Chapter 5123: A Meal
Li Qiye spent his time in the courtyard relaxing since the departure date drew near. Nothing was more comforting than the warm sun.
Demoness kneeled near him, serving him tea and fruits. She wore a black dress that was as thin as a cicadaâs wing. The barely visible curves were full of temptation, making it hard for people to not take another glance.
âYou are definitely the best at recognizing the situation in Eight-stallion Dynasty.â He said.
âServing you is an honor, Young Noble.â Her soft and tender voice made people feel a little fuzzy inside.
In reality, Li Qiye didnât ask for anyone to serve him. She came of her own volition.
âHow will you serve me?â Li Qiye closed his eyes and joked.
âI am willing to be your ox and horse.â She responded.
âDid Eight-stallion Dao Lord know about your true cultivation?â Li Qiye chuckled.
âWe had an agreement and my cultivation doesnât matter. I simply didnât reveal it.â She said.
âSure thing.â He smiled.
âThe same canât be said for your impeccable insight, Young Noble. You noticed after the first glance.â She said.
âYouâre rather interesting, the inheritor of several imperial lineages yet still rather flexible in conduct. Many canât do the same.â Li Qiye said.
âItâs a tough world out there, Iâm not the only one looking for a meal.â She winked charmingly at him.
Unfortunately, this didnât work on Li Qiye.
âDonât make it sound so pitiful.â He said: âIf you canât find a meal with the treasures on your ship, the rest of the lower continents are facing a real famine then. Donât worry, Iâm not interested in those treasures.â
âIf you desire it, Young Noble, all of Ceaseless can be yours.â She knew what to say to please people.
âYouâre smart, aware that I can take whatever I want but now, I would seem like a jerk for doing so.â He said.
âIt is an honor to be of service, Young Noble.â She repeated.
âForget it, donât try to be seductive because I already appreciate your craftiness and propriety.â He said.
âI am elated to be praised by you.â She said excitedly.
âSigh, a dragon lord should act properly or people will spurn you.â He said.
âDoesnât matter to me for I have been praised by you.â She responded.
âLetâs get to the point. I have given out many fortunes here but you didnât get one. Tell me, I will grant you a fortune.â He waved his hand.
Although she lacked loyalty compared to the others, he appreciated her vision and awareness.
âI wish to stay by your side, Young Noble, is that possible?â She asked eagerly.
âNo wonder why those geezers are willing to let you be in charge of Ceaseless, you can indeed shoulder the responsibility.â He smiled at her.
âI am merely speaking from the heart. Staying by your side is the best possible outcome.â She said.
âYes, it is a supreme fortune. One that can spare you from all disasters.â He nodded.
âWill you take me in, Young Noble?â She winked again.
âWill you be able to leave Ceaseless?â He answered with a question.
âI can let go of everything if I get to be by your side.â She paused for a moment before responding.
âYou are someone who can achieve great things.â He couldnât help but praise.
âYou donât need an idiot and I will try my best to not be one.â She said.
âYes, and thatâs rather hard to find recently.â Li Qiye nodded and thought about it.
After a short moment, he said: âYou should still stay here since this world needs you. When the old geezers left behind Ceaseless, they had something in mind. You know this too.â
âI shall follow your order.â She said submissively, looking rather pitiful.
âOkay, donât be so sad.â He said: âI will bless your Ceaseless.â
She immediately got on the ground and bowed after hearing this: âWe will never forget your kindness, Young Noble.â This was her goal in the first place.
âTheyâve gone to great lengths to prepare for a calamity.â He said.
âIs it possible to escape, Young Noble?â She looked up and asked.
âDepends on the scale. Thatâs why Ceaseless needs someone like you to lead it.â He said.
âI understand, itâs just that I wanted to see explore beyond the limits of this world.â She said.
âThen let us see what you can do in the future. Alas, everyone has a limit, it depends on your own effort.â He said.
âYes.â She understood that following him was impossible.
âWhat should I do when another calamity comes?â She then asked.
âThere is no perfect solution under such dire circumstances. A minor one can be dealt with Ceaseless but as for a serious one? Just run as far away as possible.â He guided.
âWill you come back, Young Noble?â She asked.
âI am heading to the final battle.â Li Qiye said.
âSometimes, I imagine the places that can be reached with the dao. I feel powerless that I cannot help you on your journey.â She sighed and said.
âSome accept their fate, others donât.â He elaborated: âIf you do, then youâll be able to live and die at home, thatâs not a bad ending. If you do not accept, then prepare for the worst, a death without a burial, far, far away from home.â
âI understand.â She bowed again before staring at him.
âI donât have flowers on my face.â He smiled.
âYoung Noble, what do you think is the hardest thing in the world?â She asked.
âYou have an answer?â He responded.
âTo see someone away.â She said: âAlthough our relationship is shallow and short, you are a unique existence in this world, a shimmer of light flashing ephemerally in my life. I wonât be able to see you again after this, the world will no longer see your light.â
âMmm, itâs even harder being the one leaving.â Li Qiye stared at the horizon and said.
âThatâs you, Young Noble.â She murmured.
âRight, you will, at least, still be staying near home.â He said.
âYou wonât since you will not stop.â She understood.
âYouâre smart, I would have taken you with me in the past.â He smiled.
âItâs not too late to accept me now.â She said.
âTimes have changed, I must go alone this time.â He shook his head.
âSounds rather lonely.â She said softly.
âPeople didnât lie when they talked about the loneliness of the dao.â He calmly said: âYou who must pretend to be holy and superior, itâs rather cold at the top too. Everyone else are mere ants in comparison, would you feel lonely then?"
She took her time thinking before answering: âThatâs why people canât leave home.â
âItâs difficult and requires resolution, forging a path forward unceasingly until you are the only one left. Any wavering can result in compromises.â He said.
âThis is why some canât make it and fall into the darkness.â She understood.