Chapter Forty-Nine: Senior and Junior Disciples

“Senior brother, your head is still right on your neck—you can’t fool me!” In moments like this, Qiu Wan’er truly was a childish girl; even her voice carried a hint of playfulness. Yet perhaps that was for the best—after all, a woman who is easily placated is no bad thing. At least, that was how Han Tanyi felt at this instant. He laughed along with her, and the tangled emotions weighing on his heart seemed to dissolve. Their laughter grew so hearty that even the birds and beasts in the mountain woods were startled, fluttering up in a great commotion.

“This Cold Cicada Pearl is for you!” Laughter like this could not last long; soon both of them were left breathless, and as their laughter faded, the surroundings grew quiet once more. Only the faint sound of wind rustling through the leaves could be heard—a silence that carried a trace of awkwardness. Suddenly, Han Tanyi seemed to recall something; he reached into his robe and produced the pearl, offering it to her. To give back what he had once given away felt awkward, and handing it to someone else gave him peace of mind. In this moment, Qiu Wan’er was the most suitable recipient. As he opened his hand, her expression turned peculiar, a mix of jealousy and confusion predominant. She looked at her senior brother with puzzled eyes: “So you really did go to see Hua Butterfly first. She didn’t want this, did she?”

The words in her heart were tangled, as if she wanted to say more but could not, so only these simple phrases left her lips. Han Tanyi also felt awkward but did not wish to explain further. The reasons were too complicated to articulate, so he simply smiled, as if tacitly admitting what she said. Qiu Wan’er, seeing this, felt reassured; if that was truly the case, then his distracted demeanor earlier had an explanation. Yet she could not help thinking to herself: Hmph, Han Tanyi, you’re giving me what Hua Butterfly refused—if I accept, won’t I seem too cheap? I absolutely cannot take it. But this pearl is so beautiful, so captivating! Besides, if I don’t accept, won’t I embarrass my senior brother? No, no!

Han Tanyi could not have known the thoughts racing through Qiu Wan’er’s mind. But in the blink of an eye, he flipped his hand, firmly pressing the pearl into her palm before she could react. In the end, this left her feeling unexpectedly at ease. She muttered in a low voice, “He forced this on me—it’s not like I asked for it!”

“What are you mumbling about?” Perhaps her voice was too soft; though Han Tanyi stood close by, he could not make out her words and could not help but ask. His question startled her out of her thoughts, and she felt a little embarrassed to have been caught. Still, how could she let him know what she was really thinking? She pursed her lips, striving to hide her feelings, and raised her voice to steady herself. Even so, she dared not meet Han Tanyi’s eyes, only lowering her head to gaze at the pearl in her hand. “Nothing at all. I was just saying how beautiful this luminous pearl is. By the way, you called it the Cold Cicada Pearl just now—why? Isn’t this a luminous pearl?”

Qiu Wan’er’s words tumbled out in confusion, her voice hurried as if afraid a slower pace would betray her. But it was only her own overthinking; Han Tanyi never suspected a thing. As for her question, he had no real answer. He could only respond helplessly, following her lead: “Well, I don’t know either. I remember clearly it was a luminous pearl when I got it—how did it become the Cold Cicada Pearl?”

“That must be something Hua Butterfly told you. Did she think it wasn’t good enough and refuse to take it?” It was as if she’d stumbled on some secret, and Qiu Wan’er could not help saying so. But halfway through, she realized her words might sting, as if poking at his wounds, and hastily stopped herself. Han Tanyi could only respond with a silent, helpless look. Hua Butterfly had indeed refused the pearl, and that was enough; the reason didn’t matter. His expression grew somber, and Qiu Wan’er felt as if she truly had struck a sore spot. She hurried to change the subject: “If she doesn’t want it, then I do! Even if it were just a blade of grass or a single flower, as your junior sister, I’d cherish it too. Thank you, senior brother!”

Her words, though aligning with her true feelings, were still kind and thoughtful. Han Tanyi felt a warm current rise in his heart; his somber mood dissipated, and he looked at her slightly flustered face, suddenly breaking into a smile full of happiness. “Hearing you say that gladdens your senior brother’s heart. No wonder—I did watch you grow up!”

“Who are you to say you watched me grow up? You’re only a few years older than I am. If anything, it’s me who’s watched you grow old!” The previously sentimental mood was instantly broken by her teasing. Her already upturned lips curled even higher, openly challenging him. Seeing her like this, Han Tanyi’s own playful spirit was roused—he was only about twenty, after all. At that age, mischief came naturally. “Even so, I’m still a few years older than you. I watched you grow up!”

“No, you’re the one getting old!” “You’re the one growing up!” The light banter went back and forth, neither willing to yield. Their voices grew louder, as if they meant to sell the entire mountain with their laughter. Who knows how long they kept at it before both grew tired, finally leaning against a mossy stone to catch their breath. Recalling their childish antics, they exchanged a glance and couldn’t help but laugh quietly once more.

The dampness of the forest had already been chased away by the sunlight, and the hazy air was now clear. Under the budding branches and leaves of early spring, everything brimmed with vitality and a unique charm. The two young people walked on, step by step. The Qilian foothills were not high to begin with, and their banter made the journey seem all the shorter. Han Tanyi felt, as always, that only with this mischievous girl could he truly let go and be himself. Perhaps this was what people called kinship.

Still, even as they chatted, some things weighed heavily on Han Tanyi’s mind. The mountain scenes had not changed, but his heart surely had. He’d once thought his life would be simple and straightforward, lived out in these wild hills. But this latest journey had changed everything; what he’d once believed in now seemed uncertain.

The Cold Cicada Pearl—what secrets did this ordinary-sounding name conceal? Han Tanyi could not say. Mingyue Manor was a pillar of the martial world, and Shen Wansan had only one daughter. No matter how many treasures he possessed, all would surely go to her; how could a simple pearl take the place of something more? And what of the Blue Lotus Sect, whose formidable leader, Water Lotus, was said to have died sixteen years ago? Why then did she suddenly appear before him? Was there some unspeakable secret? If he had remained ignorant, perhaps life would have been easier. But now he knew of the Blue Lotus Sect, and that his own master’s wife had died at Water Lotus’s hands. The debt owed to Celestial Daoist for raising him had to be repaid, and yet he had promised Shui Linglong to forget all about the Blue Lotus Sect. Whether to speak or stay silent—either choice was torment.

And then there was Hua Butterfly. Who was she, truly? If she was as she appeared—an elusive recluse in the mountain valley—how could she know things even he did not? If she was not, then who was she really?