This sleep, not knowing how long this deep sleep had been, only that in the slumber, the surroundings was all familiar slls, not knowing how long it had been, without this kind of secure feeling.
Therefore, too deeply into the dreams, almost unwilling to be awoken, only deep within the dreams, there was a stabbing pain, kept lingering and refused to disperse, frequently stabbing the heart.
Heaving a long sign, Ghost Li slowly awakened. Looking at the room in front of him, like being in a dream, he quietly looked. It was when he was young, he stayed here and then grew up, the tables, chairs, bed, windows and doors, all were etched in his heart.
Looking at the wall above the bed, that huge Tao character was still hung on the wall, only the color, strokes, looked faded but every stroke and brush, looked the sa as what he had saw in his youth, vigorous and forceful.
The window wooden fra made a light sound, a gap opened, Xiao Hui jumped in, saw Ghost Li had awakened and was half-sitting on the bed, couldnt help but was happy, grinning non-stopped, it jumped to the bed in a few leapts.
Ghost Lis heart moved, this scene, was like many years ago, if it was not for his injuries and Xiao Huis spiritual eye, he really thought he was in a dream.
Just that, that eventually was impossible.
Xiao Hui facing Ghost Li, [zhi zhi zhi zhi] said. Ghost Li looked down, saw Xiao Hui carrying a number of wild fruits in both paws, most likely plucked from the outside and seed wanted to share with him. Ghost Li shook his head, indicating no. Xiao Hui did not push, turned and jumped to the table, squatted down and then started to eat with huge mouthfuls.
Ghost Li quietly looked at everything in the room and finally on the window that Xiao Hui ca in from. From that window so sunlight shone in, unable to see clearly the scenary outside. However Ghost Li did not have to look, he knew outside that window was a small yard, there was a pine tree, green lawn and also a small stone paved path, at the side of the yard, there was also a semi-circle arched door. Every grass and tree here, was long etched deeply in his mory, unable to be erased.
The fresh air seed to have a sweet fragrance, even that small yard outside, seed to emit the grass fragrance.
In his trance, he seed to have a feeling of coming ho, but the next mont, a sharp pain hit his heart, waking him up.
Outside the door, footsteps were heard.
Ghost Lis gaze, turned towards the door. The footsteps soon reached the entrance but before that door, the person seed to hesitate, did not imdiately push the door open.
Ghost Li watched that door.
The next mont, the door was finally opened.
A tall and steady figure, stood at the entrance, almost at the sa ti, the person also saw Ghsot Li who was awakened. Both of the eyes t but did not speak. In their eyes, for a mont, there were too many emotions, not knowing if it was because of that, the intended thousand of words all transford to silence.
Xiao Hui sat on the table, spit out a seed and then glanced at the door, [zhi zhi] called out and then continued to eat.
The man standing at the door sighed, a bitter smile seed to erge from his lips, shook his head, walked in, looked deeply at Ghost Li, said So many years not seen, should I call you lao qi, or little junior brother?
Ghost Lis lips moved, finally, facing that man, he quietly called out,
Big senior brother
Everything on Big Bamboo Valley, was still as peaceful as what he rembered, a tranquil scene, not knowing where the others were.
Song Daren looked in silence at this person, not so long ago, he was once his most favourite youngest disciple, also the most good-for-nothing seventh disciple under his teacher Tian Buyi. And now, things were different, people have changed.
Ten years, this was instead the first eting.
These past years, how have you been? Song Daren sat opposite Ghost Li and asked.
Ghost Li did not reply, only kept quiet. Ten years already, ti passed like water, unknowingly he had already walked so long, just that, how could he say fine!
Song Daren assessed him, that once a young man Zhang Xiaofan, he still looked like what he was but his face, looked to have experience the vicissitudes of life and not knowing since when, he who was much younger than himself but now was already much more highly-skilled, his hair, also indistinctly was greying.
Song Daren made a long sigh, said, How are you feeling now?
Ghost Li looked at his wounds, saw the torn bandages had been replaced with clean and fresh bandages, clearly it was his Big Bamboo Valley senior brothers who have done that. And his chest was still hurting but comparing to the ti before he was unconscious, it was already much better. After a mont of silence, he said, I am alright, thanks for senior brothers concern.
He suddenly seed to thought of sothing, looked at Song Daren, said, I...have already turned against Qing Yun, do you all still admit this junior brother?
Song Daren laughed but his laughter had so bitterness, said, Shiniang has already told us, teacher when he was still alive speaking until here, Song Darens eyes turned red, his voice obviously choked, Ghost Li heard it and his body also shook.
Song Daren composed himself, continued on, Teacher when he was still alive, told Shiniang many tis, he had never said to chase you out of Big Bamboo Valley and he had never thought you had committed any wrong ten years ago. Therefore Shiniang instructed us, this day and age, as long as you are still willing, you are still out Qing Yun Hill Big Bamboo Valley lao qi...little junior brother
Ghost Li slowly lowered his head, his body trembling, his left hand on the bedding, tightly curled into a ball, his right hand covering his face, quietly wiped the tears from his eyes.
In the room, for the mont it beca quiet. After a long ti, after seeing Ghost Li slowly beca composed, Song Darens deep voice again spoke,
If you are feeling fine then follow to Observed Silence Hall, Shiniang is there keeping...vigil for teacher, she wants to see you.
...yes
Walking out of the arched door, what he saw was that familiar circular winding corridor, Song Daren without a word walked ahead, his broad shoulder and back, was like a small mountain.
Ghost Li quietly followed behind, couldnt help but recall, when he first ca to Big Bamboo Valley, he also followed Song Daren and slowly entered into the world of Big Bamboo Valley.
Thinking back the past, it was like a dream.
His gaze, slowly ca to Song Darens waist, then realized, there was an additional white cloth, obviously it was for his ntor Tian Buyis passing, as a mourning garb.
His face turned solemn, closed his eyes.
Walking out of the corridor, he could see Observed Silence Hall from afar, what was different from the usual tranquility was, incense smoke was seen rising from it, at the sa ti sobbing and crying sounds were heard.
Song Daren quietly walked towards Observed Silence Hall, after two steps, he suddenly sensed sothing and turned back, Ghost Li was still standing where he was in daze, looking at Observed Silence Hall.
What is it?
Ghost Li looked extrely pale, for so reason, when he looked at the Observed Silence Hall with its incense smoke and sobbing cries, he felt fear, like a child who had committed a mistake and did not dare to face his parents who would be heartbroken.
Song Daren seed to be able to tell sothing, sighed and said, Lets go. speaking, he patted his shoulder. Ghost Lis body moved, glanced at Song Daren, quietly nodded and strided up.
As they neared the hall, the incense smoke beca thicker, and the sobbing cries clearer, but although there were familiar voices but there was no female cries, without Suru and also his senior sister Tian Linger who was already married.
Finally, led by Song Daren, he once again stood at the Observed Silence Halls entrance.
Eight pairs of eyes imdiately turned over, stopped on him. Ghost Lis body trembled, he looked over each and everyone.
Wu Dayi, Zheng Dali, He Dazhi, Lu Daxin, Du Bishu!
These familiar faces, now all before Ghost Li, many years ago, they were once his most loved ones, also his most trusted senior brothers.
Their waists also like Song Daren, tied with the white cloth mourning garb, their faces all had sorrow, so already had puffy red eyes. Inside the hall, there was an iron big pot, in it fire was burning, the senior brothers who was standing beside, slowly placed the paper money into it.
The fire burned, smoke lingered.
Ghost Li stared dazely, behind the smoke, Tian Buyi quietly lay on a bier, his dirtied clothes had already been changed into clean ones, tidily on his body, his face also looked much peaceful, Shiniang Suru right now sat beside Tian Buyi, her hand holding Tian Buyis hand, tightly.
Her face looked to be in anguish but there was no tears, in her hair, a small white flower was inserted, that was a wild flower which still had its morning dew, simple, elegant and beautiful, conveying few degrees of grief. She only held her husbands hand tightly, watching Tian Buyis face. And his daughter, Tian Linger, was not in this hall.
And Da Huang who was raised since young by Tian Buyi, right now quietly lay beside the bier, its head listlessly on the ground, its usual bouncy spirit was totally gone.
Ghost Lis gaze after coming to Tian Buyi, did not move away again. His footsteps heavy, slowly step by step walked over. Song Daren quietly walked beside, took a hemp rope and passed to Ghost Li. Ghost Li looked at him, a grateful expression in his eyes, nodded and took the rope, quietly said, Many thanks.
Song Daren glanced over at Suru, said, You go over to Shiniang. After speaking, he quietly walked back to the disciples, facing Tian Buyis corpse and knelt, kowtowed three tis, when he looked up, his eyes again red, turned over and took a pile of paper money from Wu Dayi who was beside him, and started to slowly burn them.
Ghost Li looked at the hemp rope in his hands for a long ti and then tied it around his waist, the grey-white rope twined around his waist, conveying a few degrees of grief, yet also seed to cause his heart, to once again tie it here.
He quietly walked forward, to the bier and knelt down, kowtowed three tis and then turned to Suru.
Disciple his voice suddenly paused, after a long ti, using a deep voice, he again spoke, Disciple Zhang...Xiaofan, pay respect to shiniang.
Behind him, Song Daren and the five Big Bamboo Valley disciples looked over, their expressions complicated, but what was more in those expressions were, that blood-thicker-than-water joy and intimacy.
Even on Surus face, also revealed a faint gratification, she looked at Ghost Li, nodded and then sorrow brushed past her face, looked at Tian Buyi, quietly said, Buyi, did you hear that, this is lao qi, he has return to kowtow to you.
Ghost Li knelt at Surus feet, unable to speak.
Behind, sobbing sounds were heard.
The incense smoke lingered, drifted, the hall looked sohow surreal, not knowing if it was because its owner was no longer around, even this hall looked empty, did not beco bustling even with the number of people.
After a long ti, Song Daren wiped his tears, walked forward, ca to Suru and quietly said, Shiniang, please instruct on teachers funeral affairs, to notify all of the branches elders and seniors, I also intend to rush to Longshou Valley to inform Linger junior sister, let her
This is no urgent! Suru suddenly cut off Song Darens words, indifferently said.
Song Daren was shocked, the group of disciples behind him, including Ghost Li, were also stunned, in the hall, for a mont there was only silence, not a single sound.
After a while, Song Daren then brought up his courage again, carefully said, Shiniang, teachers demise, disciples all know Shiniang is grieving, just that these affairs...cannot be delayed.
Surus expression did not change, not only that, she did not even glance at Song Daren, in her eyes, other than glancing at that lao qi who had just ca back, there was only Tian Buyi.
Song Daren looked embarrassed, for a mont did not know what to do, turned and looked back at the other disciples kneeling and burning the joss papers but everyone looked at each other, not knowing what to do? And at this ti, Suru suddenly spoke,
Daren.
Song Daren hurriedly replied, Yes, shiniang, do you have any instructions?
Suru said, You and the rest leave the hall for now, without my approval, not allowed to co in.
Song Daren was stunned, stepped back a few steps, the other disciples also glanced over, Song Daren frowned but did not speak, He Dazhi who was beside him, was the most quick-witted, looked at him and shook his head slightly, anxiety on his face, Song Daren saw it and frowned even tightly.
He had spent countless of ti with these juniors, what He Dazhi was worrying, he naturally understood clearly. Compared with these disciples, he had spent the longest ti with Tian Buyi and Suru, no one knew better than him the deep affection between his teacher and shiniang, if they were not around and Shiniang took things too hard, could it be
Song Daren turned pale at that thought, no matter what he could not take another step. And at this mont, Suru glared at them, with a slight anger said, What are all of you doing, could it be that your teacher is dead, all of you are disregarding this shiniangs words?
[Pu tong! Pu tong!]
Sounds in succession, other than Ghost Li who was kneeling before Suru, Song Daren and the rest of the disciples all knelt down and prostrated, Song Daren hurriedly said, Disciple do not dare, disciple do not dare!
Suru sighed, deep exhaustion appeared on her face, as if she did not even have the strength to reprimand, only waved her hand slightly, said, All of you leave.
Song Daren and the rest did not dare to defy her words again, everyone with a bitter face retreated but their hearts were still heavy, not knowing what should be done. Ghost Li kowtowed to Suru and also slowly retreated, however Suru suddenly said,
Lao qi, you stay, I have sothing to ask you.
Ghost Li was surprised, stopped, but those behind him were relieved instead, no matter what, as long as soone was with her, most likely there would not be any incidents, after a few footstep sounds, the rest had already left the hall.
In the hall, it turned silent, only the fire which was devouring the joss paper, made crackling sounds.
Ghost Li quietly stood where he was, looked down and did not speak, after so ti, Suru was heard sighing and said, Your teacher, had always been sharp tongued but soft hearted. Ten years ago that unforseen event, he had always brooded on it, although he did not say it but I could tell, he actually felt he had let you down.
Ghost Lis eyes turned red, shook his head with force, hurriedly said, Its not, it disciple who is unfilial, its disciple who have let teacher down his voice choked.
Surus lips quivered, hearing Ghost Lis choked voice, it seed to evoke the anguish in the bottom of her heart, but although her eyes showed her grief but she still forced herself to hold on and did not cry. She quietly looked at Tian Buyi, faintly said, In your teachers heart, he had never thought of you as a disciple who was thrown out of the door, do you understand?
Ghost Li dropped his head down and quietly said, Yes.
Suru continued, And since you have also acknowledged him back as your teacher today, later you go over and burn so joss paper for him, for the ti being treat it as you have also fulfil your filial duty, I guess Buyi he would also be happy
Ghost Li clenched his teeth tightly, knelt before Tian Buyis body, kowtowed three tis, tears in his eyes, then he stood up and walked over to the big pot, knelt down. The fire in the pot had burned down much, most likely after the rest left, nobody fed it. Ghost Li looked beside, saw a few thick piles of joss paper nearby, all unopened.
Those on Big Bamboo Valley were all cultivated people, most probably joss papers were not even used once in a few hundred years, these must have been prepared at the last minute by Song Daren, bought from the foot of the mountain. Thinking of these, Ghost Li felt anguish again, quietly took over a pile, opened it and started to burn one by one.
Suru sat beside Tian Buyi, quietly watched that flickering, twisting flas, the fire reflected in Ghost Lis face refracted sudden light and darkness.
She suddenly asked, When your teacher passed away, were you beside him?
Ghost Lis body trembled and then turned over, still kneeling beside the pot, at the sa ti facing Suru, said, Yes.
Suru looked deeply at Ghost Li, said, Yesterday after you were unconscious, I cleaned your wound and applied dicine, discovered at your chest where your most severe injury was, in your body there was Scarlet Fire sword energy which was unique to your teacher, the most damage to your ridians, was also because of that, what had happened?
Ghost Lis heart pounded, his palms started to sweat, after a mont, he quietly said, Disciples injury this ti, was indeed caused by teachers harsh attack, but
Speaking till here, he was suddenly lost, did not know where to start, the night unfortunate events happened abruptly, even though he was already experienced with the fights and tussles of the world but he was still left in shock, moreover his most beloved teacher lost his life in it, it was even harder to describe.
Suru humpfed, her eyes stern, coldly said, Tell the whole truth.
Ghost Li did not dare to look at Suru, bowed and then started to speak, from the ti where he returned to Grassvillage Temple and encountered the mysterious figure, pursued and ca to the abandoned morgue outside HeYang City, until Tian Buyis demise.
Surus face turned more and more pale as she listened, especially until the end where Tian Buyi lost his life, her face turned white, a pair of hands clutched Tian Buyis hand tightly, as if afraid that her husband might leave her again.
At the end, Ghost Li quietly said, These were the events, disciple do not dare to deceive shiniang.
Suru looked away to Tian Buyi, looked deeply at this familiar yet peaceful face, or maybe, in her husbands heart, he did not have much regrets, in his heart, all of these were what he should be doing!
She breathed in deeply, straightened her body, although she really wished to continue lying like this, together with her husband, never to care about anything again, but, she knew it was not the ti yet.
You have really see clearly Surus voice sounded uncertain.
Ghost Li for a mont did not understand, said, Shiniang, you an?
Surus face pale, quietly said, That mysterious person, really is sect head Reverend...Daoxuan senior brother?
Ghost Li inhaled deeply, determinedly said, Disciple saw it with my own eyes, even if that person turned into ash, disciple will not be mistaken.
Suru quietly nodded, then again asked slowly, From what you have said, Buyi when he was ntally confused and attacked you, it was Small Bamboo Valley Lu Xueqi who killed him?
Ghost Lis body shook greatly, cold sweat imdiately dripped down from his forehead but in the end, he clenched his teeth and said, Yes!
Suru did not speak, only stared in daze at Ghost Li, as if in a trance. Then under her stare, Ghost Lis face expression changed greatly, as if in suffering, after a long ti, he then quietly said, That...Lu Xueqi she, she actually did it to save , no, its disciple suddenly, his face turned solemn, prostrated and quietly said, Shiniang, no matter what mistakes there are, it is all disciples fault, that Lu Xueqi she
Suru sighed, said, I rember Qing Yun sect disciples, these past years, arent you the closest with her, even when you joined the Evil Sect, I heard that she is still thinking about you, even defying Shuiyue senior sister a few tis because of you, and even rejected Fenxiang Valley Yun Yilan valley masters marriage proposal, isnt it?
Ghost Li lying on the floor, his heart in chaos, he had thousands of words to say but unable to speak even one word. That night, although he clearly knew Lu Xueqi had to make the move in order to save him but because Tian Buyi was after all his ntor who raised him up, and moreover one of the most respected and loved person in his life, and before his eyes, that Tianya sword pierced through his ntors chest...after which, he subconsciously, at his most anguish mont, pushed Lu Xueqi thousands of miles away.
After southern borders chaos, there was once a brief hug, yet in this sleight of fate, the chasm was even deeper and broad, could not understand why heavens must be so cruel!
And before Suru, although Ghost Li had such conflicting thoughts before but he could not sit by and let Suru misunderstood Lu Xueqi. Although he clearly understood, shiniang had deep affections for teacher, more than himself, this fact that he himself found it hard to accept, how could he expect shiniang to be magnanimous?
Ghost Li was lost for words.
The truth was like a sharp sword and heartless, everyone who ca near it, all almost would be hurt by it!
However Surus face, was not that resolute as what Ghost Lis expected, on the contrary, after the initial grief, her expression slowly turned to contemplation. After a mont, she spoke to Ghost Li, I rember just now you said, before Buyi passed away, his mind briefly ca back, recognized you, is it?
Ghost Li nodded and said, Yes.
Suru said, Then did he say anything to you?
Ghost Li thought hard for a mont, quietly said, After teacher was conscious, he said to two sentences.
Suru asked, What did he say?
Ghost Li said, The first sentence that teacher said was rather strange, he only repeitively said three words, Dont bla her, dont bla her. The second sentence was to instruct disciple, after teacher passed away, to bring his body back to Big Bamboo Valley and hand over to shinniang, and to tell shiniang
Surus countenance changed, said, What did he want you to tell ?
Ghost Lis quietly said, Teachers final words were for disciple to tell shiniang, shiniang please dont take it too hard, dont...dont do silly things.
Suru was stunned for words, the tears in her eyes shimred, her body wavered, looking like her body had lost all strength and about to collapse. Ghost Li felt anguish and was worried but did not dare to approach, only knelt and kowtowed, Shiniang please dont take it too hard!
After a long ti, Surus slightly calm voice was heard, I am fine, you can get up.
Ghost Li then stood up, looked up and saw her face was much calr but the pain in her eyes, was still evident.
In the hall, silence again, Ghost Li quietly put in a few more joss paper into the fire, at this mont, Suru suddenly said, Are you too full of hatred and dissatisfaction towards Lu Xueqi for killing your teacher?
Ghost Li was surprised, not knowing what shiniang ant by that, he was unable to answer. But Suru was an intelligent person, in addition she had already looked past the mortal affairs, looking at Ghost Lis expression, she already roughly knew.
She faintly said, Do you know, Buyi before he left he still said to you Dont bla her the three words, what it ant?
Ghost Li was stunned, said, What?
Suru slightly smiled bitterly, said, If its what I assud, most probably Buyi he was willing to be killed by that Miss Lu Xueqi.
Ghost Li was shocked, said, Shiniang, your words
Suru let out a long sigh, said, Forget it. Should not looked back at the past but in the end could not be dismissed away, our past generations secret, should not involve you all the junior generations. She quietly looked back, at Tian Buyi, looked at his peaceful face, as if he was sleeping, quietly said, Buyi, you must also want to tell him this secret right
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