There were two figures on the back of the Black Wind Condor; it was Ye Futian and Hua Jieyu.
Ye Futian had traveled all this way from the Barren State. First, he went to the Book Mountain in Eastern Barren Territory, and then he traveled to Nandou Nation and the Cangye Kingdom until finally, he passed through the academy in the East Sea before making his way to Qingzhou City.
Of all the people that traveled together with them, there was now only him, Hua Jieyu, and the Little Condor.
Back then, the Little Condor had also come from Qingzhou City, somewhere in the mountains.
Thinking back all those years, it felt like centuries ago.
They were in no hurry. Otherwise, with Ye Futian’s current realm, they would be able to reach Qingzhou City with just one step.
But he didn’t do that. Instead, he chose to walk the roads of the olden days, enjoying the tranquility. Perhaps, he wanted Hua Jieyu to experience it too.
Hua Jieyu remained silent on their journey. Ye Futian had no way of knowing what she was thinking about, though he did try to pry into her thoughts. In the Heavenly Mandate Academy, as soon as he saw Hua Jieyu, he had asked Feixue to keep an eye on her.
He did not disclose Feixue’s special talent to anyone from the outside. It would prove to be a great advantage in future training for core figures in the Heavenly Mandate Academy.
According to Feixue, when Hua Jieyu was around him, her emotions were extremely calm, like water without waves. There was no love, hatred, nor any other emotions.
“This here is the East Sea. Back then, the Master, the Little Condor, and I flew over the East Sea from Qingzhou City to go to Donghai City. And the first place we went to was the Nandou clan to take a look. At the time, you were cultivating at Donghai Academy.” The sea breeze was caressing their faces as Ye Futian spoke softly.
Along the way, he said a lot. Hua Jieyu listened quietly, occasionally nodding, but rarely responding.
“I remember when I first saw you at Donghai Academy, and I also remember seeing you in Ziwei Palace last time.” Ye Futian looked at Hua Jieyu’s profile. Of course, she was still as beautiful now as she was then, but it was a different kind of beauty from before. The beauty that she had was youthful, a young girl’s demeanor, like a fairy who was full of spirit.
“Still, I prefer the person you are now.”
Ye Futian smiled softly as he stretched out his hand and took Hua Jieyu’s hand in his.
Hua Jieyu’s fingers trembled, and when she looked down, she saw Ye Futian’s fingers clasping hers tightly. She raised her head and regarded Ye Futian with her beautiful eyes. Ye Futian’s smile was extremely gentle. “Jieyu, no matter what you look like, you will always be my wife.”
Hua Jieyu dodged his gaze. Instead of looking at Ye Futian, she kept her eyes forward. But she did not withdraw her hand, allowing Ye Futian to hold it tightly in his.
“Jieyu, after we see the Master and the Masteress, I will tell them that you were injured so severely that you temporarily lost your memory. You are the only child of the Master and the Masteress. You can understand that, can’t you?” Ye Futian asked with a smile.
After seeing Jieyu, the Master and the Masteress would undoubtedly act very loving toward her. He worried that Jieyu would react strongly. This might hurt them even more; they had been so sad for so many years.
Hua Jieyu gave the matter some thought.
“Mmm.” She nodded gently, and Ye Futian smiled with relief.
“Sit now.” Ye Futian took Hua Jieyu and sat on Black Wind Condor’s back. It was as if they had been transported back many years ago. Looking at the island in the distance, a smile gradually appeared on Ye Futian’s face. Of all the many places that he had been, it was this small island city that brought him the most peace.
Qingzhou City was so peaceful. It was as if it was apart from this world and asked nothing from it.
In front of the cottage on the shore of Qingzhou Lake, some men were playing chess while the others gathered to watch.
Among them, a middle-aged gentleman was dressed in all white. Although he was middle-aged, he was still elegant and handsome. If he were 20 years younger, he would have been an eye-catching character.
Over the years, Hua Fengliu’s greatest hobby had been chess. After so many years, he had developed a habit of enjoying peace and quiet in leisure.
There were many people watching.
At this moment, two people walked behind the crowd and watched quietly, not disturbing anyone.
However, the temperament of the two newcomers was so outstanding that the people around them couldn’t help but look back at the two, thinking that they were a beautiful couple.
Moreover, the man looked so young but had a head of silver hair. And the woman, upon closer look, also appeared quite familiar.
“Young lad, you know something about chess?” asked an old man next to him. Those who watched chess were usually long in the tooth.
“A little.” Ye Futian smiled and nodded.
“How is that guy’s chess skill?” the old man asked, pointing at Hua Fengliu.
“Not very good,” Ye Futian said with a smile.
“Wow, you sound very confident.” The old man smiled. “Then, you should go in later and challenge him.”
No one had been able to beat this man in chess in the vicinity, and he didn’t know if this young man was bragging or not. However, for once, he would be happy to see someone beat that guy.
“I have something else to attend to. Let’s call it a day with this game,” the person opposite Hua Fengliu said, then begin mixing up the chess pieces. Everyone around them laughed because they knew this guy had lost.
“Lad, give it a try?” The old man next to him turned his head and looked at Ye Futian, who was behind the crowd.
“Sure.” Ye Futian smiled and nodded. “It’s just that I dare not beat him.”
Previously, Hua Fengliu’s attention had been on the chess game. Over the years, he hadn’t cared much about the world; he had even lost interest in cultivating, so he was a lot less vigilant much than he was before, and he rarely kept watch over his surroundings.
But, at this moment, when he heard this voice, it sounded so familiar.
Lifting his head, he looked at the man with the white hair in the crowd, a little stunned. Then he smiled and said, “Why come back when there is nothing for you to come back to?”
“If I didn’t come back to see you soon, I was afraid I would forget Master,” Ye Futian joked.
“What is forgotten shouldn’t be remembered. I never cared much about you as a disciple, either.” Hua Fengliu appeared calm, but Ye Futian knew that this had always been his demeanor.
Ye Futian was smiling, but his heart was full of pain. The Master had more white hair on his head, and his temples were now gray.
“Master, look who this is.” Ye Futian stepped aside. Behind the crowd, a beautiful figure stood there quietly. When Hua Fengliu saw her, though he was sitting there quietly, the chess piece in his hand fell to the ground.
He stood up unsteadily. His eyes reddened in an instant.
“Jieyu.” Hua Fengliu walked out to the crowd and came to Hua Jieyu. He stretched out his hand, shakily. His fingertips touched her hair and her face. It was as if he wanted to see if she was real or not.
His fingertips were also trembling.
Ye Futian felt even sadder when he saw this. He was sorry for Jieyu and Master. Even though Jieyu was brought back, she was not completely herself just yet.
“Jieyu, what’s wrong?” Hua Fengliu couldn’t help but ask when he detected the strange look on Jieyu.
“Master, Jieyu was injured badly. She has forgotten many things. But she will definitely recover in the future,” Ye Futian comforted him. That was all he could say for now.
Hua Fengliu was taken aback. Amnesia?
There seemed to be a battle in his mind. Then he looked at Hua Jieyu and said, “As long as you are still there.”
All these years, he often thought about his daughter. In his dreams, in his memory, that clever and beautiful figure was a pain that could not be erased.
Although she had forgotten much, she came back alive. This was already a good outcome, wasn’t it?
“Jieyu, do you remember me?” Hua Fengliu asked with a trembling voice. It was as if this was too extravagant of a hope.
Hua Jieyu looked at him quietly, and Hua Fengliu understood. He retracted his hand but found nowhere to place it. He was a little nervous.
“Let’s go home firs and see your mother.” Hua Fengliu wanted to take her hand but soon thought better of it and didn’t.
“Mmm.” Hua Jieyu nodded gently. On the way over, Ye Futian had already prepared her so she would not reject the idea.
“Let’s go.” Ye Futian took Hua Jieyu’s hand and followed Hua Fengliu as everyone around watched them leave.
“Is he Fengliu’s disciple?” an old man asked. Ye Futian, at one time, had caused a great sensation in Qingzhou City, and he was still a legend in the hearts of many young people.
“Ah, he’s back. How handsome.” The others who were around all nodded in agreement.
Hua Fengliu, Ye Futian, and the others came to the hut. Before they even went in, Hua Fengliu called out, “Wenyin, come and see who is back.”
Before they even got to the inner courtyard, two figures emerged from inside the hut.
Nandou Wenyin had a smile on her face, but the moment she saw Ye Futian and Hua Jieyu, she could no longer move.
“Jieyu.” Nandou Wenyin spoke in a trembling voice, and in just an instant, tears were streaming down all over her face.
“Daddy,” a bell-like voice called out. The figure next to Nandou Wenyin went running toward Hua Fengliu, pulling on his hand.
It was a little girl about five or six years of age. She was very beautiful; it was just as if she was from a fairy tale. Just one look at her would make anyone involuntarily adore her.
Ye Futian was just about to address the Masteress before the little girl took over his attention, and he could not look away.
He seemed to see a shadow of Jieyu’s former self on the little girl. Although the two had a great gap in age, they still bore a great resemblance to one another.
The girl took Hua Fengliu’s hand and raised her head to look at Ye Futian and Hua Jieyu. A childish voice came from her mouth, “Daddy, she is so beautiful, like a goddess.”
When Hua Fengliu heard this, he couldn’t help the tears that streamed down his face.
Yes, little did she know that was her sister, her very own sister.
Ye Futian stooped down. His eyes were a little red as his hand gently touched the girl’s face. His touches were so light. It was as if a little more power would hurt the girl.
“What’s your name?” Ye Futian asked softly, his voice extremely gentle.
“Hua Nianyu.” The girl looked at Ye Futian curiously, as a childish voice came out of her small mouth.
In just an instant, Ye Futian could no longer hold back the tears as they streamed down from his reddened eyes.
Nianyu. What a beautiful name.
But this name made his heart break.
How did the Master and the Masteress get through these difficult years!
…
