Chapter 66 The Legend of You and Me
Fragments of light danced in the turbulent current, and pale corpses sank into the sea.
The skies above Huilong City were no longer a battlefield, for all those who held onto the will to fight had died. This was a battle that literally shook the world, annihilating the catastrophes of the sky and the demons of the sea.
The defeat of the Ambitious Demon marked the initial turning point. The Contractor's death weakened this strongest enemy. Before his death, Hong Nie triggered the collapse of the void, shattering the once-sealed spacetime. This was the most perilous moment, as the angels from the Spiral Tower were poised to descend. However, Hui Long personally filled the gap, at the cost of serious injury, preventing the leak.
No one intervened in the fatal duel, the battlefield belonging to the two who remained standing. Skeletons and warriors crossed paths high in the sky, blades clashing as mission and hatred clashed for the final time.
The gray sword stopped at Ji Qiufeng's shoulder, and the halberd chopped off the knight's head.
The priest lowered his sword-holding hand and stared at the final winner for a long time from his broken vision.
"You have changed, General Wushuang."
"Humans are different from outsiders. They change and grow." Ji Qiufeng retracted his halberd. "They won't stay in one place for long."
The solemn bell tolled once more, and a rift in time and space appeared amidst the tolling of a death knell. The Holy Sword of Apocalypse sank into the rift, returning to the hands of the gods beyond ancient time. Ji Qiufeng no longer had the strength to resist, yet he was not afraid of a sword he had once defeated. So he discarded his armor and weapons, facing his dying foe with a final show of respect.
"Remember, all things are mortal." The skeleton's words were both preaching and admonishing. "Time has engraved your names, and the Holy Sword of Apocalypse will eventually return."
"That's a good sword, but your swordsmanship isn't as good as it." Ji Qiufeng turned around and said, "Let's find a better swordsman next time."
"Ji Qiufeng, shut up! What will you do if someone stronger comes?!" Youyou shouted in the sea.
Ji Qiufeng shrank his head and said hesitantly, "There will naturally be ways to deal with that time..."
Huilong fluttered up and said, "Don't be so cynical if you're not sure!"
"Okay, okay, I'll listen to you."
Before he could act cool for long, he turned back into his dog-headed military advisor appearance, stood on the dragon's back with a wry smile, and flew towards their city.
The Dragon God brought a fresh breeze when he set off, and the Skeleton Knights were scattered in the wind, turning into gray dust.
·
Chu Hengkong had a painful and long dream.
In his dream, he turned into a green squid, falling from a height of ten thousand feet, and shattered into eighteen tentacles. As soon as he landed, the ground became an oven, roasting him until he was crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside, making Ji Huaisu's mouth water with envy. But suddenly, the tentacles turned black. Jie An exclaimed, "Oh no! The fire is too strong, it's going to burn!" Ji Huaisu burst into tears, hugging him and saying, "Akong, if you burn it, what will we eat? You don't want it to burn!"
Everyone howled in agony, even the sky turned gray with weeping. But suddenly, the gloomy sky was shattered by golden light, and a dragon god as white as jade soared from the heavens. A peerless warrior stood at the dragon's head, clad in heavy armor and wielding a halberd. His aura of might and valor was unparalleled. He crushed rainbow-colored demons, slew snake-bodied monsters, and even slashed death with his halberd.
"The war is over," said General Wushuang, "We have won!"
“—We won!”
Chu Hengkong suddenly sat up from the bed, then curled up stiffly. Every muscle in his body was throbbing with pain, the pain so intense that he couldn't move. He could only wail dryly, "Ah... did I win...?..."
"If you don't win, you'll become a squid or air." A bony hand handed over a blue tomato, "Eat some fruit to wake yourself up."
Chu Hengkong swallowed a whole tomato in two mouthfuls, nearly choking on his unruly throat. It was juicy yet sour and astringent, and truly refreshing. He slowly looked up. Ji Qiufeng was sitting beside the bed, flipping through a large book with silver eyes.
"I flipped through it when I was bored. You've memorized a lot of things." Ji Qiufeng handed the book to him. "It took us a long time to find it. Be careful not to lose it."
The book naturally fell when he jumped off the sky island. After all, without his coat, there was no place to put the book. Chu Hengkong took the large book and saw his sword, light armor, and pendant gloves. He felt relieved and tried to move his tentacles: "How long have I been lying there?"
"You have been unconscious for ten years." Ji Qiufeng looked sad.
"What a bad joke."
"This has happened before. The injury was so severe that we had to freeze it for ten or eight years until conditions allowed for treatment." Ji Qiufeng waved his fan. "But you're doing okay this time. You were only unconscious for a week. Fortunately, Youyou managed to put you back together in time."
Chu Hengkong had a blank expression on his face: "You said 'fight'... What was my state at that time..."
"It's almost done, but not broken evenly." Youyou poked his head out of Ji Qiufeng's pocket.
Chu Hengkong pressed his temple: "You must give me a raise this time."
"Okay, okay, full-time vacation benefits and perks are all available!" Ji Qiufeng said with a smile.
He felt a sharp pain all over his body, especially his back, which felt like it had been broken into pieces. Chu Hengkong realized how badly he had been injured. He ate another tomato, feeling a strange sense of emptiness in his heart.
"Is it really... over?"
"It's over. We've all done our part on our respective battlefields." Ji Qiufeng said, "The workshop owner is dead, don't worry."
Chu Hengkong was silent for a moment, thinking of the blond man's last crazy smile.
"I don't quite understand his motives...what would it matter if he really won?"
"First of all, of course, Youyou and I will die," Ji Qiufeng said casually. "Secondly... have you heard of the changes in mythology?"
"The victors in a war will suppress the beliefs of the vanquished. They will rewrite the myths, demoting the defeated gods to demons or subordinate gods so that their own main gods can take over the power of their opponents. This is common in the 'cultural victory' after a war, and is sometimes accompanied by the process of national integration." Chu Hengkong answered without hesitation. He had been exposed to these concepts in detail in his family's cultural classes before.
"You actually knew that!" Ji Qiufeng exclaimed, "Then you already understand."
Chu Hengkong was stunned for a moment: "Can Kanin let the devil replace Youyou?"
"The temple's capture holds significant symbolic significance. The ambitious demons might then replace me as the new 'totem' of Huilong City," Youyou said with disdain. "But that's just a possibility! The greater possibility is that they'll gain nothing and their efforts will be in vain. Using such a small probability to gamble on a life-and-death battle proves that demons and contractors are both psychopaths!"
The more Chu Hengkong thought about it, the more he felt a lingering fear. He leaned against the headboard and said helplessly, "You gave us this kind of task, and you still have the nerve to call us a demon..."
"Devils are gambling, I'm not. I believe you can do it." Ji Qiufeng smiled, "Take your spoils and take good care of your injuries."
He placed a piece of cyan crystal on the bedside table and left with the snake. The crystal was warm to the touch, the bottom layer smooth as a mirror, but the top layer was full of sharp protrusions, like a ball of solidified fire.
Chu Hengkong's hands were still weak, so he used his tentacles to place it on the book.
【The Remnant of Ambition】
【Rating: 2 (5)】
[Origin: Senluo Secret Realm - Huilong City]
[Effect: 1. Heart Fire
Draws forth the power of the remaining fire, wrapping it around the limbs. Allows the use of the Fire of Ambition for a short period.
2. Green-burned
Use no more than once per day. Unleash the power of the remaining fire, creating a pillar of flame that reaches the sky.
3. Immortality
With desire as fuel, it burns brightly.
The level of this relic increases with the holder's Sephiroth, and each time the level is increased, new power will be awakened.
[Curse:
1. This relic is a product of the Void heresy and cannot be used by pure humans.
2. This relic is contaminated by outsiders, increasing its offensiveness while in possession. When the relic reaches level 3, it will be possessed by the ambitious demon Besom. When it reaches level 4, the possessor will automatically become Besom's contractor. When it reaches level 5, the holder will merge with Besom, becoming a new "aspect" of the ambitious demon.
Since the ambition demon Bethan has been killed, Curse Binding 2 becomes ineffective before the new "ambition" is upgraded to Sephiroth 5.
[Missing: The boy is pursuing an illusory dream.
The virtual image responds with real power.
People and demons of the same nature will always be attracted to each other and sign a contract.
Together we will become a bubble at the end of the road, or the king of the deep sea.
Chu Hengkong was so happy that he smiled and for a moment he even forgot the pain.
A level 2 relic that can be grown, and a usable outlandish item! With this, he can also use fire!
Few rewards make him feel so worthwhile, and this is one of them. Curse 2 has been resolved, so there's no need to worry for now. As for Curse 1...
He tried to rub the remaining fire on the tentacles, and they instantly ignited with a green flame. Chu Hengkong thought about it, and the flames went out. He excitedly raised his left arm: "I have a flaming tentacle!"
"Wow, that's awesome~" the girl at the door applauded.
Chu Hengkong's expression froze on his face. He turned his head inch by inch and looked towards the door in despair.
A wheelchair was stuck in front of the door, and a blonde girl was leaning on the handle, grinning slyly.
"Please come in, Flame Toucher~?" Ji Huaisu smiled.
·
Creak, creak, creak. The wheelchair rolled across the gravel road. Ji Huaisu whistled happily. Chu Hengkong sat upright with a sullen face, his eyes filled with murderous intent, telling everyone, "What are you looking at? Get out of here! If you keep looking, you won't get your performance bonus next month."
But the detective's murderous glare had no effect today. All the familiar team members were laughing. Jie An was sweeping with a broom. Seeing this, he came over and shouted, "Yo! Yo yo yo! Yo!"
Chu Heng laughed indifferently: "You're out of fucking words, right?"
"Words are not enough to express how I feel right now." Jie An waved the broom. "I was just thinking about making you some soup when you woke up. If nothing else, you're a very tough person."
"In our line of work, you have to be tough to make it." Ji Huaisu rubbed his partner's head. "He's going out for a walk. Leave me a bowl of soup."
She pushed Chu Hengkong away briskly, passing familiar broken stones, piles of rubble, and abandoned buildings. The former headquarters building had been completely destroyed in the battle, with only a tenth of the facilities remaining usable. Therefore, the resurrection troops, from top to bottom, were actively cleaning up and rebuilding. If they didn't get their hands dirty, there would be no place to sleep...
Fortunately, they weren't the only ones busy this time. The strong laborers from the swamp were a vital force in post-disaster reconstruction. The young men were thrilled to be contributing to the Dragon God. Salvagers also joined the reconstruction effort, using steampunk-style equipment to rebuild the building like stacking blocks. Chu Hengkong estimated that within two weeks, the new headquarters building would be nearly ready for use, and within another month or two, a new complex would rise, completely replacing the old one.
"Actually, if Lord Youyou takes action, building a building is a very simple matter." Ji Huaisu said, "But..."
"We have to create job opportunities for the citizens," Chu Hengkong commented, "and rebuilding their homes with our own hands will help inspire people."
Ji Huaisu blinked: "Yeah. Ah, yes, that's it."
"What did you mean to say just now?"
Ji Huaisu leaned close to his ear and said, "I meant to say that she is a bit lazy."
Chu Hengkong couldn't help but laugh. They made their way around the headquarters to the surrounding Healing Temple. Most of the residential buildings had been spared, but many people were waiting outside around the Healing Temple. Ji Huaisu told him that there was a rumor that the water curtain would be opening today, and everyone wanted to see the sky after twenty years.
"How about going up to the sky and wait for it to clear up?" she suggested excitedly, her tone as if she was talking about waiting to climb the mountain to watch the sunrise.
Chu Hengkong couldn't find a reason to object, and he was too proud to be seen strolling around in a wheelchair in front of his neighbors. So they made a detour back to the ruins of the headquarters and took the elevator in the ancient tree all the way to Sky Island.
The workshop area was in even worse shape than the atrium. The gusts of wind from the demonic surge had shattered most buildings. Ansar Workshop was in dire need of reconstruction, and the former Black Workshop was also in trouble. Only one in ten crow nests remained, with broken iron scattered everywhere, and the remains of large machinery spewing steam. Chu Hengkong scaled several sky islands in succession, feeling as if he had stumbled upon some steampunk-themed ruins.
"The technical team is working hard to excavate the site, and many craftsmen are eager to take advantage of the opportunity to get a piece of the action," Ji Huaisu told him. "There are many interesting items among the heritage of the black workshop... Of course, they're all low-quality gadgets, but they're very practical. I think the team members will like them."
"Are we going to wear black windbreakers from now on?"
"Well..." Ji Huaisu rolled his eyes.
She turned and left stealthily, returning a short while later with a large cloth bag. Inside the bag was a long green windbreaker, which, though longer, still resembled Chu Hengkong's old one. The double-snake caduceus markings on the back were exactly the same as before.
"Since you really like it, I made you a new one." She shook the clothes. "I couldn't make the original one exactly, so I just changed the style... See how it goes?"
Chu Hengkong took the windbreaker. The craftsman had put a lot of effort into making it, and the feeling was exactly the same as before. He touched the double snake staff on the back of the windbreaker and suddenly smiled.
"I'm glad." He smiled. "Thank you very much."
Ji Huaisu opened his eyes wide and said, "A piece of clothing makes you so happy. Aren't you too easily satisfied?"
Chu Hengkong put on his windbreaker and said with a smile: "It is easy to satisfy yourself, and then you can live happily."
They then attempted to locate the former "headquarters" of the Black Workshop, but found nothing. After the natural disaster, all buildings looked the same. Finally, Chu Hengkong found a spot that caught his eye, perched on a tooth-like protrusion of rock. He struggled out of his wheelchair, found a large, blue stone, and hand-polished it into a crude stone tablet.
He thought for a moment and carved a lively flying bird on the tombstone. Chu Hengkong inserted the tombstone on the top of the rock, facing the sky, making a small tomb.
"You still have this habit." Ji Huaisu bent down and straightened the tombstone.
"I made one for Du Muyan before," Chu Hengkong said. "Someone once told me that this habit is hypocritical and double-standard. Because you don't really understand your enemies, those you kill don't deserve to be buried. But I still do it when the urge strikes..."
"You want to remember past battles, right?" Ji Huaisu said casually, "Remember those enemies worth remembering."
Chu Hengkong was interrupted and said helplessly: "You understand me."
"You understand nonsense very well." Ji Huaisu made a face, "Besides, I'm your partner!"
Seeing that Chu Hengkong was able to move, she took his arm and walked down the hill. After walking for a while, Chu Hengkong thought that this action could easily be misunderstood, and then he realized that he had gotten used to it.
Almost four months had passed since he arrived in Huilong City. He still knew nothing about time travel and had no desire to return to Earth. There was so much to do in the new world: catching thieves, practicing martial arts, making money, and saving the city.
During these incredibly fulfilling days, he got used to this chaotic city, and also to the noisy blonde beside him. He got used to eating cheap meals together in the cafeteria every morning, got used to occasionally covering for her on the night shift, got used to touching her fair skin during martial arts training, and got used to the slight tickle of her blonde hair brushing against his ear.
The saying that practice makes perfect is true. We became partners after hanging out together for a while.
They walked all the way back to the top of the giant tree and sat at the highest point in Huilong City, waiting for the sunlight that would arrive at an unknown time. The water curtain in the sky was flowing slowly, not as turbulent as before. The color of the water had also faded, like a hazy cloud covering the city.
Chu Hengkong gazed down from his perch, and suddenly felt that this massive city had become quite small. He could name every path in the courtyard and describe the resources in every area of the swamp. He had been to every place before, and when a city is as familiar as the palm of your hand, it no longer feels so vast and unfamiliar.
Ji Huaisu turned his head and looked at him quietly.
"Four months ago, I saw you here and thought this demon-possessed person would be a tough nut to crack. I assumed you were a spy sent by the Black Workshop, or perhaps a demon in human skin." She blinked, "Until I saw you scrambling in the sky, I realized I was overthinking. I thought I was guiding a promising newcomer, but I didn't expect him to be so capable...so capable that he single-handedly saved my city."
"It's my job." Chu Hengkong shrugged. "I'll do my best to do the job I've taken on."
"Tsk, you're pretending again." Ji Huaisu curled his lips.
Chu Hengkong was a little embarrassed: "What do you mean by pretending? What are you pretending?"
"Do you know how you sometimes really like to put on an arrogant expression, as if you want to write 'I am a cold-blooded killer' on your face?" Ji Huaisu said seriously, "But every time you do something reckless and impulsive, like risking your job to save a little girl, or fighting a swordsman in a blazing fire... How does this have anything to do with being cold-blooded? You're just a hot-blooded young man pretending to be cool!"
Ji Huaisu kept poking his face, leaving Chu Hengkong speechless. He wanted to retort but couldn't find any reason. He tried to swat Ji Huaisu's claws away, but his right hand, which had just finished carving the stone tablet, was still weak. His limp strokes were so light that they seemed like a flirtation.
Ji Huaisu burst out laughing on the spot. Chu Heng grabbed her wrist with his tentacles and said, "Miss Ji, you can make fun of me, but you can't question my professional quality!"
"Then why did you come to rescue me?"
Ji Huaisu remained motionless, staring back at him silently. She was always serious when she spoke about serious matters, but this time her gaze was so intense that Chu Hengkong didn't know how to respond. Her wrist trembled slightly, and her amethyst eyes shone with a glint.
Chu Hengkong thought to himself that this girl was too sentimental. That's how life is in the underworld. If you owe someone something, you have to pay it back quickly. Once they're dead, it's impossible to repay them. He owed them a life, so he had to save it. They both owed each other nothing, and were even.
But the words were on the tip of her tongue, and Ji Huaisu's eyes were filled with worry and guilt. She was truly terrified, afraid that Chu Hengkong would die like that. He subconsciously felt that it was not good to break the rules of the martial arts world, so he quickly thought of a way to pat the girl on the shoulder.
"Because we are partners." Chu Hengkong said, "Partners should live and die together, right? As long as I am alive, you should live. So I won't let you die alone... As long as I am still alive, I will definitely save you!"
He felt that his words were very accurate, not too much of a chivalrous tone but full of love and righteousness. Ji Huaisu stared at him blankly, looking at his slightly red face.
She suddenly opened her arms and hugged Chu Hengkong tightly.
"Then I will come to save you too!" she cried, "anytime, anywhere!"
Chu Hengkong felt helpless. He was being hugged tightly and didn't know where to put his hands. "You won't even admit defeat..."
"We're partners after all." The girl giggled. "We'll be good partners for life!"
"How the hell did it take forever?!"
"You said it first."
"When did I say that? Why are you blushing? Miss Cao Ji, why are you blushing!?"
Chu Hengkong lost his balance and was thrown to the ground. They rolled around screaming and wailing, their bodies covered in weeds. Then, a golden light descended from the sky, illuminating the two childlike adults. They watched as the silent curtain of water slowly dissipated, carrying relics of countless years to the sides. Brilliant sunlight, like a long staircase, fell upon the ancient tree in the heart of the city.
The two of them supported each other as they stood up, gazing at the clear blue sky beyond the curtain of water, and the boundless sea beneath the sun. Countless phantoms drifted in the sea, while a hollow, like a chasm, hung in the distance, with the cherry-colored coastline standing on the other side of the void.
An unknown bird flew across the sky, dropping gray feathers, and flew away with the young people's gaze, flying towards the unknown world beyond the water curtain that was extremely magnificent yet extremely dangerous.
After twenty years of isolation from the world, Huilong City sees the light of day again.
·
Atrium headquarters, control room.
The water curtain enveloping the room reappeared, and the waters outside the city were clear. Divine power had driven back the demons, and no reefs or filth were visible. Leisurely sat on a delicate blue porcelain plate, sipping wine from a small cup with ease.
"I'm still a little dizzy," she said. "Three outsiders, a twenty-year siege, and it was broken just like that... It feels like a dream. The two of us killed three high-level outsiders, that would be a legend in the entire Shendong world."
Ji Qiufeng poured himself a glass. "Fortunately, the little guys are under much greater pressure. He's the contractor of the titled devil. If he's given enough time, taking over a dust island won't be a problem."
"I'm afraid no one will believe it if I tell them." Youyou stuck out his tongue.
"Aren't all legendary stories like this?" Ji Qiufeng said leisurely. "Everyone says it's too far-fetched, hopeless, destined to die and lose. But once you risk your life to try, you'll find that even in the darkest places, there's always a way out. Grit your teeth and persevere, and when you come to your senses, you've become a legend. Even if you die midway, it's the end of your legend."
They looked at each other and laughed, recalling the past when the city was built. Just then, the water curtain of Huilong opened, and sunlight shone into the swirling city and also into this small house.
The water curtain surrounding the room had fallen halfway, forming a square, colorless screen. Specks of light appeared on the screen, forming a vast seascape with Huilong City at its center.
The water curtain opened, and it welcomed more than just sunlight. A few larger stars shone brightly on the sea chart, and Youyou felt a little nervous.
"Connect," she said.
The light became clearer, and with the help of the changes in the water flow, it formed an inorganic human voice: "This is the C.E.W Research Institute in the Dustless Land, and this is the seventh regular contact of the year initiated by the Magic Dynamics scholars to the Senluo Secret Realm - Huilong City. We wish your city peace and safety from the evil hands of the outsiders..."
"Huilong City received this." Ji Qiufeng said, "We also wish all the scholars at the institute good health."
A moment later, a flurry of busy tones echoed. The light representing the research institute shrank, then vibrated violently. A distinctly mature voice interrupted, "Original Spirit, bless you! Are you still alive?!"
The dots of light on the chart lit up one after another, each representing a power within the Dust Island. Numerous voices echoed from beyond the water curtain, blending into a cacophony of greetings:
"Well, here, the Divine Tree Council pays tribute to the descendants of our distant friends... Got it? Huh?"
"A call from the land of pleasure!"
"Xura Island Qianri City wishes for a prosperous military fortune..."
"Longxiang is well, I hope the wanderers will return."
The silent stars on the sea chart began to radiate light, and those silent islands merged into a single entity, nearly illuminating the entire room. Ji Qiufeng faced the water curtain and declared loudly.
"It is June 3rd, 3000 in the Candlelight Calendar. I am Ji Qiufeng, the Lord of Huilong City. I would like to inform all our allies that starting today, the lockdown of Dragon City has been lifted and trade has resumed."
"We're still alive!"
(Volume 1, End)
(I took a four-day break to sort out the outline and play Black Monkey. I will resume updating this Saturday night!
I can finally take a break, I’m so happy, hahahahaha)
(End of this chapter)
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