The Miracle at Dawn: A New Lease on Life
The two little gods, Black and White Impermanence, were utterly defeated. Black Impermanence could only mutter obediently, "Yes, we shall depart at once..."
Meanwhile, White Impermanence attempted to maintain a façade of composure, clearing his throat before speaking. "Indeed, dear old friend, the weather is quite favorable today, with the moon shrouded in darkness, the winds blowing strong, and the air refreshingly crisp... Perfect conditions for a leisurely stroll, wouldn't you agree? You did mention you were eager to proceed to the next destination. Shall we... move along?"
As the Black and White Impermanence departed, the man turned his gaze slowly, fixating directly on Fubao.
Fubao's heart leapt into her throat as she watched him approach, frozen in place. Towering over her like a mountain, the formidable presence of the demon bore down upon her, suffocating her with its weight. She could feel her breath faltering under the oppressive aura.
"You..." She communicated with her mind before managing to voice a word. The towering demon suddenly bent down, cradling her small face in his large hands, and then—
He lowered his head and planted a gentle kiss between her brows.
It was a delicate touch, devoid of aggression, more akin to the flutter of a butterfly's wings than the forceful demeanor he usually exuded.
Fubao was immediately stunned, her mind going blank as if struck by a lightning bolt.
Observing her bewildered expression, a teasing and enchanting smile graced the man's lips.
This girl is truly endearing and innocent.
Fubao parted her lips, intending to inquire why he was present and why... he had kissed her. Did he recognize her?
But she was merely a young child at present, far from her true self.
Unless he had been monitoring her, aware that she had been banished?
The thought sent Fubao's heart racing inexplicably!
However, before she could seek clarification, the Great Demon King transformed into a wisp of black mist and vanished into the swirling wind.
He hadn't intended to depart so swiftly, but in the mortal realm, he was compelled to suppress much of his power, unable to maintain his true form for long without attracting attention from the celestial realm. In truth, even in his current state, he might not be a match for the Black and White Impermanence, merely intimidating them.
Regardless of the circumstances, as long as he could aid her and make an appearance, it would suffice.
With the wind settling, both the Great Demon King and the Black and White Impermanence vanished without a trace, as though they had never materialized.
Silence enveloped the surroundings, save for the chirping of insects in the fields and the creaking of wagon wheels.
It all felt... like a dream.
Fubao sat beside Old Man Li, gently stroking his brow, the events from moments ago lingering in her mind.
She never anticipated the arrival of the Great Demon King, yet, regardless, the Black and White Impermanence dared not seize Grandpa's soul. This meant, Grandpa was safe!
As the bullock cart reached the county hospital, a couple of hours had slipped by, with the first hints of dawn appearing on the horizon.
Throughout the journey, Old Lady Li wept inconsolably, her despair mounting with each passing moment. With the passage of time, she feared the worst, convinced that Old Man Li may have passed away. Her mind raced with thoughts of contacting her son and daughter-in-law upon reaching the county seat, making arrangements for Old Man Li's funeral.
"Oh, my dear husband, how could you leave me like this? How am I supposed to carry on..." Old Lady Li sobbed uncontrollably, her trembling hand reaching out to check for any signs of life in Old Man Li.
Hu Lao San, too, believed that Old Man Li had drawn his last breath, expressing his regrets with a heavy sigh. "Madam, it's the nature of life to come to an end. My condolences."
Despite Old Lady Li's lack of hope, her fingers unmistakably detected the faint breath of Old Man Li, indicating that he was still very much alive!