CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 57: WOMAN’S CHIGNON

Lu Chengfeng looked at Zhao Ling’Er kneeling in the wind and snow, feeling only pity in his heart. Zhao Changzhen had committed many evils throughout his life, and with his practice of Dual Cultivation and Replenishment Skill, it was highly unlikely for him to have offspring.

Zhao Ling’Er’s biological mother was one of the women captured to aid his Dual Cultivation, but she unexpectedly became pregnant.

However, she was ultimately harmed by the Replenishment Skill, and she died from blood loss during difficult labor when Zhao Ling’Er was born.

Even though Lu Chengfeng spoke those words after her appearance, he did not do so with the intention of using her.

He slowly approached, disregarding Zhao Ling’Er’s struggles, and helped her up from the snow. "Ling’Er, do you trust me?"

Zhao Ling’Er looked at him blankly, her body unsteady, barely able to stand.

"The enemy’s strength is formidable, beyond what you can contend with. Since I declared at our master’s grave today that I would avenge him, I will not break my word," Lu Chengfeng said firmly. "The reason I did not tell you the person’s name is that I fear you would impulsively seek him out after knowing."

"Just focus on your cultivation within the sect; leave everything else to me. I will present this person’s head before our master’s grave."

"Senior Brother..." Zhao Ling’Er finally broke down, throwing herself into Lu Chengfeng’s arms and sobbing uncontrollably. "Senior Brother, I thought you didn’t want me anymore. Why didn’t you want me? You haven’t come to see me for so long, and I feel so miserable."

"Father died, and now you don’t want me either. What am I supposed to do... waaah..."

Lu Chengfeng held her in his arms, allowing her to cry and vent freely. Eventually, Zhao Ling’Er cried herself to sleep in his embrace.

He sighed, took off his outer robe, draped it over her, and then carried her in his arms toward the bamboo hut they had built.

He knew Zhao Ling’Er probably hadn’t had a peaceful sleep in a long time; her mind was exhausted and overwhelmed. A good cry was actually beneficial right now.

When they reached the bamboo hut, Lu Chengfeng stayed by her side until evening when Zhao Ling’Er finally awoke.

Even in her dreams, she kept murmuring "Senior Brother, Father," which was heartrending to overhear.

"Senior Brother, don’t leave..." Zhao Ling’Er suddenly screamed, getting up from the bed.

"Junior Sister, I’m here, don’t be afraid!" Lu Chengfeng, sitting at the bedside, quickly grabbed her cold hand.

Zhao Ling’Er turned and saw him, finally coming to her senses from her dream. Regaining her composure a bit, she suddenly said, "Senior Brother, can I lean on your shoulder for a bit?"

Hearing this, Lu Chengfeng held her in his embrace, letting her lean on him. Although she was close to him with her softness and warmth, he felt no trace of titillation, only pity and heartache.

Zhao Ling’Er, somewhat infatuated, snuggled closer, "Senior Brother, do you remember when we were young? Every time Father went down the mountain, you would secretly take me to the town..."

Lu Chengfeng listened to her quietly, inadvertently losing track of time.

When night completely fell, and the bamboo hut was pitch black, Zhao Ling’Er suddenly whispered, "Senior Brother, take me!"

Lu Chengfeng’s body froze briefly, then held her tightly, "Ling’Er, stay, alright? Let me take care of you, for a lifetime."

"Hehe." Zhao Ling’Er seemed to regain her usual playfulness and agility, "As expected, Senior Brother knows me best. I didn’t even say it, yet you understood."

"But I won’t—I’m not staying at Bixiao Peak beneath that senior sister. You were always meant to be mine, but she snatched you away first."

"I just want you to always remember me, always miss me. Even if I’m not by your side, I must be the person you can never forget in your heart."

"Senior Brother, take me!"

Zhao Ling’Er sat up slightly, deftly untied her belt, and slowly parted her robe, revealing her developed and ample bosom, an ethereal fragrance lingering in the air.

Even in the darkness, Lu Chengfeng could see clearly. He cupped the girl’s face, speaking with some pity, "Silly girl, why are you doing this?"

"Senior Brother, my heart can no longer hold anyone else in this lifetime. Are you going to make me live a widow’s life for you?" Zhao Ling’Er slowly undressed, revealing her pure and graceful figure, naturally seductive in its own way.

"Or do you think my body is less enticing than Luo Suyi’s?"

Lu Chengfeng abruptly kissed, silencing Zhao Ling’Er’s every word, pressing her down.

The wind and snow roared, and the thatched hut seemed to be on the verge of collapse.

A new passion broke, the girl tender and young. Lu Chengfeng only indulged a little, but Zhao Ling’Er was unwilling, meeting and asking for more proactively, like a wild horse, entirely different from her usual self.

As night turned to dawn, the wind and snow finally ceased, leaving a thick layer of snow on the thatched roof.

Zhao Ling’Er lay on top of Lu Chengfeng, tightly held by him. "Senior Brother, am I good? How do I compare to Luo Suyi?"

Lu Chengfeng only felt a headache coming on, not expecting the girl to be so bold and proactive in this matter. Such a question was truly a dilemma whether to answer or not.

He simply smacked her on the butt, "What nonsense are you talking? Why compare yourself like this? You’re one of a kind, why compare to others?"

Zhao Ling’Er, however, bit him hard on his chest, leaving a deep impression of her teeth.

"Girl, are you part dog?" Lu Chengfeng winced in pain.

"Hmph, don’t you dare use Inner Strength to erase it. I want Luo Suyi to see it," Zhao Ling’Er said smugly, "I want her to know she can never surpass me."

Lu Chengfeng was truly bemused, had this little girl not been a bit exhausted, he would definitely torment her a bit more, to make her realize his might.

The two idled around for a while, Zhao Ling’Er got up on her own, "Senior Brother, dress me, do my hair, remember to style it like a married woman’s."

Hearing this, Lu Chengfeng couldn’t help but feel choked. For a woman, styling hair up meant she was now a married woman, no longer a maiden. This was usually done after marriage.

Zhao Ling’Er, unmarried, combed a married woman’s hair. People might gossip behind her back.

But seeing her bright eyes, how could he refuse?

The two sat by the bed like that, Zhao Ling’Er with her back to him, and Lu Chengfeng used a bamboo comb left in the room to gently comb her hair.

"It’s said that Second Senior Sister mentioned some customs in the south, where a bride’s hair is styled by her mother before marriage."

"First comb to the end;

"Second comb, a head of white hair till the eyebrows;

"Third comb, descendants with riches."

The girl murmured, and in this small, dark, rundown bamboo hut, she styled her hair for this man.

...

Zhao Ling’Er left, left with ease, not crying like when she came, with no sentimentality, dressed in red clothes, with a married woman’s hairstyle, unspeakably alluring and charming.

It was only at that moment that Lu Chengfeng realized, the once little junior sister had truly grown up.

He watched that figure in red walk away, not snapping back to reality until she disappeared completely.

"I should go back, there are matters that need a decision."

With those words, he turned and headed toward his own courtyard.