Love & Redemption
Chapter 86 - 43: Fuyu Island (Part 2)

Chapter 86: Chapter 43: Fuyu Island (Part 2)

He then recounted in detail how they descended the mountain to undergo trials, how they encountered each other at Sea Bowl Mountain, how they exterminated demons, how they met Zi Hu on Gao Mountain, and finally how they were ambushed...

After listening, Dongfang Qingqi furrowed his eyebrows slightly and, after a long while, said, "So it seems, does it now mean that a large number of demons have gathered to cause trouble, attempting to rescue that Great Demon that’s imprisoned?"

Yu Sifeng said in a low voice, "Junior does not dare make such a claim with certainty, I implore the Island Master to enlighten us."

Dongfang Qingqi thought for a moment and said, "In my younger years, I had also heard of the legend of the Sea Stabilizing Iron Chain, but I always thought it was nothing more than a tale from ancient times, I never expected it to be true... You should know, the size of the Innate Eight Diagrams indicates the power of the demon it suppresses. A small Eight Diagrams suppresses a little demon, and if we consider the eight directions of the world, with such a grand Innate Eight Diagrams, I can’t even imagine what kind of demon it suppresses... I’m afraid it’s not something ordinary people can intervene in."

So are they just to be left unchecked? Xuanji and Yu Sifeng, still young and impetuous, couldn’t help but feel unwilling to let things be.

Seeing their hesitant expressions, Dongfang Qingqi said, "This is a demon suppressed by the Ancient Gods, ordinary demons will most likely not be able to rescue it. You need not worry for now, remain calm and composed. Observe for a while longer before taking action."

There was no other option. Both of them nodded in agreement.

The three of them then exchanged pleasantries, and gradually the atmosphere warmed. Xuanji noticed that although Dongfang Qingqi still looked the same as he had four years ago, smiling genially and seemingly carefree, deep shadows lurked in his eyes, and occasionally, when he fell silent, an uncontrollable sadness would appear.

He must have been tormented by his wife’s affair during this time, to the point of even distrusting his close disciples.

Xuanji couldn’t help but say softly, "Uncle Dongfang... you... seem very tired."

She originally wanted to say he looked unhappy, but then felt that it was a mood killer to ask outright, so she changed her question at the last moment.

Dongfang Qingqi was taken aback, then forced a smile and wiped his face, "Perhaps it’s because the Flower Pinning Conference is approaching, there are many things to prepare for on the island. Being a sect leader is not so easy."

He made a joke that wasn’t funny at all.

Xuanji was about to ask how those disciples he had driven away were dealt with, and whether they were really banished, but Yu Sifeng quietly pinched her hand, signaling her not to ask, so she retracted her words.

After some more small talk, Yu Sifeng said, "The Island Master is busy with many affairs, we shouldn’t impose any further, we’ll take our leave now."

Dongfang Qingqi replied with a smile, "You kid, always so ceremonious and distant for no reason. It’s been so many years, and it’s rare for you to come here, how could I let you leave? You both will stay! In a few days, people from the other four factions will come to determine their quotas, and besides, aren’t Linglong and the others coming too? Settle down comfortably; treat this place like your own home, no need to be so formal."

Xuanji and Yu Sifeng exchanged smiles and nodded, "Alright then, I haven’t had the chance to see the sights of Fuyu Island yet, so I will take a good look this time. By the way, Uncle Dongfang, you still owe me a meal of Fuyu Island kimchi. And then, there’s your wife, heralded as the most beautiful woman in the world."

She deliberately mentioned his wife to see his reaction. As expected, Dongfang Qingqi was momentarily stunned, flashed an awkward grimace that seemed to be a bitter smile, and then labored to turn that grimace into a joyful smile, which looked extremely uncomfortable, so much so that Xuanji felt sorry for him.

"Uh... good, good. I will tell my wife to prepare the meals, and we’ll all eat together tonight."

After he left, Xuanji and Yu Sifeng used the excuse of strolling around and roamed chaotically around Fuyu Island, trying to find his wife who was as elusive as a dragon showing its head but not its tail.

Who would have known that when using Sword Control to fly above, Fuyu Island seemed like a mere palm-sized plot of land, but once you actually walked on it, you realized it was unimaginably large. Both of them were visiting for the first time, and they quickly became so lost they couldn’t find their way. All around them, their eyes met with nothing but splendid blooms and lush green trees, laid out in such a deft design that it seemed a miraculous feat of the gods.

Ultimately too exhausted to continue, the pair leaned against an apricot tree, gazing into the distance. Slightly salty sea breezes, mingled with the fragrance of various flowers and herbs, enveloped them, prompting Xuanji to let out a comfortable sigh and say with a smile, "I always thought the Seven Peaks of Shouyang Mountain had the best scenery, but it’s only now that I realize there’s always something beyond what I know. Fuyu Island is the true sanctuary of the human world."

Yu Sifeng teased her, "Since it’s so nice here, why don’t you just stay and never leave?"

"No, no, that won’t do," Xuanji quickly made her stance clear, "No matter how good it is here, home is still the best. In your heart, Si Feng, Lize Palace is also the best, isn’t it?"

To her surprise, he paused for a moment and then lifted the corners of his mouth, sighing lightly, "Yes... but I don’t have a home."

Isn’t Lize Palace your home? Xuanji silently watched him. Si Feng was always like this, usually aloof and indifferent, as if he didn’t take anything to heart, and would not easily speak what’s on his mind. Yet sometimes, there seemed to be a sadness about him, like a leaf that had lost its root, desolate and alone.

As if sensing her gaze, Yu Sifeng raised his hand and lightly patted her shoulder, laughing, "Don’t look at me like that. So intense, it’s frightening."

He seemed to have disliked being stared at since a long time ago, and had even lost his temper with her over it once. She withdrew her gaze, lowered her head, and focused on playing with the fallen apricot petals on the ground, murmuring softly, "I wonder how Linglong is doing now. These past few days, I’ve felt so restless, worried that Sixth Brother and the others won’t be able to find her. And Ting Nu... where did he go?"

Yu Sifeng smiled faintly, "Why do you still call him ’Sixth Brother’?"

Staring blankly at the pink petals, Xuanji took a long while before saying, "Otherwise... what should I call him?"

He was rendered speechless.

"Min Yan... is a very, very good person," he said softly, "Kind and passionate."

Xuanji gently scattered the petals in her hand, whispering, "There are even better people. You’ve said so yourself, Si Feng."

His heart trembled, and he found himself unable to speak. Her hands were fine and white, soft and delicate, slowly reaching out, as though she wanted to grasp his sleeve like before, like a kitten seeking someone to play with.

He couldn’t help but open his palm and grasp hers, with countless waves of emotion and sighs surging in his heart, his usual sharp eloquence gone without a trace at that moment.

"Si Feng... we, the four of us, should always stay together, never apart for even a day. Alright?"

Her plea was a bit coquettish, soft and sweet.

He stared blankly for a moment, then nodded, lowering his eyelashes and saying softly, "Alright."

The fragrant wind swept up the fallen flowers, raining them down like a shower. Xuanji pointed at the rosy fallen petals, laughing, "Look, it’s like rain!"

Before she could finish, he squeezed her hand forcefully. She was startled, only to hear him whisper, "Silence, there seems to be someone ahead."

She quickly squinted to look, but in the depths of the falling blossoms, she saw a figure in light purple, standing quietly there, her long hair flowing like dark clouds, her starry eyes half-lidded. With a slight lift of her eyebrows, the blossoms of the entire garden seemed to instantly lose their color.

The scene felt familiar. Four years ago, she had glanced back unintentionally and stumbled upon a secret. Who would have thought, today, she would see her again.

Even though it was the first time they saw her true face, both almost immediately knew her identity. If anyone could claim the title of the most beautiful woman in the world, it had to be this lady in purple.

She must be the wife of the Dongfang Island Master, the poison that broke a man’s heart.

(To be continued, if you wish to find out what happens next, please visit www.qidian.com. More Chapters are available, support the author, support genuine reading!)