Chapter 242 - Xiyue

With victory afoot, the creature relaxed a little as it maintained the loving smile like that of a mother who had reunited with her beloved child.

While this was happening Ji Yao who had finally reached this place with great difficulty crawled up the heap of rocks and boulders from where the creature had broken through. In shallow breaths, he reached the top afraid to inhale deeply as it was excruciatingly painful.

It was like a jagged sharp knife was stabbing his chest from inside. He had taken the healing elixir which is why he was able to move but it hadn't taken full effect yet.

Standing atop the pile of rocks with a slumped back he massaged his painful shoulder as he stared at the shipwreck. His expression was grim with a sickly pale complexion. He took a step forward only to knit his brows when he saw Rui Fei walking towards a woman.

His steps faltered as he scrutinized the situation. Rui Fei was crying while walking towards her. He didn't know who she was but it was obvious this was the creature playing tricks on Rui Fei again. Gathering whatever little seraphic energy he could get he leapt off the small pile of rocks but because he was so weak he could only land in the pool of water.

Due to the excruciating pain, he didn't land steadily as he should. Instead, his foot stepped on the bottom of the pool and he fell forward wincing in pain. He placed his hand on his chest as he struggled to get up again.

The rest of his steps were slow as he walked unsteadily. "Fei-er! Fei, Fei-er," he called out but it was so painful for him to speak that his voice was tremulous and low. This meant Rui Fei couldn't hear him.

He had no other choice but to keep walking refusing to give up. After reaching the shore it took everything he had to finish that last stride. Closing his eyes he forced his aether to circulate his seraphic energy burning the last of his strength he rushed forward and hugged Rui Fei from behind stopping him from advancing.

Rui Fei whose gaze was unfocused and cloudy with tears hesitantly turned to look behind him and saw Ji Yao's face buried in his back. Ji Yao whispered, "It-its not,..... not real," in a broken voice. His wet head of hair pressed against Rui Fei as he tightened his hold as though afraid the youth wouldn't believe him and shake him off.

Rui Fei sharply turned his gaze back at the creature gulping down the torrent of emotions as his gaze turned fierce. The beautiful lady's face sank as she glared at the pair.

Before the creature could make a move and transform back to its true form a sword appeared in Rui Fei's hand with a loud shing sound. With an attitude of shoot first, then ask questions later he swung his sword immediately decapitating the creature that wore his mother's skin to deceive him.

As soon as its head rolled off with blood splatter everywhere it turned back into its true form. In place of his mother, there was a lifeless ugly creature that had caused him trouble for a long time.

He stood there breathing heavily as he held back his emotions but as his thoughts strayed to his mother he broke down. For the first time this kid who didn't cry out with silent tears streaming down his face when he was forced to watch his half-siblings die one after the other wailed in grief as he squatted down to the ground.

Ji Yao was in excruciating pain but he knelt behind him and placed his hand on Rui Fei's forehead pulling him back into his chest while rubbing his arm in comfort. This creature was especially cruel. To think it used something this deep all for the sake of winning. Who knows how many wounds were reopened in this experience alone.

Ji Yao was guilt-ridden. He felt like it was all his fault. He had stubbornly gone after these keystones only for Rui Fei to suffer. He should have known that based on Rui Fei's feelings towards him he would do whatever it takes to come after him.

He should have known that this youth would gladly go through the fire, endure the freezing water and fight a fierce battle for him. All this Rui Fei would willingly do and no one could stop him. 

Unless if Ji Yao changed his lifestyle and refrained from dangerous tasks will Rui Fei stay out of harm's way. This was incredibly difficult considering Ji Yao was born a pirate and would most likely die a pirate. "I am sorry.... so sorry," he said before kissing the top of Rui Fei's head soothing him. This creature was by far the worst Ji Yao had to deal with.

***

With Red Bane, a distance further from this place of death, the rocky island that had been subjected to explosions and constant attacks had its calmness restored. Occasionally, sounds of rolling stones and rocks falling into the water echoed in the cave but other than that it was tranquil.

The decapitated corpse of the Yinying lay on the ground lifeless within the partially destroyed shipwreck. Despite the tranquillity, there was an unexplained icy chill in the air. This was because of the soul of the Yinying creature that had ascended from its body.

One can imagine how many curses and vulgar words were coming out of the soul of the Yinying. It was throwing a tantrum but because it was now devoid of a physical form there was only so much damage it could do. Nothing it did helped it vent out its anger. Only the death of those brats could remedy its resentment.

While throwing a fit it suddenly felt something off. It felt a hair raising fear take hold of it. Looking up it heard a weird whistling sound. Puzzled it tilted its head to the side only to see a silvery-white blade covered in mist descend from the skies its intentions clear.

Terrified, it tried to run but it found it couldn't move. "Fuck," was the last word it said as the sword stabbed its soul shattering it to pieces with a force so powerful that it pushed the waters forward. The waves even reached Red Bane but by the time they got there they were less powerful like a regular serene tide.

***

Atop a green hill under a tree with a twisted trunk and white petals scattered everywhere stood a lady dressed in gold as she looked down at the rocky island and Red Bane sailing in the distance.

She unclenched her fist as a flattering breeze blew by gently sweeping her dress and some petals.

"Shi mei, you know the rules. You chose to be here so you must respect the rules," said a mellow voice coming from behind her.

When she heard that voice the woman's body froze before she clenched her fist again. "I didn't choose to be here," she replied before turning and walking past her.

"Whatever the reason you still can't interfere..... Xiyue," said the lady as she turned to look at Xiyue.

At the mention of her name, she halted her steps her heart pounding hard against her chest before she carried on walking.