The first ray of morning sunlight pierced through the dense foliage, illuminating the cave. Lan Yixuan's brows stirred slightly, and his eyes suddenly opened, gentle and calm as water. At that moment, he turned his head to gaze at the hanging rope, which floated in mid-air, now devoid of the crescent moon's silhouette. Yet, he felt no surprise. He sat upright, leaped down, and landed steadily on the ground.
The crescent moon, who usually slept later than him, was already gone upon his awakening. Unlike her previous habit of sleeping until well past dawn, she now busied herself daily but remained full of energy.
Though this place was humble, he had never felt such a profound sense of peace while sleeping here. His injuries had mostly healed, and the wound on his shoulder was nearly mended. Because of him, they had stayed in this location for more than half a month.
As he approached the cave entrance, the unique freshness of the mountain air kissed his face. Lan Yixuan closed his eyes and stretched his limbs, relishing the absence of worldly chaos, the morning chorus of insects and birds. Every aspect of this place made him feel relaxed and at ease, and he cherished it; however, such tranquility would not last long.
It was no surprise to see the delicate figure clad in pure white by the riverside, her back straight at all times, dark hair cascading over half her face, obscuring her expression. Yet, her entire being glowed with a faint luster, exuding an aura of tranquility and serenity.
"What are you doing?" Lan Yixuan stepped forward and inquired softly.
Upon hearing his voice, the crescent moon turned around, half her face veiled by her dark locks while the other half basked in the sunlight, radiantly bright. The corners of her mouth lifted in a gentle smile. Barefoot, beside her lay a row of sun-dried fish on a smooth stone slab. In her hands, she held a slender piece of hemp rope, threading it through the fish's mouths, all the while looking up at Lan Yixuan, her movements quick and deft. Nearby, a collection of woven nets adorned with fresh fruits lay atop a patch of verdant leaves, the colors ranging from vivid red to subtle green, evoking a tantalizing sweet and sour flavor in the mouth.
Lan Yixuan squatted before her, reaching for the dried fish on the slab. His hands were uninjured, long and slender with distinctly defined knuckles, remarkably clean—more so than those of most women, revealing that he had been sheltered from hard labor.
"I can manage on my own," the crescent moon replied quickly, her words tumbling forth like falling beads, tinged with urgency.
Although the fish were already cleaned and dried, for someone with a germaphobic disposition, the blackened skin might be utterly distasteful. She often remarked that Lan Yixuan was exceptionally considerate, the best person she had ever met. In truth, Feng Xuan Yue was even more adept at empathizing with others, and those who held a place in her heart were indeed fortunate.
Lan Yixuan slightly turned his body, his gentle gaze resembling a pristine mirror, reflecting the sunlight that could pierce through anything and reach her heart. The corners of his mouth lifted in a knowing smile, tinged with a hint of playfulness. Feng Xuan Yue, under his scrutiny, felt a twinge of embarrassment, a tingling sensation at the back of her head, and tilted her head to indicate the fruits behind her. "You should wash them."
Lan Yixuan withdrew his gaze, propped himself up on his knees, and began cleaning the fresh fruits. Although he had a penchant for cleanliness, many habits formed over time could gradually change, simply waiting for the right person to come along.
"What do you plan to do with all this wild fruit and fish?" In the past few days, he had seen her fishing daily and assumed it was for immediate consumption. He was surprised to learn she had transformed them into dried fish. In truth, her culinary skills were impressive; if not for their remote location and lack of ingredients, she could easily rival Lei Yun.
Feng Xuan Yue sat on the stone slab, tucking her hair behind her ear, feeling that Lan Yixuan was somewhat naive for preparing these provisions, of course, meant for consumption.
"Emergency rations," she replied, raising an eyebrow. "We are not familiar with this place at all. While we can survive here without starving and have access to water, who knows what awaits us? To be safe, we must prepare some dry provisions. The fruits are quite juicy and will quench our thirst on the road."
Lan Yixuan waved the water in his hand, nodding in understanding. After receiving Feng Xuan Yue's explanation, the smile on his face blossomed brighter than a blooming flower. If the woman before him were a sheltered princess, even with her talents, she would likely perish here. This thought brought him both relief and joy; as Feng Jiu Lan had said, such a woman deserved the utmost care from any man in the world.
"Feng Xuan Yue."
"En," she responded, looking up at Lan Yixuan. Her clear, jade-like eyes reflected his shadow distinctly. A slight daze swept over her, but she quickly regained her focus. "Have your injuries healed completely?"
Lan Yixuan raised the fruits in one hand, giving them a vigorous shake, which startled Feng Xuan Yue. Seeing no change in his complexion compared to before, she felt a surge of joy; the recovery of a martial artist was indeed far superior to that of an ordinary person.
She believed Lan Yixuan would not push himself too hard at this moment, for if she were in his place, she would refrain from excessive movement until fully healed. In this vast jungle, dangers lurked everywhere; any injury could hinder one's ability to protect oneself in critical situations, becoming a burden to others.
"We have lingered here long enough; let's move on," Lan Yixuan declared, retracting his arm that had drawn arcs in the air. Feng Xuan Yue's eyes sparkled with elation, but the joy was also tinged with urgency.
"Are you really all right?" she asked, stepping behind him and gently patting his back, noticing he did not wince in pain, which further assuaged her worries.
Quickly, she strung the fish on skewers, disregarding whether Lan Yixuan had a phobia of dirt, and tossed them into his hands before sprinting toward the cave. Lan Yixuan looked at his left and right hands, both adorned with smiles, and followed closely after her.
Their belongings were minimal; most items in the cave were the result of Feng Xuan Yue's resourcefulness. Upon entering, Lan Yixuan noticed her radiant expression as she shoved sharp stones, akin to flying daggers, into her waistband. The pointed tops were needle-like, yet he sensed that these stones were far more formidable than mere needles.
"I carry only a jade flute; it's not very useful," Feng Xuan Yue explained with a chuckle, patting her bulging waist.
This place was abundant with trees and entangled vines, perhaps even fierce tigers and lions. Her jade flute would often prove ineffective.
Seeing Lan Yixuan reach for his sword, Feng Xuan Yue waved her hand. "You should keep that for yourself; I have enough with these."
She quickly gathered her things, and the two stood at the cave's entrance, gazing at the vast sea of green, feeling a sense of bewilderment.
"Lan Yixuan," Feng Xuan Yue called, standing ahead and gazing up at the towering ancient trees.
Taking a few steps forward, Lan Yixuan patted her shoulder, his gentle gaze meeting her slightly confused eyes, and smiled. "Let's head south."
Among the five vassal states, the State of Chu was situated at the southernmost end, where the world ended, and the legendary longevity fruit that could yield the immortal tree was said to be found. It was rumored that this place concealed immense treasures, making it all the more perilous.
Feng Xuan Yue yearned to venture south; having reached the entrance, she felt compelled to explore, yet she hesitated to put Lan Yixuan in danger. Lan Yixuan understood these concerns, having a grasp of Feng Jiu Lan's condition. If today she chose inaction, she would inevitably regret it for a lifetime.
Before Feng Xuan Yue could process her thoughts, Lan Yixuan released his hand from her shoulder and stepped forward, drawing his soft sword from his robes. He paused before a large tree, stood at its base, gazing up, then circled the tree before returning to his original position. With a swing of his sword, he severed it. The sound of splintering wood echoed, and a tree trunk as thick as an embrace toppled to the right. Lan Yixuan crouched down, pointing seriously at the remaining trunk.
Feng Xuan Yue hurried over, squatting before him, tracing her finger along the trunk. She quickly stood up and pointed in the direction the tree had fallen. "That's south."
Lan Yixuan stood, looking at the confident and resolute Feng Xuan Yue with mild astonishment. Determining direction from a tree's rings was knowledge imparted to him by his master, Ye Wujing, and he had subsequently verified its accuracy.
Xian Yue snatched the fish from Lan Yixuan's left hand and tugged at his sleeve with her other hand. "The density of the tree canopy reflects the trees' yearning and thirst for sunlight. The lush, elongated branches indicate the south, while the sparse ones point to the north. Additionally, by examining the tree's growth rings, one can discern direction; the side with widely spaced rings faces south, while the side with tightly packed rings faces north."
The crescent moon smiled knowingly, as if it had discerned the thoughts within Lan Yixuan's heart: "It wasn't Liu Xinyou who told me."
In the past, when it was Su Zhixin, she had gleaned such knowledge from her readings. She had initially intended to procure a compass, but recent days had left her too preoccupied to do so. She hadn't anticipated that Lan Yixuan would propose leaving now. Raising an eyebrow, she said, "Regardless, I am aware."
The two continued onward, neither hurried nor slow. As they ventured deeper, the trees grew denser, and the underbrush thickened. Days passed, and soon the trees stood waist-high, a verdant expanse enveloping their vision. The lush green was vibrant, yet Xian Yue felt that the world before her was overly monotonous. There had been no dangers encountered along the way; the greenery was laden with delicious, juicy fruits to quench their thirst, and many small creatures flitted about. However, the weather was unnaturally hot, prompting a stir of unease within Xian Yue, though she dared not lower her guard, sensing an imminent threat.
On this day, after walking for some time, Xian Yue wiped the sweat from her brow. Lan Yixuan first set down their provisions. The dried fish she had prepared remained untouched, but the fruits had been replaced with fresh ones. He drew the sword at his waist and cleared the waist-high shrubs.
"I'll go fetch water."
Xian Yue patted the bamboo container on her shoulder, as she routinely did, and ventured off to find water.
Lan Yixuan, occupied with the underbrush beneath the trees, nodded at her and cautioned, "Be careful."
She acknowledged him with a nod and turned to leave.
The trees grew wildly in heights, surpassing the lushness of Pear Blossom Mountain by several magnitudes. Although winter had yet to pass, the trees here thrived in rich greenery, dripping with vitality. Countless vines twisted around them, and the ground was damp, as if rain had just fallen. Stepping upon it felt akin to walking on a sandy beach, yielding underfoot—deep in some places, shallow in others. A breeze rustled through the woods, causing the vines clinging to the trees to writhe like serpents.
Xian Yue shook her water bottle and followed the sound of flowing water. In mid-air, behind her, the vines entwined around the trees slowly unfurled with the wind, their eyes the size of mung beans, their tongues pink as peach blossoms, flicking towards the back of Xian Yue's head. The mung-bean-like eyes shifted, suddenly transforming into a terrifying scarlet. With a leap, they sprang forth as if sprouting wings, appearing before Xian Yue in an instant, lunging towards her face.
Startled, Xian Yue's expression shifted drastically. The pink tongue neared her nose, triggering a primal scream as she stumbled backward, instinctively reaching for the sharp, polished stone at her waist, aiming directly at the snake's vulnerable spot.
Hearing her scream, Lan Yixuan paused in his task. His grip tightened around his sword as he dashed toward the direction of her voice, moving like lightning.
Xian Yue froze, still in shock, as she gazed at the snake she had shot down. Suddenly, a sizzling sound reached her ears, akin to something igniting. Eyes wide, she observed that the spot where her arrow had struck the green snake was oozing a green liquid, mirroring the hues of the surrounding flora. In an instant, the once vibrant greenery faded to a grimy black, wilting at a visible speed, as if scorched by fire. The stone she had sharpened over time, once lethal, now disintegrated into ash upon contact with the venomous fluid.
Xian Yue's eyes widened further. She patted her chest and glanced down at herself, startled to find she was unharmed. Cold sweat pooled in her palms, a chill coursing from head to toe. The potency of that poison was staggering. She could scarcely fathom the outcome had she been even a fraction slower; Lan Yixuan would likely not have found even a trace of her remains.
Caution is the mother of safety. Fortuitously, she had maintained her vigilance. Xian Yue inhaled deeply, her hands still cold as ice, and surveyed her surroundings once more, only to find the same verdant trees. The earlier ease of mind had vanished, and she finally grasped how Bai Zhantang could meet such a tragic end.
That night, only one of them could afford to rest. The perils of Pear Blossom Mountain paled in comparison to those here, a staggering difference of ten thousand miles.
Resolutely, Xian Yue gripped her water bottle tighter and carefully observed her surroundings, taking a few steps forward.
"Ah."
Her foot slipped into a void; she felt a heavy pull, as though ensnared by something, followed by another startled cry.
Lan Yixuan rushed over. Upon seeing Xian Yue unscathed, he let out a breath of relief, but it was short-lived when he heard her scream again. Alarmed, his expression shifted, and without a moment's thought, he grasped his sword and launched himself toward her.
Xian Yue found one foot barely caught, but she noticed a purple shadow soaring through the air, accompanied by a thunderous rush. In an instant, an urgent thought struck her. With no time to spare on fear, she meant to warn Lan Yixuan not to approach. The gale whipped past her face as a sudden grip tightened around her waist, lifting her off the ground.
Xian Yue's face turned pale, and she shouted, "Don't touch the ground!"
Without hesitation, Lan Yixuan scooped Xian Yue into his arms. Having just witnessed her peril, he acted without a second thought. Now, with her in his grasp, there was no time for dialogue; they were caught in a precarious moment. He stepped lightly, but the ground pulled him in, startling him. Leaning back, he pushed Xian Yue away with all his strength, casting her toward the bank. As she turned her head, she caught sight of Lan Yixuan, half of his body already sinking into the mire. A pang of sorrow gripped her heart. She knew turning back now would spell doom for both of them; trapped in the swamp, only death awaited. Using her momentum wisely, she halted in a safe spot, spun around, and yelled frantically, "Don't move, Lan Yixuan, don't move!"
Caught in the swamp, Lan Yixuan gazed at Xian Yue, recalling how a mere slight movement while holding her had caused him to sink. Fear washed over him, for he had no desire to leave her in this perilous place. Hence, without hesitation, he had thrown her to safety. That simple motion had caused him to plunge deeply into the mire. Despite possessing inner strength, he found it futile to struggle; the more he fought, the deeper he sank, rendering him motionless. Watching Xian Yue's panicked expression, his earlier suspicions solidified. Yet, even standing still, his body continued to descend, a relentless pull that could not be halted.
"Don't move; I'll come rescue you soon."
Xian Yue felt an icy chill, as if plunged into an ice cellar, with the air around her saturated in biting cold. Her vision blurred, her face damp, but she had no mind for it.
"Don't cry; I will be fine. I'll wait for you to save me."
It was only when she touched her face and felt its icy chill that she realized she was crying. She hastily wiped away the tears and resolutely nodded, "Lan Yixuan, I won't abandon you."
Lan Yixuan remained still, a satisfied smile gracing his lips. At last, he believed this woman held a place for him in her heart. As he gazed at Xian Yue, his warm eyes gleamed with a gentle smile, filled with trust for her.
Xian Yue chided herself to hold back the tears, knowing they would solve nothing. She needed to remain calm—yes, calm; it was imperative to regain her composure.
Her heart raced in her chest, beating as if it might leap free. She felt utterly at a loss, for she had no idea how to repay Lan Yixuan's profound affection.
The swamp was not particularly vast; it measured roughly ten meters in diameter. Surrounding it were lush aquatic plants, but they were hardly useful.
Xian Yue had merely stepped into the marsh's edge. Rescuing her was hardly a daunting task. Yet Lan Yixuan was in a different predicament; when he had embraced Xian Yue, he intended to leap across to the other side. He had miscalculated, landing right in the center of this circular swamp. His urgent leap had been swift and forceful, causing him to sink deeply as he launched himself free.
Turning around, Xian Yue scanned her surroundings, slowly regaining her composure. Lan Yixuan believed in her, and she, in turn, trusted him. He would await her rescue, and she was certain he would be safe.
The area was ensnared by thick vines, and rescuing Lan Yixuan presented no formidable challenge. As the saying goes, "Once bitten by a snake, one is wary of the rope for three years." Following their recent ordeal, Xian Yue felt a profound sense of dread; those life-saving vines could very well be laced with lethal poison.
Her tightly interwoven hands betrayed her current emotions. Turning around, Xian Yue felt as though her heart might leap from her chest; the marshy waters, which had only reached Lan Yixuan's waist, now approached his shoulders. Yet, he remained silent, merely smiling at her, his gentle eyes brimming with unwavering trust, causing her heart to ache like a dagger's thrust.
In dire circumstances, one must take desperate measures. At this moment, she could not afford to disregard Lan Yixuan. If the swamp were to engulf him, she would leap in without hesitation; thus, she had no choice but to take a gamble.
Grinding her teeth, Xian Yue drew the sharp stone from her waist, genuinely grateful for her prior preparations. It had proven invaluable at this critical juncture; those unassuming stones had saved her life, and now they held the potential to save both her and Lan Yixuan.
With the sharp stone striking the vines, Xian Yue stood beneath the tree, her head tilted back to ascertain that the green vines were not venomous serpents. With her fears somewhat alleviated, she swiftly climbed the tree, cutting down the intertwined vines. Her hands worked tirelessly as her keen eyes scanned the surroundings, ears attuned to any sudden attack from lurking snakes.
In the shortest possible time, Xian Yue prepared everything and soon appeared at the edge of the swamp. The murky waters had already risen above Lan Yixuan's shoulders, but fortunately, his hands remained above the surface.
Xian Yue fixed her gaze upon Lan Yixuan, waving the vine in her hand. Although she endeavored to maintain her composure, her voice quivered unmistakably: "Hold on, Lan Yixuan."
With remarkable precision, Xian Yue threw the green vine, which landed firmly before Lan Yixuan. He tilted his head back to catch it, while Xian Yue gripped the vine tightly, pulling him toward the swamp's edge.
The swamp was sinking rapidly, yet Xian Yue was unlike the sheltered young ladies of high society; she possessed martial skills and, through gritted teeth, raced against the encroaching mire.
The vines, though resilient, were not particularly thick, and Xian Yue inadvertently tore a long, narrow wound in her palm as she tugged at them.
Seeing Xian Yue struggle, Lan Yixuan quietly exerted himself to inch closer to the shore. Just as he began to pull himself forward, he suddenly sank deeper. Xian Yue staggered forward a few steps, and the swamp swallowed him up to his neck.
"Lan Yixuan, are you trying to get yourself killed?"
Xian Yue furrowed her brow and shouted, her frustration evident. However, rather than feeling anger, Lan Yixuan found her frantic demeanor endearing. If she truly didn't care, she would have abandoned him long ago. Her anger, her frustration, her harsh words—all stemmed from her concern. Xian Yue's face darkened, wishing to shatter the smile on Lan Yixuan's face.
He remained still, his gaze locked onto her eyes, filled with urgency and worry, and in that moment, he felt every sacrifice was worthwhile.
Xian Yue exerted every ounce of strength she had, cursing her own limitations. Under normal circumstances, lifting Lan Yixuan with one hand would have posed no difficulty; however, in the swamp, she was not only pulling him but also contending with the heavy muck that clung to him. Beads of cold sweat trickled down her forehead, and her face was drenched, making her fair skin glisten even more. Her palms were slick with perspiration, and a cut on her palm mingled blood with sweat, causing the thin vine to stick to her hand. Her clothes, too, were soaked.
Lan Yixuan had managed to extricate most of his body from the mud, save for the lower half, which remained submerged. If it were only his calves, he could have used leverage to spring back onto solid ground.
He watched Xian Yue in silence, her black hair plastered against her face, obscuring her nose and mouth. Yet, she remained motionless, gripping the vine tightly, her exposed face pale on one side and radiant like the fiery sunset on the other. Her eyes shone with the hardness of stone, revealing her unwavering resolve not to abandon him. The knowledge that she would stand by him, no matter what transpired, was exhilarating enough to eclipse any fear or anxiety.
Xian Yue focused solely on pulling Lan Yixuan up. With each inch of his body that emerged from the muddy swamp, she felt her strength waning. Exhausted, she believed she had expended all her energy; sweat poured from her forehead, and she repeatedly reassured herself that soon, they would both be safe.
The surroundings fell into an eerie silence before thunderous footsteps echoed nearby. Almost out of strength, Xian Yue's ears rang, convincing her that it was merely a figment of her imagination. However, Lan Yixuan, trapped in the swamp, heard it clearly and watched Xian Yue's desperate struggle with growing concern.
The sound drew closer, closer, until it was almost unbearable. Even Xian Yue sensed it; her attention was drawn first to Lan Yixuan's eyes as he gazed past her toward the source of the noise.
She told herself not to worry, for regardless of what might happen, she would not let go of him, even if the sky were to fall. Therefore, she refused to look back, instead continuing to inch backward, pulling Lan Yixuan with her.
"Xian Yue, don't move."
Lan Yixuan watched in horror as a horde of monstrous wild boars appeared behind Xian Yue, their rotund bodies imposing. The most terrifying aspect was their fearsome, razor-sharp tusks that seemed capable of tearing through anything. The wild boars circled around her, sniffing the air, while Lan Yixuan's heart sank, realizing the peril they were in.
They encircled Xian Yue, forming a ring, showing no intention of retreating. Each one exhaled white mist through their nostrils, poised to pounce. Xian Yue understood the gravity of the situation; the boars had mistaken her for prey, and this temporary calm merely signified the calm before their assault. Under normal circumstances, she would not have dared to confront so many, let alone in her current state. If she fled, what would become of Lan Yixuan?
Lan Yixuan's heart ached at the sight of the wild boars surrounding Xian Yue, wishing he could charge forward and slay them. Xian Yue, aware of his distress, felt her heart race anxiously, almost to the point of tears. But she had to suppress it: "Lan Yixuan, don't move. They're wild boars; it's fine."
Lan Yixuan trembled at her calm facade. No one knew the turmoil swirling within him—his heart twisted in pain. If everything were truly fine, why would there be such deep-seated fear in her eyes? He remained still, knowing that Xian Yue would not let go, but ultimately, he was still ensnared in the swamp, and she risked becoming the boars' next meal.
"Xian Yue, you will safely leave this place."
Why her, and not them? Xian Yue felt her vision blur once more, aware that tears had begun to flow. Lan Yixuan was not one to easily abandon his life; he cherished it, longing for revenge for his mother. Everything he did was for himself, and in that moment, her heart ached unbearably: "If we are to live, we live together; if we are to die, we die together. Lan Yixuan, if you dare let go, I will jump in after you without hesitation."