Who let him join the Sword Sect?!-Chapter 584 - 333: There’s a Big Eyeball Hidden Here

Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it that remains eternal.

Zhang Ze doesn't remember where he heard this somewhat pretentious saying, but at this moment, he feels a certain resonance with it.

He doesn't know whether his master is too slow, or this Illusion Realm spins too fast; he didn't manage to greet his Junior Sister but once again, saw another friend off.

Xiangxiang and Zhang Ze sit side by side on the hillside, gazing at the meadow below the mountain.

Taoist Liu, who had arrived in disguise, is sitting on the hillside meadow, talking heart-to-heart with his Old Cyan Ox.

Old Cyan Ox is really old; even though he enjoyed a decade of peace in White Jade County, and was taken care of by Secret Techniques, he's ultimately reached the end of his Lifespan.

Taoist Liu is quite interesting. If you say he's good, he once didn't allow the Old Cyan Ox to retire, exploiting it daily.

If you say he's simply bad, as the Old Cyan Ox's Lifespan approached its end, he somehow sensed it and came uninvited to send his old friend off for its final journey.

At this moment, Taoist Liu is no longer the sinister pauper figure he was when first seen in Bianjing City. He wears a cyan Taoist Robe, appearing tranquil and ethereal.

Old Cyan Ox also harbors none of the past grudges, leaning against Taoist Liu's side, quietly chewing the grass in its mouth.

The man and ox sit for a long time. Taoist Liu stands, turns back, and gives Zhang Ze a deep bow from the hillside, then walks toward the river bend with Old Cyan Ox stumbling behind.

A moment later, they vanish among the reeds, as if they were never here.

"What do you think they were talking about?" Xiangxiang softly asks.

"Maybe they were discussing whether to use oil or sesame paste for hotpot," Zhang Ze casually replies.

Listening to Zhang Ze's nondescript words, Xiangxiang chuckles lightly, her eyes drooping, plunging into reverie, seemingly returning to the day ten years ago when she met Zhang Ze in Bianjing City.

Has it really been ten years?

For a moment, Xiangxiang is lost, raising her head to look at Zhang Ze's side profile.

Over the course of ten years, Zhang Ze's appearance has not changed; he seems even younger due to improved Cultivation.

Yet, she herself cannot stop the passage of time.

Her special physique ensures that she can never practice Cultivation.

Though her appearance is still young due to good maintenance, but what about the next ten or twenty years...

Whenever this thought occurs, it's as if a thorn pierces her heart. Having just witnessed a farewell, Xiangxiang suddenly gathers the courage to say something to Zhang Ze.

Xiangxiang looks at Zhang Ze, and Zhang Ze knows she is looking at him.

The Ten Kingdoms are in turmoil, Lu Chen, as the Sect Leader, and a powerhouse of their faction, rarely has leisure time. Though the two are involved, due to the unstable situation, they often must part ways.

Thus, since Zhang Ze changed careers to become an Artifact Refiner, staying in White Jade County, the one who has stayed by his side the longest has been Xiangfei, who is now Xiangxiang.

Ten years are both short and long.

There are things Zhang Ze wants to deceive himself about, but can't lie to his diary; each time he sees the handwriting he's left in it, a indescribable emotion surges in his heart.

[Sunny day: Xiangxiang made a pot of chicken and frog stew. I can't comment on the taste; I can only say the chicken leg could serve as a Hidden Weapon.]

[Cloudy day: Two hybrid Dragon Steeds were born. Xiangxiang really likes them; she picked a little white horse, named it Stinky.]

[Rainy day: Xiangxiang made another pot of chicken and frog stew. Her cooking skills have improved; it should be edible, but I didn't get to eat any because Lu Chen took it all. Now the two are sulking against each other.]

[Snowy day: Lu Chen gave me a lamp with only the base, told me to take good care of it, saying that no matter what happens in the future, I must never forget her.]

[...]

Zhang Ze feels as if he's holding a book destined to have a bad ending; he doesn't want to read it, yet the book stubbornly flips pages forward.

"May I ask you for a few things?"

The sun sets, as Xiangxiang's voice flows into Zhang Ze's ears.

"You can say anything, even a hundred things I'll agree to," Zhang Ze replies.

"There aren't that many, only two things," Xiangxiang says. "First, since Sect Leader Lu isn't here today, lend me your shoulder for a while."

"Okay," Zhang Ze agrees.

Leaning on Zhang Ze's shoulder, Xiangxiang remains silent for a long time before continuing.

"Second, when I die, please always forget me."

Zhang Ze, "..."

Silence flows between them; Zhang Ze's ears only hear Xiangxiang's gentle breathing.

Yet calm is always fleeting.

Suddenly, Xiangxiang starts crying, realizing she's in tears she becomes flustered, at a loss.

Xiangxiang leaves Zhang Ze's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, I... I shouldn't be like this, please don't look at me, I'm leaving..."

After speaking, she stands up like a frightened deer, follows the slope down, disappearing into the night along with the setting sun.

Zhang Ze wants to say something but ultimately doesn't speak.

He knows now why his past self left this diary, and why he was so obsessed with studying the Human Emperor Banner...

Turns out he too was 'bewitched' by the Human Emperor Banner.

"How did those jerks attain immortality, heartless, seeing all things as dust, really impressive; why can't I do it."

Zhang Ze whispers to himself sitting alone on the hillside.

After a long while, his Junior Sister's voice rings behind Zhang Ze.

"Senior Brother, did you cry?"

"I didn't cry, I'm just producing small pearls," Zhang Ze sniffles.

"It's okay to cry," Junior Sister steps in front of Zhang Ze, letting him lean in her embrace.

"I've told you, I didn't cry." Zhang Ze insists stubbornly.

"Then how's my clothes wet?" Junior Sister asks.

"It's raining." Zhang Ze still insists stubbornly.