Chapter 18: Men and Women Flirt Amidst the Lotus

At Ying Xue'e's request, the two made their way to Beimu Lake.

Beimu Lake was the largest lake in Qingyang County, its waters adorned with pavilions and towers, and small boats available for leisurely excursions. By late August, the lotus blossoms were already fading, their emerald pods releasing a subtle fragrance that drifted across the lake, intoxicating the heart as the breeze stirred.

“Changning, can you row a boat? How about just the two of us taking a boat ride?” she asked.

“Of course,” he replied.

Luo Changning negotiated with one of the boatmen, paid the fare, and the two set off across the lake.

Ma Xue'e leaned over the bow, trailing her fingers through the water. Her face was reflected in its surface—though altered by disguise, her almond eyes still appeared charming and lively.

“The books say each lotus flower blooms for no more than ten days. Is it true that beautiful things are always so fleeting?” she mused.

Luo Changning’s hand paused in mid-stroke. He was reminded again of his mother—the beautiful woman who danced beneath the peach trees, the one whose brilliance and melancholy marked her as an earthly marvel.

“Heaven envies talent; beauty is quick to fade. The affairs of the world are ever tinged with helplessness, leaving us to sigh in regret,” he answered.

“I don’t want to die. If I die, I’ll never taste delicious food again, or see those I long for. To be separated by life and death—how unbearably painful,” Ma Xue'e turned her head to look at him. “I won’t die, will I?”

The girl’s stubborn, hopeful gaze stirred something unnamable within Luo Changning.

“When a martial artist reaches the pinnacle, immortality is said to be possible. Yet for countless generations, no one has ever achieved such heights.” He paused, his tone softening. “A hundred years of life is enough—hundreds, far too long. As long as… as long as we do what we must, what we wish, and have no regrets, even death in the next moment is worthwhile. Better than living a life mired in remorse.”

This was Luo Changning’s heartfelt truth. In his previous life, born disabled, abandoned by his parents, abused, mocked and ostracized by other orphans, nothing brought him joy except for reading. He had often wished for death.

In this life, once he avenged his greatest wrong, he would die without regret! Besides, his aunt did not practice martial arts and her days were numbered—what pleasure was there in living alone?

“You’re right, Changning. If death comes with no regrets, then it’s enough. I suppose I’m just too greedy,” she teased, making a funny face and sticking out her pink tongue.

Girls are lovable when they’re a little greedy; a girl without any desires would be terribly dull.

They reached the center of the lake, where the lotus bloomed most luxuriantly—flowers in full glory, pods in abundance.

Ma Xue'e reached out and plucked a few pods, peeled them, and extracted the seeds.

“Let’s try them together—see whether the lotus seeds from the lake are tastier, or those from mountain springs,” she suggested.

Luo Changning accepted the seeds, lay back on the boat, gazing up at blue sky and white clouds, pink blossoms and green leaves. It had been long since he’d enjoyed such leisure, and his heart felt utterly at peace.

Placing the lotus seed in his mouth, he savored its fresh sweetness and crisp tenderness. Freshly picked, the seeds held only a faint bitterness; left too long with the heart intact, they would turn harsh and spoil the taste.

“Ah, the sun is so warm, the scent of lotus so vivid, the seeds so sweet…” Ma Xue'e had closed her eyes, lost in the gentle summer breeze.

“If only life could always be so carefree,” Luo Changning said, tossing another seed into his mouth. Such tranquil days were rare; he did not wish to dwell on unhappy things. In this moment, he only wanted to accompany the delightful girl beside him.

“Changning, I will come with you every year to Beimu Lake and eat lotus seeds—carefree days will never end,” Ma Xue'e promised.

“Let’s hope so,” Luo Changning’s long lashes quivered, his heart softened. Yet he knew such days were only a luxury. He would never remain in Qingyang County forever; perhaps the day of departure was not far off.

Though they had eaten lotus seeds, lunchtime was approaching, so they rowed back to shore.

“Changning, is there any good tavern in Qingyang? My treat!” Ma Xue'e declared, patting her still undeveloped chest in a show of bravado.

“The largest tavern here is Gaosheng Tavern. The food is decent,” Luo Changning replied. In his previous life, he had never once left the orphanage, nor had he gone anywhere else in this life. He had no idea what these ‘grand taverns’ were really like—he only knew his aunt’s cooking was the best, unmatched by anyone.

The two walked laughing toward Gaosheng Tavern, when suddenly a deliberately raspy voice called from ahead.

“Well, well, whose young lady is this? So fresh and lovely—far prettier than my dull cousin!”

It was none other than that skinny monkey, Gao Haitian, causing trouble once again, bullying the weak. Not even grown, he was already imitating those young masters, harassing girls, adopting a lewd and affected manner.

“Hmph, you ugly thing—watch your mouth!” Ma Xue'e, happily chatting with Luo Changning, was startled to see a skinny youth with broom-like brows and canine eyes ogling her. She bristled immediately. She didn’t understand the meaning behind Gao Haitian’s look, but instinctively felt disgust and revulsion.

“Heh, don’t be ungrateful, miss. To become my young master’s concubine would be your fortune. Have you heard of Divine Hand Martial School? That’s our master’s business—one day, it’ll belong to the young master!” From the mouth of a burly man, such shameless words were enough to lament the decline of morals—stray dogs ruling the streets.

They say backward places breed simple folk and pure hearts, but evidently not always. Bullying and the abuse of power happen everywhere; the world is rife with petty men aiding evil.

No matter the continent, it is ever thus.

“That’s right. Miss, you should accept Gao’s favor—he’ll see you clad in gold, feasting on delicacies,” Gao Haitian boasted, his small frame puffed up, thinking himself dashing after frequenting brothels with his underlings. He only succeeded in making himself ridiculous.

“Do you remember who I am?” Luo Changning stepped forward, positioning himself between Ma Xue'e and the troublemakers, his voice low and firm.

He hadn’t expected to see Gao Haitian again so soon. In truth, Luo Changning owed him some gratitude—if not for him, he would never have gained his connection with the swordless one. But he hadn’t anticipated such shamelessness; at such a young age, Gao Haitian was already learning to oppress others.

And now he was harassing Ma Xue'e, whom Luo Changning regarded as a sister—how could he not be furious? He was no longer as weak as before; a fight might not end in defeat. It was a good chance to test his progress.

Gao Haitian and his lackeys squinted, then burst out in rage and shock. “It’s you! That black beggar isn’t dead!”

“Not even the sea could drown you—truly a cursed life!” The lackeys echoed their master’s scorn, barking as directed.

Lackeys are always lackeys, doomed to sniff at the whims of others—but who was truly low as mud?

“Ha! My Changning isn’t the least bit dark—he’s handsome beyond compare. Unlike you, you skinny monkey, always glaring with those dog eyes, ugly to the core,” Ma Xue'e laughed. Pure by nature, she spoke as she pleased, heedless of consequences.

“You brat! Refusing a toast, you’ll get the punishment. Don’t think a pretty face makes you special—soon you’ll be begging for mercy!” Gao Haitian, always sensitive about his looks, was enraged by her taunt, forgetting all pretense.

He waved angrily. “Beat that black beggar, and don’t stop till he’s dead. As for the brat, drag her to my cousin’s house—she’ll be my warm-bed maid!”

“Yes, young master!”

Four burly men, bare-chested, cracked their knuckles and walked toward them, lewd smiles on their faces.

Luo Changning snorted coldly and said to Ma Xue'e, “I’ll hold them off. If things go wrong, escape and get help.”

“I’m not afraid. My skills weren’t trained for nothing. I’ve never had a real fight—today’s the perfect chance to show off! Changning, let’s take them together!” Ma Xue'e laughed, eager and excited.

“Alright, together,” Luo Changning smiled helplessly. He always wanted to protect Ma Xue'e, but forgot that on this continent, strength was the true measure, regardless of age or gender.

It seemed he wouldn’t play the hero today, nor save the beauty, but fighting side by side would be rewarding enough. Luo Changning felt anticipation rising.

“Haha, two brats together won’t trouble us four brothers,” the four burly men jeered.

It turned out Gao Haitian’s four henchmen were all true brothers—a family affair. As the old saying goes, dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and rats dig holes.

“We’ll see if your skills hold up. Don’t look down on the young and poor—none of you are worth my notice!” Ma Xue'e shouted, drawing a black-silver soft whip from her waist. “Watch the whip!”