Ali saw Liu Shinian’s strange expression and hurried to his side, tugging at his clothes and calling out.
“Brother Liu!”
Hearing the call, Liu Shinian slowly turned his head. Seeing it was Ali, he asked, confused.
“Why are you here? Where is Muye?”
“She’s still behind that rock. I’m feeling much better, so I came to help.”
“Your abilities are limited, you’re not suited for combat. Go back quickly.”
Ali glimpsed the tear streaks on his face and guessed something. He asked him.
“Brother Liu, you’re crying.”
Hearing Ali mention his predicament, as an elder brother, he still wanted to present a valiant image before him.
He hurriedly reached up to wipe away his tears and shook his head.
“No, no. Go back quickly.”
Ali knew he wouldn’t easily reveal his feelings, just as strong as ever.
Even if he asked more, it would be of no use. He could only pretend not to know and replied.
“Okay, be careful yourself.”
Ali listened to him and ran back behind the large rock.
Dao Lang and Fei Xiong raised their weapons and charged at Liu Xianshi with shouts.
As they got close, he spun around, kicked one away, and caught the other.
Yan Wushuang quickly threw a flying dagger, but it was repelled by his dark energy.
So she flew back, drew a nearby sword, and charged out quickly.
Liu Xianshi forcefully threw Fei Xiong out, his hands forward, releasing dark energy to push back Yan Wushuang.
Xue Gucheng flew out and steadily caught Yan Wushuang, asking her with concern.
“Shuang’er, are you alright?”
Yan Wushuang shook her head.
“I’m fine. I didn’t expect Liu Xianshi to be so powerful.”
Xue Gucheng had already sensed something was wrong and shared his thoughts with Yan Wushuang.
“Judging by this, he’s been possessed by the Wan Gui Wang’s dark energy.
I didn’t expect that even after the Wan Gui Wang died years ago, his dark energy would still be so potent.”
“What should we do? It looks like we can’t defeat him.”
“There will be a way. Let’s look for a weakness first.”
“Okay.”
With that, the two adjusted their stances and flew out together, their twin sabers striking at Liu Xianshi.
Liu Xianshi turned, his hands forward, and forcefully unleashed a surge of dark energy at them.
Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang quickly dodged, their flying daggers and snow sabers also repelled by the dark energy.
Tian Shi seized the opportunity, punching left and right from his position.
Then a surge of true energy flowed from the soles of his feet, and he quickly stepped forward and took flight.
With a shout, “Arhat Palm!”
Instantly, a wave of true energy erupted from his right palm.
It formed a golden palm emitting light and struck towards Liu Xianshi.
Liu Xianshi swiftly waved his robe, which turned into dark energy and scattered.
The “Arhat Palm” missed its target and landed on an open space not far away.
It let out a loud “Boom!” and a thick cloud of dust billowed up.
Then, the dark energy rapidly gathered behind Tian Shi, forming a human shape, and struck out with a palm.
A scream of “Ah!” was heard.
Tian Shi, like a shooting star, flew out rapidly and crashed heavily onto the ground, kicking up a large amount of dust.
“Tian Shi!”
“Tian Shi!”
Everyone watched in shock, not expecting that even someone as powerful as Tian Shi was no match for Liu Xianshi.
The crowd speculated that continuing like this was not an option and they might all perish here.
“No, this won’t do.”
Wu Qiyun, a righteous warrior from Nanhai City, seemed to have noticed something and shouted.
“He must be possessed by a wisp of the Wan Gui Wang’s remnant soul to be this strong.
We can’t defeat him, we need to know his weakness.”
Xuan Tian Jin, a master from Xizi Kingdom, immediately thought of someone and looked at Liu Shinian, calling out to him.
“Liu Shinian, I know you are in great pain right now.
But there’s no other way. If we don’t eliminate your master, everyone will be buried here.
Liu Xianshi is your master, you must know his weakness. Tell us.”
Liu Shinian slightly raised his head, his eyes glistening with tears as he looked at Liu Xianshi.
“Liu Shinian, he is no longer your master. He is the Wan Gui Wang now.
Can you bear to watch him suffer like this?”
Yuan Ziye, a master from Beishendu, called out.
At this moment, Liu Xianshi charged forward, wielding his black staff.
Everyone flew up together, using their swords as shields to block him.
Liu Xianshi then transformed into a black whirlwind, soaring into the air, and swooped down fiercely.
He impacted the crowd, and they were blown away by the powerful force.
One by one, they fell to the ground, spitting blood.
I watched everyone from behind the rock, knowing that if this continued, everyone would die.
I looked at Liu Shinian again. He stood there blankly,
His hand gripping his sword tightly, unmoving.
Like a soulless puppet, his eyes flickered with pain and disbelief.
For everyone, and for him, I had to do something.
I knew no one could persuade him, but perhaps I could. I had to try.
So I slowly stood up and was about to rush out, but Ali grabbed me.
“Where are you going?”
I said.
“The key to defeating Liu Xianshi now is Liu Shinian. I must go and talk to him.”
“Do you think he’ll listen? Brother Liu won’t listen to anyone’s advice right now.”
“I can do it.”
I firmly believed I could.
All the way here, I had persuaded countless people. Persuading Liu Shinian now would be no different.
Seeing my determined gaze, Ali remembered the courage I had shown along the way.
He knew that only Muye could accomplish this, and only Muye could persuade him.
So, he slowly let go and said.
“Go ahead.”
I nodded slightly and ran out quickly, reaching Liu Shinian’s side.
I grabbed him with one hand and pulled him aside.
Liu Shinian turned his head in surprise, following me to the side in a daze.
He asked blankly.
“Mu… Muye… why are you here?”
Seeing that we had moved far away, I stopped.
Looking at the tear streaks on his face, I gently raised my hand to wipe them.
He suddenly turned his face away, appearing very embarrassed.
“Liu Shinian, are you alright?”
I asked softly.
Liu Shinian slowly turned his head back, forcing a smile.
“It’s nothing, nothing.”
I sighed slightly and looked at the invincible Liu Xianshi.
The crowd was still desperately resisting him.
I asked him.
“Liu Shinian, what does your master mean to you?”
Liu Shinian was a little surprised. He didn’t know why I was asking this or what my intention was, but he still replied sincerely.
“Master means to me like a father.
I lost my parents when I was young, and Master raised me.
So, to me, he is more like a father.”
“Yes, do you remember what your master looked like before?”
“What he looked like before?”
At this question, he fell into past memories.
Recalling his master’s kind smile, his strict teachings.
And the candied hawthorn that could only be eaten when it snowed.
Remembering the two, one big and one small, practicing swordplay under the willow tree in the courtyard, dancing with the wind.
All the beautiful past moments appeared before his eyes as if they were yesterday.
Seeing the sadness on his face gradually recede.
I pointed to Liu Xianshi, who was fighting the crowd, and said.
“Look closely, does this person before you resemble the master in your memory?”
Liu Shinian slowly turned around and looked up at his master.
He saw the pale, numb, and heartless face.
He also saw the noisy, buzzing black bees swirling around him.
With a wave of his hand, he launched an attack without mercy.
I said.
“The current Liu Xianshi is probably gone.
As your master, he didn’t get to enjoy family happiness in life.
And after death, he has to suffer such humiliation.
This is not what he wanted, nor what you wanted.
So, for your master, and for everyone, grant him release.”
Liu Shinian shook his head in panic. It was rare for him to see his master,
And he didn’t want to be the one to end his master’s life.
Suddenly, he became distressed, shaking his head.
“No, no, no!”
His pain, his struggle, his confusion, I saw it all.
I also saw how, for so many years, he had searched alone without success.
Wandering through the long years, with no place to go, no one to talk to, no one to know.
How much pain and loneliness he had hidden in his heart.
I slowly approached him, opened my arms, and hugged him, comforting him softly.
“You are different now. You have me, Ali, Ada, and everyone else.
Everyone likes you very much, and everyone doesn’t want you to live in pain.
No matter what, even if it hurts, you should wake up, face yourself, and face your master.”
Liu Shinian looked at me sadly, extended his hands, and hugged me tightly.
Leaning on my back, his face full of grief, he couldn’t help but shed a tear.
He said with a bitter smile.
“I lost my father in childhood and my mother in youth.
Only Master always stayed by my side. In my heart, I had long regarded him as a father.
Now, I have to end him myself. I, I really can’t do it, can’t do it.”
I never imagined that the person who was usually carefree,
And who teased others casually, had such a tragic background.
It was not difficult to imagine how important his master was to him.
I don’t know how he spent the long years alone after losing his master, alone, without relatives, like a drifting willow catkin carried away by the wind, eventually decaying in a pool of wine.
How many people could see his pain.
I patted his back and said sincerely.
“From now on, I am your family. You are no longer alone and don’t have to suffer alone.
Let him rest in peace.”
Liu Shinian wiped the tears from his eyes and slowly let go of me.
He turned his head and looked again at the relative he had searched for many years but never met.
Now he was right before his eyes, but his eyes were devoid of the former affection.
There was only a desire like still water.
He knew what to do and how to do it.
If he had to send him away himself, the hope he had sought for many years and the gratitude for his upbringing.
He still couldn’t bring himself to do it.
“Is this really the only way?”
He held onto a sliver of hope, hoping that everything could still be turned around.
Hoping that he could still have a living master.
“I think you have your own judgment. Right and wrong, perhaps you already have the answer.
It just depends on how you choose.”
I reasoned with him and appealed to his emotions.
Seeing that we had been talking for a long time and seeing Liu Shinian’s gradually moved expression, Ali’s worried heart slowly settled. He quickly ran from behind the rock.
“Liu…”
Just as he was about to call out to Liu Shinian, I stopped him.
Ali stood silently in place, watching Liu Shinian’s back nervously.
Liu Shinian closed his eyes slightly, clenching his left fist tightly.
Until his palm bled, he let out a long sigh and finally made up his mind.
He slowly extended his hand and said.
“Muye, give me the wooden whistle you gave me.”
“Oh.”
It seemed he had made up his mind. I quickly took out the wooden whistle from my怀 and placed it in his palm.
Liu Shinian slowly brought the wooden whistle to his lips and blew it towards Liu Xianshi.
The crisp whistle echoed through the valley and reached his ears.
Instantly, Liu Xianshi stopped his actions as if his soul had been captured.
He looked at Liu Shinian thoughtfully.
Tian Shi, seeing the stunned Liu Xianshi, realized this was a good opportunity to kill him and quickly shouted.
“Good chance, let’s go together!”
The others understood.
Zhang Tianshi, Yan Wushuang, and Xue Gucheng seized the opportunity, flew up, raised their sabers together, and stabbed at him.
Dao Lang and Fei Xiong leaped up, attacking from both sides, knocking him to the ground.
A group of people immediately surrounded him, waiting for the final blow.
This scene was very much like the scene of the righteous warriors killing the Wan Gui Wang a thousand years ago.
Liu Xianshi quickly got up, looked up at the sky, and let out a tiger-like roar.
Then he turned and released dark energy, repelling them all.
He then soared into the air, drew his long sword, and was about to finish them.
Liu Shinian blew the wooden whistle again.
Liu Xianshi stopped again as if in thought, looking at him.
After the whistle, Liu Shinian drew his sword, cut his hand,
Letting blood drip onto the sword, then holding the sword, he lunged forward and pierced his master with a single blow.
Liu Xianshi seemed to regain a bit of consciousness.
He slightly extended his hand, looking at Liu Shinian with deep emotion.
Liu Shinian knew that this was his master, the master who loved him.
So he quickly reached out, wanting to grasp his master.
Suddenly, a surge of dark energy erupted from Liu Xianshi’s body, repelling Liu Shinian.
Then he flew straight into the sky and fell into the mountain cliff.
Without the protection of dark energy, Liu Xianshi’s physical body quickly dissipated, turning into a pile of white bones that fell onto the ground.
Liu Shinian hurriedly got up, ran forward, and knelt on the ground.
He picked up the bones one by one and held them in his arms.
Finally, he spoke the longing that had been accumulating in his heart for years.
“Master, I’ve come to pick you up. We’re going home.”
Then he let his tears fall, dripping onto the bones.
But he was clearly smiling, so why were his tears filled with sorrow?
Everyone was silent, as if they could feel his pain.
No one came forward to disturb him, only respect and understanding.
I looked at Liu Shinian’s lonely back and couldn’t help but shed tears.
Ali silently handed me a handkerchief, which I quickly took and wiped my eyes.
Liu Shinian slowly picked up the remains, looked up at the sky.
The blue sky, white clouds, and bright sunshine.
He must have thought that Cangshan would also be like this at this time.
He walked forward alone with the remains, and our group silently followed behind him.
By breaking the dark energy that controlled Liu Xianshi, the mystery of Wan Gui Lin was also solved.
Instantly, the entire Wan Gui Lin returned to its original appearance.
A lush green and vibrant forest.
From this cliff, one could still see the clear Luo Shui River winding through the forest.
Following the path, one could exit Wan Gui Lin.
Zhang Tianshi ran forward a few steps, came behind Liu Shinian, and said.
“Let us accompany you back.”
Liu Shinian shook his head silently.
Ali also stepped forward and said.
“Brother Liu, Muye and I will accompany you back.”
He still shook his head.
It seemed everyone knew he was going home, back to Cangshan.
“Shinian…”
For the first time, I called him so gently.
Liu Shinian slowly stopped, tossed the wooden whistle from his hand into mine.
He still wanted me to keep this wooden whistle.
I held the wooden whistle tightly to my chest and looked up at his retreating back.
He smiled faintly and walked forward.
His steps grew faster and faster, and he went further and further away.
We couldn’t keep up, and he became more and more distant from us.
I took a step to chase after him, but Tian Shi grabbed me and said.
“Let him go. It won’t do any good if you go.”
“But, Liu Shinian he…”
I was afraid he wouldn’t be able to endure the bleak moments alone.
Tian Shi, however, said.
“He has endured hundreds of years of loneliness and longing.
This time, he only needs to face his own heart. I believe he will be able to do it.”
I looked at the shadow that had long since disappeared in the wind, lost in thought.
Tian Shi then said.
“Let’s go, let’s return to Nanhai City.”
Only then did I clearly see that the direction Liu Shinian was heading was not towards Nanhai City.
I guessed that direction was Cangshan.