Chapter 22 — Nightfall
劍問蒼天 · Page 3 of 6
In the moonlight, by the jade water, that young woman bore a trace of sorrow, a trace of expectancy. Her brows were lowered, and a faint radiance seemed to glow in her eyes, as though she were longing for something—so beautiful she was to look upon. The mountain breeze blew gently, passing over the water, brushing past her side; it too held its breath and fell silent, stirring her garments and her hair ever so lightly, setting off skin like snow.
From the depths of Zhang Qingyue's heart, an indescribable tenderness suddenly welled up, as though that woman were the one he wished to guard for all his life—and even if he must endure a hundred trials and a thousand calamities for her sake, he would not hesitate, would never regret.
In that moment, how he wished it could be forever!
"Junior Sister Ling'er." Suddenly a call came from the Rainbow Bridge. Tian Lingsu turned at once, her eyes in that instant brimming with joy, and a smile of genuine delight rose at the corners of her mouth.
"Senior Brother Qi, you've come."
At that moment Zhang Qingyue's heart seemed to shatter—yet he felt no pain. His whole heart was hollow and empty, echoing only that one phrase: "Senior Brother Qi, Senior Brother Qi, Senior Brother Qi."
With difficulty he turned his head, and saw a man striding quickly down the Rainbow Bridge—sword-like brows, starry eyes, extraordinarily handsome, with a bearing beyond the common run. Who else could it be but Qi Hao?
Qi Hao walked quickly to Tian Lingsu's side and said gently: "Forgive me. My fellow disciples are young and fond of merrymaking—they kept it up so late that I only just got to sleep, and that is why I'm late. I've kept you waiting long, haven't I?"
Tian Lingsu had been a little vexed, but for some reason, the moment she saw Qi Hao's figure, it vanished without a trace. She shook her head and smiled: "It's all right. I haven't been here long either." She paused, glanced at the pool beside them, and said, "But why did you ask to meet here? Lingzun flew into a rage in broad daylight, and I'm still a little frightened even now."
Qi Hao laughed: "There's nothing to fear. I asked my master about it—Lingzun is behaving just as usual. It was only teasing us young disciples. And after that commotion today, it's all the quieter here tonight, isn't it?"
Tian Lingsu blushed and lowered her head: "Meeting in secret like this—I wonder if it's really all right?"
Qi Hao gazed at her gentle, lovely face and said softly: "Junior Sister Ling'er, ever since we first met on Dazhu Peak two years ago, I have never been able to forget you. My longing will not cease; often I lie awake at night, and you are all that fills my mind."
Tian Lingsu bit her lip without thinking, her face reddening another shade—yet not in the least angry. Rather, a thread of sweetness wound through her heart.
Qi Hao went on: "Junior Sister Ling'er, I—"
Tian Lingsu suddenly raised her head: "Senior Brother Qi, you may just call me Ling'er." At that she lowered her head again and said quietly, "My—my father and mother both call me that."
Qi Hao was overjoyed, as though he could scarcely believe his ears. He hesitated a moment before pressing: "Truly? Ling—Ling'er?"
Tian Lingsu glanced at him, reached into her bosom, and slowly drew out a small brocade box. Her eyes lowered to the ground, as though she had mustered all her courage before she said softly: "This 'Cooling Pearl'—I have carried it on my person these past two years."
Having said this, she dared not look at Qi Hao again. Yet a long while passed and Qi Hao made no sound. Puzzled, Tian Lingsu stole a glance up at him and saw his eyes full of joy, his face wreathed in smiles, an indescribably blissful look about him.
The two gazed at each other for a long time, and then suddenly opened their arms and embraced.
The moonlight shone cold, spilling over them, spilling into that grove—yet it could not reach the dark corner.