Kapitel 10: Chapter 10: “So You’ve Chosen Death!”
Under the dim glow of the lamp, Lu Chengfeng found himself swallowing a bit nervously, his throat feeling dry as he looked at the beauty before him. Luo Suyi was not a refined beauty of modest allure; even when she tried to act as a gentle and virtuous wife, her curvaceous figure and naturally alluring features were enough to make any man lose his composure.
"No… no need," he stammered, his voice a bit unsteady. "I couldn't possibly let you do something like that."
Luo Suyi lowered her head, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as she replied softly, "It's only right to serve one's husband."
Without waiting for his response, she took it upon herself to start the preparations. She had already removed her outer robe and now wore only a close-fitting silk gown embroidered with lotus flowers. The silk clung to her body, highlighting every curve, and when she bent forward slightly, the graceful arch of her waist and hips was enough to test Lu Chengfeng's resolve.
When Luo Suyi finally approached with a wooden basin to wash his feet, Lu Chengfeng was sweating, feeling as if this simple act was more exhausting than all his martial training.
Unaware of the restraint her husband was exerting, Luo Suyi began her task. She knelt down beside him and gently removed his dusty boots, then his socks, her hands soft and careful, moving with a quiet attentiveness. Though somewhat clumsy, each of her movements showed an earnest devotion.
Yet Lu Chengfeng couldn't tear his eyes away from her neckline, where the silk gown dipped, revealing a glimpse of pale, smooth skin. And as her slender fingers washed his feet with delicate care, the sensation was almost surreal, making him feel as if he were floating on a cloud.
In that moment, he finally understood the phrase, "Better a pair of mandarin ducks than a life as an immortal."
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he closed his eyes, trying to ignore the growing tension within and simply enjoy the moment.
Time seemed to slow as Luo Suyi continued, her fingers soothing as she gently massaged pressure points on his feet, helping the exhaustion of the day fade away. He found himself growing unexpectedly drowsy.
By the time she was finished, Lu Chengfeng had nearly drifted off to sleep. But when she returned after tidying up, he came back to himself, glancing at the bed. Suppressing his inner thoughts, he said, "I'll sleep in the other room. It's late, so get some rest."
But before he could move, he heard the sound of a candle being blown out, followed by soft footsteps as she slipped into bed. In the darkness, he could faintly hear her movements as she settled down beside him.
"You're my husband," she whispered. "I can't let you sleep in another room. You've had a long day; just rest here."
Carefully, she slid under the covers on the other side of the bed, close enough for Lu Chengfeng to feel her warmth. Though it was too dark to see her face, he could sense the faint tremble in her voice, revealing her nerves.
The two lay side by side, separated by only a thin sheet, close enough to hear each other's breathing, to sense each other's presence.
The night was quiet, and in the silence, even their heartbeats seemed loud.
Breaking the silence, Lu Chengfeng took a deep breath and said, "Today, I passed my trial."
"Mhm. I knew you could do it." His words seemed to calm Luo Suyi, her breathing relaxing somewhat.
"No, I mean…" he continued, "I passed the trial to become a sect elder."
"What?" Her voice caught in surprise. "What did you just say?"
A smile touched his lips in the darkness. "I didn't just take the disciple trial—I went for the Outer Peak Elder trial. I've passed, and the sect has recognized me."
For a long moment, Luo Suyi was speechless. She finally stammered, "That… that's impossible. Are you serious?"
Lu Chengfeng couldn't help but laugh softly. "Why would I joke about something like this?"
"But… how did you suddenly become so powerful?" she murmured, stunned.
"Just think of it as a strength I've always kept hidden." After a slight pause, he added simply.
Luo Suyi was genuinely shocked now, and she instinctively moved closer to him in the darkness, gazing at the vague outline of his face.
"To reach the seventh level in swordsmanship by twenty makes you a prodigy, worthy of becoming an inner peak disciple. But to reach the tenth level at your age? There are only a handful in the entire Yun Cang Sect who've achieved that. You're no longer just a talent; you're a phenomenon."
"When word of this gets out, the entire sect will be in awe of you. You'll become someone they can't ignore."
Lu Chengfeng smiled faintly. "What others think doesn't matter. The only thing that counts is one's strength. With my current abilities, I'll soon be granted a position as an official sect elder. I'll be able to establish my own peak, and I plan to stay here on Bixiao Peak, protecting our home."
At his words, a profound sense of peace settled over Luo Suyi. In the shadows, she couldn't see his face, yet his presence and words seemed to dispel all her fears.
"Mm, I believe in you," she whispered.
They fell into silence once more, yet it was no longer tense or unfamiliar.
Listening to her gentle breathing, Lu Chengfeng eventually realized she had drifted off to sleep, her face turned towards him. At some point, her hand had even found its way to his blanket, clutching it softly in her sleep.
Smiling, he felt an unexpected peace and contentment fill his heart.
Strength, he thought, was truly meant to protect those who mattered. Only then did it have purpose and meaning.
Though he no longer felt tired, Lu Chengfeng stayed still, reviewing the fragmented memories he had received from his master, Zhao Changzhen. These memories contained not only martial insights but scattered, seemingly inconsequential experiences. He hadn't had time to look through them until now, but perhaps there would be something valuable hidden within.
Particularly regarding his master's sudden death—an attack during his wedding night, right in Bixiao Peak. This unresolved mystery loomed like a hidden threat. If he could uncover some clue, it would be invaluable.
Piece by piece, he sorted through the fragmented memories. Most of it was scattered and unclear, merely flashes of moments that held no particular meaning.
But when he stumbled upon memories connected to the technique Soul Shattering Claw, his expression suddenly shifted.
"It's… it's a martial art with twenty-seven levels, among the most advanced in the sect, and a technique that refines the spirit…"
He would have been merely pleased to discover this, yet what followed was shocking. Zhao Changzhen had a hidden identity; he had secretly been an infiltrator from another sect. What's more, several other Outer Peak elders had been his co-conspirators.
Worst of all, they had found the legendary vault of the Black Shark Sage and retrieved several profound techniques of complete mastery.
The Soul Shattering Claw was just one of these!
The memories from Zhao Changzhen's perspective left Lu Chengfeng shivering. The sheer scale of what they'd done—if it became known—could shatter the sect.
But an even more pressing concern arose in his mind: his late master's treachery. If revealed, Lu Chengfeng would inevitably face suspicion and hostility from the sect.
And right now, there were at least four other people within Yun Cang Sect who were aware of Zhao Changzhen's secret.
Closing his
eyes slightly, Lu Chengfeng felt a cold, rising fury.
"So you've chosen the path to death."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein