Chapter 114 A Lifetime Promise

When the sun burned Guozhao Zhiqiang's eyes, he woke up naked on an empty straw mat. He got up slowly, put on his trousers, and hurried to look for Deming, not even wearing a robe. He grabbed his robe and opened the thin bamboo door. He saw Deming sitting on the deck enjoying the morning sun, his tail wagging.

His heart aches when he sees the white fox, he is no longer the one he hugged and made love with from last night. He walked slowly to Deming and put on his robe. He stared at the white fox's shiny fur for a while before he said, "Deming..."

Deming looked back and was saddened to see the disappointment on Guozhao Zhiqiang's face. If he doesn't change back to his original self, he won't be this sad, and changing back to his original body makes Guozhao Zhiqiang's heart uncomfortable. He knew from the beginning that once Guozhao Zhiqiang knew that he had the ability to change back, Guozhao Zhiqiang would do everything possible to make him return to human form at all costs. Sometimes for this reason, he doubted whether Guozhao Zhiqiang really loved him, or because Guozhao Zhiqiang felt responsible for his death.

Deming frowned and slowly walked towards Guozhao Zhiqiang. He looked up at Guozhao Zhiqiang and said, "Good morning." Guozhao Zhiqiang didn't speak the animal language, and he didn't know why he was talking to Guozhao Zhiqiang.

Guozhao Zhiqiang smiled and hugged Deming, and said, "After we settle the Xian to their new home, we will go see my first master."

Guozhao Zhiqiang patted Deming on the back twice, making Deming lie on the ground. He put the sword on his back and picked up Deming again. Deming hurriedly jumped onto Guozhao Zhiqiang's left shoulder and used his tail to circle around Guozhao Zhiqiang's neck.

Guozhao Zhiqiang closed the door, took a few steps, and continued to walk towards Chuju and Ankh's hut. When he arrived, the Xian was ready to go.

Chuju smiled at Guozhao Zhiqiang and said, "Good morning Zhiqiang."

Zheng Tingfeng said, "Unless you lead the way, they will not leave." He looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang. "Yaozu and Junjie left early, to go scout first."

Guozhao Zhiqiang looked at the Xian and said, "Let's go home."

The Xian smiled and began to pack their bags, following Guozhao Zhiqiang, Zheng Tingfeng, and the soldiers of Waterfall City, through hundreds of tombs on the beautiful green steppe.

Just as they were walking down a hill, Guozhao Zhiqiang saw some small houses that had been built by the soldiers and centaurs. Guozhao Zhiqiang stopped and turned to look at the Xian. He smiled, pointed to the bottom of the valley, and said, "This is your new home." He looked at Chuju and Ankh. "Shimu said it already, you can name it whatever you want." He pointed to the right. "Over there is Horsemen Land, and the other side of the mountain is Immortal Valley. Immortal Valley is the place where centaurs live. No one can enter without permission." Guozhao Zhiqiang walked down the small hill, and the Xian followed him.

Ankh said, "Hunter Zheng, did I miss something?" He continued to follow Guozhao Zhiqiang down the hill.

Zheng Tingfeng said, "What?"

Ankh said, "Everyone calls it the Wasteland, but all I see are beautiful grasslands and apple trees."

"It used to be a dry land without vegetation, but since the Heroes War, we are more united than ever. Our three countries helped to plant all these apple trees and flowers," said Zheng Tingfeng.

Ankh sighed, "Even at the worst time, there is always something good out of it." He looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang's back, and then at Zheng Tingfeng. "Just like us, we thought we would be enslaved for the rest of our lives, but you hunters showed up and pulled us out of the darkness."

Zheng Tingfeng said, "Our shimu has a saying, today's good deeds will be rewarded in the future."

Ankh said, "She was right. I never thought I would trust anyone again, but your help made me trust again."

Zheng Tingfeng said, "We should not keep the hatred of the previous generation, we should continue to teach our next generation to love each other."

Ankh asked madly, "What are you implying?"

Zheng Tingfeng said, "It is the previous generation who made mistakes. We should stop blaming the current generation."

Ankh said angrily, "You don't understand the experience of our people, you can say it easily."

Zheng Tingfeng said, "I understand, because not long ago, I was in your shoes. The Wastelander has been the enemy of Waterfall City and Horsemen Land for many generations. We are trapped between the two most powerful armies on both sides. We cannot cross our borders for fear of being killed. Many Wastelanders were killed by Waterfall City soldiers or the Centaur soldiers, and many of their people were also killed by us."

Ankh said, "Then how do you end up befriending each other."

Zheng Tingfeng said with a smile, "It just took a single person to stand up and say what the three leaders don't want to hear."

Ank said, "What did that person say?"

Zheng Tingfeng said, "We shouldn't label killer's children as killers."

Ankh asked, "This person is very wise."

Zheng Tingfeng smiled and said, "And very sensible." He smiled. "I always thought I would always hate the people in Waterfall City and the centaurs, but because of that person, I'm walking side by side with them now." He handed Ankh his leather water bag.

Ankh took the water bag from Zheng Tingfeng and asked, "Who is this person?"

Zheng Tingfeng said, "My first master."

Ankh smiled and said, "I would love to meet this person one day."

Zheng Tingfeng said, "They come here often, and there will be an opportunity to meet them in the future."

Four days later, after the Xian settled down, they decided where to build their home, Guozhao Zhiqiang and Deming went to find Guo Baiyu, but when they got to the tree house, Guo Baiyu, Zhao Renshu, and Ping'an had already left. When Guozhao Zhiqiang decided to leave, he met Yuping who was picking up mangoes.

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "Stealing mangoes again?"

Yuping startled, and the apple in his hand fell. Seeing that it was Guozhao Zhiqiang, he took a big breath, he gasped, "Brother Zhiqiang, don't scare me. Grandmother Aishu wants to eat mangoes." He turned and looked around. "Eh... where is she?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "We didn't see anyone." He looked at Yuping. "You are much better than the last time I saw you. Are my masters and shimu here?"

Yuping said, "Sister Ping'an and her husbands left about seven days ago. They went to Cloud City. Didn't you see them?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "No." He picked up the mango and handed it to Yuping. "How is grandmother Aishu?"

Yuping said sadly, "She told us that her day is coming. She predicted that she would die in a few days, but her death would also bring great benefits to Immortal Valley. She said that she is waiting for someone."

Guozhao Zhiqiang asked, "Who is she waiting for?"

Yuping said, "She's waiting for someone to replace our guardian. When that person shows up, she dies." He frowned sadly. "I hope that person never shows up."

Aishu approached slowly and said, "As soon as the time is right, that person will be here." She smiled at Guozhao Zhiqiang and Deming. She sighed heavily. "I think my days are coming to an end." She looked at Yuping. "Young prince, stop picking those mangoes."

Yuping said, "Brother Zhiqiang is the one you are waiting for?" He looked at Aishu.

Aishu smiled and pointed to Deming, "He's the one I'm waiting for." She looked at Deming. "I can help you, but you must also help me."

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "Can you help him become a human again?"

Aishu chuckled lightly, "There is no such thing that will transform a fox into a human permanently. If there is, I have never heard of it." She laughed for a while. "However, I can help him incarnate in human form whenever his heart desires."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "Any fairy with such ability needs to meditate for hundreds of years? There is no short solution for it."

Aishu smiled and said, "Otherwise, he could devour my soul and exhaust his years of practice." She looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang and Deming. "But this old soul will come with a heavy price."

Guozhao Zhiqiang asked, "At what price?"

Aishu said, "A lifetime promise, he and you will guard the Norther Fortress for Eternity." She coughed. "When we die, our soul will disappear and nourish the vegetation of the earth. If he devours my soul, all the virtual I have accumulated will be his." After a long pause. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so don't think too long because next month my soul will fly out of my body and disappear with the surrounding vegetation."

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "I can't let him devour your soul out of your body. This is immoral and violates the principle of Guozhao."

Aishu said, "It's not immoral when I give willingly. Whatever the reason, I'm going to die anyway, I just prefer to die, do a good thing, and help the centaurs guard the Northern Fortress." She held out her hands to Deming. "You are the one that will guard the Northern Fortress, choose the right hand to express agreement, and choose the left hand to express disagreement."

Deming stretched out his pawn and touched Aishu's right hand. Aishu smiled at Deming.