TONG HUA's : YaoJing drama & novel exploration 💜

Chapter 6 wrap up.

Xiao Liu was in great pain. She is using everything to heal herself. And we can see she's using precious medicines Jing left for her and her wounds were actually healing quick except that it's still very painful to her. But she did not use pain killers.

While reading I was thinking why don't she use pain killer. Is it telling us that she would heal herself at all cost, but will not avoid pain she had to endure.

but yep poor Xiao Liu.

https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever-season-2/119991-tushan-jing-and-xiao-yao-here-s-to-a-happily-ever-after?pid=2893853&page=339#p2893853

Xiao Liu Helped Xiang Liu and Xuan
Xiao Liu offered to help Xiang Liu by hurting herself physically. I guess that this was due her frenemy bond with him and her sympathy for Sheng Nong army soldiers. And then she found the fox tail which represented her past bond with Xuan. And then she helped Xuan with her own life. I am glad Xuan still got to share pain with her .

https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever-season-2/119991-tushan-jing-and-xiao-yao-here-s-to-a-happily-ever-after?pid=2894757&page=339#p2894757

Xiao Liu and Xuan
Although it was not directly said, readers could guess that Xiao Liu is Xuan's little lost cousin. The nine tailed fox tail is evidence. When Xiao Liu was near death, she would think of her happy times in childhood with her mom and her brother. After, saving his life, I have a feeling Xuan really wanted to befriend Xiao Liu.It seems to me Xiao Liu was distancing herself from Xuan although liked spending time with him. Xuan must have felt that Xiao Liu might not be sincere because she also helped Xiang Liu, and therefore could not trust her completely. And Xiao Liu's feelings for Xiang Liu that she mentioned are honest because she don't hate him. Yet they could not be called "friends".

https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever-season-2/119991-tushan-jing-and-xiao-yao-here-s-to-a-happily-ever-after?pid=2894779&page=340#p2894779

I consider this is the first intimate scene between Xiao Liu and Xiang Liu. The feelings are still not clear though. I shared the whole scene to understand it as a whole. It's implied in first passage that Xiao Liu was not scared that Xiang Liu would kill her and then her memory went back to when she was happy with her mother and her brother. And also her original form of being feminine came back to her. I think that's why she smiled sweetly. This was the first time he asked her about her being woman as well. This phrase, "Xiao Liu’s eyes were wide open and he smiled sweetly towards him, his smile like a flower blooming in the Spring." is when Xiang Liu was looking at Xiao Liu. So i think it's implied to his feelings. (And about this "Blooming in Spring" is a reminder of the time when Qi Yo fell in love with A Heng just by getting her smell and seeing her playing in stream. In that passage it's implied spring is a time beasts find mates, I may reshare the scene if you xiaojing fans like). And then he started suck/bite her neck and this sensation came "In the pain there was a sensation of numbness, a shivering feeling of bliss, as if someone was sucking, and licking, and lightly kissing." but that feeling is written through Xuan's feeling by his bug  connection with Xiao Liu. The meaning of bliss is happiness/joy but in this whole scene, I do not take bliss as Xiao Yao's happiness towards Xiang Liu's actions. But some sort of excitement because of getting touch like that.

Definetly it is not romantic. She was more of scared and nervous. All that she was telling him were all lies. Therefore to me romance is not feeling and very vague, especially her side, because the word used to describe her feeling directly is "nervous". The next scene between her and Jing is very different because her feelings for Jing is told very directly.

https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever-season-2/119991-tushan-jing-and-xiao-yao-here-s-to-a-happily-ever-after?pid=2896147&page=341#p2896147

Jing's Embrace and Their Longing
When Jing found Xiao Liu in the pool, she's definelty is not healed.

But I love how everything was described as so warm when Xiao Liu woke up at Tushan Mansion. To Xiao Liu, everything was so beautiful , especially Jing that she wanted to test if her was real . Then she reciprocated his embrace. She allowed herself to rested on his sholder as if they were just Shi Qi and Xiao Liu and he held her as he will never let her go.

Xiao Liu longed her her Shi Qi but he's Jing.

Jing longed  for Xiao Liu by the way he act out when Xiao Liu was leaving.

This scene was written very well on how much Xiao Liu longed for her Shi Qi. How beautiful she think Jing is. Iy is all written so directly. Although it is short, it is quite memorable. Their longing for each other are represented directly .. Therefore, to me the author had perfect made it obvious and it is purposely written to feel the bond between the two.

https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lost-you-forever-season-2/119991-tushan-jing-and-xiao-yao-here-s-to-a-happily-ever-after?pid=2896215&page=341#p2896215

My Wrap Up Review for Chapter 6
Most of chapter 6 is Xiao Liu's interactions with Xuan and Xiang Liu. She helped both of them. Her body got hurt from it.Xiao Liu's past is sort of revealed through her memory. There must be some connection between them, mostly like she is his long lost cousin, the evidence is because of the nine tailed fox tail. They came into good term after she saved his life, and it seems he really wanted to befriend her. However, it seem herself was not so ready to open up all yet. Therefore, I think Xuan still keep his suspension on Xiao Liu.
This is the first time I think Xiang Liu's neck bite is describe as kiss feel and that he saw her smiling like spring blooming towards him although she was not smiling for him but smiled because of her happy childhood memory with her mom and brother. From his neck bite and touching it is said as nervous. No romance so far. However, we will see how their bond will grow. Xiao Liu told Xuan of her true feelings of Xiang Liu which is not hate and not dislike but fear.
There is only one short brief scene for our couple. What is special is how direct her feelings were written, in a way as she longed for Shi Qi but accepted embrace from Jing. And she left him again because he is Jing for now.
The last thing I want to discuss is about her Hui Chun and buddies. I am not going to share the abstract. But what happened is Tien Er was beginning to feel more like home at Hui Chun. She learned medicine knowledge from Xiao Liu and was very good at it. So Tien Er was becoming the lady of the house.

@ Winny Aye -Chapter 6:

Xiao Liu Healing&Endurance
Xiao Liu’s body was very unique so wounds healed faster than most. Jing also left a lot of good medicine ranging from the bones and elixirs from Jade Mountain, harnessed crystal, whatever was in the vast wilderness that was precious it was here. Xiao Liu’s injuries healed quickly.

Xiao Liu never hesitated or was shy about using anything, dumping the entire jar of bone essence to soak his hand in. But the only thing he never used was painkillers. Everyday he loudly howled in pain and jumped up and down.

I wanted to write something long but something came up and I could not. So I will just review about these two first passages. Xiao Liu was in great. She is using everything to heal herself. And we can see she's using precious medicines Jing left for her and her wounds were actually healing quick except that it's still very painful to her. But she did not use pain killers.

While reading I was thinking why don't she use pain killer. Is it telling us that she would heal herself at all cost, but will not avoid pain she had to endure.

Hop! Here we hop in ch.6 Novel /Drama exploration!

Interesting and Great point Winny! 

I thought on some points that could explain why she dont wont to use pain killers:

         1.Symbolism of Resilience and Determination: 

-  Xiao Liu's choice not to use painkillers can be seen as a symbolic representation of her resilience and determination. In the face of physical pain, she opts for the challenging path of enduring it rather than seeking immediate relief. This choice may signify her inner strength and unwavering commitment to overcoming obstacles. By choosing not to numb her pain, Xiao Liu demonstrates a willingness to confront challenges head-on, embodying a sense of resilience that goes beyond mere physical healing.

  2.Emotional Catharsis through Pain Endurance:

-  Xiao Liu's daily loud howls and physical expressions of pain may serve as a form of emotional catharsis. By enduring the pain without the aid of painkillers, she engages in a process of confronting and processing both the emotional and physical aspects of her trauma. The audible expression of pain could be a release mechanism, allowing Xiao Liu to channel and externalize her inner struggles. In this way, the pain becomes a tangible and audible manifestation of her emotional turmoil, providing a cathartic outlet for the challenges she faces.

Furthermore... Xiao Liu's choice not to use painkillers suggests that she actively embraces the emotional weight of her experiences. Rather than suppressing or avoiding the pain, she confronts it daily, acknowledging and working through the emotional aspects of her injuries. This approach aligns with the idea that true healing involves not just the physical body but also the emotional and psychological aspects of one's well-being.

In summary, Xiao Liu's decision not to use painkillers can be interpreted as a symbolic expression of her resilience and determination, while her audible displays of pain may serve as a means of emotional catharsis, allowing her to confront and process the complexities of her injuries on both physical and emotional levels.

=> It portrays her as someone who confronts adversity with courage and uses pain as a catalyst for personal growth. This approach can be seen as a form of self-awareness, as Xiao Liu confronts and allows herself to feel and express the full range of painfull emotions associated with her experiences.

@Winny Aye :

 I agree with you that Xiao Liu not using pain killers represents her confronting the complexities of her injuries on both physical and emotional levels. Her courage for personal growth is something.  And yes about self awareness, I think WXL is mostly very true to herself. 

@Symbolika1:

Remember how she, Xiao Liu recognized immediatly that capacity on another character? It was Yeshiqi (ep.2-pic covering the scene):

=> She can recognise it , because she is just the same!. Having enduring torture in her youth, she became a doctor specialized in fertility, giving birth and giving life and hope to others.   

=> As some other characters  (XL), tortured in youth too - ends up acting quite opposite: inflicting freely physical pain to others . He was beaten and  treated roughly in his youth too - but he just does the same to others.  It's a  mimic attitude. A vicious circle. It is certainly not an resilient attitude, even for soldiers. It suits more assassins methods. 

Extract:

"Xiang Liu coldly laughed “Kill you? That’s be too easy on you!” He lowered his head and bit down hard on Xiao Liu’s neck and drank his blood as if to release his rage. Xiao Liu leaned his neck back and rested on the side of the pool. Thank god he was of some use to Xiang Liu. Since Xiang Liu was a nine-headed demon with a very strange form, it was near impossible for him to find medicine to heal his injuries. Which is why the equally strange form Xiao Liu was his best medicine."

***And the opposite of Yeshiqi/TSJ & Xiao Liu/Xiao Yao's dealing with it, as we can see with their resilience attitudes. * So - we just steped in another important point Xiao Liu/Xiao Yao - share with TSJ/Yeshiqi => her dealing with pain signify her inner strength and unwavering commitment to overcoming obstacles. By choosing not to numb her pain, Xiao Liu demonstrates a willingness to confront challenges head-on, embodying a sense of resilience that goes beyond mere physical healing.   ....Rather than suppressing or avoiding the pain, she confronts it daily, acknowledging and working through the emotional aspects of her injuries. This approach aligns with the idea that true healing involves not just the physical body but also the emotional and psychological aspects of one's well-being. As Yeshiqi did with the wounds infliged by his own brother and reaching out for the flower of life/love scents he can recognise and choose, even when seemingly completly broken and bearing all the pain. 

                                                                        CAVE  - CX 

Extraxts:

You used me to set a trap with the intention to kill him.
“So I used you as a lure. You have a problem with that?”
“Normally no, since he wants to kill me so best take him out. But I know now who he really is. He is Zhuan Xu.

Xiao Liu angrily said “This is my true form!”

 Winny Aye: finally relaxed. He was already severely injured, plus Xiang Liu drank his blood, so his head was woozy and he laid down in the pool to also start healing himself.

Short agreement=> There is zero word of her enjoyment here (even with taking that whole chapter extract - the only enjoyable moment is related to her CX memories, as she just found out who he really was: her gege.

 @Winny Aye: Definetly it is not a romantic scenery.

                                     ****************    Clear context:     ********************

=>                    XY is in her memory back to Spring with gege:

The red blood around her made her see the fire red phoenix flowers. Under the phoenix tree, there was a Mom who made a swing for her. She stood on the swing and welcomed the falling phoenix leaves. She rose high and her laughter blanketed the earth. Gege stood under the phoenix tree, looking up at her with a smile. When she came down, he pushed her up again. Her swing rose up, came down, rose up, came down…..
Xiang Liu’s razor sharp claw came down towards Xiao Liu’s neck but Xiao Liu’s eyes were wide open and he smiled sweetly towards him, ////   2.his smile like a flower blooming in the Spring.  <= CX in chilhood MEMORY TiME. 

Wich concorde with her reaction.

Chapter 6: Like A Familiar Person Has Come .

Let's analyse it further :

1. THE Context:

The scene unfolds in a cave where Xiang Liu saves a soaked Xiao Liu in a pool of precious medicines. Xiang Liu's initial rage is evident as he questions Xiao Liu's motives for saving someone named Xuan.

The red blood around her made her see the fire red phoenix flowers. Under the phoenix tree, there was a Mom who made a swing for her. She stood on the swing and welcomed the falling phoenix leaves. She rose high and her laughter blanketed the earth. Gege stood under the phoenix tree, looking up at her with a smile. When she came down, he pushed her up again. Her swing rose up, came down, rose up, came down…..
Xiang Liu’s razor sharp claw came down towards Xiao Liu’s neck but Xiao Liu’s eyes were wide open and he smiled sweetly towards him, ////       2.his smile like a flower blooming in the Spring.  <= CX in chilhood MEMORY TiME. 

2. Xiao Liu's Motivation:

In a desperate attempt to survive, Xiao Liu fabricates a story about knowing Xuan's true identity, portraying her survival instinct and fear. Her actions reflect a pragmatic approach to navigate the dangerous situation and cover CX.

3. Xiang Liu's Rage:

Furious at Xiao Liu for potentially disrupting his plan, Xiang Liu violently grabs her neck, highlighting the power dynamic between them. The physical confrontation amplifies the intensity of his repons. Xiao Liu is again mistreated.

4. Revelation of Xuan's Identity:

Xiao Liu reveals Xuan as Zhuan Xu, the eldest grandson prince of the Yellow Emperor, disrupting Xiang Liu's plan and introducing the potential wrath of a powerful ruler. She lies again to cover CX, her primary goal in this scene.

Bite and Bloodsucking:

In a moment of intense reaction, Xiang Liu bites Xiao Liu's neck and drinks her blood. This act is aggressive and intimate, suggesting a mix of pleasure, pain, and a peculiar connection, notably felt by Xuan through his bug link with Xiao Liu. There is none description of her enjoying it, we rather skip directly on CX's reaction.

A. Xiang Liu is aware of the bug link between Xiao Liu and Xuan, biting Xiao Liu could be a strategic move to exploit this connection. By doing so, he may be attempting to send a message or influence Xuan emotionally through the shared sensations. It feel like a long distance play. 

B.Alternatively, this act could be a deliberate move by Xiang Liu to create tension and uncertainty among the characters. By involving Xuan indirectly through the blood link, Xiang Liu might be attempting to sow seeds of mistrust or confusion. 

Xiao Liu's Gender Identity:

Xiang Liu questions Xiao Liu's gender, introducing an element of uncertainty. In response, Xiao Liu asserts that her current form is her true self, Xiao Liu's assertion that her current form is her true self is a declaration of autonomy and self-definition. It is  an act of resistance against the pressure.

Uneasy Calm:

After the intense encounter, the scene concludes with an uneasy calm as both characters, severely injured, retreat to the pool for healing—a temporary ceasefire.

***Xiao Liu - point of view:

1. Childhood Memory:

   "The red blood around her made her see the fire red phoenix flowers... Gege stood under the phoenix tree, looking up at her with a smile."

2. Her Assertiveness:

   "I’m a man. Even if you like men, you should find someone better looking."

Analysis:

The scene masterfully navigates fear, survival instincts, and power dynamics. Xiao Liu's lies and manipulations reflect her pragmatic approach to survival. The biting and bloodsucking are not romanticized => instead, they convey a transactional and survival-driven relationship.

The Quotations from her memories further highlight the contrast between the present and her happier past. The absence of Xiao Liu's enjoyment aligns with the overall mood, emphasizing her primary concerns—survival and navigating a perilous situation. 

@ Winny Aye: Xiao Liu’s wildly nervous heart finally relaxed. He was already severely injured, plus Xiang Liu drank his blood, so his head was woozy and he laid down in the pool to also start healing himself.

The ending of the whole scene confirm this analysis.

@Winny Aye: there was no line on how Xiao Liu felt. Besides , in the next scene of them XL was hurting her to get Xuan killed by arrow .. And WXL was scared actually

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After the cave, comes the Sun , and Tushan Jing/Yeshiqi=>so will cover later, following your extracts here! The contrast is huge! =>

• Xiang Liu remains cautious and wary due to his injuries, showcasing a protective side to his character.
• Jing, on the other hand, demonstrates deep concern for Xiao Liu's well-being. He arrives promptly upon sensing Xiao Liu's presence and takes immediate action to care for him.

    ALL in one :                 Chapter 6 Analysis: Xiao Liu, Xiang Liu, Tushan Jing, and Xuan

****Xuan and Xiao Liu's Relationship: 

The interactions between Xuan and Xiao Liu oscillate between camaraderie and distance. Despite their laughter when drunk, sobriety brings an emotional detachment. Xiao Liu's reluctance to reveal her feelings and the enigmatic nature of her connections create an air of mystery. Xuan's desire for a genuine friendship clashes with Xiao Liu's guardedness.

Xiao Liu's Ambiguity: Xiao Liu's reluctance to fully embrace a friendship with Xuan hints at her complex emotional landscape. Her assistance to both Xiang Liu and Xuan adds an element of unpredictability. The genuine concern Xuan expresses is met with Xiao Liu's strategic evasiveness, deepening the mystery surrounding her character.

Possible Family Connection: The subtle revelation that Xiao Liu is Xuan's little lost cousin is left for readers to decipher. The nine-tailed fox tail acts as a silent testament to their familial bond. Xiao Liu's reluctance to fully acknowledge this connection adds an intriguing layer to their interactions.

In summary, the interactions between Xuan and Xiao Liu unveil a tapestry of emotions, family ties, and the contrast between past happiness and present challenges. Xiao Liu's guardedness and Xuan's yearning for a genuine connection create an emotional tension that adds complexity to their relationship.

Xuan - Xiao Liu Interactions: The passage unveils a deeper connection between Xuan and Xiao Liu as they share their pasts over drinks. The red blood around her invokes the fire red phoenix flowers, triggering a poignant memory of her childhood with her gege. This flashback creates a stark contrast between the warmth of her past and the harshness of her present.

Xuan's Feelings and Family Ties: Xuan's revelation about the white fox tail, a precious memento from his little sister cousin, adds emotional depth to his character. The snowball-like fox tail becomes a symbol of longing and a connection to his familial past. Xuan's feelings for Ah Nian and his promise to take care of her reveal the complexities of his emotions and family ties.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Xiao Liu and Xiang Liu's Cave Encounter: 

In this chapter, the narrative unfolds in a cave where Xiang Liu rescues a soaked Xiao Liu, both significantly injured. Xiao Liu, desperate to survive, fabricates a story about knowing Xuan's true identity, showcasing her pragmatic approach to navigate the dangerous situation and protect Xuan. Xiang Liu's initial rage is evident, violently grabbing Xiao Liu, highlighting the power dynamic between them.

The biting and bloodsucking act by Xiang Liu is both aggressive and intimate, suggesting a mix of pleasure, pain, and a peculiar connection. Two interpretations arise: strategic exploitation of the bug link to influence Xuan emotionally or a deliberate move to create tension and uncertainty, sowing seeds of mistrust and possibly jealousy.

Xiao Liu asserts her gender identity in the face of Xiang Liu's questioning, demonstrating autonomy and self-definition. The uneasy calm that follows in the cave indicates a temporary ceasefire between the characters.

Xiao Liu's Childhood Memory: The red blood around her made her see the fire red phoenix flowers. Under the phoenix tree, there was a Mom who made a swing for her. She stood on the swing and welcomed the falling phoenix leaves. She rose high and her laughter blanketed the earth. Gege stood under the phoenix tree, looking up at her with a smile. When she came down, he pushed her up again. Her swing rose up, came down, rose up, came down….. 

The scene is set with a vivid childhood memory where Xiao Liu envisions a swing under a phoenix tree with her gege. This memory is juxtaposed with the current dire situation, emphasizing the stark contrast between her present and happier past.

2. Tushan Jing's Arrival: 

A day later, Tushan Jing arrives near the cave. Xiang Liu, still injured and wary, avoids meeting a potential threat. Xiang Liu quietly leaves, leaving the injured Xiao Liu alone - when Jing arrives. Jing, demonstrating deep concern, takes immediate action to care for Xiao Liu, carrying him out of the cave.

Xiao Liu's Recovery at Tushan Mansion: 

Ten days later, Xiao Liu wakes up in an elegantly decorated room at Tushan Mansion, describing the beauty of the surroundings. The scene is symbolic and romantic, suggesting emotional intimacy between Xiao Liu and Jing. The vibrant courtyard, blooming flowers, and crystal wind chime create a picturesque setting.

The bright warm sun symbolizes positivity, hope, and a new beginning, possibly indicating that Jing brings light into Xiao Liu's life. The vibrant flowers and blooming courtyard symbolize growth, renewal, and the blossoming of emotions and relationships, particularly between Jing and Xiao Liu. 

The crystal wind chime represents fragility, clarity, and the beauty of fleeting moments. The sound may symbolize the delicate nature of their relationship. The release of cold from the crystal chimes into the air can symbolize the dispelling of hardships or difficulties, reflecting Jing's ability to bring comfort and relief to Xiao Liu.

 The overall warmth described in the setting, including the warm sun and the cool interior, may symbolize the emotional warmth and comfort that Jing provides to Xiao Liu. It creates a contrast with the external world, suggesting that Jing's presence is a source of solace and tranquility for Xiao Liu.                                 ***Wisteria Symbolism and Xiao Liu's Recovery at Tushan Mansion*** 

he wisteria holds profound symbolism in Chinese culture, representing endurance, longevity, and the ability to withstand adversity. As Xiao Liu wakes up in the elegantly decorated room at Tushan Mansion, the presence of wisteria in the courtyard adds layers of meaning to her recovery.
The delicate yet resilient nature of wisteria aligns with Xiao Liu's own resilience in the face of physical and emotional challenges. The vibrant purple blooms may signify not only Xiao Liu's healing but also the blossoming of a new chapter in her life. The wisteria's climbing and cascading growth can be seen as a visual metaphor for Xiao Liu's own journey—reaching upward and flourishing despite the hardships.

Contrasting the cave setting, the wisteria-laden courtyard provides a stark yet beautiful backdrop for Xiao Liu's recovery. It symbolizes the transformative power of care, compassion, and the enduring strength found in the face of adversity. The scene captures the essence of Xiao Liu's healing journey, where the wisteria becomes a silent witness to her resilience, growth, and the blossoming connection with Tushan Jing.
The warm hug shared under the wisteria becomes a powerful symbol of emotional warmth, comfort, and the beginning of a deeper connection between Xiao Liu and Tushan Jing. The purple blooms, representing endurance, mirror Xiao Liu's journey, illustrating that beauty and growth can emerge from the most challenging circumstances. The wisteria, in its climbing and intertwining nature, symbolizes the intertwining destinies of Xiao Liu and Jing, suggesting a connection that goes beyond the surface.
In essence, the wisteria symbolizes not only Xiao Liu's individual resilience but also the potential for beauty and growth that can emerge from the most challenging circumstances. 

It ties together the natural elements of the setting with the emotional landscape of the characters, enriching the narrative with layers of cultural and symbolic significance. Xiao Liu and Jing's blooming hug lit by the warm light of a single candle.

Chapter 7 – People Become Far Away and the Road Becomes Long:

The Chess Match : The Loser Treat

The cold Winter left and the warm Spring arrived. Ma Zi’s second daughter was turning one and Xiao Liu went out to buy some snacks for the family banquet.

He forgot to bring money and was about to borrow some from Xuan when Jing walked over and paid for him.

Xiao Liu shoved the snacks in his arms “You paid for it, you eat it!” He turned and left but Xuan saw them and called out “Xiao Liu, Shi Qi.”

Xiao Liu had no choice but to walk into the wine shop. There was no one there and Xuan was drinking alone and playing with a chess board. Xiao Liu sat down and Jing followed and sat down as well.

Xuan asked “One match?” Xiao Liu recently learned chess from Xuan so he was itching to play.

“I’m not talking to you, I’m asking him.” Xuan pointed at Jing.

Xiao Liu was a lousy chess player, making moves slow and would even renege and take a move back. Xuan played a few times with him and vowed never to do it again.

Xiao Liu was insulted “You’re looking down on me!”

“I am looking down on you!” Xuan didn’t try to hide his disgust towards Xiao Liu’s chess playing but then very courteously asked Shi Qi “What of it? One match? I’ve heard you excel at all the artistic disciplines from painting, chess, books, and music.”

Jing lowered his head and asked Xiao Liu “Shall I play with him?”

“You’re the one playing, what does it have to do with me?” “I listen to you, if you say for me to play, I’ll play. If you say no, then I won’t.” Xiao Liu wanted to get angry but his lips curled upward and he didn’t say anything. Jing stared intently at Xiao Liu.

Xuan rapped the table a few times “Hey, hey….I know you two are close, but…..”

Xiao Liu angrily huffed “Who’s close with him?” while at the same time Jing said “We’re close, and it doesn’t concern you.” Both of them stared at Xuan, with Xiao Liu looking furious while Jing looked very calm.

Xuan laughed at Xiao Liu “Doesn’t matter if you guys are close or not, he listens to you. Have him play with me. I’ve heard of his famous reputation for so long but never had a chance.”

Xiao Liu’s eyes twirled “I want to play, too.” Xuan sighed “Fine, you place the pieces, he calls the moves.”

Xiao Liu picked up a piece and Jing would softly give a move and Xiao Liu would place the piece. Xuan smiled and followed suit. After some time, Xuan understood that Jing’s reputation wasn’t unwarranted.

People came to buy wine but Xuan wasn’t interested. He put a servant at the counter and told no one was to come bother him.

Piece after piece, Xuan slowly stopped laughing and stared at the chess board. People say its hard to meet a kindred spirit and to meet a true chess playing equal is a very happy occurrence. Xuan’s chess was taught by the Yellow Emperor and the people he practiced with were the great generals of the Xuan Yuan Kingdom. Nowadays when Xuan played chess he usually only put a third of an effort into it. Today he was putting 100% of his effort into this match. Xuan put a piece down and felt it was a good move.

He was excitedly waiting for Jing to make the counter and heard him say something to Xiao Liu. But Xiao Liu shook his head and pointed elsewhere “I think it should be placed here.” Jing smiled and didn’t object “Fine, then place it there.”

Xiao Liu happily placed the piece but Xuan hollered “I allow you to renege on a move. Make a different move!” Xiao Liu replied “I’ve decided, it’s going there.” Xuan pleaded with Jing “Please reconsider.”

Xiao Liu was impatient “You’re so annoying! When I want to renege on a move you won’t let me, and now I don’t want to renege you want me to.”

Xuan felt such pent up frustration, like his greatest excitement at putting on a new outfit only to find the mouse had eaten a hole in it. He placed his move and already knew in how many moves he would win. Jing said something and Xiao Liu placed a piece.

Xuan exhaled as the frustration was lifted, like seeing the hole being in a place that can’t be seen so the outfit was still good. Xuan thought and placed a piece. Jing said something to Xiao Liu but he shook his head “Your idea is bad, I want it there.”

“Fine, that’s a good place.” Jing still smiled and complimented Xiao Liu as if Xiao Liu’s chess skill was exemplary and every move was brilliant, as opposed to completely and utterly crap.

Xiao Liu happily placed the piece and Xuan felt like he found a second mouse eaten hole in his clothes. He said “I highly suggest you change your move.” Xiao Liu glared at him “No!”

Xuan countered and then Jing gave a move and then back and forth, and suddenly Xuan felt like the hole was once again out of sight and he was excited again.

Jing lowered his head but Xiao Liu shook his head and said “There.” “Okay.” Xiao Liu put the piece down and by now Xuan had given up and was only curious to see how Jing continued to transform the worst moves into a save. After an hour the chess match was over and Jing lost. Xuan won but didn’t feel happy whereas Jing lost and was smiling.

Xiao Liu asked Jing “Was it because of my moves that you lost?” “No, your moves were great, it was my moves that were bad.” Xiao Liu happily giggled while Xuan wearily clasped his head.

Xiao Liu saw that it was almost dark and laughed “Winner treats! Heard there was a new roasted meat restaurant in town. Let’s go try it.”

“Sure.” Jing answered so quickly that Xuan wondered if perhaps Jing did not know the word “no” when he was talking to Xiao Liu. Xuan pointed to himself “I didn’t say yes yet.” Jing looked at him “Loser will treat.” Xuan controlled his laugh and glanced at Xiao Liu “Sure!”

The three of them left the shop and walked down the street. It was Xiao Liu and Xuan bickering with each other while Jing listened quietly. Xiao Liu was happy so Jing’s eyes reflected that happiness.

I consider this whole chess match scene somehow chilling overall rather than competing although it is a chess match. Xiao Liu tried to avoid Jing. Nevertheless, she was  totally happy to play chess with Xuan, and was spoiled by Jing. In fact, Jing let Xiao Liu lead the match, although she's crappy in it, but he will fix it up for her. Winning or losing is not important as long as there is happiness. In this way, Xiao Liu also get to enjoy the match.

In the context, it is said that Xuan only used one third of his skill in playing with others. However, with Jing, Master Qing Qiu, he was putting 100%. He was not so happy he won in the end because the opponent Jing, may not have used all his skills. 

Chapter 7

Wen Xiao Liu & Xuan

Inside the restaurant, Xuan asked Xiao Liu “How did you come to take that one in?” Xiao Liu scoffed “I can’t believe you didn’t already investigate yourself.”

“I did investigate but you trained Chuan Zi and Ma Zi well and they didn’t reveal anything. After getting Chuan Zi drunk, all he said was that he was once gravely injured and you rescued him. What kind of injury he never explained.”

Xiao Liu laughed “It’s not Chuan Zi not wanting to explain, I handled it all myself so Chuan Zi saw nothing.”

“I can hear that his voice is scratchy, was it from that injury?”

“Why do we need to keep talking about him?”

“Because the Tu Shan family’s businesses blanket the entire vast wilderness, and he represents the future of the clan and that will determine whether the Tu Shan clan is my friend or foe.”

“Then you go get chummy with him, why ask me?”

“He listens to you.”

Xiao Liu laughed “You think playing chess and running his entire family business is the same? He listens to me, because I saved him, but he only listens to what he can listen to.”

Xuan sighed and gave up on his idea. Like Xiao Liu said, 6 years of gratitude can let Jing treat Xiao Liu well, but would never let Jing change the position of the Tu Shan clan for Xiao Liu.

Xiao Liu pressed “You hurry up and leave town. Xiang Liu can show up anytime.” Xuan raised a cup of wine with arrogance “You think Xiang Liu is powerful, but don’t think too lowly of me.” Xiao Liu said “Fine, Fine, you’re super powerful!”

Xuan smiled “One on one battle I can’t beat him, I can’t even come close.” Xuan pointed to his head “But I rely on this.”

Xiao Liu almost spit out his meat “That’s just relying on your connections and background.” “But at least I have that, and that takes time to develop connections.”

Xiao Liu said nothing and after some time asked “All these years, it’s been tough, huh?” Xuan glanced at Xiao Liu with some shock and casually replied “It’s been okay.”

By this conversation, Xuan had some interest in Tushan Clan., whether the clan would became his ally or enemy. He might have wanted to use Xiao Liu for the connection. He might have guessed the influence Xiao Liu had on Tushan Jing. 

And another fact  revealed in this abstract is that Xuan knew his limit that he might not be able to win on fight with a demon general as Xiang Liu. 

I may skipped some scene to when Xuan got injured from arrow shot already.

Arriving at the wine shop, Xiao Liu didn’t bother with the front door and vaulted over the walls into the back. Guards came up but Hai Tang yelled for them to halt. She led Xiao Liu to a room where Xuan laid inside, his eyes closed and his face ashen.

Hai Tang shook him awake while Ah Nian cried “Gege, are you better?”

Xuan smiled at her gently “I’m fine. You didn’t sleep at all last night, go sleep now.” He glanced at Hai Tang who walked over and literally carried and coaxed Ah Nian out the door.

Xuan introduced the doctor Wu Cheng, a famous physician in town who specialized in external injuries. Xiao Liu looked at Xuan’s injury, a chest wound that wasn’t very big but the bleeding wouldn’t stop. Wu Cheng explained “Last night an assassin came. The guards protected the young master but suddenly an arrow came from the sky when the young master was also suddenly struck with extreme pain. Thank god a servant pushed him aside so the arrow didn’t hit a critical organ. The problem is that it won’t stop bleeding.”

Xiao Liu looked at the wound while Wu Cheng added “I tested hundreds of different poisons and it’s not a poison.”

Xiao Liu asked to see the arrow which was an ordinary wood arrow that was now snapped in half. Xiao Liu countered “It can’t be an ordinary arrow, it was shot from far away using tremendous force. An ordinary arrow would have shattered already in flight.”

Xiao Liu asked Xuan “What did you feel when the arrow pierced you?” Xuan closed his eyes “In that moment, my body hurt, my chest was in pain, and cold….I felt a cold enter my body.”

Xiao Liu continued “Have you been to the North Pole?” Xuan smiled “No, have you?”

“I’ve been. That place is always blanketed in snow, and then the layers of snow press down it becomes ice, and then the ice is pressed down it becomes glaciers. The glaciers are harder than the rocks in the vast wilderness. Even the sharpest blade striking it will only loosen some debris. After tens of thousands of years, there will be ice crystals in the glaciers as beautiful as precious gems but harder than any mineral. It will always release cold air.

Xuan asked “Will ice crystals melt?”

“Normally no, but since its still ice-based then theoretically yes.”

Xuan slowly understood “You’re saying someone used a special method to wrap a layer of ice crystal around an ordinary arrow, and when the arrow pierced me the ice crystal melted leaving only the ordinary arrow.”

“I don’t know how to manipulate ice crystal so it melts when it touches blood, but that’s likely what happened.”

“The ice crystal from the North plus the extraordinary archery skills, it must be the Fang Feng family!” Wu Cheng yelled anxiously “I’ll go find them, they made the arrow, they will know how to stop the bleeding.”

“Stop!” Xuan’s voice was filled with scorn “How do you prove it was them? A lot of people in the vast wilderness can shoot an arrow, and this arrow can be bought anywhere.”

Wu Cheng thought about it and dejectedly lowered his head. If it was the Fang Feng family, then it had to be the best archer Miss Fang Feng. She could be dealt with, but behind her stood the Tu Shan clan, one of the Four Great Clans of the vast wilderness. Even an Emperor had to be wary.

Xuan asked Xiao Liu “Why can’t my bleeding stop?” Xiao Liu touched his blood and put it in his mouth to taste. Xuan saw it and his heart skipped a beat and he quietly composed himself. Xiao Liu said “Likely this ice crystal has something mixed in and when it melted it is preventing your blood from coagulating.”

Wu Chen stared “What is it, I used all sorts of herbs but cannot stop the bleeding.” Xiao Liu conceded “I don’t know.” Wu Cheng was about to start raging when Xiao Liu added “But I know how to get rid of it.”

“What?” Wu Cheng anxiously asked.

“Anything dark will disappear in the light, use sun powered water from the holy Yang Valley, it cleanses anything.” “The water from the holy Yang Valley is hard to obtain and the batch we have is used up. The Valley is thousands of miles away, rushing there the bleeding will get worse and Master won’t even make it there alive.”

Xiao Liu explained “I have a way to slow down the bleeding so you can make it there. But it’s going to be painful.” Xuan smiled “Do tell.”

“Put an ice crystal in your wound and let it freeze your blood and slow it down. But that is a thousand year ice crystal and you will be freezing all over.” “If it’s a way to live then being cold is not hard. But where to get an ice crystal, it must be hard to obtain from the glaciers?”

Wu Cheng knew someone in town would have it “Go ask for it from the Fang Feng family?” He was surprised Xiao Liu agreed “Yup, go get it from them. But it’s not ask, it’s steal.”

“Steal?”

Xiao Liu stood up and said to Xuan “Don’t move, I’ll be right back.” Xuan offered “I’ll send two men with you.” Xiao Liu smiled “I’m going to steal, not grab by force.”

Xiao Liu showed her concern for Xuan deeply here because Xuan was struck by Fang Feng Yi Yang's arrow. She was willing to steal the ice crystal for him. Xiao Liu did show her knowledge of knowing the ice crystal and how to cure it. I think that probably had good impression on Xuan.

Xuan Departure 

When Xiao Liu got back to the wine shop, Wu Cheng had everyone all packed up and was ready to leave. Xiao Liu handed over the box and had Wu Cheng put two ice crystals in Xuan’s wound. The area around the wound started to turn white and then there appeared to be a layer of ice on it, freezing the arteries and veins to slow the blood flow down.

Wu Cheng’s face lit up “It worked!”

Xiao Liu gave Wu Cheng the remaining ice crystals and Wu Cheng didn’t have a minute to waste and immediately had Xuan carried onto the cloud carriage. Ah Nian and Hai Tang also got on another cloud carriage.

Ah Nian ordered “Depart!”

Xuan called out “Wait! Xiao Liu, come here. I have something to say to you!”

Xiao Liu walked over and Xuan said “This parting, I will likely not be returning.”

Xiao Liu said “Too many people want to kill you here, you shouldn’t come back.”

Xuan continued “You promised me that when I was leaving Qing Shui Town you would remove the bug……so come with me. With your smarts and talent, you will be of great success anywhere.” Xuan might not have told Xiao Liu his real identity, but when Xiao Liu suggested going to Yang Valley for the sun water and Wu Cheng did not indicate any hardship with making that happen, then Xiao Liu ought to know that Xuan’s identity was not someone ordinary. He wasn’t even merely lofty like the son of a noble family either. His invitation wasn’t just to remove the bug, he wanted to give Xiao Liu what a man ought to aim for to achieve with his life.

“I want to stay in Qing Shiu Town and be a little doctor.” Xiao Liu stepped back and carefully said “You are injured so I can’t do what I promised yet, but don’t worry, when you are healed I will write down how to get rid of the voodoo bug and give it to you. You have lots of talent around you, someone will be able to help you remove it.”

Xuan might be hard to sweet talk, but twice Xiao Liu saved his life so he decided to let this one go for now. He sighed “Everyone has their own goals. I won’t force you. You take care!”

Xiao Liu bowed “We both take care!”

Wu Cheng closed the cloud carriage door and the servants got on their winged rides pulling the cloud carriage and it rose into the air headed due South.

Xiao Liu raised his head and watched as the cloud carriage rose higher and higher until it became a black dot and disappeared into the clouds. He silently made a wish in his heart “Gege, I wish that you will achieve everything you want!”
Overall in chapter 7, Xuan overall had good feelings towards Xiao Liu although he had not realized that Xiao Liu was his long lost beloved cousin. Xiao Liu had saved his life two times. And it seemed Xuan was impressed by Xiao Liu medical knowledge and skills. He offered her to go with him. And SHE REFUSED. Because she was attached to life in Qing Shui town. In previous chapter Xiao Liu also refused the shelter from Xiang Liu when Xuan was after her. In fact, I have a feeling that Xiao Liu did not want any of these political conflicts in her life . She just wanted a  quiet life although maybe curious and long for advanture at times, a normal life is a treasure for her. 

Chapter 7:

Xiang Liu Drowning Xiao Liu for Advantage 

Xiao Liu walked along the river and sat down on a rock with his mind in a daze. He plucked a flower and pulled off its petals, tossing it in the river. Suddenly a white condor called and before Xiao Liu could even gasp he was wrenched onto the back of the condor by Xiang Liu.

Xiao Liu waved with a smile “Long time no see. How’ve you been?”

“If Xuan was dead, I’d be a lot better.”

Xiao Liu shut up and tightly grabbed Xiang Liu’s arm, afraid that he would get pissed and toss him off. The white condor flew to the same lake they once came to. Before the condor could descend, Xiang Liu suddenly grabbed Xiao Liu and vaulted off.

Xiao Liu was stunned and could only grab onto Xiang Liu with a tentacled creature grasp. The wind whistled past and Xiang Liu stared coldly “Shall I use you as a cushion?” Xiao Liu violently shook his head with his eyes full of pleading but Xiang Liu didn’t appear moved. They were descending so fast as if they were going to be smashed to smithereens. Right at the moment before impacting the water, Xiang Liu suddenly turned and flipped Xiao Liu on top.

With a giant plop, the two of them entered the water and a giant wave rose up. Even though Xiang Liu absorbed the brunt of the impact, Xiao Liu was still rocked by the waves and his head was spinning and his entire body ached. Because his limbs were in such pain, he couldn’t grab onto Xiang Liu and his body sunk into the depths.

Xiang Liu floated in the water staring as he sunk towards the bottom of the lake. Xiao Liu tried to reach out but could grab nothing and his eyes were gradually seeing black. Just as he was about to take his last breath, he felt Xiang Liu embrace him and a pair of cold lips pressed to his and passed air to him.

Xiang Liu held him and they rocketed towards the surface like an arrow. Xiao Liu sprawled on Xiang Liu’s shoulder and violently coughed and took loud deep breathes. His nose and eyes were all filled with water. After some time, Xiao Liu finally asked “If you want to kill me, do it faster.”

Xiang Liu’s body fell backward and he laid down on the water’s surface. Xiao Liu’s entire body was still aching so he couldn’t move and could only lay on top of him. Xiang Liu pulled Xiao Liu’s arm “Does it hurt?”

“He will hurt a lot.”

Xiang Liu laughed “This voodoo bug is decent but not good enough.”

“If it was a life-linked voodoo bug, you wouldn’t even hesitate and would kill me, right?”

“Yup, too bad it just shares pain.” Xiang Liu’s voice shared his regret.

Xiao Liu closed his eyes and felt them rocking on the waves. The water supported everything so there was no need to use any strength and it was quite relaxing.

Xiang Liu asked “Since he’s so precious to you, why not remove the bug?”

Xiao Liu didn’t answer and thought for a long time. Since he was a demon, and demons and creatures and monsters were all in the same world, perhaps he might know something. “It’s not that I don’t want to remove the bug, it’s that I can’t. Last time I was injured, you used all sorts of weird medicines on me. The bug had some type of transformation. He asked me to remove the bug and I lied that I’ll do it when he leaves. Recently I’ve been trying all sorts of ways to coax the bug out of him but nothing works.”

Xiang Liu thought about it “If you don’t want to die, then don’t try calling it back. The only solution is to find a way to transfer the bug to another person.”

Xiao Liu sincerely said “The only person I want to make miserable is you.”

Xiang Liu softly laughed “Then put the bug inside me.” Xiao Liu scoffed “Like you would be so nice.”

“I’ll kill him before he leaves Qing Shui Town, then you won’t have to worry about how to remove the bug.”

Xiao Liu felt his legs weren’t shaking anymore so slid down his body and started swimming. “Can killing him bring back the Sheng Nong Kingdom?” “No.” “Did he ever go on the battlefield and killed Sheng Nong soldiers?” “No.” “Do you have a personal blood feud with him?” “No.”

“Then why do you still want to kill him?”

“My position. Knowing that he’s right under my watch and not killing him, I feel like I’m not doing my part.”

“You have some sort of principles?”

“To Sheng Nong I do.”

“Laughable!”

“It is laughable, and even I think I’m pretty pathetic. If I didn’t have principles, then I would go talk to the Yellow Emperor and personally lead him to destroy Gao Xing.”

Xiao Liu was silent and looked up at the crescent moon like a biscuit with a bite taken out of it. After a long time, he asked “What is General Gong Gong like? To lead to a demon like you giving him your allegiance?”

“He’s an idiot!” Xiang Liu quieted down for awhile and then said “He is a pathetic idiot. He leads a bunch of idiots, doing something pathetic.”

Xiao Liu said “The most pathetic one is you! They are all willing to do it, they don’t think they are idiots. They think they are doing something they would be proud of to tell their family in the grave. To let their descendants be proud. They are happy to go down in a blaze of glory. But you – you mock it yet you do it.”

“Who let me have nine-heads? Of course it gets complicated and contradictory.”

Xiao Liu couldn’t help but laugh out loud and almost swallowed water and quickly grabbed Xiang Liu’s arm “You…..you….didn’t you say you hate people mentioning you are a nine-headed demon? The nine-heads is your big sore spot. If anyone mentioned it, you would kill them.”

“You’re still alive.”

Xiao Liu mumbled “For now….”

“What I loathe is that when they discuss me, they look down on me as strange and weird. I let you discuss it because……” Xiang Liu turned to the side and propped his arm under his head and looked at Xiao Liu “you may laugh at me but deep down inside you don’t think a nine-headed demon is strange.”

Xiao Liu smiled “That’s because I used to be even more weird than you.”

“So you hid in the mountains and refused to see anyone?”

“Yup.”

Xiang Liu lightly stroked Xiao Liu’s head and he stared on shock back at Xiang Liu “Is this considered having a heart-to-heart under the moonlight?”

Xiang Liu replied “Until the next time you anger me, then yes.”

Xiao Liu sighed “Peaceful times are short, just like happiness is momentary. Flowers bloom and wilt, the moon waxes and wanes. But the beauty in life is merely this.”

Xiang Liu snarked “Who said once that even the most beautiful view would grow old with time?” Xiao Liu smiled and said nothing. It was sunrise by the time Xiao Liu got home soaking wet.

Xiang Liu hinted how he wanted Xuan dead. Xiao Liu knew he wanted her to follow him, so she did. Xiao Liu might already guessed that Xiang Liu might hurt her. I felt uncomfortable in reading how Xiao Liu shook his head in fear and plead. In fact this whole scene is uncomfortable to me. In my previous post I have already shared Xuan got shot by the Fang Feng Yi Yang's arrow. The plan Xiang Liu and Fang Feng Yi Yang to work together to kill off Xuan. It was no surprise he will be using Xiao Liu, who had bugs connection with Xuan at the time. Even though she said she wanted make Xiang Liu miserable, she did not clearly hated him that is why she still can talk to him mostly in good manners. I guess she understood well that Xuan and Xiang Liu were from opposite side. Therefore they fought to kill each other may feel just normal to her. But at the same time , Xiao Liu was still clearly siding with Xuan. It was shown by her shaking legs and even to ask him about why he was loyal to Gong Gong. And their conversation is in bicker in nature as . Despite , Xiang Liu drowning Wen Xiao Liu for taking advantage in hurting Xuan, he managed to reveal he actually did not have bad feeling towards her even when she called in 9 heads demon because she did not really loathe him. And he only loathe those who look down on him because he 's 9 headed demon. And then he asked about voodoo bugs Xiao Liu used on Xuan as he was interested. All in all , the relationship between Xiang Liu and Xiao Liu could use the term "mixture of not friend & not enemy" . While Xiang Liu was using and hurting Xiao Liu, he did not want it up to get her killed , so far, andd Xiao Liu was scared of Xiang Liu, she still did not hate him and like mocking in front of him. 

About this last scene which looks like a kiss. But the author, Tong Hua used the word "put air into her " for the scene. Therefore I do not consider it a kiss scene. Besdes she's unconcious.