Finest Servant

Chapter 439 The Death of a Robust Man

The melody was crisp, akin to the gentle fall of pearls on a jade plate, serene and ethereal, as if sounds from beyond the heavens were cleansing the soul. Ning Yuxi stood on the cliff in her ethereal white robes. Moonlight graced her pale, beautiful cheeks, her demeanor as profound as the heavens and the earth themselves. Lin Wanrong stood close to her, listening to her soft singing and felt a sudden surge of tranquility. Listening to this celestial music amid soaring clouds was perhaps the happiest moment of his life. In that instant, the clamor of the mundane world seemed to have distanced itself from him.

As the melody came to an end, Ning Yuxi was thoroughly absorbed in the splendid ambiance she had created. A light mist appeared in her eyes as she stood silently, serene in her countenance.

"Beautifully sung, beautifully sung," a playful voice chimed in beside her. "I never knew that even a fairy like you would sing ballads. I haven't heard any in a long while. The last I heard was in Jinling, the song was either 'Seventeen Touches' or 'Nineteen Touches.' I've read so much lately that I've forgotten."

"It’s 'Eighteen Touches,'" Ning Yuxi, still engrossed in the celestial atmosphere she had created, vaguely heard him and casually replied.

"Ah yes, 'Eighteen Touches,'" Lin Wanrong chuckled. "I never knew that the tune was so famous, even you remember it clearly. I wonder if you would grace us with a few verses."

Realizing the impropriety of her own words, Ning Yuxi hurriedly let out an internal curse, a tinge of blush spreading across her cheeks. Lin San's casual comment had shattered the serene atmosphere, as if she had fallen from a celestial realm back into the worldly dust. The feeling infuriated her.

"If you speak again, I will cut off your tongue," Ning Yuxi glared at him, infuriated.

"Even without a tongue, I would speak," Lin Wanrong shook his head and sighed. "This mountain peak is so high and cold, perpetually shrouded in mist. Apart from us, there’s not even a shadow to be found. Asking me not to speak is like asking me to jump off this cliff."

"Then go ahead and speak," Ning Yuxi replied indifferently. "I hope you still find such enthusiasm ten years from now."

The comment struck a nerve with Lin Wanrong. Being a jovial man, the idea of spending a lifetime on this desolate peak was worse than death to him. Ning Yuxi knew his temperament well; her single remark had effectively deflated his spirit.

The peak soared high, far removed from worldly concerns, where years and months had no meaning. Only the moonlight, pure as water, and the deepening night sky indicated the ceaseless cycles of days and months. Silence fell between the two, giving Lin Wanrong an opportunity to take in the sights around the peak.

The mountain occupied a vast expanse, its surface punctuated by jagged rocks of varying heights. Hidden within were expanses of forests, bamboo and pine trees with deep roots and flourishing branches. Between the rocks and in the forest, the ground was covered in blooming flowers. Many were nameless, far surpassing the flora of the valleys below in their vibrant colors.

Close to the forest, a natural cave formed on the rocky face, its depths unfathomable. Beside the cave was a green lake, its water clear and pure. Bubbles emerged from the middle, suggesting a lively spring beneath. Warm mist rose steadily from the lake’s surface.

Hot springs? Lin Wanrong was overjoyed at the sight and hurried toward the spring. He was quick, but someone was even quicker. Before he had taken more than a few steps, a whoosh of wind passed by his ear. Fairy Ning darted forward like a bolt of lightning, her face filled with delight. Yet, she stopped as she reached the edge of the spring.

‘Could it be that the fairy wants to bathe with me?’ He chuckled and caught up to her. Testing the water, he found the surface to be slightly hot, while the depths were comfortably lukewarm.

"Angelica, Seven-Leaf Orchid, Honeysuckle, Mandrake—" He looked at the abundance of rare herbs spread all around them. Fairy Ning couldn't contain her happiness and picked one. Just as she was about to sniff it, a loud 'plop' echoed—like something heavy had fallen into the water.

Startled, she saw a pile of clothes scattered not far away. Circles of ripples were spreading slowly across the water, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

‘Where is Lin San?’ Her heart tightened. She scanned her surroundings, but it was eerily silent, and he was nowhere in sight. Just as she was about to call out for him, a head surfaced from the water. Shaking off the droplets from his hair, Lin Wanrong smiled and waved, "Sister, I'm here."

Half of Lin Wanrong's body was submerged, the mist from the hot springs enveloping him. His muscular arms were visible, and he looked extremely pleased with himself.

Fairy Ning shot him a glance, her face flushed. She turned the flower in her hand into a gust of wind that she aimed directly at him. "You shameless man, undressing in front of a lady. Do you think I won't kill you?"

"Whether you kill me is up to you, but whether I undress is my decision. Being good at undressing has always been one of my strong suits." The vibrant flower barely missed his ear. Rubbing his reddened ear, Lin Wanrong chuckled, "The water is really warm. Fairy Sister, why don't you join me? I can give you a massage."

Amidst the red and green plants, by the hot spring, and with a muscular man adorned with wildflowers—the situation was indeed bizarre. Fairy Ning's face reddened further. She angrily scoffed and kicked his clothes into the water. "This is a paradise, an earthly Eden. Its beauty is ruined by shameless, disrespectful men like you!"

Avoiding eye contact with his bare upper body, she quickly skirted around the hot spring and headed toward a cave. Lin Wanrong wiped off the water droplets from his hair and laughed, "We are born into this world bare, and I have merely returned to my original state. What is there to be ashamed of? We are alone here, a man and a woman, in primeval chaos like when Pangu created the world. Why bother with norms and shame? Why not return to our origins together? Hey, hey, Fairy Sister, don't walk so fast, I'm afraid of the dark!"

Ignoring him, Fairy Ning continued into the cave, not looking back once. Lin Wanrong splashed some spring water onto his face, feeling waves of comfort wash over him. ‘Fairy Sister is highly skilled in martial arts; she must have gone in to eliminate demons and protect me. How virtuous, how virtuous.’

Since he had arrived at this secluded peak, there seemed to be no immediate way down. He consoled himself with the thought that it was a sort of hot spring vacation, complete with the company of a beautiful fairy. He was always good at comforting himself, and after the initial phase of hesitation, he became more resolute.

He soaked in the hot spring, closing his eyes and catching some sleep. Refreshed, he meticulously washed the clothes that the fairy had tossed aside. He thought to himself, ‘Although I have reached a state of being one with nature, Fairy Ning has yet to realize this. If I go bare and she does not, that would be unfair to me. Better put my clothes back on.’

He slipped his still-damp clothes back on, and the mountain wind raised goosebumps all over his body. He sneezed a few times and grumbled, “I must enlighten you, and together we will progress to the primitive society.”

By the hot spring’s edge, in the forest, bamboo shoots had sprouted, and several bamboo trees from last year had grown quite robust. Feeling discontented, he forcefully uprooted a green bamboo and headed toward the cave, swinging it around.

The stone cave was ancient and tranquil, its walls smooth. Stalactites dripped slowly, exuding a serene scent. Walking further in, he noticed dim light emanating from up ahead. As he approached, he saw Ning Yuxi sitting cross-legged on a stone bench, her eyes slightly closed. An ancient-looking oil lamp flickered on a stone table, while a bonfire burned robustly a few feet away.

"Fairy Sister, where did you find this lamp and firewood?" He eagerly approached the bonfire. Given her martial prowess, Ning Yuxi had no need for a fire—clearly, she had prepared it for him.

"Can't you see for yourself? This cave has been inhabited many years ago. All these were left by them," Ning Yuxi responded indifferently. Lin Wanrong surveyed the room. There were tables, chairs, beds, as well as farming tools and a pestle for grinding medicine in one corner.

People had indeed been here, Lin Wanrong nodded. Whoever had been on this peak before must have been an herbalist. Not only had they set up iron chains but had also lived here for a long time, even if the traces had now mostly faded away.

Sitting by the bonfire, steam rose from his damp clothes, making him feel cozy but uncomfortable. Yet, with the fairy so close by, even this shameless man didn't dare disrobe in her presence. He fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat.

Ning Yuxi's face turned a slight shade of red. She stood up to leave, but Lin Wanrong, alarmed, quickly grabbed her sleeve. "Sister, where are you going? Please don’t leave; I’m scared to be here alone!"

‘As if I’d believe that!’ Ning Yuxi’s face flushed even more. She smiled slightly and broke free from his grasp, handing him her precious sword. "If you're afraid, use this for protection. But be careful, don't hurt yourself—and if you do, make sure I don't see it. Also, don't leave this stone chamber; otherwise, if something happens, no one can save you."

‘What do you mean? You want to kill someone for this?’ Lin Wanrong was stunned for a moment. Fairy Ning shoved her precious sword into his hand and disappeared around a corner before he could say anything more. He was used to her aloof nature by now. With her martial skills, no one could harm her, and the sword would be more useful in his hands anyway.

Ning Yuxi had deliberately left him alone. The stone chamber was now his domain. He took off his damp clothes and hung them by the fire to dry, then lay on the stone bed and sighed contentedly. The events of tonight felt as unbelievable as a myth. Having survived life-or-death situations only to be trapped on a remote peak, he found himself strangely content, especially with the company of such a heavenly beauty. He thought to himself, ‘I've got time to kill. In a situation like this—just the two of us and a roaring fire—if nothing happens, it'd be a real shame.’

He chuckled lewdly, his mind wandering. His gaze fell upon a few slender bamboo stalks in the corner. He jumped off the bed, drew Ning Yuxi's precious sword with a swoosh, and felt its chilling blade against his skin. What a sword, what a sword, he thought. He blew on it a few times, and with a swift motion, he chopped the bamboo into several sections. The bamboo had grown for many years and was as thick as an adult's forearm, but under the blade, it was cut as easily as if it were rotten wood. Remembering how he had nearly lost his life that night, Lin Wanrong unconsciously touched his neck.

After skillfully trimming the bamboo sections, he sighed deeply, sweat appearing on his forehead. Such delicate work was exhausting. More than half an hour had passed, his clothes were dry, but the fairy had not returned.

Could she have been eaten by wolves? he worried. Dropping the bamboo on the ground, he quickly donned his clothes and, holding the sword Fairy Ning had left behind, he headed out. The path was quiet; not a sound could be heard. His concern growing, Lin Wanrong gripped the sword tightly and quickened his pace.

Reaching the entrance of the cave, he found it partially blocked by a pile of loose stones, about knee-high. This wasn't the case when he had entered. Lin Wanrong felt his heart tighten. He leapt onto the pile and yelled, "Fairy Sister, where are you?"

"Stay away!" A frantic voice came from outside the cave. Lin Wanrong recognized it as Ning Yuxi's.

Could it be that some rogue was harassing her? Drawing his sword, Lin Wanrong shouted righteously, "Sister, don't worry! I'm coming to save you—ouch!"

As he hurried toward the mouth of the cave, his foot sank into the pile of stones. It was a trap, set deliberately with a few dry twigs as a disguise. His feet plunged into the stones up to his knees, the jagged edges scraping his legs painfully. As he screamed, he opened his eyes and was struck dumb by the sight before him.

The hot spring was enveloped in mist, where an incredibly beautiful woman bathed, her radiant face and snowy neck submerged in the water, and her long hair trailing down into the pool. Her skin was as delicate as jade, her shoulders as smooth as silk, and her ample chest mostly submerged in the spring. The water seemed to hesitate around her, as if unwilling to flow past such beauty. The mist made her cheeks flush red. Her expression was a mixture of embarrassment, annoyance, and an indescribable allure that words couldn't capture.

"Sister, I did it on purpose—ah, no, no, I didn't mean to!" Lin Wanrong's eyes were fixed on the beautiful sight before him, to the point that he even forgot the pain in his legs.

"Turn away now!" Ning Yuxi let out a desperate cry, hurriedly submerging her bare shoulders into the water.

"My legs are stuck; I can't move!" Lin Wanrong chuckled smugly to himself. Good heavens, if this was a trap, he would gladly fall into a hundred more like it.

"Cover your eyes!" Ning Yuxi spat out through gritted teeth. She had set this trap to ward off wolves, never expecting it to become his excuse for inaction.

"Oh." Lin Wanrong obeyed, dutifully covering his eyes, although his fingers were spread wide apart.

"You scoundrel, I'll kill you!" Flustered and exasperated, Ning Yuxi could not hold back any longer. She pulled a jade hairpin from her hair and, with a flick of her wrist, hurled it through the air with a whooshing sound.

Lin Wanrong quickly ducked his head, feeling the force of the wind as the hairpin skimmed past his neck, leaving him drenched in cold sweat. Had he reacted a moment later, his neck would have been pierced. Clearly, Ning Yuxi was truly furious.

‘Uh-oh, she's not playing around anymore.’ Breaking into a cold sweat, Lin Wanrong somehow mustered the strength to free his legs from the crevice in the rock. He immediately turned and ran into the cave.

"I'll kill you, you thief!" Tears rolled down Ning Yuxi’s cheeks as she grabbed a handful of stones from the bottom of the pool. Channeling all her strength, she hurled them toward the cave entrance like a shower of stars. The stones smashed against the cave wall, each shattering to pieces, demonstrating the force behind her throw.

"Ahhh!" A bone-chilling scream echoed from the cave, followed by the sound of a body thudding to the ground.

Ning Yuxi paused, her hand still poised to throw more hidden weapons. She listened intently; the cave was deathly silent, not a sound to be heard.

"Think you can fool me by playing dead?" She gritted her teeth and unleashed another volley of hidden weapons, albeit with less force and speed this time.

Silence! No shrieks or cries, Lin Wanrong’s voice had vanished as if swallowed by ghosts, never to be heard again.

"You dare to play dead?" Ning Yuxi’s fingers trembled slightly, an inexplicable sense of dread washing over her. "Speak up, speak up now, or I swear I'll chop you into eighteen pieces!"

Despite her threats, the cave remained eerily quiet, offering no response. Her face turned pale, and she leapt gracefully from the pool, her flawless body appearing ethereal in the moonlight. She hastily draped her clothes over herself and rushed toward the cave's entrance.

As she peered into the cave, she froze. Lying at the entrance was a strapping figure with broad shoulders and a powerful chest. On his ear hung a wildflower she had gifted him; she would recognize this robust man even if he turned to ashes. He lay there motionless, as silent as the grave, utterly lifeless.

"You dare to deceive me!" Ning Yuxi’s face was as white as snow, and her heart felt empty. Her body wavered, and she leaned against the wall, tears streaming down her face. Her mind went blank, unable to think of anything else.

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