UCTOOT CH136.1

Shi Shu was stunned on the spot instantly. What did this mean? The world would close in three days?

He and Xie Wuchi, there could only be one final winner?

As soon as the thought emerged, Shi Shu felt cold all over. The emotions he wanted to vent by punching Yinkun just now were completely drained away.

Shi Shu suddenly looked up at the sky: “Are you playing with me? You’re playing with me, aren’t you?! You actually gave such an ending!”

“…”

He and Xie Wuchi had just walked through the flames of war, traveled thousands of miles across mountains and rivers, from Xiangnan Temple through major prefectures, past Peach Blossom Post at night and Wooden Plank Bridge at dawn, past mountains of white bones where birds flew in fright, through separation and reunion, and finally lived what they thought was a peaceful life on a snowy night in Yanzhou. But unexpectedly, war rose again?

Shi Shu felt a huge gravitational pull in his heart: “I haven’t had a future with Xie Wuchi yet…”

Shi Shu suddenly grabbed Song Sinan, eyes red: “Sinan, are you one of the System’s people? Are you a living person?”

Song Sinan didn’t understand: “What are you talking about? Little Shu. What do you mean by System?”

“You are clearly all people… You, Doctor Lin, Pei Wenqing…”

Shi Shu took a step back, suddenly thought of something, and jumped down the steps: “You escort Zihan first; I have something important to do.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m going to find Xie Wuchi, I’m going to find him…” Shi Shu ran wildly to the tree where the horse was tied, mounted, waved the whip hard toward the Eastern Capital, and the horse shot out like an arrow.

Horse hooves galloped on the road, the sound of wind tightening.

Shi Shu’s heart shrank into a very small ball, extremely tense, as those memories surged. Xie Wuchi taught him to ride a horse so that one day he could escape the flames of war. After three thousand miles of exile, on the snowy plains of Senzhou, Xie Wuchi taught him to ride and said a sentence.

—One day, you will realize that the good friend you spend day and night with is actually your biggest rival in your career. The friendship of fighting side by side will begin to twist and deteriorate until no feelings remain.

He wanted to go home, but Shi Shu never thought that in the end, he would have to fight to the death with Xie Wuchi, leaving only one.

Horse hooves galloped on the road. The roaring wind brushed past his ears, making Shi Shu unable to breathe. His throat hurt, and he actually choked with sobs on horseback.

The future was like fog on the sea, but at this moment, he only wanted to find Xie Wuchi.

From Changyang County to the Eastern Capital was more than a hundred and fifty li. Riding wildly would take most of the day. It was already evening. Shi Shu drove the horse galloping on the road, darkness following like a shadow.

Along the way, ghostly shadows circled, owls hooted, wild dogs barked in mass graves, corpses and skeletons thrown by the roadside.

Endless black night.

Shi Shu’s thoughts were blurred, all memories returning to the starting point. Shi Shu set off from Zhou Family Village and ran thirty li, running through the night to Xiangnan Temple where Xie Wuchi was. Everything stumbled along, achieving a closed loop.

Unexpectedly, in the last three days, Shi Shu once again ran desperately toward Xie Wuchi regardless of everything.

Horse hooves galloped, wild wind poured into ears. Shi Shu’s clothes were torn, and a bloody taste rose in his throat.

Having just fought Yinkun, his whole body hurt now. The bumpier the ride, the more the pain reminded him. Passing through the stormy night, gripping the reins tight, recognizing the way by night, changing horses at guard posts with documents, the guards sending him part of the way.

The road late at night was very quiet, convenient for him to recall every detail with Xie Wuchi, recall every minute and second.

“Xie Wuchi…”

Shi Shu’s heart began to ache. He bent over on the horse, hooves crossing yellow earth roads, valleys and ravines, pine forests, main roads, by streams.

Driving through the endless dark night, shortening the distance between them. Shi Shu’s hands gripping the reins were numb, his thoughts numb too, just repeatedly recalling everything about him and Xie Wuchi.

What was Xie Wuchi doing right now?

“They are not worthy of knowing my conditions.”

“I won’t change myself for anyone, no one.”

“Being a savior brings me no pleasure. Trampling everyone underfoot, treating them like dogs.”

“I almost only love myself.”

“…”

Always displaying his sharpness. At this moment, Xie Wuchi could easily put him to death, but Shi Shu knew he would absolutely not hurt him.

Then what was Xie Wuchi doing now?

He opened this System, realized the world would fall into frozen eternal silence in three days. What was he thinking? What would he do?

Thinking of this, Shi Shu felt a burst of pain in his heart, eyes moist. He knew Xie Wuchi wouldn’t hurt Shi Shu, then who would he hurt?

Shi Shu choked: “Xie Wuchi, wait for me, I’m coming right away… If you dare to do anything to hurt yourself…”

Horse hooves galloped for who knew how long. Shi Shu was burning with anxiety. The passage of time was distorting, becoming somewhat numb, knowing only to hurry. Shi Shu’s face was pale. Unknown how much time passed, the stormy night thinned, and the fish-belly white appeared in the sky above the treetops.

“Dawn is breaking?! …Almost at the Eastern Capital…”

Shi Shu’s consciousness jolted. The horse suddenly neighed long and stopped. Shi Shu rolled off the horse. The horse lowered its head to eat wild grass, refusing to run anymore. Shi Shu realized he had unconsciously whipped the horse many times; the horse was extremely hungry and exhausted.

Shi Shu frowned: “Sorry, sorry! Wait here for people from the post station to take you. I… I have to go first.”

“I have to find Xie Wuchi.”

Shi Shu identified the familiar road, twisted his ankle, and turned to run toward the Eastern Capital. Breath spread in his throat. Shi Shu recognized these roads, recognized every flower and tree by the roadside; these were the memories of him and Xie Wuchi in this world.

Shi Shu stepped on the hard mud, clutching his painful waist and abdomen. He knew Xie Wuchi could locate his coordinates in the System. What was Xie Wuchi doing right now? What was he thinking?

Thinking of Xie Wuchi, even exhaustion turned into strength. Shi Shu ran forward.

Running, running is a human instinct. Only by running recklessly can one obtain the love in one’s heart.

Before his eyes, columns of soldiers appeared. Ping Yichun, in the lead, saw Shi Shu’s figure appear in the jungle and hurriedly dismounted.

“Your Highness, this subordinate is late, please—”

A bloody taste welled up in Shi Shu’s throat, sweat dripping down his jaw, turning his pale face to him: “What?”

Ping Yichun: “Last night, His Majesty suddenly urgently summoned the ministers to lecture on politics, handle government affairs, and write edicts. Knowing Your Highness was coming, he asked this subordinate to come welcome—”

Shi Shu: “Where is he?”

Ping Yichun: “Please follow me, Your Highness.”

Shi Shu identified his expression. Ping Yichun seemed to know something, his majestic face silent. Shi Shu glanced at him and ran up the mountain. Large swaths of the Konghe Army gathered at the foot of the mountain. When Shi Shu passed, thousands of troops knelt on the ground, making sounds of submission: “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Shi Shu’s gaze turned, abruptly questioning Ping Yichun: “What exactly happened?”

Ping Yichun, in strict armor, said: “Last night, His Majesty issued an edict establishing Your Highness as the Imperial Heir, the Crown Prince Brother.”

After speaking, Ping Yichun knelt on one knee: “The Konghe Army swears loyalty to Your Highness to the death.”

Shi Shu took a step back: “No, that’s not right… Where is he? Where is he right now? I want to see him! Tell me quickly!”

“On the cliff, waiting for Your Highness.”

Shi Shu turned and ran up the mountain in panic. The army controlled this mountain. Majestic troops stood guard every five steps, sentries every ten. When Shi Shu stumbled past, Xie Wuchi’s direct line iron-armored troops solemnly, with a swish, all removed their armor and knelt in submission.

Shi Shu’s eyes were hot, heart anxious: “Xie Wuchi, what on earth did you do? Why do they treat me like this? What did you do?”

The autumn wind in the mountains was fierce. Leaves fell from treetops. Shi Shu’s handsome back stepped on withered leaves, running all the way up the cliff. A huge river eroded the rocks, leaving the sound of slapping against the banks.

Shi Shu finally passed through the morning gale and reached the cliff. Daylight was bright. He saw Xie Wuchi’s figure.

Xie Wuchi was not wearing dragon robes, but a set of simple, plain clothes. It was the scholar’s attire they wore at Liushui Nunnery just after leaving Xiangnan Temple. That was when they first had a home.

Xie Wuchi stood by the river bank at the end of the cliff, overlooking the great river below. Hearing the commotion, he turned around.

Shi Shu supported his knees with both hands, exhausted, meeting Xie Wuchi’s eyes. The gale was sudden, autumn leaves rolling, crossing endless blades, swords, and time.

Shi Shu’s tears gushed out uncontrollably: “Xie Wuchi!”

Xie Wuchi looked at him with naturally cold eyes, parting his lips slightly. Seemed to want to walk forward, but his stance remained straight.

Shi Shu walked forward while crying: “Xie Wuchi, hug me…”

Xie Wuchi’s brows were calm. A dagger emerged from his sleeve: “Don’t come over yet. Listen to me, don’t act on impulse.”

Shi Shu’s vision blurred, sobbing as he stopped in place.

Xie Wuchi seemed to be recalling something, looked up, meeting his gaze: “Shi Shu, meeting you, I am very happy.”

Shi Shu stopped in place.

Xie Wuchi: “This system is similar to a hundred-person survival contest in the ancient world. Only the sole person who achieves the accomplishment can possess the opportunity to fulfill the wish and go home. Others who fail the conditions are eliminated by the system mechanism; Du Zihan was forcibly eliminated this way. I have thought a lot since activating the system yesterday. I believe this opportunity to win the competition is more meaningful to you.”

Shi Shu: “What did you say?”

Xie Wuchi’s sleeves were blown by the wind, his tone without ripples: “Since two people can win one spot, it’s better than dying together. You have never been able to accept the barbarism of the ancient world, the cruelty of war, nor bear the survival of the fittest. The more advanced civilization and legal system of modern times will make you live happier.”

Shi Shu: “What about you?! I go home, what about you!”

Xie Wuchi: “I do not wish to return to the modern world.”

Shi Shu’s tears fell on his fair face: “Why?”

Xie Wuchi: “Here, I can test the boundaries of my abilities, become the ruler of the world while heroes contend, and only I ascend to the Emperor’s throne. For me, the recognition of ability is enough. I like the unrestrained freedom here.”

Shi Shu: “No matter what you say, I won’t go back alone…”

Xie Wuchi looked at him and said: “Shi Shu, I am weighing the pros and cons with you. I never told you, back then I came to this world because of suicide.”

Shi Shu: “What?”

“Besides chasing greater stimulation, it was hard to find meaning in existence. My relationship with my parents was bad, I had psychological obstacles, and couldn’t establish intimate relationships with others. I was often surrounded by many people, but I felt they were stupid, exaggerated, hypocritical, empty-headed. I was always very lonely.”

“I hoped for someone to love me, but scorned fanatical worshippers. Interested in people, but soon found them boring and frivolous. Those who pursued me only wagged their tails like dogs, tedious. That world made me feel fake, meaningless. Even when I wanted to chase power and wealth, the world offered it on a platter.”

Shi Shu’s brows knitted tight, eyes red: “Xie Wuchi…”

Xie Wuchi: “Here, I achieved the goals and plans I set for myself, proved my ability; that is enough. In the end, there is only one chance. Better to let you go home, Shi Shu, because there are many people who love you waiting for you—”

Shi Shu suddenly spoke up: “I won’t listen, I won’t go back—”

Xie Wuchi said, however: “And your mother.”

“Don’t mention her to me!” Shi Shu exploded suddenly, “Xie Wuchi, do you think I don’t understand your rhetoric? Do you think saying my parents are waiting for me to come home will make me give you up and accept your kindness with peace of mind?! Weighing pros and cons, accepting the value you realized through four years of working from dawn to dusk, inheriting your throne, plundering your results, throwing you in this world about to fall into eternal stillness, leaving you lonely and alone again—do you think I am that kind of person?”

Xie Wuchi’s fingers seemed to tremble slightly, saying expressionlessly: “I am doing this for your own good.”

Shi Shu spoke like a string of pearls: “Who wants you to be good for me?! Aren’t you a very selfish person? Didn’t you say you only consider your own feelings? Xie Wuchi… Didn’t you say you love me? Why don’t you selfishly say: you want me to die with you, you want me to be buried with you, you want me to die by your side? Why don’t you say that? This is your true nature… Why don’t you do this…”

As Shi Shu spoke, he burst into loud wails, tears flowing freely in the wind. He really had too much to say, really felt too aggrieved.

Xie Wuchi fell silent and said: “Why not…”

Shi Shu: “From last night until now, what were you thinking? I kept thinking about you.”

Xie Wuchi breathed lightly. Last night, he recalled every detail of being with Shi Shu, down to the smallest matter.

These three or four years, they slept foot to foot on the kang at Xiangnan Temple. After arriving at Liushui Nunnery, sleeping in one bed every night, stream flowing. Xie Wuchi stood on the bank, watching Shi Shu catch fish and wash feet in the sunlight. Sleeping together in post stations heavy with dew, one cooking, one making fire…

Most importantly, the road we walked together in this world.

Shi Shu accompanied him through thousands of mountains and rivers. On the road of exile, holding him to feed porridge, joking to make him feel better, giving the warmest quilt to Xie Wuchi.

When military affairs were busiest, Shi Shu slept with him at night. Exhausted at the Tuntian Station, but rushing back from far away every day and night to see him. Since being together, always like this, accommodating Xie Wuchi’s career. They passed the cold winter together, hugging for warmth under the covers, lived a pastoral life in the small house in the Min area. In the snowy winter, roasting by the fire together, waiting for him to finish writing a whole diary.

Shi Shu swore to him to love him well, no matter when, no matter what kind of person he was.

Xie Wuchi: “Shi Shu, thank you for being good to me, always considering my feelings. Whether I was sick or normal, never had malice toward me, always loving me.”

Shi Shu’s tears flowed down: “What are you saying, what do you mean?”

Xie Wuchi held the dagger, blade gleaming cold: “This life, this body, this will, this heart—unless I am willing, no one can have it. I let you go back.”

Shi Shu knew what he wanted to do, fury soaring to the sky, walking forward: “Xie Wuchi, I love you, treat you well, because I loved you to begin with, not so that one day, when a conflict of interest arises between us, you would willingly sacrifice yourself to fulfill me!”

Xie Wuchi placed the dagger against his neck, blood welling up: “The succession edict is written. As long as I die, you are the ruler of the world.”

“Xie Wuchi!”

Shi Shu ran forward: “I love you. I hope you can be yourself properly. I don’t want to control you, make you make any sacrifice for me.”

Xie Wuchi cut the dagger into his neck, blood gushing out. Shi Shu cried loudly as if breaking down. Xie Wuchi’s brows furrowed, a transparent drop sliding from the corner of his eye.

Shi Shu shouted madly: “I don’t want it! I love you, I want you to be proud forever, be yourself forever!”

Xie Wuchi took a few steps back. Pain from blood loss hit him. Hearing Shi Shu’s voice, his consciousness blurred. Behind him under the cliff was the surging river.

Splash—

Water, sound of water.

The transparent blue film of falling into water wavered on the retina. Everything before coming to this world was reviving.

Inside an expensive and luxurious seaside villa, the azure sky was clear. The stretching coastline extended to the end of the white beach; palm leaves swayed in the breeze. The estate’s potted plants and vegetation were beautifully trimmed. Tall hired white men were mowing the lawn. Maids in aprons were busy with a banquet.

A beautiful woman in a luxurious and elegant pleated long dress held a wine glass, talking to people under a parasol. Others all watched her expression, flattering appropriately. Strings of pleasant laughter rang out in the sunshine.

A small boy was playing with a remote control plane. He walked to the woman’s side: “Mom, it’s a holiday today. You said you’d play with me.”

The woman said: “I seem to have promised you, but that was if you got A+ in painting and music class.”

The boy said: “I got it.”

Others immediately applauded and cheered: “Wow, Little Xun is so amazing…”

The woman smiled and bent down: “Mom is talking to people; go play by yourself. Sophia, take him over there.”

The middle-aged maid came up to hold the boy’s hand and operate the remote control plane. The boy said expressionlessly: “Liar, lying to me again and again.”

The middle-aged maid patted his head and said: “I’ll play with the Young Master.”

“Go away! Don’t come over.”

The boy pushed the toy until it broke, walking away angrily to sit under the tree sculpture in the garden. He made a big noise, hoping his mother would see. But after sitting for a long time, only the middle-aged maid stood not far away watching him.

…

Seaside summers were long, occasionally very hot. The seven or eight-year-old boy went to school every day. Bored after class, seeing the middle-aged maid working, he sat nearby watching her work. The maid complained to him about her husband and children at home, tone gentle, then gave him some snacks to eat.

That day, the boy went home angrily and told his mother: “There’s a very annoying person at school, always wants me to play with him. If I don’t, he brings a few friends to block me. I hate it!”

The mother raised an eyebrow: “Why not? Establishing social relationships is very important.”

The boy said: “I don’t like him. He’s noisy.”

The mother said: “You can think of a way, how to deal with an annoying person. Mom won’t tell you first; want to know what you will do.”

The boy returned to his room in annoyance. The middle-aged maid entered, listened to his complaints, and said: “That kind of annoying person, beat him up.”

The next day, the boy got out of the car and went home in a good mood. But the woman found him with a solemn face: “Your solution was to beat him up?”

The boy said: “I just hated him, didn’t think about ‘dealing’ with him. After hitting him, I felt better, relieved.”

The woman frowned: “You are indecisive and act on impulse. Mom is disappointed.”

The boy froze on the spot instantly, teeth clenched tight, eyes red.

“I’ll tell Dad.”

On the other end of the phone was a busy, steady male voice: “Listen to Mom. Dad is very busy right now. I’ll come see you after this period.”

The boy: “Why? I hate you all!”

As soon as the words fell, the woman’s face turned gloomy: “What’s wrong with you? Call Martha over. I pay her hundreds of thousands of dollars a year; how did she educate him like this?”

A group of people hurriedly gathered in the office for a meeting. There were child psychologists and teachers of various subjects. The boy sat in the chair, repeating: “I was just very angry, I…”

Several people smiled at him, talked to the woman, flipped through files, called the school to investigate surveillance videos, played the fight video repeatedly, analyzed the video, then talked to the boy.

There was a gentle teacher who smiled at him, expressing understanding. The boy talked a lot with him, including the comforting sentence from the middle-aged maid.

Turning around, the teacher said beside the woman: “I asked. Little Xun said Sophia told him to hit people, so he did.”

“Sophia? Tell her not to come to work tomorrow. My son is not for others to intervene in educating.”

“Why? Not allowed to fire her! Not allowed!”

The boy shouted at first, finally turning into roaring, until he was picked up and thrown into a pitch-black room, the lock tightly closed.

“Madam, locking a child in confinement isn’t good…”

“I grew up like this, why not? He must calm down first. Didn’t you see he was going crazy?”

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