Thud! Thud! Thud!
The rhythmic tapping rang out clearly as the hunched figure slowly approached Jiang Jue.
With each step Grandpa Lake took, the world around Jiang Jue began to shift—time flowing backward, scenes changing at great speed.
In an instant, the shabby clay house, the muddy road, the distant wheat fields—everything returned.This was Varlan Village from six years ago, the very place where his story began.
"Xiao Jue, come eat with Grandpa. The sun's already set…"
In the blink of an eye, Grandpa Lake stood before him, kindly smiling, his wrinkled face filled with warmth.
"I… I…"
Jiang Jue raised his hands, staring at the tiny palms. He turned, seeing the clay hut with smoke curling from its chimney. It was as if he had gone back six years.
"Grandpa Lake…"
Jiang Jue's eyes flickered with a complex light, a tinge of emotion he could not suppress.
Since leaving that year, he had never returned to Varlan Village.But secretly, he had sent Zhou Ping every month to check in, delivering supplies and providing protection. He even arranged for every six-year-old in the village to awaken their martial spirit.
Even after transferring Zhou Ping, he found another to continue protecting the old man who had raised him.
When he first became the Holy Son, nothing was stable, everything dictated by his master. He couldn't risk bringing Grandpa Lake into that storm.
Better that the old man live peacefully in the village he had devoted his life to.
Before attending the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Jiang Jue had barely ever left the Holy Spirit Cult's headquarters, spending his days cultivating in silence.
Still, guilt always gnawed at him. Without Grandpa Lake, he would have died in the wilderness long ago.
The deeper the guilt, the harder it was to face.
Though he had no desire to be some upright gentleman, Jiang Jue had his own principles:Kindness must be repaid, and grudges too.
"Ah! Child, why are you crying? Was it that fool Erniu bullying you?"
"Come on, Grandpa will take you to deal with him!"
A sheen of tears welled in Jiang Jue's eyes. He could never forget this man, nor dare to.
Seeing his state, Grandpa Lake grew anxious, knocking his cane on the ground.
"No, Grandpa. Just some sand in my eyes."
Forcing a smile, Jiang Jue tried to hide his turmoil.
"That's good then. But remember—if anyone bullies you out there, just tell Grandpa. I'll make it right."
Relieved, Grandpa Lake patted his chest, his wrinkles easing into a smile.
"Come, the food's ready. Tonight I stewed your favorite free-range chicken…"
Chuckling, cane in hand, he turned toward their little home, muttering to himself as he walked.
"Even knowing this is an illusion… it feels so real."
Jiang Jue's heart ached.
Sometimes, even knowing it's false, one still chooses to sink into it—because it is the most cherished memory, the most peaceful dreamland.
"Grandpa… I won't go back this time."
"…Next time, next time. I'll come back for your stewed chicken."
Jiang Jue's tone softened, tinged with release, as he watched the hunched back fade away.
He had decided—after this, he would visit the old man who raised him and truly repay him.
"Child, where are you going?"
Grandpa Lake suddenly paused, slowly turning back, confusion clouding his cloudy eyes.
"Grandpa… when I return, I'll have everything under control."
Jiang Jue grinned brightly.
The sunset burned across the western sky, filling it with clouds of gold and crimson. Peaceful, tranquil, timeless.
It was just like the day he had left with Grandpa Lake seeing him off—except none had expected that farewell to stretch into six long years.
"Child… when you're weary out there, come home and rest. Grandpa will always be here waiting…"
The old man's gentle words fell beneath the glowing sky.
"I will. I promise!"
Jiang Jue replied firmly, smiling.
Now, he could face his guilt head-on. Now, he had the strength to make his own choices.
It was true now—and would only be truer in the future.
"Never thought… among these countless lights, there would be one that belongs to me."
He whispered to himself as Grandpa Lake stepped closer.
But just as he was about to reach Jiang Jue, the world collapsed in reverse—the clay hut, the smoke, the sunset—all gone. Grandpa Lake, too, faded into the wind.
Once again, Jiang Jue was back in the pitch-black space, his heart calmer than before, as still as the waters beneath him.
He could finally face and resolve that buried guilt.
"Could this be the opportunity Du Bu Si spoke of? The Hall of Comprehension… comprehending the heart."
A flash of light sparked in Jiang Jue's eyes. Perhaps he understood.
Time passed, though here, time and space seemed irrelevant. Nothing changed.
Jiang Jue stilled his heart, quietly meditating.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
At last, the void trembled again.
Slowly, Jiang Jue opened his eyes. "What will it be this time?"
The darkness shattered. The world spun.
"Hey! Corporal Jiang Jue, what are you thinking about?"
A gentle voice called out.
Warmth filled his chest, the fragrance of a girl surrounding him. A lovely figure nestled in his arms.
"Dream…"
He whispered.
"General Meng Hongchen, present!"
The girl in his embrace chirped playfully.
Jiang Jue knew—this side of Meng Hongchen, mischievous and bright, appeared only when they were alone.
Before them stretched a serene lake, a bright moon reflected on its surface. Around them bustled a crowd, cheerful voices filling the air.
People carried lanterns, laughing, celebrating.
"The Lantern Festival…? But at this time, Meng shouldn't be calling me that yet."
Jiang Jue frowned slightly.
Meng Hongchen had only called him "Corporal Jiang Jue" after he told her that story. By this point, they were only just beginning to connect.
"Could it be… in this inner world, everything is built from my subconscious?"
(End of Chapter)