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Chapter 120




“You…. Won’t you regret doing this?”
“Do I even have the time to regret?”
“…..” Qu Zhiwen frowned, but he couldn’t say anything to refute it.
“Regret is something that can only come in the future, and I have no future. Even if I will regret it, there’s no way for me to know.” As soon as Su Jingmo finished speaking, he squatted down and gazed at Qin Cheng.
Su Jingmo remained silent for a long time.
“I could never fully understand what you’re thinking.” Qu Zhiwen looked around, at the completely collapsed mountain at his feet, and said: “It was clear to me that you were preparing to…..”
“Preparing to sacrifice Qin Cheng’s life?” Su Jingmo finished Qu Zhiwen’s words for him, and added: “I did think about it once.”
“Then….”
“Do you know what Qin Cheng replied when I asked him: ‘Are you willing’?” Su Jingmo waved his sleeve and stood up with his eyes glued to the horizon, where a faint line of sunlight separated the sky from the earth. “Qin Cheng said that he would do it. After that, I asked him again: ‘Do you regret it?’ And you know what he replied? He said that he didn’t regret it.”
“….He loves you from the bottom of his heart.”
Hearing these words, Su Jingmo smiled slightly: “I’m afraid that it’s not only from the bottom of his heart, but that Qin Cheng has carved me into his soul. Our time in this world really felt like seconds. I used to think that my obsession with the disappearance of the Xu Dynasty was already quite deep, but I had no idea that there would be a person in this world whose obsession with me, Su Jingmo, was even deeper.”
“I have been in that tomb for thousands of years, and this man has been looking for it, lifetime after lifetime, for thousands of years…. If they say that I’m going against the Heavens for wanting to preserve the Xu Dynasty, which they say should never have existed in the first place, why isn’t it going against Heavens for him to work so hard to find me?”
“Although we met only once 1600 years ago, he still engraved the sentence: ‘I wonder, what is this honorable man’s name? I’ll definitely go to your house to thank you properly’ in his soul. Because of that sentence, he has kept me in his thoughts for thousands of years.” After saying that, some blurry images from the past appeared in Su Jingmo’s mind. As he shaked his head, Su Jingmo lightly laughed: “I don’t know whether to say he’s a fool or plain stupid.”
“You two met before?” Surprised, Qu Zhiwen raised his head to look at the blurred silhouette of Su Jingmo.
“We have.”
“Then…. Does Qin Cheng know?”
‘ I didn’t even bother to check on Qin Cheng’s previous life because I didn’t think there would be anything useful there. But after hearing what Su Jingmo had said…. It’s hard to believe than Qin Cheng…. Lifetime after lifetime…. ’
“He may know, or maybe he doesn’t.” Su Jingmo didn’t lie when he said this. After all, the last time Qin Cheng mentioned this single conversation between them after so many years in the past, Su Jingmo knew that Qin Cheng should be the reincarnation of the man he met by the river. However, it seemed that Qin Cheng only knew about that conversation, since he didn’t seem to know that he had been the blood sacrifice that was used in the great tomb in order to complete the formation.
For Qu Zhiwen, the feelings Qin Cheng had for Su Jingmo were quite impressive, but also terribly blind. ‘ No matter how deep Qin Cheng’s love is for Su Jingmo, I don’t feel that Su Jingmo would give up 1600 years of perseverance for him. This relationship has always been doomed to be invested in, but never rewarded. ’
Qu Zhiwen wasn’t sure where such a feeling came from. A feeling that seemed to be etched into his blood and bones, from deep within his soul, as if they were shouting a fact. Whatever it was, Qu Zhiwen felt that Su Jingmo would never be influenced by anyone. Rather, he would use all possible means to achieve his goal.
“However, even if that’s the case, I never imagined that you, of all people, would give up this tomb….”
“I, on the other hand, assumed that you would give up the Taowu bone to save Jiang Ping.” Su Jingmo retorted.
“I’m not like you! I’m not as obsessed as you are…..”
“Not obsessed as I am? Hahahahaha!” Qu Zhiwen’s words struck Su Jingmo as being hilarious, causing him to laugh. Even Su Jingmo’s curved peach blossom eyes were filled with mockery: “This is the funniest thing I have ever heard.”
‘ How did Lin Zuo manage to get Su Jingyan’s body as his shell? ’ Although Lin Zuo didn’t say it, it doesn’t mean Su Jingmo couldn’t guess. ‘ After all, how powerful can Monk Xuyun really be, when he was a mortal? How can he be alright after fighting a Heavenly Immortal? Of course, Xuyun knew that his days were numbered, so Xuyun made sure to destroy Lin Zuo’s Immortal body before he died, only leaving his soul behind. ’
Furthermore, Qin Cheng told Su Jingmo that when Ning Qing died on the battlefield, not even his bones were left, and his soul was utterly destroyed. ‘ How would Su Jingyan be able to recover the last trace of Ning Qing’s soul? How could that be an easy task? Of course, without Xuyun in this world, Su Jingyan could only turn to Lin Zuo. ’
‘ Heavenly Immortals cannot take over another’s body at will….. Were it not for Su Jingyan’s consent…. ’
Qu Zhiwen didn’t know what Su Jingmo was thinking, but Qu Zhiwen just knew that Su Jingmo was laughing at him for not knowing that he was so obsessed with Jiang Ping, and saying that he wasn’t. Feeling a little embarrassed, Qu Zhiwen said: “Of course I’m different from you. I can’t imagine being the kind of person who would lock his soul in a place like this for thousands of years. A person who isn’t afraid of letting his soul scatter into nothingness. It’s impossible for someone like that to have a heart.”
Su Jingyan once said something similar to Su Jingmo, and after hearing it again, Su Jingmo slightly raised his eyebrows. “It feels really nostalgic hearing this from you.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Su Jingmo tilted his head to look at Qu Zhiwen with a frown, as if he was trying to see Qu Zhiwen’s soul through his skin.
After a long time, Su Jingmo removed his scrutinizing gaze, and said faintly: “After fighting for a lifetime, I found that neither of us is the ultimate winner…. In the end, we both lost.”
“What?”
“It’s alright, take your time to think about it. At least, you still have a life to enjoy.”
To Qu Zhiwen, Su Jingmo’s words made no sense. Since Qu Zhiwen was trying to understand what Su Jingmo meant, he had no choice but to remain silent, so he didn’t reply.
In the distance, the halo in the sky gradually grew stronger, making it possible to see the surrounding terrain more clearly. Although this sight may not be anything extraordinary to others, to Su Jingmo, it was something special….
‘ This landscape, this vast world that seems to stretch on forever, I haven’t seen it for 1600 years…. ’
In that instant, Su Jingmo thought of the red maple tree that Qin Cheng had told him about. While slightly clenching his fist, Su Jingmo said: “Qu Zhiwen, do you remember when you left the tomb with Ning Qing in your arms and I asked if you wanted to make a deal with me?”
“His name is Jiang Ping, not Ning Qing!”
Qu Zhiwen was able to save Jiang Ping because Su Jingmo gave him a hand. However, when the tomb finished collapsing, Qu Zhiwen had to throw away the Nirvana bracelet to keep Tang Jiaming out of his way…. Although Qu Zhiwen wasn’t sure whether Tang Jiaming was still alive…. He did see a large rock falling towards where Tang Jiaming was….
“It doesn’t matter which one it is,” Su Jingmo whispered. “If you agree, I will help you merge Jiang Ping’s soul, as well as help you erase Ning Qing’s past memories.”
“…. Can you even do it now?”
“Of course I can.”
“Then tell me, what is it exactly that you want me to do?” Qu Zhiwen didn’t question Su Jingmo’s words, and simply asked the task he should do.
“I once melted one or two Taowu bones into Qin Cheng’s body. At first, I thought that once he died, the Taowu bones would return with him to the tomb, protecting it for thousands of years to come…. It’s just that I unknowingly fused more than I thought. I gave him 6 Liang and 2 Qian <sup>1</sup> .”
“…..”
‘ How can that be considered as doing something unknowingly? You may be able to fool others, Su Jingmo, but you can’t fool me!’
‘Qin Cheng was born on the 8th Lunar Day of the 3rd Lunar Month in 1988 <sup>2</sup> at Zi Hour <sup>3</sup> . Therefore, the weight of his bones is exactly 6 Liang and 2 Qian. According to Bone Weight Fortune: Born with pretty good luck, must be able to bring honor to the family name as long as he studies hard to improve his self-cultivation. Destined to be a High-ranking Official with a promising future. Wealth and glory will be at his full disposal.’
‘In other words, Qin Cheng was originally a man destined to make great achievements and become an important pillar for the country…. However, Su Jingmo, by melting extra 6 Liang and 2 Qian into him…. ’
“Giving him extra 6 Liang and 2 Qian…. That’s the standard to making him an Immortal.”
“What’s so great about becoming an Immortal anyway?” Su Jingmo snorted. “Qin Cheng was originally intended to become this world’s pillar of strength. Why should I bother turning him into a Heavenly Immortal?”
“….Then, if you do this, you will only shorten his lifespan.”
“That’s why I incorporated the Taowu bones into his blood myself, instead of borrowing that Divine Weapon you had in your possession.”
“…..Indeed. By doing that, you didn’t activate the Taowu bones.”
‘ That’s the reason why I thought Su Jingmo planned on killing Qin Cheng sooner or later at the time. ’
Su Jingmo smiled: “Since I already decided to save his life, naturally, I had to think carefully. Did you know that the Taowu bones aren’t the only thing Qin Cheng has in his body?”
Qu Zhiwen nodded and said: “When I first met him, Qin Cheng didn’t have a single Taowu bone in his body, and yet…. Qin Cheng’s original fate was that of someone who should have a long life, but at that time, he had the appearance of someone who could die at any moment. At first, I thought it was because he had been exposed to your ghostly qi for too long, but the more I looked at him, the less that seemed to be the case.”
“That’s correct,” Su Jingmo nodded. “Back then, I stabbed Qin Cheng with my sword, but before he could die….. To save him, I gave him a life-saving pill made by Xuyun. That pill can actually draw the soul back to the body, so that people can regain their lives. However, it also generates a side effect in which the person will end up as a living-dead. Qin Cheng took two pills, and since he looked fine at first, I didn’t think anything would happen to him….”
“So that was it…. What about Qin Cheng falling into a coma that leaves him in a state as if he were dead? Is that also because of that pill?”
“It should be. I’m afraid that at this rate, it won’t take long for Qin Cheng to….” Su Jingmo frowned slightly, reached out to gently ‘touch’ Qin Cheng’s cheek, and continued: “To not be able to wake up from the coma.”
“I was the one who hurt him like this…. He was supposed to be a High-ranking Official with a promising future. I shouldn’t be part of his life.”
“Do you want to…..?”
“It’s not so good to live for so long, it’s too lonely. Having lived for thousands of years is already enough. If one day Qin Cheng can’t wake up from his coma, I ask you to activate the Taowu bones inside him to wake him up, so he can walk intact for the rest of his life….towards his perfect future.”
“But without you, you think he would want to return to his normal life……?”
“Why not?” Su Jingmo’s low voice carried the imposing voice of an Emperor. “I already said he shouldn’t have me in his life, which includes not having me in his memory either!”
“What?!”
Stunned, Qu Zhiwen stood with his mouth open like a fish out of water. Su Jingmo didn’t mind Qu Zhiwen astonishment, and he just silently watched as his own feet began to completely disappear. Su Jingmo wanted to touch Qin Cheng’s hand one last time, but he stopped himself just in time. After all, his end was drawing closer than ever.
“Haven’t you mentioned to me many times that Qin Cheng has a red thread connecting him to another person? That is a marriage that has been delayed for 12 lifetimes. In this life, that person should be the one to accompany him.”
“Even though I did mention it, Qin Cheng’s red thread isn’t very clear…..” However, right after saying that, Qu Zhiwen realized that at the same time Su Jingmo’s soul grew weaker, Qin Cheng’s red thread became more and more obvious. Only Qu Zhiwen could see who would be at the other end of the red thread…..
“What kind of woman is she? What kind of woman is at the other end of Qin Cheng’s red thread?”
“…..” Qu Zhiwen looked at Su Jingmo with complicated eyes and replied with a sigh: “She’s a gentle girl named Xia Tong. She’s really serious about her feelings for Qin Cheng…..”
As time passed, Su Jingmo listened to Qu Zhiwen describe the woman destined for Qin Cheng. When suddenly, Su Jingmo shallowly smiled. With his eyebrows slightly curved, his beautiful peach blossom eyes smiling pleasantly, and his lips slightly parted, Su Jingmo said: “Even then, she’s not as good as me.”
[Author has something to say]
* A loud and resounding cry *: Yes! Not as good as you!!! Momo!!!
Ko-fi goal for extra chapies~~ °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°
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24 more chapters to go and it’s over!! Just a reminder that this novel has, in fact, a Happy Ending~~ it’s just gonna be a bit ansgty before the great Happy Ending (୨୧ ❛ᴗ❛)✧
Footnotes
<ol><b>六两二钱</b> <b>liù liǎng èr qián</b> ; 310g. <b>三月初八</b> <b>sān yuè chū bā</b> ; In the Gregorian Calendar is: April 23, 1988. <b>子时</b> <b>zǐ shí</b> ; 11pm to 1am in the system of two-hour subdivisions used in former times.</ol>