劍問蒼天 - 第75章 第三章 - 清風書屋

Bamboo shadows swayed and scattered sunlight fell in flecks upon the open ground within the grove.

Zhang Qingyue gazed at the distant bamboo and said softly, "Actually, sometimes I think myself a fool too. I know full well that she likes Senior Brother Qi Hao, and yet I... but in that moment, when I saw her standing before the Kui Ox, I don't know what came over me—I just charged in."

Bi Li leaned close beside him and suddenly asked, "If I were the one in danger, would you rush in to save me like that?"

Zhang Qingyue gave an awkward laugh and scratched his head. After a long pause he said, "I—I don't know either." But then he paused and thought it over carefully, and said, "I suppose I would!"

Bi Li smiled and shot him a reproachful glance, then withdrew her gaze and looked into the distance, saying quietly, "If it were you in danger, I'd trade my own life for yours gladly, without a second thought!"

Zhang Qingyue started and turned to look at her. Bi Li's expression was calm, and she did not seem to be joking. He stammered, "What did you say?"

Bi Li smiled. Suddenly, as if something had occurred to her, she said to Zhang Qingyue, "Xiao Fan, come away with me!"

Zhang Qingyue frowned. "Where to?"

Bi Li said, "Anywhere. The world is vast—we can go wherever we like. You don't want to join our Holy Cult and make enemies of your sect, so we won't join. We'll roam to the ends of the earth together. Otherwise, if you stay in the Canglan Sect, with those old relics and their tempers, I fear you won't come to a good end."

Zhang Qingyue fell silent. Bi Li watched him anxiously, waiting.

At last Zhang Qingyue looked up at her. Bi Li was about to speak, but saw him slowly shake his head.

"No. I won't leave Qingyun, Bi Li."

Bi Li's face darkened at once. "Do you mean to stay here and wait for death?"

Zhang Qingyue was silent for a moment, then said, "Bi Li, you don't understand. Qingyun is my home. My master and mistress raised me. I cannot forsake them."

Bi Li said angrily, "That master of yours punishes and scolds you all day long, and you still call them good?"

Zhang Qingyue rose to his feet and smiled faintly. "Bi Li, perhaps I seem a little slow in others' eyes, but these things I can still see clearly enough. My master has always been stern, but he has truly been good to me—I know it. He treats me with genuine heart." He lowered his voice. "As for what has happened now, it is all my own fault. I deceived him, so whatever punishment I receive is only my due. But I can never betray my sect."

Bi Li was stunned for a long moment, then suddenly sighed. "How could you ever be slow? You're sharp as can be! No wonder my father always tells me that you seem dull on the surface, but are full of fine qualities within!"

Zhang Qingyue stared, then flushed red. "He—your father said that about me?"

Bi Li smiled and gave no answer, stepping closer to him. "I know your nature, and I can't force you to leave. But right now you carry one of our Holy Cult's rare treasures, and you're entangled with the Brahma Sound Monastery. You're in real danger. Have you thought about what you'll do?"

Zhang Qingyue smiled bitterly. "I'll leave it to fate."

Bi Li gazed at him and said softly, "Don't let anything happen to you!"

Zhang Qingyue smiled and glanced up at the sky. "You've been here a long while. You'd better head back soon, before something goes wrong. We—if fate allows us to meet again... farewell!"

Bi Li's body trembled slightly, and Zhang Qingyue could not help but feel a pang of bitterness himself. Tomorrow's journey to Jietian Peak—what the outcome would be, he truly had no confidence at all.

He turned and slowly walked toward the edge of the bamboo grove.

He had gone only a few yards when he suddenly heard Bi Li's voice behind him: "Xiao Fan, let me ask you something."

Zhang Qingyue turned back, surprised. "What is it?"