124 Bring it on (2/2)

'...'

Cold sweat was about to bead on Yuan Xuelan's brow, but then a pleasant giggle invaded his mind and Yuan Xuelan was able to relax from the awkward tension that was nearly about to strangle him.

'How I do miss scolding you!' Chen Anyue laughed, 'Even though you've grown so big, you're still my cute little Shidi.'

Yuan Xuelan sighed deeply. There were no tinges of aggrievement in his tone, only a great amount of relief. He hadn't really spoken much to Chen Anyue after she had caught him kissing her fiance.

Just thinking about that now made him want to rip his hair out and bite off his tongue in utter shame. While a part of him did not want to give up Liu Sumeng to anyone, not even his dear Shijie, Yuan Xuelan had enough dignity to be mortified and ashamed at his actions. He also felt sorry toward her but didn't know how to apologize. He didn't even know how to face her.

He swallowed down his anxiety and shuffled his feet, 'Shijie, I--'

But Chen Anyue cut him off before apologies could be made, 'How are things over there? I can hear the earth shaking.'

'...' Yuan Xuelan didn't respond right away and narrowed his eyes at the shaking mountains. There were thunderous booms that echoed in the night and soon he could see movement that burrowed out of the mountain. That aura, oppressive and strange, was in the air.

Zhu Qiang's panicked muttering only got louder.

”Quiet, you!” Elder Hanli hissed at the boy who didn't at all listen.

Yuan Xuelan wasn't listening either.

He was trying to focus on the impending doom, the god-like foes that were about to meet them in battle. It was obvious that Anyue had cut him off on purpose, not wishing to hear what he had to say.

But who could blame her? Now wasn't the time when war was at their doorsteps. Quite literally. He didn't even know if he would survive the battle to say his apology…

'A-Zhang?'

No. Yuan Xuelan cursed his own stupidity. Of course, he'd live to apologize! Of course, he would get the chance to talk properly to her, when there wasn't death before them, when the battle was finally over.

His resolve strengthened and hands curled over Silei's hilt. Yuan Xuelan felt for once that his mind was clear.

'They're coming,' he replied to Chen Anyue calmly, 'But you don't have to worry about me. I'm strong now, I've got this covered.'

Even through the communication spell, he could hear his Shijie's sharp intake of air. 'Okay, be careful.'

'I will. You too.'

A dozen dark bodies climbed out of the mountainside. The distance of three li will be covered in an instant. Yuan Xuelan drew Silei. In his other hand, he held a peach tree wood spear. Adrenaline thrummed through his veins, ”Bring it on, fuckers!”

…

Inside the walls of the Ascending Dawn Manor, Chen Anyue, along with a few other female disciples, had set up a large-scale communication array. She was having a hard time keeping her signature gentle smile on her face to encourage those around her.

”Are you okay?” One of her Shimei gently placed a hand on her arm.

Anyue tried to smile but there was an aching fatigue in her bones that she could not describe. The past few days had taken their toll on her. There were spots in her memory that she could not explain and her heart was as heavy as lead. So tired that she might even be catching sickness, coughing embarrassingly while she was only trying to work. And no time existed for her to seek remedy for her ails, she could only hope that everyone lived long enough till the morrow.

She bit her lip, reminded of her father's orders. The heartbreak from Liu Sumeng's rejection couldn't even compare to how she felt when her father forbade her from joining the defense.

She felt as though all her hard work and training was about to go to waste.

Why was it that she could never be acknowledged for her own strengths? Was it because she was born a woman?

The frustration that simmered beneath filial piety and love was finally breaking free of lifelong denial.

”If you're feeling tired, why don't you catch a breath? We can maintain the spell ourselves.”

Chen Anyue felt her jaw tense. It hurt to smile but she did. ”I'm alright.”

There was pity on a Shijie's face when she said to Anyue, ”Why don't you bring the Guanghai Elder another serving of medicine? I heard his symptoms have yet to subside.”

”No, I'm good.”

”Just go, Anyue.” There was both finality and concern in her voice that made Chen Anyue flinch, ”Go and get him medicine, okay?”

”...” She hated herself for bowing her head, her voice coming out soft. Weak, ”Alright. I'll see to it.”

Chen Anyue stepped away from the array. The tremors that shook the halls of the manor had yet to quell. There were tears stinging her eyes but she went to get the medicine anyway.