Chapter 247 Epilogue - The New World Arc (Forty-Four)

Yu Qingzhou felt one side of the bed slightly sink.

At the same time, the aura of another person slowly drew closer.

They stopped at just the right distance, a distance that would make Yu Qingzhou wary.

—It's so quiet.

It looked as if it were asleep, or as if it were dead.

Nevertheless, Yu Qingzhou could still faintly hear the faint sound of a heartbeat mixed with the sound of wind and rain.

It's hard to tell if it's real or an illusion.

It's unclear whose it is...

Despite being very sleepy, Yu Qingzhou couldn't fall asleep easily.

He has been in a similar state ever since he started traveling.

After gradually getting used to it, the desire to sleep became less intense.

—Sometimes, even resistant.

Because, just like before, I'll be helplessly drawn into a chaotic dream...

Unable to resist, with nowhere to escape.

Having finally woken up, Yu Qingzhou felt more like she had just gone through a life-or-death battle than the relief of a full rest.

Another lucky escape.

But what about next time?

Will the next time bring the same luck or misfortune?

Yu Qingzhou could not predict it.

In this world filled with unpredictable fate and many uncertainties, how insignificant human beings are.

How meager are individual wishes!

Yu Qingzhou couldn't even bring herself to say something like, "If only I had known this would happen..."—a statement tinged with a hint of irony.

He was so tired that he couldn't even look back at the road he had traveled.

Maybe--

Death is the best rest.

What he wanted, what he desired, was ultimately nothing more than a long, unawakened sleep.

He passed away peacefully, without any ties, as if he had never been born.

That's why Yu Qingzhou came to this place.

Following the scent of an old friend, I traveled all the way, only to find children who carried the blood of that old friend.

On a drowsy summer afternoon, Yu Qingzhou met the child's dark, unwavering eyes.

It's like a mirror, reflecting my own exhausted figure during this period.

This should be the final stop in settling the karmic debts.

He silently recited it in his heart.

After that, even if one dies immediately...

As the thought arose, the image of a tearful boy flashed through my mind.

That was the last time Yu Qingzhou went down the mountain to say goodbye to Li Xiao.

The two, one human and half demon, gazed at each other across the barrier.

The boy seemed to have said something.

Yu Qingzhou didn't listen. He was still worried that he would soften his heart.

I can't bear to part with it, I can't let it go.

In the end, it only harms both oneself and others.

If I hadn't met myself, or if I hadn't met myself—

Will the other person have a more peaceful life?

Even knowing that nothing is inevitable beyond what has already happened... Yu Qingzhou still couldn't help but think that way.

If I hadn't appeared.

If I hadn't been involved, would...

Forget about me.

Although it's impossible to return the other person's eyes exactly as they were.

However, he had a spirit sword that had refined the original demonic power, and he also had the care and support of Master Chang and the sect leader.

Given time, the boy will surely be able to get back on the right track.

As Yu Qingzhou thought this, she watched as those heterochromatic eyes, brimming with tears, finally closed slowly in resentment.

Sleep now, and when you wake up, everything will be different.

Yu Qingzhou gazed at the sleeping boy and silently said to himself.

As Yu Qingzhou left Li Xiao's place, she brushed past a young girl.

The latter seemed to be in a hurry.

But as they brushed past each other, he suddenly stopped and called out to Yu Qingzhou, who was about to leave.

[Yu... Senior Brother?]

Yu Qingzhou turned around at the sound and saw Zhen Zhu, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.

It's been a while since I last saw her; the little girl has grown taller.

Her former charming and adorable appearance still remains, but her temperament has become much calmer, showing more of the dignified and gentle demeanor of a mature woman.

Yu Qingzhou smiled: 【Long time no see.】

Zhenzhu looked at the young man whose smile was exactly the same as before, and felt a moment of disorientation.

Thinking back to those days when I first arrived at the sect.

Those days of ignorance and reckless squandering, which seemed harmless at the time, are now long gone and can never be relived.

Everything happened without warning—

First, the seal on the forbidden area inexplicably loosened, causing demons to run rampant and evil spirits to wreak havoc.

During this time, Senior Sister Shen was suspected of being kidnapped by a demon and her whereabouts have been unknown ever since.

After that, I heard that Senior Brother Yu was traveling around searching for a way to kill demons and rescue Senior Sister.

Just when things were finally looking up, news of Uncle Lin An's death suddenly arrived from the battlefield.

The situation became increasingly critical, and the sect had no choice but to recall Senior Brother Yu ahead of schedule to provide support.

In the final battle at Floating Tree Mountain, their side won by a stroke of luck, but suffered heavy losses.

Countless fellow disciples perished in the attack, and those who survived were severely weakened.

Damage can be physical, but also psychological.

As one of the last disciples to arrive at the scene, Zhen Zhu was unable to witness the bloody battle firsthand, but she still glimpsed the ferocity of the battle from the soaring, foul-smelling air.

Vast scenes of suffering...

Everywhere there was broken flesh and blood, and folded bones.

These broken corpses were mixed together—some were from demons, and some were from fellow disciples.

Most of them were the remains of demons.

This wasn't because more monsters died; it was simply because monsters ate people, leaving not even bones or scraps behind...

Everyone present lowered their heads and remained silent.

Silently clearing the battlefield, they tried to find any fellow disciples still alive among the corpses.

As long as there is still a breath left, that is good.

No matter if he's missing an arm or a leg, or even half a head... as long as he's alive, there's always a way.

But even this little bit of hope is too much for God to grant.

Zhenzhu cried.

I can't tell if it's sadness or the stench that's making me feel bad.

Tears streaming down her face, she frantically searched through the filthy pile of corpses.

The little girl, who used to be too afraid to even touch a dead rat, never imagined that one day she would be able to calmly peel away rotting flesh teeming with maggots.

He personally closed the unseeing eyes of each broken and mutilated face.

More than a thousand people died, not including the many disciples who were devoured by the demon and whose bodies were not left behind.

The latter are included in the list of missing persons.

Yu Qingzhou is not on this list.

While both cases involve disappearances without a trace, there is another possibility besides disappearances: defection.

Not everyone is a warrior.

Not everyone can face the ferocious monsters and bloody battles.

Some people committed suicide in despair, while others fled the battlefield.

They even defected to the ranks of demons, willingly submitting to their commands, just to avoid the agony of having their hearts and livers ripped out...

[Impossible! Yu Qingzhou... he could never do such a thing!]

Inside the makeshift tent, the half-demon boy argued resolutely, and in his excitement, he suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.

【Oh, calm down, calm down, what are you doing now...】

Uncle Chang looked at Li Xiao with a worried expression; his usually cheerful and rosy face was now filled with sorrow.

He tried to reach out and help the pale-faced boy up, but the boy blocked him with his hand.

Li Xiao looked at Master Chang, and the usually proud young man finally bowed his head for another person.

He was so earnest, it even carried a hint of pleading.

"Uncle-Master, I know he wouldn't! Even if... even if you don't believe me, Yu Qingzhou grew up in the Hidden Immortal Sect. Everyone knows how much he cares for this place! Even if anyone else here becomes a lackey... he would never—"

【shut up! 】

Master Chang hurriedly stopped the boy, fearing that he might say something even more outrageous.

【I know you're troubled, but even in your distress, you shouldn't speak recklessly and speak ill of your fellow disciples. I think you've lost your mind... Sigh, instead of wasting your time spouting nonsense here, you should go back and reflect on your mistakes.】

As he spoke, Uncle Chang gestured with his eyes.

It means that since the sect leader is present, any issues can be discussed later.

Unfortunately, the boy seemed completely oblivious, as if he were blind.

He stuck out his neck, looking like a stubborn guy who wouldn't leave until things were sorted out.

At this moment, the sect leader, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up.

What if the person standing opposite him was his master or senior sister?

A calm sentence, yet it struck like a thunderclap from a clear sky.

As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell into a deathly silence.

Even Zhenzhu, who couldn't resist stopping outside to eavesdrop, was shocked upon hearing this and almost cried out in surprise.