TheLazyDreamer
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76. A Tale Entwined
🕑 Added 2025-06-05 10:26:26 +0000 UTCThe cold winds of winter had brought many activities in the mortal world to a halt. Some villages lay nestled under thick blankets of snow, their inhabitants sustaining themselves from crops harvested in autumn. Those near the mountains survived by trading meat, furs, herbs, and special fruits with their neighbors. Here and there, a few children, bundled in thick fur coats, played joyfully in the snow, their laughter echoing in the crisp air. The roofs of the quaint houses were uniformly capped with white.
Against this serene backdrop, a couple walked along a snowy mountain path. The man possessed a light olive complexion and a tall, muscular build. His handsome features were framed by dark hair, and he wore a white and blue robe. The woman beside him was clad in a blue robe adorned with subtle cloud patterns, her ears graced by delicate green earrings. She was tall enough to reach his neck, and her emerald eyes were currently fixed on the distant mountain ranges, their peaks covered in pristine snow. The towering peaks soared skyward, brushed with gold and red as the evening sunlight bathed the slopes. Pines and bare branches pierced the snow, adding deep green and warm brown to the white canvas.
"Xi'er, do you like it?" Su Kang asked, his gaze gentle as it lingered on his wife.
The night before, after the clan meeting, she had asked about what had transpired. He hadn’t revealed the details of the spiritual herb harvest but had spoken of the newly discovered secret realm—and the likelihood that he would soon have to venture into it. Though she had bravely hidden her concern, he could sense the unease behind her composed expression. She understood his duty to the clan, yet the worry in her eyes had not escaped him. To erase those lingering anxieties and spend quiet time together, free from prying eyes, Su Kang had decided to bring her out of the Su estate to enjoy the serene beauty of winter.
"I have seen snow in winter before," she said, her voice a quiet murmur, "but I have never seen anything quite like this." Everything surrounding them was draped in perfect, silent white. In the distance, she could faintly hear mothers calling out to their children, urging them to return home as dusk approached.
"Then, do you want to spend the night here in the mountains or in the village?" he asked gently.
"Let's stay in the village," she answered after thoughtful consideration. "I want to see the morning light illuminating these mountains."
Su Kang nodded. They descended to the village, where he rented an empty courtyard. Many families had relocated eastward for the harshest part of winter, leaving trusted neighbors to look after their homes. Su Kang, with a generous offer, secured the best available dwelling—a two-story wooden house, small but adequate for their needs.
The villager, pleased by the hefty rent, departed swiftly, leaving the couple in privacy. The house came with a small enclosed garden, likely used for growing vegetables and herbs during warmer months. Su Kang retrieved an array plate from his storage ring and arranged an illusion formation around the house. To any passing villagers, the house would appear ordinary and unoccupied. After that, he took out a polished wooden table, a long bench, and a delicate teapot set, placing them in the snow-dusted garden before sitting down.
"Xi'er, let's watch the sunset from here," he gestured for her to join him. She sat beside him on the bench as he began to prepare the calming tea. Her gaze remained on him as she watched his movements. He soon passed her a steaming cup, the aroma of lotus seeds mingling with the crisp winter air.
Her attention turned to their surroundings. Villagers were returning to their homes, some carrying game from a day's hunt in the mountains. Soon, the sun would begin its descent. Life in this small village was simple, unburdened by the complexities and ambitions of the cultivation world. She yearned to see the broader world, to experience its wonders, but sometimes, she craved the quiet simplicity and peace like this.
At last, she accepted the tea, its warmth seeping into her palms. The delicate, calming flavor lingered on her tongue as she took a sip. They drank in silence, watching the sun paint the western sky in fiery hues before it began its slow descent behind the towering mountain peaks. She leaned into him, taking his right hand and resting it on her lap, then gently laid her head upon his shoulder. He responded by leaning his head against hers, a silent understanding passing between them.
"I won't be on the frontline during the realm exploration," Su Kang spoke softly, his palm tightening around her hand, seeking to ease her unspoken worries. "Cultivators from Heng State will likely participate. Our clan isn't aiming to secure the main resources this time; I'll simply gather what I can safely and then return. I won't take unnecessary risks."
"Husband, I am not worried," she murmured against his shoulder, her voice low but firm. "I understand you have your duties as a young master of your clan, and as your wife, I will support your decisions."
He chuckled softly. "Xi'er, you were never adept at hiding your emotions, but since our marriage, you seem to have lost even that ability. I can see your worries clearly." He paused, his tone growing earnest. "Xi'er, I am glad for your support, but you don't understand that you are my support. I want to see more of this world with you, experience countless more moments like these. I have no intention of taking any risk that might jeopardize my life, because I want to spend that life with you… so I will come back safely." He took her other hand, intertwining their fingers.
"And," he continued, a new thought sparking, "I was considering inviting Senior Zhu Zhihao to join the exploration. If she agrees, we could secure significant resources with far less risk. I don't know if she will accept, which is why I didn't mention it earlier." If Zhu Zhihao agreed, their expedition would have a formidable advantage. They could potentially be among the first to enter and would have a higher chance of obtaining valuable treasures before other factions even finished their preparations.
Listening to his words, she turned her face to him, a radiant smile filled with palpable relief blooming on her lips. “I am relieved and glad to hear that. I will speak to Yue Mei about this. You can leave the matter related to Senior Zhu to me," she spoke gently, then hugged him, happiness warming her heart at his reassurances.
Su Kang returned her embrace, kissing her forehead tenderly. “Sometimes I worry what I’m going to do with you at this rate,” he murmured, a hint of playful trouble in his voice. “I might stop seeking dangerous opportunities altogether.”
"Ah," she whispered, pulling back slightly to look into his eyes, a touch of apology in her own. "I am sorry. I will try to change my mentality. I am still working on my personality."
Looking at her earnest expression, he sighed, then smiled, shaking his head. “No, Xi'er, it’s fine. I would likely have done the same in your position. Moreover,” he cupped her face, his gaze tender, “your smiles are far more precious than cultivation resources. So, I shall protect them as well.”
"Then," she chuckled lightly, a mischievous spark returning to her eyes, "you will need to do something special if you want me to keep this precious smile tonight."
She immediately looked towards the mountains and the now almost vanished sun. "I want a bed. Right here in this garden. I will not go inside someone else’s house to sleep." She pointed decisively to an open space amidst the snow-dusted plants.
"As my wife wishes," he replied with an indulgent smile. He retrieved a comfortable bed from his storage ring and placed it where she had indicated. She stood, took his hand, and pulled him with her. Slipping under the covers, she drew him down beside her, snuggling close and burying her face in his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
"Tell me all your secrets. Everything about you,” she demanded in a low whisper, her voice muffled against his robe.
A flicker of panic touched his heart. For a breath, he froze—uncertain how much he could dare to share. “Xi'er, you know there are some secrets a cultivator cannot reveal, not even to their family,” he said carefully.
"I am not asking about cultivation secrets," she clarified, her voice firm yet gentle, her head still resting on his chest. "I want to know about your childhood. I have heard some things from Su Ting. I want to know about my husband, and I want to hear it from his own lips. Tell me everything from the beginning. I don't care if they are small details or seemingly useless things. I want to hear it all."
Relief washed over him, quickly replaced by profound warmth. He kissed her forehead tenderly. "I will tell you," he promised. "But in return, you will tell me everything about yourself as well. Be it your favorite dress, your preferred jewelry, or your favorite foods. I want to hear all of your experiences too.”
