Side Story: The Wind of Revival (Part Two)

Travelers don't inquire about each other's origins, and neither of them ever asked about the other's background. After all, in a normal life, no one would leave their hometown. ♤🐍 😾♬

They enjoyed the spring flowers, summer clouds, autumn trees, and winter snow together before asking each other's names.

The young man's name was Feng, and coincidentally, the woman's name was also Feng.

Their shared name further strengthened their bond. They practiced martial arts and enjoyed themselves, and when they were tired, they would appreciate the beauty of nature together, living a carefree and leisurely life.

In the beginning, lovers can accept everything about each other, but as the relationship deepens, they naturally want to know more about each other. So-called love is about having no secrets, which is just to satisfy selfish desires.

The young man first explained his background: he came from the southern countryside, his mother died early, and his father founded a caravan that frequently went to the northern countryside to exchange grain for goods.

Later, they were attacked by bandits, and all but him and two other elders were killed. They went to the North Spring Temple to ask for the gods' help, but the Shepherd could not find the murderers.

From then on, the young man embarked on a journey away from home, wanting to hone his martial arts skills to avenge everyone.

The woman was shocked to hear this, because she was the one who had committed those robberies, but she didn't know which caravan the young man was referring to.

If it were those unscrupulous merchants, she wouldn't regret it; but if it were that caravan that offered help in her time of need, she wouldn't be able to hold her head high.

She didn't dare ask; she was afraid to know the truth, so she made up a story about her background to cover it up.

Time flies, and the days pass quickly. The two of them also greatly improved their swordsmanship through sparring.

Besides practicing swordsmanship, the two also comprehended the Wind Element Strength in the nature rich in elemental energy, and gradually mastered its essentials.

Later, they combined Wind Element Strength with swordsmanship, creating immense power that could even slay Magic Beast!

"Let's name our swordsmanship," the woman said to the young man.

"Your name is Wind, and mine is Wind too. Our swordsmanship is as graceful as the wind, so let's call it Wind Sword!"

And so, the two men's martial arts skills improved day by day, and their travels became more and more extensive. One day, they suddenly encountered the Shepherd from Beiquan who was out on business.

The young man warmly greeted her and inquired about what happened back then, but the woman tried to hide, afraid of being recognized. But what good would hiding do in this desolate wilderness with only three people?

The truth was eventually revealed, and the young man learned everything: the woman he had known for years was a fake, except for her name!

After exchanging greetings, the Shepherd left, leaving the two men speechless. Soon after, the young man drew his longsword, ready to duel the woman.

This was not a casual sparring match, but a real contest, where all the rights and wrongs, grudges and grievances, were resolved in this competition.

After a fierce fight, the young man won. He stabbed the woman to death, sheathed his sword, and left.

In fact, the woman is more capable than the young man, but she is unable to unleash her true potential due to her guilt.

Endless darkness enveloped the woman. Reflecting on her life, her biggest regret was that she had impulsively organized a gang of robbers and killed people she shouldn't have.

Thinking of the young man's expression when he struck, she felt disheartened; how cold and ruthless he was.

Why, after so many years together, did he not hesitate at all?

"Because he likes you." An empty voice suddenly appeared in the woman's mind.

"Who are you? Are you Lord God of Death?"

"No, I am the Soul of Ionia, the creator of this place."

"Soul of Ionia? What does that mean?"

"That's not important. If I gave you a chance to be reborn, would you want it?"

"No, let me die. I have no family, and now I've lost my lover. I have no attachment to this world."

"You haven't lost him. He just killed you and will kill himself to join you soon."

What?! You're saying he'll commit suicide?

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, the woman immediately changed her tone; she didn't want her beloved to die. "Then can you stop him?"

"No, but I can bring you back to life, and then you can stop it."

"Okay, I agree!"

Before that, I need to tell you something.

"I promise you everything! Please, let me be resurrected first, or it will be too late!"

"It doesn't matter if it's too late. Perhaps it's better that he's dead. That way, you'll have fewer worries, and then you can resurrect him and give him a new life."

"Can I revive him after I'm resurrected?"

"Yes, it can be done with the help of God."

"Then please state your conditions."

The woman was filled with trepidation, fearing that the Soul of Ionia would instruct her to do something bad, but to her surprise, the opposite happened:

"I want you to become the God of Wind of Ionia, guiding humanity towards goodness."

"Wind... God? Can I do that?"

"Of course you can, but remember, your appearance will change after you are resurrected, and you cannot tell anyone your identity until everyone who knows you has grown old."

"Why is that?"

"Because God is alone, otherwise He could not maintain His divinity."

"Okay! I agree!"

Ultimately, the woman gave her answer: she was willing to become a solitary god to save her beloved and to atone for her past sins by spreading kindness.

Having received an affirmative answer, the Soul of Ionia immediately resurrected the woman, who eagerly went to find the young man, completely unaware of the changes she had undergone.

She used all her Wind Riding Technique and quickly found the young man who had committed suicide on a cliff. He had cut his own throat.

The woman didn't know how to use Divine Strength; she simply skillfully manipulated the surrounding Wind Element, drawing them to the young man's wounds.

Then she noticed that the Wind Element was different from before; it was mixed with a life force, like a sense of revival. Later she learned that this was the Spiritual Power generated by the birth and death of all things.

Soon a miracle occurred: the young man's wounds slowly healed, and he woke up.

The young man didn't recognize the woman in front of him: she had become fair-skinned and beautiful.

"I... I'm not dead?" The young man seemed utterly distraught.

"Yes, you're still alive. God of Death sent me to save you. He said you can't die; you have to do good deeds for humanity!"

"So this was God of Death's intention..."

The young man closed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought. After a long while, he opened them, his empty eyes now bright and alert.

"Very well, since this is the will of the Lord God, I am willing to comply! May I ask who you are?"

"My name is... Janna, the guardian of the winds of this place."

"Thank you, Lady Janna. I will definitely punish evil and promote good!"

"Okay, then... I'll be going."

The feeling of having so much to say but being unable to express it was unpleasant, so the woman left and became the God of Wind of Ionia.

The young man traveled far and wide, punishing evil and promoting good according to Janna's wishes. Later, in his old age, he took on a disciple and passed on to him the Wind Riding Technique he had studied all his life.

"Master, what is our sect called?"

"Hmm... My name is Feng, and hers is Feng too. Our swordsmanship is called Wind Sword, so let's call ourselves the Wind Sword Sect!"

"What do you mean 'you' and 'her'? There are only the two of us here."

The young man did not answer; he had long since grown from a youth into a middle-aged man and then into an old man, and was now dozing off!