Chapter 79: Longing Across Time
The blood moon hung high in the sky, and a cold wind howled through the barren wasteland.
The ground was littered with bones stretching for miles, forming grotesque hills. Feng Qi looked out at the desolate future world and sighed deeply. Despite having seen this scene many times before, the sight never failed to weigh heavily on his mind.
Everything seemed unchanged. Though history may have shifted dramatically, human civilization still could not escape the grim fate of being engulfed by the domain fields.
As he stood there reflecting, Little Cripple slowly rose from the ground and, without warning, performed a split right in front of him.
Feng Qi: …
"After so many visits, why are you still crippled?" he asked, his tone tinged with exasperation as he glanced at Little Cripple.
Taking a step forward, he aimed a solid kick at Little Cripple's head, sending it flying several meters away.
After adjusting his emotions, Feng Qi chuckled and greeted the narrator.
"Narrator, I'm back after buying oranges!"
[The stench in my dream jolts me awake again. I knew it! You've come back to haunt me, and now I'm forced to work overtime, again!]
Feng Qi: …
"You can go back to sleep. I'll call you if I need you."
After exchanging pleasantries with the narrator, Feng Qi turned and began walking eastward.
Every time he entered the future dream, accessing the database in the underground shelter was his top priority.
The living dead and death worms he encountered along the way no longer posed a threat to him, allowing him to advance without much difficulty.
The terrain of the dream had changed once again. It took him over half an hour of exploration to locate the black metal monolith marking the entrance to the Star City Shelter.
Standing before the monolith, Feng Qi bit his finger and dripped black, foul-smelling blood into the groove. Moments later, the electronic voice echoed, and the monolith slid to the side, revealing the metallic passage leading into the shelter.
Before stepping inside, Feng Qi attempted to push the heavy black monolith back into place, hoping to seal the entrance.
Unfortunately, no matter how much strength he exerted, the monolith remained immovable.
[Stop wasting your energy. Maybe you should gather some bones and branches to cover the entrance. That way, Little Black won't find it.]
Feng Qi hesitated, frowning. "Would that even work?"
[Of course not! Little Black tracks you like it has GPS. Don't you get it by now? Why don't you try covering yourself up instead and see if that works?]
Feng Qi: …
Suppressing his urge to challenge the narrator to a duel, he stepped into the metallic passage.
The lights flickered on sequentially, illuminating the corridor as he moved forward.
He still couldn't comprehend how the shelter's power system remained operational despite being abandoned for so long. While curious, his priorities lay elsewhere, and he quickly dismissed the thought.
This time, the underground plaza was even more expansive, with additional iron doors lining its perimeter. The only constant was the central database terminal and control panel.
Walking up to the terminal, Feng Qi wiped away the thick layer of dust before pressing the red power button.
The screen lit up, and a series of characters scrolled across it. Within seconds, the options menu appeared.
[Star City Historical Database]
[Domain Creature Database (Real-Time Updates)]
[External Environment Monitoring (Surveillance Drones, Patrol Units, Satellites - Requires Administrative Access)]
[Shelter Resource Inventory]
[Resident Health Records]
[Cultivation Techniques Information]
[Magical Arts Information]
Ignoring the other options, Feng Qi immediately opened the search bar and entered his own name.
Seconds later, detailed information appeared:
[Feng Qi (Human Traitor)]:
Lifespan: 26 years
Cause of Death: Public Execution at Star City's First Execution Grounds
Date of Death: May 17, 2031
Lifetime Achievements (Revoked):
Star City Academy S-Rank Outstanding Graduate (Revoked)
A-Rank Human Elite Medal (Revoked)
Outstanding Contribution to Human Development Award (Revoked)
…
Research Contributions:
"Cultivation Exercise 2.0"
"Tiger Fist"
"Body Tempering Technique"
"Heaven and Earth Meditation"
"Soul Reaper"
Originator of the "Planting Deities in the Body" Concept
Contributor to the Version 3.76 Cultivation System Update
Evaluation:
In his early years, Feng Qi was considered a prodigy among prodigies. His unparalleled talent in cultivation research garnered widespread acclaim. Many believed he would revolutionize the cultivation system and usher in a new era. During this time, even the most brilliant geniuses paled in comparison to him.
However, at the age of 18, Feng Qi's promising trajectory took a sudden downturn. His once-boundless creativity in developing new techniques stagnated. During this period, he changed completely. He began recruiting students and secretly formed the "Dawn Organization," engaging in clandestine activities that hindered humanity's progress. Thankfully, his actions were uncovered in time, and on May 17, 2031, Feng Qi was publicly executed as a warning to others.
Public Comments:
Black Like Night:
"Twisted psycho! Just because he couldn't develop new techniques, he decided to take revenge on society. If I were alive back then, I'd have been at the execution site cheering. Watching his execution video now still doesn't feel satisfying enough."
Hard Road Ahead:
"A traitor remembered in infamy. Instead of striving for humanity's rise, he succumbed to despair and plotted its downfall. I can't fathom what went through Feng Qi's mind back then, but his actions fully warrant the title of scum."
In My Opinion:
"After reviewing historical records, I suspect Feng Qi was possessed by a domain creature. His early brilliance was unmatched, and his contributions to cultivation were transformative. How does someone like that suddenly become a destroyer of worlds? It's too bizarre to be coincidence."
Break Through:
"If it weren't for Feng Qi, Mu Qing wouldn't have betrayed humanity. The seeds of disaster were sown the day Feng Qi died. I watched a historian's analysis, and they argued convincingly that Mu Qing's rebellion was directly tied to Feng Qi. They provided lots of evidence; it's worth a look."
Reading the future evaluations about himself, Feng Qi fell into silence.
He couldn't understand—knowing full well that there was a traitor among the students—how the future version of himself had still walked the same path, ending up branded as a traitor to humanity once again.
Could it be that the student who was the "wolf in sheep's clothing" had never been found?
With these questions weighing on his mind, Feng Qi clicked on the attached execution video in the database.
The execution site was once again Star City's First Execution Grounds, and the personnel carrying out the beheading were still members of the Star City military.
To save time, he fast-forwarded through the footage.
The execution process was nearly identical to the one he had seen before. Just as his head was about to fall, Mu Qing arrived with members of the Dawn Domain Combat Squad, attempting to rescue him.
During the chaos, Mu Qing even clashed with the Star City military, nearly triggering a large-scale conflict. Thankfully, the future Feng Qi had stepped in to stop it.
In the final scene, Mu Qing's trembling figure was shown, carrying Feng Qi's lifeless body as she slowly disappeared from the surveillance footage.
Feng Qi stared at the screen for a long time before finally closing the video.
He opened the search bar again and began looking for the commentary video mentioned by netizens, where a historian analyzed Mu Qing's betrayal.
The claim that Mu Qing's betrayal of humanity was connected to him didn't sit well with Feng Qi.
While he knew he held a special place in Mu Qing's heart, they shared the same dream. She understood his convictions, the ideals he clung to even in death. How could she betray their shared promise and turn her blade against humanity?
Curious about the historian's evidence, Feng Qi continued digging through the database until he finally found the commentary video that netizens had mentioned.
(For the best experience, play the background music: "Longing Across Time" while reading this segment.)
[A Demon King Condemned by History, But Not Without Tenderness Hidden in Her Heart.]
Editor: Xiao Yu Loves History
Content:
"By using bronze as a mirror, one can straighten their attire; by using history as a mirror, one can understand the rise and fall of civilizations; by using others as a mirror, one can discern virtue and folly."
Welcome to my historical series.
Today, we will delve into the story of history's most ruthless Demon King: Mu Qing.
When Mu Qing's name comes up, many of you probably think of the common phrases adults use to scare children.
The popular perception of Mu Qing is that of a cruel, cold-blooded, and bloodthirsty tyrant—every description fitting the archetypal villain.
But if you dig deeper into history, you'll find that even the so-called Demon King had an unknown, softer side. Today, let's explore this hidden aspect of Mu Qing.
Theories Behind Mu Qing's Betrayal of Humanity
Many interpretations exist regarding why Mu Qing turned against humanity.
Some say her inherently violent nature was unleashed after the death of her loved ones, planting the seeds of destruction long before.
Others believe it stemmed from her hatred of humanity due to the Rune Transformation Project, which led her to wish for the world's end.
There are many such theories, but today, I will present what I believe to be the most plausible explanation: Mu Qing's betrayal was intricately linked to her closest friend during her time at Star City Academy—Feng Qi.
Now, don't jump to conclusions. Hear me out.
The Diary of Mu Qing
After Mu Qing was secretly executed, a diary was discovered among her belongings.
This diary, initially classified as a confidential document, was declassified 300 years later, allowing me to uncover an entirely different side of Mu Qing.
It was through this diary that I realized just how important Feng Qi was to Mu Qing.
Here are some key excerpts from her diary:
"If I had never known light, I could have endured the darkness."
"The cool winds from the ends of the earth remind me that it has been 3,214 days since you left."
"In these more than 3,000 days and nights, I often see your desperate figure kneeling before the execution platform in my dreams. I always wake up in tears."
"I've regretted countless times not saving you at the execution ground, even if you might have hated me for it."
"I know the memory of you will never fade in this lifetime. You are the light that seeped into my soul, showing me how beautiful the light can be."
"Your death left an unhealable wound in my heart."
"I have seen the truth and proven in my heart that you were right, though I never doubted you."
"After enduring the long night, one can see the dawn. Let it be called 'Dawn.'"
"I suddenly remember something you once said: 'Dying heroically for a great dream is the most foolish thing one can do. It's smarter to live humbly for your dream.' ...I took that step. Does that make me one of the foolish ones? Haha."
"I have foreseen my failure. My end will be like yours, but I believe the steps of revolutionaries will not stop. There will always be new versions of us in the future."
"To the future, and to you, who once fought tirelessly for an ideal world."
"Longing becomes torment when it grows into an ocean. I composed a new song during my free time and named it 'Longing Across Time.'"
"Today, I placed my harmonica in your grave. From now on, I won't play it again. I must now face the world and continue fighting for your dream—and for mine."
"This is an era of farewells. People keep leaving, and I am terrible at saying goodbye. I only etch them into my heart, especially you."
"I never understood why people place their hopes in imaginary gods who can't change reality. But later, I realized that in moments of despair, a spark of faith can illuminate the darkness... You were my faith."
"I have lost everything. Nothing can hurt me anymore. Now, I am stronger than ever. Even if the world sees me as a Demon King, my heart remains steadfast. I will not rest until I achieve my goals."
"It hurts so much... but once I eat, I'll recover quickly. It reminds me of the days we used to eat together in the academy cafeteria. I remember you saying that after I graduated, I wouldn't have the money to buy food and wouldn't be able to survive.
At that time, I didn't say anything, but I spent the entire night tossing and turning, unable to sleep, worrying about it. The next morning, I made a decision with all the courage I could muster—if I was ever on the verge of starving, I'd come find you to bum a meal.
Face can be thrown away, but a meal can't be missed.
...
I'm heading into the final battle. Before I leave, I decided to eat as much as I want, something I haven't done in a long time. Hehe... I might die this time.
...
Didn't die. I'll eat my fill again tomorrow and fight once more. I hope by now, you've earned a lot of money in the afterlife. That way, when I come looking for you for food, you'll be able to feed me. You know how big my appetite is, hehe."
...
Reading these excerpts from Mu Qing's diary, it's clear how important Feng Qi was to her.
The "revolution" Mu Qing referred to was the act of destroying the world—a continuation of Feng Qi's unfinished goals. She took this path resolutely, even at the cost of opposing the entire world.
When I finished reading her diary, I couldn't help but wonder: if Feng Qi's goal had been to save the world, would Mu Qing have adhered to his belief and fought tirelessly to save it instead?
With her abilities, she would undoubtedly have had a significant impact on the future. What a pity.
One last tidbit about Mu Qing: it's said that after Feng Qi's death, she buried him somewhere in Star City. Every year, she would find a way to sneak into the city, no matter the danger, to visit his grave.
She would sit in front of his tombstone, play the harmonica piece "The Longing That Crosses Time," which she had written for him, and leave a flower.
I think that in those moments, stripped of her violent persona, we see the real Mu Qing.
Let's talk about Mu Qing's feelings for Feng Qi.
From what I've seen in historical records, their relationship was complex—more than friends, less than lovers. It was a pure bond.
How Feng Qi viewed Mu Qing is hard to say, but Mu Qing's feelings for him seemed more like a deep attachment than romantic love. Feng Qi was like her harbor, her refuge from the storms of the world. No matter how turbulent the outside world became, as long as Feng Qi was by her side, she felt at peace.
We can sum up her feelings with one line from her diary:
"I never understood why people place their hope in intangible, unreal gods. They don't exist and can't change reality. But later, I realized that when in despair and helplessness, a spark of light in the darkness can warm the entire world... And you were my light."
Surprised? I was too when I finished reading her diary.
It's hard to imagine that someone like Mu Qing—who led rebel forces to slaughter cities and ruthlessly killed countless innocents—had such an innocent and vulnerable side when it came to Feng Qi.
Perhaps the root cause lies in the darkest moments of her life when Feng Qi entered her world, brought her warmth, and became the light she longed for.
After his death, she shouldered the burden of continuing his dream, enduring the world's curses. Even at the end of her life, she fought to carry out Feng Qi's dream.
I've seen some rare photos taken from a distance during the campaign to eliminate Mu Qing.
She was covered in wounds, barely able to walk, yet she kept fighting until her last breath, refusing to retreat even a single step.
While her actions are condemnable, they are also tragic.
Feng Qi—what did you do to deserve such unwavering devotion?
Writing this, I'm reminded of a saying:
"A soldier dies for the one who knows him."
Perhaps that's why Mu Qing, even knowing her path was wrong, willingly followed in Feng Qi's footsteps. She chose to carry on his legacy, seeing it as her "light."
If you want a deeper dive into Mu Qing's story, join my live stream where we'll discuss the life of the "Demon King" in more detail.
Reader Comments:
A Bitter Lemon: "Feng Qi, I curse you. The more I learn about this guy, the less he deserves to be called human. After reading this analysis, I suddenly feel so bad for Mu Qing. She could have had a bright and beautiful future, but because of Feng Qi, she ended up on a path of no return, becoming a demon despised by all."
Immortal Victory: "This analysis shattered my assumptions. I always thought Mu Qing was inherently evil, but now I see that her actions had roots. Ultimately, it was Feng Qi who ruined her. Sigh."
Victory Seeker: "I've read her diary, and it completely changed my view of Mu Qing. She wasn't as evil as history painted her. There was a softer side to her, but it was a side she reserved for Feng Qi alone while showing her dark side to the world."
Spicy Chips: "This analysis is way too subjective, but after verifying the evidence provided, I found it to be true. I feel some sympathy for Mu Qing, but she was wrong, and wrong is wrong. We can't forgive such a monstrous criminal."
Time Mouse: "If I had a time machine, I'd go back and kill Feng Qi. The future would change dramatically without him."
After reading everything, Feng Qi was left in turmoil.
It wasn't just his future self who suffered. Mu Qing, who carried the same dream as him, bore the pain as well.
Her revolution wasn't about destroying the world—it was about saving it.
Feng Qi now knew for sure that Mu Qing had never been controlled by any force. She had always been free, but she chose what the world saw as the most evil means to fight for justice.
The realization filled him with profound sorrow.
The future shrouded in darkness seemed like an unshakable curse, driving him forward. But every effort led only to failure and pain.
No matter how hard he tried, his ideal ending seemed forever out of reach, leaving only suffering in its place.
Narrator's Commentary:
"Even if the world shows you its worst, you remain kind. Remember, you didn't choose this mission—it chose you."
Feng Qi, his eyes red-rimmed, smirked bitterly. "Narrator, you're so cheesy. My goosebumps are out of control."
Narrator: "Aww, our little hero is about to cry. You need to work on your emotional resilience."
"I'm not crying. It's just a small setback. Greater challenges lie ahead. I'll never give up, never fall—I'll fight to the end," Feng Qi replied hoarsely.
Narrator: "Break through or don't say anything. We're still friends, right? Now, give me a smile."
"Scram."
Narrator: "Aye aye, sir!"