In the corner by the window sat a man with clothes as red as fire and hair like blazing flames. Resting on his elbow, his fingertips carelessly stroked the rim of his cup. His bewitching face was half-lit and half-shadowed under the dim, yellow oil lamp. A faint, mocking smile played at the corners of his lips, but there was not a trace of warmth in the depths of his eyes, only a sheet of ice.
Just a slight lift of his drooping eyelashes and a casual sweep of his gaze across the room were enough to suppress the entire tavern, making everyone too afraid to even breathe heavily.
His appearance was far too unique; it was hard for others not to recognize him.
The Second Young Master of Zhenyue Mountain City, Cangshu Qihua.
He was flamboyant and eccentric in his actions. Over these five hundred years, he had long become a renowned master.
However, it was unknown what he had experienced recently. One of his hands looked as if it had been scorched by searing flames, the skin covered in varying shades of charred red marks, mangled and bloody.
Onlookers would feel an unbearable phantom pain just looking at it, yet he acted as if nothing had happened.
"Whether it is The Green-Clad Guest or Cangshu Bai, if he comes seeking revenge, I, Cangshu Qihua, will gladly entertain him."
A spirit stone pierced through the head of the man who had just mentioned Zhenyue Mountain City, then nailed itself into a pillar, dripping with fresh blood.
As the man's skull shattered, the surrounding crowd instantly erupted in an uproar.
Without even turning his head, Cangshu Qihua called out, "Waiter, the bill."
Watching his departing figure, the crowd fell as silent as winter cicadas.
Over these five hundred years, Zhenyue Mountain City had also undergone some changes.
Cangshu Linfeng was still favored by many to become the next City Lord, but he remained as obsessed with his sword as ever, aloof and self-admiring.
Cangshu Qihua's appearance, which revealed his lowly origins, was still disliked by many. However, his strength had advanced by leaps and bounds over the years, and coupled with his methods being even more ruthless than Cangshu Taotian's, he had managed to win the support of quite a few elders.
As for the Fourth Young Master, Cangshu Mingyue, he had no interest in the fight for the City Lord position and had a weak presence in Zhenyue Mountain City.
Cangshu Qihua was brilliant and striking, always like a raging fire that could burn itself to ashes at any moment. Yet, on the mountain peak where he resided, there was a courtyard filled with blooming flowers, brimming with vitality.
This was his forbidden ground; other than him, no one was allowed near it.
Mu Shuqing was watering the flowers. Sensing someone approaching, she did not look up, not even bothering to spare a glance.
That was until a red flower, looking like flowing flames, appeared before her eyes. The hand holding the flower seemed as if it had just been pulled from a sea of fire, its wounds still radiating a scorching heat.
She raised her eyes, displaying neither sorrow nor joy.
Cangshu Qihua, however, smiled and said, "The Flowing Fire Heart-Burner that grows on the Flaming Mountain, I picked it for you."
Mu Shuqing asked, "Do you find this meaningful?"
"It doesn't matter if you find it meaningful or not, as long as I find it interesting."
Cangshu Qihua skillfully picked up a jade glazed flowerpot nearby and carefully planted the beautiful yet extremely dangerous Heart-Burner into it. He completely ignored Mu Shuqing's cold attitude toward the flower he had brought.
Anyway, her temperament had always been this indifferent, and he was used to it.
Mu Shuqing had been imprisoned in this courtyard for exactly five hundred years. During this time, she had not seen anyone other than Cangshu Qihua. With nothing else to do, she could only plant flowers and read books.
Cangshu Qihua did not treat her as a cultivation vessel, nor did he touch her. It was as if he were also raising flowers; he would often come to sit and ask her what she wanted.
The time before last, Mu Shuqing said she wanted the Ice Crystalline Flower from the east of the Extreme Sea.
Last time, Mu Shuqing said she wanted the God-Devouring Grass from the Beast Bone Abyss.
And this time, Mu Shuqing said she wanted the Flowing Fire Heart-Burner from the Flaming Mountain.
Every place she mentioned was one of the most dangerous spots in the world. Cangshu Qihua knew she was naming these perilous places on purpose, but he went every single time, returning with new scars and bringing the items back as if it were nothing.
Yet, Mu Shuqing would never spare a second glance at the things he had snatched from seas of fire and mountains of blades, but he would still go the next time.
"Cangshu Bai has returned."
Hearing this, Mu Shuqing looked at him directly for the first time.
Cangshu Qihua crouched on the ground, adding fresh soil to the Flowing Fire Heart-Burner in the pot, and said lightly, "He has already destroyed Tianyu Palace. The next one he seeks out should be me. I hear he is very powerful now; I am quite looking forward to a battle with him."
His eyes revealed a glint of madness, and he let out an expectant laugh, "Will he kill me, or will I kill him?"
Mu Shuqing furrowed her brows slightly.
Cangshu Qihua clapped his hands, stood up, and looked down at her, his tone as frivolous as ever. "Once I die, the restrictions here will be lifted, and someone will escort you down the mountain."
As he turned to leave, he added, "I won't be coming over for the next period of time."
For the first time, Mu Shuqing asked a question: "Why?"
He did not look back, replying in a casual, carefree manner, "Before a life-and-death struggle, I don't want to mess up my state of mind."
If he had attachments, he would fear death, and then he would truly be doomed.
"Wumu, I found out! Cangshu Bai is going to Zhenyue Mountain City for revenge. I'm going to Zhenyue Mountain City to wait for him!"
Luo Qingniao skipped down the street, brimming with excitement.
Wumu looked troubled. "Miss, we shouldn't go there."
Luo Qingniao huffed, "I am going no matter what. He saved me. That Zhenyue Mountain City must be full of bad guys. What if... what if he can't beat them? I have to go help!"
She claimed it was to help, but the longing and affection in her eyes had already betrayed her true feelings.
A woman in red with a veiled face brushed past them. Luo Qingniao inexplicably felt drawn to her and looked up to take an extra glance, but the woman quickly walked away, so she withdrew her gaze and thought no more of it.
Hong Fu stopped in her tracks and looked back at the cheerful and lively girl. Hearing the name Cangshu Bai from her lips, her gaze turned dark and heavy.
"Jinzhi, Jinzhi, don't walk any further!"
Mu Ran clung to the young man's back like a trailing spirit, chattering endlessly.
"Your dark circles are so heavy."
"You need to rest, you need a good sleep. There are so many powerful people in Zhenyue Mountain City. If you don't rest well, you will be at a disadvantage!"
"Let's take our revenge later, okay?"
"Jinzhi, don't go anymore. I... it doesn't matter even if I can never wake up."
Her voice grew quieter and quieter, her mood sinking lower and lower.
Taking revenge seemed like it should be an incredibly satisfying thing, but she could feel that he was not happy after killing people.
With every enemy he eliminated, he would enter the small world and hold her, seemingly seeking warmth. But in truth, with every person he killed, he realized more clearly that their deaths could not bring about her awakening.
Whether it was Cangshu Bai's madness or his slaughter, the underlying tone was always boundless loneliness and despair.
Mu Ran rested her chin on the young man's shoulder and buried her face in the crook of his neck, whispering, "Jinzhi, I just want you to be well."
He stopped in his tracks.
Mu Ran lifted her head in delight. "Jinzhi, can you hear me speaking?"
Cangshu Bai's gaze fell straight ahead.
Mu Ran followed his gaze, and her eyes trembled slightly.
At a street corner not far away, a newlywed couple was snuggled together in front of a small stall.
The woman's features were gentle. Having just bought a steaming bamboo steamer of mung bean cakes, she picked up a piece and carefully brought it to the man's lips.
The man lowered his head and ate it right from her hand, an unconcealable tenderness in his eyes. The two shared a smile, ordinary yet peaceful.
That scene was too warm, so warm that it resembled how they used to be.
They too had once walked shoulder to shoulder down the long streets like this, sharing smiles and frowns, believing that their days would forever remain this happy and enduring.
Cangshu Bai quietly watched that scene. After a long time, he slowly withdrew his gaze.
He lowered his eyes, leaving behind nothing but a deathly silence.
Mu Ran pressed against his face and said, Jinzhi, do you want to eat mung bean cakes? Let's go buy a portion. Business is booming over there, they look delicious!
He made no movement.
She muttered as if angry again, I used to be the one buying them for you. Now that I'm gone, do you not even know how to buy pastries anymore? Jinzhi, you are an adult now, you should know how to buy your favorite foods yourself!
Cangshu Bai's throat felt slightly dry. He finally shifted his steps lightly, turning to leave this noisy and bustling place.
Suddenly, someone chased after him.
Big guy!
Luo Qingniao's eyes sparkled brightly as she quickly ran in front of Cangshu Bai. Her face beamed with an innocent smile, as lively and adorable as a sprightly little bird.
She held out a wrapped package of pastries in her hands and said enthusiastically, I just bought these mung bean cakes, please have a taste!
The soul of Mu Ran, resting on Cangshu Bai's back, stiffened.
Looking at the package of steaming mung bean cakes, she suddenly guessed who this beautiful and charming girl must be.
Not long ago, she had felt that it would be nice if Cangshu Bai could find someone else he liked, someone to lead him out of his dark past.
But now, truly seeing another girl who could take her place and do the same things for Cangshu Bai, she felt a wave of sadness at being replaced.
Lowering her head, she suddenly felt selfish and hypocritical, and could not help but slowly loosen the arms wrapped around Cangshu Bai's neck.
Ignoring Wumu's worries, Luo Qingniao offered the items in her hands a little further forward. The smile in her eyes was beautiful and radiant. They say these are called mung bean cakes, and they taste—
Before she could finish her sentence, her hands turned cold, and the package fell to the ground.
Cangshu Bai's eyes were dark and unreadable. Get lost.
Luo Qingniao's body shrank back, and she involuntarily took a step in retreat.
Wumu hurriedly shielded her behind his back.
Cangshu Bai turned and left. His surging emotions hinted that he was even more irritable and violent at this moment, yet he forcibly suppressed it all.
Han Yu popped its head out, as if asking, Why didn't Master just kill her directly?
Cangshu Bai remained silent.
That woman's identity was extraordinary; behind her lay something he needed.
Mu Ran looked back at the girl who was still standing stiffly in place, then turned back to look at Cangshu Bai's cold profile. She tightened her arms and buried her face in the crook of his neck again.
Even though she was already dead, she selfishly did not want to let him go.
She thought to herself that she really was a bad woman.
