Chapter 1294 - 816: Kiss Beneath Huangtu Temple

Our destiny lies in the south?

Du Yu repeatedly pondered over these words, feeling a sense of familiarity.

Previously, Du Yu and Master Qing traveled far to East Persia, searching for the lost Tai Sui Thunder Bamboo because they were guided by the Bamboo Shadow Thunder Pool.

At that time, Elder Yinsuo had also told them: Westward, your destiny lies westward.

On that occasion, Du Yu and Master Qing managed to retrieve the Holy Grade·Tai Sui Thunder Bamboo.

And this time...

The more Du Yu thought about it, the more excited he became. Shouldn’t this journey also yield some rewards?

Seeing Du Yu lost in thought, Langao chose not to speak. Instead, she turned her head down and continued her silent kneeling reverence.

Langao’s strength is immense, her senses extremely keen.

Beside her, Li Mengnan was kneeling in prayer, murmuring words softly. Even if her voice was faint, it was clear to Langao’s ears.

As she listened, a subtle smile appeared on Langao’s face.

So, could the "you" in the prophecy refer to the two of you?

After a while, Li Mengnan finally stopped praying and gazed deeply at Lady Empress Huangtu before standing up.

She slightly turned her head, her cheeks slightly flushed, and secretly glanced at Du Yu.

Finding Du Yu lost in thought, Li Mengnan felt relieved, yet a bit disappointed.

It seemed... she didn’t mind if Du Yu overheard?

"You stand on the bridge watching the scenery, while the one watching the scenery watches you from the tower."

Feeling both shy and crestfallen, as Li Mengnan looked at Du Yu, Langao was watching Li Mengnan.

The tall and beautiful girl had crystal-clear eyes and a charming face.

She was exceptionally talented, a figure admired by the world.

In her most splendid years, she radiated beauty and allure.

A girl like her should be proud and confident, her spirits soaring.

Yet now, she seemed caught in anticipation and anxiety.

No matter how remarkable someone is, in front of someone unique, they always appear somewhat humble.

Langao’s cloudy eyes were already filled with memories.

In the girl, Langao seemed to see the shadow of someone.

A shadow from hundreds of years ago, a shadow blurred by time.

"Elder Langao?" Li Mengnan naturally noticed the elder’s eyes on her.

Kneeling on one knee, she showed a probing expression: "Elder, are you okay?"

"Hehe." Langao returned to her senses, nodded with a smile, and surprisingly reached out her aged hand.

Such an action also woke Du Yu from his contemplation.

When Langao removed the scarf from the girl’s face, softly caressing her tender cheek, Li Mengnan was somewhat stunned.

Langao was a revered elder of the Human Race, an honor for anyone in her presence.

Faced in such a manner, anyone would consider themselves fortunate.

Li Mengnan was overwhelmed, unsure of how to react.

Not only her, but Du Yu too was taken aback.

Heaven and Earth·Langao was not someone who easily expressed emotion.

From the first moment Du Yu saw her, he noticed that Langao’s gaze towards the masses was devoid of personal feelings.

To her, every individual, regardless of age, gender, or status, was a fleeting passerby.

Names were insignificant; even people’s appearances were not notable to her.

In her eyes, every person was merely a member of the "Human Race," generic and indistinguishable.

Yet now...

Looking at the pure and charming Li Mengnan, Langao’s aged fingers adjusted a strand of hair on the girl’s forehead.

With her wrinkled hand, she gently stroked the girl’s radiant cheek: "May your future be different from mine."

Li Mengnan looked at the elder, unsure of how to respond.

Elder Langao... had evidently heard her prayer.

Beside her, Du Yu wore a complex expression, feeling a pang of bitterness.

It was the third time he had heard similar words.

The first was in the Bamboo Grove.

At that time, the Void Axe held a shattered heart, narrating the story of Chi Bear’s expedition to Hongye.

And spoke of the desolation beneath disaster, the scarred Ashen Continent.

The Void said: "May your homeland be different from mine."

The second instance was in the Ashen World - Four Directions City.

The souls were escorted home, and the Celestial General kneeled amid ruins, weeping skyward.

His wishes quelled his grief.

Then, Celestial General Gan Qiwai performed a grand gesture for Lin Shiwei for the first time.

Through the Demon Soul fallen upon Lin Shiwei, Du Yu heard the Celestial General’s words.

The Celestial General said: "May your fate be different from ours."

Now, within the Huangtu Temple Main Hall, one of the Seven Saints of Great Xia, Langao expressed a similar phrase.

Her face weary and turbulent eyes filled with blessings, she gently caressed the girl’s cheek.

Langao said: "May your future be different from mine."

"Ah..." Du Yu sighed deeply.

He didn’t know what wish Li Mengnan had made, nor why Elder Langao was moved.

Such details were unimportant.

What mattered was...

Endless regret.

All beings endure hardship.

Since Du Yu arrived in this Demon Taming World, he has journeyed to many places, witnessing much joy and sorrow.

Du Yu desperately wished to believe these were isolated incidents.

But it seemed that life’s challenges were universal.

Each person’s heart harbors a share of sorrow, enduring regrets hard to relinquish.

"Go," Langao spoke softly.

Li Mengnan cautiously asked: "Elder?"

Langao retracted her hand, speaking gently: "Go."

"Yes." Li Mengnan stood and bowed to Langao.

The girl was not quite sure whether Elder Langao was sending her away or encouraging her to be braver.

Watching as Langao bowed her head and furrowed her brow once more, Li Mengnan silently walked back to Du Yu’s side.

She hesitated for a moment, then reached out her hand to tightly wrap it around his arm.

Du Yu looked at the back of Langao and said softly, "Elder, thank you for your guidance, we will be leaving now."

Unusually, Langao did not speak, and there was not even the slightest reaction.

She simply hung her head low, quietly kneeling on the prayer mat.

Du Yu and Li Mengnan exchanged a glance, then said no more and quietly turned to leave.

From the silent and empty main hall to the slightly bustling entrance, Du Yu felt as if he had traversed into an Otherworld.

The only constant was that the worshippers were praying devoutly, and it seemed they too were people with regrets in their hearts.

The two stood silently for a while, neither speaking a word.

Only, Du Yu noticed that the hand of the girl clutching his arm was getting tighter and tighter.

"Mengnan?" Du Yu turned his head, looking at the pensive Li Mengnan, wondering what she might be thinking.

"What?" Li Mengnan instinctively lifted her hand to adjust the scarf covering her face.

"Shall we go?"

"Let’s go." Li Mengnan took a step with her long legs, and together with Du Yu wove through the crowd, stepping down the stairs.

"What’s wrong, you seem absent-minded?" Du Yu asked with concern in a low voice.

"Nothing’s wrong." Li Mengnan replied softly, her head slightly lowered.

Normally, she was lively and even a bit unruly.

Seeing her like this, with her downcast eyes and soft voice, Du Yu felt something was off.

He thought for a moment, changing his line of questioning: "What did you wish for just now?"

"I can’t tell you." Li Mengnan hummed, "If I say it, it won’t come true."

Though she said that, in her heart she secretly grumbled: I clearly whispered it when I made the wish, it was you who didn’t listen...

Seeing her mood slightly lifted, Du Yu smiled: "Whisper it to just me, it’s fine."

Li Mengnan thought seriously for a moment and said, "But I made a lot of wishes."

Du Yu whispered: "For example, wishing for a safe and smooth Ashen journey?"

Li Mengnan nodded: "I told you that beforehand."

Du Yu: "Let me think, what else could you wish for... Is it about Teacher Li and Uncle Li?"

As he spoke, there was a hint of teasing in Du Yu’s eyes: "Do you want a little brother or sister?"

Li Mengnan suddenly stopped, pulling Du Yu to a halt with her.

They stood midway on the staircase leading to the skyward main hall, precisely in the middle of the steps.

On the left, worshippers who had prayed arduously descended the stairs one by one.

Their expressions were either melancholic or filled with anticipation.

On the right, worshippers climbed the steps to pay homage at the main hall.

Their faces were devout as they looked upward, ascending step by step toward the sacred place in their hearts.

Among the bustling crowd, a pair of quietly standing figures.

Du Yu frowned slightly, looking at the serious expression of the girl before him, all thoughts of joking dissipated.

Suddenly, Li Mengnan moved.

With one hand, she tugged lightly on her scarf, revealing her delicate face.

"You?" Du Yu was slightly perplexed as the girl’s slender fingers reached for his face, grasping the top edge of his mask, pulling it upward.

Instantly, Du Yu’s eyes were covered by the mask.

"Meng..." His words halted, as soft hands cradled his face.

In the blindfolded world, the girl’s beautiful face drew closer.

Then, he felt soft lips press against his.

Du Yu’s eyes widened slightly, but he could only see the white fabric of the mask before him.

Deprived of sight, his other senses became sharper.

The crowded people on both sides glanced their way, yet in this particular setting, the worshippers neither created a stir nor paused.

The scene was indescribable.

In the center of the steps stood an embracing couple,

and behind them loomed the grand hall, with incense burning vigorously, majestic and magnificent.

"Ha..." After the kiss, Li Mengnan’s face was tinged with red as she slightly lowered her head, gently catching her breath.

Du Yu stood there foolishly, quietly saying, "I already, I and..."

"Silly Du Yu." Li Mengnan rested her forehead against Du Yu’s, whispering, "Can you guess why Shiwei didn’t come, and let you accompany me alone?"

Du Yu opened his mouth, but for a long while, no words came out.

Li Mengnan’s hands slid from his cheeks and wrapped tightly around his body: "Your and my Demon Taming Dao, it has long been destined that we will always be together.

We will never be apart, will we?"

Blindfolded, Du Yu listened to the girl’s soft whispers.

Gradually, he lifted his slightly stiff hand and gently embraced her back.

Emotion, responsibility, the long years,

The obsessions and dreams in our hearts.

When everything intertwines, how could they possibly be separated?

At this moment, Li Mengnan’s eyes were slightly moist, she had waited for Du Yu’s response!

"Du Yu, Du Yu, Du Yu." She murmured softly into his neck, "I really like you, really, really like you."

Du Yu’s heart trembled lightly, silently hugging the person in his arms more tightly.

Li Mengnan’s voice was small, very light: "The Lady is truly miraculous."

Now,

You know what I wished for.

Far above, on the steps in front of the main hall.

A tall and slender figure stood with hands behind her back.

Her gaze swept over the ceaseless crowd, focusing on the pair standing and embracing amidst them.

Quietly, a faint smile appeared on her aged face.

Stories from hundreds of years ago seem to be replaying again.

I hope,

May your future be different from mine.

...

Requesting some monthly passes.