Chapter 368: Don’t Look Back

Clang, clang.

Qing Ling and Wei swung their blades with increasing speed, ferocity, and reckless abandon, veering to the realm of madness.

Neither gave an inch as they pushed themselves and the other to the limit, putting their lives on the line.

With Lovely Lamb and Fat Jun’s combined effort, War Tiger’s condition had stabilized.

In a minute, he would be able to take over and defeat their enemy decisively.

At this moment, though, he could tell that there was no need for him to step in. The victor would be decided in ten seconds—no, seven seconds.

Qing Ling was his best student, and her techniques had come to resemble his.

Ghost Horse had died, so had Electric Mouse. More would follow in the future; he was no exception to the possibility.

The later-coming waves were pushing the waves before them forward, and they continued even when their predecessors stopped. One day, a way would be forged through the Mist World.

Qing Ling and Wei had pushed themselves to the limit, both looking for an opening to land a decisive hit amid the flurry of blades.

Finally, such an opening presented itself.

Qing Ling and Wei took a small step forward simultaneously, making horizontal slashes. Their blades crossed and sparked. The collision sent the Demon Blade flying out of Qing Ling’s hand, and the longsword in Wei’s mouth fell too.

Neither stopped attacking. They stabbed at the other with their other weapons.

Clink.

The tips of their blades collided with precision before glancing away.

Wei’s longsword left a cut on Qing Ling’s right cheek first. Then Qing Ling’s Tang Dao pierced through Wei’s heart.

Under the tattered bamboo hat, Wei’s old eyes glinted with a hint of confusion.

He never made mistakes with his techniques. At the last moment, however, his blade missed the mark, as if an intangible power had changed its trajectory.

And he was right. Qing Ling had activated level 3 Metal and disturbed his swing at the last half a second.

Swoosh!

Qing Ling pulled out her Tang Dao. Wei staggered two steps backward, dropping to one knee while he twisted his wrist to bury his sword into the ground, propping himself up. He died silently, his head lowered.

But he wasn’t down, not even after his death.

He was their enemy, but also an admirable swordsman.

Covered in blood, Qing Ling breathed heavily as she put away her Tang Dao, her chest heaving. Not far from her, White Rabbit crouched down by Wu Dahai, pulling his incomplete body into her arms.

“You asked for a hug last birthday, Electric Mouse, and I said no. Sorry for that, for being stingy. I’m giving you that hug now...”

“You pervert. Sometimes I really didn’t want to admit you’re my companion...” White Rabbit held tight onto him and smiled, but tears were welling up in her eyes and falling. “I didn’t say you could die though... With you gone, who am I going to roast in the future...?”

On the other hand, Goldthread’s unit had lost three companions, Old Xie, Bone Man, and Discipline.

Among them, Old Xie’s son was only a week old, Bone Man’s girlfriend had just accepted his proposal, and Discipline, having his thirty-sixth birthday today, didn’t even get to have cake before setting out.

Goldthread and his subordinates looked at the three brothers they had lost mournfully.

Then an ethereal, gentle singing voice resounded, with none of the hypnotizing power that came with the Talent, but all emotions and inconsolable sorrow.

I fear that I won’t have the chance

To say goodbye to you.

Because I may not see you again.

Tomorrow I’m leaving

The familiar place and you.

I’m leaving.

My tears drop.

I’ll treasure the yearning you gave me.

These days will stay with me always.

I cannot make promises

That I will come back.

Don’t look back.

Don’t look back but keep going.

[1]

...

Western Suburban Park, Xijing District, 4:19 in the morning.

The nineteen members of Team Seven Shadow charged into the Western Suburban Park on the bus, reaching the lake at the center, which Gao Yang and Wang Zikai had investigated before.

The giant pillar of blood came from the island at the heart of the lake.

Before, there had been a wood cabin right out of a fairytale on the island, but it was now replaced by a makeshift altar.

The lake was covered in a layer of blood fog, looking like a strange celestial realm, only all red.

At its center, about a dozen monsters in white robes knelt around the altar, holding a sacrificial ritual with their own blood. A white light beam shot toward the sky from the altar with countless tendrils of blood fog climbing along it.

Gao Yang stood by the lake and watched, while his other teammates covered for him.

Then Heavenly Dog flew Gao Yang over the lake, stopping right above the altar on the island.

Gao Yang burned the altar and the robed monsters without mercy like flamethrowers. The monsters screamed as they burned, plopping into the lake one after another.

Heavenly Dog then activated Spatial Dissection a few times in a row, cutting the altar into random pieces like a slice of pizza a mischievous kid had torn apart with a knife and a fork.

As expected, the white beam disappeared instantly.

Gao Yang and Heavenly Dog returned to the lakeside.

“Captain, are we done?” Can asked in disbelief. It was easier than she had expected.

Gao Yang was quiet for two seconds. “In theory, yes.”

“Then let’s go back.” Gray Bear turned to the White Lake Hotel. “I still think this is only a distraction to draw us away. I feel like the enemies’ true target is our HQ.”

“I, agree,” said Ronnie.

“The big guns are staying at the base. It should be alright.” Old Seven wasn’t entirely certain. He was a little worried about their noncombatants in the rear.

“It’ll be fine!” Green Tea assured them. “But just to be safe, let’s go back immediately.”

They quickly hopped back onto the bus.

Gray Bear started the engine and drove the bus out of the park, soon going past an amusement park.

Suddenly, the bus made a sharp turn onto a grass field, hurtling toward the amusement park.

Caught off guard, the ones standing almost fell.

Gao Yang gripped a railing and turned to the driver. “Gray Bear, what’s going on?”

With the steering wheel in a tight grip, Gray Bear kicked the brake hard, his expression grave. “Fuck, the bus is out of control!”

Their surroundings lit up all of a sudden; all the rides in the amusement park were turning on, including the merry-go-round, rollercoaster, pirate ship, and swinging hammer.

Boisterous music started as well. The dreamy neon light seemed eerie under the crimson moonlight.

The bus stopped at the center of the amusement park.

“Look!”

Citrus, sitting by the window, had spotted something.

They looked out to see the rollercoaster running on the elevated track not far from them speeding up dramatically, rushing toward them.

“Out of the car!” Gao Yang shouted.

1.

Goodbye

by A-Yue ?