Chapter 110 A Glimmer of Hope (Part Two)

That night, Xixue couldn't sleep.

It seems very gentle, even warm.

Feng Xixue walked far from the palace and came to a vast, empty plain. She casually leaned against a black rock and silently looked up at the moon.

A cool evening breeze ruffled his sharp, dark eyebrows and tossed his unbound, long, black hair. The boy was dressed in thin clothes, yet he seemed unfazed by the cold. His eyes were nonchalant, both proud and indifferent.

As Feng Xixue watched, she suddenly smiled.

As a child, he had dreamed of plucking the moon from the sky, keeping it in his bosom, and possessing it for himself—that would be a wonderful thing. But this thought was far-fetched and ultimately could not be fulfilled.

But now, he has discovered something... that looks a lot like the moon.

He thought back to the past.

At that time, before he even opened his eyes, he smelled the delicate fragrance of herbs filling the room, a bittersweet aroma, like the sweet scent of a young girl, a warm and clean fragrance.

He may have been completely relaxed at the time, but once he regained his senses, he immediately became highly defensive. However, the next instant, he heard a soft voice beside him say:

"You, you shouldn't move around. You're covered in injuries. I just bandaged you up. Please bear with the pain for now, okay?"

Her soft, sweet voice, like her sweet aura, was warm and touching.

That strange feeling was something I had never experienced before in my life.

She looked to be only fifteen or sixteen years old, as delicate as a tender bud on a branch in early spring.

Who would have thought that this one glance would last until today?

If he were here, he could resolve that damn marriage alliance with a flick of his finger.

But now, none of that matters anymore. Changxia destroyed Dongzhou, and he made Changxia pay a heavy price. Everything in the human realm has vanished into thin air. Whether Shengsheng's betrayal was intentional or unintentional, it doesn't matter. After all, she has nowhere else to go but by his side.

That's the most important thing.

...

Three days later, Feng Xixue brought a bandit stone to find Yu Sheng.

Yu Sheng's face was still pale, and she still looked weak. Feng Xixue had always been indifferent to this, but today, for some reason, she couldn't help but take a few more glances.

"You still don't look well..."

He raised his hand to touch Yu Sheng's face, but Yu Sheng gently avoided it.

Feng Xixue didn't say anything, but withdrew her hand and took out a bandit stone from her bosom: "This is for you."

Yu Sheng hesitated before taking it: "What is this?"

"The Heart of the Demon. After you receive this heart, you will become a demon and live as long as I do. We can be together forever."

Every word he said was horrifying. Yu Sheng couldn't understand how he could speak so casually. She kept shaking her head and backing away, "Heart transplant? I won't... I won't..."

Backed against the wall, there was no way to retreat.

Feng Xixue frowned slightly and stepped forward: "I have already mentioned this to you before. If there were other ways, I would consider them for you. But right now, only a heart transplant can give you a long life with me."

The last trace of color drained from Yu Sheng's face, and she interrupted him in a trembling voice: "No... I said I didn't want to... I didn't want to become such a monster..."

Feng Xixue corrected: "Not a monster, but a demon."

Feng Xixue seemed to have heard something amusing, and actually curled her lips into a smile, "You're forcing me? You wish. But what will you use to force me?"

Yu Sheng was speechless.

When she rescued him from the brink of death, even with the wildest imagination, she would never have imagined that another bizarre and wondrous world existed. And the one she saved was someone within it possessing boundless magic.

She truly had no power to contend with him. Not to mention a high and mighty immortal like him, even in her own world, she had no strength to resist any ordinary man.

All she could say was, "Please spare me... Lord Demon Lord..." She didn't know what else to say to dissuade him from this insane idea.

Feng Xixue stared at Yu Sheng's pained and desperate face, but found that she did not feel much pleasure. Instead, she felt an extreme discomfort churning in her chest.

Fine and dense, like being pricked by needles.

He didn't understand why he felt uncomfortable, only thinking that he was angry, so he spoke sarcastically again, "What's so good about being human? A lifespan of only a few decades is nothing more than a blink of an eye for me. That's not the worst part. The worst part is that you're too weak. If you had been a demon with spiritual power back then, who could have forced you into a marriage alliance?"

Yu Sheng trembled slightly. The scar on her heart had never healed. Not only was the old wound not healed, but it was also torn open from time to time, with salt being rubbed into the bleeding wound. Now she was numb with pain.

This first time in my life I felt my heart flutter, but in the end, I loved the wrong person.

Yu Sheng's large eyes were filled with despair, like withered flowers, devoid of any luster.

Feng Xixue remained silent for a long time, her expression seemingly moved. When she spoke again, her voice was slightly hoarse: "Sheng Sheng, are you scared? Actually, you don't need to worry so much. Even if you change your heart, you are still you, and nothing will change. And with me here, I will never let you get hurt."

Although his tone was softer than before, his mind had not changed in the slightest.

Yu Sheng's pale lips trembled slightly as she sighed softly, "...Alright."

She looked deeply at Feng Xixue and said softly, "Are you going to start the heart transplant now?"

"Um."

"Could you please close the door first?"

Feng Xixue glanced back. His palace doors were wide open, and from this angle, one could see the desolate, barren trees and rocks of the courtyard, and the vast land in the distance. Occasionally, one or two demon servants would hurry past, heads bowed, not daring to look in his direction.

He knew Yu Sheng was afraid of this unfamiliar place and thought she was worried about others coming in while she was having her heart transplant. "It's alright, this is my private residence. No one will dare to barge in without my permission."

Yu Sheng shook her head. "I just feel a little cold. Brother Feng, could you please close the door?"

Feng Xixue was slightly taken aback, then silently agreed and turned to close the door.

For a long time, he didn't see Sheng Sheng looking the same as before.

The moment the door closed, the room suddenly darkened, and Feng Xixue felt a chill run down her spine.

But it was too late.

She had pulled the silver hairpin from her hair and resolutely pierced her own throat.

However, in just three breaths, Yu Sheng's soul vanished without a trace, dissipating at an incredibly fast speed.

He held her still-warm body, standing there blankly in shock.

“Sheng Sheng…” he called softly.

Of course, no one responded; the delicate and frail girl in their arms was no longer breathing.

Feng Xixue stood there, embracing Yu Sheng's body, feeling utterly lost and bewildered.

For some reason, it wasn't that he had never seen a dead person before; in fact, Sheng Sheng's death was the most peaceful and serene among all the people he had ever seen.

But his unease grew, and he felt for no reason that some things were gradually slipping out of his control.

...

At that time, Feng Xixue did not know that the genius boy of the Demon Clan, who was proud of everything, that dazzling new star, would soon fall like a flash in the pan.

The pain was excruciating, worse than death.

...

*****

As soon as Mu Gechuan stepped into the room, he was choked by the stench of blood that filled the room, causing him to frown.

He glanced around, then looked at the thin, pale man in the corner: "I warned you long ago that the Soul Gathering Array is just a joke played by the ancestors of the Demon Clan for their descendants. It's useless. You are so intelligent, can't you see the contradictions inherent in this array? It's just a fantastical scam. Why did you insist on trying it and end up like this?"

In the dim light, Feng Xixue's black clothes were soaked with blood, appearing even darker than their original color. Her dark hair was slightly disheveled, with many silver strands mixed in.

He no longer possessed any of his flamboyant childishness; he was merely a stray dog ​​burdened with countless vicissitudes and a heavy sense of loss.

After a long pause, Feng Xixue spoke, his voice no longer the clear, youthful tone of the past, but rather unusually tired and low: "What brings you here?"

Mu Gechuan said, "I'm afraid you'll die silently."

Feng Xixue slowly looked up at him. Although his physical heart had gradually become perfect, it did not mean that he had lost his survival instincts. Faced with the sudden and inexplicable kindness of a stranger of unknown origin, especially since he was a demon of his own race, he still chose to resist immediately.

Mu Gechuan saw through it and sighed softly, "There's nothing to doubt. You've already lost what's most precious, haven't you? The life and honor you once valued most are probably nothing now. What else is there to care about?"

He's absolutely right.

The sharp, menacing look in Feng Xixue's eyes slowly dissipated.

Even if the new Demon Lord suddenly attacked and took his life, he wouldn't feel anything.

But... Feng Xixue shook her head: "I do deserve to die, but I can't die yet."

Mu Gechuan asked, "What do you mean by that?"

When the snow stopped, he remained silent.

Sheng Sheng's eyes were so clear, reflecting all her thoughts and love. How could there have been even the slightest hint of betrayal? How could the marriage alliance be blamed on her? She had already suffered immense injustice; he should be heartbroken and distressed. How could he repeatedly hurt her with harsh words?

This thought had crossed her mind countless times, but when she thought of it again, Feng Xixue couldn't resist and suddenly leaned forward, spitting out a mouthful of blood from her heart.

The blood was dark red, and the pain was excruciating.

"Why are you doing this to yourself?" Mu Gechuan couldn't help but say. "Just take your time searching. Persistence pays off. Although the human race goes through endless cycles of reincarnation, you live as long as the heavens. You'll find it eventually, so why torture yourself?"

Feng Xixue said in a very low voice, "She's having a very difficult time."

Mu Gechuan didn't understand: "What?"

“She has had a very difficult time,” Feng Xixue repeated slowly, her dark, deep eyes gradually gathering tears of heartbreak. “My heart was born for her, I can feel it. It’s been two lifetimes, and she has suffered both times… but I can’t find her.”

He looked down at the injury on his hand, smiled bitterly, and said, "It's nothing. I deserve it."

Mu Gechuan disagreed: "If you have time to hurt yourself, you might as well save your energy to do something else."

Feng Xixue didn't care. "It wasn't intentional. Since the heart-wrenching pain began, I've been in a daze, suffering excruciating pain. During this time, I've occasionally lost my senses."

Mu Gechuan nodded. He also felt that Feng Xixue wouldn't waste time doing these things, so the wound must have been caused by him unconsciously.

He asked, "Since you know you sometimes lose your senses, why don't you put this sharp object away so you don't hurt yourself next time?"

Feng Xixue instinctively gripped the silver hairpin, shook her head, and without explaining anything, only said, "I deserve it."

He himself, however, was still searching in vain and could not stay by her side to protect her.

Under such double torment, a person would either die or go insane.

After a long silence, Feng Xixue suddenly asked, "Why do you care whether I live or die?"

Without hesitation, Mu Gechuan said, "Now that you have developed a heart, you are no longer a cold-blooded demon. Since you are destined to be a good person, you should be saved if possible."

“That’s your nature, so you changed your heart to a jade one back then, right?” Feng Xixue said. “If you had changed to a black stone heart, it would definitely be even more outstanding than it is now.”

Mu Gechuan said, "I am just unwilling to die, and I do not want to become a pathetic demon."

Feng Xixue remained silent for a moment, then suddenly struggled to kneel on the ground, raising her hands in a gesture of respect: "I was young and arrogant before, and I did not realize that your wisdom is far beyond my reach. May I ask if you have any solutions? I am willing to pay any price."

By this point, his pride had long since vanished. The identity and origin of this person, or which clan they belonged to, were no longer important. If he truly had a way, he was willing to offer up his dignity with both hands.

Seeing that all his arrogance had worn away, Mu Gechuan sighed: "I'm only a decade older than you, and besides, I'm hardly a senior in this demon race. But I've heard that the demon race has a rebirth array, which seems to be a very ingenious formation."

“It’s no use. Only the mixed-race demons can activate this formation. I’m limited by my bloodline…” Feng Xixue’s voice grew softer and softer as he spoke. Even so, he had tried this method many times, but it just didn’t work.

Mu Gechuan said, "So that's how it is. The hybrid demon race... I'm not sure. I wonder if this rebirth array can be performed by an outsider?"

Feng Xixue was slightly taken aback and looked up at him.

His pupils were dark, but bloodshot eyes made him look particularly haggard. However, this glance, compared to his previous stagnant expression, showed a hint of hesitation, making him seem more alive.

Mu Gechuan realized he had probably said something stupid and asked, "Is there something wrong with it?"

Feng Xixue chuckled, “You don’t know this. This formation is no ordinary one. It goes against the will of Heaven, requires sacrificing oneself, and involves enduring extreme and brutal torment with no end in sight. Without an extremely strong will and the luck favored by Heaven, it is impossible to succeed.”

He shook his head. "This formation is not one that can be done by someone else."

Mu Gechuan said "Oh," and touched his nose somewhat awkwardly. "I was indeed reckless. I knew I wasn't a senior in this demon race... so I only have one last method left."

As he spoke, he took out a thick parchment scroll from his pocket.

Feng Xixue's hands trembled: "What is this?"

“I’ve thought about it. So much time has passed. Whether it’s summoning the soul or appeasing the spirit, you should have tried every method available in the world, but you’ve still come up empty-handed. Since this method doesn’t work, we can only slowly look for other options.”

Mu Gechuan opened the parchment scroll. "This is the reincarnation book of all the clans, branches, and foreign races in all realms except the Ghost Realm and the Human Realm. There may be omissions in the records, but I guarantee that there will be no more complete records of reincarnation in the world."

Feng Xixue was extremely perceptive and immediately understood: "Besides the human race, Sheng Sheng may also be from another clan undergoing tribulation in the next realm. I should expand my search and slowly search throughout the Six Realms."

Mu Gechuan nodded: "That's right. However, the Book of Reincarnation for the Human Realm and the Ghost Realm is only in the hands of the Ghost King, and outsiders have no way of knowing about it. You'll have to figure that out yourself."

"The Six Realms are vast, and you are too small. Since you cannot search for souls and spirits, you can only search little by little. This method is slow, but it is the only way for now."

Feng Xixue stroked the parchment scroll with utmost care, as if any more force would shatter this hope: "Indeed."

In the dim light, his eyes seemed to flash with tiny glimmers of water, but when looked at more closely, they had returned to their previous dark depths.

He carefully put away the parchment scroll, paused, and asked softly, "Senior, are you a member of the Celestial Clan?"

Mu Gechuan smiled slightly but did not answer.

Having done what he needed to do, he didn't intend to linger any longer. As he walked out, he said, "Now that you have a direction, go ahead. Xiao Feng, take good care of yourself."

Seeing that he was about to leave, Feng Xixue hesitated for a moment and called out to him, "Senior, please wait a moment. You have shown me the way today. Apart from your good intentions, do you not ask for anything in return?"

He asked, and regardless of whether he could see or not, he bowed slightly and said, "I was born a demon, and my heart was flawed. Only now do I seem to have awakened from a dream and understand many things. Senior has been kind to me, and I wonder if I have the opportunity to repay you."

"without……"

Mu Gechuan wanted to say it was nothing, but he paused when he was about to speak.

After hesitating for a moment, he said in a low voice, "Perhaps."

Feng Xixue said, "Please rest assured."

...

...

Meeting Mu Meng was an extremely important turning point in Feng Xixue's life.

When they first met, he was in a daze and mistook her for Sheng Sheng, even holding her wrist. This was something Feng Xixue could never forgive herself for.

For a thousand years, he had remained chaste and had never made such a grave mistake. If he hadn't still harbored the delusion that this hand could protect Sheng Sheng when they reunited, he would have long ago severed it in disgust.

When he finally returned, he rubbed his hands raw on the rough rocks, a form of self-punishment. He thought this was just a brief encounter with the girl, but little did he know that so many things would happen afterward.

In fact, she helped him fulfill his lifelong wish.

*

Thirteen states on the left.

When Feng Xixue received Mu Meng's spiritual message, she hadn't slept for almost ten days.

Or rather, he only took two brief rests in the past month, totaling less than half an hour each, and almost non-stop he was busy searching for that fragile and pitiful creature.

It wasn't for his own insignificant, broken life, but because his Sheng Sheng had suffered so much, enduring countless lifetimes of hardship in the mortal realm. He hadn't yet made amends to her, hadn't properly cherished, pampered, or protected her, and now she had died so tragically.

As the deadline approached, in his most desperate moment, Mu Meng's letter gave him almost burning hope.

The closer he got to Danzhou, the more he could feel her sweet and pure aura. It had been so long, yet her scent was still so familiar that it sent shivers down his spine, and his eyes stung with a dull ache.

He was startled to find himself standing by the door.

And over there was the girl he longed for day and night.

“I know what I’m doing,” Feng Xixue said in a low, hoarse voice, speaking to Mu Meng and to herself, “Sheng Sheng doesn’t know me now, so I won’t show up rashly, or I’ll scare her.”

He had hurt her once, a regret that would haunt him for life. He would never do it again; how could he bear to part with his precious daughter, whom he had lost and then found again?

Feng Xixue carefully raised her hand, gently covering the narrow crack in the door with her entire palm, trying her best to calm herself down and not daring to make any noise to disturb the peaceful sleep of the person inside.

Through the crack in the door, he finally saw her again.

She curled up in the thick quilt, covering half of her face, her eyes gently closed, her long, thick eyelashes drooping down, looking gentle and lovely.

Sheng Sheng...

He had missed his beloved child for so long.

That delicate and sweet face had been imprinted on his heart countless times in his midnight dreams, but only this time was it so vivid and lifelike that he couldn't take his eyes off it for a long time.

If he hadn't mustered all his willpower, he would have wanted to run to her side immediately, hold her tightly in his arms, and never let go.

However, just as this overwhelming joy was forming, Mu Meng said in a somewhat forlorn low voice:

“Feng Xixue, I have something to tell you about Shengsheng. Let’s talk in private.”

...

The next time I saw Sheng Sheng, it was still thanks to Mu Meng's help, but it was different from the last time when I could only see her from afar through the door.

This time, Sheng Sheng has woken up and, after a thousand years, stands before him once again.

Feng Xixue forced himself to stay still and not move. They were still strangers, and he couldn't hug her.

Every move he made affected his soul and breath.

When Yu Sheng opened her eyes and saw her expression towards Sheng Yuanting, Feng Xixue knew that Heaven had played another cruel and despicable joke on him.

He had known for a long time that he looked three or four parts similar to Sheng Yuanting, and that Sheng Yuanting's voice was almost eight or nine parts similar to his own when he was young.

But even if you recognize yourself, what can you do?

Feng Xixue gave a bitter laugh. Of all the things that had happened in the past, what was there that he could be proud of? What was there that made him feel worthy of acknowledging her and defending himself? She was innocent and kind; if he told her, she would probably believe him. But if she pressed him for details about their past interactions, how could he continue to stand here?

Feng Xixue could only flee in panic.

*

Later that evening, Mu Meng came and knocked on Feng Xixue's door.

Despite being overwhelmed with a host of problems, Mu Meng was still thinking about Feng Xixue. He even remembered his unwritten rule and spoke to her from seven steps away: "Sheng Sheng took her medicine just now and looks a bit better. I'll send a message to the Demon Prince in a bit and ask him to come over as soon as possible. Once Sheng Sheng regains her demon identity and has some spiritual power, she'll be able to withstand the spiritual energy of the Si'an Flower. You should also start preparing."

Si'an Flower had always been kept with Feng Xixue. Even without Mu Meng saying anything, he had already prepared it: "I know, everything is ready, we are just waiting for Crown Prince Yue."

"Hmm. And... there's one more thing."

Mu Meng hesitated for a moment, then forced a smile and said, "Lu Zhaoxin told me that there are many rules in the human realm. Sheng Sheng's family has fallen on hard times and went to... that kind of place is one of them. We've brought Sheng Sheng out, and in the next few days, people will definitely come to cause trouble. He is the Ghost King, so we must avoid suspicion. These things..."

Feng Xixue's tone suddenly turned icy: "Leave it to me."

Mu Meng said, "Be careful, don't let blood get out here."

"I know what I'm doing."

"Okay." Mu Meng trusted Feng Xixue completely. After giving her some instructions, he nodded and turned to leave.

She seemed to have noticed something beforehand, and lowered her voice to ask tentatively, "When Brother Sheng examined Sheng Sheng's soul, didn't he say it would trigger some past images? I think Sheng Sheng... has she misunderstood something?"

Considering his feelings, she only offered a reminder without pointing it out, and Feng Xixue understood: "It should be."

What are you planning to do?

Feng Xixue remained silent for a long time.

Feng Xixue's expression showed a hint of relief: "You and Shengsheng get along really well. You're willing to think of her like this."

The two of them had known each other for a century and could be considered half friends, and Sheng Yuanting's friendship with her was only deeper than his. But Mu Meng didn't take sides, completely disregarding the two of them, and firmly stood in Sheng Sheng's shoes to consider her situation.

Mu Meng smiled and said, "That's right, Sheng Sheng is very likable."

She paused, then asked, "So...did you hear what I just said?"

Feng Xixue nodded: "Even if you hadn't told me, this was my plan anyway. Don't worry, I would never be so selfish." Love is respect, not possession. He had understood this very well a long, long time ago.

"Moreover, General Sheng is a member of the Celestial Clan, with a bright and promising future, compared to me, a demon with an awkward identity..."

As she finished uttering the last word, Mu Meng gracefully closed the door and left.

Feng Xixue shook her head, closed her eyes, and helplessly curved her lips into a smile, which was extremely bitter.

Covering the green.

Now, even he himself can't tell whether he or Mu Qingheng is more fortunate.

He couldn't sleep at all, so he went outside and sat on the steps in front of the gate, silently gazing at the crescent moon in the sky. The night was as dark as ink, cold and desolate.

He didn't say that he had never intended to influence Sheng Sheng's choices, because whatever she chose, as long as she was happy, that was the most important thing. And he was already content to simply watch over her silently like this.

Feng Xixue sat motionless for a long time, like a steady mountain, silently and peacefully guarding the place.

Suddenly, a few voices from the distant streets broke the tranquility of the night.

Is this the way?

"Yes, it's true. Someone saw it with their own eyes during the day..."

"Heh heh, that slut used to be so timid and hesitant, even when he was half-dead from being beaten, he still struggled and resisted. What a jinx! How come he's changed his mind now and actually agreed to go back to someone's private residence with them..."

"That's it, that's right. The little beauty always smells of flowers... I remember it's this..."

In the stillness of the night, accompanied by the chaotic, staggering footsteps, the men's contemptuous and unrestrained laughter was particularly jarring, growing ever closer.

Feng Xixue slowly curled up her fingers.

His eyelids lifted little by little, revealing bloodshot eyes beneath long lashes, filled with a chilling, bloodthirsty ferocity.