Qing Dai looked somewhat suspicious.
After all, Qing Dai had given me this jade pendant to use in times of danger.
And she had come to see me not long ago.
Saying she was going on a long journey.
The Dragon Phoenix Jade Pendant's energy could be used at most twice, diminishing with each use.
Every use was precious.
Now, she found herself at the foot of Mount Huang, the surroundings very quiet.
Not even a stray soul was present, let alone any danger.
I looked at Qing Dai and gave a wry smile:
"My master appeared to me in a dream and told me something I need to tell you!"
Seeing my expression and hearing me mention my master,
Qing Dai sensed it was no trivial matter.
She became serious.
"What is it? It must be important, right?"
I didn't answer immediately.
Instead, I extended my left hand, grabbed my collar, and pulled it down, revealing my left chest.
The moment I did so,
Qing Dai, standing opposite me, trembled and froze in place, her face filled with astonishment.
I remained silent.
Just standing there.
Qing Dai stared for several seconds before looking up at me.
Her eyes flickered with a complex array of emotions.
Sadness, excitement, joy?
Her voice, too, suddenly became choked with emotion:
"It's, it's you. It's really you..."
I could see that despite Qing Dai's efforts to control herself,
She couldn't suppress the tremor in her voice.
As I looked at Qing Dai, about to speak,
Unexpectedly, Qing Dai let out a sob and lunged forward.
Before I could react, she embraced me tightly.
"It's you, it's really you. You've truly, returned!"
As she spoke, Qing Dai began to cry.
"Wuwuwu," her voice was not loud, but her sorrow was palpable.
I knew that Qing Dai had wandered the mortal world for over two thousand years.
Aside from her mortal enemies,
There was also the endless waiting, waiting for the man she had waited for through ten lifetimes.
It was just surprising that this man was me.
But I felt rather awkward.
I am Qin Ze.
Even if I were the reincarnation of the one Qing Dai was waiting for, I was no longer that person!
I am Qin Ze.
My emotions were complex, and for a moment, I didn't know what to say or do.
I stood there, stunned for quite some time.
My hands felt out of place.
A strange sense of melancholy suddenly enveloped my entire being.
The female ghost before me seemed so devoted, so pitiful.
Waiting for love for ten lifetimes, waiting for two thousand years...
Never giving up, always searching...
After a long while, I gently patted Qing Dai's back:
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for ten lifetimes."
Hearing this, Qing Dai slowly released me.
She tilted her head slightly.
Her appearance was so beautiful, evoking a sense of pity.
"You, have truly. Returned?"
As she spoke, Qing Dai loosened her grip.
Looking at me with a flicker of anticipation.
I opened my mouth, about to say, "It's me, I've returned."
But the words caught in my throat, and I swallowed them back.
Why had I returned?
Even if I were that person, I knew nothing of my past life.
How could I admit it?
This left me in a state of turmoil.
So, I began to speak:
"I, am the reincarnation of the person you awaited.
But I remember nothing.
I am still Qin Ze.
I know nothing of my past..."
I spoke truthfully,
Expressing my true feelings.
Although, I did have some affection for Qing Dai.
Even knowing she was a ghost.
I knew that the path of a human and a ghost was different, and a relationship between us was impossible.
But I didn't speak carelessly, fueled by that little bit of affection.
Because in my view,
Qing Dai loved the me from ten lifetimes ago.
And I, the current me, were two different people.
Even though, that person was also me...
I believed that sincerity was the greatest respect in any relationship.
I had expected Qing Dai to be heartbroken after hearing my answer.
After all, after waiting for so long, I couldn't remember her.
But Qing Dai smiled:
"Whether you are Qin Ze, or him.
You are the person I have waited for for a thousand years.
My love for you will not change because of changes in your appearance, status, or identity..."
As she spoke, Qing Dai's eyes reddened.
She simply gazed at me quietly.
If ghosts could cry, I imagined Qing Dai would have already shed tears.
But hearing her words, my heart ached.
What a wonderful woman she was!
"My love for you will not change because of changes in your appearance, status, or identity..."
My body trembled.
Her words were so moving.
I had a strong urge to pull her into my embrace.
However, I still didn't reach out.
Thus, we stood on the stone bridge, gazing at each other in silence for a long time.
Until Qing Dai spoke again, breaking the silence:
"Do you know why I went on this long journey?"
I shook my head slightly.
Qing Dai smiled:
"To find the Truth-Revealing Stone, to prove that you are the person I am waiting for."
My heart stirred.
The Truth-Revealing Stone, to prove I was the one she waited for?
Seeing my silence, Qing Dai continued:
"Actually, I had already seen the fire-cloud-like scar on your chest.
I suspected you might be the one I was waiting for.
But it's not necessary now.
The life curse has manifested.
I have finally found you.
It doesn't matter if you don't remember, it doesn't matter what happened before.
But, I am still the same me.
I am still the me who loves you.
No matter what you look like now, or in the future.
Even if the life curse is truly incurable.
Qing Dai would be willing to die alongside you..."