Chapter 1364 - 1040: The Unpredictability of Life

In the darkness, Shang Ruyi’s gaze flickered incessantly.

Lei Yu furrowed her brows and slowly walked towards her. But after just two steps, Ashina Zhuxie immediately grabbed her arm, "What are you doing!"

Lei Yu looked up at him, gently brushed his hand off her arm, and calmly said, "I just have some words left to say to her."

Ashina Zhuxie was silent for a moment, sighed, and could only let her go.

Lei Yu walked step by step, and Shang Ruyi also moved towards her. But after just two steps, Wo Xue gently stopped her—though they were protected by heavy cavalry, Shang Ruyi was still their most important person. If anything happened, none of them would survive.

Shang Ruyi could only stand at the edge of the camp, and Lei Yu came over, also standing at the edge of the camp.

Between the two, there was a distance of four to five steps.

Yet, it felt like the ends of the earth.

Looking at the face that had barely gained a hint of vitality, but whose eyes still showed no warmth when looking at her, Shang Ruyi felt a dull pain in her heart that came with each heartbeat. Her throat choked, and after a while, she said, "You... you won’t go back with me, will you?"

Lei Yu looked at her coldly, "If the General of Cavalry were killed by the Turkic, would you go to Turkic with me?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi was speechless.

Lei Yu looked at her, speaking clearly and heavily, "Some things, once they happen, have already happened."

"..."

"Whether we want it or not, things that have happened will have consequences."

"..."

"Some paths, once taken, can’t be turned back."

It felt like an invisible force had punched Shang Ruyi hard in the chest.

These words were exactly what she had told Lei Yu before on Skytop Mountain, but she didn’t expect that now Lei Yu would give them all back to her. At that time, Lei Yu couldn’t respond a single word, and with roles reversed, she was also speechless.

Shang Ruyi only felt her throat was blocked by something. After struggling for a long time, she could only hoarsely say, "Lei Yu..."

Lei Yu said, "I can’t go back, and I won’t go back."

"..."

"Not only will I not go back, but I will also avenge my father!"

"..."

"So, whether to let us go, think it through."

If just now, Lei Yu using her own words felt like a punch to her, these words made Shang Ruyi feel like her heart was stabbed, blood dripping.

If it were usual times, had Lei Yu or anyone else used such words to "test" her, Shang Ruyi would certainly be furious and retort unceremoniously; she was never one to suffer a loss, and if someone made her uncomfortable, she would make them uncomfortable—it was only fair.

But now, she couldn’t do it.

Looking at Lei Yu’s eyes, as cold as if covered with frost, Shang Ruyi said with difficulty, "Don’t say it like that..."

By the time she reached the last few words, her voice had choked and turned hoarse.

Listening to her words, Lei Yu’s icy pupils revealed a hint of brokenness. She looked at Shang Ruyi, wanting to say something but hesitated several times. After struggling for a long time, she could only turn her head away to hide it, but upon seeing the heavy cavalry around, she sighed deeply, turned back to Shang Ruyi, and said, "Are these your men and horses?"

"Yes,"

Shang Ruyi nodded, looking at her, "You told me before that in a chaotic world, the only protection for oneself is the soldiers in hand. I’ve always remembered."

Lei Yu nodded.

At this point, it was hard to tell whether her expression was relieved or disappointed, but the desolate sadness filled Shang Ruyi’s heart. She clearly felt that the sincere closeness they once had, the unreserved conversations, were now gone, leaving only a bit of dry awkwardness.

After all, the Lei Yu who said these things and she who listened never thought that one day, this force would come between their relationship.

Life is unpredictable...

In this embarrassing and desolate atmosphere, Lei Yu took a deep breath, as if acknowledging that even though they once had deep affections and sincerity, there was no turning back now. Thus she said, "Then, I’m leaving."

Just as she turned to leave, Shang Ruyi suddenly stepped forward, "Lei Yu!"

Lei Yu stopped, but didn’t turn back, just stood quietly as if waiting for her to speak.

Shang Ruyi bit her lip, finally speaking with difficulty, "I don’t want us to be enemies."

"..."

"No kind words come from mutual blame, no good moves come from a fight. Even more so in our situation, if we truly oppose—neither side will use good methods. No matter what, I don’t want us to reach that point."

Lei Yu turned back, giving her a sharp look.

She also realized that Shang Ruyi knew the truth about He Du. If it came to that, would she—

Lei Yu said coldly, "How far it goes, it’s up to the wounded to decide."

Finishing her words, she left without looking back.

Soon, the Turkic camp disappeared under the cover of night’s busyness. Shang Ruyi stood at the edge of the camp, watching as Ashina Zhuxie escorted Lei Yu to mount a horse by the firelight. Without looking back, she spurred her horse, and her silhouette quickly vanished into the night.

Shang Ruyi knew this might be their last meeting.

Her heart was cut like a knife, and even more painful was knowing that no matter how much she suffered, she couldn’t change what had already happened or turn back time.

Just as Shang Ruyi stood foolishly at the spot, watching the Western Turks disappear into the night without leaving a shadow, a fragrant breeze blew, and Lu Xiao’s soft voice sounded in her ear, "Are you sad?"

Shang Ruyi became a bit clearer, took a deep breath, and turned back to say lightly, "I’m fine. Why haven’t you rested?"

Lu Xiao said, "It’s hard to rest with all this noise."

The commotion just now couldn’t have gone unheard, but she never showed up, clearly not planning to get involved in the conflict between them and the Western Turks—obviously a smart choice, as at that time, a weak woman like her appearing would only burden others and harm herself without achieving anything.

Shang Ruyi said, "It’s over now, go back to rest early, we have to hurry on the road tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiao’s eyes glinted slightly.

She asked, "Where to?"

Seeing her tension, as if awaiting a verdict, Shang Ruyi sighed lightly in her heart and then said, "Of course, Luoyang."