Chapter Fifty: Death and Life

As I entered the city, I saw houses tightly shut and few people on the streets. The wind swept through, rustling dry grass and breaking branches, creating a desolate scene starkly different from the previous bustling atmosphere. My heart filled with doubt.

I remembered the streets were bustling just before, with people eager to bring the evil Daoist Lingyun to justice. How could it be that after just a short while, there wasn't a single person in sight?

"Qingyue." Daxian's voice came from behind me, and I responded to him as if grasping a lifeline.

He stood beside me, his blue robe fluttering in the bleak wind, his figure appearing solitary and cold.

Seeing him alone only deepened my confusion. I couldn't help but ask, "Daxian, where have all the people of Luoyang gone? And what about that evil Daoist, Senior Brother Luoxi, and Yi'er?"

"Qingyue." Daxian paused, a hint of icy sorrow falling in his eyes as he spoke with a touch of melancholy, "Since you disappeared without a trace yesterday, many things have happened. If you want to hear what I have to say, you must remain calm and not act impulsively. Can you promise me that?" He seemed to anticipate my reaction to his words, his final plea tinged with a hint of supplication.

Yesterday? I had been gone for an entire day.

My heart skipped a beat.

I looked at Daxian quietly, nodding blankly.

A bad premonition, like a needle of fear, pierced my heart. I could almost guess how terrible the news was, just waiting for his confirmation.

"Luoxi and Luoyi'er revealed their demon forms, seriously injuring several civilians and destroying nearby houses. Now they are imprisoned beneath the ruins of Lingyun Temple, with seals placed upon them."

"Why did they reveal their demon forms? And the Sect Leader, isn't he—"

The Sect Leader of Qiongyun Sect, Que Lingyun, Daxian's father, was said to have been severely injured in a battle with Chi Yan ten years ago. He had been in seclusion for cultivation ever since, leaving the management of affairs to the elders. How coincidental that upon his return, he witnessed Senior Brother Luoxi and Yi'er revealing their demon forms.

This was clearly a setup, someone deliberately framing them!

And that person, capable of manipulating Xinghuo Hall disciples and informing the Sect Leader in advance, possessed extraordinary skills.

Linglu's identity had become quite intriguing.

"No, they are in danger. I must go and explain everything to save them."

Daxian hesitated, then spoke softly, "Qingyue, do you remember that time... if you encounter any mishap, I will never forgive myself."

That time? What was he talking about?

I was stunned for a moment, looking at Daxian's downcast eyes, not understanding. Thinking he was worried about me facing danger again, I firmly assured him, "Daxian, don't worry. My skills have improved significantly. Nothing will happen." With that, I resolutely turned to leave.

"Qingyue, stop." Daxian blocked my path, looking at me with an unusual expression, "If you trust me, leave this matter to me, okay?"

With Daxian's help, things might indeed be easier. Feeling relieved, I looked at him intently, "You are my master, of course I trust you."

"That's good." He nodded, his lips moving slightly before turning his back to me, "Qingyue, is Luoxi and Luoyi'er very important to you?"

Of course, they are my dearest friends and fellow disciples.

"Very important," I replied firmly.

"That's good." Daxian smiled slightly, performing a spell as he walked away.

At that moment, my stomach growled embarrassingly. After all the recent events, I was indeed exhausted and hungry. I decided to find an inn, ordered some of my favorite dishes, and went to rest.

This time, I didn't dream of that scene.

No green Peng bird, no ancient trees, no bizarre world, just pure darkness.

Stable, familiar, and peaceful.

But in the darkness, a silhouette began to form. I couldn't help but imagine who it was. In the end, it turned into Daxian's figure.

It was how we first met.

I was momentarily stunned, reaching out towards him, but grasping nothing.

Dark caves, budding emotions, expressed feelings—these scenes, though never experienced, appeared vividly in my dream. It felt like watching my soul experience those events.

An inexplicable sadness arose from my heart, forcing me to open my eyes. Seeing the brief white around me, tears spilled over.

The dream's reality penetrated my mind, pulling out vibrant memories, now vividly clear.

What made me so sad? Was it the dream? Dreaming of what I had once forgotten. But why did everything come back now, so deeply ingrained in my mind, when it was forgotten then?

Suddenly, something struck me. I bolted out of the room and started running.

Daxian's last glance was filled with tenderness, affection, and endless reluctance, as if it were a farewell. He must regret it, right? After making such sincere confessions to me, I faced him as if nothing had happened.

Running, chasing, the sweat soaked my skin like penance. It took me three days and nights, utterly exhausted, to return to the Qiongyun Sect. The disciples guarding the mountain, without a word, tied me up and dragged me before Que Lingyun.

I lifted my head and, using all my strength, asked, "Where is Que Han?"

He frowned in displeasure, casting a disdainful glance at me as if looking at an ant. "I thought you would be more concerned about those two demons, Luoxi and Luoyi'er. It seems your feelings for them aren't that deep after all."

"Where is Que Han?" I sneered, deliberately averting my gaze from his face as if seeing a filthy rat in a gutter.

"What kind of look is that?"

"Where is Que Han?"

"Dead, thanks to you." His rising anger transformed into mocking sarcasm, "I thought my descendant would at least be able to discern right from wrong, but you turned out to be just an ordinary person who can't tell good from evil. I had to kill him myself, and it's all your fault."

"Dead? Dead... What are you saying?" I stared at him in disbelief, my eyes wide, gritting my teeth as I questioned him. Although I had suspected...

But unless I heard it myself, I couldn't believe Que Han was dead.

Uncontrollable sadness, tears, and the breaking heart that felt like it would burst out, finally turned into uncontrollable laughter.

Hate.

I hated it so much. Why was I the only one suffering, while he could still enjoy everything to his satisfaction? It wasn't fair. He must taste this himself.

"Isn't it great? You finally did it."

"What do you mean by that, you demoness?" Que Lingyun asked, unable to hold back.

"Yes, everything I did was to destroy Que Han. I purposely designed it so you would kill him yourself! You killed the one you had the highest hopes for. Didn't expect that, did you? Hahaha! Even the grand Sect Leader of Qiongyun Sect fell for it." I laughed wantonly, casting a look of pity at the bewildered Que Lingyun.

"You demoness, I should have had Linglu kill you long ago!" Que Lingyun's face turned red with anger, veins bulging, his blood almost ready to burst from his skin.

But this was perfect.

"Sect Leader, Luoxi and Luoyi'er have been dealt with..." A familiar voice sounded from behind. I turned to see, and sure enough, it was Linglu.

She was a mess, her clothes torn, with several wounds and dirt mingling with blood on her face. Her eyes were red, showing she had cried a lot recently.

Que Lingyun furiously ordered, "Gouge out her eyes, now!"

Linglu hesitated, then raised her dagger.

Before I could see her strike, my vision was severed, and excruciating pain consumed my mind, making my whole body convulse uncontrollably.

Despite the agony, I gritted my teeth to continue provoking him, "You couldn't stain your hands with blood, so you ordered someone else to do it... so laughable, you who just killed your—"

"I don't want to hear another word from her."

I felt my face being lifted, my cheeks gripped tightly.

What kind of look did Linglu have now? Probably one of hatred. I hated her too, but I hated myself even more.

Because it was my decision that pushed everything onto Que Han.

Amid the pain, I couldn't feel any change, only the sickening smell of blood and the inescapable darkness accompanying me.

I was too weak.

But one day, I will become stronger, stronger than anything in this world. Then, I want to see you again, celebrate your birthday, watch the stars together. There are so many things I want to do...

Never die, never, never die.

I stake everything on it, in this life and the next.