Long Aotian’s Beautiful Butler Has Run Away chapter 50

Chapter 50: The Gift of a Famous Sword

“What happened here?” Shen Bingsi looked somewhat angry. He stared at Rong Xie’s arm, then suddenly lowered his head.

Rong Xie felt the stinging pain on the outside of his arm being replaced by a different sensation—warm, wet, and heavy. He watched in astonishment as Shen Bingsi buried his face against his arm, sucking out the blood that was seeping from the wound.

“Bingsi…” Rong Xie’s heart began to pound heavily and rapidly again, just as it had when he was running earlier.

Finally, Shen Bingsi lifted his head. While holding Rong Xie’s injured arm up high, he rummaged through his Golden Light Fish-Patterned Pouch. Soon, a bottle of wound medicine appeared in his hand. He bit off the red velvet stopper with his teeth, poured a pill into his palm, and in the blink of an eye, the pill dissolved into a sticky paste which he applied to the wound.

“This is the holy healing medicine of the Cloud Mountain Sect. It will be healed in the time it takes to burn a stick of incense. Don’t touch water, don’t touch it with your hands; just let it air dry like this.” Shen Bingsi corked the bottle.

“Alright.” Rong Xie kept his arm raised, feeling the wound becoming hot and itchy as if the flesh were knitting itself back together. “Cloud Mountain Sect… did Miss Cui give this to you?”

“I bought it.” Shen Bingsi paused, looking a bit downcast. “But you can’t buy it anymore.”

“…” Rong Xie stole a glance at him, then looked away. “Do you regret it?”

“Regret? Regret what?” Shen Bingsi looked puzzled.

Judging by this reaction, he didn’t regret it at all.

Rong Xie didn’t know whether he should be happy or worried.

“Oh… you mean that the medicine can’t be bought anymore? What’s there to regret? The Cloud Mountain Sect isn’t the only place in the world with healing medicine… though this one does work faster. Don’t look at it as just a small scratch; it’s quite dangerous. It was caused by a fragment of the jade that exploded just now, containing my spiritual energy. Wounds caused by that are difficult to heal. Fortunately, it was just your arm. Sigh.” Shen Bingsi looked restless, wanting to grab Rong Xie’s arm to inspect it again.

“It’s not that serious,” Rong Xie laughed involuntarily. “If you applied the medicine any later, it would have healed on its own. I blocked it with my spiritual energy earlier; surely I could block the energy in such a tiny fragment?”

“That’s not guaranteed.” Shen Bingsi frowned. “I still need to get you a protective magical artifact. Or I could use my protective spiritual aura to make you an amulet. Yes, let’s do that.”

“Then I suppose this was a blessing in disguise,” Rong Xie smiled.

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“What kind of blessing is this?”

“The ‘amulet’ part of the blessing.”

Shen Bingsi froze for a moment, then laughed, his anxiety easing slightly. “My Rong-er really is clever.”

Rong Xie’s cheeks felt slightly hot. That nickname really burned his ears. Sometimes he wondered if Shen Bingsi was sensitive or insensitive. It should probably be called ‘selective sensitivity’; if anyone else spoke such cheesy lines, Shen Bingsi would have turned hostile long ago, yet he could say them himself smoothly, line after line.

After the interruption of this small accident, both of their moods calmed down considerably, allowing them to sit and analyze the situation.

On the beach, next to the Sea-Suppressing Stone, Rong Xie took out a stiff sheet of rainproof cloth. Shen Bingsi spread it over the fine white sand, and the two sat side by side on it to talk.

Waves washed over the beach one after another, curling up white foam. occasionally bringing up colorful shells and coral fragments, leaving them there before receding to gather strength for the next surge.

The sound of the waves washing the sand was extremely comfortable and pleasant—rhythmic and unhurried. Listening to such a sound, it seemed that any trouble could be smoothed away.

“When did it start? I remember back at Xiangji Temple, I could still contact you,” Shen Bingsi reasoned backward. “The last time was at Xiangji Temple, right?”

The two began to trace the timeline.

“It should be.” Rong Xie had a deep impression of that contact. He had been standing outside the small courtyard where the White Water Hermit lived in seclusion. The jade pendant had suddenly rung, its golden light illuminating the lintel of the door, giving him the feeling of being caught eavesdropping, even though he hadn’t intended to.

“What did we do after that?” Shen Bingsi mused. “We went to the Lanyuan Estate… went back to the Fragrant World Pavilion for a few days… went to Xiangji Temple again… and finally, the Flower King Competition. Huh?”

Rong Xie was also thinking. The experiences of this short period felt as long as half a year, especially those days at the Fragrant World Pavilion…

Thinking of the Fragrant World Pavilion made Rong Xie’s cheeks burn. He suddenly realized it was quiet around them, save for the sound of the waves. Shen Bingsi had said “Huh?” and then stopped speaking.

Rong Xie turned to look at Shen Bingsi and found him with a dark expression, his palm supporting his chin, seemingly lost in deep thought.

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“What’s wrong?” Rong Xie asked.

“Have you noticed… there is one person who appears with particularly high frequency?” Shen Bingsi’s voice was somewhat heavy.

“Who?”

“White Water Hermit!” Shen Bingsi gritted his teeth as he said the name.

Rong Xie had thought Shen Bingsi had realized something profound, but it turned out to be this. He couldn’t help but let out a laugh. “Pfft.”

Shen Bingsi turned his head, looking at him with great displeasure.

“How is that possible? How could the White Water Hermit affect the Transmission Jade?” Rong Xie shook his head. “Even Elder Yunfeng didn’t affect it; how could the White Water Hermit?”

“…?” Now it was Shen Bingsi’s turn to be baffled. “What does this have to do with Elder Yunfeng?”

“You two often fished and chatted together, and he even sent poultry and livestock to the house,” Rong Xie reminded him. “In terms of friendship, he’s much more significant than the White Water Hermit.”

“You mind that?” Shen Bingsi suddenly perked up.

“Not really,” Rong Xie said gently. “I am very grateful to the old man. Without him looking after you in the Council of Elders, who knows how much you would have suffered in silence.”

For some reason, upon receiving this answer, Shen Bingsi looked a little disappointed.

“If it’s not the White Water Hermit… then it must be the Flower King Competition.” Shen Bingsi paused, his tone becoming solemn. “You really haven’t forgiven me yet.”

“I have forgiven you,” Rong Xie said immediately.

How long had it been since that incident? Shen Bingsi had made so much effort to make amends, and Rong Xie had seen it all. How could he not forgive him?

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“It doesn’t matter. Actually, this is a good thing. I can know your true thoughts,” Shen Bingsi said to himself. “I will solve this problem.”

In Shen Bingsi’s view, all problems could be solved.

Rong Xie was skeptical.

“You remember I said I was going to give you a gift, right?” Shen Bingsi regained his confident appearance and sat up straight. He took off the Golden Light Fish-Patterned Pouch, placed it in front of him, and resumed his cross-legged meditative posture. “I promise, once you receive this gift, you will forget all the unpleasantness of this journey.”

“That powerful?” Rong Xie’s curiosity was piqued, and he sat up straight as well. “So… what exactly is it?”

“You can guess. I’ve given you hints.” Shen Bingsi enjoyed the feeling of his friend’s attention being entirely focused on him and deliberately kept him in suspense.

“Is it… a secret treasure from the sea floor? A sea demon’s inner core?” Rong Xie guessed a few things, but Shen Bingsi shook his head at all of them. “I can’t guess.”

“Silly, my hints were so obvious.” Shen Bingsi changed hand seals with both hands. A ray of white light burst from the Golden Light Fish-Patterned Pouch. With one palm above and one below, adopting the posture of embracing the primordial energy of heaven and earth, the ray of white light spun rapidly between his palms, expanding from a spot of light the size of a silver coin into a pillar of light a foot long.

Rong Xie’s eyes widened, and his heart pounded wildly. “Is it… a flying sword?!”

Shen Bingsi smiled at him. “My Rong-er is about to establish his foundation. You should have your own flying sword.”

Rong Xie’s ears felt hot.

As they spoke, Shen Bingsi stood up from the ground.

He strolled to the middle of the beach, facing the boundless sea.

At that moment, the sun was setting in the west, and the sky was filled with red clouds. The entire universe felt vast and limitless. Only Shen Bingsi stood before the tide, slowly extending his arm.

A sharp fluctuation transmitted from his elbow to his wrist. The pillar of light in his palm suddenly unfolded, transforming into a small silver sword, two feet long.

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This small silver sword was narrow in form. The guard was indistinct, and the hilt and blade were integrated into one, resembling a long silver thorn or the leaf of a sword orchid.

Shen Bingsi flourished a sword flower in the air. The small silver sword instantly danced out a dazzling move. The Lu Silver, the material of the sword, showed its efficacy at this moment—the blade was flexible and rotating, bending and rebounding with the momentum of the flourish, presenting a dazzling effect.

If someone else did this, it would be showing off, but in Shen Bingsi’s hands, it was merely a casual test, like a master zither player checking the tension of the strings before a performance—the melody plucked casually was enough to stun the audience.

After testing the sword, Shen Bingsi returned to the starting stance, pushing the sword forward, staring at the blade with total concentration, his posture poised but restrained.

Suddenly, the blade turned—Returning Wind, Falling Snow. The sword light danced freely in the air, the silver light turning into speckled afterimages. His ultramarine long robe fluttered in the wind, flapping loudly.

Then, stepping onto the void, he leaped up. The flying sword left his hand, piercing straight into the firmament. The sword light formed several bright thorns amidst the sky full of red clouds, like a giant orchid slowly blooming in the air.

With a whistle, the flying sword returned to his hand. Shen Bingsi then performed a set of Sword Immortal Drunken Style in the air—stumbling steps, repeatedly reversing the Milky Way amidst his tumbles, then suddenly shifting to Goddess Scattering Flowers, coming and going like lightning, leaving a sky full of afterimages without his true body being seen.

After a magnificent sword dance, Shen Bingsi executed Meteor Hitting Earth, diving headfirst toward the ground. The small silver sword tapped the ground, the impact bending the blade into a terrifying arc, like a fully drawn bowstring.

In the next moment, with a twist of the blade, the sword sprang up, emitting a long clang. The accumulated power exploded instantly, bouncing Shen Bingsi back into the air. He spun half a circle in the air to dissipate the rebound force of the sword, adjusted his posture, and landed lightly like an immortal descending to the world, sheathing the sword.

Shhh—

The sound of the waves washing the beach seemed endless.

Rong Xie had stood up from the ground at some point, his hands hanging by his sides, his shoulders trembling slightly. He watched Shen Bingsi walking toward him step by step in the twilight, his hands subconsciously clenching into fists.

Shen Bingsi stepped across the beach. Behind him, the sun completely sank into the sea. The last glow of the sunset fell on his shoulders. Backlit, his eyes were brighter than the afterglow, containing a cheerful smile as they fixed on Rong Xie’s face.

When he got close, just a step away, Shen Bingsi drew the flying sword with a shing, reversed the blade, pointed the tip toward himself and the hilt toward Rong Xie, and said, “Rong-er, this is the gift I want to give you. The moment I saw it in The Art of Casting Swords, I thought of you.”

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“A gentleman is like an orchid. It is called the Lightning White Orchid. ‘When dancing, it is like lightning breaking the sky; its afterimages are like the leaves of the sword orchid.’ The sword dance just now was a set of moves I created combining its characteristics. Isn’t it beautiful? Isn’t it elegant? You are the same in my heart.”

Rong Xie’s lips moved slightly, but he couldn’t say a word. Shen Bingsi smiled, “Take it. Between you and me, there is no need for thanks.”

Under Shen Bingsi’s burning gaze, Rong Xie slowly raised his hand, unfolded his stiff fingers, and grasped the hilt that had been warmed by Shen Bingsi’s hand.

So this is what it feels like to hold this end of the hilt… Was Shen Bingsi holding it like this back then? How did he do it?

Rong Xie’s hand trembled incessantly. The Lightning White Orchid in his hand seemed to be pulsating. He didn’t know if it was because his hand was shaking or because some power was tempting him. Terrible thoughts kept rolling in his mind—Since Shen Bingsi could do it, I can do it too. I just need to push the hilt forward slightly, and the blade will pierce Shen Bingsi’s chest.

Just like what Shen Bingsi did to him in the Book of Fate.

Yes, this sword was the very Lightning White Orchid that Shen Bingsi used in the prophetic dream to kill his beloved and prove his Dao in order to defeat the Heavenly Demons.

It was the end Rong Xie had personally chosen for himself. And the reason he chose it was simply that Shen Bingsi might be in a better mood using this sword.

He didn’t know if Shen Bingsi was in a good mood, but seeing this sword made him struggle to breathe, dizzy and nauseous. Holding it personally even generated a terrifying impulse.

Kill Shen Bingsi. Just kill Shen Bingsi, and Shen Bingsi won’t kill me. I won’t die. I won’t suffer heartbreak because of Shen Bingsi’s ruthlessness. I won’t have to struggle anymore between staying by his side pretending nothing is wrong, or speaking my heart freely and being swept out the door.

Just kill Shen Bingsi, and there will be no more pain. Everything will end…

“Hm? Are you that excited? You can’t even hold the hilt steady?” Shen Bingsi laughed, seemingly not caring at all that Rong Xie’s blade was pointed at him. Handover complete, he dropped his hands, still standing on the lower ground of the beach, his chin slightly raised, his expression looking as if he were lost in memories.

“Do you remember back then… you confidently said you would build your foundation soon. I thought, once you establish your foundation, you will definitely need a flying sword. This sword must match your character so that your cultivation progress will be faster. My initial idea was to buy one, but after traveling through the three sects, there were no suitable choices. By chance, I saw The Art of Casting Swords, and there was a page called Lightning White Orchid. Somehow, just looking at the name, I faintly felt that I had found it. I found your natal flying sword.”

Shen Bingsi recalled with a smile on his lips, recounting the mental journey of forging this sword. How he encountered difficulties because no swordsmith could make it; how, after finding a friend willing to help cast it, he discovered the raw material, Lu Silver, had long been extinct; how, after painstakingly finding the raw material, that swordsmith friend admitted he was actually bragging and wasn’t as skilled as he claimed… Fortunately, in the very end, the Lightning White Orchid was created. It was perfect, exactly like the one in the diagram. To make a name for the Lightning White Orchid, and to aid his impoverished swordsmith friend, Shen Bingsi instructed him to hold an auction at the Swordsmith Alliance and spent thirty thousand spiritual stones to win back this sword.

“Silly Rong-er, when I asked you to go to the auction with me, your attention was entirely focused on the fact that one more bid would cost thirty thousand spiritual stones. You even threw a tantrum with me when we came out, saying you never wanted to see this sword again…”

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At this point, Shen Bingsi’s eyes were filled with laughter as he looked at Rong Xie again.

“Now you’re in trouble. You have to look at this sword all the time. Look at it constantly. When you establish your foundation, we’ll use it to practice sword flight. When you form your Golden Core, we’ll ride it to ascend to the heavens and enter the earth… Rong-er, you… what’s wrong?”

Rong Xie finally couldn’t hold the sword in his hand. The Lightning White Orchid fell to the ground, sinking into the white sand.