Chapter 2736: Chapter 2737: Chushuang Can’t Hold On
Bai Ruozhu’s eyes dimmed, "Is there really no other way?"
The white dragon remained silent, his gaze somewhat unfocused.
Bai Ruozhu picked up the wine jug and poured wine into his mouth, muttering to himself, "After this long journey, it came to such an end, watching friends and family drift away, and I am completely powerless. What have I been striving for?"
Striving for what? The white dragon took a swig of wine. For many years, he too had always wondered why he was living. Was it out of resentment? For revenge?
"I held onto hatred for centuries, but the people from the beginning are long dead. I don’t even know who I should hate, and my heart has never been at peace. It was only when your friends were willing to sacrifice themselves for you that I realized there is warmth in this world, and I was able to let go of my inner resentment completely."
Bai Ruozhu’s voice was very soft, as if he wasn’t speaking to the white dragon, but to himself.
"You’re free now, what are your plans?" Bai Ruozhu suddenly asked.
The white dragon was taken aback; he didn’t know either. It seemed as if he had no acquaintances left in this world.
"We’re about to set off for Fusang and then return to Zhongyuan. If you have nowhere to go, you can come with us and take a look around," Bai Ruozhu said.
"I’ll consider it," said the white dragon.
Bai Ruozhu got up, staggering back to the room. Upon entering, she saw Jiang Yichun’s sleeping face, and tears brimmed in her eyes again. She knew that Achun must be very upset inside.
She couldn’t bear to hurt him and sighed silently, lying down beside him with her clothes on.
In the darkness, Jiang Yichun’s eyes opened slightly. He had never fallen asleep, always waiting for her. He understood her current feelings and knew she needed to figure things out on her own, so he waited silently, always waiting for her.
The next day, the Merfolk convened and still wanted Jiang Yichun to be their leader, but once again, Jiang Yichun refused.
Then someone suggested Feng Ran as their leader. Feng Ran shook his head and said, "I won’t stay in the Gold Palace; I will leave with Shuangshuang."
"But we all have fish tails now; what can we do after leaving the sea?" someone asked.
Feng Ran laughed, "It’s because we Merfolk are afraid to try and always hide away. If Duannian can live on land, why can’t I?"
"That’s because he cut his tail fin," another person commented.
Bai Ruozhu collected her thoughts and said, "I can teach you how to cut your tail fins. You can give it a try too."
"Really?" The Merfolk became excited.
"I’ll teach Ayi first, and in a couple of days when my disciple Wa Wei arrives, she and Duannian will stay for a while to help you," Bai Ruozhu added.
Duannian opened his mouth, wanting to say he didn’t want to stay, but in the end, he didn’t speak up.
Bai Ruozhu spent the entire day guiding Ayi. She kept herself busy, and perhaps only through busyness could she temporarily forget her pain.
By the third day, the sound of a horn came from the sea; the Harmony was already here.
Fo Lanying happily swam up; she truly missed her Xiaoyuan.
Bai Ruozhu bid farewell to the Merfolk and left the Gold Palace hand in hand with Jiang Yichun.
Feng Ran and the people of Yuchen Palace escorted Chushuang back to the boat as well.
"Master, this disciple has sinned." Shanhu saw Yuchenzi and immediately knelt down. She was already pregnant, her belly couldn’t be hidden anymore.
Yuchenzi was a bit surprised and quickly came forward to help her up, saying, "Child, don’t be afraid. There are no more Merfolk Islands or Yuchen Palaces. No one is restricting you anymore. Getting married and having children is the path you ought to take."
Shanhu looked at Yuchenzi in disbelief. Yuchenzi sighed, "It’s a long story. We can talk slowly later."
Bai Ruozhu sought out Wa Wei and asked about her plans. Wa Wei wanted to return to her own home, and Duannian would accompany her, so they wouldn’t be going to Fusang with them.
But at the thought of parting, Wa Wei cried in reluctance.
"Silly child, don’t forget your purpose for studying medicine. You’ll go home in a few days; your fellow islanders need you," Bai Ruozhu said, wiping her tears away.
Wa Wei nodded vigorously, "Madam, will we meet again?"
Bai Ruozhu didn’t respond; she no longer wished to come here, not wanting to recall the scene of Feng Cheng burning his soul.
"We’ll meet again if it’s meant to be," she relented and offered Wa Wei some comfort.
"Yes, I will wait for you, Madam," Wa Wei replied earnestly.
The official ship soon arrived, and the two ships stopped nearby for a day. Bai Ruozhu and her companions took care of all matters and began their new journey on the ship.
The Merfolk swam up to the surface of the sea to say goodbye. They jumped out of the water like dolphins, showing their blue tails.
Never having seen so many Merfolk, the people on the boat cheered. It was likely the only time in their lives they’d witness such a sight.
Ling Chen was soaking in a big wooden tub, pouting, "When can I leave the water like Duannian?"
"You have to work hard yourself; Duannian overcame a lot of difficulties back then," Fo Lanying said.
Indeed, Ling Chen left with them; she wanted to see the wider world, while Wenyu stayed behind, his heart tied to his clan, unable to leave just like that.
...
The ship sailed on the sea. Sibao, the child, could sense Bai Ruozhu’s bad mood and behaved obediently over the past few days, neither making a fuss nor causing trouble.
"Madam, do you think I’ll be caught by the Yin Yang Master when I go to Fusang?" Sibao asked worryingly.
Bai Ruozhu patted his head and said, "The astrologer is the most powerful Yin Yang Master, and he didn’t catch you, did he? As long as you don’t do bad things, they have no reason to catch you."
Sibao became cheerful, "That’s good, I don’t want to be captured or taken for demon refining."
"How do you know about demon refining?" Bai Ruozhu was a bit surprised. This child was born not long ago and shouldn’t have been exposed to much, unless it was that great demon who tricked him?"
Sibao scratched his head, "I don’t know, just have the memory of demon refining in my head, and it feels terrifying."
"Maybe it’s an innate instinct amongst you demons," Bai Ruozhu thought no more of it.
The ship sailed for a few days, and just as they were about to reach Fusang, Yuchenzi suddenly ran to Bai Ruozhu, panicked, and said, "Chushuang is not going to make it. Come quickly and see!"
Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun’s faces changed drastically, and they hurried into the ship cabin. The white dragon heard the commotion, stayed in place for a moment, and then followed suit.
"Chushuang, hold on. We’ll find a way. You can’t leave me again," Gao Zhou grasped her hand, tears already drenching his face.
Chushuang’s eyes were unfocused, staring blankly ahead, "Ajiang, everyone dies. You need to live well. Such a pity I won’t see the grandchildren."
Jiang Yichun went over and held her other hand, "Mother, we agreed to go to the Jiuli Clan. Dengdeng and the others want to see you. You can’t disappoint the grandchildren."
"I can’t bear to leave you, but I truly can’t hold on anymore." Her voice grew fainter, and her eyelids slowly closed...
"No! Chushuang, if you dare die, I’ll die with you!" Gao Zhou shouted frantically, drawing his sword to his neck.
