Cherry Blossoms Upon a Wintry Sword

Chapter 81 Chapter 81: Wu Min

According to Wu Xing, currently, Wu Ao’s status in the witch tribe seemed to be somewhat higher than Wu Min. It was just that the outside world and the witch tribe were opposites, so there was almost no record of Wu Ao in all the historical sources. Only when he arrived at the Shen family did he learn of the name Wu Ao for the first time.

It seemed that Wu Xing was indeed not very defensive against outsiders. All the questions that Lin Rufei asked, he would answer almost all the ones he knew. Unfortunately, Fu Hua and Yu Rui still refused to give that boy any good expression since he almost scared them half to death. Wu Xing didn’t have any other ways, so he sat on the side, putting on a pretense of good behavior.

As they got closer to the witch tribe, the fog also dispersed a lot and he could see the people of the witch tribe walking around. When these witch tribe members noticed the foreign carriage, they revealed looks of curiosity. Wu Xing greeted them all.

Along the way, he didn’t see any defensive forces until they reached the entrance of the witch tribe. And only then did Lin Rufei see two witch tribe guards with weapons in a relaxed manner.

The guard recognized Wu Xing, smiled, and greeted him. He asked how his results were and how many people he scared this time. However, just as Wu Xing puffed up his chest and was going to brag about it, he suddenly felt something off. With the turn of his head, he saw the gloomy gazes of the two maids, who were previously scared by him, from the carriage.

Wu Xing’s face suddenly stiffened, scratching his head, he said smiling: “No, none. None of them were frightened.”

“Is this person a friend? Why did he come to the witch tribe?” The guards then turned their attention back to Lin Rufei, looking at their tall carriage.

“He’s a friend, I guess.” Wu Xing replied, “They are here to find the Great Witch, it seems that they want to retrieve something that was previously placed in the witch tribe.”

“Oh, so it’s like that. Then I will send you in.” The guard didn’t check anything else and simply nodded at Wu Xing’s words, saying that the Great Witch was practicing at the altar at the moment and was probably just finishing up.

Wu Xing nodded and said okay.

So the guard took Lin Rufei’s carriage and brought them to the altar. Lin Rufei then asked if it would be too intrusive. After all, in most places, the ritual was a very private matter. However, the guard waved his hand indifferently, saying that it did not matter. Since Lin Rufei was Wu Xing’s friend, then he was their friend. There was no need to be so formal in treating friends. In fact, he and Wu Xing had only briefly met once and Lin Rufei could not help but feel a little worried about their defenselessness.

“You don’t need to worry about them. Although the witch tribe is simple in nature, they are not stupid. They still have a very clear distinction between good and bad people.” Gu Xuandu spoke up, “Besides, there are not many people who dare to provoke them, they all know that the witch tribe people will seek revenge. If they provoke one, they have offended a whole tribe.”

Lin Rufei nodded slightly, signaling that he understood.

Under the guidance of the guards, Lin Rufei soon saw the altar of their tribe. The altar was made of stone, with a huge vermilion formation painted in the middle, and several giant stone pillars standing nearby—looking quite mysterious. In the very center of the altar, kneeled a man dressed in black. The man’s black outfit was embroidered with exquisite Tengshe[1] designs and soaring clouds. He was holding a simple scepter in his hand and had his head bowed as he chanted something. Near the altar, there were also people of the witch tribe kneeling. They were all staring at the man with devout eyes, bowing unceasingly.

When Lin Rufei arrived, the ritual was just coming to an end. The man stood up and said something in the local dialect that Lin Rufei did not understand and the people got up and dispersed. He continued to stand in the middle of the altar for a while before walking towards them.

Seeing the man arrived in front of them, Wu Xing and the guard half-kneeled down and saluted him. Wu Yin raised his hand and only then did the two of them rose up.

“This one is?” Wu Yin asked as he looked at Lin Rufei.

“Great Witch, this is a friend I made outside.” Wu Xing happily introduced Lin Rufei, giving Wu Yin a brief description of how the two met.

After listening, Wu Yin pondered for a moment, “I wonder what Lin gongzi has come to my witch tribe for?” He was indeed handsome and looked like he had a good temper. He spoke in a soft tone that carried a warm flavor, making people feel like a Spring breeze. No wonder Wu Xing’s face was full of fondness when he talked about this Great Witch.

Lin Rufei answered, “I am here to retrieve something.”

“What is it?” Wu Yin asked.

“A hundred years ago, a senior said he left something to Wu Min of the witch tribe and asked me to come and retrieve it for him. Only, I also don’t know what that thing is.” Lin Rufei deliberated on his wording.

“Wu Min?” Wu Yin was slightly surprised to hear his master’s name, “Lin gongzi knows my master, Wu Min?”

“Don’t know.” Lin Rufei shook his head.

“I thought that Lin gongzi and my master were old acquaintances.” Wu Yin smiled regretfully.

“I’m only in my twenties, so how would I know such a powerful Great Witch?” Lin Rufei also laughed.

“Oh, so that’s how it is.” Wu Yin trailed off, “It’s just that my master passed away a hundred years ago. Everything he owned at the time was unfortunately burned. Your senior’s thing probably didn’t make it.”

Lin Rufei frowned: “But that thing is very important ……”

Wu Yin hesitated for a moment, “How about this, let’s find a place to talk slowly, you describe it carefully and see if I can find some clues.” He said while making a gesture of invitation.

Lin Rufei nodded and followed him forward.

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The two of them didn’t have to walk long before Wu Yin stopped in front of a floating house and said that this was his residence, inviting Lin Rufei to go up and have a seat.

Lin Rufei was slightly surprised by Wu Yin’s lack of unfamiliarity with outsiders. However, on second thought, he felt that Wu Yin and Wu Xing were somewhat similar in that they were not guarded against outsiders, and it seemed that this was indeed a characteristic of their tribe.

Climbing up the stairs to the upper floors, Lin Rufei stepped onto the wooden floor and followed Wu Yin into the house. However, he soon noticed a man in the room sitting on the edge of the bed with his side facing them, looking down at the pages of a book in his hands. When he saw them coming back, he didn’t raise his head too much and said indifferently, “You’re back.”

“Back.” Wu Yin smiled in response.

The man’s appearance was also pretty good, but he looked slightly cold. However, this coldness turned into a happy warmth when he noticed Wu Yin. The two did not care about the presence of Lin Rufei, an outsider, as they simply hugged and kissed each other.

Lin Rufei was slightly surprised at this scene and when Wu Xing saw him, he smiled and introduced, “This is Wu Yin’s ‘A-Yu,’ or what you guys call a ‘lover’ over there.”

Lin Rufei had seen many men fall in love, but this was the first time that he saw it this openly and honestly. Seeing that Wu Xing and the guard’s expression did not change, they obviously were long used to it and not surprised at all.

“Pardon us, Lin gongzi.” Wu Yin said in a warm voice, “The people of our witch tribe are open and they don’t care about the difference between men and women. As long as they love each other, they can form a partnership.”

Lin Rufei was thoughtful, “That’s pretty nice.”

“Wu Xing, you guys should go out first.” Wu Yin said, “I’ll talk to Lin gongzi alone.”

“Okay.” Then Wu Xing and the guard left together, leaving Lin Rufei and two others in the room. Wu Yin’s lover didn’t seem to like talking much, so after nodding slightly at Lin Rufei, he also got up and head off into the side room, leaving only Lin Rufei and Wu Yin in the living room.

Wu Yin got up and poured a cup of hot tea for Lin Rufei, “Where did you come from, Lin gongzi?”

Lin Rufei replied, “From Kunlun.”

Wu Yin asked, “Kunlun? That’s a long way off.” His fingers rubbed the edge of the teacup delicately, as if he was thinking about something, “Since Lin gongzi doesn’t know what that thing is, you should probably know the identity of the senior who wanted you to retrieve that thing…….I wonder if you can tell me?”

Just as Lin Rufei was about to say, Gu Xuandu told him morosely, “Don’t tell him.”

Lin Rufei paused slightly and then shook his head.

Gu Xuandu continued, “This Wu Yin really isn’t a good thing.”

Although Lin Rufei wondered why Gu Xuandu said that, Wu Yin was right in front of him, so he couldn’t ask that question directly.

“Then it’s a pity.” Wu Yin sighed and his black eyes showed some regret, “I thought it was an old friend I knew and could catch up on the old times.”

Lin Rufei answered, “Actually, I was simply entrusted by them so I really don’t know much.”

“Oh.” Wu Yin muttered, “So that’s how it is.”

He was silent for a moment but then smiled again, “But even though we can’t find that thing, Lin gongzi has come a long way so you are also considered a valuable guest of our witch tribe. You must have a good time here for a few days.”

Lin Rufei found it very difficult to refuse so he had to agree.

Wu Yin continued to converse with Lin Rufei about other things and asked him about the outside world before introducing some of the customs and scenery of the witch tribe. The two talked until noon before Wu Yin finally summoned the servants and prepared a meal to treat Lin Rufei. Then, he had someone take him to a room to rest.

Only after entering the room did Lin Rufei look at Gu Xuandu and ask, “Senior, what’s wrong?”

Gu Xuandu’s face was icy cold.

Lin Rufei was shocked by his appearance and before he could ask about it, he heard Gu Xuandu say, “Wu Min is not dead.”

“What?” Lin Rufei froze, “Wu Min didn’t die……How does senior know that?”

Gu Xuandu laughed mockingly, “Of course I know because I saw him.”

Lin Rufei: “Where……” He was originally going to ask where, but halfway through the sentence, he was blessed to understand what Gu Xuandu meant. His body trembled violently and his eyes full of incredulity, “You mean, the man in Wu Yin’s house……”

“Yes, it’s Wu Min.” Gu Xuandu gritted his teeth, “That time, I told Wu Min that his disciple was wolfish and ambitious, but he didn’t take it seriously, now it seems that I was really right.”

Lin Rufei was silent for a while. He was so shocked by this matter that he could not speak and it was only after a long while that he hesitantly ask, “In that case, shouldn’t he hide Wu Min? Why would he invite me to sit in his house? What if I recognized Wu Min……”

Gu Xuandu sneered, “I’m pretty sure he just wanted to know if you know him. If you really knew Wu Min, seeing him in Wu Yin’s house and being that close to him would definitely make you slip up and then it would become a question of whether you could leave the witch tribe alive.”

Although Wu Yin looked so pure, he didn’t expect him to actually be such a powerful character. Lin Rufei could only feel cold air running straight up his spine: “Then what should we do?”

Gu Xuandu took a deep breath: “Wu Yin must have done something to Wu Min, perhaps sealed his memory, perhaps drained his soul. First, let’s try and contact Wu Min without alerting the snake and see if we can wake him up. Of course, if it doesn’t work there is no need to force it. After all, this is Wu Yin’s territory and it is not good to fight him head-on.”

Lin Rufei nodded.

“Also, now that you know about this, remember not to reveal yourself in front of Wu Yin.” Gu Xuandu added, “He is a smart man and can easily see your slip ups.”

Lin Rufei could only agree. He then asked about Wu Yin and Wu Min back then and Gu Xuandu responded intermittently.

A hundred years ago, the witch tribe had two great witches. One was Wu Min and the other was his disciple, Wu Yin. Wu Yin had been practicing with Wu Min since he was just a child. The two were like father and son and their relationship was very good. Wu Min was cold and arrogant and never took anything seriously, while Wu Yin was gentle and tolerant even in the face of Wu Min’s bad nature. In the eyes of outsiders, Wu Yin had suffered a lot of grievances with Wu Min, but only those who understood the master and disciple would understand, in fact, the dominant one in the relationship was Wu Yin. Wu Min was too lazy to show up for many things, so Wu Yin had to solve it in his stead and over time, Wu Yin became the spokesman for Wu Min.

Although Gu Xuandu had a good relationship with Wu Min, he did not like his disciple. In his opinion, Wu Yin was not as good as Wu Min since his thoughts were too many and varied, which delayed his cultivation. Gu Xuandu also mentioned these things to Wu Min, but Wu Min did not take it to heart and only said that people were different, if everyone was like him, no one would be able to stand it.

Since Gu Xuandu saw him say so, he also let it go and did not mention this matter again.

Later, some accidents happened and Gu Xuandu no longer had the energy to care about Wu Yin and Wu Min’s situation. He handed his heart over to Wu Min’s hands, counting on him to take good care of it for him. However, who knew that within a few years after he left, such a thing happened to the witch tribe.

According to Lin Rufei’s description, Wu Min should have died in the witch tribe’s great war, but now, not only did he not die, but he also became Wu Yin’s lover. He didn’t even need to think to know that Wu Yin must have done a lot of tampering with this matter.

After listening to Gu Xuandu’s description, Lin Rufei propped up his chin and mumbled, “Senior, how dare this Wu Yin be so bold that he even made a move on his own master.”

Gu Xuandu asked, “What’s wrong with being the master?”

Lin Rufei was confused, “Huh?”

Gu Xuandu knocked on the table, “The point isn’t about laying his hands on his master, it’s about the two lovers being compatible!” He turned to Lin Rufei and stated righteously, “If Xiao Jiu made a move on me, I would be quite willing.”

Lin Rufei’s cheeks flushed red and he immediately replied nervously, “Senior, what are you talking about, don’t joke about it.”

Gu Xuandu answered with a straight face, “Senior is not joking.”

Lin Rufei pursed his lips and uncomfortably averted his gaze.

Gu Xuandu didn’t push him either. Anyway, Lin Rufei was about to get used to his presence soon that he sometimes even took the initiative to hold his hand. Although Lin Rufei did not realize what this action meant, subtly, this frog in warm water would sooner or later be cooked by him.

Since the journey had been tiring for several days, his body was a bit tired and should be well-rested. However, Lin Rufei had something on his mind and could not fall asleep no matter what. On the soft couch, he took a quick nap before getting up and wandering around the vicinity of the residence.

The witch tribe was located in the middle of a canyon so there was little sunlight. Adding on that the mountains were surrounded by mist these days, it was very cool, like late Autumn.

Lin Rufei, as a newcomer to this place, really felt the hospitality of the witch tribe members. Even simply walking on the roadside, he would get called upon and either be handed a few pieces of snacks or exchanging a few words of small talk. The gazes of the people around him were mostly full of curiosity and desire, and Lin Rufei really had the feeling that he had become some kind of rare and exotic beast.

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Lin Rufei asked many members of the witch tribe about Wu Min. And as Wu Xing had stated, most of them did not know about Wu Min’s existence. And the very few who did, only knew that Wu Min was an ancient Great Witch, but nothing else. Furthermore, they also did they know how Wu Yin had reached this point.

In order to welcome him as an honored guest, the witch tribe members laid out a sumptuous dinner. Lin Rufei, Fu Hua, and Yu Rui all went to attend. On the bonfire in front of them, a huge roasted lamb was being roasted and the crowd was singing and dancing around it. They also drank and chatted away, making the atmosphere very lively.

Although Lin Rufei was worried about Gu Xuandu, he was infected by the atmosphere and had a few drinks himself. When the dinner atmosphere reached its peak, Lin Rufei found that Wu Yin, who was supposed to be in the center of the party, was nowhere to be found. He thought that this was a bit strange but Wu Xing was not surprised by this. He said that it must be that person, the one living in the Great Witch’s house, having a temper tantrum.

Lin Rufei was intrigued and asked, “What, does he often have temper tantrums?”

“Yes.” Wu Xing scratched his head, “He’s from the outside, doesn’t like to talk much, and rarely participates in our activities. He just likes to be left alone……”

Lin Rufei continued, “How long has he been here?”

Wu Xing answered, “Some years, I think. He came before I was born.” He continued: “He seldom goes out so I usually don’t see him either. However, he is very clingy and can’t leave the Great Witch’s side even if it is only half a step.” As he said this, he smiled shyly, “The Great Witch likes him very much and the two of them have a good relationship. It would be lucky if I could meet someone I like so much in the future as well.”

Lin Rufei teased him, “What kind do you like?”

“I just like cute little girls.” Wu Xing whispered, “Ones like your maids are quite good.”

Lin Rufei sighed, “But since you’ve scared them like that, how can you expect them to still like you?” Fu Hua and Yu Rui, after all, were still angry about being scared by Wu Xing.

Wu Xing simply stared at him and couldn’t say anything. He muttered two words then continued to eat his food.

Having eaten and drunken to their heart’s content, everyone was satisfied and returned back to their residences and the bonfire in the square was also extinguished.

Lin Rufei took a walk around the are before heading back to his place. And before heading back, he asked Wu Xing some things about their tribe’s rituals.

Wu Xing was quite honest and whatever Lin Rufei asked, he answered. He said that their tribe generally worshiped once a year and that the days they worshipped on were usually foggy. Lin Rufei then asked how many days it usually took for the ritual and Wu Xing thought about it before replying, “It’s usually about ten days.”

Lin Rufei calculated the days of the fog: “They’ve been worshipping for about three or four days now?”

“Almost.” Wu Xing rubbed his nose, “If Lin gongzi wants to go, it’s better to wait until the fog clears. Although there is only one road in this canyon, there are still some fierce beasts, it’s not that safe.”

Lin Rufei nodded, “Okay.”

After Wu Xing left, Lin Rufei and Gu Xuandu worked out a plan, “Since the ritual still has a few days left, could we take advantage of the time when Wu Yin is worshipping to sneak into his house and see Wu Min?”

Gu Xuandu mused, “Yes, but Wu Yin is a Great Witch and his house will definitely have some restrictions so it’s better to lure Wu Min out.”

Lin Rufei agreed, “I will try tomorrow.”

Gu Xuandu nodded and then told Lin Rufei to put his own safety first, if it really didn’t work, then just to give up. He didn’t need a physical body that much.

Lin Rufei knew he was comforting him so he didn’t say a word. Who wouldn’t want a physical body? If he couldn’t find Gu Xuandu’s heart, then did he want him to stay by his side in the form of a ghost for the rest of his life? Not to mention the fact that it would be taken as hysteria, if the relationship between the two had further development, in the future……Thinking about it, Lin Rufei suddenly realized that he was getting sidetracked and immediately grew embarrassed as he awkwardly coughed twice.

Gu Xuandu looked at Lin Rufei’s scarlet ears with suspicion and asked, ‘Xiao Jiu, what are you thinking about?’

Lin Rufei replied calmly, “I’m thinking about tomorrow’s plan.”

Gu Xuandu continued, “You can think about it, but why are you blushing?”

Lin Rufei hesitated, “……It’s just a little hot.”

Gu Xuandu: “……?”

Lin Rufei no longer said anything in response and simply closed his eyes, pretending he was asleep.

Gu Xuandu just stared at his sleeping face for quite a while as his expression changed unpredictably. Suddenly, his figure gradually dissipated into the air.

The next day, Lin Rufei got up early in the morning and left after he washed up and had a simple breakfast. According to what he had thought up yesterday, he first went to the altar to confirm, and indeed saw Wu Yin kneeling in the center of the altar like yesterday and worshipping reverently. Then he headed over to Wu Yin’s residence by memory but did not go in. Instead, he took out the talisman of transmission in his pocket, wrote a few words, and folded the letter paper into the shape of a paper crane before sending it into Wu Yin’s house.

Watching the paper crane fly in through the window, Lin Rufei was a little uneasy and asked, “Will he come out? What if he doesn’t come out?”

Gu Xuandu calmed him, “It’s okay, if he doesn’t come out, we’ll think of another way.”

Fortunately, not long after the paper crane flew in, the door of Wu Yin’s house was opened. Wu Min’s face held some suspicion as he looked around outside. After seeing Lin Rufei standing nearby not too far away, he frowned slightly, and slowly stepped towards his side.

“He’s coming!” Lin Rufei worriedly said, “How should I tell him……should I get straight to the point?”

Gu Xuandu replied, “Let’s act according to the circumstances, but don’t stimulate him to hate on us that he would attract Wu Yin over.”

Lin Rufei nodded.

While the two were talking, Wu Min had already walked up to Lin Rufei. His expression was as cold as the one he saw yesterday and his voice was also very soft. He raised his hand and the paper crane Lin Rufei had sent in was resting in his hand: “Yours?”

Lin Rufei answered, “That’s right.”

“What is it?” Wu Min asked.

In the paper crane, Lin Rufei said that he had something important to discuss. If it was someone else, Wu Min would not even have paid attention to it. But for some reason, he smelled a strange familiar aura on Lin Rufei; an aura that made Wu Min choose to come see him even after hesitating.

Lin Rufei clenched his teeth: “Let me take the liberty to ask………Do you still remember what happened before?”

Wu Min was confused, “Before?”

Lin Rufei continued, “A few hundred years ago.

Wu Min, “A few hundred years ago? I am not yet over a hundred years old, how can I remember what happened a hundred years ago?”

Lin Rufei was dumbfounded.

Wu Min asked, “Who the hell are you?”

Lin Rufei gritted his teeth, “I know you, you shouldn’t be Wu Yin’s lover.”

Wu Min questioned, “Then who should I be?”

Lin Rufei took a deep breath and answered in a deep voice, “You should be Wu Yin’s master, Wu Min——I’ve seen you before.”

Wu Min’s expression soon changed dramatically.

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