Chapter 103: Brimming with Confidence

The night had grown quiet. When alone, one inevitably feels a lingering melancholy, so much so that even the thought of speaking fades away. To Han Tanyi, talking to oneself carried an odd, almost unsettling air. Yet this was of little consequence now. Three years ago, he might have been frightened, but faced with his current plight, he could only offer a faint smile—as if that simple gesture could mask the sorrow deep within.

The sword remained firmly in his grasp. The two characters inscribed on its blade—“Clear Swan”—evoked a sense of accepting life and death. More precisely, they should be read as “Light Swan.” Concepts like “weightier than Mount Tai” held no meaning for him; “lighter than a feather” was far more fitting. With this thought, Han Tanyi’s hand slowly traced the exquisitely crafted scabbard, his movements deliberate and measured, each inch caressed with a heavy heart. Upon reaching the sword’s pommel, a reluctance gripped him, but he forced himself to touch the hilt.

The blade slashed through the air. Indeed, the Clear Swan was no ordinary sword. As it left its sheath, it emitted a radiant glow far brighter than any lantern, almost piercing to the eyes. At that moment, Han Tanyi let out a soft, sudden laugh. What thoughts stirred within him, even he could not say. After a brief silence, he pushed the sword forward sharply, then drew it back with equal swiftness. Slowly, the young man seated himself atop the table, gazing at the remnants of wine in his cup. An impulse to reach for the wine jar surged within him, yet just as his hand neared its mouth, he withdrew it abruptly. His mind involuntarily recalled Shui Linglong’s words.

Flower Butterfly had once been the woman closest to his heart—at least until he met Shui Linglong. His feelings had never wavered before, but now, in light of recent events, he could try to sever all ties with the past. Unaware of the truth before, it might have been possible. But now that he knew, letting go was far more difficult. His eyes returned to the sword’s blade, and he muttered softly, “Han Tanyi, Han Tanyi—what fault lies with Flower Butterfly that she must meet someone like you? Well, since this matter began with me, I owe her an explanation. If I cannot avoid it, then I won’t. Fate is fate; how can one escape it?”

Suddenly rising, Han Tanyi strode swiftly toward the door, sword in hand, his steps resolute. In an instant, only the sharp sound of the door closing remained. The lanterns still burned bright—perhaps fueled by his restless heart, he had neglected to extinguish them. Their faint glow seeped through the cracks at the front of the house, uncertain whether it could illuminate the path this youth was destined to walk.

The Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion retained its familiar appearance. Though the night had deepened and a chill crept in, lending a coldness even to this illusion, the patrons within seemed oblivious. The atmosphere remained fiery, with wine cups raised high and spirits soaring. This was a place for indulgence and pleasure; no one wished to be drowned in futile escape like a drunken madman. Moreover, the Pavilion featured dazzling entertainments—dancing, singing—testaments to the genius business acumen of Autumn Thirteenth Lady.

Yet these things held little connection to the woman before us. Under Shui Linglong’s orders, she dared not defy. Two women sat together in a boudoir, gathered around a small table. Perhaps due to some distance from the main hall, the raucous noise beyond arrived muted and distant. The flickering candlelight bathed the room in a gentle gloom, blurring vision just enough to enrich the mood of drinking. Autumn Thirteenth Lady lifted the wine jug slowly, pouring with care, while Shui Linglong’s gaze lingered near the window, as if awaiting something.

“Master, you endured three years of hardship, traversing thousands of miles to find him here in the northern desert. Will you truly let him go so easily?” The question perhaps ought not to have been voiced by her. Autumn Thirteenth Lady understood this well. Yet some matters, once spoken aloud, are hard to bear. Besides, she was a woman, and faced with such doubts, she instinctively wished to put herself in the other’s shoes—wondering what she would do. Her voice remained low, though after all these years apart, the image of the former Shui Lianhua still lingered deeply in her heart. Compared to her, Shui Linglong appeared far more composed, her expression calm. She lifted the cup slowly, taking a small sip. Remarkably, the wine, in this northern desert’s stark environment, brought a rare warmth that spread swiftly through her body, chasing away the chill.

“Thirteenth Lady, though I once held a superior-inferior position over you, I always felt we were more like friends, like sisters. Do you know why?” Setting down her cup, Shui Linglong’s eyes brightened with a smile directed at Autumn Thirteenth Lady. This caught the latter off guard, stirring a flutter of nervousness within her. That smile and those words ignited an uneasy tension—after all, although she now called herself Shui Linglong, the notorious title of the “Demoness Shui Lianhua” was no baseless rumor. Autumn Thirteenth Lady understood all too well that the past was clouded by misunderstandings, but regardless, Shui Lianhua was known for her stubborn temperament and peculiar character. Thus, an instinctive fear welled up inside her. To make matters worse, Shui Linglong paused deliberately, seemingly intent on unsettling her further. Unsure how to respond, Autumn Thirteenth Lady remained silent, her gaze fixed on her companion, as if awaiting continuation. Fortunately, the pause was brief; otherwise, she might have been driven to despair.

“You see, our personalities share some similarities—we both refuse to yield easily. Besides, I spent nearly three years searching for this man. How could I possibly let him slip through my fingers so readily?”

In the dim light, wine and beauty combined to create an irresistible allure. Shui Linglong’s face was exceptionally delicate, rivaled by few. As she finished speaking, she lifted the cup and drained it in one smooth motion. The rising aroma of wine flushed her cheeks with a rosy glow, adding an unexpected charm. Her features seemed even more captivating. Not only men but even Autumn Thirteenth Lady herself felt her heart quicken, caught between admiration and an undeniable pang of jealousy. After all, she was a woman, and such feelings were only natural.

“Then why did you let him go so easily?” The question lingered, but Shui Linglong hesitated, uncertain how to proceed. She did not know exactly what had transpired within that room, only able to speculate through a woman’s intuition. Perhaps the uncertainty of her thoughts, or a sense of embarrassment, made her pause, taking a sip of wine to mask her discomfort.

“Because I know Han Tanyi will come!” At that moment, her eyes drifted toward the window. Whether by design or chance, the window was set quite low, and the table close by. From where Shui Linglong sat, she could lean her head and see the street corner beyond. Faintly, a figure seemed to emerge from the end of the street. Of course, in the darkness, details were obscure; it might have been an illusion. But what did it matter?

“No matter how long he tries to evade others—even for a thousand years—can he truly escape himself? The name Han Tanyi has always been with him. His so-called resolve was merely futile avoidance. Escape is only temporary, never eternal. He is destined to be himself again. Besides, despite his cold exterior, this man’s heart is warm. He always thinks of others; how could he abandon those who suffer because of him? Thirteenth Lady, I’ll make a bet with you: before tonight is over, he will come to me of his own accord!”

“I wouldn’t dare bet against you. Since I met you, your wagers have never failed. Thirteenth Lady is no fool; she knows when not to gamble!” Whether intimidated by Shui Linglong’s confidence or acknowledging her reputation as an unbeatable gambler, Autumn Thirteenth Lady hastened to wave off the suggestion. Fortunately, Shui Linglong’s cup was now empty, giving her a convenient pretext. The fragrance of the wine was rich and clear, and as the jug hovered over the cup, the scene became all the more vivid.

“I’m no expert at betting,” Shui Linglong said, “so why not take this chance and let me keep you company for a while longer?”