"Doctor, we can't just leave Wu behind!" Memories of past suffering came flooding back. This might be the last time they ever saw each other.
"He's right. We'd only get in the way if we stayed." Jiang Cheng looked at the Fatty. "Let's get out of here first. Once we're outside, we'll find people to come back and help!"
This entire village was strange. They couldn't contact River Goddess or Wen Zhao, who had inherited Lord of False Words' mantle, let alone call them in for help.
Wu had silently blended into the darkness and appeared atop a watchtower in the village. It was the highest point in the whole settlement, the place closest to the sky overhead.
Wu's expression was unusually grave. The truth was far worse than he'd described. Having once fought the Old President, he knew perfectly well what a terrifying existence he was up against.
And this time, there was no Water Lord. He was alone.
Fortunately, his mission wasn't to kill the Old President. He only needed to draw its attention and wound it as badly as he could. If a breach appeared in the space around them, Jiang Cheng and the others could seize the chance to escape.
Memories of the past surfaced one by one. Before they knew it, they'd been together for so long. But all good things came to an end, and the time to part had finally arrived.
A scene from the past suddenly appeared in Wu's eyes: a rainy night, a dark office building, and a man stepping out of an elevator with an extinguished desk lamp in his hand, keeping the promise he had made.
"Just like that time, someone has to stay behind."
The darkness overhead grew ever deeper. Something enormous seemed to be churning within it.