Chapter 101: The Past Has Gone, the Happiness of Home Is Warm

Shi Yishen could not sleep at night; he remained alone. Who could understand the sorrow in the heart of the ruler of the Demon Realm, the lord of the Eternal City? It was precisely because of his lofty status and his invincibility that he had no friends at all.
Stories from his memories resurfaced in his mind—the ease of ten years ago belonged to a scholar, to his friends around him: the Great Sword King, Shi Jieyi, A Jiu, Shui Er. Were they all well?
Liu Yi took out the handkerchief from ten years ago—the one Ji Li’er had given him on Yuecang Mountain to wipe his sweat. He looked at the exquisitely embroidered mandarin ducks on it, gently inhaling its fragrance, as if seeing her face. Closing his eyes softly, he said, “The object remains, but the person is gone. Smelling the fragrance, I think of her smiling face. What was once real now seems like a dream.”
At that moment, a cold voice spoke, “Poor people will always remain poor. But it’s better she’s not here. It is precisely because of her absence that you exist today. The suffering of three lifetimes lies in lovers who cannot be together. Thus, you must endure the punishment of reincarnation—it cannot be changed.”
Lost in thought, Liu Yi didn’t notice someone had appeared behind him.
Putting down the handkerchief, Liu Yi turned around and said, “It’s you.”
Lan Ren nodded. “It’s me. I know everything about you, including your fated reincarnation with the Heavenly Maiden seven thousand years ago.”
Liu Yi looked at the woman before him. Her blue eyes were as deep as the ocean, her curly black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her nearly perfect figure made it hard to imagine how cold her sword must be.
Liu Yi was surprised. He didn’t remember this person in his memories. He had clear memories of those from the Divine Realm, let alone those from the Demon Realm. But no matter how hard he tried, he didn’t recognize her.
Liu Yi asked Lan Ren, “Who exactly are you?”
Lan Ren’s tone became calmer. “I? I’m someone who cares deeply about you, someone who really wants to know if you can change your fate. I’m neither a god nor a demon, nor a human. I don’t belong to these three realms or six paths. I’m just a wanderer. One day, I discovered your story and came to this world.”
Liu Yi was confused by what she said. She wasn’t from the three realms or six paths, nor was she a god or demon. Could she be from another world? And she said she came here because of her own story? Liu Yi was utterly bewildered.
Looking at the mysterious Lan Ren, Liu Yi said coldly, “I don’t need anyone’s concern. I have my own path to follow. I will surely rewrite the fate of these three lifetimes of reincarnation.”
Lan Ren showed no expression. She glanced at Liu Yi and continued, “You never thought there was also Ji Li’er’s sister, Tianjiao, in this world, did you? You dare not look at her because you’re afraid—it reminds you of the pain in your heart. You’re not a person full of passion; you’re heartless. You reject Qiyue’s feelings from afar, never willing to accept them. Yet you miss a dead person every day. You’re simply…”

A red glow flashed in Liu Yi’s eyes as he snapped, “Enough! You have no right to teach me. My love doesn’t need anyone’s judgment. You are indeed a mysterious person, but know this—if you anger me, I won’t care about the power behind you or who you are. I’ll make sure you die a miserable death.”
“Don’t think you know everything. What you see is just the surface; you can’t read what’s in anyone’s heart.” Liu Yi turned away, gazing up at the waning moon in the sky, lost in deep pain.
Lan Ren wasn’t angry; instead, she suddenly laughed. “Haha, this story is developing so slowly. Remember, I—Lan Ren—care deeply about you and your future.” With that, she vanished into the darkness, still laughing.
Liu Yi was truly captivated by this mysterious woman. He himself wasn’t even clear about his own reincarnation, yet this blue-eyed girl explained it all so clearly. Her identity and mystery became puzzles in his mind.
Just then, Liu Yi heard a voice, “Shiyi, it’s been years since we last saw each other. Have you been kept under control by A Jiu these past years? Why haven’t we seen you go out?”
A woman’s voice replied, “What are you talking about? I haven’t controlled him at all. It’s he who doesn’t want to go out.”
Another voice sighed, “Since my elder brother died, I’ve had no mood to travel around. It’s fine to live a peaceful life like this until old age.”
Another voice added, “Hehe, yes, I really don’t have the mood anymore. The days of roaming the world are gone. Hehe, I really miss them. It seems we’re no longer young. Let’s strive to create happiness for our families.”
Hearing these voices, Liu Yi could no longer bear it. He quickly drew his ‘Sorrowful Dream’ sword, flew into the air, and looked toward the other courtyard. Under a lamp, there was a table, four chairs, and four people—A Jiu, Shi Jieyi, Shui Er, and Da Dao Wang.
Shui Er said, “You still know how to create happiness? Just take care of those two kids at home.”
The four of them laughed joyfully. Liu Yi realized he was smiling. Though he wore a mask, it was a smile of understanding. Seeing his friends so happy made him smile—it was the first time he felt happy, because of his friends, those who had shared life and death with him ten years ago.
Liu Yi knew he couldn’t see them, as that would disrupt their peaceful and happy lives. If they truly thought he was dead, then let Liu Yi die forever. Perhaps, a friend’s happiness only required silent concern…
At that moment, Da Dao Wang said, “Shiyi, why didn’t you participate in this martial arts competition? With your skills, you could at least make it into the top sixteen.”
Shi Jieyi seemed much more mature now. Taking a bite of peanuts, he said, “What’s the point of a martial arts competition? The ignorance of youth and the temptation of fame and fortune no longer belong to us. Having A Jiu by my side is the greatest happiness in my life. What more could I desire? Why compete for fame? This time, I’m just here with A Jiu to watch the fun.”
A Jiu didn’t say anything. She gently hugged Shi Jieyi, feeling the breadth of her husband’s heart and the warmth of his body.

Shi Jie Yi also added, “Great Sword King, didn’t you participate either?”
The Great Sword King smiled and glanced at Shui Er beside him, saying, “Haha, my reason is the same as yours. I am already the happiest person in this world. I have my own wife, my own children, and a warm home. What more do I need? To become the number one in the world? Don’t say I lack the strength—even if I were asked to do it now, I wouldn’t. I’m already satisfied. I don’t need much; as long as my life is filled with happiness and warmth, that’s enough.”
A Jiu looked at the Great Sword King and asked, “What about the ‘Scorching Sun’ divine sword? Don’t you need it?”
The Great Sword King hugged Shui Er and said, “What’s the use of a sword? For chopping vegetables? I have a kitchen knife. Haha, I met Li Ling seven years ago and have already returned it to him. Perhaps he’s also searching for his own happiness now. As for me, I no longer need any great swords or divine blades. I just need a warm home. I came here just to watch the excitement, but I think I’m not meant for this world of martial arts. There’s no place for my story here. I belong to the ordinary, so I want to live an ordinary life. Having someone I love is enough.”
Shi Jie nodded and said, “Yes, the four of us live in this world. I hope that Eldest Brother and Jili Er will also be happy in that world, have children, and a warm home. Perhaps there’s no story for us in this world of martial arts, but there must be a story for Eldest Brother, a story about him and Jili Er…”