The fourth life: See me off with a smile

At those words, Xiao's pupils contracted sharply, and he froze in disbelief.

"What... did you say?" he asked.

"Kill me," Xiu Yuan repeated.

"No!! No!! I can't accept that!!!"

Xiao was on the verge of breaking down. It felt as though the sky had collapsed upon him. His former aloofness vanished completely, leaving him like a little child.

"Right, do you remember when we first met? We fought for a whole day and two nights," Xiu Yuan said.

But before his words had faded, he clutched his head again and let out an agonized, beastlike roar.

"No!!! Don't listen to him! That's Demon God Ami! He's looked into my memories! Don't listen to him, Xiao! Kill me! Now!!!"

"Xiao, shall we go back to Wangshu Inn and have Almond Tofu one more time?"

"Get out!!! Get out of my body!!! Don't listen to him, Xiao!!! Kill me! Kill me!!!!!"

Xiu Yuan's emotions swung wildly, gentle one moment and violent the next.

Seeing Xiu Yuan like this left Xiao even more at a loss. The spear in his hands trembled slightly.

"Xiu Yuan, you're joking... aren't you?" he asked in disbelief.

"You're still as sharp as ever, huh? You didn't fall for that? I thought my acting was pretty convincing." Xiu Yuan scratched his head and laughed.

His smile lasted less than a second before his face twisted into a hideous grimace again.

"No!! He's an impostor!!! Don't believe him!! Xiao!! Kill me! He's taking over my body!!"

Then Xiu Yuan immediately stood up and seized Xiao by the shoulders.

"Xiao, look at me and listen carefully. I've used the last of my mental strength to hold him back for a little while. You must do exactly what I say, understand?"

"You have to kill me. No matter what, you must do it. This is your duty! Remember that! You're a Yaksha! Protecting the world is your duty!"

"If he breaks through Zhongli's barrier, the world will descend into chaos again!"

"A demon god has already invaded my body. Even if you don't strike, all that remains alive will be an empty shell."

"Do it! Do you understand?! Do it! Stop dithering like some woman!! Kill me!!"

With reddened eyes, Xiao thrust his spear straight through Xiu Yuan's chest.

Blood sprayed out instantly, spattering the ground.

"No!!!! Damn you!! You damned bastard!!!"

At that moment, a cloud of black smoke rose from Xiu Yuan's body, letting out a bitter, furious howl before slowly dissolving into the void.

The demon god's disappearance finally brought a moment of peace.

Xiu Yuan tilted his head toward the sky, and a few teardrops fell onto his cheeks.

"Stop crying. You look hideous."

Xiu Yuan forced out a strained smile and spoke in a scornful tone.

He slowly raised his bloodied right hand and wiped away Xiao's tears.

But...

Before he could finish speaking, a mouthful of blood welled out.

"Why? Why did it have to turn out like this...?"

Xiao didn't understand. He didn't understand why fate could be so cruel.

"It's fine. Just a little scratch..."

Before he could finish, he coughed up another mouthful of blood.

"See me off with a smile. I don't like sad endings."

At those words, Xiao smiled brilliantly through his tears. With his brightest, most openhearted smile, he saw Xiu Yuan off.

"Take me back and bury me in the usual place. Come visit when you have time."

With those words, Xiu Yuan passed away, a faint smile on his face.

Holding Xiu Yuan's body in his arms, Xiao cried like a child.

He had finally managed to open his heart to someone, only to find that happiness vanished as quickly as it came.

Xiao carried Xiu Yuan back. The moment he entered Liyue, his mind suddenly shuddered as he sensed countless people calling for him.

In all his long years, he had never heard so many calls.

It seemed...

There were many people who needed his help.

But right now, he had no heart to spare for them.

Carrying Xiu Yuan's body, he arrived at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

At the sight, Zhongli froze, his eyes widening as he looked at Xiao.

"A joyful funeral," Xiao said.

"A joyful funeral? Of course. Leave it to this director."

Hu Tao hurriedly called two attendants over.

That night, the entire Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was filled with cheerful sounds: beating drums, clanging gongs, laughter, and lively voices.

He had killed his dearest friend with his own hands, and he was the one who saw him to his grave.

In accordance with his final wishes, Xiu Yuan was buried in the forest where evil spirits were most numerous.

Several days later.

Xiao remained lost in the grief of Xiu Yuan's passing.

Over the past few days, he had constantly heard calls from many people. Today, he decided to investigate.

Following his senses, he arrived at a small alley in Liyue.

"Wow! It really is Adeptus Xiao! Adeptus Xiao is here!!!"

A little girl was overjoyed to see Xiao arrive, hopping up and down as she clapped her hands.

"What is it?"

"Adeptus Xiao, my kitty ran up a tree. Could you help me get it down?" the little girl asked, pointing to a large tree nearby.

Xiao looked up and saw that there was indeed a cat in the tree. With an easy leap, he sprang up, caught the cat in an instant, and brought it down to hand to the little girl.

"Adeptus Xiao, you're amazing!!! Thank you, Adeptus Xiao!!" the little girl said excitedly, hugging her cat in delight.

Seeing her reaction, Xiao asked gently, "Little one, where did you hear about me?"

"I saw it on Liyue's noticeboard! I didn't think it would really work. Thank you, Adeptus Xiao!" the little girl replied with a smile.

"You're welcome." Xiao smiled faintly, patted her head, and left.

He soon arrived at the noticeboard and, sure enough, found a notice about himself.

"Should you face the peril of losing your way in the wilderness, the peril of bandits upon the road, the peril of fire, flood, or war, the peril of ghosts, gods, or poison, the peril of savage beasts or venomous insects, or the peril of enemies and evildoers, call his name..."

"Three-Eyed Five-Manifestation Immortal, Xiao."

"Call his name, and he shall answer. Once your troubles are resolved, show respect, honor the Adeptus, and give thanks."

As he read those rows of words, Xiao's eyes reddened once again.

"And yet you were the one who showed the least respect for an Adeptus..."

The fourth life, end.

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