Cherry Blossoms Upon a Wintry Sword

Chapter 86: Inside the Coffin

That night, Lin Rufei did not sleep too well. The next day, the fever that had been suppressed came back and this time it was Lin Bianyu and his other sibling’s turn to worry about him. Wan Yao came several times to check him out and after a careful examination, he frowned and said that Lin Rufei was sick because he was overly worried.

After hearing this, Lin Bianyu asked who had upset Lin Rufei.

Lin Rufei shook his head and didn’t answer him.

Originally, Lin Bianyu had wanted to continue asking questions, however, he was dragged out of the room by Wan Yao. Outside, he instructed him that if Lin Rufei didn’t want to say, then don’t force him. Lin Rufei originally got sick because of his bad mood, if he continued to force him, it would probably aggravate his condition. Since the doctor already said so, Lin Bianyu had no choice but to give up.

Although Lin Rufei was sick, he was always thinking about Gu Xuandu’s matter and did not have the heart to recuperate. At first, Wu Ao was planning to let Lin Rufei get well and then continue with the next matter, but Lin Rufei refused after knowing his intention.

“I don’t know when I will get well, so I don’t want to wait any longer.” Lin Rufei coughed lowly as he said so.

“Are you sure you don’t want to wait a bit longer?” Wu Ao asked.

“No, I won’t.” Lin Rufei said, “What exactly do you want to do, tell me frankly.”

Wu Ao sighed, “Then I will come to you tonight.” After saying that, he turned around and left.

Come to look for him tonight? Lin Rufei didn’t know what this Wu Ao wanted to do, but he didn’t think it was something pleasant. He sat on the bed and pondered over this for a moment. His hand gently stroked Gu Yu on the side of his waist, as if this could make his heart settle down.

After nightfall, Wu Ao came to look for Lin Rufei as promised. Originally, Lin Rufei was a little worried about whether he would be able to come in, after all, because he was sick these few days, Lin Bianyu was worried about his health and had been staying in his courtyard. However, Wu Ao easily bypassed Lin Bianyu and snuck into his room. Since Wu Ao was able to do this, that meant that his cultivation was certainly higher than Lin Bianyu’s and not just by a little bit. When Lin Rufei realized this, he also extinguished the idea of telling Lin Bianyu. 

As Gu Xuandu had said, Wu Ao had no inhibitions when it came to doing things, and only in the face of Lin Rufei, would he show a bit of helplessness. Although he didn’t know the reason, in the end, Lin Rufei was not willing to also involve his second brother.  

Wu Ao said a “forgive me” before he grasped Lin Rufei’s wrist. He seemed a little embarrassed since a few smears of red appeared on his cheeks. Lin Rufei was busy thinking about other things so he did not notice Wu Ao’s strange appearance. After Wu Ao grabbed him, he then took off and flew away with his sword.

This was the first time Lin Rufei saw Wu Ao’s sword blade and it was quite different from ordinary swords. The blade was black and slender like a willow leaf and the black snake, which was previously coiled around Wu Ao, was excited after seeing Lin Rufei. Probably because he was afraid that Lin Rufei wouldn’t like it, Wu Ao reached out and stuffed the long snake into his bosom, reprimanded it a few times, and did not even allow it to show its head.

The two of them followed the Kunlun Mountains all the way up and flew over a dozen tall and lofty mountain tops.

Kunlun was very big and the mountains were continuous. Because it was late Autumn, many of the trees on the mountains had turned a dazzling golden color. At first glance, it looked as if they were magnificent blankets, giving the onlookers a spectacular sight. Although it was already dark, the moon tonight was large, bright, and shining, illuminating the surroundings like daylight.

“How much longer?” Lin Rufei asked, “Where exactly are you taking me?”

“When we arrive, you’ll know.” Wu Ao said, “Can’t travel too fast, it’s windy and you’re still sick.”

Lin Rufei frowned slightly, only to feel that this Wu Ao was simply a combination of contradictions.

Wu Ao apparently did not care about Lin Rufei’s opinion at this time, he was now focused on rushing and his expression was slightly gloomy.

He didn’t know how long they had traveled on the sword, but just when Lin Rufei was sleepy and yawned, Wu Ao finally stopped.

“The Kunlun Mountains are continuous, it is a good dragon vein[1].” Wu Ao pointed to their feet, “Here, is where ten thousand dragons converge and where the most abundant spiritual energy lies. It is suitable for, laying, a grand formation.” He finished these words with difficulty and turned his head to look at Lin Rufei.

Lin Rufei asked, “What are you trying to do by bringing me to the Kunlun Grand Formation?”

Wu Ao smiled charmingly and said something Lin Rufei couldn’t understand: “Want to, once again, see him.”

He flew down with Lin Rufei, weaving through the dense woods, and before long, a heavy stone door appeared in front of Lin Rufei’s eyes. That heavy stone door was so tall that it seemed to have appeared in the forest out of thin air, and at first, it looked a bit abrupt and strange.

Wu Ao was not surprised at all. He walked up, reached out, and carefully touched the stone door, as if looking for something. Lin Rufei stood behind him and watched his actions carefully before frowning slightly, “Exactly what the hell are you doing?”

Wu Ao asked instead of answering, “Lin gongzi, do you know when the Kunlun Sect was created?”

Lin Rufei replied, “A few hundred years ago?”

“Yes, a few hundred years ago.” Wu Ao said, “Kunlun is located at the junction of two continents, where strong demonic beasts are rampant. It is a place where humans simply can not live. And only after the Grand Formation was laid down did the people gradually flourish……Kunlun Sect was also formed around that time.” He turned his head to look at Lin Rufei, “The rest of the people do not know where the Grand Formation is. And only the Sect Leader knows why the Kunlun Sect was settled on Kunlun.”

Kunlun was remote and lacking in materials, so it was indeed not a good place to settle down at. But Lin Rufei had never thought that the Kunlun Sect was actually somewhat related to the formation laid down by the Heavenly Ruler.

As Wu Ao said this, his eyes gazing around brightened up. It seemed that he had finally found what he was looking for. With a fierce force from his hands, the stone door issued a booming sound, and then a blood-red formation surfaced on top of the stone door.

Wu Ao turned around and said to Lin Rufei, “Lin gongzi, come here.”

Lin Rufei hesitantly stepped forward.

Wu Ao instructed, “Put your hand on it.”

Lin Rufei said, “I can put my hand on it, but first you must hand over Gu Xuandu’s heart.”

Wu Ao froze, then exclaimed angrily: “You, how come you’re still thinking about him even at this time?!”

Lin Rufei did not care about Wu Ao’s anger. He coughed twice and then calmly said, “Isn’t this what we agreed upon? Since I’m already here, do you still think that I will back out? Besides, no one knows what would happen if I placed my hand on it. In case I die like this, what if you renege?”

If you aren’t reading this on acupofhalfmoon.wordpress.com, then it has been reposted without permission. Please don’t give ad revenue to them and come join us for tea. I promise we don’t bite.

Wu Ao’s expression was gloomy. After listening to Lin Rufei’s words, he finally did not refute. He took out a vermillion wooden box from his bosom and opened it to reveal what was inside.

It was indeed a complete heart, and the most incredible thing was that the heart was still beating hard. Lin Rufei reached out and took it, gazing at it carefully.

Wu Ao said, “Now, that’s okay, right?”

“Mn.” Lin Rufei called out, “Senior, are you there?”

No one answered.

Lin Rufei was a little disappointed. Just when he thought Gu Xuandu was not there, Gu Xuandu’s soft voice suddenly sounded beside him. Although it was faint, as if it was going to disappear, Lin Rufei clearly heard it: “I’m here.”

Lin Rufei was surprised, “Senior!”

He excitedly opened the box and handed over the heart in his hand, “Your heart, it’s found. Are you able to retrieve it?”

Gu Xuandu said, “I’ll try.”

After disappearing for a long time, he finally revealed himself in front of Lin Rufei once again. Lin Rufei saw his translucent hand covering the beating blood-red heart, and with a slight force, he squeezed the heart into his hand. The next moment, the red on the beating heart began to pulsate towards Gu Xuandu’s body, filling his flesh and blood with great speed. However, the moment when Gu Xuandu’s flesh and blood reconstructed to reveal his body, Wu Ao, who had been quietly standing on the side, unsheathed his sword and stabbed at Gu Xuandu.

Gu Xuandu seemed to have expected it, and at the same time, he pulled out Shuang Jiang from the side of his waist. The two blades then met with a clear crisp sound.

“Long time no see, Gu Xuandu.” Wu Ao gritted his teeth and his voice seemed to bleed with hatred.

“Long time no see.” Gu Xuandu’s voice was also cold, “You’re not dead yet?”

“Dead? Even if you die, I won’t die.” The next moment, Wu Ao suddenly withdrew his sword blade and looked at Lin Rufei with a smile, “Lin gongzi, what I promised you, I have done, now please.” He rushed towards the stone door and made a gesture of invitation to Lin Rufei.

“Xiao Jiu, don’t go!” Gu Xuandu wanted to step forward to stop him but was stopped by Wu Ao’s reaching hand.

Lin Rufei smiled bitterly, “Senior, although I don’t want to go either, can you beat him?”

Gu Xuandu frowned. His body had just recovered so he was still very weak so naturally, he wasn’t able to beat Wu Ao. He wanted to say something, but Wu Ao interrupted him in a cold voice, “Gu Xuandu, if you dare to say another word, I will dig out your heart again——”

Gu Xuandu clenched his teeth, “Wu Ao, stop being crazy!!”

“Crazy?” Wu Ao laughed loudly at his words and retorted in a hateful voice, “If I were to go crazy, I should have gone crazy a hundred years ago. Gu Xuandu, you deceitful thing! You who have betrayed our master and extinguished the ancestors, who are you to call me crazy?”

Gu Xuandu gave him a cold look, “I know what you are going to do and you will regret it.”

Wu Ao said, “Regret? Hehe……how could I regret it?”

“You will definitely regret it.” Gu Xuandu closed his eyes, “What kind of person is he, do you still not understand? If I couldn’t keep him, you wouldn’t be able to either.” 

Wu Ao exclaimed, “Shut up, shut up, shut up!!” He didn’t know how Gu Xuandu’s words irritated Wu Ao, but he shouted “shut up” three times in a row with his increasingly loud voice. Then he turned his head to look at Lin Rufei again and hissed, “Lin gongzi, go, go, go and put your hand on——you promised me.”

Lin Rufei didn’t have any other choice and could only obey Wu Ao’s words. He stepped forward and hesitantly pressed his hand on the formation.

Who knew that as soon as he pressed his hand on it, he felt a huge suction hit him. The formation seemed like a bottomless black hole, greedily sucking up the raging sword intent in his body.

“Ah……” Luckily, this process was very short. Before Lin Rufei could fully react, he was drained of his strength and his body was about to fall softly to the ground. When Gu Xuandu saw this scene, he wanted to come over to catch Lin Rufei. However, he was stopped by Wu Ao, who caught Lin Rufei’s body that had lost its strength and said coldly, “Stay away from him!”

Gu Xuandu laughed in anger, “Are you qualified to say that?”

Wu Ao replied, “Why am I not qualified? Do you think everyone is like you, harboring that dirty thought of deceiving the master and destroying the ancestor?!”

Gu Xuandu crossed his arms against his chest: “No matter how dirty it was, he still liked it.”

Wu Ao yelled, “It’s because you forced him!”

Gu Xuandu asked, “How do you know that I forced him?”

Wu Ao said, “Otherwise, why else would he agree?!”

Gu Xuandu spread his hands: “The phrase ‘two lovers in love’ is not difficult to understand, right?”

Wu Ao still wanted to sneer back, but the dusty century-old stone door behind him made a loud sound, and then slowly opened up. Under the bright moonlight, countless dust danced around and the air circulating inside emitted an aura of decay. Wu Ao hugged Lin Rufei before heading inside and Gu Xuandu could only follow behind: “Wu Ao, you really are crazy.”

Wu Aoi didn’t bother with him.

After entering the stone door, there was a wide avenue with many intricate patterns of stone slabs on both sides. After Gu Xuandu and Wu Ao came in, they did not speak again, as if they were afraid of disturbing something. Lin Rufei, who was being held by Wu Ao, felt Gu Xuandu’s gaze on him from time to time and he could feel that this gaze contained anxiety and anger. It seemed that if he was in a position to defeat Wu Ao, he probably would have made his move by now. 

The avenue was very long and as the three of them walked slowly, they felt as if they had walked for an eternity. Lin Rufei closed his eyes halfway. He was muddled and did not understand exactly where they were going.

Just when he felt like he was about to pass out, Wu Ao’s footsteps finally stopped.

Gu Xuandu also stopped next to him and at the same time, both of their eyes fell onto a stone house at the end of the avenue. The stone house was very large and there were also formations painted on all four walls. The most striking thing within this stone house was a large stone coffin in the center of it all.

“Is he in there?” Wu Ao asked in a soft voice. Rather than asking Gu Xuandu, it was more like he was talking to himself.

Gu Xuandu also did not answer. As the two stared at the stone coffin, time seemed to have froze.

No one knew how long it took before Gu Xuandu finally let out a long breath, “Do you really want to do it? Even if it goes against his last wish, even if it will make him feel pain, you still want to do it?”

“Why would he feel pain?” Wu Ao looked at Gu Xuandu strangely, “I’m saving him? Shouldn’t he be happy?”

Gu Xuandu sneered, “That’s probably the reason why he likes me and not you.”

“Bullsh*t!!” Wu Ao yelled angrily, “He likes you? If you hadn’t taken advantage of him in the first place, how could he have liked you?”

Gu Xuandu asked, “I took advantage of someone?” He gave Lin Rufei a careless glance and gave a strained smile, “Although it’s not quite appropriate for me to say this, but now I think I should tell you that we had already confirmed our relationship before he set up the Grand Formation.”

Wu Ao yelled, “Impossible!”

Gu Xuandu sighed, “Whether you believe it or not, is up to you.”

Wu Ao said, “If you confirmed your relationship with him, why didn’t you stop him in the first place?”

“Do you think I didn’t try stopping him?” Gu Xuandu’s voice was soft that he even snorted, yet anyone could hear the pain in his tone that could not be suppressed, “I almost used my life to stop him, but he did not listen so what could I do?”

Lin Rufei listened to the conversation between Wu Ao and Gu Xuandu and fell into silence. He had been suffering from a low fever before this and now that he was drained of the sword intent in his body, he just felt that it was so difficult to breathe. However, Gu Xuandu’s words still caused a shallow pain to float in his chest and he thought of what Wu Min had said. Wu Min said that he was somewhat similar to the Heavenly Ruler; could it be that the reason Gu Xuandu found him was really because of this?

They hadn’t even known each other for a year, but this kind of feeling looked so thin in front of the memories that have been entangled for a hundred years. Lin Rufei wanted to ask Gu Xuandu some questions, but the words turned into a slight sigh.

Gu Xuandu said, “I know I can’t stop you. However, since you have already made up your mind, can I have a few more words with him?” Naturally, he was referring to Lin Rufei.

Wu Ao stared at Gu Xuandu suspiciously, “What are you up to again?”

Gu Xuandu said, “I can’t beat you so what else can I do? I just want to say a few words to him to calm him down.”

Wu Ao hesitated for a moment but still agreed. He told Gu Xuandu not to make trouble, otherwise, he would not be soft against him. Gu Xuandu only laughed at his words and said, ‘Isn’t it because you’re afraid that when he wakes up he will blame you, that’s why you’re being soft right now?’ Wu Ao coldly let out a “hmph” and handed Lin Rufei over into Gu Xuandu’s hands.

Finally, Lin Rufei was carefully taken into Gu Xuandu’s arms. Gu Xuandu reached out and stroked Lin Rufei’s hair, smiling, “Xiao Jiu, long time no see.” His hand finally regained its warmth and it was no longer as cold as it had been at the beginning. Lin Rufei had little strength and could only look at him with half-lidded eyes.

“I know it’s hard for Xiao Jiu.” Gu Xuandu comforted, “It’s all my fault for implicating you.” He held Lin Rufei’s fingertips and his thin lips pursed out into a taut straight line, “Xiao Jiu, no matter what happens after that, you must not blame me.”

Lin Rufei’s heart went cold and he whispered, “What are you going to……do?”

If you aren’t reading this on acupofhalfmoon.wordpress.com, then it has been reposted without permission. Please don’t give ad revenue to them and come join us for tea. I promise we don’t bite.

Gu Xuandu said, “I don’t want to try it again.”

Lin Rufei was confused, “Try what again?”

Gu Xuandu shook his head and then stopped talking.

Lin Rufei looked at him in despair. He did not know what Gu Xuandu and Wu Ao were going to do, but he believed that it must be related to the Heavenly Ruler. Since things have come to this point, no matter how stupid Lin Rufei was, he should understand that he was somewhat special……But was his existence just a tool for the two? The knots in Lin Rufei’s grew tighter, but he could not say the words of reproach. He simply powerlessly closed his eyes once again.

Wu Ao stretched out his hand, signaling Gu Xuandu to return Lin Rufei. Gu Xuandu muttered something before handing Lin Rufei back into Wu Ao’s hand.

“Let’s begin.” Wu Ao took a deep breath and looked at Lin Rufei with a smile, “Lin gongzi, don’t be afraid, it will be over soon.”

Lin Rufei did not say anything.

Wu Ao carried Lin Rufei towards the stone coffin. After he reached the coffin, he gently put Lin Rufei onto the ground and lifted up the coffin lid.

The lid of the coffin fell heavily to the ground with a ground-rumbling sound and Wu Ao carefully picked Lin Rufei up again, “Long time no see.” He was greeting the person in the coffin.

Only to see a handsome man in red clothes lying in the coffin. The man’s face was handsome and his temperament was warm. He was quietly lying within the coffin, as if he were simply sleeping.

“Master, I missed you so much.” Wu Ao had only looked at him, but the tears started to overflow. He choked and wanted to say more, but his mouth could not be opened.

Lin Rufei quietly observed Gu Xuandu’s expression. Gu Xuandu looked serious, but he was not as sad as Wu Ao. He seemed to notice Lin Rufei’s gaze, which wasn’t really that obvious, and the corners of his lips hooked up into an arc, casting a reassuring smile at Lin Rufei.

“Although I do not know what you want to do to me. However, since we are already here, you should at least tell me clearly now.” Lin Rufei coldly interrupted Wu Ao, “Even if I have to die, I should be allowed to die with understanding.”

Wu Ao: “Lin gongzi, don’t be afraid, you naturally won’t die……” He broke away from his trance, “Don’t you worry.” Lin Rufei asked, “If I won’t die, then what are you going to do?”

Gu Xuandu slowly said: “A hundred years ago, the Heavenly Ruler used his flesh as the eye of the Yaoguang Continent’s Grand Formation. In order to maintain the operation of the Yaoguang Grand Formation, although the flesh body is gone, the soul is still there. I used the twenty-four swords in the sword box to forcefully preserve the Heavenly Ruler’s soul. And now only Da Han, Shuang Jiang, and Gu Yu are the only ones left of the twenty-four swords, the rest of the sword blades are all lost……”

Lin Rufei suddenly understood something, “How……am I related to the divine soul of the Heavenly Ruler?”

“Of course it’s related.” Wu Ao smiled and said the truth that Lin Rufei should have discovered long ago, “Lin gongzi, you are the reincarnation of the Heavenly Ruler’s divine soul.”

That day when Lin Rufei was born, a majestic vision was born. Ten thousand birds took the form of a phoenix in the evening blaze; this was precisely the sign of the Heavenly Ruler’s divine soul coming into being.

Everyone in the world knew about the vision, but they didn’t know what it meant. It was a pity that Lin Rufei’s physical body was too weak to withstand the majestic sword intent of the Heavenly Ruler’s soul, which resulted in constant illness and even the inability to practice swords. And only until later, when Gu Xuandu appeared, did Lin Rufei’s physical condition improve.

Lin Rufei listened in a daze. Although he had long guessed that he was related to the Heavenly Ruler, how could he have thought that he was actually the reincarnation of the Heavenly Ruler? Moreover, he thought from the beginning to the end that Gu Xuandu was the Heavenly Ruler, however, he never expected that the other Heavenly Ruler was himself.

“So Lin gongzi, you don’t have to be afraid. I’m just helping you to find a body that can withstand the sword intent.” Wu Ao said, “When you get back into the body of the Heavenly Ruler, you will remember what happened before……when the time comes……”

Lin Rufei interrupted him, “Will the Yaoguang Grand Formation still be there by then?”

Gu Xuandu said, “Since the eye of the formation will be gone, naturally it won’t exist anymore.”

Wu Ao said in annoyance, “Shut up!! He has already done so much for Yaoguang, so what if he finally found his body? I have already experimented with that Mo Changshan, but unfortunately, his soul was no longer in the living body. Now, with the body of the Heavenly Ruler plus the soul of Lin gongzi……I can definitely bring the Heavenly Ruler back to life!”

Gu Xuandu questioned, “Why are you so agitated? I wasn’t even scolding you.” He smiled, “Just, have you thought about it properly? If the Heavenly Ruler wakes up and sees that the Grand Formation he worked so hard to set up was damaged by you, are you still expecting him to smile at you?” 

Wu Ao disdainfully said, “So what? I don’t care.”

Gu Xuandu said, “If you really didn’t care, you shouldn’t have done such a thing.”

“Gu Xuandu!! Who are you to say that to me?!!” Wu Ao became enraged, “You couldn’t keep him in the first place, but you want him to die for you again? Again and again, exactly how many times do you want him to sacrifice for you??” 

Gu Xuandu laughed coldly, “Why do you care?”

These words were a bit inexplicable and Lin Rufei couldn’t quite comprehend them. 

When Wu Ao saw Lin Rufei’s unknowing expression, he pointed to Gu Xuandu and sneered: “Lin gongzi, you really don’t know anything. When the Heavenly Ruler died, although his physical body was gone, his soul still existed. However, who knew that this Gu Xuandu, with his wild ambition, actually concealed this matter from me and also secretly kept the soul around………”

Lin Rufei asked, “You mean me?”

“Naturally, it’s not you! Rather, it’s that sword named Da Han!” Wu Ao told the shocking truth, “Back then, there were twenty-four blades in the Heavenly Ruler’s sword box. Later on, they were damaged, leaving only Da Han, Shuang Jiang, and Gu Yu. This Gu Xuandu actually took the Heavenly Ruler’s soul and quietly incorporated his soul into Da Han, making the Heavenly Ruler become Da Han’s sword spirit!!!”

Gu Xuandu exhaled deeply, “If I don’t do that, the Heavenly Ruler’s soul will dissipate. Are you telling me you have other methods?”

Wu Ao said, “Obviously, if you take out the Heavenly Ruler’s flesh, you can——”

“Shut up!” Gu Xuandu roared, “You don’t know anything at all! Do you know how much effort it took him to set up this Grand Formation? Yes, who doesn’t want to be accompanied by him all the time? But you can bear it, I can’t!” After he finished roaring, his eyes were already red from anger, “Wu Ao, I know you resent him for leaving us, but the Heavenly Ruler was originally the King of Heaven, since he was given this name……” 

“You do not understand anything!” Wu Ao sternly scolded and his voice actually carried a trembling cry, “I don’t want him to be the Heavenly Ruler, I only want him to be my master. Without him, I, Wu Ao——am nothing——” Then his voice suddenly became much quieter, “I, I really, really miss him, ah.”

********

The author has something to say:

Gu Xuandu: Being single for too long makes one easily twisted.

Lin Rufei: How long has senior been single for?

Gu Xuandu: A few hundred years……..

Lin Rufei: ……..

─────────────────────────────────────────────────

[1] Terrain that resembles a dragon.