Legend of The Frost Blade - Chapter 17

Since Jiang Feng was not in the manor, Murong Ai and Yan Qingqiu divided the various chores between them. Although Yan Qingqiu came from a noble family, he had spent several years in Jianghu and was not delicate; Murong Ai, having gone through significant changes, was naturally different from other young masters. Each did their own tasks, handling everything neatly and without chaos.

When Feng Bo left home with the dog Xiao Hui for company, Yan Qingqiu took Da Huang up the mountain to check the traps. During the day, they had good luck, catching a few unlucky wild rabbits and goats, which were all handed over to Murong Ai as ingredients.

Murong Ai, skilled with a sword, was also quite adept with a kitchen knife. In a few swift moves, the hare was gutted, cleaned, and skinned, placed on the stove, seasoned with green onions, ginger, and salt from the kitchen, and coated with a thick layer of oil. Roasting it over the fire, the aroma was rich and enticing, making Da Huang wag its tail eagerly, drooling.

Once the rabbit was cooked, Murong Ai cut a piece and handed it to Yan Qingqiu with a silent smile. Yan Qingqiu, seeing his confident expression, chewed carefully and found it tender and flavorful, genuinely delicious. Greatly impressed, he sincerely praised Murong Ai, who, delighted, brought out some Shaojiu to pour. The two of them ate the entire rabbit, and also devoured some delicious steamed corn buns made by Jiang Feng, feeling truly satisfied!

Yan Qingqiu smiled: “I must be one of the few in Jianghu with such good fortune, to be able to eat rabbit cooked by the ‘Demon Blade’. If I told others, how many would believe it?”

Murong Ai, while tossing the remaining bones to Da Huang replied: “Most people in the Jianghu likely want to eat my flesh, not interested in my cooking skills in the slightest. Juechen should understand that being able to cook for those close to me is a fortunate thing for me. I didn’t get to show filial piety to my parents back then, and now Feng Bo is my only family. Although he is old, if I have to cook for him, it’s better that I take care of myself well enough so he doesn’t have to worry. Therefore, only Juechen can enjoy my craftsmanship in this world. Today’s meal has deeply comforted me.”

Yan Qingqiu was moved, and without saying much, simply raised a cup to Murong Ai, feeling warmth in his heart.

The next day, as promised, Feng Bo returned. With the New Year approaching, he sold the animal skins and mountain goods for a good price and bought two large bags of miscellaneous items, which he carried on the horse’s back. Upon careful inspection, they found ten pounds of flour, some incense and yellow paper, and some roasted pork head meat and firecrackers wrapped in red paper. These items were neatly arranged in the courtyard, bringing a festive atmosphere to the once desolate manor.

Seeing Murong Ai playing with the two dogs, Feng Bo pulled a cloth bag from his pocket and quietly handed it to Yan Qingqiu, whispering: “Gongzi, this old one searched the whole town for the Qin strings you mentioned. I could only get them from a private tutor, and I’m afraid they may not be suitable, but it’s the best I could do.”

Yan Qingqiu smiled, “Many thanks. Finding these in such a remote town is no easy feat. Once I have them adjusted, I’ll teach Da Ge to play again.”

Feng Bo grinned, nodding repeatedly.

That night, Yan Qingqiu retrieved the Qin from the secret place where Murong Ai had hidden it and put on the strings. Although the strings were not the best, the Qin was no ordinary instrument. In a secluded spot, Yan Qingqiu tightened the tuning pegs and gently plucked the strings, hearing a faint dragon-like sound. Overjoyed, he carefully tuned it, planning to present it to Murong Ai during the New Year festivities.

Murong Ai’s next detoxification session was on the second day of the Lunar New Year. In the meantime, he spent the next few days meditating and regulating his breath, while also helping Feng Bo clean several rooms in the courtyard, preparing for the New Year’s Eve ancestor worship and banquet.

After two detoxification sessions, Murong Ai’s health had improved significantly. He had some internal medicine for injuries with him, but due to the severity of his injuries and the potency of the medicine, he had been cautious about taking too much. Now, he gradually added some to his food, and the effect was immediate, restoring a portion of his inner strength. In the blink of an eye, the 30th day of the Lunar Year arrived, and Murong Ai, although still dressed in black, no longer appeared haggard and looked much like he did before being injured.

After noon, the sky turned cloudy, and snowflakes began to fall gently, soon forming a thin layer on the ground.

Feng Bo then opened the large house where Liu Tenglong had lived, took out the ancestral tablets of the Liu Clan, and respectfully arranged them. He also set up the incense burner and offerings in order.

Although Yan Qingqiu was of a different surname, due to his sworn brotherhood with Murong Ai, he joined him in the ancestral worship.

On the incense table, eight ancestral tablets were arranged in order of hierarchy, representing the Liu Clan’s ancestors and their spouses. The names Liu Yun, Liu Ji, Liu Tenglong, Liu Congfeng, and Liu Jiaqi were listed on the black lacquered plaques, but there was no tablet for the fourth-generation member Liu Baozhi. However, considering that he died young before coming of age, it was understandable.

For over twenty years, Fuyue Manor had been silent and deserted, with only an elderly servant still lingering there. The bleakness of the annual rituals was evident. After two decades, the sole surviving bloodline of the Liu Clan returned to their ancestral home. Despite only offering coarse cured meat, mountain goods, and Shaojiu, with no formal ritual texts, it was still an authentic Liu Clan ceremony. Feng Bo stood in the corner, acting as the master of ceremonies. Seeing Murong Ai holding the incense with a solemn face, he couldn’t help but shed tears in every direction, his voice choking with emotion during the ritual.

Yan Qingqiu stood beside Murong Ai. Though there were no tear stains on Murong Ai’s face, his eyes were not as cold as usual. His kneeling and bowing were solemn and respectful, no longer displaying any arrogance or domineering aura.

After the ritual, the three of them burned yellow paper. In the swirling smoke, Murong Ai looked up at the ancestral tablets on the incense table, standing still and silent like a wooden statue for a long time. Yan Qingqiu noticed his hand, resting on his knee, clenched into a tight fist, which made him deeply sad—knowing Murong Ai’s character, such an emotional display would not occur unless the pain was extreme.

At the ceremony’s conclusion, Feng Bo wiped his tears and went into the kitchen to prepare the New Year’s dinner. Murong Ai and Yan Qingqiu stayed in the main house, watching the last few embers in the brazier extinguish. Yan Qingqiu said to Murong Ai: “Today is New Year’s, a time to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. We should celebrate with joy and not be overly sad. Please, Da Ge, take comfort.”

Murong Ai smiled and replied: “Thank you, Juechen, for your kind words. Because of me, you have been stuck in this desolate place, unable to reunite with your family. With no news these past days, I fear those in Jinling may be worried.”

Yan Qingqiu said: “I roam Jianghu, and at home, only my elder brother thinks of me. Occasionally, I act recklessly, and it’s enough to apologize afterward. When Da Ge’s health improves, I can return and assure my family of my safety.”

Murong Ai looked at his smiling face and said: “Juechen’s friendship is so profound that there is no way I can repay it.”

Yan Qingqiu’s eyes suddenly sparkled with mischief, and he smiled: “If Da Ge wishes to repay me, do you remember the promise you made before?”

Murong Ai frowned slightly, while Yan Qingqiu went to the next room and brought out the Yaoqin. Uncovering the cloth, seven icy strings were gleaming on it. Yan Qingqiu presented the Qin and said: “Earlier, Da Ge was unwilling to play the Qin, claiming that the strings were broken and you didn’t want to replace them. You said that if they could be replaced, you would be willing to play a duet with me. Are you still willing to keep that promise now?”

Murong Ai placed his hands on the Qin, but did not speak.

Yan Qingqiu then softly said: “The Qin only had broken strings, and replacing them allows it to sound again. If the Qin can be restored, how much more can other things be? Although you carry deep grudges and have been framed, you have finally returned here. It shows that karma exists in the unseen world, and one must face it. No matter what plans Da Ge has, there will be a day when your wishes are fulfilled.”

Murong Ai’s hands trembled slightly. After looking into Yan Qingqiu’s pitch-black eyes, he finally took the Qin and placed it on a low table by the window, gently plucking a few strings.

Yan Qingqiu approached, and Murong Ai turned his head to glance at him, pressing the strings for a moment before finally beginning to play. Yan Qingqiu listened carefully; it was a piece called 《Liu Shui》. He took out his long flute from his waist and joined in.

Outside the window, snowflakes were falling gently, while inside, the music flowed continuously. Murong Ai felt as if the flute sound was whispering in his ear, and every movement of his fingers brought out the zither’s notes, intertwining with the flute. A smile spread across his lips, and warmth filled his entire being.

Feng Bo emerged from the kitchen, and upon hearing the faint sound of the Qin and flute, his tears, which had stopped, welled up again.

As evening approached, the snow intensified. After setting off firecrackers, the pure white ground was dotted with fragments of red, creating a beautiful scene.

Feng Bo toiled for two hours, preparing several large dishes and roasting a whole lamb, also warming two jars of Shaojiu. Feeling unusually joyous, he drank heavily and became quite drunk. Yan Qingqiu and Murong Ai, knowing his loneliness for twenty years, did not stop him and instead drank freely with him. Feng Bo, not being a heavy drinker, soon started to cry and laugh after a few cups. He spoke proudly of the Liu Clan’s past prosperity and then wailed about their downfall. Seeing Murong Ai worship the ancestors and play the Qin, he wept tears of joy. After such an emotional rollercoaster, he finally succumbed to the effects of the alcohol and fell asleep on the table.

Murong Ai and Yan Qingqiu exchanged smiles, carried Feng Bo to his bedroom to settle him in, and then slowly continued to drink.

The table in the room was already in disarray, with dishes and cups scattered everywhere, and half of a fat lamb still roasting on the fire pit. Murong Ai moved the wine pot and large bowls over, spread two animal skins, and sat on the floor with Yan Qingqiu. They used a dagger to carve the lamb meat while encouraging each other to drink with toasts.

Both of them were already mildly intoxicated, so they drank with even less restraint than before. When Murong Ai was in high spirits, he laughed loudly, a stark contrast to the somber and strange demeanor he had when they first met, showing much more vitality. Yan Qingqiu felt relieved and said: “If Da Ge can be like this often, Xiaodi will be at ease.”

Murong Ai smiled, filled a bowl with wine for him, and said: “In these twenty years, only today have I been able to let myself go. Juechen has done the greatest merit and deserves to be honored.”

Yan Qingqiu drank, then heard Murong Ai say: “When I first met you, Juechen, I was thoroughly disillusioned with people in the martial world, thinking that if they weren’t hypocrites, they were true villains. I never imagined that someone like you would genuinely become friends with me. Sometimes I wonder how someone as burdened with debts as I am can jeopardize Juechen’s innocence?”

For the first time, Yan Qingqiu heard a hint of self-doubt in Murong Ai’s voice and quickly placed his hand on Murong Ai’s right hand, trying to comfort him. Unexpectedly, Murong Ai held his hand instead and continued: “I suppose you know my temperament, Juechen. Having gone through so much, I can no longer interact with others like a normal person. However, I believe in one thing: if someone treats me with genuine sincerity, I will treat them with genuine sincerity in return. No matter what happens in the future, Juechen, you must trust me.”

Yan Qingqiu only felt that Murong Ai’s grip was extremely strong, unlike that of a drunken person. He knew that Murong Ai’s heartfelt confession was driven partly by the influence of alcohol and partly by the revival of the Yaoqin. Yan Qingqiu felt that his efforts were not in vain and was genuinely happy. He said to Murong Ai: “During these days we’ve spent together, others say that Da Ge is cold and unfeeling, but I know that you are actually deeply emotional and loyal. It’s just that you are inherently proud and unconventional. Even if you are misunderstood, you don’t bother to explain. People with honest and passionate hearts, whether in love or hate, feel more intensely than others……for Xiaodi to have formed such a deep and sincere friendship with Da Ge is my greatest fortune in three lifetimes.”

The two of them went back and forth, their ears warm from intoxication, both about seventy to eighty percent drunk.

Murong Ai looked at Yan Qingqiu, noticing that his face was flushed from the alcohol, his fair skin glowing like peach blossoms. The red light from the hearth made his dark hair shine like a cloud, subtly shimmering. His previously unremarkable appearance now looked incredibly pleasing with a slight smile, like a pear blossom in spring.

Murong Ai did not release Yan Qingqiu’s hand, only feeling his palm getting hotter. Unable to resist, he pulled Yan Qingqiu into his arms and ran his other hand through his hair, saying: “I’ve always wanted to touch your hair, Juechen… I used to think you were refined and elegant, but I didn’t understand why you were called a romantic until I saw how gentle and attentive you were with Biyao. Today, touching your long hair, I truly realize —the elegance and charm of Feihua Gongzi can only be truly appreciated by those who are intimately close.”

Yan Qingqiu’s alcohol tolerance was not as high as Murong Ai’s. Normally, he would find such intimate gestures inappropriate, but now, nearly drunk, he twisted his neck like a house cat and snickered twice.

Murong Ai’s heart stirred, and he buried his face in Yan Qingqiu’s hair, taking a deep breath. The heat on his face seemed to gain a life of its own, rushing straight to his lower abdomen. Being taller and stronger than Yan Qingqiu, Murong Ai’s embrace caused Yan Qingqiu, who was weak and soft, to collapse onto the ground.

Murong Ai saw Yan Qingqiu’s eyes filled with a dreamy haze, his face as delicate as a lotus. Unable to control himself, Murong Ai cupped Yan Qingqiu’s face in his hands and kissed him gently all over.

Yan Qingqiu, being accustomed to the world of romance, was no stranger to such intimate situations. However, in his drunken state, he could no longer distinguish whether the person embracing him was a delicate, fragrant jade or a man. The surge of emotions was overwhelming, like a landslide or tsunami, unstoppable. Moreover, the two were already well-acquainted, with deep feelings for each other, leaving no room for rejection.

Thus, on this New Year’s night, though it was freezing cold outside, the warmth inside was palpable. The charcoal in the brazier crackled faintly, and the occasional gasps of breath stirred the soul. The flickering flames cast their intertwined shadows on the wall, like light ink painting a secretive silhouette.

Time passed unnoticed as the charcoal gradually burned out, and the room dimmed.

Murong Ai and Yan Qingqiu, like two naked infants, huddled together under animal skins, their bodies pressed close, their breaths intertwined, sleeping peacefully. As dawn approached, the cold grew more intense, bringing them even closer together. Yet, they remained uncertain of how they would face each other upon waking……

FOOTNOTES

Objects

Shaojiu: Refers to “distilled liquor” or “spirits” in Chinese. It is a strong alcoholic beverage made through the process of distillation, and it is known for its high alcohol content.

Other

Liu Shui: Trnaslates to “Flowing Water”.

Delicate, fragrant jade: The idiom “软玉温香” translates to:”Soft jade and gentle fragrance,” used metaphorically to describe someone, often a woman, who is delicate, attractive, and exudes a gentle charm.