Chapter 036 – The Blood Blade Sect
After killing three men in quick succession, Li Yuan only felt his heart pounding of his heartbeat. He pushed his cart under the cold moonlight, and as the initial rush subsided, a numbness took hold. Taking another’s life wasn’t that different from slaughtering a pig, he told himself. Maybe that was the only way to cope.
Back at home, he stripped off his clothes and found bloodstains on them. He fetched some soapnut and a wooden washbasin, intent on scrubbing them clean. His rustling woke Yan Yu, who stepped out of their small house.
“I’ll do it,” she offered, leaning against the doorframe.
“It’s fine,” Li Yuan said hastily, moving to hide the bloodstains from her.
Yan Yu walked behind him, sliding her arms around his shoulders and resting her chin near his neck. “What kind of wife would I be if I let my husband go out all day and still do the laundry at night?”
He hesitated, but she gently placed her cheek against his. “I’ve grown used to the smell of makeup and wine on you. A little blood won’t scare me.”
Li Yuan gave a short laugh, then dropped his hand to reveal the blood-soaked fabric. The grin faded from his face. “I killed three men,” he said quietly.
“Are you hurt? Did anyone see?” Yan Yu asked at once.
“No,” he replied with a soft sigh. “Only after it was done did I realize how fragile life can be in these chaotic times...”
He fell silent. Yan Yu said nothing more. She just sat beside him, took the basin, added the soapnut, and began to wash. The cold winter wind and icy water soon left her cheeks and hands flushed red.
After a while, she giggled. “Why are we doing this out in the courtyard? Are we supposed to be enjoying the moonlight in the dead of winter?”
“I thought you might like the romance of it,” Li Yuan teased.