After Sheng Jun Chapter 32 (Part 2)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 32 Solving Someone's Troubles (part 2)
"How did it go?" Zhong Ming carefully observed his expression.
"I don't know... what kind of nonsense is this? It doesn't explain anything clearly!" Jiang Xingzhi pressed his lips together, suddenly feeling a surge of frustration and resentment.
What did it mean? Who did that voice belong to?
He had finally found the origin of everything, yet he was still completely lost, not knowing how to return.
"Hey." Suddenly, a warm touch brushed across the corner of his eye as Zhong Ming reached up to wipe away his tears. "Don't cry."
Only then did Jiang Xingzhi realize he had been crying out of frustration.
He wasn't usually so emotional, but having such great hope suddenly disappear felt like all his efforts had been in vain. He could endure a thousand years of hardship, but in this misaligned time and space, he might never meet Xu Jian again.
Just thinking about this made tears well up in Jiang Xingzhi's eyes once more.
Seeing the redness around his eyes and tears clinging to his eyelashes, Zhong Ming couldn't help but cup his face and gently wipe away his tears.
He had probably guessed that Jiang Xingzhi hadn't found a way to return.
He should be happy about this, yet he couldn't bring himself to smile at all.
Jiang Xingzhi turned his face away, with his back to Zhong Ming as he raised his hand to wipe his own eyes.
Zhong Ming's fingers curled slightly before he spoke, "It's alright, I..."
I can accompany you. I can accompany you for a thousand years, until you return to the place you want to go.
He stopped himself before the words came out.
What use would it be if he accompanied Jiang Xingzhi? What truly saddened Jiang Xingzhi was that he couldn't see his beloved anymore.
Zhong Ming changed his words, "We'll think of another way."
Jiang Xingzhi wiped away his tears and composed himself, then turned back to look at Zhong Ming. Though sometimes insensitive, he wasn't completely unreasonable—Bai Mu didn't want him to leave, yet was still comforting him now.
He couldn't just dwell in his own emotions either.
Jiang Xingzhi took two deep breaths, adjusted his mindset, and tried to hold back his tears.
Though not entirely successful.
He even used his spiritual energy to dry his face, making his eye sockets completely dry. "I'm fine."
Zhong Ming: "..."
Zhong Ming's expression was complex, and he hesitated before offering comfort, "You don't have to... you don't have to suppress yourself like this."
Jiang Xingzhi shook his head, "Let's go. We should leave now."
He had originally planned to find a place to store the opportunity he held in his hand, but with a thought, he saw the opportunity transform into a golden light that entered the Tingxue Sword at his waist.
The Tingxue Sword trembled slightly, as if suddenly being filled to satisfaction, and gave a contented burp.
Jiang Xingzhi: ?
Zhong Ming couldn't help but glance at the sword a few more times: Even when full and satisfied, it looked exactly like Jiang Xingzhi.
He looked outside, "Let's talk after we get out."
The secret realm was about to close. Jiang Xingzhi put away the Tingxue Sword, "Alright."
The two figures flew away like streaks of light, instantly leaving the Tongtian Hall.
****
The exit point from the secret realm was also random.
When Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming emerged, it was dusk, and they found themselves outside a mountain range south of Jiuzhou. They didn't linger but flew back to their sect—now renamed "Kunlun."
Landing on the mountaintop, they found that Zhu Yan and Zhu Xu hadn't returned yet.
Although Jiang Xingzhi had forced back his tears in the Tongtian Hall, his mood remained low. He exchanged a brief greeting with Zhong Ming before turning and going to his room.
The door closed with a creak, concealing the light blue silhouette.
Zhong Ming stared at the tightly closed door, picturing Jiang Xingzhi's rarely seen reddened eyes. He stood still in front of the courtyard for a while, then turned and strode away.
…..
After returning to his room, Jiang Xingzhi curled up in his blankets and fell asleep.
Exhaustion coupled with the dust of travel enveloped him. As he closed his eyes, scenes of himself walking through the chaos of heaven and earth replayed in his mind.
His thoughts churned and rolled turbulently, his furrowed brow never relaxing.
After sleeping for an hour or two, the sun had set behind the mountains.
Outside, the sky had completely darkened, and the night breeze blew open the bed curtains, brushing across Jiang Xingzhi's furrowed brow.
There seemed to be some movement outside.
Jiang Xingzhi's eyelids fluttered before opening. He got up and pushed open the door to see the shadow of a pear tree swaying in the courtyard beneath the rising full moon.
Zhong Ming stood under the tree, his posture straight and tall. "How did you rest?"
Jiang Xingzhi walked over, forcing himself to be spirited, "Fine."
Zhong Ming looked down at his expression for a moment, then suddenly said, "Wine can cure a thousand sorrows. If you're still unhappy, would you like to go for a drink?"