PHOENIX TOP AND DRAGON BOTTOM 37

Chapter 37: The Truth Unfolds, Yet It Seems Like a Mirage

“What major event?” Long Qinghan asked urgently.

Long Yue gazed at the distant moon, his thoughts drifting back to the past. “At that time, the righteous martial world, provoked by someone unknown, gathered many righteous fighters and stormed the demonic sect where Duan Shuqing resided. They claimed they were there to punish the traitor and avenge the Jiuhua Sect’s leader. Meanwhile, the demonic sect members, upon hearing the news, also rushed over, intending to take advantage of the situation and destroy the sect. In the end… sigh.”

Long Yue didn’t finish his sentence, but the outcome was clear. The combined forces of both sides had besieged the demonic sect, leaving it in dire straits.

Long Qinghan’s eyes widened, his body trembling more violently, as if something was trying to burst out of his chest, filling him with a surge of hot-blooded emotion.

“That day,” Long Yue closed his eyes tightly, “the rivers ran red with blood, bodies littered the ground, and the mountains were ablaze.”

In just twelve words, the bloody scene was vividly painted. At that moment, Long Qinghan felt as if his breath had stopped. Unconsciously, he clutched the fabric of his shirt over his chest. Why was he feeling so restless and sorrowful, as if he had been there himself? When he closed his eyes, he could hear the chaotic noise and see the blood-stained ground.

“Ziyue? What’s wrong?” Long Yue turned his head and, seeing Long Qinghan’s pale face, hurriedly stepped forward to support him.

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Nsdt Ckdtbyd’p ldvkal cseu pbssj. Tl nzsple bkp lulp, valxczkdt, wdokzzkdt vs blya xsal.

Gd ldvkal elxsdkn plnv, alewnle vs fwpv vos rlsrzl—obyv y vaytleu! Ebyv kp y elxsd? Ebyv kp aktbvlswpdlpp? Wsa rlapsdyz tykd, ps xydu zkhlp olal zspv.

“Gde vbld? Pke vblu xydytl vs lpnyrl?” Tkp hsknl valxczle, cyalzu qsaxkdt nsblaldv pldvldnlp. Ohld vbswtb bl nswze twlpp vbl ydpola, Nsdt Ckdtbyd pvkzz blze sdvs y pzkhla sq bsrl yde ypjle yzswe.

“Ls…” Nsdt Zwl vssj y ellr calyvb, vbl olktbv sq ldezlpp psaaso qkzzkdt bkp hsknl yp bl pktble, “Mblu yzz ekle. Pwyd Fbwikdt’p okql oyp raltdydv yv vbl vkxl, cwv… lhlausdl oyp rwpbkdt bkx, qsankdt bkx kdvs y nsadla. Gv vbl rlyj sq vbl xswdvykd, bl zywtble xydkynyzzu yde nwaple. Tl posal vbyv kq bl olal lhla alcsad, bl oswze xyjl pwal vbspl obs oasdtle bkx oswze ekl okvbswv cwakyz.”

Nsdt Ckdtbyd pbweelale, yp kq bl nswze blya vbyv hldtlqwz nwapl bkxplzq. Mbl kxxldpl alpldvxldv pllxle vs pokaz yaswde bkx, qkzzkdt bkx okvb yd shlaoblzxkdt qlya vbyv takrrle bkp blyav yde xyel kv ekqqknwzv vs calyvbl.

Tkp qynl vwadle ypbld. Fllkdt vbkp, Nsdt Zwl osaaklezu ryvvle bkp cynj. Nsdt Ckdtbyd, bsolhla, tldvzu rwpble bkp qyvbla’p byde yoyu yde ypjle kd y valxczkdt hsknl, “Gqvlaoyae… eke vblu fwxr sqq vbl nzkqq?”

Long Yue took a deep breath and sighed heavily, “Yes.”

In that moment, Long Qinghan felt his legs weaken, barely able to stand. He closed his eyes, and before him, it was as if he could see the couple leaping off the cliff, the wind howling, and their tragic laughter echoing atop the mountain.

“Who exactly was Duan Shuqing?” Although he already had an answer in his heart, Long Qinghan couldn’t help but ask aloud.

“After Duan Shuqing became the leader of the demonic sect, he was known as… ‘Moyue’ (Demon Moon).”

Long Qinghan’s pupils contracted as he trembled. So this was Moyue. This was the truth!

“Then, what was his connection to Feng Xuanyang?” Taking an unsteady step, Long Qinghan asked in a low voice.

Long Yue was taken aback, furrowing his brows. He turned his back, seemingly unwilling to answer.

“Could it be… Father, are you trying to tell me that Feng Xuanyang is Moyue reincarnated?”

Long Yue’s body stiffened. He clenched his fists and slowly exhaled, “Yes.”

“Impossible! Ridiculous!” With a loud crash, a small tree nearby was knocked over, revealing Long Qinghan’s rage. He stepped forward, his voice filled with fury, “How could Feng Xuanyang possibly be his reincarnation? He…”

“How much do you actually know about Feng Xuanyang’s past?” Long Yue turned to face him, his expression solemn.

“I…” Long Qinghan couldn’t answer. How much did he know? He let out a self-deprecating chuckle. He only knew the Feng Xuanyang he had met, but as for the Feng Xuanyang from over twenty years ago, he knew nothing.

“Feng Xuanyang always wears red, with a red lotus mark on his forehead, and wields the Chihuang Divine Sword, possessing unrivaled martial arts skills in the form of Mingyang Gong. Isn’t that right?” Long Yue stepped forward, his voice pressing.

“So what?” A chill ran down Long Qinghan’s spine, a bad feeling creeping over him.

“Did you know that twenty-two years ago, after Duan Shuqing and his wife jumped off the cliff, Duan used his body to cushion the fall and save his wife and unborn child? Afterward, his wife secretly buried his remains. A month later, in a mountain cave, she gave birth to a son. That child had a red lotus mark on his forehead, identical to the one on Duan Shuqing’s neck!”

Long Qinghan’s entire body trembled. He had never imagined that the red lotus mark had such an origin. “Duan Shuqing had a red lotus mark on his neck?”

“Yes. It was said that he loved red lotuses, and the Jiuhua Sect leader, upon hearing this, had someone tattoo the mark on him. So, if they aren’t the same person, how do you explain the mark?”

Long Qinghan was stunned. He could hardly believe it and tried to argue, “But perhaps it’s an inherited trait from his father. That… that can’t be ruled out.”

“Ziyue, you’re too naive. Feng Xuanyang not only has that red lotus mark but also shares the same mannerisms and martial arts style as Duan Shuqing. The Mingyang Gong he practices was created by Duan Shuqing, combining the martial arts of the righteous and demonic sects. Only Duan Shuqing knew how to use it. And the Chihuang Sword that Feng Xuanyang wields, though he’s reforged it, still bears an uncanny resemblance to the sword Moyue once used. Both are blood-red, as if they thirst for blood. Furthermore…” Long Yue’s eyes suddenly turned cold. “After Feng Xuanyang first appeared in the martial world, Xiangzong, the sect that led the assault on the mountain back then, was mysteriously wiped out.”

Long Qinghan shuddered. He hadn’t known that Xiangzong had been the one to lead the attack on the mountain. “That can’t be. Xiang Meishan Manor has always been…”

Long Yue waved his hand to stop him. “There are some things I’m telling you now only so you’ll know. The people of the martial world care deeply about their reputation. Now that the dead are gone, we shouldn’t speak ill of others. Do you know why Xiang Meishan Manor retired from the martial world? It wasn’t because they had no heirs but because Xiangzong’s leader had once been the Jiuhua Sect’s last disciple. He was part of the attack on the mountain. After Duan Shuqing and his wife jumped off the cliff, many people were haunted by his curse. Over the years, those involved in the attack have died one by one. Those still alive, for the sake of their reputation, dare not mention the events of that year.”

“But whether it was Moyue’s escape and subsequent killings or the Jiuhua Sect being incited to attack the demonic sect, right and wrong have blurred over the years. History will judge. However, the shadow of that day lingers. People live in fear, and though they claim not to speak of Moyue, the mere mention of his name still strikes terror. Xiangzong’s leader retired because he feared Moyue’s reincarnation seeking revenge. Little did he know…”

At this point, Long Qinghan had a vague sense of what Long Yue was implying. He clenched his fists and said sharply, “But Xiang Meishan Manor was destroyed by a curse, not by Feng Xuanyang!”

“How do you know it wasn’t him? Were you there to see the culprit cast the curse?” Long Yue forcefully waved his hand, cutting him off.

Long Qinghan froze. No, he had no proof that Feng Xuanyang wasn’t involved. Suddenly, he recalled the night he dreamed of Xiangzong’s death, the plum blossom, and Feng Xuanyang’s late-night appearance. Could it really have been Feng Xuanyang?

In an instant, he began to shiver uncontrollably. He also remembered how each time he tried to ask about Moyue, Feng Xuanyang would divert the conversation.

Feng Xuanyang, oh Feng Xuanyang, what secrets are you hiding?

Long Qinghan closed his eyes, his mind drifting back to the night Feng Xuanyang shouted at Xiang Meishan Manor, “Someday, I will unite the martial world and end your prejudice!” He should have realized then. A proud, arrogant man like Feng Xuanyang wouldn’t seek to unite the martial world over a trivial matter. Yes, after several martial sect leaders were mysteriously killed, it was discovered that Feng Xuanyang had been responsible. So…

Ha, Long Qinghan stepped back, shaking his head in disbelief. From the very beginning, no matter what he did, had Feng Xuanyang always intended to take revenge?

Long Yue saw that Long Qinghan had started to believe, and he continued, “Even if Feng Xuanyang isn’t Duan Shuqing’s reincarnation, he’s still his son. Do you think he would spare those who wronged Duan Shuqing? Ziyue, turn back now. If you stay with him, you will only carry more guilt and resentment.”

Turn back? Long Qinghan stumbled a step. His heart was already lost. How could he turn back? The only thing he could do was stop Feng Xuanyang before death came for him!

“Ziyue…” Long Yue worriedly approached to support Long Qinghan, but Long Qinghan angrily brushed him aside. “I don’t believe it! If it’s true, then how do you know all of this?” In his rage, he addressed his father as “you.”

“Because…” Long Yue sighed deeply, “because his wife was my cousin.”

“What!” Long Qinghan was stunned. He never imagined that his father had ties to the demonic sect.

“It’s hard to believe, I know. The demonic sect split off from our family during my grandfather’s generation. But my father still maintained secret contact with them, so over the years, my cousin and I remained close. I didn’t join the assault on the mountain that day. After she survived, my cousin came to me two years later, told me the truth, and entrusted the two-year-old Feng Xuanyang to me. Not long after, she passed away. On the second night that Feng Xuanyang stayed here, he suddenly disappeared. I searched for him everywhere but couldn’t find him. The next time I saw him, he had changed his name and became the leader of the Jiutian Sect. But I will never forget that red lotus mark on his forehead.”

“No…” Hearing all this was too much for Long Qinghan. He stumbled a few steps before regaining his balance. “I won’t believe it. I refuse to believe it…”

“Ziyue, you…”

“No!” Long Qinghan shouted. “Even if he seeks revenge, what of it? What does it have to do with me!”

“Ziyue, how can you still be so blind? Are you going to help him in his evil deeds? And besides, have you ever heard him express any feelings for you? Perhaps he only approached you to use you!”

“He has!” Long Qinghan clenched his fists and shouted.

Yes, Feng Xuanyang had once held him close and, with his dying breath, whispered, “I love you.” Yet, after hearing those words, Long Qinghan had lost him forever.

A deep sorrow welled up in his heart. That moment when Feng Xuanyang had smiled and closed his eyes replayed over and over in his mind.

Two swords drawn, a fatal strike, and when he turned back, it was already their final farewell.

He had already lost once. How could he lose him again?

Long Yue was stunned. He hadn’t realized how deep the bond between the two was. He sighed heavily, “Ziyue, you must understand that staying with him will lead you to endless suffering.”

“Even if the world misunderstands him, betrays him, I will never abandon him!”

Each word struck Long Yue’s heart like a hammer. The coldness that usually filled Long Qinghan’s eyes now burned with a fiery passion, igniting in the desolate moonlit night.

“Ziyue, you’ve sacrificed so much for him, but does he even understand your pain?”

“I haven’t sacrificed anything for him.” Long Qinghan raised his right hand, staring blankly at his palm. This hand had once killed him, ending his arrogant life.

“But he sacrificed his life for me.”

A tear gently slid down, tracing his lips. It wasn’t until Feng Xuanyang’s death that he understood: Feng Xuanyang hadn’t died for himself, but to set Long Qinghan free. To free him from his attachment, his obsession, and to allow him to become the leader of the martial world, ruling over it. That proud man had silently paved the way for his future.

“Ziyue, are you really willing to cause a catastrophe in the martial world for him?” Long Yue’s voice was weak. He knew that from the moment he had revealed the truth, his proud son was beyond saving.

“No, I will stop him. Father, Duan Shuqing was innocent from the start, wasn’t he? What is righteousness, what is demonic? He never harmed anyone.”

“That may be true, but…”

“Father! If you truly care about the martial world, why haven’t you tried to stop this? You are the leader of the martial alliance, aren’t you?” Long Qinghan angrily flung his sleeve.

Long Yue froze. Yes, how could he forget? Given his connection to Moyue, how could he ever openly oppose Feng Xuanyang?

“Enough. Go, then. If you can stop him, that would be best. If not… then leave it to fate.”

Long Qinghan paused, looking at his father’s lonely figure. A deep sense of sadness filled his heart.

He stepped forward and embraced his father, who had aged several years in an instant, gently patting his back. “Father, I’m sorry for being unfilial.”

Long Yue didn’t reply. He simply raised his hand and returned the embrace. His trembling hand betrayed his emotions, and he lowered his head, resting it on his son’s shoulder, quietly shedding tears.

The moon cast long shadows, and time slowed in the silence of the father and son’s embrace.

As the sky lightened with the dawn, Long Qinghan raised his head, wiping away the tears at the corners of his eyes. He steeled his heart, turned, and leapt onto the wall. “Father, I’m leaving.”

“Take care of yourself.”

“I will. You too, Father.”

“Alright.”

“Then… I’m going.”

“Wait!”

Long Qinghan paused. Turning back, he saw something flying toward him. He caught it with a sweep of his sleeve and looked down. It was a wooden hairpin carved in the shape of a dragon, intricately detailed, cool to the touch, and faintly fragrant with the scent of wood.

“This…”

“A month from now is your coming-of-age ceremony. This is my gift to you for the occasion.”

“Father…” Long Qinghan hesitated for a moment, his hand trembling as he held the hairpin. He took a step forward, ready to return.

But Long Yue waved him off, stopping him. “Go to Jiuhua Sect and see what you can find. And, if possible, uncover the one who orchestrated everything back then.” After saying this, Long Yue turned and walked away, giving Long Qinghan no chance to bid farewell, leaving only his solitary figure behind.

Long Qinghan watched his father’s lonely form disappear into the distance. He tied the hairpin into his hair, turned toward the rising sun, and with a few graceful leaps, vanished into the horizon.

Today they parted, and who knew when they would meet again.

“Moyue, oh Moyue, there are things even I cannot stop. Those two children… I only hope your spirit can protect them.” A sigh echoed from the corner of the wall, filling the empty courtyard with a sorrowful melancholy.

Long Qinghan didn’t know how far or how long he had run. His emotions were in turmoil, and he couldn’t express the storm inside him. It felt like something was blocking his heart, making it ache and burn. It was as if he only needed to release it, and then he would feel better.

But no matter how deeply he breathed, he couldn’t calm his mind, and even breathing became painful.

Gradually, whether from exhaustion or emotional fatigue, just before his legs gave out, everything went black, and he collapsed without warning.

In his muddled consciousness, he felt a pair of familiar hands catching him. A soft sigh echoed in his ear, “You, when will you ever learn to take care of yourself…”