The cool breeze of the desert at dawn brushed across the land as Yu Xie walked alone across the endless expanse of yellow sand, his eyes fixed on the distant city-state.
The sky was almost bright as he arrived at the city's entrance.
The soldier stationed at the city gate saw Yu Xie and quickly went to report.
When the sky finally brightened, Yu Xie sat at a table in a delicate room, with Al-Ahmar sitting opposite him, the table laid with an abundant spread of food.
"Why have you come alone today?" Al-Ahmar asked.
"There are some things I want to discuss with you," Yu Xie replied.
"Let's talk while eating," Al-Ahmar said, "I had the kitchen prepare some desert specialties. I hope they suit your taste."
"The thing I want to talk about is quite simple," Yu Xie said, picking up his chopsticks. "Al-Ahmar, I hope that no matter what happens in the future, you will never delve into forbidden knowledge."
Forbidden knowledge. Just hearing those two words caused a slight pause in Al-Ahmar's heart.
Once, he too had been tempted to explore forbidden knowledge. But after what happened with Nabu, he had let go of that thought.
Forbidden knowledge certainly had the power to bring change, but the consequences and costs were unpredictable.
However, Al-Ahmar knew deep down that he still harbored a trace of curiosity toward forbidden knowledge.
Such power might be able to change the world, or perhaps bring unprecedented prosperity.
But equally, it could turn the world into a hell.
It was like a high-risk investment: the risk and reward were proportionate.
"Why would you say such a thing?" Al-Ahmar asked, looking at Yu Xie, suddenly feeling a bit odd.
Yu Xie's eyes seemed to be able to see the future, to see things even gods could not perceive.
The incident with Nabu had been the same. Everyone else had searched for any trace of Nabu without success, but Yu Xie had brought her back unharmed.
If not for Yu Xie, what would the situation be like now? No one could know.
"I simply don't want to see my friends fall into danger because of forbidden knowledge," Yu Xie said. "Whether it's you, or Nabu, or Buer."
His brief words seemed to carry profound power, hidden within his calm tone was something that was hard to comprehend.
"…I understand," Al-Ahmar said, "but I can't make an absolute promise. After all, no one can predict the future."
"But I can promise this: unless it's absolutely necessary, I won't delve into forbidden knowledge."
"…That's good enough," Yu Xie said, hesitating for a moment before smiling.
The situation where it becomes absolutely necessary would not arise. The alliance of the Three God-Kings of Sumeru would continue, and Yu Xie's purpose for this journey was to ensure that these two matters would be completed.
When the meal ended, Yu Xie left Al-Ahmar's city-state.
Before he departed, Al-Ahmar personally escorted him to the city's outskirts.
Yu Xie didn't tell Al-Ahmar where he was going, only saying that he had some personal matters to attend to.
Out of respect, Al-Ahmar did not press for more details.
But the figure of Yu Xie disappearing into the desert always made Al-Ahmar feel that the matter wasn't as simple as it seemed.
.....
The blazing sun hung high in the sky.
Yu Xie stopped to rest at an oasis.
In the water, desert fish swam, their species unknown to him, while nameless birds perched at the water's edge to drink. He could also see traces of a camp.
Yu Xie looked up and observed the island drifting in the sky above.
Information from the system flashed in his mind.
[Skills: Master of All Weapons (Epic), Shura Flash (Epic), Erasure (No Level Classification)]
To be honest, Yu Xie wasn't entirely confident about what he was about to do next, but there was no one else who could do it. It could only be him.
He, who came from beyond the world and existed outside its laws.
At that moment, a small team of three walked over from the side, one of them having bronze-colored skin.
The three of them were panting as they reached the oasis to rest, and they noticed Yu Xie.
After a brief discussion among themselves, the three of them walked toward Yu Xie.
"Friend, are you adventuring in the desert alone?" one of them asked.
"Yeah," Yu Xie answered with a smile.
"It's a bit dangerous to be alone, isn't it? If something happens, no one would even know…" The face of another person grew serious.
It was true. As he said, wandering alone in the desert was dangerous. If something went wrong, with no one around to send word, one could easily collapse in the sand, and the winds would quickly bury them, making it as though they had vanished without a trace.
"It's a bit dangerous, but there are some things I must do," Yu Xie replied, still smiling.
"Where are you headed? If it's on our way, we can travel together and keep an eye on each other," said the man with the bronze-colored skin.
"That direction," Yu Xie pointed.
"That way… it's not really on our path," the man said.
"Don't worry, I have plenty of experience. I'll be fine," Yu Xie said. "If I wasn't fully prepared, I wouldn't be here alone in the desert."
"That's true…" The man with bronze-colored skin took a sip of water. "But still, you should be careful. Watch out for bandits. Although things are much better now than before, my grandfather told me that there used to be many bandits in the desert. The terrain is complex, and they're hard to catch."
"Thankfully, the alliance between the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, King Deshret, and Goddess of Flowers has brought much peace to the world," he added.
"If only this alliance could continue forever."
"Yeah, if it could last forever, that would be great," Yu Xie sincerely agreed, then stood up. "Well, I've rested enough. I'll take my leave now."
"Take care and stay safe."
"May we meet again if fate allows." After saying his farewells, Yu Xie turned and left.
Indeed, if the alliance of the Three God-Kings could continue, it would undoubtedly be a good thing for the people of Sumeru.
It would keep them away from conflict and ensure ongoing prosperity.
But if nothing was done, and things continued on their original path, this alliance would eventually fade away.
That's why Yu Xie had to intervene.
Though he wasn't absolutely sure of success, he couldn't afford to stop.
Life is short, and regrets are perhaps unavoidable, but one should still strive to do something worthy of pride—something that would make them feel they didn't regret their time in this world.
So, even when he descended into the underworld, he could look back with pride.
End of chapter
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