23 Oaths
"Long time no see." I pulled Fei Yu up, finally understanding why he was clinging to my leg, wailing and crying. It was a code, to prove my identity. "Brother. Don't be late. Let's talk after the wedding."
"Fei'er." My second brother came over excitedly and took my hand. "Now that you're back, then..."
“Brother, things are different now. It would be better if you didn’t let me participate in the wedding.” I pulled my hand away, and my brother looked somewhat disappointed.
"Fei'er, you are Fei Yan's younger brother. The one who died?" the strangely shaped man said, stroking his chin.
"I won't run away, brother. Go quickly. Don't delay Fei Yu." I pushed Fei Yu away and pushed him into Han Yitian's arms.
"Brother, sleep with me tonight, remember that!" Fei Yu said with a grin as Han Yitian pulled her away in front of everyone.
I looked up at the bright moon, remembering a night just like this, under that beautiful moonlit sky, when I met you, fell in love, and experienced love. But after all these years, after so many hardships, I realized how foolish I had been. Childhood feelings are all a deception, because they are too fleeting. Now, I no longer ask you to treat me seriously, to even glance at me, to look through me at Fei Yu, or through me at the Fei Yu you desire. Because what I hoped for tonight has been fulfilled: Fei Yu has found his happiness, and I, too, can be carefree and unburdened, without any more worries.
"Fei'er, let's go. Don't be late." It was still that gentle voice, but I could no longer tell if that gentleness was just the beginning of another kind of deception from you.
"Okay. I didn't expect you to come? Are you sad that you're not the groom?" I joked, keeping a certain distance from him. He looked at me and withdrew his outstretched hand.
"I'm sorry, Fei'er. Am I too late?"
Without asking him the meaning of his words, we stood on the eaves, watching Fei Yu, adorned in her phoenix crown, and the beaming Han Yitian. Could this be considered a case of sincerity moving mountains? You are actually the smartest person; your persistence has brought you the most precious Fei Yu. From now on, you can be with him, Fei Yu and Han Yitian, for life, inseparable. On this joyous night, I unexpectedly thought of my master, sunk into the icy pool, his face filled with despair, devoid of any smile. On the night the Chu family perished, Chu Jing's two streams of tears lingered, his pity and calm anticipation for someone who would never appear, his forced smile masking only icy coldness in his eyes. Of all these people, only Fei Yu found happiness. And this happiness was hard-won. I hugged myself tightly. If happiness is so difficult to attain, perhaps we shouldn't have hoped for it in the first place; without hope, there is no disappointment. Isn't that right? I looked back at him; he had been watching me the whole time, his gaze greedy. I don't quite understand. Even after all these years apart, why are you so emotional? You left without looking back back then, so why are you back now? I didn't ask, because the answer, whether it is or not, is none of my business.
After the wedding, I had no choice but to give my darling Fei Yu an aphrodisiac. His persistent pestering was getting increasingly frightening; he insisted on sharing a bed with me. Seeing Han Yitian's helplessness, I waved my hand and said, "Consider this my wedding gift to them."
"Fei'er, now that you're back, you won't leave again, right?" Second Brother asked expectantly.
I smiled. "I never intended for you to find out. If it weren't for Fei Yu, you would have recognized me no matter what."
"Why? Isn't this your home?" The monster was there too. It seemed he was the brother's friend.
"It's not like that anymore," I said, trying to sound casual. "Brother, just pretend I'm dead. I can't go back to the past now." Because I'm wanted by the authorities, I don't want to implicate everyone. If people find out my family is still alive, they might use it to blackmail me.
"Why? Is Fei'er still complaining about Father?" The second brother was a little agitated, probably not expecting his younger brother to refuse his request, especially since his younger brother had always been very obedient.
“Brother, this isn’t who I really am. I have… many enemies now.” That was all I could say. “I’ll come back to visit when I have time. Brother, don’t force me to stay.” I looked into my second brother’s eyes; he didn’t understand. But he knew that six years had passed, and some things were irreversible.
"Are we leaving tonight?" My second brother looked at me, somewhat hesitant.
“Tell Feiyu to cherish his happiness.” I stood up, and my second brother suddenly slapped me, not with full force, but just to test me. I smiled and slapped him back. My second brother looked at me in surprise. “You? How have you been all these years?”
"Take care, brother. Some things are better left unsaid." I waved my hand and used my lightness skill.
"Why are you following me?" When we arrived at the tree outside the city, I turned my head and looked at the silent person.
"I'm afraid you'll disappear again." He remained silent throughout.
“You’re the one who disappeared.” I looked at him. “Don’t follow me anymore. We’re strangers now. Did you also want to test my martial arts skills?”
He shook his head. "A year ago, I learned of your passing. Back then, I returned to take you away. Now, knowing you're still alive, I still want to take you. But alas, you will no longer stay for me. Fei'er, I don't ask for your forgiveness, because I will wait—wait until you grow weary. Wait until you discover my true feelings. If I wait until then, I'll bid farewell to the Underworld Palace in the Valley of Farewell, and you'll be welcome to come anytime." He looked at me, his eyes filled with deep affection.
“You’ve got it wrong, Palace Master Han. I am a man. There is no way we can ever have any interaction,” I replied calmly.
“You’re the one who’s mistaken, Fei’er. The reason I can wipe out all the opposing forces in the Underworld Palace within five years is to welcome you back. So, I will wait for you. This was originally yours, don’t lose it again.” As he spoke, he tossed me a purple flute. I reached out and caught it, but when I looked up again, he had vanished.
I traveled in a daze, my mind filled with the meaning of his words. I recalled those beautiful times, how I had relied on him so much, yet he had deceived me, taken advantage of my trust; his true motive was not Yu. I remembered his last words, "Because of you," and the calculating look in his eyes, the sorrow in his voice. I was lost.
"Young Master Fei Wu?" A loud noise suddenly came from behind me. Then I touched my face and realized that I had unknowingly removed my mask.
That person spoke with a deep, heavy voice.
"I'm sorry!" I said, retaliating with a slap. I smiled and fell to the ground. If they're from the Demonic Cult, that's fine. I'm in a bad mood. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. It'll be good to go and meet your Demonic Cult's holy one.
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