Chapter 89: The Path of the Dao is Nameless
“I like sword cultivators. Female, good at cooking…”
After carefully observing Yin Buran’s expression, Ning Ruoque chose her words and explained, “I was too anxious.”
Yin Buran still did not say a word, one hand ice-cold, letting Ning Ruoque hold it, but she was not willing to go with her.
Ning Ruoque was anxious in her heart, half because she was afraid that Yin Buran would misunderstand, and half because of her restored memories.
And more, indescribable negative emotions came from the killing intent attached to the Dao is Hidden sword.
The Demon God Taotie, a monster that devoured desires. Perhaps because the Dao is Hidden sword had stayed with it for a long time, it was inevitably affected by it.
Ning Ruoque tried her best to sort out her emotions. She didn’t want Yin Buran to misunderstand, so she could only try to remain calm.
She said in a low voice, “You spent a lot of spiritual energy treating people just now. I’m afraid you can’t take it.”
Yin Buran lowered her eyelids, as if she had reluctantly accepted this explanation.
She pinched Ning Ruoque’s hand. “I can’t walk.”
Seeing this, Ning Ruoque decisively carried her up. When she looked up, her two good friends were staring at her.
Chu Xuan hugged her chest, her expression blank. “Are you done? If you’re done, we’ll leave. There’s still a lot to do.”
Being caught peeking, Si Mingyue smiled shyly and quickly pushed Chu Xuan onto the flying boat.
Chu Xuan had to check the ancient battlefield’s barrier, and Ning Ruoque and the others couldn’t help much. As soon as they got on, they were herded into a room.
Before they parted, Chu Xuan mysteriously stuffed something into Ning Ruoque’s hand. It was very heavy, like a hat.
Ning Ruoque did not understand. “What is this?”
Chu Xuan snapped her fingers. “An ice-making device. If you want to go crazy, just stick your head in to calm down.”
It wasn’t that she was afraid, it was just that Ning Ruoque was really ruthless when she killed. What if something went wrong?
Ning Ruoque’s face showed disgust. “…Thank you.”
Chu Xuan still wanted to say something, but Ning Ruoque did not give her a chance and directly slammed the door with a “bang.”
After locking the door, she finally turned back to look at Yin Buran.
Perhaps she was really exhausted. Yin Buran was leaning against a pillow, her eyes almost unable to stay open.
Hearing Ning Ruoque’s footsteps, she let out a fine murmur, “Thirsty.”
Ning Ruoque brought the teacup to Yin Buran’s lips. The latter looked up at her and obediently lowered her head to drink the water.
Her white hair was like a waterfall, softly cascading down, her dense eyelashes lowered, looking particularly well-behaved.
Ning Ruoque could rub her head with a raise of her hand.
But she hesitated.
Although it was a very familiar action, she always felt awkward at this moment.
Even now, while patiently feeding Yin Buran water, she had to be very focused to control her strength.
Yin Buran’s wrist was so thin that she estimated that with a little force, she could pinch it red.
The moment this thought flashed by, Ning Ruoque immediately took back the teacup and tucked Yin Buran in.
Yin Buran yawned, her eyes moist, and she said softly, “I’m going to sleep for a while.”
“Mm, I’ll cultivate.”
After Ning Ruoque finished speaking, she sat on the chaise lounge to the side on her own and did not stay with Yin Buran.
However, with a turn of her head, she found that a certain person had buried half of her face in the quilt and was staring at her without blinking.
Ning Ruoque quickly turned her head and explained, “I killed a monster just now and got blood all over me. I’m dirty.”
Yin Buran turned over, buried her head in the quilt, and from a distance, only a small bundle could be seen.
Squeezed into a corner of the bed, she looked quite pitiful.
Ning Ruoque subconsciously called out, “Yin Buran.”
The “bundle” replied in a muffled voice, “What’s wrong?”
Ning Ruoque hesitated to speak, and in the end, she only sighed softly. “It’s nothing. Rest early…”
She quickly adjusted her breathing and slowly closed her eyes.
*
If she had something to do, Ning Ruoque could still use it to divert her attention.
Even if she were given a sword, she could go to the ancient battlefield to vent.
But now, as soon as she closed her eyes, those messy memories came flooding in, almost occupying all of her thoughts.
The memories were not many, nor were they few. From the time she had invited Yin Buran to climb the mountain after she got drunk, it happened to be the night before the decisive battle with the Demon God.
Ning Ruoque now remembered it clearly.
So much so that the plum blossom jade hairpin that Yin Buran had worn that night seemed to still be in front of her.
At the Yin hour, she had drunk until she did not know what day it was and had boldly invited Yin Buran to climb the Dao Seeking Peak of Mount Xuansu to watch the sunrise.
Only when she reached the foot of the mountain did she remember that there was a restriction set up by her master on the Dao Seeking Peak.
An ordinary cultivator here was no different from an ordinary person. If they wanted to go up, they could only rely on their own two feet.
To ask Yin Buran to climb a mountain, wasn’t that just making her suffer?
Ning Ruoque was so anxious that her face was flushed red, and she lowered her head pitifully, like a little puppy that had made a mistake and was frowning.
Yin Buran, on the contrary, comforted her and said in a soft voice, “It’s fine. I can walk.”
Ning Ruoque looked at her smiling face, then at her thin arms, and shook her head repeatedly.
“No… not good. I’ll carry you up.”
What a joke. Even in the chaotic world of the mortal world, she had never been willing to let Yin Buran walk such a long way.
After she finished speaking, she half-squatted down and carried Yin Buran on her back.
The steps under her feet were so long that she couldn’t see the end. Only the moonlight shone down, like a full flight of shimmering water.
From time to time, an owl would hoot a few times, gloomy and lonely.
Ning Ruoque bounced the person on her back. Her mind was still not clear, and she said whatever came to her mind.
“You… are too light. Eat more.”
She had given Yin Buran many persimmon cakes and pastries, and she often roasted meat on the ancient battlefield.
How come she hadn’t gained any weight? It really made Ning Ruoque worry.
Who would have thought that Yin Buran would reply with perfect justification, “I’m a picky eater.”
Ning Ruoque was anxious when she heard this.
How… how could that be? Clearly, Yin Buran had eaten all the food she had given her.
But on second thought, Yin Buran was a young lady raised on gold and jade.
Even after she had come to Azurefall Creek, she had used the best spirit tea and the most tender beast meat.
It was very normal to be a picky eater. It was not normal for her to eat the plain steamed buns that Ning Ruoque had made.
Ning Ruoque fell silent.
She felt a little guilty. Yin Buran had followed her and had eaten so much bean rice and steamed buns. She must have been very wronged.
The mountain stream tinkled, and the grass leaves wet the hem of her clothes. The damp air was soaked with the fragrance of cold plums.
The moonlight was bright, and one could even see the mountains and plants clearly, and also the graceful flower shadows.
Ning Ruoque walked steadily on the mountain path, as if she were walking on flat ground, without even panting.
She heard Yin Buran murmur, “Her eyes have just moved, and her thoughts have been guessed. The moon moves the flower shadows, and we agree to meet again.”
Ning Ruoque’s head was dizzy. She just thought it sounded good. Yin Buran’s recitation of poetry was really good.
She even asked, “I haven’t read poetry. What… what does it mean?”
She had very little knowledge in her belly. Later, when she had to read military books, it was Yin Buran who had taught her the characters.
It was enough to be able to use them. How could she go and read poetry?
Only her master would laugh at her for being uncultured and for not being able to please her sweetheart in the future.
After a brief silence, Yin Buran suddenly chuckled a few times.
Ning Ruoque’s earlobes turned red from the laughter, and the heat slowly climbed up her cheeks, so hot that her heart tightened.
She explained haltingly, “Apart from using a sword, I’m not very good at anything else.”
Suddenly, her neck tickled. Yin Buran hugged her and whispered in her ear, “You’re a very good cook.”
After a pause, she continued to ask, “Can I… always eat the food you make?”
From that raised tone, Ning Ruoque actually sensed a hint of caution.
Like a cat’s tail brushing past her calf, fluffy and itchy.
Ning Ruoque used what little of her brain was left, which had not been drowned by the wine, to think.
She frowned and answered very seriously, “It’s difficult. I might die one day.”
Yin Buran’s smile froze on her face. “…”
Ning Ruoque was completely unaware and was still explaining slowly, “I’m used to walking on the edge of a sword. I’ve put life and death aside. It’s difficult to give you a promise.”
“If you want to eat, then I’ll make it for you when I get back.”
After the last incident, she had understood that she should not easily make promises to people.
If she couldn’t fulfill them, Yin Buran would be very sad.
She just had to fight for the present.
The mountain path became steeper and steeper, and the wind was also cold. Ning Ruoque climbed up with her head down, afraid that she would be late and miss the sunrise.
But her head was still dizzy. When the wind blew, she saw countless clear white moonlight before her eyes, and her breath was filled with the clear and sweet fragrance from Yin Buran.
In a daze, she thought of what Yin Buran had said to her under the lamp that day.
She had said, I have someone I like.
Ning Ruoque took a deep breath and stood still.
“Yin Buran.”
She frowned and hesitated for a while, then asked tentatively, “What… what kind of person do you like?”
The hands holding her tightened a little.
After a long while, Yin Buran said slowly, “I like sword cultivators. Female, good at cooking, good at taking care of people, good-tempered, very powerful…”
Her voice became smaller and smaller, like a shy sensitive plant, curling up its branches and leaves.
Ning Ruoque’s remaining brain began to work again.
She racked her brains, and in the end, she came to a difficult conclusion. “Then… what you meant by saying that to me that day was that you wanted me to introduce you to a few such sword cultivators?”
Yin Buran: “…”
The wind passed through the bamboo forest and pine leaves, rustling like waves.
For a moment, it was extremely quiet.
Ning Ruoque let out a bewildered sound. “Yin Buran?”
Two cool hands immediately wrapped around Ning Ruoque’s neck, so cold that she shivered.
Ning Ruoque therefore slowed down. “Your hands are very cold. Do you have a cloak? It’s best to wear a thick one.”
After another long silence, Yin Buran took out a cloak and wrapped it around herself.
Then she leaned forward, and at the same time as she hugged Ning Ruoque, the falling cloak also wrapped the other tightly.
Because they were wearing the same cloak, the two of them shared their body temperature until they were both warm, as if they had entered a warm spring.
A little fine sweat appeared on Ning Ruoque’s forehead, and her originally hazy thoughts also became much clearer, as if the clouds had been cleared and the sun had appeared.
Then she broke out in a cold sweat.
What on earth had she done?! How could she ask Yin Buran such a rude question!
It was a good thing that Yin Buran had a good temper. Otherwise, what would she think of her?
She didn’t dare to breathe, afraid that Yin Buran would notice something was wrong.
The sound of water was faintly heard in front of them. Ning Ruoque quickly leaped over a few steps.
As expected, she saw a thin waterfall and a clear pool of water.
A few wild plum trees were growing wantonly by the pool, and the branches with flower buds even blocked the way.
Ning Ruoque put Yin Buran down and adjusted her breathing. “Let’s rest here for a while, and then we’ll climb up in one go.”
After speaking, she scooped up a handful of cool and refreshing pool water and splashed it on her face.
Her heart was beating very fast. She had to calm down.
The bright moon swayed in the water, and with a stir, it shattered into a pool of light.
After Ning Ruoque had washed her face, she shook her head without any ceremony, and water droplets flew everywhere.
She closed her eyes, but she could hear a light sound of footsteps, unhurriedly approaching, and stopping in front of her.
Ning Ruoque quickly stopped her movements and was about to open her eyes when a soft thing was pressed against her face.
She was not used to it and subconsciously wanted to dodge, but she heard Yin Buran say, “Don’t move. I’ll wipe it for you.”
Ning Ruoque’s whole body was stiff.
The handkerchief gently stroked the corners of her eyes and her forehead, extremely gentle, and also a little itchy.
Suddenly, it brushed past her cheeks and the corners of her mouth, making Ning Ruoque’s ears burn.
After carefully wiping away the water droplets, Yin Buran finally took a step back. “Alright.”
Ning Ruoque opened one eye, and when she saw Yin Buran’s smiling eyes, she immediately turned her head away.
The corners of Yin Buran’s mouth turned up, and she asked in a gentle voice, “Are you sober?”
She was dressed in white, graceful and elegant, and the rippling water was reflected behind her. Her face was softened by the moonlight, like a bright moon in the water, which could be looked at but not touched.
Ning Ruoque covered half of her face, her gaze shifting, and she responded in a muffled voice, “Mm.”
She apologized sincerely, “Sorry for being rude just now.”
Yin Buran shook her head. “It’s not rude.”
But Ning Ruoque’s sharp eyes found that the smile on the corners of Yin Buran’s mouth was a little stiff, and the hand hidden under her sleeve was also clenched.
Ning Ruoque was inevitably disappointed.
It seemed that she had still made her unhappy, but Yin Buran was still willing to wipe her face. Yin Buran had a really good temper.
Yin Buran tilted her head. “Are you still going to watch the sunrise?”
Ning Ruoque came back to her senses. “Mm, I still have to climb.”
The sunrise from the Dao Seeking Peak was a rare thing that she liked apart from practicing her sword and cultivating, so she also wanted to take Yin Buran to see it.
There was not much time left for her.
She still half-squatted down, and after Yin Buran had held on tight, she took two steps at a time and quickly went up the mountain path.
The mountain path became steeper and steeper, and on the last section, Ning Ruoque had to use both her hands and feet.
While climbing on the protruding huge rock, she reminded Yin Buran, “Hold on tight. Don’t look down. Don’t be afraid.”
Rolling clouds and mist were behind them, and a sliver of fish-belly white had already appeared on the horizon.
If they fell off the cliff, they would probably be seriously injured even if they didn’t die.
Yin Buran was afraid of pain, so she hugged her even tighter.
She even buried her head in Ning Ruoque’s neck, like a bamboo bear hugging the only tree she could rely on.
In order to divert her attention, she asked softly, “Why did your master set up a restriction? Is this also a part of a sword cultivator’s training?”
“I guess so.”
Ning Ruoque took a deep breath and looked up at the end point above.
“Master said that the Great Dao is ruthless and treats all things as straw dogs. To reach the top, one must be single-minded and not be disturbed by external things.”
“If one wants to merge with the Dao and master the laws of the Heavenly Dao, one must abandon private feelings.”
Without private feelings to be burdened by, one can seek the Dao without obstruction.
This was what Ning Ruoque had figured out on her own.
She carefully dodged a rolling piece of rubble. The mountaintop was right in front of her, but her heart was beating faster than ever before.
She was afraid that if she was not careful, she would let Yin Buran fall and get injured.
While she was thinking about where to land, Yin Buran said out of the blue, “Do you want to cultivate the ruthless dao?”
Ning Ruoque was stunned for a moment and blurted out, “No, I might…”
Before her voice could fall, she missed a step, and a feeling of weightlessness swept over her. Rolling clouds and mist gushed out from beside her.
An uncontrollable panic seized Ning Ruoque’s heart. Her five senses were more sensitive than ever before. She spun nimbly in the air and held Yin Buran in her arms.
