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墨書 Inktalez
In Yanhuang City, life was filled with the fragrance of green mountains, white clouds, and rich soil, contrasting sharply with the steel and concrete of urban life. This naturally added a sense of the martial world, evident from the green-clad disciples of Yan Huang. Jufeng was no exception. This environment directly influenced his life in the rough-and-tumble campuses of the capital, where he often approached matters straightforwardly, resorting to physical confrontation when discussions failed. However, as time passed, he adapted remarkably well, gradually concealing his true nature and learning to view things thoughtfully and handle problems intelligently. He truly became a highly malleable individual. Now standing on the threshold of youth, Jufeng had matured significantly; he could deftly navigate the philosophical dilemmas of the self, ego, and superego.
As the protagonist of his own life, Jufeng quickly immersed himself in pirate culture, leading to a series of colorful experiences that made his half-month pirate life vibrant and lively.
The Pirate Planet was never short of fresh blood. Just as Yanhuang City attracted those who preferred a hidden lifestyle, the Pirate Star of the Azure Dragon Monk was renowned in certain circles, akin to a sacred place for devotees. It was a dream destination for idle wanderers; periodically, newcomers would arrive—sometimes just one or two, other times entire teams numbering in the hundreds. Driven by necessity, like-minded individuals gathered to drink and feast together rather than suffer in solitude.
On a clear morning at Pirate Star, the air was as fresh as that in Yanhuang City. Unlike modernized cities, this place retained an air of purity; its limited water resources meant that fluffy white clouds were rare in the azure sky, which appeared as if freshly washed—truly delightful.
Jufeng stepped out from a wooden cabin, stretching his body freely. Occasionally, he heard crisp sounds emanating from his joints. Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly made him feel refreshed, washing away the fatigue from many long nights.
From an adjacent cabin came a creaking sound as a beautiful woman peeked out. She wrapped herself in a light green garment before revealing her slender figure. Mimicking Jufeng's earlier movements, her grace exuded a distinctly different charm. His actions were sunlit and masculine; hers were soft and alluring—each reflecting their gender's unique essence.
Initially unaware of any difference, she suddenly turned her head and met Jufeng's warm smile—a face not conventionally handsome but possessing an unusual allure that easily captivated others. She was not an innocent girl; any woman willing to embrace such a life must have had extraordinary experiences. She recognized this attraction called masculinity emanating from someone who appeared youthful and inexperienced. Her curiosity about him had lingered since their first encounter. Curiosity is a peculiar thing—especially in women; it often signals potential developments that are resilient and formidable—something men struggle to comprehend.
"Good morning!" Jufeng greeted with a smile as warm as spring sunshine, lighting up her heart.
The woman possessed an exquisite face; time had left few marks on her features but instead carved out a unique softness. She smiled brightly, her voice clear and crisp rather than sweet or syrupy.
"Good morning! You seem like a diligent person; you often wake up this early."
Jufeng turned around and squatted down while stretching his legs. "There's no choice; having fallen to this state, I refuse to wallow in despair. I believe that early birds catch worms, so I take my chances each day. And look! I've quickly encountered a beautiful butterfly—ancient wisdom holds true."
The Beautiful Woman chuckled lightly but playfully retorted, "Your flattery is rather blunt; couldn't you be a bit more subtle? I didn't expect you to be so smooth-tongued."
Jufeng chuckled lightly, shifted to the other leg, and continued, "There's no helping it. With my meager skills, I dare not act too recklessly in front of you. It's better to be straightforward. I have a thick skin, ha ha, so it's no trouble at all. But what about you? Why are you up so early this morning? Your brother is heading into the mountains soon; aren't you going with him? Beauty and the Beast, after all, is no laughing matter."
"Of course I'm not going. I don't want to hold you back. A group of new arrivals came from the Southern District yesterday, including several women and children. A few of us sisters and aunties are going to pay them a visit."
Times have changed, yet there are still those who fall into piracy; it truly is a sad affair. When the woman arrived here, her eyes noticeably dimmed, and her smile faded considerably. Jufeng felt a mix of emotions but didn't know how to offer comfort, leading to an awkward atmosphere.
The woman had been standing in the morning light since she stretched her waist earlier. Her smooth black hair fell quietly over her shoulders, and her clean floral checkered long dress did not sway with the wind; it merely covered some tender green grass. She stood bathed in the somewhat dazzling morning light, as serene as a maiden, seemingly from another world.
After completing a series of actions, Jufeng did not turn away or break this harmony with words; he simply watched her quietly in the sunlight. At that moment, she looked nothing like a pirate from a remote land; instead, she resembled a fairy.
After a long while, or perhaps just half a moment, the woman asked apologetically, "Can I hear your story?"
With the serious question posed, Jufeng ceased his playful banter and gave a half-truthful answer.
"My father passed away, and enemies are pursuing me."
Upon hearing this, the woman appeared somewhat bewildered and said dreamily, "Why are all stories so sorrowful?"
Jufeng knew of her background; she was once part of a military executive in a certain country. Unfortunately, during a change of power, she was unjustly accused and taken down. Many took advantage of her misfortune; her brother angrily killed several people before fleeing with his sister, ultimately ending up here.
Though Jufeng's nature was resilient, he couldn't help but feel sadness tugging at him. Yet he couldn't indulge in self-pity; after all, what he possessed now was far better than what many others had. He could only settle for less.
"Actually, what constitutes a tragedy? I feel that fate has not been unkind to me. Just look at how many people die untimely deaths in this world—due to illness, accidents, disasters. What becomes of their suffering? Life must go on regardless. I often think that I was once a wandering rogue in this world; now I live without worries. I don't have to fight desperately for fame or profit. When I'm thirsty, there's clear spring water; when I'm hungry, there's meat in the woods. Should I really ask for more? Watching the fire above me rise and fall is just a passing moment; our lives diminish with each flicker. Instead of wasting time lamenting our fate, why not seize the moment and cherish what we have? A flower has its own fragrance; a blade of grass has its own persistence—what about us?"
Jufeng's tone was not agitated; he spoke as if flowing like a gentle spring, yet his words truly nourished someone's heart, instantly giving rise to tender feelings.
The woman's eyes brightened, her smile returning to its former glory. Suddenly, a gust of wind swept by, her black hair danced wildly, and her skirt fluttered beautifully!
(To be continued)
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