102: Parting on bad terms

Every person has their own story in their youth, and Li Xiangyun was no exception.

Therefore, the current Li Xiangyun was both expectant and a little conflicted.

He was a bit unsure how to face this “friend” from his youth.

After walking for a while longer, the view suddenly opened up.

The peach forest in late spring was dyed with half a slope of red glow, and the remaining petals on the branches rustled down onto the bluestone path.

The wind carried a sweet, cloying fruit fragrance, mixed with the aroma of freshly opened peach wine from the jar, spreading like mist among the gnarled peach branches.

Li Xiangyun followed the scent of wine alone and walked into this pink peach forest.

Finally, someone on a tree branch looked at her.

Long Ruoxuan lay on a tree branch, her red dress hanging outside the boughs like a crimson cloud soaked by spring rain, gently swaying with her dangling ankles.

She tilted her head and took a gulp of wine, her jade neck gleaming like pearls in the sunlight, and the liquid trickled down the corner of her mouth into her clothes, spreading dark patterns on the scarlet satin—adding a touch of wildness even more than the unfallen flowers on the branches.

As if noticing Li Xiangyun’s arrival, Long Ruoxuan slightly turned her head, “You’ve come?”

“Yes, I’ve come!”

At this moment, Li Xiangyun seemed to return to the scene when they first met; everything was so beautiful.

But just then, a black dot suddenly appeared in Li Xiangyun’s line of sight, growing larger and larger.

“Ouch.”

Accompanied by a cry of pain, Li Xiangyun was knocked to the ground.

Then, Long Ruoxuan’s cold voice rang out, “You bastard, you still know how to show up?”

Li Xiangyun sat on the ground, looking at the increasingly close, pristine white foot, feeling a bit awkward.

Indeed, his worst fear had come true.

But he did owe her an explanation.

Therefore, he picked up the wine pot that had fallen to the side, stood up, and looked at the familiar and exquisite face before him, explaining with an embarrassed smile, “Didn’t you also know about my severe injuries before?”

“So I just…”

“So even when you were on the verge of death, you didn’t think of coming to see me?” Long Ruoxuan interjected, questioning him angrily.

So many years had passed, and she was still as beautiful and captivating, only lacking the former petulance and immaturity, gaining a few more touches of elegance and maturity.

Li Xiangyun fell silent.

In fact, he had thought of looking for her back then.

It was just that, perhaps due to pride, or perhaps not wanting her to see him in such a sorry state.

Li Xiangyun ultimately chose to hide that thought.

After all, over two hundred years had passed, and many things would change, and Li Xiangyun didn’t want to disturb others’ lives before he died.

Perhaps realizing this, Long Ruoxuan’s tone softened considerably, but she continued to question, “Then why didn’t you come to find me when your injuries healed three years ago?”

What kind of fatal questions were these!

Undoubtedly, Li Xiangyun still couldn’t answer.

Looking at the silent Li Xiangyun, a hint of disappointment flashed in Long Ruoxuan’s eyes, “If that’s the case, then you may leave!”

“As for the Wind Thunder Grass you want, someone will give it to you after the Old Ancestor’s promotion ceremony.”

After speaking, Long Ruoxuan’s figure disappeared.

Li Xiangyun stared blankly at the distant red, feeling a little lost, then took a sip from the wine pot in his hand.

Perhaps, he was truly wrong… When Li Xiangyun returned to the residence the Long family had arranged for him, he saw an unexpected person there.

“Lin Ye!?”

Li Xiangyun looked at the man in black in the courtyard with some surprise.

This person was precisely Lin Ye, one of Li Xiangyun’s few friends in the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, the Elder of the General Affairs Pavilion.

“Brother Li, long time no see!”

Lin Ye turned around and said with a smile.

“Why would the Sect send you?” Li Xiangyun walked forward, thumping Lin Ye’s chest, and asked.

After all, as the Elder of the General Affairs Pavilion of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, Lin Ye was usually the busiest, managing all aspects of the Sect.

Therefore, since becoming the Elder of the General Affairs Pavilion, Li Xiangyun had hardly ever seen him leave the Sect.

He hadn’t expected the Sect to let Lin Ye out this time.

“It’s all because of you!” Lin Ye said helplessly.

“Me?” Li Xiangyun pointed at himself in confusion.

“That’s right, it’s because of you!” Lin Ye said with a playful smile, “Ever since your three-year agreement, you’ve become a hot commodity in the Old Ancestor’s eyes.”

“Even many Disciples admire you greatly.”

“So, thanks to you, I rarely get to come out.”

“Heh heh.” Li Xiangyun gave an awkward laugh, guessing the meaning of Lin Ye’s words.

Night.

The night was as dark as ink, but a silver edge was cut by the moon on the pine tips.

Li Xiangyun and Lin Ye sat opposite each other at a stone table, drinking wine, with the sound of the breeze rustling through the treetops in their ears.

As for the wine, it was certainly not the pot of wine Li Xiangyun had picked up during the day, but a pot of “Three Flavors Wine” he had purchased from the System.

This wine tasted bitter upon first sip, then turned spicy, and finally left only a hint of sweetness.

It was precisely because of the groundwork laid by the first two flavors that the final sweetness was incredibly pure and left an endless aftertaste.

Taking another hearty drink, Lin Ye exclaimed, “Where did you get this wine? Why have I never seen it before?”

“Haha, if you like it, I’ll give you two pots.” Li Xiangyun waved his hand generously, his expression bold.

Li Xiangyun had later learned about Lin Ye’s righteous words in the main hall three years ago.

Therefore, setting aside their past friendship, just considering the help from three years ago, what were mere two pots of spirit wine?

Subsequently, drinking wine and eating roasted meat, Li Xiangyun and Lin Ye chatted casually.

“By the way, did the Sect entrust you with anything when they sent you here?”

Lin Ye put down his wine cup and asked in confusion, “What entrustment?”

“What do you think?”

Li Xiangyun gave Lin Ye a look, letting him figure it out himself.

Perhaps a bit tipsy, Lin Ye took a while to react, “No entrustment, the Sect Master told me to listen to everything you say.”

“Listen to everything I say?” Li Xiangyun was a little surprised.

However, it seemed that the Ten Thousand Swords Sect probably wouldn’t intervene this time, which made Li Xiangyun breathe a sigh of relief.

If the Ten Thousand Swords Sect were to secretly obstruct this matter, he really wouldn’t know what to do.

But immediately after, Lin Ye continued while eating roasted meat, “Oh, the Sect Master told me to remind you to be careful.”

Li Xiangyun was startled upon hearing this; sure enough, things wouldn’t be that simple?

As Li Xiangyun was deep in thought, Lin Ye suddenly winked and said, “How was it, did you see her?”

Hearing this, Li Xiangyun immediately realized who Lin Ye was referring to.

Therefore, Li Xiangyun sighed and recounted what had happened during the day.

After hearing his account, Lin Ye was silent for a moment and said, “Perhaps you should apologize.”

“Apologize?” Li Xiangyun was slightly stunned.

“That’s right, let me analyze it for you…”

Lin Ye nodded affirmatively, then began to analyze voluminously.

Listening to the narration, Li Xiangyun suddenly felt that he did owe Long Ruoxuan an apology.

After all, even an apology was better than his silence.

But there was nothing he could do; as an excellent pilot in his previous life, Li Xiangyun had never been in love.

Therefore, this was his first time, both in his past and present life.

He truly lacked experience.

Now, hearing Lin Ye’s narration, Li Xiangyun suddenly felt enlightened.