Chapter 272: Bamboo Forest Illusion

A long-simmering sect dispute finally concluded with an unexpected outcome. Yun Che didn't know how Su Hengshan would deal with Su Hengyue and his son, nor with the elders and disciples who had supported him. He also didn't care; after the people from Blackwood Fortress left, he departed with Su Ling'er.

This incident also gave Yun Che a rough understanding of Su Hengshan's character. Clearly, he was an upright and righteous man, dignified yet humble, and filled with compassion. However, he wasn't an ideal sect master, because he wasn't ruthless or decisive enough in his actions. Otherwise, an elder wouldn't have been able to act so brazenly. Although Su Hengyue's actions now amounted to treason against the sect, Yun Che could foresee that his resolution would still not be too absolute. After all, Su Hengyue was his elder brother, and he wasn't alone; many elders supported him.

From today's events, Yun Che also saw the latent crisis within the Tai Su Sect.

"Brother Yun Che, you told Daddy I'm already... a fiancée. What does 'fiancée' mean?" Su Ling'er asked, holding Yun Che's hand, her eyes hazy with curiosity. She vaguely understood the meaning of "fiancée" but still wanted to hear Yun Che's answer.

Yun Che smiled, "It means that when Ling'er grows up, she'll marry me and become my wife... just like your beautiful older sister."

Xia Qingyue cast him a sidelong glance, her expression slightly unusual.

"Wife... what does that mean?" Su Ling'er's lips slightly parted, even more confused by this term. "It's the two words only I can use to call Ling'er. Once Ling'er becomes my wife, we'll be together forever, accompanying each other, looking after each other, making each other happy, and doing all the things we love together..." Yun Che said softly. These words were simple to utter, but back then, Su Ling'er never got to hear them from him until her demise.

Su Ling'er's steps immediately slowed considerably, as if she were momentarily stunned by Yun Che's words.

Yun Che looked down and asked seriously, "Ling'er, when you grow up, will you be my wife?"

Su Ling'er lifted her fair, tender face, then nodded vigorously, smiling sweetly, "Mm! I love being with Brother Yun Che!"

Yun Che gripped Su Ling'er's small hand tighter, his heart filled with warmth... mixed with a bitter ache.

Xia Qingyue could no longer remain silent. She turned her beautiful eyes to glance at the tender, small Su Ling'er, estimated her age, and, with a slight furrow in her brow, asked, "Are you serious?"

Yun Che knew what Xia Qingyue was thinking. Anyone seeing him so seriously and resolutely wanting to take a mere ten-year-old girl as his wife would undoubtedly think "beast." He quirked his lips, saying helplessly, "Yes, I'm serious... but I have my reasons. Besides..." Yun Che's expression turned slightly bitter, "This is just a dream, isn't it? Since it's only a dream, then let it be... beautiful to the point of illusion."

"..." Xia Qingyue didn't understand what he was thinking at all, but seeing the seriousness and melancholy in his eyes, she turned her face away and stopped asking.

"Qingyue, my wife, you today..." Yun Che asked cautiously, "Why are you so... well... obedient?"

Xia Qingyue lowered her gaze and said calmly, "My current power originally belonged to you. If you wish to use it, I won't refuse."

Yun Che was startled. He pinched the bridge of his nose, deciding not to continue the topic. "Jumping from the Earth Profound Realm to the Sovereign Profound Realm all at once, this progress is truly terrifying. However, such a large leap might cause instability in your cultivation. Qingyue, it would be better if I accompany you back to the Dragon's Roost Pavilion to recuperate for a while, just in case there are any lingering issues."

Xia Qingyue nodded, "I can go back by myself. You play with Ling'er."

Yun Che didn't insist. After instructing her to remain sufficiently vigilant, he left with Su Ling'er. After all, he had previously promised Ling'er that Xia Qingyue would play with her constantly once she woke up.

After Yun Che walked away, Xia Qingyue turned around, looking at his retreating back. Her mind was adrift, and she murmured to herself, somewhat lost, "Is it... because we are husband and wife...?"

"Ling'er, where do you want to play?"

"Hehe, being with Brother Yun Che always makes me feel especially good, anywhere is fine... Hmm... Let me think! Oh, right, shall we go play in the bamboo forest behind?"

"Bamboo... forest?" These two words touched a nerve in Yun Che.

"Mm! Right at the foot of the mountain, there's a huge bamboo forest. I love the wind there the most. But Daddy says dangerous profound beasts appear there, so he never lets me go alone. And Daddy is always so busy, he rarely takes me to play."

"Bamboo forest... bamboo forest... Alright, then we'll go play in the bamboo forest."

South of the Tai Su Sect, a vast bamboo forest stretched all the way to the distant foot of the mountain, its vibrant emerald green filling the entire view. The bamboo branches were dense, and as the leaves swayed, gusts of incredibly fresh wind continuously swept through, refreshing the mind and spirit.

"Wow! So comfortable!" Standing amidst the bamboo, Su Ling'er closed her eyes, spread her arms, twitched her little nose, and inhaled deeply the fresh scent from the bamboo forest.

The bamboo forest before them wasn't as dense as the one Yun Che and Su Ling'er had once lived in, but it was just as verdant and pleasantly fresh. Simply looking at it and feeling the breeze on their faces made them feel as if their entire souls were being gently cleansed. Watching the bamboo forest, watching Su Ling'er, Yun Che was momentarily lost in thought... Back then, with such a beautiful bamboo forest, such a lovely Ling'er, and such a wonderful world for two, why did he only see hatred...?

Su Ling'er was always so melancholic, constantly urging him to let go of his hatred... Perhaps, at that time, she had already let go of all her past and only wished to stay with him. Her later melancholy didn't stem from her past, but from him...

"Brother Yun Che, this place is beautiful, isn't it?" Su Ling'er said, smiling. "This is my absolute favorite place. Every time I come here, I feel like I've turned into an elf, and all my unhappy memories just disappear. I love everything about this place... I often think that when I grow up, I must make my home in a lush green bamboo forest... Mmm! Just thinking about it makes me feel so happy."

Yun Che's heart jolted.

No wonder... no wonder after his master's death, she dragged his severely injured and unconscious body for several days of escape before stopping in that bamboo forest. At the time, he thought Su Ling'er simply believed the bamboo forest was suitable for hiding... But it turned out she genuinely loved bamboo forests, and had dreamed of them since childhood.

In the bamboo forest, her heart could find peace; she could imagine herself as an elf... Only in the bamboo forest could she overcome all her loneliness, worries, fears, melancholy, and confusion... Day after day, year after year, endlessly waiting for his return.

Yun Che's hands clenched, his heart aching as if pricked by needles, and guilt swelled like a tide, filling his soul. He increasingly realized that what he owed Ling'er could not be repaid in ten lifetimes.

"Ling'er, shall we build a home here?" Yun Che said softly.

"Ah? Build a home... here?" Su Ling'er looked astonished.

"Mm!" Yun Che nodded with a smile, "Didn't Ling'er always want to live in a bamboo forest? Then we'll use the bamboo here to build a small bamboo house. That way, whenever Ling'er wants, she can stay here."

"Bamboo... house?" Su Ling'er froze for a moment, then her starry eyes suddenly became incredibly bright. "Really... can we? But wouldn't it be a shame to hurt the bamboo here...?"

"Haha!" Yun Che laughed. He gently stroked Ling'er's cheek and said affectionately, "There are so many bamboo stalks here, and only a very few will be lucky enough to become part of our little house. These bamboo stalks will surely be very happy to know they can build a bamboo house for the cutest Ling'er."

"Mm!!" Su Ling'er cast aside her worries and cheered joyfully.

Yun Che extended a finger, transforming his profound energy into a blade. With a sweep of his hand, over a dozen green bamboo stalks were neatly cut. Before long, a large pile of sufficiently sturdy bamboo stems lay before them, and a spacious clearing had been created within the dense bamboo forest.

With Yun Che's profound strength, this project wasn't too difficult, but it certainly wasn't easy either. However, with Su Ling'er cheering him on and occasionally wiping his sweat, Yun Che, though drenched in perspiration, didn't feel tired at all.

As dusk gradually fell, a simple small bamboo house finally took shape. This little bamboo house was much smaller and rougher than the one he and Su Ling'er had previously lived in, unable to even provide basic shelter from wind and rain. Yet, its compactness exuded a special freshness. Moreover, it wasn't just a small bamboo house; its interior also featured a small bed and a small table, both constructed from bamboo.

As the bamboo house took shape, Yun Che's ears were filled with Ling'er's joyful cheers. She ran around the little bamboo house with boundless happiness, her ethereal, melodious voice echoing far and wide... truly like a carefree bamboo forest spirit.

"Brother Yun Che, shall we stay here tonight? This was a dream of mine... And with Brother Yun Che accompanying me, I won't be scared at all."

"Mm, alright!"

In the bamboo forest, they played from afternoon until the bright moon hung high. That day, Ling'er's laughter was more abundant than all the laughter Yun Che had heard from her in those many years. That afternoon, Ling'er's joyous sounds and laughter formed his entire world. Today, he belonged to Ling'er alone.

With the bright moon hanging high, Ling'er, who had been running all afternoon, finally grew tired. She lay side by side with Yun Che on the bamboo bed they had built together. The bamboo bed was simple and hard; it creaked with the slightest movement. But lying on it, breathing the fresh air, smelling the scent of the green bamboo, and feeling the occasional breeze filter through the gaps, both of them felt incredibly comfortable. Of course, more importantly, it was the companionship of the person beside them.

The small bed was narrow. Su Ling'er leaned gently against Yun Che and spoke softly. "Brother Yun Che, I really want to... be with you forever... Oh, will saying this make Brother Yun Che think I'm strange...? We only just started being together today, yet the moment I first saw Brother Yun Che, I liked him so much... Am I a very strange girl?"

"Not at all," Yun Che smiled. "Because I felt the same way when I saw Ling'er. It's rare in a person's life to inexplicably like someone the moment you first see them. If two people both feel that way, then they are either a destined pair, or... they share a bond from a past life."