WJ Chapter 83

Ge Sheng (2)

Good rain knows the season, arriving just as spring begins.

Wen Feng folded his umbrella outside Yanyun Palace, shaking off the raindrops hanging from it.

“You’re here?”

Wen Huan was already waiting for him at the entrance, his expression as gentle and serene as this spring rain, as if nothing had happened that stormy night, as if he had never struck this son of his.

On the contrary, it was Wen Feng who didn’t dare look at him, hesitantly calling out “Father.”

His voice was extremely hoarse, and he looked utterly exhausted. After all, he was the Sect Leader’s close attendant and had to guard Yun Changliu day and night. Watching the Sect Leader’s vitality weaken more and more with each passing day, these past few days had left him physically and mentally drained.

Wen Huan nodded. “Come in, the Old Sect Leader has been waiting for you for quite some time.”

Wen Feng followed him silently into the palace. During this time, Yun Guyan and Wen Huan had been staying in Yangxin Hall accompanying Yun Changliu. He didn’t know why they had returned to Yanyun Palace today and summoned him here.

In a daze, as Wen Feng followed his father inside, he only vaguely realized that the Old Sect Leader must be looking for him regarding matters concerning the Sect Leader, but as for what specifically… he no longer had the mind to guess.

Sure enough, Yun Guyan was already waiting for them in the innermost part of Yanyun Palace.

The Old Sect Leader’s complexion was also terrible. Seeing Wen Feng arrive, he said nothing, merely raising a finger to point at something on the table, signaling Wen Huan to open it.

It was an exquisitely crafted small box, made entirely of white jade-like material, yet emanating waves of cold air—clearly no ordinary object.

Wen Huan pressed both hands on the lid and pushed it open with a click.

Inside was an unusual plant.

The plant was entirely jade-green, with only a single flower blooming at its tip. The layered petals were a pale cyan color, almost white, while the stamen was golden yellow, giving off a faint bitter fragrance.

The flower’s form clearly resembled a lotus, yet it grew nine slender, pointed leaves—but lotus flowers would never grow such pointed leaves, so this plant could never be an ordinary lotus.

It had a very straightforward name: Nine-Leaf Jade Clarity Lotus.

——The Nine-Leaf Jade Clarity Lotus that could cure all the strange poisons under heaven.

The moment he saw it, Wen Feng let out a long sigh mixed with sobbing. It was as if a string that had been pulled taut in his heart suddenly snapped with a “crack.” The attendant collapsed to the ground, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably, like a madman, unable to tell if he was crying or laughing.

He stammered incoherently in a trembling voice. “He’s back? He’s back! Finally, finally… he’s back!?”

“Where is he? Quickly, the Sect Leader is still waiting——“

Wen Huan shook his head heavily without speaking.

This sudden silence undoubtedly caused panic.

Wen Feng looked up blankly, stammering slightly, “…Father? Dad? Where is Guan Wujue? He, he…”

Wen Huan rubbed his brow, saying weakly, “I don’t know.”

“None of us know where he is.”

“Wha——“

“The Protector has not yet returned.”

As Wen Huan spoke these words, he secretly sighed inwardly: Feng’er has truly become muddled. Even if the Protector had returned, he would certainly choose to go directly to extract the heart’s blood and couldn’t possibly go see the Sect Leader again.

“Before the Protector left the city, he came to Yanyun Palace once. He asked the Old Sect Leader for some people to assist him, and the Old Sect Leader sent the most capable ‘Shadow’ from back in the day to the Protector. This Nine-Leaf Jade Clarity Lotus was brought back by this ‘Shadow.'”

“……”

Wen Feng’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his face already looking terrible.

The so-called Shadow naturally referred to death warriors. Yun Guyan had been Sect Leader for over twenty years and would naturally cultivate some death warriors who were loyal only to him.

These death warriors were somewhat different from the Yin Ghosts. The Yin Ghosts belonging to the Ghost Gate of the Zhuyin Sect were only loyal to the Sect Leader, but Shadow death warriors recognized only one master in their lifetime, regardless of status or wealth. As long as the master didn’t abandon them, they would follow for life.

…Actually, from another perspective, Wen Huan could also be considered Yun Guyan’s Shadow, except that this Shadow not only came into the light but also wore white robes and attended to his master every day.

Now Wen Huan continued. “According to what the ‘Shadow’ said, the Protector still took the risk to keep his appointment with Gu Jinxi. Though he ultimately obtained the medicine, he encountered an ambush from the other side.”

“He stayed behind to cover the ‘Shadow’s’ escape with the medicine first. As for what happened after that, how things are now… we don’t know.”

“Encountered an ambush… stayed behind to cover…”

Wen Feng repeated these words numbly several times before finally shouting in unacceptable anger. “He… what rear guard does Protector Guan Wujue need to cover!? With all those injuries, who does he think he can cover!?”

No wonder he was so anxious and furious. Given Guan Wujue’s current physical condition, even having inherited the Sect Leader’s internal energy, he absolutely couldn’t withstand intense combat. Once caught in a siege, the outcome would surely be grim…

But in his heart, Wen Feng also knew that although Guan Wujue seemed bold, he was never reckless. Especially now that he was nurturing the medicine with his blood—no matter how little he valued his life normally, for the Sect Leader’s sake he had to stay alive until the time came to extract his blood.

This choice must have already been the best option under the circumstances.

Wen Huan glanced at Yun Guyan and said slowly, “The Old Sect Leader’s intention is… to wait a bit longer. But we can’t keep waiting forever. In case the Protector…”

A trace of sorrow appeared on Wen Huan’s face. He couldn’t speak those inauspicious words, so he paused.

But Wen Feng clearly understood the meaning of those unspoken words. His face grew even more unsightly, yet he couldn’t say anything.

——In case the Protector had already perished, wouldn’t continuing to wait be futile?

By now, Wen Feng no longer knew whether he wanted to see Guan Wujue return or not.

If he came back, he would surely be coming to his death; but if he didn’t come back, the Sect Leader…

Besides, with Guan Wujue’s obsession, as long as he had a breath left in him, he would crawl back if necessary.

If he truly didn’t return, it wouldn’t be because he didn’t want to, but because he couldn’t.

“Pay close attention to the Sect Leader’s condition. If…”

Wen Huan paused again. “We can only use the medicine to save his life first. You understand, don’t you?”

And Wen Feng understood the meaning of this pause as well.

——If the Sect Leader truly seemed about to die, they could only give him the Nine-Leaf Jade Clarity Lotus first to save his life.

“I understand,” the white-robed attendant could only give a miserable laugh. He stared fixedly at Yun Guyan and Wen Huan. “Of course Wen Feng understands.”

……

Waiting—everyone was waiting with great anxiety.

That afternoon, just after the drizzle had stopped, Ghost Gate Deputy Gate Master Shan Yi and Right Envoy Hua Wan stopped Wen Feng outside Yangxin Hall.

Hua Wan’s face was dark as water as she asked in a steady voice. “We just want to know clearly—where exactly has the Four Directions Protector gone?”

“I don’t know…” Wen Feng shook his head numbly, feeling as if the slightly damp air had soaked all his organs, making them wet and heavy. “Wen Feng is the Sect Leader’s close attendant and only manages matters concerning the Sect Leader. I know nothing else.”

“Don’t know? Attendant Wen, do you truly have no clue at all?”

Shan Yi showed a hint of anxious worry. “What are we to do? Now the Sect Leader is already in this state… and the Young Protector’s whereabouts are still unknown. Who will maintain the overall situation!?”

“——I will.”

A steady voice interrupted Shan Yi’s words.

Everyone looked toward the voice and saw Left Envoy Xiao Donghe of the Zhuyin Sect, his face dark as water, walking slowly toward them.

The decree he held bore a vermillion Candle Dragon Seal, the very symbol of the Zhuyin Sect’s highest authority.

The Candle Dragon Seal’s status was equivalent to the Sect Leader’s personal presence.

Everyone’s expressions became solemn as they immediately bowed deeply in salute.

But Xiao Donghe couldn’t help feeling somewhat distracted.

Young Protector… did Shan Yi still habitually call him that even now?

…Of course, how old was Wujue when he became Protector? The same age as the Sect Leader when he had just come of age. Not to mention people of Shan Yi’s generation—even Hua Wan treated him like a little brother. Yet somehow, without anyone noticing, he had become the backbone of this Zhuyin Sect.

Thinking back to when the Sect Leader first took office, hardly anyone in the entire sect looked up to this aloof and taciturn young sect leader. Some arrogant ones even dared to insult him publicly. And now? In the entire vast Zhuyin Sect, there was no one who wasn’t wholeheartedly devoted to the Sect Leader.

The Left Envoy couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. Zhuyin Sect Leader Yun Changliu and Four Directions Protector Guan Wujue—these two seemed to be a pair made by heaven, a legend. Even in the mouths of those storytellers in the civilian streets and alleys who dared to spin any tale, no one would ever separate this master and subordinate pair.

But if both of these two fell, could he, an outsider who didn’t bear the Yun surname, this always low-key Left Envoy, really hold up this Zhuyin Sect?

Xiao Donghe smiled bitterly.

Whether he could hold it up or not, he had to try first.

“The Sect Leader’s secret decree is here. From now on, if the Sect Leader is unable to manage affairs, this Envoy shall temporarily assume the Sect Leader’s duties.”

“Henceforth, all major and minor matters within the Zhuyin Sect that were previously submitted to the Sect Leader for review shall first be sent to this Envoy.”

……

Waiting—everyone was waiting with great anxiety.

Unexpectedly, the first person who couldn’t wait any longer turned out to be Wen Huan.

The next evening, Yun Changliu, who had been unconscious for many days, suddenly began vomiting blood uncontrollably.

Everyone could see that the Sect Leader was in great pain—the kind of desperate pain that couldn’t be escaped even in unconsciousness—but no one could do anything about it.

Guan Muyan had simply given up on researching those antidote and life-saving medicine formulas, instead preparing sedatives to ease Yun Changliu’s suffering.

However, in the face of Fengchun Sheng, this was merely a drop in the bucket.

That very night, after Wen Huan had finished helping Yun Guyan wash and undress and watched his master lie down on the bed, he brought the box containing the Nine-Leaf Jade Clarity Lotus before Yun Guyan.

But he himself knelt down, pressing his forehead to the floor at the head of the bed, pleading. “Use it, Old Sect Leader. Liu’er can barely hold on anymore.”

Yun Guyan’s gaze was as cold as steel. “No. We can still wait.”

Without combining the medicine person’s blood with the Nine-Leaf Jade Clarity Lotus, they couldn’t completely extract the Fengchun Sheng poison.

Wen Huan understood this principle, but he didn’t rise. “Please look at Liu’er, Old Sect Leader… Liu’er is truly suffering too much.”

“No,” Yun Guyan gritted his teeth, staring fixedly at that snow-white box. “Wait a bit longer. We can still wait a bit longer.”

“Wen Huan, these two children… you watched them grow up together with this lord. You should know what kind of temperament they have.”

“Liu’er is this lord’s flesh and blood. This lord knows he can endure.”

“Guan Wujue… this lord also knows he will surely return.”

Yun Guyan closed his eyes heavily, his finger caressing the edges of the box as he murmured. “As long as we wait for him to return, this lord will…”

……

Waiting—everyone was waiting with great anxiety.

But just at this time, Yun Changliu suddenly regained consciousness in Yangxin Hall.

He had been unconscious for a long time and was weak to the extreme, yet he suddenly woke without any warning.

When he awoke, only Wen Feng happened to be attending at his side. The Sect Leader’s gaze was unfocused as he stared at the white-robed attendant who was nearly weeping with joy, seeming to take a long time to recognize this person.

This time, Yun Changliu didn’t ask again about news of the Protector, but instead suddenly asked softly if tomorrow was some special day.

When Yun Changliu asked this, Wen Feng was stunned. These past days he had been living in such chaos that he couldn’t distinguish tomorrow from yesterday, let alone remember what day it was.

After pondering for a long time, Wen Feng finally exclaimed “Ah!” A long-absent smile bloomed on his face, and his eyes brightened:

“That’s right! Yes, it’s your birthday, Sect Leader. Tomorrow is your birthday——Wen Feng deserves ten thousand deaths for forgetting even this.”

“Then… no wonder,” Yun Changliu’s brow relaxed slightly as he murmured with relief, “Perhaps it will be within these next day or two…”

Years ago, he shouldn’t have survived past fifteen. It was Ah Ku’s medicine blood that suppressed the poison for him until now.

Now that ten years had passed, Yun Changliu vaguely felt that perhaps the time had come for him to depart.

“…There you go talking nonsense again.”

Wen Feng clenched his fists, fiercely digging his nails into his palms. He didn’t want to show any sadness in front of the Sect Leader, so he smiled gently with a hoarse voice. “The Sect Leader is just feeling too unwell from the illness. But, think about it… don’t you still need to wait for the Protector to return?”

“Don’t think about those bad things. Think about happy things instead…”

The attendant’s voice was soft, as if coaxing a child. He suddenly stood up and went to raise the curtain, letting the daylight that had been absent from the dark Yangxin Hall for many days shine through.

“Think about it—spring has already arrived, it’s quite warm outside, and the peach blossoms at the foot of Mount Shenlie have bloomed.”

Wen Feng returned to the bedside, leaning close to Yun Changliu’s face and saying gently, “When the Protector returns and your illness is cured, have the Protector take you out to play—to admire the peach blossoms, to visit the towns, riding Feixue and Liuhuo to Yu Family Fort to visit the young lady…”

“Wen Feng…”

Yun Changliu lay on his back in bed listening to the attendant speak. His eyes suddenly rippled with a soft light, his voice already so weak that Wen Feng had to lean close to his lips to hear clearly. “Don’t you think it’s strange? This lord always feels… Wujue might return tomorrow.”

“…Who can say for certain?” The smile at the corner of Wen Feng’s mouth was barely holding. “Mm, perhaps it really will be tomorrow, or the day after——“

Yun Changliu nodded once and said to himself, “…Since it’s this lord’s birthday, the Protector will surely return, won’t he?”

“I…” The Sect Leader closed his eyes and sighed softly, “I truly miss him.”

……

The next day at dawn, just as a faint white light appeared on the horizon, Yun Changliu awoke.

Wen Feng, who had been sleeping lightly while leaning against the head of the bed, thought he was still dreaming when the Sect Leader gently pushed him awake. He had assumed that since Yun Changliu had woken yesterday, he would need to sleep deeply for at least another two days before having the strength to wake again.

But Yun Changliu’s eyes stared straight at the white-robed attendant. After quite a while, he suddenly extended a hand toward the attendant, smiling as he said, “Help this lord up.”

Though he was smiling, his voice carried a kind of lifeless calm.

Wen Feng was startled. How could the Sect Leader possibly get up now? He assumed Yun Changliu’s consciousness was unclear and he was speaking deliriously, so he quickly drew the bed curtain and sat beside Yun Changliu, trying to persuade him with kind words to continue sleeping.

However, after a few attempts at persuasion, Yun Changliu made an even more alarming request.

He actually wanted to bathe and change clothes.

“Wujue will return today.”

The Sect Leader said thoughtfully and softly, “This lord wishes to go greet him.”

Wen Feng’s expression froze, his mind in complete chaos, unable to even feel grief for a moment.

The next instant, he saw Yun Changliu slowly prop himself up by the edge of the bed.

“Sect… Sect Leader!? You, Sect Leader you——“

Wen Feng’s eyes widened in terror, his face turning deathly pale—even paler than Yun Changliu’s.

On the contrary, some color appeared on the Sect Leader’s gaunt cheeks. Looking at them now, the swaying Attendant Wen actually seemed more like a dying patient than Yun Changliu.

Yun Changliu didn’t even glance at him.

He felt he was doing quite well today. His whole body felt light and airy, and even the pain seemed to have lessened considerably. Thinking that Wujue would return today, he felt as if he could stand up.

And so Yun Changliu truly did stand up.

Not only did he stand up, but he also insisted on washing and bathing, binding his hair and changing clothes, tidying himself neatly and properly, as if he were still the elegant and noble Zhuyin Sect Leader of former days.

Wen Feng’s face turned ashen. He couldn’t dissuade Yun Changliu from this behavior at all. As he helped the Sect Leader don that white robe embroidered with the crimson-gold Candle Dragon pattern, both his hands were trembling uncontrollably.

The attendant was already begging himself not to overthink in his heart, but it was useless, useless, useless——

Those four terrifying words that made his very marrow turn cold still crawled up from the bottom of his heart like ghosts.

Those four words were——

Last flicker of life.

(TL: or Terminal Lucidity)