Only now, back in her own little corner, did the stench of blood and the filth suddenly become clear, rushing into her nostrils and into her eyes.
She stood there blankly for a while.
Then walk to the back of the house, where there is a bamboo pipe that draws water from a mountain spring, and there are wooden buckets and basins next to it.
She fetched water and poured it into a wooden basin; the cool mountain spring water was crystal clear.
She went back inside and took out a clean set of inner and outer garments from the wooden cabinet; both were light blue.
She began to untie her belt.
Outer garment, inner garment, undergarment...
cough cough...
Barefoot, I stepped onto the cool, clean floor and walked to the wooden tub.
She didn't go in immediately, but first scooped up a handful of water and splashed it on her face. The water was very cold, which made her shiver slightly.
It also helped to clear her chaotic thoughts a little.
Lift your leg, step into the wooden tub, and immerse your entire body in the water.
The water suddenly surged up, enveloping her. She leaned against the edge of the basin and closed her eyes.
But the image of that pale face with its eyes tightly closed kept appearing in my mind.
I remember the first time I saw him at Xiaozhu Peak many years ago. He was such a small person, hiding behind Uncle Tian, peeking out with half his head, his dark eyes filled with curiosity as he watched his group of senior sisters practicing swordsmanship.
She remembered him running across the rainbow bridge, grinning, "Let's fight again at the Seven Sects Martial Arts Tournament in six years," which infuriated her, yet she couldn't win an argument with him.
She recalled that sudden downpour, with thunderclaps. She was actually... terrified of thunder. She'd been afraid of it since she was little.
That day, I happened to be practicing swordsmanship in the mountain stream and forgot the time.
When the thunder rolled in, her hands and feet were ice cold, and all she wanted to do was find a place to curl up.
Then he appeared, soaked to the bone, carrying two fish strung together with straw rope. He paused for a moment when he saw her huddled behind a rock.
Then, scratching his head, he began to stammer and talk to her about "cloud friction" and "positive and negative charges," speaking incoherently. She didn't understand a word he said, but listening to his stumbling voice and seeing his comical appearance as he got soaked in the rain, the deafening thunder seemed... not so scary after all.
Later the rain subsided and the thunder faded into the distance.
She unknowingly leaned on his wet shoulder and fell asleep.
It was very brief. When he woke up, he was stiff and didn't dare to move. His shoulders were numb. He even asked her stupidly if she was scared.
He was warm and radiant with sunshine at that time.
It was completely different from what she was holding in her arms today.
Why...
She asked herself.
Why is it that seeing him like that makes me feel like something is gripping my heart, making me feel suffocated?
Why didn't I feel uncomfortable at all when I was holding him, even though I was covered in blood and filth?
Why do we only feel uncomfortable belatedly when we return to Xiaozhufeng and see these stains?
she does not know.
The water rippled, reflecting her image.
Her features were exquisite, her demeanor cool and aloof.
She scooped up water and vigorously scrubbed her hands, over and over again, at non-existent stains.
Until the skin turns slightly red.
……
Tongtian Peak, Yuqing Hall.
The palace is magnificent, with clouds flowing beneath your feet and a colorful rainbow bridge hanging far in the sky.
Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan kept their heads down, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. In front of them, on a high seat, sat seven people.
Dao Xuan Zhenren sat in the center, his face serene and his gaze gentle. He looked at the two trembling children below and softened his voice:
"Child, don't be afraid. Tell me in detail what happened in Caomiao Village last night."
Lin Jingyu sniffed, raised his head, and forced himself to look at the most kind old immortal.
He began to speak...
He spoke haltingly, sometimes excited, sometimes choked up, but his words were still relatively clear.
Zhang Xiaofan knelt beside him, while Lin Jingyu trembled slightly when Puzhi was mentioned.
Dao Xuan Zhenren listened quietly, occasionally nodding or asking a question or two about details. The other six sect leaders either listened intently, or showed surprise or doubt, or pondered in their eyes.
Upon hearing the words "Divine Sword Thunder Control Technique," the corner of Cangsong Daoist's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
The questioning lasted for nearly an hour. Finally, Dao Xuan Zhenren took out a bead that emitted a soft red light (the Mind-Stabilizing Bead) and gently waved it in front of the two. Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan felt an overwhelming drowsiness wash over them, swayed, and collapsed to the ground, falling into a deep sleep.
The Jade Purity Hall was completely silent.
After a long silence, Dao Xuan Zhenren sighed, his voice echoing in the empty hall: "The matter is roughly clear. One hundred and thirty-three lives lost in Caomiao Village..."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "The most urgent task is to settle these two children who have survived this ordeal. My lineage has long since ceased accepting disciples. Fellow disciples, what do you think…?"
"Sect Leader, Senior Brother!" Shang Zhengliang, the head of Chaoyang Peak, spoke first.
"I see that Lin Jingyu possesses extraordinary talent and a bright, intelligent gaze. Even in the face of danger, he can speak clearly. His character and aptitude are both of the highest quality! Our Chaoyang Peak is willing to take him under our wing and will certainly teach him with utmost care, ensuring that his potential is not wasted!"
The abbot of Luoxia Peak, Daoist Tianyun, stroked his beard and smiled, "What Senior Brother Shang said resonates deeply with me. This young man witnessed the tragic events, and his grief and indignation are tempered with unwavering resolve. This young man is destined to be with me."
Feng Huifeng's Uncle Zeng chuckled and said, "My two senior brothers, matters of fate are hard to predict. Why not let him choose for himself?"
The head of Xiaozhu Peak, Shuiyue, coldly said, "My Xiaozhu Peak only accepts female disciples." After saying that, she closed her eyes and said no more.
Several people started arguing over Lin Jingyu.
However, no one mentioned Zhang Xiaofan, who was standing next to him.
Tian Buyi watched coldly and snorted.
"What are you robbing them for? These two children have just suffered a terrible tragedy. They lost both their parents and their spirits are damaged, and they are filled with resentment. If we separate them now and take them back to their respective peaks, they will be surrounded by new senior brothers and sisters every day, but they will never see their old playmates again. Won't that make them constantly remember their sad memories? It will be very harmful to their cultivation."
He turned to Dao Xuan Zhenren, his tone stiff, yet with a hint of self-righteousness.
"Senior Brother Sect Leader, since these two children were brought back at the risk of their lives by the disciples of Dazhu Peak, Dazhu Peak naturally cannot abandon them. I will reluctantly take them in. With the two children together, they will have someone to look after them, so they won't feel all alone."
Daoist Cangsong sneered, saying, "Junior Brother Tian, you've got a good plan! Who can't see that Lin Jingyu is a once-in-a-century cultivation prodigy? Your Great Bamboo Peak has been lacking in members for many years, and now you want to monopolize this excellent disciple just because you saved someone? Isn't that... a bit too greedy!"
Tian Buyi's chubby face darkened, and he said, "Senior Brother Cangsong! What are you saying! I'm doing this for the sake of these two children! How come it sounds so terrible in your mouth!"
"Alright." Dao Xuan Zhenren raised his hand, stopping the two from arguing.
"There's no need to argue anymore, Junior Brother Cangsong."
The Taoist Cangsong straightened his back and cupped his hands in greeting: "Senior Brother Sect Leader."
"Your Dragon Head Peak lineage has always been in charge of Qingyun's criminal law. You will take Lin Jingyu under your wing and train him carefully."
Daoist Cangsong's face lit up with joy, and he bowed respectfully, saying, "I will obey the decree of my senior brother, the sect leader."
Dao Xuan nodded, glancing at Tian Buyi, whose face was as black as the bottom of a pot.
"Junior Brother Tian."
Tian Buyi replied in a muffled voice, "Yes."
"Since it was your disciple who rescued the two, Zhang Xiaofan should join your Dazhu Peak. Dazhu Peak is short of people; having another person will make it more lively."
Tian Buyi opened his mouth as if to say something, but after looking at Dao Xuan's expression, he swallowed his words.
He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, his voice muffled: "...Yes, Senior Brother Sect Leader."
Dao Xuan Zhenren nodded, then gave a few more instructions on the resettlement and assistance of the villagers of Caomiao Village, leaving it to the disciples of Changmen and Chaoyang Peak to handle, before dismissing everyone.
……
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