Chapter 252 Epilogue - New World Arc (49)

The boy... has really gone mad.

This was the first thought that popped into Zhen Zhu's mind when she saw Li Xiao bite Yu Qingzhou's shoulder.

Perhaps because, all along, in Zhenzhu's subconscious, there was only one person in the world who could bring Li Xiao back to his senses...

If there is still that one person whom Li Xiao would rather hurt himself than harm even slightly...

Although I'm reluctant to admit it, whether from the perspective of the soul contract or from the level of personal feelings, that person is Yu Qingzhou.

Now, Li Xiao seems to have gone so crazy that he doesn't even recognize Senior Brother Yu.

The demonic teeth pierced through the fabric, making a terrifying sound as they embedded themselves into flesh... Even from a distance, it was enough to terrify Zhenzhu.

Yu Qingzhou acted as if nothing had happened, remaining silent as blood gushed out, soaking her clothes and leaving a striking mark on her shoulder blade, like a red butterfly spreading its wings.

The rich smell of blood permeated the cold, desolate depths of the cave.

Zhenzhu couldn't help but tremble, and looked for help at her Uncle Chang, who had also witnessed everything.

The latter, however, seemed to have expected this. His expression remained calm, without the slightest surprise or reluctance. He simply gave the girl a friendly smile, just as he always had, when she looked at him.

"I scared you, didn't I? But there's nothing I can do about it. That child has been starving for too long. Although I've done my best to gather usable ingredients, quantity alone is definitely not enough for a growing teenager."

Uncle Chang spoke calmly, his tone revealing nothing but a hint of helplessness.

His face still held that ordinary, gentle smile.

Just like what doting elders in ordinary families would do—to downplay and laugh off some outrageous behavior that has gone beyond the scope of normal play.

Zhenzhu was unable to come to her senses for a long time, because she really couldn't believe her eyes and ears.

Is the person who said those words still the kind and loving teacher I know?

For a moment, Zhenzhu even wondered if the other person had already been possessed.

Or perhaps you are actually in a terrible nightmare that you just can't wake up from.

"But...but Senior Brother Yu..."

Zhenzhu couldn't help but stammer out a word, though she didn't really know what she wanted to say... maybe it was just that her throat was choked up and she had to get it out.

My mind is in complete turmoil.

This feeling was no less than when I first stepped into this dark place and saw the boy, bound by iron chains and no longer recognizable as human.

The next moment, Master Chang's casual remark froze the girl in place.

Master Chang said, "He is no longer your senior brother, so there's no need to mention it again."

Upon hearing this, Zhenzhu was stunned.

It's utterly unbelievable how such cold words could come from the mouth of such a kind elder.

It was at that moment that she suddenly realized that perhaps she had never truly seen the person in front of her.

Just like...

Before this incident, she had never truly realized her own cowardice.

Over there, Uncle Chang was still speaking gently and reassuringly as if nothing had happened.

The familiar face, hidden in the shadows, was difficult to discern at first glance.

"...I know you've been wronged today. It happened so suddenly, it's understandable that you couldn't understand it right away. Since your senior master has already promised you, he will definitely give you an explanation later."

After Master Chang finished speaking, seeing that the girl was still standing there, looking dazed and motionless as if she had lost something, he softened his tone.

"Alright, it's getting late. You should go back and rest. You look tired."

Zhenzhu is indeed very tired.

It's hard to say whether it's because long-held expectations were not met, or something else entirely.

—She didn't want to leave.

However, the urging tone in the other person's words was already quite obvious.

Besides, she knew that staying any longer would be pointless, so she finally slumped her shoulders, lowered her eyes, and followed behind Uncle Chang...

He left the two people who were closest to him since he joined the sect in the depths of a dark and sunless cave.

What exactly happened after that?

Zhenzhu had no idea.

She was genuinely worried for Yu Qingzhou, but when she heard that the young man had survived unharmed, a strange feeling welled up inside her...

She didn't want to think too much about what was going on here, nor did she dare to.

More than that, she wanted to see Li Xiao.

It is said that the boy's condition has greatly improved. He can now recognize many people, and his words and actions are just as before.

The body is still too weak and needs to be stabilized for a while longer. We need to observe the situation and see what happens. So, it's not safe to do that for the time being.

Zhenzhu was somewhat resistant to that place.

Yet she missed the boy terribly and couldn't wait to see with her own eyes that he had become the Senior Brother Li she knew again.

After much deliberation, the girl finally decided to visit him on this day.

Unexpectedly, he bumped into Yu Qingzhou on the way.