Chapter 38: Since We Parted

  The Mid-Autumn Festival is a day for family reunions, and on such a day, anyone will be three points happier than usual.

  However, on this good day, Lu Xiaofeng, who was usually in a good mood, didn't feel well.

  May we all share this moment forever, though we are a thousand miles apart.

  That was perhaps the deceased's most beautiful wish for this holiday, but at this moment, this poem made Lu Xiaofeng even more distressed.

  The night of the full moon.

  He will never forget this day.

  Many years ago, there was a rumor in the Jianghu that on the night of the full moon, at the pinnacle of the Forbidden City... Lu Xiaofeng had thought that he would lose one or two friends on that day.

  It turns out that Lu Xiaofeng also has times when he is wrong.

  That epic duel finally came to an end in a way no one had ever thought of.

  Ximen Chuixue didn't lose, Ye Gu Cheng also didn't lose.

  Ximen Chui Xue is not dead, Ye Gu Cheng is also not dead.

  That battle ultimately resulted in the achievement of Baiyun Jianxian Qingxu Zhenren.

  As a result of this final battle, Lu Xiaofeng gained one more friend - although his friendship with Qingxu Zhenren seemed to be thinner than the one he had with Ximen Chui Xue.

  Lu Xiaofeng thought this result was also quite good.

  He is good, his friend Ximen Chui Xue is also good, his friends Ye Gu Cheng and Qing Xu are also good.

  Unfortunately, ten years later, Luk Siu Fung once again heard of the duel on the night of the full moon.

  What's even more moving is that yesterday's duelist today became a witness, from start to finish, never intervening.

  Even if his longtime rival Ximen Chui Xue fell before him.

  Even if his friend Qingxu Zhenren, who had been with him for many years, fell down in front of him.

  Lu Xiaofeng didn't want to stop them, but he hadn't intervened ten years ago, so naturally he wouldn't intervene now - even if he couldn't understand it, he had to respect the determination of the two, or rather three, unparalleled swordsmen who were willing to stake their lives on the way of the sword. And by the time those two made their move, he really was unable to stop them.

  Deceitful frost and snow, severe cold of winter; blue waves and ripples, water and sky in one color.

  Two sword auras clashed and killed each other, with such momentum that it was difficult for people to get close, the sword auras were intertwined, making it impossible to stand.

  Lu Xiaofeng couldn't find words to describe that one sword.

  The stalemate between the two didn't last long. Before long, the two long swords emitted a dazzling light that even eclipsed the stars and moon.

  After the brilliant light like a shooting star went out, two long swords were inserted into each other's heart without any bias.

  How would you describe the two at that time?

  Lu Xiaofeng couldn't find any words to describe what he saw and thought at that time, he could only stare blankly as the two retreated back, watching as they quietly fell down.

  Two peerless swords lost their masters at once.

  Like a falling star, the long sword that was shining brightly just a moment ago became extremely dull. The Legend of the Condor Hero - The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber.

  Ye Gu Cheng walked over, quietly saluting the two of them, silently picking up Yao Guang who was closing her eyes as if asleep, and picked up the long sword on the ground, putting it back in its scabbard before embracing her.

  Lu Xiaofeng finally came to his senses, wanting to go forward to bury the person from the past, but unexpectedly, someone suddenly rushed over from the seaside, respectfully and silently taking away the person's body.

  Lu Xiaofeng turned around and looked at Ye Guancheng, wanting to say something, but didn't know how to start.

  After a while, it was Ye Gu Cheng who spoke up.

  "Lu Xiaofeng, have you come to see Ah Qi off on his final journey?"

  Lu Xiaofeng couldn't help but stare at Ye Guancheng for a long time, unable to detect even a hint of sadness on his calm face. He suddenly felt an absurd feeling and was tempted to let out a loud roar to relieve himself.

  Who is the one who has been with her for ten years!

  Who said she was like a teacher and a friend!

  How can that person be so calm!

  Lu Xiaofeng really shouted out loud.

  He can't even figure out whether he's resentful for the person who left or angry with himself for possibly misjudging someone.

  Ye Gu Cheng's expression did not waver, and after Lu Xiao Feng finished shouting, he calmly opened his mouth: "Who is immortal? What can live forever? Ah Qi seeks benevolence and obtains benevolence... Compared to those who muddle along in the world, isn't it better by thousands of times?"

  Lu Xiaofeng was stunned.

  He lowered his head and looked at the woman in Ye Guo Cheng's arms.

  There was still a smile on her face.

  Neither resentment nor regret, no sorrow, no tears, she left this world with a smile.

  For some reason, Lu Xiaofeng suddenly remembered a conversation he had with her many years ago.

  Qingxu, you cultivate Dao, what exactly are you cultivating?

  If I could clearly say what "the Way" is, perhaps there would be no need to cultivate it anymore. What the Way is, where the Way is, only saints and sages know. The path of seeking the Way is endless, the road of inquiring about the Way is full of thorns, people who cultivate the Way only advance and never retreat... all for the sake of asking about the true meaning of "the Way", what's the harm in sacrificing life and death?

  At dawn I hear of the Way, at dusk I die contentedly?

  The peach-blossom-like girl smiled and said: Alright.

  At that time, Lu Xiaofeng had doubts about this "can" word, but now he looked at the remaining smile on the woman's face and couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth in his eyes.

  Nowadays, no one can know what she realized at the critical moment of life and death, so she smiled like that.

  Perhaps... she finally found a reason to die in the evening.

  In the morning I hear of the Way, in the evening I die contentedly.

  After a while, Lu Xiaofeng said in a low voice: "I used to think that cultivators were cold-hearted, but today I realized... Cultivators also have moments of such passion and obsession."

  Ye Gu Cheng didn't stop in his tracks, holding Yao Guang as he walked to the tree where she had stood before.

  Lu Xiaofeng was just about to ask what this meant, but he stared in shock as Ye Guancheng kicked the grass with one foot, revealing a black coffin underneath.

  That was clearly no coincidence, but had been planned in advance.

  He was suddenly speechless.

  Into the coffin, close the coffin.

  A thick coffin lid has finally separated the last Northern warlord from the world of the living.

  Ye Gu Cheng didn't put Yao Guang's sword into the coffin, but instead slung it over his back. He covered the grass mat again and squatted on the ground for a long time before removing his hand from the earth.

  "Ah Qi said it's better without setting up a monument."

  The swordsman in white gazed quietly at the lush tree in front of him, as if he could still see some residual shadow. After a long time, he slowly closed his eyes.

  Lu Xiaofeng had been shocked too many times that day and at this moment, he was so stunned that he didn't know how to express his shock, so he could only stand silently by.

  It wasn't until now that he realized how ridiculous his previous anger, resentment and worry were.

  A drop of tears flowed from the corner of the eyes of the white-clothed swordsman who was closing his eyes under the tree, quietly falling down and silently falling into the soil.

  That scene had been etched in Lu Xiaofeng's heart for a long time.

  He had seen Ye Gu Cheng's smile many times, but he had only seen his tears that one time.

  He originally thought that Ye Gu Cheng was a person who would neither smile nor cry — at least before meeting Qing Xu.

  Every time the moon is full, Lu Xiaofeng can't help but think of that person's silent and tearful sorrow. He thinks that perhaps the jokes he used to tell and the wedding invitations he once looked forward to are not entirely impossible, but now, there's nothing more to say.

  The man has passed away.

  Ye Gu Cheng lost Qing Xū, and he himself also lost two friends at the same time.

  It just so happened that it was a full moon night, and it just so happened that it was August 15th.

  From then on, every Mid-Autumn Festival, Lu Xiaofeng would be particularly downhearted. He would always find someone to drink with, either Si Kong Zhai Xing or Hua Man Lou, or... Bai Yun Cheng Zhu.

  Nowadays in Jianghu there are no longer two masters of White Cloud Castle, only one, only Ye Gucity.

  The White Cloud City seems to have changed very little and still looks like it used to be.

  Lu Xiaofeng was relieved that Bái Yún City did not become Wàn Méi Mountain Villa, and Ye Guucheng did not become Xī Mén Chuī Xuě.

  Sometimes, Luk Siu Fung would even have the illusion that Qing Xiang was just pretending to be in seclusion, and perhaps next time he came to visit, she would come out as usual and say some truths that would make him laugh and cry.

  This year's Mid-Autumn Festival, Lu Xiaofeng went to Baiyun City again.

  Because he had known Ye Gu Cheng for many years, the servants in the mansion did not stop him, and he walked all the way to Ye Gu Cheng's residence without any hindrance.

  The door was not closed, a shadow emerged under the candlelight and projected onto the ground.

  Lu Xiaofeng walked over and glanced inside. With just one look, he was stunned on the spot, unable to speak for a long time.

  The swordsman in white sat at the edge of the table, quietly wiping a long sword as clear as autumn water, with a gentle expression, as if looking at his lover.

  The back of that sword has a sword inscription, as if it were naturally formed.

  Upper clarity breaks through the clouds.

  There are some pursuits in this world that cannot be described to others with words, because others can't understand.

  There are some emotions in this world that cannot be described to others with words, because those emotions themselves cannot be described.

  The great way is formless, the great sound is rarefied, great sorrow has no tears, and great love has no words.

  This chapter is Chapter 38 of "After You Left". If you think this chapter is not bad, please don't forget to recommend it to your friends on QQ group and Weibo!