Xianzhou 10:  Romancing Jingliu? Herta: "Su Qing's Inevitable Romantic Crisis!"

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Tonight's moon was full, its silvery light cascading upon the dozen or so morning glories.

Apart from their aesthetic appeal, Jingliu admired these flowers because they resonated with her own existence. Both endured prolonged periods of waiting, only to experience fleeting moments of brilliance.

During the thousand years prior, her lengthy life had been consumed by practicing swordsmanship and engaging in battles. She had grown accustomed to this routine.

On the battlefield, there was relentless combat; in daily life, there was tranquility, accompanied solely by her sword.

However, over the past few decades, her life had gained some vibrant hues.

Beyond finding camaraderie among the High-Cloud Quintet, Su Qing emerged as one of her rare kindred spirits in this world. Whether it was the joy shared during convivial gatherings or the harmony found while practicing swordplay together, these moments were distinctly different and immensely joyful compared to her earlier existence.

These recent decades paled in comparison to the preceding millennia—a stark resemblance to the morning glory's brief bloom. Before flowering, there is only prolonged tranquility, extended periods of accumulation and maturation. It all seems meant for that fleeting yet most resplendent and unforgettable moment of blossoming.

[Fu Xuan: It appears Jingliu has projected herself onto this plant, identifying with the morning glory.]

[March 7th: And since morning glories are white and bloom at night, they evoke a cool, serene feeling—indeed quite fitting for Jingliu!]

As these thoughts crossed her mind...

Jingliu crouched down, extending her slender, delicate fingers gently, almost tenderly caressing the morning glory. The flower bud swayed slightly. She watched quietly for a moment.

Perhaps due to their similarities, or perhaps simply from years of care, Jingliu felt tonight would finally be the day the flower blooms.

Jingliu took out her phone. Earlier, she had considered inviting just one person to witness the event, thinking it might align with traditional appreciation practices for morning glories.

However, since she could only invite one person, Jingliu found it difficult to decide whom to call. In the end, she took a photo and sent a message to their group chat.

Their group was named "High-Clouds 5+1."

[March 7th: Hahahaha! What a delightful name!]

[Qingque: Whenever Jingliu uses her phone, I feel like modern technology has intruded upon an ancient drama.]

[Stelle: Ying, indeed, there's something amusing about it.]

[Qingque: But considering Xianzhou already had interstellar travel back then, smartphones must have been commonplace by that time!]

Jingliu: @all members - I've planted some morning glories, and they might bloom tonight. If anyone wants to see them, please come over.

After a brief moment, replies trickled in.

Bai Heng: Count me in! I'm on my way right now!

Dan Feng: Currently discussing matters with the dragon masters, but I'll join you once we're done.

Bai Heng: Discussion? Ha ha, more like a PK match, right?

[Bailu: Go justice, go! Take down those dragon masters! They prattle on incessantly—it's so annoying!]

Su Qing: Morning glories, you say? Rarely seen indeed; I'll be there shortly.

Yingxing: Not for me, flowers aren't particularly interesting.

[Stelle: ?? Blade Bro, blunt as ever.]

Jing Yuan: On night duty tonight, unsure if I can make it. Could you share photos in the group instead?

Jingliu: Of course.

Bai Heng exclaimed she'd arrive promptly, but even she couldn't swoop in late at night on a star ferry directly to Luofu.

A moment later, Su Qing arrived first, descending from the Non-Grasp Heavy Sword and subsequently sheathing it.

[Seele: Impressive! The Sword Control Art sure is convenient!]

The two nodded at each other, serving as their greeting.

Jingliu stood up. "Please wait a bit longer; it hasn't bloomed yet."

"Alright." Su Qing approached her side.

Together, they stood shoulder to shoulder before the morning glory.

One minute, two minutes...

Ten minutes passed...

They waited quietly, without exchanging words.

[Sushang: hhh, standing there like this, it almost looks like they're being punished with detention.]

[Qingque: Indeed, but given their extraordinary demeanors, even their detention seems imbued with an ethereal aura.]

Several more minutes went by.

Slowly, clouds drifted across the night sky, obscuring the moon.

The courtyard grew dimmer.

Jingliu spoke up, "Apologies, I may have called you both too early."

Having nurtured the morning glory for years, Jingliu was most familiar with its pre-blooming state.

Honestly, Jingliu felt that the slightly closed, unopened form of the morning glory mirrored her own condition better than any other stage. Despite spending considerable time with Bai Heng, it was only recently that they began discussing their pasts.

It wasn't that Jingliu didn't value her companions; rather, her reserved nature made it less likely for her to openly share her inner thoughts compared to others. She was well aware of this trait.

As she observed Bai Heng's outgoing enthusiasm and everyone else engaged in lively conversation, there were moments when Jingliu felt a hint of envy.

"It's no issue, we can wait a bit longer," said Su Qing, feeling somewhat idle just standing around.

He stepped forward to admire the unopened morning glory buds instead.

Su Qing looked down and remarked, "Even now, they seem quite beautiful."

"Excuse me?" asked Jingliu.

"The unopened morning glories," clarified Su Qing.

"...Do you find them beautiful even though they haven't bloomed?"

"Certainly."

Su Qing crouched down and gently touched one bud with his fingertip. "Their quiet accumulation is already lovely. Without this steady growth, there would be no blossoming outcome."

"Moreover, the breathtaking beauty of a morning glory's bloom precisely stems from the long anticipation before its opening. These two aspects inherently complement each other, inseparable."

As Jingliu listened, she naturally began relating these words to herself.

Without those thousand years of wielding swords and battling, would she have ever encountered these kindred spirits who became her close friends?

Perhaps it was indeed true.

Jingliu watched intently as Su Qing interacted with the morning glory, her thoughts stirring subtly, touched by an indescribable feeling. Su Qing's words always resonated deeply with her.

[March 7th: Yaaas!! Could it be?!]

[Sparkle: Oh joy, March 7th is at it again, right? Shipping a new pair in each simulation, one at a time.]

[Seele: I don't get it, what do you mean?]

[Seele: But judging from March 7th's reaction, has there been some development?]

[Himeko: ...]

[Kafka: ...]

[Silver Wolf: Uh-oh! Su Qing's passive flirting mode is about to activate!]

[Firefly: Passive flirting is the most lethal!]

[Herta: Su Qing's everyday passive flirting serves as the cause, while the ensuing love triangles are the consequence. These two aspects inherently reinforce each other; they cannot be separated.]

[Sparkle: Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!]

[Seele: Indeed, amusing.]

[Black Swan: (Smile) Quite true.]

[Qingque: ?? I hereby declare Herta's roasts as the strongest!]

Jingliu stood behind Su Qing, observing quietly.

Among her companions, Jingliu had always been most similar to Su Qing, making them true confidants. Now, through their shared appreciation of the morning glory, Su Qing inadvertently touched upon the softest part of Jingliu's heart.

Especially when she saw Su Qing gently caress the flower, emotions stirred within Jingliu like ripples never felt before.

Moments later,

The cloud obscuring the moon slowly drifted away, revealing the bright full moon once again.

Does a blooming flower make any sound?

Perhaps it does, but it would be incredibly subtle.

As moonlight cascaded back onto the courtyard, one of the morning glories began to gradually unfurl its petals.

Both Su Qing and Jingliu unconsciously held their breath, fully absorbed in witnessing this spectacle, as if fearing they might miss even the faintest whisper of sound during its bloom.

Only after the flower completely opened did they softly exhale, resuming their normal breathing.

"It's truly beautiful," Su Qing remarked.

"Mm-hmm." Jingliu stepped forward, crouching beside Su Qing to appreciate it together.

As they admired the flower, Su Qing suddenly smiled and said, "Apologies, I take back my earlier statement."

"What?" Jingliu, with hands on his knees, tilted his head slightly, looking puzzled at Su Qing.

[Stelle: A bit adorable!]

[March 7th: Yes! Beneath that cool demeanor lies cuteness! Who knew Jingliu had this charming side?!]

Su Qing responded with a smile, "I've never personally witnessed a morning glory bloom before; my previous assumption was misguided."

Gazing at the fully blossomed flower, he sighed, "The bud is indeed lovely, but it pales in comparison to the breathtaking beauty when it truly blooms."

For some reason, Jingliu's voice sounded somewhat subdued as he asked, "...So, you would rather see the true essence of the morning glory?"

"The true essence?"

Su Qing rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That's a fitting description. Before, I only saw the surface of the morning glory, unaware of the captivating allure revealed when it fully blooms and shows its genuine self."

In response to Jingliu's question, Su Qing nodded, "Yes, if possible, I would definitely want to see the true essence of the morning glory."

"I see..." Jingliu slightly lowered her head, her long white hair obscuring her face, making it difficult to discern her expression.

[Silver Wolf: (Slams table repeatedly)(Bang! Bang!) Aaargh!! It's a double hit!!!]

[Firefly: Oh no, oh no, how is Su Qing so smooth?!]

[Stelle: Ha ha, isn't this exactly how he charmed you before?]

[Firefly: That's precisely why I ended up shedding tears, right?!]

[Himeko: (Gently rests forehead on hand), feeling both anxious and helpless] Ah, him... always him...]

[Seele: Ha ha, Himeko is getting flustered.]

[Kafka sighs.]

[Su Qing, being a good person? Of course, he undoubtedly is.]

[But sometimes, he's just too good. Just as Bai Heng counted off numerous virtues on his fingers, Su Qing inadvertently attracts exceptional girls without realizing it.]

[Compared to Himeko, Kafka, however, has actually grown somewhat accustomed to it.]

["After all, with her 'daughter' status, what else can she do?"]

["Regardless, it doesn't change Kafka's stance: no matter what, drive away every single bad woman daring to approach Su Qing without mercy!"]

[Sparkle: Joyful news! Su Qing's appeal among girls continues to grow!]

Jingliu fell silent for a moment.

Earlier, only under Su Qing's persuasion had she ventured closer and shared her past with Bai Heng. But just like the fully bloomed morning glory before her eyes, could truly opening up reveal something better...?

Jingliu remained somewhat uncertain.

On the surface, she appeared composed and her swordsmanship was fierce. However, beneath this exterior, those who have never revealed their true selves to others often harbor tender vulnerabilities within.

The direct question that arose was, if she were to completely open up and express her genuine self, would it disappoint the other person and potentially harm their friendship? This fear inevitably created a barrier, making one apprehensive.

Yet, Jingliu also contemplated a deeper issue.

After a moment of silence, Jingliu continued, "But this morning glory's bloom lasts for only these brief hours—does it truly hold any meaning?"

This question was still directed at herself.

She and Su Qing were destined to walk the path of combating demonic entities, much like the senior who taught her swordsmanship. Their future fate would either end with death on the battlefield or succumbing to demonic corruption.

Everything ultimately comes to an end. What seems like a long life to them is, in the grand scheme of the universe, merely an instant.

In such circumstances, fully opening one's heart to someone, genuinely accepting them—is there any significance to this act? If their destiny is certain decay and eventual fading away, does the flower's blooming become a tragic, sorrowful event...?

"Yes, it has meaning," Su Qing interjected firmly, interrupting Jingliu's inadvertently negative thoughts.

Compared to the previous questions, Su Qing felt most resolute about this response: "The fleeting bloom, though short-lived, represents the most beautiful moment—the very proof of the morning glory's existence."

As he spoke, Su Qing intuitively connected this to their own lives:

"Flowers bloom to ensure continuation," he said. "It's akin to our battles against demonic entities, safeguarding Xianzhou. Although compared to history and the future, our time may seem insignificant, it is precisely through each steadfast effort, interconnected over generations, that Xianzhou's legacy endures till today."

[Qingque: Suddenly, the depth of insight is soaring!]

[Fu Xuan: Well spoken, exactly the essence of it.]

Jingliu nodded, "Yes, you're right..."

In truth, this response was already enough to uplift her spirits.

But Su Qing continued, "Looking at it from another perspective, witnessing the morning glory bloom is truly a beautiful experience, and I consider myself fortunate."

"I wish to cherish this beauty." Pausing briefly, Su Qing smiled, "...Oh, not just me, but both of us together."

"Thank you for inviting me to appreciate the morning glory today. I believe we will both remember this fleeting yet unparalleled beauty."

—Willing to cherish this beauty.

Su Qing went on speaking, but Jingliu found it hard to focus anymore. The ripples in her heart kept expanding.

[Seele: Honestly, even I'm starting to understand now. It feels like these lines could be... quite impactful...]

[Silver Wolf: Triple combo! (frantically banging table) Triple combo, ah! He actually pulled off a triple combo!]

[Firefly: Oh no, it's all over. I have a feeling Jingliu might succumb too. ???]

[Fu Xuan: Seems like Su Qing is unstoppable here. He's heading straight down the path most likely to win over Jingliu, isn't he?]

[Silver Wolf: That's what I was thinking! There were countless possible responses, leading to numerous potential storylines.]

[Silver Wolf: But how did he manage to give answers that maximize favorability gain every time?!]

[Bronya: The most terrifying part is that he's doing it completely unconsciously!]

[Sparkle: Huh? Delighted, but confused - Su Qing: Um? Weren't we talking about morning glories all along?]

[Himeko: Exactly, because he kept mentioning morning glories...]

[Himeko: It's precisely his relentless focus on morning glories that makes it both infuriating and helpless...?]

[Firefly: Oh no, even Himeko with question marks?! This doesn't bode well!]

[Herta: My assessment is clear: with Su Qing's personality, he's destined for Peach Blossom Tribulations.]

[Herta: Currently, he unwittingly charms others without realizing it, appearing carefree. But when faced with a love triangle chasing him later, regret will be too late.]

[Qingque: Ha ha ha, I see now too. Su Qing has a natural knack for creating love triangles!!]

[Sparkle: Joyful! Indeed!]

Ripples continuously stirred within Jingliu's heart.

Su Qing had provided answers to these questions, each one so perfectly aligned.

In that case,

If Jingliu were to open her heart fully, allowing someone to truly enter its depths, who would that person be?

The answer was self-evident.

Suddenly, footsteps approached from behind.

Bai Heng's voice rang out, "Ah! I ran all the way here—am I not too late, right?"

[Silver Wolf: ? Why didn't you arrive earlier! It's already over!!!]

[Qingque: Le, your timing to appear couldn't be more perfect.]

Seeing the morning glories still blooming from afar, Bai Heng patted her heaving chest, relieved she hadn't arrived too late.

However, Jingliu's state seemed peculiar.

Jingliu stood up, hesitating before saying, "...I'll...go fetch the watering can again to give them some more water."

As they passed each other, Bai Heng caught a glimpse of Jingliu's expression and instantly froze. A description flashed through her mind; upon careful thought, it felt as though Jingliu resembled...a fairy descending from the heavens.

Bai Heng blinked, bewildered.

Huh?! What happened while I was gone?!

By then, Jingliu had already left.

Bai Heng hastily ran over to Su Qing, exclaiming, "Ah? Did I miss something?!"

Su Qing turned back, replying, "You didn't miss anything. There are still a few unopened morning glories, just in time for you to witness their bloom." He gestured with his hand, urging, "Quick, come watch the flowers with us."

Confused and disoriented, Bai Heng squatted down beside him.

In a leisurely tone, Su Qing continued, "Bai Heng, did you know? We were discussing the beauty of these morning glories earlier. Although fleeting, their splendor is truly unparalleled..."

[Stelle: Second Act, here we go!]

[Silver Wolf: Wait, bro?? You're seriously just admiring the morning glories?]

[Bronya: Ha ha, I'm starting to feel that mix of helplessness and anger Himeko often experiences!]

[Herta: I rarely express admiration for anyone, but Su Qing is an exception.]

[Herta: Let me make a prediction here.]

[Herta: If Peach Blossom Tribulation doesn't strike this guy multiple times—hard—then there truly is no justice.]

[Stelle: But isn't there already no justice here?]

[March 7th: ??, adding +1 to Stelle's nonsense.]

***

Su Qing took several photos and shared them in the group chat, also recording the remaining morning glories as they bloomed.

Everyone in the group expressed their appreciation for the beauty.

Even Yingxing commented: Not bad.

However, Bai Heng pulled out his phone and created a separate group chat with just the other three.

Bai Heng: Although the morning glories are lovely, listen up, something significant has happened!!!

Dan Feng: Hmm?

Yingxing: What? Has Abundance launched an attack?

Jing Yuan: @Bai Heng, did you crash your plane again?

[Stelle: Laughing.]

[Seele: Laughing too.]

[Qingque: Dead from laughter! Seems like among these few, General Jing Yuan unexpectedly became the cheekiest one.]

[March 7th: Everyone was young once!]

Bai Heng: @Jing Yuan, it's not about that!

Bai Heng: ...Oh, although I did indeed crash my plane a few days ago.

[Qingque: It's true?!]

Bai Heng: It's about Su Qing and Jingliu!