readytorunbook Chapter 146 Marking the Boat to Find the Old Sword
Chapter 146 Marking the Boat to Find the Old Sword
At the entrance to Zhichun Pavilion, the heads of those arriving gradually came into view.
After a moment of surprise, Luo Sifan's expression gradually relaxed.
This person was tall and straight, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes. Her long hair was tied up on top of her head, not a single strand out of place. As a woman, she exuded a heroic spirit. Her flamboyance was tempered with warmth. Her eyes were fixed on Luo Sifan. The transition from inquiry to appreciation was only a few steps up the stairs.
The newcomer stepped forward quickly and casually cupped his hands in greeting:
"I wonder if you are..., young master?"
Luo Sifan blinked, her face softening:
"If you are looking for the husband of the clan's founder, then I am the one."
The visitor's expression revealed his delight at having expected this, and this time he bowed again with hands clasped, showing much more respect.
"Jiao Chenzhou, head of the outer courtyard of the Yaotai Sect, greets you, young master! I heard you were here, so I came to pay my respects!"
Luo Sifan smiled with interest:
"The name Jiao Zhishou is quite interesting. My surname is Lin, and my given name is Xiaozhi. I've met Jiao Zhishou before!"
Luo Sifan introduced himself and, unusually, saluted her.
Jiao Chenzhou smiled slightly, just right:
"I chose it casually. The world is vast, and I will forge ahead even if the ship sinks. As a sword cultivator, I took it as an aspiration and did not think too much about it."
Luo Sifan was, after all, the husband of the founder of the Yaotai Sect, so he couldn't help but be curious upon hearing this:
"Jiao Zhishou, how could a master swordsman like you condescend to serve as the head of the outer court of the Yaotai Sect?"
Jiao Chenzhou hesitated for a moment, then looked up and stared directly at Luo Sifan:
"What else could one gain? First, tranquility; second, offerings. The Yaotai Sect has deep roots and a long history, offering many opportunities for advancement. Moreover, it does not participate in worldly struggles, so the Daoist mind is less disturbed by worldly dust."
Luo Sifan nodded unconsciously, quite agreeing with Jiao Chenzhou's laid-back attitude. After all, in his previous life, he was a reclusive alchemist who sought nothing more than a peaceful life and quiet contemplation of the Dao.
"I hope that in the future, the Yaotai Sect can also achieve what Chief Jiao hopes for, so that both sides can benefit and make further progress!"
Luo Sifan felt a pang of emotion and couldn't help but sigh.
Jiao Chenzhou narrowed her beautiful eyes, as if she sensed a hidden meaning in Luo Sifan's words:
"Young Master Lin seems to have some worries? As the husband of the clan ancestor, the responsibility he bears is far greater than that of outsiders like Jiao. But no matter how heavy the troubles are, if you remain sincere and move forward step by step, you will eventually be able to cut through the tangled threads and dispel the troubles."
Jiao Chenzhou was delighted that Luo Sifan was also a sword cultivator with considerable skill. He carefully chose his words and offered Luo Sifan a few words of comfort.
"I have reflected on myself, I have reflected on myself. Jiao Zhishou's words have sharpened my swordsmanship even a bit!"
Luo Sifan jokingly thanked Jiao Chenzhou for his encouragement.
Jiao Chenzhou smiled slightly and bowed to Luo Sifan in farewell.
"I came here on a whim to meet you, sir, and now that the mood has passed, I must depart. This has been a worthwhile trip. I came today only to attend to some trivial matters and should not linger too long. Tomorrow is your wedding day, and I will offer my congratulations to you in person!"
Luo Sifan frowned slightly:
"Chief Jiao, there's no need for that. What difference does it make between yesterday and tomorrow? Since you're here, let's chat a little longer before you leave. I'll have them bring you tea and wine!"
Having finally encountered a master swordsman, Luo Sifan wanted to squeeze some swordsmanship tips out of her, and didn't want to simply let her go.
Jiao Chenzhou smiled enchantingly:
“Young Master Lin, if I leave now, I’m afraid I’ll be kicked out.”
Before Luo Sifan could react, Jiao Chenzhou shot out of the large window of Zhichun Pavilion as if riding on smoke.
Luo Sifan scratched his head, gazing at the fading smoke trails stretching into the distance towards Hundred Flowers Peak, utterly speechless at the behavior of these sword cultivators.
The sound of footsteps on the stairs came again, but it was extremely faint. Luo Sifan couldn't help but wait curiously by the side.
As expected, the person who arrived was none other than Yu Xinlian, whom Luo Sifan had been guessing for a long time.
Her face was deathly pale, her steps were hesitant, and she was still struggling.
Luo Sifan couldn't help but admire Jiao Chenzhou; this sword cultivator's sensitivity was indeed remarkable. He could even grasp a bit of Yu Xinlian's thoughts.
The two stood silently by the window, the beauty of Baihua Peak peeking through the moonlight and mist, but it was unknown whether their eyes could retain any of that beauty.
Yu Xinlian remained silent, and Luo Sifan felt he had nothing to say either.
Yu Lishuang was so anxious watching this that she kept pounding the bed. This pair of adulterers were deeply involved! Yu Lishuang's face was full of resentment, and she even prepared background music for them, which was full of sorrow and tragic ending.
"I heard that you had a confrontation with Du Xinglie here today?"
After a long pause, Yu Xinlian bit her lip and asked Luo Sifan, her voice trembling slightly.
"What Du Xinglie? Oh, the sect leader is talking about that greasy-faced, short-tempered, and ruthless Du Qi, Young Master Du, right? He's ugly, but arrogant. I couldn't stand him, so I cursed him a few times."
Luo Sifan spoke with disgust and disapproval.
Yu Xinlian turned her head and glared at him, her eyes deep, but Luo Sifan remained calm, showing no sign of anything amiss.
Yu Xinlian gave up helplessly, turned around and sighed:
"This person is indeed as you say, young master, quite repulsive. If he hadn't entered the pavilion without permission, you wouldn't be facing this trouble today."
Luo Sifan shook his head, but his tone was one of delight:
"If this person doesn't come out, how can I understand people's hearts? This is enough!"
Yu Xinlian glanced at him in surprise, feeling a tightness in her chest and a sense of unease.
After all, although this person was weak, he was backed by the legendary Ancestor. A series of unpleasant associations flooded her mind, making Yu Xin and Lian Xin even more confused.
Luo Sifan's words were so blunt that they made Yu Xinlian, who felt guilty, even more uneasy.
After a long period of confusion and bewilderment, Luo Sifan glanced at Yu Xinlian and saw that she suddenly produced a jade-colored long flute.
Luo Sifan's mind stirred slightly, but he pretended not to see it.
"Young Master Lin..."
"Sect Leader Yu, what is the purpose of you holding this flute?"
Yu Xinlian could no longer bear it and presented the jade flute directly to Luo Sifan:
"Young Master Lin just said he wanted to play a piece called 'Moonlit Snow' to make me feel better. How could you have forgotten?"
Yu Xinlian was filled with resentment and urgency, and her demeanor became somewhat unsteady.
Luo Sifan frowned and glanced at her, then looked back at the jade flute, which had aged over time and was quite old, and examined it from top to bottom.
"The flute is an ordinary flute, but to be able to cut such a large piece from the ten-thousand-year-old icy bamboo of the Cold Mountain is quite extraordinary!"
Luo Sifan clicked his tongue in admiration and even stroked the ice patterns on the flute joints with his hand.
"Are you going to blow or not?!"
Yu Xinlian could no longer bear it and could no longer suppress her irritability.
"Sect Leader Yu! Why are you being so childish?"
Luo Sifan feigned surprise, pursed his lips, lazily reached out, and reluctantly grasped the end of the flute, transferring it into his own hand.
Yu Xinlian's eyes were bright and she held her breath, waiting. But when she saw Luo Sifan's hand holding the flute and his expectant look, her eyes dimmed.
"Sect Master Yu, don't have too high expectations!"
Luo Sifan moved the mouthpiece away, his words carrying a hidden meaning, and teased Yu Xinlian again.
With countless techniques for playing the flute, and having ascended to immortality and possessed a soul, he naturally wouldn't reveal his true colors with such trivial tricks as the Jade Heart Lotus.
In his past life, he did indeed briefly become confidants with Yu Xinlian, exchanging poems and playing the flute in the snow. How could his mindset then be the same as it is now?
Yu Xinlian is like someone trying to find a lost sword by marking the boat; even if Luo Sifan wanted to return to the past, he probably couldn't fake it anymore.
Those who cultivate immortality can even play the flute without any melody. The flute has nine holes, and with the aid of spiritual energy, its range and techniques far surpass the ability of ordinary people to play it.
Luo Sifan stopped teasing her, his eyes narrowed, and he focused on uttering the first note of "Singing of Snow Under the Moon".
Like the moon hidden in the abyss, its loneliness is beyond words.
Yu Xinlian's expression changed as soon as she heard this, and she snatched the jade flute away.
"It sounds awful! Young Master Lin, don't try to flirt with girls by bragging like that in the future!"
Once, under the moon, Luo Sifan and she gazed at each other, playing the same score, but with vastly different key variations. The moment the flute began to play, she felt as if the moon were resonating deep within a abyss, its light piercing through ten thousand miles.
The difference between the two was as insignificant to Yu Xinlian as the bright moon and the faint firefly!
Luo Sifan awkwardly withdrew his hands. Yu Xinlian held the flute with a forlorn expression, her demeanor quite out of character, which actually made his sense of disgust waver somewhat.