Supreme Emptiness

Jiang Fan held her tightly, his eyes gradually becoming wet: "Don't speak anymore."

"We'll be at the North Border soon."

"It's your favorite place, where you can run barefoot across the grasslands, laugh freely and unrestrained, chop wood and boil tea, gaze at the stars and admire the moon."

"You can do everything you want to do..."

Cough, cough, cough...

The violent coughing interrupted him.

Ling Shu opened her eyes, gave Jiang Fan one last look, then slowly closed them:

"Brother, do you like Ling Shu?"

"I do."

"Then do you dislike Ling Shu calling you brother?"

"I don't dislike it."

"Then will you respond when Ling Shu calls you brother?"

"I will, always will."

"Then Ling Shu will keep calling."

"Brother."

"Hmm."

"Brother..."

"Hmm."

"Bro...ther..."

"Hmm!"

The hands Ling Shu had around Jiang Fan's waist slowly loosened.

Her palm opened, and a green Revitalizing Pill rolled out from it.

She hadn't taken it.

She wished to go down and join her kin.

Promising to go to the North Border wasn't for the grasslands.

It was to accompany Jiang Fan one last time.

Her mouth retained a smile because she left listening to Jiang Fan's voice.

She was content.

"Ling Shu!"

Jiang Fan held her in his arms, tears rolling down as he trembled:

"Didn't you say you would keep calling me brother?"

"Keep calling out."

"I'll always answer you, forever."

The only response he received was eternal silence.

"Ling Shu!!!"

Jiang Fan wept uncontrollably, his heart felt like it was being gripped by a giant hand, leaving him breathless:

"We're almost at the outskirts, please... wait a little longer!"

"I still owe you a promise!"

The wheels rolled onward, leaving long traces behind.

Letting the fleeting beauty become an irretrievable regret.

Letting those unfulfilled promises become a long sigh on life's journey.

On the outskirts, on the grassland.

Jiang Fan stood on a mountain.

Looking out, it was still the lush grassland, still the little beasts grazing with their heads down, still the scene of freedom under the blue sky.

Only, there was no longer the figure running barefoot across the grassland.

"Ling Shu, we have arrived."

Jiang Fan looked at the sleeping figure in his arms, and the tears couldn't help but roll down again.

"Your most longed-for grassland has arrived."

"Are you happy?"

"From now on, you can forever watch over this grassland and guard this sky."

He took out a bronze coffin.

The very one from the Secret Realm, where the Nine Phoenix Chao Dao hairpin and the blood dress were buried.

The body within wouldn't rot or perish.

"That day, on a whim, I took the bronze coffin before leaving."

"Now, it's used to bury Ling Shu."

"Is everything predetermined by fate?"

Jiang Fan murmured as he gently placed Ling Shu into the bronze coffin.

Looking at her serene face, he lowered his head and kissed her forehead.

Then slowly closed the coffin lid.

As the lid slowly shut, Ling Shu's figure gradually disappeared, and Jiang Fan's hands trembled, his heart wrenching in pain.

"Ling Shu!"

"See you in the next life!"

Bam!

The coffin lid shut completely.

That face disappeared forever from his life.

Never to meet again.

At this moment, Jiang Fan was overwhelmed with grief.

Also, overwhelmed with rage.

His fists clenched tightly, he looked up towards the depths of the Vast Sea, toward the direction of Taicang State.

His eyes were filled with boundless murderous intent.

"Sky Demon Emperor!!!"

"I want you dead with no place for burial!!!"

Not long after.

Jiang Fan's figure disappeared.

Only a solitary grave was left behind.

On the tombstone were carved two lines.

"Grave of beloved wife Ling Shu."

"Raised by husband, Jiang Fan."

At this time.

Two colorful butterflies flew in and landed on the tombstone.

A flower bloomed in front of the tombstone.

No, it wasn't just one flower.

As a pair of moon-white shoes slowly stepped forward, flowers bloomed everywhere, transforming in a blink into a sea of flowers.

A serene and ethereal voice then softly echoed in front of the grave.

"Quite devoted, aren't you?"

Demon Emperor Court.

Slave Heart Demon Emperor had fully recovered.

She looked towards the north, her face full of worry: "Sister Yun Xia, will the master really be alright?"

Concubine Yunxia sorrowfully replied: "How could there be no trouble?"

"But, what can you and I do?"

Clop, clop, clop—

The Nine Dragon Bronze Chariot raced back.

Jiang Fan stood in front of the chariot, not getting down, only bidding farewell to them: "I'm fine, no need to worry."

"I'm going to Taicang State, be at ease, don't worry about me."

The reason for his trip to Taicang State was self-explanatory.

The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Master soared up, saying: "How could I not worry?"

"The White Horse Temple is more fearsome than a Dragon Pond and Tiger Cave."

"Even Nascent Soul Experts enter and don't return, let alone you?"

Jiang Fan shook his head, quietly saying: "Don't worry."

"The White Horse Temple won't be able to protect the Sky Demon Emperor."

"Even if their Bodhisattva comes, they won't be able to protect him."

Slave Heart Demon Emperor supported Concubine Yunxia as they flew over.

"Master, let me accompany you, let's storm the White Horse Temple together!"

The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Master also showed a sharp light in his eyes.

Concubine Yunxia gently shook her head: "No need."

"Going to the White Horse Temple now, having one or two more Nascent Soul Demon Emperors is of no use."

"You just need to guard the Continent."

"I'll accompany Jiang Lang."

In such a terrifying place as the White Horse Temple, relying on ordinary force, even ten more Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Masters or Slave Heart Demon Emperors would be useless.

Her going was even more useless.

But, she could accompany Jiang Fan, softly comfort him.

That's what Jiang Fan needed most at the moment.

Slave Heart Demon Emperor nodded, and the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Master sighed, full of worry.

Jiang Fan looked at Concubine Yunxia and said: "Alright, come then."

"I do need someone by my side."

He pulled Concubine Yunxia into the carriage and drove the Nine Dragon Bronze Chariot into the sky.

Inside the carriage.

Concubine Yunxia didn't speak, just took out a handkerchief and gently wiped away the traces of tears on his face.

Then silently embraced him from behind, softly saying: "Did she leave with a smile before going?"

Jiang Fan nodded.

Concubine Yunxia said gently: "Then remember her final expression."

"That's the memory she intentionally left for you."

Jiang Fan's dried eyes became moist again.

Concubine Yunxia held him tighter: "Now, it's time to look forward."

"Revenge, do you have a plan?"

Jiang Fan nodded, wiping away the last trace of tears from his eyes.

"Yes."

Not long after.

They appeared in front of the Connecting Sky Black Pillar.

Concubine Yunxia looked thoughtful: "You want to utilize this black pillar? But, how will you use it?"

Jiang Fan gazed at the Connecting Sky Black Pillar, his eyes cold: "Doesn't the White Horse Temple like converting people?"

"A villain putting down the butcher's knife can immediately become a Buddha."

"Then, I will grant them their wish."

"Let them go and convert the world's worst villain!"

He walked towards the Connecting Sky Black Pillar.

In the surprised gaze of Concubine Yunxia, the Connecting Sky Black Pillar shifted aside.

She was deeply moved:

"The Connecting Sky Black Pillar is afraid of you?"