Chapter 262 - Forever North Watching

When Yang Lu came back to her senses, Baili Gucheng was already gone. All she could see before her was a field of ruins, devastated and broken.

"Gucheng!" Yang Lu called out, hurriedly leading her horse into the city.

𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Once inside, Yang Lu immediately spotted him walking alone down the street.

The street was not wide, yet it seemed incredibly empty and vast at this moment. Baili Gucheng walked forward slowly with conflicted emotions as he stepped once again onto this land that was both familiar and unfamiliar after so many years.

On either side of the street, the remains from partially collapsed houses were strewn everywhere. Scorched remnants could still be seen in many places. While there were no corpses to be seen, the glaring bloodstains scattered all over were impossible to clean. Even the air was faintly tainted with a lingering stench of rot.

After so many days, the once crimson blood that drenched had dried, turning into unsightly brown scabs that crumbled into powder underfoot.

Baili Gucheng walked at a slow pace, so Yang Lu jogged a few steps to catch up, taking the initiative to ask, "Have you improved your Concealed Sword technique again?"

Baili Gucheng’s gaze swept over the surrounding ruins, and he spoke slowly, "I was born in North Watching Pass, raised in North Watching Pass. It nurtured me, and it also drove me away.

"I’ve dreamed of my return countless times, yet I never could have imagined... it would be like this."

Yang Lu’s expression dimmed as well, and she consoled him softly, "Life and death are predestined. Don’t let yourself fall into despair."

"I was born in the North Watching Pass, as were my parents. It’s said that my grandfather was exiled here and settled down," Baili Gucheng continued walking before suddenly pointing to a small house not far away.

"There—that was my home. But later, my parents died in the war. My master saw my circumstances and took me in. From then on, it was just the two of us depending on each other.

"I mentioned my master, Guo Tianfeng, to you before. Although he was often harsh about martial arts training, he was actually very kind to me and never let me suffer.

"Outsiders have the impression that the people here are a bunch of heinous criminals—either unforgivable villains or fugitives with crimes to atone for," Baili Gucheng said with a self-deprecating laugh.

"When enough people say it, others start to believe it. That’s why those who commit crimes in the Central Plains often think of fleeing to one of the three northern border cities: North Watching, North Suppressing, or North Defending Pass."

"Rumors are terrifying, and ridiculous," Baili Gucheng said with a shake of his head. "They would never admit that the generations of people living in North Watching Pass are actually just ordinary people.

"They are kind to others, hardworking, and hospitable. Without the Central Plains' superficial luxuries or its relentless pursuit of fame and fortune, the people here have developed a much simpler and purer way of life—better than the Central Plains in every way that matters."

Baili Gucheng waved his hand broadly, pointing to the surrounding ruins and exclaiming, "Look around! They eat poorer and live poorer than the people of the Central Plains.

"Their lives are hard, constantly under the threat of war—and it’s just not fair! They are kind, never complaining about anything; they are content, never asking for much... So why? Why is it that they, who have the least, must endure the most suffering? Is this... fair?"

The more Baili Gucheng spoke, the more agitated he became. His sword qi began to stir violently, causing his robes to ripple and billow.

"They have something those from the Central Plains don't," Yang Lu whispered into Baili Gucheng’s ear. Her soft body embracing him from behind.

Baili Gucheng gradually calmed down and the raging sword qi subsided. He heard the woman behind him softly whispering near his ear, her breath as fragrant as orchids, "They actually have... a lot."

Baili Gucheng slowly reached out to hold the delicate hands around his waist and asked softly, "How so?"

"

Hehe

~" Her laugh was as crisp as silver bells. "Think about it. They were not troubled by fame and fortune, nor blinded by superficiality. Because they are kind, they understand blessings; because they are content, they find joy in simplicity. Their lives may be humble, but in their own eyes, they are happy. Isn’t that so?"

Baili Gucheng remained silent for a long time.

Just as Yang Lu began to feel puzzled, she suddenly felt the hand holding hers let go.

"Perhaps you’re right," Baili Gucheng admitted, "But I won't accept it."

"Gucheng..." Yang Lu bit her lower lip, unsure of what to say.

"The people of North Watching Pass have lived bitter lives, and even they have never denied it," Baili Gucheng sighed. "You’ve never lived here, so you can’t understand how they managed to survive. They... have never known what happiness is."

"Moreover." Baili Gucheng gritted his teeth, taking one last look at the surrounding ruins before turning to leave the city. Only his voice lingered behind. "If I accepted your reasoning and let go... who would remember everything that happened here?"

The fiery sun on the horizon slowly sank westward.

Under the setting sun, Baili Gucheng’s shadow stretched long behind him. If one looked closely, they would notice his sword-wielding hand trembling slightly.

Out of Yang Lu’s sight, a silent tear slid down Baili Gucheng’s face, soaking into his robe and forming a faint plum blossom shape.

"Master... I have failed you."

***

Ten years earlier, North Watching Pass.

Before the city gates, a large crowd had gathered, many of them wearing mourning clothes. At the front stood Captain Qi.

"Leave!"

"Get out of the North Watching Pass!"

"North Watching Pass doesn’t need a madman like you!"

Outside the city gate, a young boy knelt with his forehead pressed firmly to the ground. Most striking of all was his shoulder-length hair, white as snow.

"I am guilty..." The boy raised his tear-streaked face to look at Captain Qi in the distance. "Uncle Qi, I beg you—let me see my master one last time," he pleaded.

"Your master was buried this morning," Captain Qi said, seeming somewhat conflicted as he turned his head away. "Leave quickly! You’ve caused the deaths of so many in this city. From now on, North Watching Pass no longer has any place for you—go!"

"Uncle Qi—!"

"Go now!"

The city gates slowly closed.

"Master, why must I learn swordsmanship?"

"Because teaching swordsmanship is the only thing I know."

"Then I’ll grow up to be a great hero who fights evil, just like you, Master!"

"Like me? Your master isn't qualified to be a great hero... A true hero is like, like..."

"Like who?"

"..."

"Master, why aren’t you answering?"

"A hero... should be someone who raises their sword to protect those they want to protect. Your master failed to do so, so I can't be called a hero..."

On that day, amidst the boundless Gobi Desert outside North Watching Pass, the boy’s heart-wrenching cries echoed loudly.

"I, Baili Gucheng, swear to protect the North Watching Pass—with my life—for the rest of my life!"