Chapter 73: Returning to the Peak Part 1

The moment the Lonely Heart Sword appeared, every gaze present was drawn to it, like a hundred rivers surging toward the sea.

The sword belonged to Feng Rong. It was a blade that had earned worldwide renown alongside the Lonely Heart Sword Technique. Since the mantra had not yet vanished from the world, it was only right that the sword did not perish in this place either.

Feng Yun’ai stared blankly. Her blurred vision, once like a thick haze, seemed to be washed clean by wind and rain in that single instant.

Relying on nearly twenty years of memory, she could easily trace the silhouette of Lonely Heart in her mind’s eye. Even the minute patterns etched into the blade were not forgotten.

When she had fled Listening Goose Peak, she had only been able to take Solitary Gall with her. Fearing the suspicion of others, she hadn’t dared to take Lonely Heart as well.

Upon returning to Cloud City this time, she had found Feng Rong but remained troubled by the sword’s absence. She hadn’t wanted the blade to fall into another’s hands, yet she had been unable to find any trace of it.

Fortunately, the sword had been with Sui Jianxue.

Sui Jianxue offered a faint smile. “Since Feng Rong passed the Lonely Heart Mantra to you, this sword rightfully belongs to you as well. I believe Feng Rong would think the same in the afterlife.”

It took a long time before Feng Yun’ai reached out to take the sword. In that moment of contact, it felt as though she had been reunited with Feng Rong across the boundary of life and death.

Her heart was like a surging tide, her chest the shoreline. Every time the waves crashed against the coast, they seemed to resonate with the very foundations of the earth.

The earth carries all things, and Feng Rong had carried her. To Feng Yun’ai, her master was her entire world.

Tears fell silently as she gripped the sword with all her strength. Her lips trembled slightly as she whispered, “Thank you.”

“There is no need for thanks,” Sui Jianxue said, shaking her head. “It was always meant to be yours.”

Not far away, the Little Maid who had been sent away earlier returned, incredibly carrying a heavy coffin all by herself.

Gasping for breath, she set the coffin on the ground and struck it with a palm, easily sliding the lid open. She bowed and said, “Sect Leader, the spirit coffin has arrived.”

Sui Jianxue lowered her head to stroke the edge of the casket, then turned back to Feng Yun’ai. “This is Spirit-Soothe Wood, which I sought out specifically. I’ve heard this wood can comfort the souls of the deceased and aid them in their rebirth.”

“Thank you, Sect Leader Sui.” Feng Yun’ai’s gaze lingered softly on the wood.

“Please, place Alliance Leader Feng inside. We shall escort her back to the top of Listening Goose Peak together,” Sui Jianxue said.

Feng Yun’ai moved with gentle care as she laid Feng Rong down. It was a pity that her eyes were so shrouded in mist that she could not see her master’s face clearly one last time.

Sang Chencao watched for a moment before leaning toward Feng Yun’ai’s ear. “She looks just as she did at the beginning.”

Feng Yun’ai closed her eyes sharply, then slid the coffin lid shut herself. She turned to Sui Jianxue and said, “Then I shall trouble you, Senior.”

Sui Jianxue signaled the Little Maid and looked toward the surrounding crowd, offering an invitation. “If any of you are so inclined, you may join us in escorting Alliance Leader Feng up the mountain.”

The crowd responded in unison.

Who is perfect from the moment they are born? Perhaps the Moonlight Sect was still despised by the martial world, but the current peace of the Central Plains would never have been possible without Feng Rong.

“Xiuxiu, are you happy?” Sang Chencao whispered.

Feng Yun’ai paused, eventually giving a small nod.

The group marched together to bring the coffin up Listening Goose Peak. At a certain spot near the cliff’s edge, Feng Yun’ai suddenly stopped.

In the past, Feng Rong had often sat here in silence, overlooking Cloud City with a cold, distant expression. She would sit for an entire day.

Back then, it seemed as if Feng Rong’s eyes were filled to the brim by Cloud City, but the young Feng Yun’ai had sensed that something was clearly missing from that gaze.

She hadn’t understood it then. But now, standing at the edge and looking out into the distance, the truth suddenly broke through like the sun through clouds. She raised her arm and pointed away from the city. “That is the road to Yellow Sand Cliff.”

She spoke very softly, so that only Sang Chencao could hear her.

Sang Chencao nodded. “Past Haosi City and through Zhuyu Town lies the Listening Moon Sand River. If you keep going, you will see Yellow Sand Cliff.”

Feng Yun’ai turned to Sui Jianxue. “Bury Master here by the cliff. She will surely be happy in the afterlife.”

“Then it shall be as she wished,” Sui Jianxue agreed.

Shovels bit into the earth, and yellow soil flew. Every inch dug deeper felt like a step closer to the realm of the dead.

But though it was only a few steps in distance, it was as far as the ends of the earth.

The coffin was lowered and slowly covered with soil until not a trace of it remained. Finally, every person present added a handful of yellow earth to the mound, seeing Feng Rong off on her final journey.

Feng Yun’ai silently burned spirit money, her head bowed. “Master likes quiet. She usually doesn’t want to be disturbed.”

Sui Jianxue nodded. “It is best if Listening Goose Peak remains sealed under normal circumstances. However, if that person wishes to come, she shall be allowed.”

Others might not have understood, but Feng Yun’ai and Sang Chencao knew exactly who “that person” was. She was referring to Wen Lanxin.

It seemed Feng Rong had mentioned Wen Lanxin to Sui Jianxue before. Whatever was said, there was likely no trace of resentment in it.

Sang Chencao shook her head and said casually, “She won’t come.”

“Why?” Sui Jianxue was surprised.

Sang Chencao repeated the same words as before: “She is dead.”

Sui Jianxue froze.

Sang Chencao let out a soft, mocking huff, her tone remarkably calm. “So, she won’t be coming.”

Feng Yun’ai also felt that Wen Lanxin was truly dead. In this world today, no one understood Wen Lanxin better than Sang Chencao.

After a moment of silence, Sui Jianxue took an object from her sleeve and handed it over. “Once you reach Cold Cicada Ridge, fire this into the sky. The members of the various sects will come to you.”

“Thank you.” Feng Yun’ai accepted it.

The path from Cloud City to Cold Cicada Ridge did not intersect with the way to the Listening Moon Sand River. Though both required heading west, one slanted northwest while the other went southwest.

It was a long journey, but fortunately, there were two people and two horses; even their shadows moved in pairs.

Since their identities were already exposed, there was no real need for disguises. Yet, Sang Chencao insisted on placing a veiled hat on Feng Yun’ai, straightening the hanging silk. “This half-body of new skin can’t handle much stress. If it’s exposed to the sun for half a day, it’ll burn like fire.”