What was even more terrifying was that the seemingly ordinary green bamboos had now turned into living creatures. The bamboo joints grew wildly, and the sharp branches slashed out like blades, instantly cutting the two closest people in half at the waist.
Warm beads of blood slid down the bamboo leaves, rippling the puddles below.
Cangshu Haoxue was already frightened out of his wits. He stumbled backward, his fingertips tapping frantically on his storage ring, trying to crush his trump card, a protective jade talisman. However, at the exact moment the jade talisman's spiritual light was about to shine, a figure closed in on him like a ghost.
The man in green held no blade; his fingertips only condensed pure killing intent. He lightly brushed them across Cangshu Haoxue's neck. With a squelch, it was like slicing through a piece of rotting meat.
Cangshu Haoxue's head flew into the air, his face still frozen in astonishment. Yet, the moment it landed, his eyes met the green-clad man's placid eyes, which were as still as an ancient well.
There was no emotion in them, not even a trace of killing intent, only an indifference that could freeze a person's very soul.
A sharp chill pierced through muscles and shattered bones. A bloody mist mixed with the drizzle instantly spread out. The disciples who had just been full of flattery and the highly sought-after young master had, in a mere instant, become nothing but mangled limbs and bloody mud scattered across the ground. Not even a complete corpse could be found.
Smelling the blood, a small ice-blue fish happily darted out from the young man's cuff. It swam joyfully through the air thick with the scent of death, devouring the agonizingly slain souls one by one.
Following its master was great; every few days, there would be a grand feast.
Suddenly, however, it heard a crack.
The cold fish stared wide-eyed in that direction, just as the young man retracted his foot.
As for the headless corpse on the ground, its lower half had been stomped into a bloody pulp.
Looking at its master's back, the cold fish could not help but shiver.
The green-clad man's fingertips twitched slightly, and a plain oiled paper umbrella slowly materialized in his palm. He gently raised his wrist, and the umbrella's surface fluttered slightly. In an instant, the ordinary paper shed its mortal disguise and returned to its true form.
The umbrella ribs were as lustrously white as jade, and on its canopy, red plum blossoms bloomed, so vibrantly colored they seemed steeped in fresh blood.
A faint wisp of cold mist spread with the wind from the umbrella. Wherever it passed, the beads of blood instantly froze. The mangled corpses littering the ground were covered inch by inch by this thin layer of frost, fine icy patterns crystallizing on the flesh.
The Red Plum White Jade Umbrella; everyone in the world knew this was Old Man Longsword's life-saving treasure.
And looking at the tragic, frozen state of these corpses, who could say it wasn't the work of the Red Plum White Jade Umbrella?
The blue cold fish shivered again.
Truly, this was not the first time it felt its master was incredibly sinister.
The jade-like umbrella reverted to the appearance of an unadorned oiled paper umbrella. A talisman appeared in the young man's hand and burned to ashes.
At this moment, his face, exposed in the cool rain and mist, revealed an increasingly sharp and refined bone structure. His eyebrows slanted upward as if tailored, the corners of his eyes lifted slightly, and his pupils were as dark as a freezing pool. His originally plain contours seemed to have been meticulously sculpted, gaining a handsome and frosty edge.
He opened the umbrella to block the wind and snow. As he turned around, the hem of his green robe fluttered, yet it had not been stained by a single speck of blood or dust.
"Time to go back."
The cold fish took another look at the corpses on the ground, let out a satisfied burp, swam through the air, and obediently returned to its master's sleeve.
Far away in Zhenyue Mountain City, a lamp flickered twice in the wind and abruptly went out.
The lamp keeper's face suddenly turned pale. He stumbled toward the lamp, his trembling fingertips brushing over the cold lampstand, and ran out screaming.
"Disaster! The Third Young Master's life lamp has gone out!"
Inside the restaurant, the clamor was ceaseless.
Mu Ran rested her chin in her hands, glancing up at the private room's door several times.
Finally, after an unknown number of glances, the person she was waiting for returned.
Cangshu Bai walked in slowly. His green robe still carried a lingering chill, and the unapproachable coldness surrounding him silently melted away like ice meeting warm light the moment it collided with her sparkling, joy-filled eyes.
"Sorry, I'm late."
Mu Ran pulled him by the hand to sit down, then held his slightly cold hands and asked, "Why were you gone for so long?"
Cangshu Bai replied, "A patient suddenly came into the clinic. Doctor Hu was too busy, so he asked me to help treat the patient."
Mu Ran complained a little, "It's clearly your day off today, yet Doctor Hu still made you work without paying you."
Cangshu Bai said, "Then I won't help next time."
Mu Ran thought about it and shook her head. "But if a patient comes, there's nothing you can do. Your work is about treating illnesses and saving lives, which is different from my tinkering with tools. You can't just stop whenever you want."
Cangshu Bai gave a soft "Mm," and placed a packet of pastries on the table. "I saw freshly baked osmanthus cakes on my way back, so I bought some."
Mu Ran touched the packet; it was still warm. She leaned a little closer to him, tilted her face up, and smiled. "That's very thoughtful of you. I won't blame you for being out so long this time."
Cangshu Bai's large hands were still enveloped by her two small ones. The warm and delicate touch of the girl's fingertips transmitted to him, gradually dispelling the lingering chill from the freezing rain that had surrounded him just a moment ago until it vanished completely.
Mu Ran asked him, "Are you hungry?"
Cangshu Bai nodded. "I am."
She called out toward the door, "Waiter, we'd like to order!"
The waiter working outside quickly pushed the door open and walked in. "What would the two guests like to order?"
Without hesitation, Mu Ran listed the dishes in a crisp voice, "Clear bamboo fungus soup, soy-braised venison, stir-fried mushrooms with fresh bamboo shoots, and a portion of honey-glazed water caltrops."
These were all his favorite dishes.
Cangshu Bai didn't say anything, but his fingertips curled slightly, and his hand held by hers tightened a little. The perennial icy indifference in the depths of his eyes completely melted into a faint warmth, and even his breathing grew gentle.
Someone passed by the door.
"Hey, have you read that newly released The Romantic History of the Green-Clad Guest?"
"No, I wanted to buy it, but the print shops that published The Romantic History of the Green-Clad Guest were blown up. Now, the first batch of The Romantic History of the Green-Clad Guest sold out there are treasures worth their weight in gold!"
"I have a copy right here. I bought one the day The Romantic History of the Green-Clad Guest went on sale at the bookstore. How about this: you come to my house today, and I'll lend it to you. You have no idea, the scenes between Fairy Hongling and The Green-Clad Guest are incredibly steamy—Ouch!"
A sharp pain struck the man's foot, and he tumbled down the stairs. His friend hurriedly went to help him up. The former cried out in pain, while the latter frantically rushed him to the clinic.
It seemed they wouldn't have time to appreciate The Romantic History of the Green-Clad Guest for the time being.
As Cangshu Bai lowered his eyes, lost in thought, a cup of warm tea was pressed into his hands. It was very warm.
He slightly raised his gaze and met his wife's smiling face.
"Have some tea to warm up first. The food will be served soon."
The corners of Cangshu Bai's lips moved slightly. "Okay."
The waiter noted down the order, left the private room, and closed the door behind him.
Mu Ran poured herself a cup of tea as well. Just as she took a sip, Cangshu Bai suddenly leaned in, cupped her chin with his fingers, and lowered his head to kiss her.
The moment their lips touched, the aroma of the tea, mingled with the faint, fresh scent of her body, completely intertwined and fell between his lips and teeth.
He didn't kiss her deeply; his lips merely rested quietly against hers. He slowly drew out the soft warmth of her mouth, a gentle teasing that was far more agonizing than a deep, passionate kiss.
Mu Ran stiffened for a second, the tips of her ears instantly burning hot. The teacup in her hand trembled, the tea nearly spilling over, but his free hand reached out and steadied it perfectly.
After a long moment, he pulled away.
"We're out in public," Mu Ran said nervously. "What are you doing?"
If someone were to suddenly walk in on them, she would die of embarrassment.
He gently brushed his thumb against the damp corner of her lips. "You were the one who said I should have some tea to warm up."
Mu Ran covered her burning face. "That's not what I meant!"
He let out a soft chuckle, a teasing glint in his eyes.
Hidden inside his sleeve, the little Frostfish cautiously poked its head out, watching its master's current demeanor with curious eyes.
It was like this every single time.
Whether he had been seeking revenge, fighting over rare treasures, or simply fighting to survive, whenever he returned from a bloodbath, he would be exceptionally tender and affectionate with his wife.
Only then would his murderous intent be fully soothed. He would no longer be that ruthless and sinister cultivator, but just an ordinary, everyday man.
Humans truly were two-faced creatures.
Just as Cang Shubai lowered his gaze, the Frostfish received a command and gave a violent shudder.
Oh, please no! It only liked to eat precious treasures. It had absolutely no desire to sneak around like a little thief in the dead of night just to devour people's hidden stashes of scandalous romance novels!
If it ate all those dirty books, wouldn't it turn into a dirty little fish!?
