Truth be told, Lu Wuming's memories weren't entirely complete. He knew Liu Buli was incredibly important to him, but he couldn't recall the specifics of their past.
Yet, the moment Liu Buli asked, Lu Wuming felt as if he'd been struck by lightning. Forgotten memories surged, and even if other details remained hazy, he instantly knew the answer to Liu Buli's question.
Nodding with utmost speed, Lu Wuming earnestly promised again, "I'll make a sun for you, exactly like the one in the cultivation world. The ghost realm will be forever bright, and no one will ever know it's fake, not even you."
Upon hearing his unhesitating reply, Liu Buli couldn't help but laugh. He tightened his grip on Lu Wuming's hand and pulled him forward. As they walked, he chuckled, "I'll remember your words. If you can't do it, I won't be friends with you anymore."
His words were clearly meant as a joke.
But Lu Wuming took them to heart.
He had to create the sun Liu Buli desired, or he would despise himself, even if Liu Buli never brought it up.
Each lost in their own thoughts, they reached the mountain peak outside the sect. Before they could enter, Liu Buli's eyes fell upon a blazing sea of fire.
Raising an eyebrow, he strode closer.
Shen Muzhi stood with his back to them, blocking the disciples and hall masters. You Siqi, however, stood obediently nearby. Seeing Liu Buli and Lu Wuming approach, he quickly ran to Liu Buli's side. He first looked into Liu Buli's eyes, then at the coffin he carried. Finally, a sad expression crossed his face as he asked, "Is this... Yunxiang?"
Liu Buli nodded and softly replied.
He didn't rush forward but placed the coffin on the ground beside them. Then, he gestured to You Siqi and said, "Keep her company for a while. I'll go clean up the sect. I brought her back. You're always so boisterous, don't let her feel lonely."
With that, Liu Buli walked towards the sea of flames.
You Siqi looked at his retreating back with a complex expression, then shifted his gaze back to the coffin. He finally let out a long sigh, reached out to touch the coffin's heavy lid, and then murmured, "Welcome home. I'm sorry I took so long to pick you up."
For the next while, You Siqi earnestly conversed with the coffin. Just as Liu Buli had said, he was naturally a chatterbox. If Yunxiang's soul had truly returned with Liu Buli, with You Siqi's incessant prattling beside her, Yunxiang certainly wouldn't feel alone.
As Liu Buli approached the raging inferno, he saw Shen Muzhi fighting several disciples. Those individuals clearly wanted to escape his confinement, but with Shen Muzhi guarding them, none could truly break free.
Noticing Liu Buli's approach, the struggling disciples immediately stopped. They couldn't even defeat Shen Muzhi, and with Liu Buli now present, they stood no chance.
Besides...
If it wasn't an illusion, everyone could sense that Liu Buli was far from normal. His blood-red eyes alone were terrifying enough.
Patting Shen Muzhi's shoulder, Liu Buli said softly, "As a physician who heals and saves, don't get your hands dirty. You've done well by holding them back here. You can step aside now."
Perhaps it was due to the many experiences they had shared, their relationship had evolved from what it was initially. As a result, facing the protagonist now, Liu Buli no longer harbored the thought of dragging him into darkness.
If possible, he wished Shen Muzhi could remain pure and clean. He didn't need to be exposed to darkness, just like in the novel... no, he should live a life even brighter and more brilliant than in the novel, as the grand protagonist he was meant to be.
However, despite his thoughts, Shen Muzhi, as the person involved, didn't appreciate it at all. He showed no intention of moving aside, remaining rooted in his spot. He said, "Liu Buli, don't think that just because something happened, you can push me away. I've killed before. I don't do it often, but that doesn't mean I won't. When we became friends, didn't we agree? If one day it came to this, I would stand on your side. I wasn't joking when I said that, and I'm not now."
He paused for a moment. Fearing Liu Buli would continue to reject his words, Shen Muzhi added, "Also, while Yunxiang is your disciple, she's my friend too. Ao Lie is my patient, and I've been taking care of him since we left Shuicheng. Moreover, if it weren't for protecting me and Siqi, they wouldn't have faced this. I, Shen Muzhi, am not ungrateful. The things you intend to do for them, I can do with you. No, I *must* do them with you, understand?"
In the flickering firelight, their eyes met.
Shen Muzhi had expected to have a long discussion with Liu Buli before he would relent.
But to his surprise, after a moment of silence, Liu Buli smiled at him and nodded gently. He said, "Then let's start now. Whoever took what they shouldn't have, whoever betrayed the Dan Sect. I know who did it, but I never intended to purge the sect on such a large scale before. Those who haven't done detestable things, I can let them leave. As for those scumbags who harmed their fellow disciples..."
Shen Muzhi raised his sword. Though he said nothing, the surrounding flames burned even more intensely than before.
He needed no words; Liu Buli understood.
This was a silent declaration that, given a target, he would strike without hesitation.