North Liao

In the Kunlun Snow Palace, a sage once said, those who pass away wander, while the living cannot let go. 
Once the soul departs, it will wither like the autumn grass. 
Those who are reborn from the dead, existing apart from the mortal realm, shall be shunned by all celestial sects and smitten as undead demons. 
On this day, a youth awakens from within a coffin, his blood dry and his bones chilled, to find himself a century old upon opening his eyes. 
A single tear from a sage awaited, a constant companion, may unravel the dreams of the past. 
Seeking not immortality but a mundane death, not to lament with the ages over lost love and resentment, but only wishing to grow old with tenderness in this lifetime, beneath the white clouds that hold no envy for the heavenly realms.

Journey to the End of the Night

The woman's gaze finally shifted from the page, her eyes coolly turning toward him.


A faint, ethereal smile curved the corners of her mouth, and her demeanor remained indolently indifferent as she said, "Ah, it's you. No need for thanks. I didn't intend to save you; I wanted to save the little deer by your side. When I rescued it, it was tightly clinging to your body, so I ended up dragging you up too."


Baili An offered a wry smile. It seemed that in this girl's eyes, a human life was actually less important than that of a little deer.


He composed himself and asked again, "Miss, where is this ship heading? May I trouble you to carry me along for part of the journey? I am caught in a pressing matter, and if you could help me, I would be deeply grateful."


The girl lifted her gaze to scrutinize him, her expression serene as she inquired, "And what might this pressing matter be?"


Baili An replied earnestly, "A matter of life and death."


Chapter 60: Sword Drawn, Soaring High