The figure suddenly appeared out of nowhere like a ghost. Qi Mingyue lowered the Ni Hu in his hand, his eyes revealing a trace of worry as he watched Wu Yao entangled in combat with the man in gray robes.
As they fought, the two exchanged blows, each move countered by the other. Even without keen eyesight, one could see how similar they were. The same emptiness and lifelessness, the same ghostly aura. The only difference was that the other person felt even gloomier and colder than Wu Yao. If Wu Yao was merely a puppet that had lost its soul, then that man was something worse, an evil spirit infused with malice imposed upon a puppet. Both were equally lifeless, yet the latter stirred an inexplicable sense of revulsion.
Su Ya’er leaned against the wall. Seeing Cheng Ziyao still standing nearby, she felt the urge to flee but did not dare to make a move. Realizing the earlier commotion must have alerted others, she looked around in panic and caught sight of people rushing over from not far away.
As she watched the two figures draw closer, their nearly identical faces stirred very different emotions in her. By now, she made no attempt at all to hide her contempt and disdain for Yan Qing, yet she did not dare to look at Yan Zhen. When she saw Yun Jinghao hurrying over from the front courtyard behind them, the last trace of hope in Su Ya’er’s eyes gradually faded. She had not expected that Cheng Ziyao not only understood Tianyin, but was also so skilled in martial arts that even the Night Messenger was powerless against him. As she realized her identity was about to be exposed, anxiety and dread surged in her heart. Yet in that moment, faced by everyone, how could she possibly dare to act rashly?
“What happened?” Yan Zhen looked toward the two figures locked in combat. One was Cheng Ziyao’s guard, the other a masked man in gray robes, looking very suspicious. Then he looked at Cheng Ziyao, standing beside Ya’er with a faint intent to block her, while Ya’er looked disheveled. Her hair messy, her face no longer gentle and beautiful but filled with fierce resentment and unwillingness, how could he not realize something was amiss? Remembering that he had fallen into a deep sleep after drinking the thick soup Ya’er had given him, a sudden realization struck him. Could it be that Ya’er was the one who had harmed him?
His face, identical to Yan Qing’s, showed no trace of panic, remaining as calm as still water as he stood beside Yan Qing. When he noticed a flash of confusion in Yan Zhen’s eyes upon seeing Su Ya’er, followed by understanding and a faint chill, Qi Mingyue cast Yan Qing a look of quiet approval. Such an elegant, refined, and perceptive person, no wonder Yan Qing was so persistent. Even if they were bound by blood ties, it likely would not be enough to stop Yan Qing’s determination for wanting Yan Zhen. It seemed Yan Qing’s judgment was indeed not bad.
The exchanged glances between the two fell into Yan Zhen’s eyes, causing waves in his previously calm eyes. He lowered his eyes, gazing at the figure dressed in green beside him, his thoughts instantly thrown into disarray. He did not understand why seeing Yan Qing getting close to Cheng Ziyao caused a faint ache in his chest.
Yun Jinghao arrived and, seeing the scene before him, immediately sensed something was amiss from years of experience in the Jianghu. His cold and sharp gaze swept across the scene. When he noticed Ya’er’s evasive eyes and abnormal expression, his suspicion deepened further, and seeing Cheng Ziyao’s signaling glance, the cold light in his eyes immediately intensified. He glared fiercely at the girl he had regarded as his own daughter, disbelief and anger surging in his chest. If she had truly poisoned Yan Zhen, then he had brought this disaster into his home himself. Back then, seeing her alone and helpless, he had taken her in. Now it seemed it might all have been a deception.
Please read The Elegant Dancing Years Chapter 75 on Project Bezemwagen :-)
Suppressing the suspicions in his heart, Yun Jinghao ordered that Su Ya’er be taken back to her own room and placed under strict guard. No matter what the truth was, now really was not the time to investigate further. Dusk had already fallen, yet the two locked in combat in the courtyard had still not determined a victor, while the disturbance here had already drawn the attention of the front courtyard. Yun Jinghao’s departure had been too sudden, and with trouble breaking out in the inner courtyard and loud noises carrying outward, anyone could tell something was amiss, so it was only natural that others would be drawn over.In winter, as dusk settled, night quickly followed. Beyond the faint veil of clouds, a bright moon hung high, its cold light revealing a faint, crimson hue in the air filled with the metallic scent of blood.
Dozens of people who had rushed over from the front courtyard followed Yun Jinghao, and what met their eyes was precisely such a scene. Beneath the inauspicious moonlight, one white and one gray figure flickered ceaselessly, and with every clash, both became drenched in blood, yet neither slowed in the slightest. None knew what had happened, yet the sheer savagery of the fight stirred everyone present. The two seemed no longer made of flesh and blood, utterly indifferent to the blood streaming from their bodies, and with every exchange, several more bloody wounds were added to each of them. If this continued, were they not simply casting their lives aside?
Seeing Wu Yao’s white clothes already soaked in blood, Qi Mingyue, holding the Ni Yu, furrowed his brows, showing a clear trace of anger and concern. If he were to step forward rashly at this moment, he might distract Wu Yao and, worse, allow that person to slip away. Su Ya’er had already been placed under guard, and the one who had come to meet her was clearly no ordinary figure, so they naturally could not afford to take that person lightly. If they wished to seize the man without incident, then he would likely have to……
Yan Qing walked to his side, his expression also growing grave. “Will Wu Yao be alright? That person does not seem weak, and appears almost evenly matched with Wu Yao. I never expected that, aside from Wu Yao, there would be someone of such skill in this world. That person is clearly not to be taken lightly, Yan Zhen’s matter may very well be connected to him. Ziyao, do you have a way to capture him?”
"This person is here for Yunhao Manor, so it should be handled by someone from Yunhao Manor, you don’t need to……” Hearing Yan Qing speak those words to Cheng Ziyao, Yan Zhen felt a trace of displeasure within him. Why was it that whenever it concerned him, Yan Qing would turn to others for help? Was he really so incompetent that he needed Yan Qing’s care in everything? Since childhood, he had never been able to help Yan Qing with anything, yet he was always the one being cared for. As an elder brother, he was a failure. As time passed, this only made him cling more tightly to that identity of an elder brother, quick to reprimand Yan Qing, while Yan Qing yielded at every turn, until in the end the other simply left home. And at the thought of where Yan Qing had been staying during this time, his heart churned even more violently.
Hearing Yan Zhen's words, Qi Mingyue’s expression darkened further, yet he said nothing to the other, only giving Yan Qing a faint smile, “Keep an eye on your man, don’t let him provoke me at this moment.” Lifting his gaze toward the two locked in battle, a cold killing intent surfaced in his eyes. “I only know that Wu Yao is one of my people…… he must absolutely not come to harm before my eyes.” As for talk of the manor’s affairs being handled by its own people, among those present, who was capable of dealing with the man in gray? He knew Wu Yao’s abilities well, and for the fight to have reached this point, it could only mean that the other was in no way inferior. The slightest misstep would be enough to let the other escape.
His man? Yan Zhen looked toward Yan Qing, unable to make sense of what Cheng Ziyao had just said. As he turned his head, he happened to meet the gentleness in Yan Qing’s eyes, and the heat hidden within them made him avert his gaze once more. In the midst of such tension, faced with Yan Qing’s gaze, his heart unexpectedly quickened, and an unexplainable faint heat rose to his face. Fortunately, under the cover of the night, it would not be easily noticed. Feeling slightly relieved, he realized Cheng Ziyao was nowhere to be seen.
Please read The Elegant Dancing Years Chapter 75 on Project Bezemwagen :-)
Beside him, Yan Qing showed a look of delight. How could he not have noticed Yan Zhen’s earlier expression? Seeing that he had finally stirred some response in Yan Zhen, and catching those faint traces of blush, he felt that the long-cherished wish he had carried for years might at last be within reach.The two stood quietly aside, hidden emotions surging between them, yet no one noticed. Yun Jinghao, seeing Wu Yao entangled with the opponent for so long, could not help but grow concerned. Wu Yao was Young Hero Cheng’s guard, if anything were to happen to him within the manor, how could he explain it to Young Hero Cheng. He craned his neck to look for the other’s figure, only to find the gathered martial artists already shouting, eager to rush forward and lend their aid.
“Lord Yun, could it be that this person harbors ill intent? That young hero will not be able to hold out much longer, allow us to go and assist him, we will certainly capture that despicable person!”
“That’s right, that’s right. That masked person in gray robes, with such mysterious martial arts, can’t be a good thing. What are we waiting for? Let’s go and capture him together!”
“Lord Yun, the master of Yunhao Manor is here, and this is the rear courtyard. Our intrusion is already improper, as we have yet to understand what happened, rushing in would not be wise. Let’s wait for Lord Yun’s decision.”
“Lord Yun, what is your opinion?”
Yun Jinghao hesitated. If they all rushed forward, that man in gray robes would definitely escape. He wanted to stop them but didn’t know how to say it. If he mentioned the opponent’s extraordinary skill and that he was likely able to escape, it would cause unrest and disbelief among the group, leading to chaos.
Just as he was about to think of an excuse, he saw a figure in silver and white approaching from afar. Beneath the moonlight, the figure seemed to tread on starlight, sweeping past before their eyes and descending lightly onto the treetop.
“Young Hero Cheng!” Yun Jinghao’s heart leapt with joy as he called out, but there was no response. The other sat cross-legged among the branches of the tree, his body swaying with the wind. Across his knees lay a zither-like instrument, and his head was slightly lowered, as though lost in thought.
“Lord Yun, who is that?” An old man quickly asked, seeing Yun Jinghao’s face light up with delight.
Before Yun Jinghao could answer, a few faint strains of music began to drift through the air. As the figure in silver robes slowly raised his hand and his fingertips moved ever so slightly, clear and melodious zither tones rippled out, faint and ethereal, scattering on the wind. Captivated by the music, everyone fell silent, forgetting even to speak.
Only the sound of clashing blades remained, sharp and unmistakable. Under the dim moonlight, the music, accompanied by the sound of metal striking, gradually transitioned from gentle to fierce. The two battling figures now seemed controlled by the music, each move and stance taking on a strange, elusive rhythm, unconsciously following the music’s rise and fall. Those present were mostly veterans of the Jianghu, so how could they not recognize the strangeness of the scene. Amazement and admiration filled their hearts, and they could not help but lift their gaze toward the one playing the music.
Amid the mottled shadows of the trees, the branches and leaves beneath the person could not be seen, as if he sat suspended in empty air, a few strands of hair drifting lightly. His calm face was strikingly handsome, a faint smile resting on his lips, gentle and approachable, such that one could not help but have an favorable impression of him at first sight. Yet upon closer look, in the slight lift of his hand and the downward cast of his gaze, there was a trace of cool detachment, like the bright moon behind him. Clearly before one’s eyes, yet beyond everyone’s reach.
Please read The Elegant Dancing Years Chapter 75 on Project Bezemwagen :-)
As a light breeze stirred, his silver white robes fluttered beneath the moon. He lifted his gaze slightly, his fingers moving, and the music suddenly intensified, causing the scene to change.The man in gray robes suddenly staggered back a few steps, his footing inexplicably thrown into disarray. His chest heaved violently, and before he could react, Wu Yao had already driven Ruoshui
若水
RuòShuǐ
Literally ‘like water’
A dagger first mentioned in Chapter 11, named in Chapter 13, and given to Wu Yao by Qing Mingyue in Chapter 14.
1 into his shoulder.
RuòShuǐ
Literally ‘like water’
A dagger first mentioned in Chapter 11, named in Chapter 13, and given to Wu Yao by Qing Mingyue in Chapter 14.
At that moment, the music abruptly stopped. The man in gray suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, barely managing to remain standing as one hand pressed against the blood pouring forth, clearly no longer capable of striking back.
Looking at the blood covering his body, uncertain whether it was his own or his opponent’s, Wu Yao’s face remained utterly blank. He merely lifted his head slightly and, spoke flatly to Qi Mingyue while being in mid-air, “Thank you.”
Holding his zither, Qi Mingyue leapt down from the tree and shook his head at Wu Yao. Seeing that, though covered in blood, Wu Yao had not suffered any fatal wounds, he felt somewhat relieved. He gave another slight shake of his head, then turned and walked toward the man in gray robes.
By now, everyone had already forgotten the fight that just had happened. Though the music had already ceased, their minds were still shaken by what they had just witnessed. As the young man in silver robes descended to the ground, their gazes could not help but follow him. Watching him walk toward the man in gray robes, a trace of concern arose among them. Though it was their first time seeing the man in silver robes, his demeanor had already won everyone’s admiration, and among the younger generation of the Jianghu, many looked on with undisguised admiration and reverence.
Qi Mingyue seemed unaware of the gazes behind him, his attention fixed on the man in gray robes before him. Before he could speak, he suddenly sensed the aura of the man abruptly change. Without time to react, a cold gleam flashed before his eyes, and a spray of blood splattered into the air.
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