Cherry Blossoms Upon a Wintry Sword

Chapter 85: Going Home

According to their previous calculations, if they continued to hurry through the night and then travel day and night, they would be able to return to the Kunlun territory in about twenty days. Unfortunately, Lin Rufei suddenly fell ill, so the trip was forced to slow down. No matter what Lin Rufei said, Fu Hua and Yu Rui refused to let him continue working hard. In the end, Lin Rufei had no choice but to travel during the day and rest at night, slowing down their journey home.

Wu Ao didn’t mind this and only told Lin Rufei to take care of his health. Lin Rufei was thinking of Gu Xuandu in his heart and simply wanted to head back early. 

So with this traveling and stopping, rushing through the daytime and resting in an inn during the nighttime, finally, they were getting closer to Kunlun. 

One night, Chi Yu, who had been missing for a while, suddenly appeared. He was still holding the little cub in his mouth. The little cub was much bigger than before, but it still looked excited when it saw Lin Rufei, wanting Lin Rufei to hug it.

Lin Rufei had not seen the little kitten cub in ages and also missed it a little. Then he reached out and took the little thing into his arms, rubbing its silky fur.

Chi Yu looked Lin Rufei up and down. He narrowed his eyes and questioned critically, “Why have you lost so much weight?”

Lin Rufei asked, “Have I lost weight?”

“Mnn.” Chi Yu said, “Have you been abused?”

Lin Rufei laughed, “I just suddenly got sick for a while……”

Chi Yu, “I’m going to head back.”

Lin Rufei was stunned, “You’re leaving now?”

“Mnn, even though it’s still dependent on you, it’s old enough to know that you’re not its real father.” Chi Yu yawned. His front paws were on the ground as he lazily stretched his body, “Otherwise, I’d really like to leave him here and forget about it.”

Lin Rufei sighed, “That’s a bit of a pity, I was going to invite you to have a seat at my place.”

Chi Yu answered, “Forget it then. Looking at the direction you’re going, it’s getting closer and closer to that Grand Formation. I’m a demon, I wouldn’t dare to go further.”

Lin Rufei asked, “Grand Formation? Are you saying that the……Yaoguang Grand Formation laid by the Heavenly Ruler is on Kunlun?” He seemed to realize something and opened his eyes wide in a tentative manner.

“Yes.” Chi Yu looked at Lin Rufei strangely, “You didn’t even know about this?”

“I didn’t know.” Lin Rufei shook his head, “The people only know that the Grand Formation was on the Yaoguang Continent. However, they do not know exactly where it is, perhaps to prevent people from destroying it……” The formation was only effective against the demons and the closer the demons were to it, the stronger the effect. So the only ones who could destroy the formation were humans. Because of this, the Heavenly Ruler had never announced where the formation was located.

Chi Yu said, “Alright. Then, I’m leaving.” 

“Wait.” Lin Rufei called out, “I still owe you a request, aren’t you going to say it now?”

Chi Yu cocked his head, “I have nothing to ask of you now. I’ll keep it for now in case you become a great character later on.”

Lin Rufei laughed, “What if I die later?”

Chi Yu gave Lin Rufei a blank look, “Then consider it a loss for me.” He jumped into Lin Rufei’s arms and took the reluctant little cub into his mouth, then jumped up to the window with his tail wagging. The little cub’s eyes fell onto Lin Rufei’s body from the beginning until the end and the reluctance in them was very obvious. It seemed that even if it had its own consciousness, it would still have a special attachment to the first person it sees after coming out of its shell.

“Remember to stay alive.” Before leaving, Chi Yu did not forget to advise Lin Rufei, “Look how skinny you are getting, tsk, I always feel like I’m going to suffer a loss.”

Lin Rufei just smiled and waved his hand at him, “Be safe.”

Chi Yu humphed, turned his head, and jumped out of the window. He had just gone out when Fu Hua and Yu Rui came in, holding hot soup for Lin Rufei. Puzzled, she asked: “I heard Chi Yu’s voice just now, is he back?”

Lin Rufei: “Just left, said he was going back to the demon world.”

“Oh.” Fu Hua and Yu Rui both showed a depressed look, “He left just like that? I haven’t said goodbye to him yet.” The two people have completely treated Chi Yu as a cute big cat, rubbing his hair every day and catching feelings from it. Now when they heard that Chi Yu was going back to the demon world, they couldn’t help but feel some regret.

Who knew that just as the two people finished talking, Chi Yu, who had originally left, stuck out his head from outside. Then, with a coarse voice, he meowed. 

When Lin Rufei looked at this scene, he almost laughed out loud.

The final result was that Chi Yu enjoyed another half an hour of Fu Hua and Yu Rui rubbing his fur before leaving reluctantly, saying that he did not know if he would have the opportunity to meet such lovely little girls again.

Lin Rufei said, ‘go, go. Even if you take a few more looks, I won’t give the little girls to you.’ 

Chi Yu humphed. Holding his son in his mouth, he tilted his head and walked away.

Lin Rufei looked at his back and the smile on his face gradually faded. Then he asked Fu Hua how far they still were from Kunlun. 

“Seven or eight days away.” Fu Hua replied worriedly, “Young master, why do you have to go back in such a hurry? Second young master will be distressed when he sees you in this state.” In just a dozen days, Lin Rufei had lost quite some weight. At first, it seemed like it was a cold caused by the strain of the long journey, but with Fu Hua’s understanding of Lin Rufei over the years, she always felt that her young master was hiding something in his heart. However, no matter how much they asked, Lin Rufei refused to talk about the matter.

“I’m just a little homesick.” Lin Rufei smiled.

Fu Hua wanted to say something, but finally swallowed her words and exhaled a sigh.

Lin Rufei was left alone in the room once again. He sat by the window, looking out at the scenery and thinking about what Chi Yu had said to him just now. It was the first time he knew that the Yaoguang Grand Formation was located near Kunlun, but where exactly it was, was still a mystery. Furthermore, what does this Grand Formation have to do with Wu Ao’s request for him to return to Kunlun? Lin Rufei was a little distracted. He started coughing hard and his thin shoulders shook uncontrollably, like a thin candle trembling in the wind.

A cup of water was handed to him.  Lin Rufei originally thought it was Gu Xuandu and was about to show a smile, but when he turned his head, he noticed that it was Wu Ao.

“Cough, cough. You, why are you here?” Lin Rufei said with difficulty, covering his mouth.

“Drink some water first, Lin gongzi.” Wu Ao responded.

Lin Rufei frowned.

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Seeing that Lin Rufei did not reach out, Wu Ao still persisted in passing the water to Lin Rufei. Lin Rufei forced the itch down and said, “I have promised you to go back to Kunlun, can’t you stay away from me?” As long as he was nearby, Gu Xuandu would be suppressed by the heart and could not manifest at all.

Who knew that when Wu Ao heard this, he actually showed a hurt expression. Clenching his teeth, he replied in a low voice, “Lin gongzi, that Gu Xuandu really isn’t a good thing.”

Lin Rufei sighed, “You’ve already said that many times.”

“But you never took my words to heart!” Wu Ao exclaimed angrily.

Lin Rufei looked at him and there wasn’t any expression on his face. Wu Ao gritted his teeth. His eyes were red with hatred as he said, “Lin gongzi, you might not know, but back then the Heavenly Ruler wasn’t necessarily going to fall. It’s all because of that Gu Xuandu, it’s all because of that Gu Xuandu——”

Lin Rufei asked, “Because of him?”

“Yes, it’s all his fault.” Wu Ao gnashed his teeth.

“Why would it be his fault?” Lin Rufei wondered.

Wu Ao said: “Although the Heavenly Ruler’s physical body fell, his soul was still alive, and that Gu Xuandu took the Heavenly Ruler’s soul. Originally, if the soul was handed over to me, I could have brought the Heavenly Ruler back to life, but he refused to do so. I have long known that he harbored evil intentions, but I did not expect……”

Lin Rufei froze in his tracks: “You mean the Heavenly Ruler’s soul is still with Gu Xuandu?”

Wu Ao said, “Naturally.”

Lin Rufei asked, “What happened afterward?”

Wu Ao trailed off, “Afterward……” He took a glance at Lin Rufei and his tone turned cold, “Afterward, in order to ascend, Gu Xuandu used the Heavenly Ruler’s soul to resist the heavenly tribulation and the Heavenly Ruler’s soul flew away……”

Lin Rufei froze in place. He did not know if what Wu Ao said was true or not, but thought that at least some degrees of it were true. Now that he was remembering the time he spent with Gu Xuandu, from Gu Xuandu’s words, it seemed that he would always mention an old friend that he had spent a lot of time with. He just didn’t know if that old friend was the Heavenly Ruler that Wu Ao had mentioned.

“That’s why Lin gongzi, you shouldn’t trust him anymore, okay?” Wu Ao came up to Lin Rufei. That smile on his face was humble and incomparable, with a taste of ingratiation, “Isn’t Lin gongzi physically weak? As long as you believe in me, I can definitely give you a healthy body. And when the time comes, with the strong sword intent in your body, you will be the most powerful person in the world.”

Lin Rufei questioned, “Exactly, you haven’t said why you wanted to help me?”

Wu Ao smiled, “Because, helping Lin Rufei can make Gu Xuandu unhappy, ah. As long as he is unhappy, I will be happy.”

Lin Rufei sighed, “I understand, you can go now.”

Wu Ao froze.

Lin Rufei continued, “I’m a little tired.”

Hearing that Lin Rufei was tired, Wu Ao did not insist any further and turned around, leaving through the window. After Lin Rufei had listened to Wu Ao, he called Gu Xuandu’s name softly. However, no matter how much he had called out to him, Gu Xuandu did not appear. Lin Rufei was a bit disappointed but reluctantly kept up his spirit as he joked with himself, “It seems that Fu Hua and Yu Rui finally don’t have to worry anymore, this hysteria is almost cured…..”

And then he turned his head and noticed the water on the table that was left by Wu Ao. Lin Rufei raised his hand and picked up the cup. He sipped half a mouthful and felt that the intolerable itch in the throat had calmed down a lot.

A long journey was always exhausting. Even though Fu Hua stuffed the carriage with soft bedding, it was still bumpy, thus Lin Rufei spent a few more drowsy days before finally arriving at the foot of the Kunlun Mountains.

When he had left this place, it was still Spring with the grass and flowers flourishing. However, when he came back, it was already late Autumn.

The grass withered and the leaves on the trees all turned into a dusky yellow. Fortunately, the branches were hanging with fruit. When Lin Rufei passed by the town, he saw a persimmon tree whose branches were bent by the plentiful fruits.

Fu Hua also saw it and asked Lin Rufei with a smile if he wanted to try one.

Lin Rufei nodded and said he would like to try one. Then with a leap, Fu Hua passed over the treetops and came back with a few more ripe persimmons in her arms.

Peeling off the thin skin, there was rich flesh. Lin Rufei took a bite and curled the corners of his mouth: “It’s so sweet.”

“Yes, it’s so sweet.” Yu Rui grinned contentedly, “Finally, I’m back. The corn candy outside always seems to taste not quite right.”

Fu Hua smiled and joked, “Not quite right? Weren’t you looking quite happy when eating He Wanxiang’s corn candy? You even ruined your teeth.”

Yu Rui pouted, “Sister Fu Hua is really annoying!”

Fu Hua flicked her forehead: “Give me back the persimmon if you think I’m annoying.”

“I won’t!” Yu Rui humphed.

When they arrived at home, Lin Rufei’s mood was much more comfortable and they would just so happened pass by the cherry blossom grove at the bottom of the mountain. Lin Rufei also missed this cherry blossom grove a little, after all, it was where he met Gu Xuandu. Although now it was Autumn and the cherry blossoms were gone, there should be some ripe fruits in their place. He just didn’t know if the fruits this year would be sweet or not……. 

As he thought of this, Lin Rufei suddenly heard Fu Hua let out a shriek from outside the carriage, “How could this be———”

Lin Rufei wondered, “What’s wrong?”

“The cherry, cherry blossom forest……” Fu Hua uttered, “It’s gone.”

Lin Rufei froze for a moment and then hastily lifted the carriage curtain to look out of the window. When he saw the view clearly outside, it was like he was struck by lightning as his whole person was glued in place. 

He only saw that the cherry blossom forest, which had stretched for more than ten miles, had all been turned into charred black ashes, with not a single cherry blossom tree in sight and only scorched soil remaining.

“How did the cherry blossom forest get burned down?” Yu Rui also saw the scene outside and panicked, “Was it a fire?”

“I don’t know.” Fu Hua shook her head, “Let’s……go back first. Such a big thing……” As she said this, she cast a worried glance at Lin Rufei.

Lin Rufei, however, didn’t utter a single word and simply looked silently at the scorched cherry blossom forest in front of him. And only after a long time did he softly say: “Let’s go back.”

The good mood they had just from arriving home all disappeared because of this scene. On their way back, the atmosphere in the carriage was stiff as hell. Although Yu Rui reluctantly said something funny to ease Lin Rufei’s mood, Lin Rufei could not laugh aloud. He leaned against the corner of the carriage with his eyes closed, unwilling to speak.

Yu Rui could only stop talking and look at Fu Hua in a panic. Before they came back this time, Lin Bianyu had instructed them to say in advance when they arrived at the foot of the mountain. But with the idea of surprising Lin Bianyu and the others, they did not reveal their whereabouts. Previously, Fu Hua had thought it was a bit strange. Only when she saw that Lin Rufei’s favorite cherry blossom forest had become like this did she realize Lin Bianyu’s good intentions. It turned out that Lin Bianyu was only worried about his brother’s sadness so he thought that if he came to pick them up, he would be able to hide this matter. However, it was too late now to say anything. Lin Rufei had seen the cherry blossom forest’s miserable appearance……

On their way back to the Kunlun Sect, Fu Hua hurriedly sent news to Lin Bianyu telling him that they had returned. Following the winding mountain road all the way to the mountain gate, they saw Lin Bianyu waiting at the entrance in advance as expected. When he saw Lin Rufei’s carriage, a smile immediately surfaced on his face as he called out: “Xiao Jiu!” 

When Lin Rufei heard his second brother’s voice from inside the carriage, the sadness on his face dispersed a lot. He lifted the curtain and smiled, “Second brother!”

After the carriage stopped, Lin Rufei jumped out of the carriage. When Lin Bianyu saw him, he looked at him carefully, and frowned: “How come you have lost weight.”

Lin Rufei coughed twice: “I was in too much of a hurry to come back and got sick from exhaustion.”

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“Why were you in such a hurry?” Lin Bianyu asked, “I told you to tell me in advance when you have returned, how come you only told me when you arrived at the mountain gate?” As he said this, he gave Fu Hua and Yu Rui a condemning glare.

“Second brother, don’t blame them. I was the one who told them not to tell you.” Lin Rufei carried a smile without revealing much of anything, “I wanted to give you a surprise……” 

Lin Bianyu said, “The fact that you are back is the biggest surprise.” He then continued, “Let’s go, a banquet has been prepared. We’re waiting for you to come back.”

Lin Rufei asked, “Where is big brother?”

Lin Bianyu sighed, “These few days, something has happened in the Kunlun Sect so he is busy. No need to worry about him, when it’s time to eat, he should be back.”

As the two of them were talking and heading inside, Lin Bianyu asked Lin Rufei about the people and things he had met along the way. But of course, the focus was on whether anyone had bullied Lin Rufei and if there was someone, he would definitely help Lin Rufei get back at them. When Lin Rufei heard this, he simply laughed and told his second brother not to worry. Although he wasn’t bullied, he did end up bullying a few people. 

However, Lin Bianyu looked at Lin Rufei and suddenly said, “If Xiao Jiu doesn’t want to laugh, then don’t laugh anymore.”  

Lin Rufei froze.

“It’s second brother’s fault for not protecting that cherry blossom forest under the mountain.” In the end, it was impossible to avoid this topic and Lin Bianyu’s mood also looked a bit low, “That day, I happened to have some matter to take care of and had to leave Kunlun. By the time I heard the news and came back, that cherry blossom forest had been mostly burned down…….” 

Lin Rufei uttered, “How could it be……burned?……”

“It was someone who deliberately set the fire.” Lin Bianyu clenched his teeth, “The fire was also a spiritual fire that could not be extinguished by ordinary water so the mortals in town could not do anything. By the time Kunlun got the news, there was not much left of the cherry blossom forest……”

Lin Rufei asked, “And the group of monkeys?” He remembered the golden one; the Monkey King who liked to tease him.

Lin Bianyu sighed, “The monkeys are fine. They were smart and ran away before the fire spread. They probably went to the other peaks now. Only the cherry blossom forest is gone so they probably will not come back……” He looked at Lin Rufei sadly, “Xiao Jiu, sorry.”

Lin Rufei reluctantly let out a smile, “The fire was not set by second brother, so what is second brother apologizing for?” He then forced himself to cheer up, “Forget it, let’s not talk about it anymore. Second brother, quickly tell me what interesting things have happened on Kunlun these days.”

Lin Bianyu then talked about some interesting things that had been going on and finally, the atmosphere was not as stiff as it was a while ago.

The family banquet was very sumptuous and the dishes were all Lin Rufei’s favorites. Wan Yao also came by and carefully checked Lin Rufei’s body. Although he said that he had lost some weight, in the end, he was healthier than before. He told Lin Bianyu not to worry and that he would be fine after being prescribed some tonic medicine to recuperate.

Lin Rufei’s appetite was not good. However, he was afraid of spoiling his family’s mood so he tried his best to stuff his mouth with things.

But Lin Bianyu could see that. Sighing, he stroked his head and said that if Xiao Jiu doesn’t want to eat, then he doesn’t have to. Lin Minzhi frowned and asked who had bullied Xiao Jiu and why he didn’t look too happy.

“It’s all because of that arsonist bastard.” Lin Bianyu said through clenched teeth, “If I catch him, I’ll skin him alive!”

“I’m afraid that person is not simple either. I just don’t know why he came to set the fire.” Lin Minzhi said unhappily, “There isn’t anything valuable in the cherry blossom forest, it’s really inexplicable. I don’t know what to make of it.”

Lin Bianyu also nodded his head.

After the meal, Lin Bianyu was afraid that Lin Rufei would be tired and hurriedly told him to go back and rest.

After a long time, Lin Rufei returned to his small courtyard and saw the slender cherry blossom tree planted in the courtyard. He walked up to the cherry blossom tree, gently stroked its branches, and called out to his senior.

However, Gu Xuandu still did not appear. It was as if his existence was just because Lin Rufei had hysteria and now that the hysteria was cured, he could no longer be seen.

The cherry blossom forest was gone, but there was still this single seedling left. Only after Lin Rufei watered the tree did he then go back to the room to rest.

Although they didn’t know that Lin Rufei was coming back today, the courtyard was still very clean and he could tell that someone had been taking care of it for a long time. There was not a single weed in the courtyard and not a trace of dust could be felt on the furniture, simply as if Lin Rufei had never left the place.

After late Autumn, the weather turned cooler and the wind during the night was a bit strong.

Lin Rufei could not sleep, so he sat by the window and stared. From his position, with a glance out, he could see the tiny cherry blossom tree trembling in the wind, shaking its slender branches, looking extraordinarily pitiful.

Lin Rufei called out, “Wu Ao.”

He didn’t know if Wu Ao was near him, but he thought that he wouldn’t be too far away.

After he called out to Wu Ao, sure enough, a black figure appeared in his courtyard and it replied, “Lin gongzi.” His voice was a bit surprised, as if he didn’t expect Lin Rufei to call him by his name.

“I have arrived at Kunlun.” Lin Rufei said, “Where is your promise?”

Wu Ao replied, “Lin gongzi, don’t be in a hurry. When my business is finished, the thing will naturally be handed over to you.”

Lin Rufei said, “I hope you won’t go back on your word.”

“Naturally, I won’t go back on my word.” Wu Ao did not expect Lin Rufei to talk about this matter so he was a bit disappointed, “That thing is just a piece of junk to me, it is useless for me to keep it.”

Lin Rufei gave a hum.

Wu Ao asked, “Does Lin gongzi have anything else to say?”

Lin Rufei raised his eyes to look at him. Wu Ao was standing in the darkness and his face could not be seen very well, but Lin Rufei could still hear the hint of expectation in his tone. So what exactly was he expecting? Some doubts surfaced in Lin Rufei’s mind: “Wu Ao, have we known each other before?” 

Wu Ao whispered, “No.”

Lin Rufei wondered, “Then do you hate me?”

Wu Ao exclaimed, “Of course not.”

Lin Rufei, “Did you burn down the cherry blossom forest at the foot of the mountain?”

Wu Ao was silent.

Lin Rufei said, “You burned it, didn’t you?”

Wu Ao answered, “Yes, I burned it.”

Lin Rufei smiled bitterly. He wanted to say something to him but felt as if there was no point in saying it. This Wu Ao’s strength was a mystery. Even following him up the mountain, Lin Bianyu, who was at the eighth level of cultivation, did not discover his existence. If such a person wanted to burn down a cherry blossom forest, it was a very simple matter and he couldn’t do anything about it.  

Wu Ao asked, “Does Lin gongzi blame me?”

Lin Rufei sighed, “So what if I blame you? You think it’s possible for me to beat you up?” He waved his hand with little interest, “You can go.”

Wu Ao continued, “Lin gongzi summoned me here, just to ask this?”

Lin Rufei questioned, “Otherwise?”

Wu Ao sighed lightly, “Lin Gongzi, it’s just a cherry blossom forest, why are you so upset? If you like it, I will plant another hundred miles of cherry blossom trees……for you as compensation, okay?”

Lin Rufei lost his smile: “No need.” He got up and without waiting for Wu Ao’s reply, he closed his window. Wu Ao watched Lin Rufei’s movements and continued to stand still, as if he was a petrified sculpture.

Lin Rufei had no intention of caring about him and went back to bed alone. He closed his eyes halfway in order to take a nap, however, in his half-asleep and half-awake state, he seemed to have seen Gu Xuandu, who had not shown himself in a few days. But Gu Xuandu’s figure had faded a lot compared to the previous days and at first, it looked like only a thin shadow was left.  

Lin Rufei’s heart tightened and he woke up from his shallow sleep. However, after he woke up, he looked around but Gu Xuandu was nowhere to be seen. Then he looked up and saw Wu Ao’s vague figure through the window……still standing outside.

He hadn’t left yet? Lin Rufei thought. How come he looked so sad? Obviously, with the cherry blossom forest burned down, the one who should be sad should be himself.  So how come this Wu Ao also felt a bit pitiful?

********

The author has something to say:

Gu Xuandu: Xiao Jiu, he bullied me and set my house on fire.

Lin Rufei: Motherf*cker——
Wu Ao lighting up a torch: FFFFFFF[1] I will burn you guys, this pair of dog couple[2]!

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[1] According to Baidu: FFFFFFF means to “burn heterosexuals” (in this case, it can be interpreted as men without girlfriends against men with girlfriends.) ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Please correct me if I am wrong. 

[2] Kind of derogatory. Anyways, although I wrote “couple,” the direct translation was “Dog male male,” so it refers to a gay couple.