Chapter 157: Blue Waters Guide White Feathers

Within the mystic realm, floral fragrances overflowed while the biting cold dispersed into mist, yet the elegant and refined atmosphere remained undiminished.

After searching for a long time and consulting the principles of geomancy, Lanshui finally found a wonderful spot.

Beside a floral pond, Lanshui set up a stone platform and tended to the surrounding area, making it warm and pink-hued. "Secluded, cool, and serene—splendid, simply splendid!"

The outer perimeter was a mosaic of floral pools, where various exotic flowers and rare herbs bloomed brilliantly amidst icy pools. The inner path was paved with bluestone slabs, winding and leading to a secluded vista. Ahead lay a quaint little garden.

In the garden, there were the sounds of flowing water, the fragrance of flowers, and the warmth of human presence. A simple, unadorned stone table stood at the center, overhead from which cascaded a canopy of wisteria vines. Myriad hanging tendrils of purple wisteria, bathed in pinkish-purple hues mixed with subtle greenish tints, softened the light here, rendering the ambiance even more romantic and tender.

Lanshui looked around at the scenery with satisfaction. What welled up in his heart was not joy or comfort, but a covert elation born of bringing a grand design to fruition.

This expanse of pinkish-purple floral sea was capable of stirring a young maiden's heartstrings, and it would also enable Lanshui to achieve his desired goal.

"This is the very place where Xueze was injured time and time again, and every single time, you were involved. Whether it was plucking the mystic realm's moon lotus, scheming to freeze people with glacial water, or plotting to lure Xueze down the mountain, you shall pay the price! In the past, I withheld punishment out of consideration for our fellow discipleship and insufficient evidence, but I will never give you people another chance hereafter! If any of you dare to harm Xueze a thousandfold, a ten-thousandfold, I shall return it in kind!"

Lanshui took a sip of water, looked closely at the cup in his hand once more, and placed it on the flower stand. With a wave of his broad sleeve, a turbid block of crystal coagulate settled within the cup, radiating an intimidating chill that made one hesitate to approach.

"Exquisite!"

What a supreme moon goblet—pure and flawless, delicate and intricate—it was precisely suited for the task at hand.

Before long, a feathered dove flew over. Lanshui received it and composed his emotions.

Holding a stack of case files, Lanshui walked through the sea of flowers and onto the path. Not far away, Baiyu was approaching with a joyful expression.

Baiyu caught sight of Lanshui from afar. As she stepped around the corner, her heart skipped a beat, as if something had leapt directly into the river of her emotions.

"He... he is looking at me..."

The moment Baiyu saw Lanshui, she instantly withdrew all her aloofness, turning demure and docile, terrified lest any flaw leave a poor impression on him.

"Senior Brother, you are here?"

Lanshui nodded, his expression remaining stern. "Trouble you to take these case files to Qingming Palace!"

Baiyu took them, intending to say a few more words to Lanshui, but seeing that he had already turned to leave, she hurried to follow.

"Senior Brother, what are you doing here?"

"Idling the time away!"

"Idling the time away? Senior Brother, are you perhaps too exhausted? There have been so many matters lately; you can entrust some of them to me to share the burden. You must believe that I have the capability!"

Lanshui did not speak, merely walking briskly until he could see that sea of flowers once more, at which point he halted.

"I am very tired today and wish to rest alone for a while!"

Baiyu gazed at the sea of flowers, her heart blossoming like spring—surprised and yearning, yet daring not to follow any further.

"How could there be such a beautiful place? Even prettier than the flower sea of Xichun Hall. Could it be that Senior Brother tended to this specially?" Thinking thus, a tinge of jealousy and longing stirred in Baiyu's heart, prompting her to bravely step to Lanshui's side.

"The scenery here is exceptionally fine, suitable for rest. Then, Senior Brother..."

Lanshui said coldly, "A quiet environment is suited for playing chess, not for disturbance. Junior Sister, please return!"

Baiyu paused in surprise. Watching Lanshui walk into the gorgeous sea of flowers, she mustered her courage and followed him in.

Parting the purple wisteria and threading through the cascading vines, Baiyu walked amidst the floral fragrance, feeling as though she were stepping directly into someone's heart. "Could Senior Brother possess such leisurely artistic sentiment to tend a garden? Could it be for Junior Sister Xueze? No, I must go and see!"

"Why have you come?" Lanshui sat by the stone table, looking at Baiyu, asking a question whose answer he already knew while putting on a reluctant expression.

Baiyu smiled and said softly, "Senior Brother mentioned playing chess, but how can one play alone? So Baiyu followed along to see if I might be of any help here!"

Lanshui did not speak, merely gazing at the clean, bare tabletop before flicking his sleeve to cast a spell. A chess set materialized upon the table. "The chess I spoke of uses spell-formed pieces. Junior Sister had better not think of helping! You should hurry and deliver the archives instead!"

At this sight, Baiyu was filled with pleasant surprise and stepped forward immediately. "To not keep secrets from Senior Brother, Baiyu is quite knowledgeable about these spell-formed chess pieces. Ever since I was young, tending to feathered doves and often feeling bored, I learned this magic!"

Lanshui feigned surprise and glanced at Baiyu. "I did not expect to have underestimated Junior Sister!"

Baiyu lowered her head with a smile, stepped closer, and said, "If Senior Brother does not disdain it, Baiyu would actually like to receive some pointers!"

Lanshui let out a cold laugh, his reluctance unmistakable, yet he wove twists and turns into his words. "I only recently learned this game and remain rather unpractised; I dare not cross swords with Master! I originally intended to practice, but since Junior Sister is a master herself, I dare ask for guidance even less!"

Feeling Lanshui's gaze and intoxicated by the surrounding refined and pinkish-hue elegance, Baiyu grew increasingly enthusiastic.

"Senior Brother, do not say that. Baiyu has not played chess for a long time. Come to think of it, I truly miss this Tianshan chess match. Might Senior Brother grant Baiyu an opportunity for nostalgia?"

Lanshui said nothing, only using magic to conjure a stone stool opposite him and setting it in place.

Seeing this, Baiyu sat down joyfully, casting excited and delighted glances at Lanshui from time to time. The person before her was so handsome, refined, dashing, and elegant; this was the first time Baiyu had ever been able to sit alone across from him.

"I never imagined I would be so fortunate today as to sit opposite him and accompany him in a game of chess. This is truly a blessing cultivated over three lifetimes! However, Junior Sister Xueze is severely injured and has yet to wake—how could he possibly be in the mood to play chess with me?"

Knowing her doubts, Lanshui interrupted her train of thought. "Junior Sister, it is your turn!"

Baiyu started, snapping back to reality. She conjured a chess piece in her palm via magic and placed it down.

"Judging by the placement of Junior Sister's piece, your mind does not seem to be here; you are quite absent-minded!"

"No, no, I merely harbor a few doubts in my heart!" Baiyu replied hastily.

Lanshui raised his eyes to look at Baiyu. That cold gaze sent a tingling sensation through Baiyu's entire body, causing her face to flush and her heart to race.

"What are your doubts?"

Baiyu used magic to calm the turbulence within her and forced down the burning heat on her cheeks.

"I... I learned that Junior Sister Xueze was grievously injured, and I thought Senior Brother would be tending to her closely at Xuezhu Land. I did not expect that Senior Brother would still have the heart to play chess, nor that you would be able to receive me with peace of mind..."

Lanshui replied expressionlessly, "It is precisely because of this that I needed to learn this chess game. Since Junior Sister has not awakened, Master worries day and night. The only way I can accompany him to relieve his sorrow—and also dispel the gloom in my own heart—is through this. As for seeing you, what is there to discuss? Do we not meet frequently?"

"Yet those are solely for official duties, not private time. Moreover, I was the one who caused Junior Sister Xueze to go down the mountain this time, and I bear responsibility for this matter. To this day, I still find it difficult to face everyone in Xuezhu Land!"

Rage surged within Lanshui's heart, yet he could not show the slightest shred of blame; indeed, he had to comfort her in reverse, feigning deep trust in Baiyu.

"Although that is so, your innocence remains clear. The more obvious it seems, the more impossible it is. Surely, Junior Sister, you could not have intentionally directed Xueze?"

Baiyu took a deep breath and hurriedly shook her head. "This matter was not Baiyu's wish! Allowing Junior Sister to go down was merely..."

"Very well, you need say no more! I believe you!"

Baiyu was startled, feeling an overwhelming wave of shame yet finding herself trapped with no way out.

"Could it be that you harbor no resentment toward me? Do you not suspect me at all?"

"On several occasions previously, someone usurped your appearance to harm Xueze, and we have already proven those incidents to be false. You do not possess such a malicious mind nor such profound magical power; you would never commit such acts."

Baiyu stood frozen in place, holding a chess piece, not knowing what to do. In her heart, she muttered: Had I known Senior Brother trusted me thus, I never should have listened to those people. What am I to do in this predicament now? Snowy Sky