Chapter 39: Returning theĀ Sword
Fang Liās eyes widened in disbelief, his mind going blank for a moment.
What exactly did that sentence mean?
He understood every single word, but when they were strung together, he didnāt understand it anymore.
If not for the fact that he knew very clearly his relationship with Xie Huai, just looking at Xie Huaiās appearance right now, he would have thought that Xie Huai wanted to run off and elope with himā¦ā¦
Fang Li was scared silly by his own terrifying thought and quickly shook the idea out of his mind.
Fang Li contemplated for a moment. He knew the reason now.
It looked like Xie Huai had discovered the state of his body while drawing out the poison. With Xie Huaiās intelligence, how could he not have guessed Fang Liās plans? So Xie Huai knew that he was arranging his own death.
If he were really going to incite a great war between the righteous and demonic sects, plunging the world into disaster, then Xie Huai would certainly eliminate him without any hesitation for the greater good. But after knowing that Fang Li only wanted to dieā¦ā¦ his heart had instead softened.
After all, that was just the type of kind and benevolent person that he was.
He wouldnāt kill someone who was unquestionably about to die.
Even if that person was his enemy.
Having Fang Li leave this place and even feeling sympathy and pity for him was also for the sake of avoiding the final battle and reducing casualties as much as possibleā¦ā¦
Fang Liās expression was a bit complicated, a bit moved. At the beginning, when heād read the book, the author hadnāt stinted on piling all of the good and beautiful phrases in the world onto this painstakingly crafted protagonist. At that time, Fang Li had thought that it was a bit overboard. How could such a perfect person exist in the worldā¦ā¦ but looking at it now, it truly was the case. This person should by nature be perfect and flawless.
He had his standpoints that he would firmly hold to, and he also had forgiveness and compassion. Although it looked like he always had that cold and indifferent face on, in truth, he also had a very gentle side to his heartā¦ā¦ He really was a very, very good personā¦ā¦
It was no wonder that Yan Sui had fallen in love with him in the end.
AfterĀ ShixiongāsĀ death, in Yan Suiās heart, the only good and unsullied person in the world was also the only person in the world with the right to kill him.
If he was fated to die, then dying by Xie Huaiās hand was the best ending.
Yan Sui had been charging to the top his entire life, never showing weakness in front of others. Even until his death, he never spoke one sentence of apology to Xie Huai, but he chose to use his life to clear Xie Huaiās name for a lifetime.
Fang Li had decided long ago to properly complete this last step in Yan Suiās place.
And right now, having Yan Sui die in front of the world was the best and only way to pacify things and restore peace to the world.
Fang Li smiled at Xie Huai and said mildly, āYuyi-jin is joking, where could we go?ā
After throwing out that sentence, he turned his eyes away and didnāt look at Xie Huai any longer, leaving cleanly and swiftly.
Xie Huai stood there, motionless.
He looked into the direction Fang Li had left in, painfully closing his eyes.
You want to restore peace, even willing to pay out your very life to atone for everythingā¦ā¦
But have you ever considered?
This world still has people who care about you.
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Fang Li returned to his living quarters. After a long time, he let out a gloomy sigh.
All of his actions would change the plot to a certain degree. That was within his expectations. But that Xie Huai would discover that he was about to die and sympathize with him because of it truly exceeded his expectationsā¦ā¦
Luckily, the situation overall was still within control.
Fang Li sat in the room alone. That night, Wu Yimei came to visit him.
Fang Li pondered to himself for a bit, then said to Wu Yimei, āReturn the Snowblue Sword to Xie Huai.ā
The script was about to end. The great and mighty Yuyi-jun was going to eliminate this demon to protect theĀ DaoĀ in front of the entire world, and his name would soar to lofty heights. How could he not even have his sword?
Wu Yimeiās heart trembled. Then, he said respectfully, āUnderstood.ā
Wu Yimei took the Snowblue Sword and went to Xie Huaiās side palace, but didnāt see Xie Huai. He made inquiries among the palace servants, finally finding Xie Huai at the seaside cliffs near the back of Hollow Ridge.
The night sky was heavy and dense.
Xie Huai stood there quietly, completely motionless for who knows how long, seemingly blending into the scenery.
He saw that Wu Yimei had come, and his gaze fell onto the sword in Wu Yimeiās hand, his expression painful and dim.
Wu Yimei took in Xie Huaiās appearance and frowned, a little puzzled, but he didnāt really care about how Xie Huai was, He only held out the sword to Xie Huai, saying coldly, āHis Excellency had me give this to you.ā
Xie Huai lowered his eyes, staring at the sword in a daze. This was his lifebound sword. At the beginning, he had made his resolve to stake everything on this one toss of the dice. When he had arrived in front that person, he had handed over this sword that was bound to his heart and mind.
At that time, he had never imagined that one day, he would gladly and willingly hand over his heart along with it.
Now, youāre returning this sword to me. So, youāre fulfilling your promise and letting me go?
Before, I didnāt understand how you would let me go without releasing the love parasite. Now I know.
Because you really will set me free.
Just when Wu Yimei was getting a little impatient from waiting, Xie Huai finally slowly reached out his hands and accepted the Snowblue Sword.
Wu Yimei looked at Xie Huai with displeasure.
He had known from the start that Xie Huai would harm His Excellency. If not for Xie Huai, how could His Excellency have been poisoned and barely escaped with his life?
Even at a time like this, what His Excellency cared about in the end was returning Xie Huaiās sword.
Maybe the person His Excellency cares about most in his heart is youā¦ā¦
But the only one who can accompany him to die on Hollow Ridge in the end is me.
Now, on the eve of war between the righteous and demonic sects, Xie Huai would inevitably stand on the side of the Thousand Immortalsā Alliance. His staying here would only increase His Excellencyās heartache.
When he thought of this, Wu Yimei looked at Xie Huai coldly and said, āNo matter what, during this period of time, His Excellency hasnāt treated you poorly. If you have a heart, then leave.ā
A cold and sorrowful look suddenly appeared in the depths of Xie Huaiās eyes. He gripped his sword so tightly that the veins on his hand protrudedā¦ā¦
He said, word by word, in an extremely slow and restrained voice, āIs this your intention, or his?ā
The look in Xie Huaiās eyes made Wu Yimei shiver. He kept feeling like there was something wrong, but he couldnāt say whatā¦ā¦
But if His Excellency didnāt want Xie Huai to go, why would he return his sword?
Wu Yimei said, āThis is His Excellencyās intention.ā
Xie Huai suddenly laughed coldly, his eyes like daggers, every word spoken with deliberation. āIf this is his intention, then have him come and say it to me himself.ā
Wu Yimei frowned and gave a cold snort. āHis Excellency is very busy. He doesnāt have time to look after you. Go off on your own.ā
Having said that, he left with a fling of his sleeves.
Xie Huaiās chest heaved up and down, the look in the depths of his pitch-black eyes like that of a trapped beast. His lifebound sword sensed his emotions and trembled faintly in his hand, letting out an uneasy, mournful cry.
Xie Huai tightened his grip, and the spiritual sword immediately quieted.
After a long time, the corner of his lip pulled in self-mocking.
Back then, you were the one who made me come here.
Now you want to send me away so easily?
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After returning the sword to Xie Huai, Wu Yimei went back to report to Fang Li.
When he received word that Xie Huai had taken back the sword, Fang Li relaxed a little.
The Snowblue Sword was Xie Huaiās lifebound spirit sword. To a sword cultivator, their sword was as important as their life. When he had stolen Xie Huaiās sword at the beginning, that had been a massive disgrace. Now that it was finally being returned to its owner, he hoped that Xie Huai wouldnāt hold too much of a grudgeā¦ā¦
But Fang Li immediately startled at that and laughed in spite of himself. He was about to leave, so why was he concerning himself with whether Xie Huai would hold a grudge or not?
When Xie Huaiās matters had been arranged, Fang Li began arranging matters at Hollow Ridge.
Although he was already prepared to go to his death, there were still some affairs that needed to be put in order to reduce the amount of casualties as much as possible.
According to the original plot, because Du Meng had turned traitor, more than a few demonic cultivators betrayed Yan Sui during the final battle. At the critical moment, they let the Thousand Immortalsā Allianceās people up the mountain, allowing the Thousand Immortalsā Alliance to charge straight in. Only Wu Yimei fought to the death to resist, finally dying on Hollow Ridge. After Wu Yimeiās death, the Thousand Immortalsā Alliance met with little resistance, quickly reaching the demonic palace.
This time, Fang Li would find an opportunity to send Wu Yimei away ahead of time. Without Wu Yimei, the rest of the demonic cultivators would either turn traitor or scatter like a flock of startled birds. They wouldnāt be able to start a battle with the Thousand Immortalsā Alliance, and neither side would suffer many deaths.
As for everything elseā¦ā¦
Fang Li pondered to himself for a moment and said, āThis lord doesnāt need to be attended upon by so many people. Remove the dancers, servants, and the people in the rear courtyard, so that they donāt disturb this lordās mood.ā
Wu Yimei pressed his lips together, his eyes pained. In the end, he still said, āUnderstood.ā
His Excellency was preparing to meet his death all alone?
But if those people are going to leave, then let them leave. They didnāt matter from the start. But I will definitely stay by your side.
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The mission was about to be completed, so Fang Li was rather idle these days.
Because everyone had been sent away, even the servants were gone.
The demonic palace suddenly became much more cold and lonely.
Fang Li thought it was very nice, very peaceful and suitable for sleeping.
This body of his was like an arrow at the end of its flight, and after using the black jade talisman, it wasnāt holding up too well anymore. Lately, he was craving sleep more and more. A moment of inattention would have him dozing off into unconsciousness, and it was also very difficult to wake up.
Fang Li was afraid he would sleep past the big final battle, so he instructed the System over and over again to remember to wake him up when the time came.
The System expressed, no problem.
The weather today was quite nice, the sunlight just right.
Fang Li didnāt like the chill inside, so he personally lugged a reclining chair outside and sat in the courtyard to sunbathe.
The soothing warmth setlled on him, and Fang Li quickly fell asleep.
There was not a person to be seen in the silent demonic palace.
Only the rustling of the wind softly brushing past leaves.
The dappled sunlight draped over the stone path.
A silhouette in white slowly walked over.
Xie Huai lowered his eyes to look at the person before him.
He was still wearing those thick and heavy black robes, the long sleeves dragging along the ground. His sickly pale white face was peaceful and content, and when he was asleep, his eyelashes cast shadows below his eyes, his expression gentle and lovelyā¦ā¦
Who would know that he was about to die?
Xie Huai was a bit lost in a daze.
The scene before his eyes seemed to become a little blurry. In the haze, it was like he had returned to that dream.
In the dream, this person hadnāt had much time left to live, his body ruined and his eyes blinded, but he had also treated it calmly like this, cheerfully facing his predetermined endā¦ā¦
As if he wasnāt facing death, but only concluding a dream, nothing more.
Now, this person was going to once again die before his eyes.
Xie Huai fiercely closed his eyes.
After a long time, he slowly reached out his hand to cup this personās face, as gently as if he were holding a fragile piece of porcelain.
You have made many mistakes.
But I know that your compassion isnāt gone, that you still have kindness in your heart, and the more youāre like this, the more youāre unable to face everything youāve done. Youāve had your fill of torment, you donāt want to suffer the pain of your innermost heart, you donāt want to continue on anymoreā¦ā¦
Sometimes, living is more painful than dying.
I can understand your choice.
But since your revenge is complete, why not give yourself another chance?
I definitely wonāt let that scene play out again.
I wonāt let you so obstinately make the decision to leave all by yourselfā¦ā¦
Xie Huai took a deep breath.
He suddenly lowered his head, and kissed this personās lips.
Other than the time the love parasite had flared up, he had never done anything so improper again. He had once thoughtā¦ā¦ he would never do so again in his whole life.
To have uncontrollable feelings for a devil.
But the truth was, he did, to the point that he was unwilling to stop.
He savored the taste of his lips like this, reluctant to part. They were clear and cold and sweet, gentle and soft, completely unlike his violent outward appearance, taking over oneās thoughts, impossible to forget, making one want to hold this person tightly, to make him stay by oneās sideā¦ā¦
It made one want to warm his ice-cold body and tell him, youāre not alone anymore, youāre no longer all by yourself.
The kiss was fierce and decisive.
Xie Huai finally lifted his head.
Within his gloomy, bottomless eyes was the resolve to press forward and stake everything on this one shot.
In the ancient Kunlun secret domain was the Nine-Petaled Lotus, which grew in red lotus hellfire, and it had the properties of restoration and rebirth.
The place was arduous and filled with all kinds of dangers.
In the past thousand years, not a single person had been able to retrieve it.
But I will definitely retrieve it for you.
So, you have to wait until I come backā¦ā¦
Iāll accompany you in spending the rest of our lives to atone.