Yang Lianting’s body was drenched in cold water, the droplets dripped downward and turned into crumbs of ice. The cool air chilled him to the bone. Sitting against the wall in the corner, his lips blue, Yang Lianting wrapped his arms around his trembling body. The room was simple and shabby as if it would break apart any moment, its only window was taped shut with yellowed and tattered paper. The frigid wind blowing along the winding cliffs outside seeped into the room.
He couldn’t afford to sleep in the old wooden bed, for he only owned one quilt and one set of clothes. Yang Lianting knew that if he dirtied either, tomorrow morning at dawn the steward supervising the handymen would drag him off to be caned. Thus, he had to rely on his body heat to dry himself.
It’s really cold.
Leaning against the wall, Yang Lianting breathed out, rubbed his palms, and lightly chuckled. Today the supervising steward’s jade pendant had fallen into the lake. Every other handyman had been watching, but he thought nothing of jumping straight down into the freezingly current. Blackwood Cliff itself had a towering altitude. The lake’s surface had not yet frozen over, but its frigid water and the chilling winds atop the cliff were rather appalling. Searching for half a tea’s time, his body had frozen numb and he nearly lost consciousness.
Yang Lianting recalled the look the supervising steward had given him after he salvaged the jade pendant from the lake. If he applied for a yellow-shirted guard position tomorrow, the one in charge wouldn’t make it too difficult for him, right?
The Yellow Guard.
Taking a look at the dilapidated room, Yang Lianting fell into a daze. Closing his eyes, he leaned his back against the wall.
Smiling lightly, he thought, Maybe I lived too many good days in my past life, so I’ve forgotten. Before I met Dongfang, my life was this difficult and rough.
My past life.
Yang Lianting’s eyes stayed closed as the water dripped from the cloth of his handyman uniform. His body was frozen and his muscles spasmed yet his thoughts drifted far, far away.
To a lifetime ago.
A lifetime ago, he had been Blackwood Cliff’s Chief Steward Yang[1], with unlimited power and boundless scenery in his hands.
Below one person, above all others.
That man dressed in red and covered in women’s powder. He silently embroidered, lowered himself, softened his tone, gently pleased him in every possible way. Just to let him stay, to make him look at him for a little longer, that man had foolishly placed the authority over the Sun Moon Holy Cult in his hands alone.
That person in red.
Yang Lianting slowly opened his black eyes.
The dark night sky could be seen through the broken window paper. In his memory, that person was always donned in vibrant red, was always covered in grand red gowns and heavy makeup. His clear and beautiful face was always smeared into a mess. In his past life, he had constantly held back his disgust and had even hidden his false feelings behind pretenses of affection. Thinking back, that face and dress must’ve been deliberate. He would give his all just to cater to him, just to please him.
His heart held a dull and raw pain.
Yang Lianting took a deep breath, grudgingly pulling his lips into a crooked smile. That day had been the last time he saw that person. He merely thought that his martial arts were the no. one in the world, thus regardless of Ren Woxing, Ren Yingying and the others, who came up the cliff with them, he had activated the hidden mechanisms and led them to that man’s secret courtyard. He ignored the presence of their foes, only to berate him, blame him and urge him to end those people.
However, never would he have thought that he would burden him. Ren Yingying had taken him hostage and stabbed him again and again, had even broken and cut off one of his fingers, just to distract that person who had been occupied with fighting the foes and could not separate himself.
The sorrow.
Yang Lianting stretched out his hand under the swaying light of the candle. The ten fingers linked to the heart, he could vividly recall the dreadful pain in his heart, the pain of having his finger bone broken and cut apart. His convulsing body had been utterly drenched in sweat. The unbearable pain and rage had nearly torn his heart apart and split his lungs in two.
But that pain can’t compare to the sorrow I felt, when I saw him kneeling for my sake. Yang Lianting had always thought that he did not truly love that person in red. He had grown up poor, been a subordinate for too long, and suffered too much contempt and humiliation. He had been madly eager for power, had madly wanted to be above everyone else. So, he had gone to the greatest lengths to get to know that person and to please that person. Even after he had discovered that person’s incompleteness,[2] he acted as if nothing was wrong. Until that person had completely entrusted his heart to him. Yang Lianting had always thought that his love for that person was no more than greed for the power he held in his hands.
Until death.
That person in red had always been proud and arrogant, with invincible martial arts and the appearance of an immortal[3]. But in his final moment he knelt before Ren Woxing. Despite his heavy injuries, despite being unable to move he grabbed Ren Woxing’s robe.
He pleaded in such a humble manner.
“Cult Master Ren, I’m going to die soon, I beg only one thing of you… please… if you could take into consideration how well I’ve treated your daughter all these years…”
He lowered himself to request, “Please spare Yang Lianting’s life, please just let him off Blackwood Cliff.”[4]
Pleading voice.
Looking towards his eyes.
Until death.
That person had thought of him.
Yang Lianting could still recall that person’s death, his warm blood gushing out and dyeing his face red. That person’s red dress had dropped to the ground, strained with dirt and blood. In death, he had called out to him.
“Lian di–”[5]
That single sound contained all the grievances, all the tender love of a lifetime. Until death, he still blamed himself for being unable to keep him safe.
Had it hurt when he died? In fact, he had nearly forgotten, it had merely been a moment. No matter how much it had hurt it had not been as painful as seeing that person die.
In this life, after returning to the age of seventeen, he couldn’t let go. Day and night as long as he closed his eyes, he tossed and turned in his sleep and the pain would linger in his heart.
Pain.
Heartbreaking pain.
Compared to the pain of stab wounds, a cut off finger, a burst brain,[6] and dying without a whole body, nothing was as painfully heartbreaking as seeing that person die.
Linghu Chong[7] had insulted him as an ‘old twisted monster.’
But isn’t he right? That person had been respected as the world’s first, the Sun Moon Holy Cult’s Master, able to call the wind and rain. Who in the Wulin dared to disobey him? But he had hidden in his boudoir. Day and night embroidering flowers, painting his eyebrows, dressing as a woman, raising the pitch of his voice as if he were pinching his throat[8], lowering his body to please him. Yang Lianting had despised him, had felt so disgusted that later on he had been unwilling to set a single foot into his courtyard.
Why did we come to such an end?
Only now did he realize how good that person was, only now did he realize that he had never bothered to take one careful look at his face for so many years.
“Dongfang…” Yang Lianting gently said.
Leaning in the corner, his eyes were bloodshot.
Fortunately, God[9] gave him the chance to return.
In the past, he had been obsessed with power and position, trampled on Dongfang Bubai’s sincerity, used false feelings and deceitful intentions to please him, created a huge golden cage to lock that person, who should’ve looked down on all, inside.
Day and night, lonely and isolated from the world.
In this life–
The red robed figure emerged in his mind.
Yang Lianting leaned his head against the wall, his eyes hazy.
I miss him.
I miss him very much.
In his past life, he had been able to touch him after reaching out to him yet at present meeting him was as difficult as reaching the heavens. With a bitter smile and a shake of his head, he threw a glance at the brown handyman uniform he was wearing. Yang Lianting sighed, looking slightly weak. If memory served, in his previous life, it had taken him two years to become a part of the Cult Master’s Personal Guard and slowly gain his attention.
Two years.
I really, really can’t wait.
Perhaps because he had died once before he wanted to finally see him up close, reach out to him, touch him and embrace him, his Dongfang. No matter how disgusted he had been, no matter how he had resisted, in truth, throughout his entire lifetime from beginning to end Dongfang had always been the most important.
Unfortunately, he had not seen clearly until his death.
How important Dongfang was to him.
The days following his rebirth, he had done the heaviest, the lowliest of work on the cliff every day, yet Dongfang Bubai had been enjoying success for a long time. Other than Tong Baixiong[10] that beloved underling, few people had a chance to even see him. The two people were as far apart as heaven and earth, a distance too difficult to overcome. If he proceeded step by step, according to the development of his past life, then two years later he would certainly be transferred to Dongfang Bubai’s side.
But I can’t wait.
I really can’t wait.
If it weren’t for this matter he wouldn’t have troubled himself by directly jumping into the freezing lake during such a horribly frigid autumn just to help a small steward fish out a jade pendant. In his past life, Chief Steward Yang had called the wind and rain on Blackwood Cliff, had been given absolute authority.
In this life–
Yang Lianting breathed out and rubbed his icy palms against each other trying to keep himself warm. The steward responsible for the distribution of the handymen’s work, as long as he got on his good side, there would be benefits, such as being selected for the Yellow Guard ahead of time.
Being able to advance towards Dongfang’s side.
Being closer to him, was good.
Patiently planning his future path Yang Lianting thought with a wry smile that his current predicament must be retribution. In the past, Dongfang had been waiting for him in that small house with the flower garden day by day just to see him, while he had always tried to shirk away from meeting him. After obtaining a position of power, he had been unwilling to look at that person in red for a moment longer, he had avoided him like snakes and scorpions. But now, day and night, he exhausted his heart and body just to be a little closer to him.
Yang Lianting looked forward to meeting him one day.
“Dongfang.”
My Dongfang.
In the dilapidated and chilly room, Yang Lianting whispered his name quietly, while he slowly and drowsily fell asleep.
Since Yang Lianting had jumped into the lake in spite of the freezing waters, the steward seemed to see him in a different light and would take extra care of him. Since his previous life Yang Lianting had known how to gain attention, having waited for an open position, he pleadingly persuaded the steward responsible for promotions with the silver he had saved up over several months. Eventually, the steward relented and recommended him to the Head Yellow Guard.
The Invincible East[11] was talented in martial arts and proficient in most martial arts disciplines. Every prized martial arts manual he could get his hands on, he would be able to learn and master. In contrast, Yang Lianting was merely a common person without talent and lacking the proper roots and bones required to practice martial arts. He could vaguely remember that Dongfang Bubai had once encouraged him to try learning a neigong method[12], but due to his poor roots he had been unable to succeed. Though he couldn’t become a first- or second-class martial artist after being reborn his diligent practice was enough for a position as a regular guard. Through the steward’s introduction and Yang Lianting’s deliberate actions, he quickly rose from an inferior handyman to a yellow guard. There were many guards on Blackwood Cliff so he could not be considered exceptional.
“You all give me a little spirit!”
“Today is the Holy Maiden’s[13] birthday and the Cult Master will congratulate her in person. If you all are muddle-headed enough to get in the way, don’t blame me for not giving you any face!” The Head Yellow Guard loudly bellowed. Standing amongst the countless guards, Yang Lianting was shocked.
Ren Yingying’s birthday.
This witch, who caused Dongfang and me to die without whole bodies in our past life. He slightly narrowed his eyes, hid the hatred and killing intent that rose in his heart, and took a deep breath. Now isn’t the time to clean up that little witch. Today’s celebration is so grand… Dongfang had always treated her very well, Yang Lianting was certain that he would be present.
Dongfang.
Being able to finally see him, how could he not rejoice?
Thinking back he had just been an insignificant handyman in the past and hadn’t had the right to participate. Now that he went through the trouble of becoming an ordinary guard, even though he stood at a distance and only got a single glance, it was enough.
His heart remained restless until the evening.
Blackwood Cliff hosted a grand feast in honor of the birthday of the Holy Maiden. The Ten Elders and the Twelve Halls’ Hall and Incense Masters had all arrived and were noisily eating food and drinking wine. The atmosphere seemed lively and joyous.
“The Cult Master has arrived–”
Upon hearing the loud voice, in a spectacular scene, the entire congregation fell to their knees in unison. “Greetings to the Cult Master! The Cult Master possesses civil and martial virtue, benefits the common people, faces one thousand changes and lives ten thousand years, for a unified Jianghu!”[14]
Everyone recited the Sun Moon Holy Cult’s chant.
Yang Lianting had followed the other cultists to kneel on the ground, but his restrained gaze was fixated upon the high-up seat of the cult master. Heart frantically beating, mouth dry, and eyes that could not help but redden.
In his eyes, the surroundings seemed to vanish into thin air.
He only noticed the figure that came flying.
Red robe, pale skin, thin body. A look so indifferent coldness seemed to be part of his being, as if the world did not enter his eyes.
Proud and indifferent.
My Dongfang.
Familiar, a face so familiar.
Yang Lianting could not restrain the emotions stirring in his heart. He clenched his hands together, his nails piercing into the flesh, and his body could not help but tremble slightly.
His eyes burned intensely.
Yang Lianting was unwilling to move his eyes away from the figure high above even for a moment. Greedily, he looked at the person whom he had never cherished in his previous life.
Dongfang Bubai’s six senses were exceptionally sharp, in an instant he could detect the gaze from within the crowd. Frowning at what he thought to be a cult member’s fervor, although he felt slightly displeased, but he kept himself from having them seized.
“Uncle Dongfang!” A little girl, who spoke in a childish tone and was dressed in light pink, rushed up to Dongfang Bubai and curtsied. “Thank you for celebrating Yingying’s birthday.”
The little girl was Ren Yingying.
“This is a gift to you.” Dongfang Bubai answered her but did not speak further and instead waved his hand. Seeing the signal, the Purple Guard leaped out of the shadows and presented a box to the girl. “Today, the Sun Moon Holy Cult celebrates together and wishes the Holy Maiden a happy birthday.”
Once he finished speaking the entire congregation fell to their knees again, loudly repeating his well-wishes as if the mountains overturned the seas.[15]
Yang Lianting felt his blood rush toward his head. He wanted to laugh yet his muscles twitched and his eyes reddened.
It had been too long.
It had been too long since he had last heard Dongfang speak with his true voice.
In his past life, in order to please him, that person had raised the pitch of his voice as if he were pinching his throat to talk like a woman. The sharp tone had been disturbing to hear, so after a few words of reprimand, Dongfang had ultimately never spoken much to avoid inciting his annoyance. Every time he stayed with him, he had deliberately kept silent for long, afraid that he would accidentally upset him, afraid that he would no longer return.
That person in red had been careful and cautious, but he had not known to cherish him until now–
Yang Lianting took a deep breath, unexpectedly feeling both heartbroken and pleased.
Past and present, from death to life.
Dongfang.
Hearing his voice again, he felt satisfied, felt the need to shed tears. How could he not have noticed that his clear and cool tone was actually indescribably pleasant to listen to?
“Go deliver these few wine jugs to the Ten Elders and Twelve Hall Masters–” While all of Yang Lianting’s attention had been on Dongfang Bubai, the voice of the Head Yellow Guard finally returned him to his senses.
Hastily agreeing, he carried a few wine jugs toward the altar at the center of the banquet. As he walked, he could not help but tilt his head up and look at the people sitting high up around the head seat. Tong Baixiong was Dongfang Bubai’s sworn brother, his status among the congregation was not small, while the little Ren Yingying was the cult’s Holy Maiden. These two people’s positions were only slightly lower than Dongfang Bubai’s.
Yang Lianting holding the wine jugs went toward them while two guards silently let him pass. He was supposed to personally pour wine for Tong Baixiong, but he slowed down his footsteps to walk toward Dongfang Bubai, to be a few steps closer to him.
“Hey, you little guard why’re you taking so long?”
The voice was so loud that all eyes fell on them.
Yang Lianting was not someone who did not know a person’s importance. However, he really did not want to lose this rare and precious opportunity to get close to Dongfang Bubai. Seeing the wide grin and rugged features of Tong Baixiong, Chief Steward Yang, whom Tong Baixiong had never put in his eyes, felt a little depressed and envious.
After being scolded Yang Lianting quickly put down the jugs to admit his mistake. With lowered eyebrows and obedient eyes, he took half a step back, but he did not immediately descend the stairs. Below the large altar, the Head Yellow Guard frowned in confusion, his whip ready to hit him. Yang Lianting sighed with some regret and was about to head back down, when he suddenly heard a piercing sound and his heart tightened.
Looking up, he saw a sharp arrow which had been accurately and unmistakably shot toward Dongfang Bubai. Sitting atop the altar, Dongfang Bubai’s eyes glinted dangerously and his brows creased slightly, yet his thoughts could not be discerned. He had no intention to dodge.
Yang Lianting’s eyes reddened in fury, without the faintest hesitation he quickly ran up the steps and before anyone had time to react, he had furiously rushed to and leaped before Dongfang. Completely blocking him with his body.
They were close together, so close, that Yang Lianting could even smell the familiar pinewood fragrance, a scent so nostalgic his eyes teared up. Yang Lianting took a deep breath, but before he could think more he sensed the surging anger of the person under him.
“What’re you doing?”
Having his way blocked, Dongfang Bubai was already full of anger. He had always hated anyone coming too close to him, yet at this moment, a strange guard was indiscriminately pressing on his body. How could he not be enraged?
Raising his palm, he ruthlessly hit Yang Lianting’s chest.
A muffled grunt.
The person above him swayed, then his whole body pressed down on him.
Yang Lianting was in pain.
It hurts.
It really, really hurts.
He was merely made of flesh and blood, coupled with his low martial arts skill, how could he withstand the raw fury contained in Dongfang Bubai’s palm strike?
He did not have time to explain.
The swift arrow shot from behind, broke through the air, and stabbed him in the back with unerring accuracy.
Brutally piercing his flesh, blood gushing out.
Dongfang Bubai lifted his hand, his internal energy[16] gathering within, wanting to kill this strange yellow guard with a strike of his palm. But once he lowered his eyes to take a look at his chest, he saw the protruding tip of an arrow. Frowning, his movements halted. At this moment, how could he not realize why this little guard had suddenly jumped in front of him. His heart felt slightly moved, he stared at Yang Lianting’s face and did not speak.
Yang Lianting’s consciousness gradually fell into a daze. He could not help but feel joy when he met Dongfang Bubai’s eyes and gazed at the face that he had known for a lifetime.
Both pain and joy.
He tried to reach out, he wanted to be closer to Dongfang.
“I’m glad that you’re alright–”
“I’m not in pain–”
In a daze, he seemed to be back in that hidden courtyard. He had only been slightly injured, yet that person worried endlessly. Deeply frowning, he had incoherently asked him where it hurt.
Yang Lianting pulled up the corners of his mouth, feeling his consciousness fade he opened his mouth out of habit to comfort him. He had not finished speaking when he abruptly realized that the person in front of him was the Sun Moon Holy Cult’s Master rather than the man who had loved him wholeheartedly.
Unable to suppress a bitter smile, he looked down at the sharp arrow that protruded from his chest.