The tail of winter had yet to pass, and the morning sun shone brightly, illuminating the snow-covered peaks of the Qingyuan Mountains with a shimmering light.
In the beautifully decorated chambers, like the finishing touch on a snowy mountain vista, stood a stunning young maiden with a serene, cold beauty, leaning against the railing as she gazed into the distance, seemingly admiring the snow scenery.
But upon closer inspection, one would notice a hint of bewilderment in her clear, tranquil eyes.
Just as she opened the window, she heard Li Mo pounding the table as he uttered these words:
‘He… has never been in love…’
‘He… doesn’t understand love…’
Ying Bing, lost in her memories, thought back to her previous life.
It seemed that ever since her family died, she severed all emotions and desires. Seeing others entangled by love, she felt they were merely troubling themselves unnecessarily.
Heaven and earth are indifferent; the great Dao has no sentiment.
This was what she believed, and later reaching the pinnacle of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths proved this to be true.
As such, as the leader of the Moon Palace, she instructed the disciples of the Moon Palace to maintain a pure heart, undistracted by worldly desires, channeling all their energy into pursuing the great Dao.
Although the rules were strict, there were still disciples who repeatedly violated the taboos.
Once one gets involved with love, it seems they become foolish…
This made her even more certain.
Love makes people foolish.
Thus, her world became solely her own, lonely and cold. At that time, she often enjoyed the snow alone, although the snow could not compare to the breath she exhaled, she sometimes felt… a bit cold?
After reincarnation.
One early morning, a smile from the past, dulled by time, inexplicably entered her life, casting the brilliant spring light onto the snowy mountains.
Unfortunately, a system also appeared.
Unfortunately, she inexplicably lost a few times…
Hence, one thing led to another, and she gradually got used to being led by him, eating the food he fed her, calling him ‘stinky little brother.’
She occasionally realized that she seemed different from before, but this change was not something she could dislike.
Could this…
be called falling in love?
Ying Bing did not know. The words ’emotion’ and ‘love’ were separated from her by a layer of ice in her previous life, and now they were blurred and unclear.
So she changed her clothes and went downstairs, walking to Li Mo, who was sitting on the threshold of the courtyard, contemplating humanity, and sat beside him.
“What are you eating?”
“Um… fried dough sticks, want some?”
Thus, the two sat in front of the threshold, blowing in the chilly wind, drinking soy milk and eating fried dough sticks, watching the sun rise over the snowy mountains, watching the sky gradually turn colorful, dotted with fluffy clouds.
Little Li, the love mentor, also had his own confusion.
When asked to guide others, he was confident and decisive, giving advice effortlessly.
But when it came to practical application, he was confused.
“Do you want more soy milk?”
“Yeah.”
Li Mo fetched another bowl. Seeing Ice Chunk hugging his knees and sitting on the threshold, he felt it was somewhat unreal.
“I want it hotter.”
“Isn’t this hot enough?”
Li Mo wondered why Ice Chunk today was craving something so hot.
So scalding, how could it be comforting?
He heated the soy milk with his true energy and then scooped up another spoonful.
“Taste this.”
“Sss…”
Ying Bing, expressionless, parted her lips slightly and took a sip of the scalding soy milk, then gently exhaled, revealing a small, delicate pink tongue.
“It’s not too hot for me.”
“Yeah, not too hot…”
Li Mo, puzzled, finished the remaining soy milk in the spoon and tasted it again.
Strange.
There’s no sugar, yet there’s a faint sweet taste…
Li Mo scratched his neck. Why did he feel itchy lately?
Ice Chunk silently withdrew her gaze from his neck.
“Huh? Aren’t we playing mahjong?”
Qin Yuzhi brought out the mahjong table, standing there unexpectedly, her expression like Uncle Da’s “I haven’t got a car yet.”
“Why are you eating?”
“Do you want some?”
“… Not really hungry.”
Qin Yuzhi had slept for thousands of years, but now she felt incredibly full, was it stubbornness? Or because she really wanted to play mahjong?
Speaking of which.
Li Mo mentioned the Love Battle (named by Qin Yuzhi) — could it have already started…
Thinking of this, she warned:
“You two aren’t playing love games, right?”
“What are love games?”
Ying Bing tilted her head, never having played before.
“Newbie?” Qin Yuzhi squinted, showing a hint of evil.
That requires tuition fees, you know.
“It seems we’re missing someone?”
Little Li finally remembered that there was still someone at Qiushui Pavilion, that girl who drank several bottles of strong liquor and should still be sleeping…
So he pushed open the door of his beautiful master’s room and saw an unidentifiable body lying on the bed, arms and legs sprawled out snoring loudly.
“Master!”
The blanket was thrown off.
“Hmm?”
Shang Wu, drowsily, opened her eyes, lazily yet with a hint of danger.
If you disturb me, make sure you have a good reason, or you might end up in trouble.
“Mahjong is missing one player.”
“Bold! To dare ask me to play mahjong, I almost plucked Qingluan’s feathers to use as the joker for the first Mahjong tournament in the Qingyuan Sect!”
Shang Wu instantly perked up, her path filled with energy. It had been a long time since she last played cards.
Once, she even suggested to the sect leader to hold a mahjong competition annually in the Qingyuan Sect.
Unfortunately, it was unanimously rejected.
Therefore.
The first Mahjong tournament in Qiushui Pavilion officially began!
On one side, people were enjoying a peaceful game of mahjong.
On the other side, on the mountain path leading to the Main Peak Great Hall, Elder Zeng of Hengyun Sword City and the three heroes of Hengyun were filled with sorrow and still reeking of alcohol from the night before.
Every few steps up the mountain, they would sigh.
Amidst these sighs, they reached the Main Peak Great Hall.
“Old Zeng? What’s going on?”
Elder Han He just happened to be in the Main Peak Great Hall as well. He was acquainted with Elder Zeng; many years ago, the two had collaborated to forge weapons, and they occasionally exchanged techniques in metalworking.
Only, Elder Zeng had excellent bones and high cultivation, making him a master craftsman now.
“Oh! I’m here not to find you.”
Elder Zeng sighed deeply again.
“Then what brings you here?”
“It’s about Li Mo. We’ll discuss it with Brother Shang.”
Li Mo?
Elder Han He was stunned. Just now, he passed by Qiushui Pavilion and saw that brat playing mahjong.
Indeed, after returning from Lankeshan, he didn’t even say a word…
The two entered the hall.
Seeing Shang Wencang, Elder Zeng’s first words were:
“Brother Shang, take heart.”
“??”
Shang Wencang puffed on his pipe, bewildered.
“The disciple of your sect, Li Mo, died in the Cloud Dream Underground Palace. I saw it with my own eyes.”
“How can that be??”
Elder Han He leaned back slightly.
Didn’t he see that brat playing mahjong just now?
But both of them immediately understood, as Elder Zeng had peak external manifestation realm cultivation, his eyesight was excellent.
“There’s no mistake. I even brought back his remains.”
Elder Zeng pulled out the feather and sadly recounted the details of the incident, describing it vividly.
Elder Han He’s head buzzed.
Who was playing mahjong at Qiushui Pavilion?
Suddenly, he shivered.
From Elder Zeng’s tone, it sounded like the Cloud Dream Underground Palace was a strange place. Could he have seen…
a ghost?!
…….
