Love & Redemption
Chapter 84 - 41: The Journey of Two People

Chapter 84: Chapter 41: The Journey of Two People

The fourth update. With today’s quadruple update, are the students satisfied?

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Thereupon, the two took advantage of the night to sneak into the Fang Family residence and quietly took away the clothes and packages they had left there.

It was said that the people once chosen by the immortal to ascend the mountain had all returned. They recounted their experiences on the mountain, which indeed involved wearing wedding attire to marry her, but on the wedding night, she did not appear, leaving them to guard the empty room alone. The next day, they were sent to the back mountain’s Yixin Garden to engage in so-called cultivation.

As for whether Zi Hu’s actions were good or bad, one truly did not know how to evaluate them. However, the people of Zhongli City ultimately remembered her manifestation to help others with gratitude, and they continued to keep the incense burning at Gao’s Ancestral Hall. It was said that those who came to pray often saw their wishes fulfilled, whether or not it was with Zi Hu’s help remained unknown.

Yu Sifeng’s plan was to go straight to Fuyu Island and inform Dongfang Qingqi about the Sea Stabilizing Iron Chain and the disturbances caused by demons. Afterward, they would wait there for Linglong and the others to find them. Their original plan had been to go to Fuyu Island, and now that they had separated, they would surely choose to meet up there.

Traveling north from Zhongli City by Sword Control, one would cross thousands of miles of continuous forest and wilderness, and beyond the endless mountain ranges, one would behold the vast, azure sea.

Yu Sifeng, holding the map with his sleeves rustling in the wind that met him head-on, looked for a while before saying, "We should be passing by Jimo now. Fly a little longer, and we can get to Zhifu Mountain, where we’ll rest for a day. Wait for the notification."

Xuanji nodded. Although she had never been to Fuyu Island, she knew it was a solitary island in the sea, surrounded by mountains like a natural protective barrier. A huge sword net was set up over Fuyu Island, preventing even a bird from flying in, not to mention people. To enter Fuyu Island, one must first wait for clearance in the small town at the foot of Zhifu Mountain, which served as the gateway to Fuyu Island.

"Si Feng, Si Feng~~" Xuanji called out to him sneakily on the sword, her eyes shining brightly, like a smug cat.

Seeing her expression, Yu Sifeng knew she had thought of some delightful idea and laughed, "Are you thinking about what delicious food to eat in the town?"

"Ah, you guessed it," Xuanji said, somewhat embarrassed as if a fifteen-year-old adult should not be so gluttonous. Anyway, her mother and father would always teach her that at fifteen, being a young lady, she ought to be more composed. But craving food isn’t uncomposed, right? Xuanji felt she was already very composed; she had been hungry for half a day and had only spoken up because she couldn’t hold it in any longer.

Even a saint would get hungry, wouldn’t they?

Yu Sifeng couldn’t help but tease her, "Do you know what delicious food Zhifu Mountain has? You seem so happy."

"Of course I know," Xuanji proudly listed as if enumerating treasures: "Sauce soup dog meat, braised dishes, pulled noodles..."

As she spoke, her stomach grew even hungrier. Looking up, she saw Yu Sifeng smiling at her, and she hastily added, "Linglong told me about them, I haven’t tasted them yet... she, she said they’re delicious."

Yu Sifeng touched his chin and shook his head, "It seems you haven’t heard of even tastier things. Oh, what a pity."

Are there even tastier things? Xuanji’s eyes widened as she looked at him. Si Feng seemed to have been to many places, and he certainly wouldn’t be wrong.

However, he just chuckled and said, "You’ll know once I take you there."

The small town under Zhifu Mountain was indeed "small," covering only about ten miles. But though the sparrow is small, it has all the vital organs: taverns, inns, and restaurants were all readily available. Most of the inns were run by local residents; for a few cents, one could have hot soup, meals, and a warm kang to sleep on.

Once Yu Sifeng arrived in town, he led Xuanji around in twists and turns on the not-so-spacious streets. The town did not even have a name, but since it was close to Fuyu Island, visitors all called it Fuyu Town. Perhaps because it was small, there were many branching paths; you might think there was no way forward, but around a bend could be a pleasant surprise.

Apparently, many eateries were rooted in the small alleys, and they would be dizzying to find if one weren’t paying attention. Xuanji followed Yu Sifeng around for half the day until they came to a small alley lined almost entirely with eateries: there were stalls frying stinky doufu, some grilling meat, as well as those selling noodles. It was just lunchtime as they arrived, and they were greeted by an array of enticing aromas, causing Xuanji to almost freeze in her tracks.

"Si, Si Feng... where are we going?" Xuanji’s gaze fixed on the lustrous grilled meat on the rack; the thought of leaving it made her heart ache.

He smiled gently, "We’re almost there. Follow me." He grabbed her hand and led her to the end of the alley, where they turned into an eatery. Xuanji saw that it had a passageway with only two tables and several stools, with curtains hanging opposite, clearly a household that had made their passageway into an eatery.

At the moment, there were only one or two patrons, heads down eating noodles, the aroma of which was oddly captivating, making one’s mouth water at a sniff.

"Here, sit down," Yu Sifeng said, wiping an oily stool with his sleeve to clean it for her to sit. He then lifted the curtain to enter, murmuring something to the owner. Not long after, he came out with two plates of something green and oily.

"For an appetizer, try this first," he said as he set down the plate and handed her a pair of chopsticks.

It appeared to be some sort of cold salad, with pointed leaves Xuanji had never seen before. She hesitated before taking a bite and was instantly amazed by the mix of sour and sweet dressing, with a slight hint of spice, combined with the refreshing and crisp texture of the vegetables—it was indescribably delicious.

"Mmm, tasty!" she exclaimed while eating. "What kind of vegetable is this?"

"It’s a wild vegetable from Zhifu Mountain; it doesn’t have a name. The locals simply call it ’cat’s vegetable.’"

Seeing her enjoying the food, Yu Sifeng couldn’t help but laugh.

Xuanji nodded seriously and said, "Yeah, I used to think that only well-known dishes could be delicious, but now I’ve found that the tastiest ones are those that are nameless. Just like dad always says, the true masters live in seclusion, hidden away in unknown places. That must be the same principle, right?"

It was quite a stretch to link eating to reclusive masters, and Yu Sifeng shook his head with a smile, about to speak when the owner brought over two big wooden bowls filled with snow-white noodles, cooked in some sort of rich broth that emitted an extraordinary fragrance and topped with many translucent shrimp.

Xuanji was too preoccupied with the meal to speak any further. Yu Sifeng chatted leisurely with the owner, who revealed that the broth was a family heirloom recipe, enriched with a type of herbal medicine, giving it an intense flavor that was refreshing and invigorating.

The owner saw how much the young couple enjoyed the meal and brought them two additional dishes on the house for them to try.

Yu Sifeng smiled and said, "Thank you, uncle. We need some advice, actually. We want to visit Fuyu Island, but we’re not sure where to go to find someone to send a message for us."

Upon hearing their request, the owner waved his hands and said, "Young man, it’s best not to go now. The island hasn’t been peaceful lately. Just the other day, I heard that the Island Master lost his temper and expelled several disciples who have grown up with him."

Both of them paused their eating, exchanging puzzled looks. The Dongfang Island Master was known as a heroic figure with an open heart and the spirit of magnanimity; how could he have lashed out at his own disciples? They had traveled with him for some time and knew him to be extremely protective of his followers, regarding all his disciples favorably—so how could he kick them out?

The owner continued, "However, if you’re in a hurry, you can try the old residence at the West Gate. If you want to go to Fuyu Island, report there and someone will escort you in. The expelled disciples couldn’t bear to leave and are still staying there... Ah, it’s such a pity. They were raised from childhood, and every time I see them now, they’re crying a river of tears..."

After leaving the eatery, they walked and pondered the owner’s words. Xuanji suddenly tugged at Yu Sifeng’s sleeve and whispered, "Do you think... it could be his wife... that affair..."

Both recalled the incident at the Flower Pinning Conference four years ago, where they stumbled upon the Dongfang Island Master’s wife having an affair with the Chief Steward. At the time, the Island Master was completely oblivious, but after four years, it was very possible he had discovered the affair, which might have thrown him into confusion and rage, leading him to expel any disciple who knew about it.

Yu Sifeng thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "The Dongfang Island Master isn’t that sort of person; he wouldn’t expel his disciples just to save face. There’s something fishy about this. We should still go to the island to see for ourselves."

"But... what if he doesn’t want to see us?" Xuanji hesitated, as domestic scandal is always embarrassing and not something one would want others to know about.

Yu Sifeng sighed and said, "There’s nothing we can do about it. What’s more serious, this family trouble or the demon? We don’t know the scale of our adversary’s power; if a Demon is unleashed and brings harm to the world, that would be a terrible sin."

Xuanji nodded in agreement. With heavy hearts, they hurried toward the West Gate, but as they approached, the sounds of a clapper caught their attention. Somebody was performing in the street corner, inviting passersby to join in. Xuanji looked over and saw a person jumping from a platform, attempting to reach a cluster of jade orchid flowers hanging from a pole.

Many had registered to participate, yet none were successful. The jade orchid was swaying gently in the wind, high above the ground, tantalizingly out of reach, which was so rare in this region of Zhifu Mountain that many were tempted to try. The performer was loudly proclaiming: "One cent for a jump, one cent for a jump! If you reach the flower, it’s yours."

Suddenly, Yu Sifeng grabbed her hand and ran toward the performer, tossing him one cent, and said with a smile, "Let me have a go."

The performer quickly put on a grin: "Young master, please step onto the platform, and be careful not to sprain your ankle."

He shook his head: "No need." Then he turned back to Xuanji with a slight smile and said, "Wait here, I’ll be right back."

Xuanji watched with wide eyes as he took a light leap, soaring like a dragon taking flight, his sleeves unfurling gracefully as he rose into the air. From below, the audience erupted in cheers. He caught the pole with one hand, then delicately balanced on his toes and plucked the jade orchid effortlessly.

The young man’s dark hair framed his face, and the white jade orchid flower was pinched between his fingers. With a twirl, he landed on the ground smoothly, not breaking a sweat. Xuanji watched as he walked toward her, and suddenly she felt her heart pounding fiercely, as if it might burst out of her chest. His eyes, like black jewels, warmly fixed on her and her alone, and as he approached, amid the crowd’s admiration and applause, he gently pinned the jade orchid behind her ear, saying with a smile, "For you."

She let out an indistinct moan, her face flushed with heat, finally feeling a flicker of shyness. Joy and surprise flooded her, and she was rendered speechless by his gesture. (To be continued. If you want to know what happens next, please visit www.qidian.com, for more Chapters, to support the author, and to read genuine content!)