Chapter 26: A Sunset for One

The eastern part of Nanhuangzhou.

The season has stepped into summer, and with the gradual increase in rainfall, the weather has slowly begun to take on a sense of sweltering heat.

"It's May." That day, when the sun was high, Xu Qing finished his lesson and left Master Bai's tent. He looked up at the blue sky, gazed at the dazzling sun, and whispered to himself.

Before he knew it, two months had passed since he arrived at the camp.

Recalling his experiences inside the Blood Rain City two months ago, it seemed like a long time had passed, yet in Xu Qing's heart, it remained vivid.

But compared to his life in the slums more than two months ago, the changes in him were already immense.

Whether it was the improvement in his cultivation base or the harvest of his knowledge of herbs and trees, Xu Qing felt that he was constantly growing.

And during this time, thanks to the hearty meals provided by Captain Lei, he had eaten plenty of meat, so his body had changed from its original thin and small state to something slightly more refined.

Furthermore, due to practicing the Sea Mountain Art, his yang-natured blood and Qi were extremely vigorous, and the aura instinctively radiating from his entire body gave people a sense of sharpness.

Perhaps it was also due to copying that blade strike within the temple; Xu Qing's eyes were much brighter than others, and the more he copied it, the more this became the case.

Especially with his lessons at Master Bai's place, the accumulation of knowledge had also added a layer of scholarly temperament to him.

All of this meant that for Xu Qing, who had grown accustomed to having clean hands, even though the grime on his face had not been washed away, it could no longer quite conceal the refinement of his features.

This point could be seen to some extent from the way the women of ill repute in the tents draped with feathers within the camp would often cast longing glances at him and call out to him.

But regarding these things, Xu Qing paid no mind; his mood had been rather low these past few days.

On one hand, the Heavenly Fate Flower had not been found, and on the other, the aging and frailty of Captain Lei were becoming increasingly obvious.

Therefore, Xu Qing went to the forbidden zone jungle less and less. Every day after Master Bai's lesson ended, he would instinctively head toward his dwelling. Even though most of the time he cultivated alone, feeling Captain Lei next door made Xu Qing feel much more at ease.

He cherished the mealtime every night even more.

Today was the same. Xu Qing walked silently through the camp, ignoring the scavengers around him, and went to the grocery store first.

The busy little girl, upon seeing his figure, ran behind the counter without a word, took out a jug of wine from inside, and handed it directly to Xu Qing.

She had already grown accustomed to Xu Qing coming to buy wine at this time every day.

"Thank you," Xu Qing said softly, glancing at the scar on the little girl's face.

Although there was a hideous scar, the little girl was very optimistic. She smiled at Xu Qing, and just as she was about to say something, she was called away by other scavengers.

Xu Qing didn't mind and prepared to leave with the wine jug. As his back fell into the little girl's peripheral vision, she hurriedly said a few words to the scavengers, ran to the side of the gate, and seeing Xu Qing about to walk away, she suddenly called out.

"Big Brother Kid."

Xu Qing's footsteps paused. When he turned his head to look, the little girl ran over quickly.

After getting close to Xu Qing, she stretched out her right hand and opened it toward him; inside was a piece of candy.

"I don't know why you've been feeling down lately, but every time I'm unhappy, my mom gives me candy to eat. As I eat it, I become happy."

"This is my last piece of candy, I'm giving it to you."

As the little girl spoke, fearing that Xu Qing would refuse, she placed it directly into his hand and ran quickly toward the shop. Until she reached the side of the shop door, she turned back to look at Xu Qing and shouted loudly.

"Big Brother Kid, be happy!"

Xu Qing stood there in a daze, watching the little girl's figure walk into the shop. He looked down at the candy in his palm for a long time... then he carefully put it away.

On the way back, there was a commotion in the camp. From afar, Xu Qing saw two caravans arriving one after the other outside the camp.

The leading caravan, whether in the newness of the carriages or the sturdiness of the horses, far exceeded any caravan Xu Qing had ever seen. Inside, there were not only guards but also three or five middle-aged men whose spiritual energy fluctuations were clearly powerful.

And they were clearly not the core of the caravan.

With the arrival of the caravan, a group of young men and women stepped down from inside. They were all around sixteen or seventeen years old, walking with their heads held high, dressed in bright, fresh clothing. While their skin was fair, the men were handsome and the women were beautiful.

Clearly, their status and backgrounds were quite extraordinary. At this moment, they seemed to disdain the filth of the camp, so they set up camp outside, and their sense of arrogance was very obvious.

And each of them seemed to have attendants and followers by their side; about a hundred people were serving these fifteen or sixteen young men and women.

As for the second caravan behind them, although it was also decent, compared to the former, it clearly had a sense of inferiority.

And clearly knowing the status of those young men and women, this second caravan was unwilling to have contact with the former along the way, avoiding them as they entered the camp. Most of the people who stepped down were very low-key.

Xu Qing gave this a cursory glance.

Caravans in the camp would appear every few days, either to issue tasks or to enter the forbidden zone alone; there were all kinds of people inside.

This was the foundation of the existence of the scavenger camp, and Xu Qing was accustomed to it.

When he returned to his dwelling, he saw Captain Lei exercising in the courtyard. Under the sunlight, there was a sense of twilight on Captain Lei's body, which made Xu Qing's heart sink even lower.

"You bought me wine again, not bad, not bad." Noticing the wine jug in Xu Qing's hand, Captain Lei said with a smile.

"Alright, you go tidy up the kitchen, I'll go for a stroll outside and buy some ingredients back," Captain Lei said, leaving with his hands behind his back.

This was his agreement with Xu Qing; he had to be the one to buy the ingredients. Xu Qing did not refuse, but he paid more rent.

It seemed this was the way he and Captain Lei got along.

This day, Captain Lei returned earlier than usual. Almost as soon as Xu Qing finished tidying the kitchen, he walked back carrying some meat, smiled at Xu Qing, and began to cook.

Xu Qing, as usual, sat to the side to learn, but as he watched, he felt something was wrong... at this rate, the time for eating today would be earlier, no longer at dusk.

Realizing this, Xu Qing understood something in his heart. He looked at the busy Captain Lei, wanting to speak but stopping, and finally remained silent.

Captain Lei, as usual, talked while cooking.

Amidst the small talk, before dusk arrived, the meal was already cooked. After placing it on the table, Captain Lei looked at the silent Xu Qing and patted his head.

"Kid, I've already bought the qualification to enter Songtao City. Later, I'll pack my luggage, and I'll leave tomorrow morning," Captain Lei said, picking up the wine Xu Qing had bought for him and taking a big gulp.

Xu Qing's movements stiffened. After a long silence, he lowered his head and said softly.

"So soon?"

Captain Lei didn't speak, and after a long while, laughter came out.

"Actually, I bought it a long time ago, I just never told you. You, don't be reluctant; in this world, there is no banquet that doesn't end," Captain Lei said, taking another big gulp of wine.

"Come, eat."

Xu Qing looked at the weathered Captain Lei and silently picked up his chopsticks, eating silently. The food today should have been very delicious, but in Xu Qing's mouth, it had lost its flavor.

Captain Lei watched all this and sighed softly in his heart, but his face still carried a smile, talking about the trivial matters in the camp, until after a stick of incense had burned, Xu Qing suddenly spoke.

"Aren't you going to wait for Shizi and Luanya? They should be back soon too."

"Not waiting. If they come back, it'll probably be the same as you, just adding to the sadness. Besides, you have time in the future, just come see me."

Captain Lei took out his pipe from his bosom, took a puff, and the exhaled smoke obscured his expression, making his whole person look a bit hazy.

This meal, Captain Lei ate very quickly.

Until he left to pack his luggage, Xu Qing still sat there silently, looking at the food on the table, unable to eat anymore. After a long while, he stood up, and for the first time, he didn't go to wash the bowls and chopsticks, but instead came to Captain Lei's room.

"Do you really have to go?" Xu Qing asked softly.

"Don't be so sad. I'm going to live in the city; you should be happy for me."

Captain Lei laughed and beckoned Xu Qing to come over and help him fold his clothes.

Xu Qing walked over in silence, first washing his hands thoroughly, and then folding them very neatly.

With his help, Captain Lei's luggage was soon packed. Most of it he didn't want and left for Xu Qing.

"This house, it's yours now too."

"I'll pay rent," Xu Qing said seriously.

Captain Lei smiled upon hearing this and didn't continue the topic, but instead pulled Xu Qing to sit there. As time passed, he told him about the personalities of the scavengers in the camp, focusing on the Camp Master.

"The Camp Master of this camp is not a simple person; his background is the Vajra Sect."

"And the Vajra Sect is the number one power in this vast area. Dozens of cities and camps are under their control, and their ancestor is even a Foundation Establishment powerhouse. You must be vigilant of him at all times while you are here."

Having said this, it was already very late outside. Xu Qing noticed the fatigue on Captain Lei's face and stood up silently to leave.

Watching his figure, after a long time, Captain Lei sighed softly.

And this night was also the first night in a long time that Xu Qing did not cultivate.

He sat there, staring blankly at the darkness outside, until he saw the sky turn white, until he saw the light of the first sun.

"It passed so quickly," Xu Qing murmured, the melancholy in his heart permeating. He didn't leave the room at this time as he usually did, but waited until he heard the sound of Captain Lei opening the door before he slowly walked out.

The first sun, the morning light scattered down, and in the courtyard, an old man and a young man gazed at each other.

"Kid, I'm leaving," after a long time, a smile appeared on Captain Lei's face.

"I'll see you off."

"No need, you go to class quickly."

"I'll see you off."

"You..."

"I'll see you off," Xu Qing looked at Captain Lei and spoke again.

Captain Lei looked at Xu Qing, and after a long while, he showed a helpless expression and nodded.

Just like that, the old man and the young man, in this early morning camp, while most other scavengers had not yet woken up, moved forward and left. When passing Master Bai's tent, Xu Qing ran over.

Master Bai had not yet arrived, and the youth Chen Feiyuan was not there either; only Ting Yu was there reciting the Pharmacopoeia.

"Please, help me ask for a day off," upon seeing Ting Yu, Xu Qing spoke rapidly, bowed to her, and turned to leave.

Ting Yu was a bit surprised, and when she walked out, she saw the figures of Xu Qing and Captain Lei walking away.

The light of the first sun scattered on the earth, reflecting in front of Xu Qing and Captain Lei, and also enveloping their figures, further and further away.

Along the way, Xu Qing took the bundle from Captain Lei's body, carried it on his own back, and remained silent.

Captain Lei's heart was complex. Looking at the stubborn youth, he wanted to talk about the trivial matters of the camp neighbors as usual, but after saying a few words, he couldn't continue.

In silence, the two walked into the great mountain they had come from, and walked to the place where they had once rested. At that time, it was also the two of them; Captain Lei was tall and straight in front, and Xu Qing was cautious behind.

The former was as profound as a sword, the latter as solitary as a wolf.

Today, Xu Qing was in front, and Captain Lei was behind.

The former was as straight as a peak, the latter was stumbling and in his twilight years.

Here, at Xu Qing's insistence, he carried the aging Captain Lei on his back, just as he had in the jungle.

Captain Lei sighed inwardly, looking at the side profile of the youth before him, and after a silence, he spoke softly.

"Later, when you are in the camp, you must keep a close eye on those scavengers."

"I know your combat strength is very high now, but you cannot underestimate them. Scavengers, they are desperate men; for them, using any means necessary is just a daily routine..."

"At night, don't forget to feed those dogs. These little fellows are the most trustworthy ones in the camp."

"Also, remember to eat your meals. Don't eat them cold, don't be afraid of the trouble, heat them up before eating... You are still growing, you cannot be careless."

"Otherwise, when you get older, you will know the bitterness. Right, don't sleep on wooden boards in the future. Don't worry about getting the bedding dirty; remember to air it out in the sun after washing."

"And also..."

Captain Lei spoke softly, his words fragmented, containing deep concern.

Xu Qing carried Captain Lei on his back and nodded gently, keeping every word the other said in his heart.

Until Captain Lei, while speaking, fell into a deep sleep due to the weakness of his body; listening to the snoring behind him, Xu Qing's footsteps became gentle as well.

He made sure not to jump as much as possible, maintaining a steady pace even if it meant taking a detour.

Just like this, he carried Captain Lei across the wilderness, bypassed the basin, and until dusk appeared, as the sky turned dim, the remaining light stretched their shadows long, and a city appeared in Xu Qing's sight.

It was also at this moment that Captain Lei woke up. He looked at that city, gazed at the city gate, and after a long while, said softly.

"We've arrived."

Xu Qing gave a soft hum, a feeling of being choked up in his chest, and at Captain Lei's request, set him down gently.

Taking the parcel from Xu Qing's hands, Captain Lei looked at the city gate, then looked at Xu Qing, and after a moment of silence, he smiled, raised his hand to pat Xu Qing's head, and ruffled his hair a bit.

"Kid, go back. If you miss this old man in the future, come over anytime. I live at number Bing, block Di, Shuiqing Road, in the south of the city." Saying this, Captain Lei took his luggage and walked toward the city gate.

Xu Qing stood there, watching Captain Lei walk further and further away, a thousand words in his heart but not knowing how to speak them, he could only stare blankly.

Until he reached the city gate and handed over his entry qualifications, Captain Lei suddenly turned his head.

He took a deep look at Xu Qing, raised his hand to wave, and under the urging of the city gate guards, walked into the city and disappeared from sight.

Xu Qing's expression was desolate. He waited for a long time... the moment dusk fell and the city gate closed, his heart suddenly felt empty.

"Take care..." After a long while, Xu Qing murmured, turned around bitterly, and the feeling of loneliness once again permeated his entire body.

As the night descended, his lonely figure was gradually covered.

Alone, walking toward the wilderness; alone, walking toward the basin; alone, walking toward the great mountains.

Further... and further away.