Breaking through the illusion of the mortal world

Chapter 161 Yearning for Love

"Hahaha, you should know how many people in China are lining up to send me gifts, but I wouldn't even give them a second glance," Ning Qingxue chuckled, her laughter like the tinkling of silver bells.

Ning Qingxue found Lu Ming's expression amusing.

"I'm sorry, I really wasn't prepared. I'll definitely prepare something carefully later!" Lu Ming said awkwardly.

"It's alright, sit with me for a while." Ning Qingxue pulled Lu Ming down to sit.

Ning Qingxue leaned closer to Lu Ming, resting her head on his shoulder, as if this was the most reliable place for her.

Lu Ming felt Ning Qingxue's body temperature and smelled her delicate fragrance. His body tensed up, and even his breathing became slightly rapid.

He had never been so close to a woman before, and was momentarily at a loss for words, even forgetting what to say.

Ning Qingxue turned to look at Lu Ming and chuckled again: "Interesting, I didn't expect you to blush."

"Um, I...I..." Lu Ming stammered, unsure of what to say, his heart pounding like a deer, but he really liked the feeling.

"Sometimes, a person's blushing can say everything," Ning Qingxue said gently, looking at Lu Ming.

Lu Ming took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and hugged Ning Qingxue.

Ning Qingxue did not resist and leaned even closer.

The two remained silent, simply nestled together, enjoying this precious moment.

If only time could stand still at this moment.

After a long silence, Ning Qingxue asked softly, "Do you think the two of us will become enemies? The chaos in the Nine Provinces, the divisions between sects—although the war hasn't started yet, our positions are always opposed..."

"No, we will not be enemies! When I am strong enough, I will be able to break down the so-called sect distinctions and make it so that there is nothing in the world that can restrain us!" Lu Ming said with a firm gaze.

"But do you know that even powerful figures like the legendary Immortal Dao Sect Master, who is also your Imperial Preceptor, or the Lord of the Lihen Heaven Palace, cannot escape all constraints?" Ning Qingxue said softly.

"Then I'll become stronger than them!" Lu Ming said, his face stubborn.

Ning Qingxue looked at Lu Ming, at his resolute and stubborn face, and did not refute him.

"If that day ever comes and you become that strong, how long will it take?" Ning Qingxue asked.

Lu Ming fell silent. Even someone as powerful as Po Jun had reached an unbelievable level of cultivation over countless millennia.

"You have to understand that time is the cruelest thing. You think things might get better in the future, but things often don't go as planned."

"In the course of time, missing out and regrets are the norm," Ning Qingxue said softly.

"Perhaps now is already the best time, don't you think?" Ning Qingxue asked, looking at Lu Ming.

Hearing Ning Qingxue's words, Lu Ming couldn't help but think of himself.

Back then, I thought that once I was good enough, I would have enough confidence to express my feelings. But more than thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye, and in the course of time, missing out and regrets are the norm.

"Because you are here, this is the best time, and the time to come will also be the best time," Lu Ming said tenderly, looking at her.

"You may seem a bit silly, but you can be quite eloquent sometimes," Ning Qingxue said with a light laugh.

"You know, ever since my mother died, I've lived a lonely life. Many times during life-or-death crises, I've even wondered, am I just going to die like this all alone?"

"I don't have a fear of death; instead, I feel a sense of relief. But your presence makes me feel less alone," Ning Qingxue said, leaning against Lu Ming with a smile on her lips.

These unspeakable vulnerabilities were only revealed by Ning Qingxue when Lu Ming was present, leaving her completely unguarded.

Hearing Ning Qingxue's words, Lu Ming felt a pang of heartache.

"No, don't die, and don't live alone!" Lu Ming said earnestly, looking at Ning Qingxue.

"Hmm? You seem to have said that before. I heard it when you were seriously injured and unconscious in the Tian Shu Ruins. I thought I was hallucinating at the time," Ning Qingxue said, looking at Lu Ming.

"While I was unconscious... I forgot what I said. But I believe that one day I will break through worldly prejudices, break through so-called constraints, and even break through fate!" Lu Ming's eyes were filled with stubbornness.

Ning Qingxue looked at him and smiled again: "I believe you."

Those who run and pant in the passage of time, many years later, when they look back into the distance, will they still remember those words, slightly foolish because of their youthful innocence? Have you ever held the person beside you tightly in your arms?

Ning Qingxue slowly stood up and said, "Let me give you another gift, a piece of my favorite music."

Ning Qingxue took out a jade flute and began to play it slowly.

The flute music, accompanied by the jingling of the bell on her wrist, was crisp and melodious.

The melody carries a touch of melancholy; the flute's clear, melodious notes seem to pierce through the mists of a thousand years.

The sounds and rhythms, like the clear moonlight, rise slowly from the depths of time, lingering in the heart.

As if drifting from the other shore of the mortal world, tracing back from bygone years, it blends the unyielding longing of mountains and seas, the insurmountable barriers of position, into a wisp of flute melody, gently falling upon the person before it.

As Lu Ming listened to the flute music and gazed at Ning Qingxue, he felt as if the bright moon in the sky was no match for her.

The phoenix flowers sway gently, their fiery red color mirroring the passionate hearts of young men and women.

At this moment, Ning Qingxue was even more beautiful than the blooming Epiphyllum flower, breathtakingly beautiful.

There is always that one person who amazes us and softens our years.

There's always that one love story that transcends longing and resurfaces before your eyes.

Lu Ming was now even careful with his breathing, afraid of breaking this exquisite rhythm.

Lu Ming gazed quietly, listened quietly. At this moment, it seemed that the whole world consisted of only Ning Qingxue, and nothing else could catch his eye.

The song ends, but longing continues; the melody is not finished, and the night is not yet over. The clear notes fade, and people gaze at each other; at this moment, on this night, these people are intoxicated.

After the music ended, it took Lu Ming a long time to come back to his senses, his eyes sparkling with light.

"Does it sound good?" Ning Qingxue asked softly.

"It sounds beautiful, so lovely." Lu Ming seemed to still be savoring the memory.

"I've recorded my music with the recording stone. You must watch and listen to it every day after you get back, understand?" Ning Qingxue said, feigning arrogance.

"Hahaha, definitely, definitely, I will watch it every day!" Lu Ming replied with a smile.

"That's more like it! You know, this is something many people dream of but never dare to dream of. You're lucky." Ning Qingxue handed the recording stone to Lu Ming and said.

Lu Ming took the recording stone and carefully hid it away as if it were a precious treasure.

"Didn't you hear anything different in this piece of music?" Ning Qingxue asked cautiously.

"All I could hear was that I missed you even more," Lu Ming replied with a smile, looking as happy as a child.

"Fool, it's hard for you not to be tricked if you act like this. I just added a secret technique called 'Longing Induction' to the melody, which will make people miss you forever," Ning Qingxue said softly with her head down.

"Then I'll have to listen to it every day, hahaha." Lu Ming walked over with a smile.

"My longing for you will only grow deeper with each passing year," Lu Ming said, gazing at Ning Qingxue with a broad smile.

Ning Qingxue looked at Lu Ming, wanting to say something but hesitating, and then hugged Lu Ming directly.

Lu Ming also held Ning Qingxue in his arms, and the two embraced quietly, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.

After embracing for a long time, Ning Qingxue said reluctantly, "I have to go. I can't stay any longer..."

Lu Ming tightened his grip on Ning Qingxue's hand, but eventually loosened it.

"Qingxue...take care," Lu Ming said reluctantly.

Ning Qingxue glanced at Lu Ming one last time, smiled, and said, "Take care of yourself too."

Then, Ning Qingxue slowly turned around and walked out of the courtyard.

The lingering fragrance still lingers in the courtyard, but all that remains is a heart full of helplessness.

Lu Ming stood still for a moment, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and slowly walked back to the banquet on the top floor.