Chapter 73: Indelible Memory, That Eternity

Everyone is bound to be deceived, and everyone is bound to die. (Gu Long)
……
Who can understand the pain of losing all one’s loved ones in an instant? It’s as if a perfect world collapses in an instant and disappears forever.
The rain kept falling, the wind kept blowing fiercely—everything only served to reflect Liu Yi’s mood.
Suddenly, Liu Yi felt a gust of wind behind him. He quickly turned his head, letting the white light pass by his neck. With a “bang,” the white object nailed itself to the pillar.
Liu Yi stood up abruptly, looked around, and shouted loudly, “Come out! If you’ve got the guts, come out! Kill me too! Hiding like this—what kind of hero is that?”
The courtyard echoed with his voice, which gradually faded, leaving only the sound of rain. There was no movement at all. Liu Yi suddenly remembered the contents of the first note. It seemed the other party didn’t intend to let him die easily but wanted him to suffer before dying.
Seeing the note on the pillar, Liu Yi rushed over and unfolded it. There were bold words written on it: “This is my second gift for you. Come to the Blue Jade Pavilion by West Lake to receive it. From the Demon Clan and Demon Sect, your guardian—Wei Feng, respectfully.” Though he didn’t know what it was, Liu Yi had a bad feeling.
Throwing the note aside, Liu Yi rushed out of Liu Fu. In the heavy rain, he ran desperately. West Lake, the Blue Jade Pavilion—what was there? Countless thoughts he dared not consider flashed through his mind. All he could do now was run fast, reach the Blue Jade Pavilion as soon as possible. There, everything would become clear, and the answers would be revealed.
Finally, he arrived. In Liu Yi’s memory, it was a simple pavilion with just a table and four stone benches—nothing more. But tonight was different. Four lamps surrounded the pavilion. Under the light, Liu Yi saw someone—someone looking around anxiously.
It was… Jili’er. Without thinking further, Liu Yi rushed over and entered the pavilion. Seeing Jili’er’s pale face, he asked, “How did you end up here?”
Jili’er, seeing Liu Yi, suddenly smiled and said, “I was waiting for you. A few days ago, an uncle came to me and said you wanted to see me, so he brought me here.”
Liu Yi stepped back abruptly, repeating one word in his mind: “No, no, no… This isn’t real.” Liu Yi couldn’t believe it—Wei Feng had chosen Jili’er as his second target.
Jili’er, seeing Liu Yi retreat, asked in shock, “Why…?” But before she could finish, she felt a severe pain in her abdomen and could no longer stand, collapsing suddenly.
The terrible thing had finally happened. Liu Yi didn’t want to think about it, but he dared not face it. He rushed forward, hugged Jili’er tightly, and shook his head violently, saying, “No, please, don’t do this…” Tears had dried up in his eyes; all that could flow now was blood.
Jili’er stared at Liu Yi in disbelief, saying, “How… how could this happen?”

Liu Yi’s hoarse voice whispered, “That uncle… he’s Wei Feng, the protector of the demon race, and Wei Tian Tuo’s own uncle. He’s here to avenge me. Why do you trust him? He’s already killed my whole family, and now he wants to take your life too.”
Jiliel looked at Liu Yi. What did she want to say? But blood spilled from her mouth. Coughing slightly, she said, “I just… wanted to see you. When I went back to look for you, you were already… gone.”
Liu Yi stared at Jiliel and shook his head violently. “Why did this happen? Didn’t we agree? Why did you leave? Could our love really not withstand even the slightest test?”
Jiliel smiled, her face growing paler, even turning bluish-white—quite frightening. She said softly, “Perhaps love is the most… unfaithful and unreliable thing in this world. But I still found happiness. So what? I destroyed my own happiness with my own hands. Please forgive Jiliel… forgive Jiliel for being so selfish in her love, forgive Jiliel for not believing in love…” Her voice grew softer and softer, until eventually, it seemed impossible to hear what she was saying anymore.
Seeing Jiliel’s weak state, Liu Yi exclaimed, “Please don’t scare me. In just one night, I’ve lost everything. You’re my only one now. Please don’t scare me. Please don’t leave me again, okay?”
Jiliel gently shook her head. Suddenly, severe pain surged from her abdomen. Enduring the pain, she said, “Jiliel knows she’s dying soon. Scholar, do you still remember what I said? What I said to you in that sea of falling snow.”
Liu Yi couldn’t say anything at that moment. He could only keep nodding…
“If one day Jiliel dies, please don’t be sad… Look at this warm sunlight, this vast sky, this sea of flowers under the snow, and listen to the wind and smell the fragrance. The world is still wonderful. Jiliel’s departure hasn’t taken away your world. Please bury Jiliel deep in your memories, okay?” Jiliel repeated those words, trying to encourage Liu Yi. She was truly afraid that this foolish scholar wouldn’t be able to move on after her death.
Liu Yi held Jiliel tighter, afraid she would leave. With a trembling voice and shaking head, he said, “No, you’re too cruel. When I lost everything, when I lost your love, my world already vanished. How can I bury my love for you? You’re too cruel… really too cruel…” Liu Yi tried hard to change her mind, as if doing so could keep her alive.
But how could Liu Yi know Jiliel’s heart? She only wanted him to live well, not to give up his future or his world because of her death. Though they hadn’t spent much time together, she understood Liu Yi very well.
Blood spilled from Jiliel’s lips again. She wanted to say something but seemed unable to speak. She just looked at Liu Yi with her eyes, as if trying to engrave his image in her heart forever.

Seeing Gilliel’s state, Liu Yi’s heart shattered. The pain was beyond description, and the despair was indescribable as well. Looking at Gilliel, Liu Yi cried out desperately, “Gilliel, don’t scare me! Do you remember what we said? To go to the ends of the earth, watch the moon and stars together, and breathe the wind among the flowers. We haven’t been there yet—you can’t break your promise.”

Gilliel barely shook her head, seemingly using up all her strength to utter the last few words: “I’m sorry… Let my love… stay by your side… forever…” After saying that, Gilliel gently closed her eyes and fell into a permanent sleep, never to wake again.

Liu Yi tightly hugged Gilliel’s delicate body and shouted loudly, “No… don’t be so cruel! Please… don’t fall asleep!” But no matter how Liu Yi called out, Gilliel could no longer hear him. At that moment, it had become eternity.