Rumor had it that Chilian Peak got its na five hundred years ago when a crimson aurora fell from the sky, turning the once-dark rocks blood-red. With legend ca cultural depth, so its developnt into a tourist attraction was a matter of course. Today, all three main paths up the mountain were packed with visitors.
Chen Yang and Qin Qiu, hand in hand, strolled at the foot of the mountain. Looking up, they were greeted by a riot of colors.
"Honey, this is for you," Chen Yang said with a cheery smile, handing Qin Qiu a bunch of wildflowers he had picked and tied together with a blade of grass.
"Thank you." Qin Qiu's eyes lit up with delight as she accepted the bouquet. She giggled. "Co to think of it, is this the first ti you've given flowers?"
"Who says that? I..."
Chen Yang started to defend himself, but Qin Qiu covered his mouth, her lips pouting in a rare display. "Don't say it!"
Back in Lingjin City, Chen Yang had often bought her flowers. But due to the circumstances at the ti, she never accepted a single bouquet. Even when he placed them right in front of her, she threw them all in the trash.
Thinking about it now... so mories are too painful to revisit. The most important thing is that despite how I treated him, he has always remained steadfast. I hope I can make it up to him for the rest of our lives.
"I really like this bouquet," Qin Qiu said, holding the flowers in both hands, her face alight with joy.
Chen Yang chuckled, pleased.
Linking her arm with his, Qin Qiu's tone turned worried. "Chen Yang, about later..."
"It's a trivial matter." Chen Yang wrapped an arm around her waist, glancing up at the mountain peak. "We ca here to enjoy the scenery today. Everything else is secondary, so why worry?"
"You're right!" Qin Qiu nodded enthusiastically, a radiant smile on her face. Inwardly, however, she couldn't help but feel anxious. In recent days, she had secretly researched Xue Dalong. That old man is incredibly strong!
Soon, they rged with the crowd, heading toward the summit alongside the many others who had co to witness the battle.
「anwhile.」
A helicopter touched down in a corner of Chilian Peak's summit. The area was already guarded by heavily ard personnel. Wu Xing and Jin Zheng stepped out of the helicopter, one after the other. They stood with their hands clasped behind their backs, gazing silently and solemnly toward the main peak.
「Also on Chilian Peak.」
"Master, Brother Chen should be able to win, right?" the young Taoist Qin Hao asked, turning to the old Taoist beside him. His untainted eyes were fixed on the man, determined not to look away until he received a satisfying answer.
"Perhaps..." the old Taoist in the worn Hundred-Family Garb replied, then shook his head. "We won't know until they have fought."
"If he needs it, you must help him," Qin Hao stated firmly, clearly disappointed at not getting the answer he wanted.
"He is your benefactor. If I can help, of course I will," the old Taoist replied with a smile. He looked up toward the distant Yun Island, where an old man sat in a pavilion by the lake, a long spear in hand.
He wasn't the only one. Many people on the peak had their eyes fixed on that old man. This man was, of course, Xue Dalong, who had sat atop the Dragon Brilliance List for twenty years.
Clad in a green robe, his fra was exceptionally tall and as muscular as a bull. Even sitting cross-legged, he exuded an overwhelming presence, as if he could command rivers and mountains, his aura as magnificent as a tiger's. The re sight of his back or his profile was enough to leave others breathless with its oppressive weight.
He held a spear, planted upright beside him. His yellowing eyes were fixed on the tranquil lake, utterly unfazed by honor or disgrace, as calm as a gentle breeze under clear skies. The gleaming spear, over two ters long, had aged tassels, now mottled and sparse, that fluttered softly in the light wind. An intangible aura emanated from him, carrying a hint of the weariness of an old warrior.
"Great-Grandpa, I... I heard that man is very powerful. Why did you have to co?" Behind Xue Dalong stood a young woman of about twenty-one, dressed in a light yellow dress with her hair in a ponytail. Her ethereal face was full of youthful innocence. At that mont, her lips were pouted, and her young face was etched with deep worry and heartache.
"He is indeed very powerful!" Xue Dalong suddenly looked up and said with a smile. "Not only that, he is also an incredible Great General. He has led his troops in battle for over a dozen years without a single defeat. Under his command, not one resident of Hanyun Valley has ever suffered the ravages of war.
"The glory and prosperity of this great age are half his doing." As he spoke, Xue Dalong's smile grew even wider. "He is the only mber of the younger generation I have ever admired in my entire life."
"If that's the case, Great-Grandpa, why do you still want to fight him?" the girl, Lanlan, asked, her expression a mixture of confusion and growing worry. "Great-Grandpa, you're already so old. Why must you insist on getting involved in this ss?"
"Lanlan, our Xue Family owes its current position to my efforts alone. People with ill intentions toward our family still fear enough to stay away, but there will inevitably co a day when I am no longer around." Xue Dalong sighed. "Therefore, before I pass on, I must find a protector for our family."
In truth, Xue Dalong knew his ti was short—he would likely pass away within the month. With no worthy successor and many enemies made in his youth, he could imagine the bloody storm the Xue Family would face the mont he was gone. For this reason, when the man had approached him with a challenge, he accepted without hesitation. While he still had so strength left, he had to secure his family's future.
"Great-Grandpa..." Young as she was, Lanlan understood the implications. Tears instantly welled in her eyes, turning them red.
"Lanlan," Xue Dalong called out. "After I'm gone, you must take good care of yourself. Always put your own interests first. Don't constantly accommodate others at your own expense; you'll only end up getting hurt.
"When choosing a partner, don't worry about their family background or wealth. As long as he treats you with all his heart, that's what really matters. A good character is the only thing that is truly good; everything else is illusory.
"Understand?"
This speech, so much like a final testant, brought Lanlan to tears. She dared not cry out loud, instead pressing her hands to her mouth as her body trembled with muffled sobs.
"Also, after I die, you must not think of avenging . My opponent is not in the wrong. If bla must be assigned, then the fault is mine.
"Scatter my ashes here, on Yun Island of Chilian Peak." Xue Dalong looked around, his eyes squinting into a warm smile. "Look how beautiful the scenery is. I like it here.
"That man... he aims to set things right. Whether he succeeds or not, he is a great man.
"I, Xue Dalong, have only ever admired him in my entire life."
"Lanlan." Xue Dalong turned, taking her small hand and smiling kindly. "Go on now. Go ho and wait for news."
"I won't!" Lanlan imdiately knelt and flung herself into Xue Dalong's arms. "I won't leave! I want to stay with you!"
"Listen to , be a good girl." Xue Dalong patted her head, reluctant to let go. "Lanlan, be good. Go ho."
"SOB... SOB..."
...
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