EMS Chapter 13

Returning from Weishui City to Yunhua Sect, it would take at least six or seven days on the official road. If they took it slow or encountered bad weather, it could take ten days or even half a month. Feng Lingjun was not afraid of the hardships of the journey, but Chu Qian’s body might not be able to handle it. He had only ridden a horse for a day before switching to a carriage.

 

Throughout this journey, Feng Lingjun could hardly close his eyes. The worries and sufferings that Chu Qian had once borne for him were now all returned, allowing him to experience the feeling of torment first-hand.

 

Feng Lingjun comforted himself, believing that Chu Qian was destined for good fortune and would surely be fine. Once his injuries were healed, they could live in seclusion in Wangshan Mountain together, retreating from the disputes of the martial world, or perhaps wander the world hand in hand as a carefree couple, that was fine too.

 

He had also promised to take Chu Qian back to his hometown to see the snow. Winter had arrived, and all that was missing was someone to enjoy it with.

 

—Things will get better.

 

Feng Lingjun forced a faint smile and leaned down to kiss Chu Qian’s face.

 

They arrived at the sect on 18th October. Before Feng Lingjun returned, he had already sent a message to Wang Zizhao, who personally came out two miles to greet him and Chu Qian as they entered the mountain gate.

 

Feng Lingjun looked travel-worn and didn’t even take a moment to rest. He directly took Chu Qian up to Buxu Peak.

 

Buxu Peak was a forbidden area of the sect, where his master had been in seclusion at the peak for years, leaving behind the command that “no matter what happens, one must not disturb him,” which still echoed in their ears. Wang Zizhao was taken aback, fearing that his senior brother might act impulsively and make a mistake. Yet, looking at Feng Lingjun’s serious expression, which was somewhat intimidating, he couldn’t find the words to stop him.

 

Moreover, his senior brother has always acted with sound judgement. Previously, he willingly took risks, wrote his final words, and never defied Master’s orders.  Now, however, he was determined to ascend the mountain, perhaps because Chu Qian’s life was particularly important, so important that his senior brother was willing to do everything to save him. 

 

Wang Zizhao dared not stop him, nor could he even if he tried. While he anxiously waited at the foot of the mountain, Feng Lingjun had already made his way up the mountain.

 

Buxu Peak is not the highest peak of Yunhua Sect. From the foot of the mountain to the summit, there are a total of four thousand eight hundred and ten stone steps. Feng Lingjun had not rested properly for many days. However, the physical exhaustion was secondary. Every day, he transferred energy to Chu Qian, depleting his internal reserves to the extent that “pouring out his heart and soul” would not be an exaggeration. Now, he was at the end of his strength, barely holding on by sheer willpower, struggling to make his way up the mountain.

 

The mountain wind cut across his face, but Chu Qian was completely unaware as he nestled in Feng Lingjun’s embrace. The biting cold wind filled his collar, nearly blowing away the last remnants of warmth from his body.

 

Feng Lingjun instinctively tightened his hold on him, wrapping the cloak around them more securely. Each step on the hard stone steps felt heavier than a thousand pounds, and the peak still seemed so far away, the towering steps seemingly reaching into the clouds, stretching endlessly before them.

 

At this point, Feng Lingjun thought of nothing else, seeking help up the mountain was his only option.

 

As for the result…

 

The result will be dealt with after it happens.

 

The higher he climbed, the stronger the mountain wind became. Feng Lingjun seemed numb, unaware of his fatigue, and his feet did not stop for a moment. When he reached a familiar spot, he turned his head to look at the trees by the cliff and suddenly recalled an old story.

 

He clearly remembered that year when he had just turned ten and had sneaked up to Buxu Peak without his master’s knowledge.

 

At that time, he was filled with curiosity about this “forbidden place” and asked his master why they were not allowed to enter and what was inside. The master replied that there was nothing there. He didn’t believe it, not at all, so he prepared himself and, while his master was out, sneaked up the mountain.

 

As a result, there really was nothing on the mountain.

 

There were no caves hiding martial arts manuals, no villains locked in giant cages, and no secret teachings buried at the top of the mountain. All of this was his fantasy about the forbidden area, and in the end, the fantasy fell through. He was caught red-handed by his master and ended up being grounded.

 

His master ordered him to reflect on his mistakes facing the wall for a month. He didn’t understand. Since there was nothing in the forbidden area, what harm could there be in having a look?

 

At that time, his master’s answer became something he has never forgotten to date. The master said, “The reason a forbidden place is forbidden is not because it hides secrets, but because it is meant to become a rule, a bottom line.”

 

Feng Lingjun listened but didn’t quite understand; he was too young—what could a ten-year-old comprehend?

 

But his respect for his master was enough to guide his words and actions, and since then, he never went to Buxu Peak again.

 

Now, after more than a decade, he finally understood his master’s meaning. The so-called bottom line can probably only be truly touched when one breaks through it. Along with that comes the realisation of what you value in your heart, what has changed compared to the past, and why it has changed… Everything finally became clear to Feng Lingjun. 

 

Feng Lingjun thought that over the years, both he and Wang Zizhao had done their fair share of unruly things, but in truth, whether it was him or Wang Zizhao, they had never truly crossed the line and touched anything that they shouldn’t have done at all.

 

In stark contrast, Chu Qian appeared to be someone who adhered to rules, but in reality, he was quite the opposite. He was unrestrained and reckless, doing whatever he pleased without a care for right or wrong, never considering whether it was appropriate or worthwhile, only asking himself if he liked it.

 

“He likes me.”

 

Feng Lingjun stepped up another level, his legs almost stiff.

 

“He loves me so much, he’s willing to die for me.”

 

Feng Lingjun was lost in thought, the cold wind blowing against him, and he didn’t know how long he had been walking. Finally, he reached the top, where a narrow stone path appeared before him. He walked along the path, and after a while, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a magnificent hall rising majestically ahead.

 

This was the only place to stay on the peak, his master must be inside. Feng Lingjun did not dare to rush in recklessly. He still held onto Chu Qian, lifted his robe, and knelt before the hall, calling out in a hoarse voice, “Master.”

 

Inside the hall, there was silence, not a sound came out.

 

Feng Lingjun’s limbs felt as if they were filled with mud and sand, heavy and stiff. He listened to the howling wind rushing past his ears and, drawing on some inner strength, shouted into the hall, “Master, your disciple is unworthy! I earnestly request you to come out of seclusion and save a life—”

 

“Please, Master, help me!”

 

Feng Lingjun knelt until there was blood seeping from his knees. Chu Qian’s heavy body pressed down on his arms, the weight feeling somewhat unnatural, as if it carried a chilling, lifeless aura. A sweetness rose in Feng Lingjun’s throat, and he nearly spat out blood.

 

He had always prided himself on his exceptional abilities, but never had he felt such hatred for his own helplessness as he did now. He was utterly powerless, with nowhere to turn to.

 

“Master…”

 

Feng Lingjun coughed uncontrollably for a long while, pleading, “Master, I beg you to break your seclusion. This unworthy disciple has no way to repay you, so I am willing to exchange my life for his!”

 

Unknowingly, snow began to fall under the vast, white sky.

 

Feng Lingjun used his sleeve to shield Chu Qian’s face, blocking the cold snowflakes. Chu Qian remained silent, his eyes tightly closed, lips pressed into a thin line, his face almost devoid of colour… Perhaps this was the end.

 

Feng Lingjun felt a sharp pain in his heart, so intense that it left him somewhat numb. He held Chu Qian tightly in his arms, affectionately embracing him. Under the endless wind and snow, they were as small as the most inconspicuous ants in the world, unable to shake the grip of life and death, only able to huddle together for warmth.

 

“Then let it be this way,” Feng Lingjun thought. “If you die, how can I live on alone?”

 

His vision blurred, and a profound fatigue, drained of vital energy, enveloped him, nearly causing him to faint. Yet he still held onto a glimmer of hope, as long as Chu Qian still drew breath, he did not want to give up.

 

The sky gradually darkened, Feng Lingjun knelt in front of the hall like a statue. He felt as if ten years, twenty years, a lifetime had passed, yet he still had not endured through the winter.

 

The snow continued to fall, and the strong wind showed no signs of stopping.

 

A thick layer of snow had accumulated on Feng Lingjun’s shoulders and head. A thick layer of snow had accumulated on Feng Lingjun’s shoulders and head. Finally, just before he was completely frozen stiff, the hall door opened with a “creak“.