The old woman opened her mouth but could not utter a word.
She should have stopped Xue Qinshuang’s father in the past.
Yet she was unable to do so, for that was also her child; every time she tried to speak up in the past, she would feel a pain as if a dagger had pierced her heart.
"This child, her name is Qinshuang."
Seventeen years ago, her son, clad in dark vigorous attire, spoke with a voice as cold as ice.
Only slightly distracted for a moment, the tea in the old woman’s hand had turned cold. With a faint movement in her gaze, she looked towards the young girl in front of her and sighed,
"But you must go back... That matter..."
She was trying to persuade, but felt that her persuasion was extremely feeble.
Xue Qinshuang smiled faintly as if her previous expression had been an illusion. Her beautiful face remained calm and composed as she said,
"I know."
"Even Granny has come. I cannot draw my sword against you. It seems, this time, I must return."
"However, I hope Granny can give me some more time."
The old woman’s heart eased. As long as the young girl in front of her did not continue to be obstinate, a little waiting was something she could decide upon. As long as it didn’t take as long as half a year, at that thought, her face relaxed significantly as she asked,
"How much time..."
Xue Qinshuang closed her eyes in thought, her palm brushing over the jade pendant at her waist.
The maximum effective distance of this strange object could not exceed the span of a county,
One piece was in the hands of Tuoba Yue, and as far as she knew, Tuoba Yue would soon return to the Northern Frontier. By then, the jade pendant would be useless...
The girl opened her eyes, raised her hand to drink the tea, and said,
"Five days at most."
"If after five days, I still haven’t received news from that person, then it’s destined we’re not meant to be."
The old woman’s voice halted slightly as she said,
"Only five days?"
Surprise filled her voice. The girl in front of her was ready to defy her own clan, and the old woman had been prepared for a much longer wait. She almost couldn’t believe her ears and said,
"Do you know that once you leave this time, it will be very difficult for you to come out again? Your father will not allow you to leave either."
"That matter will require a lot of your time."
She didn’t specify what the matter was, but Xue Qinshuang knew.
After all, the clan had given her all her martial arts and cultivation. She didn’t want to, nor did she need to, owe the clan anything. Thus, she intended to return anyway, which was why there was the three-year agreement. But things had gone awry in the meantime.
Thinking of the events from two years ago,
Xue Qinshuang’s voice paused, she raised her hand to gently touch the broken strands of hair at her right temple, then laughed lightly and said,
"If it’s not meant to be, what’s the difference between waiting five days or fifty days?"
"Jianghu is vast; why should we confine ourselves?"
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The teacup was placed back on the table.
The girl’s expression was carefree. She was dressed in white with a red cloak on top, and her long hair was tied up, resting on her shoulders.
At her waist hung a short sword, only a foot long.
It didn’t look conspicuous at all.
Outside Fufeng Academy.
"By the way, Baili..."
Tuoba Yue’s steps faltered slightly as he looked toward the young man beside him. Baili Feng crossed his arms behind his head, tilted his head towards Tuoba Yue, and smiled,
"What is it, Yue?"
A hesitation appeared in Tuoba Yue’s eyes, but he sighed and said,
"I have to pack up in these days. The books I borrowed can’t be finished."
"Would you accompany me back to Wind Character Tower later?"
............
He took a deep breath, as if the act existed only in Wang Anfeng’s imagination.
More than two years ago, he had fought someone here, had been thrown out by Master Ren for speaking too loudly with Su the gambler, tumbling down the stairs, and in Wind Character Tower, he had read countless books, spending many mornings and solitary nights.
Wang Anfeng lifted his hand, gently resting it on the door, about to open it when the slightly ajar entrance was suddenly pulled open from the inside. Five Academy disciples stepped out briskly, their expressions high-spirited. They saw Wang Anfeng but paid him no mind.
However, the young man on the edge holding books noticed Wang Anfeng’s raised hand and, guessing what had happened, gave a sheepish smile of apology before quickly leaving with his classmates, whispering amongst themselves. Watching them depart, Wang Anfeng’s indescribable feelings dispersed somewhat.
He chuckled to himself, pushing the concerns aside, pushed the door open, and stepped inside slowly. Your next read is at Freewebnovel
It was just like every day two years ago, whether it was the students quietly reading books or the wooden stairs that spiraled upwards, nothing had changed in the slightest.
In that instant, Wang Anfeng felt an illusion as if he had just overslept in his wooden hut, hastily coming over to find a comfortable spot within, eager to finish the book he had left unread.
And then waiting for the night when the stars and moon would be in the sky, and no one around, meticulously sweeping every single step.
It was so familiar that he almost expected to find familiar faces among those around him, smiling at him.
Regretfully, there were none.
The unfinished book was nowhere to be seen either.
His gaze swept across the bookshelves, then fell on the Bagua diagram in the center of Wind Character Tower. He saw the man in green garments, and his demeanor became more respectful. He strode over to Ren Changge, bowing as he had done two years ago, lowered his voice, and said,
"Junior Wang Anfeng pays respects to Master Ren."