Qingyi was reduced to just a torso and a brain, with fragments of glazed porcelain metal scattered everywhere, and her uniform was tattered, yet she still struggled tenaciously, twisting her body.
"I'm sorry."
"...It's, it's okay?"
This human youth was truly strange. Qingyi thought he was apologizing for his previous oversight, but Yun Ming only believed... all of this karma originated from himself.
He picked up Qingyi, took off his jacket, and draped it over her, then once again ascended on his sword.
He had to fulfill his promise.
So that night, a bright star rose above the secondary Void, with myriad sword shadows and world-ending blade auras.
This Void eruption was sudden, and its disappearance was equally sudden.
Before dawn, the Void retreated.
The scarred ruins were now exposed to the world. This was the first time a Void had been suppressed so quickly.
Even if it was just a small secondary Void... countless reporters flocked in, capturing valuable firsthand information. Naturally, some also entered Gentle Home.
On the ground of the path, it read, "Children, in the basement."
But the basement only had the lingering scent of blood that hadn't completely dissipated, and a dagger lying on the ground, telling a secret, untold story.
"The land is covered with sword marks."
"But the nameless hero has already vanished into the night."
— Ailidu Daily.
The accompanying picture showed a blurry figure in the sky. The pixelation was unexpectedly poor at this moment, but those with discerning eyes could recognize it.
"You've become famous, a hero, incredibly powerful! You didn't come out all night!"
In the back seat of Chen Nan's car, Hong Dou hugged the youth who was resting his head on her lap, holding her phone and reading the headlines word by word.
But there was no pride on her face.
Saving people is one thing, but getting himself into such trouble?
This scoundrel, how could he have promised her that? He's so irresponsible with his own life, no wonder Sister Qingxuan is always on the verge of being driven to death by him... She must have been blind to get involved with this rascal.
She fiercely pinched the soft flesh at the youth's waist.
But the youth was as weak as if he were dead, not moving an inch.
Even breathing was difficult.
"Showing off?"
"Wrong..."
"Wrong about what? You couldn't even walk out yourself. If Director Xu hadn't been able to sense your aura, how do you think you would have gotten back?"
"Waiting to be picked up as a corpse!?"
"Cough, cough... Zhi Yi, watch your language. Also, Yun Ming needs rest now. Say less."
Chen Nan, who was driving, couldn't stand it anymore. He understood the choices a cultivator had to face.
Can save, or not save?
Can kill, or not kill?
Moreover... he glanced at the girl sitting obediently in the passenger seat, buckled up. The two exchanged glances, and the pink-haired little girl, Ke Ke, smiled sweetly.
"Uncle, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. If you're hungry or uncomfortable, you can tell me directly..."
A chill ran down the old man's spine.
Things were probably not as simple as he imagined. That boy, Yun Ming, wasn't as righteous as he seemed, and this girl in front of him was even more... eerie.
He couldn't imagine why the only survivor in the entire Orphanage—
was so calm at this moment. Was this how a child should behave? The information he received was far more than Hong Dou's.
Furthermore, he was a friend of Director Xu.
He had some guesses about what happened in that basement. If it was truly like that... "I should say less?"
Hong Dou's words, full of anger, interrupted Chen Nan's thoughts. She was like a powder keg now, ready to explode at any moment.
"I can't even scold him? Are you two on the same side, and I'm an outsider?"
Chen Nan was speechless. Wasn't he the outsider?
His little cotton jacket had long been leaking. You talk tough, but why are you still hugging that rascal, feeding him water, feeding him food... Me, me, me, I, as a father, have never received such treatment. Although he felt a deep sense of grievance, Chen Nan knew—
Silence was the best option.
The old father felt very bitter.
But no matter how his daughter acted up, he had to spoil her. She had no mother's love, so what else could a father do but dote on her?
So, he ignored his daughter.
Instead, he turned to Qingyi, who had been brought back, and said, "Senior Qingyi, what model of body do you plan to switch to? I'll arrange someone to handle it later."
"Thank you, Shopkeeper Chen, but just send me back to the Public Security Bureau."
"...The Public Security Bureau has already listed you as deceased. This is a good opportunity, Senior."
"Is that so..."
As an old timer who had lived from the founding of Ailidu until now, Qingyi had been subjected to research by the Whystar Academy since her discovery.
It wasn't until all technologies were fully unearthed that she was given relative freedom, serving in the Public Security Bureau until now.
However, there was no reason for them to simply abandon her.
Qingyi scrutinized Chen Nan, strongly suspecting that this young man was secretly manipulating things, but it was fine... Returning to Wei Fei Territory, she could also find the person at Sui Bian Temple to spend the rest of her life leisurely, drinking tea and playing chess daily. She heard there were even free pastries... Hmm, the letter said she also had a cute little junior niece.
Inviting her to tease her together.
How mischievous, even teasing children, but Qingyi liked it... If she liked it, taking her over would be even more interesting~
But, coming back to the point.
What about the money in her account?
"Senior, don't worry, the money, real estate, and other trivial matters can be handled properly today. This time, we have to thank that boy Yun Ming~"
Chen Nan was truly a shrewd person.
Hearing this, Yun Ming slowly raised his hand and gave his father-in-law a thumbs-up. Indeed, he was cunning and thoughtful.
This matter was also entrusted by him.
Qingyi should live, and Nicole should also live well.
If this world had to find someone who shouldn't exist, it should be him, but he also wanted to live... "Hong Dou, my chest hurts. Can you rub it for me?"
"I, I won't rub..."
Hong Dou carefully looked around, and finding no one paying attention, she still quietly extended her hand to Yun Ming.
Letting him knead it as he pleased.
Really, with so many people around, he's still acting like a spoiled child.
The girl's face was flushed. Although she was grumbling, she was almost heartbroken. When she found Yun Ming... this scoundrel was still standing majestically, but as soon as she went to help him, he collapsed into her arms, whether intentionally or not.
His hand pressed against her chest.
She was about to lash out, but then she saw the youth directly coughing up blood. When asked, he just said he was fine, a little weak, and would be good after some rest.
But how could anyone believe that?
His forced appearance was heartbreaking to watch. Let him touch if he wanted... if it would make him feel a little better.
Then Yun Ming said,
"I might not be able to go back by myself... I'm sorry, Hong Dou, I just had a dream, I dreamed of marrying you... but I'm afraid..."
His words stopped there.
It scared Hong Dou. She thought he was joking.
But Yun Ming just fell asleep.
It must be said that young people have good sleep quality. He couldn't be woken up no matter what, and his body was cold, his breathing almost nonexistent.
The drama was cranked up to the max.
Hong Dou became anxious, holding Yun Ming as tears streamed down her face.
"Scoundrel, aren't you going to marry me? You're not allowed to die!! If you die, I'll marry someone else! Scoundrel, get up!"
She anxiously picked up Yun Ming and went to find Xu Zhimo.
But Xu Zhimo sighed, squeezed out two tears, and his expression gradually became hesitant, lowering his head in silence.
"Say something, why aren't you saying anything?"
Xu Zhimo could barely hold it in.
In a little while, his junior brother's body would naturally recover. Sleeping was just due to excessive mental exhaustion; being weak was normal.
But he enjoyed the fun... This might be a bit mean, and he would probably face retaliation.
So he quietly added,
"My junior brother, he's just asleep. Don't worry..."