Chapter 29: Ten Years

Lin Qiye's knife pierced the ghost face, but that was not the reason for the agonizing scream of the Ghost Face King.

The real cause of the heart-wrenching cry was Lin Qiye's eyes. Under the intense golden light, the ghost face seemed to melt like a candle caught in fire, quickly dissolving.

Though the golden light lasted only for a moment, it was enough to completely extinguish the already dying Ghost Face King's life.

In the end, under Lin Qiye's gaze, the ghost face completely solidified into a wrinkled, semi-solid mass, disappearing without a trace.

At the same time, Lin Qiye felt a warm flow slowly coursing through his hand holding the knife. He furrowed his brow and stepped on the Ghost Face King's body, pulling out the straight knife.

After a moment's thought, he bent down to pick up the pale ghost face, but as soon as he did, everything around him went dark, and he almost collapsed.

Although he had the Star Night Dancer's enhancement, the intense and dangerous battle had taken a great toll on Lin Qiye's physical strength. Most crucially, his mental power had been drained after using the Seraphim's Eye twice. Now, even walking felt difficult.

Just as Zhao Kongcheng had said, with his current cultivation level, facing the Ghost Face King would have meant certain death.

If it weren't for the Nightwatchers wounding the Ghost Face King, and if it weren't for Zhao Kongcheng sacrificing himself to cripple the Ghost Face King, even with the Seraphim's Eye and the Star Night Dancer, Lin Qiye still would not have stood a chance.

This, this was the mythological creature that had descended upon this world.

This was "Chuanjing."

Rainwater streamed down his face as he staggered through the blood-soaked mud toward Zhao Kongcheng's body.

He reached the body and slowly sat down beside it.

"I've already told you, being a hero is not as easy as it sounds," Lin Qiye muttered as he gazed at Zhao Kongcheng's cold, lifeless face. "You fought and bled for this, yet how many people know about it?

Do you realize? Far away in the city center, people are still indulging in their lives.

They're singing at karaoke, enjoying hotpot, making love in hotels, eating popcorn at the cinema...

And you... you're here, dying without a sound.

They'll never know that in this torrential rain, a man fought and killed a mythological creature with a knife! They'll never know that their carefree, hedonistic lives are possible because someone sacrificed everything for them.

Is this really worth it?"

Lin Qiye stared at Zhao Kongcheng's pale face, as if waiting for an answer.

But of course, Zhao Kongcheng would never speak again.

Lin Qiye continued, "Do you think I fear death?"

He paused, then shook his head. "You're wrong. I'm not afraid of death at all.

Do you think someone who has seen angels since childhood, lost his eyesight, and was locked in a mental institution would still fear death?

I've tried to end my life countless times in the darkness, but time and time again, light has saved me.

The light that saved me was not from the people in the city, who are busy chasing after desires, complaining about the unfairness of the world…

It was my family."

Lin Qiye looked up at the pitch-black night sky and slowly spoke again.

"The masses never saved me, so why should I use my life to protect them?

That's why I don't want to be a Nightwatcher."

Lin Qiye turned his head, his gaze falling on the small, rain-drenched house in the distance. A hint of confusion flashed in his eyes.

"But I've never been one to owe anyone a debt."

"You saved my entire world,

What can I do for you in return?"

He paused for a moment, then continued, "I know the Nightwatchers have good benefits. Even if you die, your family will be well taken care of. Your funeral will be arranged with dignity…

You won't lack money, and I don't have any.

So, how should I repay you for this great favor?"

Lin Qiye sat quietly for a while, then turned his gaze back to the small house in the distance.

In the rain, his fists slowly clenched,

Then helplessly relaxed.

It was as though he had made up his mind. With his knife propped on the ground, he struggled to stand, mumbling to himself.

"I, Lin Qiye, have only three debts in this life. One to the aunt who worked tirelessly for me, one to my cousin whom I've dragged down, and one to you, who saved my family's lives.

You saved my world,

In exchange,

I'll protect yours for ten years.

After ten years, regardless of the circumstances, I will have no further ties to the Nightwatchers, no further ties to the masses.

I'll return to this home and continue my life as it was. Does this deal sound fair?"

Lin Qiye looked down at Zhao Kongcheng's body, lying still as if asleep.

"Since you don't object, it's settled."

Lin Qiye drove the straight knife into the ground, faced a particular direction… and knelt.

There, in the rain, was a simple little house.

"Aunt, I'm leaving. Please forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye,

Because I fear that if I go back… I won't want to leave.

I've heard the Nightwatchers have good benefits. During these ten years, I'll make sure your family has everything it needs. After ten years, I'll make sure you live the best life possible…

I'll repay your kindness to me, ten years from now."

Lin Qiye knelt in the rain, water dripping from his hair and wetting his eyes.

He lowered his head and knocked his forehead on the ground several times, staying there for a long while before slowly rising.

He gave one last glance at the little house, pulled the knife from the ground…

And walked away.

In the rain, a woman in a dark red cloak, drenched and gasping for breath, stood in the street, a black long case on her back.

"Where is Old Zhao?!"

A voice crackled from her earpiece, "Two buildings ahead in the open space."

The woman paused for a moment, her voice tinged with tension. "Hong Ying... be prepared."

"What preparation?"

"We lost contact with him a few minutes ago, and his seal location hasn't moved in a while..."

Hong Ying's pupils contracted as her body trembled. Without another word, she shot forward like an arrow.

"Don't say that!" Hong Ying bit her teeth, her voice breaking into a sob.

"Hong Ying…"

"Don't speak!!" Hong Ying shouted.

"Hong Ying! Old Zhao's seal location is moving!"

At these words, Hong Ying's eyes lit up.

"I knew it! I knew he wasn't that easy to kill! Where is he?"

"He's moving slowly… and getting closer to you."

Hong Ying froze, instinctively halting her steps. Her gaze fell on the corner in the distance.

The sound of distant thunder rumbled, and the rain fell in torrents, blurring her vision.

Vaguely, a figure emerged from the rain.

It was a young man,

His back carried a knife,

And in his arms, he held a man's corpse.

He stopped, using all his strength to shout!

As if proclaiming it to the whole world!

"Lin Qiye, reporting back with General Zhao Kongcheng's return!!!"