Chapter Forty-Four: Boxuan Appears, Silent and Distant

Everyone looked at Yu Shang, who was rather pleased with himself, with astonishment, then furrowed their brows, as though unable to believe what their eyes had witnessed, staring silently at the swords in their hands, at a loss for words. No one knew how to describe this farcical scene—so many of them, yet none could best a single, seemingly weak person. If word got out, who would ever believe it!

“This is simply unbelievable! Just a mere primary sword could overpower the combined might of all our swords. Even if his sword is the primary one, the gap shouldn’t be this vast!” Xiao Yin complained, disgruntled. Why hadn’t fortune smiled on him, letting him become the master of the primary sword? Now, that rascal Yu Shang would surely mock him to death. Only moments ago, he’d sworn to abandon Yu Shang and take him down, yet here he was, defeated by his hand.

“Exactly! The difference is just too much. It’s not fair—so many of our swords together can’t compare to his!” Lan Wu pouted in agreement.

“I’m starting to feel a little unbalanced here. Your primary sword is enough to make anyone jealous! Not only do you possess a mysterious aperture that others covet, but also the secret techniques passed down through your family for generations—not to mention that indestructible Blade of Destiny. Now, with the primary sword in hand, it’s as though a tiger has grown wings!” Even Leng Huaiyi, usually indifferent to everything, couldn’t help but exclaim with amazement, quite the contrast to his usual detached demeanor.

“I don’t even know what to say. The rare artifacts you possess are simply astounding!” Lan Bingxian, who had been silent for a long time, couldn’t help but sigh. Though the Divine Soldiers of Misty Orchid Academy were countless, most paled in comparison to even a single piece of Yu Shang’s arsenal. Such awe-inspiring equipment could only stir envy in others.

Yu Shang laughed, interrupting their endless astonishment. “Come now, your reactions are too much. I’m just lucky, that’s all. The road ahead is long—who knows, you may come across treasures thousands of times greater than mine. Then it’ll be my turn to envy you.”

“Enough with the consolation,” Meng Youyuan replied, hitting the mark. “Heaven’s will can’t be changed. Fate is set—how could everyone be as fortunate as you? And if there truly were so many supreme artifacts in this world, why would so many people risk their lives to fight over them?” With these words, even Yu Shang couldn’t keep up his modesty and could only smile faintly in response.

“What’s wrong with all of you, looking so crestfallen as if terribly wronged? Speak up and I’ll see justice done!” A teasing voice reached their ears. Turning around, they saw that, at some point, another figure had appeared by the waterfall—a man with a folding fan, elegant as a scholar on an outing, refined and cultured.

“You said it yourself, so why don’t you go and subdue Yu Shang, seize that primary sword, and let us have a go at it?” Lan Wu deliberately made things difficult, for her first impression of this man had been terrible—sharp-tongued, merciless, lacking any manly bearing, always acting petty and small-minded, truly off-putting. But after accidentally overhearing his conversation with Meng Youyuan outside the gates, her view of him had changed. Beneath the disagreeable exterior, there lay a devoted heart. Sadly, he had fallen in love with the wrong woman—one who would never give her heart to him, a kind and gentle soul whose affections belonged to another.

“A gentleman reasons, not fights. And as for you, a young lady, why so fierce? Be a bit gentler, or you’ll never marry!” Yin Boxuan was not to be outdone in repartee, immediately retorting with a grin, his gaze lingering on Lan Wu's blushing face. Women truly were thin-skinned—mention family or marriage and a rosy flush would bloom on their cheeks, just as it always had with Meng Youyuan when he teased her. Only, in a few days, perhaps he would never have reason to see her again.

“Nonsense! Who said I wanted to get married? I certainly don’t!” Lan Wu’s words were ostensibly for Yin Boxuan, but in truth, they were meant for Xiao Yin. From the moment she spoke, her eyes never left him, as if searching for an answer. What woman doesn’t long for stability and a proper place in another’s life? To live in uncertainty without a future is unsettling indeed.

Xiao Yin, of course, understood her meaning and, smiling, complained, “Brother Yin, this is all your fault. If my Lan’er refuses to marry me because of you, you’ll have to compensate me with a beauty to match the fairest of legends!” At these words, Lan Wu burst into laughter, her long-held anxiety finally dispelled. She understood what Xiao Yin meant—this was his promise of a future, of the position every woman holds most dear.

“I could never compensate you, even if I sold myself! At most, I’ll apologize to your beautiful wife when the time comes!” Yin Boxuan, clever as ever, saw through the couple’s feelings and played along.

“I won’t bother with such scoundrels!” Lan Wu turned away shyly, but her face was alight with joy.

“Junior brother, where have you been these past days? I wanted to catch up, but when I asked around, I heard you’d gone traveling.” Lan Bingxian had watched the two grow up together. Though Yin Boxuan often bullied Youyuan, he could see the true affection beneath the surface. Thus, he’d never stepped in, knowing that no matter how far Yin Boxuan took his teasing, he’d never truly hurt Youyuan. Yet, the recent chain of events had taken everyone by surprise and changed his relationship with Youyuan in subtle ways. Though love is a matter between two people, he still wished to speak with Yin Boxuan, not wanting the years of camaraderie to be lost over this.

“Master sent me on some errands—and I took the chance to clear my head.” He turned to Meng Youyuan, lingering in the corner, and offered her a meaningful smile.

Meng Youyuan, embarrassed, avoided his gaze. She knew well why Yin Boxuan had needed to clear his mind, and she understood his feelings for her. Understanding, however, did not mean acceptance. She couldn’t comprehend how the man who’d tormented her since childhood could secretly harbor affection for her, nor did she understand his way of loving. But these things no longer mattered; her heart now had room only for Brother Xian. The affections of others were a burden she could not bear. She only wished he would let go, not for her own sake, to be free to pursue what she desired, but for his—so he could find the right person and begin anew, instead of squandering precious time on someone who would never reciprocate.

Seeing Meng Youyuan so frightened to meet his eyes, Yin Boxuan gave a self-mocking laugh. So, in her eyes, he had become a demon to be feared, his confession a burden she could hardly endure. If he had known it would come to this, he would have kept his feelings hidden, letting her live happily with the one she loved, never having to spare a thought for him. But it was too late now—nothing could ever return to how it was. Even if he tried to act as though nothing had happened, joked with her as before, it would only make her more uneasy. He regretted it deeply—why had he been so reckless, insisting on confessing? Had he kept his silence, he could have stayed by her side a little longer, watching over her quietly, instead of reaching this painful impasse. But perhaps it was all fated—what was not meant to be could not be forced. He didn’t even have the right to guard her from afar in silence.

“Surely you brought back some rare treasures from your travels—aren’t you going to show us?” Yan Xuesu, sensing the awkwardness, quickly changed the subject. She worried someone would notice the tension and stir up unnecessary trouble, unaware that someone had already long since seen through the undercurrents, yet had kept the secret for years.

“Of course I did! Am I not rare and precious enough? Any beauty who wants me is welcome to try!” Yin Boxuan joked openly, unconcerned whether the ladies were already spoken for, or if their companions might be itching to teach this flirt a lesson.

“Hmph, you shameless rake! Sooner or later, that sharp tongue of yours will be your undoing!” Yan Xuesu smiled, unfazed by his teasing. She had seen plenty of men in her life; silver tongues were a dime a dozen—just look at Yu Xiaoran beside her. If he let loose, his words could cut to the bone without a hint of vulgarity, a formidable opponent indeed. Compared to him, this boy was nothing.

“I’d better watch my mouth, then. If I carelessly tease some young lady and she demands I marry her, what then?” Yin Boxuan burst out laughing at his own joke, and the others couldn’t help but join in. Who would have thought that this master of mockery could be so witty and charming?

“As dusk falls, why don’t we all return to the cottage behind the bamboo grove for a gathering? With fine wine, good food, and lovely company, what could be better? Besides, we’ve known each other so long, yet never truly feasted together. Why not take this chance to enjoy ourselves?” Yu Shang proposed enthusiastically, uncharacteristically sociable. It seemed that after these days spent together, everyone had changed for one another.

“Even if there are beauties present, unfortunately, none are for you!” Lan Wu teased, poking fun at his status as a confirmed bachelor.

“Sigh, when I first met you, I thought you were so sweet, but now you’re more and more like Xiao Yin—even your tongue is as sharp as his!” Yu Shang said ruefully, finally understanding the old saying about how company shapes a person.

“I get it! This is what they call the resemblance between husband and wife!” Yu Xiaoran chimed in, setting off another round of laughter.

“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” At the mention of food and drink, Xiao Yin could hardly wait and hurried ahead, the rest of the group following suit. Only Yin Boxuan and Meng Youyuan lingered behind, walking slowly, while Lan Bingxian, perhaps deliberately giving them space, strode quickly ahead to join Xiao Yin, chatting and joking as they went.