Originally, today was supposed to be the first day of the Sword Tournament. No one expected such a drastic turn of events. Most of the venue was stained with blood, and even Baiya Peak was not spared. The surviving disciples from various sects were busy cleaning up the aftermath, while a small team from Cixin Valley was also occupied with taking care of the wounded.
In the face of such a tragic scene, many were worried that the Demonic Sect would take the opportunity to strike.
Hua Yan thought that they were underestimating Xie Yingxian’s authority. Although he spoke casually, no one from their sect dared to defy Xie Yingxian’s orders and cause trouble.
In the past decade, Dongfeng Buye Tower’s upper management, including the four chief stewards, had been completely replaced by Lu Zhusheng. Jiang Louyue’s old followers were few in number. While Lu Zhusheng was alive, it was hard to infiltrate the sect, but now that he was dead and the sect was without a leader, Jiang Louyue could justifiably return. Although there would likely be power struggles both openly and covertly for some time.
In addition, those who had lost friends and relatives in past events had set up altars on the spot to comfort the spirits of the deceased.
In short, everyone was busy, but all of this had nothing to do with Hua Yan anymore.
After snuggling in Lu Chengsha’s arms, she felt exhausted. Knowing that something significant would happen today, Hua Yan had not slept well the previous night, feeling anxious and worried that something might go wrong or that events might not unfold as Xie Yingxian had predicted. After such a thrilling ordeal, she was utterly drained.
She whispered to Lu Chengsha and decided to hide away for a nap.
They had come up the mountain in the morning, and Dongfeng Buye Tower had not arranged accommodations for the Zhengyi Sect. So, Lu Chengsha took her to his own room.
Since Lu Chengsha had previously been expelled from Tingjian Manor, Dongfeng Buye Tower had considerately not arranged for him to stay with Tingjian Manor but instead gave him a separate room. It was not too big or too small, in a secluded but serene location.
He led Hua Yan inside, feeling a bit nervous.
Hua Yan, completely unperturbed, exhausted in both body and mind, took off her shoes and leapt onto Lu Chengsha’s bed. Having slept here for several nights, the bed linens carried a bit of his scent. Hua Yan sniffed, feeling satisfied, and began to undress for sleep.
She had just untied her waist sash and removed her upper garment when she noticed Lu Chengsha respectfully turning his back to her.
Hua Yan couldn’t help but laugh, “Why are you turning away? It’s not like you haven’t seen me before!”
Lu Chengsha seemed to struggle to say something.
Hua Yan, with a playful smile, said, “Besides, you haven’t seen me for so long. Don’t you want to take a good look at me?”
Lu Chengsha hadn’t turned back yet, but his voice came through, “…I do.”
Hua Yan casually slipped off her skirt, leaving only a snow-white inner garment. Since Baiya Peak was cold, she had dressed a bit warmer. She piled her clothes by her feet and loosened her intricately braided hair. She noticed that Lu Chengsha still hadn’t turned around.
She couldn’t help but feel dissatisfied. “What are you still being awkward about? Your grandfather already agreed! We can be together openly now…”
Lu Chengsha replied quickly, “I know, but…”
Hua Yan became even more dissatisfied, “But what…”
Lu Chengsha had no choice but to say, “You want to sleep, and I don’t want to disturb you.”
Hua Yan asked curiously, “How would you disturb me? By the way, this bed is quite big, and you’ve also had a tiring day. Do you want to sleep together for a while?”
Lu Chengsha’s voice suddenly lowered by two tones, “…No need.” He paused and then said, “I’ll just keep watch over you.”
Hua Yan couldn’t understand why he was still being so awkward at this moment!
Could it be that he had gotten used to being awkward and hadn’t adjusted to the fact that they could now be openly together?
The more Hua Yan thought about it, the more she believed this was the case. She immediately lifted the quilt and jumped out of bed, not even bothering to put on her shoes, deciding to have a proper talk with him. Before she could reach Lu Chengsha, he had already heard her footsteps and turned around.
Lu Chengsha’s gaze froze slightly. “The floor is cold.”
Hua Yan said, “No, it’s not…” She had inner strength, and walking barefoot in the snow was not impossible for her.
Before she could finish speaking, Lu Chengsha had already walked over and picked her up.
Hua Yan wanted to say something, but Lu Chengsha lowered his head and kissed her, his strong arms encircling her waist. Hua Yan’s feet didn’t touch the ground, and she felt as if she was completely enveloped in his embrace.
The kiss was almost wild, as if he had been wanting to do this for a long time. He skillfully parted her lips.
Hua Yan was kissed until she was dizzy. In no time, she felt weak and unable to stand, leaning back. Lu Chengsha’s lips followed her closely, his grip on her waist tightening. When she finally regained a bit of consciousness, she found herself pinned to the bed by him.
Behind her was the soft bed, and in front of her was the weight of Lu Chengsha.
He lifted his head, looking intently at her face for a moment.
Hua Yan was still panting, her chest rising and falling, unable to regain her composure. She felt that even Lu Chengsha’s lingering gaze on her face was exceptionally heated, almost warm.
Lu Chengsha reached out, his cool fingertips carefully tracing from her brow to her cheek, to the corner of her lips, to her chin. His pitch-black eyes didn’t blink, as if he were trying to engrave her appearance into his memory.
Hua Yan found his reluctant-to-blink expression a bit amusing.
“Do I look good?” she asked with a smile.
Lu Chengsha answered honestly, “You look good.”
Hua Yan’s tone was more like she was pouting rather than complaining, “Then how could you bear not looking at me for so long…”
Lu Chengsha, however, only stared at her parted red lips, faintly seeing the soft pink hue between her teeth and lips.
His Adam’s apple involuntarily moved.
He had initially managed to restrain himself, but once he realized that he didn’t need to, his clear rationality began to waver.
So he really didn’t dare to look at her, because all he wanted to do was…
Hua Yan hadn’t said much before she found her lips covered by his again. Rather than kissing, it was more like he was tasting her, savoring every inch inside and out. His kiss was domineering and a bit capricious. It had been a long time since Hua Yan had been kissed so passionately. His intense manner made her feel somewhat unaccustomed, with his heavy breathing mixing with desires that made her blush.
She arched her slender neck, her arms unconsciously climbing onto Lu Chengsha’s shoulders.
Her earlier drowsiness disappeared in an instant.
All that remained was a slightly heated body and a somewhat hazy mind.
Hua Yan whimpered a few times, noticing Lu Chengsha’s hands roaming over her waist. Her sash was just within reach, and if he pulled it slightly, her inner garment would loosen, revealing the even thinner undergarment beneath.
She couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous, her mind hazily recalling what color her undergarment was…
At the same time, she felt a coolness at her chest as her inner garment slightly parted.
Lu Chengsha lowered his head, his lips moving to her chin, making Hua Yan unconsciously tense her body.
Suddenly, she felt Lu Chengsha’s body shudder and freeze.
Then, with some frustration, he propped himself up with one hand on the bed, struggled to rise, and turned his gaze away, saying, “…You should sleep. I won’t disturb you.”
Hua Yan: “…???”
Are you serious?
Hua Yan’s tone was incredulous, “You’ve already disturbed me this much! Do you really think I can still sleep?”
Lu Chengsha turned his gaze back, and very uncharacteristically, he asked a full sentence, “…Can I continue?”
From his tone, it sounded as if he couldn’t wait for her to nod.
Originally intending to nod, Hua Yan’s rebellious side kicked in, “…Then you better not continue!”
Lu Chengsha: “…”
Hua Yan added, “No sulking! Just watch me sleep from the side!”
She hadn’t even had the chance to properly sulk yet!
Saying that, Hua Yan pulled the nearby quilt over herself, wrapping her half-exposed body as if she were ready to sleep immediately.
Lu Chengsha sat by the bed, stunned for a moment, and then was about to get up and leave.
Hua Yan immediately said, “…Stay here, don’t leave!”
Lu Chengsha had no choice. The step he was about to take was retracted, his gaze directed outward, his body slightly stiff. From the gap in the quilt, Hua Yan stretched out her hand and hooked his finger.
He hesitated, “Aren’t you going to sleep…”
Hua Yan replied honestly, “I can’t sleep… How about you lull me to sleep?”
Lu Chengsha had no idea how to lull someone to sleep. When he turned his gaze, he saw her flushed cheeks, her big eyes blinking, her lips still glistening from his kiss, and her delicate fingers clutching the edge of the quilt. She looked like she was eagerly waiting for him to do something, showing no sign of sleepiness.
Actually, he was reluctant to leave too.
Finally having the chance to look at her closely, even Lu Chengsha breathed a huge sigh of relief.
At this moment, it still felt somewhat unreal.
But no matter what, he cherished it deeply.
Lu Chengsha took Hua Yan’s hand and gently kissed her fingertips. Noticing her slight shiver, he leaned down and kissed her forehead and cheeks with great restraint, barely touching, like a feather, a tender and precious kiss.
Then, Lu Chengsha said, “Sleep now.”
When Hua Yan came back to her senses, he had already kissed her quickly, leaving only a warm touch on her forehead and cheeks.
Even though she wasn’t feeling sleepy just a moment ago, she now felt a bit drowsy.
Hua Yan blinked her eyes and unconsciously drifted off to sleep.
She slept deeply, and when she woke up, the night was silent and still. Opening her eyes, she found her hand still held in Lu Chengsha’s palm. He leaned beside her, seemingly asleep as well, his dark eyes closed, lashes covering his eyelids, his serene face exuding tranquility.
He wasn’t going anywhere.
Hua Yan looked at him, her lips silently curling into a smile.
It was truly wonderful, she thought. This time, nothing could separate them anymore.
***
The Sword Tournament had been in preparation for so long, whether it should continue was still a question. Held every three years, it would be a pity to cancel it just like that.
Even though Dongfeng Buye Tower had once been controlled by Lu Zhusheng, now that he was dead, it wouldn’t make sense to eradicate Dongfeng Buye Tower like he did. After all, unlike the Jianghu sects, Dongfeng Buye Tower had many ordinary people who worked there just to make a living.
With Baiya Peak unable to preside over the conference, they were too busy handling their own sect’s affairs.
The other four major sects discussed and decided to temporarily cancel the other competitions, leaving only the disciples’ battle.
Originally, the disciples’ battle was scheduled to last three days, but with Baiya Peak’s withdrawal and various sects sustaining losses, some withdrew. In the end, only about twenty participants remained, and the schedule was reduced to one day with four to five rounds to conclude the competition.
Chu Jun withdrew early, and Mu Xuelang, having to manage sect affairs on behalf of the head, also chose to withdraw. This time, the disciples’ battle had no highlights; it was obvious that Lu Chengsha would win.
Sure enough, Lu Chengsha advanced to the final round.
No one expected that the demonic sect maiden—now known as the holy maiden of the Zhengyi Sect—would also make it to the final round.
When the two stood face to face on the stage, the onlooking disciples felt an indescribable and subtle feeling.
Who didn’t know about the entanglement between these two three years ago? Back then, the whole Jianghu had sighed over it. Whether it was Lu Chengsha turning his sword against his sect for the demonic maiden or the demonic maiden burning Tingjian Manor and making grandiose statements, and finally, Lu Chengsha being expelled from his sect—each event was followed by numerous rumors. Some even wrote stories based on them, selling quite well, so even ordinary people were familiar with their tale.
People thought they had long forgotten each other and would never meet again. No one expected to learn during the Five Sects Conference that they were still deeply in love.
Many didn’t believe it, given how much time had passed.
Yet this time, the two even embraced in front of Lu Zhenxing!
Those who saw it were shocked but didn’t dare show it, only discussing it privately.
Now, under everyone’s gaze, the black-clad young hero and the red-dressed demonic maiden stood facing each other. The spectators, gossipers, and curious onlookers all held their breath.
After yesterday, although it was still hard for some to completely change their attitude, most no longer harbored as much hostility towards the demonic sect. Consequently, they viewed the demonic maiden with more admiration than before. After all, she was both beautiful and skilled in martial arts, leading many to compare her to Qin Muyan of the Qiqin Tianxia.
Qin Muyan was still unmarried and admired by many young disciples. It was said that her standards were so high that she couldn’t be bothered with ordinary men. Lu Chengsha’s famous battle was closely linked to her, and many believed they would end up together, but now…
People looked at the demonic maiden and said, “Fairy Qin seems a bit plain…”
“Fairy Qin’s martial arts also seem…”
“??? Weren’t you saying yesterday that you’d be willing to shorten your lifespan by twenty years if it meant winning Fairy Qin’s favor?”
“…Can I change my mind now? If I could choose her instead, I’d be willing to give up thirty years!”
“Look at Young Hero Lu over there, do you think you stand a chance? Wake up!”
On the stage, Hua Yan couldn’t hear the chatter below. She held her Chunhua Sword, eager to start.
Lu Chengsha originally intended to forfeit the match.
Hua Yan immediately fumed, “Are you looking down on me?”
Lu Chengsha didn’t dare respond, so he reluctantly stepped onto the stage. Not far away, he could see their sect leader watching with great interest.
He felt awkward; fighting or not fighting both seemed problematic. For the first time, Lu Chengsha found a match truly tricky because of personal reasons.
It was also the first time he was happy about losing a match.
Hua Yan remained dissatisfied. “I told you not to go easy on me!”
Lu Chengsha felt wronged, “I didn’t.”
Hua Yan crossed her arms, “You’re lying.”
Lu Chengsha had to explain, “I can’t fight you.”
Hua Yan was puzzled, “Why?”
Because he couldn’t bring himself to strike her. Throughout the match, Lu Chengsha was entirely on the defensive. By the time they finished, it was already dark, and he was declared the loser due to his passive stance.
Hua Yan felt that her victory was unearned and was quite unhappy about it.
Xie Yingxian drifted over and said, “You two, stop making things difficult for everyone. Watching this match made me take three naps.”
Hua Yan was shocked, “Was it really that boring?”
Xie Yingxian nodded sincerely, “Yes.”
As they chatted, Lu Chengsha didn’t say a word but subtly shielded Xie Yingxian from getting too close to Hua Yan.
At this moment, a man in black approached.
Lu Huaitian cleared his throat and formally said, “Chengsha, now that the truth has come to light, you weren’t entirely wrong back then. You’ve been away from Tingjian Manor for three years and should have reflected enough. The old manor lord has decided to give you another chance. Do you want to return to Tingjian Manor?”
All three turned to look at him.
Lu Huaitian’s expression remained unchanged.
Hua Yan deliberately clung to Lu Chengsha and said, “Don’t go back! Join our Zhengyi Sect instead!”
Xie Yingxian also smiled and said, “I think it’s a good idea. After all, he is Xie Changyun’s son, my brother. Blood ties make him closer to this side anyway.”
Hua Yan added fuel to the fire, “Moreover, Old Manor Lord Lu personally expelled him from Tingjian Manor, saying they had no further relationship. Isn’t it a bit contradictory to go back on his word now?”
Lu Chengsha: “…”
Lu Huaitian, as if expecting this reaction, cleared his throat again and said, “If you two want to get married, it’s improper for him to have no sect affiliation. No matter what, he is still the old manor lord’s grandson. He can’t get married without any dignity.”
Hua Yan, remembering Ling Aoxue’s wedding, was instantly moved and said to Lu Chengsha, “Then you should go back first!”
Lu Chengsha: “…?”
Xie Yingxian: “…”