He said he was apologizing, but he was only looking at Gongsun Feixue.
Gongsun Feixue said, "This has nothing to do with me."
Another flower carriage stopped, and a gentle female voice came: "It was my wet nurse who was rude, fortunately, you two martial artists were unharmed. Here, I apologize for her misconduct." Then, a maid pulled aside the carriage curtain and a woman stepped down.
Dressed in white, her black hair thick as clouds, with finely arched eyebrows and tender eyes, a cherry mouth and an extremely beautiful countenance. She carried a whiff of floral fragrance, and although she seemed no more than seventeen or eighteen, she possessed a certain mature charm.
Her body was voluptuous, her waist slender. With the support of her maid, she looked delicate and enchanting.
With just a slight bow and a lift of her eyes, the bones of the onlooking martial artists seemed to soften.
Li Guanyi’s eyes lifted slightly. With this mix of apology and charm, it would seem rude of him not to forgive her.
The young Taoist said indifferently, "Alright."
Lady Hua Rui smiled gently.
She knew, no martial artist could resist her smile.
But then, a sword’s ring was heard.
Followed by a scream.
A flash of light, and Lady Hua Rui felt a sting between her brows. She saw the old woman screaming, both her wrists cut off, blood spurting out. She fell to the ground, curling up uncontrollably, her body trembling.
The severed pair of hands lay on the ground, still curving like chicken claws.
The stench of blood spread.
Dead silence followed.
The young Taoist in a simple robe sheathed his sword slowly.
To the townspeople, he was a gentle youth. But in that moment, he was detached and icy, uttering blankly:
Lady Hua Rui’s delicate face tensed briefly, then she bowed slightly, her voice soft, saying:
"I wasn’t aware of your identity. I apologize for the slight."
Li Guanyi looked down, his pine pattern ancient sword touching the ground lightly, and said indifferently:
Elder Zu was one of the twenty-four Sacrificial Wine Masters of the Academy’s Taoist sect, so Li Guanyi’s statement wasn’t wrong.
Upon hearing the name of such a formidable figure, Lady Hua Rui’s face froze. The idea of seeking revenge dissipated like snow in spring. She had the old woman pick up the severed wrists and then retreated.
Li Guanyi took note of these people. The surrounding martial artists also dispersed upon seeing this, but Gongsun Feixue did not leave. She was just looking at the sword in Li Guanyi’s hand.
Gongsun Feixue’s beautiful eyes rippled with curiosity. She had been too far away earlier to see clearly, but now, up close, she recognized the long sword with its ancient aura and its blade adorned with subtle pine patterns, emanating purity.
Gongsun Feixue clasped her hands together and said, "Others may not recognize Lingyun Wood, but as it stands tall among the clouds, its greatness becomes apparent. This Taoist, how did you come to possess the mystical Lingyun Wood of the Taoist sect? Could it be that you are acquainted with Master Zu Wenyuan?"
Li Guanyi, guessing that she was the descendant of Elder Zu’s close friend, Miss Gongsun, replied with a courtesy:
"My humble title is Pharmacist Li."
"My master’s name is Wen Yuan, and he indeed is my teacher."
Gongsun Feixue was overjoyed and said with a smile, "That is truly wonderful. My grandmother is also in Zhenbei City, and she, along with Mr. Chen and Elder Zu, haven’t seen each other in a long time. Knowing you are here, they will surely be delighted. Mr. Li, do you have the time to accompany me to meet my grandmother?"
Li Guanyi refused politely, "The two of us have just arrived in Zhenbei City and would like to rest for a bit."
Gongsun Feixue showed slight disappointment, yet only smiled and said:
"We are temporarily staying at the Guangshi Tower in Zhenbei City."
"Mr. Li, if you have the time, you can come and just ask for the Gongsun Family."
She then bowed slightly and without a further word, leaped onto her horse and quickly left. Li Guanyi waited until the silver-haired girl finished her meal, then took out money from his pocket, placed it on the table, lifted the Qilin onto his shoulder, and boarded an ox cart in search of a place to stay.
Li Guanyi used his last silver to find a decent inn.
Then he rented two guest rooms.
He let Shaking Light rest well. Shaking Light was dozy; she slipped off her shoes and lay on the bed in her silk stockings, her entire being curled within the blanket, her face expressionless. Suddenly she said, "You could have let me go with her."
Li Guanyi looked at her from the side, the silver-haired girl’s voice was calm as she pondered, "You know my formation. They couldn’t have kept me, so you wouldn’t have gotten into such big trouble upon entering the city."
Li Guanyi turned back, leaned over slightly, looking at Shaking Light.
Shaking Light’s eyes were calm as she gazed back at him, her voice still tranquil.
"That would have been the logical conclusion."
"And the best way to avoid conflict, the optimal solution."
Li Guanyi didn’t know about Shaking Light’s past, didn’t know she had been abandoned by her father. He simply stretched out his hand, brought his palms together, and gently tapped her forehead.
The silver-haired girl hadn’t expected this and flinched, her silver hair shimmering.
Li Guanyi became annoyed and said, "Sleep!"
After a pause, the young Taoist replied, "You chose me, so I won’t abandon you... You are my accomplice. Li Guanyi has a sword in hand, and he won’t shamelessly betray his own ’accomplice.’"
"Our path is long. Don’t speak anymore."
Li Guanyi looked at the girl on the other side, knelt halfway, covered her with the blanket, and after some thought, said seriously, "I’m now a wanted criminal in the world, the assassin who killed Tantai Xianming, a bandit and a rebel to a nation. As you said, I’m probably going to flee throughout the world."
"This journey is going to be long. You might really have to accompany me in this escape across the world, as you said."
Li Guanyi picked up the Qilin and set it down here.
"The Qilin will stay here. You should rest well. I’m going to gather some ’information.’"
Shaking Light asked, "Information on the murder?"
Li Guanyi said, "Yes."
He sensed Shaking Light’s loneliness, so he said: