Fang Hao carefully carried Wenxiu beyond the village, passing through the wooden gate and the broken stone tower. He ventured deep into the forest until he reached the tranquil spot by the river where he had meditated earlier.
Looking around, he took a step forward, moving Wenxiu beyond the boundary they were allowed to cross before thoroughly inspecting the area. A beautiful, untamed forest stretched out before him, with small birds in flight and no signs of human presence. He nodded in approval and chose this location.
He believed this to be a suitable resting place. Gently, he set her down and began digging with his sword and hands, creating a grave large enough for her.
The rhythmic sounds of digging echoed in the air as Fang Hao peered into the freshly dug grave. Satisfied that it was large enough, he firmly anchored the sword into the ground. He then gently lifted Wenxiu and placed her inside, his movements deliberate and unhurried. With a heavy heart, he offered her one last deep glance before covering the grave.
With a heavy sigh, Fang Hao began to fill the hole, covering Wenxiu's body with mud at a deliberate, slow pace. He made sure it blended perfectly with the surrounding earth, leaving no trace of the freshly dug grave.
Discovering a small rock nearby, he began carving into it to enhance its appearance and etch some simple words, "Princess Mei Wenxiu of Silverdell"
Sitting down beside it, he fell into deep thought, his voice soft and nostaglic as he spoke, "Our time together was fun; I won't deny it. You reminded me of someone I knew a long time ago, someone I needed to feel... You made me open up my heart, even if we met a few days ago.''
Fang Hao cast his gaze upon the sword, his eyes lingering on it for a moment before he shifted his attention to the night sky, where distant stars shimmered in the darkness.
He fell silent, lost under the vast expanse of the celestial canvas.
"I'm sorry," Fang Hao spoke softly, his voice carrying a tinge of sorrow. "I don't believe I ever truly loved you. No, I'm sure of it now, I didn't love you," he admitted with a touch of regret in his eyes.
"It was the moment that made me feel that way," Fang Hao confessed, his voice laced with a mixture of emotions. "But I certainly liked your character, Mei Wenxiu... You gave me something to remember—the time we spent together and your laughter."
With a thoughtful shake of his head, he stood up, using the spell to tidy his robes. Taking a step away, he paused once more to offer this final sentiment.
"In this place, here you are free, no longer bound like a slave," Fang Hao whispered, his words carried away by the gentle breeze.
He closed his eyes briefly before continuing, "I hope you reincarnate and find happiness in your new life. This is goodbye, Wenxiu."His resolve solidified, he took each step, gradually distancing himself from the gravesite.
"Quing Cun, you said you wouldn't babysit me, and I understand. I won't seek revenge now; I am too weak," Fang Hao's voice carried on the wind as he passed by the village, knowing someone was listening.
"But when I'm stronger, I will settle this blood debt. If you're not content, you can come forth to stop me," he declared with a resolute voice before breaking into a run, vanishing into the night and heading toward the Mortal Kingdom of Everglen.
Quing Cun watched the figure receding into the distance, their form resembling that of a child in his eyes. He made no effort to respond; it held no significance for him.
What concerned him more was how the female prisoner had met her end. He possessed more knowledge than Fang Hao regarding those necklaces, and knew they were mass-produced with the same limitations.
The confusing part for him was trying to fathom why someone as experienced as ZiXia Lianti would act so recklessly, especially for the sake of a mere mortal. He could have had dozens of volunteers to warm his bed if he desired.
"Did she commit suicide, and he didn't see it? Or did my eyes deceive me, and he was the cause of it?" Quing Cun mumbled to himself as he followed behind Fang Hao at a leisurely pace.
Fang Hao pressed on through the night, passing by distant campfires without pausing. His pace quickened, and he moved swiftly, leaving behind only the thuds of his steps on the rocky and grassy terrain.
Eventually, he noticed the distant plumes of smoke rising on the horizon. He halted and peered more closely, realizing it was another village.
However, this village felt a lot more different from the one he had left. There was no eerie broken stone tower; instead, vast farmlands stretched out before him, filled with cultivated crops.
This village was no illusion; it was vibrant, with fertile lands, animals like cows and pigs grazing in the distance, and a lively atmosphere even in the middle of the night.
Fang Hao couldn't help but contrast it with the desolation of the previous village, realizing how foolish he had been to mistake the two and fall for the trap.
Watching the lively village from afar, Fang Hao chose not to go in. Instead, he decided to keep going on his journey without stopping, heading right for the clan house at the edge of the kingdom.
He had already grown tired of this journey, with memories from before still lingering in his mind. He didn't want to have to be tricked and kill many people without a good reason, just for some sort of "test."
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[Author's Note: Apologies for the delayed updates. My other book, 'Worldshift,' has reached a critical plot point, and real-life situations because it's the end of summer have caused me to slow down significantly. I haven't abandoned this story; I just need some time to gather my thoughts. Thank you for your continued support and for reading!]