Ch. 793 - Goodbye, Female Lead?

“Will you leave with me, or stay here?” Xu Zimo asked.

“I haven’t figured out how to face you yet. Every time I think of you, I also think of my father, my family,” Lan Ke’er said after a long silence, her voice tinged with pain.

“Do you want to run away for the rest of your life?” Xu Zimo asked.

“Even if I don’t run, what happens if I leave with you now? Will you stay with me forever? Spend a peaceful life with me?” Lan Ke’er said with a bitter smile.

“I know you. You’ll never stop moving forward. Eventually, you’ll bear the Heaven’s Will, travel to the Outer Heavens, and keep climbing toward higher worlds. In the end, I won’t even see your shadow....”

“This is my destiny,” Xu Zimo replied quietly.

“Yes, destiny!” Lan Ke’er nodded and said. “You left me once, and now you're leaving again. Even if you had a second chance, nothing would change, right?”

Xu Zimo didn’t answer. From a certain point of view, Lan Ke’er wasn’t wrong.

He never truly had a choice.

As the Infernal Lord, he enjoyed the privileges that came with the title.

But he also bore the responsibility and the burden. If he couldn't lead the Ancient Demon Race to revival, he would be utterly destroyed by his enemies.

Xu Zimo had no doubt about that.

It was also the reason he kept growing stronger.

If it weren’t for Lan Ke’er, he wouldn’t even consider romantic entanglements.

“I’ve decided. I’m staying in the Goddess Palace,” Lan Ke’er looked up, her gaze firm.

“I’ll work hard to cultivate the legacy left behind by the World-Weary Goddess. One day, we’ll meet again in the Outer Heavens.”

“You’re completely sure about this?” Xu Zimo asked.

Lan Ke’er nodded.

“Alright, I respect your choice,” Xu Zimo fell silent again, then nodded.

“When will you leave?” Lan Ke’er asked.

“There’s no reason to stay. I’ll leave now,” Xu Zimo said.

“Can you stay with me for one day, just one day?” Lan Ke’er looked up, hopeful. “For this one day, will you belong only to me?”

Seeing the complex look in her eyes, Xu Zimo smiled and finally nodded.

...

Unlike the snowy weather in the outside world, the area surrounding the Mortal Dust Palace was like spring year-round. The vegetation was lush and vibrant.

Soft sunlight and gentle wind drifted through the land.

Lan Ke’er took Xu Zimo with her to explore the mountains and rivers of the Mortal Dust Palace.

They went to Dark Mountain, entered the Sunshine Valley. In this moment, the two forgot everything, only wanting to cherish the time they had.

In this moment, Lan Ke’er was lively and radiant, her hair tied into a ponytail. She danced like a sprite, skipping ahead of Xu Zimo.

With no one to disturb them, the entire world seemed to fall quiet just for them.

They left the Goddess Palace and walked with no destination.

Along the way, Lan Ke’er told Xu Zimo many stories from her past.

Last time they were together, it was always Xu Zimo telling the stories.

This time, it was her speaking while Xu Zimo listened quietly, occasionally smiling.

From dawn till dusk, the pale sky was slowly dyed golden by the setting sun.

They sat atop a mountain peak, leaning against each other as they watched the sunset.

“Do you like twilight?” Xu Zimo asked with a smile.

“No. Twilight always feels like the end of everything, it makes me sad...” Lan Ke’er shook her head. “I like dawn, when the sun rises. Full of vitality. Everything is just beginning!”

Xu Zimo smiled and said, “But sometimes, the end is just a new beginning...”

The sunset, the glowing clouds, the flaming sky, the lone bird, the gentle breeze, everything was beautiful. But for Xu Zimo, what filled his heart at that moment was only the girl in front of him.

All living beings are like grass, but you are my sun and stars...

...

To most people, life is ordinary.

Only a few experience a life of grandeur and intensity.

Ordinary people envy a thrilling life, while those who live with fire crave peace.

Humans are creatures that never understand contentment.

As the sun set, the light faded.

That night, the sky was filled with stars, and a small crescent moon hung in the sky.

The stars sparkled, lighting up the mountaintop.

The mountain gave the illusion that one could reach out and pluck the stars.

Xu Zimo lay in the soft grass atop the mountain. The breeze gently brushed past, too timid to disturb the tranquility.

Lan Ke’er rested her head on Xu Zimo’s chest, her right arm gently wrapped around his waist.

Xu Zimo could even smell the lavender-like fragrance of her hair.

“When you leave tomorrow, let me go first. Pretend to be asleep,” Lan Ke’er said as she looked up.

“Okay,” Xu Zimo nodded.

“No goodbyes,” Lan Ke’er added. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold it together...”

“Okay,” Xu Zimo nodded again.

Lan Ke’er looked at him quietly, then leaned in and gently kissed his cheek with her soft lips.

She quickly sat back up.

Her face flushed red, but she still looked at Xu Zimo with love. She bit her lip gently, slowly undid the strap of her blue dress from her shoulder, and gazed at Xu Zimo with deep, watery eyes.

“Zimo... I love you and I don’t ever want to forget you... make love to me and make me yours forever...”

The moon rose above the willow branches, and then spring burst forth, unfolding into a night of deep passion and warm love.

...

That night was quiet. Even the usual bugs didn’t chirp.

The moonlight shone. The stars sparkled.

Eventually, the sky turned pitch-black, and the pale light of dawn slowly emerged in the east.

Not until the footsteps faded into silence did Xu Zimo finally open his eyes.

He looked eastward.

Yes, the dawn had come, full of life, everything was just beginning.

Xu Zimo waved his hand, and a surge of infernal energy swirled in front of him.

The figure of the Bone Demon slowly appeared.

“Protect her from the shadows. That’s my only order,” Xu Zimo said seriously, word by word.

“My Lord, I...” The Bone Demon hesitated. “I want to follow you into battle.”

“When the Ancient Demons rises again, I’ll summon you back and let you lead the charge,” Xu Zimo replied. “But for now, this is my order.”

“Yes, my Lord,” the Bone Demon responded loudly.

Then his figure vanished from the mountaintop, swallowed by the infernal aura.

...

That day, the Goddess Palace was peaceful.

Whether it was Gongsun Hongtian or the three elders, all awaited Xu Zimo’s judgment.

With a single command from him, Gongsun Hongtian and the three elders all arrived at the mountaintop where Xu Zimo stood.

“Protect Lan Ke’er well. Once I bear the Heaven’s Will, in my era, I’ll shelter you,” Xu Zimo said to the three ancestors. “If even a hair on her head is harmed, believe me, I'll annihilate this Mortal Dust Palace and ensure you never know peace again.”

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