Chapter 45: 045 Nobility III

Chapter 45: 045 Nobility III

An Zhi glided across the sea surface with unwavering determination, his gaze focused solely on Peng Lai Island as his destination.

Recalling the moment before, an image flashed through his mind:

His breathing was slow and labored.

He found himself in that chamber aboard Yu Wen's ship, surrounded by crimson silk. The red engulfed his vision.

Recently freed from Ji Yuanshi's grasp, he was utterly exhausted, unable to lift his eyelids. He staggered towards the bed and collapsed onto it, promptly falling into a deep sleep.

As he slept, voices suddenly echoed around him. Too drained to think clearly, he felt like he was underwater, hearing muffled sounds that were difficult to discern.

After a while, a chill swept over his eyelids, followed by pressure on his throat.

He opened his eyes to a blood-red sight—a red silk scarf obscured his vision, preventing him from recognizing the figure before him.

He struggled for breath, being choked.

He yearned to live, and that instinct fueled his flailing limbs as he struggled to break free from the grip.

Yet, it was utterly futile.

The man was incredibly powerful, his hands clamped tightly around Shen Yuan's throat, squeezing with increasing force.

At the brink of death, all blood flow was severed by those hands around his neck, trapped between life and death, causing his head to throb with pressure.

After that, An Zhi heard a piercing buzzing in his ears.

The only reason Shen Yuan had been afraid to board the ship was that he had always believed himself to be an eternal existence, incapable of dying.

He was a prince of Jiu Li, renowned for his bravery and martial prowess, a deity. Even if he were to ascend, it should have been a glorious transformation into a higher god, under the watchful eyes of countless admirers.

But since the sinking of the island, his powers had been sealed, and on the ship, he was beaten relentlessly by Ji Yuanshi without any means to retaliate.

Not only that, his perceived eternity turned out to be a mockery. He was choked to death by Wang Wanhe with overwhelming superiority, a humiliating forced ascension into godhood.

Subsequently, the events surrounding Xixuan Men came flooding back, along with what transpired on the ship. It turned out that everything he had believed was a facade. Those he held dear had calculated his demise, his triumphs and arrogance nothing more than topics of conversation, mere distractions during leisurely meals.

That night, when Shen Yuan's ringing in the ears faded away, he had already died. And now, for the first time, An Zhi understood the terror of being defenseless. He wanted to live.

He didn't wish to end up like Shen Yuan, a helpless victim until the day of his demise, awakening too late to escape the chopping board.

A person who had tasted death once should not rely on others for salvation. He needed something to defend himself, or rather, he needed to become stronger. Only then could he return to the reality he yearned for.

In that place, life was beautiful: blooming peaches in spring, summer breezes, warm and sweet roasted chestnuts in autumn, and snowflakes resting on shoulders in winter.

Each day, after work, he would see his little Bichon Frise biting its own tail, snap a picture, and send it to his best friend, Wen Yan, with a message: "Look, it's being silly again."

Though it lacked the grandeur of life in the game, he didn't have to fear waking up to a world without sunshine. Yet, he, An Zhi, was just an ordinary person, living a simple yet vibrant life.

After leaving the Jian family's cruiser, An Zhi had no idea where to find a weapon. He sped across the East China Sea aimlessly, skimming the water's surface like a dragonfly, leaving ripples in his wake.

He shouted loudly, "Wen Yan! Wen Yan!!"

Within moments, Wen Yan appeared by An Zhi's side. "After all this time, you finally decided to call me."

The sensation of having his throat squeezed lingered from the previous scene. An Zhi rubbed his neck and, in a deep and resolute voice, declared, "I need a weapon!"

Wen Yan reached out and intercepted An Zhi, who was rushing forward.

Miraculously, they didn't plunge into the sea but stood firmly on the water's surface.

Wen Yan said, "Isn't the Life Grasping Fan already at hand?"

The bright moon hung high above their heads, with hair fluttering before their eyes, the sound of wind in their ears, and the moonlight shattered by their feet upon the water.

"No need," An Zhi firmly refused. "I want a weapon of slaughter." He had no intention of reclaiming the Life Grasping Fan.

Wen Yan tried to persuade him, "But you're currently using everything Shen Yuan has. There's nothing wrong with using his Life Grasping Fan as well."

"What do you mean?" Hearing that he was using everything Shen Yuan had, An Zhi became indignant.

Wen Yan took a sharp breath before continuing, "Oh dear, Dian Shan is currently on the Divine Island. Your death at his hands would be a small matter compared to being captured and suffering a living hell without the chance to die."

Then, Wen Yan changed the subject, "You could emulate Shen Yuan and exhaust all means to end your life at Ruomu Huating, but not everyone has the courage and resolve for such an act. Given that we grew up together, I know you well, and I'm certain you don't have the bravery to do it."

With Wen Yan's explanation and An Zhi's own considerations, he paused in his steps.

In the magnificent Ruomu Huating, Shen Yuan had intended to ask Fu You to summon Dian Shan to end his own life, but he didn't. He desperately wanted to live and couldn't bear the torment that Shen Yuan had endured.

Ever since he was young, his mother had said he was too sensitive and afraid of pain. Each time he needed an injection, he would misbehave and throw a tantrum.

The silver moon hung high in the sky, guiding him towards the Jian family's cruise ship.

"I just want to get home as soon as possible..." An Zhi turned around, gazing at the moon, and started retracing his steps.

Wen Yan followed suit, asking, "Are you still determined to seize your fate?"

After a moment of hesitation, An Zhi replied, "Having it is better than not having it." Then, he sighed deeply, "I really do want to go home..."

Upon hearing this, Wen Yan chuckled and said, "Then I'll reluctantly stay by your side and help you speed up the process of getting home."

An Zhi's almond-shaped eyes instantly lit up. "Okay! Okay! Okay!" He eagerly agreed, as if he was afraid that Wen Yan would change his mind.

"But..." Wen Yan's tone shifted.

An Zhi responded promptly, "You can't be unpredictable!"

"I didn't mean it that way," Wen Yan clarified. "I just want to remind you that the shortcut to pass through swiftly... it's unbearable for ordinary people, an excruciating torment like being cut into a thousand pieces."

"Who cares!" An Zhi shrugged off the matter with nonchalance.

...

"An Zhi!" Ju Lang roared and took a step forward to chase after them, but Jian Fengzi held him back.

Jian Fengzi clutched his arm tightly and said, "You released the malevolent spirit from Jian Songxiang's box, and it hasn't been subdued yet. Are you really going to abandon me like this?!"

He didn't know how to explain to Jian Fengzi, so he simply promised, "We'll be right back."

"Will you really come back, or will you never return?" Jian Fengzi persisted in holding onto Ju Lang. "By discarding Jian Songxiang's box, the Jian family should hold you accountable. If you help me exorcise the spirit, I can speak up for you and prevent you from being punished. But if you refuse, then death will be the price for opening Jian Songxiang's box!" As he spoke, his gaze turned cold, and there was a hint of viciousness in his eyes.

Ju Lang sneered disdainfully and taunted, "Didn't you say the Jian family was powerful? Why can't they even get rid of a single malevolent spirit?"

Jian Fengzi seethed with anger and retorted, "Dare to belittle the Jian family? You're asking for death!"

Ju Lang narrowed his eyes, and a faint glint of killing intent flickered in his phoenix-like eyes as he said in a sinister tone, "It remains to be seen who's seeking death."

Saying this, he grabbed Jian Fengzi's hand in a reverse grip and forcefully pulled it away from his own upper arm. Then, he flipped his wrist, raised his hand, and struck Jian Fengzi on the shoulder.

He didn't have the intention to kill; he only wanted to shake off Jian Fengzi and rush to find An Zhi as soon as possible.

Jian Fengzi felt a slight pain in his shoulder, but more prominently, an irresistible force pushing against him.

He gritted his teeth in pain and stumbled backward a few steps. Looking up, he saw Ju Lang about to leave the cruise ship. Panic-stricken, he summoned his Dark Blade and shot it straight at Ju Lang's head.

Feeling a chilly killing intent rapidly closing in from behind, Ju Lang quickly turned sideways, but it was still too late to avoid it completely.

With a clatter, the Dark Blade hit the ground, and a strand of hair slowly drifted down.

Seeing this, Jian Fengzi's pupils trembled violently as he stammered fearfully, "I only wanted to... only wanted to stop you from leaving... I didn't... didn't mean to kill you... I can't take a life before I turn eighteen..."

Fixing his gaze on the fallen hair, Ju Lang's face remained expressionless as he said in a deep voice, "If I had hesitated for a second, you would've taken a life right now." His voice was low and level, seemingly calm yet potentially hiding turbulent emotions beneath the surface.

Despite not making any aggressive move, Jian Fengzi felt a growing fear as if the person standing before him was a malevolent spirit lurking in the shadows. The unpredictability and enigma surrounding him were what made Jian Fengzi even more apprehensive, fearing that he might suddenly strike without warning, catching him off guard.

However, after speaking, Ju Lang turned around and said, "It's not worth wasting time with you."

The tone remained unchanged from before, yet Jian Fengzi perceived endless disdain and contempt within. His arrogance made him forget his current predicament. "Not worth it?! Who do you think you are? I'm not someone you can look down on!"

With a frown, he maneuvered the falling Black Blade to soar towards Ju Lang.

An Zhi hadn't anticipated that upon entering the cruise through the window, he would come face-to-face with Ju Lang.

Caught off guard, he saw the gloomy expression on the other's face, as if he had just finished an argument. His heart skipped a beat, and without hesitation, he threw a punch at Ju Lang's face.

Ju Lang was quick-witted and agile. He tilted his head, dodging the punch.

In the next moment, the Black Blade brushed past his cheek, aiming for An Zhi.

At the last possible moment, a swift white figure darted across the sky,

accompanied by a sharp metallic clang. The Black Blade resonated with a reverberating hum.

As the two clashed, sparks flew, igniting a fierce blaze that reflected in the three men's dilated pupils.

"MY blade!" Jian Fengzi shouted.

The Dark Saber's trajectory was diverted by the immense force, diving straight into the sea with a splash, leaving no trace behind.

Ju Lang reached out and pulled An Zhi aboard the yacht. As soon as An Zhi's feet touched the ground, he anxiously asked, "Did you get hurt anywhere?"

"I'm fine," An Zhi touched his nose, still shaken. "I almost became Voldemort..."

"It's a good thing I managed to bring Mo Sheng to you in time," Wen Yan's voice echoed outside the yacht, reaching the ears of the other three on board.

Following An Zhi, he arrived outside the Jian family's yacht. Since An Zhi chose an unconventional route, climbing in through a window, he had no choice but to do the same.

Seeing him about to jump in, An Zhi approached the window and offered a hand for support. Once Ju Lang safely landed on his feet, An Zhi casually said,

"You should try harder to save me from this game and bring me back to you—"

Upon hearing this, Ju Lang felt a pang in his heart and discreetly tugged at An Zhi's sleeve.

An Zhi was too preoccupied to respond, pulling his sleeve back with force.

"Hmm—" Wen Yan hesitated, "I can't afford the high penalty fee for breaking the contract."

Ju Lang extended his hand again, causing An Zhi to be so annoyed that he slapped it away.

Aware of Wen Yan's background, An Zhi didn't blame him and instead pretended to be angry, saying, "No wonder you sent me the test program, you were just trying to trap me."

Wen Yan bowed his head, looking like he knew he was in the wrong, and said dejectedly, "I really didn't mean to—"

An Zhi walked over to Wen Yan, patted his back, and laughed heartily, saying, "Just joking."

With that, he put away the Wending Fan that had just returned to his side and asked Ju Lang and Jian Fengzi, "Why are the two of you playing with knives? That's so dangerous."

After saying this, he touched his nose, still feeling a lingering sense of fear.

... Ju Lang was sulking because An Zhi had ignored him.

... Jian Fengzi, realizing his mistake, dared not speak up.

After a moment of silence, Jian Fengzi pointed at An Zhi's nose and angrily said, "It's all because you suddenly ran off. Ju Lang went after you, and I thought you both left me behind..." He lowered his voice, on the verge of tears, and complained, "Now that you're back, but my knife is gone..."

There, Jian Fengzi hung his head, his lips slightly pouted, and tears shimmered in his eyes.

An Zhi was unaware of the significance of that Dark Saber to Jian Fengzi, but it must have held immense importance to him.

Perhaps it was an heirloom of the Jian family, as vital to them as the Shadow Pearl and Ruomu Huating were to the Rong family. Otherwise, the usually arrogant Jian Fengzi wouldn't have appeared so dejected and disoriented.

Ju Lang casually commented, "I told you we'd be back soon..."

An Zhi hurried over to Ju Lang's side and tugged at his finger, signaling for him to stop talking.

Then, An Zhi approached Jian Fengzi and spoke softly, "Okay, okay, it was my fault. I should've left you a message before leaving, causing this misunderstanding. But you were also too impulsive; what if you accidentally hurt someone?"

"Of course it's your fault!" Jian Fengzi lifted his head, his eyes glistening with tears. "I wasn't being impulsive at all!"

An Zhi let out an "Ah?" His eyebrows formed an uneven arch, and he made an odd expression.

"Our Jian family has always been under divine protection. Ordinary malevolent spirits can't touch me, but the one inside Jian Songxiang is beyond my capabilities," Jian Fengzi said, his mood shifting faster than the flipping of a page. From a pitiful demeanor just moments ago, he now stood with his hands behind his back, chest puffed out, regaining his haughty air.

An Zhi responded, "If that malevolent spirit is so powerful, aren't you afraid that we might not be able to catch it and end up putting ourselves in danger?"

Jian Fengzi snorted and said, "Throughout my life, many people have been willing to die for me. It would be your good fortune to die for me. Moreover, since you've helped me so much, perhaps in your next life, you'll be born into a wealthy family."

Upon hearing this, An Zhi felt a chill run down his spine. Jian Fengzi wasn't just arrogant and overbearing anymore; he treated human lives with utter disregard!

"Thanks, but no thanks. I'm not ready to die yet. Enjoy your good fortune on your own," An Zhi turned to leave.

Jian Fengzi spoke up, "You were the ones who released the female ghost. Do you really plan on standing idly by? If an innocent person like me were to die because of this, wouldn't you feel guilty?"

Assuming he had read An Zhi's mind accurately, An Zhi responded nonchalantly, "What's that got to do with me?"

"An Zhi—" Ju Lang called out softly.

An Zhi replied, "I'm here."

Ju Lang gazed intently at An Zhi, his bright eyes like stars, their dark hue as deep as ink. His phoenix-like eyes appeared cold in shape but held an intense warmth within. He spoke with unwavering sincerity, "Ju Lang, bound to my fate, will follow your call for as long as I live. Yet, you continually keep your distance from me."

Anyone would be touched by such tender affection and steadfast dedication.

For a moment, An Zhi felt a sense of disorientation. Swiftly, he averted his gaze from Ju Lang's piercing stare, turned away, and lowered his head, muttering softly, "Damn, he's straight! ——"

Despite these words, fragments of memories from Ruomu Huating kept flashing through his mind. The sweet, breathless whispers from that night echoed in his ears...

Unbeknownst to him, An Zhi's face had already turned crimson, and his neck was flushed.

Noticing An Zhi's unusual state, Jian Fengzi was about to inquire the reason when a chilling laughter suddenly echoed overhead.

"Chuckles-chuckles-chuckles—"

"Did you hear that?" Jian Fengzi asked.

An Zhi found it odd. "Hear what?"

Jian Fengzi knew that if someone had truly heard the laughter, they wouldn't be asking such a question. He scanned the cruise ship, finding everything seemingly normal. "Wasn't there anyone laughing?"

As he spoke, the sky abruptly darkened.

Jian Fengzi felt an icy, heavy weight pressing down on his back, as if it weighed a thousand pounds and was growing heavier by the second, nearly forcing him to collapse.

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