Zhu Xian

Chapter 237 - Intention to kill

Stepping out from the hut, Wenmin saw Lu Xueqi standing at the side and so walked over and said, “Junior sister, are you going back now?”

Lu Xueqi shook her head slightly, said, “Since I am already out, I thought of walking around, sitting in the room all the time also make me frustrated.”

Wenmin nodded and said, “It is true as well, then you be careful by yourself, I will go back first.”

Lu Xueqi nodded and said, “Yes, take care senior sister.”

Wenmin smiled, turned and left. Watching as her figure gradually disappeared into the forest, Lu Xueqi stood at where she was and for a moment, did not know where she should go to, and so walked aimlessly.

Deep inside the bamboo forest, everywhere was verdant, the mountain breeze blew past somewhere high up, the bamboo leaves rustled with the wind, making [sha sha] sounds.

On the damp earth, new shoots broke through the earth, one could often see the sharp bamboo heads poking out from the ground, full of vitality.

Somewhere far, where the bamboos were dense, clear crisp birds cries could be heard, even the surrounding air, wafted with the bamboo unique fragrance. Lu Xueqi inhaled deeply, the air here did not carry smells from the mortal world, this was what they, cultivated Taoism practitioners, loved the most, it was also the reason why every cultivated Taoism practitioners stayed far away from the mortals.

Just that, her body although far from the mortal life, but the mortal emotions and feelings, seemed never had left.

She walked aimlessly like that, unintentionally, she suddenly realized with a start, she had came to the rear of the mountain again, she made a bitter laugh, although she did not intend to come here today but perhaps it was because she had visited here most of the time, her legs brought her here on their own.

However since she was already here, Lu Xueqi did not turn back, continued on up the mountain, up the stone stairs, not far away was the secluded Full-Moon platform.

Right now was daytime, in addition as Shuiyue Master was not in a good mood these days, not even one disciple came to this secluded place, the surroundings seemed quieter in contrast, fortunately Lu Xueqi had always been used to such stillness and so walked up, every grass and tree, every stone and rock, she couldn’t be more familiar.

Unexpectedly when she stepped up onto the Full-Moon platform, she was surprised, ahead at the Full-Moon platform, there was someone standing there alone, the person’s robe flapped dancing by the mountain wind, the back figure extremely familiar, it was Shuiyue Master whom she and Wenmin were unable to locate.

Lu Xueqi was stunned, walked up and bowed to her teacher, “Teacher.”

Shuiyue Master was taken aback, it seemed like she did not realize someone coming from behind, turned around and saw Lu Xueqi, nodded and said, “Ah it’s Xueqi.”

Lu Xueqi looked up at Shuiyue Master, saw her mentor looking slightly pale, her expression still grieving but what was more was melancholy.

Her heart worrying, said, “Teacher, the wind is strong here, you must take care of your health.”

Shuiyue Master laughed and said, “You usually stand here for the whole day and yet I don’t see you being affected, although my old bones cannot be compared to you youngsters but I am still not that weak against the wind.”

Lu Xueqi was taken aback, hurriedly said, “Teacher, disciple did not have that intention, I am…”

Shuiyue Master tiredly waved her hand, a faint bitter smile on her lips, said, “I know, you don’t have to explain.”

Lu Xueqi was silent, stood beside her teacher and for the moment, did not know what to say.

And Shuiyue Master did not look like she was intending to speak, the teacher and the student for the moment were silent.

And not knowing how much time had passed, Shuiyue Master gazed ahead, suddenly said, “Do you think that the view at this Full-Moon platform is beautiful?”

Lu Xueqi was stunned for a moment, not knowing the reason for her teacher’s question but she still honestly replied, “It is always said that the views are usually at the perilous peaks, here the rocks jutted dangerously, the precipice suspended solitarly in the air, looking up from it, the sea of clouds like sea waves, the green mountains as companion, it is an exceptional scenery.”

Shuiyue Master nodded her head, her eyes slightly misted, in a slow voice said, “Actually many years ago, when your Suru teacher aunt was still training at Small Bamboo Valley, she was also like you, loved the scenery here the most and often sneaked out here to play.”

Lu Xueqi was surprised, looked up at Shuiyue Master, saw her sighing softly, said, “Su junior sister and I grew up together, actually I only joined my mentor Zhenyu Grand Master tutelage one year earlier than her, when we were young, we ate at the same table, shared the same bed, we were really like real sisters. Her character was more lively than me but yet loved to sneak out here alone, and whenever she felt she was wronged, she also came to this Full-Moon platform, sulking by herself.”

The corner of Shuiyue Master’s lips moved slightly, seemed as if recalling the past affairs, an expression of amused but before her smile was formed, it was replaced by an even deeper vacant expression which contained a feeling of vicissitudes of life.

“But...ever since she got married, she never came here again.”

Lu Xueqi quietly listened to her teacher, quietly said, “Teacher, when Su teacher aunt married Big Bamboo Valley Tian teacher uncle, were you unpleased?”

Shuiyue Master was stunned and then shook her head, sighed and said, “Tian Buyi although was hot-tempered and his character was somehow disagreeable but he was an ideal spouse, your Su teacher aunt married him, it was her fortune and also she had good sense of judgement.”

Lu Xueqi was rather surprised when she heard that, everyone knew that Shuiyue Master did not like Tian Buyi but unexpectedly her view was like this, couldn’t help but ask, “Then in the past you still treated Tian teacher uncle like that…” speaking halfway, she suddenly stopped.

Shuiyue Master smiled and said, “Still glaring at him, speaking coldly to him was it?”

Lu Xueqi turned red and said, “Disciple do not dare to think that way.”

Shuiyue Master indifferently said, “The way I treated him, was not something taboo or to feel scruple about. But although I did not get along well with Tian Buyi but truthfully, he was not a bad person, in our Qing Yun sect, there wasn’t anyone who could surpass him.”

Shuiyue Master suddenly recalled something, her brows frowning, said, “Tian Buyi’s eldest disciple, is called Song Daren right?”

Lu Xueqi nodded but wondered why her teacher would suddenly enquired about Song Daren and said, “Yes, currently Song senior brother has already took over Big Bamboo Valley branch leader position. Teacher, why did you suddenly ask about Song senior brother?”

Shuiyue Master was silent for a while, said, “Your that Wenmin senior sister, is it that she is exchanging flirting glances with this Song Daren?”

Lu Xueqi was taken aback, for a moment did not know what to say. Wenmin and Song Daren indeed had feelings for each other and most of them knew that, the Small Bamboo Valley disciples usually teased Wenmin about it, however Tian Buyi had once came up and proposed marriage for Song Daren but was flatly rejected by Shuiyue Master, causing Wenmin to be secretly depressed and unhappy for several days. Now that with Shuiyue Master sudden question, Lu Xueqi did not know if she should speak directly or to conceal for Wenmin senior sister.

Shuiyue Master with her years of experience, saw Lu Xueqi hesitating, was able to surmiss from it, shook her head, inhaled deeply.

Lu Xueqi couldn’t help but feel anxious, she was close to Wenmin and although her own love life was unfavourable but she hoped that this senior sister of hers who had cared for her since young, would be able to marry well, and so gathered her courage and said, “Teacher, actually Wenmin senior sister she…”

Barely speaking a few words, Shuiyue Master indifferently said, “Forget it, forget it, find an auspicious day, just marry Wenmin over.”

Lu Xueqi was stunned, couldn’t believe her ears. Shuiyue Master glanced at her, smiled and said, “Why, is it that you all disciples always thought that I am an old die-hard, refusing to assist in disciples’ joyous occasions?”

Lu Xueqi was extremely overjoyed for Wenmin, smiled and quickly said, “Teacher, look what you are saying, how would we disciples think like that. I will first thank teacher for Wenmin senior sister!”

Shuiyue Master saw a rare glimpse of Lu Xueqi’s sincere smile, her lips moved but it was another sigh, she turned, clasping her hands behind, facing the sea of clouds and quietly gazed out.

Lu Xueqi overjoyed, noticed Shuiyue Master’s strange expression, carefully asked, “Teacher, why did you recall this suddenly?”

Shuiyue Master was silent for a moment, instead answered with another question, “Xueqi, you have went with me to Big Bamboo Valley, how do you feel about your Su teacher aunt death?”

Lu Xueqi turned solemn, said, “Disciple thinks, Su teacher aunt was deeply in love with Tian teacher uncle, and so followed him, I did not notice any pain on her expression.”

“Yes.” Shuiyue Master gently sighed, looked vacant, after a long while said, “I actually do not want you disciples to be troubled by love, hinder your cultivation, but after cultivating for a lifetime, in the end what is the outcome?”

Lu Xueqi did not understand her teacher’s words, for a moment did not say anything. Shuiyue Master spoke slowly, “Longevity, is still faintly discernible and nothing, training hard for a lifetime, the most only in exchange for several hundred years more on worthless activities, your Su teacher aunt viewed her hundred years of cultivation and life, as nothing, this determination, is really so much more stronger than me.”

Lu Xueqi felt a pain in her heart, called out, “Teacher…”

“A lifetime of cultivation, cultivating for a lifetime, cultivating and obtaining Tao, yet inundating the human feelings, what is this for?” She sighed, faintly said, “Actually what is Tao, what is obtaining Tao, I have cultivated for a lifetime, today and now, I am really somehow muddled.”

Lu Xueqi standing beside, did not dare to speak. Shuiyue Master stood silently, after staring vacantly for a long while, shook her head and seemed did not wish to continue, turned and walked down the mountain. Lu Xueqi looked at her back figure, called out, “Teacher, where are you going?”

Shuiyue Master paused, said, “Wenmin’s affair, I have already decided, you can go over and tell her. But…”

Her voice paused, she turned around, her expression contained tenderness, looked at Lu Xueqi and said, “As for yourself, Xueqi, have you thought for yourself?”

Lu Xueqi was stunned, said, “What?” and then comprehended, her face turned pale, slowly revealed a helpless smile, quietly said, “Teacher, disciple do not have a good life, dare not hope anymore.”

Shuiyue Master watched her own disciple who was exceptionally delicate and beautiful, saw her white clothes fluttering in the wind, a celestial demeanour but the sorrow on her face, nobody knew how deep it was.

Shuiyue Master felt an inexplicable pain in her heart, called out, “Xueqi.”

Lu Xueqi looked up, saw Shuiyue Master, heard her faintly saying, “Xueqi, your love life is difficult but yet you do not wish to turn back, teacher is also at loss as to what to say to you. However for the sake of our teacher and disciple relationship, I too do not wish to see you like this, if in the future there is a favourable turn, the rules and regulations here at Qing Yun sect, you have me to shoulder for you, you just don't have to worry.” Lu Xueqi’s body shook greatly, involuntarily called out, “Teacher..” yet did not know what to say.

Shuiyue Master smiled at her but sighed again, turned and left, soon her figure disappeared from the stairs, only the wind, indistinctly carried her words, “Asking the world, what is love…”

Lu Xueqi stood where she was, for a moment her heart in turmoil, her stomach churned and sank into low spirits but she was unable to think of any conclusion, only while in that trance, she suddenly recalled: Not long ago, in the HeYang City abandoned morgue, Tian Buyi seemed to tell her the same thing too--

Majestic Fox Mountain, Ghost King Sect.

A slender figure appeared in the tunnels deep within the mountain where Ghost King sect headquarter was, the thing that was different from the surrounding gloomy grey was, surrounding the figure, there seemed to be a dazzling glow, bringing a dash of colour to the suppressed atmosphere.

In the tunnel, Ghost King sect’s disciples passed by frequently, almost not one who was not attracted by her but when this lady’s gaze swept over, all of them walked away with quick steps, did not dare to have further contact. Even in this Ghost King sect, seemed like she had a special status.

And she was really special, her brows like drawing, extremely coquettish, even though her seductive charms was slightly less than the nine-tailed celestial fox, hers had more gentleness, but even though it was so, with her past status as HeHuan sect Miao Gongzi, Jin Pinger today boldly walking in Ghost King sect realm, she appeared rather outstanding.

Jin Pinger evidently did not care about the others’ stares, to her, she was long used to it. At the very end of the demon beast catastrophe, in the southern border ten thousand great mountains Subdue Devil Cave, she managed to escape with great difficulty, returned to Central Plains, the complicated affairs between it, she did not tell anyone.

Right now, she had only one direction, Ghost King had wanted to see her.

Again another tunnel, the tunnel ahead split into three, Jin Pinger stopped, glanced at the tunnel to her left, a few flashes of glint seemed to brush past her eyes then disappeared, strided towards the right tunnel.

The unusual earthquake not long ago, caused damage to the Ghost King sect which could still be seen, on the rock walls, large and small cracks had appeared, and in this multi traversal, well ventilated tunnels, a faint blood stench still wafted, unable to wave it off.

This faint smell of blood, Jin Pinger naturally smelled it too but although she found it strange but her face did not reveal it, right not her status in Ghost King sect was different from her past HeHuan sect, naturally she would not poke her nose in. She was secretly shocked by it, with her experience and knowledge, naturally she could sense that the stench was greatly odd.

While she was pondering over it, she had followed the tunnel to where Ghost King resided, she stopped and was about to call out someone to pass the message, suddenly the stone door opened with a rumble, Ghost King’s laughter was heard from the residence, said, “Is it Pinger, quickly come in.”

Jin Pinger was surprised but her face revealed only a smile, said, “Yes.” and so walked in.

The stone room was spacious and bright, although not extravagant but it was dignified and imposing, Ghost King was sitting at a table, a large white paper in front of him, the four treasures of the study beside [Translator note: writing brush, ink stick, inkslab, paper], seemed like he was practising writing.

Jin Pinger glanced at Ghost King, smiled coquettishly and said, “Sect head today is in a good mood, why suddenly decided to do writing?”

Ghost King looked up at Jin Pinger, smiled, Jin Pinger’s smile suddenly froze, felt Ghost King’s eyes were like two sharp knives stabbing over, staring into his eyes, her eyes felt an indistinct pain.

However luckily Ghost King soon quickly looked away, looked at the paper in his hand, at the same time waved her over and said, “Come over here and look, how is my writing?”

Jin Pinger secretly felt alarmed, in the past when she had met with Ghost King, she never felt like this, how could it be in a matter of a few days, Ghost King’s skills and abilities, seemed to advance like a thousand miles in a day?

But she was afterall not a careless person, while secretly thinking about it, her face made a smile, walked over, a fragrance wafted from her, smiling said, “But I am a crude person who don’t know anything about writings, sect head requesting me to take a look, it is really placing me in a difficult position.”

Ghost King [hei hei] laughed but did not make fun of her, made room for Jin Pinger to stand near the table, she looked at the paper on the table, what she saw was, on a large sheet of white paper, a large word was written:

Kill!

Every stroke of the word was vigorous, the force used was great, as if almost breaking out of the paper, it was definitely not as proper as a regular script but it wasn’t also not as composed as a cursive script, appearing calm and at ease, a feeling of extermination, surged over.

Jin Pinger was secretly shocked, felt a cold pair of eyes looking at her but Ghost King’s amiable laughter was heard instead, said, “Pinger, how do you find the writing?"

Jin Pinger smiling, like a breeze from spring brushing past, as if filling up the room with spring, said, “Sect head this word is written so well, even if I practised for ten years, I would not be about to write it like this.”

Ghost King indifferently looked at Jin Pinger, Jin Pinger under his gaze, felt a chill seeping out from her heart but the smile on her face was still there, until her facial muscles started to ache from holding the smile, Ghost King suddenly looked away.

Jin Pinger then secretly let out a sigh of relief, at the same time was secretly alarmed, Ghost King seemed completely different, a murderous aura like an angry tide pressed over, and looking at him, he did not seem to be concealing it at all.

This was different from his usual demeanour, could it be these past few days, something had happened?

Jin Pinger while pondering, Ghost King had already spoken, “Priest, why don’t you come over and take a look too, how is my writing?”

Jin Pinger was surprised again, turned in shock, in the corner of this stone room, there was still another person, wearing a priest robes, his face solemn. Jin Pinger felt bewildered, when she first entered the room, although she was taken aback by Ghost King’s strange aura and was distracted but this person who could conceal his body presence and stood there, seemed like he could not be underestimated.

The priest acknowledged and walked over, looked at the word on the paper, after a long while, said, “Good word.”

Ghost King’s cold gaze was still there but his face was smiling, said, “Why is it good?”

The priest said, “The strokes and meaning of this word compliment each other, the word itself has the meaning of kill, revealed in the strokes, rarely seen, rarely seen!”

Ghost King stared at that person, the priest’s expression did not change, slowly stepped back, stood within three chi of Jin Pinger. Ghost King suddenly laughed out, said, “Well spoken, well spoken, I fully agree with what priest said.” The priest dipped his head, considered receiving the compliment.

Jin Pinger couldn’t help but glance at that priest, Ghost King was heard saying, “Pinger, let me introduce you, this is our sect consecrated strong ally, Taoist Cangsong.”

Jin Pinger’s both brows raised, a sharp glint flashed past her eyes and then she smiled and looked at Cangsong, “Long heard of you, long heard of you--”

Taoist Cangsong nodded to Jin Pinger, Ghost King spoke again, “Pinger, this time I summoned you, is because our holy sect will soon have a big affair that is rarely seen in a thousand years, and I wanted you to come lend a hand.” Jin Pinger smiled and said, “Sect head please go ahead and instruct, Pinger will definitely do my best.”

Ghost King laughed and said, “The details of it, I have already told most to Taoist Cangsong, you can ask him later, although this matter is not urgent now but we must act fast, you both can go off and discuss it properly.” Jin Pinger nodded, together both of them bowed to Ghost King, and left.

The stone door closed up slowly, the two of them walked together in the tunnel, for a moment none of them spoke, when they reached the trifurcation tunnels, Jin Pinger couldn’t help but glance at the left tunnel.

And at this moment, Taoist Cangsong spoke, “Vice-sect head Ghost Li has already left the mountain several days ago, still not back.”

Jin Pinger frowned, her eyes turned cold, she looked at Taoist Cangsong but after saying those words, walked off ahead by himself.

After a moment, Jin Pinger’s face had a mysterious smile, with a sneer, she followed him.