Am I a monkey?

Suddenly, Elder Zhong coughed hard twice, his face paling slightly.

He rose unsteadily.

Yu Sheng could see the hand Elder Zhong braced against the wall trembling faintly.

Elder Zhong, who had always seemed so detached, as though nothing concerned him, had a flicker of helplessness deep in his eyes. But he still laughed as he spoke. "Haha, I'm getting old. Kid, try to take things in stride. Sometimes... people aren't as bad as you think."

"Try opening your heart to some people. You'll experience a different kind of life."

After those puzzling words, Elder Zhong got up and walked away.

Yu Sheng watched his retreating back thoughtfully, still silent.

It was as though a sheet of pure white paper had been thrown into a vat of black dye, emerging entirely black.

But now, someone was carefully wiping away every stain on that paper, little by little.

There was no denying that the atmosphere at the Veterans' Camp was wonderful.

The people here had once been soldiers, captains, and even generals, yet they all fit together perfectly.

Even with their physical disabilities, they remained optimistic.

They were even self-sufficient.

All the vegetables they ate each day were grown by their own hands.

The Ink Pavilion had offered them subsidies, but they had refused them all.

"Like hell I need your money!"

"Save it for the families of those who died!"

Their replies were all along those lines.

After all, those who stayed at the Veterans' Camp had no children and lived alone. As long as they didn't starve, that was enough.

The sky gradually darkened.

Some of the older people went to sleep early.

The others returned to their rooms as well, keeping the habits they had formed during their military days.

Liu Qingfeng led Yu Sheng through the fields.

Looking up, they could see a sky full of stars. The dim moonlight made the place look like a beautiful scene from an age of peace and prosperity.

It felt as though they could lay down every worry and concern in their hearts.

It made them want to shout at the top of their lungs.

Of course, that might bring a crowd of cursing veterans outside, each of them giving you a kick.

"How does it feel?"

Liu Qingfeng looked up at the dark night sky, drew a deep breath of fresh air, and asked.

Recalling everything he had experienced that afternoon, Yu Sheng nodded. "It seems... pretty good."

For some reason, when he saw those old people laughing and fooling around without restraint, envy stirred in his heart.

Though that feeling was very faint.

But...

It was already enough to make it unforgettable for Yu Sheng.

So I can envy other people too?

Liu Qingfeng said nothing more, simply leading Yu Sheng slowly onward.

Eventually, a lake appeared in the distance.

Five gravestones stood at its edge.

Beside them was a simple thatched hut.

A folding stool and a fishing rod sat nearby.

"This is where Elder Zhong lives."

Liu Qingfeng spoke slowly. "Buried in those five graves are Elder Zhong's father, mother, wife, and son..."

Five graves, yet only four people were buried there.

The remaining gravestone bore no inscription.

Seeing Yu Sheng's somewhat bewildered expression, Liu Qingfeng explained, "Elder Zhong reserved the last grave for himself."

"Back then, Elder Zhong's parents were both prodigies who caused quite a sensation."

"They were also a perfect couple everyone envied."

"But in the end, they still died fighting at Demon-Suppressing Pass."

"A few years later, Elder Zhong joined the Reserve Corps, passed the assessment, and went to Demon-Suppressing Pass."

"I still remember that year. Everyone was watching, waiting to see whether the Reserve Corps' most outstanding young man could survive the brutality of Demon-Suppressing Pass."

"And over the decades that followed, that young man wrote a legend with his own hands."

"The legend of Zhong Yushu."

There was a particular reverence in Liu Qingfeng's eyes, as though that shabby thatched hut were the most exalted place in the world.

"Back then, everyone remembered one saying."

"You can always trust Zhong Yushu."

"As long as he stands, Demon-Suppressing Pass has nothing to fear."

"Sadly, even heroes have their final curtain."

Liu Qingfeng's voice trembled slightly, his emotions surging. "To kill Elder Zhong, the Demon Clan paid an enormous price. They even secretly worked with the Evil Cult."

"Though Elder Zhong survived, his... Awakening Object shattered."

"Just as in his youth, he came alone and left alone."

"Even as he left, Elder Zhong was smiling. He said... said... trading himself, Zhong Yushu, for two demon lords was a damn good deal."

"But that day, the Human Race mourned in silence."

"Afterward, Elder Zhong returned to his hometown, right here."

"A place no one knew."

"Yu Sheng..."

Liu Qingfeng took a deep breath and looked at Yu Sheng, sincerity in his eyes. "There are actually many ways to live. I'm not saying the path you're on now is wrong."

"It's just... the Human Race truly needs geniuses."

"Powerful people who can protect the Human Race."

"Perhaps I've experienced and seen... too little, but you're already the most outstanding young person I've ever met."

"I have a feeling that someday, you... will soar."

"As a teacher, I truly hope you can help the Human Race however you can."

"Having everyone remember your name might... be a good way to live, too."

Liu Qingfeng felt somewhat agitated.

For some reason, an inexplicable unease troubled him.

He was only doing what any teacher would do, but for Yu Sheng, it meant being pushed step by step into greater danger, forced to shoulder more burdens.

If one day Yu Sheng changed because of his words and went... to his death.

Then he would be the greatest executioner of all.

Yet he had no other choice.

Because a teacher's duty was to raise one powerful fighter after another, to fight to the death for the Human Race without retreating.

Yu Sheng silently watched the thatched hut, somewhat lost in thought.

No one knew what he was thinking.

He did not even...

Respond to Liu Qingfeng's words.

Liu Qingfeng sighed softly and reached out once more, wanting to stroke Yu Sheng's head.

Yu Sheng merely took a calm step back, moving out of reach.

Perhaps the only consolation for Liu Qingfeng was... this time, no razor blade appeared in Yu Sheng's hand.

"Yu Sheng, Sin City is only Sin City."

"The Human Race out in the wider world presents a different sight."

"You can look, listen, and feel."

"Perhaps you'll discover a different kind of beauty."

Beneath the starry sky, Liu Qingfeng's voice held hope, gentleness, and... guilt.

"Mm."

Yu Sheng answered softly.

But a curse suddenly rang out from the thatched hut. "It's the middle of the night! Can't you find somewhere else to get sentimental?"

"Coming right to my doorstep to spout this stuff!"

"Do you think this is a zoo?"

"Or are you treating this old man like a monkey?"

That voice was full of vigor!

Liu Qingfeng shuddered instinctively. "Yu Sheng, run!"