Chapter Ninety: Reunited Under the Cold Moon (Final Chapter)

Spring breezes gently caress the peach branches, carrying a fragrant scent through the window, filling the room. The golden sunlight softly filters through my fingers, falling on that person's face, which is as beautiful as a painting.

The peach blossoms are brilliant, their beauty glowing.

It is the tenth spring already. I wonder, great immortal, when will you wake up?

My fingers gently caress his hand, rough and scarred, making it hard to imagine what he endured in his short time in the mortal world.

"Ever since that day when I exhausted my divine power to restore your soul, we've only seen each other once. Since then, you've been in this deep sleep. Qingwu said you might never wake up, but I don't believe that." I sighed softly, but it couldn't expel my sorrow.

Leaning lightly against his shoulder, I said with a mix of heartache and helplessness, "I did everything I could to keep your soul intact, and now I've become an ordinary person who will age, get sick, and die. I've started to lament the shortness of human life, as it's far too brief to be with you. My appearance has changed too. Will you recognize me when you wake up?"

Whenever I close my eyes, I recall those early days in the mortal world.

Everything was so new to me, as if I were seeing sights I'd never seen before. Yet, this journey was also perilous. Just when I thought I would fall into the abyss, hope would appear, saving me.

Sometimes, I felt happy, and other times, I felt sad. Life in the mortal world is truly unpredictable.

But perhaps this is what a human life should be.

"Great immortal, did you know? That rain after the heavenly fire was extinguished signified my ascension to godhood. At that time, Qingwu said the heavenly gods granted me a wish. My wish was..."

"Qingyue?" Before I could finish, I heard a voice behind me.

Hearing that call, I realized I was already in tears. Hastily wiping away the tear stains, I turned to look at the door.

I saw a woman in a vine-patterned blue dress and a man in a Taoist robe walking in side by side.

Wiping my eyes, I asked in a trembling voice, "Are you... Yier and Brother Luo Xi?"

"Qingyue~ It's been a long time. Did you miss me?" Yier walked up and held my hand, her eyes like hidden stars, tinged with sorrow. "It's been about three years, hasn't it? You don't know that this brother of yours has been cooped up in the Taoist temple pretending to be a deity."

Luo Xi, seemingly troubled, retorted, "What do you mean pretending... I write talismans to ward off illness and disaster for people, isn't that accumulating good deeds?"

"Qingyue, don't you think my brother is strange? After studying for so many years in the Qiongyun Sect, he opened a Taoist temple in the mortal world and helps people exorcise demons and ghosts." She smiled slightly, turned her head, and snorted at him, persistently saying, "Since that great battle ten years ago, where are there any demons or ghosts left for you to catch?"

Seeing Yier like this, I was somewhat surprised.

It seemed that in these ten years, Yier and Brother Luo Xi had thoroughly understood each other, allowing Yier to reveal her original personality, and their relationship had truly grown.

"Seeing you two like this makes me very happy. By the way, how are Uncle Ye Xiao and Hua Ying?" I recalled asking Yier to help me find other friends.

"Master is now living in seclusion in the Heavenly Bamboo Forest. A few years ago, my brother and I could still visit him, but now we can't even enter. As for Hua Ying... she has opened a pawnshop, specializing in collecting antiques and treasures."

"That's good... They have found a good place to settle. However, since I last saw Mo Zhu ten years ago, I haven't seen him again, and Uncle Linglu..." At this point, I couldn't help but feel sad.

Yier comforted me, "I heard recently about a black-clothed knight who specializes in fighting for justice and punishing corrupt officials. He also uses a sword, so he might have some connection to your friend Mo Zhu."

"But..." Yier changed the subject, asking curiously, "Qingyue, since when did you become so close with Uncle Linglu, specifically asking about her whereabouts?"

I shook my head with a smile, "I was just curious."

"I see." Yier nodded, exchanged a glance with Brother Luo Xi, and took out a red wooden box, opening it to reveal a translucent pale green jade bead.

"This was given by a master. It is said to gather souls and restore them, allowing one who sleeps eternally to awaken again. Qingyue, you should take it."

I gazed at the jade bead, overwhelmed with emotion, and after a long pause, I finally spoke with trembling lips, "Yier... thank you... I will remember this kindness forever."

Yier smiled and shook her head, placing the powerful jade bead into my hand. "Don't say that. If it weren't for your wish, my brother and I wouldn't be standing here talking to you. The cycle of cause and effect in this world is why I can hand this to you now."

"Yier..."

"Well, my brother and I will take our leave now. I hope that when we meet again next year, you and Uncle Que will be surrounded by children and grandchildren!" Yier tugged on Brother Luo Xi's sleeve and turned back to give me a gentle smile. "Qingyue, take care."

"Take care."

The flourishing blooms had faded, the withered grass stretched to the horizon, and winter snow covered the land once again. Time flowed like sand through fingers, impossible to grasp. A green bud emerged from the snowy tree trunk, heralding the arrival of another spring dawn.

Wrapped in a white fur cloak, I sat by the river's edge next to a withered tree, quietly watching the spring snow melt and life revive.

"This is the eleventh year. This year's snow isn't very cold. Watching a bit longer won't hurt, right?" I looked at the person beside me, eyes closed, feeling a surge of emotions.

"Great immortal, I already have a few white hairs today. If you don't wake up soon, I'm afraid that when my hair is all white and my face aged, you won't recognize me..."

Lowering my gaze, I leaned over to look at the lake's mirror-like surface. My face, worn by time, bore the marks of years. I couldn't help but smile, finally understanding what it means to grow older.

"How about this: when you wake up, I'll tell you all about our experiences. You mustn't find me annoying."

I exhaled softly, closed my eyes, and leaned back.

This wasn't so bad.

Spring arrived, melting the ice and snow.

I seemed to hear the sound of the stream thawing, and warm liquid dripped onto the back of my hand.

What's this? Am I crying again without realizing it?

I raised my hand to touch my eyes, but they were dry. Strange, these tears weren't mine.

My heart filled with joy, and before I could look up, I was enveloped in strong arms. The embrace was so warm, so warm.

He pressed his lips to my ear, his breath hot against my cheek, making it burn. I heard him solemnly say, "I'm back. This time, I'll never leave again."

I reached out to hold him, as if clutching a bouquet of fragrant flowers, the scent permeating my soul, dreamlike. My lips curved upward as I spoke through my mix of sorrow and joy, "Welcome back, great immortal."

At this moment, I only wished for our youth to never fade, our love to be infinite, and that we would be together forever.