Chapter 984: Chapter 45: Settling Down in Niu Jiao Village
Xiao Jie didn’t look in the direction the young man fled. He silently walked to Bai Ling’s side. This companion who had once saved his life and accompanied him for ten years had breathed his last, with an eye pierced by a crossbow arrow, looking particularly tragic.
He crouched down, his hands holding the cold beast trap, his arm muscles bulging, and with a cracking sound, broke open the steel trap by sheer force. He carefully picked up Bai Ling’s still warm body, as if holding the most precious treasure in the world, turned around, and walked heavily away from this land soaked in fresh blood.
Half an hour later, Xiao Jie returned to the cliff where he and the wolf pack resided.
He gently placed Bai Ling’s body on the dry rock, and sat down forlornly, staring at the familiar lifeless figure, his mind blank. Bai Ling was dead; his last and deepest bond in this wilderness was broken. Where should he go from here? In his current state, half-human and half-beast, does he belong to humanity or to beasts?
A few gray wolves gathered around, growling uneasily. Among them, a larger male wolf cautiously approached Bai Ling’s corpse, its nose twitching. Just when Xiao Jie thought it was expressing grief, the wolf suddenly opened its mouth wide, fiercely biting into Bai Ling’s soft abdomen!
“Get away!” Fury surged in Xiao Jie’s heart! He kicked out forcefully, sending the male wolf rolling away, crashing into the cliff with a howl of pain! The male wolf whimpered miserably, tucking its tail and shying away to the back of the pack.
Xiao Jie angrily scanned the other restless gray wolves, whose eyes showed no sadness, only a primal hunger for food and confusion over why this ‘alpha’ hadn’t started eating yet—they were waiting for him to enjoy this ‘feast’ first!
Xiao Jie was initially shocked and angry, but instantly, he understood. Yes, they were ultimately just beasts following jungle law. In their world, survival transcends all emotions. Bai Ling had absorbed moonlight spiritual energy for many years, and the faint demon power within her was an irresistible nourishing delicacy to them. Consuming dead companions, especially strong ones, was a rightful act for the pack—it maximized resources and was a part of the natural cycle.
Food, especially “valuable” food , shouldn’t be wasted.
However, while he understood this, Xiao Jie couldn’t accept it. Watching Bai Ling being devoured felt more piercing to his soul than killing those hunters. At that moment, he realized clearly: he was ultimately human! With human emotions, human ethics, and human respect for the deceased!
Beasts may lack the complex treachery of humans, but that doesn’t stem from innate goodness; it’s simply because their spiritual wisdom is undeveloped, unable to comprehend more complex morals and emotions. Note that those demons who truly become spirits, possess wisdom—their deceit, cruelty, and greed might even surpass humans!
The gray wolves began to growl impatiently, filled with urging: Hurry up and eat! We can’t hold back any longer!
Cold light burst from Xiao Jie’s eyes, and a tangible killing aura mixed with his newly restored Inner Strength exploded fiercely! An invisible pressure instantly enveloped the bottom of the cliff! The wolf pack seemed struck by an invisible hammer, whimpered in terror, tucked their tails tightly, and shuddered on the ground, afraid to make any rash movements.
Xiao Jie didn’t look at them again. He bent over, picked up Bai Ling’s cold corpse once more, and walked to the edge of the cliff. With one last glance at the valley where he lived for ten years, he leapt off, holding Bai Ling like a meteor, plunging into the rushing river below.
Xiao Jie stood at the entrance of a familiar yet eerily desolate valley, his emotions surging, filled with deep thoughts.
Forget Sorrow Valley, I’m back. The source of this content ɪs novel~fire~net
Ten years tempered in the wilderness had granted him beast-like keen perception. Now, returning to his homeland, he could clearly feel the unique spirit of the valley, though it’s now shrouded in a layer of dead silence.
The huts and bamboo buildings within the valley had long since decayed, covered with vines. In the clearing by the waterfall stood three moss-covered, weed-covered lonely graves.
He moved closer to inspect.
The first grave: Master Xuanji Zi’s grave.
The second grave: Unworthy disciple Jiu Jianxian’s grave.
The third grave: Third Junior Hidden Moon Following Wind’s grave.
The inscriptions were ancient and vigorous, exuding a heroic righteousness—it was the work of Senior Brother Xia Yi the Unrivaled.
Senior Brother actually… built a tomb in my name too? A complex warmth surged in Xiao Jie’s heart, mixed with the sorrow of change. He walked to the grave inscribed with his name, stood silent for a moment, then drew the broken knife and began to dig. Quickly, a shallow pit appeared. He carefully placed Bai Ling, whom he held in his arms all the time, into the pit, gently covered it with soil, and piled up a small grave mound.
Standing before Bai Ling’s new grave, he silently recited: I know that in your world, being consumed by your own blood descendants might be part of returning to nature. You don’t need to thank me for taking you away, nor blame me for my presumptuousness. Here is peaceful, free from disturbance; rest here in peace.
Having completed everything, Xiao Jie cast a deep gaze at his master’s and Jiu Jianxian’s graves, then glanced at the “home” he once had, and with no lingering sentiments, turned and floated away.