NOVEL WEB Chapter 126: Qiqi, Danger
After the collapse of the underground palace, silence returned once more to the depths below.
It was deathly still, as if nothing had ever happened.
But above ground, things were far from calm.
Out of nowhere, thunderclaps tore through the sky at 2:30 a.m., lighting up the pitch-black Mount Maojun in a ghostly white glow.
The lightning lashed across the sky like whips, a violent storm so fierce it seemed determined to rip the night apart.
The moment Lu Chen emerged from the earth, he opened his eyes to this hellish scene.
"What's going on?!"
Hu Tao's voice came from behind.
She looked out at the heavy, storm-charged sky, just as shocked as Lu Chen.
"Thunder without rain? That's weird..."
"Something's wrong," Lu Chen said, instantly realizing this wasn't natural weather.
It felt too familiar.
During their escape from the tomb passage, Lu Chen had been digging with all his might, protected by Zhongli's shield, forcing his way upward through falling debris.
By the time they broke through, they'd surfaced nearly a kilometer away.
"This thunder..." Zhongli frowned as he looked toward the sky.
"It's Ei." Catching a flash of lightning, Lu Chen spotted the campfire in the distance—everyone was there.
Ei must be out of her mind with worry. He had to get back.
"Hey, wait for us!"
Hu Tao called out as Lu Chen suddenly bolted.
"What's going on now?" Hu Tao looked at her staff, baffled.
Zhongli shook his head with a faint smile. "When you care too much, you lose your calm. Someone's definitely been overwhelmed with worry."
"Who?" Hu Tao blinked, still confused.
Zhongli didn't answer. He just started walking toward the others, bringing Hu Tao along with him.
Lu Chen sprinted toward the fire like a gust of wind, vanishing from sight in moments.
As he neared the group, a heart-wrenching scene came into view.
Ei was furiously slashing at the ground with Musou Isshin like a woman possessed.
The mound beneath the weeds had been completely torn apart. Bricks lay shattered, dust rose in clouds, and the earth was split with deep, violent gouges.
Each swing of her blade was followed by a clap of thunder from the sky. The heavy, suffocating world mirrored her expression—madness, desperation, and sorrow at its breaking point.
Lu Chen stepped closer and stopped. The others turned toward him, stunned.
The effect of the "Sacrificial Mask" had ended—they could all now see Lu Chen standing there, completely unharmed.
"Lu Chen! You're back!" Venti cried out.
"Ah... Lu Chen." Even Qiqi's usually vacant eyes lit up.
But Ei didn't stop.
She kept slashing the earth, lost in a trance-like fury.
"Ei..."
His voice struck her like lightning—she froze in place.
"What are you doing? The General finally gave herself a tomb, and now you're tearing her home apart..."
That teasing, youthful tone rang out beside her. Ei trembled and slowly turned around.
She looked like a ghost—hollow-eyed and swaying, like even a breeze could topple her.
Lu Chen gently wiped the tears from her cheeks and pulled her fragile frame into his arms.
"See? I'm perfectly fine. How could anything happen to me?"
Ei bit her lip and clung to him tightly, as if afraid he'd vanish again.
She squeezed so hard he could barely breathe. He sighed and patted her back gently.
"Alright now, be good. Let go of the sword..."
His voice was as soft as if he were coaxing a child.
"Mm..."
In his arms, Ei gave a faint nod. The glowing Musou Isshin faded into the air.
The thunder above began to ease. A gentle wind blew through the valley, and the world gradually returned to peace.
"I get that you were worried," Lu Chen murmured, looking down at her. "But don't you think you're underestimating your Chen?"
He glanced around at the scorched and torn-up ground, illuminated by the flickering firelight.
"Ghosts, quakes, lightning... Let's just let the dead rest in peace."
"Mm..." Ei nodded again.
Tears soaked through his shirt, mixing with dust and dirt, making the fabric heavy and sticky.
Ei was just as filthy. Lu Chen remembered how much she loved staying clean and considered letting go.
But Ei didn't loosen her grip—in fact, she hugged him even tighter.
Lu Chen: "..."
If she didn't let up soon, he might pass out from a crushed ribcage before he even caught his breath.
Still pinned in place, Lu Chen turned helplessly to Yae Miko on the other side.
Miko crossed her arms, glaring at him in contempt.
"Was the tomb that fun? You stayed down there forever and made Ei worry herself sick!"
"It's a long story..."
He noticed her eyes were red too, though she tried her best to put on a show of disdain. Her awkwardness made him chuckle.
"Don't laugh. It's annoying," she snapped, turning her head sharply to avoid his gaze.
"You didn't even tell us anything. Left Ei worrying to death while you prance out like nothing happened..."
"I did tell you," Lu Chen said innocently. "I told everyone to wait at camp..."
"Don't ever do that again."
Ei raised her head from his chest. Lu Chen could see the clear disapproval in her eyes.
She pursed her lips and met his gaze.
Lu Chen sighed. "Alright, alright. From now on, no matter what happens, I'll report to you first..."
"Report?" Her eyebrows arched.
The lost, broken Ei from before was now brimming with expression again. That made Lu Chen feel both relieved and a little sad.
"Not just report..." he promised. "Whatever danger I face, I'll take you with me. Okay?"
Satisfied, Ei nodded. "That's more like it. You promised."
Promised...?
Lu Chen paused, trying to remember.
He'd made her so many sweet promises, whispered so many loving words... But what had he actually promised that matched this?
Seeing his blank expression, Ei pushed him away and crossed her arms too.
Everyone looked over.
"You said it," she frowned prettily. "Even if the world ends, we'll die together. And when we turn to ashes, we'll be mixed together."
"Uh..." Lu Chen stared at her earnest face and could only nod helplessly.
He glanced around—Venti looked like he was about to burst.
Maybe don't say stuff like that out loud...
Miko burst into laughter. "What do you mean, mixed ashes? That's gross~"
Venti doubled over. "Hahaha! Only you could think of something like that! I'm dying!"
Lu Chen and Ei laughed too, and the firelight glowed with warmth and joy.
"Eh? What are you guys laughing about? Ashes? Did someone die? Is this a new job?"
Hu Tao's voice cut in as she walked up to the fire, eyes gleaming with curiosity. Zhongli followed closely behind her.
Lu Chen rolled his eyes. Hu Tao's head was always full of business—now that she was here, things were definitely about to get chaotic.
Just as she spoke, Lu Chen noticed Qiqi's eyes suddenly widen.
It was hard to imagine that her normally dull gaze could hold so many emotions all at once.
Qiqi froze like she'd been shocked, then slowly turned toward the voice.
Hu Tao and Qiqi locked eyes. The firelight reflected in both their faces.
And in the pitch-black valley, Hu Tao's gleeful voice echoed again and again.
"Ah! It's Qiqi!!"