Wandering Swordsman |

The two sat on a stone bench in the training ground. Murong Qing asked curiously, "Shen Mo, where have you been all these years? What happened to you?"

Shen Mo smiled slightly, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "In the past five years, I was forced to go to some places and learned a lot. Now, I am the apprentice of Yang Zhi, the Sunset Swordsman."

Shen Mo didn't tell Murong Qing about the Heavenly Demon God Sect because he worried that if she knew his identity as the Heavenly Demon God, it wouldn't benefit her and might even put her in danger. He knew the world was dangerous, and it was better to keep some things from her.

A hint of surprise flashed in Murong Qing's eyes. "So you're the disciple of Sunset Swordsman! No wonder your martial arts are so superb; you managed to sneak into the Murong family in the middle of the night without being discovered."

Murong Qing nodded understandingly, and then recounted her growth over the years. "Over the years, I have made great progress in both martial arts and managing the family business." "Moreover, my martial arts skills are now very strong," she said confidently, "and even my master is no match for me now."

Shen Mo joked, "Of course, I've heard quite a few rumors about the four most famous beauties in the martial arts world along the way."

Murong Qing blushed slightly. "That was just a nickname given to me by busybodies in the martial arts world."

......

The two had endless things to talk about, every detail like a window opening to the depths of each other's hearts. Immersed in the joy of their reunion, they forgot the passage of time. Only when the sky began to lighten did Shen Mo reluctantly stand up. He told Murong Qing, "I need to go back to the inn to prepare, and then I'll formally pay my respects at noon."

Murong Qing replied with relief, "Okay, I'll wait for you."

......

After Shen Mo silently left the Murong family using his lightness skill, the first rays of dawn appeared, and a thin mist filled the world.

He moved swiftly and silently across the rooftops, his clothes fluttering, like a gentle breeze sweeping across the end of the night. He glanced back at the Murong mansion, its lights gradually dimming and settling into silence, and a gentle smile appeared on his lips.

Meanwhile, within the Murong family, the atmosphere subtly shifted due to the emotional turmoil of one individual.

Murong Qing walked back to her room, her steps light as if she were walking on clouds. Her skirt fluttered slightly, her hair swayed gently in the wind, and her smile was like a newly blossoming spring flower, radiating the most beautiful colors in the morning light. It was an uncontainable joy, a light emanating from the depths of her heart.

Upon seeing this, the servants all stopped what they were doing, their eyes following her retreating figure, and whispers rippled through the mansion:

"Seventh Miss seems especially happy today, could it be that there's some good news?" a maidservant doing laundry whispered, her eyes full of curiosity.

"Yes, he's always so dignified and serious, but today he seems like a completely different person," another old servant sweeping the courtyard chimed in, a smile on his face.

These words reached Liu Xiaorong's ears while she was strolling in the garden. Hearing the discussion, she smiled slightly, looked up at the familiar figure in the distance, and a sense of doubt welled up in her heart.

"Qing'er," she stopped Murong Qing in the corridor, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze, "Is something good happening today? You seem to be in a good mood."

Murong Qing looked up at her master, her eyes filled with undisguised joy and shyness, and a slight smile appeared on her lips: "Master, you'll know at noon."

Liu Xiaorong gazed at her, her eyes gentle yet profound. She knew that over the years, though Murong Qing appeared strong on the surface, there was always a soft spot in her heart that no one could touch. Liu Xiaorong didn't want to ask any more questions, afraid that a careless remark would disturb this long-lost joy. She simply looked at Murong Qing quietly, like a mother watching her daughter experience her first stirrings of love, filled with tenderness.

"Go on, get some rest," she said softly, watching Murong Qing turn and leave, silently offering her blessings.

After returning to her room, Murong Qing gently closed the door, leaned against it, and closed her eyes, as if she could still feel Shen Mo's presence surrounding her. She slowly walked to the bedside, lay down, and gently hugged herself, as if trying to lock the warmth of their reunion tightly in her embrace.

The scene from last night kept replaying in my mind: the full moon in the sky, the silent stars; he appeared under the moon, his voice low but firm, saying, "I am here, I have come."

In that instant, she felt as if she heard the echo of the entire world.

She thought about his changes, his growth, and the two swords he carried on his back—the Tai'a sword with its cold, sharp light, and the Qingniu sword wrapped in cloth to conceal its edge, just like him, outwardly displaying sharpness, inwardly concealing its edge.

She thought about how he said he was the disciple of Yang Zhi, the Sunset Swordsman, and his words exuded confidence and composure, no longer the slightly naive boy he once was.

She thought of his words as he left: "I'll go back and prepare, and then I'll pay a formal visit." The solemnity in his tone made her feel at ease and warm.

She thought... In two more hours, she would see him again.

Outside the window, the sunlight had not yet fully fallen upon the earth, but her heart was already filled with warmth. At this moment, she had never felt so at ease, so certain.

In the distant suburbs, Shen Mo stood on a high slope, gazing in the direction of the Murong family, his eyes filled with deep affection and determination.

He knew that this time, he wouldn't keep Murong Qing waiting for so long.

The world is a long and uncertain place, but as long as he knows her feelings, he will have nothing to fear.

......

At midday, sunlight streamed through the carved windows into the hall of the Murong family, but this warm light failed to dispel the heavy atmosphere in the air.

The Huangfu family and the Murong family met again to discuss the marriage proposal. A somber and oppressive atmosphere filled the hall.

Huangfu Haotian and his son Huangfu Hui sat opposite each other in the main seat, their expressions serious and full of anticipation, as if they could already see the bright future of their families' marriage.

Murong Liang sat in the main seat, his gaze steady as a mountain, while Murong Qing beside him appeared exceptionally relaxed and confident. Today, she wore a light pink dress, her hair elegantly styled, with a few strands of black hair falling on either side of her face, adding a touch of softness. A faint smile played on her lips, as if she had already made up her mind.

"Uncle Murong," Huangfu Haotian spoke first, his tone resolute and unwavering, "what was the outcome of Hui'er's marriage to Murong Qing?"

Behind him, Huangfu Hui sat motionless, his gaze sharp as a hawk's, awaiting the answer he had already anticipated. However, his heart was not as calm as it appeared. Perhaps after yesterday's conversation, he had vaguely sensed that this marriage, even with the emperor's decree, was not a done deal.

Murong Liang smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable power: "Nephew Huangfu, the Murong family still maintains that marriage is a major life event, and ultimately, it is up to the individuals involved to decide. The Murong family has always respected its children's choices and will not interfere."