LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 155: Fifteen Days Ago, Seven Went Out, None Returned
The Senior Sister's shout echoed in Shu's ears. In his peripheral vision, he saw the scarred man and the glamorous woman supporting each other, the woman in white with only a broken sword, the exhaustion and injuries evident on everyone.
Imperator was simply beyond their mortal reach. These warriors, who had once stood at the pinnacle of skill, now faced a mountain far higher, just as they had once stood before their own master and elders. But… just as they had then, facing this insurmountable peak, they gripped their climbing staffs, ready to ascend.
Watching them take their positions in a specific formation, a strange thought struck Shu.
Could they…actually overcome this?
[The scene ended, replaced by a blurry view.
"Sister…we…" The viewpoint character opened her eyes to find herself being supported by her sister, limping along.
Her sister didn't speak, but the bewilderment and blood smeared on her face spoke volumes.
They had lost…utterly. Their proudest technique, the Seven Swords, hadn't even been unleashed before being crushed by the insurmountable power of Imperator.
And even if they had used it… what difference would it have made? Could such a monster truly be defeated by skill alone?
For the first time, these two, who had never doubted their strength or the path of martial arts, were lost…]
"They lost…?" Shu's expression mirrored their bewilderment. The younger sister's thoughts echoed in his mind.
What did she mean, they couldn't even unleash it?
[They limped through the ruined streets, their injuries a constant reminder of their defeat. They searched for a secluded place.
Memories of the massacre flooded their minds. The horrific final moments of their fellow disciples, their last words, echoed in their ears. But it all boiled down to one brutal truth: they were dead.
Death had come so swiftly, so surely, and soon it would come for them too… It had been a losing battle, but they had saved a few lives. That was enough…
They found a corner to rest, clutching the shattered remnants of their broken swords, looking at each other.
"Goodbye, Sister…" the younger sister murmured, drifting into sleep.
"Goodbye…Sister…" the older sister replied, but her own farewell went unanswered.]
Shu froze, looking around, then down at his hands. He'd suspected, but the stark reality of the truth hit him hard.
What have I done?
["Kill me…kill me!!" This was the younger sister's final thought, but she could only watch helplessly as her body lunged from the darkness, attacking the two people in the tavern.
Unable to scream, unable to interfere, watching all their efforts undone, her grief was even purer than Li Sushang's.
The sorrowful cry in her heart ceased only when a blade touched her throat. A flicker of remaining consciousness returned her sight. She looked up.
"Hello," the man with the blade greeted her gently, as though welcoming her back.
She tried to smile apologetically, but her stiff face wouldn't obey. Regaining consciousness was all she could manage.
The man's eyes, filled with sorrow and pity, lowered as he gently pressed the blade down, severing her throat.
"Goodbye…" This was his final blessing.
She could do nothing but offer a silent blessing in return as her consciousness faded.
"Goodbye…"]
That man… Shu instinctively touched his face. It was him, yet not him. He hadn't felt pity or sorrow for the younger sister back then. He didn't deserve her blessing.
He could only offer it back now.
"Hello…" Shu whispered, his gaze downcast. "Goodbye."
["Seventh Sister, Seventh Sister!" An urgent cry brought Shu back. The scene shifted from the dissipating white mist to the blood-soaked woman in white.
Blood spurted from her chest, each breath and heartbeat hastening her death. But she struggled to speak, tears streaming down her face.
"I'm sorry…I'm sorry everyone…" Her voice was weak, her breath shallow. "If I had taken my sword…if I hadn't held everyone back…Senior Sister wouldn't have died…none of them would have…"
Beside her lay the mangled remains of her sword.
"No…it wasn't your fault…" her sister comforted, pressing her hands against the wound, trying to stem the flow of life.
The woman in white fell silent, her remaining consciousness unable to form further thoughts. After a long silence, her eyes suddenly brightened, and her voice returned.
"Help me…tell…no, write a letter…tell Sushang…" She reached out, her hand caressing the imagined face of her child.
The sisters exchanged a look. The younger sister pulled out her diary, tearing out all the entries, leaving a single blank page.
"Sister, what should I write…?"
"Write: Sushang…Mama will be back soon. You have to protect yourself, protect the dojo…" Her voice grew weaker, her remaining strength fading with each word.
"Write…Li Sushang, you have to protect the dojo…don't leave…don't leave…" Her gaze unfocused.
Only her last whispered words remained.
"Mama…is coming home…"
Torn pages from the diary, yellowed with age, fluttered down like scattered spirit money. And what was written on those pages…
'Eight years ago, Seventh Sister is pregnant. This is the first child among us. We need to choose a good name.'
'Seven years ago, Sushang is born. A chubby baby. Doesn't seem to like Sixth Brother. Must be his scar. Sixth Brother is disappointed.'
'Six years ago, Sushang can call each of us by name. Especially fond of Fifth Sister. Must have realized Fifth Sister is the strongest. I mustn't slacken in my training.'
'Four years ago, Seventh Sister erased the inscription on her sword and gave it to Sushang…'
'…']
Fifteen days ago…seven went out, none returned.