The Sorrowmender

Chapter 35 – Do not ask about the future

Mo Wen's Future

Unrelated to the wind and moon, only the long night ahead—

Seeing Ning Feng hesitating to speak, with a hint of shyness, Xu Qingzhou quickly interjected.

"Stop, there's no need for sentimental words. Between men, there's no need for excessive emotion. Some things are more meaningful left unsaid."

Feeling the goodwill of the scholar before him, Ning Feng held back his tears and nodded heavily.

"Ning Feng, listen to Mister."

"Then take it and see how it works."

"Alright."

Ning Feng no longer hesitated, placing the pill into his mouth. With a swallow, it went down his throat and into his stomach.

Immediately, he felt a warm current flowing from his dantian, spreading throughout his body. Before long, the curse that had been controlling him began to dissipate.

Ning Feng raised his right hand, rolling up the sleeve of his brocade robe. The black line that had accompanied him for most of his life was fading at a speed visible to the naked eye.

This indicated that the nightmare that had been entangling him was disappearing without a trace.

That black line was like a shackle. Without it, Ning Feng was truly free.

Xu Qingzhou naturally observed all of this, the smile in his eyes growing deeper.

"It seems to be working—"

Ning Feng stared blankly at the disappearing black line, at his own palm, murmuring in his heart.

"Is it really all over?"

He didn't know how to thank Xu Qingzhou. As Xu Qingzhou had said, some words are more meaningful left unsaid.

Whether it was gratitude, appreciation, or thanks, keeping it in the heart was better than hanging it on the lips.

But he also remembered the conversation they had on the way here. Xu Qingzhou had said he could relieve his worries, but he would have to pay a price.

Now that Xu Qingzhou had done it, it was time for him to pay the corresponding price.

He withdrew his hand, his gaze returning to Xu Qingzhou, regaining his usual calmness, and slowly asked:

"Mister saved me. What does Mister need me to do? Ning Feng will do it for Mister."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qingzhou raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Anything?"

"Yes, anything." Ning Feng responded firmly, his eyes full of certainty.

"Including killing?" Xu Qingzhou asked playfully, scrutinizing him.

Ning Feng instinctively paused. Killing was too common for him, but at this moment, he hesitated for some reason when it came to killing.

However, it was only a momentary hesitation, and he nodded.

"Who to kill? Just give me a name, and it's done."

Xu Qingzhou tapped his folding fan against his hand, his eyes meaningful, his brows relaxed, and then he smiled faintly:

"You may go."

"What?" Ning Feng's pupils contracted, as if he had misheard.

Xu Qingzhou continued speaking to himself:

"If I asked you to kill, wouldn't you still be the same Ning Feng as before? And I would be no different from Mo Shengge. If that's the case, then you're still you, just with a different master. How could that be me relieving your worries?"

"You're free now. You are you, no longer living for anyone else. This is my gift to you, a return gift for hearing your story."

Ning Feng was momentarily lost. Xu Qingzhou's words always struck a chord with him, resonating deeply.

"Mister, I—"

"Don't say any more. I told you to leave, so leave." With a slight pause, Xu Qingzhou stepped towards the horse, mounted it under Ning Feng's gaze, and took the reins in his hand.

"Go to Jiangnan—"

Ning Feng was bewildered, looking up at Xu Qingzhou.

"The green hills are faint, and the waters are distant. In autumn, the grass in Jiangnan has not withered."

He looked at Ning Feng, his eyes full of laughter.

"You don't know where to go, so why not go to Jiangnan?"

"The books all say Jiangnan is beautiful, and travelers say Jiangnan is good. The green waters are clearer than the sky, the painted boats listen to the snow sleep, the people by the roadside are like the moon, their wrists as white as frost and snow."

"If you leave now, you'll arrive by summer, just in time for the lushest greenery."

Ning Feng's eyes shifted, emotions swirling. At first, he didn't expect Xu Qingzhou to save him, and now he didn't expect Xu Qingzhou to let him go just like that.

"Mister, is there really nothing I need to do for you?"

"I thought there was, but now I don't."

"Why is that? Since Mister asks for nothing, why help me for no reason?"

Xu Qingzhou shook his head, speaking meaningfully: "I'm not helping you, Ning Feng, but the young man who yearns for freedom. In this vast world, every young man should go out and explore."

"What Mister says, Ning Feng doesn't understand." Ning Feng said, lowering his head in silence.

Xu Qingzhou continued to smile: "Just do good deeds, don't ask about the future."

"Every mountain has its own peaks and valleys, and I have my own rhythm."

With that, Xu Qingzhou clasped his fists and continued: "I wish Brother Ning a journey where you find what you want to do, meet the people you want to see, and live the rest of your life like the wind, in complete freedom."

"This horse is my gift to you. Let's part ways here, until we meet again."

With that, he pulled the reins, "Giddy up," and slowly headed down the road.

"Go, Brother Ning, don't follow me. My path and yours are ultimately different. Go find your own path."

His steady, deep voice echoed from the front, resonating under the moonlight.

Ning Feng's steps halted again. He watched the young man gradually disappear into the moonlit distance, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

"Mister—will we meet again?"

"A leaf floats back to the sea, where in life do we not meet? If fate allows, we will meet again. If not, we can still share the sun and moon. As long as Brother Ning doesn't forget Xu, whether we meet or not makes no difference—"

"Mister's words, Ning Feng will remember. Mister, take care."

Xu Qingzhou raised his right hand high, waving it towards the sky. The moonlight was bright, the insects chirped softly, and the young man was carefree.

Xu Qingzhou couldn't ride a horse, but fortunately, the horse knew the way.

He patted his waist, and a bottle of apricot blossom wine fell into his hand. He opened the seal, the rich fragrance spreading, and took a sip.

Feeling the evening breeze pass through his fingertips, Xu Qingzhou was in high spirits, so he raised his head, lifted the bottle high, and recited aloud.

"Don't listen to the sound of the wind and rain through the forest, just hum a tune and walk slowly."

"A bamboo staff and straw sandals are lighter than a horse."

"Who's afraid?"

"A cloak of mist and rain, live life as it comes."

"The chilly spring breeze sobers the wine."

"A bit cold!"

"The slanting sunlight on the mountain welcomes me—"

His bold and heroic voice was full of the spirit of the martial world, his courage soaring to the sky.

The night echoed with the sound, stirring thoughts within.

Ning Feng stood still for a long time, until the echo faded and the mountains and fields returned to silence, before coming back to his senses.

His gaze turned towards the direction of Jiangnan, for a long time—

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"Jiangnan, is it? Since Mister mentioned it, I shall go and see. See what kind of scenery Mister praises in Jiangnan."

He left, discarding the sword he used for killing, leaving this place, bidding farewell to Linfeng, and also bidding farewell to the past.

Ning Feng was destined to be changed by Xu Qingzhou's appearance, no longer the Ning Feng of old.

"Just do good deeds, don't ask about the future. Mister's words, Ning Feng will remember..."

Note: The poems are all ancient poetry, and the protagonist did not plagiarize. After all, for a scholar, it's better to say it's borrowed—