Love & Redemption
Chapter 276: The Final Volume of I am Liuli - 35 Forgetting Three Lives (Part 5)

Chapter 276: The Final Volume of I am Liuli Chapter 35 Forgetting Three Lives (Part 5)

It’s the second watch of the night, and this is the first post. ^_^

***************

As summer gave way to autumn, the maple forest on Little Yang Peak of Shouyang Mountain had turned wholly red, as if the rosy clouds were ablaze. The young disciples, after strenuous cultivation, loved to gather here in small groups to chat and relax; yet today, for some reason, there was not a single person to be found.

Over the past few months, Linglong had gained a little weight, and her once sharp chin had become fuller. Dressed in a light purple gown, she reached up to pluck a maple leaf. The leaf was as red as fire against her pale wrist, the contrast strikingly beautiful. She picked two twigs, handed one to the green-clad girl beside her, and said softly, "You’ve just returned and already you must leave again."

The girl in the green dress that flowed like clouds was Xuanji. That day, she and Yu Sifeng had agreed on a date to request her hand in marriage; she then returned to Shaoyang Peak on her own. Less than half a month later, Liu Yihuan acted as the matchmaker, settling the marriage talks for the young couple. Chu Lei, upon learning that Lize Palace was now under the reformative command of Yu Sifeng, which starkly contrasted with its former sinister practices, could not help but heap praise. In the hearts of the older generation, everyone must have a place to belong; it was unrealistic to engage in romance all the time. It was clear that Yu Sifeng’s leadership at Lize Palace deeply satisfied both him and his wife, and they immediately agreed to the marriage, setting the grand wedding for September.

In a few days, the flower sedan chair from Lize Palace would be carried up the mountain, and Xuanji would finally have her moment to be a radiant bride—no longer needing to look up enviously at Linglong’s happiness. However, in her heart, all this had become inconsequential. With the painful memories experienced on Kunlun Mountain, sometimes she woke from nightmares unsure whether she was truly Chu Xuanji, the War God General, or that Luo Hou and Jidu.

Such painful recollections made one feel fragile but also appreciate the happiness in an ordinary life all the more.

"It’s not like I won’t be coming back," she laughed. "Whenever I wish, I can fly back on my sword to see you and our parents. Once you’ve given birth and rested for a while, you can also come to Lize Palace to visit me. There are no longer those ridiculous rules prohibiting women from entering Lize Palace"

Linglong, reminded of the baby, subconsciously lowered her gaze and gently caressed her abdomen. She was already two months pregnant, and Zhong Minyan, upon learning of his wife’s pregnancy, behaved like a monkey with its tail on fire—restless all the time. One minute he would bring her food, and the next he would accompany her on the couch for a nap. He couldn’t bear the thought of her using Sword Control to fly out for fun, and even if she walked too much, he acted as though she might miscarry at any moment. He Danping, seeing Zhong Minyan like this, could only sigh and say, "He’s still a child himself, yet he’s going to be a father."

A smile crept onto Linglong’s lips at the amusing thought, her whole face blooming with spring. She had lost much of her previous wild spirit, and now she looked indeed like a married woman, intoxicating to behold. Xuanji followed along with a laugh, "It’s just two months, and your belly hasn’t even swelled yet, but brother-in-law is beside himself with worry. He’ll probably scold me for not taking enough care of you when you and I go out to relax today. In his eyes, nobody can take care of you but him, nobody else will do. Heh, when you actually give birth, he might just hang himself in his anxiety."

Linglong playfully glared at her, cooing, "You cheeky girl, why tease him? When you have your own children, I don’t believe Si Feng wouldn’t care."

Xuanji chuckled, "Si Feng will never be like that."

"Already taking your husband’s side before you’ve even married," Linglong lightly tapped her forehead, teasingly.

The sisters shared many heartfelt words. Being pregnant, Linglong soon felt fatigued from standing too long. Though the baby had not caused her much distress, such as nausea or vomiting, she still found her energy greatly depleted, easily feeling tired and suffering from backache. Rubbing her back, she complained, "This little rascal is already stealing my energy while still in my belly. Who knows what kind of trouble he’ll make once he’s born."

Xuanji wondered aloud, "How do you know it’s a son?"

Linglong gave her a look, "You’ll understand when you’re pregnant—it’s a mother’s instinct!"

Is there really such an intuition? Xuanji found the notion astonishing. As they talked, laughter was heard from outside: several young disciples had come to the Maple Forest to rest and play. They looked up, saw Xuanji and Linglong standing beneath the maple tree, stopped in their tracks, and shyly bowed, "Greetings to Junior Sister Linglong, Junior Sister Xuanji."

After speaking, they turned to leave hurriedly; one girl, moving too quickly, had her shell pendant caught on a branch and drop to the ground. Xuanji called out, "Wait a moment." She went, picked up the shell pendant, dusted it off, and handed it to the girl with a gentle voice, "Take it, no need to rush."

The girl, seeing Xuanji’s hand stretched out, turned pale with shock, and her companions similarly showed faces of fear, as if they wanted to escape. Xuanji said, "It’s your belonging, take it."

The girl took the pendant, trembling, unable to even utter a word of thanks before turning and running away. They had run quite a distance when they faintly heard someone say, "She didn’t touch you, did she? The pendant didn’t get burned, right? It’s said that her entire body emits fire, and in the past, she has burned many senior brothers to death... Even the Sect Leader is afraid of her, and brothers like Wen Yu say she’s a monster..."

"What kind of nonsense are you speaking behind our backs?! If you have the guts, come say it to our face!" Linglong suddenly yelled sharply, with all the poise of a heroine of yore. Hearing her voice, the children scattered like birds, and Linglong, enraged, chased after them a few steps, cursing, "A bunch of loudmouth bastards! Don’t let me see you again! I’ll have you all thrown off the mountain by tomorrow!"

Xuanji hurriedly reached out and tugged at her sleeve, cautiously supporting her, and said softly, "Don’t get too worked up, be careful with the baby inside you, still jumping around!"

Linglong angrily said, "I don’t know when these rumors started spreading in the sect, they didn’t dare to speak when we were there, but behind our backs, it’s all over the place! They don’t train properly, their minds are full of nonsense and lies! Why doesn’t father take care of it!"

Xuanji laughed it off unconcernedly, "They aren’t entirely wrong, I am indeed a monster."

Linglong pushed her forcefully, her face alternating between red and white, and said sternly, "Don’t talk such nonsense! It’s disgraceful to hear! What monster? If you’re a monster, then what does that make our whole family?!"

Xuanji still smiled, "I can never win an argument with you." She looked back at the Maple Forest, its fiery red maple leaves blazing like a bonfire, usually a place teeming with joyous visitors. She continued, "Since I’ve returned, many children can’t even sleep well, see? Knowing I am in the Maple Forest, not a single one dares to come, they run away at the sight of me. Father even wants me to become a Seven Peaks Elder, as if it’s that easy."

Linglong said anxiously, "You can’t talk like that! You do your job as a Seven Peaks Elder, what does it have to do with them? Those who are prejudiced are useless, we’ll drive them all away later! See who dares to spread rumors then!"

Xuanji shook her head, "Drive them away today, and tomorrow there will be others who talk. Using such methods to shut people up is utterly foolish, and it will also chill the hearts of the other disciples. It’s not good for Shaoyang Sect. No matter how long a rumor persists, even a thousand years, the truth won’t change because of it. Heaven knows, Earth knows, that should be enough. Why bother getting angry with those ignorant people. Besides, I don’t want to be an Elder, you know I’ve been lazy since I was young, becoming an Elder would mean worrying about this and that, it’s not the life for me."

Seeing Linglong still looked dispirited, she took her hand and smiled, "Look at me, in what way am I inferior to you? How could I possibly be a monster? Clearly, I should be called a beauty." With that, she started laughing herself.

Linglong snorted with laughter, pinched her cheek, and said, "I can’t out-talk you! Fine, let’s not stoop to the level of those ignorant fools! They’re like frogs in a well, short-sighted, they’ll suffer for it eventually!"

After some more conversation, He Danping and Chu Yinghong came sauntering through the trees, and upon seeing Xuanji, Chu Yinghong clapped her hands and laughed, "We’ve finally found our bride! Bride-to-be, your husband-to-be and his party are here! Do you want to sneak a peek at him?"

He Danping came to assist Linglong and smiled, "Xuanji, Si Feng has arrived, get ready, you’re getting married the day after tomorrow."

Since returning to the Shaoyang Sect to wait for Yu Sifeng to come ask for her hand, Xuanji hadn’t seen him for over half a year; naturally, she missed him very much. Seeing everyone looking at her with amusement, she knew they were teasing her, urging her to sneak off and talk to Si Feng. Traditionally, bride and groom should not meet before the wedding, but they were all cultivators, the customs were more of a formality and not taken too seriously.

Thus, she said, "Where is he? I’ll go have a look."

All three women laughed, and He Danping said, "He’s in the floral hall at the top of Shaoyang Peak, discussing the wedding details with your father. You haven’t seen each other for just over half a year, you’ll see him the day after tomorrow, can’t you wait?"

Although that’s what she said, she led the three to Shaoyang Peak in secret. The two elders, of course, would not stoop to eavesdropping or peeping, and just stood beneath the window smiling. Linglong and Xuanji, one by the window and the other by the door, peered through the cracks into the hall.

Yu Sifeng was indeed sitting inside the floral hall, dressed in a long robe and a black cap, looking spirited. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and they had no idea how many autumns they had missed each other. Xuanji, who had initially come with a playful mindset, suddenly found her heart pounding at the sight, realizing that sneaking a peek wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

She could hear some indistinct chatter from inside, followed by Yu Sifeng setting down his teacup and suddenly looking up, his gaze accurately finding the spot where Xuanji was peeking from, and he gave a slight smile. Xuanji was mortified and quickly withdrew her hand, trying to step back, but just then, the door creaked open, and Chu Lei appeared in the doorway, looking at them with a smile that was not quite a smile.