Lu Wuming had done it.
He had flayed Duan Liuyun alive, flesh and blood, a sight of ultimate horror. When only bare bones remained, he did not hesitate, crushing Duan Liuyun's bones to dust, leaving only a pool of blood on the ground.
Having finished, Lu Wuming returned to Liu Buli's side. As if it were any other day, he lay down on the ground, resting his head in Liu Buli's embrace, nuzzling twice before closing his eyes.
He knew the person beside him had no more breath, his body growing cold, devoid of its usual warmth.
But it was alright.
No matter what his master became, he would stay by his master's side. If his master truly could not wake up, if flesh and bone decayed, he would find a place to bury him.
He would choose a place with beautiful scenery, a place his master liked. The tomb would be lit with luminous pearls, bright and clear, so his master would not have to be in darkness.
Then he would choose a coffin, lined with soft material.
His master would lie inside, and he would lie beside his master.
Even if he lived for thousands or tens of thousands of years and never died, it would not matter. He wanted to accompany his master, for as long as it took.
Lu Wuming pictured the scene and felt a warmth spread through his heart. He wanted to smile, for his master had said his smile was his favorite thing. But as he curved his lips, tears fell first.
Clutching Liu Buli's clothes, Lu Wuming could no longer hold back, his voice hoarse and choked with sobs. He whispered, calling out, "Master..."
He called out again and again, knowing that no matter how he called, he would never receive a response. Yet, he could not stop himself, his initial murmurs escalating to a desperate, hoarse cry.
He no longer wanted his master's eyes, nor his master's life. He only wanted this person to live well, to see him smile, to hear his voice, to feel his warmth.
If that was truly impossible, then even if his master abandoned him after waking up, it would not matter.
He just wanted his master to live.
Lu Wuming wept with the deepest sorrow, the blood tears in his eyes ceaseless. His chest ached, a pain so intense he wished he could die.
But he could not die.
He could not even die with his master.
He remembered his master telling him that after death, souls went to the underworld, a place of utter darkness, where one had to queue to cross the Bridge of Forgetfulness before reincarnation.
Was his master in the underworld now?
Was it very dark there?
If there was a queue, would it take a long time to leave?
Lu Wuming's vision blurred with tears as he held Liu Buli's cold body, murmuring, "Master, I beg you, please take me with you. Wuming will accompany you, Wuming wants to be with you..."
There was no reply.
Lu Wuming did not know how long he cried. The last rays of the setting sun vanished, and darkness descended.
And in this darkness, he heard footsteps approaching the small courtyard.
Lu Wuming stopped crying.
Gently, he placed Liu Buli, whom he had been holding, back on the ground. His fingers transformed into sharp blades, and he turned to face the entrance.
He could sense that the approaching person was powerful.
But having just devoured Duan Liuyun's despair and pain, he should not be weaker than the newcomer.
Lu Wuming had made up his mind.
If that person dared to harm his master, he would fight them to the death.
Ideally, they would kill him, chop him up, and burn him. Like in his past life, then he could go and accompany his master, so his master would not be afraid alone by the Bridge of Forgetfulness.
With this thought, a flicker of anticipation and tenderness appeared in Lu Wuming's dead-like eyes. He pursed his lips, then stroked Liu Buli's cheek. The footsteps had already reached the entrance.
Following them were the sounds of two people talking—
"Are you sure Duan Liuyun is a bad guy? He's the most promising senior of the Sword Sect. If I kill the wrong person, our Sect Leader will kill me when we get back."
"You can trust me absolutely. I've told you so much, and none of it has been wrong. Besides, your Sect Leader isn't exactly a saint either, you..."
"Shh—don't speak yet. The smell of blood in the courtyard is too strong. You should hide; it might be dangerous."
As the words fell, the two fell silent.
Lu Wuming stood up, remaining in his spot, guarding his master, not taking a single step away.
He watched as the two reached the courtyard entrance and saw the oil lamp in the hand of the person in front. The flame in the lamp flickered, and Lu Wuming clearly saw the person's face.
His pupils contracted sharply, and a smile spread across Lu Wuming's face.
Heaven must have heard his plea.
He saw the man who had brought about his death in his previous life.
The man was tall and handsome, resembling the "ideal man" his master often spoke of. But when Lu Wuming saw him, there was no jealousy or envy as he might have expected, only intense pleasure.
If it was him, he had killed him once before; he could probably kill him again.
Lu Wuming's eyes were filled with excitement and anticipation as he walked towards the man.
Before he could make any further move, the other person, a youth with large, cute eyes following behind the man, cried out in surprise, "Lu Wuming! Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at the Pill Sect? You..."
The youth seemed to realize he had said too much and quickly covered his mouth.
Lu Wuming frowned.
He had never seen the youth before, nor did he understand what he was talking about.
Like him, the man turned back and asked, "And who is this? Another key character from your novel? You say his name is Lu Wuming? How perfunctory can an author be to come up with such a name?"
"Ah, there's a reason for that, it's hard to explain right now," the youth waved his hand, brushing it off vaguely. Then he continued, "I originally planned for you to kill Duan Liuyun, and then go to the Pill Sect to save him. But he's here, so I..."
The youth scratched his head, hesitating.
After a pause, he seemed to have thought of a solution and flashed a bright smile at Lu Wuming. He said, "Lu Wuming, don't be afraid. We're here to save you, you..."
"No need," Lu Wuming replied flatly.
He didn't need anyone to save him; his world had already ended.
Raising his hand, he pointed at the two with the blades on his fingertips and said, word by word, "Kill me, or I kill all of you. You choose."