TL-Checked by Sassystrawberry; Edited by Animeart

  Lin Shu asked, “How is your Emperor Father doing now? ”

  “Not well,” Xiao Shao said faintly, “His life is currently being maintained by medicinal pills, he has anywhere between 3 months to 3 years, but his consciousness is wavering.”

  After that, he said: “After Xie Zi entered the court, the Peace faction had great influence, and blatantly targeted the senior ministers of the War faction. After the incident in Jubei Pass, several ministers defected to the Peace faction, and the court is in turmoil. I’m inclined towards the War faction, and Xiao Lingyang will naturally go along with me, hence the ministers of the Peace faction do not wish him to ascend as emperor. ”

  Lin Shu did not understand the political maneuvering and struggles in the court.

  But at the same time he was aware that Xiao Shao was currently facing an extremely complex situation.

  All matters concerning the court were delicate, and a small action may greatly affect the entire situation, therefore it cannot be simply solved by force.

  Xiao Shao supported the War faction, and the Peace ministers will continue to be a nuisance.

  ——The literati have no martial ability, they could be easily killed, and once wiped out, the court would be cleansed.

  But what about in the long-term?

  These senior ministers constituted the Emperor’s right and left hands, they were indispensable in assisting the Emperor to govern. The situation in Southern Xia was so dire, yet the fact that half of the people could still make ends meet, and that the disaster aid to the various disaster-stricken areas was still yet sustainable, was due to these ministers’ continuous reform and innovation. Without them, the entire operation of the Imperial Court would become problematic, the situation would become tumultuous, and once the Imperial Court was in disarray, it would not take long for the rest of the world to descend into chaos.

  Therefore, when dealing with the literati, one can only weigh the pros and cons and carefully implement checks and balances.

  Xiao Shao’s outward persona was a bit more reserved, and his emotions could not be easily discerned. If he had been using Ling Fengxiao’s persona, Lin Shu expected that he would have looked extremely annoyed, exploding on the spot like a pufferfish.

  Lin Shu patted Xiao Shao’s back in a soothing manner to pacify him.

  “There are still some matters that I need to attend to.” Xiao Shao kissed his forehead and said, “I’ll only be able to return in the middle of the night. Sleep first.”

  He moved as if to leave.

  Lin Shu grabbed his sleeve and tried to organize his words.

  But Xiao Shao took his action as a sign of uneasiness, and said, “The Dragon Guards and Phoenix Mountain Villa are under my control, nothing untoward will happen.”

  Lin Shu said, “Then are you…… feeling frustrated?”

  “This day would eventually come.” Xiao Shao said, “It’s just……it’s very chaotic now. In a few days, the Immortal Path will also be in disarray.”

  “Sometimes I wonder how to get a message across to the Sword Pavilion and ask them to pick you up.”

  Lin Shu was stunned.

  After a while, he asked: “.……Why?”

  “The Imperial dynasty is turbulent,” Xiao Shao said: “Some things will be dirty and I don’t want you to witness them. The Great Wizard is plotting something, it may have something to do with “Endless Yearning”, and you will be in danger. If you return to the Sword Pavilion, he would not dare interfere with you.”

  Lin Shu asked: “What about you?”

  “I must do what needs to be done.” Xiao Shao said.

  Lin Shu watched the expression in his eyes, and said, “But they have already found me.”

  Xiao Shao: “They?”

  Lin Shu: “The Sword Pavilion.”

  Xiao Shao’s movements froze.

  For a long time, Lin Shu heard him whisper: “Baby.”

  Lin Shu gave an “En”.

  Xiao Shao: “Do you want to leave?”

  Lin Shu: “I’ll follow your instructions. ”

  After a long silence, Xiao Shao said, “Wait for me to come back.”

  Lin Shu said: “Alright.”

  Xiao Shao kissed his lips lightly, and then went offline.

  Lin Shu leant against the window, waiting for Xiao Shao’s return.

  His mind was quite clear, he didn’t think about anything in particular, he just stroked the cat mechanically.

  It was an early spring evening, the night was as cold as water, only this cat’s fur still held some warmth.

  When Ling Fengxiao pushed the door inwards, the moon was at its zenith.

  Lin Shu looked at him and asked, “Should I leave?”

  Ling Fengxiao didn’t speak.

  Lin Shu could feel his breath.

  It’s cool, bringing with it the chilliness from the outside.

  He was pressed against the wall.

  In fact, it would have been easy to resist, but his body seemed to be used to the existence of this person, and did not make a timely response.

  Ling Fengxiao started kissing him, for a long time.

  That kind of thorough kissing, was conducted like he was conquering a city, there was no possibility of rejection.

  Lin Shu didn’t realize it could be like this.

  He was gasping for breath, and his whole body went soft. When it was over, he leant on Ling Fengxiao’s shoulder and gasped for breath lightly.

  Ling Fengxiao kept silent, but he already knew.

  Lin Shu asked: “Whom will Fruit follow?”

  \r \r \r

  “He will follow me,” Ling Fengxiao’s voice was a little dumb, “He is too noisy and acts unreasonably, which will hinder you.”

  Fruit appeared out of thin air in the room and said loudly: “No way!”

  Lin Shu said: “Following me…… is fine too.”

  Fruit’s eyes seemed to be flooded with unshed tears, and his voice was choked up: “Lin Shu don’t leave!”

  Ling Fengxiao said expressionlessly: “You follow me.”

  Fruit wailed as he returned to Qingming Cave in a reluctant and depressed state, perhaps he would take his tantrums out on his senior martial brother.

  Lin Shu hugged the cat and put it in Ling Fengxiao’s arms: “The cat goes with you.”

  When he returned to the Sword Pavilion, there were many elders who were in the Crossing the Tribulation stage, whatever the case he would not fear the Great Wizard. But Ling Fengxiao would be in danger without him.

  Things would be better if Ling Fengxiao had the cat by his side.

  The cat meowed softly, trying to crawl back into Lin Shu’s arms, but was pushed back by Lin Shu again.

  Lin Shu said to it: “Your fate together is not over yet, go with him.”

  The cat entered Ling Fengxiao’s embrace, and it seemed that he was also reluctant and depressed.

  Lin Shu felt that he was going to be depressed too.

  But after thinking about it, Ling Fengxiao must be more upset than he was.

  “I have nothing else to give you,” Ling Fengxiao said, “Only this.”

  A cold thing was placed on Lin Shu’s hand. He looked at it through the light, and it was a token that was red as blood.

  The Order of the Phoenix.

  Lin Shu asked: “Don’t you need it?”

  “I have Ling Fengxiao’s face.” Ling Fengxiao said: “Take this as your betrothal gift.”

  Lin Shu accepted it.

  A wealthy woman is a wealthy woman after all.

  From now on, all the banks, shops and escort agencies of Phoenix Mountain Villa will be at his disposal.

  “Don’t get close to the people of Northern Xia,” Ling Fengxiao said. “Southern Xia also has sinister people and ulterior motives, so don’t respond to them. When you arrive at the Sword Pavilion, you can focus wholeheartedly on practice. The affairs of this world, ignore them. ”

  Lin Shu: “En.”

  He then asked, “What if there is war?”

  Ling Fengxiao only said: “You are a person beyond this earthly world.”

  Lin Shu kept his silence.

  Ling Fengxiao didn’t speak either.

  Finally, he said softly: “It’s my fault.”

  Lin Shu: “Huh?”

  “If the Imperial dynasty was peaceful and stable, or if I had the power to fully protect you, I would definitely not let you leave.” Ling Fengxiao gazed at the bright moon outside the window and said, “If there is that day, I will come and bring you back.”

  Lin Shu said, “Okay.”

  But he thought Ling Fengxiao had already done a very good job.

  In terms of cultivation and strategy, no one was as exceptional or comparable to Ling Fengxiao.

  Ling Fengxiao was merely 20 years old this year.

  He felt that the day would come when Ling Fengxiao would come to pick him up.

  Whereas if he stayed at Ling Fengxiao’s side, it would just bring him more trouble.

  This person would unhesitatingly throw himself into the dirty court struggles, but if Lin Shu was by his side, he would still have to spend additional effort to keep Lin Shu untainted.

  He was unsure of what the Great Wizard’s conspiracy was, he would also have to constantly worry about his hamster getting into trouble.

  Lin Shu tried his best to get out of depression, thinking that as soon as he left, Ling Fengxiao would be able to manipulate the storms in the court struggles without having further concerns.

  He looked at Ling Fengxiao.

  Ling Fengxiao looked out the window with a thoughtful expression in his eyes, he didn’t not know what he was thinking about, but it was clear that it was not a happy matter.

  As he became aware of his gaze, Ling Fengxiao leaned over to kiss him again.

  This kiss was gentler than the last, but Lin Shu feels that this gentleness held sorrow within it.

  Ling Fengxiao brought him to the bed and pressed him down onto the pillow while holding him.

  The distance between them was too close, Lin Shu thought that he may have intentions to do something, such as dual cultivation, so he relaxed himself as much as possible.

  But after kissing for some time, Ling FengXiao loosened his hands and just held him close, and didn’t make any further moves.

  Ling Fengxiao said, “Let’s sleep.”

  He said, “Tomorrow I’ll leave first, and then you can go. If I watch you go, I’m afraid that I would make you stay.”

  Lin Shu naturally listened to him.

  So he went to sleep.

  But he did not fall asleep, and knew neither did Ling Fengxiao.

  Nevertheless, when Ling Fengxiao got up the next morning, he pretended to still be asleep.

  A pair of slightly cool lips kissed his forehead, someone smoothed his hair, and then pressed the edges of the quilt down before leaving.

  As soon as Ling Fengxiao left, Lin Shu got up and secretly followed him.

  He didn’t know what he was doing, he watched in secret as Ling Fengxiao dragged Xiao Lingyang along with him unheeding of his resistance, and then stuffed him into the carriage. Xiao Lingyang’s “I don’t want to go back” and “I will not go back” echoed in the air for a long time. “Ling Fengxiao, you are a beast” and sporadic “I want Lin Shu to take you away”.

  Lin Shu felt that the matter was rather interesting, now, Xiao Lingyang acknowledged who his brother-in-law was, and would no longer cite the examples of the young master of the Nanhai Sword School, the eldest son of General An, and the young master of Ling Fengmen.

  He waited until the carriage had traversed quite a distance on the official road, and disappeared from sight, then he had nothing more to do.

  He went back to the school and told the elders that he would return with them.

  The elders were naturally very pleased and delighted, and the disciples were also very happy.

  Lin Shu felt that his expressionless self was really incompatible with the happy atmosphere. He didn’t expect to be praised by the elder in the end, “Truly you have the manner befitting the Master of our Sword Pavilion.”

  They then set off, heading northwards, traversing a stretch of land to the ferry crossing at Wangnanjin, and changed to the waterway.

  Not far from the ferry, there was a kiosk, an open-air wine shop.

  This wine shop was unremarkable, and the wine flag was neither new nor particularly old, in itself not worthy of note.

  But Lin Shu felt like his consciousness was caught by something, scrutinizing the wine shop until he caught sight of a scarlet colored clothes hem at the window.

  He said to Yun Lan: “Stop here.”

  Yun Lan stopped.

  Lin Shu got out of the carriage, went to the wine shop, and opened the wooden door.

  Ling Fengxiao looked at him, and there was a hip flask and two empty cups on the table.

  There was no one else in the hall, only the shopkeeper who was taking a nap at the counter.

  “After further consideration,” Ling Fengxiao poured the wine, “I decided that I still want to send you off.”

  Lin Shu stepped forward.

  Ling Fengxiao stood up and raised a cup to him.

  Lin Shu picked up another cup of wine on the table and drank it slowly.

  In the past, Ling Fengxiao did not allow him to drink, so this was the first time that he had ever drunk this kind of wine.

  The wine was very spicy, and it burnt a trail down his throat like an icy fire.

  Ling Fengxiao drank the wine and said to him: “You take care of yourself.”

  Lin Shu: “You too.”

  Ling Fengxiao’s eyes seemed to be covered with a layer of mist, he bit his lip, and the hand holding the cup trembled slightly.

  This may be a manifestation of uncontrollable emotions, Lin Shu thought, the next moment this person might enact a famous scene from the novels, smashing the wine cup on the ground to symbolize a clean and quick resolution.

  But Ling Fengxiao did not.

  He just extremely gently placed the wine cup back on the table, the bottom of the cup did not even make any sound when it touched the countertop.

  He said: “I will see you off.”

  It rained very lightly outside, a rain like smoke and fog.

  Ling Fengxiao handed Lin Shu a bamboo umbrella, and he also held up one for himself.

  The Sword Pavilion escort waited by the ferry.

  Before sending him to the ferry, Ling Fengxiao said: “Farewell for now.”

  Lin Shu: “Take care.”

  Ling Fengxiao: “En.”

  Lin Shu went forward, led by Yun Lan, and boarded the boat.

  The hull shook a little and then the boat went down the river.

  Southland, mid-March.

  Amidst the misty sky and bewildering rain.

  Across the vast blurry waves that seem to be obscured by smoke, Lin Shu looked back to the road.

  Ling Fengxiao was garbed all in red and held a red umbrella in one hand. It was obviously the only bright color in the world, but against the vast expanse of greenery, it felt a little lonely.

  Ling Fengxiao was also looking towards him.

  When the misty rain and river fog completely obscured his features, he saw Ling Fengxiao’s umbrella blown away by the wind to the ground. It spun several times before coming to a stop.

  Ling Fengxiao turned around and walked back.

  Lin Shu was still watching, until that red silhouette grew smaller, fainter and more distant, and finally disappeared against the river and the sky.

  This departure was to the far end of the world.

  Lin Shu also turned around and walked from the stern to the bow.

  Lingsu stood uprightly by his side and said, “Pavilion Master, we will be journeying by water for two days, passing Fenglingjin, turn north, and go up the Tianhe River to the foot of Liuxue mountain.”

  Lin Shu said, “Okay.”

  Lingsu asked, “Won’t you return to the cabin, Pavilion Master?”

  Lin Shu said, “You can go back first.”

  Lingsu said “Yes”, then retreated, returning to the cabin.

  Lin Shu was left alone in the bow.

  He looked across the Straits.

  He could only see the boundless blue sky and the long flowing river. Only this light boat rode the fog, escaping in the dust.

  He suddenly felt the boundless immensity of heaven and earth.

  And this mortal life between heaven and earth, suddenly felt like a traveler on a long journey.

  It’s just a person drifting alone outside.

  ————–

  The author has something to say: in Volume II, The wind and rain are like obscurity, the end.