For a fleeting moment, Yun Zhi felt as if Yu Qingzhou had already recognized him.
Throughout the day, Yun Zhi did not go to see Yu Qingzhou.
Rather, he was deliberately avoiding the other party.
Even if Yun Yao praised the young Taoist priest to the skies, Yun Zhi couldn't develop the slightest interest in Yu Qingzhou—a destined passerby, a fool with unrealistic fantasies about demons.
Such a person will die by his own hand sooner or later, so why should he care?
As the saying goes, it's hard to persuade a damned ghost with kind words, let alone Yun Zhi, who never intended to stop anything.
What is destined to happen will happen.
Like a rolling wheel, it will eventually reach its destination with unstoppable momentum, irreversible and without regret.
Yun Zhi understood this a long time ago.
If there's anything to be resentful about, it's nothing serious. After all, what kind of wrong path the future will take is beyond Yun Zhi's control.
—Because of him, he probably doesn't have much time left to live.
Although he didn't know how it would happen, the outcome was certain: he would die. Even knowing this, Yun Zhi never thought of trying to change anything.
If I had to say something, I'd be a little curious about how I'll die.
Yun Zhi can't see it yet. If he has more time, perhaps... perhaps what?
Yun Zhi thought that even if she knew, it wouldn't change anything.
Just like many years ago, even though Yun Zhi knew that Yun Yao had tampered with the fortune sticks, he didn't expose her.
One of the twins is destined to enter the ancestral hall, whether it's the older sister or the younger brother... For the father, who is the clan chief, it's a difficult choice between the two.
Therefore, the man ultimately chose the oldest and seemingly fair way to make a decision: drawing lots.
The older sister didn't want to be the one sent to the ancestral hall, so she cheated during the lottery and ultimately succeeded in getting her wish.
Yun Zhi knew everything and saw everything, but he said nothing.
—Just watching coldly.
Seeing Yun Yao's anxiety, seeing her ecstatic joy at the moment the results were announced, and then her guilty look away when she met his gaze, he watched her.
Yun Yao must have felt uneasy, and even ashamed.
However, this unease and guilt were not enough for Yun Yao to tell the truth. Yun Yao could not bear the risks of starting over, nor could she bear the disappointed and condemning looks from her loved ones after the truth was exposed.
Therefore, she deceived everyone, including herself.
Sometimes, a person becomes trapped in the lies they themselves have woven, and over time, they even start to believe them.
So Yunyao began to believe that, in the very beginning, it was her father who insisted on sending her younger brother to the ancestral hall.
She believes that her persistent secret visits are not out of guilt or a desire to make amends, but rather a sister's most sincere concern for her brother.
He fooled himself into it.
In short, Yun Yao is a selfish, naive, and self-deceiving person.
...And what about Yunzhi?
Does that mean he, as the younger brother, is a victim?
No.
Yun Zhi remained silent simply because he didn't care.
Yun Zhi remained silent, letting Yun Yao indulge in her willfulness and petty tricks, watching things gradually spiral towards an irreversible tragedy.
He had no idea how the previous generation of ancestral hall caretakers had done their job.
However, failing to warn the tribe immediately upon seeing the signs of danger is definitely a dereliction of duty.
—But so what?
Yun Zhi had long been tired of all of this.
In the moment when he sensed that he was about to die, he felt a sense of relief, as if he was about to be liberated.
With this in mind, Yun Zhi made that request; he wanted to at least see the stage before the curtain fell and before going on stage.
As dusk approaches, at the juncture of day and night, demons lurk in the shadows.
The boy sat quietly on the hillside, the distant sky bathed in the blood-red glow of the setting sun, a gloomy and decadent color that seemed more captivating to him than the rising sun.
He was on the verge of death but not quite, on the verge of perishing but not quite—wasn't this the world he had always seen?
Amidst this beautiful twilight scene, a young man carrying a long sword appeared before Yun Zhi.
The young man slowly approached as dusk fell, his light-colored clothes also tinged with that ominous yet beautiful hue.
Yun Zhi narrowed his eyes slightly; he naturally knew who the other person was.
People here don't dress like that. Even though Yun Yao insisted on calling the other person "little Taoist priest," Yun Zhi still recognized that the outfit was not a Taoist robe.
"Would you mind if I sat here for a while?" the young man asked gently.
Yun Zhi shook his head, and Yu Qingzhou sat down a few steps away from him. The two maintained a distance that was neither too close nor too far, and at the same time looked up at the distant horizon.
After a moment of silence, Yu Qingzhou spoke again.
"Actually, I came here to say goodbye, but I haven't been able to see Miss Yun Yao yet."
Upon hearing this, Yun Zhi finally couldn't help but turn his head to glance at the person beside him.
Seemingly noticing Yun Zhi's gaze, Yu Qingzhou tilted her head slightly.
His eyes held a smile, his features were gentle, and his face, though not conventionally handsome, made Yun Zhi momentarily stunned. He really looked like that child...
By the way, after all, they are actually mutually causal.
Yun Zhi thought, but Yu Qingzhou is Yu Qingzhou, and that child is that child. He told himself this from beginning to end: they are different.
Nevertheless, Yun Zhi couldn't help but glance at that face a couple more times.
Because as Yunzhi herself, she would never have the chance to see that child—so all I wanted to do was look for the shadow of another person on this face, nothing more.
"How could that be, young Taoist priest? Why do you suddenly want to leave?" Yun Zhi felt that if it were Yun Yao, it would be strange if she didn't speak up at this moment.
He imitated Yun Yao's voice and tone, a brilliant disguise that even his father, the clan leader, couldn't see through.
As expected, Yu Qingzhou seemed completely oblivious, though a hint of worry flickered in her eyes.
"Actually, I originally came here to use the secret treasure to suppress the demons. However, your father's attitude is firm, and there seems to be no chance of turning back. If we don't go back soon, the situation may worsen, so I have come today to bid farewell to Miss Yun Yao."
Judging from his tone, Yu Qingzhou was unaware that Yun Yao was going to steal the secret treasure for him.
Yun Zhi observed Yu Qingzhou's expression; it didn't seem like she was playing hard to get. Of course, he hadn't forgotten that he was still Yun Yao at this moment.
She immediately bit her lower lip, feigning reluctance: "I truly do not know the location of that treasure, but... but does the young Taoist priest absolutely have to go back?"
"Um."
"Why?"
"Because there are still people waiting for me there."
Yun Zhi hadn't expected Yu Qingzhou to say that. He lowered his eyes and continued tentatively, "Who is the person you mentioned waiting for you, young Taoist priest?"
"My fellow disciples, my master, and the person I admire."
"...The person you admire?"
Yu Qingzhou's overly bluntness startled Yun Zhi for a moment.
He then forced a smile, revealing an incredulous and flustered expression. Looking at Yu Qingzhou, he mimicked Yun Yao's dejected and pathetic smile: "Little Taoist priest, do you know... do you know—"
"Yes, I know."
Yu Qingzhou nodded firmly and looked at Yun Zhi with sincere eyes: "I have always felt that Miss Yun Yao's love is misplaced, and that is why I feel that I should make things clear."
"..."
“I have someone I love, and I am not the upright gentleman that Miss Yun Yao thinks I am. Yu Qingzhou is just an ordinary mortal. My fight against demons and the protection of the righteous path is only so that I can be with the person I love forever. Miss Yun Yao deserves better. At the very least, she should be someone who can love and protect her wholeheartedly.”
Yu Qingzhou finished speaking slowly.
Yun Zhi thought of Yun Yao, who should still be anxiously searching for the secret treasure in the ancestral hall at this moment, and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
—Look, Yun Yao, is this the man you went to so much trouble to choose? He won't even lie to you.
"Young Taoist priest, aren't you afraid of incurring resentment by saying such things?"
It should be noted that the Yun family not only possesses secret treasures, but also a blood curse that can cause people to suffer excruciating pain and die.
Since Yu Qingzhou was able to find this place, he naturally wouldn't only know the former and not the latter.
"Of course I'm afraid."
Yu Qingzhou said she was scared, but she still showed a gentle smile.
"Actually, more than physical pain, I fear the shackles of my conscience. I consider myself upright and honest, but in reality, I owe many debts to those around me. Some favors are destined to be unpayable in this life, and I can only hope to repay them in the next..."
Upon hearing this, Yun Zhi found it even more ridiculous. He stood up, took two steps back, and looked down at the young man.
"Young Taoist priest, you make it sound so easy. Debts in this life will be repaid in the next. But how innocent can the next life be? Besides, there's no guarantee that you won't incur karmic debts or sow seeds of sin in the next life. And then what? Will you look forward to the next life after that?"
"..."
"No matter how high-sounding your words are, it's just an excuse to run away. If the young Taoist priest really had that kind of enlightenment, he should settle all his debts in a dignified manner before going to his death."
After Yun Zhi finished speaking coldly, he realized that he might have gone too far and should not have mentioned these things to Yu Qingzhou.
...Never mind, let's just assume it was something Yun Yao said unintentionally when she was emotionally confused.
The people in front of us are about to leave, aren't they?
Yun Zhi looked at Yu Qingzhou, whose eyes were lowered, seemingly lost in thought.
Yun Zhi didn't care what Yu Qingzhou thought. He looked at the sky and realized it was time to go back.
Just then, Yu Qingzhou suddenly said, "Thank you."
The young man also rose from the grassy slope, his figure, carrying a long sword, appearing even more upright.
A gentle breeze ruffled Yu Qingzhou's hair and the hem of his clothes. He gazed intently at the boy, his smile gentle, which seemed to soften even the night.
Yu Qingzhou took out a jade pendant and handed it to Yun Zhi: "Please accept this as a way of repaying me for what I just said. If you encounter any urgent situation, just break the jade pendant; it can be used to save you in an emergency."
Yun Zhi didn't need this kind of thing, but she accepted it anyway as Yun Yao.
Weighing the item in his hand, Yun Zhi suddenly became curious: was it for Yun Yao or for himself?
"Are you leaving now?" Yun Zhi asked.
"Yes, I originally planned to leave after meeting Miss Yun Yao."
"I see."
Yun Zhi nodded, suddenly unsure of what to say. If it were true, Yun Yao would probably be begging him to take her away right now, practically begging for her life.
But he wasn't.
Yun Zhi knew that this person couldn't be kept, nor was there any need to keep him. After a pause, he still waved his hand and said, "Then farewell, young Taoist priest. Have a safe journey and be careful in all things."
Yu Qingzhou smiled, as if accepting Yun Zhi's instructions.
Just as Yun Zhi was about to turn back, he suddenly heard Yu Qingzhou ask, "What is the name of Miss Yun Yao's twin brother?"
Upon hearing this, Yun Zhi's heart stirred slightly. It was clear that the young man spoke so casually, as if he didn't find anything abrupt about the question.
Perhaps it really was just a casual question. Yun Zhi thought.
"Its name is Yunzhi."
"I see. Yun Zhi is a special name."
Yu Qingzhou repeated Yun Zhi's name softly, then smiled at Yun Zhi and said, "Then we shall meet again if fate allows."
As Yun Zhi watched Yu Qingzhou walk away, the young man's tall figure was suddenly swallowed by the night, and for some reason, he had a strange feeling in his heart.
For a fleeting moment, Yun Zhi felt as if Yu Qingzhou had already recognized him.
The farewell he uttered was not for Yun Yao, but for himself.
—But how could that be?
Yun Zhi thought to himself, and after standing there for a moment, holding the jade pendant given to him by Yu Qingzhou, he was about to leave when he turned around and saw Yun Yao standing not far away.
Yun Zhi frowned, not expecting Yun Yao to have left the ancestral hall ahead of time, and wondering when she had arrived.
According to the rules, at least one of them should stay in the ancestral hall.
However, it's about time it came to an end.
The day was drawing to a close, and Yu Qingzhou had already left. As for Yun Yao... Yun Zhi knew from the beginning that she couldn't possibly find the so-called secret treasure in the ancestral hall.
Thinking this, Yun Zhi walked towards where Yun Yao was.
When he reached Yun Yao's side, he stopped and said softly, "Go back. Yu Qingzhou has already left. Your little Taoist priest already has someone he likes, and he won't agree to take you away."
"Someone you like...?"
Noticing Yun Yao's somewhat unusual expression, Yun Zhi sighed softly and softened his tone slightly.
“Ayao, I know you’re unhappy, but some things can’t be forced. Actually, Yu Qingzhou came here this time also because…”
—Pfft.
The sound of a sharp weapon piercing flesh interrupted Yun Zhi's words. He looked down in disbelief and saw a dagger stuck in his abdomen.
"Why?"
The only response Yun Zhi received was the sound of a dagger churning through flesh and blood.
Yun Zhi's already pale face instantly broke out in a cold sweat. His hands, which were supporting Yun Yao's shoulders, slowly slipped down, and he finally knelt down at the girl's feet, clutching his bleeding wound.
"Why?" Yun Yao also bent down and squatted in front of Yun Zhi, but she reached out and pulled the dagger out of the wound.
Yun Yao used a lot of force, and a large amount of blood gushed out, splattering on her equally pale face.
By the moonlight, Yun Zhi could even see the tears in Yun Yao's eyes, tears mixed with blood sliding down in spots.
Combined with the girl's pitiful smile that seemed to be both crying and not crying, there was a strange and distorted beauty to it.
"Ah Zhi, you actually asked me why?!"
"..."
“I saw everything.”
—What did you see?
Yun Zhi was puzzled, but his throat felt choked up and he couldn't utter a sound.
It hurts so much, and it's so cold. Something that I can't tell if it's blood or cold sweat is sticking to my hands, making them slippery and sticky.
So that's how it is. So that's how it ended.
Yun Zhi knew this day would come, but he never expected to die like this.
This is quite unexpected...
Yun Zhi did not struggle or cry for help; he was just a little confused.
The moonlight seemed to dim, and through his vision, which swayed with the faint, dying breaths, Yun Zhi saw Yun Yao's lips opening and closing.
A familiar yet unfamiliar voice drifted from afar, trembling slightly with barely suppressed emotion.
"I didn't want to either, Azhi... Sister didn't want to either."
"..."
"But why did you lie to me... If, if I hadn't seen that portrait with my own eyes... how long would you have kept it from me?"
"..."
"You always pretend to be uninterested... but you clearly like him just as much. You two have actually been secretly meeting behind my back, haven't you?! Otherwise, how would he know your name?"
"..."
"You already gave him that secret treasure, didn't you? So from beginning to end, I was the only one who was kept in the dark and completely fooled! Why? Do you know what it feels like to be deceived by all of you at the same time, to be betrayed by the most important person in your heart?! Tell me, do you know?!"
—Oh, I see. So it was that painting.
However, my dear sister, if you look closely, you will find that the person in the painting is different from your little Taoist priest in terms of age, expression and clothing, not to mention that the boy in the painting has a clear scar on his forehead.
Yun Zhi really wanted to tell Yun Yao this, and then see how bewildered and surprised she would be.
—It's a pity I'll never have the chance in this lifetime.
Yun Zhi looked at Yun Yao kneeling beside him, crying and laughing hysterically, and for some reason found it somewhat amusing, so he actually laughed.
Something slipped from his hand and fell onto the grass with a soft thud.
—Oh, I remember now, it was the jade pendant that Yu Qingzhou gave him.
So, who exactly was this jade pendant meant for?
However, Yun Zhi is no longer needed in any way.
In his narrowed field of vision, Yun Zhi saw Yun Yao pick up the fallen jade pendant and hug it tightly to her chest, ignoring the bloodstains and dirt still on it.
Strange, I had clearly planned to give it to Yun Yao when I got back.
But when he saw the jade pendant being taken away, a sense of reluctance rose in his heart. In his final moments, he couldn't tell whether he was reluctant to part with the jade pendant or reluctant to die.
He just reached out his hand instinctively, not knowing what he wanted to grab.
"...Do you like the character 'Lan'?"
"I see. Yun Zhi is a special name."
The voices of children and young people rang out, so different, yet so similar... He never confused them, but now he really couldn't tell them apart.
When the moon reached its highest point, the boy named Yunzhi closed his eyes forever.
A night breeze swept by, shaking off the scattered drops of blood clinging to the grass. By sheer coincidence, one drop landed right under the boy's eye, congealing into a red teardrop.
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