Chapter 11: Attending the Sword

The next day, Di Jiang woke up early. After washing up, she spent the entire day in the scripture repository reading ancient books. During this time, Wen Yao and Wu Rui’an went together to fetch their luggage from the inn where they had previously stayed. After settling everything, they called Di Jiang several times for meals, but she completely ignored them.

Since his lengthy conversation with Di Jiang the previous day, Wu Rui’an seemed somewhat distracted. By dinnertime, when he saw Di Jiang still discussing matters with Priest Yu Ling in the side hall, he realized that Di Jiang was determined to save Zhong Xu.

And there was only one way to save Zhong Xu...

That night, Wu Rui’an waited in front of Di Jiang’s door until midnight. It wasn’t until the moon rose above the willow trees that he finally saw Di Jiang return.

“Your Highness? It’s almost the third watch; why aren’t you asleep?” Di Jiang was quite surprised to see him.

“Waiting for you,” Wu Rui’an smiled nonchalantly, “I have something important to tell you.” With that, he took Di Jiang’s hand and led her to the back garden.

Though called a garden, it was more like a neglected yard overgrown with weeds. Baiyun Temple hadn’t been tended to for a long time; the plants were either withered or wildly overgrown. Coupled with the snow, it was impossible to discern its original appearance.

“Why did you bring me here?” Di Jiang looked around at the desolate scene and couldn’t help thinking he was just looking for trouble.

Wu Rui’an didn’t immediately answer her question. Instead, he suddenly moved closer, pulling her into his arms and pinning her against a pillar.

“You’ve already decided?” Wu Rui’an asked solemnly.

“Decided what?”

“Zhong Xu,” Wu Rui’an said, “You want to jump into the Hualing Pool to save Zhong Xu.”

Di Jiang paused slightly and smiled, “Yes.”

“How can you believe such an absurd method!”

“I believe it. I am immersed in mysticism; why shouldn’t I believe it?” Di Jiang looked at him unyieldingly.

Wu Rui’an didn’t say anything further. He simply gazed at Di Jiang as if trying to imprint her face deep into his heart.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” After a while, Di Jiang went from being calm to feeling somewhat uneasy. Just as she tried to pull away, Wu Rui’an lowered his head and, with his right hand, lifted her chin, quickly planting a kiss on her lips.

Taking advantage of Di Jiang’s stunned moment, Wu Rui’an slipped his tongue into her mouth, lingering repeatedly.

Under the bright moon, the tranquil night was silent except for the sound of their breathing. The chirping insects and flowing water seemed to stop at this moment.

Di Jiang widened her eyes, watching Wu Rui’an with his eyes closed. His long eyelashes trembled slightly, seemingly enjoying it immensely.

It was then that she realized and began struggling desperately.

But Wu Rui’an’s chest felt like an endless ocean, and she was just a small fish, unable to swim out of his embrace.

In her desperation, she bit down hard on his tongue.

Wu Rui’an winced in pain but still didn’t let go.

Blood trickled from both their mouths, filling their nostrils with the smell of blood. At this point, Di Jiang dared not move anymore.

She knew that another bite might leave him without a tongue...

They remained embraced, kissing, lingering, not knowing how long it lasted before Wu Rui’an finally released her.

He licked his lips and said, “After accompanying you on travels for so long, I’m just collecting some interest. Do you really need to be so angry?” He appeared utterly nonchalant, like a shameless rogue on the street.

“You!” Di Jiang was furious, wishing to tear him apart.

“Isn’t Miss Di already married?” Wu Rui’an licked his molars and smiled faintly, “Just a kiss, it should be second nature to you, right? Why are you acting like a shy maiden?”

“...” Di Jiang struggled to suppress her anger, calming herself down.

At this moment, Wu Rui’an continued, “Come on, stop pretending to be pure. Fall into my arms, and before you die, I’ll let you experience heaven and hell, surely much better than your dead husband…” Wu Rui’an closed his eyes, pouted, and opened his arms towards Di Jiang again.

“You... how dare you!” Di Jiang clenched her fists, trembling with rage. She picked up a nearby old table and smashed it against his face.

With a loud “Crack!” the table broke apart, but Wu Rui’an didn’t fare any better.

The edge of the table hit his forehead, creating a bloody wound, and blood spurted everywhere instantly.

Di Jiang didn’t care about him; without a glance, she turned and ran away.

Wu Rui’an didn’t chase after her. He stood there dumbly, staring at the mess on the ground and the blood dripping from his forehead, gently touching his lips with his right hand.

He seemed still lost in that kiss.

He secretly laughed to himself for a long time...

That night, Wu Rui’an didn’t return to his room. He took off his coat and casually pressed it against the wound on his head, no longer caring about it.

Seeing a towering ancient tree in Baiyun Temple reaching into the clouds, he impulsively climbed it, wanting to see what the sunrise over Yunmeng Marsh looked like.

He climbed onto the trunk and sat on a branch facing the open area.

There were few trees blocking his view here. He sat quietly alone, waiting for the first rays of dawn.

After an unknown amount of time, the sky gradually lightened to a pale white. Initially just a faint line of light, later it became a myriad of golden rays piercing through the sea of clouds, instantly replacing the sky with golden brilliance.

The slowly rising sun was the most unforgettable sight of his life.

This was the first time he had the mood to admire a sunrise, and it would also be his last.

…

The next day was the agreed-upon time between Di Jiang and Priest Yu Ling.

Upon waking, Di Jiang changed into a purple robe, making her presence very commanding.

As soon as Di Jiang stepped out of her room, Priest Yu Ling, upon seeing her, exclaimed in astonishment, “Miss Di, why are you dressed like this?”

“Not only am I going to take Changsheng’s place in the sword sacrifice, but I’m also going to confront the hundred miles of vengeful spirits in these mountains and rivers.” Di Jiang’s expression was calm, but these words sounded extremely arrogant and presumptuous to Priest Yu Ling.

Priest Yu Ling frowned and shook his head, “You don’t look like you’re going to sacrifice to the sword; it looks more like you’re going ghost-hunting...”

Di Jiang raised an eyebrow, smiling faintly, neither denying nor confirming.

“The hour is still early; let’s wait a little longer.” Priest Yu Ling stroked his beard, chuckling.

“You said yesterday that the Chen hour was the best time; why do we need to wait?” Di Jiang frowned.

“Because... haven’t you eaten breakfast yet? Eat something first before you go; even if you become a ghost, at least you won’t be so miserable.” As Priest Yu Ling spoke, he tried to slip away.

Di Jiang felt his evasive behavior and suspected he had some undisclosed secret.

“Stop right there.” Di Jiang shouted.

Yu Ling shrank his neck, unwilling to turn around for a long time.

Di Jiang walked up to him, looked into his eyes, and said, “What exactly are you hiding from me?”

“Nothing!” Yu Ling kept shaking his head, but large drops of cold sweat streamed down his forehead. His palms were sweaty, and he appeared utterly terrified.

“Is something wrong with the Hualing Pool?” Di Jiang narrowed her eyes and stepped forward, intending to leave.

Seeing this, Yu Ling immediately clung to her legs, pleading, “Young lady, I know you’re extraordinary, but I promised Lord Wu that I must stop you. Please... don’t go!”

“Lord Wu?” Di Jiang furrowed her brows, shocked, “Wu Rui’an?”

“Yes...”

“What has he done now!” Di Jiang angrily kicked Yu Ling away, then flew toward the direction of the Hualing Pool.

Old Daoist Yu Ling watched her blankly. Although he knew she was special, he never expected that in broad daylight, she could soar through the clouds. This wasn’t just about having a unique identity—perhaps... she was even more formidable than his hundred-year-old raccoon self.

…

When Di Jiang arrived at the Hualing Pool, the water in the pool was no longer calm. It boiled like it was being cooked, turbid and dirty.

Without hesitation, Di Jiang jumped into the pool.

The water at the bottom of the pool wasn’t as turbid as seen from the shore; instead, it was very clear. All the pool water evaporated upward, stirring up the mud at the bottom, which rose to the lake surface.

At the bottom of the pool, half of Wu Rui’an’s body was already inside the sword gate. Upon seeing Di Jiang, he felt a slight impulse to rush over and embrace her, but this thought only lasted for a moment.

The next moment, he resolutely swam in, throwing out the statue of Changsheng stuck in the lower body.

Changsheng and Zhong Xu’s statues were thrown together, but Wu Rui’an disappeared without a trace.

Di Jiang quickly swam over and saw that the iron gate at the bottom had regrown. Originally a large hole filled with glowing silver runes, Di Jiang didn’t bother studying these characters. Her mind was entirely focused on Wu Rui’an.

On the other side of the gate, Wu Rui’an stood motionlessly, watching Di Jiang.

“Wu Rui’an—come out! You will die!” Di Jiang, ignoring the water entering her nostrils, shouted frantically. Then, summoning all her strength, she managed to extend only her right hand through the sword gate.

She reached out her hand to Wu Rui’an, but he still stood motionless, smiling and shaking his head.

Only the sound of bubbling water surrounded them, but in her mind, she heard Wu Rui’an’s voice, like a bell from hell.

Standing on the other side of the world, he smiled faintly and said, “Confucius once said, ‘If one hears the Dao in the morning, one can die in peace at night.’ Today, I, Wu Rui’an, will attend the sword in your stead. I have no regrets, no complaints.”

Di Jiang was frantic, disregarding the water flooding her nostrils, angrily shouting, “You have friends and loved ones! Leaving them behind to suffer in longing—is this the Dao you’ve heard? What about me? Come out! Listen to me—”

As she spoke, Wu Rui’an always wore a smile. She wasn’t sure if he heard her, but she heard his gentle voice again.

He said, “I, Wu Rui’an, lack wisdom, unaware of cause and effect, but I harbor kindness.” He smiled charmingly, his eyes carrying a hint of plea, “At this moment, please love me, even if just for a fleeting instant. I am willing to sleep forever for you, never to wake again.”

Wu Rui’an finished with a smile, then muttered to himself, “Of course, even if you never loved me, I would still serve the sword spirit for you, even if it meant being shattered into pieces, even if there will no longer be me in this world.”

“Are you crazy? I’m not worth you doing this! Come out! Listen to me—” Di Jiang was frantic. Her shouting caused the pool water to flood her nostrils, choking her throat, tears streaming down her face. But because she was underwater, he could only see her red eyes.

Di Jiang didn’t realize she was crying, but Wu Rui’an noticed.

“Don’t be sad. Do you know? This is the happiest moment I’ve had in these past few months...” Wu Rui’an looked tenderly, making a gesture of caressing Di Jiang’s face through the barrier, smiling, “During this time, my heart shattered twice. The first time was on the day of Jing Yi’s marriage. When I held her hand and escorted her out of Daming Palace, thinking she would spend the rest of her life with yellow sand and vast deserts, I couldn’t feel more heartbroken. She said to me, ‘Why aren’t you the emperor? If you were emperor, how wonderful it would be?’ But that was something I was powerless to change. At least at that time, I was powerless.”

“And the second time I felt despair was the other day when you laughed and drank with me and Wen Yao, cared for me, looked after me. But I knew, between the lines of your words, were farewell and resolve. That’s when I knew you wanted to take his place in the sword sacrifice. The two most important women in my life—how could I bear to lose you again? I couldn’t protect Jing Yi, but at least let me protect you...”

“This is the only thing I can do now...”

Wu Rui’an’s voice grew distant, the sword qi of the Sword Tomb engulfing him. His figure became increasingly blurred, pieces of flesh and bone peeling off his body one by one, until she could no longer see him.