Chapter 74: Embracing the Shadow, Sleepless

Chapter 74: Embracing the Shadow, Sleepless



"It's getting dark."

"There should be a lot of mosquitoes by the lake. I wonder if Jing Li is still waiting for me."

"Damn it, where exactly is July Lake!"

Although the map was complete, it wasn't detailed enough to pinpoint specific buildings like on Blue Star, and even some small hills were not accurately marked.

Qi Yuan had already reached the vicinity, but the exact location of July Lake was still unknown.

At this moment, several voices could be heard.

Qi Yuan's eyes lit up, "There are people, I can ask them?"

At this time, the moonlight was cascading down upon the lakeside.

The air was filled with a bloody stench.

Two groups of powerful individuals were holding weapons, poised for a confrontation.

"Is this how you Moon Emperor Clan treats your guests? We've come a long way from Black Cloud City to see your sacrifice. Can't you even grant us that?" A one-eyed burly man with an eyepatch spoke, looking exceptionally fierce.

"Of course we have our reasons for not seeing unwelcome guests!" From the other side, a man with pure green hair replied.

"It seems like you Moon Emperor Clan hasn't realized the consequences of offending us!" The one-eyed man brandished a large knife, looking menacing.

"The Moon Emperor Clan fears no threats," the green-haired man said.

Both sides were on edge, arguing and bickering, as if ready to fight at any moment.

Just then, a voice interrupted, "Everyone, hold on. May I ask if any of you know where July Lake, or July Town, is located?"

Qi Yuan appeared beside these people, wearing a mask and speaking sincerely.

After he finished speaking, both groups, who had been arguing, looked at him with strange expressions.

"The place we're at right now is the shore of July Lake," the one-eyed man said, his voice deep and resonant.

Qi Yuan was stunned for a moment, "This is July Lake?"

Behind the two groups was a "lake" the size of a pond.

Wasn't the lake supposed to be big?

Isn't this too small?

Where's Jing Li?

He scanned the area but didn't see her.

Did he come to the wrong place?

"Thank you for the information," Qi Yuan said with some disappointment, expressing his gratitude to the one-eyed man.

Where's Jing Li?

Where's July Town?

He prepared to leave and circle around the Gu Qi Chun Tree.

However, the one-eyed man called out to him, "Young man, don't leave just yet. Come and judge who's right and who's wrong between us!" The one-eyed man's eyes revealed a sinister smile.

He suddenly felt like finding some amusement.

"Sorry, I'm in a hurry. I still need to go to July Town to meet an old friend," Qi Yuan said, his mood sinking.

"I know where July Town is. If you can judge who's right and who's wrong between us, I'll tell you," the one-eyed man said.

"You're right!" Qi Yuan replied without any hesitation.

Hearing this, the one-eyed man shook his head, "That's no fun."

Qi Yuan had no choice but to force himself to calm down and wait there, acting as a qualified judge.

Seeing this, the green-haired man spoke to Qi Yuan, "It's best for you to leave quickly. The Hundred Cities Alliance is hunting down some wandering cultivators. You might get implicated if you stay here."

The one-eyed man revealed a mocking smile, "You Moon Emperor people are always quick to accuse others. Do you have any evidence that I'm hunting down this friend?"

"Does the Hundred Cities Alliance's bad reputation need any further explanation?"

"Within the Hundred Cities Alliance, fathers are kind, and children are filial. The elderly are taken care of. Where is this bad reputation you speak of? It's your Moon Emperor Clan that lacks basic manners, not even showing the slightest courtesy.

You refuse to let us meet your sacrifice, even turning away guests. Do you intend to follow in the footsteps of the Great Luo Kingdom?"

Qi Yuan stood by, listening with a bewildered expression.

He had no idea who was right or wrong.

It seemed like everyone had their valid points.

"Hmph! The Moon Emperor Clan will never yield. If the Hundred Cities Alliance dares to come, I'll kill one for every one of them, a hundred for a hundred!" The green-haired man said indignantly.

Oh no!

Kill a hundred?

Qi Yuan now knew who was right and who was wrong.

At this moment, the one-eyed man laughed grimly, "The Great Luo Kingdom's royal family, three thousand of them, were all slaughtered by us!"

Qi Yuan was completely shocked upon hearing this. There was an even more formidable person here.

He was anxious, fearing more trouble, "I understand. You're right, and they're wrong."

He pointed at the people from the Hundred Cities Alliance, declaring them wrong.

After Qi Yuan spoke, he added, "Can you tell me where July Town is now?"

Upon hearing this, the one-eyed man was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, "You said we're wrong again?"

The seven martial warriors behind him also looked at Qi Yuan with mocking and murderous expressions.

Qi Yuan asked, "Where is July Town?"

The one-eyed man laughed, "I've never even heard of July Town, and there's definitely no such place here!"

His followers were all laughing.

Seeing this, the green-haired man reminded Qi Yuan, "It's best to leave quickly. The Hundred Cities Alliance isn't to be trifled with."

Qi Yuan ignored him and stood quietly in his original spot, his eyes fixed on the one-eyed man, "Are you sure you're lying to me?"

"There's no need for confirmation. So what if I am?

An arrogant wandering cultivator, daring to show your face, seeking death." The one-eyed man spoke with disdain.

Qi Yuan drew his sword, his face darkening for the first time, "I hate being lied to, especially about important matters!"

If someone had given Qi Yuan the wrong address, he might have been even later in meeting Jing Li.

His time was already limited.

How could he not be angry! Holding his treasure sword, he moved with lightning speed, leaving the others stunned.

"Lying to me deserves death!"

His speed was incredible. Before anyone could react, not even seeing his residual shadow, a clean cut appeared on the necks of the one-eyed man and his eight followers. Blood sprayed out simultaneously, creating a spectacular sight, followed by the sound of bodies falling to the ground.

"You really don't know where July Town is?"

Qi Yuan's sword tip advanced, pressing against the one-eyed man's Adam's apple, and blood flowed.

The one-eyed man dared not speak.

"Die!"

A sword pierced through his throat, and Qi Yuan exuded a chilling aura.

The clothes on his body, for some reason, slowly changed color at this moment, as if dyed red with blood.

After killing eight people with a single sword, Qi Yuan seemed as if he had just killed insects.

The green-haired man's eyes flashed with shock and deep vigilance.

"Are you looking for someone, sir?" he asked tentatively.

"Yes, I want to go to the Moon Imperial Kingdom, July Town. I have a friend who said she's waiting for me there," Qi Yuan's tone was somewhat dejected.

This was in stark contrast to his swift killing of the eight men.

"But I can't find the Moon Imperial Kingdom or July Town. It's right here... next to the Ancient Ji Chun Tree, under the Ancient Ji Chun Tree."

Qi Yuan held his treasure sword, his gaze cold, wishing he could split the Ancient Ji Chun Tree with a single sword.

Upon hearing this, the green-haired man revealed a thoughtful expression.

"Among all the countries and cities around the Ancient Ji Chun Tree, only our Moon Emperor Clan seems to match what you've described.

Perhaps your friend made a mistake, or there's some misunderstanding.

Or perhaps it's actually July Lake, and there's a branch of our Moon Emperor Clan there, similar to a small town.

Why don't you stay with us in the Moon Emperor Clan, and tell us the information about the person you're looking for? We'll help you find them."

Hearing this, Qi Yuan coldly glanced at them, "You won't deceive me, will you?"

He raised his hand, wiped the blood off the sword blade, and cleaned the blood from the one-eyed man's neck.

The green-haired man's heart trembled for no apparent reason.

"Of course, we won't deceive you, sir. But naturally, we in the Moon Emperor Clan can't guarantee that we'll definitely help you find that old friend of yours!" the green-haired man said.

He did this because he valued Qi Yuan's strength.

Currently, the White City Alliance's siege was ongoing, and the Moon Emperor Clan was struggling. Having one more ally meant one more ally.

"Alright," Qi Yuan agreed, as he also had no better idea.

He might be able to obtain more useful information from the Moon Emperor Clan.

At this moment, the green-haired man said, "Now that our Moon Emperor Clan is under siege by the White City Alliance, you might get implicated by staying here."

"It's fine," Qi Yuan said.

He didn't care about any of this, as long as he could see Jing Li.

"May I ask you to inform us about the person you're looking for, including their appearance?" The green-haired man's attitude was extremely humble.

"Her name is Jing Li, the Empress of the Southern Dry Kingdom. I don't know her appearance, but she should be very beautiful. She's not very old, and when the snow covers the Ancient Ji Chun Tree, she'll be in her twenty-ninth year."

Note: On the Moon Gazing Continent, women are considered adults at eighteen.

The green-haired man silently noted down this information.

"Is that woman waiting for you in July Town?" he asked.

"Yes," Qi Yuan replied.

"May I ask for your name, sir?" The green-haired man looked at Qi Yuan. "We can spread the word, and if she knows you're looking for her, she might also come here."

"Qi Yuan," he replied.

"Good!" The green-haired man remembered this information, "Why don't you come with us to the Moon Emperor Clan?"

Qi Yuan glanced at July Lake and then at the Ancient Ji Chun Tree, "No, I'll wait here. If there's no news after half a month, I'll leave."

After speaking, Qi Yuan slowly walked towards the lake.

He found a green stone and sat down, gazing at the emerald lake water, lost in thought.

The green-haired man and the Moon Emperor Clan members exchanged glances, then silently dealt with the corpses of the martial warriors from the White City Alliance.

They quietly retreated.

Qi Yuan sat alone by the lake, holding his treasure sword, with moonlight falling on his shoulders. He stared at the lake, deep in thought.

...

"He killed nine martial warriors, including a King Rank and eight Emperor Ranks. He should be a Supreme Overlord!"

A girl in emerald green attire stood there; she was from the July branch of the Moon Emperor Clan and a disciple of the Moon Imperial Priestess.

The Moon Imperial Priestess had gone to meet an old friend, leaving Cold Moon in charge.

She stood on the balcony, looking at July Lake, and saw the man sitting quietly by the lake.

"He's looking for someone, so I'll send people to find her.

A Supreme Overlord is worth our effort to win over." Cold Moon instructed.

"Yes, sir," the green-haired man agreed and then left.

69999

Cold Moon stood alone on the balcony, gazing at the man's back, and couldn't help but sigh.

"If I remember correctly, the Wedding Robe Empress also waited here for the Heavenly God, didn't she?"

"What a pity."

"The Wedding Robe Empress never met the Heavenly God and rests here forever, leaving behind a new Wedding Robe Empress. But the human world has entered a time of crisis!

The White City Alliance, lackeys of demons, must be exterminated!" Cold Moon's face revealed a hint of killing intent.

As the morning sun shone on July Lake, a resting little bird suddenly flew away from Qi Yuan's shoulder in fright.

The green-haired man hurried over.

"Any news?" Qi Yuan's voice was urgent.

"No," the green-haired man said, "Regarding the person you're looking for, we've informed other branches of the Moon Emperor Clan. If there's any news, we'll notify you immediately!"

"Alright," Qi Yuan said, disappointed.

He was somewhat dissatisfied.

Why did his game interface disappear after leaving Heaven's Forbidden Zone?

Now, he couldn't contact Jing Li, and she couldn't see him either. Would she be worried?

Or would she think he had broken his promise?

Qi Yuan disliked being late for appointments, unless there were special circumstances.

He sat by the lake, and after a while, the green-haired man also left.

As the sun slowly rose, the lakeside became lively.

(Chapter End)

Several young girls carrying bamboo baskets came to the lake to wash their clothes. Upon seeing Qi Yuan, they stole glances, some shy and others fearful.

On the open ground by the lake, a group of children played, creating a lively atmosphere.

Qi Yuan sat motionless, like a wooden stake, unmoving.

Not far away, a little boy kept glancing at Qi Yuan, his face showing hesitation.

Finally, he approached bravely and said, "Faceless One, can I call you that?"

"Sure," Qi Yuan replied, embracing his sword without turning his head.

The boy patted his chest, seemingly calming his nerves, "You haven't moved at all, I thought you had died here."

Qi Yuan remained silent.

The boy continued, "What are you doing here?"

The boy seemed curious about everything.

He was also quite bold.

"I'm waiting for someone," Qi Yuan answered.

Hearing this, the boy looked sad, "When I was little, I used to wait here every day for my father to come home. Sometimes, I would draw on the ground with a stick, and if it got late, I'd catch fireflies..."

Qi Yuan's attention was piqued by this.

"I'm eight years old now."

"You still remember things from when you were so young?"

"It's only been two or three years, but I still remember my father's appearance. I even carved his likeness so I'll never forget him." The boy happily took out a wood carving of a man, "My father is a sculptor, and I will become a great sculptor too."

Hope shone in the boy's eyes.

At that moment, a dirty child ran over, "A Qiao, do you want a tanghulu?"

The dirty child opened his hand, revealing three dusty tanghulu.

"Xiao Ping, where did you get these?" A Qiao took one.

"I found them. Hey, weird uncle, do you want one?" The dirty child noticed Qi Yuan and held out his hand, looking at him curiously.

A Qiao was at a loss for words, "He's an adult, he won't eat your dirty tanghulu!"

Just then, a voice called out, "A Qiao, Xiao Ping, come back quickly, it's time to eat!"

"Weird Uncle, we're leaving!"

The two boys ran off quickly.

The lakeside returned to its quiet state, with only Qi Yuan sitting there alone.

The next day, the boy named A Qiao came back and chatted with Qi Yuan for a while before running off again.

A Qiao had said that he would carve a sculpture for Qi Yuan using the best materials.

On the third day, Qi Yuan noticed that the July Lake shore was much quieter, and none of the Moon Emperor women came to wash clothes, nor did the children come to play.

The green-haired man visited Qi Yuan and said that the Hundred Cities Alliance might attack soon.

They were still searching for Jing Li.

That night, Qi Yuan sat alone by the lake.

Suddenly, he stood up, "I can't keep waiting like this."

He decided to circle the Gu Qi Chun Tree, hoping to encounter her.

He knew it required time, space, and a person's alignment to meet.

Missing one might mean not finding her.

He flew towards the Gu Qi Chun Tree.

Its thick trunk resembled a mountain.

After flying two-thirds of the way, Qi Yuan stopped.

He saw a shocking sight.

Ahead, the massive Gu Qi Chun Tree had a towering trunk and drooping branches, like fishing lines falling from the sky.

However... on the branches, there were countless human corpses.

A hundred? A thousand? Ten thousand?

Hundred thousand? More?

Countless corpses hung from the Gu Qi Chun Tree's verdant branches.

White bones were covered by tattered cloth, dried corpses emitted a stench, and fresh corpses still had serene smiles in their eyes...

Qi Yuan was silent.

This was his first time seeing so many corpses.

He flew forward, not knowing how long he'd been flying.

Every time he looked up, he saw countless feet and uncountable bones.

How many people were there?

What had they done wrong to be hanged here?

Qi Yuan remained silent, flying around the tree's trunk, his powerful martial arts energy searching as well.

Unfortunately, he didn't sense anyone like Jing Li.

All he saw were corpses hanging from the Gu Qi Chun Tree!

This was a human hell!

The world wasn't as beautiful as Jing Li had described!

"Why can't I find her!"

Qi Yuan was frustrated.

He had almost completed a circle around the tree's trunk without success.

He was afraid he might not see Jing Li.

Suddenly, Qi Yuan stopped.

His pupils contracted as he saw two familiar skeletons.

One was the woman from outside Kunwu City, holding her child.

She hung from the Gu Qi Chun Tree, her expression as numb as when Qi Yuan had first seen her.

The other was the child she had held tightly.

Someone he had just met was now hanging among the countless corpses on the Gu Qi Chun Tree.

For some reason, Qi Yuan felt a surge of anger.

He drew his sword, wanting to slash the tree.

Just then, a pleasant female voice called out, "Qi Yuan..."

Qi Yuan turned sharply, and under the moonlight, a girl with a flowing dress stood there.

Disappointment flashed in Qi Yuan's eyes, "Who are you?"

He hadn't seen Jing Li, but he knew this wasn't her.

"I'm July, one of the twelve Moon Emperor's priests."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end