My Gentle and Pure Sect Leader Husband - Chapter 26.1

“Ah Yin?”

Standing in the courtyard, Yu Luocha saw Yan Hongyin standing still, not coming over. He smiled helplessly and pushed open the fence gate to walk toward her.

As the tall, graceful husband approached, Yan Hongyin raised her hand to press her brow, and the sleeve dagger in her hand retracted into the hidden pocket of her sleeve as she lowered her arm. Her expression showed some fatigue. “It’s nothing, just a bit tired.”

Yu Luocha walked up to Yan Hongyin and, for the first time, took the initiative to hold her hand, saying softly, “Is it because the Jinyiwei from earlier today was too severely injured?”

“His injuries are fine, but he’ll probably be unconscious for a few days.” Yan Hongyin paused, then continued, “However, the Jinyiwei and Yan Hong Hall have always been on good terms, so I should go to the Jinyiwei headquarters to inform them about this matter.”

“No matter how urgent the matter is, you should still have dinner first.” Yu Luocha held Yan Hongyin’s hand as they slowly walked toward the Bamboo Grove Courtyard, turning his completely defenseless back to her.

Yu Luocha noticed a slight movement in his hair ends and turned to look at Yan Hongyin.

Yan Hongyin withdrew her hand and said softly, “Ah Yu’s hair color has a slight golden tint when seen in sunlight.”

Yu Luocha curved his eyebrows slightly and only asked her, “Is it beautiful?”

“Beautiful.”

When passing through the courtyard, Yan Hongyin paused, her gaze lingering for a moment on the swing by the pond, sweeping over the oil-paper umbrella hanging under the eaves, then stepping into the house.

Yu Luocha hadn’t taken the dishes out of the thermal food box, as if he had known all along that Yan Hongyin would return at dinner time.

Yan Hongyin didn’t ask about it either. She tucked the hair beside her cheek behind her ear and helped Yu Luocha arrange the dishes from the food box onto the table. Yan Hongyin composed herself and asked casually, “Did Ah Yu request the kitchen to prepare these dishes today?”

Yu Luocha was setting out their bowls and chopsticks and replied without looking up. “Has Ah Yin forgotten?” His tone carried subtle traces of resentment.

Yan Hongyin concentrated and thought hard, but truly couldn’t recall any special reason for today that would make the person before her specially request the kitchen to prepare such a table of dishes.

Yu Luocha looked up, his glass-colored eyes reflecting the candlelight in the room, flickering with a mesmerizing allure.

He curled his lips into a smile, sat down across from Yan Hongyin, and said softly, “One month ago, on this day, Ah Yin brought me home. Doesn’t Ah Yin remember?”

Yan Hongyin’s eyelashes trembled as she met Yu Luocha’s gaze.

The dishes before them were the same ones from their wedding night, not a single dish missing, except the room no longer had the dragon and phoenix carved long candles, nor the bright red silk with the double happiness character.

A month ago, she was still the Jinyiwei Dark Division Commander whom many noble families in the capital wanted to meet but didn’t want to see without reason. When returning to the capital from a mission, this person happened to tumble down a hillside, crashing directly into her galloping horse.

If she hadn’t reacted quickly to rein in her horse and change direction, while reaching out to catch him, he would likely have continued rolling down the steep slope beside the official road due to momentum.

Yan Hongyin now felt an indescribable strangeness. Looking back, she wasn’t sure if she would still pull back her horse and make that sudden stop if she could return to that day.

The past month’s interactions and the chaos in Lin’an Prefecture were vivid in her mind. Yan Hongyin raised her hand to pour two cups of clear wine and handed one to Yu Luocha.

She didn’t regret saving the elegant, frail, beautiful sick man Ah Yu, but it would indeed be better if Yu Luocha, the leader of the Luocha Sect, were dead.

These two, in her mind, could never be considered the same person.

Yu Luocha still had a particular fondness for the dish of bamboo shoots, though the bamboo shoots at this time were not as fresh and delicious as the spring shoots preserved earlier, which made Yu Luocha slightly frown, his brow showing a hint of barely perceptible dissatisfaction.

Then he picked up a slice of water chestnut and suddenly smiled. “On our wedding day, Ah Yin told me not to eat too much water bamboo.”

The two had not been married for long, still considered newlyweds, so Yan Hongyin certainly remembered and said calmly, “Ah Yu’s health is much better now, so naturally there’s no need for dietary restrictions anymore.”

“But I very much enjoy seeing Ah Yin’s caring manner.” Yu Luocha bit off the water bamboo held in his chopsticks, chewed and swallowed it, then picked up a piece of steamed duck meat. “The climate beyond the Great Wall is not as mild as in the Central Plains, and many cattle and sheep are difficult to raise. Animals like fish, ducks, and chickens, when obtained from merchant caravans, are already preserved meats. After steaming, they taste quite fishy and still carry the strong flavor of the preservative spices. So even later when these fresh ingredients became readily available, I rarely ate them.”

Yan Hongyin also picked up a slice of tender white duck meat from the plate and said with lowered eyelashes. “Lin’an Prefecture is known for its wine-fermented steamed duck. Many visitors order a plate, as a way of following local customs.”

“So that’s why.” Yu Luocha smiled as he put the duck meat in his mouth. “No wonder today’s duck has a richer, mellow flavor of aged wine compared to our wedding day. It must be because I was still ill then, and the kitchen received instructions from the doctor.”

Every word emphasized how carefully and lovingly Yan Hongyin had cared for her husband Ah Yu.

Yan Hongyin reached for her wine cup, her eyes—which no longer held admiration or tenderness for “Ah Yu’s” face—filled with calmness under the flickering candlelight. “How does Ah Yu find Lin’an Prefecture?”

Yu Luocha raised his cup, producing a crisp sound as they clinked together, his eyes gently curved. “Beautiful scenery, wonderful people. If there were no Jinyiwei, it would be the best place.”

Yan Hongyin raised her hand to slightly shield her face as she drank her wine in one gulp, saying coldly, “Without the Jinyiwei, it would be Lin’an Prefecture of the martial arts world, not Lin’an Prefecture of the Great Ming.”

Yu Luocha tilted his head back to drink his wine, and upon hearing her words, tilted his head to think for a moment, then actually nodded in agreement. “Ah Yin is absolutely right.”

Indeed, without the Jinyiwei, after a few more years, it was uncertain whether Lin’an Prefecture would still be part of the Great Ming.

But without Yan Hongyin, Yu Luocha’s desperate situation would certainly not have been so easily resolved.

In this world, every action and consequence is perhaps predetermined.

Yu Luocha held the wine pot and refilled Yan Hongyin’s cup, saying slowly, “Is there anything Ah Yin desires?”

Yu Luocha had always been of a free-spirited, willful nature. He liked all things that burned hot as fire. Both his person and his martial arts were like the perilous desert, the blazing sun that hurts the eyes, the strong liquor under spreading bonfire… whether love or hate, they all found clearly defined places with him.

Whether enduring patiently or acting recklessly, he always remained true to his own nature. Perhaps in others’ eyes, he was an eerily unpredictable and unfathomable character, but he himself was quite satisfied with himself, because he lived freely and uninhibitedly, doing whatever he wanted, taking whatever he desired, not caring even if his soul returned to the heavens one day, without any lingering attachments.

He truly owed Yan Hongyin once, so naturally, he had to repay the debt.

Here in Lin’an Prefecture, he would clear the debt Ah Yu owed to Yan Hongyin, and what remained would be the entanglement between Yu Luocha and Yan Hongyin.

Yan Hongyin didn’t understand Yu Luocha as a person, but her master had said something right: the reason Yan Hongyin always completed her Dark Division missions flawlessly was related to her behavioral principles, which were similar to those of desperados who walked the line between life and death.

Her thoughts and considerations always struck at the most crucial points.

Perhaps because of this, those who could attract her attention from among the crowd were never the kind and gentle types.

“If I want something, can Ah Yu really obtain it for me?” Yan Hongyin suddenly smiled, a smile like a night-blooming cereus, blooming white and elegant, with a grace that could captivate and enchant anyone who saw it.

Yu Luocha met Yan Hongyin’s gaze, his voice deep and tender, without any trace of the Luocha Sect leader’s cruelty and unpredictability, his eyes filled with smiles. “Through fire and water, for your one smile.”

Outside, the sound of branches in the wind showed no sign of weariness, and the moonlight had shed its gentleness for the desolation of late autumn.

Yan Hongyin’s slender, white fingers tapped the wine in her cup, supporting her chin with one hand, slowly writing four characters on the table.

Yu Luocha lowered his gaze to look, the smile in his eyes gradually cooling.

Yan Hongyin smiled lightly, after just two cups of wine, her face carried a peach blossom-like flush. She said slowly, “This item, is Ah Yu willing to part with it?”

****

At the seventh quarter of the Zi hour, all was silent. (TL: 11:00 PM – 1:00 AM)

Inside the Jinyiwei stronghold in Lin’an Prefecture.

Yan Hongyin, dressed in a black robe embroidered with gold flying fish insignia, sat behind a desk with various intelligence reports about the Luocha Sect and Yu Luocha spread out before her. A fire basin burned nearby, with the occasional crackle of bamboo charcoal.

The roof tiles moved slightly, but Yan Hongyin didn’t pause her actions, tossing the reviewed notes into the fire basin to be reduced to ashes, her face behind the mask showing no emotion.

The wine scent that had clung to her during dinner had long dissipated.

The desk directly faced the wide-open door, with moonlight wrapped in the desolate autumn wind sweeping into the room, bending the flames in the bronze basin into a gasping state, yet they gained new life with each added paper.

A tall, slender figure appeared on the roof opposite, silent and shadowy.

Yan Hongyin looked at the visitor over the screen wall, and after a moment, lowered her gaze to continue her task.

Even though she had uncovered the Luocha Sect’s infiltration into Lin’an Prefecture, Yan Hongyin wasn’t certain and didn’t want to gamble on whether there were traitors among the Jinyiwei dark envoys.

Her departure from Lin’an Prefecture was imminent, and she had to review and destroy all intelligence about the Luocha Sect in the Jinyiwei stronghold, leaving no records to avoid alerting the enemy.

“The Zhenfushi need not be so cautious.” The visitor arrived at the doorway in a few steps, completely enveloped in a strange white fog that obscured their gender—the most common description of Yu Luocha by outsiders. “The Luocha Sect has indeed failed to find a way to infiltrate the Jinyiwei, worthy of being an even more solid block of the imperial court’s guardians than the Liu Shanmen.”

“Oh?” Yan Hongyin’s voice was also as low, hoarse, and deep as when she was in disguise. “It seems the Sect Leader has left many traces in the Liu Shanmen.”

“Bribing and turning people, it’s all about money, power, favor, and lust. Not all constables in the Liu Shanmen are as difficult to crack as those four disciples under Zhuge Zhengwo. Spending some silver and beauties, using some favors and schemes, is truly not difficult.”

The visitor sat down casually, surprisingly not concealing any of the information Yan Hongyin was secretly probing for.

But Yan Hongyin wasn’t swayed in the slightest.

The Liu Shanmen were different from the Jinyiwei—they were an independent yamen on the surface, with many constables and officers, led by the highly trusted noble, Zhuge Zhengwo, who had the emperor’s confidence. Even if Yu Luocha admitted there were Luocha Sect members among them, Yan Hongyin absolutely couldn’t investigate another imperial organization like the Liu Shanmen. In fact, if she rashly disclosed information to Zhuge Zhengwo, she might get entangled in political faction disputes that the Jinyiwei should avoid.

So Yan Hongyin ignored Yu Luocha and continued to review and burn the Luocha Sect intelligence reports right in front of him.

Yu Luocha realized he had become somewhat fascinated with Yan Hongyin… or rather, more fascinated.

Whether she was in plain-colored skirts, a cold and noble physician; or speaking blunt and explicit words, a charming and straightforward beauty; or like now, sitting upright at her desk, in a stern flying fish uniform, her back as straight as an unsheathed Embroidered Spring Blade of the Jinyiwei.

Yu Luocha had never admired someone like this before. Yan Hongyin’s existence made him feel excited and thrilled, yet also feel that everything was completely under control.

Yan Hongyin noticed Yu Luocha’s meaningful gaze, and without raising her head, said coldly, “If the Sect Leader has come for idle chat, please forgive me for having no time to entertain you. Please see yourself out.”

Very impolite indeed.

Yu Luocha felt somewhat regretful.

It was better at home, at least she would show a smiling face.

There was a light sound, and Yan Hongyin stopped her actions.

A smooth, round porcelain bottle had been placed on the table by Yu Luocha.

“If you want it, I can certainly afford to give it.” When Yu Luocha spoke again, it was in Ah Yu’s gentle, deep voice. “But if I give it so casually, I would feel somewhat displeased.”

Yan Hongyin reached out, but the porcelain bottle was firmly pressed down by one finger, sinking into the table surface and creating a circular indent.

She didn’t engage Yu Luocha in a fight but instead lightly tapped the porcelain bottle twice with her finger, sending a trace of internal energy into the bottle.

Yan Hongyin’s ear twitched, catching the ripple of liquid in the bottle. It was indeed the amount of Tianyi Divine Water mentioned in the intelligence reports.

She withdrew her hand, resting her arm on the armrest of the chair, rubbing her fingertips slightly, then asked, “Why was your pulse without any martial arts energy when I examined it before?”

Yan Hongyin’s voice was no longer disguised, and the two were now just a mask and white fog away from revealing themselves completely.

“When this Sect Leader sealed his acupoints with golden needles for a breakthrough in cultivation level, I never imagined the Central Plains would have such an ingenious person doing the same.” Yu Luocha answered decisively, his voice rising at the end, carrying a teasing and playful tone that the sickly, beautiful Ah Yu never had.

This was the confidence and willfulness that Ah Yu never possessed.

Golden needle sealing acupoints.

Yan Hongyin let out a cold snort.

When she decided to use golden needle sealing acupoints, she never imagined that in this vast world, she would happen to meet another madman who would use this method that no one had employed for a hundred years.

“What do you want?” Yan Hongyin nodded at the porcelain bottle on the table, sitting more casually, appearing ready to listen.

“This Sect Leader has long yearned for the cat-and-mouse games of the Central Plains people. Today, following local customs, I’d like to experience it firsthand. If the Zhenfushi can catch me, the Tianyi Divine Water will be yours.” The porcelain bottle was taken back into his sleeve by Yu Luocha, his tone carrying some haughty amusement and playfulness.

Yan Hongyin took out a handkerchief to wipe her fingers and said calmly, “Very well, dawn is the deadline.”

…..

Yu Luocha came suddenly and left airily, but Yan Hongyin showed no intention of pursuing him.

She reviewed and burned all the intelligence in her hands, then took out a brocade box from the side drawer, holding it as she stood up and turned the mechanism on the curio shelf, stepping into the pitch-black secret chamber.

Amidst the sound of the stone door turning, Yan Hongyin took an oil lamp from the wall and slowly descended the stairs, the flickering candlelight casting dancing shadows on her cold black mask.

She had somewhat changed her mind.

About Yu Luocha as a person.

The face behind her mask was cold as frost, her almond eyes slightly narrowed, containing the anger she had just suppressed.

Born in the palace with a lowly mother, she had been accustomed to endurance since she became aware, and after practicing martial arts, she further constrained herself, controlling her emotions, neither proud nor impatient, neither angry nor furious. Her talent was exceptional; at ten she entered the Jinyiwei Dark Division, at thirteen she became the youngest Dark Division Commander, holding high position, keeping her composure, noble and dignified.

No one had ever dared to look at her with such unrestrained playfulness, let alone with a predatory intent.

To kill Yu Luocha now would be too conspicuous and difficult to achieve in one strike, which would violate the Jinyiwei Dark Division’s operational principles. Teaching him a lesson, driving him out of Lin’an Prefecture, moving the battlefield to beyond the Great Wall, and disrupting the Luocha Sect to cause internal chaos would be the best strategy.

—— Want to play?

Yan Hongyin turned the mechanism in front of her, and behind the door were Jinyiwei members who had been waiting silently, led by Ji Qing, who should have still been unconscious.

Yan Hongyin opened the brocade box in her hand, and the Gu butterflies sleeping on the red velvet were awakened by the scent, shook their wings, and flew one after another toward the exit of the secret passage.

“Follow.”

Ji Qing, holding the Embroidered Spring Blade at his waist, bowed to accept the order, silently leading the Jinyiwei members out through the secret passage.

—I’ll play along to the end.

****

Yu Luocha had been walking for a while. Lin’an Prefecture was large, but with someone sticky following him, neither good to kill nor easy to shake off, anyone would find it hard to enjoy a stroll.

He sat cross-legged on the roof ridge of the highest tower in Lin’an Prefecture, looking up at the moon.

Tonight’s moon was not as full and bright as during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and there were fewer people on the streets.

The view from here was excellent, overlooking all the streets and alleys.

The night watchman yawned as he trudged through the streets and alleys. The hunched street cleaner carried his load, and in the occasionally open shops, clerks nodded off, but everything was imbued with a lonely desolation.

The night in Lin’an Prefecture shouldn’t be so quiet.

Yu Luocha shook his head with a low laugh.

Standing up, the wind at this height became even more vast and surging, blowing up his robes, and the white fog that had dissipated once again covered his figure.

Following the distant sound of song and dance music, he leapt a few times and landed on the eaves of the Hefang Shop.

Through the window of the opposite tavern, he saw the Jinyiwei, who had removed her mask, sitting by the window, playing with a wine cup in her slender fingers, while her other hand rhythmically tapped the armrest of the chair, in time with the rhythm of the zither and silk string music.

Performers had been invited to entertain the distinguished guest. Among the singing and dancing, the lead was a man with Western Region blood, with deep-set features and a handsome figure, holding a folding fan and elegantly singing “Phoenix Seeking the Phoenix.”

When he turned, he revealed slightly curly hair.

A butterfly flapping its wings flew slowly into the window and landed on the fingertip of Yan Hongyin’s hand holding the wine cup.

Yan Hongyin turned to the side and said languidly, “It’s not yet the hour of Chou, why has the Sect Leader walked into the trap?” (TL: 1:00 AM – 3:00 AM)

Her tone was lightly contemptuous and coldly distant.

Yan Hongyin had to admit that her eye for picking people up and her luck were consistently not good, but fortunately, she had long since made peace with this terrible luck.

She and Yu Luocha were actually completely opposite, yet in some ways very similar people.

Hidden schemes, open plots

They were skilled at setting up situations and were not afraid to solve difficulties. Similarly, they could recognize defeat at the first opportunity.

Excessive pride, confidence bordering on arrogance.

Yu Luocha lay on the roof tiles of the Hefang Shop opposite, asking without any reservations. “When did you apply the medicine powder?”

When Yan Hongyin touched the porcelain bottle, she wasn’t just confirming the Tianyi Divine Water inside but also applied tracking powder to it.

Yu Luocha wasn’t carrying that porcelain bottle now, yet he was still being tracked by the Gu butterflies.

Kill one, and there’s still another.

Endless and annoying.

The performer in front of her had been instructed to continue singing without any signal to stop. Yan Hongyin’s answer, accompanied by the Western man’s deep, passionate low singing, reached Yu Luocha’s ears. “Before dinner.”

Before dinner?

The wind lifted half of Yu Luocha’s sleeve.

That would be when he held her hand while walking on the bamboo grove path.

Yu Luocha, since becoming famous, had never stumbled like this, but Yan Hongyin was genuinely too much to his liking.

The desire to lure her to the desert beyond the Great Wall grew even stronger.

A sharp, cold light pierced through the window lattice and struck directly into the room. The Western man who had been singing with a trembling voice let out a scream as the folding fan in his hand was firmly pinned to the solid wooden screen by a four-cornered dart.

The zither and silk string music didn’t dare stop, but the melody twisted from passionate depth into trembling fear, no longer following the tune.