Chapter 31: Farewell

"Xiaobai, how do you feel?"

"The scenery is simply beautiful, tranquil, peaceful, and harmonious, refreshing to the spirit."

Xuan Xuan said, "Yes, beauty can be found in the ordinary, it just depends on whether you know how to appreciate it."

Dugu Baitian said, "Looking at such a harmonious and peaceful scenery makes one feel relaxed and vaguely out of this world. Although beauty is beautiful, if you look at it for too long, it can wear down your heroic spirit. Fortunately, such beautiful scenery is not common."

Xuan Xuan said, "You're wrong. Beauty can be found everywhere, you just haven't paid attention. Do you think such beauty would diminish your heroic spirit? I don't think so. Such beauty can cultivate one's emotions, elevate one's spiritual realm, and enable you to face everything with a calm mind. If you apply this to your martial arts training, your achievements will surely be outstanding."

Dugu Baitian was deeply moved by her words. He finally understood why Xuan Xuan had such awe-inspiring martial arts at such a young age and why she had achieved so much. She had a wise mind, a broad heart, and saw things deeper and farther than others. This made her martial arts training more efficient. She was truly a highly talented young girl.

"You're right. The truth can be found in the ordinary, it just depends on whether you comprehend it."

This time Xuan Xuan was moved, "You stinky Xiaobai, I never thought you had such insight. I always thought you only cared about gaining fame and fortune in the Jianghu. Since you can think like this, I misjudged you before. In fact, the exciting life of the martial world is also a kind of beauty when seen from another perspective. In the past, I was narrow-minded and thought the endless killing in the martial world was boring. Now I understand that it's also a kind of life. Since countless people choose this path, there must be a reason for its existence. Life has no good or bad, only countless experiences."

Dugu Baitian said, "Yes, life is a kind of experience. Now I understand why your martial arts are so powerful. You have incorporated various experiences from life into your martial arts."

Xuan Xuan said, "You're right. Many of my martial arts come from ordinary life, showing extraordinary qualities in the ordinary. This is especially beneficial for spiritual cultivation."

Dugu Baitian said, "I have learned a lot from our conversation today."

Xuan Xuan said, "Actually, it's difficult for me to improve my martial arts to a higher level. This conversation has given me great inspiration. Thank you so much."

Dugu Baitian said, "If you really want to thank me, sing me a song." His rogue nature suddenly revealed itself.

Xuan Xuan sighed, "It's really unfortunate for the Jianghu. Now there is another shameless person in the world. If someone like you were to run into the martial world, and if you suddenly became powerful, I really don't know what kind of world the Jianghu would become. Since that's the case, let me help you repent."

Dugu Baitian said, "Hey, what do you mean by 'helo me repent'? Xuan Xuan, don't take it seriously. I am the elder brother of heaven, no, Xiaotiantian. We don't need you to worry about our affairs."

"Hehe," Xuan Xuan laughed, "Dugu Baitian, I really admire you. You can say such shameless words."

"What shameless? He calls himself Xiaotiantian, and I am Baitian. What's the relationship between us?"

"You have a sharp tongue."

The two laughed and joked.

"Xuan Xuan, there's something I've been wanting to ask you. Who made those masks of yours, and why are they so lifelike? If they fall into the wrong hands, they could pose a great threat."

Xuan Xuan said, "Don't worry, the predecessor who made these masks has long passed away. He only made seven of these masks, and they are all in my hands. They will never harm the martial world. I'm just afraid that you, this smelly kid, will use the mask in your possession to cause trouble everywhere."

"I, Dugu Baitian, swear that I will never use this mask to harm the martial world."

"In fact, these masks pose no threat to true experts. Everyone has their own unique qi. As long as their cultivation reaches the King level, these masks won't be able to conceal anything from these experts."

"Oh, experts above the King level are formidable indeed. It's something to aspire to."

The two chatted happily and didn't realize that it was already late at night. It wasn't until they felt hungry in their stomachs after lunch that they realized they hadn't eaten anything since then.

Dugu Baitian took out food and drinks from the cabin and set them on the deck. The two ate and drank while enjoying the moon, feeling contented.

The moon was particularly bright that night, shining on the river, making it difficult for the drowsy duo to distinguish between the moon in the sky and its reflection in the water. They fell into a deep sleep like that.

When Dugu Baitian woke up the next morning, he felt a fragrance in his arms. He opened his eyes and saw Xuan Xuan nestled against him in an intimate position. Could it be that they slept like this all night? He suddenly felt his blood rushing, unexpectedly waking up to such an alluring scene. However, he didn't dare to make any move. He knew well the terrifying aspects of this little witch. Even so, he still felt a little scared. Who knows how this little witch would go crazy when she wakes up? But there was one thing he wasn't afraid of. He was still lying in the same place as yesterday, and it was Xuan Xuan who came over to his side. She must have been rolling around in her sleep without staying still. He didn't dare to move, afraid that any movement would wake Xuan Xuan up, causing a deeper misunderstanding. So he closed his eyes again and pretended to be asleep.

After a while, Xuan Xuan woke up and screamed, "Ah!" Dugu Baitian's eardrums were pierced by the sudden scream, but he still pretended to be asleep.

Xuan Xuan struggled out of Dugu Baitian's embrace, first checked her clothes, and then checked her body for any discomfort. Everything was normal, and only then did she let out a sigh of relief. Immediately, she angrily drew out her sword, intending to slash Dugu Baitian. But when she saw that Dugu Baitian was still asleep, she became even angrier, thinking that he was taking advantage of her and sleeping so soundly.

With one kick, she sent him rolling. Dugu Baitian woke up with a "ouch".

"Xuan Xuan, what's wrong with you? Are you sleepwalking again? You were so restless last night, punching me here and kicking me there, and at one point you almost jumped into the river. Luckily, I grabbed you in time, and I had to stay up half the night to take care of you. What were you doing? Are you sleepwalking again?" Dugu Baitian complained.

Xuan Xuan was half doubtful. Although they were hugging each other just now, it was indeed on Dugu Baitian's side. Xuan Xuan secretly thought: Could it be that I really rolled over to his side? This guy seems to be unaware of what happened just now. It's so awkward, better not mention it.

"Dugu Baitian, I hit you just now for no other reason than not liking you, just wanted to hit you," Xuan Xuan said.

Dugu Baitian looked aggrieved and said, "Xuan Xuan, how can you be so unreasonable? I thought we were good friends, and yet you treated me like this."

"As good friends, we should share each other's worries. If I'm not happy, you should let me hit you," Xuan Xuan said.

"Fine, if you're not happy, you can hit me a few more times. It's all because I'm your good friend. Ah, I've had bad luck in meeting you," Dugu Baitian said.

"Okay."

"Ping ping pang pang," Xuan Xuan really hit Dugu Baitian a few times.

Although Dugu Baitian got beaten up, he was secretly glad in his heart. If he hadn't been quick-witted, he would have definitely been hit with a sword instead of just punches.

After Xuan Xuan finished hitting him, she stood up and said, "You deserved it. Who told you to say I sleepwalk? I don't have that problem. Sometimes I just move a lot in my sleep." She blushed a little, feeling embarrassed.

Dugu Baitian thought to himself: You know you're restless when you sleep, and you even feel embarrassed. It's really interesting that girls can be like this even when they're asleep. But then again, even if you're not well-behaved when you sleep, you still can't compare to me. Thinking of this, Dugu Baitian had an idea. Could it be that I was the one who was restless in my sleep, rolling over to her side and then back again? Based on past experience, this situation was very likely. It seems that I deserved this beating, but it's not too unfair.

He said with his mouth, "Yes, you didn't sleepwalk, and your movements weren't that big when you slept."

"You're still talking about it."

"Okay, I won't mention it anymore."

The sun showed half of its smiling face in the east, with countless colorful clouds and rainbow-like colors, appearing splendid, diverse, and full of vitality like a bright and cheerful child. The fish in the river seemed to feel the joy of the morning glow, swimming happily in the water. Occasionally, a big fish would jump out of the water and create a wave, adding a lively atmosphere to the morning. The fragrance of wildflowers and grass on both sides of the river, mixed with a hint of soil, came rushing towards them, instantly refreshing their spirits and making them feel happy.

Dugu Baitian took a deep breath of fresh air and spoke, "Xuan Xuan, are you really leaving?"

"Yes, I'm going to the Baiyue Empire, and this is where I'm getting off the ship."

"When will we meet again?"

"We will meet if fate allows it."

"I don't believe in fate. If you don't come to find me, I won't know where you are, and we won't meet again. Tell me where you live, and I will come find you in the future."

Xuan Xuan smiled, with a particularly dazzling smile that was even more charming than the sunrise in the east. "Silly boy, don't worry. We will definitely meet again."

"Do you really mean it, or are you just saying it?"

"This time, I'm not lying to you. You're so much fun, and I'll definitely come find you again."

Dugu Baitian was stunned. "I'm leaving because I'm fun, and you didn't feel any sense of loss, but only felt that I'm fun? I treated you as a good friend, but you treated me like this. Alas."

"Never mind, let's stop pretending. There's another fun place, similar to the underground palace. Next time, I'll take you there to play, but you have to practice your martial arts well and not be so mediocre."

"Agreed. You must come find me."

"Agreed."

"We're good friends now, and you haven't shown me your true appearance. Can I see it?"

"I'm ugly, so I have to wear a mask in front of people."

"I don't believe it."

"It's up to you whether you believe it or not."

"No matter how ugly you are, as your friend, I won't despise you. Can you let me take a look?"

"But I despise you, hehe."

"Are you really not letting me see it?"

Xuan Xuan laughed and said, "Stop talking nonsense, dock the boat, I'm leaving."

Dugu Baitian docked the small boat and Xuan Xuan leapt onto the shore.

"Xuan Xuan, you're really leaving. Should we part with tears or with a kiss?"

"Let's part with tears then." With that, she struck the river with her palm, causing a splash of water to drench Dugu Baitian, leaving him soaked from head to toe.

As Xuan Xuan ran towards the distance, she shouted, "Thank you, Xiaobai, I'm really touched. I didn't expect you to shed tears like rain and bid me farewell with tears."

Dugu Baitian felt depressed.

Seeing Xuan Xuan about to disappear in the distance, Dugu Baitian shouted, "Xuan Xuan, your body really smelled so fragrant last night."

Xuan Xuan swiftly turned back. Dugu Baitian quickly rowed the small boat to the middle of the river, luckily the river was wide enough, otherwise he would have been worried that she would leap up.

This time it was Dugu Baitian who smiled mischievously as he looked at her. Xuan Xuan angrily drew her sword on the shore, glaring at him.

"Haha, Xuan Xuan, you're quite enthusiastic too, sending me off from a thousand miles away. This is where we part, please go back."

"You bastard, what did you mean just now?"

Dugu Baitian laughed and said, "What did I mean, hehe, do you really want me to say it?"

"Say it."

"Last night, someone sneaked into my arms and slept so sweetly. But this morning, you treated me with enmity and gave me a harsh beating."

"You, how do you know everything?"

Dugu Baitian said, "How funny, how could I not know?"

Xuan Xuan stomped her feet in anger. "Dugu Baitian, you scoundrel, I'll kill you. It must have been you who had evil intentions in the middle of the night, you..."

Dugu Baitian said, "Little girl, don't wrongly accuse innocent people. You're so fierce, just like a little witch. Did I dare to provoke you? To tell the truth, neither of us were well-behaved while sleeping, we couldn't distinguish right from wrong, so why bother arguing about it."

Xuan Xuan stood on the shore, feeling both shy and angry, but there was nothing she could do. The small boat was thirty meters away from her, and even with her unparalleled lightness skill, she could only jump twenty-five meters, which was not enough to reach the boat.

Watching the boat drift further away, Xuan Xuan shouted loudly, "Dugu Baitian, listen carefully, the next time I meet you, I will definitely beat you to the point where you're searching for your teeth on the ground."

Dugu Baitian laughed heartily and said, "Xuan Xuan, I'll be waiting for you. If you're going to marry someone, don't marry anyone else, marry me."

"Dugu Baitian, I won't let you off," Xuan Xuan declared.

Dugu Baitian laughed.

Dugu Baitian finally bid farewell to Xuan Xuan, but he felt very disappointed in his heart. In such a bright morning, his heart was filled with the sadness of parting. Despite it being the height of summer, he felt a hint of autumn in his heart.

The autumn wind is clear, the autumn moon is bright,

Fallen leaves gather and scatter,

Cold crows perch and startle.

When will we meet again and become familiar,

This scene and this feeling are hard to bear.

He suddenly realized that he no longer blamed Sutu Mingyue. Love was uncontrollable, and he now understood this.

After being lost in thought for a while, Dugu Baitian couldn't help but smile bitterly. What was wrong with him? Why was he feeling so sentimental? It was just a small parting. A true man's aspiration is to travel to all four corners of the world, how could he be melancholic like a woman? With this thought, his mood gradually brightened.

...

Ps: Tian is the Chinese phonetic transcription of "heaven".