Chapter 102

Chapter 102: Suddenly Hearing Old Words, I Was Startled to Drop 

My Pen (Part 2)

The mountain scenery was serene and tranquil.

Autumn winds swept across a carpet of fallen leaves as a man in green robes wielded his sword, dancing with 

unrestrained grace. He leapt upward, spinning midair before lightly touching a branch with his toes. Using the 

momentum, he dashed several zhang away, his sword's shadow shifting unpredictably.

Feng Lan walked slowly to the courtyard gate, watching the sword-dancing youth in the distance.

“Why did you come out?” The man finished his routine, turned, and saw Feng Lan. Concerned, he said, “Your 

internal injuries haven't healed. You should rest more.”

Feng Lan smiled faintly. “Master Mo, you worry too much. My injuries are no longer serious. I've been cooped 

up indoors for days and simply wanted some fresh air.”

The man nodded with a smile. “You're right. Still, try not to catch too much of the breeze.”

Feng Lan gave a light nod.

“By the way,” the man's eyes brightened with a hint of excitement as he asked, “Young Master Lan, you observed 

my sword technique earlier. What do you think?” His tone carried a mix of pride and anticipation.

Seeing the expectant look in his eyes, Feng Lan smiled softly. “Master Mo, your swordplay is exquisite. It's clear 

you've put in considerable effort.”

"It's nothing special. I've been fascinated by swordsmanship since childhood, but my family disapproved of my 

practicing with blades. So I had to learn in secret. Master Lan, your martial arts are so formidable—would you be 

willing to offer me some guidance? For some reason, my skills plateaued at this level and refuse to advance 

further."

“I wouldn't presume to offer guidance,” Feng Lan replied. “Your swordplay appears quite solid, but your internal 

energy seems insufficiently deep, which diminishes its perceived power.”

“Indeed,” the man sighed helplessly. “Because I learned in secret, I could only grasp superficial techniques.”

Seeing the other's sigh of regret, Feng Lan pursed her lips slightly, a faint smile curving her mouth. Her gaze 

drifted to the distant horizon, where the vast green mountains stretched like a natural barrier, separating this lonely 

world from the outside.

Those endless mountain ranges must be the Tianshan Mountains! Feng Lan gazed at them with a touch of 

nostalgia. During their two years atop Xueding Mountain, he and Si Cang Qing had been completely cut off from 

the outside world, existing only for each other...

Over those two years, Si Cang Qing gradually accepted his closeness. Looking back, it truly felt like a divine 

blessing.

Feng Lan sighed softly. He truly missed his master! After the Lan family's wrongful conviction was overturned—

no, even before that—Si Cang Qing had been the sole reason he existed in this world.

That man was his heaven.

Bowing his head, he gently stroked the phoenix-patterned jade pendant at his waist, and Feng Lan's smile deepened

involuntarily. At this life-and-death juncture, he suddenly understood so much.

He had thought he didn't care about life or death.

Yet in the moment he believed he would die, a flood of reluctance surged within him. Reluctance to leave this 

world that held Si Cang Qing. In that instant, he truly, truly yearned to survive, to return to Si Cang Qing's side. 

In that instant, he suddenly wanted to laugh out loud—laugh at his own cowardice, laugh at his own wasted years, 

laugh at his own indecisiveness. In that instant, he suddenly realized: facts were facts, leaving no room for clinging.

Hesitation and fear of loss would only cause tomorrow to slip away once more.

Whether pain or sorrow, once a choice was made, there should be no room for luck or regret. If the past was 

missed, today could only accept that imperfect regret.

Hanging by a thread between life and death, what occupied his thoughts most was that pair of icy eyes etched 

into his heart.

Fortunately, he survived. Feng Lan felt profound gratitude in his heart. This chance, akin to rebirth, he would 

guard carefully, determined never to leave any regrets behind again.

“Young Master Lan, are you thinking of... the Emperor?”

Startled from his  reverie by the sudden question, Feng Lan lifted his gaze to meet his, flushing slightly as he 

mumbled an indistinct “Hmm.”

He smiled. “So it's true, Young Master Lan and His Majesty share that profound bond rumored among 

the common folk!”

Feng Lan's cheeks flushed faintly as he denied it with words, “Master Mo, please don't mock me. Rumors can't 

be taken at face value...” He abruptly stopped, staring blankly at a dark figure dashing through the forest ahead.

My master...

Realizing Si Cang Qing had arrived, Feng Lan immediately activated his lightness skill and dashed toward him.

“Ah, Young Master Lan—” The man couldn't stop him in time. He watched as Feng Lan flew to the tree ahead 

and was swept into the arriving figure's arms.

“Master!” Feng Lan exclaimed joyfully, disregarding the fresh stirrings of his unhealed internal injuries. He eagerly 

wrapped his arms around Si Cang Qing's neck, following the other's motion. “Why did you come?”

He had assumed Si Cang Qing would be too busy to make a special trip to fetch him.

Si Cang Qing held the noticeably thinner figure tightly in his arms. His feet touched the ground, stabilizing both 

their bodies. He murmured softly, “To pick you up.” As he spoke, he raised his hand to brush Feng Lan's cheek. 

There, a deep gash was smeared with dark green medicinal paste.

A faint glint of anger flared in his eyes. Si Cang Qing abruptly scooped Feng Lan into a horizontal carry and 

strode back toward the path they had come.

“Master...” Feng Lan hurriedly spoke up, “Let's thank this family before leaving!” Leaning against Si Cang Qing's 

shoulder, he murmured, “These past days, Old Yun rose before dawn and worked late into the night chopping 

firewood to sell for my treatment. And Young Master Mo also put aside his original plans...”

“As you wish,” Si Cang Qing replied indifferently, carrying Feng Lan toward the small courtyard. Yet his brow 

furrowed almost imperceptibly.

In this remote mountain wilderness, there were actually people living here?

Si Cang Qing instinctively sensed something was amiss.

◇Cang◇Huan◇Qi◇Gong◇

“Your humble subject greets Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live 

the Emperor forever!”

The moment he entered the room, Si Cang Qing hadn't even processed the situation when a young man knelt 

before him in reverence. This man... knew his identity?

Si Cang Qing halted in his tracks, silently lowering his gaze to the figure kneeling respectfully on the floor. Only 

when Feng Lan quietly tugged at his sleeve did he speak in a measured tone, “Rise.”

Though he no longer fixed his gaze upon the man, Si Cang Qing silently committed his appearance to memory.

“My lord, it was he who saved me by the stream,” Feng Lan murmured softly. “Had it not been for Young 

Master Mo's medical skill, my injuries would not have healed so swiftly...” "

“Your Majesty is too kind,” the man replied, keeping his gaze lowered, avoiding Si Cang Qing's eyes. “When one 

encounters someone in distress, it is only natural to offer what help one can.”

Si Cang Qing's brows furrowed slightly. This man... he seemed familiar? A sudden sense of caution welled up 

within him.

It wasn't that he was overly suspicious; his instincts were always sharp. Besides... too many things had happened 

recently. Both he and Feng Lan had encountered misfortune, and the mastermind behind it all remained 

undiscovered.Furthermore, the place where Feng Lan had fallen off the cliff was quite far from here. Even though 

the cold pool was connected to the river outside, he still felt something was a little strange.
“Ah, my lord, I forgot to mention,” Feng Lan sensed something amiss with Si Cang Qing, but seeing the awkward 

atmosphere, deliberately changed the subject. “We've actually met Young Matsr Mo before!”

Hearing this, Si Cang Qing turned his head to look at Feng Lan. He heard him say, “Does Your Majesty recall? 

During the flood disaster at the execution ground in Zhaoyang City, you ordered the release of those who were 

to be executed. He was among them...”

At this mention, Si Cang Qing scrutinized the man carefully. “Mo Qingjue?”

Mo Qingjue appeared slightly tense, replying respectfully, “Your Majesty, it is indeed this humble subject. In my 

youthful recklessness back then, I nearly committed a grave error. Had Your Majesty not issued the order in time, 

this life would surely have ended in the underworld.”

Si Cang Qing offered no reply, merely lowering his eyes slightly. This man appeared to be the scholar who had 

led the refugees in rebellion, though he now bore a marked difference.

“Why are you here?” Emperor Si Cang Qing inquired casually.

“Your Majesty, this humble subject has come to enlist in the army.” The question seemed to stir his interest. 

Mo Qingjue's voice grew slightly passionate as he declared, " Since the beginning of the year, Hongcheng 

Kingdom has made frequent moves against our nation, harboring ill intent. Their wolfish ambitions are plain for 

all to see. Therefore, this humble subject wishes to contribute my strength to the country, to quell the turmoil as 

soon as possible and restore peace to our vast realm!"

Si Cang Qing replied indifferently, “I recall you were a scholar.”

“The ancients all said, a man should die on the battlefield! Though I am but a scholar, my heart lies with the 

frontier,” Mo Qingjue answered with solemn resolve. “If I can roam the battlefield, defend the nation, and protect 

my home, even death would hold no regret!”

His words were the declaration of a fiery-hearted warrior.

Si Cang Qing asked no further questions, merely commanding, “Follow me!”

“Your Majesty?” Mo Qingjue paused, bewildered. “Why...”

Si Cang Qing cut him off coldly, “My Canghuan Empire maintains strict military discipline. It is not open to just 

anyone.”

The blunt rebuke flushed Mo Qingjue's cheeks. He murmured awkwardly, “Ah, I... this humble subject... 

thought...” Seeing the Emperor's attention had shifted entirely away from him, he amended, “May Your Majesty 

and the Empress rest well. This humble subject will go prepare the Empress's medicine...”

After Mo Qingjue departed, Si Cang Qing gently released the person in his embrace. His brow furrowed slightly 

as his palm rested on the other's back—this man had suffered significant internal injuries, his pulse chaotic.

Feeling a surge of true qi enter his body, Feng Lan leaned quietly against Si Cang Qing's shoulder and murmured 

softly, “Thank you, my lord.” Recalling Si Cang Qing’s earlier peculiarity, he asked, “Does my lord suspect 

Mo Qingjue?”

His voice was so low only they could hear it.

Si Cang Qing offered no denial, merely nodding slightly. “Once we leave, send men to investigate every detail of 

his life since childhood—especially the matter of the last refugee uprising.”

Somewhat stunned, Feng Lan instantly grasped Si Cang Qing's meaning. “My lord suspects he is...”

“I don't know.” Si Cang Qing replied indifferently. “From his outward appearance and demeanor to his aura and 

bearing, he is completely different.” Yet, the person he encountered last time in the Tianwei tian was also utterly 

unlike the one on the battlefield at Luomen Pass.

“Then why would my lord...” Feng Lan looked up at Si Cang Qing with slight confusion. He had never seen him 

pay such close attention to a complete stranger before.

Si Cang Qing remained silent. He only sensed intuitively that something about the man was peculiar, yet he 

couldn't be certain if this was the person he sought. Still, it was always wise to be prepared.

Understanding Si Cang Qing’s meaning, Feng Lan asked no more questions. He quietly rested his head on his 

shoulder again and murmured, “Master, I missed you so much...”

Though he was not one to express himself easily, he always found himself unable to resist telling this man about 

the surging emotions and longing within his heart.

Without a word, Si Cang Qing slowly withdrew the hand that had been tending Feng Lan's wounds. He placed it 

around the man's waist, then lowered his head to gently kiss those pale lips.

Eyes closed, Feng Lan tilted his chin slightly upward, feeling each soft peck. A warmth lingered on his lips, like 

fine raindrops seeping into his heart. 
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