A hoarse, desperate cry escaped me. My eyes widened, but still, no tears would fall. I hurried over, head bowed. Rufina Howard lowered the hand holding the bowl, and Lady Meng took it from her.
Please, don't destroy Rufina Howard's potential in this life. I'm begging you, Rufina Howard.
The road ahead is full of danger. Our chance encounter, this bond, has now come to an end. Ethan Zhang, you don't have to feel guilty. You don't need to do anything for me, and you don't have to be responsible for my life. Lift your head.
Rufina Howard called out sternly, but her voice was still tinged with gentleness. Slowly, I raised my head.
"My task is complete. The world no longer needs the existence of the Prime Ancestor of Humanity, so I am freed, from this seemingly endless mission..."
"What about the red-haired one?"
I stared wide-eyed at Rufina Howard. Her expression changed slightly, then she shook her head.
The ill-fated bond between me and him should have ended when you became truly human. So we...
"John Chou once said, this world is full of hypocrisy. Do you know why, that time, John Chou lost to you?"
I stared blankly at Rufina Howard. In that bet between John Chou and Rufina Howard, it seemed John Chou had won, but in truth, he lost. He himself should know it well.
"I don't remember him ever losing to me. It was clearly he who won."
I shook my head.
In the face of true goodness, what he saw was genuine virtue, not hypocrisy. That's why we could become human, why this possibility emerged. From having no thoughts to having thoughts—maybe those two didn't feel much, but the three of us, somehow, felt love from you. True goodness comes from the heart. That gentleness shattered the ice and pierced deep into my soul. So, as we consumed your hundred years, we witnessed everything in the Living World and never forgot that warmth. Wanting to be human, to live a human life, whether sad or happy—that is humanity. You taught us that. Don't go.
Rufina Howard burst out laughing, then suddenly fixed me with a cold stare.
I'm not that noble, you know. Every lifetime, maybe to outsiders, looks like a failure—repeating the same mistakes, naively believing that goodness alone is enough, that all cold and evil things would eventually be revealed in the face of goodness. But I was wrong! Such an immature life, I didn't win. The winner was John Chou.
As she spoke, Rufina Howard took the bowl of Meng Po's Soup from Lady Meng and opened her mouth.
With a bang, I slapped the bowl of Lady Meng's Elixir out of her hand.
"Why are you so stubborn? I told you I'm tired. Why can't you understand, Ethan Zhang?"
"I was a stone in life, just as stubborn as you, believing in the goodness of this world. I'm just like you."
I paused, emotions running high. Lady Meng shook her head and stepped away.
A hand pressed against my forehead; Rufina Howard drank the Meng Po Soup and shook her head.
I believe in you all—the possibilities, the possibilities between you and that girl...
A tear overflowed from Rufina Howard's eyes. Her body emitted a warm white glow, and a smile appeared on her cheeks.
A hand rested on my shoulder. I turned to see Uncle Zhuang smiling.
This is the best ending. Everything goes unsaid.
What's wrong, Qingyuan? You finally came to save me.
Rufina Howard before me shrank, returning to her sixteen or seventeen-year-old self. She cried and hugged me tightly. For a moment, it felt like that Rufina Howard still existed.
It's okay. Everything's fine now.
I looked up, unable to cry. Without tears, I could only smile.
Wow, it's so beautiful, Qingyuan. If only we had a camera to capture this scene.
Watching Rufina Howard stand among the cluster of red spider lilies, I shook my head.
But after death, we can come back, hehe.
I let out a sigh, looked at her helplessly, and gave a wry smile.
That'll be decades from now.
Lady Meng looked at me.
Remember, Ethan Zhang, never give up hope, no matter what. That's humanity's greatest strength. Those who hold onto hope can create miracles.
Thank you, Lady Meng.
For a moment, Uncle Zhuang seemed moved. He touched his nose, his eyes brimming with sorrow.
Hurry up and get out, all of you. If you stay too long and get caught, this old lady will be in trouble.
I let out a sound of surprise. Lady Meng led us to the River of Forgetfulness, then waved her hand and sent us to the other shore. As we floated in the air, Rufina Howard cheered with joy.
Amidst the swirling petals of red spider lilies, we drifted slowly across the River of Forgetfulness. Rufina Howard noticed the vast forest of wailing spirits in the distance, and the vengeful ghosts inside me reacted.
Qingyuan seems so sad over there.
I let out a sound of surprise.
Someday, I'll need to come here and fulfill my promise. Don't worry about me, girl. The red-haired one is really worried about you.
Rufina Howard blushed, then muttered under her breath.
Hmph, I don't need him worrying about me! He always treats me like a child.
Qingyuan, are you sure this way is safe?
Rufina Howard grabbed my hand and looked at the endless gray-black sky in the distance. We were already standing before the mountain wall Uncle Zhuang had punched through.
It's fine. This is Ji Yuner's territory.
I said, and Uncle Zhuang drifted ahead.
Hold tight, girl. I'm about to take off.
Rufina Howard was in my arms, her hands clasped around my neck. She nodded, and I began to float.
After floating a short distance, I noticed Uncle Zhuang had stopped. He looked toward the distant plain, and I began to feel a faint vibration.
Let's land first.
Uncle Zhuang said, and the three of us landed. With a wave of his hand, a green barrier appeared before us.
Nothing else can see us for now.
The rumbling grew louder and louder. I opened my eyes wide as a vast army of white skeletons, clad in armor and wielding weapons, charged toward us. At the front, a skeleton rode a skeletal warhorse.
It's the rebel army.
My heart jumped as I saw their imposing aura. I immediately knew: this was the rebel army, formed by those in the Underworld dissatisfied with Ji Yuner's rule, seeking to take her head.
Great, haha! The tyrant Ji Yuner's army hasn't found this place yet. Heaven is on our side. Everyone, quickly establish a base, set up the offensive, and prepare to receive new recruits from the River of Forgetfulness.
A guy who looked like a general shouted, and in an instant, thousands of troops charged forward, heading for the breach. The army began to organize itself.
I glanced at Uncle Zhuang beside me. He scratched his head, then smiled.
It's none of my business. This is their own internal issue.
I burst out laughing. These guys have no chance of taking Ji Yuner's head—after all, her Nine Nether Generals are not to be trifled with.
I glanced at Rufina Howard squatting in front of me. She rested her chin on her hands, watching the busy skeletons.
Qingyuan, these guys seem to be suffering. Shouldn't we help them?
Rufina Howard pointed at the skeletons. I smiled.
Anyway, we're not in a hurry to go to the Four Saints Realm. Let's go talk to Ji Yuner.
Thank you, Qingyuan. Am I... being too selfish?
I laughed.
That's just how you are. If you weren't like this, you wouldn't be Rufina Howard.