Chapter 975: Chapter 40: Ode to the Hero, Reincarnated Twice (Part 3)
Although this world contains many supernatural elements, generally speaking, it’s still a relatively peaceful place. The terrifying tales of mountain spirits and wild monsters usually only appear in some desolate areas, whereas regular Martial Arts practitioners are no match for him.
This experience, if written in detail, could fearlessly become a novel of millions of words…
However, for Xiao Jie, who has lived two lifetimes, it is just a deeply memorable chapter of his life.
It’s undeniable that this immersive gaming experience, where one truly enters the worldly society, roaming and upholding justice, is far more exhilarating than sitting in front of a computer, controlling with a mouse and keyboard.
On this day, alone and unaided, he vanquished a notorious bandit camp and rescued a young woman who had been abducted. After the matter was settled, he intended to safely return the woman to her home and then, as in previous years, embark on the journey back to his master’s secluded mountain valley.
That night, he stayed at a simple countryside inn. When everything was silent, the door was gently knocked. Xiao Jie opened the door, and it was the young woman he had rescued earlier that day. Her head bowed, blushing, with eyes full of timidity and determination. Upon seeing Xiao Jie open the door, she gracefully stepped inside, silently slipping off her coat.
Xiao Jie remained unsurprised, simply admiring the beauty before him.
Her eyebrows are like paintings, delicate ebony brows over enchanting eyes that shimmer as if filled with shyness yet determination.
With a beautifully sculpted nose and lips like a touch of vermilion, her slightly exposed teeth were like pearls.
Her exquisite form, jade-like skin glowing in the dim candlelight, with a sensuous shimmer. With the light fabric half removed, exposing fragrant shoulders and ample bosom, her figure appeared even more graceful and alluring, yet naturally seductive with every move and smile.
Though Xiao Jie had weathered many storms, even he felt his heart stir at the sight, his breath catching just a little.
A thought immediately came to his mind—Oh no, not again…
The reason for this thought was that this kind of scene, he had encountered countless times over the years.
At first, it was quite thrilling, but over time he became more composed. As for the reason—
“Benefactor…” The woman’s voice was as faint as a mosquito’s, quivering, “I am a simple woman with nothing to repay your life-saving grace, except… except my purity to serve you…”
She lifted her watery eyes, pushed out her proud chest, and pleaded, “But… but I am from a good family, and my purity cannot be trifled with. I beg you to tell me your name so that I can keep you in my thoughts.”
Xiao Jie stood silently, his expression complicated. As expected… the same old routine.
Each time someone throws themselves at him, they force him to speak; as long as he doesn’t speak, he can only look but not touch.
As time went by, Xiao Jie’s mentality was as calm as an ancient monk in meditation.
The woman waited for a long while, and seeing no response from Xiao Jie, the light of hope in her eyes slowly dimmed, turning into sorrow and embarrassment. She forced back her tears, her voice choking, “Benefactor… are you unwilling to give your name because you fear I will cling to you in the future? Forget it… if you think so little of me…” She bent to pick up her clothes from the floor, putting them back on with heartbroken stiffness, whispering, “Just pretend… that I never came tonight.” With that, she covered her face and turned, stumbling into the darkness of the hallway beyond the door.
Xiao Jie watched the empty doorway and sighed quietly to himself. What a pity… Nevertheless, this kind of “test,” he had long since lost count of how many times he had encountered it over the years. The temptations of beauty, wealth, and power were endless, but to Xiao Jie, who had endured much torture and scrutiny, this kind of test was only a minor annoyance.
He collected his thoughts, turned back into the room, and remained undisturbed.
The next day, Xiao Jie kept his word and safely returned the woman to her home. When parting, the woman gave him a complicated look, filled with unspoken emotions, and merely paid a respectful bow before turning to close the door. Xiao Jie calculated the days; the year’s end was near. For years now, every New Year’s Eve, no matter where he was, he would rush back to that secluded mountain valley to reunite with his master, Xuanji Zi. To report his year’s worth of roaming exploits and also to receive his master’s teachings, feeling that rare, almost familial warmth.
His senior martial brother occasionally returns, but as for his second martial brother, it’s been long since he’s seen him.
With a burning desire to return, Xiao Jie urged his horse forward. In a few days, the familiar outline of the valley embraced by verdant mountains once again came into view.
Before the clear stream at the valley’s entrance, he reined in his horse and dismounted.
Letting the horse lower its head to drink freely. He himself walked to the water’s edge, gazing at his reflection in the babbling stream.
The man reflected in the water appeared around twenty-seven or eight, in the prime of his vigor. His features were sharply defined, with sword-like brows that angled toward his temples. Years of hardship subtly imprinted on his brow, adding an air of maturity. Dressed in a blue outfit faded with washing, half worn black leather armor over it.
Standing there, he exuded a grand, steadfast aura, as silent and sharp as a hero incarnate.
Gazing at his reflection, Xiao Jie’s eyes flashed with a hint of sentiment. Ten years… life in this worldly society truly flew by.
In reality, he was of similar age, which means the time he spent in this Taixu Illusion Realm had outlasted his actual life.
Recalling his past in reality began to feel distant, even slightly surreal.
Cars, computers, apartment buildings… all the memories gradually blurred with time.
As for those teammates of his, aside from names and a few traits, he could scarcely recall more.
He worried inwardly—give it a few more decades, would he forget everything about his real life?
But having lived over thirty years now, he had nearly reached half of his goal age. Just hold on a bit longer.
Teammates… Resurrection… Cheng Xian… mustn’t forget these.
He silently reminded himself, yet as he looked up toward the valley ahead, his past worries were immediately replaced by a sense of joy at returning home.
Indeed, the straw huts and bamboo buildings within this valley felt like home to him.
The urgency of returning made him pause no longer. His toes tapped lightly on the bank’s bluestone, and his body soared like a Roc, leaping over the stream and landing gracefully into the quiet valley.
However, as his feet touched the ground, Xiao Jie’s eyes instantly froze, as if struck by lightning!
The usually spirited and vigorous Xuanji Zi now lay on the cold ground, face as yellow as golden paper, breathing weakly, with traces of dark red blood at the corners of his mouth!
A wave of intense pain instantly seized Xiao Jie’s heart! This serene valley was the harbor for his wandering soul; Xuanji Zi was a strict master, a kind father, and his most genuine bond within this illusory world! Ten years of companionship, every moment, already ingrained in his bones and blood!
Like an arrow loosed from a bow, he charged to the elder’s side, kneeling heavily as he trembled, cradling his master in his arms. He opened his mouth, his throat emitting hoarse gasps, yet no words could escape, only endless grief and urgency churning within his chest!
It was as if sensing his presence, Xuanji Zi miraculously opened a sliver of his eyes, his murky gaze struggling to focus on Xiao Jie’s face, using his last ounce of strength to utter a few broken words: “Follow… the wind… this master… did not… misjudge you… be… careful… your… second…” before “brother” could exit his lips, the light in his eyes snuffed out like a candle in the wind, his head falling limply to one side.
Instantly, Xiao Jie felt an icy despair freeze his entire being, as if the whole world had lost its color.
He wanted to shout, opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
For a moment, he couldn’t discern whether he withheld his voice or simply forgot how to speak. Read full story at novel·fiɾe·net
Fake! It’s all fake! He tried to convince himself, yet the pain was so sharp and vivid as if cold steel needles pierced his soul, rendering him helpless against the consuming despair. But that agony was so sharp and clear.
“Aha! So it was all a lie!” A voice filled with malice and madness suddenly shattered the silence! Xiao Jie abruptly raised his head and saw his second brother, whom he hadn’t seen for years, Jiu Jianxian, standing at a distance with a smirk of malice.
In one hand, he held a wine gourd, in the other a sword still dripping with ominous liquid.