Chapter 120: The Heart of the Waves Ripples, The Cold Moon Is Silent

Chapter 120: Rippling Water, A Cold Silent Moon

At first, Yue Hongling had no desire to see Zhao Changhe embarrass himself, nor did she care to watch how he might pursue her.

What was there to see anyway?

She sat there seemingly wordless and waiting, yet her heart was in utter turmoil because she had no idea how to bring this spectacle to an end, constantly fearing that a sharp rebuke would leave Zhao Changhe entirely losing face.

Ever since Zhao Changhe’s debut, his reputation had been a chaotic mess—rebellious, bloodthirsty, dumped, or driven away; a dead pig fears no boiling water, so one or two more stains wouldn’t make a difference. Yet as his friend, and a chivalrous woman who valued honor deeply, Yue Hongling truly could not bear to watch her friend carelessly and remorselessly ruin his name, becoming nothing more than idle gossip for others over tea.

Since the so-called secret crush had already been turned into an open pursuit in front of everyone, then let him pursue her; it was only natural to court the woman one favored. With a countenance like hers, the overt and covert pursuits she had encountered while roaming the martial world numbered at least eighty if not a hundred, so one more was hardly strange, and as long as he wasn’t publicly rejected to his face, there would be nothing to mock.

Hence, "I never had any objection in the first place."

In any case, you won't actually pursue me; do I not know how utterly cowardly you are about these matters in reality, despite looking like a mountain bandit chief on the surface...

Three years from now, he might very well secure a place on the Ranking of Young Heroes and go off to become the prized son-in-law of the Cui family, and wouldn't this piece of scandal in the eyes of others simply fade away, bringing everything to a natural conclusion?

The others were jeering and looking for amusement, wanting to see how he would give chase when he didn't have the slightest clue, which was actually quite nice, and rather endearing.

Yet pushed to the brink, he actually launched an attack...

A twenty-year-old youth, no matter how valiant and spirited she might be, how could she have never harbored any imagination regarding her future husband?

It would be holding swords together, supporting and helping each other, braving the ends of the earth as one.

Unexpectedly, his reluctant words, forced out by the crowd's teasing, struck directly at the heart of her anticipation.

For a moment, Yue Hongling felt somewhat dazed, completely at a loss as to how to respond for a good while, her gaze blank and drifting. It was only when she noticed Zhao Changhe, who had closed his eyes with a flushed face, opening them in sudden astonishment that Yue Hongling snapped back to reality, looking at the surrounding circle of people, their wine cups frozen mid-air as they forgot to drink, each holding their breath like a flock of foolish birds.

Yue Hongling suddenly burst into a soft laugh again: "It sounds quite nice, perhaps one day it might truly be possible."

What the hell?

The entire table was shocked, wine nearly spilling from their cups.

Zhao Changhe was equally stunned, completely dumbfounded.

Yet they heard Yue Hongling say in a leisurely tone: "I have the confidence to ascend the Ranking of Young Heroes within the next few years, I doubt many would question that?"

Everyone chimed in: "Miss Yue should already possess the strength of the Ranking of Young Heroes by now."

Yue Hongling shook her head: "I lack a bit of tempering... The reason Chi Li has never truly challenged a master on the ranking is also because he feels he is still somewhat lacking; though he might barely make it, what he wants is a thoroughly satisfying victory, to enter the ranking in the most dazzling manner, and perhaps his goal is not even the bottom of the list..."

Tang Buqi froze: "How do you know that?"

Yue Hongling said indifferently: "Because so do I."

Tang Buqi: "..."

Wan Dongliu said: "So given another year or two, it shouldn't be much of a problem? Hiss... Miss Yue is only twenty this year!"

"The goal I set for myself is two years." As Yue Hongling spoke, a hint of unyielding pride naturally entered her eyes—her target was Xia Longyuan's age, and upon entering the ranking, she intended to land straight before the top seventy or even higher, rather than barely squeezing in at the seventy-second spot to bring up the rear.

The heroes of the martial world did not revere the Emperor, harboring no thoughts of transgression or disrespect, but they held great reverence for Xia Longyuan's martial achievements, hoping to match him, or even surpass him by a margin.

Xuan Chong sighed: "Two years, twenty-two, a fine ambition. This poor Daoist is already twenty-two this year... and accomplished nothing, absolutely nothing."

Wan Dongliu glanced askance at him: "I am twenty-three, and my rank is much lower than yours, Brother Dao, so are you mocking me?"

Xuan Chong raised his cup in apology and smiled: "This poor Daoist spoke out of turn, heroes are not to be judged by rank alone."

"No..." Tang Buqi asked curiously: "Weren't we just talking about Miss Yue and Brother Zhao, how did the topic suddenly shift here?"

Zhao Changhe, who had been playing dead and keeping silent all this time, thought to himself, *You miserable nephew, I'll remember you; we finally managed to shift the awkwardness away, and here you are looking for trouble?*

Yue Hongling, however, did not take offense and smiled faintly: "This is precisely the topic from just now. Though I have said that a partner does not necessarily have to be immensely powerful... if one wishes to hold swords together and walk side by side, they cannot be too much weaker than me, otherwise how are we to act in tandem?"

Everyone nodded in agreement: "True indeed."

Yue Hongling continued: "If I truly ascend the Ranking of Young Heroes within two years..."

Zhao Changhe scratched his head: "Will the gap be that large? I think I'll be very formidable in two years as well, it shouldn't be too far off..."

Yue Hongling glared at him, *What are you doing, playing for keeps now?*

Zhao Changhe cleared his throat and sat down obediently.

Yue Hongling gave a soft snort: "I do believe Brother Zhao will make rapid progress, and may even surpass Hongling in the future... But if Brother Zhao is not far from the Ranking of Young Heroes within two years, then do you wish to pursue Hongling, or do you want to exert a bit more effort, enter the ranking, and go find Cui Yuanyang?"

What the hell?

Zhao Changhe was dumbfounded once again.

You took such a long detour just to wait for me here?

Yue Hongling remained expressionless: "So, Brother Zhao, please go back, and tell me after you have thought it through."

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Is the Asura arena a woman's natural talent? You were clearly just looking for an excuse, yet it was so precise, as difficult to defend against as her sword.

Glancing around, the expressions on everyone's faces read entirely like *we have undergone professional training and will absolutely not laugh*, their twitching efforts to stifle their amusement fit for a play.

"Pfft..." Tang Buqi finally failed to hold it in, spraying out a mouthful of laughter, before hammering the table in wild mirth: "Hahahahaha..."

Zhao Changhe glared fiercely at him.

However, the laughter was too infectious; even Wan Dongliu and Xuan Chong let out chuckles. Zhao Changhe's urge to beat his grand-nephew could only be shelved, his old face flushed the color of pig liver from the mockery.

Looking at Zhao Changhe’s pig-liver face, Yue Hongling wanted to laugh herself, but soon realized with a jolt that things had gone awry; her original intention was to prevent him from becoming a laughingstock, so how did this count now?

Even more hilarious?

To say it wasn't... the underlying meaning seemed to suggest... that she truly acknowledged Zhao Changhe could choose her in the future...

Fortunately, these people did not seem like the type to distort facts and spread rumors. Had they been replaced by some devoid of integrity, by tomorrow the martial world would likely be rife with rumors of Yue Hongling and Cui Yuanyang, two women fighting over one husband!

Yue Hongling bit her lower lip slightly, her face flushing crimson unbidden, reflecting against her red attire—whether it was the wine or something else, it was hard to tell.

...

This feast brought joy to both guests and hosts, save for a single pig liver.

In truth, apart from the amusement of jeering, no one possessed much of an appetite for feasting, as the previous matter concerning Chi Li weighed heavily on their minds, each occupied with their own thoughts. Consequently, the duration of the entire banquet was no different from a casual meal, drawing to a close before long.

But everyone left thoroughly satisfied; the gossip today was exceedingly sweet.

Leaving the Bright Moon Tavern, the moon in the sky shone brightly.

Not far ahead lay the Twenty-Four Bridges that Zhao Changhe had anticipated for a long time, beneath which the waters flowed leisurely, the heart of the waves gently rippling, the cold moon making no sound.

Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling walked together naturally, strolling onto the bridge, a sight Wan Dongliu and the others found entirely normal, without even a hint of peculiarity as they departed to handle their respective affairs.

Was this not the woman continuing to grant an opportunity, waiting to see what further expression the man might offer? Which blind fool would choose to act as a glaring lantern at such a moment?

The two stood upon the bridge, leaning over the railing with lowered heads, watching the reflection of the moon in the water ripple gently with the waves, scattering into countless shimmering fragments. For a very long time, neither uttered a word, each sorting through the tangled threads of their thoughts.

After a long while, it was Yue Hongling who broke the silence first: "It was merely a step down."

Zhao Changhe gave an "Oof" of agreement, indicating his understanding.

Yue Hongling let out a sigh, suddenly feeling a great deal lighter; she raised her hand to rotate her shoulder, smiling: "Mm... your wound medicine is quite good, it actually doesn't affect my movement much now."

Cui Yuanyang’s medicine... Zhao Changhe constantly felt that her words were still lingering within the Asura arena.

What bloodthirsty Asura? Does it refer to every inch of blood spilled upon the Asura arena? That was truly, damnably fitting.

In truth, Yue Hongling was no longer dwelling on such matters at this moment. Feeling the injury on her shoulder slightly, she murmured: "When the night grows deeper, I intend to search for traces of Chi Li again, perhaps at the Governor's estate. What do you think?"

This is only natural. It would be strange if Yue Hongling didn't want to kill Chi Li outright. Without relying on a group to gang up on him, the only one who could kill Chi Li was Yue Hongling.

Earlier, when Tang Buqi invited us, who the hell would dare go with that fool? Using Yue Hongling's injury as a reference, Chi Li's injuries were equally light, if not lighter. Going would be asking for death...

Zhao Changhe thought for a moment, then hesitated: "This definitely can't be a direct fight, right? You're planning to ambush him? But my skills in concealing my tracks aren't that good..."

So if you want to journey together through the world, your cultivation levels indeed need to be similar. Yue Hongling's requirement was correct.

Yue Hongling smiled: "That's not your style, no need to force it. When I lurk and scout on my own, I always worry that there's no one to back me up. Often, even when a good opportunity arises, I dare not act rashly and watch the chance slip away. Now that you're outside to support me, I can act with much more peace of mind."

Zhao Changhe turned his head to look at her profile.

Yue Hongling did not meet his gaze, instead looking down at the cold moon under the bridge.

Was this an invitation to join hands? He didn't know.

Zhao Changhe suddenly said: "You all still fear my thrown knife, so I'm not that far off. If I find a good bow, I can probably do more than just provide support."

Yue Hongling's head seemed to tilt even further, her voice as soft as a murmur: "What you can do, what does that have to do with me?"