Cherry Blossoms Upon a Wintry Sword

Chapter 49: Fu Yu, Fu Yu

Fu Hua was startled by this situation. She went over to take Mo Mo and then backed up a few steps. She was on guard against Fu Yu who was looking at him. 

Fu Yu, however, ignored Fu Hua. He had his eyes dead set on Mo Mo and the corners of his mouth pulled up into a very forced smile: “Where did you find him?” He also sensed that his attitude was inappropriate and wanted to pretend to be amiable. However, his initial performance had already revealed his most primitive thoughts, and seeing him come over, Fu Hua directly bypassed him and went to Lin Rufei’s side in a few steps.

Lin Rufei reached out and directly picked up Mo Mo from Fu Hua’s arms. Mo Mo was scared to death from Fu Yu’s initial holler. Trembling, he shrunk into Lin Rufei’s arms. He could not stop choking or sobbing. However, what made people feel incomprehensible was that even so, there was an eagerness in his(MM) eyes when he looked at Fu Yu. Even at this time, he could not stop turning his head to look at Fu Yu.

“Lin gongzi, where did you find him?” Fu Yu gritted his teeth, “He …… is the child of our Fu family.”

Lin Rufei said, “How can a child of the Fu family be outside?”

Fu Yu said, “That’s a long story.” He collected his fierce anger, walked to the chair next to him, and sat down, “He is my child, but he was abducted by criminals. I was never able to find him, but I never expected he would run into Lin gongzi.”

These words sounded very grand and dignified, but looking at Fu Yu’s initial reaction, Lin Rufei didn’t believe a single word. If Mo Mo was really the child that Fu Yu accidentally lost, then how could his first reaction be furious when he saw Mo Mo. Furthermore, the place where Mo Mo was lost was not far from the Fu family, if the Fu family really had the intention, then they certainly would have been able to find him.  

But in this way, the identity of Mo Mo could also be confirmed. He must have had a relationship with the Fu family and it wasn’t a good relationship.

Fu Yu said: “In any case, I have to thank Lin gongzi for bringing back Mo Mo. Mo Mo, come ……” he extended his hand to Mo Mo, showing a kind smile, “Come here to daddy.”

When Mo Mo saw Fu Yu’s smile, his face showed a little hesitation. It looked like he was really thinking about whether to extend his hand towards Fu Yu.

“Come on.” Fu Yu called again, “Mo Mo? Come here, it’s not proper to stay in the guest’s arm.”  

Mo Mo looked up at Lin Rufei and then looked at Fu Yu. Lin Rufei’s mind suddenly became keen. He secretly pulled out a piece of Mo Mo’s favorite malt candy from his sleeve and quietly stuffed it into Mo Mo’s hand. Mo Mo, who got the candy, immediately rebelled. He shook his head at Fu Yu and buried his face into Lin Rufei’s arms again.

Fu Yu’s expression changed greatly and angrily called out: “Mo Mo——”

Mo Mo simply ignored him.

Seeing that Mo Mo was ignoring him, a gloomy aura surfaced between his eyebrows, “Mo Mo, are you really not coming over?”

Mo Mo shuddered slightly in fear. It looked like he was about to be frightened into tears again.  

Lin Rufei said indifferently, “Since Fu gongzi is Mo Mo’s father, there is no need to scare the child like this.”

Fu Yu gruffly said, “Lin gongzi, this is my Fu family’s matter. Although you are an honored guest, it seems inappropriate to interfere so rashly.”

Lin Rufei said, “Indeed, it’s not appropriate.”

When Fu Yu saw Lin Rufei say this, he looked slightly relieved: “Lin gongzi is really a person who understands things.” He thought Lin Rufei had compromised, so he smiled and reached out his hand again, gesturing for Lin Rufei to pass Mo Mo to his hand.

But who knew that Lin Rufei’s next words would be, “But, occasionally, I am not such a reasonable person.” He reached out and hugged the little guy in his arms tightly. He said to Fu Yu, “Sorry, Fu gongzi.”

Fu Yu’s face turned pale. He seemed to want to have a fit, but due to Lin Rufei’s status, he held back and finally could only grit his teeth, “Is Lin gongzi not going to give my Fu family this face?”

Lin Rufei said, “Fu gongzi’s words are too serious. Look at Mo Mo, it’s not like he only has been outside for a day or two. Since this is the case, why is Fu gongzi so anxious to get back?” 

Fu Yu was speechless for a moment before he said with his anger suppressed, “What does Lin gongzi want to do?” 

Lin Rufei said, “Nothing. Fu gongzi has many sons and daughters, I think having no Mo Mo should be fine too.” 

He seemed to want to draw his sword, but in the end, he held back. He barely managed to pull off a stiff smile: “Lin gongzi, why are you doing this?”

Lin Rufei ignored him and took out the invitation from his pocket. He instructed Fu Hua to hand it over to Fu Yu, but Fu Yu did not take it at all. He said coldly: “Lin gongzi is so disrespectful to my Fu family, this Kunlun sword competition, I won’t go.”

Lin Rufei said indifferently, “I am only responsible for delivering it, as for how Fu gongzi wants to treat the invitation, it is all your business.”

When Fu Yu heard the words, he took the invitation, raised his hand, and then tore it. In the blink of an eye, the invitation was torn to pieces. When he was tearing it, Mo Mo, who was in Lin Rufei’s arms, suddenly burst into tears. He was chanting something vaguely as big tears spilled out of his eyes.

When Fu Hua saw this kind of behavior from Fu Yu, she directly pulled out the sword on her waist and reprimanded: “Fu gongzi, you are too much—”

Fu Yu sneered and spread his hands, “It was your Lin family that didn’t give face to our Fu family first.” He glared at Lin Rufei’s direction, thinking that Lin Rufei would be furious because the invitation had been torn. However, who knew that Lin Rufei would look at him with a calm and almost indifferent look. This made Fu Yu even more uncomfortable—it was a gaze as if he was looking at an ant.

“Lin gongzi…..” Fu Yu shivered under this gaze of Lin Rufei’s. He didn’t know why, but he suddenly regretted this excessive action of his. He was about to say something to save the situation when he saw Lin Rufei wave his hand, indicating that he could go now. “Whether or not Fu gongzi participates in the sword competition is Fu gongzi’s freedom.” Lin Rufei said indifferently, “Since the invitation has been delivered, we will leave tomorrow.”

Fu Yu said, “Then Mo Mo ……”

Lin Rufei said, “Naturally, we are taking Mo Mo with us.”

Fu Yu stood up with a scuffle.

“If Fu gongzi does not agree, I will not use the Lin family to suppress you. Let’s settle this the swordsman way.” Lin Rufei said, “Have a match, and if you lose you must shut up.” 

Fu Yu’s Adam’s Apple bobbed and his expression changed as if there were countless words he wanted to say. However, in the end, they all turned into a sorrowful sigh, “Why do you need to meddle in affairs, Lin gongzi?”

Lin Rufei said, “I want to[1].”

Fu Yu was speechless, he thought Lin Rufei would say something big and reasonable. But who knew that Lin Rufei would slightly raise his chin and spat out such three words that people could not refute.

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Thousands of gold couldn’t buy his willingness——If Lin Rufei wanted to, no one could stop him.  

Lin Rufei said, “Please, Fu gongzi.” He didn’t want to talk to Fu Yu anymore and gestured to Fu Hua to send the guest away.

Fu Yu was very reluctant, but facing Lin Rufei’s tough attitude to send him off, he finally did not say anything. He got up and left. When he left, veins could be seen popping out on the hand that was holding the sword hilt on his waist. However, he never pulled out the sword.

“This Fu Yu is really not a good thing.” After sending away Fu Yu, the maids, who had their hearts set on Mo Mo, couldn’t help but mutter, “He also said that Mo Mo was lost. If he was lost couldn’t they go find him? This place isn’t that big and looking at Mo Mo’s appearance, it’s doesn’t like he’s only been outside for a day or two……”  

Mo Mo shrunk in Lin Rufei’s arms. He was ignorantly eating the malt candy in his hand. He was at a loss and didn’t know what the adults were actually talking about.

Lin Rufei stroked his soft hair and said, “Indeed, it is very strange.”

What was strange was not why Fu Yu didn’t look for Mo Mo, but that Fu Yu would deliberately offend the Lin family for such a seemingly unimportant child. If Mo Mo was just an unloved child, Fu Yu’s reaction would not be so strong. However, if he was loved, then how could Fu Yu let him wander outside?

This was already a very contradictory matter.

“So young master, are we really going to take Mo Mo away?” Yu Rui asked, “After all, Mo Mo is a child of the Fu family, wouldn’t it be inappropriate?” 

Lin Rufei shook his head without saying anything, “Let’s wait and see.” He did not mind taking Mo Mo away. With the Fu family’s ability, they could not keep him. If Mo Mo stayed and the result was that he still had to continue to beg[2], then he might as well take Mo Mo away.

The Fu family had arranged a sumptuous dinner in the evening, but because of the unhappy relationship between Lin Rufei and Fu Yu, it was cancelled. The good thing was that Lin Rufei was not interested in this dinner, so not going was a good thing. 

Mo Mo’s mood recovered quickly and not long after Fu Yu left, he played with Fu Hua and the rest in the courtyard again. Lin Rufei felt a little stuffy in the house and planned to simply go out with Gu Xuandu for a walk.

The two of them were following the path to leave the Fu family’s ancestral home when they happened to see the second son of the Fu family laughing with some women, he was still wearing the same purple clothes. When he noticed Lin Rufei, he smiled and greeted him. Lin Rufei returned his greeting and planned to leave but he heard him ask from behind, “Were you the one who brought Mo Mo back?” 

Lin Rufei paused slightly: “Why?”

“Then Lin gongzi should be more careful.” The Fu family’s second son said, “That Mo Mo is my big brother’s favorite child.” He emphasized the word favorite.

Lin Rufei turned his head to look at him.

“If you want to take him away just like that, my big brother will absolutely not agree.” He kneaded the soft waist of his concubines leaning in his arms, causing them to burst out in a peal of laughter as he spoke in an indifferent manner.  

Lin Rufei said, “Where is Mo Mo’s mother?”

“Dead.” Fu Er Gongzi said, “Everyone says she’s dead, although I haven’t seen her before …… ” he narrowed his eyes and smiled extraordinarily frivolously, “But she was probably a beauty too.”

Lin Rufei gave him a deep look, “I understand. Thank you for your good intentions, Fu Er Gongzi.” 

“You’re welcome, Lin gongzi.” Fu Er Gongzi lazily said, “The days are getting more and more boring. Once I’m bored, I want to find things to do…..” As he said this, he looked towards the sky, “When will there be another rain?”

After saying goodbye to Fu Er Gongzi, Lin Rufei and Gu Xuandu strolled out of the Fu Family Village again. 

After the efforts from their previous days, with some more effort tonight, they should be able to touch the big formation’s eye.

“It’s really strange, can that Fu Yu really set up such a big formation?” A few days ago, Lin Rufei thought that this big formation was laid by Fu Yu, but once he met with him today, he somewhat overturned his thoughts. Although this Fu Yu had sword Qi on his body, it was very thin, not at all like the rumored powerful swordsman. How could such a person be capable of laying such an formation?

Gu Xuandu said: “Indeed, this big formation doesn’t look like it was laid by him. Wanting to know who laid it, the eye of the formation should be the key.”

Lin Rufei pondered for a moment and said, “The eye of the formation is near here, right?”

Gu Xuandu said, “Should be.”

Nearby was a dense field of crops. There was rice, corn, and other plants. At first glance, it looked no different from other places. But if one felt carefully, they would find that the spiritual energy here was much denser than the surrounding area, and even the crops planted were also more luxuriant than in other areas.

“That area at the eye of the formation will definitely be different from other places.” Gu Xuandu said, “Look carefully, you can definitely find the difference.”

Lin Rufei did what Gu Xuandu said and carefully observed the surroundings. Soon, there really was a discovery.

In the dense crops, there were a few very abrupt boulders. At first glance, these boulders looked ordinary, but if one looked carefully, one would find that those boulders were carved with a series of dense scriptures. Lin Rufei couldn’t understand, but Gu Xuandu understood it. His expression became a little serious: “The formation eye is definitely nearby.”

Lin Rufei said, “What is written in the scriptures?”

Gu Xuandu said, “The incantation for the afterlife.”

Lin Rufei: “The incantation for the afterlife?”

Gu Xuandu said, “Normally it is used to transcend[3] the dead, but …… using it here.” He reached out and touched the boulder. His original white fingers actually became instantly scorched black, “Obviously, with no good intentions.”

Lin Rufei was startled by Gu Xuandu’s action, “Senior, your hand ……” Seeing that Gu Xuandu still wanted to put his hand up, he hastily reached out and grabbed Gu Xuandu’s wrist, “Don’t touch it.”

After Gu Xuandu’s hand was grabbed by Lin Rufei, his eyes averted and a pained hissed escaped his mouth.  

Lin Rufei did not notice the change in Gu Xuandu’s expression. Seeing that the wound on Gu Xuandu’s hand was so serious, he said urgently, “Is this injury to senior’s divine soul? Will there be any after-effects? Does it hurt a lot?”

Gu Xuandu said, “Yes, it hurts a little.”

Lin Rufei said, “Then what should we do?!” Injuries to the soul were very serious, unlike the physical body that can heal back on its own, even a small wound can have very serious consequences.

Gu Xuandu said seriously: “Human saliva should be able to relieve the burning, how about …… Xiao Jiu help me suck on it?”

Lin Rufei froze: “Ah?”

Gu Xuandu also did not force. He acted out a sigh of disappointment: “If you don’t want to then forget it.”

Gu Xuandu’s fingers were white and slender. They were very beautiful, but now there was a bloody scorch mark on it making it look hideous. It really made people’s hearts ache. Lin Rufei was stunned for a moment and his tone contained some doubt: “Will sucking really help?” 

Gu Xuandu nodded his head.

Seeing Gu Xuandu’s affirmation, Lin Rufei directly took Gu Xuandu’s finger into his mouth. The tip of his tongue unsurprisingly tasted a fishy sweet taste, which should be the blood flowing from Gu Xuandu’s finger. Gu Xuandu was actually just joking with Lin Rufei. He didn’t expect him to actually take his finger into his mouth without hesitation. His fingertips touched Lin Rufei’s hot tongue and his originally clear black eyes instantly sank as if it was a sky that was about to rain.

Lin Rufei was oblivious. He was seriously licking Gu Xuandu’s fingertip to make sure that the fishy sweet taste was gone before taking it out. After taking a closer look, he was surprised, “It’s really healed!” The scorch marks were gone and Gu Xuandu’s finger was once again as white as an onion root. He did not expect saliva to have such an effect, Gu Xuandu was actually not joking.

Gu Xuandu’s eyes were sunken. He stared at Lin Rufei without speaking.

Lin Rufei was creeped out by his stare and called out, “Senior?”

This call of “senior” seemed to remind Gu Xuandu of something.  He looked at his intact finger and sighed, “Forget it, it’s nothing.”

Lin Rufei quickly put this behind him and studied the boulder in front of him again, “What is the purpose of carving so many incantations for the afterlife at the eyes of this formation.” He pondered for a moment, “Is it to suppress something?”

Gu Xuandu said, “Look again, there must be other clues around here.”

Laying out a formation requires a relatively large space. The surrounding was full of crops and was not suitable for laying out a formation. If they wanted to lay one, then they certainly needed to clean up some of the surrounding plants. With Gu Xuandu’s reminder, Lin Rufei quickly found a clue next to a large stone. The ground next to the stone was empty, covered only with a layer of soil, and it looked very suspicious.

Under Gu Xuandu’s helpless gaze, Lin Rufei happily took out his wooden shield and dug the soil away. Sure enough, he saw an iron plate covered under the soil. The iron plate was inlaid with a small ring. Lin Rufei grabbed the ring and pulled the plate up with a fierce force, revealing a dark hole.

“There’s a tunnel!” Lin Rufei said in surprise.

“Most likely the formation should be laid inside the tunnel.” Gu Xuandu said, “Should we go in and take a look?”

Since they have reached this point, it would be unjustifiable not to go in and take a look. As Lin Rufei thought, he slowly climbed down the ladder on the wall of the tunnel.

There was no light inside the tunnel. Lin Rufei took a fire torch[4] from his ring and lit it and could barely make out the situation around him. This tunnel should have been here for some years. The surrounding soil was not fresh and from the footprints on the ground, it seems that people didn’t come in often. The tunnel was very narrow and was only barely enough for one person to pass. The good thing was that Lin Rufei wasn’t too tall since Gu Xuandu had to lower his head to pass.

Lin Rufei followed the tunnel all the way forward. During that period, he encountered some relatively simple traps that were easily avoided. After turning a corner, the originally narrowed tunnel opened up and Lin Rufei seemed to have come to a very wide room. However, the room was a bit large and the torch in his hand could not illuminate all of it. The good thing was that there were torches hanging on the wall next to him so Lin Rufei lit them one by one and finally got a clear view of the whole room.

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This was a very simple mud house. The ground was painted with a huge round spiritual gathering formation and at this time, the spiritual gathering formation was still in operation. Lin Rufei, who was standing next to it, could clearly feel that there was a large amount of spiritual energy infused into this formation.

Lin Rufei looked down at the formation carefully for a while and felt that although the formation was big, it didn’t seem to have any other special features. As he was thinking this, a slight noise suddenly came from above his head. It was like the cold sound of iron chains colliding.

Lin Rufei reflexively looked up and saw something hanging above his head.

It was a huge black iron cage hovering in the pitch-black mid-air and there seemed to be something in the cage making it shake with impact. With the shaking of the cage, the chains that were hanging then emitted a subtle sound.

“That’s ……” Lin Rufei’s eyes widened, wanting to see clearly what was in the iron cage. However, the firelight was too dim so he could not interpret it no matter what. 

Gu Xuandu wrinkled his brow. He apparently saw clearly what was in the iron cage but did not tell Lin Rufei. Instead, he looked around at the walls and quickly found what he was looking for—a mechanism embedded in the wall.

Lin Rufei, reminded by Gu Xuandu, went to the mechanism and reached out to press it. Once the mechanism was opened, the iron cage rumbled. Accompanied by flying dust, it fell to the ground.

The thing inside the cage, under the illumination of the dim light, also entered Lin Rufei’s vision. When he thoroughly saw what was inside, he could not help but reveal a stunned look.

It was actually a person that was lying in the huge iron cage. He seemed to have no consciousness and there were no visible undulations. It was like a lifeless corpse. And what shocked Lin Rufei the most was that this person’s face—was exactly the same as Fu Yu.

“Fu Yu?!” Lin Rufei screamed out, “How could he be here—”

Gu Xuandu walked to the iron cage. He pulled out Shuang Jiang and cut the exaggerated iron cables on the cage. Then he reached out and pulled the cage open. He walked in and carefully observed the man lying inside, who looked exactly like Fu Yu, and shook his head: “It’s too late[5].”

Lin Rufei looked astonished. He also went forward to probe the nostrils of Fu Yu: “Isn’t there still breath?”  

Gu Xuandu said: “Although his body is still here, his soul has already left. If we found him earlier, there may still be a chance …… unfortunately ……”

Lin Rufei understood Gu Xuandu’s meaning, he looked at the huge spirit gathering formation at his feet and said in a strained voice: “The core of this formation is Fu Yu?”

Gu Xuandu nodded his head.

A powerful sword cultivator naturally contained thousands of spiritual Qi inside his body. If these spiritual Qi were pumped out with the spirit gathering formation, then it was enough to nourish all things. The reason why those crops around the Fu Family Village could grow so well on the saline land was because of the spiritual Qi nourishment. And now, the source of the spiritual Qi was right in front of their eyes.

“Then what is that Fu Yu in the Fu Family Village?” Lin Rufei said, “He does have sword intent on him.”

Gu Xuandu stared at the dying Fu Yu in front of him. He sighed slightly and shook his head. Several times it looked like he wanted to say something, but ended up not saying the words.

Lin Rufei touched Fu Yu’s pulse to make sure he was still alive. However, according to Gu Xuandu, even if he was alive at this time, he was probably just a walking corpse.

“Take him away?” Lin Rufei asked.

Gu Xuandu pondered for a moment: “No, I don’t think so.”

Lin Rufei doubted: “Why?”

Gu Xuandu let out a long sigh and finally said the words, “Fu Yu’s body is very healthy. There is not a single wound and I can’t see any restrictions on him.”

Lin Rufei said, “So?”

Gu Xuandu gave him a look, “So, he probably stayed here voluntarily.”

Lin Rufei lost his voice, “How is that possible, how can someone stay here voluntarily?”

Gu Xuandu said, “And how do you know it’s impossible?”

Lin Rufei was dumbfounded.

Gu Xuandu said in a deep voice: “Although there are not many, but in this world, there are always one or two fools that are hard to understand.”

********

The author has something to say:

Gu Xuandu: In fact, there is another method to treat wounds.

Lin Rufei: If you have something to say, then say it. Why are you taking off my clothes? ? ?

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[1] So the phrase here has a deeper meaning than just “I want to” but because in Chinese, it’s only three characters, I didn’t want to be so excessive. What is implied here is: I will do anything that I like, and don’t care about others’ opinions. 

[2] Beg as in begging for food, money, clothes, etc. 

[3] perform religious ceremonies to help the soul find peace. 

[4] We’ve all seen this at least once in ancient Chinese dramas and wondered how it worked