Chapter 47: Welcome Back

Many felt that Xia Yan’s forward strides were merely an attempt to avoid a pathetic end, to prevent so many eyes from witnessing his final moments. Even in the face of death, he remained so full of pride! Yet, what meaning did that hold? Xia Yan, why not stop? Why keep walking?

Countless thoughts converged into a surging river, crashing toward Xia Yan as if to force him to a halt. But he did not stop. Every step forward left onlookers puzzled, wondering what his purpose could be. With every stride, blood stained the earth; with every step, a crimson mist sprayed from his lips. His body was saturated with blood, his internal organs continuously failing.

"You are so exhausted! Do not persist any longer; it is meaningless, truly, completely meaningless."

Yet, no one could have imagined that, just a few hundred meters ahead, a young woman stood waiting. Her expression was indifferent, like a deity looking down upon the masses, and she truly possessed the power to match that stature. The spot where she stood was Xia Yan’s destination.

*We had an agreement. Once you killed that variant, we would rendezvous. Now, you have done it.*

*The whole world may not understand you, but I alone can.*

This was the message conveyed in her eyes. As long as she was there, she could accomplish even what the gods could not. Vivi stood beside her, her eyes filled with reverence and adoration. The raging winds could not even stir the hem of her dress.

There was still some distance between them, but the girl began to move. Her steps were light, yet her speed was swift. She reached Xia Yan’s side and looked down at him. She was not tall; by rights, it should have been the other way around, with her looking up at him. But at this moment, Xia Yan was beyond strength, his spirit crumbling with every step, his back permanently hunched.

Xia Yan lifted his head to look at this pure-blooded Demon. He had endured a life-or-death ordeal just to survive. Or rather, that he was still alive was already a miracle. As a wanted criminal from the Free Zone, he had slaughtered every enemy in his path and walked away brazenly under the very nose of Wenzhe, the leader.

It was nothing short of a miracle!

Xia Yan had no strength left; he collapsed forward. Emilia’s hands were incredibly soft, a sensation that sent a ripple through the mind. It was their first physical contact, a moment that revealed that even this high-and-mighty pure-blooded Demon possessed qualities like any ordinary person.

"Xia Yan, welcome back," Emilia murmured with a faint smile, her voice sounding like a sigh that reached deep into the soul.

The entire world believed Xia Yan was dead. Yet, she had remained here waiting. She alone could heal him, for the "Crazy Hell" serum she had chosen was the perfect remedy for him. Without that injection, he would have perished at the hands of the Level 6 variant. But now, he had survived and walked right to her.

From her hands, bandages shimmered and unfurled, stretching dozens of meters, glowing with a sacred light as they wrapped around Xia Yan’s body. What were the best healers compared to a pure-blooded Demon? Compared to an absolute, awakened pure-blood, they were as insignificant as ants.

"I... am back," Xia Yan managed to whisper, his final words before sinking into unconsciousness.

Emilia held him, her movements incredibly gentle. They walked toward the distance, as if they had never existed in this land at all. From this day on, Xia Yan was dead—dead to the point that not even a body remained. Perhaps he had been devoured by a variant, or perhaps he had self-destructed. After all, when someone destined for death refuses to stop walking, it is only natural that no corpse is ever found.

"My Lady, the flight vehicle is ready," Vivi said, approaching. She glanced at Xia Yan, who was being held by Emilia, a flicker of something strange in her eyes.

"Before we return, there is one more thing to do," Emilia reminded her. "One of my subordinates is merely unconscious but still breathing. Wenzhe has left; go and bring her back."

"Save Seven?" Vivi asked, puzzled. "My Lady, she betrayed us. Let her perish on her own. She is nearly dead, and the Free Zone won’t bother with her life. Intelligence will certainly not be leaked."

"It is not the leak of information that concerns me," Emilia shook her head. "Xia Yan did not kill her, and there is significance in that. I wish to speak with her personally. Her death will come only after our conversation."

"I understand," Vivi nodded. She stepped into the void, and a magical array sparkling with starlight appeared beneath her feet. Like an arrow, she soared into the sky. She did not need to activate her bloodline, yet her speed far surpassed that of other races who did. In an instant, she was like a distant star, reduced to a mere glimmer of light.

One must not forget, this lady-butler was a Nine-Star powerhouse!

Emilia held Xia Yan, waiting quietly. Her eyes were calm, as if she were enjoying a fleeting moment of afternoon peace.

Seven was not yet dead. No, she should be called "Seven"—a new name adopted only for this mission, which had now ended. During the chaos, no one had looked at her, for only two remained on the field: the girl named Lan Xin and the Free Zone leader, Wenzhe. Until they, too, departed, leaving her alone. She waited for her life to ebb away, wondering why she still held on. She realized it was because she wanted to see Xia Yan die before her, to see him suffer a more wretched end. Only that conviction had sustained her.

*Xia Yan is dead, isn't he?*

*I can close my eyes now, can't I?*

She closed her eyes, her lashes damp. She wiped her face, feeling the mixture of blood and tears. She opened her eyes to see a woman approaching, dressed in a butler’s uniform, her expression stern.

Seven was terrified, for she was not stupid. There was only one reason for Miss Vivi to be here: Lady Emilia had come as well. A sliver of hope flickered in Seven’s heart—yes, surely Lady Emilia approved of her, and Lady Vivi approved of her. That human, Xia Yan, was the one who was wrong; killing him was the right thing to do.

"Come with me," Vivi said, looking down at Seven with pity. "My Lady has some words she wishes to speak with you alone."