On screen, while the interactions between Bai Heng and Jingliu couldn't be called particularly intimate, they held a certain charm because both parties were actively engaged.
Not to mention, the whole layer of Jingliu posing as Bai Heng had viewers absolutely hooked, leaving the live-stream audience itching with curiosity.
Just when they thought these peaceful, amusing daily interactions would continue, the direction of the screen's narrative took a sharp turn.
--+--
[After a long period of peace, the Luofu was once again plunged into turmoil. The long-plotting armies of the Abundance abominations dragged the Xianzhou Alliance back into the fires of war, and the Luofu was no exception.]
[Unlike past conflicts, this war dragged on for years, its ferocity unprecedented. Even you, the Chief Alchemist of the Alchemy Commission, burdened with a congenital ailment, had no choice but to lead your people to the front lines.]
[Yet, it was precisely within this war that a legend known across the cosmos was forged—the High Cloud Sextet.]
[Rumor had it these individuals hailed from all corners of the Xianzhou Alliance.]
[There was an artisan who studied under General Huaiyan of the Xianzhou Zhuming. Said to have won the title of Furnace Master despite his short-life species nature, every weapon he forged was a divine instrument capable of wiping out the Abundance's spawn.]
[There was the Luofu's Sword Champion, revered as the Transcendent Flash. The blade in her hand, the Shard Sword, was the very embodiment of death with every swing, her peerless skill honed upon the corpses of countless Abundance abominations.]
[There was the Luofu's Vidhyadhara High Elder, scion of the Aeon Long. He could take dragon form to soar the starry seas, or wield the art of cloud-singing to command waters and part oceans.]
[There was a foxian girl, a Nameless and a top-flight pilot. The strange gadgets she collected from her travels across the stars time and again turned the tide for the Cloud Knights.]
[There was a strategist of profound intellect, who could ensnare enemies in inescapable traps between the closing and opening of his eyes.]
[And there was a blind physician, a short-life species born with a congenital ailment, whose hands could reverse fortune, bringing nourishing rain and life-giving dew to shower upon the Cloud Knights.]
[With these six at the helm, their achievements filled the history books: driving the Borisin fleet away, shattering the alliance between the Wingweavers and the Houyhnhnms within the Abundance coalition, lifting the siege on the Yuque, and even crushing the living planet "Cetus," thus preserving the Alliance's eyes to the stars.]
[Under the leadership of these six, the Xianzhou Alliance finally brought its war with the Abundance abominations to a temporary close.]
--+--
"Haah... The air's dry, best head inside and sleep~"
Back on the Luofu after so long, Bai Heng took a deep breath of the familiar fresh air and let out an enormous yawn.
With a casual wave goodbye to the others behind him, he channeled Imaginary Energy to steer his course towards his residence.
Watching the lazy figure depart, the lively foxian girl nudged Jingliu with her elbow, grinning cheekily.
"So, when are you planning to come clean with him? I don't really mind playing 'Jingliu' for a bit, but every time I hear him call you 'Baiheng,' it gives me the creeps. Don't you think it's about time to drop this little charade?"
Hearing this, Jingliu let out a soft sigh.
She never expected that impulsive decision from back then to have lasted until now, and all these years she still hadn't found the right moment to come clean.
"Indeed," stretching his neck, Jing Yuan chimed in, "As they say, a chronic illness untreated becomes a grave disease. Master, it would be best to clear things up with Brother Bai Heng sooner rather than later~"
"I've always found it strange," Dan Feng, the horned Vidhyadhara, added his thoughts. "This doesn't seem like something that needs to be hidden, does it?"
The white-haired Yingxing simply shrugged, as if to say he didn't quite get the ways of you youngsters.
Amidst the chorus of opinions, Jingliu barely registered the words.
Her gaze fell upon the azure-blue tassel hanging from the sword at her waist. After a moment of silent contemplation, she finally spoke, her voice measured.
"I will find an opportunity to explain everything to him in the coming days."
It was such a simple statement, but the foxian girl found Jingliu's tone oddly peculiar. Frowning, she pointed out what felt off.
"Why so grave? You're just telling him who you are, not confessing your love. Is there really a need for all this solemnity?"
Bai Heng's words struck a chord in Jingliu, causing her to pause slightly.
She suddenly realized it too.
Yes... it's just revealing her identity. Why was she so apprehensive?
Was she afraid the dynamic between them would change once the truth was out?
Or was she worried that this deception would affect him?
These questions troubled Jingliu.
And there was one thing she herself failed to notice:
All these worries stemmed from one simple fact.
She cared deeply about that man.
--+--
[After several years of campaigning across the starry sea, you have returned to the Luofu, long absent, and finally felt the warmth of home.]
[Your mother fussed over you, listening with a smile as you recounted tales from your journeys across the cosmos.]
[But after the feast, you faced the most dreaded milestone for any young short-life species.]
[Yes, approaching thirty, you were being pressured to marry.]
--+--
"Haah..."
Lying back on the familiar rocking chair in the Alchemy Commission, Bai Heng rubbed his aching temples.
The marriage talk was the eternal curse of the short-life species.
On one side was his own happiness, on the other, the earnest concern of his elders.
It was a difficult choice to make.
Just as Bai Heng was stewing in his distress, a chill breeze swept in, followed by a familiar, cool tone.
"...It's rare to see you so troubled. I always thought you were rather carefree." Holding two jars of fine wine, Jingliu looked at the figure lounging in the rocking chair and spoke softly.
"My heart pounds like a deer lost in cloud-wrapped hills; my fate trembles like a chicken facing scalding soup..." Bai Heng shook his head with a long sigh.
Jingliu, who was pouring wine for him nearby: "....."
"Speak plainly."
"I'm being pressured to get married."
Thump. Jingliu's hand, pouring the wine, froze mid-air.
Naturally, the blind Bai Heng didn't notice. He continued on, lost in his own woes.
"My mother wants to arrange a match for me. She says the girl can jump and reach a full height of one point seven meters, which should supposedly meet my standards."
"So your standards are that low?"
"My standard is one point seven meters tall, not one point seven meters when she jumps..." Bai Heng facepalmed in exasperation.
Hearing this reply, Jingliu instinctively glanced down at her own figure before speaking.
"So what do you plan to do?"
"Naturally, put it off. But you can only delay this marriage talk for so long. I need a permanent solution."
As the words left his mouth, a thought seemed to strike Bai Heng. He suddenly sat up straight on the rocking chair, turning his face towards Jingliu with a solemn expression.
"Fair and elegant Lady Baiheng, I have a favor to ask. Could you..."
Before Bai Heng could finish, a cool voice cut him off.
"I'll do it."
"I haven't even said what it is yet."
"You want me to pretend to be your sweetheart and meet your mother once, to take the wind out of the marriage pressure's sails."
"This favor... I'll help you with it."
--+--
T/N: Im going to be seperating the bracketed scenes with --+-- to make it feel less cluttered from now on
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.