C93 Cunninghamia Lanceolata Thunb (1/2)
Since the departure of Jue Ling's cave, Yun Jiuchang and Gu Xueluo separated with Shen Jingyang and Yuyin. They traveled in different directions along the Qing Qiu Mountains, trying to find out the truth of the tragedy that had occurred in the Hundred Miles Bamboo Forest. Yun Jiu Tang and Gu Xue Luo headed westward, passing through Zhushui Lake and entering the Hundred Miles Bamboo Forest. Once again, they looked around to see if there were any traces left behind in the bamboo forest. On the other hand, Shen Ying Yang and Yu Yin headed further away to Lang Xie City and the dilapidated Shocking Cloud Platform, hoping to find something new.
The Qing Qiu Mountains had already entered the early spring. The chilly winter air had completely faded away. A gentle breeze caressed the face, lessening the chill. Watching the winter leave and spring come, a wave of emotion rose in Yun Jiuchang's heart. With the birth of life, the energy sleeping in the winter gradually came back to life. New life between heaven and earth was about to appear, wasn't this the same for him? The fifth Hidden Spirit executed its own punishment. Its blood essence and soul was frozen for dozens of years before transforming into its current self. The withering and eternal of one kind of life, but the birth and rebirth of another kind of life. Who was the one who made who, and who saved who? Looking at the scenery full of vigor at the beginning of spring, it was much more comfortable than the cold and gloomy days in the demonic world.
Yun Jiu Tang thought, since fate has linked him to the fifth spirit, and he has so many mysteries on his body, no matter how many twists and turns he experiences, he has to find out everything. He knew what kind of schemes and tricks the fifth spirit had died under in his previous life, and whether there were any bigger secrets behind it. This was an unprecedented challenge, and Yun Jiuchang was fearless in accepting it.
After galloping all the way, Yun Jiuchang and Gu Xueluo were exhausted. Since the road was steep and difficult to traverse, they urged their horses to ride. Their horses' hooves clattered on the gravel and weeds as they jolted and swayed. The wind blowing towards her seemed to have a kind of delicate moisture to it. Gu Xueluo's clothes and hair were moist, like a delicate flower bud in a fog of moisture, beautiful and moving.
Smelling the damp fog, Yun Jiu Tang gently patted a thin layer of moisture on his sleeve, ”Xueluo, looks like we're not far from the Zhuoshui Lake now.” He raised his head to look into the distance, his nose sniffing the fragrant smell of the mist, as if the fragrance in the depths of his memories made him feel a sense of déjà vu.
”Is that so, we've arrived at Zhuo Shuishui Lake so soon?” Gu Xueluo lifted her hand to stroke her hair, then looked at Yun Jiu Tang. ”There's nothing ahead, how do you know?” Her vision was blocked by a low hill and she could see nothing but the budding branches in front of her.
The road became narrower and narrower. Yun Jiu Tang rode in front of Gu Xue Luo and said, ”The whole QIng Qiu Mountains can only be so humid by passing through the winds of the Lake Zhuo, just like the endless Eastern Wastelands …” As soon as he said it, he felt some regret. He realized that he shouldn't mention ”Eastern Wasteland Pengle” in front of Gu Xueluo. Could it be that he wanted to touch Gu Xueluo's heart and arouse her yearning for the ”Eastern Wasteland Pengle” again?
Yun Jiuchang turned his head again, his eyes filled with apology, ”I'm sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned the Eastern Wasteland Pang Lai … because you …” Yun Jiu Tang's words became more and more disjointed, he didn't know how to begin.
To his surprise, Gu Xueluo only smiled. She wasn't as eager and stubborn as she was two years ago. ”Eastern Wasteland Penglai, if you have the chance in the future, go back. The most important thing right now is to find out the truth about the tragedy that occurred in the Hundred Miles Bamboo Forest fifteen years ago …” Although her words were plain, it was as if they carried a heavy burden. The sound of it reverberated through the land, giving rise to an unbreakable will and courage. After listening to what she had to say, Yun Jiuchang smiled in relief. After two years of subtly persuading her, Gu Xueluo finally gave up on the idea of going to the Eastern Wastelands.
When they reached the end of this long and narrow mountain road, they saw a vast expanse in front of them. It was as if they had changed the world and entered another world. The two stood and watched. They could see the calm waves of Zhuo Shuishui Lake in their view. The tranquil waters of the lake were blue in color. They laid peacefully in the lake and let the wind blow across the lake. At the lakeside, several girls were bowing and washing clothes. Their laughter rang out like silver bells, and even those who had just arrived at Zhuo Shui Lake knew that it was definitely a maid from the Raccoon Clothing Workshop. Eh, why are all the maidservants wearing a white silk scarf tied around their hair? Could it be that there was a funeral in the square? An ominous premonition flashed in Yun Jiu Tang's heart.
They rode slowly along the long lagoon, and as they passed the maidservants, Yun Jiu Tang finally saw the white shawl wrapped around their hair. This was the special mourning for the dead that was given to the servants in the workshop, and there was a rule that if someone in the workshop died, everyone else in the workshop would wear a white shawl on their hair bun for a month to show their condolences.
Yun Jiuchang dismounted and asked curiously, ”Ladies, did someone die in the raccoon shop again?”
A girl in a goose-yellow dress with long hair stood up straight, looking at Yun Jiu Tang and Gu Xue Luo, ”That's right, Sister Ruan is the most popular person in our square. I really don't know who could be so despicable and shameless as to be so merciless next time against a kind and unarmed girl.” She gritted her teeth, revealing a look of utter hatred.
What! Sister Ruan? Yun Jiu Tang almost cried out in shock, ”Is it that junior sister Ruan who accompanied me through my worry-free childhood? How could she have met with such a calamity? ” Yun Jiuchang could not believe his ears and eyes as he shook his head repeatedly. He wished that this sharp-tongued girl had said something wrong, or perhaps he had misheard and told himself that this was not true.
Gu Xueluo was also shocked, but soon after, grief welled up in her heart, and she felt a pang of discomfort. Although she had only met Ruan'er a few times, she could still feel Ruan'er's kind and simple, pure character. How could such a good girl be harmed?
The lady continued, ”I heard that someone cut their throat on the lake shore. It's very likely that bandits came here to rob money. Don't you want to see that we're also poverty-stricken maidservants …”
Yun Jiu Tang jumped onto his horse and galloped away. Gu Xue Luo followed closely behind, he really wanted to rush to the racetrack in an instant and uncover the truth of Ruan'er's murder.
The wind blew hurriedly and the horses were anxious. The hearts of the people on the horses were even more anxious. Yun Jiu Tang's eyes gradually became blurry. His hands were numb, as if he had lost his loved ones. He completely ignored Gu Xue Luo's surprised gaze and wanted to get to the raccoon workshop as soon as possible.
By the time they reached the racetrack, the sun was setting in the west, and the sun was setting in the western mountains. Compared to the racket and bustle of the market, the inner courtyard of the racetrack was quiet and secretive. Yun Jiu Tang and Gu Xue Luo ignored the knock on the door and pushed it open. The yard was neat and tidy, only the white ribbon on the wall swayed in the wind. He walked straight into the main hall. Inside the hall, there was a brand-new memorial tablet with the words ”Sister Ruan's memorial tablet” carved on it.
A plump, stout, middle-aged man lived in the owner's residence. In the face of Yun Jiuchang and Gu Xueluo's arrival, he described in detail the circumstances after Ruan's death. It had been more than half a month since then, and he recounted it as if everything that had happened just now was as detailed as if he had memorized every detail.
Yun Jiu Tang and Gu Xueluo were very concerned about the mysterious woman who appeared in the Raccoon Department as mentioned by the owner. They heard that she appeared on her way to Zhuo Shui Lake, where Sister Ruan was killed.
The night was dark, and moonlight enveloped the entire market, pouring a torrent of liquid silver and white light onto the ground. The two of them came to the Raccoon Department, which was also the front desk of the raccoon workshop. They often had to face the people from four cities and twelve altars. At this moment, the ruckus of the day had disappeared from the Hub Department. The shopkeeper was still looking through the registration book under the dim yellow light. After checking it, he was ready to draw a full stop for the day's registration. When Yun Jiu Tang and Gu Xue Luo calmly stood in front of the counter, the already timid shopkeeper jumped in fright.
The shopkeeper's eyes were still as sharp as ever, and he said coldly: ”It's so late, all of you … What can I do for you? ” Although his voice was trembling, it was still filled with confidence.