Chapter 280: Like a Melting Iceberg
“So, what do you think our relationship is?”
Xuenuo looked at Ming, her calm eyes awaiting his response.
Silence fell between the two.
Ming’s eyes met Xuenuo’s.
Deep down, Ming understood that Xuenuo asking this question was mainly about knowing her “place.”
When someone feels like a rootless waterlily, it’s hard for them to feel secure.
Xuenuo currently faced such an issue.
Because when she was young, her mother “disapproved” of her not being born a boy. Later on, Xuenuo severed ties with the Xu family, leaving her adrift like cotton fluff in the wind, unsure of who she truly was or where she might end up, much like a kite without direction.
Perhaps deep within Xuenuo’s heart, there has always been a lack of security.
But fortunately, there were still a few strings holding onto this kite.
These strings were “bloodline,” Ming, and Qingwan.
Especially Ming.
Ming was one of Xuenuo’s only two friends since birth, and also a family member.
However, now, for Xuenuo, there was a fifty percent chance that she wouldn’t be part of the Xu family, meaning the bloodline string would snap.
And even if Xuenuo had the Xu family’s bloodline, it would mean Ming wouldn’t.
So, Ming and Xuenuo weren’t related by blood.
Then, what exactly was their relationship?
“You tell me what our relationship is, and that’s what we are.” Ming said with a smile.
“Hmm…” Xuenuo gently lowered her head.
Ming looked at the complex expression on the girl before him. “If you want to be my sister, then you’re my sister. Who says siblings must be bound by blood? There are sworn brothers who share life and death, and there are also blood-related brothers who become enemies. So how important is blood, really?”
“If you don’t want to be my sister, then we’ll just be friends. Our relationship has nothing to do with anyone else; our bond is built together.”
“So, it’s up to you, Xuenuo.”
“But Xuenuo…”
“No matter what, my attitude towards you and Qingwan will never change. When you walk ahead and forget where you came from, we’ll always be by your side.”
Listening to Ming’s words, Xuenuo tightly gripped the hem of her clothes, her eyes flickering, almost misted over with tears. “Hmph, sounds better than singing.” Xuenuo turned her head, not wanting Ming to see her disarray. “You’ve never called me ‘sister’ since we were kids.”
Ming: “…”
“Or maybe I should call you once right now?” Ming chuckled.
“No need.” Xuenuo secretly wiped the corner of her eye and walked back toward the way she came. “I’m going back. If you have time in the future, come visit the Ten Thousand Sword Sect; it will benefit your cultivation.”
“Wait, this is for you.”
Ming took out a box from his storage pouch and tossed it to Xuenuo.
Xuenuo caught it steadily, facing away from Ming as she inspected the box. “What is this?”
Looking at Xuenuo’s silhouette, Ming explained, “Just a little something. Originally, I planned to give it to you and Qingwan as a token of meeting. Open it and you’ll know. It’s not very valuable.”
Xuenuo opened the box to find a deer-god hairpin inside. The material used for the hairpin was decent, just as Ming had said, not particularly precious. The craftsmanship wasn’t top-notch, but it was clearly made with care.
“Did you make this?” Xuenuo asked.
“Yes, though it doesn’t look very good,” Ming admitted. “It does look pretty bad,” Xuenuo nodded, giving no quarter.
“…”
Ming thought to himself that his so-called “elder sister” really didn’t know how to comfort others.
Even if it was ugly, couldn’t she pretend a little?
“But… it’s barely passable,” Xuenuo added, putting away the hairpin and walking further away. Her voice drifted back from behind her, “Thanks.”
Xuenuo’s figure gradually disappeared from Ming’s sight.
“She’s still the same as when she was a kid… sharp-tongued but soft-hearted, and a bit tsundere.” Ming couldn’t help but smile as he watched Xuenuo vanish. “But this is good.”
“Junior Master has returned.”
On a rock halfway up Guest Peak, everyone was waiting for Xuenuo’s return when a female disciple stood up.
At the sound of the disciple’s voice, everyone turned to look.
“Back already,” the leading elder smiled at Xuenuo.
Xuenuo bowed respectfully with her sword. “Sorry to keep Elder and all the seniors waiting.”
“A few minutes don’t matter.” The elder nodded. “Are you done talking?”
“Done.”
“Then let’s go.” The elder led the group forward, with everyone following behind.
In truth, everyone could tell that there seemed to be some tension between this brother-sister duo.
The things they discussed definitely weren’t about sword techniques but rather private matters, but everyone pretended not to notice.
As they walked, however, the disciples of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect couldn’t help but glance repeatedly at Xuenuo.
Not because of her outstanding looks.
Rather, they felt that their sect’s junior master, her sword qi and sword intent, had become clearer and calmer, like a spring on a snowy mountain—pure and refreshing.
“Xiao Brother, look, look!”
A female cultivator from the Ten Thousand Sword Sect nudged her companion lightly with her elbow, whispering excitedly.
“What?” Xiao Brother looked puzzled.
“Look at Junior Master!” The female disciple tugged at his sleeve.
Xiao Brother glanced over.
The moment Xiao Brother looked, he wondered if he’d seen wrong.
He rubbed his eyes and looked again.
Now Xiao Brother wasn’t sure if he’d seen wrong but rather if he was dreaming.
The noon sunlight shone down.
On the path down the mountain.
A young girl looked down, seemingly reminiscing about something, a faint smile appearing on her face, like an iceberg slowly melting…
