After returning from the Seven Ladies, Dongfang Bubai did not rest in his room as usual. Instead, he waved away his dark guards hidden in the shadows and sat atop a high place by himself. His expression cold, his thoughts indiscernible.
Today, Shishi[3] had tenderly taken his hand, her eyes drooping, looking gentle and shy. She had hesitantly asked him, “Husband, would you like to stay and rest for the night?”
He had looked at her face for a moment, suddenly in a daze.
Shishi was a woman he had met in a brothel a few years ago. She had played the pipa so skillfully and beautifully, who knew how many listeners’ ears had been charmed. She insisted on only selling her art and not her body, so when she had been forced by rich merchants she stubbornly cut herself unwilling to yield. At that time, a blazing fire had burned in that woman’s eyes. While she had been born in the red light district, she was the strongest and fiercest woman he had ever met.
When he had rescued her, her forehead had been bleeding red blood yet she had grabbed his hand and smilingly stated, “Shishi wanted to die, unwilling to be defiled by those villains. Now that she’s been saved by you, Hero, she’s more than willing to repay the lifesaving grace for a lifetime.”
Perhaps, in that moment he became fond of the woman in his arms. What man wouldn’t have enjoyed such a moment? Sought the pleasure of absolute authority and the admiration of beauties, enjoyed the vanity of tender fragrance and gentle jade.
But, not knowing why–
Dongfang Bubai tilted his head downward, his black eyes fell on his lower body covered by the wide robe.
He smiled faintly.
In the silver moonlight, his cold and aloof figure looked more refined and handsome than usual. Who’d have thought the figure dressed entirely in red robes, appearing as divine as an immortal, was the murderous Evil Demon[4] infamous in the Jianghu.
It’s cold at the top.
Once, he had desperately wanted to practice the world’s most powerful martial arts, desperately wanted to attain the title of the world’s no. one martial artist, desperately wanted to hold power over all. Now that he finally achieved his ambition, he abruptly felt a little lonely.
Shishi and his other concubines were tender and considerate, their eyes gazing at him with devoted gentleness. They cooked for him, danced for him, and were intimate with him.
They said they loved him, they said he was their entire world.
Despite being loved so dearly by them, he had lost the ability to love, had personally destroyed his right to be loved long ago.
Unworthy.
Since he had resolutely opened his dark eyes and saw himself swing that blade downward, since he had ruthlessly trampled on other people’s corpses to ascend to the top of the Sun Moon Holy Cult, he had been doomed to not be loved by others, doomed to not love himself.
Expression clear and light from beginning to end.
Since a long, long time ago Dongfang Bubai did not have any intense mood swings anymore. All of Blackwood Cliff dreaded his changing moods. In truth, his heart was too calm, so calm he could not afford any ripples within his heart. He had gotten used to the tranquility within his heart and could not tolerate anyone disturbing it. Over time, his eyes became numb to life and death.
Tonight, the full moon looked especially beautiful. Sitting on the roof and looking over Blackwood Cliff from high above, the entire cliff illuminated by the bright moonlight looked ethereal.
The scenery’s boundless at the top.
Yang Lianting slept restlessly.
Time flowed like water, the moment he closed his tired eyes the figure in red appeared before him as he stood on the precipice that evening. Red robe fluttering violently in the winds and faint scent of pinewood filling the air.
Unbearable heartache, oppressive sorrow.
After a long time, he tuned over and sat up. Looking through the thin window paper, Dongfang’s room was still pitch-black.
Empty.
Yang Lianting knew Dongfang Bubai’s habits. Over time, his nature had turned increasingly strange and withdrawn, sensitive and suspicious, because of practicing the Sunflower Manual. In his past life, he had not let anyone but him into his chamber. The candles had always remained lit, even if he was alone or asleep, he had left the candles burning all night.
It’s late at night and he hasn’t come back yet… he’ll certainly spend the night in the rare courtyard.
Yang Lianting lit a candle, tinting the room in a dim light. He got up, opened an empty clay jug, filled it with wine, and left the room. In the empty kitchen, he first boiled water and then heated up the alcohol. He cooked a bowl of easily digestible congee and warmed up two steamed buns. Placing them all on a food platter, he carried them to Dongfang Bubai’s doors.
Glancing through the closed doors, the room was still as dark as before. Looking up to the clear and starry night sky, tomorrow should be a good day. He neatly placed the platter with the warm wine, hot congee, and steamed buns before the doors then stood in place for a while before he turned and left.
It’s useless.
This fact, he knew well. His actions were absolutely useless, but he still hoped he would finally come back. In the past, he had exhausted his mind to get rid of him, he had abandoned him once he served his purpose. Now, he could not stand the sight of him being with another, but had no right to intervene and could only do these trivial things to comfort his aching heart.
Dongfang would likely drink a lot of alcohol today. Because he had graced his concubines less frequently over the last couple of years, they did not know about his current physique. Since he cultivated the cold yin martial arts of the Sunflower Manual, he could drink but needed to pay attention. To counter his physique, it was best to drink heated medicinal alcohol.
Dongfang Bubai was too thin yet a picky eater. The cooks on Blackwood Cliff all trembled in fear before him. They were not courageous enough to ask for his preference and simply imitated the tastes of others. The meat and fish were abundant and greasy, the more Dongfang Bubai saw of it, the less he would eat. In the past, he had often gotten hungry at night, but he had endured his aching stomach with a frigid face because he disliked conversing with others. When Yang Lianting had noticed his hunger, he had occasionally made him a simple late night meal.
Yang Lianting worried that Dongfang Bubai was hungry and endured an aching stomach, worried that the Seven Ladies didn’t serve him attentively and pay enough attention. Deep in thought, he lay back down on his cold bed, smiled bitterly and closed his eyes. He would not have thought that he could vividly remember every little detail of that person in red.
Another hour passed.[5]
Dongfang Bubai’s chambers were still unlit and empty. Yang Lianting could not sleep, so he tossed and turned in bed until he got out of bed again; he pushed the door open and quietly walked out into the night.
No one had moved the platter, only the wind had carried dry leaves into the congee and the wine had cooled down. He picked up the platter and then headed for the kitchen, as if obsessed the man prepared another bowl of glutenous congee with newly cut pickled vegetables, while he heated up the rice wine and steamed buns a second time. Looking at the freshly made steaming bowl of congee, he smiled in satisfaction and brought out the platter. He had just taken a step out of the kitchen when a cold gale with the scent of pinewood swept across his face. Instantly, Dongfang Bubai stood in front of him.
The moonlight was very bright.
Dongfang Bubai stood three steps away from Yang Lianting. He furrowed his brows, looked at the person in front of him, and stayed silent. Since Yang Lianting had initially warmed the wine he paid attention to his actions. He saw him carry food and drink from the kitchen to his chambers, he saw him stand still in front of his doors for a while and then turn to leave. Dongfang Bubai’s heart held faint doubt.
This doubt was simply doubt, there were too many people on Blackwood Cliff that tired their utmost to please him. Seen many and killed even more. He had simply observed him for a while.
Until he returned.
Dongfang Bubai’s heart felt faintly curious. Six senses sharp, he could clearly observe all his actions. Seeing him walk out the kitchen doors with a platter in his hands, Dongfang Bubai moved without thinking and blocked his way forward.
Noticing Dongfang Bubai abruptly appear the dull pain in his heart faded faintly and joy welled up from within, despite facing a gaze as cold as ice. In the chilly night, he wanted to go forward and embrace him. He took half a step forward, but then recalled his current identity and halted. Frozen still, he breathed out white mist and rubbed his cold and numb hands. Glancing at Dongfang Bubai who stood not too far away from him, his eyes softened.
“Cult Master, you’re back.”
Hearing him speak, Dongfang Bubai’s brows creased deeply. Habitually, he wanted to nod in reply but realized that his voice sounded strange. Yang Lianting had spoken to him in a tone that was too familiar, so familiar that even he… found it harmonious. Unexpectedly, meeting Yang Lianting’s pitch-black eyes gazing at him he was unable to get angry. This pair of eyes was familiar, as if he had seen it before in a past life.
“What are you doing?”
Dongfang Bubai disregarded the momentary thoughts hidden in his heart and collected himself. Facial expression as apathetic as before, he restored the appearance of the high and mighty Cult Master. “It’s this late at night, yet you’re not sleeping and instead dawdling around this Seat’s courtyard. What’s your intention?”
Yang Lianting civilly bowed without spilling a drop of liquid and replied, “This Subordinate was promoted to a personal guard by the Cult Master. Thus, he naturally needs to take care of every aspect of the Cult Master’s daily life, from dawn until dusk. This Subordinate merely thought the Cult Master had not eaten much during the day, so he has gotten up at night to prepare a late night meal for the Cult Master.”
He was not used to being seen through like this.
Dongfang Bubai waved his sleeves and said with a cold face, “No need to do so in the future, retreat.”
Yang Lianting knew that he would react like this and did not fuss, he obediently lowered his head, affirmed and turned around to leave. Yet, he had just taken two steps when Dongfang Bubai called out to him.
This person’s eyes fell on the heated clay jug beside the food, intrigued, he opened his mouth and commanded, “Halt.”