Let's Never Meet Again - Chapter 4

Chapter 4

My condition did not improve.

In fact, the closer we got to Deer City, the worse my illness became.

At first, I used a branch as a makeshift cane to limp along, but eventually, my legs lost all strength, and Pei You had to carry me on his back.

Yet, my mind became increasingly clear.

“Senior Brother, aren’t you going to ask me why I insist on going to Deer City?”

Looking ahead, I could already see the silhouette of Deer City.

We had successfully navigated the Panluo Forest-a place said to be overrun by the vines of the Demon Tree and filled with countless dangers-without any major incidents.

Leaning against Pei You’s back, I felt a strange sense of peace.

“I did ask, but were you willing to tell me?”

I couldn’t see his expression, but I could hear the slight frustration in his voice.

I smiled and changed the subject.

“Senior Brother, your body is so stiff. Have you never carried a girl on your back before?”

“Ask that again and I’ll drop you.”

Pei You’s body tensed even further.

I shut my mouth, not daring to provoke him any longer.

As we neared the outskirts of Deer City, I asked him to set me down.

Looking up, I saw that the Demon Tree was covered in flower buds, appearing as though it could bloom at any moment.

Heavy snow continued to pelt the ground, covering Deer City in a thick white blanket.

Pei You brushed the snow off my clothes and held an umbrella over my head, staring at the Demon Tree in wonder.

“Why is this Demon Tree about to bloom when it’s not even spring yet?”

I let out a heavy cough.

“Senior Brother, spring is almost here. We spent too much time in the forest.”

“Spring in Deer City arrives much earlier than elsewhere.”

Even though it had been less than a month since Wu Town entered winter.

Because of the Calamity, spring in Deer City always arrived far ahead of schedule.

I turned to look at Pei You. For the first time, I didn’t bicker with him. Instead, I said softly, “Senior Brother, just take me this far. I have to walk the rest of the way alone.”

Pei You started to say something.

I interrupted him. “Actually, I forgot to tell you-no one can lie to me. I can always tell.”

“I admit it. I followed you all this way just to find you. Junior Sister, you have no right to interfere with my decision.”

Pei You admitted it bluntly.

On the day he discovered his junior sister had secretly left the sect, he had gone to ask their Master for guidance.

Master had remained behind closed doors.

He only sent word with two sentences:

“To go or not to go, the choice is yours. You already have the answer in your heart; why come to ask me?”

“Since you have decided, do your utmost. What does it matter if you must stake your life?”

Even so, Master had still provided him with many life-saving treasures.

Pei You looked down at his junior sister’s face, which was as pale as the snow, and said word for word, “I chose to follow. I chose to enter Deer City. Even if I die here, it has nothing to do with you. This is my own fate.”

“But that is MY fate!”

I closed my eyes and shoved him away forcefully.

When I opened them again, my heterochromatic eyes were revealed, the Heavenly Mark on my forehead flickered, and my long black hair rapidly turned snowy white.

“Senior Brother, does this form scare you?”

“Do I look like a demon to you?”

I laughed eerily, my hand caressing the side of Pei You’s face before stopping near his eyes.

“Look into my eyes. Don’t follow me, okay?”

Pei You abruptly jerked his gaze away.

He bit his lip hard.

“You are not a demon. Don’t try to bewitch me. My sword will provide the answer.”

Seeing that my illusion had failed, I retracted the alluring light from my eyes, feeling quite puzzled.

“My sisters clearly said my illusions were getting quite good. Why is it that they don’t work on you?”

Pei You tightened his grip on the Amethyst hidden in his sleeve.

It was one of the treasures Master had given him.

It granted immunity to all illusions.

I took a deep breath. Using my power had taken a significant toll on my weakened body.

The calls of my clansmen grew clearer in my ears.

“Dong, where are you? The Calamity is about to descend.”

“Your body can’t hold out much longer, Dong. The closer you get to the Calamity, the faster your power will drain.”

“Come quickly, Dong. Come quickly. We are waiting for you.”

Pei You grabbed my arm.

“Junior Sister, tell me exactly what you’re planning to do. I can help you. I can be of use to you.”

He abandoned all reason, following his heart and speaking his inner thoughts without hesitation.

I threw off his hand.

Suddenly, my expression changed, and I spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. It quickly seeped into the snow, staining a small patch crimson.

“Cough… what do you want to hear?”

I took a few steps back, watching Pei You’s worried face as he tried to step forward.

With a single thought, the snowflakes falling on him seemed to come to life. They rapidly condensed into ice, freezing Pei You in place.

“I am not your junior sister. My name is Dong.”

“Born of the Calamity, I shall depart with the Calamity.”

I looked toward the budding Demon Tree and murmured to myself, “From the day I left the sect, I have been walking toward my own death.”

The gates of Deer City swung wide. Massive vines reached out from within the city, wrapping around my body and pulling me inside.

Then, the gates slammed shut.

Pei You was struck with shock. He struggled with all his might, but he was frozen solid in the ice, forced to watch helplessly as his junior sister was dragged away.

Just as he had been when his family and his senior brother died, he was once again consumed by this same powerlessness.