Chapter 106: A Good Person

Perhaps Qiu Shiniang had long yearned for such an ending. Yet, truthfully, the name Ji Ruxue possessed a more pleasant ring to it. One represented the past, the other the present; though they were the same person, they lived two distinct lives. Very well, this was what she desired in her heart. Thus, even now, with no smile on her face and not the slightest hesitation as she raised her wine cup, she still whispered a gentle "thank you." Shui Linglong merely offered a faint smile in response. She did not linger, for the person she awaited had already arrived, and to continue waiting here would be meaningless.

Inside the grand hall, Han Tanyi’s voice had already risen. Though he was some distance away and the specific words were unclear, his unique cadence was instantly recognizable. If there was any change, it was perhaps only the indelible weariness left by the passage of time. But that was of little consequence; men, after all, were often more appealing when they possessed a certain maturity.

"I knew you would come," was the first thing Shui Linglong said. Han Tanyi had been in the midst of conversation, seemingly inquiring about something, when he turned abruptly at the sound of her voice. His expression was one of shock. In truth, it was not just him; most men in the hall shared the same sentiment. The hall fell into a sudden, heavy silence, so profound that even the faint sound of swallowing could be heard. It was only natural—wherever a woman of such beauty walked, she would inevitably draw countless gazes. Under the soft lamplight, paired with the unreserved smile on her face, she possessed a truly bewitching quality that stirred an instinctive impulse in the hearts of those who saw her.

Unlike the others, however, Han Tanyi’s thoughts were far deeper. This was not their second meeting; he could never easily forget her masquerading as Shao Changchun, nor their recent encounter at the blacksmith shop. It was just that the first time he had been completely caught off guard, and the second time, the darkness had obscured his vision.

Han Tanyi had never imagined he would see her again. Even if such scenes had occasionally appeared in his dreams, he had never expected them to unfold in this manner. They stood a short distance apart, both seemingly lost in their own thoughts, neither making a move to close the gap. They simply gazed at one another, their eyes masking a strange, unspoken sentiment. They remained silent for a long moment, and then, almost simultaneously, both could not help but laugh. It felt as if two old friends had reunited, needing no words to convey what lay within their hearts.

Of course, they could not remain like this forever, lest others take them for madmen. After about a quarter of an hour, Shui Linglong slowly walked toward him. For some reason, the closer they drew, the more nervous Han Tanyi became. He found himself unable to meet her gaze, bowing his head slightly. Regardless of his internal state, in the eyes of the other men, he was surely an object of envy. Though the path was short, it felt to him as if it lasted an eternity, eventually becoming a form of torment. This awkwardness only abated when Shui Linglong’s voice reached his ears once more: "You have come for Flower Butterfly, haven't you? A man like you should not be wandering the pugilistic world. If you insist on being too much of a 'good man,' you will only end up hurting yourself."

Han Tanyi understood this well enough, even without her saying it. But being so close to her, his focus wavered. "Flower Butterfly" was indeed the reason he had come. He offered a wry, helpless smile, seemingly unwilling to deny her words. "They say the Blue Lotus Sect is a demonic cult, a group of cold-blooded killers. Who would have thought that someone like you, Shui Linglong, would possess such benevolence? By doing this, are you not also playing the part of a 'good person'? In the end, are you not afraid that you, too, will end up hurting yourself?"

Whether this retort was his genuine thought or a sudden whim, it struck a chord deep within Shui Linglong. Her deep-seated obsession was something she rarely noticed herself, but when questioned, she could not deny it. She fell silent, as if reflecting on these matters, before replying with a measured tone: "Perhaps you are right. But I am no good person. In truth, there is no clear boundary between good and evil. Just because you call something good, does that make it so? In the eyes of others, it might very well turn into evil."

"Just like the Blue Lotus Sect," Han Tanyi continued before she could finish. "In the eyes of the so-called righteous sects, it is a demonic cult. But is it truly? Perhaps in your eyes, those so-called righteous figures are nothing more than hypocrites who trade in fame and reputation."

These words seemed to reach her heart. The sternness in her expression softened, and the smile returned. "To think that you, the senior disciple of the Qilian Sect, could say such things. Back when you were in my sect, even in the face of life and death, you clung to your principles. Has three years truly been so miraculous as to change you this much?"

When she mentioned the Qilian Sect, Shui Linglong hesitated, a hint of concern crossing her features as if she had spoken out of turn. Yet, the words were already out. Han Tanyi instinctively looked toward the south—the direction of the Central Plains. Three years was a long time. It had changed his temperament, but it could not make him forget the past. Still, his expression remained natural. No matter how much regret there was in the past, it was gone. Since he could not return to it, nor change it, it was better to face it with equanimity.

"Han Tanyi is Han Tanyi, and I am who I am. Han Tanyi has not changed, and neither have I. If it is true after three years, it will be true after thirty. Why dwell on it? I simply wish to cast aside the past. By returning to the Central Plains this time, I am bidding farewell to those days. After all, Butterfly was implicated because of me. Once I rescue her from Shen Wansan and sever my ties with the Central Plains, I shall return to the Northern Desert. By then, there will be no more Han Tanyi, only Lao San, the blacksmith who works for his daily bread."

Whether these words were for her or a reminder to himself, even Han Tanyi was unsure. But Shui Linglong knew it was merely a way to deceive himself. If the past could be forgotten so easily, there would be no need for the aid of wine to escape reality. She kept these thoughts to herself; it was not something she could say to his face. If not for the mission she bore, perhaps she, too, would yearn for such a life—plain and simple. Life might be dull, but was that not what a true life should be?

"I have already prepared two fast horses. We leave tonight. Every moment of delay increases the unpredictability in the Central Plains, and Flower Butterfly will be in greater danger. Since you wish to sever the past—" She stopped, faltering. Some things were better left unsaid, even when understood. After a moment, she whispered, "Let us go."

The two stepped out of the Tianxiang Tower one after the other. Others could not understand their hearts, watching them leave with lingering regret until they vanished into the night. The sound of hoofbeats grew faint, then faded into the distance.

Inside, Qiu Shiniang drank alone. If one wanted to say goodbye to the past, one had to be thorough—it was better not to see certain people at all. Yet, when the sound of the horses disappeared completely, she felt an inexplicable urge. She ran toward the hall, perhaps swayed by the wine, her gait unsteady. It was futile; when she reached the door, the two were already gone. Feeling a sense of loss, she waved gently toward the direction of the Central Plains. As she turned back, she caught sight of a figure standing not far away, raising a wine flask in a silent toast toward the same direction. It was undoubtedly the "Drunken Madman." When their eyes met, both shared a knowing, wistful smile, their hearts finally in accord.