Chapter 27: Gathering at Phoenix Ridge

Update time: 2013-05-27

The moment Lian Yue heard the laughter, she realized what was happening, and her face flushed bright red. How could she have forgotten about this? At that moment, a teasing voice echoed in her mind: "Are all you little girls so vain? And don’t pay attention to Yao Yao, she’ll drive you crazy."

Yao Yao thought that Chu Chen was laughing at her. As she walked, she turned her body toward him and pouted in dissatisfaction, "Senior Brother Chu Chen, why are you laughing? Did I say something wrong? Or is Lian Yue’s name not pleasant?"

...

Yao Yao stared straight ahead, completely ignored by Chu Chen, who refused to respond. Finally, defeated, she sighed and shifted her focus to Lian Yue beside her.

"Lian Yue, do you think I’m cute?"

Lian Yue nodded.

"See? Let’s not bother with Senior Brother, he’s so boring. Let me tell you, don’t let him trick you all the time like me. Just today, see how I got scolded by Master and Aunt Lan again!"

Lian Yue thought to herself, Yet in the end, you still put the blame on him.

"Senior Brother is the most boring. He always wears a stern face, only knows how to practice swordsmanship, never any fun. And… and… oh, you don’t know..."

As she watched Yao Yao’s ceaseless chatter, Lian Yue finally understood Chu Chen’s warning. She must be careful never to become like Yao Yao—it was simply too exhausting. Lian Yue shivered at the thought of spending every day beside someone so talkative.

Yao Yao noticed and asked with concern, "Are you cold? That shouldn’t be. Our sect is full of hot springs, very warm. How could you be cold? Oh, I know! You must have kicked off your blanket last night, right? Let me tell you, I often kick my blanket too."

"Yao Yao," Meng Yanran, sensing Lian Yue’s discomfort, couldn’t help but interrupt.

Yao Yao stuck out her tongue at her master’s words and finally stopped talking, clearly understanding Meng Yanran’s intent.

Lian Yue’s ears were finally spared. She exhaled deeply, glanced back at her father, who stood three steps behind, his gaze fixed on her mother, then looked up at her mother, who seemed wholly unaware. She then turned her attention to the scenery along the roadside. At first, she was distracted, but soon, she found herself genuinely captivated by the surroundings.

Seeing this, Yao Yao quietly began to introduce the sights to Lian Yue. This time, Lian Yue listened gladly. Yao Yao stole a glance at her master; seeing no objection, her courage grew, and her voice became increasingly lively.

In the guest hall of the Hidden Sect, several youths, their clothes somewhat disheveled, sat on chairs. Some closed their eyes to rest, others exchanged glances, but none spoke. These were Yue Lingjun, Zhou Zhi, Yu Wen Lingxi, Zhou Qian, young master Zhou Ziwen, Yue Lianyu, and Lan Shui, whom Lianyu had dragged to sit beside her. Their attendants stood behind them.

Two hours earlier, outside Phoenix Ridge, Yue Lingjun listened grimly to Qingling’s report, then strode quickly to the Yue family’s carriage. Qingfeng opened the door, and he leapt inside, bowing as he entered.

"How is it? Any news of Yue’er?" Lianyu asked urgently as soon as he entered, her eyes showing fatigue.

"Qingling said that in the past few days, only Yu Wen Lingxi and the Sixth Prince tried to enter Phoenix Ridge, but after crossing the boundary marker, they soon retreated. Apart from them, no one else crossed the boundary, nor saw Yue’er. Sister, Yue’er wouldn’t—"

"Don’t speak nonsense!" Lianyu cut him off sharply, her face stern. "Nothing will happen to Yue’er! I forbid anything to happen to her!" Realizing her words were too harsh, she glanced apologetically at her exhausted brother and reproached him gently, "You too—worrying about Yue’er is one thing, but you can’t neglect your own health. Lan Shui, make some calming tea for Jun’er."

Lan Shui opened the hidden compartment in the carriage, took out a porcelain jar of calming tea, lifted the lid, scooped out half a spoonful with a silver spoon, placed it in the tea cup on the low table, poured hot water, and handed it to Yue Lingjun, finally speaking in a level tone, "Young master, tea."

Yue Lingjun took the cup and drank heavily. The hot tea flowed down his throat into his chest, bringing relief. He smiled at Lan Shui and set the cup back on the table.

Lianyu looked at the two and reproached them again, "Jun’er, how many times have I told you to stop drinking scalding tea? It’s not good for you. And you, Lan Shui, how can you indulge him so? If one day you’re not by his side, who will accommodate him?"

Lan Shui lowered her head as she replaced the lid on the tea jar and returned it to the compartment, replying calmly, "Miss, young master rarely drinks so hot anymore. Today I made the decision because I saw he was unwell. In the future, his wife will accommodate him, so you needn’t worry."

She did not notice Yue Lingjun’s eyes dim at her last words, but Lianyu did, and she was startled. When had her brother begun to care for Lan Shui so deeply? Yue Lingjun, seeing the surprise in Lianyu’s eyes, realized his feelings had been discovered. His already pale face flushed, and he nervously signaled her not to inform Lan Shui.

Lianyu nodded at her brother. In truth, she was pleased that he liked a girl. Though her father had hidden the events of seven years ago from her, she had learned some of it later. Since then, except for herself, her sister Lian Yue, and Lan Shui, whom he grew up with, no other girls had ever been close to him. His attendants had been replaced by Qingfeng, Qingyue, Qingluan, and Qingling.

Lianyu had heard of some noble sons in Nanping Prefecture who preferred men and worried her brother might do something disgraceful. Seeing him get along so well with Zhou Zhi had troubled her, but now, witnessing his feelings, her worries eased. Yet she remembered the time she asked Lan Shui if she had found someone suitable—Lan Shui’s attitude then had been troubling. She sighed inwardly, guessing Jun’er knew of Lan Shui’s feelings and thus suppressed his own.

Lianyu herself approved of Lan Shui and Jun’er being together. "Lan Shui, just the three of us—couldn’t you drop the formality? We all grew up together. The three of us have never treated you as a servant. In fact, you’re mother’s adopted daughter. Can't we return to how things were before we joined the Yue family, calling each other sister and brother? Lan Mei?"

Lan Shui’s actions paused. After a while, she replied, "Miss..."

Hearing this, Lianyu understood Lan Shui still couldn’t let go of what happened when her cousin left years ago. She waved her hand irritably, "Alright, if that’s too much, at least call each other by name."

Lan Shui paused, then nodded.

A glimmer flashed in Yue Lingjun’s eyes. Lianyu looked at the pair, one affectionate, the other indifferent, and shook her head helplessly. "Alright, let’s go. The appointed time is nearly here. Since Yue’er hasn’t appeared yet, we’ll leave a few people to keep watch outside and proceed with the plan. The black-robed man chose Phoenix Ridge—he should appear. Let’s go, the time is nearly up. The Zhou and Yu Wen families should have arrived."

The three left the carriage and walked directly to the boundary marker of Phoenix Ridge, their eyes filled with deep apprehension.

The vast Nizhang Continent had four infamous forbidden lands: Phoenix Ridge, Qianlong Gorge, Ao Chou Ravine, and Tiger Roar Shoal.

Phoenix Ridge was deemed the most dangerous, for to the people of Nizhang, it was like a cloud of mist—its very mystery inspired fear. No one knew what lay deep within; crossing the boundary marker and taking three more steps plunged one into a formation, gradually losing oneself. The lucky might stumble out; the unlucky left only a skeleton. Thus, the formation had a chilling name: the Soul Severing Array.

"Hyah! Hyah!" The sound of hoofbeats approached, drawing the trio’s attention from the boundary marker.

"Young master, Miss, the Zhou and Yu Wen families have arrived together. Qingqiu and Qingluan are inside as well."

Before Qingfeng finished speaking, a chestnut horse stopped three steps away. Dressed in a tile-blue brocade cloak, Zhou Zhi dropped the reins, leapt nimbly from the horse, and called out, "Third Sister-in-law." The others followed, dismounting and approaching.

All were elegant young men. Yu Wen Lingxi wore no cloak today, still in a white robe, spotless, as if he had not ridden with the group. He nodded to Lianyu and her companions and strolled to the boundary marker.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," said the man standing to Yu Wen Lingxi’s left. Compared to Zhou Zhi and Yu Wen Lingxi, he seemed more composed, his deep voice inspiring trust.

Lianyu smiled gently, "Young master Zhou, you’re too polite. We’ve only just arrived." Her gaze fell on the dispirited youth beside him. "And who might this be?"

"This is my sixth brother, Zhou Ziwen," Zhou Qian explained, then turned and scolded, "Sixth brother, aren’t you going to greet her?"

Zhou Ziwen finally summoned some spirit and said, "Zhou Ziwen greets the Sixth Princess."

Zhou Qian’s expression eased as he apologized to Lianyu, "Forgive me, Princess. My sixth brother is not feeling well—he should have rested at the inn, but insisted on coming."

Lianyu kept her smile. "Young master Zhou, there’s no need for such courtesy. Now that everyone is here, let’s discuss our next steps."

Everyone agreed, nodding, and gathered around the boundary marker.