Chapter Nine, Between Love and Hate
Yesterday afternoon, Liu Rujun exited the Yajing Pavilion and did not go directly to find Ji Sanniang, but instead wandered aimlessly in the city of Luoyang. Three years ago, he did not come to Luoyang alone; he was accompanied by Ji Sanniang. No, at that time, Ji Sanniang was not called Ji Sanniang. At that time, Ji Sanniang had not yet married the chief of the Zhentian Gang, and she did not bear the surname Ji, but rather the surname Tang. She had a name as beautiful as anyone else's, Tang Xuexue, like the snowflakes dancing in the sky. Three years ago, he did not come to Luoyang alone; he was accompanied by Ji Sanniang. No, at that time, Ji Sanniang was not called Ji Sanniang. At that time, Ji Sanniang had not yet married the chief of the Zhentian Gang, and she did not bear the surname Ji, but rather the surname Tang. She had a name as beautiful as anyone else's, Tang Xuexue, like the snowflakes dancing in the sky. Tang Xuexue was the third daughter of Tang Xiangtian, the thirteenth leader of the Tang Sect, a family renowned for its hidden weapons in Sichuan.
It is precisely because those who are humble and reserved in this world possess true talent and knowledge, while those who are arrogant and disregard everything are often empty and akin to frogs at the bottom of a well
Martial arts cultivation should not be judged by age, and thus the three individuals left the Zui Li Xiu Qian Kun Tavern with exceedingly complex emotions
Tears are now falling drop by drop into the clear water in the wooden bucket, creating one ripple after another that spreads outwards
The two elderly men, while observing the battle, noticed that Ren Piaoping skillfully maneuvered between the variations of the Judge's pen techniques, always managing to cleverly evade the fierce moves of Feng Wujì. At the very least, they had come to understand one thing: Ren Piaoping's movements were light and ethereal, emphasizing both cleverness and speed. Thus, as their eyes met, they reached a mutual understanding: since they could not outpace their opponent, why not use slowness to counter speed
As soon as he stepped out, an old man selling candied hawthorn blocked his way and said, "Just now, someone said you would definitely buy my candied hawthorn." Ren Piaoping glanced at him, did not ask further, and handed him two taels of silver. The old man was overjoyed and said, "Truly miraculous, that person said you would definitely give me two taels of silver."
Anger surges like a crown, as I lean against the railing, the rain has just ceased. I raise my eyes and let out a long howl towards the sky, filled with intense ambition. Thirty years of fame are but dust and dirt, while the journey of eight thousand miles is marked by clouds and the moon. Do not idly let your youth fade away, only to lament in vain. This windless expanse, I chant aloud while wielding my brush like a sword. This brush technique, employed throughout, seamlessly combines the precision of the judge's brush strokes—dots, lifts, pierces, pricks, and jabs—with the meticulousness of the Liu style calligraphy, characterized by slender, vigorous, and powerful strokes. It is a natural masterpiece, truly exuding an overwhelming presence, unstoppable and fierce, embodying a spirit of boundless ambition and relentless forward momentum. This brush technique, employed throughout, seamlessly combines the precision of the judge's brush strokes—dots, lifts, pierces, pricks, and jabs—with the meticulousness of the Liu style calligraphy, characterized by slender, vigorous, and powerful strokes. It is a natural masterpiece, truly exuding an overwhelming presence, unstoppable and fierce, embodying a spirit of boundless ambition and relentless forward momentum.
Ren Piaoping paid no attention and extended her hand, saying: "Hand it over."
Ren Piaoping decided to take action, her index finger flicked lightly, and two streams of sword energy shot out from her fingertips, striking precisely at the tips of two swords, causing the sword light to vanish instantly. However, the two swords instantly transformed into ethereal green serpents, attacking Ren Piaoping's chest at the Qimen acupoint and the kidney acupoint at the waist from incredible angles, their momentum unstoppable, embodying the essence of the Changbai Sword Sect's techniques "Sword Points to the Long River" and "Flying Sword at Sunset".
Around the hour of the dog yesterday, Ji Sanniang and her family were having dinner. The steward Ji was constantly serving dishes to his wife and son, while the son was always being pampered in his mother's arms, and the dining room was occasionally filled with the joyful laughter of the three of them. Suddenly, a familiar song drifted in from afar, "Red tender hands, yellow vine wine, the city is full of spring colors and willows by the palace walls. The east wind is cruel, joy is thin, a cup of sorrow, years of separation. Wrong, wrong, wrong!" The sudden arrival of this song was like a thunderclap on a clear day, resonating in her empty heart. Ji Sanniang, without a word, stepped out and hurried towards the direction of the song, with her husband and their three-year-old son's calls echoing behind her. "Spring is as before, but people are thin, tear stains red and wet the fine gauze. " At this moment, with every word Ji Sanniang heard, her heart filled with more sorrow and indignation, "Peach blossoms fall, idle pavilion, the mountain oath remains, but the brocade letter is hard to entrust. Don't, don't, don't!" The song had stopped, and Ji Sanniang had arrived, only to see a figure in white, with disheveled hair, standing against the wind under the setting sun. "Spring is as before, but people are thin, tear stains red and wet the fine gauze." At this moment, with every word Ji Sanniang heard, her heart filled with more sorrow and indignation, "Peach blossoms fall, idle pavilion, the mountain oath remains, but the brocade letter is hard to entrust. Don't, don't, don't!" The song had stopped, and Ji Sanniang had arrived, only to see a figure in white, with disheveled hair, standing against the wind under the setting sun. She was all too familiar with this silhouette, and Ji Sanniang couldn't help but smile, a smile born from extreme sorrow and indignation, and coldly said, "You really know how to choose a place?"
Liu Rujun was left speechless.
After one hundred and eight letters, Tang Xuexue became Liu Rujun's woman, despite the strong opposition from everyone.
Yet the face of the windless man was quite awkward, as he realized that his martial arts were far inferior to those of Ren Piaoping. He could not help but feel a sense of heroism waning, and said: "Well, it is said that heroes emerge in their youth; I am but an old man now!" After saying this, he intended to leave.
Liu Rujun is now sitting in front of the wife of the chief of the Zhen Tian Gang, Ji Sanniang, with a bitter smile, for he can only smile bitterly. He is currently bound to the chair he is sitting on like a zongzi and has been trapped here for seven or eight hours.
At the moment when Liu Rujun flew towards her gentle rain of affection, the block of ice that had frozen in Ji Sanniang's heart melted in an instant, transforming into tender tears in her eyes
Ji Sanniang moved with utmost grace, brushing her hair away from her forehead, and said happily: "At least these three years have proven one thing, I am the woman you love the most." The corners of her mouth were filled with unparalleled pride, as if it could erase all the grievances and insults she had endured over the past three years.
After finishing the first half of the poem "Man Jiang Hong" by Feng Wujì, Ren Piaoping still stood there gracefully, as if she had just witnessed Feng Wujì truly writing on paper. Nevertheless, Ren Piaoping could not help but secretly praise in her heart that there were very few people in the martial world who could wield a pair of judge's brushes in such a manner.
Liu Rujun was tied to a chair, forcing a bitter smile, and said: "What is the point of this?"
Perhaps they all regret why they had to come to Luoyang to admire the peonies
Upon hearing Ji Sanniang's words, Liu Rujun was both astonished and delighted, fearing that she had misheard. She asked, "What did you say?" and then fainted again.
Luoyang, at the "Come and Go" inn, at the hour of Zi, in a guest room, there was a wooden tub, two naked individuals, a tub of clear water, and two streams of hot tears. Ji Sanniang was simultaneously using her internal energy to expel the poison from Liu Rujun while continuously murmuring: "You are truly foolish, you know, even if I hate you a thousand ways, how could I bear to kill you? You are truly foolish, you could have avoided this, I know you could have avoided this, you are truly foolish..."
Liu Rujun seemed not to have heard her words, and instead focused on channeling her energy to break free from the ropes. At that moment, she felt a tightness in her chest and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. Ji Sanniang shouted, "Do you really not want to live? Don't you want to see our child?"
Ren Piaoping returned the courtesy and said: "Please."
Ren Piaoping picked up the wine glass again, but it was quite strange; he had already informed Yu Furong to meet him here, so why had Liu Rujun and the others not arrived yet
The two elders of Changbai have been utterly defeated, and it seems that this time they have suffered the most severe and swift defeat. At the same time, they secretly feel grateful to Ren Piaoping. If it were not for Ren Piaoping's kind-heartedness just now, merely needing to exert force at their Dan Zhong acupoint, they would have likely met a fate worse than death. At this moment, after hearing Ren Piaoping's words, they are filled with emotion and say: "Young hero Ren, your martial arts skills are unparalleled in history, and I have listened to your teachings. As we part today, please take care of yourself."
The old man selling candied hawthorn let out a sound, handed a note to Ren Piaoping, and walked away quite happily
Ren Piaoping's expression suddenly became serious upon seeing this move. Although he could discern the hidden changes of reality and illusion within the two beams of sword light, their approach was so slow that he could not predict the myriad transformations that would follow. If he were to wait until the sword light was upon him before making a move, although the momentum of its changes would have diminished, he feared that the opponent's initial force would still be strong, leading to an unending series of follow-up strikes. Would he not then find himself in a passive position, subjected to relentless attacks?
But the old man in black beside him said: "Elder Feng, hold on, how can we enhance someone else's prestige?" The old man in black and another elder exchanged glances, and both simultaneously cupped their fists in salute to Ren Piaoping, saying: "Young hero Ren, we apologize for the offense." The two showed great respect and courtesy towards Ren Piaoping, which inevitably made him feel a sense of vigilance.
Once Tang Xuexue became Liu Rujun's woman, she was utterly obedient to him, and Liu Rujun believed he had found his true love, leading to a deep affection between the two. Subsequently, they traveled to Luoyang, solely to admire the peony, the king of flowers.
The three hundred and sixty slender silver needles, like fine rain, had all pierced into Liu Rujun's body
As Ji Sanniang made her move, a fine drizzle fell from the sky, filled with tender emotions. Liu Rujun could only see the fine rain, resembling the delicate threads of cow hair, coming towards him, mixed with a faint fragrance, reminiscent of a young girl's first stirrings of love. Liu Rujun smiled, a smile that was both candid and radiant. He could finally witness the signature skill of the woman he adored—the Fine Rain of Tenderness. It turned out that this technique was so beautifully stunning that it made one willingly lay down their life for it.
Ji San Niang looked at Liu Ru Jun, who was bound before her, appearing quite pleased.
Ji Sanniang suddenly said: "I know I cannot bind you, let alone with a rope. However, you must not recklessly use your true energy right now, because the poison I concocted, infused with gentle rain and tender feelings, is inherently unsolvable. I can only help you expel a portion of the poison, and now at least someone with a hundred years of profound skill is needed to help you expel the remaining toxins"
The two elders drew their swords, and as the long swords emerged, a chilling sword aura filled the air, enveloping Ren Piaoping in a bone-chilling cold. Yet, Ren Piaoping remained calm and composed, her smile unchanged. Suddenly, the two swords transformed into two bursts of sword light, slowly drifting towards Ren Piaoping.
The man in white, sword in hand, turned back, and it was none other than Liu Rujun. It turned out that Liu Rujun was aimlessly wandering the streets, reflecting on the past, his emotions surging. It was on that day, while accompanying Tang Xuexue to admire the peonies, that he encountered Yu Furong. On that day, Yu Furong wore a white feathered veil embroidered with peonies, and with every smile and frown, she radiated boundless charm. With every gesture, she embodied countless forms of elegance, her bright eyes sparkling as she looked around, leaving him utterly amazed and infatuated. From that day on, Liu Rujun completely vanished from Tang Xuexue's sight, disappearing into this gentle realm of Yajing Pavilion, which did not belong to him. Liu Rujun believed he had no face to meet Ji Sanniang again, and with a heart full of regret with nowhere to vent, he inadvertently walked to the mass grave outside the southern city. Thus, he raised his voice in song, danced with his sword towards the sky, his singing tragic, and the sound of the sword sorrowful.
At this moment, Ren Piaoping, carried by the wind, learned that the two elderly men accompanying him were actually the renowned Changbai Elders, famous in the martial world since his childhood. He couldn't help but feel a jolt in his heart, wondering how the Changbai Elders could be reduced to serving under the Zhen Tian Gang. In truth, Ren Piaoping also longed to understand the reasons behind this situation.
Liu Rujun was well aware that those who had experienced the gentle affection of the fine rain were all long gone, which clearly indicated the depth of Ji Sanniang's resentment towards him. He also understood that with his own skills, retreating was the only way to preserve his life. However, Liu Rujun chose not to retreat but to advance, moving towards the fine rain, moving towards that gentle affection. He intended to use his own life to rekindle the love he once had for her, and to cleanse his own vile soul.
Isn't it precisely this change that Ren Piaoping desires? Her figure moved as swiftly as lightning, unexpectedly darting through the gap between the two swords. At this moment, the two elders had exhausted their sword momentum, and as they attempted to change their stance, Ren Piaoping had already lightly tapped the point of the sternum of the two elders, then returned to her seat, smiling as she said: "Junior has met with the two elders of Changbai. While stillness can indeed control movement amidst the unchanging, can movement not also achieve stillness just before the slightest shift?"
Ren Piaoping immediately got up and left, as he decided to ask Yu Furong for clarification on whether Ouyang Xiaodie was present in Yajing Pavilion that night
Ren Piaoping had already consumed the second pot of wine, and the jade hairpin in his hand remained crystal clear and warm. In fact, ever since that day, he would take it out to glance at it several times each day. It seemed he suddenly recalled something; how could the last words of that woman last night be so similar to what the masked woman had said that night at the Longmen Grottoes, the same words, the same tone
Lady Ji San was greatly alarmed and scolded, "Your Highness, this is not permissible!"
Liu Rujun's first task was to engage in a psychological battle; he wanted Tang Xuexue to understand that he loved her the most, rather than her loving him. There is no woman in this world who would not wish to hear such words, even if she outwardly scoffs at them and expresses great disdain. Unless the man is not human at all, Liu Rujun is certainly human, and he is the kind of person that women would like upon first meeting. Liu Rujun's second task was to demonstrate his strength; a woman would naturally be attracted to a man of capability, even if she does not need a man to protect her. Liu Rujun's third task was to make Tang Xuexue understand that he was not a frivolous person. Liu Rujun's talents are well-known in the community; he is proficient in poetry, music, calligraphy, and painting.
Ji Sanniang found herself in a haze, as a blood-red sunset spread within her heart. Holding Liu Rujun in her arms, Ji Sanniang softly said, "You are truly foolish..." Her voice choked with emotion. The light of life had faded from Liu Rujun's eyes, as the poison from the silver needle rapidly coursed through his veins. With what seemed to be the last of his strength, he uttered, "Xiaoxue, I am sorry, you are still the woman I love the most." With that, he fell into unconsciousness.
At that time, she had a very beautiful title - "Gentle Rain and Tender Feelings" Tang Xuexue. Tang Xuexue's beauty was not the kind that left people in awe, but rather a beauty that grew more enchanting the more one looked at it, a very gentle and soft beauty. At that time, Liu Rujun was captivated by this beauty of Tang Xuexue, while she had no interest in him at all; in her eyes, Liu Rujun was merely a lecherous character. Thus, Liu Rujun did three things. The first thing was to inform everyone in the Tang Clan that Tang Xuexue was his favorite woman. The second thing was that he single-handedly defeated the Seven Tigers of Qingcheng, who had come to the Tang Clan seeking revenge, using the 49 styles of the Flower Picking Sword Technique. The third thing was that every day he wrote a letter and placed it under Tang Xuexue's pillow, in which he did not speak of romance or love, but only of the myriad aspects of life, praising things and expressing aspirations.
Do the people who are by your side day and night necessarily love you? Does the absence of someone mean you do not love them? Is the person who returns to your embrace surely there to love you? Is the one who waits in anguish definitely true love?