STG 29
Chapter 29: Ten Years
Lin Qiye’s blade had pierced the ghostly face, but that wasn’t the reason for the Ghostface King’s agonized howl.
What truly made the Ghostface King scream so heart-wrenchingly was Lin Qiye’s eyes. Under that scorching golden light, the ghostly face melted like wax exposed to fire, rapidly dissolving.
Though the golden radiance lasted only an instant, it was enough to snuff out the last flicker of life in the already dying Ghostface King.
Finally, under Lin Qiye’s gaze, the ghostly face solidified into a wrinkled, semi-solid mass—completely devoid of any trace of its former visage.
At the same time, Lin Qiye felt a warm current flow from the sword into his body through his hand.
He frowned slightly, planted his foot on the Ghostface King’s corpse, and pulled the straight sword free.
After a moment’s thought, he bent down and picked up the pale, crumpled remains of the ghostly face. The moment he did, his vision darkened, and he nearly collapsed.
Even with the enhancement from [Starlit Dancer], the intense battle had drained his stamina to the limit. Most critically, using the Seraphic Radiance twice had completely exhausted his already meager mental energy. Now, even walking was a struggle.
As Zhao Kongcheng had said—at his current level, facing the Ghostface King alone would have been a death sentence.
If the Night Watch hadn’t first severely wounded the Ghostface King, if Zhao Kongcheng hadn’t sacrificed his life to cripple it… even with the Seraphic Radiance and [Starlit Dancer], Lin Qiye would have stood no chance.
This was the power of the mythical creatures that had descended upon this world.
This was the might of the “Chuan” realm.
Rain streaked down his face as he trudged through the bloodied puddles, staggering toward Zhao Kongcheng’s lifeless body.
When he reached it, he slowly sat down beside it.
“I told you… being a hero isn’t easy,” Lin Qiye murmured, gazing at Zhao Kongcheng’s cold, still face. “You fought and died here… but how many will ever know?”
“Do you know? Right now, miles away in the city center… life goes on as usual.”
“They’re singing in karaoke bars. They’re feasting in hotpot restaurants. They’re rolling between hotel sheets. They’re munching popcorn in movie theaters…”
“And you—you!“
“You died here, silently, unnoticed.”
“They’ll never know that in this downpour, a man wielded a blade and felled a mythical creature. They’ll never know their carefree joy exists… because someone gave his life for them.”
“Was it worth it?”
Lin Qiye stared at Zhao Kongcheng’s pale face, as if waiting for an answer.
But the man would never speak again.
Lin Qiye continued, “You thought I was afraid of death, didn’t you?”
“You were wrong. Death doesn’t scare me at all.”
“Do you think a child who’s seen angels, gone blind, and been locked in a mental institution would still fear dying?”
“In the darkness, I tried to end my life countless times… but the light kept pulling me back.”
“And that light wasn’t the so-called ‘masses’—those too busy chasing desires in the city, complaining about life’s unfairness!”
“…It was my family.”
Lin Qiye lifted his head, gazing into the blackened sky as he spoke slowly:
“The world never saved me… so why should I give my life to protect it?”
“That’s why I refused to join the Night Watch.”
He turned his head, his eyes settling on the small house standing firm in the rain. A trace of uncertainty flickered in his gaze.
“But… I hate owing debts more than anything.”
“You saved my entire world.”
“What… can I do for you in return?”
Lin Qiye paused, then went on, “I know the Night Watch takes care of its own. Even in death, your wife and child will want for nothing. Your funeral… I’m sure they’ll arrange it with dignity.”
“You weren’t short on money… and I have none to give.”
“So how… how do I repay this debt?”
He sat there numbly for a long moment before turning his gaze back to the distant house…
In the rain, his fists slowly clenched—
Then loosened helplessly.
As if resolving himself, he used the sword to push himself up, standing with great effort as he muttered:
“In this life, I’ve only owed three people.”
“My aunt, who worked tirelessly for me for ten years.”
“My cousin, burdened by me for a decade.”
“And you… who saved all three of our lives.”
“You saved my world.”
“In exchange…”
“I’ll guard yours for ten years.”
“After a decade, no matter what happens… I’ll sever all ties with the Night Watch. With the ‘masses.’”
“I’ll return to this home… and resume the life I was meant to live.”
“Is that fair enough?”
Lin Qiye looked down at Zhao Kongcheng lying in the pool of blood. The man remained still, as if merely asleep.
“Since you don’t object… it’s settled.”
Lin Qiye plunged the straight sword into the ground, then turned toward a certain direction—
And knelt.
There, in the rain, stood an ordinary little house.
“Auntie… Xiao Qi has to leave.”
“Forgive me for not saying goodbye.”
“Because if I go back now… I might never want to leave.”
“I’ve heard the Night Watch pays well. In these ten years I’ll be serving, the stipend should be enough for you and Ah Jin to live comfortably. When the decade is over… I’ll make sure you both want for nothing.”
“Your kindness in raising me… I’ll repay it ten years from now.”
Kneeling in the rain, water dripped from his hair, mingling with the wetness in his eyes.
He bowed forward, pressing his forehead to the ground in a deep kowtow—and stayed like that for a long time before finally rising.
Slowly, he got to his feet, took one last look at the house, and pulled the sword from the earth…
Then turned to leave.
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“Xiangnan! I’m in the old residential area—where’s Lao Zhao?!”
In the pouring rain, a woman cloaked in dark red stood in the middle of the street, drenched to the bone, a black long case strapped to her back. She bent over, gasping for breath.
“Two buildings ahead, in the empty lot,” Wu Xiangnan’s voice came through her earpiece. He hesitated, his tone heavy. “Hong Ying… brace yourself.”
“For what?”
“We lost contact with him minutes ago. And his badge’s location… hasn’t moved in a while.”
Hong Ying’s pupils constricted violently. Her body trembled slightly before she shot forward like an arrow, sprinting toward the location!
“Don’t spout nonsense!! Maybe—maybe he’s just tired…” Her voice cracked, tears mixing with the rain on her face.
“Hong Ying—”
“Shut up!!” she roared.
“Hong Ying! Lao Zhao’s badge just moved!”
At those words, light returned to her eyes!
“I knew it, I knew it… He’s too stubborn to die! Where is he?”
“He’s moving slowly. He’s… getting closer to you.”
Hong Ying froze mid-step, her gaze snapping toward a nearby alleyway.
Thunder rumbled in the distance as rain poured down like a curtain, obscuring her vision.
Faintly, a figure emerged from the downpour.
A young man.
A sword strapped to his back.
A body cradled in his arms.
He stopped, took a deep breath—
And with all his strength, roared into the storm.
As if declaring it to the world itself.
“—Junior Lin Qiye, escorting General Zhao Kongcheng… home in triumph!!!”
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