Chapter 707, Shen Cai’s Sacrifice

Translator: Silavin

 

Seeing the expressions on both their faces, Lu Fan’s heart could not help but tighten, giving rise to an ominous premonition. His brow furrowed slightly as he urgently asked. “What’s wrong? Why do you both have such dark expressions? Don’t tell me something happened to her!?”

 

“Well…” The usually carefree and somewhat unserious Lui Fei found himself at a loss for words.

 

He glanced at Lu Changkong, making it hard to imagine that someone of his personality would hesitate so much before speaking.

 

Lu Changkong let out a long sigh and said. “Forget it, let me tell him.”

 

With that, he looked at Lu Fan and said in a heavy tone. “Actually… three months ago, Shen Cai already made the ultimate sacrifice…”

 

“What!?” Although he could tell from their expressions that Shen Cai’s fate was likely grim, when they actually spoke these words, Lu Fan was still shocked beyond belief.

 

Shen Cai was someone cold and aloof. Even when she teamed up with Lu Fan, she had not spoken much to him in the beginning.

 

Later, when Shen Cai’s fiancé Li Luo was found to have become a Fallen Corpse Puppet and was subsequently liberated by Lu Fan, returning dust to dust and earth to earth, only then did Shen Cai open her heart to Lu Fan.

 

From that point forward, the two became true comrades who could entrust their backs to each other.

 

Through the time spent together day and night, Shen Cai had always given Lu Fan the impression of being an Older Sister who just was not that good at expressing herself.

 

She was cold on the outside but warm within. Though she did not speak much, in the Wilderness, she undoubtedly provided the most care and concern for Lu Fan as a newcomer.

 

Lu Fan’s ability to quickly master Wilderness survival skills was inseparable from Shen Cai’s contributions.

 

And now, after less than a year had passed, this living, breathing Older Sister could never be seen again. This was truly difficult for Lu Fan to accept.

 

This might be the first time Lu Fan felt someone so close to him suddenly leave.

 

Seeing Lu Fan’s expression, Lu Changkong sighed again and patted Lu Fan’s shoulder: “We are soldiers. As soldiers who protect our country and people, we naturally prepared ourselves mentally to make such a sacrifice long ago. You don’t need to mourn too much. Shen Cai has already been posthumously honoured as a martyr. Her Family has also received generous compensation, enough to live comfortably for the rest of their lives. Moreover, Shen Cai can now accompany Li Luo. Isn’t this also a good thing? Besides, when I watched Shen Cai die, she showed no unwillingness or sadness. Instead, she bore a smile throughout. Such an outcome might not necessarily be a bad thing for her…”

 

Lu Fan’s eyes felt slightly sore. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions, and asked with a trembling voice. “How did she die?”

 

Lui Fei pointed towards the Blood Moon’s Owner and said. “Previously, when we went to observe and record changes in the Blood Moon’s Owner, its body moved slightly. Countless purplish black gases erupted from the snowfield. Shen Cai just so happened to be struck by this gas, and her entire being began transforming into a Fallen Corpse Puppet. Before she lost consciousness, she… she begged me to kill her…”

 

As he spoke, Lui Fei’s emotions became somewhat unstable, his eyes turning completely red. “I didn’t want to do it originally, but I had no choice… She also said she did not blame me, but her death was indeed caused by my own hands…”

 

Seeing Lui Fei in such a state, Lu Changkong quickly patted his back. “Enough, stop thinking about it. We all know Shen Cai’s death had nothing to do with you. You didn’t kill her. You helped liberate her. Understand!?”

 

“I…” Lui Fei looked at Lu Changkong, opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately swallowed his words and fell silent.

 

Lu Fan now had a general understanding of what had happened.

 

It was truly hard to imagine what this team had experienced.

 

Especially for Lui Fei. Having to kill Shen Cai to prevent her from becoming a Fallen Corpse Puppet was undoubtedly an extremely devastating blow for him. If he were not a soldier with a resilient mind, he probably would have already left the Far North to treat his psychological trauma.

 

Thinking of this, Lu Fan could not help but look towards the Blood Moon’s Owner.

 

At this moment, the Blood Moon in the sky had changed from one to two.

 

This indicated that the Blood Moon’s Owner’s state was more dangerous than before. It probably would not be long before it fully awakened.

 

If the Blood Moon’s Owner, or the Fallen Corpse Ancient God behind it, truly resurrected, it would be a disaster for Dragon Country and even the entire Human Race.

 

But so what? If the Ancient Gods truly were as the Devouring Dragon King had said, that once they appeared, they would annihilate all living beings in this world, then Humanity and the Ancient Gods would inevitably clash.

 

Shen Cai’s vengeance would certainly be settled when the time came.

 

Perhaps feeling the atmosphere was inappropriate, Lu Changkong forced a smile: “Hehe, look. You’ve finally returned to the Far North. So, why bring up these unhappy matters? You already know about Shen Cai’s situation, so let’s put this matter behind us. Lu Fan, you came here to find Senior Tu, right? Come, I’ll take you to see him.”

 

With that, Lu Changkong was about to lead the way.

 

Lu Fan waved his hand and stopped Lu Changkong. “It’s fine. Meeting Senior Tu can wait a bit. Where is Sister Shen Cai buried? Can you take me there? I’d like to pay my respects.”

 

“Well…” Lu Changkong hesitated for a moment, but ultimately nodded in agreement: “Alright then. At the time, we buried Shen Cai on a snow slope not far from the Blood Moon’s Owner, and we left an outpost there. If you want to see her, come with us. It happens that we haven’t gone to talk with Shen Cai for some time.”

 

Lui Fei nodded, his meaning clear—he would also go along.

 

Thus, Lu Fan followed Lu Changkong and Lui Fei to get the Teleportation Scrolls to the outpost. They plan to visit where Shen Cai was buried.

 

As for the two recruits, they were left at the camp to continue resting.

 

They were both newcomers who had just returned from completing a Mission. They were still exhausted. Moreover, they did not know Shen Cai, so there was no need for them to go along.

 

Soon, Lu Fan passed through the Transport Array with Lu Changkong and Lui Fei, arriving at a snow slope in the Far North.

 

This place was not far from the Blood Moon’s Owner. Looking up, one could see the Blood Moon’s Owner’s massive body stretching like a mountain range with no visible end.

 

At the same time, its two eyes glowed frighteningly bright, and from its nostrils came breathing sounds like violent winds.

 

Compared to its previous corpse-like state, the current Blood Moon’s Owner seemed ready to rise at any moment, creating an overwhelming sense of oppression.