Cherry Blossoms Upon a Wintry Sword

Chapter 52: I’m Back

Lin Rufei’s brow was knitted tightly. Until he returned to his residence, he did not say a word.

In the courtyard, Fu Hua was still playing with Mo Mo. Mo Mo was leaning in Fu Hua’s arms looking at the small ball rolling around on the ground and staring at it intently.

When Lin Rufei saw it, he casually asked where the ball came from.

Fu Hua said: “It was specially sent by the youngest young master of the Fu family. I saw that Mo Mo liked it very much so I kept it.” 

Lin Rufei said, “Why did he suddenly think of sending a toy?”

Fu Hua didn’t really know either, “He said he was afraid that Mo Mo would be bored ……”

Mo Mo really liked the vine woven ball, but when he saw Lin Rufei extend his hand to him, he still showed a timid look.

“Come, good Mo Mo, come here and let me have a hug.” Lin Rufei said to him.

Mo Mo hesitated for a moment and his first reaction was to look at Fu Hua. Only when he saw Fu Hua make an encouraging look to him, did he carefully extend his hand to Lin Rufei. Unknowingly, Fu Hua, who always took care of Mo Mo, managed to catch this little guy’s heart, and only by staying in her arms did Mo Mo not seem afraid.

Lin Rufei held Mo Mo’s hand and carried him into his arms. Mo Mo was really light, like a poor cat cub, and one could not help but feel compassion.

He was such a poor little guy, did he really have an inseparable relationship with Fu Yu?

Lin Rufei didn’t know and couldn’t say for sure.

After holding Mo Mo for a while, Lin Rufei returned him to Fu Hua and returned to the room alone. He looked quite sickly as he held his chin, coughing lowly. 

Gu Xuandu saw that he was uncomfortable and poured a cup of hot tea for him.

Lin Rufei picked up the cup of tea and took a few sips. He suppressed the itch in his throat before he whispered, “Do you think Fu Yu would regret making that decision in the first place if he knew what the Fu family did?” 

Gu Xuandu shook his head to indicate that he didn’t know.

“I think whether he regrets it or not, he has to be given a chance to regret it.” Lin Rufei said, “In this Fu family, a group of bad things, there is such a good person. We can’t let the good people end up too miserable.” He gently inhaled and shook his shoulders while coughing, “Senior, do you think so?”

Gu Xuandu gently said, “What Xiao Jiu said is all right.”

“The biggest problem now is that I’m worried that Fu Yu’s divine soul won’t want to return to his body.” Lin Rufei said, “But after looking at Mo Mo, I think we have to at least give it a try.”

“Then let’s give it a try.” Gu Xuandu succinctly agreed with Lin Rufei, “I’ll accompany you in whatever you want to do.”

Lin Rufei hooked his lips into a smile, “Good.”

So the matter was settled.

The sun was still hot outside, so Lin Rufei planned to wait until it was cooler before going out. Yu Rui took advantage of the fact that Lin Rufei was still in the room to hurriedly bring the freshly boiled medicine and serve it to Lin Rufei to drink.

Lin Rufei wanted to pour out the medicine secretly, but Yu Rui was prepared and refused to leave if Lin Rufei did not drink the medicine. In the end, Lin Rufei could only pinch his nose and drink it with a sad face. After he finished drinking, he started complaining. He said that he was used to being sick, whether he drank the medicine or he didn’t drink the medicine, in the end, it would still take a few days for him to get better.

When Yu Rui was cleaning up the medicine bowl, she laughed at Lin Rufei, saying that young master was already so old and he was still afraid of bitter medicine. 

Lin Rufei leaned back in his chair listlessly and said he might not be used to eating this stuff even at the age of sixty

When Yu Rui listened, she chuckled in joy. She brought over a dish of sweet and sour plums to help moisten Lin Rufei’s mouth. 

Lin Rufei did not touch the plum. He shrunk in the chair, dazed, and sleepy. Gu Xuandu stood next to him and quietly looked at him. The Lin Rufei in front of him and the Lin Rufei in front of Fu Shui a while ago was almost like two separate people. He wore a moon-white outfit. His black hair was not tied up but simply pulled up with a wooden hairpin, revealing a hidden white slender neck. He really was a dark hair and snowy skin beauty, really eye-catching. Lin Rufei’s complexion was very pale, so all the colors on his body have become eye-catching. Whether it was the long eyelashes, as thick as raven feathers, or the light-colored lips, even his temperament also seems to be light like water, like a soft jade dipped in ice. Somewhat cool, but not cold and when held, they would realize that he was actually warm.

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Who wouldn’t love such a cute little young master, Gu Xuandu thought. Even he wasn’t exempt from it.

He retracted his gaze from Lin Rufei and raised his eyes to look out the window. He let out an inaudible sigh. 

Lin Rufei slept until the evening when he was woken up by Fu Hua.

He woke up from his dream in a daze. He sat down at the table in a daze and waited for dinner, and only when he took the first sip of soup did he abruptly wake up and ask, “What time is it?”

“The 21st hour, young master.” Fu Hua replied.

Lin Rufei raised his eyes to look out the window. The sun had already set and the harsh sunlight turned into a warm orange color as it enveloped the earth. The sky was filled with bright, fiery clouds. It was boundless like an unintentional brush stroke when sprinkling cinnabar—stunningly beautiful.

Lin Rufei had a simple dinner and then planned to go out.

Mo Mo, who had been staying in Fu Hua’s arms, suddenly cried. He was chanting unintelligible words and Fu Hua could only cradle him into her arms. She carefully stuffed a piece of malt candy into his mouth and the crying stopped. 

“Why did he start crying all of a sudden?” Yu Rui was puzzled, “Usually he is quite well behaved.” 

“I don’t know, maybe he feels uncomfortable somewhere?” Fu Hua shook her head, indicating that she did not understand either.

Lin Rufei looked back at Mo Mo’s teary eyes. He sighed lightly and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.”

Mo Mo did not speak and just stared at him.

“Perhaps, I will bring you some small gifts.” Lin Rufei said, “I hope you will like it.”

Mo Mo was dumbfounded as if he couldn’t understand what Lin Rufei was saying at all.

Lin Rufei left the Fu family and went straight to the formation eye he found before. He walked into the dark tunnel again and toggled the mechanism.

The iron cage rumbled as it lowered and Lin Rufei once again saw Fu Yu’s sleeping body. He raised his hand and opened the cage, then dragged Fu Yu’s body out from inside the cage.

“Then what?” Lin Rufei wiped the sweat on his forehead and asked Gu Xuandu, “How do I call back the soul?” 

Gu Xuandu said, “We need to set up a formation first.”

Lin Rufei looked around, “Can we set it up right here?”

Gu Xuandu said, “Yes.”

Gu Xuandu then began to guide Lin Rufei through the formation setup. He said it was very simple to set up the formation and that the most important thing was the formation eye. It should be easier for Lin Rufei to set up the formation than normal people because he was basically a walking humanoid sword intent. As long as he paid attention to the small details, the formation should be a very simple matter for him.

But in the end, it was still his first time doing it. Lin Rufei’s movements were a bit rusty, but the good thing was that he was a painter. So when he drew the formation, it wasn’t too difficult, just slow in progress. 

As he drew, Gu Xuandu was watching and pointing out any mistakes.

It still took the two of them half an hour to complete the formation. Lin Rufei was so tired and sweaty that he couldn’t stop panting, “Is it ready, senior?”

Gu Xuandu carefully checked it once and nodded: “Almost done. Rest for a while and we can activate it.” 

Only then did Lin Rufei breathe a sigh of relief. Sweat ran down his forehead and slid down his chin before making a faint mark when it landed on the dirt. He took a moment to catch his breath before returning to normal, “How do I activate the formation?”

“First drag Fu Yu to the center of the formation.” Gu Xuandu said.

Lin Rufei said yes.

When Fu Yu’s body was placed in the middle of the formation, Gu Xuandu whispered an incantation and then a faint light rose from the formation. It lasted for a moment then an evil wind blew in along the tunnel entrance. Logically speaking, they were in the tunnel, it was impossible to have wind. But this wind came suddenly. The strong wind brought up the dust on the ground and rustled Lin Rufei’s sleeves loudly. Lin Rufei was afraid that the wind would blow sand into his eyes so he couldn’t help but close them. He heard one or two mournful cries mixed in with the rustling wind. When he listened carefully, it felt like it was just an illusion. 

Gu Xuandu stood behind Lin Rufei and covered his eyes with his hand. His mouth continued to chant something and only when the sound stopped, did the evil wind dissipate with it. 

Lin Rufei’s eyes were covered by Gu Xuandu so he couldn’t see anything. He hesitantly called out a “senior.”

Gu Xuandu’s voice was very close, seemingly leaning right next to his ear as he said, “Did it scared Xiao Jiu?”

Lin Rufei shook his head, signaling that it was okay.

Gu Xuandu said, “It worked.” After he said this, he slowly let go of his hand. Lin Rufei blinked a few times to get rid of the discomfort in his eyes. After he saw the scene in front of him, he sucked in a breath of cold air.

Fu Yu, who was originally lying in the center of the formation, opened his eyes. His black eyes carried a little bewilderment as if he did not understand why he was here.

Lin Rufei revealed a look of surprise and called out, “Fu Yu.”

Being called by his name, Fu Yu slowly turned his head and cast his eyes on Lin Rufei’s body. Only this look was not quite the same as Lin Rufei had imagined. It was only surprising and not pleased and it even carried a bit of apathetic indifference. His thin lips opened slightly and he spoke: “Who are you?”

Lin Rufei said, “I am Lin Rufei of the Kunlun Lin family, who happened to come to the Fu family to deliver the sword competition invitation.”

“Lin Rufei?” He chewed on this unfamiliar name and struggled to adjust to this body that had been dormant for a long time, “I …… woke up?”

Lin Rufei said, “Yes, you’re awake.”

“How is the Fu family now?” He asked again.

Lin Rufei briefly talked about the Fu family’s situation, saying that the surrounding land had produced lush crops. It was just a pity that the Fu family had all the surrounding land deeds in their pocket. The Fu Family Village didn’t become rich, but the Fu family had become a wealthy family.

Fu Yu listened expressionlessly with half-lidded eyes. After listening, he said nothing, but asked, “Is my sword still with Fu Shui?”

Lin Rufei said, “Yes.”

“Oh.” Fu Yu said, “Then I still have to make a trip to him to retrieve that sword.”

Lin Rufei frowned slightly, thinking that this Fu Yu was a bit strange. According to Fu Shui, Fu Yu had a stable and gentle nature and treated people with courtesy. Plus, he was willing to sacrifice so much for the Fu Family Village, so of course, he should be a warm person. But Lin Rufei only felt indifference and detachment from the body of the swordsman in front of him. He seemed to not care in the least about how the family was really doing and the first thing he asked was his own sword.

“Thank you gongzi for waking me up.” After looking around and seeing the formation and the iron cage, Fu Yu remembered what happened before, “So I’ve been sleeping for so long, it is time to wake up.”

Lin Rufei said, “Is there anything else you want to know?”

Fu Yu calmly shook his head.

Lin Rufei pursed his lips heavily as he said, “Okay.”

The two of them were quiet for a moment and came out of the tunnel in silence. As soon as Fu Yu left, the huge spirit gathering formation would be ineffective and the Fu Family Village would turn into a wasteland without any grass again in the coming year. As for what would happen to Fu Shui and the others, Lin Rufei couldn’t care less.

However, at this moment, the atmosphere between Lin Rufei and Fu Yu was really scarily strange. Fu Yu expressionlessly walked towards the Fu Family Village, Lin Rufei frowned and followed him.

“What’s wrong with him?” Lin Rufei asked Gu Xuandu in a whisper, “Is there something wrong with this soul invocation, look at his state …… not quite normal, ah.”

Gu Xuandu said, “Didn’t I say before, whether we can summon Fu Yu’s soul depended on his willingness.”

Lin Rufei said: “Didn’t he wake up though?”

“He is awake, but look at his appearance. It seems that his three souls and seven spirits are not complete.” Gu Xuandu was also a bit distressed, “The three souls are the Yang consciousness and the seven spirits are the Yin seven desires. If the invocation is not complete, in serious cases, the person will not wake up and in light cases……”  

Lin Rufei said, “In light cases, what will happen?”

Gu Xuandu said, “In light cases, there is no sorrow, no joy, no desire, and no want.”

Lin Rufei finally understood and stared with wide eyes: “Then wouldn’t he just be a wooden man[1]?”

Gu Xuandu said, “On the bright side, it might just be a couple of spirits missing.”

Lin Rufei: “……”

The seven spirits were joy, anger, sorrow, fear, love, evil, and desire. Even missing one would make someone abnormal. Seeing that Fu Yu didn’t even smile from the beginning, he certainly lost the joy spirit. He just didn’t know how many other emotions were still missing.

Lin Rufei had nothing to say, he only felt that the situation wasn’t good, “Why is it like this? Is there something wrong with my formation, I ……”

“It has nothing to do with you, it’s Fu Yu’s own choice.” Gu Xuandu reassured Lin Rufei.

The two walked all the way to the Fu family manor. When the servants guarding the door saw Fu Yu and Lin Rufei come back together, they were a little surprised and tentatively called out: “Er Gongzi……”

Fu Yu coldly glared over: “I am Fu Yu, where is Fu Shui?”

The servants were a bit confused, the one in the house was clearly Fu Yu, how did he become Fu Shui?  But Fu Yu’s creepy stare made them not have the courage to refute and they could only answer in a small voice: “In the main hall.” Fu Yu let out an “oh,” and continued to move forward.

Logically speaking, the Fu Family Village had changed so much and he had not returned for some years, so he should feel surprised. However, Fu Yu was completely indifferent. When he walked through the lush waves of wheat and stepped over the tall cornfields, Lin Rufei clearly saw that his black eyes were a deep lake of calm and waveless.

It was as if everything around him had nothing to do with him and he was just a traveler who happened to be passing by, walking on the road in a foreign land.

Lin Rufei’s mouth was a little bitter. He thought of many kinds of scenarios but did not expect this scene to happen.

Gu Xuandu, sensing his frustration, gently pressed Lin Rufei’s shoulder and said softly, “Don’t be sad, this may …… be a good thing for Fu Yu.”

Lin Rufei smiled bitterly, “When is there such a good thing?” 

Although he did not know Fu Yu, he should have known from Fu Shui’s description that Fu Yu shouldn’t be like this. 

While Lin Rufei was thinking this, Fu Yu was already striding towards the place where the servant mentioned.

Fu Shui received a severe beating from Lin Rufei so these days he was living in fear. He didn’t dare go out and didn’t dare show his face. He simply wanted to disappear in place.

At this moment, he was throwing a tantrum at some concubines when he heard someone knocking on the door of his room.

“Who is it! Can’t you see I’m busy!” Fu Shui yelled impatiently, “Let’s talk tomorrow if there’s anything!”

The person outside the door was quiet for a moment and knocked again, only this time a bit more heavily to the point that the vermillion door started to shake uncontrollably.

“Who ……? Lin, Lin gongzi?” Seeing this scene, Fu Shui also knew that the person outside was definitely not his own. He hastily collected his aggressive aura and smiled, “You can just come in directly, why be so polite.”

The next moment, the door was pushed open. Fu Shui’s embarrassed smile froze on his face. He was stunned as he looked at the person who pushed the door in and his eyes were full of disbelief.

“Brother??? Brother, how come you’re back.” Fu Shui’s heart surged with ecstasy but these ecstasies were soon washed away by other feelings, worry, fear, dread…… countless flavors mixed together, eventually making the smile on his face gradually fade, “Why didn’t you say so in advance?”

Fu Yu calmly looked at his twin brother who grew up with him. There was no joy or sadness and he was indifferent as ice. He did not speak and simply extended his hand towards Fu Shui.

Fu Shui was full of bewilderment when he saw the situation. He didn’t understand the meaning behind Fu Yu’s action. 

“Sword.” Fu Yu’s mouth spat out a word.

Only then did Fu Shui wake up. He panicked and untied the sword on the side of his waist and handed it to his brother in front of him.

“Brother, you finally came back, I have waited for you for a long time, why did you come back only now, did you think our family did something wrong? If you think it’s wrong, we will change …… you ……” Fu Shui said scatterly, “Don’t leave anymore, our family is rich, we don’t have to suffer like in the past. We have everything, we have everything.” 

Who knew that after Fu Yu took the sword, he didn’t even look at him before turning around, wanting to leave. When Fu Shui saw the situation, he was alarmed. He directly reached out and grabbed Fu Yu’s sleeve and hissed: “Brother, are you still angry with me? I was wrong …… I was wrong …… forgive me please, OK?”

Fu Yu said, “I’m not angry with you.”

Fu Shui looked at Fu Yu dumbfounded.

“Why should I be angry with you?” Fu Yu’s voice was calm. Usually, his tone should have been gentle but Fu Shui clearly heard the taste of indifference from it.

He did not understand why the person in front of him was so strange. They should have been the most connected[2] twin, but at this time, he couldn’t really recognize Fu Yu. 

“Brother ……” Fu Shui said softly, “I really know that I was wrong. Whatever you say, I am willing to change. As long as you don’t go …… “

Fu Yu said, “Let go.”

Fu Shui froze and looked at Fu Yu.

Fu Yu said, “I told you to let go.” He looked over obliquely, his black eyes were actually floating with strong killing intent. Fu Shui suddenly realized that Fu Yu was serious. If he pulled Fu Yu again, perhaps the swordsman in front of him would really have to draw his sword.

His hand let go in despair. Fu Shui looked at Fu Yu’s back and his body slowly and softly fell to the ground.

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Lin Rufei did not go in but waited outside. He watched Fu Yu go in quickly and come out quickly, the only difference was that he came out with an extra sword at his waist.

Lin Rufei recognized that it was the sword belonging to Fu Yu.

It was handed over to Fu Shui by Fu Yu himself and now it was back in his hand again.

Lin Rufei licked his lips, suddenly feeling a little thirsty, he said, “Fu Yu, where are you going?”

Fu Yu looked at him. He seemed to be thinking about whether or not he should answer Lin Rufei’s question. He seemed to have remembered that he was awakened from the formation by Lin Rufei, so he still spat out from his mouth, “I don’t know.”

Lin Rufei said curiously, “Don’t know?”

“I don’t know.” Fu Yu said, “As long as it’s not here. I don’t like it here.”

Lin Rufei sighed, “You’re leaving now?”

Fu Yu nodded.

“Are you still going to the Kunlun sword competition?” Lin Rufei said, “The invitation was torn up by your brother …… but it’s okay, just report your name.”

Fu Yu thought for a moment and nodded, indicating that he would go.

The two once again looked at each other quietly.

When Fu Yu saw that there were no more words to say, he turned around and was about to leave so Lin Rufei hurriedly said, “Wait!” 

Fu Yu turned back.

“Why don’t you come with me to see someone.” Lin Rufei said, “According to Fu Shui …… he is your son.” Although he felt that Mo Mo’s origin might not be that simple.

“My son?” Fu Shui said, “But I don’t have a son.”

Lin Rufei said, “Go and see, just in case you recognize him?”

Fu Yu, however, looked a little hesitant.

“Just take a look, it’s not much time wasted.” Lin Rufei hurriedly persuaded, “Besides, once you leave, you probably won’t come back again, right?” 

Fu Yu was convinced by Lin Rufei. He nodded his head and agreed to Lin Rufei’s proposal, “Okay.”

Lin Rufei breathed a sigh of relief and took Fu Yu towards the courtyard where he stayed.

At this time it was dark, Mo Mo had already gone to sleep. After Fu Hua had just finished coaxing Mo Mo, she saw Lin Rufei arrive in the courtyard with Fu Yu.

Lin Rufei asked her where Mo Mo was and she reached out and pointed towards the bedroom behind her.

“Why is young master looking for Mo Mo?” Fu Yu asked.

Lin Rufei shook his head and did not say anything. He gestured for her to go out first.

However, Fu Yu had already walked into the room and saw Mo Mo sleeping on the bed. Mo Mo was already asleep and Fu Yu’s footsteps were very gentle, but he woke up the moment Fu Yu entered the room as if his heart felt something. He could not see the slightest bit of sleep in his eyes and when their eyes met, there were no words for a moment.

The next moment, Mo Mo’s mouth erupted into ear-splitting sobs. He wailed and flung himself down from the bed. His mouth muttered unintelligible words, like a child who had suffered a lot of grievances but finally found someone to confide in. Big tears overflowed from his eyes, wetting his small cheeks.

Fu Yu, before Mo Mo made a move, had already stepped forwards and caught the little guy. The moment the two touched, his indifferent face was instantly filled with a complex look, and even his eyes began to slowly accumulate tears. Fu Yu choked. With a trembling hand, he gently wiped the teardrops on the child’s face and called out his name: “Mo Mo.”

“Fu Yu …… Fu Yu ……” Mo Mo vaguely responded, “You’re back… …”

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[1] Not an actual man made of wood, but someone who doesn’t have expressions/desires. 

[2] Connected hearts and minds.