Thanks to [Dragon Erosion Lamp] for the two God-tier Certifications. Real life is too busy, so I'll add one extra chapter for now and find time to write more to make up for it in the coming days... In the end, the master and disciple did not fight side by side.
A year later, Qi Zhimu returned.
Perhaps the years of high-intensity Hunt expeditions had severely depleted the vitality of the Abominations of Abundance; in the following period, the frequency of warfare significantly decreased, and moments of leisure became rare and precious.
Two weeks later, it happened to be the Xianzhou Alliance's annual major festival, the Ember-Ban Festival.
It was to commemorate those who perished during the Suiyang rebellion in the Era of Fire Catastrophe, as well as the great hero who burned to nothingness alongside the Flint Emperor to protect the Xianzhou.
To respect these heroic spirits, the Xianzhou people chose to avoid everything related to fire on this day.
On that day, all the Xianzhou would jointly host a grand singing and dancing gala, broadcast live to the entire universe.
Inside each delve, every household hung up colorful lanterns and prepared pre-boiled Qiongshi bird eggs.
Intricate and gorgeous auspicious patterns, such as cloud motifs and auspicious beasts, were skillfully carved onto the eggshells, symbolizing rebirth and perfection.
As night fell, the lights of the Yaoqing Xianzhou were as bright as day.
The bustling commercial districts were crowded with people, and laughter filled every corner.
Qi Zhimu wore a vintage belted long robe, making his figure appear tall and slender.
Jingliu, Sleeping Snow, and Clear Cold had also changed into similar styles of clothing for the first time in a long while.
Now, Jingliu's hair bun was adorned with the hairpin Qi Zhimu had given her during her ceremony, and the corners of her mouth were slightly lifted.
Overall, she looked quite charming, like the girl next door, drawing frequent glances from countless passersby on the street.
"It's so lively."
Clear Cold's gaze drifted over the dazzling array of lanterns and snacks on both sides of the street, her eyes filled with novelty.
A faint smile also played on Sleeping Snow's lips as she followed closely behind Qi Zhimu with her younger sister.
Jingliu walked beside them, her gaze always glued to Qi Zhimu's back.
The atmosphere tonight was wonderful.
No war, no military orders—only Master and them.
Perhaps Master's usual coldness would soften a bit?
Perhaps she could be like an ordinary woman, strolling through the streets while holding Master's arm?
Just as she was thinking this, melodious music drifted from the central plaza ahead.
That was the climax of the Ember-Ban Festival gala, the Dance of Shared Wishes.
According to custom, everyone in the plaza would find a dance partner at this time and dance together under the brilliant lights.
It was both to praise the heroes of the past and to pray for peace in the coming year.
"Everyone, the auspicious hour has arrived! Let us dance and pray!"
The host's voice spread throughout the venue via the broadcast.
The surrounding crowd stirred; young men and women blushed as they invited each other, while old couples smiled at one another and stepped onto the dance floor hand-in-hand.
Jingliu's heart pounded wildly. She feigned composure, gathered all her courage, and turned to look at Qi Zhimu.
The words "Master, can you accompany your disciple in a dance?" were already on the tip of her tongue.
However, at that very second—
Qi Zhimu turned slightly and very naturally reached out his hand toward Clear Cold.
"Clear Cold, would you like to dance with me?"
His voice was quite gentle, carrying an easygoing tone that Jingliu had never received.
Clear Cold was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously placed her hand in Qi Zhimu's palm.
"It would be my greatest honor, Lord Zhimu."
Their hands intertwined, and they stepped onto the dance floor together.
Jingliu's arm, halfway extended, froze in mid-air.
The unspoken words turned into thorns, piercing her throat—unable to be swallowed, unable to be spat out.
"Jingliu?"
Sleeping Snow's voice came from beside her.
Looking at the stunned Jingliu, Sleeping Snow seemed to have sensed something. She reached out awkwardly but with pity.
"Since Lord Zhimu and Little Sister have gone, then... shall the two of us partner up? It's just a formality anyway..."
Jingliu did not speak, as if she hadn't heard Sleeping Snow's words. Her gaze was locked onto the two figures in the center of the dance floor.
That was her Master... At this moment, the most brilliant lights shone down together, casting light and shadow upon Qi Zhimu and Clear Cold.
Qi Zhimu's hand rested on Clear Cold's slender waist, while his other hand held her delicate hand.
They were so close, close enough to hear each other's breathing.
Following the beat of the music, they spun, advanced, and retreated.
Clear Cold looked up at Qi Zhimu, tenderness flowing in her eyes.
And Qi Zhimu... extremely rarely, the corners of his mouth curled into a faint, gentle arc.
That was an expression Jingliu had dreamed of countless times, craved countless times in her dreams, yet had never received.
She had trained desperately, killed enemies desperately, improved desperately, and desperately tried to prove herself—all just to earn even a single glance.
But now, this gaze, this tenderness, this intimacy... was given to another person without reservation.
The bustling cheers and music around her seemed to be completely stripped away at this moment.
In Jingliu's world, only the dancing figures of the two remained.
Thump, thump, thump... The sound of her heartbeat became exceptionally heavy, each beat like a sledgehammer striking her chest.
The light in her eyes vanished bit by bit, replaced by a deep darkness; if one were to suddenly lock eyes with her, it would surely cause their heart to skip a beat in fear.
Why?
Why is it Clear Cold?
I am clearly stronger now.
I am clearly more talented, I clearly... love Master more.
Jingliu watched the scene expressionlessly. After a moment, the corners of her mouth slowly and extremely stiffly curled into an arc.
The light reflected across, but that arc seemed to have no warmth, only a bone-chilling sense of collapse.
Ah... Master's hand is on Senior's waist... That spot, if a sword were to pierce through it, the sensation would surely be wonderful, wouldn't it?
No, that won't do. Master's hand is there.
Then... what if I were to cut Senior Clear Cold's waist off?
That way, Master would have nowhere to hold her, right?
No, that would make Master angry.
Jingliu tilted her head slightly, lightly clutching her chest, her crimson eyes hollowly reflecting the heart-wrenching scene.
Why do you both look so happy?
Why do I feel so cold here?
Is it because I'm standing too far away?
Or is it because... some people are truly redundant?
If... if only Master and I were left in this world... if there were no Sleeping Snow, no Clear Cold, would Master only be able to look at me?
Would Master's hands only be able to hold me?
Would Master's tenderness only belong to me?
"Jingliu? Are... are you okay?"
Seeing Jingliu's hollow, lifeless pupils and the eerie smile on her face, Sleeping Snow inexplicably shuddered and subconsciously took half a step back.
"Your expression is a bit frightening. Are you unwell?"
Jingliu's deathly still eyes rested on Sleeping Snow for a few seconds before she suddenly snapped back to her senses.
Realizing what she had just been thinking, a chill rushed from the soles of her feet straight to her head.
She must have been crazy just now!
Sleeping Snow and Clear Cold were not only her seniors but also fellow survivors of Azure City... For her to actually harbor such rebellious thoughts—if Master found out, he would surely cast her out.
No, she couldn't!
She only had Master, only Master... only Master, only Master, only Master—
If she lost Master, she would die; she wouldn't be able to go on living!
Looking back at her Master dancing with Clear Cold, Jingliu suddenly felt it wasn't so eyesore anymore.
That feeling of having nothing at all was something she absolutely did not want to experience.
At least Master was still before her eyes... she could still look at him...