Third Life, everyone has the right to happiness

As he put away his spear, Blackflame burst from the fingertips of his right hand.

Black flames!? I've never seen such strange fire...

Shenhe thought this as she watched the tiny black flames on Xiu Yuan's fingers.

Xiu Yuan walked straight in front of the Mitachurl King, which let out a furious roar and charged at him.

"Oh no! He doesn't have time to draw his weapon!" Shenhe hurried forward.

Xiu Yuan calmly flicked the dancing flame from his fingertips, then turned and walked away without looking back.

Boom!

The instant the flame touched the Mitachurl King, an enormous surge of towering Blackflame engulfed its entire body.

The Mitachurl King howled in agony. Shenhe, who had just rushed over, froze in astonishment.

"Hello, my name is Xiu Yuan. Xiu as in cultivation, Yuan as in distant lands. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Xiu Yuan spoke with a faint smile.

"My name is Shenhe. I was born under the fate of Lone Calamity and am liable to harm those around me. The adepti instructed me to bind my soul with these red ropes to control my murderous impulses."

Watching the Mitachurl King slowly collapse, Shenhe gave a brief introduction of her own.

She had little desire to engage with mortals and did not know how to get along with them. Judging by Xiu Yuan's abilities, however, he did not seem to be a mortal. He might even be a disciple of the adepti.

Seeing that he was alone as well, Shenhe felt a certain kinship with him.

But she quickly dismissed the thought. After all, it was merely wishful thinking on her part.

She knew many adepti, yet she had never heard of another disciple who lived apart from the mortal world as she did, with mountains, rivers, birds, and beasts for company.

"The fate of Lone Calamity? Liable to harm those around you? Such a strange thing really exists?"

Xiu Yuan seemed rather surprised by what Shenhe had told him.

Of course, he was only pretending.

"It does indeed," she confirmed.

"So you don't have anyone around you?"

"That is correct. I left the mortal world behind long ago, with mountains, rivers, birds, and beasts for company."

"It sounds romantic, but rather lonely too. Why not travel with me?"

Shenhe was visibly taken aback by Xiu Yuan's suggestion.

She seemed unable to comprehend what Xiu Yuan had just said.

"You aren't afraid of me?"

"I've always enjoyed a challenge. There's a saying about heading into the mountains even when you know a tiger lurks there. I'm exactly the sort of person who would do that."

As Xiu Yuan explained, he glanced at Shenhe and smiled faintly. "Besides, you're as beautiful as an immortal. How could I possibly fear you?"

Everyone enjoyed praise.

Especially praise from a stranger.

Sure enough, the innocent Shenhe reacted. After thinking for a while, she nodded in agreement. "Very well. I will travel with you, but I have one condition."

"What condition?"

"I will not go anywhere crowded."

"Of course. The whole reason for this journey is to train in the mountains, far from human settlements."

"That is excellent."

From then on.

The two traveled together.

They exchanged few words along the way. Xiu Yuan knew that asking too many questions at once would put her off.

Shenhe might not understand social conventions, but she was no fool. He could not rush things.

In his First Life, he had become Hu Tao's grandfather outright.

In his second life, Qiqi had been very young, and Xiu Yuan had rescued her, so she had naturally trusted him.

Shenhe's situation was clearly different. They had only met by chance on the road. Asking all sorts of questions too quickly would make it seem as though he had ulterior motives.

First impressions were crucial, so Xiu Yuan could not afford to be careless.

Only after night fell did Xiu Yuan and Shenhe settle down to rest in a cave.

They sat quietly beside the fire, each holding two fish over it to roast.

"Why did you want to come to the mountains to cultivate?" Shenhe was the first to strike up a conversation.

"After seeing so many homes lit up at night, it's only natural to want to see moonlight over the forests too," Xiu Yuan replied seamlessly.

"Which of the two do you prefer?"

"You've stumped me there. They aren't really comparable, and neither can be done without. But if I had to choose, I'd prefer the latter."

Shenhe was clearly astonished by Xiu Yuan's answer.

She believed few mortals would enjoy the lonely mountain forests. Most preferred the bustle beneath the city lights.

Yet Xiu Yuan had given her an unusual answer, leaving her rather surprised.

"Why is that?" she asked, puzzled.

"The peace."

"The peace?"

"Yes. There are mountains, rivers, streams, insects, birds, beasts, and a brilliant sea of stars."

"Cities are mostly homes for humans, but nature is a home for the world."

Xiu Yuan slowly rose and walked unhurriedly to the cliff's edge, gazing out at the forest below as he spoke.

At that moment, a glimmer appeared in Shenhe's eyes.

Xiu Yuan's words spoke straight to her heart. At last, she had met someone who understood her.

A little excited, she rose as well and walked toward Xiu Yuan.

"But..." Xiu Yuan suddenly began.

"Humans can never truly leave cities behind. That's where they belong."

Xiu Yuan's words left her feeling desolate.

She had thought she had found a kindred spirit, only for things to turn out just as she had expected.

"A place in the mortal world is an unattainable dream for me. I have long grown accustomed to the mountains, rivers, birds, and beasts."

She answered Xiu Yuan with a forlorn expression.

"You're so young. How can you say that a place in the mortal world is an unattainable dream?" As he spoke, Xiu Yuan slowly turned around.

Then, looking straight into Shenhe's eyes, he said, "If you ask me, this fate of Lone Calamity is nonsense. Everyone has the right to happiness. Not even heaven can take that away. A brief period of suffering doesn't mean your entire life has to be the same."

At that moment, Shenhe gazed into Xiu Yuan's eyes, momentarily lost in them.

She was utterly stunned.

Do I... have the right to happiness too?

She kept asking herself that question.

"Oh! The fish is burning!"

Noticing the fire, Xiu Yuan immediately ran over and hurriedly grabbed the fish that had been roasted black.

"What am I supposed to do with this... It's practically charcoal."

Holding the fish, Xiu Yuan muttered in dismay.

Seeing Xiu Yuan like that, Shenhe unwittingly broke into a slight smile.

When she realized what she had done, even she was astonished.

Did I just... smile?

Finding it unbelievable, she looked at Xiu Yuan with a strange expression.

This man...

Seemed different from everyone she had ever met before.

"We can pick some wild fruit later to fill our stomachs." Shenhe walked over with a faint smile.

Her fish was still perfectly fine, without a trace of scorching, because she had held it far enough from the fire.

"How about trading fish with me? This blackened one tastes great too. Give it a try."

With a forced smile, Xiu Yuan offered her the grilled fish in his hand.

"All right. My fish turned out like that the first time I roasted one too. You will get the hang of it with more practice."

As she spoke, Shenhe held out her own grilled fish to exchange it with Xiu Yuan's.

Xiu Yuan hurriedly pulled his fish back, scratched his head, and smiled sheepishly. "I was joking."

"What is joking?" Shenhe asked in confusion.

Xiu Yuan then explained it to her, also going over the things one should not joke about.

Even things that ordinary people took for granted had to be taught to Shenhe step by step before she could understand them.

And naturally, this would also help her return to human society.

Sorry, I stayed up too late researching yesterday and couldn't finish writing, so I didn't manage to post four chapters...