46 Freedom
Crimson Tail, you owe no one anything; you are free.
After he finished speaking, the whole room fell silent for a moment.
Zhao Zhonggan was filled with shame and indignation, Jiangwei seemed to understand but not quite, and Du Zhijin was greatly shocked.
"So that's how it works. Does that mean I can also call myself a 'True Person'? What Taoist title should I choose...?"
The more she spoke, the redder Zhao Zhonggan's face became, almost dripping blood. Jiangwei was probably the most empathetic person present (even though he was a demon), and very considerately changed the subject: "Although the process was a bit tortuous, but, but thankfully, the illusion demon's scheme failed. We, uh, should celebrate, celebrate?"
He raised his hand with a slight tremor, causing the liquid in his glass to slosh around; anyone could see his unease.
Du Zhijin looked around and, seeing that no one else seemed inclined to pay attention, suddenly raised his glass and clinked it against his: "Xiao Hong is right, we should celebrate."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhonggan seemed to awaken from a dream, and his heroic spirit returned: "Good! Let's drink and sing! How short is life!"
Four people sat at a mahogany table, three wine glasses were raised high, but one corner was missing.
Du Zhijin winked at Ying Jianhua, who remained unmoved, and urged in a low voice, "Amo, we're one short for mahjong!"
Ying Jianhua: "...I don't want to drink." She especially doesn't want to drink with random people. Jiangwei is one thing, at least they've spent many days together. But who is this fake junior brother? Just how many couples does she have?!
Before he knew it, he had also learned this strange word and quickly put it into practice.
For example, the couple Du Zhijin and Zhao Zhonggan seem to be called "Money".
It reeks of money; no wonder it won't last long.
He thought to himself as a sudden sight: a half-full wine glass appeared before him. It was Du Zhijin who handed him the glass.
Noticing his gaze, she smiled ingratiatingly at him and extended her wine glass forward.
Did she sense his unease and try to alleviate it?
A complex mix of emotions welled up in his throat, and he swallowed, trying to swallow them down.
Seeing that Ying Jianhua had finally accepted the wine cup, Jiangwei's anxious heart finally settled down. He gave Du Zhijin a grateful smile, and the other nodded in return.
"Don't just stand there, drink up! I've long heard of the fame of Wanze City's Osmanthus Wine, and after tasting it today, I can confirm that it lives up to its reputation!" Zhao Zhonggan took a big gulp, exclaimed in amazement, and then called the waiter to bring another pot.
Jiangwei was probably drinking this kind of wine for the first time. At first, he only dared to sip it slowly, but after tasting its sweetness, he became much bolder and held the wine glass in his hand.
Looking at Du Zhijin... he didn't react much. He took a sip of wine, ate a peanut, and gazed at Wanze outside the window, slightly lost in thought.
Sensing that he was looking at her, she turned around, pointed to his wine glass, and spoke silently.
It tastes good.
Delicious?
He glanced down at the clear liquid in his glass and took a careful sip.
This smell is... He looked up in surprise and met her smiling eyes.
The glass contained water.
————
"Alas, Wanze City is beautiful, but it's a pity we can't stay long."
Amidst the clinking of glasses, Zhao Zhonggan, perhaps drunk, began to sigh deeply, clutching an empty wine jug. Normally, given Du Zhijin's emotional intelligence and Ying Jianhua's intellectual capacity, his words would have gone unanswered. But unfortunately, Jiangwei was also present, a fox demon dedicated to providing comedic relief.
Jiangwei: "Young Master Zhao, where did you come to say that?"
Zhao Zhonggan sighed heavily, his gaze falling on Du Zhijin with envy: "My family doesn't support my pursuit of immortality and has always tried to stop me. This time, they even threatened to kill me, saying that if I don't go back, they'll kill my grandfather. Senior Sister Mu, you must understand this feeling too, right? The indignation and injustice of not conforming to worldly ways, of being the only one sober in a world of drunks!"
Du Zhijin blinked and pointed to himself: "Me? Uh, I don't think so."
Zhao Zhonggan's envy deepened, and he slammed his hand on the table, indignantly exclaiming, "Look! Look! First come enlightened parents, then successful children. If parents don't..." "I've never seen my parents since I was born; I was abandoned."
She cracked open a large walnut, expertly picking out the kernel, giving half to Ying Jianhua and keeping the other half for herself. The walnuts from Wanze City came from the Western Regions; they were large and the kernels were sweet, which she liked very much.
"Huh? Why aren't you saying anything?" After a while, she realized what was going on, scratched her face and tried to make amends, "Actually, it's nothing serious. Xiao Hong has never met his parents either."
Jiangwei nodded in agreement.
She then looked at Ying Jianhua: "Amo has been living alone since he was seven years old."
Ying Jianhua didn't speak, but his calm and collected expression was exactly the same as the other two orphans present.
Zhao Zhonggan immediately felt extremely uncomfortable.
Heavens! What did he just say?! Complaining about his family's misfortune to a group of orphans?
Zhao Zhonggan felt an overwhelming wave of guilt engulf him. He reached out his arm, wanting to pat Du Zhijin in a gesture of physical comfort, but before his hand could land, he was forced back by Ying Jianhua's gaze.
...We can't film this one, let's try another.
So he changed his target to Yingjianhua. But as soon as he took a step, the hairs on the back of his head suddenly stood on end.
Du Zhijin: Stare—
...So this can't be filmed either!
Finally, Zhao Zhonggan could only express his apology to Jiangwei: "I'm sorry, Xiaohong, I didn't mean to bring up your sad story."
"It's alright..." Jiangwei waved his hands repeatedly, not understanding why Zhao Zhonggan only apologized to him, the only demon.
They did mention their benefactor and Young Master Amo.
"...So, you're going to Rurikyo next?"
After listening to Zhao Zhonggan's account, Du Zhijin looked up from his bowl and keenly caught the key words.
Ying Jianhua's hand holding the bamboo chopsticks trembled.
Rurikyo...
Zhao Zhonggan: "Yes. My family has a little bit of wealth in the capital. If you want to visit Liulijing, Senior Sister, you must let me be your host!"
Upon hearing this, Du Zhijin rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought for a moment. She tried to look at Ying Jianhua with questioning eyes, but he avoided her gaze.
"Then I'll trouble you. When do you plan to set off?" she asked.
Upon hearing that there was hope, Zhao Zhonggan's eyes lit up immediately: "The sooner the better! That's great! With Senior Sister here, I'll definitely show my stubborn father what 'divine beauty' truly means!"
He was speaking happily, envisioning how he would persuade his father to allow him to continue his quest for immortality when he got home, completely unaware that his only straight man had also fallen silent.
After a satisfying meal, the group returned to their rooms. Zhao Zhonggan, being wealthy and generous, not only covered the food and drink but also booked a top-tier room for each of them. This time, Jiangwei's room wasn't separated from theirs; it was located not far away.
Du Zhijin had followed Ying Jianhua, wanting to ask him some questions, but Ying Jianhua refused to let her in.
He winked behind her, indicating that someone was there. She turned around in confusion and was genuinely surprised to see that it was Jiang Wei.
"Xiao Hong? Is there something you need?"
Jiangwei nodded, still somewhat reserved when facing her alone, her voice gradually softening: "Benefactor...I...I may have to part ways with you here."
Du Zhijin was taken aback: "Why are you suddenly bringing this up? I thought you were going to think about it some more."
She had long anticipated Jiangwei's departure. Putting aside how strange it would be for a cultivator to travel with a demon, she herself was simply not used to being with people.
Over the years since she came down the mountain, she had gotten used to being alone, and the presence of others made her feel uncomfortable. As for why she didn't feel uncomfortable being with A-Mo... before she could think about it in detail, the thought slipped through her fingers like flowing water, and was replaced by Jiang Wei's next words.
"Actually, I've had this idea for a while, but I just haven't found a suitable place. After staying here for a few days, I found that Wanze City is very good. There are many caravans here, and people don't pay too much attention to an outsider like me. There's also Miss Huo Qing and Elder Jun here, so if I encounter any difficulties, I'll have a few acquaintances to rely on. Furthermore... Young Master A Mo said I could try learning to sing opera. Although I don't have much talent, I do have some interest in it. Plus, Wanze City has gathered many famous opera troupes... In short, I've decided to stay in Wanze City!" He practically shouted the last few words, and after finishing, he didn't dare to open his eyes to look at Du Zhijin's expression.
How could he be so selfish... He decided to leave before repaying his debt of gratitude... His benefactor must think he's shameless and repaying kindness with evil...
However, the scolding he had imagined did not come. He waited anxiously for a moment, only to find that Du Zhijin was smiling.
My benefactor... what are you laughing at?
He looked over in confusion and saw a pair of quiet eyes.
It is as peaceful as the surface of a lake after the wind has stopped.
“I’m glad you think this way,” Du Zhijin said. “It means you’ve finally started thinking about the future, and it means you’ve finally let go of the past.”
“Crimson Tail, this is the meaning of my saving you.”
What was the point of saving him?
He seemed to understand, yet also seemed not to. His heart skipped a beat, like being tugged by a sprouting willow branch; a strange feeling vanished in an instant. Before he could delve into the meaning of this warmth, she spoke again.
"Do you still feel indebted to me because you haven't repaid my kindness?"
Upon hearing this, he nodded vigorously, about to offer a heartfelt compliment, when something was suddenly stuffed into his palm.
Looking down, she saw the sword tassel that he had made and given to her long ago.
She took the sword tassel back and hung it on the end of Xingyue, then smiled at him and said, "Alright, it's all paid off now."
“Crimson Tail, you owe no one anything, you are free.”
free.
He is free.
Seeing him silently weeping, Du Zhijin panicked: "Hey, hey, hey? Why are you crying? I...I...I don't have a handkerchief on me! Wait a minute, I'll borrow one. Amo! Amo!"
This scene looks so familiar, it's awful!
Before Jiangwei could even utter the words, "Amo, open the door!" she had already wiped away her tears.
His face still bore traces of tears, but his eyes were brighter than ever before, as if a withered green tree had been rejuvenated.
He stepped back two paces and solemnly bowed to her. Du Zhijin vaguely remembered that this was a very solemn etiquette among the demon race.
She suddenly felt uncomfortable.
"My benefactor. This is our farewell, but we shall meet again."
She paused for a moment, then smiled.
"Until we meet again."
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