Chapter 82
Wei Zhi's heart thumped violently. In an instant, memories she had desperately tried to bury resurfaced—the screams, the blood, the endless night of the clan massacre. She remembered soul reapers running for their lives, only to be hunted down by a madman. A crazed soul reaper with cold green eyes that gleamed in the darkness like the King of Serpents himself. He had moved through the battlefield like a snake slithering through tall grass, every step accompanied by another life taken, every swing of his weapon claiming yet another soul.
Unconsciously, Wei Zhi took a step back.
Wei Yi paid no attention to Lin Yi whatsoever.
"I have no intention of amusing you today, Wei Zhi."
His voice was unbearably cold, devoid of warmth, as though he were speaking to a stranger rather than his younger sister.
Even Shayu frowned at the exchange.
Why is he so cold towards the sister he abandoned? he wondered, inwardly amused. Hoho... so there is a mystery here as well.
Wei Zhi's expression hardened.
"But I want answers, Wei Yi," she said in the same icy tone. "And you have to answer me. You owe me that."
She raised her voice, unwavering despite the fear gnawing at her heart.
Soon, Zaimetsu and Ya Ting landed beside Lin Yi.
"What's happening?" Ya Ting asked in confusion.
"Took you long enough," Lin Yi replied lazily.
Ya Ting gritted her teeth.
Is this really the time to taunt me?
Wei Yi looked directly at Wei Zhi.
"I owe you nothing. And even if I did, why would I answer you? You're not worthy, girl. Go back."
He paused.
"But... if you can indulge me in a fight, I might consider giving you the answers you're searching for."
Wei Zhi immediately lowered her stance.
"I've been prepared for this for a long time."
"Very well."
Both siblings moved simultaneously.
Ya Ting stared in disbelief.
"You're actually letting her fight him, Lin Yi?!"
"It's between them," Lin Yi answered calmly. "Not me."
The very next second, both Wei siblings exploded forward.
CLANG!
Polearm collided against polearm with enough force to send shockwaves rippling through the forest. Both wielded nearly identical weapons. Wei Yi's spear bore a silver charm dangling beneath its blade, while a yellow talisman fluttered beneath Wei Zhi's own weapon.
The clash echoed like thunder.
Zaimetsu frowned.
"Lin Yi... this isn't a good idea."
"Watch her," Lin Yi said. "Or rather, watch him."
Everyone turned.
Shayu stood several paces away, a grin spreading across his face. Resting behind him was an enormous sword nearly as tall as himself.
"If any of you try to interfere," he said, drawing the massive blade with a single smooth motion, "you'll have to get through me first."
As his blade emerged, Aerena and Tenebris surged around him.
The earth cracked.
Stones erupted from the ground.
Cold mist spread across the battlefield.
"I'll take him on," Ya Ting declared.
"As milady wishes," Zaimetsu replied.
Ya Ting stepped forward, drawing a short machete and clashing against Shayu's enormous blade.
BOOM!
She immediately struggled.
Shayu increased the pressure effortlessly.
"I forgot introductions."
CRACK!
Her weapon shattered.
Ya Ting was forced three steps backward.
"I am Shayu of the Han Nation—the Cold Nation."
Ya Ting's eyes widened.
"The notorious criminal of Han... Shayu of the Seven Deadly Blades."
"Correct."
His sinister smile widened.
The freezing mist around him thickened rapidly.
"His blade..." Ya Ting thought grimly. "One of the Seven Treasures of the World. The Bone Severing Blade—the prized weapon awarded to the strongest Tian Zhi commander of Han."
Lin Yi possesses a weapon of similar caliber, though no one has ever seen it.
Unfortunately, I don't possess any special weapon at all.
Damn it.
"Montane Sphere Fu!"
A massive spiraling tornado formed and shot towards Shayu.
Shayu simply swung his sword.
The tornado split apart instantly.
He's too strong, Ya Ting thought. I'll have to use both my elements. But his Tenebris counters me completely. I need Lunive or Lumeris support... and I have neither.
Why the hell am I so unlucky?!
Suddenly—
"WEI YIIII!"
Ya Ting turned.
Her eyes widened in horror.
Wei Zhi had been impaled directly through the chest by Wei Yi's polearm.
"Lin Yi!" Ya Ting shouted.
Lin Yi remained completely nonchalant.
He simply watched.
Wei Zhi's head hung backward limply. Her arms fell slack. Blood dripped onto the forest floor.
Wei Yi looked down at her expressionlessly.
"Are you done, Wei Zhi?"
His voice remained cold and detached.
Wei Zhi struggled.
Slowly.
Painfully.
She forced her head upward.
One eye remained shut.
Blood stained her lips.
"No."
She growled.
"I still need my answers."
"WEI YIIIII!"
Wei Yi smirked.
If anyone else had done it, it would've seemed terrifying.
On him, it was simply infuriatingly beautiful.
"Call me Big Brother, Wei Zhi."
He tilted his head slightly.
"It's been a long time. More than three years, I suppose."
Suddenly—
THUD!
Wei Zhi kicked him directly in the chest.
Wei Yi didn't move an inch.
But he allowed her to do it.
Blood continued pouring from her wound.
"Nexalune."
Soft light enveloped her body.
The wound slowly began healing.
Wei Yi observed quietly.
"So you've mastered Nexalune."
"No wonder Mother was so desperate to find you."
Wei Zhi's posture shifted instantly.
Like a warrior preparing to cleave the heavens apart, she raised her polearm and lowered her stance.
For the first time—
Lin Yi saw it clearly.
The emptiness inside her eyes vanished.
What remained was pure fury.
"Don't call her Mother, you monster!"
Wei Yi blinked.
"Oh? I'm a monster?"
"I didn't know that."
His expression remained unreadable.
"But tell me, Wei Zhi..."
"If you despise monsters so much, what exactly are you doing surrounded by two of them?"
Wei Zhi didn't hesitate.
"Those are my friends, Wei Yi."
"Not monsters who slaughtered their own family for selfish desires."
Silence fell.
Wei Yi tilted his head.
His dull green eyes settled upon Wei Zhi.
Unwavering.
Cold.
Ancient.
Like a serpent staring down its prey.
Wei Zhi moved once again, screaming as she rushed forward. This time, Wei Yi's polearm flashed, and with a swift motion, he struck her in the stomach, sending her flying backward.
"I am not here for you, Wei Zhi," Wei Yi said coldly. "Go back. You're not prepared at all."
"I am!" she shouted back stubbornly.
She crashed onto the ground, rolling several times before finally stopping. Trembling, she slowly pushed herself up. Her hands shook violently as she coughed blood onto the earth.
I know, Wei Yi, she thought bitterly. I know I am not a match for you. But I still want answers. Even if I lose an arm or a leg today, I will indulge you in this fight. Because after this, I doubt I will ever meet you again... unless you want me to.
I know that if not for Lin Yi Shifu, I would never have met you today. Thank you, Shifu.
Struggling to remain standing, Wei Zhi straightened herself. Her shoulders drooped with exhaustion, yet her eyes remained unwavering.
"Let's get serious."
She spread her arms wide, her body forming a T-shape. Slowly, she brought her polearm forward, pointing it directly at Wei Yi.
"Aponia."
A brilliant green sphere of light materialized above her palm. Spinning her polearm before her, she performed an intricate sequence of movements. The weapon absorbed both the blood dripping from her lips and the emerald energy of the sphere, causing the entire polearm to glow ominously.
Wei Yi's expression remained unreadable.
"Wei Zhi," he said quietly, "stop clinging to the past. Move on. There is still a future ahead of you."
Her face twisted in anguish.
"How can I?!" she screamed. "How can I possibly move on?!"
Blood splattered from her lips once more.
"You stole that future away from me!" she shouted. "You stole it from all of us!"
Wei Yi's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Your lungs are damaged," he observed calmly. "Let go. Go away. Life goes on—with or without anyone. With one person or with everyone."
Wei Zhi shook her head.
"Sorry, Wei Yi," she whispered hoarsely, "but I can't."
Tightening her grip around her polearm, she raised her bloodstained face to look directly at him.
"I am not someone who can replace what a person meant to me. Unlike you... who forgot me."
"You gave me this chance to kill you, Wei Yi."
"Every single day, I live burdened by the guilt of the Crimson Night. Those crimes were never mine... but you were."
Her body trembled violently. Blood dripped from her chin, yet she stood tall and firm.
"And we had a deal," she continued. "A Wei does not go back on their word."
"You won't break your promise."
Wei Yi stared at her silently.
Silly girl, he thought. You still cannot understand my actions? I see... you're still the little girl I once knew.
Suddenly, power surged through Wei Zhi's entire body.
Her head tilted back as green spiritual energy erupted around her, enveloping her like a storm. Her long black hair danced wildly in the air as her emerald eyes shone with otherworldly brilliance.
"Soul Affirmation: Aponia."
The heavens trembled.
Floating above the ground, Wei Zhi lowered her head and moved her polearm to her side. Her black hair flowed behind her like a dark river, green light illuminating the battlefield.
Across from her, Wei Yi remained motionless.
At last, he spoke.
"Soul Affirmation: Ombrielle."
The moment the words left his lips, darkness descended upon the battlefield.
Wei Yi's polearm began to shine as well. However, unlike Wei Zhi, he did not use the crystal that had formed in his hand to absorb energy. The crystal merely floated there, pulsating with an eerie light. His long hair glowed with the same ethereal radiance as Wei Zhi's, making the siblings appear like mirror images standing on opposite sides of fate.
Zaimetsu narrowed his eyes. "Lin Yi... she has the power of a Jian Zi."
Lin Yi folded his arms lazily. "All Weis are exceptional. No wonder, a few years ago, the entire continent—or rather, half of Meyveth—lived in terror and danger because of them. Ultimately, it led to the downfall of the Wei Clan."
"Yeah," Zaimetsu muttered. "And I suppose these two are the remnants of the old Wei Clan."
Lin Yi nodded slightly. "Yes... maybe."
Zaimetsu frowned. "What do you mean, maybe? Meyveth itself would tremble if it learned there are surviving Weis besides these two."
"Wei Zhi has the protection of the Emperor," Lin Yi replied calmly. "As well as the Eastern Marquise of Wu An and the Western Marquise of Wu An. The Wei Clan was one of the foundational pillar clans of the Twin Dragon Nation. Their legacy still carries weight."
Zaimetsu's gaze shifted elsewhere.
Ya Ting was in a miserable state.
Her right hand was bleeding profusely, and countless cuts covered her body. Torn robes fluttered around her as she struggled to keep up with Shayu, who appeared utterly relaxed.
He was toying with her.
Zaimetsu sighed. "She's getting played."
Lin Yi nodded. "She should know that already."
"I bet she does," Zaimetsu replied. "You should pray for her."
Giving Lin Yi a dull stare, he watched as the older man suddenly turned around.
"What do you say?" Lin Yi asked. "Shall we go?"
"Where?" Zaimetsu asked blankly.
Lin Yi rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm. I was thinking of going back to finish my skewers. I never got to eat them."
Without hesitation, Zaimetsu punched him squarely in the back.
"We can't just leave them, idiot!"
Lin Yi merely sighed. "I trust Wei Zhi."
"But I don't trust Ya Ting's life in Shayu's hands," Zaimetsu snapped. "That lunatic will kill her the moment he gets bored."
"Thanks to all the tricks and techniques she's using, she'll survive for now," Lin Yi said casually.
His gaze drifted toward Shayu.
The swordsman's torso was bleeding from several cuts. The strange patterns engraved on his massive blade glowed faintly crimson, and traces of blood ran across the intricate inscriptions etched into the steel.
He's going to use the Blood Ritual on her, Lin Yi thought indifferently.
Well, I don't particularly care.
He turned back toward Wei Zhi.
End of 82