NOVEL NEXT Chapter 74: Lion
"No matter what, this will always be Ah You's sanctuary."
Yun Jiang said, gently rubbing Yun You's little head with his hand, his broad palm as warm and reassuring as ever.
But Yun You froze.
She had always thought that the illusion in front of her was merely wearing the skin of her parents, a pure fake that existed only because of her past memories...
Yet now, after Yun Jiang expressed that concern, the little girl felt a bit confused.
This selfless care and love without expecting anything in return, only her real parents could give her.
"Drip... drip..."
Unnoticed, scalding tears flowed down Yun You's face.
First it was silent sobs, then gradually turned into loud wailing, tears falling like rain.
This was the only time in a year the little girl cried not because of a "conspiracy."
She threw herself into her father's embrace, crying without a care, not minding anyone's gaze or the consequences of crying.
Tears soaked the girl's clothes, but she had no thought of stopping, just crying, like a child bullied outside, seeking comfort in her parents' arms, venting all her pent-up sorrows, grievances, pain... and loneliness with tears and uninhibited cries.
Jiu Xiang and Yun Jiang said nothing more, just quietly held Yun You, gently patting her back, accepting all the girl's sorrows and tears, just like in the past.
Yun You had many identities.
In front of enemies, she was a manic little girl who could give up her own life, a "monster" who didn't see herself or her opponents as human.
In front of foes, she was a merciless avenger.
In front of her master and companions, she was a reliable Apprentice Death God, a rare genius, an experienced and forever optimistic "strong one."
Even in front of herself, Yun You was someone who survived wearing masks, living long under high pressure, she had to bury her true nature, don countless false "personalities," even not daring to show her original appearance.
But only... only in front of her parents, could the little girl remove all the identities she found disgusting, to once again be herself, to be Ah You who didn't need to consider fighting... didn't need to worry about making a living... and didn't need to wade through blood.
That silly, naïve Ah You who believed the world was as beautiful as home.
Ah You knew all this was fake, but she couldn't let go, she couldn't abandon the people she yearned for day and night.
Even if it was fake.
She just wanted to stay here a little longer, cry a bit more in her father's arms, even if just for a brief moment, a time so short it wasn't even a ten-thousandth of her lifetime.
Because as long as she's here, she can forget that festering real world, avoid the fact she has lost everything...
...
Outside, the red corridor.
Looking at Yun You who suddenly slipped into a "sleep" state within the coffin, Master Zero only felt things were taking a turn for the worse.
This godforsaken place was already perilous, the wedding and funeral processions had already begun to converge, the sound from the suona was reaching a crescendo... if nothing was done, the situation could spiral out of control.
Moreover, Yun You had been asleep for several minutes, yet showed no signs of waking.
This didn't seem right.
Master Zero was just about to scold Yun You a bit to wake her from her dream, when he noticed the tear stains at the corners of the girl's eyes.
The little girl cried...
Master Zero was stunned too.
He had never seen Yun You show such a vulnerable expression, let alone shed tears.
But since he had been with Yun You for so long, he could understand that the little girl must have seen her long-lost parents in the illusion and dreams.
[Alas, this child]
Master Zero sighed.
[Usually so calm, her character strong enough that even I find no faults]
[But when it comes to matters concerning her parents, it's a hurdle she can't overcome, even if it's an illusion, she can't ignore it]
[Alas... what can I say to you?]
Master Zero was quite frustrated, but couldn't bring himself to criticize her harshly.
Because he knew clearly that Yun You's essence was merely a girl not even sixteen years old.
Yun You had shown enough strength, done well enough, if even "missing her parents" couldn't be tolerated as a tiny "flaw," it would be too harsh.
However, he also knew that the current situation did not allow the girl much hesitation, so he could only harden his heart and shout loudly at Yun You, hoping to wake her from her dream.
But no matter how Master Zero shouted, Yun You remained asleep.
She seemed unconscious, unaware of everything outside.
Master Zero started to get a bit panicked.
And worse still...
One "person" from the funeral procession playing the suona, after passing several wedding procession members, suddenly stopped in its tracks.
Then, it turned around, with a grin spreading across its face, revealing a smile that made one's scalp tingle.
[...!]
Master Zero's heart dropped, a sense of unease immediately rose up.
[No... don't be here to cause trouble!]
[It definitely isn't, surely not...]
He wiped his sweat, praying silently in his heart.
However, the prayers didn't work.
Under Master Zero's horrified gaze, the suona player began to walk forward, taking several strides to reach the coffin.
Then, it pushed open the coffin, seeing Yun You inside with tears on her pillow.
"Hee hee hee..."
The suona player chuckled.
[Damn it!]
Master Zero couldn't help but curse.
[Stop sleeping, Yun darling! Wake up! Wake up now!]
[If you don't wake up, we're doomed!]
[Do you remember what you need to do? You can't falter here! Get up quickly!]
[Don't get lost in the illusion! You've got to face reality!]
[Wake up! Wake...]
He could no longer care about anything else, just shouting desperately.
But Yun You still did not respond.
"Hee hee~"
The suona player let out a sinister grin, as if mocking Master Zero and Yun You's naivety.
It slowly reached out a hand towards the girl, its pale, gaunt fingers directly heading for Yun You's cheek.
The suona player, also known as the "Pursuer," possessed the ability to "dissolve" others' flesh.
Just by touching, they could melt any body they encountered, even an Apprentice Death God couldn't escape.
The shadow of its hand slowly covered Yun You's head.
If it pressed down like this, the consequences could be disastrous...
And now, no one could stop it.
Not even Master Zero could activate the Giant Claw to defend with Yun You unconscious.
He watched with eyes wide open as the hand fell.
...
...
"Boom——!"
But at this critical moment, the door on the hallway wall exploded with a sudden blast!
Smoke and fiery balls erupted simultaneously, almost engulfing the entire red and white procession.
And simultaneously...
A tall figure leaped out from behind the door like a fierce lion, landing on the suona player, pinning it down with both hands on its face, directly knocking it to the ground!
This person was Jack!
"Don't you dare touch my... employer!"
Jack opened his eyes amidst the debris and dust, adopting the Hunter's stance, pinning the suona player that intended to harm Yun You beneath him.
His expression was full of fierceness, his glaring eyes seemed to burn with fire.