northernbook Chapter 196 Firm
Chapter 196 Firm
"Once you step into this place, you can immediately return to your original world."
Jiang Yu stood on the altar, looking at the open passage. The distorted light inside illuminated her eyes, quickly bringing tears to her eyes.
She bit her lip, faced the passageway, and knelt down. She prostrated herself on the ground, bowing deeply. This bow was a farewell to the past; she had made up her mind long ago.
If she hadn't appeared on the altar, she believed she would never have had this chance to go home. Qingyin had traded her life for hers; if she were to use Qingyin's life to return to her original world, what would she be?
There's no such thing as "out of sight, out of mind" in this world. Often, people just think it's a joke or a way to comfort themselves, but if you think about it carefully, if it really exists, it's just a commentary on the behavior of those who lack a conscience. If you ignore bad things, will they truly not happen, or will they become better? If you don't want to see something, can you really pretend it didn't happen by ignoring it? How many people appear carefree on the surface, yet secretly shed tears in the dead of night?
If she really does that, can she really treat everything here as a dream and carefree return to the past?
Even if I were to go back, my conscience would never be at peace.
Jiang Yu stood up, wiped away her tears, and refused to look at the tempting passage home again. She said firmly, "Yes, I insist on making the original deal. I want to save my lover's life."
The magic circle stopped speaking, but Jiang Yu could feel it operating rapidly. She was inside the magic circle, on the altar, and could only tell herself not to have any wild thoughts, lest the magic circle detect any flaws. She knew that it was not easy for Moya to support the operation of this magic circle, and she could not add any more trouble for him.
She waited in silence, her mind filled with thoughts of Qingyin's face and the little things she had shared with her. She felt time slipping away, not knowing how much time had passed.
She recalled their first meeting: Qingyin sitting there, detached yet restrained, casually discussing gains and losses; the faint shyness and joy that flickered in her icy blue eyes when she learned she had been chosen; her earnest and tireless demeanor when handling work and affairs; and the alluring springtime allure of a celestial being descended to earth, tinged with desire, when they were truly together...
Her Qingyin, after so many days and nights spent together, had long since etched himself into her very being. To him, she was life, everything, and to her, he was the same. Countless faces with different expressions and demeanors eventually converged into Qingyin's usual cool yet gentle gaze. He always stayed by her side gently and quietly, and when she looked over, he would smile and call out, "Xiaoyu."
Overwhelmed with heartache, Jiang Yu clutched her chest, feeling her heart pounding violently. Thump...thump...thump...
On this utterly silent altar, Jiang Yu suddenly heard another faint heartbeat, which slowly merged with her own. Upon closer listening, the other heartbeat gradually grew stronger. It was like a response, a call, a miracle descending from the heavens after countless prayers.
Jiang Yu opened her eyes, and amidst a premonition that sent shivers down her spine, she received a response from the magic circle:
"Everything is as you wish."
When Jiang Yu regained consciousness, she was already back on the shore, with Lin Yi holding her in his arms. She was staring blankly into the distance. She sat up anxiously and looked towards the middle of the pool, where she saw a scene she would never forget.
The enormous monster resembled a withered tree; its once crystalline purple color had become dull and lifeless, and its once powerful limbs looked as if they had been drained of life. Most terrifyingly, its once strong and beautiful tentacles had broken off one by one and floated on the water's surface, like snakes that had been dead for many days.
Those six enormous, clear gray eyes lost their luster, yet they still looked at her with gentle comfort. Once again, she heard a voice that seemed to come from the abyss. Unlike the humanoid Moa, the voice emitted by Molymbia's true form always gave Jiang Yu a sense of distance, as if it came from a higher dimension, filling her with a deep-seated fear. She believed that everyone who heard this voice would invariably associate it with the abyss.
At that moment, a voice that seemed to come from the abyss said, "Jiang Jiang, don't worry, it's a success."
It was clearly a voice devoid of emotion, clearly the very thing that made her resolve to overcome her fear, clearly a monster lured and kidnapped out of self-interest. Yet, the scene before her left her overwhelmed with shock, and then with profound emotion.
She murmured his name softly: "Moya..."
Seemingly sensing her response, immense joy welled up in those gray eyes. Despite being utterly exhausted, they tried their best to comfort her on the shore: "Jiangjiang, don't worry about me, I'm fine."
But he clearly wasn't alright, because the next second after he said those words, his giant eyes closed, and his enormous body vanished into the void. Even the shattered limbs floating on the water disappeared with him. Only the still glowing water reminded everyone that a gigantic, almost divine monster had reappeared on the altar of the gods, activated the magic circle, and used the pool full of blood.
Jiang Yu's throat was dry and hoarse. The moment she saw Moya disappear, her pupils contracted, and she hoarsely cried out, "Moya!" Then she struggled to get out of Lin Yi's arms and was about to fall into the pool.
This time, without Jiang Ren even lifting a finger, Lin Yi was even faster, pulling Jiang Yu back into his arms in one swift motion: "Xiao Yu, Xiao Yu, don't get excited. Listen to me, the snowmelt from the Holy Mountain has healing properties, and with the Holy Lotus, Moya will be alright. He's a demigod, you have to believe in him."
Seeing Jiang Yu turn to look at him blankly, looking somewhat lost, Lin Yi felt incredibly heartbroken. He held her tightly in his arms and comforted her, "Moya will be alright. He has lived in the sea for a thousand years; the water is his home. This place is filled with snowmelt from the sacred mountain and sacred lotus, both priceless medicinal herbs. I believe they will definitely help his recovery. If you're worried, I'll stay here with you and wait until he surfaces, okay?"
Lin Yi explained in detail, helping Jiang Yu to somewhat escape her chaotic thoughts. Jiang Yu's eyes regained some brightness, and she looked at Lin Yi and nodded: "Yes, you're right."
Then she asked, "Where is Qingyin? Where is Qingyin?"
Lin Yi's eyes reddened. His Xiao Yu was so pitiful. Other lords ate and drank well every day and enjoyed themselves all night long. But for Xiao Yu, one bad thing after another happened. Hardship and sorrow seemed to be a dark cloud that always shrouded her life. She suffered herself and had to worry about her husbands.
Any other lord would have collapsed long ago, but only his Xiaoyu could be so strong. She has the weakest personality, yet the most tenacious soul.
"Qingyin is on the boat. Don't worry, look, the boat will be docking soon."
May all suffering end the moment the ship docks, and may Fan Qingyin's awakening dispel the dark clouds that have shrouded us all day.