Chapter Seven, The Mountain of Fuyiao

If he joins the Night Owl, will he also become like everyone else, lifeless and dull?

As the sun set in the west, they returned home together

She looked at him and saw his eyes glistening, tears gathering in the corners of his eyes, until the last drop slid down her cheek

The guard at the gate of the Fanshui Palace heard her footsteps and immediately bowed, calling out loudly to the inside: "Left Protector, Meng Man has arrived"

The heartfelt call startled him, and with all his strength, he pushed away the dust of the past in his arms; at the same time, he also awakened from the dream.

Well. I will first deliver the blood to the sect leader. You have already tired yourself with the round trip, so go and rest

In my childhood, I read the medical books written by my grandfather in his study. He was known as the foremost divine doctor in the martial world, with extraordinary medical skills, an exceptional appearance, and superb swordsmanship, making him a well-known figure in the realm. According to my grandfather, Qiu Yishan and the eldest daughter of the Weichi family were deeply in love and became united in marriage, which became a celebrated tale in the martial world. However, twenty years ago, the Weichi family was tragically wiped out in a single night by a night owl, with only Qiu Yishan and his wife escaping the disaster. It is unknown why the couple suddenly turned against each other, leading to Qiu Yishan injuring his leg, after which he retreated from the world and disappeared from the martial realm.

Why is it not suitable

I suppose so. You are not young anymore, and there are some things you should understand.

Hmm," he replied casually

He is willing to take care of her, willing to guard her closely for a lifetime, but the unpredictability of life is daunting. If one day he encounters an accident, who else can protect her? Should she really follow him into the unknown? He certainly does not wish for that; he hopes she can live well, for the sake of those who are worth her living for

"Brother, why did you wake up so early today?" she asked

At the hour of the rabbit, you used to sleep until the hour of the dragon before waking up

Yuwen Chutian let out a soft sigh, gently picked her up, and walked back to the room, carefully placing her on the bed: "If you don't want to leave, just tell me directly, why hurt yourself like this?"

He hurriedly stepped forward, forcefully closing the book, his handsome face turning even redder with embarrassment: "It is a book on training, nothing worth looking at."

The Purple Clear True Person of Zhuoguang Mountain? Very well, I will go to see the sect leader immediately

He knew that Luo Chen had not slept a wink all night, for if she had fallen asleep, she would surely have nightmares, and she would definitely be crying out for him in her dreams. She had not cried out all night, therefore, she must not have slept.

What are you doing

In the Night Owls, the leader resides in the main hall, while the deputy leader holds a subordinate position, residing in the Fengyun Hall on the east side. Following them are the two great protectors, each residing in the two halls to the northwest. These four locations are off-limits to members of the Night Owls, guarded by hidden sentinels, and any intruders will be dealt with ruthlessly.

Then let's stay for another three days

Without a moment's hesitation, she replied: "I will die with you!"

Perhaps it is precisely for this reason that she has a particularly deep impression of him

Uncle Qiu handed him a cloth bag and said, "Please take care of these books and read them when you have time"

Brother

Oh. Uncle Qiu pondered for a moment, "These two children are the orphans of Yu Wen Gu Yu and Lu Lin Ran, aren't they?"

How is this possible? Meng Man was about to ask again when Meng Rao raised a hand to signal her not to inquire further, saying, "I will go meet the sect leader first, you wait for me at the cliff."

Recalling the scent of rouge, she went to smell the clothes drying in the courtyard. The clothes had just dried, yet the fragrance of Meng Man's rouge seeped out again. She did not like this smell, so she took the clothes and went to the riverside to wash them together with the elder women.

Amidst the blooming flowers, there lies a secluded pool, where a woman is bathing in the tranquil waters.

He could no longer harden his heart, using all his strength to hold her in his arms. He could feel her trembling and the warmth of her tears on his shoulder. Suddenly, he felt a bit of hatred towards himself; he clearly knew how pure and sincere her feelings for him were. She did not care about others' opinions, nor about life and death or separation; she only cared about his feelings. As long as he said he was unwilling, she would never force him.

Uncomprehending, Luo Chen stood frozen in place, holding a bowl of warm white porridge: "Brother, what’s wrong? Did I scare you?"

He suddenly realized and exclaimed: "Yu Wen Luo Chen! You actually deceived me!"

Little Chen, you have grown up. In the future, your brother cannot always be by your side

Uncle Qiu is the most understanding; he would not think ill of us

She gritted her teeth, squeezing out a trembling voice from between her teeth: "I was accidentally hit by a stone, it hurts so much! Brother, I’m afraid I won’t be able to walk for many days, what should I do?"

He nodded: "I understand"

Taking a deep breath, she slowly nestled into his arms, gazing deeply at his exceptionally handsome face, and asked once more: "Brother, are we really going to stay here and not go to Miaojiang?"

Falling dust heard half-understood, pondering what could be done in the small grove, could it be mushroom picking? After thinking it over and over, she inadvertently tore a hole in Yu Wen Chutian's new clothes again. This is already the third piece of clothing this month, all because the makeup residue on his clothes is too difficult to wash out, no matter how many times she washes, it cannot be removed.

Today, under the bright sunshine, she encountered him again, and only then did she realize how exceptionally handsome he was, especially when he smiled. His eyes curved, sparkling with a gentle light, reminiscent of the first rays of dawn each morning, illuminating the world, dispelling darkness, coldness, and lifelessness

Yuwen Chutian rubbed his arm, which was resting on the table, and looked up to see Luo Chen bending over to look at him, her full lips almost touching his face. He suddenly stood up, startled and retreated, and due to the force of his movement, the table and chairs shook violently.

Moreover, Uncle Qiu spends most of his time locked away in the pharmacy, studying various medical texts and examining bottles and jars, rarely attending to the business of the drugstore, even neglecting to wipe the dust off the signboard. As a result, his pharmacy seldom sees any customers; even when someone does come to buy medicine, they are often impoverished individuals who cannot afford even a meal, having been turned away from other pharmacies, and only then do they come to his store to request credit for medicine. Without hesitation, Uncle Qiu extends credit to them, seemingly indifferent to the debts for the medicine, and his life does not appear to be financially strained, as he never worries about his basic needs for food, clothing, and other expenses. Thus, his pharmacy rarely attracts customers; even when someone does come to buy medicine, they are often impoverished individuals who cannot afford even a meal, having been turned away from other pharmacies, and only then do they come to his store to request credit for medicine. Without hesitation, Uncle Qiu extends credit to them, seemingly indifferent to the debts for the medicine, and his life does not appear to be financially strained, as he never worries about his basic needs for food, clothing, and other expenses.

At such times, she would go to the kitchen to prepare two bowls of plain congee. The two of them would sit at the desk and drink the congee. Although the congee was light, it had a subtly sweet and smooth taste on the tip of the tongue

What if I die

The candlelight in the study did not extinguish throughout the night, and the oil lamp in the dust-laden room also burned all night long. The flickering candlelight cast fluttering shadows on the window screen, revealing her sitting by the window, her head bowed for the entire night

Well, you should go to bed early tonight

Is it early? I see that the sky is already bright, what time is it now

"Hmm, I will definitely bring it back for my brother today," the girl replied with a gentle voice

He said: "It's boring, but can you do anything else?"

Only because he is her brother, he was, he is, and he will be.

Where is Uncle Qiu? What does he think of us? You don't mind either?

He came out of the dusty room and happened to run into Uncle Qiu. Uncle Qiu looked at his tightly furrowed brows, patted his shoulder, and earnestly advised, "It is quite normal for Xiao Chen to feel uncomfortable right now; with time, she will gradually get used to it."

Is it practiced together by both men and women? Their postures are quite strange, isn't it a particularly advanced martial art?

"I am not tired, brother..." Before she finished speaking, a hurried sound of footsteps approached from outside the door, followed by an even more urgent voice, "Left Guardian, the Master requests your immediate presence!"

I cannot fathom it either, but it seems that the sect leader is quite interested in Yu Wen Gu Yu, this son of his. You need to find a way to get close to him and strive to bring him into the Night Owl.

Upon hearing this, scenes from his dream suddenly flashed through his mind, a strange heat surged within his body, and his tone involuntarily became anxious: "This is not a martial art suitable for you to practice!"

Meng Man's eyes widened in shock, while Meng Rao remained seated on the bench, completely still, with not a trace of surprise on his face: "Hmm. Do you know who killed the deputy leader?"

He grasped her hand, gently feeling the palm of her hand. The once tender little hand, which could be squeezed to produce water, was now full of calluses and somewhat stiff. Luo Chen wanted to withdraw her hand and hide it, but he suddenly tightened his grip, pressing her palm against his heart, and said: "Alright, I will not frown from now on"

He clearly knew, yet he wounded her

I have carefully studied Chutian's blood in recent days and found that his blood is unlike that of ordinary people; it generates cold when exposed to heat and warmth when exposed to coolness, and it is immune to all poisons. This can only happen after consuming the Fire Lotus. Uncle Qiu sighed at this point and continued, "I never expected that Yu Wen Gu Yu truly found the Fire Lotus in Miaojiang back in the day, which cured the poison of Yao Hua's water. Unfortunately, they have lived in seclusion for many years, yet they still could not escape this calamity!"

Isn't it quite cool? Why don't you come and wash as well, it's very comfortable. She shifted her body, leaving him a large portion of the space.

It is said that one dies under the Ziqing Sword

She did not struggle, still gazing up at him, her eyes filled with temptation. He could no longer restrain himself, his lips gradually drawing closer... Their lips met, hers so soft, so soft that he could not help but cradle the back of her head, gently biting and sucking... The intertwining and caressing of their lips and tongues continued for a long time, his hands uncontrollably sliding towards her slender waist... The intertwining and caressing of their lips and tongues continued for a long time, his hands uncontrollably sliding towards her slender waist...

Yu Wen Chutian and Luo Chen stayed in Uncle Qiu's pharmacy. After wandering for more than half a year, they finally found a place to settle down. Although they no longer had the vibrant peach blossom forest or the warm care of their parents, in this tumultuous era, they had Uncle Qiu and the floating mountain filled with rare and exotic plants, which was already a stroke of luck

Ah... I will never lie to you again about being hurt, and I will never scare you again

I am your elder brother, it is impossible for me to accompany you for a lifetime, you will eventually meet someone you like, and you will have to get married

Seeing his hand reaching out towards her, she hurriedly dodged: "I will never call you stupid again, you are very smart, you are the smartest person in the world"

Later, she worked hard every day to learn how to cook various dishes, asking him if they were tasty. He replied, "I still think the plain congee you make is better"

As for the master of the Four Halls, she has not even seen the corners of the clothing of the other three, except for the left protector, Meng Rao. She only knows that the sect leader is mysterious and rarely shows up, with the affairs of the sect being presided over by the deputy leader. The right protector is merely a figurehead; it is said that he is a person of the court and is not convenient to appear, only showing up when there are significant matters concerning the Night Owl.

On this day, the weather is hotter than usual, and even without doing anything, one is drenched in sweat.

Having prepared the water, she loosened her hair bun, removed her clothing, and lay down in the water, feeling the heat of her body immediately soaked by the warm water, which was extremely comfortable

She left, and he lowered his head to take a sip of the plain congee. The taste of the congee was more bitter than that of the bowl he had in the morning, making it difficult to swallow

It is already completely fine. Uncle Qiu looked at the sky and said, The sky is getting late, you should hurry back. If you delay any longer, the blood in this bottle is likely to dry up.

"Alright." Meng Man nodded, lightly tapping her toes, dismounting, and swiftly darting into the grand building.

He stared at her, his expression awkward and flustered

A hushed voice came from within: "Let her in"

Every evening, they would read together in the study. Uncle Qiu had an extensive collection of books, particularly in the field of medicine, including the complete edition of the precious "Compendium of Materia Medica" and a handwritten copy of the "Huangdi Neijing". Yuwen Chutian enjoyed reading medical texts, while she was particularly fascinated by the sorcery of Miaojiang. The two often read late into the night, so engrossed in their studies that they would lose track of time, only realizing the moon had set in the west when they felt the emptiness in their stomachs.

His mother told him: "She is not your biological sister, but you must treat her as if she were your own sister, do you understand?"

As if sensing someone's arrival, the young girl looked up in his direction. Upon seeing him, she smiled sweetly and called out, "Brother, it's too hot today. You should come down and wash as well; the water is quite refreshing."

Within the heavy building, not a trace of light could be found, even the moonlight was blocked outside the thick walls. Yet, she walked particularly briskly through the winding corridors, soon arriving at the eastern hall of the building, the Hall of Brahma Water

"Brother, I know I was wrong, please forgive me." Her laughter grew fainter, turning into soft gasps, and then it became a plea

After finishing washing clothes by the river, Luo Chen returned home drenched in sweat and then boiled some hot water to take a bath

Moonlight spills over the water surface covered with petals, as the upper half of the young girl emerges from the water, her skin glistening with a translucent whiteness. Water droplets fall from her hair, shimmering with an intoxicating glow, while the soft contours of her chest, barely visible, evoke an irresistible desire to touch.

Seeing that he was becoming impatient, she refrained from asking further: "Then I won't disturb you any longer. I have placed the porridge here, so please remember to drink it."

With him by her side, her dreams are filled with the brilliant sunlight of the peach blossom forest. Even if she occasionally has nightmares, she quickly falls back asleep after waking up, for no matter how terrifying the nightmare may be, it will eventually pass.

"Divine Doctor Qiu Yishan?" She tried hard to recall her bedtime stories, as if she had heard of such a person.

His heart ached heavily for a moment, and he couldn't help but grasp her hand gently: "Xiao Chen, did you sleep well last night? Did you have any nightmares?"

A five-year-old child always has countless questions in his mind. He asks: "Why is she my sister?"

However, today ... ...

The guard pushed open the door, and sparse starlight streamed in from outside. A man stood tall, dressed in a dark robe with a silver belt, his face concealed by a silver mask that revealed only his sharply defined chin and a pair of wise eyes. Beside him stood another man, who was conversing with him. Upon seeing Meng Man enter, he slightly nodded his head.

Do not ask so many questions, it is late, you should go back to your room and sleep!

The sound of cicadas on this night seems particularly loud, incessant, and the temperature also feels exceptionally hot; he has tried to calm himself several times but cannot settle down.

"Hmm, it smells so good!" she smiled, the glimmer in her dark eyes unable to conceal the underlying gloom. He did not like seeing her this way, pretending that everything was normal, pretending to be as happy as before, all just to put his mind at ease. But he could only watch her like this, for they were siblings and must treat each other with propriety. He scorned the conventions of the world, yet could not help but consider the future that lay ahead.

You ... ...

Indeed, it is interesting. However, Meng Man does not care about these "interesting" matters; what she is more concerned about is: "That sect leader has died, who will take his place now?"

He nodded slightly: "Thank you, Uncle Qiu, for your guidance"

It is indeed quite strange for an ordinary person, but not for him. His surname is Qiu, he has a limp in one leg, and his appearance and demeanor are extraordinary. I believe he might be the renowned physician Qiu Yishan that my father often speaks of

She smiled, a smile so radiant that it seemed as if all the flowers in the world bloomed in an instant. He smiled too; when he smiled, the clouds cleared, and the sun dimmed its brilliance, leaving only his brilliant smile in her eyes

Let those who wish to speak do so, after all, I do not know them

On the same morning, under the same ray of dawn, Yu Wen Chutian woke up in his room. Not seeing Luo Chen, who should have been sleeping beside him, he quickly got up, dressed, and went out to search for her. He found Luo Chen sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, her head lowered as she looked at her shoes stained red with blood, with splatters of blood on the ground, a shocking sight.

On that bleak night, surrounded by utter darkness, she could not see his face clearly; she only remembered that he, with his last breath, was determined to protect his sister. That seemingly frail body appeared particularly strong, leaving an indelible impression on her.

The man in black at the forefront approached and said: "The protector has instructed you to go to him as soon as you return; he is waiting for you at the Hall of Brahma Water"

Flowers bloom and wither, and in the blink of an eye, two years have passed

Before she could finish her words, she was already pinned down on the bed by Chu Tian. The light gauze curtains floated down gently, covering the pair of people tangled together on the bed, yet failing to conceal the boundless sounds of laughter and joy

Brother, what is the door mainly used for? She could not help but feel curious

He was about to check the injury on her foot when he saw her suddenly smile radiantly, wrapping her arms around his neck, kneeling on the bed with joy: "Brother, you are so good to me, I knew you cared for me the most, you will agree to anything I ask."

Standing in the backyard of the pharmacy, Yu Wen Chutian saw a petite figure bustling about. The originally chaotic courtyard, with jars scattered everywhere, had been transformed into a new scene after a few days of tidying up. The herbs were neatly arranged by category, and the flowers and plants that had previously wilted in the corner were now blooming vibrantly again. Additionally, a small fence had been added around the flowers and plants, enclosing them.

You will not have enough when you grow a little older

Hmm. He waved his hand to the person next to him, "You can go out."

"Brother," Meng Man turned around, eagerly getting straight to the point, "Is it true that the deputy leader is dead? Wasn't he ordered yesterday to kill Lin Wuyan? With Lin Wuyan's skills, how could he possibly kill him?"

After consecutively using true energy to suppress the internal heat twice, the vital energy and blood gradually calmed down

Yuwen Chutian did not dare to look more, hiding behind a rockery to listen carefully. Uncle Qiu said, "The items have been sealed in the bottle, and they will not dry out within a day"

Perhaps after two consecutive days without sleep, he felt somewhat weary after achieving a state of tranquility. He half-lay on the desk and fell asleep. It was unclear how long he had slept, but when he raised his head and saw that the lights in the Dustfall Room had been extinguished, he felt at ease. He went out for a walk, and in a daze, he was unaware of where he had wandered.

Watching her departing figure, he felt an unbearable tightness in his chest, accompanied by pain, a burning sensation, and a subtle entanglement, all of which caused his emotions to spiral out of control inexplicably

"Why can't you? You said you would accompany me for a lifetime"

Luo Chen heard a sound, paused for a moment, and ultimately left without looking back

That night, he carefully read the so-called medical book given to him by Uncle Qiu. As he flipped through the text and illustrations, he grasped what Uncle Qiu referred to as the "matters that should be understood." The balance of yin and yang, the harmony of heaven and earth—these veiled matters of men and women were something he had a vague understanding of. After examining the detailed descriptions in the book, he realized there were so many intricacies involved. The depiction of the immortal realm of Penglai in the book stirred a surge of hot blood within him, as if something was about to break free from its constraints and surge forth from his body. The more he tried to suppress it, the more he felt his head spinning, even experiencing a sense of dizziness.

She tidied up her disheveled clothes, got out of bed, ran to Uncle Qiu's side, and joyfully said: "Uncle Qiu, my brother has agreed to stay. From now on, my brother and I will do our utmost to help you manage the pharmacy and earn money for you"

Within the canopy, he pinned her down on the bed, his nimble fingers searching for the most ticklish spot under her armpit. She curled up on the bed, trying to evade those hands that made her feel an overwhelming itch all over. However, she was ultimately a delicate young woman, and a powerless one at that. Faced with her brother, who had honed his martial arts skills since childhood, she could only submit to his teasing, laughing breathlessly beneath him.

She asked him: "Do you get tired of eating the rice porridge I cook for you every day?"

Oh, so Uncle Qiu was such an extraordinary person in the past. But as a divine doctor, why does he choose to live in seclusion and avoid the world in such a dilapidated clinic instead of finding a better place to reside

"Xiao Chen, we are siblings, not husband and wife. We cannot sleep in the same room. If others find out, they will gossip about us" he said firmly

Yes. After that person left, Meng Man eagerly stepped forward and called out, "Brother, I have brought back what you wanted."

Qiu Yishan still sat in the dilapidated courtyard, vigorously rubbing his lame leg. He recalled many years ago, when he left his wife and children, it was also on a night like this. At that time, he believed that his wife would always forgive him, after all, they had a daughter in swaddling clothes. Unexpectedly, this parting lasted for ten years, and she still cannot forgive him to this day

"Brother, what does Uncle Qiu want with you?" she asked

He rubbed his forehead vigorously, trying hard to dispel the scenes from his dreams, but he could not suppress the violent beating of his heart: "It's nothing, I just got tired from reading and accidentally fell asleep."

Yesterday, when the deputy sect leader went to kill Lin Wuyan, she had specifically inquired about her. Lin Wuyan had once studied some flowery boxing and embroidered legs under the Emei sect, but was later expelled from the Emei school for secretly meeting with a man. If it were not for her beauty, perhaps no one would have remembered her. When the deputy sect leader was ordered to kill her yesterday, Meng Man was still puzzled, wondering why one would use a bull's knife to kill a chicken

Then I will not get married!

She said: "This is my newly sewn quilt. You have grown a lot taller recently, the old quilt is too small..."

... ...

"Xiao Chen," he pulled back his sleeve, "be a little stronger. No matter how terrifying the nightmare is, it is just a dream. You must learn to face it and overcome it."

When she left, a stiff smile lingered at the corners of her mouth, and her footsteps were particularly quick, as if she could not wait to leave

I should not have lied to deceive you, and I will never deceive you again

On that sweltering afternoon, Uncle Qiu and Yu Wen Chutian had been talking for a long time with the door tightly closed. Luo Chen had finished her bath, changed into clean clothes, and washed her own clothes thoroughly, yet they were still not done talking. She sat in the room sewing a new garment, and it was only after she had finished sewing the two sleeves that Yu Wen Chutian finally came out

She grew up among the night owls, and the people she knew could be divided into two types: those who kill and those who are killed. However, he was the only third type—someone who has not been killed

She smiled and said, "I slept quite well, how about you? Without me disturbing you, you must have slept very well, right?"

Uncle Qiu has gone out for some business, and Yu Wen Chutian also mentioned he had matters to attend to on the mountain, insisting on going alone. Luo Chen knows that he is going to meet a woman named Meng Man alone on the mountain. Meng Man is a regular customer at the pharmacy, coming every month to buy medicine. She is very beautiful, with a graceful figure and an enchanting demeanor; with a single raise of her eyebrows or a slight curve of her lips, she can captivate anyone's soul. Thus, Yu Wen Chutian's soul has been ensnared by Meng Man. He often meets her alone at Fushan, staying for half a day, and when he returns, his clothes are infused with the lingering scent of her rouge, which cannot be washed away no matter how hard he tries. Meng Man is a regular customer at the pharmacy, coming every month to buy medicine. She is very beautiful, with a graceful figure and an enchanting demeanor; with a single raise of her eyebrows or a slight curve of her lips, she can captivate anyone's soul. Thus, Yu Wen Chutian's soul has been ensnared by Meng Man. He often meets her alone at Fushan, staying for half a day, and when he returns, his clothes are infused with the lingering scent of her rouge, which cannot be washed away no matter how hard he tries.

As night falls, the cold moonlight is as clear as water, and frost settles on the ground

Oh?" She curiously glanced at the book on the table, "What book is this? The illustrations are so strange!"

It was rare to see him in such a disheveled state, and she suddenly found it amusing, splashing him a few more times. Logically speaking, with his reaction speed, he should have been able to dodge, but for some reason, his reactions today were unimaginably slow, and in the blink of an eye, he was turned into a drenched chicken by her.

Hmm. He responded with a sound, his footsteps did not pause, nor did he turn his head.

Oh, then I will go back to my room and sleep for a while." He walked to the window and placed the geranium he had picked early in the morning in front of her window. He noticed that on the small table by her window lay a freshly made plain green long gown, with white peach blossoms embroidered at the cuffs, the embroidery being exquisite and delicate, showing significant improvement in the craftsmanship.

He knew that after he left, she had not slept at all, because he was always in the yard. He saw her sitting by the window making clothes, the candlelight flickering and crackling. The delicate figure, with ink-black hair cascading down, sat persistently in front of the window with a slender needle in hand, dressed in plain nightwear, without any makeup.

... ...

He got up and walked to the window, gazing at the empty night. He recalled the days when he first met Luocheng; at that time, Luocheng was only three years old, having appeared from nowhere, looking at him with a pair of distinctly black-and-white big eyes and smiling. He smiled back.

Luo Chen gazed in the direction he had left, and she vaguely saw a very beautiful girl flash by. That face seemed familiar, yet she could not recall where she had seen it before

She nodded vigorously: "Really, really."

At this moment, Luo Chen is holding Uncle Qiu's quilt out to dry in the sun

It was a moonless night, and after she woke up startled from her dream, she held him tightly, weeping uncontrollably. He looked at her trembling in his arms, and he was unwilling to let go of her hand: "Xiao Chen, do not be afraid, it was all just a dream. Brother is here, brother is still alive, living well."

She wiped her tears, obediently nodded, and slowly lay back down on the bed. He tucked her in and quietly left.

Meng Rao took the bottle, gently shook it, and the fresh blood inside trickled down the walls, leaving a streak of deep red

I will follow you wherever you go, not leaving your side for even a moment

The quilt was heavy, and she awkwardly lifted it high, sweating profusely, yet her eyes and brows revealed a sense of joy. He stepped forward, took the quilt from her hands, effortlessly draped it over the railing, and as he looked down, he saw her faint joy transform into a broad smile: "Brother, how come you are out? Is your injury completely healed?"

He nodded vigorously, holding onto Luocheng's hand, and from that moment on, he remembered his mother's words. He would treat Luocheng like his own sister, caring for her, loving her, and considering her in everything.

Xiao Chen! He rushed to her side in one step, his hands almost stiff as they lightly touched her feet

After a brief pause, he immediately realized something and turned to leave, but she hurriedly called out to him: "Brother, you came back just in time..."

Mother told him: "Tian'er, from now on, she will be your sister. You must treat her well and always give way to her in everything, do you understand?"

Faced with her willfulness, he had no choice but to harden his heart and say: "I will speak honestly with you, this has nothing to do with anyone else; I simply do not want to sleep with you anymore. You always steal my blanket, always push me to the edge, and you keep moving around, making it impossible for me to sleep soundly. Xiaocheng, I want to sleep quietly by myself from now on, is that okay?"

As she spoke, she handed over the bottle that Uncle Qiu had given her: "Qiu Yishan said that this blood will not dry within a day"

Then shall I practice with you?

"Well, it's all set," he said. "I have packed everything. We can leave after saying goodbye to Uncle Qiu."

She smiled contentedly, leaning on his shoulder, and fell asleep with a smile.

The deputy leader has been killed

She looked up at him with eyes full of hope and said, "If I tell you I don't want to leave, will you agree?"

His expression was strange, as he glanced at her fleetingly before lowering his head: "Uncle Qiu said you have grown up, and I can no longer take care of you as if you were a child. I will return to my own room to sleep tonight"

The steed circled around the jagged stone forest, soared over the thousand-zhang high cliffs, and ultimately stepped into the boundless valley.

After speaking, he lowered his head to pack his belongings. Luo Chen snatched the clothes he was about to take away and said, "No! You clearly promised me."

But now she is already 12 years old, blossoming into a graceful young lady, while he is 15, having come to understand many things. Although the sibling bond between them is as pure as white paper, it always appears to outsiders as being contrary to ethical norms.

Her smile was frozen on her face They were leaving, and although she had known they would depart, she did not expect it to be so soon She had not yet had the time to wait for the quilt to dry and help Uncle Qiu spread it out

He never told her that all the dishes she cooked were delicious, but his favorite was the plain congee she made, because within its pure sweetness was a unique flavor that belonged to her alone

Is it possible that the sect leader killed him

He walked away step by step, and for some reason, each step felt as if it weighed a thousand pounds, tugging at his heartstrings, with each step eliciting a tearing pain throughout his limbs and body

Seeing Yu Wen Chutian listening without responding, she turned her head to look at his contemplative face and asked: "Do you think he is very strange?"

She wiped the tears from her face, helped him neatly fold his clothes, and even rummaged through the cabinet to find a brand new quilt, which was embroidered with a peach blossom grove. Although the embroidery was rough, each peach blossom was exactly the same as in his memories

Do you like it here

"Indeed, Uncle Qiu is right. We are currently in chaotic times, with war and turmoil, and the land is filled with the dead from starvation. I do not have the ability to protect you." He paused and said, "When we grow up, and I have the ability to protect and take care of you, I will take you then."

When he makes her happy, she also smiles, her eyes curved, with his shadow reflected in them. In the evening, she still accompanies him to read. When he becomes tired from reading, she prepares a bowl of plain congee for him, gently reminding him: "Brother, you must be hungry, right? Drink the congee before continuing to read."

After waiting for a long time without a response, she quietly glanced at Yu Wen Chutian and continued, "Brother, if you must go to Miaojiang right now, I will definitely go with you. However, I see that your complexion is still not very good. Why don't we stay a few more days, wait until your injury is completely healed, and then we can leave?" Seeing that Yu Wen Chutian remained silent, she tugged at his sleeve, swaying back and forth, looking up with her watery eyes, "Brother, let's stay a few more days."

A light cough was heard at the door, it was Uncle Qiu's voice. Luo Chen reached out to lift the curtain and saw Uncle Qiu standing at the entrance, his face serious. She looked down at herself and realized that her clothes were disheveled from the earlier roughhousing, and her hair was in a complete mess. In such a disheveled state, it was no wonder that Uncle Qiu found it hard to accept.

"Brother?" She looked up, pleadingly tugging at his sleeve. "Brother, I am scared. Will you sleep with me? I promise I won't take your blanket, I promise to stay still and not disturb your sleep. Will you sleep with me tonight?"

In the end, he still could not control the fluttering of his heart, reaching out to hold her in his arms, their soft bodies pressed closely together.

At this moment, Yu Wen Chutian could be certain that Qiu Shu was indeed Qiu Yishan, for an ordinary doctor would not possess such an understanding of the sacred objects of Miaojiang, nor would they be so knowledgeable about the mysterious night owl. But what exactly is the relationship between Qiu Yishan and the night owl, and what connection does he have with his parents

I also cannot make sense of it; perhaps I was mistaken. He is not Qiu Yishan, but merely an ordinary doctor.

... ... Hmm

In the sweltering summer, the incessant chirping of cicadas makes it impossible for one to sleep peacefully. Yu Wen Chutian stands by the window, gazing at the bright moon outside, until dawn.

And that person can be anyone, but it cannot be him

He clearly saw her face, that stunningly beautiful visage, which turned out to be a fallen dust

He shook his head and smiled, closing the book in preparation to comfort her, lest she become upset and end up stealing his blanket at night. As a result, he searched all around and ultimately found her busy little figure in the kitchen.

So tell me, where exactly did you go wrong

He ultimately separated from her.

A whiff of the perfume she disliked the most wafted to her nose, and she knew that Yu Wen Chutian had returned. At that moment, she was pouring water onto one arm with one hand, and under the bright sunlight, the young girl's budding body radiated a gentle glow. She turned her head and saw Yu Wen Chutian standing dazed at the door, his gaze fixed on her with a strange intensity. She felt a sense of unease, yet could not pinpoint the reason for it.

"Brother, come here!" Seeing that he remained motionless, she slowly stood up, approached him, and reached out to tug at his sleeve.

After the girl finished speaking, she lightly leaped, disappearing like a wisp of smoke without a trace, leaving Uncle Qiu sitting on the dusty bench, sighing again and again: "Alas! I should have realized that those whom the night owl wishes to eliminate have no chance of escape. This day was inevitable..."

He silently said to her from outside the window: "Xiao Chen, we have both grown up. Brother can no longer hold you in his arms as we sleep. When you meet someone with whom you can spend your life, he will accompany you day and night, sharing a life together, living and dying side by side, navigating the tumultuous world, and staying together through it all."

She truly hoped that they could live here forever, no longer having to endure hunger and travel. However, Yu Wen Chutian's injuries improved rapidly under Uncle Qiu's treatment, even faster than Uncle Qiu had anticipated. In just half a month, his wounds had healed, and he was able to move freely.

Meng Man stepped forward: "I pay my respects to the protector. I have already completed the tasks you instructed."

The sound of the flowing water is particularly loud

In June, the newly planted peach tree in the yard has shed its blossoms and borne fruit, tender and green. The pain of losing my parents still lingers, yet it has gradually faded. After all, there are many beautiful things in this world and people worth cherishing. Instead of constantly dwelling on the precious things that have been lost, one should remember the joys around them, for only then can one truly enjoy this life and not waste a lifetime of ups and downs

Understood. You should also rest early

Yuwen Chutian then followed him out

He neither nodded nor shook his head, seemingly contemplating her proposal seriously

She told Yu Wen Chutian that she found Qiu Shu to be quite a strange person, limping on one leg, yet he insists on going up the mountain every day before dawn to gather herbs, bringing back all sorts of peculiar medicinal plants. The pharmacy is filled with medicines, and the yard is also hung with various dried herbs, most of which are unsold, yet he meticulously selects and picks them, storing them in bottles and jars.

In the dilapidated courtyard of the old residence stood two individuals, one of whom was Uncle Qiu, while the other was an eleven or twelve-year-old girl, dressed in a light green outfit. Her long hair was styled into a simple bun, and her pair of eyes exhibited an extraordinary clarity beyond her age, indicating a considerable level of internal strength cultivation.

He gazed into her crystal-clear black eyes, and she looked back at him

There is no need to trouble yourself; this house is sufficient for us to live in she said

In the blink of an eye, they had stayed at the pharmacy for ten days. During these ten days, Luo Chen helped Uncle Qiu organize the herbs, brew medicine, and do some household chores during the day. In the evening, she leaned on her brother's shoulder, watching the sunset outside the window with him, chatting about matters in the pharmacy

Since being taken in by Uncle Qiu, the siblings temporarily found a warm home to settle in. Although it is only temporary, and despite the dilapidated and worn-out guest room of the pharmacy, where their two thin bodies lie on a bed that seems ready to collapse, the aged stone tiles on the roof often shatter in the wind. However, Luo Chen is very fond of this place, she likes the way Uncle Qiu often gazes at her with affection, and she also enjoys the fresh herbal scent in the pharmacy. This scent brings her peace of mind, as she no longer has to worry that her brother's injuries will worsen, or that he might leave her forever on some stormy night.

"Geranium, I find it quite beautiful, and I guessed you would like it, so I picked some for you," he said as he walked to the mirror and placed a geranium flower at her temple. The vibrant purplish-red color made her complexion appear much better, less pale than before.

It is good that you are willing to stay. Uncle Qiu nodded with pleasure, raised his eyes to look at Yu Wen Chu Tian, and opened his mouth to say something. After hesitating for a moment, he said, Since you have decided to stay, I will find someone to build a large house for you siblings to live in tomorrow

"It was not the sect leader who killed him, but the Ziqing Zhenren from Zhuoguang Mountain." Seeing Meng Man's confused expression, Meng Rao explained, "Ziqing Zhenren was once the leader of the Zhuoguang Sect, devoted to his cultivation and never involved in the mundane world. Several years ago, he retreated into the mountains and no longer concerned himself with the affairs of the Zhuoguang Sect, which is why he has not been mentioned for a long time. It is quite normal that you have not heard of him, but you must have heard of his disciple, Wei Cangran."

Scattered all over the ground are fragments, both shattered and pure white

A ray of morning light cascaded down from the clouds, dispelling the night she disliked the most, and she suddenly remembered Yu Wen Chutian

He did not respond, and his brows unconsciously furrowed tighter. She gently smoothed his brow with her fair little hand and said with a smile, "Do not frown. Uncle Qiu has said that at your young age, you should not always be furrowing your brows tightly; being overly concerned can easily lead to illness."

He was lost in thought, pressing his numb lips together.

He did not continue to bully her, proving that she had deeply recognized her mistake this time. She patted her chest, secretly rejoicing in her quick wit, otherwise she truly did not know how much suffering she would have to endure

Indeed impressive! However, everyone believes he is in seclusion at the Wujifeng Peak of Zhuoguang Mountain, and it is unlikely that anyone would expect him to appear at Lin Wuyan's Wuyanjü. At this point, Meng Rao couldn't help but chuckle sarcastically, "The eternally aloof Ziqing Zhenren actually has an unspeakable relationship with Lin Wuyan, how amusing!"

He will surely be of great use in the future

Thus, Meng Man grew up in the Night Owl, having only entered and exited the Fan Shui Palace, while remaining unaware of the directions in which the doors of the other three places opened

He looked up at the vast sky, as if seeing the somber faces of his parents. No, it cannot be; Luochun is his younger sister, and he must not harbor any improper thoughts towards her. He absolutely cannot entertain such notions again, not even the slightest!

Luo Chen was instantly filled with excitement, wrapping his arms around his shoulders, and standing on tiptoe to give him a forceful kiss on the face. Due to the angle not being adjusted properly, she happened to kiss the corner of his mouth, warm and soft, creating a peculiar sensation.

After some contemplation, she tentatively said: "Brother, Uncle Qiu mentioned that the outside world is too chaotic, and we are too young to protect ourselves, so we should not wander around. He said he could take us in, and it would not be too late to go to Miaojiang once we grow up"

It was already the early hours of the morning, the moonlight faintly fading, and a hazy gray-white lingered on the horizon; her busy silhouette was deeply etched in his heart.

A steady sound of footsteps grew closer, the rhythm of which she was most familiar with

The wind outside has risen, blowing open the window. She withdrew her hand that he was holding and closed the window tightly for him: "It is getting late, I will return to my room first"

Is it a medical book

You heard correctly

Meng Man hesitated for a moment: "Alright! I will definitely accomplish it"

He suddenly felt his body sink, and before he knew it, he had plunged into the water, splashing everywhere. A petal from an orange blossom landed on his face, carrying a hint of alluring fragrance that stirred the intense passion burning within him.

At dawn, he went to her room to deliver something to her. She was combing her hair, and the mirror reflected her smiling face, her complexion surpassing that of snow

In a secluded path, amidst the melodious chirping of birds and the fragrant blossoms, there lies a small bamboo grove, accompanied by several orange blossom trees. The scent of the orange blossoms is particularly fragrant, and when combined with the aroma of the bamboo, it creates an atmosphere that is truly refreshing and uplifting

He appeared very focused, even more so than when reading or practicing; he was so engrossed that it seemed he was unaware of her presence. She smiled slyly, reached out to flick a jet of water, which splashed directly onto him. By the time he awoke from his concentration, a large area of his pale blue garment was already soaked.

"Hehe! It's not the first time I've tricked you, why are you making such a fuss?" She sweetly smiled as she stretched her foot in front of him, skillfully swaying it. "Just now, Uncle Qiu killed a chicken for us to eat, and I went to help. I accidentally got splattered with chicken blood. You can't even tell the difference between chicken blood and human blood, you really are quite foolish... Ah!"

"He is dead, which is not surprising," Meng Rao said with a cold smile. "He took it upon himself to lead a group to kill Yu Wen Gu Yu and Lu Lin Ran without consulting the sect leader. Such overstepping, how could the sect leader let him off? However, the sect leader did not deal with him at that time, but rather eliminated him in such an obscure manner, which leaves me somewhat perplexed"

Why does he want this? Uncle Qiu asked again

It is ! ''

Meng Man was perplexed and asked: "Why?"

It turned out to be a dream, fortunately it was just a dream

The secret art of Jiuli is based on spiritual power, much like how martial arts rely on internal energy. However, the methods of cultivating spiritual power differ from those of internal energy, as it requires absorbing the spiritual essence of all things in the world. The text states that in the twilight waters of Fusang, the dew of the azure clouds, and the mist of blooming flowers, all things possess spiritual energy. By gathering the spiritual energy of all things into one's palms, weaving a spiritual net, and sealing it with a magical imprint, the spiritual power will merge into the center of the brow and seep into the body. Spiritual arts are also divided into the five elements and interact with the constellations in a cycle of mutual generation and restraint, making the cultivation of spiritual methods extremely rare, and it is essential to possess a spiritual root to practice. She read it with partial understanding and was unsure if she had a spiritual root, so she practiced as she pleased.

He refrained from looking and turned his face away

"No! Brother, you cannot die!" A scream echoed from the dust-laden room. He immediately flew into action, burst through the door, and rushed into the room filled with dust.

This name is indeed well-known. Wei Cangran, the leader of the Zhuoguang Sect, is the most respected person in the martial world. It is said that he not only possesses exceptional martial arts skills and profound cultivation but also has a handsome appearance and an ethereal demeanor: "He is the master of Wei Cangran, so his martial arts must be particularly formidable"

Naturally, it is I

He smiled and nodded, saying, "Indeed, it is very good"

This scene is so warm and inviting, it evokes a sense of longing

After having their meal, they went up the mountain together to gather herbs and managed the pharmacy together. She worked diligently, and everything was in order. In the afternoon, she accompanied him to practice swordsmanship, resting her chin on her hands, watching him from a distance, waiting for him, occasionally practicing the secret techniques of Jiuli for a while.

What happened? Meng Rao asked from behind the door

Good

At this moment, a rider on a swift horse is galloping through the winding paths of Mount Gusu. The dust kicked up by the hooves obscures the shadow of the steed, revealing only a faint silhouette of a delicate figure atop the horse. A white scarf covers half of her face, exposing a pair of bright eyes that outshine the moonlight. Her waist resembles a slender willow swaying in the wind, light and graceful. The pale green dress and her waterfall-like long hair dance upon the horse, floating as if in a dream.

"Uncle Qiu," the girl's voice was somewhat hesitant, "Is the boy's injury serious?"

The messenger returned to report, and Meng Man eagerly asked, "Brother, I must have misheard; did he just say... the deputy leader is dead?"

Upon hearing these words, he was rendered speechless for a long time, moved by her willingness to accompany him through life and death, as well as by her genuine and pure attachment to him. However, behind these feelings of gratitude, he also harbored a deep concern, just as Uncle Qiu had said; her excessive dependence on him would ultimately bring her harm

He raised his head, forcing back the tears of longing in his eyes, and murmured softly: "At this hour, Meng Man should have delivered the items by now"

In a moment of inability to restrain himself, he waved his hand and threw the book out. As a result, he inadvertently caused collateral damage, and the unfortunate innocent white porcelain bowl also shattered into pieces.

Luo Chen scratched his head, pondering whether Uncle Qiu could indeed be the divine physician Qiu Yishan. Suddenly, he recalled something: "Oh, right, I noticed that Uncle Qiu has been particularly interested in your blood these past few days. Every time he applies medicine to treat your wounds, he collects a few drops of your blood in a bottle and examines it repeatedly. I wonder what he is looking for."

His footsteps did not cease as he left, and she thought he had not heard, so she raised her voice a little more: "Brother, this water is a bit cold, could you please help me boil some hot water?"

The voice of Uncle Qiu came from outside the door, breaking the ambiguous tranquility. Uncle Qiu's expression seemed very angry, but it was only for a moment, quickly turning to calm: "Chutian, come with me, I have something to discuss with you"

Do you really know that you were wrong

The precipice is a pair of towering cliffs, standing several dozen zhang apart. One end serves as the entrance to a grand building, while the other leads to the outside world. Unless one possesses exceptional lightness of skill or is on a specially trained horse, it is impossible to cross. To become a killer of the Night Owls, one must traverse this precipice

Two years ago, Uncle Qiu specifically renovated the house, dividing it into four rooms, one for each of them, with the extra one turned into a study. At that time, they should have been sleeping in separate rooms, but Luo Chen would have nightmares every night, crying and calling for him in her dreams. He was worried about her, thus he declined Uncle Qiu's kind offer and accompanied her to sleep every night

His fingertips landed on her body without hesitation

After a considerable amount of time, she almost thought he would not bring her hot water. Just as she was about to climb out of the bathtub, he slowly brought in a bucket of hot water, testing the temperature with one hand while carefully pouring the hot water into the bathtub with the other hand

She snatched the half-finished chicken soup from his hands and left without looking back

It is the main door

Suddenly, a fleeting shadow of light green swiftly passed by, leaving behind a trace of enchanting fragrance. He glanced at the spot where the fragrance had swept by and softly said to Luo Chen, "Wait for me here," before lightly tapping his toes and soaring towards the back of the house

The breakfast in the early morning was still the plain rice porridge cooked by Luo Chen, with a light fragrance of rice, yet it no longer tasted sweet, instead carrying a hint of bitterness. He raised his head and carefully observed her across the table; her light yellow dress was bright and radiant, her hair was neatly arranged without a strand out of place, and her smooth face shone like a vast expanse. She appeared calm and composed, but her brows were slightly lowered, and her long eyelashes obscured her eyes, leaving him unable to discern her emotions.

That night, he once again spent the entire night without sleep, nearly turning over all the medical books in his study, hoping to find a method to cure nightmares, but to no avail

During those youthful days in Qingyuan Town, life was simple yet fulfilling. They would rise early and accompany Uncle Qiu to Fushan to gather herbs, learning about medicine and pharmacology, while also assisting Uncle Qiu in managing the pharmacy. After lunch, they would practice martial arts in the woods on the back mountain; he diligently practiced the sword techniques passed down by his parents, while she eagerly studied a fragmented copy of the "Secret Techniques of Jiuli".

The steed galloped to the front of the heavy tower gate, suddenly halting its hooves and letting out a roar. Before the horse's neigh had faded, the gate was opened from within, and two rows of men in black emerged side by side. Each was equipped with a long sword, draped in black cloaks, their faces obscured by black veils, and their eyes devoid of any emotion

Well, I will head back first

Of course! No matter what you ask me to do, as long as you speak up, I will definitely do it for you. So please do not do such foolish things in the future, do you understand?

Ah! Xiao Chen let out a cry of despair, suddenly retracting his hand: "How did you injure your foot?"

"Oh, what kind of flower is this? It's so beautiful!" she asked, pointing at the flower in his hand

She simply reached out her hand to pull him

The laundry women were chatting animatedly, with some mentioning that a certain family's son had married a daughter from another family yesterday, and that the couple would surely soon have a chubby son since they were always cooped up together in their room; others spoke of a certain widow who had become involved with a man from another family and had gone to the woods behind Fushan, prompting laughter from everyone.

The figure had vanished without a trace, yet the special fragrance lingered for a long time. Yu Wenchu was born with an acute sensitivity to scents, and he followed the direction of the lingering aroma into an abandoned house

I did promise you, but...

The girl did not respond

In the depths of the valley, a dark building can be faintly seen. This dark building is built against the cliff, concealed within the layers of towering mountains and the dense growth of ancient trees. The heavy tones resemble a phantom in the dark gorge; if it were not for the exceptionally bright moonlight tonight, no one would notice its existence, nor would anyone know that this is the headquarters of the most secretive assassin organization in the martial world, the Night Owls—Chonglou.