Chapter 152: The Road with No Return – Willing to Sink for That Moment

Everyone has self-esteem, though it manifests differently in special times and places. If a man is protected by a woman and stands behind her, I’m not sure how his self-esteem would react, but he would surely feel inferior.

Just as the black tigers lunged at Liu Yi, July quickly stepped in front of him. Using the powerful energy from the ninth-level cultivation technique “Lanerfina Qing,” she summoned the divine sword “Dance of the Moon.” A pink glow shot toward the three black tigers at a speed faster than a meteor. In just a flash, the sword returned to its sheath.

The black tigers didn’t slow down and continued charging. Liu Yi wouldn’t allow July to be in danger. In his heart, she was his wife, his woman, and it was his duty to protect her. Without thinking further, he threw his arm forward, pushing July behind him to shield her.

But when the three monsters were just two feet away, they suddenly collapsed to the ground, dead…

Liu Yi kept his eyes tightly closed. He thought he was doomed this time. After waiting for a long time with no sound, July’s laughter came through. “Silly scholar, what are you doing? Acting like a hero saving a beauty? Open your eyes.”

Only then did Liu Yi slowly open his eyes. When he did, he saw the monsters dead just a step away from him, their bodies covered in blood…

Puzzled, Liu Yi asked, “What… what happened?”

July stroked the “Dance of the Moon” sword in her hand. “It’s all thanks to this.” Since the sword was slender, and July had used its full power with the ninth-level technique “Lanerfina Qing,” it moved so fast that it didn’t get stained with blood.

Liu Yi shook his head and smiled bitterly. “So amazing… It seems I exaggerated. How could I possibly protect you? Even a tiny monster needs you to protect me…” Though it was a smile, July could sense that Liu Yi’s pride as a man had been hurt.

July sheathed her sword and took Liu Yi’s hand. “Then why did you block in front of me again? If you can’t protect me, why did you do that? Aren’t you afraid of death?”

Liu Yi smiled bitterly. “I am. How could I not be afraid? This world is full of wonders, and I have such a beautiful confidante. Why would I not fear death? I’m terrified… But I promised you I’d protect you. If that monster ate me, you’d have a chance to run.”

Hearing Liu Yi’s words, July was stunned for a moment. It had been a joke meant to distract him, but those words reminded her of how Liu Yi had used his own blood to reduce her fever ten years ago… It was a moment of deep gratitude, one she would never forget in ten years!

But this time, it was an emotion born of lies. Though everything was untrue and shouldn’t exist, those words truly came from his mouth. July’s eyes blurred as she thought of Jillie—envying her, jealous of her, yet also wishing her well. In July’s heart, if only she could have one day of true love, no, even just a moment, she would be willing to endure endless cycles of suffering for that happiness, to wait a thousand years for that touch of tenderness, to accept any vile curse in exchange for that moment of love—yet fate refused to accept her bargain.

Liu Yi saw that July, who had been fine just moments ago, was now crying for some reason. He hurriedly said, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I couldn’t protect you. I’m useless.” At that moment, Liu Yi thought July was blaming him for not being able to protect her.

July, looking at this silly scholar, could no longer hold back and threw herself into his arms, crying heartily…

Liu Yi asked anxiously, “July, what’s wrong?”

July shook her head and said, “Hold me tight. Don’t ask anymore.”

Liu Yi was confused, but he still simply held her… July softly said, “You’re so silly. You’ve already done better than anyone who could protect me.”

Liu Yi didn’t understand what July meant, but he still asked, “Really?”

July gently replied, “Mm-hmm…”

At that moment, July had let go of everything. Here, there was only the warmth of “him” and the reliance on “her”…

After what seemed like a long time, July finally wiped away her tears, smiled, and raised her head. “Okay, let’s keep going. That gate should be around here. Let’s look for it.” By now, July already felt happy—though it was happiness amidst schemes and lies, she was… satisfied.

Liu Yi also smiled and said as they walked, “Mm-hmm. If we have time, July, you should teach me how to use a sword so I can really protect you.”

July took his hand and laughed. “Mm-hmm, okay. Once we get there, I’ll teach you everything I know. From now on, you’ll go hunting and chopping wood, while I’ll just stay at home and enjoy it.”

Liu Yi laughed. “That sounds good. Then you better clear a piece of land next to the house and grow flowers of seven colors for me.” Liu Yi didn’t know why he said that, but he thought it was funny—at least it would give July a hard time.

July laughed. “Mm-hmm. Then I’ll use stones to sow and fire to water them. By the time we’re too old to go anywhere, we’ll surely be able to see the seven-colored flowers.”

Liu Yi was about to speak when July stopped in her tracks. Looking ahead, there was a large white disc, about thirty feet high and wide, with light flowing through its center, like waves on the sea—extremely beautiful. Around the disc, in four directions, stood four stone tablets worn unclear by wind and rain, but on them were deeply carved four characters: “No Exit, Only Entry.”

Liu Yi stared at the glowing disc and asked, “What the hell is this?”

July nodded and said, “This… is our home from now on.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Yi quickly took July’s hand and said, “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go in quickly! Let’s see what our home looks like, and also meet your family members.”
July hurriedly replied, “Wait, scholar.”
Liu Yi stopped and asked, “What’s wrong?”
July answered, “My family isn’t here anymore, but maybe our future home will be here?”
Liu Yi asked doubtfully, “If it’s not here, then it’s not here. Let’s go in. Why do you say our home might be here?”
July took Liu Yi’s hand again, as if afraid he might lose it, and said, “Scholar, did you see those words on it? If we go in, we won’t be able to come out anymore.”
Liu Yi turned to look at the four words on the stone: “Once in, never out.” Indeed, it was clearly written there—once inside, one could never leave.
Liu Yi turned back and said, “Why would we want to come out? No matter where we are, as long as you’re there, that’s my happiness. Do we still need to care about where we are?”
July looked at Liu Yi and smiled—a genuine smile. Why did every word he said make her feel like the happiest person in the world?
Liu Yi urged further, “Alright, let’s go in. Look, my hair has already turned white. By the time your hair turns white, we won’t be able to move anymore. I still want to see the rainbow flower you’ll grow.”
July nodded and said, “Silly guy, your hair has already turned white. Hmm… But by the time my hair turns white, we might really be too old to move. Okay, it’s decided. I will definitely grow a rainbow flower.”
Liu Yi took July’s hand and said, “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go in!” With that, the two, without any more hesitation, headed toward the gate to another world—the “Chaos Fairyland”…
What kind of world was that? They only knew it had the words “Fairyland,” but they had no idea how magnificent—or terrifying—it might be.
Yet, because of that sudden promise, they resolutely embarked on a path with no turning back. Liu Yi seemed to have returned to the mindset of the scholar he was twenty years ago, while July’s heart was freed through this lie…
New life, new youth—accompanying them as they stepped onto a road with no return. Would the future bring happiness, hardships, obstacles, or sorrow? Could they break through the boundaries of the Fairyland and return to this world? I think… everyone has their own guesses in mind.