Chapter 21: The Duel is Interrupted
Beichen watched quietly as Feibai took off the magical spirit crystal he was wearing, revealing his original appearance.
After Feibai changed his appearance, he fell out with Xifeng and left Elysien. After that, Beichen never saw him again, so this was the first time Beichen saw the transformed Feibai.
Long black hair, amber eyes with a hint of green, gentle yet a little evil - completely different from Xiang Ying's original honest appearance.
Although neither Xiang Ying nor Heihuo Sujie agreed with Beichen going forward, she still gently broke away from the twins' protection and took a few steps closer to Feibai.
Because of Yagard's mistake, he has had a very ironic life so far. Even if he is standing on the opposite side of them now, he cannot be blamed for anything. Beichen is fully responsible for him.
Looking at this face, Beichen actually didn't know what to say.
Instead, Fei Bai spoke first.
"I'm doing okay lately."
“…Uh, yeah.”
"...It seems like things are not going well." Fei Bai chuckled.
"Yeah, but it's getting better now."
Beichen said this while rolling his eyes.
"Where's Xiaxue? He should be nearby too, right?"
Hearing this, Fei Bai's expression changed slightly.
It seems that she guessed it right──Beichen observed Feibai's expression and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Things were indeed as she had guessed.
But Feibai quickly regained his relaxed expression.
"Xiaxue is indeed nearby, but he doesn't intend to appear in front of you. You don't need to look for him... you won't find him."
As he spoke, Fei Bai raised his eyebrows with a slightly sarcastic expression.
"He knows your eloquence, Beichen. If he appeared in front of you, he would probably be persuaded by you again."
"—Since you think you can be persuaded, then you're probably doubting your own actions."
"He constantly doubts whether what he's doing is right, but some things..." Fei Bai said as he pulled his hair, "even if they're wrong, you still have to do them."
Beichen was silent for several minutes.
"Okay, let's not talk about the Xiaxue for now. Feibai, are you alright lately? I heard that your transformation has put a lot of strain on your body. Even if you're seeking revenge against us, don't neglect your health."
Fei Bai twisted his facial features with a complicated expression when he heard this.
"Whichever side you're on—have you found your place now?"
Beichen asked with a frown, but Feibai's whole body shook violently after hearing this.
Find your place.
Yes, that's right. I left for this very reason. This goal hasn't changed to this day, has it?
But now, has the goal been achieved?
Fei Bai shook his head with a confused look in his eyes.
"No, but I'm working hard towards this goal. So all of you who are standing in my way of a new life must disappear."
"Is there no way you can let go otherwise? Is our influence that great?"
"You're making it impossible for me to tell what's real and what's fake."
"—Is that really the case?"
Beichen did not reply, but Xiang Ying on the side spoke with a serious expression.
"Now that you know who you are, as long as you believe you are independent, then others won't look at you in a special way. You should be able to distinguish between these gazes, right?"
Fei Bai sneered, "What about memories? How can I erase their influence? Even now, I often find myself imbued with the 'me' in those memories. How can you possibly understand this strange feeling of being forced to experience someone else's emotions?"
“…”
"How about we ask Agard to research some drugs that can erase your memory? Let you live as a new fighting weapon?" Black Disaster interrupted.
Su Jie nodded immediately: "Yes, yes, this way you won't be bothered by those memories, and you won't often doubt who you are, right?"
"So, the me whose memories were erased found happiness. What about me now?"
Fei Bai looked at the tip of his shoes and shook his head again.
"Am I going to disappear after just living such a short and absurd life? I won't accept that. Besides, erasing memories is an act of escape, but this matter is clearly your fault, so why should I run away?"
"……this……"
For a moment, the room fell into oppressive silence.
Yaye and Atlas hadn't said a word since Feibai appeared. The former squinted his eyes and looked at the other as if he was thinking about something, while the latter seemed to have something to say but didn't know how to express it. He stretched his tail straight, opened and closed his mouth, but made no sound.
Finally, Beichen let out a sigh with some regret.
"We still have to be enemies, right? Well, at least you've chosen a path you won't regret, so I can't say anything. I'd love to apologize, but I'm afraid you won't accept it."
Fei Bai was silent.
"What are you doing here, having been entrusted by Xiaxue?"
"To declare war."
After Fei Bai finished speaking, he found that Beichen's expression had not changed, as if he had already anticipated their intentions.
"He asked you—no, you all—to meet in Chita in ten days. The victory will be determined by skill."
"Really?" Beichen curled his lips and sneered, "I'm afraid it's not as simple as winning or losing. The Red Spirit Turret on the moon, the last Star Killer, that female possessed Moon Envoy Prometheus, and... killing the old Wanzu and using the 'human pillar' method to let Xiangying replace Wanzu as the new life center - if we honestly accept the battle, I'm afraid it will play into your hands, right?"
Feibai's expression changed completely after Beichen said this.
"...I didn't expect you to even guess Wan Zu's replacement plan. We underestimated you, Beichen."
"Yes, I guessed it—I even guessed it was Kasumi-xue—who first created the first Berserker Iron Ghost, the one that appeared in Latia. Furthermore, he used it to contaminate the Astral Minerals connected to the roots of the Myriad Ancestors, thus catalyzing the toxins within them. I'm afraid that strange, battle-equipped, possessed Moon Envoy was also his creation."
"Excuse me for being so blunt, but how did you guess that?"
"The three great wills—although it's not stated explicitly, Red Moon Sumo and Senagade are closely connected, and their goals are relatively clear. Conversely, Xiaxue, the Poison Moon will, seems somewhat estranged from them, to the point where they no longer communicate with each other. This suggests that there are differences of opinion between them. Xiaxue often helps me understand—because I'm a descendant of Theresa, but this doesn't actually indicate Xiaxue's true position.
In the video message, Theresa mentioned that she'd entrusted him with many of her posthumous affairs—including the prophecy of the witch's apocalypse. So, having spread such a detailed and serious prophecy of the witch's apocalypse, even preparing a complete hymn to Cerran, it seems Xiaxue is the one who wants to disrupt the era the most.
"Wonderful."
Fei Bai clapped his hands with a slightly tilted mouth.
"So, you've decided to refuse the challenge?"
"Yes, I refuse. On the contrary, I would like to ask Xiaxue to find time to meet with me. Anyway, I have already figured out most of his intentions, so it should be okay for him to meet with me."
"I'll pass it on." Fei Bai smiled and nodded, "Then I'll take my leave."
Fei Bai nodded to everyone and turned to leave.
"Not white!"
Beichen called him.
"If you can't find your place over there, you're welcome to come back. Elytheon is so big, you'll definitely find a place that truly belongs to you!"
But Fei Bai only paused for a moment. After a few seconds, he walked away without looking back.
"That's it."
Yaye spoke softly, patting Beichen's shoulder.
"Some people still want to live, so there's still hope. Some people's eyes already show their desire to die, so it's too late to say anything. He just wants to find the most decisive way to prove that he once fought against fate with all his might."
"Ya Ye—"
Beichen buried her head in Yaye's arms somewhat unwillingly. Yaye lowered his eyes and gently stroked her back with his hands.
"It's good that you tried your best. This is how the world is. You can't protect everyone. There will always be things you have to give up."
──Does Feibai have to be abandoned?
Beichen was in Yaye's arms, biting his lower lip somewhat unwillingly.
On the other side, in the God’s Tomb Forest.
The two groups of Youyu and Alysien, who were originally at loggerheads, became delicately harmonious because of the interference of Lian Cang and Xing Ge.
Both sides decided to withdraw from the forest and return to their own country to make plans, while Su Mo himself decided to go to Elysien to meet Beichen.
It was not known whether there was some mysterious magnetic field or interfering energy in the Divine Tomb Forest, so the teleportation crystals or dimension gate crystals could not be used. Therefore, the two teams began to walk towards the outskirts of the forest together.
There are many creatures in the forest that do not exist in the outside world. Many of them are huge and very aggressive. Probably to protect Wanzu, they often jump out from some inconspicuous corner to attack everyone. Although none of the warriors will lose their composure because of such sneak attacks, it is still annoying to have them do this from time to time.
So, in order to relieve the boredom during the journey, everyone started chatting unconsciously.
Su Mo was the first to speak. He looked at Yagad, who was killing enemies while rushing along the road and inexplicably cutting down many trees to store them in his storage space. He laughed dryly in confusion:
"Agad, why are you...cutting down trees?"
"I'm collecting dragon trees. They're rare even on Elytheon—they're incredibly hard and have an insect-repellent fragrance, making them perfect for furniture. I'm thinking I'll be a vital means of transportation for Beichen, so it'd be best if I had some kind of resting facility on my back in dragon form."
Ragnarl on the side twitched his mouth sharply upon hearing this.
"Also, a bed at the research base broke down. I have to fix it too."
“…”
Crack! Gu Yinyue, who was harvesting the fur of an animal carcass, accidentally broke a bone.
Bang! From Xifeng's gun barrel, a large explosive bomb shot out into the sky.
Seeing that the atmosphere had inexplicably become very strange, Longyun came out to smooth things over with great righteousness:
"That's right. This forest is so magical. We should definitely bring some gifts for Xiaochen. Well, what should I get? Oh, right? Braid a pendant with my hair and make a pendant with my photo inside."
"That has nothing to do with this forest," Naraka rolled his eyes. "Or do you think I should shave your head, bury you in the ground, and wait for your forest-scented hair to grow back?"
Longyun's face turned green and he kept shaking his head.
"Hmph," Xifeng refused to fall for Longyun's attempt to change the subject, and wiped his gun with a sullen expression. "As for gifts, I've already prepared them. I was lucky enough to get a 'Crystal Pomegranate' just now."
Longyun raised his hand: "What is that?"
"It's a very rare fruit. Eating it is very good for your skin."
"It also has a very strong aphrodisiac effect." Gu Yinyue blushed softly and said, "Mother... Mother also gave me one."
"Hmph, I see." Xifeng curled his lips and smiled dangerously. "Looks like I'll have a dozen more tricks in my manual. Well, just imagining that woman's powerless and miserable expression gives me a perverse sense of excitement. Finally, I have a way to properly punish that woman who always overestimates her abilities and is ready to die from overwork."
“…”
"Besides, if it's just dismantling a bed, it's not a big deal. I'm probably the only one who made Beichen say '[Beep...]' without even moving anything."
Puff!—Gu Yinyue crushed the Tianfeng Fruit he was about to eat with one hand.
Snap! A one-meter-long crack suddenly appeared on the ground beneath Yagard's feet.
"But speaking of which, this crystal pomegranate can be used for other things. I don't think I've ever tried the torture method of [beep────]. Hehehehe, that expression of suppressing all the emotions in the chest and not allowing them to be released must be painfully pleasurable. I must find a few death row prisoners to try it out when I get back──hehehe──"
Mom, help me, there's a pervert here!
──Everyone except Xifeng showed a look of horror and silently took a few steps away from the magic sniper rifle.
But Xifeng was completely oblivious to this (or even if he noticed, he didn't care): "Gu Yinyue, what are you planning to take back?"
"Fur."
Gu Yinyue took out a piece of smooth and shiny silver fur from the storage space. It seemed to be from a strange silver leopard that he had defeated before.
"It took some effort to peel off the entire skin. Beichen needs an imposing winter cloak. This is a good one."
Longyun's eyes lit up and he came closer: "Yes, yes, yes! And this skin is so big, it would be great for making a blanket! You dead monk, you must try it, for the blanket - poof!"
Before Longyun could finish his words, Gu Yinyue, whose face turned red, punched him and sent him flying.
Looking at this situation, Su Mo couldn't help laughing out loud:
"Then it seems I should give something as well—what should I give? Oh, right, give my Yizhi a gift."
“““You dare!!””
As a result, Gu Yinyue, Xifeng, and Yagad shouted in unison.
"And this has nothing to do with the special products of this forest." Longyun said aggrievedly in a low voice.
"Speaking of gifts."
Glenshe, who was sitting on a beast that was still breathing slightly while chewing dried meat, picked up the Shiba Inu "hairball" stuck to his foot.
"How about killing it and stewing it into a dog meat hot pot for Yaxiu?"
"That has nothing to do with this forest." Naraka couldn't help but complain.
"What about the cakes left by Liancang?"
"...Don't give other people's leftovers as gifts!" Su Mo couldn't help but speak.
"A change of underwear in the bag."
"Giving underwear to your sister is something that even a pervert wouldn't do," Gu Yinyue reminded with a cold face.
"Nap territory."
"Let's not talk about where your territory is here - how do you plan to give such an abstract thing?" Yagard frowned seriously.
"Then go get the dragon horn."
"That's too big a leap - why are you looking at me!" Ragnart said halfway when he realized that Glenshe was looking at him as if he were his prey. He couldn't help but glare back at her with a mixture of anger and amusement.
In the end, Glenshe, who intended to hunt the dragon but was stopped by everyone, could only make an unhappy "tsk" sound and looked around. When he saw Su Mo, his eyes suddenly lit up, and then he rushed to Su Mo at a speed beyond everyone's expectations, and grabbed him with his hand!
"Ah──" Longyun was stunned.
"Oh oh──" Naraka raised his eyebrows with interest.
Gu Yinyue remained silent with an expressionless face.
Yagard frowned.
"Hmph, another one." Xifeng curled his lips in boredom.
“A nice gift.”
Glenshe held the mask in his hand with a proud look on his face - yes, it was the ghost mask that had once been worn on Su Mo's face.
Su Mo was stunned by the feeling of his face that had not touched the air for a long time. Even Yizhi and other subordinates of Su Mo stared at his face as if they saw his true face for the first time.
Long black hair accompanied by a pair of golden and purple eyes, two small teardrop moles side by side under the left eye, beautifully shaped eyebrows, very long eyelashes, a high nose bridge and diamond-shaped lips - unlike Xiaoying, this guy has a face that can clearly determine the gender, but still can feel the charm of the devil.
──A short name for a demonic handsome man?
Perhaps if this face appeared in the town, it would attract a lot of women screaming and watching - but unfortunately, this is deep in the mountains and forests, and there are only men around.
"As expected, he's a handsome man." Xifeng took only one look and sat back to clean his gun. "You can't eat your face, so why have such a pretty face? If you only have a pretty face but can't lift it up, women will still dislike you."
"You damn monk, you damn monk," Longyun pulled Gu Yinyue's sleeve. "If Xiaoyan is a troublemaker, then what is he? A pretty boy?"
"Don't say that about others." Gu Yinyue shook his head. "Although it's true that Lord Su Mo's physique and appearance give people the illusion of being a gigolo, he is Youyu's Dark Emperor. How can he be considered a gigolo?"
"Little Black Face is more like that." Naraka laughed strangely with schadenfreude.
"It is very beautiful." Yagad nodded. "I wonder if Beichen will like this type of face. If she likes it, I can use transformation technology-"
"Wait a minute, with your figure and that face, even Brother Chun would be scared to death!" Longyun was so scared that his hair stood on end.
"Besides, Beichen likes people like us." Gu Yinyue rubbed the corner of his clothes shyly.
"Well, I like those with explosive bodies and abilities." Xifeng also took advantage of Beichen's absence to slander her.
"A gigolo is not bad, but a gigolo who doesn't even dare to show his face is definitely not okay." Glenshe tossed the mask back and forth like a frisbee.
In short, you can't do it.
——The four men looked at Su Mo with the same expression of pity at the same time and shook their heads silently.
"Glenshe Tuling! Give me back my mask!"
Su Mo was so angry that he started shouting in frustration.
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