"Why did you come to save me?"
She seemed lost in thought, and Pei Bu Chen noticed, smiling as he asked, "You've been staring at me—is there something you want to say?"
Ning Xi hesitated for a moment before asking the most pressing question: "Why is Da Shi Xiong inside the dragon's stomach?"
"You ask that… I'm looking for a way out."
Pei Bu Chen stood up, unsheathing the Zhu Ri Sword from his back. He gestured with the blade for her to see. "The Yinglong is covered in scales, impervious to damage. I just fought a fierce battle with it and only managed to slice off a few thin scales—nothing vital."
Where the sword's light fell, it illuminated a palm-deep wound on the stomach wall. As the surrounding flesh slowly writhed, dark purple dragon blood continuously seeped out.
With another swing of his sword, Pei Bu Chen deepened the wound by several feet. "So I thought, if I can't harm it from the outside, why not attack from within?"
As if to prove his point, with the final swing of his sword, flames like the blazing sun scorched the wound, causing the entire stomach pool to tremble violently.
Ning Xi gripped the edge of the floating boat to keep from falling. At the same time, she saw that the area on the stomach wall where Pei Bu Chen had cut had split open, revealing a narrow opening with a faint glow from within.
"It seems to be working," Pei Bu Chen said with a laugh.
"Simple, so simple, yet poised for the dance of ten thousand," the young man suddenly began to chant softly.
His robes fluttered amid the blood rain and foul wind as his sword repeatedly pierced the writhing, crimson flesh wall. He sang joyfully, his voice clear as a spring striking stones.
Despite being in a life-or-death situation, he moved as if strolling through a tranquil garden, carefree and at ease.
"The sun at its zenith, ahead and above.
The great man, majestic, dances in the court.
Strong as a tiger, reins held like silk."
Blood surged like a foul sea, tossing the small boat repeatedly to the crest of the waves.
Where the tip of his sword pointed, a massive crimson lotus of flesh slowly bloomed.
"On the mountains grow hazels, in the marshes, lotus.
Of whom do I think? The beauty of the west."*
With the final strike, the heart of the lotus was formed.
Pei Bu Chen suddenly grabbed Ning Xi by the back of her collar with one hand while forming a seal with the other. He summoned his sword and soared directly toward the heart of the flesh lotus.
Fierce winds and violent waves roared past them. Ning Xi instinctively shut her eyes tightly. When she opened them again, the scene before her had completely changed.
The Zhu Ri Sword burst through the flesh, and she was carried by Pei Bu Chen, standing atop the wailing, frenzied giant dragon.
Pei Bu Chen deftly reversed his grip on the hilt and drove the Zhu Ri Sword into the dragon's thrashing back to steady himself. With his sleeve, he casually supported Ning Xi.
Once Ning Xi was standing, he promptly released her, as courteous and proper as ever, knowing when to advance and when to retreat.
The cool, smooth brocade slipped through Ning Xi's palm like an elusive wind.
A hangnail on her thumb lightly caught on Pei Bu Chen's sleeve, pulling out a long, glistening silk thread. Ning Xi immediately felt embarrassed.
Unlike the coarse clothes she wore, the fabrics provided to inner disciples of Baiyujing were of the highest quality—mermaid silk from the Eastern Sea, gold threads and pearls woven in, and exquisite embroidery craftsmanship… Even if she sold herself, she likely couldn't afford to repay the damage.
Anxiously, she was about to speak when Pei Bu Chen, seemingly unconcerned, withdrew his hand and looked down at his feet. "Yan Ye is severely wounded and will fight desperately. When I engage it in battle, I may not be able to protect you, shimei. I will send you away from here first."
He paused, then said lightly, "When I broke out of the dragon's stomach earlier, I probably got some demon blood splashed in my eyes. My vision is blurry, so I can't protect you anymore, shimei. My apologies."
Ning Xi's heart tightened, and she quickly stood on her toes to examine his eyes.
Just as he had said, the area around Pei Bu Chen's eyes was red and swollen, his eyelids tightly shut, and the lashes at the corners of his eyes were slightly curled from being corroded by the demon blood.
Knowing she couldn't be of much help here, Ning Xi had no choice but to nod. Yet, the moment she turned and took a step, the dragon's back beneath her feet shook as if the earth were splitting and mountains collapsing.
The dragon's roar struck like thunder: "You little brat from the Pei family, you've destroyed my dragon body and still think you can escape unscathed?!"
Yinglong Yan Ye had suffered a great loss at Pei Bu Chen's hands and was naturally unwilling to let him go easily. His dragon claws gleamed with a cold light as they struck from behind Ning Xi.
That moment seemed to stretch on infinitely.
The blind Pei Bu Chen lifted his head at the sound, but ultimately, lacking the acute senses of others, he was a step too slow.
Ning Xi could have dodged, but if she moved aside, those sharp dragon claws would pierce straight through Pei Bu Chen's chest.
Suddenly, she remembered why she had gone through such hardships to come here—she had come to save him. Even if she were unarmed, even if it were like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, she would not let him die a wretched death as he had in her previous life.
She would save him, even if it cost her own body.
Thud—
The sharp claws pierced through flesh and blood, sending blossoms of blood flying.
In the next moment, the Zhu Ri Sword descended like a shooting star, severing the dragon's claws at the root.
The dragon's roar and the sword's cry echoed between heaven and earth, drowning out the girl's faint cry.
"Da Shi Xiong," Ning Xi murmured, "I will save you."
In the midst of excruciating pain, her vision went dark.
Ning Xi had a very, very long dream.
In the dream, it was a lively Shangyuan Night, with phoenix flutes sounding, jade pots glowing, and fish and dragons dancing all night long.
Baiyujing, revered as the leader of all Xian Sects, was honored as the ancestral sect. Legend had it that thousands of years ago, a founding master had attained the Dao and ascended to immortality.
In these times, humans and demons were divided, demonic energy was turbid, and spiritual energy was thin. Few cultivators could even form a Golden Core, let alone ascend to immortality.
Thus, the people of Baiyujing held even greater reverence for the legendary ascended founding master, holding a grand Shangyuan Night Ancestral Ceremony every year. During the ceremony, phoenix carriages led the way, fragrant flowers fell like rain, and music filled the air—a scene of splendid extravagance.
However, such grand events had little to do with Ning Xi. She was merely an insignificant Outer Sect disciple, unqualified to participate.
The only meaning the Shangyuan Night Ancestral Ceremony held for her was the paper lanterns distributed to the disciples.
Most of the lanterns were shaped like auspicious beasts, enchanted with spells to make the beasts move, an effect that lasted for three days and nights.
Though it was a simple trick, Baiyujing's wealth and influence ensured that even a small paper lantern was exquisitely crafted and utterly charming.
Thus, every Shangyuan Night, all the disciples eagerly awaited the chance to get the most beautiful paper lantern.
Ning Xi, however, was not so lucky. The disciples of the Outer Sect Peak had always enjoyed bullying her, and before she could arrive to claim one, they had already snatched up all the large and pretty lanterns.
By the time she finished her daily chores and hurried to the storage pavilion, only one ugly, oily-green turtle-shaped lantern remained, tossed alone on the ground.
Ning Xi picked up the turtle lantern, noticing that someone had stepped on it.
Quietly, she wiped away the footprint, only to find, unsurprisingly, a large hole torn in the turtle's belly. The little turtle's head hung low, as if on the verge of death.
Ning Xi tenderly stroked the little turtle's head with her finger, feeling a sense of shared misfortune between them.
With a creak from outside the door, Ning Xi stared blankly at the unexpected visitor.
Da Shi Xiong Pei Bu Chen gave her a gentle smile, holding a bright round moon lantern in his hand. However, no magic was cast upon it, allowing the lantern to sway gently in the breeze.
He stepped forward, lightly grasping Ning Xi's wrist to guide her hand into forming a seal: "The Supreme Terrace Star, responding without cease. Three eternal souls, no essence lost. By the law's decree, swiftly obey."2
His youthful voice was as clear as cracking spring ice. As the final syllable fell, the lantern's round turtle feet stretched out, flipping over like a salted fish rolling before standing upright.
"See," Pei Bu Chen said with a laugh, "Shi Mei has brought it back to life."
Ning Xi slowly opened her eyes, a dull pain still lingering where the dragon's claw had pierced her chest.
She touched her heart, feeling the strong heartbeat, and knew she was truly still alive.
The familiar spiderweb-adorned ceiling confirmed she was in the Outer Sect Peak's Disciple Residence.
She had taken a sword strike for Da Shi Xiong, so how could she be here now?
The residence was silent and still, the other outer sect disciples remained absent, with only one person sitting upright on a wooden stool against the wall.
Pei Bu Chen had his back to her, bent over the faint lamplight on the wooden table before him, focused on threading a needle.
The silver-white thread passed effortlessly through the rice-grain-sized needle eye. Pei Bu Chen held the needle in his right hand, skillfully passing the thread through as he mended the moon-white uniform spread across the table.
Ning Xi watched dazedly for a while. Somehow, Pei Bu Chen's appearance reminded her of her mother in candlelight.
How did that poem go? Something about a kind mother's hands holding thread…
The soft clink of scissors being set down interrupted Ning Xi's wandering thoughts.
Pei Bu Chen trimmed the thread end to finish the repair, tidied the sewing basket, and then put on the mended outer robe again.
Ning Xi's sharp eyes noticed it was the very garment damaged by the hangnail on her thumb.
"Shi Mei is awake." Pei Bu Chen turned, noticing her dazed expression with a smile.
Ning Xi made a soft sound of surprise before immediately saying, "Da Shi Xiong, your eyes…"
"They're fine now. And you, are you feeling unwell?"
Ning Xi shook her head, her fingers on the quilt curling slightly: "I'm sorry for ruining Da Shi Xiong's sleeve."
Pei Bu Chen replied, "It's nothing."
"Are the disciples from the mending room not on duty? To think Da Shi Xiong had to do it himself…"
"It's a small matter, no need to trouble others." Pei Bu Chen sat by her bed, keeping about two fists' distance between them. "Besides, I've always enjoyed embroidery—"
He blinked at Ning Xi, this time shedding his usual Da Shi Xiong formality and suddenly revealing a touch of lively youthfulness: "Just a minor hobby, hardly worthy of elegant company. Shi Mei, please don't tell anyone."
Ning Xi nodded seriously, then glimpsed the sword behind his back with a Sunny Doll hanging from the hilt, featuring a wide smiling face.
"This doll, did Shi Xiong make it himself too?"
"That one, no." Pei Bu Chen said, then showed her the newly embroidered gold-edged plain cherry blossom on his sleeve. "My embroidery skills are much better than that."
Ning Xi lowered her head again, examining it carefully for a long moment before nodding in agreement: "Da Shi Xiong is truly amazing. Even the flowers you embroider are more beautiful than others'."
She spoke with such sincerity that Pei Bu Chen couldn't help but laugh.
After his soft laughter subsided, Ning Xi asked in confusion, "What is Da Shi Xiong laughing about?"
"My junior sister's thoughts are always different from ordinary people." Pei Bu Chen withdrew his sleeve and shook his head. "As the head disciple of Baiyujing, instead of practicing sword cultivation, I'm fiddling with women's tasks. Ordinary people would scold me for neglecting my proper duties, yet you actually praise me."
"Because Da Shi Xiong truly deserves praise." Ning Xi puffed her cheeks, somewhat displeased. "Who dares to criticize Da Shi Xiong?!"
Pei Bu Chen neither agreed nor disagreed, merely letting his willow-leaf eyes curve again: "Anyway, thank you, junior sister."
The room suddenly fell into silence.
"Thank you, junior sister." Pei Bu Chen's smile faded as he softly repeated the words.
Ning Xi cleared her throat and whispered: "…What time is it now?"
"Three days and three nights since you fell unconscious."
That day, Ning Xi had taken a blow from the Yinglong Yan Ye's claw in Pei Bu Chen's place, sustaining severe injuries and falling into a coma. Fortunately, Pei Bu Chen had immediately severed the dragon's claw, rescued her, and used magic to protect her heart meridian, thus preserving her life.
"However, the Yinglong's claw was poisoned. With the demonic toxin entering your body, you must still be careful to recuperate properly recently."
Ning Xi touched her chest, indeed feeling a faint, lingering pain.
Pei Bu Chen watched her every movement and let out a heavy sigh.
As for the Yinglong Yan Ye, half its body had been pierced through by the Zhu Ri Sword, and it had lost one claw, leaving it at the end of its strength. When Baiyujing disciples arrived in time to surround and attack it, it struggled briefly but was ultimately no match for them.
"Unfortunately, it had help from other demonic creatures and managed to escape in the end." Pei Bu Chen picked up some fruit from the bedside table, conjured a small knife from his hand, and began peeling it.
"And the sword you stole, I returned it for you."
Ning Xi hung her head, anxiously expecting him to scold her, but Pei Bu Chen said nothing more.
She mustered her courage to glance at him. Having been unconscious for three days, the sight of the glistening, plump fruit flesh made her mouth water.
After all, she was injured. Since Pei Bu Chen had come to visit, surely he would peel a spirit fruit for her to eat?
Yet after staring expectantly for a while, Pei Bu Chen seemed not to notice, his knife movements remaining leisurely.
The room was dim and dusky, illuminated only by a bean-sized lamp flame.
Occasionally, the lamp wick crackled, while the knife made soft rustling sounds against the fruit peel.
The smell of low-quality lamp oil, the unique fresh sweetness of immortal fruit, and the faint, elusive white cherry blossom scent from Da Shi Xiong intertwined… the room remained utterly quiet.
Pei Bu Chen kept his head down, focused on the task in his hands.
His nails were neatly trimmed and rounded, his fingers long and slender with distinct knuckles, his skin as fair as jade. Between his fingers, he held a thin blade that occasionally flashed cold silver light in the dark room—a dance of danger and elegance.
Ning Xi's mouth felt dry. She swallowed and lightly picked at the soft quilt before her, suddenly hearing Pei Bu Chen speak:
"However, isn't there something you'd like to say to me, junior sister?"
Ning Xi didn't react immediately: "Huh?"
Pei Bu Chen smiled: "…For example, why did you lie on the Pou Xin Stage? Why did you charge into the battlefield at the eastern mountain foot? And why did you jump into the dragon's stomach, take the dragon's claw for me…"
"Why… did you come to save me?"