Ten Years

Lin Qiye's blade pierced through the ghost face, but that was not why the Ghost-faced King howled in agony.

What truly made the Ghost-faced King let out such a heart-rending wail was Lin Qiye's eyes. Beneath that scorching golden light, the ghost face was like wax melting in flames, rapidly dissolving away.

Though the golden light only appeared for an instant, it was enough to completely extinguish the life of the already dying Ghost-faced King.

At last, beneath Lin Qiye's gaze, that ghost face completely solidified into a wrinkled lump of semi-solid matter, with no trace of its former visage remaining.

At the same time, Lin Qiye felt a warm current slowly flow into his body through the hand gripping the blade.

He frowned slightly, planted his foot on the ghost-faced body beneath him, and pulled out his straight blade.

After thinking for a moment, he bent down and picked up the pale lump of ghost face. His vision immediately went dark, and he nearly collapsed.

Even with the enhancement of the Starry Night Dancer, after such an intense and perilous battle, Lin Qiye's physical strength had been greatly depleted. More importantly, using Seraphim's Eye twice had thoroughly drained what little Mental Power he had. Even walking was difficult now.

Just as Zhao Kongcheng had said, at his current level, facing the Ghost-faced King meant certain death.

If the Night Watchmen had not severely wounded the Ghost-faced King first, if Zhao Kongcheng had not crippled it at the cost of his life, then even with Seraphim's Eye and the Starry Night Dancer, Lin Qiye still could not have defeated the Ghost-faced King.

This was a Mythical Creature that had descended upon this world.

This was the "River" realm.

Rain slid down his cheeks as he stepped through pools of blood, staggering toward Zhao Kongcheng's corpse.

He reached the body and slowly sat down beside it.

"I told you long ago, being a hero isn't so easy." Lin Qiye looked at Zhao Kongcheng's already cold body and murmured, "You risked your life here, fighting to the death... but how many people even knew?

"Do you know? Right now, several miles away in the city center, it's still all bright lights and revelry.

"They're singing in KTVs, enjoying food at Hotpot Restaurants, rolling around in hotel beds, eating popcorn at movie theaters...

"But you, you!

"You can only die here in silence.

"They'll never know that, in this torrential rain, a man held a blade and took down a Mythical Creature! They won't know that they can play and enjoy themselves without a care in the world... because someone gave up his life for them.

"Was it really worth it?"

Lin Qiye stared at Zhao Kongcheng's pale face, as though waiting for his answer.

Unfortunately, he was destined never to speak again.

Lin Qiye continued, "Do you think I'm afraid of death?

"You're wrong. I'm not afraid of death at all.

"Do you think a child who had seen an angel, lost both his eyes, and been locked inside a Psychiatric Hospital since childhood would still fear death?

"Countless times in the darkness, I tried to end my own life, but the light saved me again and again.

"The light that saved me wasn't those so-called 'people,' running around the city for their desires and complaining that the world was unfair!

"...It was my family."

Lin Qiye raised his head and gazed up at the pitch-black night sky as he slowly spoke:

"The people never saved me, so why should I use my life to protect these 'people'?

"That is why I never wanted to become a Night Watchman."

Lin Qiye turned his head, his gaze falling upon the small house in the heavy rain. A hint of confusion appeared in his eyes.

"But I'm the kind of person who can't stand owing others.

"You saved my entire world.

"What... can I do for you in return?"

Lin Qiye paused, then continued, "I know the benefits for you Night Watchmen are good. Even after you die, your wife and children will receive the best care. As for your funeral, the Night Watchmen will definitely arrange it with full honors...

"You don't lack money, and I don't have any either.

"So how exactly am I supposed to repay such an enormous debt?"

Lin Qiye sat there blankly. After a long while, he turned to look at the small house in the distance again...

In the rain, his fists slowly clenched, then fell open weakly.

As though he had made up his mind, he used his blade to support himself against the ground and struggled to his feet, murmuring:

"In my life, I have only wronged three people: my aunt, who has worked herself to exhaustion for me for ten years; my cousin, who has been dragged down by me for ten years...

"And you, who saved the lives of all three members of my family.

"You saved my entire world.

"In exchange, "I'll protect your world for ten years.

"After ten years, no matter what things look like, I will have nothing more to do with the Night Watchmen, and nothing more to do with the 'people.'

"I will return to this home and continue living the life I was meant to live."

"Was this deal... fair enough?"

Lin Qiye looked down at Zhao Kongcheng in the pool of blood. He simply lay there quietly, as though asleep.

"Since you have no objections, it's settled."

Lin Qiye drove his straight blade into the ground and knelt facing a certain direction...

There, in the rain, stood an ordinary little house.

"Auntie, Xiao Qi is leaving. Please forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye.

Because I'm afraid that if I go back... I won't want to leave again.

I heard the Night Watchmen pay well. During these ten years that I risk my life, the allowance they give should be enough for you and your son to live comfortably. Ten years from now, Xiao Qi will give you the best life...

I will repay the kindness of raising me in ten years."

Lin Qiye knelt in the rain, droplets sliding down from the tips of his hair and moistening his eyes.

He bent down and knocked his head heavily against the ground several times. Only after pressing his forehead to the ground for a long while did he slowly raise it.

He slowly stood, gave the little house one last look, and pulled the straight blade from the ground...

Then turned and left.

"Xiangnan! I'm already at the old residential district! Where is Old Zhao?!"

In the pouring rain, a woman draped in a dark crimson cloak stood in the street, soaked through from head to toe. A black Long Case was strapped to her back, and she bent over, gasping for breath.

"He's in the open space two buildings ahead of you." Wu Xiangnan's voice came through the earpiece. He paused, his voice somewhat suppressed. "Hong Ying... you need to be prepared."

"Prepared for what?"

"We lost contact with him a few minutes ago. And Old Zhao's insignia location... hasn't moved for several minutes now..."

Hong Ying's pupils suddenly contracted. Her body trembled faintly, then she shot forward like an arrow, racing ahead!

"Don't talk nonsense!! Maybe, maybe he's just tired..." Hong Ying gritted her teeth, her voice already thick with tears.

"Hong Ying..."

"Don't say another word!!" Hong Ying roared.

"Hong Ying! Old Zhao's insignia location moved!"

The moment she heard those words, light immediately appeared in Hong Ying's eyes!

"I knew it, I knew it... he wouldn't die that easily! Where is he?"

"He's moving slowly. He... is getting closer and closer to you."

Hong Ying froze and instinctively stopped, her gaze falling on the corner not far ahead.

Dull thunder rumbled through the distant clouds, while the rain poured down like a curtain of water, obscuring her vision.

Vaguely, a figure slowly emerged from the rain.

It was a young man.

A blade was strapped to his back.

In his arms, he carried a man's corpse.

He stopped, gathered every ounce of strength in his body, and roared!

As though proclaiming it to the entire world!

"—Junior Lin Qiye sends General Zhao Kongcheng home in triumph!!!"