Bat

Let’s all drink and sing our song — In your life could you live years long1. 

The wine was Luzhou Laojiao, and the song was a Huangmei Opera.



The person was a dragon amongst men.

In the enormous hall that had been lavishly decorated, an opera singer was performing to an audience of one. Sitting in the centre of the hall, there were a few fruits placed beside him, they were grapes that looked like sparkling translucent gems that were enough to make people drool. Underneath the grapes, there was a thin layer of crushed ice.

In the sixth month of the lunar calendar, the ice was even more sparkling and translucent than the grapes.

Although the Feng family were not as wealthy as the Bai family, they had a more noble air about them. There was no one who was dissatisfied with this newly elected Alliance Leader of Wulin. The Feng family’s restaurants were abundant across the land, and earned quite a bit each day, what did it matter to be so decadent? Plus this person was born to enjoy the lavish pleasures.

“A sleepless night plagued with worries, I set aside the hidden traces. In the past, the sun toyed with the flower blossoms…..2” 　　

The footsteps on the stage were light, Feng Long stood up.

“Gongzi?”

“I’m annoyed, going out for a walk.” Feng Long said whilst walking out, “There’s no need to follow me.”

“Okay.”

The actors and musicians on stage stayed in their place.

Winding through the fragrant flower garden full of fluttering butterflies, then walking towards the little stream, Feng Long was feeling carefree and content, as well as less bored, it seemed that his mood had improved.

He suddenly stopped.

There were some muted moans coming from the other side of the wall. Sweet-sounding and enticing, it was enough to make anyone fantasise.

Feng Long’s eyes lit up brightly, and he jumped up and flew over the three meter high wall, landing into the green bamboo forest on the other side.

Sure enough, there was someone, who happened to be by Feng Long’s foot.

His clothes were intact, but his hair was messed up. His face was flushed, his tender white fingertips tightly tugged on his own chest, his white teeth biting his bloodless lower lip, as if he was in pain.

“It’s you!” Feng Long was startled, and knelt beside the person who had been moaning, ” Shaoqing, xiandi, what’s wrong with you?”

“No, don’t come near me.” Bai Shaoqing frowned.

How could he not frown? He had been waiting here for three days. It turned out the eldest son of the Feng family did not visit the garden often.

“Shaoqing, are you injured?” Feng Long grabbed his slender wrist, calculated his pulse, and raised an eyebrow, “You were drugged?”

“I don’t know that person.” Bai Shaoqing seemed to be unable to endure the suffering, rolling and struggling in Feng Long’s arms, his white face flushed so red it was as if it was bleeding. He suddenly grabbed Feng Long’s hand and asked in a trembling voice, “Da-ge, why are they doing this to me? I…I… What have I done to them to deserve this?”

Looking at Bai Shaoqing’s appearance, Feng Long was taken aback, and he suddenly came back to his senses, his face inevitably a little embarrassed.

He sighed, “Because you’re too good-looking. This is a love philtre, and it seems as if it has just taken effect. It’s strange that someone would dare to do such evil things just outside of Feng Manor…” After a pause, “Shaoqing, I’m afraid this person not only wanted to humiliate you, but also wanted to cause trouble for my family.” 

“Love philtre?” The effect of the potion has already taken effect. Bai Shaoqing’s body was burning hot as if on fire, and his eyes were even more coquettish. With his soft waist constantly moving and rubbing on Feng Long’s body, he couldn’t help groaning, “Then…what should I do?”

Feng Long shook his head in embarrassment, “This medicine is very strong, I’m afraid it is no ordinary love philtre.”

Bai Shaoqing was impressed. This was a sacred product of the Yunnan Huanxi Sect, and he had specially found it for Feng Long. After taking it, the stirring of amorous feelings were indeed hard to bear even for himself.

“Da-ge, help me!” Bai Shaoqing wailed, whilst leaning pitifully on Feng Long. His black hair was soaked in sweat.

A flirtatious beauty, shaking one to the core.

If you still don’t take advantage of me, I will die from blood overflow.

Although Bai Shaoqing had always hated the lust of men, but at this moment, he couldn’t help but feel a little afraid that Feng Long was too much of a gentleman and would refuse to take advantage of the situation; if he was unable to get rid of the effects of the medicine, wouldn’t it be trying to clever and ending up with an egg on his face and actually harming himself?　　

Fortunately, Feng Long did not hesitate.

“Don’t be afraid, da-ge is here.” He picked up Bai Shaoqing in his arms, using his qinggong he jumped up and down a few times before rushing towards the bedroom.

He pushed open the door, and there was a big gorgeous bed that Bai Shaoqing had already laid down upon.

Bai Shaoqing stretched out his hand, seemingly unintentionally but intentionally pulling on Feng Long’s belt, “Da-ge…” His lips had already been so bitten that they had lost their colour, but at this moment they were so beautiful that they were a plump and tender red.

Feng Long’s ever piercing eyes also began to become a little dazed, and he lowered his head. The hot heat from his breath spread from Bai Shaoqing’s cheeks to his lips.

“Shaoqing, you have a fever.”　　

Bai Shaoqing felt disdain, but he smiled even more brightly, moaning, he said: “Yes, I feel hot all over, da-ge, don’t go.”

“The love philtre you had is very strong, I am afraid that there is no cure for it except for c*pulation.”

Well if that’s the case, come on!

Feng Long couldn’t see the impatience in Bai Shaoqing’s eyes, and continued to say in a deep voice, “The most powerful love philtres are those in Chinese medicine which restrict the yin and yang qi3. Whether it’s a man or a woman, both need more yang qi to detoxify. Even if I find a woman to c*pulate with you, it would not help. The poison you have needs a man to cure it.”

The more he listened, the angrier Bai Shaoqing became. The sacred product of the Yunnan Huanxi Sect was not a small matter. It was not easy for him to endure it till now since swallowing it, and Feng Long was still here explaining in detail the things he already knew.

He reached out putting his arms around Feng Long’s neck, Bai Shaoqing held back his anger, and begged in a low voice, “l understand clearly. In that case, please da-ge lend me some of your yang qi. I am asking you for it so da-ge does not need to feel bad about it.” This was the first time that he had begged someone to take advantage of him.

He gritted his teeth, if it weren’t for the Bilu sword on your waist, I…

“I couldn’t possibly do that.” Feng Long actually shook his head, “Xiandi is clear as ice and clean as jade4, how could I do such a thing?”

“Then da-ge wants to watch as this medicine kills me?” Bai Shaoqing finally couldn’t bear it, and groaned. But as his red lips opened up wide, something fell into his mouth, and then it slid down his throat.

Feng Long smiled slightly, “Shaoqing is lucky. This blood lotus seed was grown at the mouth of a volcano. It is a rare treasure. I only bought it a few days ago for a great sum, but it seems perfect to solve xiandi’s problem today. Shaoqing, do you feel better now?” 　

Feng Long was right. As soon as the blood lotus seeds entered his body, it ignited into a burst of hot energy, which began to repeatedly strike against the lustful energy in his body, and the two seemed to offset each other, which made him much more comfortable.

Bai Shaoqing’s body, which was originally twisting around endlessly, gradually stopped moving.

“There are two blood lotus seeds. One has just been used to detoxify you, and this one, I will leave with xiandi.” Feng Long took Bai Shaoqing’s hand and placed a blood-red lotus seed in the palm of shimmery and lustrous palm, “Shaoqing, da-ge needs to say something that might not be pleasant to hear. You are too outstanding. In Jianghu, there are many people with evil hearts. You are travelling whilst you study all year round, but you have no martial arts, so you will inevitably encounter bad people. Keep this blood lotus seed on you to prevent people from drugging you.”

It was an utter waste of a love philtre that he had worked hard to obtain, and Bai Shaoqing’s face turned red for a while, and it took a long time before he said awkwardly, “Thank you, da-ge.”

“Da-ge knows what’s in your heart.” Feng Long patted the Bilu Sword on his waist and said with hatred: “What happened today, da-ge will definitely help you get revenge. Do you remember what he looks like?”

Things didn’t go to plan, Bai Shaoqing was in a terrible mood, so the expression on his face did really match the fact that of someone who had just been drugged.

“I don’t remember.” He hung his head in a daze. “That person covered his face and didn’t speak.”

The cloud of sorrow suddenly arose, hovering for a while over his handsome face, before darting off under the eaves, and lingering behind the bright window.

Who wouldn’t pity such a person?

Feng Long stared for a moment, and said softly: “Shaoqing, stay in Feng Manor for a few days, okay?”

“No!” Bai Shaoqing was still looking down. “I’m used to wandering around, I would be uncomfortable here.”

Just stay!” Feng Long stretched out his hand and gently pressed his shoulders, his eyes were sincere and full of kindness, which made people feel that even if the world’s biggest and heaviest burden was handed over to this person, there would be no need to worry at all.

Feng Long sighed, “I know that you are tired.”

Bai Shaoqing’s heart suddenly shook in an unknown place.

Years of living a double-life, years of humiliation, years of living between life and death, years of living solitary in the wilderness helping himself to bandage up his own injuries. He didn’t dare to believe that his heart could also be moved.

He suddenly raised his head, his limpid eyes fixed on Feng Long. What he saw was another pair of eyes that were clearer than his own. 　　

Not only were they clear, but they also contained perseverance and composure, understanding and open-mindedness.

“Da-ge.” He suddenly wanted to cry.

Bai Shaoqing’s tears had never fallen easily, and only when he needed it most, he would shed a single drop. His tears were never wasted. Every time a drop fell, it was bound to accomplish a great feat, to learn a new martial art skill, or to kill a person he hated.

Feng Long smiled, “Shaoqing, aren’t you tired?” He used both of his hands to place Shaoqing’s pale hands together, “Stay, it’s not too late to go on the road again after you’re fully rested.”

A slight breeze came in through the window.

Bai Shaoqing quietly resisted the teardrop, although his eyes were a little moist, the tears did not flow from his eyes.

“Thank you da-ge.”

He finally agreed and nodded lightly.

The Feng family’s Mo Tianya, although named Tianya5, was just a beautiful manor in the mountains.

Bai Shaoqing stayed at Mo Tianya for three days, he had failed at seducing Feng Long but still became an esteemed guest at Mo Tianya. 　　

“Shaoqing, why do you only wear black clothes? Our family has our own silk shop. Come and let the da-ge get some new clothes for you. I think white is the best match for my xiandi.”

“Da-ge, don’t forget that white is the colour of the direct disciples of the Bai family. From birth, Shaoqing has not been qualified to wear white, nor qualified to enter the Bai family’s martial arts hall.”

Fenglong laughed, and said boldly, “As my xiongdi, do you still have to suffer such impudence?” He grabbed Shaoqing’s hand and asked in a deep voice, “Da-ge only asked if you like it or not. If you want to wear it, I’ll immediately get it made for you. I want to see who dares to incite idle gossip.” So this was the feeling of having someone stand by you, it was so different.

Shaoqing’s cold eyes wavered slightly.

Time is running out, be on guard.

Don’t forget, bats have always been black. They can only fly in the dark of night, spying on the world with their blood-coloured eyes.

“Da-ge, I still prefer to wear black. Black is great, it doesn’t get dirty easily. No, it should be that even if it is dirty, it can’t be seen…”

Next to the pond in Mo Tianya, the weeping willows were better than in Lake Tai, were greener than in Lake Tai, and more beautiful than in Lake Tai.

Bai Shaoqing stood beside the willow tree. 　　

His clothes were still black, but the clothes had been replaced with robes made from fine silk; He still had black shoes, but the feeling of comfort on the feet was unparalleled, it was indeed made by the Feng family’s most experienced seamstresses.

“Am I too tired?” Bai Shaoqing asked gently.

There was no one beside him, he was asking himself.

Three days have passed at Feng Manor. The world-famous Bilu Sword has been stuck around Feng Long’s waist, dangling in front of Bai Shaoqing’s eyes the whole time.

That pair of renowned hands always liked to pat his shoulder gently. Fenglong served Bai Shaoqing with food, accompanied Bai Shaoqing to watch the Opera, talked with Bai Shaoqing about the affairs of Jianghu under the moonlight. Everything that Bai Shaoqing looked down upon and saw as false friendship had been done by Feng Long. Except that everything was true, like moving clouds and flowing water, without the slightest hint of pretense.

One day passed, another, and then another day.

But after three days, he seemed to have become accustomed to seeing Feng Long, listening to his voice, and watching him practise his sword in front of him. This feeling of being an ordinary person, had unexpectedly actually spread to his heart, almost encountering that layer of scab from his earlier traumas.

“I’m too tired……”

His heart was tired. People who are tired of heart cannot rest. The more they rest, the more tired they become. The more they rest, the less they don’t want to go and think about those dark and bloody places.

Bai Shaoqing understood that he had slept extremely well these three days. He was surprised that even the nightmares that had plagued him since he was a child had not occurred at all.

The Feng family wasn’t bad, it was just the Bilu Sword that was the problem.

“Ugh…” He sighed.

There was also a sigh suddenly behind him. Bai Shaoqing was startled, and turned around to see that it was Feng Long.

“Da-ge.”

“Shaoqing, you are sighing again.” Feng Long said, “For the past three days, as soon as you are in front of these weeping willows, you will keep sighing. I have begun to wonder whether to uproot them.”

“Da-ge must be joking.” Bai Shaoqing turned his head and pulled the willow branch through the slender fingers, and smiled softly: “Such a great willow tree should not be up rooted. Am I even worth all that?” He was extremely handsome and when he smiled, it was as if his whole body was faintly radiant.

Feng Long looked at him, already bewildered to some degree.

Bai Shaoqing suddenly said, “Da-ge, I want to leave.” 　　

“What?” Feng Long was surprised, “Why? You have only been here for three days?”

Three days was already long enough. If I stay any longer, I’m afraid I won’t be willing to leave.

“It’s hard to become frugal after becoming accustomed to luxury.” Bai Shaoqing said lightly: “Da-ge is too kind, I do not dare to stay any longer.”

Staring silently at Shaoqing for a moment, Feng Long sighed and said quietly, “Shaoqing, oh, Shaoqing…” He said softly, “You are outstanding and elegant, and open-minded. There is no one in the world that can compare to you. Someone like you should have brocade garments and jade meals6, being doted on by others.”

“Haha, da-ge over praises me.” Bai Shaoqing shook his head. “I, Bai Shaoqing rely on my own two feet to travel thousands of miles, travelling and studying across the land, free and independent. What would I want with brocade garments and jade meals?”

Feng Long was taken aback, staring into Bai Shaoqing’s eyes, he seemed a little unwilling to let him go, “Are you really going to leave?”

“En. I’ll drink with da-ge again tonight and leave tomorrow.”

I need to take advantage of being drunk to steal the sword, no matter whether I succeed or not, at least this matter will draw to a close.

“Drinking again?” 　

Bai Shaoqing smiled cordially, “da-ge, don’t be stingy with your good wine in Mo Tianya.”

“Shaoqing, drinking is damaging to the body. You are weak, so it’s better to drink less. Listen to the da-ge, we won’t drink any wine.” Feng Long suddenly lowered his head, untied the Bilu Sword on his waist, and gave it to Bai Shaoqing: ” This sword is called Bilu, da-ge is giving it to you.”

The emerald sword body was crystal clear and warm.

Bai Shaoqing was shocked, he couldn’t believe it: “Bilu?”

“You are not involved in the affairs of Jianghu so it is not surprising that you don’t know this sword.” Feng Long said softly: “But this sword has a great reputation in Jianghu. Although it is not a magic weapon, it is extremely sharp. You should keep it with you in case you encounter any issues in Jianghu, you just need to take out this Bilu Sword, and the people in Jianghu will definitely help you in the name of Feng family.”

“No, no, this sword is too important, I would never dare to take it.”

As he refused, the precious sword was pushed into Bai Shaoqing’s hands. As his hands made contact with the sword, he felt its warmth, it was indeed crafted from a thousand-year-old warm jade.

“Take it, just think of it…” Feng Long hesitated for a moment before turning around, his tall figure exhibited a sense of desolation. He sighed, “Think of it as da-ge accompanying you.” 　　

The Bilu sword in his hand suddenly became heavy.