Chapter Nineteen: Why Must We Say Goodbye?

What kind of arm was that?

Flower Moon’s slender arm was covered in blood-red circular scars. At first glance, it was enough to make anyone gasp in shock; how could someone as handsome as Flower Moon possess such a terrifying arm?

“Does it frighten you?” Flower Moon asked.

Zhou Yu nodded. He didn’t know why Flower Moon was showing him this arm, but a vague idea rose in his heart. The more he thought about it, the more excited he became.

“This arm truly is frightening, because everyone who has seen it is dead.” Flower Moon smiled. “Even the demons who saw it died.”

Flower Moon let the rolled-up sleeve fall and addressed Zhou Yu: “All my opponents who forced me to use this arm were powerful, but none survived. Because this arm is stronger.”

Zhou Yu’s gaze brightened, flickering with the light of hope. He asked, “Were those scars left from forcibly breaking through the meridians?”

Flower Moon nodded. “That year, during the Spirit Realm selection test, I faced Liu Wujian in the final duel. His sword destroyed my left hand; the meridians in it were utterly shattered, just like the meridians throughout your body now.”

“I lost, and my left hand was ruined. I thought I’d never again step into the ranks of the top powerhouses. But my master still took me in, and helped me force open my meridians. After countless spirit pills and forty-nine explosions of my meridians, we finally managed to reconnect and unblock the meridians in my left hand. Afterward, I discovered this arm could absorb and gather enormous energy, letting my cultivation progress smoothly; in a short time, I reached the level of Demon King.” Flower Moon fell silent, unsure if he was recalling the moment Liu Wujian crippled his left hand, or the ordeal of forcing open the meridians.

After a while, Flower Moon spoke again. “Without Liu Wujian’s sword, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have today. But because of that sword, I know I can never catch up to him.”

Flower Moon stooped to pick a five-colored wildflower, twirling it between his fingers as he gazed out at the vast grassland shrouded in darkness. “The danger and agony of forcibly breaking the meridians is unbearable for ordinary people. Without my master’s help, and the aid of spirit pills, I would never have survived. The pain alone could drive anyone mad.”

Suddenly, Flower Moon turned, staring intently at Zhou Yu. “When I walked through the corridor today, I said I could feel your pain. This is why. You have an extraordinary ability to recover, an indomitable will, and a heart resilient enough to endure suffering. Maybe you can do it.”

Zhou Yu realized Flower Moon was about to teach him how to break through his meridians. He suppressed his excitement and replied sincerely, “I’d like to hear everything.”

“I only broke through the meridians in one arm, and it took forty-nine ruptures. Each time required a month of recovery. I spent forty-nine months before succeeding. Your meridians are destroyed throughout your body; the risk and pain will be tenfold. Are you willing to accept that?” Flower Moon asked.

“I am.” Zhou Yu answered without hesitation.

“I can only offer you a possibility. I’ll share my experience, but I can’t guarantee your success. No one has ever succeeded in breaking through when their entire body’s meridians are destroyed.”

“That alone is a great kindness.” Zhou Yu’s voice trembled with excitement. Even if Flower Moon did not speak, he would attempt it himself. As long as there was a sliver of hope, he would pursue it. Now, with a precedent and guidance, Zhou Yu felt far more confident.

That night, Zhou Yu stayed until deep into the night. In the end, Flower Moon taught him a secret technique. Perhaps it was the sympathy between those who shared suffering, but Flower Moon felt an instant affinity for Zhou Yu.

On the way back, Zhou Yu walked while trembling, flashes of green light flickering beneath his clothes.

“Why are you in such a hurry? I can feel your pain.” Du Niang kept releasing powerful currents to shock Zhou Yu.

“I need to get back. I must make the most of my time.” Zhou Yu gritted his teeth and spoke silently in his heart.

“China Zhou, are you dancing or something? You’re already able to walk?” Abuli had gone to look for Zhou Yu, but instead encountered him “cramping” on the way home.

Zhou Yu asked Du Niang to pause the shocks, wiped sweat from his brow, and said, “Abuli, were you looking for me?”

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“Yes, China Zhou. Morrison told us there will be a duel held here, a duel between us. I came to let you know. He said the winner will be rewarded. But who cares about the prizes? Everyone just wants to beat up those white men and their little lapdogs. China Zhou, you must watch me teach them a lesson.” Abuli patted Zhou Yu’s shoulder as he finished.

Zhou Yu already knew about this from the energy crystals Du Niang had set on Old Man and Liu Yueming during yesterday’s meeting. He asked, “Has the time been decided?”

“Ten days from now. By then, our wounded brothers should be healed. China Zhou, you seem to be recovering quickly too—join us then. Let’s teach those white men a lesson together.” Abuli said.

Zhou Yu smiled but didn’t agree. It was a joke—Flower Moon spent forty-nine months breaking through the meridians in a single arm; with his whole body’s meridians destroyed, Zhou Yu would be lucky to succeed within a year.

“I understand, Abuli. You must perform well. I’ll cheer for you.” Zhou Yu said.

He thought for a moment, then added, “If you face Morrison, it’s best to forfeit. Staying alive is most important.”

Abuli shook his head. “China Zhou, I once encountered a lion. My arrows were spent, my spear broken, but I didn’t run. I fought it with my hands and teeth, and in the end, the tribe arrived and killed it. The elders told me, if I had run then, I’d surely have died. All my life, the one thing my mother never taught me was to turn and flee from an enemy.”

All my life, the one thing my mother never taught me was to turn and flee from an enemy. Zhou Yu silently repeated the phrase several times. He looked up at Abuli’s innocent face and said, “Abuli, thank you. You are a true warrior.”

Abuli blushed, rubbing the back of his head. “Since coming here, it’s the first time anyone’s called me a warrior. China Zhou, you’re great too. Get well soon, and join the duel. Let’s beat up those nasty white men together.”

Zhou Yu nodded. “I’ll do my best, Abuli.”

After parting from Abuli, Zhou Yu returned to his lodging, where Old Man and Liu Yueming had already prepared a sumptuous dinner.

As soon as he pushed open the door, the aroma of roasted meat flooded his senses. Zhou Yu sniffed, looked at the two inside, and smiled.

“My disciple, quickly shut the door. This is crane meat I secretly butchered in the Spirit Realm,” Old Man whispered hurriedly.

Zhou Yu quickly shut the door and sat at the table, eyeing the steaming, buttery crane meat and swallowing hard. “This crane is much bigger than a wild goose!”

“Of course. Otherwise, how would it feed a glutton like you?” Old Man took out three wine cups, handing one to Zhou Yu and one to Liu Yueming, then poured them wine.

As soon as Old Man poured for Liu Yueming, the latter drained his cup in one gulp, wiping the wine from his lips. “Morrison and Zuo He are allies.”

Old Man sipped his wine thoughtfully. “Things run deep here.”

Liu Yueming drained another cup, looked out at the pitch-black night, and said, “Soon, I’ll be leaving.”

Zhou Yu, who had just finished gnawing a crane leg, wiped his greasy hands, spat out a bone, and picked up his wine cup. “I’ve found a way to reconnect my meridians.”

“Really?” Old Man and Liu Yueming asked simultaneously.

“Yes. Flower Moon’s left hand once had its meridians destroyed, but he managed to clear them again. He’s shared all his experience with me. With my exceptional recovery, I’m sure I can reconnect all my meridians.”

“Finally, some good news. Come, let’s drink to that.” Old Man was delighted.

Upon learning Zhou Yu could restore his meridians, Old Man and Liu Yueming were both happy for him. That night, the three enjoyed crane meat, drank Old Man’s wine, and reminisced about the past until midnight.

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The next time we meet, you’ll be... stronger... then I can really spar with you.” Liu Yueming’s tongue slurred, his words tangled.

Zhou Yu grabbed the wine jug and poured himself more, letting the wine overflow without noticing. Old Man snatched the jug away, and Zhou Yu begrudgingly grabbed his cup, drinking half before realizing what Liu Yueming had said. Zhou Yu said boisterously, “Child of destiny... I’ll definitely surpass you... just don’t beg for mercy then.”

“Where... are you going?” Old Man was a little drunk, but still lucid.

Liu Yueming suddenly laughed loudly. “Where am I going? Wherever he is, that’s where I’ll go. I’ll find him, then kill him.”

Was he talking about Liu Wujian? Rumor has it... he’s formidable. You'd better stay alive so I can beat you, too.” Zhou Yu, fully drunk, forgot that Liu Wujian was Liu Yueming’s father.

“Before I kill that man, I absolutely won’t die.” Liu Yueming finished, grabbed his wine cup, and downed it.

“Come, drink, drink, let’s not talk about anything else.” Old Man, worried Liu Yueming would again fall into a sword-induced frenzy, hurried to urge more drinking.

Two more jugs were emptied. Zhou Yu passed out at the table, Old Man slumped beside him, cursing the Bone Crying Demon Emperor.

Liu Yueming’s drunken eyes gradually cleared. He looked at the overturned jugs and the two drunkards, sighed softly, and his gaze was perfectly sober.

He helped Zhou Yu onto the bed, lingered in the room for a moment, then quietly grabbed the sword from the table. At the door, he opened it, his right foot paused halfway.

He turned back once more, looked at Old Man and Zhou Yu, and softly said, “Farewell.”

Moonlight filtered through thin clouds, illuminating Liu Yueming’s face. Two cold tears slipped down; his figure quickly vanished into the boundless night.

Inside, Zhou Yu lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. “Will this help him feel a little better?”

Old Man sat up. “Maybe. Who knows?”

“People always think about others, hoping it will help them feel better. But most of the time, others are just pretending to feel better, so you’ll feel better yourself.” Zhou Yu sighed, slowly closing his eyes.

Moments later, green currents began to wind around Zhou Yu’s body, making him tremble.

Outside, darkness blanketed the earth. Suddenly, a scream pierced the night, sending chills through all who heard it.

“Du Niang,” Zhou Yu said silently.

“I know, I know. No paycheck, yet you keep making me work.” Despite her complaints, Du Niang released green points of light, probing toward the source of the scream.

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