Chapter 55: The Pain of Parting, Entering Kunlun
The cicada's mournful cry, opposite the Long Pavilion at dusk, the sudden rain has just stopped. The city gate is deserted, with no one to share a drink, lingering in the place where we parted, the orchid boat hastens its departure. Holding hands and gazing into each other's tear-filled eyes, we are speechless, our voices choked with emotion. Thinking of the distant journey, a thousand miles of misty waves, the evening haze sinks slowly over the vast expanse of Chu. The sorrow of parting has been a timeless heartache, how can I bear the desolation of this clear autumn night? Where will I wake up from my wine tonight, by the Yang Liu shore, in the fading moonlight and the lingering wind? From now on, for years to come, it should be a beautiful day with good weather, but what's the use? Even if there are a thousand kinds of romantic feelings, who can I share them with?
It is hard to meet and part with each other, it has always been so since ancient times.
Mountain valley mouth, autumn wind rustling, withered leaves fluttering. Occasionally a lone crow's mournful cry echoes through the sky.
Some people may have known each other since childhood, but in the end, they still don't become a couple. However, some people may only meet briefly, yet they can fall deeply in love at first sight. It's truly "those who are destined to be together will find each other from afar, while those who aren't won't even notice each other when face-to-face".
Song Qing and You Lan looked at each other in silence, although it was only a few days of getting along, but in the hearts of both, they had deeply engraved each other.
Her beauty, like the elegant and refined temperament of a secluded valley orchid, compared to the refreshing and heroic posture when practicing martial arts, or a frown and a smile... all appeared in Song Qing's mind.
Youlan also couldn't help but look at the man in front of her, who had only been together for a few days. She thought she wouldn't easily be moved by emotions, but after repeated conversations and comparisons, his handsome and elegant appearance, humorous and witty words, extensive knowledge and broad vision... Youlan shook her head, suppressing all these feelings deep in her heart.
A faint smile said, "Young Master Song, it's getting late, today's farewell, we'll meet again in the rivers and lakes another day."
"Are you still calling me Young Master Song?" Song Qing's low voice caused You Lan's expression to stiffen, despite her attempts to appear calm.
After a moment of silence, he called out in a low voice with a hint of shyness, "Qing Shu!"
"Eh." Although it was a time of parting, upon hearing Youlan's call, Song Qingchu couldn't help but feel joyful in his heart.
After a word, the two fell into silence again. Although it is said that 'it's better to forget each other in the mortal world than to cherish a brief encounter', but 'the golden wind and jade dew meet once, and they surpass countless human relationships'. Lovers, especially young men and women in passionate love, how can they have such a calm attitude? As the saying goes, 'not seeing each other for a day is like being separated for three autumns', today's farewell, I don't know when we will meet again.
"If two people are meant to be together for a long time, they will be. It's not about being together every day." Song Qing said with a relaxed tone, "I'll come visit you when I get back this time."
"I'm waiting for you." Nothing more was said, but these three simple words contained everything.
Song Qing looked deeply at You Lan, gritted his teeth, turned around and left without looking back. He was afraid that if he looked back, the idea that had just risen would never appear again.
It's just a lifetime, there are always some things that can't be missed. Today's farewell is also the beginning of tomorrow's reunion.
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Kunlun Mountains, also known as Kunlun Xu, China's First Sacred Mountain, Ancestral Mountain of Ten Thousand, Kunlun Qiu or Jade Mountain. A major mountain range in central Asia and the main backbone of western China's mountain ranges. It starts from the eastern part of the Pamir Plateau, stretching across Xinjiang and Tibet, extending to Qinghai Province, with a total length of approximately 2,500 kilometers, an average elevation of 5,500-6,000 meters, and a width of 130-200 kilometers. The Kunlun Mountains cover an area of over 500,000 square kilometers from west to east. In the cultural history of the Chinese nation, the Kunlun Mountains have a prominent position as the "Ancestral Mountain of Ten Thousand". Ancient people called the Kunlun Mountains the "Dragon Vein" of China.
In ancient mythology, the Kunlun Mountains were inhabited by a god named "Queen Mother of the West", with a human head and leopard body, served by two green birds. It is a Taoist orthodox god, in charge of guiding men and women to ascend to immortality together with Dongwanggong.
On this day, at the foot of Mount Kunlun, a young man in his early twenties arrived, wearing white clothes, carrying a long sword on his back, and leading a small black donkey. Although he was dusty and disheveled, it couldn't hide his elegant demeanor.
Standing at the foot of Mount Kunlun, Song Qing couldn't help but think of the records about Kunlun in "Shan Hai Jing": To the south of the Western Sea, on the banks of the Flowing Sands, after the Red Water and before the Black Water, there is a great mountain called Kunlun Qiu. There is a god with a human face and a tiger's body, with writing and a tail, all white, dwelling in it. Below it is the Weak Water Abyss surrounding it, and outside it is the Blazing Fire Mountain, where objects are thrown and burned. There is someone wearing a victory crown, with tiger teeth and leopard tail, living in a cave, named Queen Mother of the West. This mountain has everything in the world. (Da Huang Xi Jing)
Inside the Kunlun Mountains, in the northwest, is the Emperor's capital. The Kunlun Mountains are eight hundred li square and one million ren high. On top there are jade stalks of grain five chi long and five chi around. There are nine wells with jade railings. There are nine gates on each side, guarded by the Open-Bright divine beasts, where a hundred spirits reside. At the eight corners of the rocky cliffs, at the edge of the Red Water, only Renyibo can ascend to the top of the mountain peak.
Song Qing Shu sighed and was about to head up the mountain when he suddenly heard a mournful howl of a dog, followed by a tender voice shouting: "General Right, come back quickly!"
Song Qing heard this voice and her heart skipped a beat. She thought to herself, "Could it be her?" Her footsteps slowed down unintentionally.
On Kunlun Mountain, there was a dog called Right General, with a female voice. With just these three points, Song Qing understood who it was.
Zhu Jiu Zhen, Zhu Wu Lian Huan Zhuang, daughter of Zhu Chang Ling, the owner of the Zhuang. She is a descendant of Zhu Zi Liu, a disciple of Nan Di Yi Deng Da Shi. She enjoys training fierce dogs to bite people and names them "Generals".
Sure, here is the translation:
As expected, before long, a ferocious Tibetan mastiff, half as tall as a man, came running towards him from afar, its mouth wide open and eyes gleaming with ferocity.
Song Qingxue saw the situation and couldn't help but smile. If it were in his past life, he would have run as far away as possible from such a ferocious dog breed. But now, if he were to be scared by a dog, he might as well not exist anymore. He'd rather pull out his own hair and strangle himself than stay in this world and lose face.
Song Qing stood calmly on the spot, ignoring the fierce Tibetan mastiff in front of him, but instead looked up and gazed at a group of people walking from afar behind the dog.
At this moment, the Tibetan Mastiff seemed to find that its enemy in front of it was looking down on itself, and suddenly became furious, let out a loud bark, and then saw the dog's hind legs kick hard, jumping far away, and then kicked again, baring its teeth and pouncing on Song Qing.
"I don't know whether it's dead or alive." Song Qing Shu let out a cold snort, mentally defining the ferocious Tibetan Mastiff in front of her. Just as she was about to make a move, a black hoof suddenly stretched out from beside her and kicked the Tibetan Mastiff in the abdomen in an instant.
All that could be heard was the fierce mastiff's mournful cry, then it fell back and slid on the ground for several meters before stopping. After a few convulsions on the ground, it stopped moving. It was clearly dead.
Song Qing Shu didn't care about the life and death of the Tibetan Mastiff at all, but instead was full of praise for the little black donkey by his side.
"Good, fearless of strong enemies, loyal and dedicated to protecting his master, his bravery is commendable, worthy of praise." Song Qing Shu patted Hei Tan's head.
Hei Tan nodded in agreement with Song Qing Shu's words, which made Song Qing Shu burst into another fit of loud laughter.
