I hate people like this who want nothing! I’m furious. Determined, I transformed, turning leaves into clothing, water into silk, becoming a seductive woman in red, heavily made up. Looking in the water, I saw a devastatingly beautiful woman.
Flowers bloom in March in Yangzhou, a time of spring’s awakening. As night falls, lanterns light up along the river banks, casting red reflections on the water. Boats glide by, filled with the sounds of courtesans.
I took a warmed wine cup, gracefully walking through the boat’s wide corridor, approaching a young white-robed swordsman at the bow, softly saying: “Young master, why sit alone? Let this servant accompany you.”
The white-robed swordsman slowly turned. Tsk, Mo Junqing is truly a beautiful man. His black hair, reaching his waist, loosely tied back with a white silk ribbon. Bright eyes with a cold indifference, his pale skin highlighting his sharp features. As he turned, he wore a slight smile, his voice like wind through leaves: “I prefer to be alone. Miss, please return.”
Tsk, I’ve been so gentle and charming, and you still show no desire.
I smiled, changing the topic: “Young master carries a sword, clearly a talented martial artist. This girl also wishes to learn martial arts.”
Mo Junqing smiled: “Miss, you’ve passed the age of coming of age. It’s no longer suitable for you to learn martial arts.”
My eyebrows twitched. I stared at him for a moment, asking directly: “Young master, are you impotent?”
Mo Junqing raised an eyebrow, his narrow eyes filling with a smile. He placed his hand on my waist, leaning forward, whispering: “You’ve succeeded. I want you tonight.”
“Young master,” I said seriously, “I’m actually only interested in your sword.”
Hearing this, Mo Junqing indeed let go, a smile on his face: “Another one coveting Zhui Xi. Do you know how dangerous it is? Someone without martial skills carrying it might not even survive this boat. You’re so beautiful, it would be a shame if you died early.”
Mo Junqing looked more confused: “Why?”
I thought for a moment: “Out of curiosity.”
Mo Junqing laughed softly: “Saying that makes me more curious about you.”
I remained silent, staring at him. Mo Junqing’s eyes were deep as a vast starry river, neither anxious nor restless. Staring long enough made one feel calm.
I looked away. Damn, this guy doesn’t even blink; it’s making my eyes hurt. I rubbed my eyes, then glanced at the Zhui Xi sword, reaching out to touch it.
“Don’t touch it,” Mo Junqing stopped me, lightly scolding. “Zhui Xi is a sword with spirit. Those not acknowledged by it will be hurt by its sword qi.”
Of course I knew this, but with its hundred years of cultivation, no matter how powerful, it couldn’t harm me. I looked at him, raising an eyebrow: “I say I can draw it. Do you believe me?”
Mo Junqing smiled: “Everyone who hasn’t touched it says the same.”
I blinked: “So, can you completely control it? Are your spirits in sync?”
Mo Junqing’s eyes dropped, his eyelashes flickering: “Perhaps.”
“Hey, Mo Junqing, I’ll be your sword maiden.”
“No.”
“Why?”
Mo Junqing frankly said: “Because I find you interesting.”
I asked puzzled: “Since I’m interesting, why not keep me around? Besides, I’m only staying for seven days and I’m not coveting your sword.” Finally, I added seriously, “Nor am I after your beauty.”
Mo Junqing laughed heartily, his bright laughter drawing looks from people on both sides of the river: “Since I got Chuyao, people looking to challenge or ambush me number more than ten daily. I’ve taken in maidens before, but their lives never lasted long. Although I don’t know your intentions, I don’t want you to become another victim of a tragic fate.”
“You should leave quickly.”
Dealing with someone who doesn’t understand subtlety is exhausting. I decide to use the fastest method: stealing his sword.
Seeing me give up, Mo Junqing’s expression softened. Looking at me standing up, he said: “If you’re from a poor background and entered a brothel, I can redeem you.”
I smiled: “And then just abandon me? I have no survival skills. Where would you have me go?”
Seeing him frown, I felt embarrassed to tease him further: “Don’t worry, I just came to play since you were here. Since you won’t take me in, I’ll leave.”
Hmph, I’ll steal Chuyao tonight when you’re asleep!
I turned to walk down the boat, dragging my peacock-like clothes. As the boat was docked, I stepped lightly off, looking back to see Mo Junqing still watching me. I immediately flashed what I thought was a perfect smile.
“Heh.”
Where did that annoying laugh come from? I turned my head: “Jianghu.”
Jianghu was also a handsome young man, dressed in a close-fitting blue outfit.
“How are you here?”
Jianghu tossed his long hair in the light breeze: “Wherever there’s a jianghu, there I am.”
Slap. I hit him: “Stop trying to look cool!”
Jianghu looked aggrieved: “No wonder you’re so old and no one wants to marry you!”
” He turned to others, indignantly saying, “Right, Gouhun?”
Gouhun looked towards the river boat, fixing his gaze on Mo Junqing.
At this moment, Mo Junqing was still looking this way. I cursed at Gouhun – now we’re all in mortal form, can’t he see people are looking?! I pulled him aside, covering his eyes and dragging him into the shadows, glaring: “Do your soul-collecting, don’t ruin my mission.”
Gouhun quietly looked at me, asking: “What’s your mission?”
“I…” I avoided his gaze, “won’t tell you.”
Disregarding his plaintive gaze, I turned and walked out, looking at the cliff bottom full of spring scenery, which was actually a nice place. Suddenly, I recalled that mortals who jump off cliffs must find a peerless master at the bottom, so I hurried around searching.
Well, I was overthinking it. By the time it got dark, apart from birds and unidentified creatures, I hadn’t seen anything walking on two legs, let alone any master.
Thinking of masters reminded me of the one lying in the bamboo house. I picked some fruits and hurried back.
Approaching the bamboo house, there was no sound inside, and I couldn’t smell Jiang Hu Jun’s presence. Everything was pitch black.
Just as I took two steps inside, a cold object was placed against my neck, and Mo Jun Qing’s voice was chillingly clear: “Who?”
“I…”
Who am I? I spat at myself, knowing such a line would surely get me killed. Just as I was about to give my name, the sword left my neck.
“Young master, you’ve awakened quite quickly,” I placed the fruits on the table and lit an oil lamp, illuminating the room with a dim yellow light. “I’ve washed these. Eat.”
Mo Jun Qing picked up a fruit and ate quickly, yet gracefully.
I sat across from him, smiling: “Hey, I saved you. Don’t you owe me something?”
Mo Jun Qing said flatly: “What do you want?”
“Let me be your sword-serving maid.”
He suddenly laughed: “You went to such lengths to save me just to be a servant?”
“No,” I interrupted him, “This isn’t servitude, and I’m only staying for seven days.”
I looked up: “You don’t think those people chasing you were sent by me, right?”
Mo Jun Qing didn’t respond, but the answer was clear.
I rolled my eyes: “Tell me, what would my purpose be? My motivation? Even if I wanted to kill you, it would be for Chasing Sunset. But now you’re alive, and the sword is here.”
Mo Jun Qing couldn’t refute. Though my appearance was abrupt and strange, what I said was true, and he couldn’t forcibly connect me to the pursuit.
After a long silence, he said: “Thank you for saving my life. But I can’t take you with me. What you’ve seen today means that if you follow me, you might also die unexpectedly.”
“Since you know they’re all after Chasing Sunset, why keep guarding this sword? There are many famous swords in the world. Why this one specifically?”
