The Answer on Walking Marriage Bridge
How long have you been searching?
As she asked the question, the curve of her lips deepened, as if she had understood the answer.
Su Qing'an honestly said:
"I've been searching ever since I came down here."
Fu Hua silently handed him a candied hawthorn. After Su Qing'an took it, she smiled and said:
"Then you're quite stupid."
"After I came down, they took me to a nearby Hanfu shop. It had been a long time since I wore similar clothes, and I did miss it a bit. It was just a bit cumbersome to put on, and not very convenient for fighting."
The boy took a bite of the candied hawthorn; the melted sugar coating and the tartness of the fruit created a pleasant taste. He said softly:
"It's very sweet."
Fu Hua counted the time on her fingers and said:
"This shop is pretty good; the taste is almost the same as it was hundreds of years ago."
He continued:
"The clothes are very nice."
The girl lightly tucked her sleeve, her movements as she ate the candied hawthorn slowing almost imperceptibly for a second. Then, waiting for the sugar coating to melt in her lips, she said:
"The clothes there are all very nice."
Su Qing'an's eyes reflected every detail of her movements; a gleam shone in his dark pupils. He smiled and said:
"Not as good as what you're wearing."
Fu Hua seemed not to hear her, quietly chewing on the unripe fruit like a small animal. After the two had walked for a while, she responded in a voice barely audible:
"Um."
I don't know why, but this time the candied hawthorns I ate were so sweet they were almost cloying.
The temple fair was very lively.
For immortals, this must be one of countless scenes from their past memories, a fragment that would be present even in their incomplete recollections.
The festive decorations are always accompanied by a constant flow of people, and this hustle and bustle creates a warm and inviting scene.
The immortal, who was used to stepping into the crowds in a detached manner, was clearly just a tourist, but she was the only one who seemed like a complete passerby.
But this time, it seems a little different.
She was just like an ordinary girl next door, wearing beautiful Hanfu, walking with a leisurely gait, with people accompanying her to witness the same scene.
It seemed that for thousands of years, she had never so genuinely tried to engage in such human activities. The vibrant atmosphere of the fireworks diluted the ethereal quality in her girlish bones, allowing her to blend into the atmosphere even more.
To passersby, they just looked like a good-looking couple on vacation.
The bustling noise of the crowd intensified the lively atmosphere. Looking at the dazzling array of sights, Fu Hua said:
"This is a custom that the people of this land have always practiced. I've seen it so many times, but for the first time, I feel that it might be worthwhile to try and integrate myself into it."
Her smile became genuine and warm as she spoke, leaving the boy somewhat dazed.
It was like the smile he had seen in his Heart Seal on Mount Taixu that morning.
Su Qing'an was stunned for a moment, then he said:
"Shall we go?"
Fu Hua glanced at him and asked in confusion:
Where to?
The boy read it aloud, word by word:
"Walking Marriage Bridge"
Upon hearing this, she slowly tossed the bamboo skewer in her hand into the nearby trash can.
After a long while, the girl gazed at the distant, undulating mountains under the gradually darkening light on the horizon, feeling as if the twilight had illuminated the distant scenery like rouge, burning intensely.
She said:
"... good."
This is one of the unique attractions of this ancient town.
The Walking Marriage Bridge.
As its name suggests, it is a must-visit spot for local lovers who pledge their love and get married.
The lake's surface is clear, reflecting the slowly changing colors of the sunlight. It is surrounded by distant mountains, and at the center, like stars surrounding the moon, stands an ancient bridge.
The entire length of the 300-meter-long building bears the marks of time.
Legend has it that there was an even older bridge over a hundred years ago, but over time, some of the wood from that bridge rotted or broke, and some even ended up in the lake, so it was abandoned.
There are very few people on this bridge right now.
Only the two of them were together as they walked on the bridge, the sound of their footsteps clearly audible.
Clearly, this bridge has also been corrupted by the power of money.
The result that was brewed was the complete opposite: pure and flawless.
The boy gazed at the vast sky in the distance. Dusk was gradually falling, and the sun hung quietly, half of its light and heat blocked by the continuous mountain range.
The lake surface rippled with the lingering light of the sun, and the entire world was beautifully reflected in the sky and the lake.
Perhaps, this is the perfect time.
Su Qing'an broke the tranquil silence and spoke up:
"How much longer do you think you have to live?"
Upon hearing this, the girl smiled and replied, her words no longer concealing any secrets.
She said:
"Me? Assuming my body is intact and I don't need to fight, it'll be a long time."
"So long that I myself don't know how long it will be."
"Perhaps it will last until the end of time?"
Upon hearing this, Su Qing'an said softly:
"It'll take a long time, it'll be tough."
Fu Hua nodded as a matter of course, and said:
"Yes, but there's nothing we can do about it."
Is there nothing we can do?
If one could disregard everything, perhaps one could live a very easy life with such a long lifespan?
But she was destined to be a busybody, and from that day 55,000 years ago until now, she still hasn't had a moment of peace.
An endless battle, a promise that seems forever out of reach.
She worked so hard, so very hard.
If he could, he hoped to spend the rest of his life accompanying her on a journey.
Even if this path is short, it may just be a fleeting dream in the long life of a young girl.
Even so, Su Qing'an still wanted to say those words.
Whether it's selfishness or something else entirely, it doesn't matter.
This is his current wish.
However...
A piercing ringtone sounded, and the communicator automatically connected, allowing the operator's voice to be heard:
"A suspected Emperor-class Honkai Beast has appeared in Bian'an District, Qionghua City, on the coast of Shenzhou. Great Honkai may follow. Headquarters has temporarily requisitioned nearby helicopters for support."
"Miss Fu Hua, you are the only A-rank Valkyrie in Shenzhou. Please be sure to reach the battlefield as soon as possible to provide support."
"Okay, I understand."
After hanging up the communicator, Fu Hua sighed and said:
"It seems my vacation is over, Su Qing'an."
"You should rest a bit more; I can handle things there."
She glanced at the hesitant boy and chuckled softly:
"There's something else you haven't said, isn't there? It's okay."
"I'll listen carefully next time too."
The Honkai collapse could have spread and caused countless tragedies if it had been delayed even by a few seconds. At this moment, I have no room to stop her from staying any longer.
The boy remained rational; he told himself, "Next time."
Next time.
I will explain it properly.
At that time, even in front of the whole world, Su Qing'an will be able to tell the truth frankly.
But now, the boy, who understands the great righteousness and promises the immortals bear, cannot choose to speak.
That was one of the chasms that could not be crossed between them in their brief time together.
He looked at the girl's face, smiled, and nodded, saying:
"Okay, be careful."
Then, the boy watched the girl's retreating figure walk further and further away, remaining silent.
Dusk has fallen.