Chapter 949: 塞上牛羊空許諾

Jiang Fan held her tightly, his eyes gradually welling up. "Don't speak anymore," he said.

"We'll be in Beisai soon. That's your favorite place. You can run barefoot across the grasslands, laugh freely and without restraint, chop wood to boil tea, watch the stars, and admire the moon."

"You can do everything you want to do..."

Cough, cough, cough...

A violent fit of coughing interrupted him.

Ling Shu opened her eyes, looked at Jiang Fan one last time, then slowly closed them again. "Brother, do you like Ling Shu?"

"Yes, I do."

"Then, do you dislike Ling Shu calling you Brother?"

"No, I don't."

"Then if Ling Shu calls you Brother, will you answer?"

"Yes, I will, always."

"Then Ling Shu will keep calling."

"Brother."

"Yes?"

"Brother..."

"Yes?"

"Bro...ther..."

"Yes!"

Ling Shu's arm, wrapped around Jiang Fan's waist, slowly lowered. Her palm opened, and a green Rejuvenation Pill rolled out from it.

She hadn't taken it. She wanted to go and be with her people. Agreeing to go to Beisai wasn't because she wanted to see the grasslands; it was to accompany Jiang Fan for a little longer, one last time. A smile lingered on her lips, because she had departed listening to Jiang Fan's voice. She was content.

"Ling Shu!"

Jiang Fan pulled her into his embrace, tears streaming down his face as he trembled. "Didn't you say you'd keep calling me Brother? Keep calling me. I will always answer you, always."

His only reply was eternal silence.

"Ling Shu!!!"

Jiang Fan's tears fell like rain. His heart felt as if it were squeezed by a large hand, making it hard for him to breathe. "We're almost out of the pass, you... just wait a little longer! I still owe you a promise!"

The carriage wheels rolled forward, leaving long tracks. The beautiful scenery they passed by became a regrettable memory, something that couldn't be held onto. And those unfulfilled promises became a long sigh on the journey of life.

Beyond the pass, on the grasslands.

Jiang Fan stood on a mountain. As far as the eye could see, there were still lush green grasslands, small animals grazing, and the freedom of the blue sky. Only, the graceful figure who would take off her shoes and run barefoot across the grasslands was no longer there.

"Ling Shu, we're here."

Jiang Fan looked at the person sleeping in his arms, and tears welled up again, rolling down his face. "The grassland you longed for most has arrived. Are you happy? From now on, you can forever gaze upon these grasslands and watch over this sky."

He took out a bronze coffin. It was the same coffin mound from the Demon Clan's secret realm, which had contained the Nine Phoenix Dao hairpin and the blood-red dress. Bodies placed within it would not decay or perish.

"On a whim that day, I took the bronze coffin before leaving. Now, it's used to bury Ling Shu. Was all of this a destined arrangement?" Jiang Fan murmured, gently placing Ling Shu into the bronze coffin.

Gazing at her peaceful face, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. Then he slowly closed the lid of the coffin.

As the coffin lid slowly closed, Ling Shu's figure disappeared little by little. Jiang Fan's hands trembled, and his heart ached.

"Ling Shu! See you in the next life!"

The coffin lid was completely closed. That face would, from then on, vanish from his future life. Never to be seen again.

At this moment, Jiang Fan was overcome with extreme grief and extreme rage. He clenched his fists, lifted his gaze towards the depths of the vast sea, in the direction of Taicang Great State. His eyes were filled with overwhelming murderous intent.

"Firmament Demon Emperor!!!"

"I will make sure you have no burial place!!!"

Soon after, Jiang Fan's figure was gone. Only a solitary grave remained. On the tombstone, two lines of text were carved:

"Tomb of My Beloved Wife, Ling Shu.""Erected by Her Husband, Jiang Fan."

At this moment, two colorful butterflies flew over and landed on the tombstone. A flower bloomed in front of the tombstone. No, not just one. As a pair of moon-white shoes slowly stepped forward, flowers bloomed everywhere, instantly transforming the area into a sea of blossoms. An ethereal and calm voice then gently echoed before the grave.

"Quite sentimental, isn't it?"

***

At the Demon Imperial Court.

The Slave Heart Demon Emperor had fully recovered. She looked North, her face full of worry. "Sister Yunxia, will master truly be alright?"

Consort Yunxia's expression dimmed. "How could he be alright? But what can you or I do?"

Clip-clop, clip-clop—

The Nine Dragon Bronze Chariot galloped back. Jiang Fan stood at the front of the chariot, not dismounting, merely bidding them farewell. "I'm fine, no need to worry. I need to make a trip to Taicang Great State. Rest assured, don't worry about me."

His purpose in going to Taicang Great State was self-evident.

The Pavilion Master of Heavenly Secrets flew up and said, "How can I not worry? White Horse Temple is a place more daunting than a dragon's lair or a tiger's den. Even Nascent Soul cultivators who venture in never return, let alone you?"

Jiang Fan shook his head and said quietly, "Don't worry. White Horse Temple cannot protect the Firmament Demon Emperor. Even if their Bodhisattvas come, they won't be able to protect him."

The Slave Heart Demon Emperor supported Consort Yunxia as they flew over. "Master, I'll go with you! We'll storm White Horse Temple together!"

The Pavilion Master of Heavenly Secrets also showed a sharp glint in his eyes. Consort Yunxia, however, gently shook her head. "There's no need. Going to White Horse Temple, one or two more Nascent Soul Demon Emperors won't make a difference. You two just guard the continent. I'll go with Jiang Lang."

White Horse Temple is such a terrifying place; if relying on ordinary martial strength, even ten more Pavilion Masters of Heavenly Secrets or Slave Heart Demon Emperors would be useless. Her going would be even more useless. But she could be with Jiang Fan, offering gentle comfort. This was what Jiang Fan needed most right now.

The Slave Heart Demon Emperor nodded, and the Pavilion Master of Heavenly Secrets sighed, filled with worry.

Jiang Fan looked at Consort Yunxia. "Alright, come along. I do need someone by my side." He pulled Consort Yunxia into the carriage, then drove the Nine Dragon Bronze Chariot away into the sky.

Inside the carriage, Consort Yunxia said nothing, simply took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the tear stains from his face. Then she silently embraced him from behind and whispered, "Before she left, she was smiling, wasn't she?"

Jiang Fan nodded.

Consort Yunxia said softly, "Then remember her last appearance. That was the memory she specifically left for you."

Jiang Fan's dry eyes moistened again. Consort Yunxia held him tighter. "Now, it's time to look forward. Do you have a plan for revenge?"

Jiang Fan nodded, wiping away the last trace of tears from his eyes. "Yes, I do."

Soon after, they appeared before the Heaven-Connecting Black Pillar. Consort Yunxia's face showed contemplation. "You want to use this black pillar? But how?"

Jiang Fan gazed at the Heaven-Connecting Black Pillar, his eyes cold. "Doesn't White Horse Temple like to redeem people? Evil people can become Buddhas instantly if they lay down their butcher's knives. Then, I'll fulfill their wish. Let them redeem the most wicked people in the world!"

He walked towards the Heaven-Connecting Black Pillar. To Consort Yunxia's astonishment, the Heaven-Connecting Black Pillar moved aside. She was deeply moved.

"The Heaven-Connecting Black Pillar is afraid of you?"