. The man didn’t know what else to do. He pondered while scratching his head then he suddenly turned around and left. The girl looked at his back and cried out directly, but the man reappeared in the alley again after a short while and was holding a golden candy in his hand. A few strokes and the girl’s charm was drawn. He did not know what to say and just clumsily stuffed the candy into her mouth. The girl ate the candy and finally turned grief into happiness while glaring at the man with teary eyes and a pout. 

And there was also a child standing in front of the candied hawthorn stand. His feet didn’t move and he had saliva hanging at the corner of his mouth. The child’s mother could not pull him away no matter what. Finally, she reached out and wrung his ears. The child started to cry. His sobs were extremely miserable so he decided to sit on the floor and let his cries out. His mother wasn’t able to pull him, so in the end, she could only helplessly pull out a few silver money and bought a stick of candied hawthorn to coax the child away. 

The city was more lively than Kunlun and not by a little bit. There were all kinds of things in the world and human emotions fluctuated[2] as they all entered the eyes of Lin Rufei. As he watched, his lips curved into a smile and the pink cherry blossom in his eye also appeared.

“Hey, isn’t that Liu Rugong.” Gu Xuandu suddenly spoke out.

“Where?” Lin Rufei asked.

Gu Xuandu pointed to the distance and Lin Rufei looked in the direction he pointed. He saw Liu Rugong carrying a jug of wine and sitting on the top of a tall building in the distance. That was the highest location in Gusu City and most likely the view was good. Just behind him, seemed to stand a young woman. The woman had on a green veil and was silently standing. Although he wasn’t able to clearly see her face, he could vaguely see her extraordinary posture.

Liu Rugong was drinking wine. Compared to his usually open and hostile appearance, it seemed to be a bit more lonely. The city was decorated with red colors for him, but he seemed to have nothing to do with this liveliness and was just like a passerby passing through the place and drinking wine.

Lin Rufei looked at him for a long time before he softly said, “That must be a jug of good wine.”

“Mnn.” Gu Xuandu said, “It should be a jug of good wine.”

Liu Rugong drank for half of the night. The bright moon was high in the sky before he finally got up and left. During that time, the woman in green stood behind him, quietly accompanying him, yet there was no conversation between the two. Even when he left, he did not look back at her. 

Lin Rufei saw Liu Rugong leave, but he still did not feel any sleepiness. When the street gradually quieted down, most people have entered a sweet dream. The watchman struck his baton three times and the sound of “the air is dry, beware of fire,” slowly rang throughout Gusu city. 

“Still not sleepy?” Gu Xuandu asked.

“Not sleepy.” Lin Rufei said, “I can’t seem to fall asleep.” 

Gu Xuandu thought for a moment, “Want to go there and take a look?” He pointed to the spot where Liu Rugong had just left.

Lin Rufei hesitated for a moment, thinking that he wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway, he nodded his head.

When Gu Xuandu saw that he was willing, he gently grabbed his arm. Lin Rufei felt his body lighten as he was carried into mid-air by Gu Xuandu. Gu Yu, that was hanging on his waist, seemed to feel something and flew out from its scabbard before stopping at his feet. Lin Rufei then stepped onto Gu Yu and with Gu Xuandu’s guidance, they landed on the high building where Liu Rugong was drinking wine

The scenery here was indeed unique and beautiful.

If you gazed up and looked afar, you would be able to have a bird’s eye view of the entire Gusu City. Green bricks and white tile low houses, pink walls, and vermillion gates of rich and noble families were on both sides of the street placed neatly like a chessboard. A clear river ran through the center of the city all the way to the south. The street lights had gone out and the moonlight was like a waterfall as white frost covered the city.

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The night wind was a bit strong and from out of nowhere, Gu Xuandu pulled out a cloak and put it on Lin Rufei’s shoulders. He sat beside Lin Rufei and his tone was slightly emotional, saying that he did not expect the scenery of this Gusu city to be so different from a hundred years ago.

Lin Rufei said, “You came here a hundred years ago?”

Gu Xuandu nodded his head.

Lin Rufei said, “What was the difference between Gusu then and now?”

Gu Xuandu said, “At that time, there was just a truce between the human and demon realms. Gusu City was in a mess and there wasn’t even a small store selling wine. I was addicted to wine and really craved wine, so I asked a friend to brew a few jars for me by hand. The wine wasn’t fully fermented yet and only just emitted the smell of wine, but I secretly dug it out and drank most of it.” He said this with a gentle smile at the corners of his eyes and eyebrows.

Lin Rufei said, “That old friend of yours didn’t get mad at you when he found out?”

“Later, when the battlefield shifted, we left the area and he forgot about it.” Gu Xuandu looked at Lin Rufei and said lowly, “But even if he found out, he wouldn’t be angry with me, right?”

Lin Rufei said, “Is that so, then he must be very good to you.”

“Yes, very good to me.” Gu Xuandu said in a low voice, “I was raised by him and he left me with the best of everything.”

Lin Rufei wanted to ask him where his old friend was now, but then thought, this was a hundred years ago, perhaps it would be sad to ask, so he softly mumbled and said, “That’s nice.”

Gu Xuandu was silent. He just looked at Lin Rufei and smiled. The smile hid some gloom that Lin Rufei couldn’t understand but it was soon concealed into the boundless night.

Unknowingly, the sky was flooded with morning light and the night had already passed. When Lin Rufei heard the rooster crowing, he finally felt some sleepiness. When Gu Xuandu saw this, he brought him back to the room.

Lying on the bed, Lin Rufei thought about the beauty of last night and drifted off into a deep sleep. Gu Xuandu sat beside him and looked at his sleeping face. Suddenly, he leaned down and dropped a soft kiss on his closed eyelashes. Lin Rufei was unaware of this and continued to sleep soundly.

Because of the sleepless night last night, Lin Rufei slept until the afternoon before he decided to get up. When he got up, he saw that there was still hot food on the table, which he thought was prepared by Fu Hua and Yu Rui. He sat up from the bed, yawned lazily, and planned to go out to ask the Xiao Er to prepare some hot water to wash up. However, he saw Fu Hua and Yu Rui standing at the door looking anxious. When they saw him come out they were surprised and called out “young master.”

“Young master, you scared me to death.” Yu Rui cried, “If you didn’t wake up, we were going to call the doctor to come.”

“Alas, the doctor here is really unreliable. How can you sleep for so long after taking that medicine.” Fu Hua anxiously said, “It is better to send a message back and let Wan Yao prescribe medicine.”

When Lin Rufei saw that the two misunderstood, he busily tried to explain that he slept too late last night and that the medicine had nothing to do with it.

Who knew that when Fu Hua heard this, she became angrier. She said that the medicine was supposed to calm the mind and it turned out that he couldn’t sleep after drinking it!

Lin Rufei didn’t dare say that he actually didn’t drink the medicine, so he had to stand still and listen to the maids’ complaints. Good thing the two of them didn’t talk for long before they turned around and prepared hot water for Lin Rufei. Lin Rufei hurried back to the room and told Gu Xuandu that he would never stay up late again.

Gu Xuandu listened with a soft smile and said, ‘don’t ruin your body by staying up late. Liu Rugong is still waiting for you to send gifts.’

At the mention of this gift, Lin Rufei immediately frowned: “How about we leave the congratulatory gift and just slip away. Anyways, he wouldn’t know.” 

Before Gu Xuandu could answer, there was a knock outside the door. Lin Rufei thought it was Fu Hua and Yu Rui so he said come in.  

Who knew that the one who pushed open the door was actually Liu Rugong. He said with a serious face: “Slip away. Lin gongzi, who wants to slip away?”

Lin Rufei: “……” How can you be so pervasive.

********

The author has something to say:

Gu Xuandu: We have a good enough relationship, right? I’m also getting married and I’m here to ask you for a big gift.

Lin Rufei: What do you want? Feel free to say.

Gu Xuandu:  Everything is ready for the wedding. I’m just missing a bride, why don’t you come and fill in for it? 

Lin Rufei: …………

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[1] Golden silk pastry. 

[2] meaning to flatter someone when they are in power, but to ignore them when they are out of power.