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Finest Servant Chapter 635
🕑 Added 2023-11-09 11:28:37 +0000 UTCChapter 635 Standing Together
The two stood conversing at a place near the summit, gazing across at the distant Thousand-Forsake Peak. Enshrouded in mist and dense vapors, the peak's vista remained obscured, and the whereabouts of the Fairy Sister were even more indiscernible.
Between the Holy Academy and Thousand-Forsake Peak, two iron chains ran parallel, each segment pierced by wooden planks at intervals of several feet. From afar, they appeared as an incomplete bridge of heaven, threading through the mist, spanning the chasm between the two formidable peaks. With the gentle caress of the mountain breeze, the heavenly bridge swayed slightly, creaking softly. Those of faint heart would not dare to cast even a glance upon it.
Lin Wanrong was taken aback. When he had come here to bid farewell before his campaign, there was but a single chain of Endless Love Bridge that the Fairy Sister had linked from the past. How had half a year's absence seen the birth of this sky-grazing bridge?
"Do you not understand?" Li Xiangjun smiled gently. "You should truly thank my Senior Sister!"
"Qingxuan?" Lin Wanrong blinked in surprise.
His junior sister nodded and hummed in affirmation, "After you left for the campaign, with her belly big with child, my Senior Sister climbed the mountain to personally direct the craftsmen in building this heavenly chain! With our master away from the mountain, to bridge these peaks, someone had to brave the perilous climb to Thousand-Forsake Peak. Imagine the difficulty for yourself!"
"What?!" Lin Wanrong exclaimed in shock, quickly grabbing her shoulders, "Junior Sister, you mean to say Qingxuan herself climbed the peak—"
In his urgency, his grip was firm, causing Li Xiangjun to wince in pain. With an annoyed glare from her, he quickly released her.
"You're so silly!" Seeing him petrified with fear, the junior sister chuckled tenderly, "Even if she desired to scale Thousand-Forsake Peak, would we be foolish enough to allow her, especially in her condition?"
Indeed, he was frightened into confusion, he thought, wiping the sweat from his brow, curious now, "Then who was it?"
"I shall not tell you!" Li Xiangjun smiled slyly, "Just remember my Senior Sister's kindness! And remember, you are not to interfere with my journey to the West!"
So, it was during the northern campaign that Qingxuan had arranged everything, never once mentioning it to him! Lin Wanrong sighed silently, the depth of his gratitude beyond words. He raised his right hand solemnly and vowed, "I, Lin Wanrong, swear upon my life to cherish Qingxuan through all our lifetimes. To stay by her side, never to forsake her! Should I break this oath, may I suffer a gut-wrenching death, be struck by thunder, choke on my food, drown in my drink, or be struck down by a great tree while walking!"
"I shall pass on these vows to my Senior Sister," Li Xiangjun said playfully, entering the wooden hut to retrieve a bamboo flute, which she handed to him, "This is for you!"
"What is this?" Lin Wanrong asked, puzzled.
Li Xiangjun smiled, "Master once instructed that while I reside on this mountain, should you visit, I must question you carefully. If you come uninvited, without my Senior Sister's consent, I am to cast you down the mountain."
"Really?" Lin Wanrong's eyes widened in disbelief, "And if Qingxuan consents?"
"Then this bamboo flute is yours. Upon its sound, our Master will surely come to meet you."
Realization dawned on Lin Wanrong. No wonder this junior sister spoke so boldly, claiming he would never ascend the mountain without her consent. Overjoyed, he hastily placed the flute to his lips, but despite his utmost effort, he failed to grasp its art; the flute's voice was hoarse, refusing to sing.
"You're really foolish!" Li Xiangjun couldn't help but laugh as she snatched the bamboo flute from his hands. Placing it to her lips, she gently began to play. The clear and melodious sound of the flute soared like a mountain stream, rippling through the clouds and echoing in the mountain ravines.
On Thousand-Forsake Peak, a graceful figure appeared, standing silently atop the peak. Lin Wanrong saw her clearly and leaped up in excitement, exclaiming, "Fairy Sister!"
The white figure moved as swiftly as lightning, darting across the heavenly bridge. In the blink of an eye, she was before them. The junior sister cheered, rushing forward to clasp the Fairy's hand with an expression full of admiration, "Master, you've arrived!"
Ning Yuxi embraced her with affection, stroking her hair tenderly, and asked with a gentle smile, "Silly girl, what's happened? Has someone been bullying you?"
"Mhm," Li Xiangjun nestled into her Master's embrace, her smile brimming with happiness. Suddenly, she pointed at Lin Wanrong and huffed indignantly, "It's him, he bullied me!"
Ning Yuxi glanced at him with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. Lin Wanrong quickly waved his hands, "No! That's not true! Junior Sister, one must be honest, you can't just say things like that!"
Li Xiangjun snorted, "You bullied my Senior Sister, and now you've bullied my Master. Isn't that bullying me?!"
Ning Yuxi's cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, tinged with a hint of paleness. Though Li Xiangjun's words were said in jest, they pierced the worries hidden in her heart. Her love affair with the mischievous Lin San was indeed unconventional and likely the source of much gossip.
Sensing her Master's mood, Li Xiangjun quickly took her hand, "Master, don't worry about what others say. Is there anything wrong with liking someone? It's not stealing, robbing, nor is it wicked. Who dares to judge you!"
The Fairy, Ning Yuxi, had long since steeled her resolve. Her face blushed as she laughed, "You little thing, you're only so young this year, yet you're comforting me! When you grow up and meet someone you fancy, you'll understand these feelings."
"Then I'd rather never grow up!" Li Xiangjun giggled, sticking out her tongue at Lin Wanrong and then quietly leaning into her Master's embrace, saying no more.
Lin Wanrong watched in amazement. The Fairy, Qingxuan, and the junior sister together did not seem like Master and disciple, but rather like sisters or friends. It was no surprise, as though Ning Yuxi was their Master, she had cultivated her character and lived without contention from a young age. With Qingxuan's tenderness and generosity, and Li Xiangjun's cleverness and wit, their close relationship was to be expected.
Though a heavenly bridge spanned the two peaks, for ordinary people, it remained an unattainable path. Yet, for a peerless master like the Fairy, it was as if it were a flat road.
Ning Yuxi took his hand, and with a light step, they leaped dozens of feet at a time, fast and swift! Lin Wanrong only heard the wind whooshing by his ears, the clouds underfoot, a far cry from the dangerous crossing of the peaks he had experienced before. Glancing back, he saw Li Xiangjun still standing at the summit of the opposite cliff, waving frantically at them.
Remembering the journey up the mountain, he couldn't help but laugh, "This Junior Sister, she truly is an interesting person!"
Ning Yuxi nodded slightly, "Xiangjun has had a lonely and tough life since childhood, always independent and strong-willed. She's clever and decisive in handling matters, and although she's young, she's already perceptive of the ways of the world. However, she keeps her troubles to herself, something that Qingxuan and I often worry about."
Remembering that Li Xiangjun was set to travel to the West, Lin Wanrong acknowledged with a nod, reflecting in silence upon the Fairy's words. Indeed, the junior sister possessed such a personality.
Upon reaching the summit of Thousand-Forsake Peak, they were greeted by lush greenery and vibrant flowers, bamboos and pines, all vying for beauty as if spring dwelled there perpetually. The babbling streams, the abundance of unique rocks and fragrant grass painted a scene akin to a celestial realm. It was no wonder the Fairy Sister favored this place.
Lin Wanrong, filled with delight, felt as if all his troubles had evaporated. He ran around barefoot, his excitement akin to that of a child.
Ning Yuxi followed him, her eyes brimming with tenderness, like ripples upon water.
"Eh, Sister, who built this house?!" As they approached a cave, Lin Wanrong's eyes widened in surprise.
Adjacent to the cave, on a steep cliff, stood a simple yet cozy wooden house, sturdy and nearly complete. Warm springs flowed all around it, encircling the house with their steaming mist, making it seem like an elegant abode amidst the clouds.
The Fairy chuckled, "I built it with my own hands, just like our residence in Xingqing. It is our home! Thief, do you like it?"
"I like it, of course, I like it!" Lin Wanrong muttered to himself, suddenly grasping the Fairy's hand, his voice filled with urgency, "Sister, do you truly not wish to descend the mountain?"
Ning Yuxi hummed softly, bowing her head, "Seeing all that Qingxuan has done, I feel ashamed. I even dare not face her! Only by staying atop Thousand-Forsake Peak can I live freely and happily. Everywhere here reminds me of you, and I love it. I want to stay here! Thief, can you understand?!"
It was natural for the Fairy to feel this way, and Qingxuan had expected it. Lin Wanrong held her hand firmly, smiling assuredly, "I understand, of course, I do! This place is where our love was affirmed. I love it just as much as you do!"
Ning Yuxi blushed with joy, "You, you really—"
Lin Wanrong nodded, whispering playfully in her ear, "I love Fairy Sister, so I will love every place where you are. It doesn't matter if you stay on the mountain. This will be our little nest. I'll just have to travel more often. Every couple of days, I'll climb the mountain to have a secret rendezvous with my Fairy Sister!"
"What secret rendezvous, nonsense!" The Fairy's face turned beet red, her heart brimming with joy.
Seeing the expression on Ning Yuxi's face, Lin Wanrong chuckled, "However, Fairy Sister, you must also agree to a few things for me!"
The Fairy's eyes widened, laughing softly, "Agree to what?"
Lin Wanrong cleared his throat, saying in a teasing tone, "The first thing, which is most important, is that you must think of me nine hundred and ninety-nine times every day you're on the mountain!"
The Fairy, blushing deeply, squeezed his hand twice and asked in a soft voice, "Why nine hundred and ninety-nine times?"
"Because I will think of you a thousand times each day!" He grinned mischievously, "I am a man, and you are a woman. I take care of you, so I allow you to think of me one less time!"
"Nonsense!" Ning Yuxi's touch was gentle as water, caressing his cheek, murmuring, "I think of you every moment of every day!"
Lin Wanrong planted a firm kiss on her lovely face, exclaiming with joy, "Then the first condition is no problem. The second is simple as well. Sister, you can't always stay cooped up in the mountains; that's too dull. I want to take you traveling, to Lushan, Huangshan, Altai, the vast deserts, and Xingqing. Everywhere imaginable, we must go, and you can't refuse!"
The Fairy responded with delight, "To travel and see the great mountains and rivers has always been my wish. How could I refuse? Wherever you go, Yuxi will follow!"
"That's wonderful!" Lin Wanrong laughed heartily. "As for the third point, Sister, if Qingxuan comes to visit you on the mountain, will you see her?"
Ning Yuxi's face blushed like the dawn, and she hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Lin Wanrong gently said, "Since Qingxuan already knows, why should we pretend not to hear the bell? She won't force you to leave the mountain. A few heartfelt words in company are all she'll offer. You surely can't be so heartless as to refuse even to see her!"
This dilemma was not so difficult; it was merely a matter of face. The Fairy hesitated, her cheeks tinting pink, and she whispered softly, "It's all because of you, this ruthless thief! If Qingxuan were to visit, wouldn't I die of embarrassment?!"
Lin Wanrong chuckled secretly, "The first time, of course, might be a bit awkward! But with me by your side, what river can't we cross? With time, you'll get used to it, and it won't be a problem!"
His words carried a hint of seduction. Ning Yuxi pondered for a long while, realizing that this encounter was inevitable. She twisted the arm of the 'thief' firmly, her eyes blushing, and finally gave a helpless hum of agreement.
Overjoyed beyond measure, Lin Wanrong clapped his hands loudly, "Great! Then there's no problem!"
"Are those the only conditions?" The Fairy was somewhat startled, asking incredulously, "You... you're not asking for anything else?"
"What else do I need? I must consider what's best for you, these few points are enough. I shall never trouble Sister," Lin Wanrong declared, patting her shoulder earnestly.
"Thief—" Ning Yuxi called out softly and flung herself into his arms, her happiness beyond words.
Lin Wanrong was even more thrilled. Qingxuan was indeed clever, this method of boiling the frog in warm water, making the Fairy Sister fall without even realizing it. He jumped up triumphantly, "Sister, is our house finished? The rest of the work is all mine!"
Ning Yuxi, both dexterous and a martial expert, had mostly completed the wooden house. What remained were just minor fixes. Lin Wanrong was also skilled in such crafts. United in their efforts, one cutting wood, the other erecting walls, they had the house solidly built within half a day, with beds, chairs, and benches all prepared.
"Our home is truly warm!" He lay back on the bed with his hands behind his head, inhaling the faint fragrance of the room, feeling indescribably refreshed.
As the day waned, two thick red candles were lit inside the house. The flickering light danced on the Fairy's face, adding to her beauty. A gentle warmth filled the room.
Ning Yuxi watched him with a smile, changing the bedding for something fresh and bringing a pile of trinkets from the cave to carefully arrange on the table before the bed.
Lin Wanrong glanced over and suddenly grabbed two bamboo tubes, his voice filled with surprise, "Eh, aren't these the voice-transmitting tubes I made? Sister, you've kept them!"
"Mhm," the Fairy Ning responded, "it was with this device that you coaxed me. How could I forget?" Memories of their past, from their initial cold glances to the deeply rooted affection that followed, flooded her mind as if it all happened just yesterday. Lin Wanrong felt a warmth in his heart and suddenly got up, plopping down on the ground and spilling out the contents of his travel bag, "Sister, look, these are all the things I bought for you!"
The bag was like a treasure trove, from a dazzling array of snacks to everyday items like wooden bowls, ladles, and copper mirrors—all were there. He hadn't spent much silver, but the tender thoughtfulness behind each item was something money couldn't buy.
He handed her a dried persimmon, and as he devoured a few bites himself, he commented, "Delicious!"
Ning Yuxi, who rarely indulged in snacks, tasted a few and watched him sitting there, wiping sweat from his brow, looking utterly delighted. A wave of indescribable warmth and emotion washed over her.
Lin Wanrong wiped his hands on his clothes and then pulled out a small box from his bosom, his voice filled with mystery, "Sister, look at this!"
He opened the box slowly, revealing a small, fingernail-sized piece of crystal wrapped in soft silk. It sparkled under the lamp light, dazzling and resplendent.
"What is this?" Ning Yuxi's eyes gleamed with intense surprise, clearly enamored with the crystal.
Lin Wanrong chuckled, "This is called a diamond, from South Africa. I, well, acquired it from a Western friend!"
He carefully took the diamond out and placed it against Ning Yuxi's ample chest. Under the dim candlelight, the gem sparkled, its radiant light making her rosy cheeks and fair skin appear as ethereal as Chang'e, the goddess on the moon.
"It's beautiful, so beautiful!" He sighed softly, unable to look away, "Sister, this diamond is for you!"
"For me?!" Ning Yuxi was stunned with joy. Women often had little defense against the allure of diamonds, and even she, the most beautiful of fairies, was no exception.
Lin Wanrong nodded with a smile. Suddenly, the Fairy shook her head and pushed the precious stone back into his hand with determination, "How much silver must this diamond be worth? The silver you earn comes from hard work and shouldn't be squandered carelessly. Return it! I need no diamonds or jewels. If you wish to show your affection, a simple persimmon or a copper mirror would warm my heart far more than a thousand diamonds ever could!"
She truly was a treasure, the epitome of humble and loving companionship. Lin Wanrong felt tears welling up, moved by her words, "Sister, rest assured, I am not one to suffer a loss. I intend to take this diamond to Jinling, have Sister Liu Yue'e set it in a necklace, and then I'll personally adorn you with it! I promise, you will be the most beautiful person under the heavens!"
Ning Yuxi leaned slowly into his embrace, "I may not be the most beautiful person in the world, but I am certainly the happiest!"
Her soft words warmed his heart, and they cuddled for a while. Then, Ning Yuxi blushed slightly and gently pushed him, whispering, "Thief, go bathe and change your clothes!"
After a full day's work, indeed, he felt a bit weary. The hot springs on Thousand-Forsake Peak offered a delightful respite. He suggested with a laugh, "Sister, let's bathe together!"
The fairy glared at him fiercely before turning her head away. Lin Wanrong was unfazed. Frolicking, he stepped out of the room and caught sight of the misty, steaming spring. Hastily, he shed his clothes and plunged into the water with a splash.
The hot water soothed his bones, and a warm breeze caressed his face, seeming to chase away all the fatigue of the day. He sighed deeply, comfortably closing his eyes, nearly drifting off to sleep.
He did not know how long he lay there when the sound of splashing water reached his ears. His eyes snapped open, and his heart began to pound. Following the sound, through the misty depths of the hot spring, he beheld a stunning woman, her bare face and snow-white neck nestled in the spring. Her long hair cascaded down into the water like a waterfall. The upper half of her ample bosom was submerged, her skin smooth as jellied cream, with the faint outlines of her deep valley and rising peaks visible. The spring water flowed to her and then receded back. The mist tinted her cheeks a flushed red, exuding an indescribable, enthralling charm.
The scene was eerily familiar! Lin Wanrong gasped, his eyes bulging as he stared at her, motionless.
"You, you must not look!" The woman, hearing the shout, hurriedly turned her head. Seeing his drooling countenance, she was overwhelmed with embarrassment. Her hands lightly slapped the water, causing a splendid splash.
Lin Wanrong chuckled mischievously, "Fairy Sister, one should be fair. If I'm not allowed to look at you, then naturally, you cannot look at me!"
"Despicable thief!" The Fairy, a mix of shame and annoyance, slapped the water repeatedly, raising a veil of mist that obscured his view.
By the time the mist cleared, the spring was empty. Ning Yuxi had already slipped away, leaving behind only a few faint traces of her delicate fragrance.
"Fairy Sister, are you teasing me?" He sighed deeply, slapped the water in frustration, and hummed irritably, feeling a profound sense of loss.
"Pfft," a soft laugh suddenly came from not far away, "Are you done bathing? What are you still doing in there?"
Turning around, he saw Ning Yuxi, with her red lips and jade-like face, sitting by the spring. She was wringing the water from her hair, her white feet kicking playfully in the water, smiling at him, her beauty beyond words. Her exquisite figure was wrapped in a pure white robe, undulating and bewitching with her movements.
Lin Wanrong blinked rapidly, staring dumbfounded for a long while. Ning Yuxi, both shy and pleased, her cheeks as radiant as the morning glow, lowered her head and chided softly, "Haven't you seen enough? You fool!"
Indeed, he had never seen Fairy Sister in such a state before. Lin Wanrong's heart fluttered, and he hurried to the shore. There, neatly laid out on a rock, was a clean white robe, carrying a gentle fragrance, prepared for him. He hastily donned it, relishing its softness and weightlessness, the comfort unparalleled.
Fairy Sister was no longer by the spring. The candles inside the wooden hut suddenly brightened, like a pair of bright eyes. Lin Wanrong's heart raced as he strode into the room.
Two large dragon and phoenix gold candles stood side by side on the table, crackling softly, their light dazzling. Ning Yuxi was sitting at the table, her complexion as vibrant as peach blossoms, silently gazing at him, "You thief, come here!"
"Oh!" He responded hastily and walked over to her in a few steps. The Fairy, with blushing cheeks, took a set of bright red robes from the head of the bed and gently draped it over him.
"Sister," his voice cracked with dryness, transformed so that he hardly recognized it himself, yet he did not know what to say.
Ning Yuxi silently shook her head, her hands trembling as she dressed him in a red robe and meticulously fastened each button. After a thorough examination, she turned him around, her voice quivering, "No peeking! Without my command, you are not to turn around, understand?!"
"Oh!" he replied, a touch of silliness in his voice.
Ning Yuxi felt a warmth in her heart at his response and suddenly, tears slid down her cheeks.
The crackling of the dragon and phoenix candles marked the passage of time, though Lin Wanrong was not aware of how many moments had slipped by. He heard a rustling behind him that soon fell silent, leaving him unable to hear any sound thereafter.
He waited foolishly for a while, the quietude remained, and without the fairy's command, he dared not turn his head, eventually whispering, "Sister, is it done yet?"
He called out several times, but the room remained silent, devoid of any movement or the fairy's voice.
‘What's happening?’ His heart pounded fiercely as he called out louder, "Sister, if you don't speak, I am going to turn around!"
Still, no response came. With a grit of his teeth, he spun around abruptly.
The fiery red candles of the dragon and phoenix blazed high, revealing a serene woman seated before him. She was garbed in a bright red dress, a vibrant red veil covering her head, her gaze shyly downturned. In her hands, she held a red ribbon tied to a beautiful embroidered ball, firmly knotted around Lin Wanrong's arm.
Lin Wanrong was momentarily stunned, his heart suddenly ablaze with warmth as he hurriedly reached out to pull her towards him. The familiar, warm jade hand fell into his, slightly damp with perspiration and trembling gently.
"Fairy Sister," Lin Wanrong said with a delighted smile, only to be pulled by her, and together they knelt before the candlelit altar.
"Before Heaven, I, Ning Yuxi, take thee, my beloved Lin Wanrong, as my husband! In life we shall share the same bed, in death the same grave. Let Heaven and Earth dissolve, but our vows shall endure, never to part in life or death!"
Her voice, soft yet resolute, echoed through the room, lingering endlessly.
A warm current surged in Lin Wanrong's heart as he proclaimed loudly, "Before Heaven, I, Lin Wanrong, take Ning Yuxi as my wife! In life we shall share the same bed, in death the same grave. Let Heaven and Earth dissolve, but our vows shall endure, never to part in life or death!"
They bowed to Heaven, to Earth, to their parents, and to each other, completing the grand ceremony. Lin Wanrong's palm trembled as he gently lifted the bright red veil, and the stunning visage of Fairy Ning, peerless under the heavens, was deeply imprinted in his eyes.
"Sister!" he exclaimed joyfully.
"Thief—my husband," Ning Yuxi called out softly, her head bowed in shyness.
Lin Wanrong's heart melted at her words, and he hastily took the wine for their bridal toast. Hand in hand, Fairy Ning took a delicate sip, her cheeks quickly blushing, while Lin Wanrong drank his fill and eagerly took her cup as well, downing it in one gulp.
"You're truly wonderful, my thief, my husband!" Fairy Ning, overwhelmed by the alcohol despite only a sip, leaned helplessly into his embrace, her cheeks a flush of crimson.
Ning Yuxi's beauty was renowned throughout the land, and this half-drunken, half-awake allure was more than any mortal could bear. Her bosom heaved like rolling waves, her hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and her swan-like neck glowed with an enticing pink hue. Her radiant cheeks were colored with the fiery glow of dawn, and as she gazed up at him with eyes full of tender affection, Lin Wanrong was utterly captivated.
Lin Wanrong swallowed hard, his voice hesitant as he stammered, "Sister, you are so beautiful!"
His fiery gaze seemed almost capable of igniting a blaze. With a soft cry, Fairy Ning's breath turned hot in an instant, and she hurriedly burrowed into his embrace, murmuring, "I am beautiful only for your eyes to see."
That single phrase was like an aphrodisiac to Lin Wanrong, setting him ablaze. He stared at her with a predatory intensity, swallowing hard as his hands frantically sought to undo the knots of her long red dress.
With a soft cry, Ning Yuxi's heart quivered, her body trembling with shyness, her eyes too embarrassed to open.
Time seemed to stretch on indefinitely as she felt his breath grow more labored, yet nothing else moved. Puzzled, she peeked open her eyes only to see him clumsily fumbling with her garments, sweating profusely without managing to undo but a few buttons.
With a stifled laugh, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, she chided, "What are you doing?!"
Lin Wanrong wiped his brow, disheartened, "Sister, who made this dress for you? It's too complicated! Even if I am skilled at undressing, I am no match for these countless buttons!"
The impertinent thief! The Fairy, flushed with embarrassment, hid her face under the covers, her jade hand stealthily emerging to deftly undo the knots, aiding her husband.
Through the sheer white underdress, the contours of her exquisite body were faintly discernible. His hand touched her, and her body shook with a sudden tremor. As the layers fell away, Lin Wanrong's eyes widened, and his breath caught.
Her translucent skin, as delicate as if it might burst with a touch, glowed with the purity of snow. Her full, trembling bosom, her slender waist, her round, firm buttocks, and her long, straight legs sculpted a figure of curvaceous beauty, complementing her heavenly face that seemed to gather all the world's wonders, an overwhelming vision of beauty.
Under his wolfish gaze, Ning Yuxi could not withstand the intensity; her body softened, her face flushed with heat, and from her cherry lips came a fragrant breath as sweet as orchids. She hastily covered her face with the blanket, trembling as she embraced Lin Wanrong, whispering, "Thief, what are you waiting for? I am your wife—"
"—Ah—you heartless man!"
...
The bright red candles flickered gently, bearing witness to a new chapter in the Fairy's life...
