Fallen At A Glance Chapter 31

You have to be as free as you want, like the wind

On the day of the Immortal Sect Conference, the square in front of Hanying Sect’s Hanxing Hall was filled with auspicious clouds and thousands of auspicious auras. Monks and guests from hundreds of Immortal Sects and even surrounding tribes had already gathered here. It was crowded but silent.Everyone’s eyes were focused on the high white jade altar.

Lian Mu was dressed in a white robe, with his black hair tied high, only held in place by a jade hairpin. He was cool and dusty, without a trace of mundane fireworks. He did not deliberately release his pressure, but when he slowly stepped onto the altar, his calm demeanor, like that of Yuan Ting, naturally calmed the hustle and bustle of the entire square in an instant.

His eyes calmly swept across the dense crowd in the audience, and finally landed on the young disciples in the front row who represented the elites of various sects.His voice was not loud, but it reached the ears of everyone present clearly, like jade stones striking each other, clear and steady:

“Everyone, the Immortal Sect Assembly is not about competing for the length of time, or fighting for the victory of the moment. The immortal cultivator asked, what is Tao? Some people seek immortality, some seek strength, and some seek transcendence. However, the only thing I, a member of the Hanying Sect, seek is the word ‘protection’.”

He paused and his eyes became deep: “The sky is unpredictable, and people are prone to misfortune. When the real disaster comes, no matter how high the magic is, without the heart of guardianship, it is just a castle in the air and will eventually collapse. Therefore, the core of this conference is not the competition, but the ‘experience’. I will personally teach the ‘Basics of Seeking Dharma’, and then set up the ‘Yunhuang Trial’. I hope you can find the answer in your heart during this experience.”

After speaking, Lian Mu didn’t say much. He waved his sleeves and a clear light spread from his palm, instantly covering the specially opened space in the center of the square.

The temperature of that space seemed to have dropped a bit, and countless light spots as fine as ice crystals appeared in the air, which were the unique “Cold Shadow Spiritual Qi” of the Han Shadow Sect.

“This is the prototype of the practice of the ‘Cold Shadow Sect’.” Lian Mu stood in front of the light screen, his voice became soft and focused, “The Qi of Cold Shadow, from yin to cold, governs convergence, insight and perseverance. You sit cross-legged, close your eyes and concentrate, try to sense this chill with your mind, guide it into your body, and let it travel around your limbs and bones. Remember, don’t force it, just let it be.”

Hundreds of young disciples sat down as instructed and began to try to sense.This is a completely unfamiliar experience for most of the outer sect disciples who are accustomed to powerful spiritual energies such as fire and thunder.At first, many people turned pale because they could not adapt to the biting cold, and some even couldn’t help but shiver.

Lian Mu’s figure walked slowly among the crowd, seemingly casually, but in fact he had a clear view of everyone’s condition.Occasionally, he would stop next to a disciple, and with a flick of his finger, a ray of pure and gentle spiritual power would enter his body, helping him to channel the unruly cold air.

“A calm mind brings concentration, and concentration brings energy.” His voice sounded in the ear of a disciple who was frowning in pain due to the cold air entering his body. It was like an enlightenment, “Don’t resist it, try to understand it and accept it. There is life under the ice.”

Under his personal guidance, more and more disciples gradually showed enlightenment on their faces, and began to be able to initially activate the cold shadow energy, forming a weak circulation in the body.

…

Yunfu

“Young Master, Young Master, go to the master’s room quickly.” Yun Suiran was practicing in the room. He heard the maid at the door and stood up quickly, “What’s wrong with my mother?”

“At noon, the master said that he wanted to sleep for a while and asked the slave not to disturb him. I just went to the master’s room to see if the master was awake. I found that the master was wearing very plain clothes. When the slave called her, she didn’t answer. She lay on the bed as if…as if”

Yun Sui ran quickly to Yun Xi Ning’s room. The moment he opened the door, Yun Sui’s breathing stopped.

In the house, Yun Xining was lying on a bed, wearing a simple white linen dress without any patterns. Her posture was very peaceful, with her hands folded on her lower abdomen, and her body was arranged upright and meticulously.

His face was an unnatural, dead white, like a perfect white porcelain doll.No breathing, no heartbeat, not even the slightest breath of life.

“Mother,” Yun said in a trembling voice, wanting to step forward, but was pinned to the spot by the sight in front of her.He was afraid that if he touched it, Yun Xining would disappear like a bubble.The feeling of helplessly watching a loved one die but being unable to do anything was even worse than the day Yun Zhao died.

Because this time, he no longer has any close relatives around him.

“Yun Xining! What kind of tricks are you playing?” Yun’s casual words revealed anger, but his eyes were extremely sad, “Are you going to leave me too?”

Yun’s casual voice was choked with sobs. He sat alone on the ground next to Yun Xining’s bed and watched, his whole body seemed to be integrated into the dim light.

His arms were weakly placed on his knees, and he looked at Yun Xining with empty eyes, which were like a pool of stagnant water at the moment, without a trace of ripples.Yun Zhao’s smile, Yun Xining’s words, her angry look, how happy she was with Yun Zhao, how she obeyed and took medicine, how she quarreled with him… each scene flashed through his mind repeatedly like a revolving lantern, and every time it was replayed, it was like a knife in his heart.He wanted to cry, but he couldn’t shed a single tear. There was only endless sadness and suffocation, trapping him in this small place.

At this moment of maddening silence, a draft suddenly came in through the half-open window.

“Huh——”

The wind came unexpectedly, carrying the dampness and coldness of the night dew outside, and rushed into the house.Yun Sui was trembled slightly by the gust of wind. He subconsciously looked at Yun Xining on the bed, stood up and planned to close the window.

Immediately afterwards, the wind seemed to have spirituality, and like a naughty but ignorant child, it rolled up the fallen leaves and dust on the ground, and rushed straight to the short table beside him.There was a celadon tea cup on the table. The tea in the cup had already cooled down, and a piece of letter paper pressed on the corner was violently lifted by the gust of wind.

“Wow–”

A piece of plain white letter paper was rolled up high by the wind, like a frightened white butterfly, flying randomly in mid-air, even more spinning, and landed lightly and impartially on Yun Zuizhi’s lap.

Yun Sui’s pupils shrank suddenly, and those dead eyes finally gained some focus.

He lowered his head slowly and stiffly, and his eyes fell on the letter paper in his lap.

His breathing caught at this moment.

It’s Yun Xining’s name.

“Yun Sui Sui, when you read this letter, I will have already gone to find my parents.”

Yun Ran’s tears fell on the letter paper.

“The first fifteen years of my life were smooth sailing and carefree. Unexpectedly, attending a banquet with my master would change my life and the people around me.”

“Ever since I learned that my parents and master died because of me, my mental state has become abnormal, especially since I was pregnant with a beast’s child. My mental state has become unstable from time to time, and occasionally I recover, but the time is very short.”

“Over the years, the person I’ve been most sorry for is you. I’ve thought about it a lot in the past few days, and I’ve remembered how obedient and sensible you were when you were a child. You always followed me without saying a word. No matter if I said something bad to you or ignored you, you always followed me from afar. You are better behaved than Yun Zhao.”

“At that time, I was blinded by hatred. All I could think about was revenge, revenge at all costs. Xiaoyi, I’m sorry for hurting you for so many years.”

The raging sadness, like a bursting flood, instantly washed away his last remaining dam. He looked at the words on the letter, and his eyes turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye. A hot tear finally broke free and hit the letter heavily.

“A few days ago, you were still pretending to be Yun Zhao to accompany me to dinner and persuade me to take medicine. At that time, I knew that you were Xiaoyi. Yun Zhao’s eyes were pure and innocent, while Xiaoyi’s eyes were filled with the vicissitudes and calmness of the world. I watched you imitate Yun Zhao’s tone and pretend to be happy for me.Just kidding, Xiaoyi, in fact, every time you look at me, your eyes are full of sadness and grievance. I can’t see it when I’m insane, and I don’t want to see it, but I can tell at a glance when I’m back to normal that you haven’t been happy for a moment in so many years, even if you pretend to, you have a sad smile.”

“Xiaoyi, since my father, mother and master passed away, I have completely closed myself off from my past self. Knowing that you avenged me and worked so hard to find the elixir, my spirit can be restored and I can have the opportunity to talk to you.”

“I have spoken harshly to you for so many years, always punishing you and beating you. Xiaoyi, my mother sincerely apologizes to you for my past behavior. My mother has lived in extreme pain in the past few years. Death is a relief for my mother, but Xiaoyi is different. Xiaoyi has lived in extreme pain for seventeen years, and what follows is a sunny road full of flowers.”

“In the past few days, Mom has used the remaining time to arrange your future for you. Whether Xiaoyi wants to change her identity and live again, or she wants to continue living as Yun Suiyi, Mom supports it. Mom has left enough rich assets for Xiaoyi. Xiaoyi can be free to see the outside world as he wants, forgetting Mom, forgetting Yun Zhao, and forgetting everything that has been painful in the past seventeen years.”

“Xiaoyi, although you will have no relatives in the rest of your life, there will be no burden and pain. You are just a free person enjoying freedom and enjoying every day.”

“Let yourself be happy. The past clouds and smoke will disappear. Don’t keep it in your heart. The world is so beautiful. Xiaoyi should appreciate it. If there is someone who wants to love in the future, Xiaoyi should be brave and love vigorously. The future results cannot be guaranteed, but if the process makes Xiaoyi like and be happy, then there is no need to be afraid of the unknown results.”

“It’s my mother who didn’t teach you how to love well. It doesn’t matter. Xiaoyi is very smart and can learn slowly. This life is very long. If you meet the right person, he will also teach Xiaoyi how to love.”

“Xiao Yi, don’t be sad because my mother is dead. This is my own choice and my liberation. You should not live with my shackles. After you have dealt with everything, go out and walk around more. You must remember: Yun Sui’s life must be as free as he wants and as free as the wind.”

After putting the envelope away, Yun Ran looked at Yun Xining on the bed, smiling with tears in her eyes, “You made your own choice, and I support you. When you see your grandparents, you will say hello to me. I wish you a smooth life and happiness.”

In a secluded mountain col in the back mountain of Yunfu, backed by green cliffs, there is a small bamboo forest in front of it.The place is deserted, with only the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind and the faint chirping of birds in the distance.

Yun Ran was alone and spent three days cleaning up the place.

The tombstone is a complete piece of bluestone that he found after searching for a long time in the mountains.The stone was not expensive and even a little rough, but he used his sword to smooth the edges and corners with his own hands.His movements were slow and light, as if what he held in his hands was not a cold stone, but some kind of fragile treasure.

There was no word “Gu” or “Xian” engraved on the tombstone, but only two lines of words engraved in his slightly sloppy but extremely solemn handwriting.

Right: Tomb of Yunxi Ning, Yunfu, Pingyang

Left: Tomb of Yunzhao in Yunfu, Pingyang

The two names are engraved side by side on the same tablet, sharing the coldness and solidity of the same piece of bluestone.He did not build a tomb for them, but their bones are already under this monument.

He placed the bodies of Yun Zhao and Yun Xining in a double coffin, hoping that they could be together in the cold coffin.

In front of the monument, he made a small garland of wild flowers from the mountains, and placed two pairs of bowls, chopsticks, and three wine glasses.

He took out a jar of wine from the Qiankun bag, opened the mud seal, filled two empty bowls first, and then filled his own cup.The aroma of wine soon spread in the cool mountain breeze.

He sat cross-legged in front of the monument, without the usual cold and ruthless mask on his face, only a rare sense of tranquility and gentleness. He raised his glass to the bluestone, and his voice was as soft as a sigh.

“Mom, brother.” He paused, his Adam’s apple rolling up and down, “From now on, you two will stay here together.”

“I will come back to see you often,” he said to himself, but his eyes never left those two names. “Don’t worry, I’m fine. You two…be fine over there, too.”

He spilled the wine in the cup into the soil in front of the monument, and the wine quickly seeped into the ground, as if it was greedily sucked in by the bluestone.

The wind blew through the bamboo forest, making a rustling sound, as if the person in the monument was responding to him gently.

He sat there, drinking one glass after another, facing the bluestone, talking about the grievances and pains he had suffered over the years, and the love for Lian Mu that was hidden deep in his heart and could never be expressed to Yun Xining.

The sun shines through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, casting mottled light and shadow on him. It also illuminates the two names side by side on the bluestone and the lonely figure in front of the stone tablet.