HLnovel Chapter 163 It’s not your fault
Chapter 163 It’s not your fault
The lake water shimmered with silver light under the moonlight, like a giant mirror embedded in the earth.
Ayu looked into the other person's bright eyes, her lips moved slightly, but she didn't know how to speak.
Tong Guang patted his shoulder lightly and said, "Ayu, aren't we friends? If you have any troubles or worries, you can tell me. I'm willing to listen to you."
A sweet, melodious voice drifted into Ayu's ears on the night breeze, leaving her slightly dazed.
He knew, of course, that the other person had always considered him a good friend, and that he also held that girl in the most important place in his heart.
But some things, once spoken, only cause more grief to one person and do not change anything.
Seeing that the other person seemed genuinely unwilling to talk, Tong Guang didn't press him further, but simply stayed by his side in silence.
The chill of late autumn nights deepened, roaming freely through the streets and alleys, blending seamlessly with the melancholy emanating from A-Yu at that moment.
The evening breeze is rustling!
Withered leaves fell on his slightly drooping head, making him look so lonely and desolate.
"Tong Guang, shall I tell you a story?"
After a long silence, he slowly opened his mouth, his voice hoarse and suppressed.
Upon hearing this, Tong Guang immediately listened attentively.
"Everyone says Green Mountain is a wonderful place, and it truly is! It's incredibly beautiful."
As she spoke, Ayu's gaze drifted into the distance, as if she could see the beautiful mountains and rivers right before her eyes.
Green Mountain?
Tong Guang frowned slightly, as if he had heard of this place somewhere before.
Oh—I remember now, those kittens I bought from Old Ma, a vendor on Guyuan Street, were ones that Old Ma said were caught from Green Willow Mountain.
Could it be... that Ayu is also from there?
Without waiting for her to think too much.
Ayu continued, "The Green Willow Mountain is filled with spiritual energy, and there are countless kinds of demons there. One little fish, nourished by the spiritual energy, even gained intelligence."
The little fish's life was simple and pure; it either cultivated itself in the mountains and lakes or played freely with its companions.
It wasn't that he was completely uninterested in the outside world; quite the opposite, he often listened to the elderly tiger demon grandfather tell stories about the human world. The vibrant and colorful human world he described deeply captivated the little fish's curious heart.
Every night when the stars twinkle, Little Fish would jump out from the opposite side, look up at the starry sky, and dream that he could cultivate into human form as soon as possible and go to the human world to see it for himself!
He imagined himself strolling through bustling streets and alleys, feeling the hustle and bustle of people coming and going; he longed to witness the dazzling fireworks that bloomed in the night sky.
I look forward to experiencing the magnificent scenery of wisps of smoke rising from the vast desert.
With this strong desire, Xiaoyu began his arduous journey of cultivation. The spiritual energy in the mountains was rich and pure, a gift from heaven.
Day after day, year after year, that little fish never slacked off.
Finally, after more than four hundred years of changing seasons, he successfully transformed into human form.
Just when the little fish demon thought it could finally leave Greenwood Mountain, which it had long been tired of seeing, it never expected that the tiger demon grandfather would block its way.
The tiger demon grandfather earnestly told him that although he now had a human form, his cultivation was still shallow and insufficient to cope with the complex and ever-changing environment and potential dangers.
The little fish demon was indignant at being stopped. However, seeing the tiger demon grandfather's concerned gaze, he understood that what the other said made sense, and in the end, he could only sigh helplessly and temporarily give up the idea of going down the mountain.
"Hmph, at worst I'll cultivate for another two hundred years or so. When my cultivation is profound enough, let's see what reason you'll have to stop me from going down the mountain!"
The little fish spirit thought that the peaceful and tranquil life in the mountains would continue as before. But who could have imagined that fate always likes to play tricks on those who have dreams?
Just as he was focused on his cultivation, an unexpected event suddenly occurred, completely shattering the original tranquility of this mountain forest...
It was an enormous black dragon, resembling a coiled mountain, inspiring fear in all who beheld it. This black dragon appeared from nowhere and immediately took a liking to this land. However, it was inherently domineering and would not allow any other creature to share this place with it, attempting to monopolize it entirely.
The indigenous people who live here have thrived here for generations, and they have a deep affection for and dependence on this land. Now, they are suddenly told that they must all leave. Where can they go?
They were naturally unwilling to remain homeless. Thus, a fierce conflict inevitably erupted.
However, the black dragon was far too powerful; its demonic energy was beyond imagination. Even the most powerful tiger demon grandfather, a once formidable figure, was no match for the black dragon.
Seeing their grandfather, the tiger demon, injured and defeated, the remaining demons did not retreat in fear; instead, they were filled with even stronger fighting spirit. They charged towards the black dragon recklessly, fighting it to the death.
However, the difference in strength was ultimately too great, and many demons fell one after another, their blood staining the earth red.
Only the little fish demon, overwhelmed by extreme fear, could only cower helplessly at the bottom of the deep pool. It witnessed the horrific scene unfolding before its eyes in utter terror.
One by one, its familiar companions and respected elders were brutally slaughtered by the black dragon. Filled with pain and rage, it desperately wanted to rush out and fight the black dragon to the death, to save its loved ones.
Fear was like a heavy chain, tightly binding the little fish demon's body, preventing it from moving an inch. Despite its burning anxiety, it could only tremble in the deep water, helplessly watching the tragedy unfold.
By the time Ayu finished recounting this, she was already sobbing uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face like a burst dam. Her body trembled violently from the overwhelming emotion, as if she were reliving that terrible nightmare all over again.
The sadness emanating from him was so intense that Tong Guang, who was listening quietly beside him, was also deeply moved, and his eyes welled up with tears.
Tong Guang remained silent, knowing that any words would be superfluous at this moment. She simply stayed quietly by A Yu's side, offering him silent comfort and support.
Later, while the black dragon was sleeping at the bottom of the lake, the little fish demon secretly escaped from the pool.
The bloody scenes before his eyes seemed to transform into countless ferocious demons, tormenting him like a nightmare, making him roar but unable to utter a sound.
Why? The valley, which was clearly lush and green, has turned so red, blood-stained red.
The red was intense, so red it was blinding...
The little fish demon stumbled and examined each demon lying in a pool of blood; those were his closest companions.
They laughed and played together in this valley, growing up together, but now they have become cold corpses.
Even though he had seen it all, he still hoped that someone had survived.
I don't know how long I searched... but I couldn't find any sign of life anymore...
He was the only one left in the entire valley...
Grandpa Tiger Demon's eyes were wide open, his blood-red pupils filled with resentment and anger.
The little fish demon's hands trembled as she tried to close the tiger demon grandfather's eyes, which refused to close, but she couldn't do it no matter what she did.
This time, finally no one nagged him to leave the valley.
The little fish demon can finally go and see the outside world he has been longing for.
But the Green Mountain that he once thought he had grown tired of and had seen enough of has become a luxury he can never return to in this lifetime.
"Tong Guang, don't you think that little fish demon is incredibly cowardly? He should have died fighting alongside his companions, but instead, he clung to life like a stray dog, afraid of dying..."
"He was so cowardly, he didn't even have the courage or ability to avenge his comrades... He deserved to die... He really deserved to die..."
Ayu's voice was extremely dry and suppressed, and every word that came out of his mouth was filled with deep sadness and self-blame.
His body trembled violently, and each tear that fell carried with it the endless grief deep within his heart.
His entire head was buried in his knees.
Tong Guang was also saddened by this, her eyes welling up with tears. She wanted to say something, her lips moved slightly, but in the end, she couldn't utter a single word of comfort.
She understood how heavy the pain Ah Yu was enduring was; the pain of losing loved ones could not be soothed by a few simple words.
Tong Guang gently patted his shoulder. These painful memories were weighing heavily on his heart, and he didn't know how he had managed to get through all these years.
She let out a deep sigh...
“Ayu, I know that anything I say now will seem pale and powerless, but... the dead cannot be brought back to life. For those who are still alive, the most important thing is to live well, to appreciate all the wonders of this world for those who have left, so that we will not let down the sacrifices they made.”
“I think if Grandpa Hushi were alive, he certainly wouldn’t want to see the little fish demon living in pain every day. The fault doesn’t lie with the little fish demon, but with the black dragon whose hands are stained with blood. We can’t shift the blame onto the victim. The little fish demon is an innocent victim. Why should he take the blame for the sins committed by a devil? Just because he didn’t die bravely with his companions?”
"In my opinion, those demons who chose to die in battle to defend their homeland are undoubtedly great and noble! In comparison, the little fish demon's actions may seem cowardly and hesitant, but they are actually a wise move."
"It is only natural to feel fear when facing an invincible and powerful opponent. Therefore, it is not shameful for the little fish demon to feel afraid. He was just acting in accordance with his survival instinct."
The girl's sweet and soft voice drifted into Ayu's ears like soft silk, gently soothing her heart, which was filled with grief and turmoil.
Fallen leaves are scattered everywhere.
No one noticed a black car quietly disappearing into the night...