Published: March 8, 2025
The surroundings were filled with continuous screams, and blood sprayed everywhere, turning the night sky into a scene of horror.
Li Changlong watched Tan Tan, drenched in blood and on the verge of collapse, with a fierce determination in his eyes that seemed almost tangible, and an inexplicable sense of panic surged from the depths of his heart.
Xie Danfeng was pushed out by Tan Tan, staggering a few steps, but instead of fleeing obediently, she suddenly stood still and turned back, staring blankly at Tan Tan's back, her eyes filled with sweetness and happiness.
Yes, in this dire situation, there was no sadness, no despair, and no fear of impending death in Xie Danfeng's eyes; there was only sweetness and happiness.
"Why aren’t you leaving yet?!" Tan Tan shouted angrily.
"I won’t go, I’m scared," Xie Danfeng said sorrowfully. "I’m afraid that if we don’t die together, what if we get separated on the Road to the Underworld? I’d be all alone, with no one to protect me. Even if I become a ghost, I’d still be afraid."
"I never knew what it felt like to be protected before, so I wasn’t afraid of anything. But now I know, I want you to protect me..." Xie Danfeng bit her lip, her eyes overflowing with tenderness, her pale face flickering in the dim light of blades and swords, "So... Tan Tan, if we’re going to die, let’s die together."
"How happy that would be..." Xie Danfeng sighed, seeking nothing more than happiness.
"You foolish woman! Foolish woman!" Tan Tan cursed through clenched teeth, "Why are you so stupid?"
Xie Danfeng swayed slightly and smiled, "It’s better for me to be a bit foolish. I’m afraid that if I become smart, you won’t want me anymore..."
Tan Tan looked up to the sky and roared, a mouthful of bright red blood spurted out as he shouted, "Woman, if we’re going to die! After I die, you die! Do you understand? I don’t want a bunch of ghosts pointing at my back saying: This bastard couldn’t even protect his own wife! Understand? I practice martial arts to protect! To protect you! To protect my master! To protect my senior brother! To protect!"
Xie Danfeng nodded obediently, "Don’t worry, before you die, I will keep my eyes open, but when you close your eyes, I will take my last breath with you. No matter life or death, you can’t abandon me!"
A surge of hot blood rushed up in Tan Tan’s chest, and he suddenly began to breathe heavily, as if some inexplicable emotion was brewing and accumulating within him, filling his entire body with an explosive feeling...
Li Changlong stood opposite them, but both seemed oblivious to their impending death!
However, when Tan Tan uttered that line, Li Changlong suddenly felt as if he had been struck by lightning. A wave of torment churned in his heart, as if a soft spot deep within him had been brutally struck...
In that moment, Li Changlong suddenly found it hard to breathe; his formerly tall and imposing figure hunched over, nearly curling into a ball.
"I practice martial arts to protect! To protect you, to protect my master..."
"To protect... I practice martial arts to protect..." Li Changlong murmured, "Then, who am I protecting? Where is the one who needs my protection now?..."
Li Changlong’s gaze suddenly became confused, his body swaying slightly, as if in that moment, a great mountain had suddenly pressed down on him.
It crushed him so that he could hardly breathe.
"No matter life or death, you can’t abandon me!" Xie Danfeng’s voice reached him, close enough that it felt like it was coming from a distant place, faint yet clear.
It seemed as if, in the dark, another person was softly saying to Li Changlong: "No matter life or death, you can’t abandon me!"
No matter life or death, you can’t abandon me...
Practicing martial arts is all about protection...
...
"Ah!~~~" Li Changlong suddenly raised his head, his expression fierce, shouting into the endless sky! His face twisted, eyes filled with pain and regret, and he suddenly hugged his head, continuously and madly howling at the sky, tears streaming down his face.