**Chapter 19: Revelations and Hidden Feelings**
The three martial brothers sat amidst a gathering of ferrets, laughing and raising their cups with the two Halfway Taoists. The cups brimmed with *Dao Liquid* [43], and their conversation flowed freely, filled with tales of mountains and landscapes, creating an atmosphere of unrestrained joy.
The Halfway Ferret Taoist, eyes bleary with drink, shoved a wine pouch into Qingyun's arms. "This humble Taoist meets you for the first time, young brother Qingyun. Take this pouch of spirit wine as a greeting gift."
Qingyun, caught off guard, was about to politely decline when he heard his Second Senior Brother say, "Accept it."
Surprised, he glanced at Qingshu, who leaned in and whispered, "*They* don't understand *our* customs of polite refusal. Too much modesty might be seen as disrespect, and they'd take offense."
Qingshu subtly emphasized "they" and "we," and Qingyun understood: "they" referred to non-human cultivators, while "we" meant human Taoists. He quickly accepted the pouch and thanked the Halfway Ferret Taoist, who beamed with pride, grinning from ear to ear.
Not to be outdone, the Halfway Cypress Taoist rustled its branches, and a bough lowered, bearing a single, crystalline green leaf.
Both senior brothers sat up straight, eyes wide at the sight. The cypress's gruff voice rumbled, "For you, young brother Qingyun."
Qingpeng, ever direct, exclaimed, "This… this is a *Cypress Heart* [44]! Old Halfway, you're willing to part with it?"
Qingpeng, too lazy to distinguish between the two Halfway Taoists, often called them "Old Halfway" or "Little Halfway" interchangeably. Neither minded, so it stuck.
Qingshu nudged Qingyun with his elbow, urging him to accept quickly.
Qingpeng continued, almost shouting, "A *Cypress Heart*—ancient cypress Taoists can only condense one every hundred years! It's incredibly versatile. Junior Brother, what are you waiting for? Take it before Old Halfway changes his mind!"
The Halfway Cypress Taoist seemed pleased, its entire form shaking with delight. "I won't change my mind," it said in its rough voice. "Old Halfway isn't stingy like Little Halfway."
It huffed triumphantly, making the Halfway Ferret Taoist bristle, ready to pull out something even better to outdo the cypress.
Qingshu smoothly intervened, "Alright, alright. This *Dao Liquid* is a royal specialty—let's all enjoy it."
Seeing the two Halfway Taoists bicker without harming their friendship, Qingyun smiled warmly. As one of the central figures in this gathering, a wave of warmth flowed through him. He had once thought being a Taoist meant endless, solitary cultivation, but these recent experiences had shifted his perspective. He never imagined that life as a Taoist could be so vibrant and full of unexpected connections.
Qingshu noticed Qingyun's smile and tapped him lightly with his fan. When Qingyun looked over, Qingshu said, "This Fuqiu Peak is the most unassuming of Xuanshui Peak's auxiliary peaks. The two seniors here are known as the Fuqiu Elders. Though not officially part of the *Five Elements Sect* [11], they're renowned within the sect, and ordinary disciples rarely set foot here."
Qingyun nodded in realization. "So, I owe this visit to my senior brothers' connections."
Qingshu whispered, "Not entirely. I'm also here thanks to Senior Brother."
Curious, Qingyun listened as Qingshu explained, "Senior Brother is straightforward but has a knack for understanding people, so he's well-liked and has many friends. In the future, if you face trouble outside, mentioning his name might help."
Qingyun nodded, but just then, the Halfway Ferret Taoist pretended to be angry, shouting, "What are you two whispering about? Badmouthing me?"
Qingshu bowed slightly. "I was just telling Junior Brother how rare it is to visit Fuqiu Peak."
Flattered, the ferret thumped its chest. "Rare? Nonsense! Since you're Qingpeng's junior brother, come anytime you like. Right, Old Halfway?"
The cypress rumbled, "Little Halfway's right—come whenever you wish."
Qingpeng gave them a thumbs-up. "You're the best."
The group continued chatting, and as Qingpeng recounted their trip to the Northern Border Mountains, the Halfway Ferret Taoist leaned in mysteriously. "Qingpeng, you don't need to go so far to hunt *Immortals* lately."
Both Halfway Taoists had cultivated for over a century, making them seniors to the three brothers. Calling Qingpeng and Qingshu "lad" was fitting.
Qingpeng asked, puzzled, "What do you mean?"
The ferret glanced around and whispered, "My children have scented *Immortals* nearby, and Old Halfway's kin are saying the same. Many *Immortals* have been gathering near the *Five Elements Sect* lately, though their purpose is unclear."
Qingshu frowned. "But the sect hasn't reported anything…"
Suddenly, both senior brothers exchanged a look of alarm.
Qingpeng spoke first, "Could it be a *Heaven-Shielding Technique* [45]?"
Qingshu's face grew serious, clearly thinking the same.
"Perhaps that Northern Border Mountain bunch followed us?" Qingshu suggested, looking to Qingpeng for his thoughts.
"The situation's unclear," Qingpeng said, crossing his arms. "With Master's fierce reputation and the sect's ties to the dynasty, even the Northern Border Mountains, with their countless *Immortals*, shouldn't act rashly."
Qingshu tapped his fan thoughtfully. "But Master did ask me to warn Father that he'd recently slain a significant tiger *Immortal*, fearing retaliation from its backers against the sect and the dynasty. Maybe those forces are scheming in the shadows."
Qingpeng shot to his feet. "If even Master is wary… we must report this to him at once!"
Hearing talk of *Immortals*, Qingyun recalled the Xieyang Pavilion in Golden Radiance City. "Second Senior Brother, could this be related to the *Immortal* sealed beneath Xieyang Pavilion?"
Qingpeng, about to leave, turned back. "Right, isn't there a legend of an *Immortal* sealed under Xieyang Pavilion? You'd know about that, wouldn't you?"
Qingshu hesitated, closing his fan. "About Xieyang Pavilion… actually, there's no record in the library. The tale's been around so long that most disciples think it's just a rumor concocted by Golden Radiance City to tie itself to the sect."
His words surprised Qingyun, who thought of Qingxuan's enthusiastic recounting of the story. Thinking of her, he recalled her odd reaction when Qingshu arrived.
Hesitantly, Qingyun began, "Second Senior Brother and Senior Sister Qingxuan…"
Before he could finish, Qingpeng laughed heartily. "Your Second Senior Brother and Qingxuan were once betrothed."
Stunned by this revelation, Qingyun froze. Qingshu rubbed his forehead, pained by Qingpeng's bluntness. Noting Qingyun's crestfallen look, he quickly added, "Neither Qingxuan nor I had any interest in it. The engagement was later annulled by Martial Aunt Chi Yan."
The emotional whiplash left Qingyun reeling, his disappointment lingering. "So, Second Senior Brother, you really don't…"
Qingshu cut him off, his face uncharacteristically serious. Usually, Qingshu wore a gentle smile, even when offering advice.
He said, "Perhaps to you, Qingxuan is the singular sun in the sky. But for me, there is another, a singular moon in the night, irreplaceable."
His eyes grew distant, tinged with sorrow, as memories surfaced.
Qingpeng clapped his shoulder in silent support.
Qingshu smiled bitterly. "I thought I'd see what kind of person could win her heart. But now that I have, I can't even express my true feelings."
A branch lowered, and the Halfway Cypress Taoist's gruff voice interjected, "Chixiao has no interest in Chi Yan. You still have a chance, lad."
"Shut it, tree stump!" the Halfway Ferret Taoist snapped, trying to silence the cypress.
Realizing its mistake, the cypress withdrew its branch, its knot-face smoothing to mimic an ordinary tree. The ferret, after scolding, leaped onto a branch and feigned sleep. Unnoticed, the other ferrets had quietly dispersed.
Though the cypress tried to blend in, its words had already sunk in. Qingyun gaped, eyes wide with shock.
Qingshu didn't hide it. "Yes, the one in my heart is Martial Aunt Chi Yan."
Qingyun remained stunned. Qingpeng wanted to explain, but Qingshu raised a hand, stopping him. Qingpeng swallowed his words, understanding that Qingshu wished to clarify himself.
Qingshu's eyes misted over, lost in memory.
In a soft, nostalgic tone, he said, "When I was fourteen, a war separated me from my father. Martial Aunt Chi Yan single-handedly rescued me. Since then, I've admired her deeply."
Pausing, he looked earnestly at Qingyun. "Even by blood, I must call her 'Aunt.'"
Qingpeng sighed, turning away, unable to watch Qingshu's pain.
Moved by Qingshu's confession, Qingyun thought of his own feelings for Qingxuan. Perhaps he, too, was unworthy of her.
**Footnotes**:
[11] **Five Elements Sect**: Taoist sect mastering the five elemental forces, central to the story.
[43] **Dao Liquid**: A mystical elixir that induces visions and enhances perception of *Dao* principles.
[44] **Cypress Heart**: A rare treasure condensed by ancient cypress Taoists every century, with versatile uses in cultivation.
[45] **Heaven-Shielding Technique**: A method to conceal activities from celestial observation, often used to hide from *Immortals* or divine forces.
原始中文文本
師兄弟三人坐在貓鼬群中央,與兩位一半道人舉杯談笑,杯中是靈酒道液,言語間暢談山水景色,好不快意.
一半貓鼬道人將酒囊硬是塞入青雲懷中,醉眼惺忪地說道:「貧道和青雲老弟初次見面,這袋靈酒就當見面禮了.」
青雲不知所措,正要客氣幾句.卻聽見二師兄說了一句:「收下.」
他有些詫異地看向青書,二師兄輕聲解釋道:「『他們』不懂『我們』那套虛禮,若是太過客套,容易被當成是看不起,反倒為人不喜.」
二師兄刻意在說到「他們」與「我們」時略微加重語氣,青雲聽懂了,「他們」即是異種修道者,而「我們」則暗指人族修道者.他連忙收下,並向一半貓鼬道人致謝,讓這位一半道人備感得意,笑得合不攏嘴.
一半古柏道人也不甘示弱,整棵樹簌簌地抖了一陣後,樹枝再次垂了下來,上面垂落一枚碧色晶瑩的樹葉.
這回連兩位師兄都坐不住了,瞪大眼睛看向那片樹葉,只聽見古柏道人甕聲甕氣地道:「給,青雲老弟.」
性子直接的青鵬立刻瞪大了眼,大聲叫道:「這,這可是古柏之心.老一半,連這也捨得拿出來?」
師兄懶得分什麼一半古柏和一半貓鼬,總是老一半,小一半的隨便叫著,兩位道人反正是不介意,他也就叫順嘴了.
青書微笑著用手肘頂了一下青雲,示意他趕緊接過.
此時青鵬仍在嚷嚷,似乎也是有意在向青雲解釋:「古柏之心,那可是古柏道者每百年才能凝聚一片的樹心,妙用頗多.師弟,還楞著幹啥,趕緊收下來,免得等等老一半反悔了.」
一半古柏道人似乎很開心,整棵樹再次簌簌地抖著.他用著粗啞嗓音說道:「才不會,老一半不是小氣鬼,小一半才是.」
說完,還哼了一聲,頗為得意.
這讓一半貓鼬道人頓時忍不住,氣呼呼地就要從身上翻出更好的東西,將一半古柏道人比下去.
青書忙打圓場道:「好了好了.貧道帶來這道液可是皇室特供,大家多喝點.」
眼見兩位真性情的一半道人鬧歸鬧,卻沒有傷了彼此感情.青雲在旁菀爾一笑,身為主角之一的他,心底不禁有股暖流淌過.原本以為,作道士便是要不停清修,然而這些日子的經歷卻讓他的想法慢慢轉變,從未想過,當個道士也能有這麼豐富多彩的人生.
二師兄察覺青雲嘴角笑意,手中摺扇點了點青雲,待他注意過來,才開口說道:「這浮丘峰為玄水峰輔峰中最為不起眼的一座,兩位前輩在此修道,又稱浮丘二老.雖其未入五行觀之列,但在門內可是赫赫有名,一般弟子輕易不可涉足.」
青雲恍然,說道:「原來師弟是托了兩位師兄的關係.」
青書悄聲說道:「並不盡然,二師兄也是托了大師兄的關係.」
這句話讓青雲不由得感到好奇,二師兄說道:「大師兄性情直爽,但總能察己知人,因此交遊廣闊,頗受歡迎.往後師弟行走在外,若遇上難題,報上大師兄名號,或有幫助.」
青雲頷首,此時貓鼬道人佯裝發怒,朝他們嚷道:「你倆在那聊著什麼,是不是偷說了本道壞話.」
二師兄向貓鼬道人拱手說道:「青書是在告訴師弟,今日能上這浮丘峰有多難得.」
貓鼬道人被青書一誇,有些飄飄然.他大力一拍胸脯,朗聲說道:「有什麼好難得,既然是青鵬的師弟,這浮丘峰要上便上,隨時想來就來.是不是?老一半.」
古柏道人甕聲甕氣地道:「小一半,說得對,要上便上.」
青鵬對兩位一半道人豎起拇指讚道:「夠意思.」
幾人圍在一起,繼續談天說地,就在青鵬聊起他和二師兄去北疆山的經過時,一半貓鼬道人突然神秘兮兮地說道:「青鵬小子,你最近想尋仙不用跑這麼遠啦.」
兩位一半道人的修行都已過百年,對於師兄弟三人來說,年紀上自然都是前輩了,因此稱呼青鵬與青書一聲小子也不為過.
青鵬詫異問道:「什麼意思?」
一半貓鼬左右看了看,低聲道:「貧道的孩兒們在附近聞到仙味,老一半那兒的同族也都在傳,好像有許多仙在最近趕到五行觀附近,不知道究竟想做啥.」
青書蹙起眉頭,問道:「可師門中並無回報⋯⋯」
突然,大師兄與二師兄對看一眼,都從對方眼中看見一抹驚疑不定.
大師兄率先說道:「難道是遮掩天機之法?」
青書臉色凝重,似乎也想到了同一種可能.
「難道是北疆山那廝帶夥追過來了?」他懷疑地看著青鵬,想要聽聽他的想法.
「情勢尚未明朗,暫時也看不透.畢竟有師父的赫赫凶名,加上觀內與王朝的關係,北疆山雖號稱十萬大山,其上仙家無數,想來也不該輕舉妄動.」青鵬抱胸沉思,似乎也想不出個所以然.
青書敲了敲手中扇子,思索道:「不過師父曾命我傳訊父王,說他老人家前陣子尋了一頭頗有來歷的虎仙,怕虎仙背後之人暗施詭計,對王朝與五行觀進行報復.也許,正是師父所說的背後勢力在暗地裡布局.」
青鵬一聽,霍地站起身,急道:「若連師父都感到忌憚⋯⋯不成!事關重大,刻不容緩,師兄得先回青木峰稟報師尊才行!」
聽聞兩位師兄提到仙,青雲卻想起金煌城中的斜陽亭,便開口向二師兄說:「二師兄,此事會不會和斜陽亭下的那位仙有關?」
青鵬本來正欲告別離去,此時聞言,又立刻看向青書,問道:「對啊,那斜陽亭下不是傳說鎮壓了一位仙?這事,你應該清楚罷?」
青書一愣,片刻後收起展開的摺扇,有些遲疑地說:「關於斜陽亭.其實,藏書閣並無相關記述.傳言時日已久,同門大多都將此事當作是──金煌城為了和五行觀牽上關係而杜撰的謠傳.」
二師兄話一說完,所有人都明白了他的意思.但這段話卻讓青雲心中感到訝異,同時也想到提起這件事情眉飛色舞的青璇.想到青璇,他便想起剛才二師兄找自己時,師姐的異樣反應.
青雲欲言又止:「二師兄和青璇師姐⋯⋯」
二師兄尚未反應,大師兄便哈哈大笑地開口說道:「你二師兄和青璇曾有過婚約.」
沒想過會聽到這個答案的青雲愕然,青書則撫著額頭,對大師兄的貿然插話感到頭疼,眼角餘光看見青雲臉上露出一抹失落神色,他連忙說道:「青璇師妹和我都沒有這份意思,此事後來便在赤煙師伯的授意下取消了.」
可這樣的大起大落,對青雲來說確實太過迅速,讓他有些反應不過來,失落神色仍凝在臉上,他下意識開口問道:「二師兄對師姐真的⋯⋯」
話未說完,青書便打斷了他.
他收起摺扇,青雲第一次看見二師兄如此嚴肅的樣子,平常的青書都是帶著溫雅笑容,即使在提醒青雲時,也都是帶著和煦微笑.
青書說道:「也許在師弟眼中,青璇師妹是獨一無二的蒼穹之日.但對於師兄來說,同樣有另外一名獨一無二的夜間皎潔,亦是無人可替代的存在.」
敘述間,彷彿想起了回憶,青書眼眸中多了幾分恍然,垂下的目光亦顯露出幾分愁緒.
一直沒說話的青鵬拍了拍他的肩膀,沒有多話,一切盡在不言中.
青書卻是苦笑道:「本想看看能讓她愛上的人,是什麼樣子.卻沒想到看見之後,連真正的心意都無法表達了.」
上方忽然垂下樹枝,古柏道人用粗啞的嗓音插了一嘴道:「赤霄對赤煙也沒意思,你小子不是沒有機會.」
「閉嘴,樹渣!」一半貓鼬道人連忙喝斥一聲,想要阻止古柏道人繼續說話.
古柏道人似乎也知道自己說錯了話,樹枝回到原位,樹幹上的疙瘩臉也鬆開,偽裝得就像是一棵普通的柏樹.貓鼬則在罵完古柏後,也跳上古柏樹枝,閉上眼睛假寐.眼看氣氛丕變,周遭的貓鼬也在幾人沒注意到時,默默散去.
雖然古柏道人裝成了不會說話的樣子,但話已出口,青雲依舊反應了過來,他驚愕得合不攏嘴,瞪大雙眼看著青書.
青書並沒有隱瞞,而是坦然說道:「是,師兄心中那人便是赤煙師伯.」
青雲仍愣在原地,一旁青鵬想替青書解釋,然而青書卻舉起手掌,阻止了他的舉動.青鵬只好將話吞了回去,他明白青書想要自己來解釋這件事.
青書雙眼迷濛,像是陷入了回憶.
他用和緩的語氣,緬懷地說道:「師兄十四歲那年,一場戰爭將我與父親分開.是赤煙師伯單槍匹馬將青書救出,自那時起,青書便十分仰慕赤煙師伯.」
頓了頓,青書認真地看著青雲說道:「即使在血脈上,青書還得稱呼她一聲姑姑.」
青鵬嘆了口氣,背過身去,似乎是不願看青書現在這個樣子.
聽完青書告白的青雲,卻被二師兄口中的真情所打動.感動之餘,忍不住又想起了自己與青璇師姐.
或許,他同樣也是配不上師姐的那位.