Chapter 625: Tree Flower

Chapter 625: Tree Blossoms

The crimson sunset, like burning fire above the heavens, painted the clouds at the horizon in shades of red, and also tinted Li Sui’s profile with a flush of rosy hue.

At this moment, he sat sideways on his horse, leaning against his father's back, his gaze fixed intently upon his new form. It was still a woman’s body—but compared to his previous one, it had aged somewhat, its features now more gaunt and unappealing.

A black cloth draped over her shoulders signified her identity—an adherent of the Faith Sect who had once ambushed Li Huowang. The reason she chose a woman’s form was simple: skirts could conceal her dog-like head and limbs.

She could have followed suit and slipped into her father’s body as before, but after what had happened last time, she felt afraid. She feared she might not be able to extricate herself from within him again—would cause him pain, something she did not wish for.

When she sensed the sound of hooves suddenly halt, Li Sui cautiously peered out from behind his father’s shoulder. Ahead lay a maze of houses blocking their path.

"It's nearly dark; we’ll rest here tonight at the station. Tomorrow, we ride hard to Yinling!"

As the postmaster and attendants emerged from the inn, seeing the high-held insignia of the Sky-Watching Bureau—a token that meant life or death—they were instantly alarmed, immediately putting forth their utmost effort to welcome them.

This was no ordinary guest—it was someone whose presence could mean the difference between life and death, even more urgent than a military courier bearing news across eight hundred miles.

With nightfall came fine wine and sumptuous dishes served up, along with vegetarian fare prepared specially for the three monks.

Seated on a bench, Li Sui held a pair of chopsticks in one hand, watching others skillfully wield the wooden sticks. She had never learned how to use them. In the past, she had simply swallowed her food whole.

"Try an egg. You don’t need chopsticks for eggs," said Li Huowang beside her, drinking deeply from a bowl of lamb soup, then pulling off the black cloth covering Li Sui’s shoulder.

Li Sui nodded slightly, picked up a shelled egg from the plate, and without chewing, devoured over ten like a serpent swallowing prey.

She didn’t particularly enjoy eating eggs—they tasted nothing—but having filled her stomach just enough, she stood up and gazed curiously around the inn like a child, every unfamiliar sight sparking intense curiosity.

Turning and walking further, she reached a window and looked out toward the nearby county town. She watched people bustling through the streets below, her eyes brimming with wonder—there seemed to be great activity ahead.

She glanced toward her father, who was chatting with a bald man, then stepped outside the gate. Since her father would sleep here, she only needed to return before bedtime.

Stepping into the town, the lively atmosphere instantly enveloped Li Sui, making her burst into laughter. She loved crowds. “Another New Year? I love New Year!”

“That just passed. Not another New Year—it’s a festival,” someone nearby couldn’t help but interject.

“A festival... well, festivals are fun too!” Li Sui walked among the crowd, following them as they admired the street scenes.

That evening, there were many people, and numerous performers selling their skills dotted the area—here someone danced on stilts, while there another set fire to himself in a spectacular display.

As they walked, everyone stopped by the city wall, standing silently, waiting.

“What’s going on? What’s happening?” asked Li Sui, curious, turning to those around her.

“Shh, it’s the Tree Blossom Festival. Be quiet.”

Just as Li Sui puzzled over what "Tree Blossom Festival" meant, she saw an old man wearing a straw hat, draped in a sheepskin coat, frowning, approaching the wall with a bucket of blazing molten iron.

He flung a ladleful of molten iron toward the wall, sending droplets like pearls crashing onto the dark stone.

With a sudden splash, golden sparks bloomed like umbrellas, spreading outward along the wall, forming a magnificent golden tree blossom high above the sky.

"Wahhh!! That’s so beautiful!" Li Sui exclaimed, her eyes gleaming, joining others in a chorus of awe.

Each blossom faded quickly yet reappeared, captivating her completely. Never had she seen anything so stunning.

Once the blossoms vanished, the crowd reluctantly departed, leaving behind both regret and satisfaction.

"The blossoms are lovely, but there's something missing. This scene deserves sound and color, accompanied by music and dance. Only then can it illuminate the world, scatter stars amidst purple smoke. On nights lit by bright moonlight, songs echo across cold rivers," a scholar muttered as he passed by Li Sui.

Li Sui paid no mind to what he said. Her thoughts were focused elsewhere.

She wanted to learn how to perform the Tree Blossom Festival and show it to her parents! Such beauty—her parents had never seen such a thing!

“Can you tell me how to do it? I want to show it to my dad!” Li Sui ran down to the base of the wall and intercepted the old man.

But he didn’t even lift his eyelids. “Girls aren’t taught!”

Yet when he walked past her, she blocked him again. “Why? Why can’t you teach me?”

“You little girl! You—” The old man suddenly raised his head, and under the distant light, his face clearly revealed, he gasped in shock, his eyes widening.

"Nie'er? Nie'er?!" He raised trembling hands scarred with old scars and fresh blisters, clutching Li Sui’s shoulders tightly.

"Just teach me, okay? Tree blossoms are so pretty. Dad will definitely love watching them."

The wrinkled face beneath the straw hat finally cracked, tears streaming down.

Then he nodded vigorously, voice shaking as he said, “Teach...! I’ll teach everything! Whatever you want to learn, I’ll teach it!”

“Really? That’s great! How do I learn to do it? Do I read books?”

“Come, come, come! Follow me!” The old man grabbed Li Sui’s hand, excitedly leading her back home.

Soon, they arrived at a modest earthen house. The old man pushed open the door eagerly and shouted inside, “Wife! Wife! Come look! Who’s returned!”

An elderly woman, hunched over a candle, carefully threading a needle, paused mid-motion, placing the needle between her lips briefly before pinning it into her gray-and-black hair. “Who is it? Who’s coming?”

As she turned around and finally saw Li Sui’s face, she rubbed her eyes in disbelief.

Li Sui smiled and nodded at her. “I’m here to learn how to do the Tree Blossom Festival from him.”

The old woman slapped her knees sharply, rushed forward, and threw herself upon Li Sui, sobbing loudly while pounding her chest and crying melodramatically, “Wooohhh~ My~ Nie'er~ Oh, woe is me~”

Li Sui didn’t understand what she was saying, but she sensed the tone resembled that of the Wu family opera troupe. Turning to the weeping old man beside her, she asked, “Is this how you learn to do the Tree Blossom Festival?”

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Next chapter updates at 11:30 PM.

(End of Chapter)