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墨書 Inktalez
Listening to the busy tone on the phone, I fell silent for a long time, my thoughts tangled and complex. The wind swept across the wasteland, fierce and relentless, leaving me even more confused about my direction.
Should I go back?
I couldn't take that risk, and I had no idea how many of Zhengyang's contacts could be trusted. My father and grandfather had many friends, but I had only met a few from the Sun and Moon Alliance. Some were reliable, others not so much, and there were still many I had never encountered. As for their character, I had no clue.
Not going back?
Then,
I would truly be framed for a crime, hunted down relentlessly. How could I face those around me? The influence of the Sun and Moon Alliance spanned across the land; once a bounty was issued, there would be no place for me to hide. As for myself, I didn't care much—I could find a bridge to sleep under—but what about my child? What about Xiao Xiao? What about the bowl? What about Lu Jianguo? And Furball, who wasn't even human? He had already suffered too much following me around; if he had to endure being hunted as well, how could I bear it!?
And then there was Zhengyang.
If I didn’t go back, his reputation would be ruined. He believed in me and vouched for me; what would he say to others if I “fled in fear of punishment”?
In that moment, too many thoughts flashed through my mind, making my head feel like it was about to explode.
“Zi.”
At that moment, Lu Jianguo suddenly nudged my shoulder and asked softly, “What’s going on over there?”
I shook my head, brushed off the dust clinging to me, stood up, and began to walk back. I left only one instruction for Lu Jianguo: “Gather everyone for a meeting!”
This time was crucial; I had no right to make any decisions. As I always said, while Lu Jianguo and Xiao Xiao trusted me with their lives, it didn’t mean I had the authority to lead them to their deaths.
We returned to our campsite and called for Xiao Xiao and Lu Jianguo. Everyone from Big Mouth Lee ’s group gathered in my tent.
Initially, when they heard that Zhengyang and the others were still alive, Lu Jianguo and the others seemed quite pleased.
But when I laid everything bare, the expressions on everyone's faces turned grim. They weren't fools; they understood right from wrong, black and white, and surely had some sense of the situation in their hearts.
"Zi, what do you mean by this?"
Lu Jianguo looked at me with a troubled expression. "What are you really thinking?"
"Don't you know what I mean?"
I forced a bitter smile. "It was I who betrayed the Sun and Moon Alliance, not you. In other words, it's me who will face the Triad Tribunal, not you! Whether or not you want to go to Yangming Cave with me is up to you. If you don't want to, we can split the money and part ways. You can still distance yourselves from me now; it should still be possible."
Before I could finish speaking, Lu Jianguo threw the bottle of mineral water he was holding right at my face with tremendous force. With a loud bang, the bottle shattered, splashing clear mineral water all over me and drenching my face. Yet, I felt no pain. Perhaps it was because after swallowing the Dragon Essence, my body had become stronger than before, or maybe it was because after saying those words, my heart was already in so much pain that I couldn't breathe, causing me to forget any other pain.
"You're being reckless! We share the same fate; do you understand?"
Xiao Xiao glared at me as well, her eyes filled with tears and mist!
I felt ashamed, but I couldn't make this decision for them. So no matter how much they cursed me, I had to give them the choice!
"Yeah, Zi, your words sound really unpleasant, as if we're all just afraid of dying!"
Big Mouth Lee chimed in softly from the side. "I actually have just one attitude: although your words are hard to hear, there’s still humanity in our hearts. Let's put ourselves in each other's shoes—Blade Mountain, Sea of Fire—you lead the way through the front, and I'll follow behind!"
I had nothing to say.
"I don't recommend going back to the Sun and Moon Alliance!"
Lu Jianguo said in a low voice. "Now is the time to rely on connections and foundation. Your standing in the Sun and Moon Alliance is too weak. Although Zhengyang has guaranteed your safety, everything is still uncertain; going back is not safe! With our skills, can we really break through and escape? Can we let the Sun and Moon Alliance suffocate us here in our own country?"
I glanced at Lu Jianguo and saw the hostility on his face, stirring something within me, but I had no words.
"No need to argue anymore, Sun and Moon Alliance, he must go back!"
Suddenly, the bowl, which had been silent until now, spoke up, capturing all our attention. She had been acting strangely lately, as if burdened by some secret. After saying her piece, she didn’t linger in the tent but stood up and walked outside, leaving me with just three words: "This is fate."
I rushed to stop her and asked what was wrong, but she said nothing and shook me off as she left.
With her gone, we struggled to continue our discussion. Each of us held firm to our opinions, unwilling to yield. Seeing this situation unfold, I realized that even if we debated until dawn, we might not reach a conclusion. So I decided it was best to call it a night; everyone should rest. We hastily wrapped up our conversation.
Honestly, this was perhaps the hardest decision I had faced so far. After parting ways with Lu Jianguo and the others, I lost my appetite for food. I sat cross-legged on the desolate plain until evening, watching the sun rise and set, my heart filled with countless emotions that couldn’t be expressed in mere words. It wasn’t until the night grew quiet and Lin Qing and the others had fallen asleep that I still hadn’t made up my mind, sitting alone in silence as I stared into the vastness.
"What's wrong? Is it really that hard to choose?"
A voice echoed faintly in my mind as I seemed to drift into a slumber. I vaguely saw a large figure approaching; it was clearly the old man.
"Ask your own heart!"
What about the common people? The righteous path? Justice?
What do these have to do with you?
I owed nothing to this world; these things could not bind me!
"So go back! I'm tired and plan to rest for a while!"
If it weren’t for Zhengyang, I would truly want to leave without looking back. With our abilities, where couldn’t we go? Once we broke through the borders, wouldn’t it be like fish leaping in the vast sea and birds soaring high? I could find a quiet place, Reverse Fate, alter my Lifespan. I could feel my strength was ample now; I was confident in changing my fate! I could be with you, accompany the one I love, and investigate my father's matters—no one could restrain me anymore!
I'm really tired!
It's easy to say "to withdraw gracefully," but actually doing it is not that simple!
I hung my head and forced a bitter smile, almost spilling out everything I had been holding back.
"Listen, you can actually trust Zhengyang this time. At the very least, he has given you his trust. When everyone else was criticizing you, he and the others stood firmly by your side, even willing to provoke a civil war for your sake! The Way of the Gentleman—reciprocate kindness. He trusts you, so you should trust him. Return to the Dao Alliance with integrity and do not betray this sense of Righteousness!"
"Righteousness?"
"Yes! Otherwise, if you turn and run away, wouldn't that be slapping Zhengyang in the face in front of everyone? People will say, 'This is the person Zhengyang protected; you are blind to the truth!' Go back!"
I silently nodded.
Indeed, I cannot let Zhengyang suffer disgrace because of me! Moreover, I understand Zhengyang; since he has vowed to protect me, he will certainly follow through. He is a man of his word!
This time, I will return to the Sun and Moon Alliance for Zhengyang. I really don't know how many hidden traps the Dong Family has prepared for me.
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