Free Web NovelChapter 802: Chapter 711: A Glazed Dream (Part 2)
"Really?" Xu Xiaoyou nodded.
She pulled out a book from somewhere, "Tales of the Red House," and flipped to a certain page.
"Is this the story on here?"
Seeing this, the young girl wasn’t the slightest embarrassed about being found out; instead, she raised her brow and proudly pointed to the author’s name on the cover.
"Look carefully, Qingying, I wrote this book."
"Everything I say is true!" Qingying said, her eyes going blank.
"That person is a monster, she’s definitely not from around here."
"Qingying, come over and help, bring the soup pot."
The call came from the manager nearby.
"Well, I have something to do, I’m leaving first." Qingying stuck out her tongue, jumped down from the table, and turned away.
"If you have any fantasies about that Courtesan, I suggest you leave quickly."
"Qingying!"
"I’m coming, stop hurrying me!" Qingying shouted back as she ran off.
Xu Xiaoyou watched the girl’s departing figure, pondering for a moment.
More than the story the other party told, she was concerned with something else.
The girl just now called Qingying.
Not a shape-shifter.
As night fell, the atmosphere in the building heightened, and the guests’ moods soared.
Amidst the cheers, the Courtesan’s figure made her entrance.
She wore a simple red gauze, slowly lifting the hem of her skirt, her steps gradually emerging from the right side of the stage, her eyes full of expressions; the moment she appeared, she elicited cheers from the entire audience.
"Good!"
"It’s really her!"
"Seeing is believing, she’s even more beautiful than the rumors, this trip was really worth it."
Compared to the girl’s charming appearance, her elegant dance was even more captivating, as if imbued with some magic power, deeply attracting the gaze of the guests below; amidst the rise and fall of her wide sleeves, pairs of heated eyes followed, her steps gracefully shifting, invisibly tugging at people’s heartstrings.
She slowly walked to the center of the stage, flicking the hem of her skirt lightly, the unfolding of her skirt and the fluttering of the girl’s sleeves depicting a semicircle, layers of red gauze clinging together and rustling, like an unfolding fan or a phoenix bird.
For a moment, the people present forgot to breathe, all attention drawn to the girl.
She proceeded to the front of the stage, her melancholy eyes lightly concealed, sweeping through the numerous guests below.
The figure from her dreams did not appear.
Just as the girl felt regret, a familiar golden figure flickered across her vision.
Liu Liyin saw Xu Xiaoyou below the stage.
Xu Xiaoyou also saw Liu Liyin on stage.
At this moment, their gazes met, locking eyes.
"Swordsmith," Liu Liyin softly murmured.
She stepped back slowly, an unfolded fan appearing in her palm, ’shhh,’ unfolding to be level with her brows.
She observed Xu Xiaoyou.
Xu Xiaoyou slowly stood up, her gaze piercing through the mask, landing directly on the girl on stage.
She was also observing Liu Liyin.
At this moment, it was as if the audience below became silent gray shadows.
The lights fell only on Liu Liyin on stage and Xu Xiaoyou below.
This performance, the girl played for one person.
"May I invite you to come up on stage and join me in finishing the rest of the performance?"
The girl’s clear and calm voice echoed.
Xu Xiaoyou knew the other party was speaking to her.
"Why not me!"
"How could she get lucky!"
"Hurry up, don’t just stand there pretending!"
The people below loudly egged on.
Xu Xiaoyou said nothing, stepping from the darkness to the front of the stage, taking the hand the girl held out in invitation, she mounted the stage.
The girls’ palms pressed against each other, fingers touching, slowly closing together.
"I’m sorry, I only know ballroom dancing." Xu Xiaoyou softly closed her eyes.
"Swordsmith, is it you?"
Liu Liyin posed a question that left Xu Xiaoyou baffled.
Without receiving a definite response, a hint of disappointment flashed in Liu Liyin’s eyes.
"I accidentally said something strange, please don’t mind too much."
"Follow my steps next, I will guide you slowly."
Saying this, Liu Liyin took Xu Xiaoyou’s hand, guiding her along.
Sounds emerged from the stands, and the forgotten beings noticed the golden-haired girl.
"Young Master, the target has appeared." Okber picked up the communicator.
"The Dark Gold Rose is right next to the target."
"We’ve already surrounded them, she came alone, the Demon Hunter Girl isn’t with her."
"Do not alert the target for now, the outer Forgotten Ones are moving to the designated coordinates." Li Mingqing commanded over the communication channel.
On stage, amidst whirling light and shadow, Liu Liyin gazed into the beautiful eyes of the golden-haired girl, her lips parting lightly; in her memory, the Swordsmith was just like this, always with tiredness and determination in her eyes.
For a moment, countless memories surged forth, and Liu Liyin returned to that house in the forest.
"What are you doing?" the Swordsmith asked.
Liu Liyin stood up; today’s girl’s outfit was especially solemn, the red ribbon tied at her waist gently swayed, the red and white dress clung to her legs, beneath a sheer veil, her lively eyes blinked.
"I am..." She slowly lifted the bowl of wine, turning it towards the Swordsmith. "This is bonding wine, drink it."
The Swordsmith was puzzled by the girl’s actions.
She couldn’t comprehend why the girl was doing such a strange thing today.
Today was just another ordinary day amongst the decades they had spent living in this space.
She noticed that there were remnants of wine on the rim turned towards her; the wine surface was so clear that it could reflect both their images.
The Swordsmith didn’t think too much, taking and drinking from the wine, under the girl’s hopeful gaze.
"This way, we will never part again," Liu Liyin whispered softly.
The Swordsmith placed the bowl aside, walked into the house, and found a place to sit.
The girl followed behind her, wrestling internally before asking:
"Swordsmith, why did that sword shatter?"
"Does it not approve of me?"
"There’s no such thing as approval," the Swordsmith said, "Rebellious Blade, that is its vicious nature. Moreover, you intend to use it against its kin."
"People never need the acceptance of a weapon, the purpose of a weapon’s existence is to serve its wielder." The Swordsmith’s tone softened slightly.
"I’m almost done forging it."
"Is that so...?"
For a moment, Liu Liyin felt a bit lost, as if her heart suddenly had a missing piece, leaving an emptiness.
"When do you plan to set off?" the Swordsmith asked.
"I..." Upon hearing this, Liu Liyin felt her throat go dry, "I haven’t decided yet."
"Hmm, we still have time."
"Until you figure it out, this space will always be your refuge."
The Swordsmith picked up a comb, tidying the girl’s tousled long hair.
"I will stay by your side, as I have for decades, day in and day out."
"If I fail, everyone familiar to me, everyone dear, will die," Liu Liyin’s voice was raspy with emotion.
"People will blame me, hold me accountable for every mistake."
"I am so uneasy." Liu Liyin suddenly gripped the Swordsmith’s hand tightly, her voice trembling.
"I don’t want to become a sinner."
