Chapter Forty-Five: A Pledge of Love

The sun was setting. The four of them emerged from the weapons shop. Taiyi helped Lingshuang carry her newly purchased collection of strange and curious items, weighing them in his hands as he said, “Lingshuang, why did you buy so many things?”

“Haha, Taiyi, just wait until we get back. I’ll show you—these are all treasures! It’s a pity I didn’t bring them last time we went out; if I had, they would have come in handy.”

Ye Sansi, skeptical, could not believe these trinkets would be of much use, but curiosity got the better of him. “Are these things really that powerful? Can they be stronger than Heaven’s Wrath?”

“Oh, you can’t compare them to Heaven’s Wrath—these are ordinary items. They’re effective against ruffians and can save a lot of effort, but as for demons and monsters, who knows? I haven’t tried, but it’s always good to be prepared.”

Taiyi said, “Miss Liu, are you really going to carry all these with you? I get tired enough just walking a hundred paces as I am. If we bring all this, we’ll be slowed down.”

“No need to worry, Taiyi. I have my ways,” Lius Lingshuang replied, skipping ahead with delight, then turning to face Sansi. “By the way, Sansi, when we return, you should go see your father. He hasn’t seen his son in so long; he must be worried.”

“My father? You mean you brought my father’s memorial tablet?”

“Of course! How could I forget something so important? I knew that tablet is your most precious possession. If it were lost, you’d be heartbroken, so I brought it for you.”

Tears shimmered in Ye Sansi’s eyes, but did not fall. After a moment to compose himself, he said softly, “Lingshuang, thank you. You say it was on the way, but I can tell from your look that you must have remembered and risked danger just to fetch it.”

“You wild man, you’re not that important! Don’t flatter yourself. I—I was mainly concerned for Uncle Ye, hmph.”

Ye Sansi wiped away the trace of tears, laughing, “Haha, Lingshuang, you’re stubborn, but I know how kind you are to me. I like you, I’ll like you forever and ever.”

“Hey, you wild man, what nonsense are you talking about?” she said, turning away, her face flushed as she quickened her pace.

Taiyi handed his bundle to Sansi, shaking his head. “Brother Sansi, I told you, saying ‘I like you’ to a woman isn’t always wise. What you mean and what she hears might not be the same. See? You’ve made Lingshuang misunderstand.”

“I...”

Lin Nian’er covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, then looked up gently and asked, “Young Master Ye, you said you like Lingshuang—do you like me too?”

Ye Sansi grinned sheepishly, “I—do. I like you.”

Lin Nian’er lowered her head with a satisfied smile and hastened her steps.

Taiyi shook his head, took back the bundle from Sansi, and said with a smile, “Brother Sansi, I really envy you. You may not understand much about love between men and women, but somehow you win their hearts. Truly admirable.”

“Taiyi, I still don’t understand. When Lingshuang hears I like her, she gets upset, but when Nian’er hears it, she’s happy.”

“Haha, Brother Sansi, Lingshuang isn’t angry—she’s just shy. Everyone’s temperament is different. Learn well, and you may win her over yet.”

“Win her over? What do you mean?”

“Haha, never mind, Brother Sansi. Forget I said anything.” With that, Taiyi quickened his pace, and Sansi hurried after him.

Before long, they arrived at the Liu family fortress, where Nian’er waited at the gate.

Taiyi entered first, set down the bundle, and a servant came to take it away.

Nian’er greeted them. “Were you waiting for us?” asked Sansi.

“Yes, I remembered you needed to visit your father’s memorial, and you wouldn’t know the way, so I waited.”

Taiyi said he would go for a walk and left. Sansi followed Nian’er to a room in the eastern wing. At the door, Nian’er said, “Young Master Ye, I won’t go in. Take your time and talk with your father.” She bowed and withdrew.

Sansi pushed open the door and saw his father’s nameless memorial tablet. He rushed forward, knelt, and kowtowed repeatedly. “Father, your unfilial son left your tablet behind and fled for my life. I beg your forgiveness.”

“Father, since I left the mountain, I haven’t spoken with you. So much has happened; I wish I could tell you everything. Oh, the young woman who brought your tablet here is Lingshuang, my friend. She’s been so good to me, taught me many things. Then there’s Taiyi, who saved my life and protected me, and Nian’er—she’s beautiful, every smile and frown enchanting. I’ve never seen a fairy, but she must be more beautiful than any. She cares for me and once even cooked for me, haha.”

“But I still don’t understand what Taiyi means by ‘liking’ someone. Is it like how you cared for Mother, the way a husband loves his wife? I truly don’t know. I only know I want to protect Lingshuang and Nian’er. If anyone dares to harm them, I’ll destroy that person, no matter who—demon, ghost, monster, immortal, or god. Hurt those I love, and I will destroy you.”

“From childhood, I wanted to know who you were, what your name was. I even wished to carve your name on your tablet. But after all I’ve experienced—life and death so fleeting—I’ve come to understand a great deal. You must have left the tablet blank for a reason, not wishing to leave your name. I will respect your will.”

“My only wish now is to master the immortal arts, to gain the strength to protect my friends and bring peace to the world. Father, if your spirit watches from above, please bless your son.” He kowtowed three more times.

A moment later, there was a knock at the door. Sansi turned to see Lingshuang enter quietly. “Sansi, I saw the door ajar and came to check. Am I disturbing you?”

“Not at all. I just finished. I’ll keep Father’s tablet with me; only then do I feel at ease.”

“Good.” Lingshuang hesitated, her words faltering. “Sa—Sansi, when you say you like me, do you mean it?”

“Of course. How could I lie to you?”

“Then... would you, as your father did with your mother, marry me?” It took all her courage to say those words, her face turning crimson. She thought, Does this wild boy even know what marriage means? If he refuses, what will I do?

“Of course! That way, I can protect you forever.”

“Hey, don’t agree so easily! If you truly care for me, you should... If you don’t love—oh, you wouldn’t understand if I explained. Do you know what marriage really means?”

“What does it mean? It means I can be with you always, guard you forever, eat with you, play with you, share joy and sorrow. No, not sorrow—if I’m by your side, I will never let you be sad.”

Lingshuang, still blushing, murmured, “At least you understand,” and took a bracelet from her pocket.

Sansi’s eyes lit up. “Lingshuang, isn’t that the Destiny Jade Bracelet? You bought it? You’re wonderful—you knew I liked it.”

“Your memory! I mentioned the ‘Destiny Jade Bracelet’ when we first met, but you must not have noticed. This one’s real—I took it from Inch Island, haha! It can hold a hundred items. If you like it, it’s yours.”

Sansi was overjoyed. He wiped his hands on his clothes, ready to accept it.

Lingshuang said, “This bracelet is our promise—to be together forever and ever. You must never go back on it, or... well, I haven’t thought of the consequence yet. I’ll tell you later.”

“Forever and ever is what I wish for. Even without the bracelet, I’d still want it. Since you’ve said that, I can’t accept it.”

“All right, all right, I insist on giving it to you. I won’t take it back. This ‘Destiny Jade Bracelet’ will be the token of our love. You must never lose it—cherish it as you cherish me.”

“Lingshuang, then I’ll give you something too.”

“For me?”

As they spoke, Sansi produced a hairpin from his clothes. It was a common gold pin set with jade, not particularly ornate, but Lingshuang’s eyes sparkled with delight. “Wow, where did you get this? It’s beautiful! I love it—where did you find it?”

Sansi placed it in her hair, carefully admiring her. Seeing her smile so sweetly, he laughed. “I noticed you never wear ornaments, but Nian’er does and loves them. When she offered you one, you refused. Back in Qingyang City, I used my silver to secretly buy this pin and have carried it ever since, waiting for the right moment to give it to you.”

“How thoughtful! This pin is lovely—I’ll wear it every day.”

Liu Lingshuang stepped closer to Ye Sansi, until only a fist’s width separated them. Just as Sansi was about to move back, Lingshuang rose on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, then quickly stepped away and ran off with a smile.

Sansi pressed his hand to his cheek, staring dazedly in the direction she had gone.

Night was falling; the sky darkened as Sansi wandered dreamily across the training grounds. Taiyi happened by and approached. “Brother Sansi, it’s late. Why aren’t you eating?”

“Taiyi, do you think I’m ill?”

“Ill? You don’t look it. Where do you feel unwell?”

“My heart is racing, I can’t catch my breath, and my face feels hot.”

“Did you eat something bad? Or did something happen? How long has this been going on?”

“About an hour—ever since Lingshuang kissed me.”

“What? Lingshuang... Lingshuang kissed you? How did things progress so quickly?”

Sansi turned away. “I wanted you to check what illness I had, but let’s not talk about this for now. I’ll tell you more another time.”

“Brother Sansi, your illness is serious indeed—it’s called lovesickness. Just be good to Lingshuang, spend more time with her, and you’ll recover. Oh, and be sure to find a quiet moment to return that kiss.”

“Thank you for the advice, Taiyi. I’m going to rest.”

“Not eating?”

“No appetite.”

“All right, I’ll join you. I’ve fixed up our beds in the western wing—good accommodations, just the two of us, away from the other disciples for some peace. We’ll be training tomorrow, so let’s get a good night’s rest.”

Sansi and Taiyi reached their quarters, washed quickly, and collapsed into bed. Sansi wrapped himself tightly in the quilt.

Taiyi laughed quietly. “Brother Sansi, aren’t you hot?”

Sansi didn’t reply.

His mind was filled with thoughts of a beautiful girl, and as his heart beat wildly, he fell into a sleep where even his dreams were filled with her face.