Chapter 102 (1/2)

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Chapter 102– Epilogue Volume 2 (II), a Smile of Bliss

A full moon with a halo around it is suspended alone in the night.

Today is a starless night.

Instead, there is flickering candlelight at the Snow-facing Abode.

Following the pace of Qi Qiqi, Shui Yuner left the Snow-facing Abode and walked into the woods submerged in darkness.

The faint aroma of trees and leaves permeating the air soothed her tangled heart a little.

After sleeping in bed for two weeks, Shui Yuner feels a little weak, and her joints make noise with every step she takes. Her heavy head still feels a little dizzy.

Even so, she still holds the pipa specially taken out from her room tightly in her arms and follows the red figure leading by half a step.

The two walked silently.

It didn't take long before the field of vision widened, and light suddenly struck and almost blinded Shui Yuner. She looked away until her eyes slowly adjusted to the dazzling light.

A dreamlike scene appeared in front of them.

On the open gra.s.sland surrounded by trees, a pet.i.te la.s.s stands in the middle.

The virtually transparent pale moonlight shakes gently, making her outline indistinct. Resembling fireflies, countless water droplets reflecting the moonlight float around her.

At the la.s.s's feet, there is an intricate totem depicted by water, and it radiates an incredible water-colored glow.

A pair of big sleeves almost touching the ground and swaying gently in the air. A pair of glimmering bright yellow eyes met the gazes of the two people.

“You guys came.”

Xue Qilin parted her moist, full lips and weaved out ethereal-sounding words.

Then, she smiled.

The smile makes her look unreal, like a mirage that will shatter at the first touch.

At this time, Shui Yuner's impression of her changed drastically.

Due to this, the girl truly realized the fact that Xue Qilin is indeed Merak Temple's Young Ancestor.

Following an “um” sound, Shui Yuner subconsciously averted her gaze.

She suddenly felt that she is unclean, fearing that her gaze will sully the la.s.s before her.

… She feels guilty after all.

Fragmented footsteps erased the silence.

“Little Yun, come with me.”

Xue Qilin came to Shui Yuner and looked up at her.

“I…”

Both Shui Yuner's mouth and her heart trembled.

There are clearly a lot of things I want to say to her… Shui Yuner bit her lower lip and scolded herself for being a letdown.

… She wants to thank the la.s.s, to thank the la.s.s for taking care of her.

… She wants to apologize to the la.s.s, to apologize for the fact that she hurt the la.s.s

However, no matter whether it is apology or grat.i.tude, she can't bring herself to voice them. Words full of emotion disappeared as soon as they reached the throat.

She could only hand the pipa in her arms to Xue Qilin.

“Hidden inside… is my…”

“It's enough.”

Xue Qilin just shook her head gently, and didn't let Shui Yuner continue.

It's enough? I clearly haven't said anything yet… nothing… Shui Yuner doesn't know how to express the feeling in her heart – a mixture of the contradictory emotions of relief and guilt.

“Your past, that's not something I care about.”

What do you care about? Shui Yuner wanted to ask, but Xue Qilin beat her to the punch with her answer.

“… I only care about your present and future.” The la.s.s said.

The present and future.

How much do you have to like someone to ignore their past? Shui Yuner doesn't know.

“Why do you… treat me so good?”

The good here doesn't conform to convention.

Xue Qilin wrinkled her nose. At this time, she seems to have changed back to “Xue Jiujiu” – the person who made Shui Yuner feel warmth.

No, perhaps this is the la.s.s's disposition from the get go.

Um, it has never changed.

“Because you are my disciple!”

Xue Qilin replied in this way.

Is this the answer? Shui Yuner stared blankly at Xue Qilin.

Then she lowered her gaze.

“You are really… too cunning.”

“What? Are you not my disciple?”

Shui Yuner gazed at Xue Qilin. There is an unsightly smile on her face, as if she's about to cry. She gripped her dress tightly.

“I'm not… worthy.”

She who hurt the la.s.s isn't worthy.

However…

“The most important thing is whether you want to or not, not whether you are worthy or not.”

Xue Qilin looked back at her deeply.

As if they have some kind of incredible power, the profound eyes make it difficult for Shui Yuner to look away.

“Tell me, do you dislike me? Do you not want to be my disciple?”

“No, of course not!”

“Isn't it alright then?”

Disregarding the complicated feelings inside Shui Yuner, Xue Qilin just took Shui Yuner's hand gently.

The warm touch made the palm tremble. The soft warmth penetrated deep into the girl's heart and enveloped her.

“Come with me.”

“I…”

“Go.”

Qi Qiqi pushed Shui Yuner from behind and made her take a step.

Then, the pace could no longer be stopped.

Her footsteps staggered several times as Shui Yuner was pulled to the gra.s.sland – to the center of the totem depicted by water.

“Stand here.”

With this, Xue Qilin let go of Shui Yuner's hand.

Reluctant to give up that warmth, Shui Yuner almost grabbed the other party's hand.

“I said I will prove it to you on a night with a full moon…”

Xue Qilin looked up at the moon in the sky.

The moon is large and low, as if it will be bearing down at any time.

“Today is the day when the spiritual qi of Yin [1] is most abundant, and the water element belongs to Yin.”

Her voice suddenly drifted away.

Shui Yuner doesn't actually understand Xue Qilin's words. She doesn't know what “spiritual qi of Yin” is, nor whether the water element belongs to Yin or not.

However, she didn't voice her doubts, and just listened to Xue Qilin quietly.

“You have innately blocked qi pa.s.sageways. I don't have the ability to unblock them for you. However, although qi pa.s.sageways are the supreme channels for spiritual qi to circulate, but they are not irreplaceable. Do you see the array under your feet? It is made of spirit water. It will be engraved on you as 'magic lines', and replace the qi pa.s.sageways”

Xue Qilin withdrew her gaze and turned to look at Shui Yuner.

“… Do you believe me?”

“I…”

Don't believe her! Some voice roared in Shui Yuner's mind.

But…

Shui Yuner nodded her head slowly. It looks like it took her a lot of effort, but she did indeed nod.

If no answer was given, something would surely have been destroyed between the two.

“Good! It might be a bit difficult to bear, but please believe me… hold on.”

“… Okay.”