Chapter 263 - Confession (1/2)

*Xu Qing's reference image posted in authors note*

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Bai 'flew' through the air soundlessly, touching the ground beneath for only an instant before jumping off again. Black clouds covered the sky above, threatening to burst open any second.

Xu Qing's eyes were closed shut and her grip around Hao Xuan's shirt was so tight that it turned her knuckles white.

She, who had always been cool and collected, had finally lost her composure for the first time in years due to the events of the last hour.

As her head rested against Hao Xuan's chest, she could feel his heartbeat through his shirt. It sounded like the muffled beating of a drum, slowly increasing in rhythm. And that was when she realized that he was probably more nervous than her.

So she remained silent and trusted him, listening only to the beating of his heart as the cold night air brushed her hair.

10 or so minutes later Bai came to a stop.

Xu Qing slightly raised her head and sent out her Spiritual sense' to get an idea of the surroundings. Hao Xuan felt the oh-so-familiar feeling of being scanned and chuckled.

”Can you see?” he whispered gently, making her falter.

She hid her flushed face in his embrace once again, shaking her head once.

Hao Xuan looked up at the double story building a few dozen meters away, letting out a deep sigh.

”This is where I first lived. Just for a little while, when I got here.”

”...when you got...here?” she repeated without looking up.

She didn't need to 'see' with her eyes and instead had already perceived the surroundings. The two large structures, one empty on the inside, probably a warehouse or stable, and the other a small mansion.

She felt the presence of the seven individuals inside the mansion sitting around the table. A table with eight chairs, one still reserved for someone.

Hao Xuan continued, an air of melancholy surrounding him.

”Mhm. I cam- or rather, was brought here from another world more than 2 years ago now. A world where things like dragons and giants only existed in folktales and children's fairytales. Those people, they gave me, a complete stranger, a place I could call home when I didn't know what to think.”

”And for that, I will be grateful to them for as long as I breathe. It was just a few months but it felt like an entire lifetime.”

Hao Xuan could see the Khan family sitting around the dinner table, laughing. Unknowingly a smile had also crept upon his face.

”So many things happened. Miraculous things. Or so I thought. But it was just my limited view of the world. I thought I was so special, but after getting to know about the other kingdoms and vastness of the universe, I felt so small.”

He peered down at Xu Qing who felt an unknown power lifting her head to meet his eyes.

”I don't want to be the strongest or the best. I just want to be happy. To be content. So when the angels of death come to take me, I can proudly say that I lived a good life. A fulfilling life.”

His voice became somber. Xu Qing opened her mouth to speak but he gently placed a finger before her pursed lips to hush her.

”Let me say this, because I don't think I will ever have the courage to say it again. I know this wasn't what you expected. Being sent to a foreign place through no fault of your own, having to live a life of a commoner. Probably not what you wanted right?”

A helpless, wry smile made its way across his lips. Hesitation apparent on his face.

”I...can give you your old life back, but...I don't want to. I want to be selfish, just this once. I like you, and want to get to know you better, if you will let me. You can go back, or stay with me. It's completely your choice and I won't force you in any way. You don't have to worry about anything if you do decide to go back. No one will ever do anything to you, I can promise that. But...if you stay....well...”

Hao Xuan couldn't find any appropriate words to make his case. Xu Qing didn't do or say anything either and patiently waited for him.

He fumbled around until a sentence finally formed in his mind. With determined eyes, he gazed at her eyes once again. Her hair moved with a gust of wind as a ray of heavenly moonlight tore through the blanket of darkness above and fell upon them.