Chapter 56: Returning After Careful Consideration

That familiar voice came from behind, and Ling Shuang was startled at first. After a moment, she turned sharply, finally seeing Sansi face to face, her eyes still shimmering with tears.

Now that she saw Sansi, she could no longer keep up her stubborn front. She rushed toward him, embracing him tightly, one hand clenched, the other gripping his back, her voice trembling with sobs. “You wild rascal, how could you take so long to come back? It’s infuriating! You didn’t even discuss coming home with me. Have you ever considered me... as a friend?”

Sansi grinned foolishly, bending down so Ling Shuang could hug him more comfortably. He gently patted her shoulder and spoke softly, “Ling Shuang, haven’t I come back now? I made you worry, it’s all my fault. I promise to make it up to you in the future.”

Ling Shuang slowly released her arms, gazing at Sansi with a hint of shyness and joy shining through her tears. She laughed, “Who wants your compensation? I, the young lady, don’t care for such things. But from now on, you mustn’t leave me even half a step. Otherwise, you’ll see what I’m capable of, hmph!”

Ye Sansi scratched his head and smiled, “But right now, there’s already more than half a step between us. And to me, Ling Shuang, you always look wonderful.”

Ling Shuang laughed at his clever reply, still a little bashful. She twisted her fingers and said, “I was just saying... Anyway, don’t leave me behind in the future. I’m skilled enough to protect myself, so don’t treat me as a burden.”

“How could I? Your martial arts are excellent, Ling Shuang. I’m still your defeated subordinate. In the days ahead, I’ll rely on Miss Wangliu to watch over me. Let’s not stand here any longer—the sun is fierce, and I’m a bit hungry.”

Ling Shuang quickly pulled Sansi toward the dining hall, saying as she ran, “If you were hungry, why didn’t you say so earlier? We chatted at the door for ages. The food today is plentiful; once we arrive, I’ll pick some dishes for you to try—you’ll surely like them.”

When they reached the dining hall, all the disciples had finished eating, and the tables and chairs were tidied. Only Taiyi and Nian’er sat at a table near the back. Ling Shuang approached, puzzled, “Just you two?”

Taiyi smiled, stood up, and drew Sansi to the seat of honor. “Since Brother Sansi has returned safely, Nian’er and I couldn’t let the occasion pass without celebrating. We didn’t want to intrude, so we waited here for you. Now that you’re here, we can eat together. By the way, there are several jars of fine wine left from yesterday. Brother Sansi, shall we indulge ourselves today?”

Sansi looked to Ling Shuang, who turned her head aside, hiding a smile. “Why are you looking at me? Men’s affairs are none of my concern.” With that, she and Nian’er went to fetch plates and set out a table of delicacies. Ling Shuang had sampled all the dishes before, and today she chose those she thought Sansi would enjoy.

Ling Shuang’s careful selection for Ye Sansi was noticed by everyone around. Though the dining hall boasted a hundred dishes, the thirty she chose were all favorites of Sansi.

Ye Sansi ate heartily, while Ling Shuang filled his and Taiyi’s cups, and she and Nian’er ate a little before leaving, letting the two men drink and talk.

Taiyi raised his cup toward Sansi. “Brother Sansi, this first cup is for you. Congratulations on your safe return.” He drained his cup in one gulp, not realizing how strong the wine was. It burned his throat, and he coughed several times.

Sansi laughed, patting Taiyi’s back. “Taiyi, if you can’t handle it, drink slowly. Got choked, didn’t you?”

“How could I not handle it? I’ve traveled with my father since childhood and drunk my share of wine. Don’t underestimate me, Brother Sansi. Let me pour another cup and toast you again.”

“Hahaha, good! Today, we won’t stop until we’re drunk. Let me fill your cup.” Sansi poured for Taiyi and raised his own, drinking heartily.

The wine from Liu Manor was excellent, warming their stomachs and hearts. Looking back on the month’s experiences, the two were full of emotion.

Taiyi said, “Brother Sansi, though I’ve wandered the martial world alone for some time, only after meeting you has this past month been truly remarkable. If I’d faced those difficulties alone, I’d have just brushed them aside and moved on. But you, Brother Sansi, have a noble heart—whenever people are in trouble, you step in to help. Such courage, I cannot match.”

“Taiyi, you’re flattering me. Think about it—whenever I act, you always support me, never shirking, always charging ahead, fearless of life and death. In my eyes, you are the true hero, acting for justice and punishing evil.”

“Hahaha, wasn’t the affair of the Lingzhou demon plague your doing? I barely helped at all. Brother Sansi, what have you been up to these days? Tell me everything.”

Sansi and Taiyi ate and drank, sharing stories of recent days, and before they knew it, both were drunk, sleeping at the table.

Ling Shuang and Nian’er went to practice swordplay in the training yard in the afternoon. Passing by the dining hall, they peeked in, seeing the table cleared but the two men still snoring at the table. They approached a servant, who explained that the two had drunk themselves unconscious and couldn’t be roused, nor did he know their rooms, so he let them rest there.

Ling Shuang ordered the servants to help Sansi and Taiyi, leading them to their rooms. Seeing they were deeply asleep and unlikely to wake soon, she and Nian’er headed to the training yard to practice swordsmanship.

As they climbed the steps, Xu Xuan spotted them and hurried over. “Sister Liu, Sister Lin, the master has summoned you to the guest hall.”

“He summoned me? Why not come to my room?”

“The master instructed that the summons should come once you reached the training yard, so as not to disturb you.”

“Father is always like this. We’re family—what’s there to disturb? Nian’er, let’s go see.”

In the hall, Liu Zhen, Qi Fei, and the five elders were all present. Lin Nian’er quickly bowed, and Ling Shuang found a seat, smiling, “Grandfathers, it’s been a while since you all gathered like this. What’s the occasion? Even Father and Uncle Qi are here.”

The third elder, Liu Shui, laughed, “Isn’t today your big day, Shuang’er? You’ve chosen a fine husband, so we old men are happy, gathering to chat. Besides, Fei’er hasn’t been around for years—time to catch up.”

Qi Fei said, “Indeed, it’s been more than ten years. Since Taiyi came under my care, I’ve been wandering and haven’t visited the elders—such a shame.”

The fifth elder, Liu Liu, laughed, “Qi Fei, you’ve really changed over the years, grown steady and respectful. You used to call us old men, now it’s elders?”

“Hahaha, Fifth Uncle, you’re teasing me. Didn’t I call you ‘Uncle’ often in the old days? ‘Old men’ was just playful talk. Times have changed; now you’re all immortals. If I don’t show respect, I won’t get far.”

The fourth elder, Liu Huo, sipped his tea and said, “You’re not bad yourself. Even without leaving Lingzhou City, we heard of your fame as Qi the Sword Hero. In terms of authority, you’re the greatest among us. We’re old now—aside from guarding Liu Manor, we can do little.”

Qi Fei clasped his fists, about to speak, but Ling Shuang interrupted, “Grandfathers, did you call Nian’er and me here just to listen to your reminiscing? I don’t understand your affairs, nor can I interfere. Perhaps I should return to the training yard. If you need me, call me again.”

Liu Liu laughed dotingly, “When did my Shuang’er become so ambitious?”

“Sixth Grandpa, why shouldn’t I be ambitious? You’re allowed to cultivate immortality, and my talent isn’t lacking. In the future, I want to be like you all, ascend the immortal path, and guard Liu Manor together.”

Liu Liu replied, “Good! Sixth Grandpa supports you. Grandpa is getting old…” He stopped mid-sentence, fearing the mood would sour, and Liu Jin interrupted, “Sixth Brother, you call yourself old? Think about the demon plague in Lingzhou—wasn’t it you who resolved it? I’m still here at Liu Manor, haven’t contributed, so if anyone’s old, it’s me.”

Liu Huo smiled and said, “Big Brother, you’re being modest. Of the five brothers, your cultivation is highest, and you look the youngest. How can you be old? Besides, we didn’t truly resolve the demon plague—that was thanks to Young Hero Sansi.”

Hearing Sansi’s name, Liu Mu remembered that Sansi had returned with three elders at noon. Not knowing what had happened, he pressed them for details.

Liu Liu quickly explained, “Here’s what happened. I and two brothers searched separately for the demon. I scoured the southern towns, found nothing, then headed north and met Third and Fourth Brothers—they found nothing in the east and west. We went north together, nearing the boundary, and encountered a military camp. It seemed a temporary setup, but was already plagued, its soldiers turned into puppets. We decided to cure them first since the camp was far from the populace. But as soon as we landed, we were attacked. The soldiers were well-trained; we couldn’t harm civilians, so we retreated. Unexpectedly…”

“Unexpectedly, I was infected and went mad. Sixth Brother and Third tried to help, but once the madness struck, I couldn’t be controlled, so we fought, and they too were infected. If Young Hero Sansi hadn’t found the camp and dispelled the demon magic, we’d still be under its control, unable to return safely.”

Liu Jin asked curiously, “Sansi defeated the demon?”

Liu Liu answered, “Indeed, the demon was slain by Young Hero Sansi, but the plague persisted. When the demon died, we sensed it—we’re immortals, so our minds cleared and we could use some power. Yet the soldiers surrounded us, repeatedly infecting us, and cleansing it entirely was nearly impossible. As we despaired, we looked up and saw Big Brother’s gourd. Looking closely, it wasn’t Big Brother, but Sansi, his palm open, and the demon energy left our bodies…”

Hearing this, Ling Shuang stood up, stamping her foot in anger. “That Sansi! How dare he deceive me? Truly hateful! So he was out slaying demons, not just visiting home. When he wakes, I’ll make him pay.”

“Sixth Brother, see? Said the wrong thing,” Liu Mu said hurriedly.

He explained, “Shuang’er, don’t be upset. I’ve learned all about it after traveling with Sansi these days. Sixth Grandpa knows his character well. He said he was coming home, and, together with Taiyi, lied to you to spare your worries. On the journey, he spoke highly of you, praising your beauty and kindness, and said…”

“Hey, hey, hey,” Liu Huo interrupted. “Sixth Brother, enough—what comes next is too sentimental.”

Ling Shuang laughed secretly but pretended to be angry. “This young lady is beautiful and educated—that’s fact. Even if that wild boy says so, he shouldn’t expect forgiveness.”

“We can’t interfere in your affairs. It’s between you two. Brothers, I’m going back to rest—carry on chatting.” With that, Liu Liu left laughing.

Ling Shuang’s cheeks flushed at the elder’s words, and the four other elders burst into laughter, for in all her years, the young lady of Liu Manor had never shown affection for anyone.

Truth be told, Liu Jin was reluctant for Ling Shuang to marry Sansi. He knew little about Sansi’s background; Taiyi said he came down from Bu Yun Mountain, but that was just legend, impossible to verify.

One thing strengthened Liu Jin’s resolve to separate them: when Sansi entered Lingzhou, he sensed a strong demonic aura and, upon seeing Sansi, judged it emanated from him.

If Sansi truly were a demon, even if Ling Shuang loved him, Liu Jin would never consent to the marriage.