Chapter 10, Searching
The sound of the flute faintly resonates in the tranquil river valley, carried away by the pleasant morning breeze.
Chutian still remains silent, but this time it can be considered as tacit approval
If I were given time to escape, I would leave this ancient cave to find you after dawn. The girl asked Chu Tian: "How long do you think it will take for me to find you?"
"A month?" Chu Tian was taken aback, "You arrived a month ago?"
Her long hair cascades like a waterfall, lightly floating on the surface of the water, partially concealing one side of her face. Her eyes are as dark as night, yet bright like stars, sparkling with an intoxicating brilliance, while also hiding traces of cunning and wildness. Beneath her delicate and charming nose, her crimson lips frame pearly white teeth, gently parting in a way that invites contemplation
Chutian clearly noticed that the young girl had not exerted her full strength, and had not even used thirty to fifty percent of her power
Dislike always requires a reason. If it is due to Huan Changge and Yin Xueliu, then your aversion is rather trivial. Those two individuals are merely outer disciples and cannot represent the mainstream elite of the Beiming Divine Mansion
Chutian took the sword and shook his head, saying: "You either kill me or let me go. But I will never go with you to the North Ming Divine Mansion"
What kind of joke is this? Why would I want to kill you? If I had wanted that, you would have been dead a month ago
Chutian frowned slightly, the young girl spoke in a way that seemed to imply something else, yet he did not know what else he could let go of
The sound of the xiao fills the air with a sense of transcending the mundane, resembling a stream that does not partake in the world's smoke and fire, meandering gracefully between towering mountains, causing the landscape to unknowingly acquire a hint of ethereal charm
The young girl smiled proudly, as the evening breeze gently stirred her long hair.
Every breeze seemed to be filled with spirituality and vitality in her hearing, bringing with it an abundance of information, yet unrelated to the vast sky of Chu.
A hundred birds greet the phoenix, ten thousand beasts pay homage to the king
Chutian was taken aback for a moment, then silently extended his right hand towards the young girl. The girl shook her head and confidently said: "There is no need for oaths or vows; I have confidence in myself, and I have many ways to ensure that you will not go back on your word"
She slowly closed her bright eyes, tilting her ear to listen to the distant messages carried by the wind
Chu Tian is not a lecher, so he did not steal a glance. His eyes, unblinking and vigilant like a wolf, fixated on the young girl, missing not a single detail. As he gazed at this suddenly appearing, devilishly beautiful girl, who seemed to descend like a little fairy with an unknown origin, Chu Tian felt a tingling sensation on his scalp, every muscle in his body tensed like iron, and cold sweat continuously seeped from his palms
The young girl turned her head to look at Chu Tian, her face showing no trace of shyness, and with a smile, she said: "Could you please turn around first? I am about to come out."
The young girl slowly opened her eyes, a hint of a smile escaping from the corners of her lips: "It seems this guy really wants to have a bed slave"
Chutian's expression softened a bit as he said, "With your appetite, the shop will go out of business before it even opens."
Holding tightly does not equate to holding securely, nor does it imply holding well. By loosening your grip a little, you may discover unexpected results
"Damn it!" At this point, she suddenly let out a curse and sighed, saying, "Forget it, what I just said was all a lie. In fact, that place is terrible; it is not somewhere a normal person would want to stay."
If you find it difficult to get by in the future, you can seek my investment to open a barbecue restaurant
Chutian could not fully comprehend the meaning of the lyrics, but he found the melody to be graceful and pleasing to the ear. When that woman sang, it truly resembled celestial music. He was filled with curiosity about who might have ventured into the ancient cave, or perhaps, what her purpose for coming was
Chutian nodded slightly but did not turn around; instead, he took steps backward toward the cave entrance.
A sweet fragrance of roses enveloped in a wisp of warm air penetrated into Chu Tian's ear, causing his face to flush and his whole body to involuntarily shudder, while the girl's delicate fingers effortlessly brushed aside his left fist.
What a remarkably beautiful young lady she is, as all the ornate words in the world pale in comparison to her visage
The young girl naturally categorized herself among the elites of the North Ming Divine Mansion and advised Chu Tiandao: "I suggest you do not jump to conclusions so early; take some time to understand. The North Ming Divine Mansion may not be as terrible as you think..."
The girl smiled slightly: "Including being your bed slave—"
However, from morning to noon, and from noon to dusk, the young girl was still unable to receive any news from Chu Tian
"You seem to know me well?" Chutian said with some surprise, as he had never spoken to anyone about his past
By the edge of the Bone-Biting and Soul-Destroying True Underworld Nine Evil Pool, a pile of interwoven silk garments lies scattered, and someone is bathing in the pool
He couldn't help but feel a mix of laughter and disbelief. As his mind relaxed slightly, the young girl gracefully raised her delicate hand, holding a hairpin resembling a jade ruyi, and in the blink of an eye, she thrust it towards the left temple of Chu Tian!
She is indeed a cunning little girl
In silence, he unconsciously adjusted his finger positioning, and his wrist was no longer tense
Listen, before night falls, I command you to search every inch of the colorful Misty Mountains, every stream, to find the boy who left the ancient cave last night
"Or perhaps it is to kill me that they have come." Chu Tian corrected the girl's words to be more precise.
"Let's make money together." The young girl turned her back to Chu Tian, dipping her greasy little hands into the True Ming Nine Evil Pool to wash them. "You probably don't know, but you've already gained a bit of fame. After defeating Huan Changge and Yin Xueliu, some of the old antiques in the Beiming Divine Mansion have already heard your name. However, this recruitment is entirely my own intention, as I do not wish for you to be wasted by those old antiques."
Just now, when I had my back turned to you, why didn't you make a move? Even if you don't have the habit of attacking from behind, why didn't you take the opportunity to escape? Being so indecisive is not manly at all
"Nonsense, if I hadn't fed you three life-saving elixirs and helped you circulate your blood to heal your injuries, would you have survived?" The girl's expression suddenly turned somewhat fierce: "You have to compensate me for all of this!"
Such a young girl is the dream lover that all men yearn for day and night, yet now she is playfully splashing in the water before Chu Tian, completely unclothed, while singing such a touching song.
In the sky, on the treetops, in the bushes, beneath the streams, and inside the caves... everywhere there are birds and beasts running and flying.
The young girl seemed unaware of Chu Tian's anxiety; she leisurely dressed in her flowing robes and lifted her long, graceful legs to step out of the Zhenming Nine Evil Pool
Her entire body was submerged in the pool water, with only the area above her fragrant shoulders exposed above the surface of the water
She realized that she must have overlooked a certain blind spot, and it was precisely this blind spot that Chu Tian had exploited to remain hidden and undetected until now
In the second round, Chu Tian nearly lost his helmet and armor.
As the first rays of dawn began to emerge, a lithe figure leaped from the mouth of the ancient cave and plunged into the azure pool. Half an hour later, the young girl donned her garments and walked to a square stone by the edge of the pool to sit down.
Forget it, you can't afford my things even if you earn for ten lifetimes. Instead, why not treat me to a good meal—don't say you can't, I just saw you carrying a rabbit in your hand
He was holding a wild rabbit in his hand, having cleaned and prepared it to enjoy a delicious feast tonight, rewarding his stomach that had been deprived for many days
Chutian gazed into the girl's pitch-black eyes, unable to discern whether she was serious or merely teasing him once again
The morning breeze gently lifts her lotus-colored attire, and the brilliant rays of dawn illuminate her charming face, while the dewdrops on her black hair have yet to dry, sparkling with a myriad of colors
After a moment, the pain in his body gradually eased. Chu Tian, with a pale complexion, stood up straight and said: "I will not go!"
You may consider my suggestion, but whether you agree or disagree, I assure you the outcome will be the same
However, the young girl before me was bathing in the pool as if nothing were amiss, her demeanor so relaxed as if she were soaking in a hot spring filled with fragrant flowers
The young girl placed her translucent jade-like fingers to her lips, savoring them with delight, and then without hesitation, tore off the entire rabbit leg.
The young girl took three steps back with satisfaction, admiring the pitiful appearance of Chu Tian in pain
Chutian, now that I have found you, I will never let you slip away again
Hmm, you are back? The weather is a bit hot, may I use your pool to take a bath
More and more birds are flying in, followed by various kinds of beasts in the mountains
No matter where you are, I will surely find you... Because without you, the days are so dull in this world...
"You, talking for so long is like playing the lute to a cow." A hint of impatience appeared on the girl's face as she attempted to delve into Chu Tian's thoughts and gain insight into his inner world. However, the presence of the Bodhi Mingyue seal obstructed her actions, yet it also sparked her greater interest.
However, upon entering the ancient cave, a faint and melodious singing could be heard from within
It appears that her interest in roasting the wild rabbit far exceeds her enjoyment of the meal, as her gaze casually conceals her thoughts, intently observing every minute movement of Chu Tian's arms, wrists, and fingers as he turns the rabbit.
Chutian faced a formidable opponent, clenched his left fist, and shouted as he struck towards the delicate fingers of the young girl.
I like this cave, and I am very grateful for your generosity, but unfortunately, I came here for you
"Should we try again? After all, you have no choice." The young girl raised her hand to pick up the Cangyun Yuancheng sword from the ground, turning the blade around and handing it to Chu Tian
From hearing the girl's singing to watching the beauty bathe, it was merely a matter of two or three minutes, yet Chu Tian completely lost his appetite for dinner
Chutian was taken aback and had no time to defend with his sword.
Unlike the situation encountered during the long song of joy and the flowing time of shadowy snow, the girl did not possess that obvious and powerful aura of a killer. What she revealed to Chu Tian was merely her innate charm and exquisite beauty.
The mist in the mountains thickens, and the sounds of noisy birds and beasts can be heard everywhere
In the first round, he lost
Chutian was taken aback for a moment, and after a while said: "You are very honest"
It is simple, I will listen to your words. Also, with a limit of three years, I will do whatever you ask me to do
Not a man
Chutian suddenly realized that his ability to revive the dead and restore books was not merely due to good luck, but rather because of the assistance of a "noble" person
In the girl's eyes sparkled a teasing light, as if it brought her joy to tease Chu Tian, making him nervous and watching him feel embarrassed
Chutian shook his head, and the "Buzz—" sound echoed as the Cangyun Yuanchan Sword flew into his hand. "Please, miss, enlighten me!"
He presented the roasted hare meat in front of the young girl. The girl tore off a small piece of leg meat and brought it to her mouth to taste
Alright, I will grill!
Either you will find me before dark, or you will never be able to find me
However, Chu Tian is not foolish enough to compare her with the likes of Huan Changge and Yin Xueliu. If the legendary Beiming Divine Mansion's power had once made Chu Tian consider the idea of evasion, from the moment he saw the girl, he already knew that he need not hide—because there was nowhere to hide
In the serene mountains under the bright moon, Chu Tian joyfully took a refreshing bath in the emerald pool beneath the waterfall before returning with satisfaction
How strong is this young girl? Chu Tian could not fathom it at all. At this moment, his chest was wide open, and a delicate body, warm and soft as jade, leaned over, her slender fingers gently pressing against the center of his chest.
Once again, after a long time, the sound of the flute gradually ceased until it vanished without a trace
The young girl was momentarily taken aback, her eyes widening as she stared at Chu Tian, and then she suddenly burst into laughter.
"Do you practice your skills while roasting the wild rabbit?" she asked Chu Tian
"Don't be foolish! If I wanted to deal with you, would I need to act from behind?" The young girl laughed lightly, raising her hand as the silk garments on the ground fluttered up.
The formidable nature of the True Nether Nine Fiend Pool has been witnessed and personally experienced by Chu Tian, with at least several dozen lives having been lost in the pool over time, and he himself nearly fell victim to the corrosive effects of the Nine Fiend's sinister energy.
They surrounded the emerald pond, with hundreds, even thousands, of birds remaining utterly silent
The setting sun at the horizon is like blood, as it begins to sink behind the mountains
The young girl took great pleasure in observing the intense reactions displayed by Chu Tian under her close proximity. She deliberately exhaled her enticing breath into Chu Tian's nostrils, and as expected, he obediently retreated a step further.
Her skin is as smooth and delicate as silk, with a gracefully elongated neck and elegantly sculpted shoulders, resembling a proud swan full of charm, exuding a captivating allure intertwined with a hint of spirited elegance
The bonfire blazed, its flickering flames reflecting the bright, dancing red in the girl's clear eyes
He seemed to have vanished into thin air after leaving this ancient cave, yet it is absolutely impossible for him to have left the Variegated Misty Mountains
Thus, Chu Tian's feelings for her can no longer be described as astonishing, but rather inhuman
The long cry of the eagle, the roar of the tiger, the haunting call of the cuckoo, and the croaking of frogs by the pond
In the darkness, streams of the essence of heaven and earth, along with the true yin of the Nine Fiends in the pool, silently flowed into the girl’s body like myriad rivers converging into the sea, surging and flowing within the profound and mysterious realm of innate existence until they were refined
"Is it possible? Why does your expression change so drastically when you hear about having to pay compensation?"
Habit. Chutian seemed to focus all his attention on the sizzling wild rabbit meat.
If you like, I can let you stay in this cave. I was just planning to leave in the next couple of days
The delicate clouds weave their charm, the flying stars convey their sorrow, the silver river flows quietly in the dark. When the golden wind and the jade dew meet, it surpasses countless encounters in the mortal world. Tender feelings are like water, the beautiful moments are like a dream, yet one cannot bear to look back at the return path of the magpie bridge. If the two hearts are meant to last, why should it matter whether it is day or night
Unexpectedly, the girl's body turned sideways, her charming face displaying a smile that was not quite a smile as she gently blew into Chu Tian's ear with her cherry lips
How about we set sunset as the limit? If I can find you before sunset tomorrow, you must obediently follow my orders and accompany me for the next three years. I will be your guardian. In return, you must do whatever I ask, even if I demand that you cut off your own head, you must not cry out in pain, nor can you go back on your word.
The young girl gently patted her drowsy jade-like cheeks, "I really should take a nap to recharge, so I can properly accompany this fool tomorrow. He seems quite confident!"
Chutian slowly set down the roasted hare and gazed at the young girl, asking, "What exactly do you want from me?"
Ding! The Cangyun Yuancheng Sword was gently prodded to the left by the jade hairpin
I know that your ancestors were all hunters, and you yourself grew up in the mountains from a young age, so the Variegated Misty Mountains are not unfamiliar to you; in fact, they may even evoke a sense of home
The beauty emerging from the bath exudes an endless allure, yet the feelings of Chutian are akin to encountering a spell
The young girl expanded her spiritual awareness, transmitting her thoughts into the minds of every bird and beast.
The girl let out a series of silver bell-like laughs and said, "How about coming with me? Don't worry, I won't really make you open a barbecue restaurant—I have a greater investment in you."
She walked to the edge of the True Nether Nine Evil Pool, leaped gracefully, and lay down on the surface of the pool, closing her eyes in contentment as she drifted into sleep
The mountains have grown quieter, the waters have become more still, and the clouds at the horizon linger with affection, as if they too are straining to listen.
Chutian shook his head and said, "Aren't you afraid of losing everything?"
He simply disregarded the hairpin that was thrust at him and, with the speed of lightning, thrust his sword towards the girl's chest
He walked step by step into the depths of the ancient cave, following the source of the singing. As he looked around, he couldn't help but feel a chilling sensation from head to toe
Upon realizing this, Chutian suddenly became aware that he had been captivated by the girl since he entered the cave, leading to an irresistible feeling emerging from within.
The young girl said: "We will see each other again soon—trust me"
The girl tapped her forehead, recalling a long time ago when she used to play hide-and-seek with a boy. Each time she failed, unless the boy deliberately let her find him
The young girl, with her dark hair neatly tied up, stood upright, her profile gazing at the vast sky. On her delicate face, there was an indescribable expression: a hint of nonchalant laziness, a touch of lonely disinterest, and a dash of cynical mockery, as if she were fully aware of everything around her, completely unconcerned about loss
If you move your thumb back half a unit, press down a bit more with your index finger, raise your little finger while keeping the branch in your hand at a slight distance, and relax your wrist a bit more, it will be much better when you grip the sword backward
In the next moment, the mountains surged and the vegetation bristled with tension. Within the colorful misty mountains spanning a radius of ten thousand miles, thousands of birds soared and myriad beasts galloped.
The young girl slowly stood up from the square stone, standing in the center of countless birds and beasts, resembling a queen receiving worship.
Chutian smiled, grasped the Cangyun Yuanchan sword, and turned to walk towards the cave entrance
The ancient cave returned to silence, the bonfire rising in the Chu sky gradually extinguished, and the cave became pitch black
A dull thud echoed from Chutian's abdomen, struck by the girl's right elbow
Coward, the young girl scoffed, "Are you really so afraid of the North Sea Divine Mansion?"
A pair of kingfishers skimmed over the rippling surface of the pond, landing quietly on the branch behind the young girl, listening attentively.
Chutian was taken aback and slowed down his pace; the person humming a tune in the library appeared to be a woman
She slightly raised her face, and the brilliant morning light poured down, illuminating her pale pink attire with a shimmering glow, creating a layer of golden radiance.
This blow, although it caused Chu Tian deep pain, did not inflict any substantial harm to his body; clearly, she had precise control over her strength and showed mercy.
The young girl placed her hands behind her waist, stood on tiptoe, and leaned forward towards Chu Tian, saying, "How about we do it this way?"
Hearing this, Chu Tian let out a hum without arguing. The young girl slightly nodded and said: "I understand, you are not afraid; you dislike the Beiming Divine Mansion, right?"
Chutian watched as she took out a few hairpins from somewhere, gathering her long hair while wringing out the water, her delicate figure graceful, her expression serene
At that moment, when it seemed she was about to lose, she would burst into tears, crying so much that the boy could not bear it, deliberately making some noise until he was noticed by her.
The young girl leaned against the cave wall, watching as Chu Tian piled up firewood and lit a fire, the corners of her lips curling up into a beautiful arc, curved like a delicate crescent moon
Chutian gazed at the girl's seemingly completely unguarded back, a surge of impulse to act rising within him time and again
The red sun in the sky is gradually moving westward, and it will be dark in less than an hour.
"Good habits are called habits, while bad habits can only be referred to as faults." The young girl sighed and said, "You certainly have quite a few faults."
He bent down in pain, feeling as if countless turbulent currents were twisting through his meridians. His chest felt tight and painful, and he lost all strength in his body, causing the Cangyun Yuancheng Sword to clatter and fall to the ground.
The last streak of crimson twilight at the horizon is gradually fading away
Above
What if you don't find me before sunset
Even a fine needle that has sunk among the pebbles at the bottom of the stream cannot escape the countless sharp gazes searching from above and below the water
He invested his own dinner, and not only did he fail to ascertain the girl's identity, but he was also uncertain about her intentions.
Chutian was clearly not accustomed to making eye contact with a young girl at such close range. He couldn't help but frown and distance himself, saying: "What do you want now?"
Chutian nodded and said, "In that case, I will not say goodbye to you."
So where will he actually be
Down
The young girl took out a jade flute of emerald color from her sleeve, first carefully wiping it with a pure white silk handkerchief, and then bringing it to her lips
"My investment acumen has always been quite good," the young girl smiled and said, "If you follow me, you are sure to reap abundant rewards."
Chutian, having faced countless disdain and humiliation as a small wanderer, had never before encountered such a rebuke
The young girl washed her hands clean, turned around, and lightly covered her mouth as she yawned, "Hurry up, once you finish your business, I want to sleep for a while longer"
Forget it, I can't be bothered to argue with you so much. She was dressing in the pool, her delicate bosom round and firm like a fist, her body’s curves exquisitely graceful to the utmost, each movement flowing and enchanting like a willow branch in the wind
Chutian's gaze became clear and resolute once again
The young girl soared with the wind, landing atop the high cliff at the summit of the waterfall. The vibrant and lush scenery of the misty mountains lay before her eyes in its entirety
In fact, the girl's height is almost the same as Chu Tian's; even when she leans her body slightly forward, her eyes can still maintain the same level as Chu Tian's.
Apart from oneself, one sword, and the vastness of heaven and earth, one possesses nothing at all
Chutian's sword-like eyebrows raised slightly, suppressing the urge to speak.
He fell silent, increasingly puzzled by the girl's intentions