Chapter 5, Soft Silk Knotting

"Master, you have been so kind to me." She was so moved that she was on the verge of tears. This thread would be filled with about eighteen beads; how could it take a lifetime? Clearly, the Master was intentionally allowing her to succeed!

"Master, I have come to bid you farewell." Yuezheng set down her bundle, leaned over to pick up a cup of tea, and took a sip. The tea brewed by her master was truly delightful, and she smacked her lips in satisfaction, a rather unrefined gesture that made her appear particularly playful and charming

Gazing intently, Xie Hanbai threw down the sword, seized the thread of affection, and demonstrated how to slowly wrap it. Yuezheng had been learning for many years, and her thoughts and fingers were exceptionally nimble. After watching a few times, she grasped the technique and eagerly snatched it to practice wrapping. Xie Hanbai provided guidance from the side, and before long, she had crafted a hollow little bead, as if it were strung on the thread of affection. The pure black bead was exquisite and clever, with a hollow center embedded with a small red knot, remarkably beautiful. The thread of affection, tightly wound, produced a bead that seemed to be carved from crystal, shimmering with a subtle glow, truly magical. Yuezheng was captivated, unable to part with it. The length of the thread was just right to be fashioned into a bracelet, which would undoubtedly be extremely beautiful. The pure black bead was exquisite and clever, with a hollow center embedded with a small red knot, remarkably beautiful. The thread of affection, tightly wound, produced a bead that seemed to be carved from crystal, shimmering with a subtle glow, truly magical. Yuezheng was captivated, unable to part with it. The length of the thread was just right to be fashioned into a bracelet, which would undoubtedly be extremely beautiful

Xie Hanbai smiled faintly, "Alright, I have given all the instructions that needed to be given. This emotional thread has condensed countless efforts and must not be taken lightly. It should be treated with the same care as you would treat your own heart, and one must avoid self-deception. If successful, it will bring unparalleled auspiciousness and will surely protect you for a lifetime of happiness and well-being"

Your beloved has also transformed from a youth into a man, perhaps no longer resembling the image you hold in your memory. Based on my observations of your childhood, it is possible that you are still his nightmare

Hearing how impressive the master is, Yuezheng finally moved closer to the candle to take a closer look. Those five seemingly ordinary fine threads indeed shimmered with the luster of crystals, and the more she looked, the more the brilliance of the treasures overflowed

Oh. Yuezheng jumped up from the stool, her slender body resembling a nimble little monkey. "Ah!" she exclaimed in surprise, her eyes widening as she noticed that the five intertwined fine threads were completely intact.

Those five threads of affection truly fear neither water nor fire

When I was six years old, my grandfather had just become his teaching master... Yue Zheng gazed at the flickering candlelight; the quiet and dim night easily made one want to confide the secrets buried in their heart, especially to someone like Xie Hanbai. As she was about to see him after six years of separation, many thoughts she had never expressed surged to her mind, and being able to share them with her master made her feel very relieved. "On the Mid-Autumn Festival, I entered the palace for the first time to attend a banquet, filled with curiosity. I sneaked out to play when my mother wasn't paying attention, and that was when I first saw him..." Under the maple tree with its red leaves, as she was about to see him after six years of separation, many thoughts she had never expressed surged to her mind, and being able to share them with her master made her feel very relieved. "On the Mid-Autumn Festival, I entered the palace for the first time to attend a banquet, filled with curiosity. I sneaked out to play when my mother wasn't paying attention, and that was when I first saw him..." Under the maple tree with its red leaves, he appeared so thin and small, and even his splendid attire could not conceal his desolation. "On the Queen's birthday, he was actually crying, looking at the Xi Feng Palace with tears in his eyes." She slowly recounted, her expression lost in memories; that boy was truly handsome, indescribably so, and the sight of him crying instantly tugged at her heart. "Children can be quite foolish; at that time, I resolutely decided to be kinder to this light beauty boy, so he would no longer have to suffer and cry like that." "On the Queen's birthday, he was actually crying, looking at the Xi Feng Palace with tears in his eyes." She slowly recounted, her expression lost in memories; that boy was truly handsome, indescribably so, and the sight of him crying instantly tugged at her heart. "Children can be quite foolish; at that time, I resolutely decided to be kinder to this light beauty boy, so he would no longer have to suffer and cry like that. Later, I learned that he was His Highness the Prince of Guangling, and his mother had once lived in the Xi Feng Palace, enjoying countless favors. Master, do you think that a fleeting whim in childhood can turn into an inexplicable obsession as one grows up? I initially just wanted to accompany him, to make him happy, but later I realized that for a woman to always be by a man's side, she must become his wife, and at that time, being his wife became my dream. Master, do you think that a fleeting whim in childhood can turn into an inexplicable obsession as one grows up? I initially just wanted to accompany him, to make him happy, but later I realized that for a woman to always be by a man's side, she must become his wife, and at that time, being his wife became my dream. Since then, I have been pursuing this dream.

Yue Zheng felt a bit defeated and sat down heavily, leaving Xie Hanbai with no choice but to protect the candle flame again

Yuezheng was a bit angry, pouting and glaring at him

Yue Zheng choked for a moment, and here it comes again, the genius is being narcissistic! What a waste of her earlier passionate narration. It is something that the world dreams of, if it weren't for Feng Lin, she would definitely scoff at his set of ideas.

Xie Hanbai leisurely tucked his robe sleeve and poured new tea into the empty teacup. "Your thoughts have never been difficult to guess"

Sometimes I think, perhaps he already has a girl he loves, and maybe even children, long forgotten who I am. " Yuezheng chuckled, "But giving up? I am unwilling, after all, I have endured so much pain to learn so many things for him. I have to give it a try, right? Fortunately, I have become so talented now, I cannot marry him..." She paused for a moment, feigning humor as she raised an eyebrow, "I could also captivate a group of precious young men, marrying any one of them would allow me to live a life adorned in gold and silver, carefree and at ease." Fortunately, I have become so talented now, I cannot marry him..." She paused for a moment, feigning humor as she raised an eyebrow, "I could also captivate a group of precious young men, marrying any one of them would allow me to live a life adorned in gold and silver, carefree and at ease.

"You put it on the fire." Xie Hanbai scoffed indignantly.

The moon zither sank down her gaze, as both her master and mother conveyed a truth to her: Feng Lin had grown up, no longer resembling the image she held in her memory, and she and Feng Lin had... become strangers

When she was young, she learned the idiom "Kua Fu Chasing the Sun" and thought that Kua Fu was quite foolish, spending his entire life just chasing the sun, only to die of thirst halfway. Later, she felt that she had also become like Kua Fu. For the sake of a blind goal, she studied those skills—stealing a glance at her master, who had always been resentful because she did not genuinely appreciate the skills he took pride in. In truth, she just wanted to be carefree like the moon, wandering around leisurely, living a life of ease and contentment. However, she wanted to become the kind of person he liked and admired, so she kept studying and studying, gradually it seemed to become a habit, and in a flash, she had been learning for six years.

Oh—" Xie Hanbai looked up at her, elongating his tone. "Is he back?"

"I will give you this." Xie Hanbai stood up and took a small box from the inner room, handing it to Yuezheng.

When I first accepted you, it was not because you possessed any extraordinary talents, but rather because of your tenacity and the stubbornness that even you could not shake off. Unfortunately..." Xie Hanbai did not continue. Emotions and talents are different; one can achieve success through sheer obstinacy. Her stubbornness unexpectedly transformed her into such a captivating young girl. Indeed, she is enchanting, with a stunning appearance and a mischievous yet endearingly innocent demeanor. It is fortunate if "he" can appreciate her; if not, her stubbornness will become the poison that could destroy her. Emotions and talents are different; one can achieve success through sheer obstinacy. Her stubbornness unexpectedly transformed her into such a captivating young girl. Indeed, she is enchanting, with a stunning appearance and a mischievous yet endearingly innocent demeanor. It is fortunate if "he" can appreciate her; if not, her stubbornness will become the poison that could destroy her.

A carefully crafted work was thus dismissed by others, and Xie Tiancai, momentarily hurt, took half a day to feign elegance and explain: "This is called emotional entanglement"

Xie Hanbai fell silent for a moment, sighing repeatedly, "Indeed, girls are outwardly strong; fortunately, I still have your elder brother by my side, so I will not face a lonely life."

Yue Zheng squinted her eyes and gently said, "Of course." It was the master's specialty to speak harsh words tenderly, as she warily observed the exceptionally handsome Xie Hanbai in the candlelight

Yuezheng smiled brightly, "What a good thing, what a good thing, Master, please take it all out! Are you afraid that I might encounter an accident due to my lack of skill, and specially developed such fine threads to help me make soft armor for self-defense?"

Yue Zheng deliberately swallowed loudly to express mockery, proving that all geniuses are indeed narcissistic

Master, if I am able to fulfill my wish this time, I will not return. Yuezheng harbored a bit of resentment towards her master for subtly calling her foolish, and she spoke harshly as a form of retaliation.

"Master, you don't need to be so angry..." Yuezheng pouted, looking as if she was about to fake cry. That pitifully delicate little face could soften even the hardest of hearts.

What a pity?" Yuezheng squinted at her master, certain that it was not something good.

Xie Hanbai merely smiled, slowly setting down the teacup, and said, "Tell me, how did he become the one you hold dear?"

Master, rest assured, Zheng'er will go this time, and if not successful...

Yue Zheng sighed, "Master, I do not mean to imply that I wish to become a martyr. What I mean is, you have taught me so well that it is impossible for me not to succeed. You should take care of yourself and live well."

By the time Yuezheng ran back to the mountain, the sky had already darkened. Xie Hanbai had lit the candles early and was leisurely brewing tea. ... The moonlight, the candlelight, the handsome man ... . ... The tranquil courtyard was filled with poetic charm.

Xie Hanbai remained silent for a moment before letting out a laugh, "A wonderful dream; it has brought you to find me, and you have learned many things that people yearn for."

When Yuezheng rushed into the living room, the candle flame flickered violently. Xie Hanbai raised his hand to shield it and said, "You’re back." He had long been accustomed to the fiery actions of his seemingly delicate little disciple and had never corrected her. He thought she was just fine the way she was.

Xie Hanbai gently patted his chest with the hand that was not holding the sword, truly fearing that his internal energy would surge and cause him to spit out a mouthful of fresh blood. "Armor crafting?! It took over a thousand bundles of silkworm silk and diamond crystals to forge just these five pieces!"

Xie Hanbai smiled and said, "Are you so certain that you can achieve your wishes?"

The moon zither nodded heavily, the threads of affection are precious, and it is once again the master who has given such nagging instructions.

She knew he had nothing good to say and watched her master with pursed lips

Ah?! Yuezheng stared wide-eyed, as if the youthful secrets she had deeply buried in her heart had been publicly announced, and everyone knew about them

Xie Hanbai took a small pair of scissors from the little box containing the emotional threads, and without further ado, seized the emotional threads and neatly cut the small beads that had just been woven.

Xie Hanbai gazed at the moon in contemplation for a while, then said, "Forget it, you siblings should descend the mountain together. A life of solitude suits me better."

Yuezheng gasped in surprise, "The elixir of youth?! She can remain beautiful for a lifetime"

Xie Han's eyelids twitched as he snatched the fine thread from Yue Zheng's hand, placing it on the table. He drew the long sword from the wall and, using his internal strength, struck downwards, splitting the exquisite mahogany tabletop in two.

Yue Zheng was taken aback; it seemed that her words had not only failed to deceive herself but also her master

In six years, you will have transformed from a foolish child into an innocent young woman, marking two completely different stages of life

This pair of scissors is called 'Wisdom Sword', and it is the only thing in this world that can sever the ties of love. You must carry it with you at all times. This is a strict order from your master. After you meet him, you can only tie a knot for each deeply moving act he performs. You must tie a total of three knots before you can marry him. If you treat this carelessly, you will face severe punishment. I hope that in this life, you can tie all the knots of love, and at that time, your master will pass on the timeless secret technique to you.

Xie Hanbai quickly interrupted, "Do not become a martyr! Return to the master and serve me until the end of my days, so that my careful teachings will not be in vain."

Yuezheng opened it with great anticipation, only to immediately let her face fall in disappointment. "What is this? Your farewell gift is rather shabby, isn't it? A few pieces of rope, and they are too short even for packing luggage!"

This tactic has been used too often, and Xie Hanbai has reached a state of disdain, coldly instructing: "Go take a look"

Yuezheng trembled as she held five fine strands of hair, four black and one red, in her hand, staring in disbelief. "Love threads? This?" At the very least, shouldn't they be dyed in five different colors, four black and one red, just like filial piety ribbons!

Just as Yueque brandished a torch, he strode into the courtyard with great enthusiasm, exclaiming joyfully: "Master, Sister, I happened to catch two wild chickens on my way back, shall we have them for a midnight snack?"

"You must understand that your six years and my six years are not the same." Xie Hanbai picked up a teacup and took a gentle sip, frowning slightly as if not entirely satisfied. "After six years, the dashing young man is still the dashing young man."