Chapter 250: The Puppet of Evil, True Love Without Regret

Time passed swiftly, but in Liu Yi’s consciousness, every moment was one of soulful degradation and fading awareness. Everything before his eyes gradually lost its color—the world ceased to be colorful, and slowly, a blood-red hue covered everything. Silence surrounded him; he could feel no wind, no birds or beasts calling. His heart was entirely consumed by a desire to kill, such a strong urge that he could barely control himself and wished to end all living things.

Liu Yi still had a sliver of consciousness. He clearly understood that he could never break free from this killing desire, and the only outcome awaiting him was losing consciousness and becoming a mere killing puppet. Yet he could never accept such an end. For now, he had made the worst preparations possible.

He tried to gather his last traces of vital energy to confront this growing killing desire, but it was like a stream flowing into the sea—useless. Liu Yi understood the situation fully and finally gave up on gathering his energy, knowing he had failed. At the same time, he slowly drew out the sword in his hand, “Sorrowful Dream.”

The black blade emitted a faint metallic sheen under the sunlight, carrying a coldness typical of a sword. Liu Yi had wanted to use the power of the Divine Dragon to resist this killing desire, but he gave up—nothing would work now. His vital energy had been completely absorbed and transformed into the killing desire; even the Divine Dragon could no longer be summoned.

Looking at the black sword in his hand, Liu Yi shook his head. Red light flashed in his eyes as he sighed weakly, “You were like my brother—once we fought side by side through life and death, conquering the world and challenging gods and demons. But that was in the past. Now, I am so powerless. Perhaps it’s time for us to part. If the cycle of three lifetimes ends and I die, I will be utterly destroyed—no more life, no afterlife. Finally, please see me off.”

Liu Yi didn’t know why he could still speak so much. At this moment, the only thing he could think of was using the sword in his hand to end his own life, so that the puppet of evil would never appear again.

Still staring at the sword, he said slowly, “Is it right or wrong for me to give up like this? I love her, but ending my own life means leaving her. Why must I make such a choice? Even if falling in love with a celestial maiden was a mistake, even if the cycle of three lifetimes was wrong, it probably doesn’t matter anymore. For as I am destroyed, the last trace of consciousness in my heart tells me—no regrets in life or death, forever without remorse.”

Liu Yi slowly raised the sword. He wanted to know, to see clearly, the outcome of this thousand-year curse, this love between gods and demons. He also wanted to know what he would look like at death. Though he hated dying, the world wouldn’t allow it, nor would he allow it for himself. For the sake of more good people, he had to die.

The sharp blade of the black long sword was slowly placed against his own throat. The coldness of the weapon caused Liu Yi to be slightly shocked, but he quickly regained his composure. He remained calm—this death was something he could have anticipated, except that it came so soon.

Just as Liu Yi was thinking this, a blue figure appeared swiftly. Without any spiritual energy or preparation, the figure snatched the long sword from Liu Yi’s hands and quickly retreated ten zhang away. The sudden change made the already numb Liu Yi slowly realize that his sword was gone.

Slowly lifting his head, Liu Yi saw Yu Chenxing in his blood-red eyes. She still looked beautiful and adorable, her black hair adorned with sapphires, her earrings two blue stars, her skin snow-white. Yet, after so many days apart, her once lovely face now appeared somewhat weary.

Liu Yi seemed somewhat sluggish as he stared at her. Finally, he said, “It’s you.”

Yu Chenxing looked at Liu Yi’s strange expression and tone and asked, “What are you doing? Why do you want to die? Didn’t you say you had a wife? Don’t you care about her feelings? You don’t love her at all! What will happen to her if you die? Why are you so selfish? Can’t you think of others?”

Looking at Yu Chenxing’s emotional expression and hearing her accusations, Liu Yi remembered that he had been searching for her. But now that he saw she was fine—at least better than himself—he no longer worried. He shook his head and replied softly, “Do you understand what love is? Is just being together enough to be called love? Love… how can one not love? Of course I love her, I love her very much. No matter how time passes, she will always be my lover. Love isn’t something we say or judge like this. It’s a feeling. Many things can’t be explained by appearances. Even a beggar on the verge of starvation who kills to eat isn’t doing it because he enjoys killing. Do you understand what I mean? Give me back my sword!” By the end, Liu Yi’s voice had grown softer. He knew his time was running out. If he didn’t end his life soon, he couldn’t imagine what would happen next.

Yu Chenxing seemed to understand Liu Yi’s meaning. Her expression turned sad, almost to the point of tears, as she said plaintively, “Then you can just tell me. I can help you, find a solution. It can definitely be resolved. Why do you have to choose death?” She had no intention of returning the sword to Liu Yi and continued to respond to him.

Liu Yi shook his head and said, “You can’t help me. This is a mistake—a mistake I made when I first started practicing cultivation. Give me the sword and let me end my life quickly. Otherwise, I won’t be able to resist becoming a killing puppet. By then, maybe not even you and I will recognize each other. It would be better if I could stay bound to this world, but if one day I escape, the souls that die at the sword’s hand will be beyond our current imagination. Do you understand? This choice is also my helplessness…” By the end, Liu Yi’s voice grew even weaker. Yes, there were many things he hadn’t done—his lover, his enemies, his fate—everything. He could only give up on it all.

Yu Chenxing shook her head fiercely, tears slowly falling. She knew very well that she could avoid seeing the person before her, but she couldn’t stop thinking about him or watch him die right before her eyes. That would be a permanent wound for her, because… this was the only time in her life she had felt such heartache.

Seeing Yu Chenxing just shaking her head vigorously and her emotional expression, Liu Yi suddenly remembered something and continued, “Alright, I don’t know how much longer I can hold on. But if I change, you must kill me immediately. Now, I want to ask you one question before I die.”

Yu Chenxing didn’t speak. Seeing Liu Yi so sad, she simply nodded vigorously. She didn’t want him to die. Even for just one more moment, she would pray and thank heaven for its grace, yet more tears streamed down.

Liu Yi continued, “Why did you leave that night? Didn’t you know this place was strange and dangerous?”

Yu Chenxing nodded, then shook her head again. After that, she just looked at Liu Yi without saying a word. Time passed slowly around them as a gentle breeze blew, petals falling. Love seemed indifferent—to Yu Chenxing, he was indifferent. She didn’t know how much time had passed, but that silence was finally broken by a few brief words: “Because I fell in love with you.” Though those words were spoken in a short time, in her mind, it felt like millions of years had passed. Finally, she told herself that tomorrow was uncertain, and the next moment would never have an answer. If she was to love, she should say it out loud. At least she had the courage to love.

Hearing Yu Chenxing’s words, Liu Yi’s blurred consciousness seemed to wake up a bit. Shaking his head, he said, “No.”

Yu Chenxing was a stubborn girl, just like her actions—once she decided to do something, she would see it through to the end. When Liu Yi said those words, Yu Chenxing shouted excitedly, “Why not?”

Liu Yi only shook his head. A hint of panic appeared in his red eyes, along with guilt and self-reproach. Since he hadn’t yet become a puppet, he knew that those who fell in love with him would not be happy, and it would end in nothing, just like with July.

Yu Chenxing just shook her head at Liu Yi; her emotions seemed even more intense as she asked, “Can you stop me from falling in love with someone? I don’t understand. Do you? Then tell me, what should I do? Who should I fall in love with? Whose fault is it? Is it possible? What exactly is it? Is there anything wrong with falling in love? Can I really choose who to fall in love with?” With great emotion, Yu Chenxing cried while asking Liu Yi, her voice fading gradually with each sentence until it finally stopped.

Liu Yi listened to Yu Chenxing’s words, not knowing what to say. Although he didn’t want to hurt her, if things continued like this, she would suffer even more. Better pain now than prolonged pain. Looking at the sad Yu Chenxing, Liu Yi spoke in a weak voice, “Do you remember the first mirror you saw when we entered this mirror world?” He recalled what the Purple Dragon had said. Though he was his enemy, here he saw no need to deceive himself.

Yu Chenxing only continued to cry. How could she know? She was waiting for Liu Yi to go on speaking.

Liu Yi paused, trying to calm his restless emotions, and said, “That mirror is called the ‘Karma Mirror.’ It shows the causes and effects of past lives and the fates of this life. Do you understand why there’s only you in the mirror and no me? You’re smart. Do you still need me to continue?”

Finally, Yu Chenxing shouted, “I don’t believe it! I don’t believe it! Stop talking! Don’t say anything anymore…” In the end, she even covered her ears. Once again, silence fell between them, though it was soon broken by Yu Chenxing.

Seemingly calmer now, Yu Chenxing shook her head and said, “You’re a demon. Do you believe in the arrangements of the gods in heaven? I don’t either. I won’t be controlled. I don’t know about the causes and effects of past lives, nor do I want to. I only care about the fates of this life. If there’s no connection between us, then why would people from different worlds meet? Why would we end up together? Why did we enter another realm? I don’t care about any prophecies or predetermined fate. All I know is that love should be lived fully—no gods or demons can stop it, and no regrets in life or death.” At this moment, Yu Chenxing no longer resembled an ignorant girl. Nothing Liu Yi said could change her mind. What shocked him was her determination. Now, he began to doubt his own views on the Lan family.

Suddenly, Liu Yi felt irritation in his heart. A bloodthirsty impulse made his eyes glow red. Looking at Yu Chenxing before him, his weak body collapsed to its knees with a thud. Supported by his arms, he didn’t fall. With his head bowed, he uttered a sad voice, “Kill me. Kill me now, and then forget everything—forget me.” Liu Yi knew he had no time left. Death was his only escape.

For some reason, there was no sound between them. Perhaps Yu Chenxing was making a decision, while Liu Yi might be using his last bit of consciousness to control himself. The sky gradually covered itself with gray clouds. What had been clear just moments ago now seemed to be heading toward a storm. The refreshing wind blew over their bodies, simultaneously recording their love as that of demons.

On the earth, a crying voice changed the sky’s color; sorrow filled the wind, and the falling petals seemed to swirl around that voice, as if intentionally or not: “Forget? How can I forget? Is love really that simple? Is it enough to just forget? Tell me.”

“Tell me how to forget—how to forget the painting you drew on the arena? How to forget you who appeared before me? How to forget us in that restaurant? How to forget being dragged into a strange world together? How to forget when I cried from hunger and someone helped roast meat for me? How can I forget—forget the feelings, forget your figure, forget the love in my heart, forget myself? What is this? How is it possible? Tell me.” Her voice was soft at first, but by the end, Yu Chenxing was crying uncontrollably, her voice hoarse.

After a brief pause, she continued, “Do you know? You tell me to forget, to stop loving, but have you ever thought about how cruel that is? Can one really stop loving? Then why did you appear? Why are you still by my side? Why did you make me fall in love with you under that old moon tree? How is this possible? Tell me how to forget.” Finally, Yu Chenxing could no longer control her shattered mind and collapsed to the ground, crying bitterly.

With a swish, the black long sword in Yu Chenxing’s hand flew out and landed in Liu Yi’s hands. As red light radiated from his body, the surroundings were transformed by an aura of violence. Liu Yi slowly stood up, his eyes completely covered in red light, showing no emotions. Suddenly, he spoke, “Go away. Leave now. I can’t control myself—I’ll kill you.” The sword slowly pointed toward Yu Chenxing’s body.

Yu Chenxing suddenly stopped crying and slowly stood up. Looking at the black sword, she said, “Is it because of this? I just want you to know that no matter what you become, I won’t kill you—even if you kill me. If death can bring relief, if there are no more worries, then… please help me.” With that, she slowly closed her eyes, as if truly waiting.

What Yu Chenxing said was true. At that moment, her heart was filled with despair. Unable to admit it to the one she loved, it felt as though the world had become empty. She didn’t know the value of her life. All she could think of was death. If she could die at the hands of the person she loved, perhaps it would bring her peace.

Liu Yi’s eyes were blood-red. The sword still pointed at Yu Chenxing. With his last ounce of consciousness, he said, “Why be so foolish? If I don’t die, many others will die. You must live on.”

Yu Chenxing shook her head and said, “I don’t care about their lives or deaths. Who has ever pitied me? All I know is that I don’t have the courage to kill you. If I could, I would be willing to become a solitary soul beneath your sword, following you forever—no matter what you are, whether a demon or a puppet. I just know that I have no hope of turning back, nor any choice.” By the end, she sounded very calm, her expression also seeming much lighter. If the end of life is a moment when one lets go of all burdens, then we should be happy, right?

Just as Yu Chenxing finished speaking, Liu Yi truly changed. The murderous aura around his body became tangible, his red eyes were covered by darkness, leaving nothing visible. A black long sword swung in his right hand, leaving three afterimages of sword strikes in the air before the sword swiftly returned to its sheath.

This was Liu Yi’s fastest sword technique—delivering two strikes at once. But when used by the puppet, it became three simultaneous strikes, with no trace of those sword lights visible. Yet as Liu Yi sheathed his sword, something strange happened. With three clanging sounds, the three sword lights collided with a purple shield. The sword lights vanished under the force, but the purple shield remained, still glowing around Yu Chenxing’s body.

This sudden appearance shocked both the puppet and Yu Chenxing. What was that? Had it always been around Yu Chenxing’s body? But Yu Chenxing immediately sensed something was wrong. She had felt a slight oddity the moment Liu Yi drew his sword, but upon seeing this object, her heart suddenly warmed. She recognized it—very well, actually. It was a ‘Star Shield.’ Judging by its color, it must be a high-grade one. And this was something her father had left specifically for her. But she had never used it… Could it be…

At that moment, the puppet shouted, “Come out.” As that emotionless, cold voice echoed, four figures swiftly appeared, standing around Yu Chenxing from all four directions. Seeing these four people, Yu Chenxing became even more excited. Yes, they were four elders with gray clothes and long beards—those very elders who, according to legend, had disappeared into the Mirror World with the King of the Underworld. If that was the case… then the King of the Underworld must also appear.

But even with the appearance of the four elders, the puppet did not give up searching, because in his consciousness, there was still a stronger presence surrounding them. Yet this presence was everywhere, with no trace to be found…