Journey of Flower Translation #29

“Zihua is back! I was just wondering why it was so noisy over here. Why are you guys standing around? If you are so close to home then come in and sit for a while.” Sheng Xiao Mo silently lets out a big sigh of relief when he saw Bai Zihua and Hua Qiangu who has recovered her memory but has obviously chosen to let the past go to stay by Zihua’s side. He has lost count of how many times he has asked Bai Zihua to bring Xiao Gu back or mentioned that Mo Yan has truly repented of his mistakes but Zihua has never agreed. He could never tell if Zihua couldn’t forgive Mo Yan or he couldn’t forgive himself for killing Hua Qiangu.

Mo Yan has aged quite a bit and lost a lot of the severity in his personality these last few years. Zhu Ran’s death was too big of a blow to him. Life is such a funny thing. After everything, those who had died all showed up in front of him one after another. However, the only one whose soul has been truly obliterated ended up being just one- Zhu Ran. That silly child has always been selfish so who would’ve guessed that he would sacrifice himself for someone else in the end.

Her thoughts naturally turn to Zhu Ran when she sees Mo Yan, Qiangu’s heart is filled with sadness. She would have never thought the one who changed everything, the one who saved her and gave her the chance to be with Master is Zhu Ran…

Mo Yan looks at Bai Zihua then at Qiangu. He wanted to convince Zihua to stay but no words would come other than “Zihua…”

Bai Zihua understood of course but the memory of the day Chang Liu was destroyed and how he had cruelly plunged the sword…a pain suddenly sized Bai Zihua’s chest to the point he almost lost his balance.

“Master…” Qiangu grabs hold of his hand “Let’s go back!”

Zihua stares at Hua Qiangu in shock. Shouldn’t she be the one that would hate the idea the most? It was because of Chang Liu that he had hurt her repeatedly…and even killed her in the end.

Her eyes bright and clear, Hua Qiangu says “Master, let’s go back. Chang Liu and everyone needs you like I do. Chang Liu holds the most beautiful memories of my life. I miss that place a lot. Moreover, now that we finally have everything back after going through so much I want to spend every minute, every second with everyone. Most importantly, I want to be the most important person to Master but not to the point of pushing everything out of your life. Your master charged you with the responsibility of safeguarding the Six Realms, this is not something that can be pushed away or ignored. Don’t leave and abandon it because of me. Chang Liu is Master’s home, it is Master’s root and it was once everything to Master. In the past, even though Master was alone but you never felt lonely because you had a purpose. But all these years in Cloud Mountain you were never truly happy. I know Master’s heart has always been tethered to this place or you would not have chosen the sea of Chang Liu as your escape. Master, let’s go back. Love and duty can co-exist. Xiao Gu wants to know if the plum trees are blossoming well this year.”

Unable to say anything, Bai Zihua holds Qiangu’s hand tightly. After a long long time, Zihua finally gives a small nod. If even she can let it go then how can he not.

So elated, everyone almost cheered out loud, even Mo Yan lets out a slight smile.

“Let go! Today just happens to be Chang Liu’s Sword Festival so we can all celebrate and have a grand feast!” Yuo Ro excitedly declares.

Everyone nods and begins to fly into the sky but Qiangu suddenly slips down.

“Xiao Gu, what’s wrong?” Bai Zihua looks at her nervously.

“Nothing. Master, I am so tired. Carry me.”

Blinking rapidly, Yuo Ro thought to herself “Master is so naughty!”

Bai Zihua looks around at all the peering eyes. It’s not like he has never carried her in front of other people but he wasn’t aware of his own feelings back then so he didn’t think anything of it…but now that he is finally honest with himself he is suddenly feeling shy…but that still didn’t stop him from picking Qiangu up without any hesitation.

The eight thousand pupils who were all in chaos because their leaders had disappeared without a word look up to see Bai Zihua descending with Hua Qiangu in his arm.  After a few stunned silence, the crowd erupted into an earth-shattering cheer.

The one with the widest grin, Yuo Ro says “Master, now that you are back you can finally teach me yourself!”

“Yuo Ru…” Qiangu mutters, feeling a bit ashamed. She is really not a good master. She has never taught Yuo Ro a single day but always makes her worry. Qiangu just hopes that she can slowly make amends but…

A faint worry flashes across her eyes but quickly disappears. Tears blur her vision as she stares at the familiar Chang Liu mountains and the floating Jueqing Dian (that’s Bai Zihua’s place in Chang Liu).

Yuo Ro lets out a laugh as all the pupil calls out “Most Honorable one!” and says “Most Honorable One, you got to take your seat back now. This is what everyone wants. They have been tortured by me all these years so they have been waiting for you to come back.”

Zihua shakes his head. From the tenacity Yuo Ro showed while trying to break into Cloud Mountain all these years, it is obvious that she has what it takes to be a good leader for Chang Liu. Compare to the stuffy and strict Chang Liu of the past, the Chang Liu now has a sense of energy.

The festival begins in earnest. Breathing hard after playing for a short time, Qiangu wipes the sweat from her forehead and calls “Everyone, come to Jueqing Dian. I will personally make something tasty for you…” She hopes that Jueqing Dian will be vibrant with people from now on, a place welcoming for all. Bai Zihua understands what Qiangu wants and nods slightly.

Thrilled to have the opportunity to finally step into the legendary Jueqing Dian, a crowd promptly follows behind Qiangu.

Nothing has changed, it was like they had left yesterday. Bai Zihua lightly pats Qiangu’s head “Don’t cry…”

Quickly wiping away her tears. Qiangu chides herself for crying on such a happy day. Rolling up her sleeves, Qiangu dives into the kitchen along with Yuo Ro and a bunch of others that had clamored to help.

 

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