Chapter 578: A Grand Gamble Over There |
“Brother Tao, I’m afraid…”
Chen Changsheng hesitated, finally letting out a long sigh, and said, “I must leave immediately.”
When Tao Sheng learned Chen Changsheng was about to depart, his heart tightened.
“So urgent?”
“Yes, it’s already quite late.”
Chen Changsheng thought Tao Sheng might resent his sudden departure or feel their hard journey had been wasted.
But Tao Sheng’s words took Chen Changsheng by surprise again.
“Would you like to get on my horse? I’ll ride with you awhile.”
Chen Changsheng stood frozen, unsure if he’d heard correctly.
No resentment. No feeling of worthlessness.
Even with no more time together, the offer was simply: let me accompany you part of the way.
Chen Changsheng sighed deeply. “I feel shame over this.”
Tao Sheng quickly waved his hand. “What are you saying? The shame is mine. If we’d hurried faster, we wouldn’t be so rushed now.”
In that moment, Chen Changsheng understood how stubborn this person before him truly was.
Chen Changsheng chuckled. “When I return, I’ll bring fine wine to share with Brother Tao.”
Tao Sheng cupped his hands. “I will prepare a feast to welcome you!”
“Agreed!” Chen Changsheng declared.
Tao Sheng laughed. “No going back!”
Like every time, it felt like a chance meeting.
They knew each other, yet somehow remained strangers.
Like fleeting travelers in the world, brushing shoulders only to cross paths again next time.
Undeniably, such kindness leaves an unforgettable mark.
Chen Changsheng couldn’t forget, couldn’t forget this person who raced against the skies just to thank him.
In such times, true connection can make someone travel a thousand miles just for a meeting.
This feeling was different.
It was Chen Changsheng who owed an apology. And also, a thank you.
…
When Ruyi hurried homeward at dusk.
Truthfully, she rarely went home anymore. Ever since Mother moved to that uncle’s place, home felt distant. The Embroidery Workshop was her second home.
But lately, she had been returning more and more frequently.
Sometimes even traveling back at night, or trying to make it before darkness fell.
After all, the city was unsafe at night, especially dangerous for a young woman out alone.
“Uncle Chen! Uncle Chen!”
Ruyi thought, tired after today, she’d manage at least one extra bowl of rice at home.
Lihua opened the door.
Ruyi entered, scooping Lihua up. “Little Lihua, where’s Uncle Chen?”
Lihua looked at her, unsure how to explain.
Ruyi blinked. “Why aren’t you speaking?”
A sudden realization dawned upon her.
Her gaze swept across the courtyard. A letter lay on the table beside a potted orchid. Everything was tidied up, every corner neat and orderly. Instantly, a wave of unease washed over Ruyi.
She stepped forward, placing Lihua on the stone table.
Reaching out, she picked up the letter.
Ruyi pressed her lips together, then unfolded the letter and read.
Seeing the contents, her chest tightened. Her expression went blank, she staggered sideways, nearly falling, only catching herself on the stone table in time.
Beside her, Lihua quickly tried to comfort her. “Ruyi, don’t be too sad. Good Human Chen will be back soon. Really, soon…”
Lihua’s meow sounded unsure, even nervous.
It felt strange. Those three or five years it imagined didn’t seem long before, yet suddenly now, those same few years felt much, much longer.
This time, Ruyi didn’t lock herself in her room or hide under the quilt.
Regaining her composure, she seemed remarkably calm.
She took a deep breath, forcing out a small smile. “I’m fine.”
Ruyi didn’t quite understand why herself.
She searched her heart. Uncle Chen was gone, yet she didn’t feel overwhelming grief, just a sense of reluctance.
It almost made her think something inside her had changed.
But was that truly the case?
To Lihua, this ordinary Ruyi seemed utterly unnatural.
In the days that followed,
Ruyi still walked between home and the Embroidery Workshop, same as always.
Is the sharpest sting of parting truly felt the moment one learns of it?
Perhaps not entirely.
One day, Ruyi returned home unusually early. Expecting leftover food in the pot, she lifted the lid only to find emptiness. That’s when she truly realized Uncle Chen was gone.
That instant feeling of emptiness was what truly pierced her heart.
She remembered the idle chatter at dusk, recalled Uncle Chen flicking her forehead gently, thought back to the Temple Fair that day, remembered so very many things.
Big, silent tears slid down her cheeks.
Only then did Ruyi understand: she hadn’t changed. That crushing sorrow wasn’t anchored solely to the announcement of parting. It lived in the everyday quiet moments, a gnawing pain in the emptiness.
…
Chen Changsheng returned to the Cloudtop Manor.
Mo Yu was startled to see Chen Changsheng return alone and immediately pressed, “Where’s Lihua?”
Chen Changsheng replied, “What’s ahead might be dangerous. I left it in the Mortal World.”
Mo Yu frowned slightly. “What exactly are you going to do?”
“Fight against Heaven.”
Mo Yu froze for a heartbeat, then abruptly stood up.
Jian Shenghua emerged from the forest, spotted Chen Changsheng, and clasped his hands respectfully. “Welcome back to the manor, sir.”
Chen Changsheng glanced at him and nodded in acknowledgment.
Miss Manyue materialized before Chen Changsheng.
She looked at him and asked, “Did you figure anything out?”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “Found the gist of it.”
Miss Manyue asked curiously, “So, is He truly asleep?”
“No.”
Chen Changsheng said, “On the contrary, He might be watching me every moment.”
Miss Manyue’s brows furrowed. “Truly?”
Chen Changsheng confirmed, “Yes, the truth seems that way, with hints of threat. Yet, strangely, I sense a part of Him wants this to proceed. From the beginning until now, there’s been no obstacle.”
Miss Manyue fell silent, deep in thought.
“What is your view?”
Chen Changsheng stated, “Regardless, I intend to do this thing. It only depends on whether Miss Manyue is willing to gamble with me.”
Mo Yu listened in bafflement.
He knew nothing about the affairs of the Underworld or Reincarnation. He was utterly lost.
Yet, he vaguely sensed this matter was far more serious than Chen Changsheng’s simple phrase ‘fight against Heaven’ implied.
Miss Manyue gave a faint smile. “Do I have a choice?”
Becoming the Heavenly Dao of the Underworld was her only escape now. Otherwise, she faced assimilation by the Heavenly Dao, loss of spirit, loss of self, return to origin — indistinguishable from death.
Chen Changsheng said, “Then let us cast the dice for a grand gamble.”