Chapter 100 - Meeting An Old Friend (2/2)

*

Multicolored Leaf Forest

Two youths were walking under the night sky inside the heart of the forest. Beside them were a large albino buffalo carrying a small spider and a small snake. Above them, a little bee was flying happily in the air.

”This is where I, Ye, and Xing were born and lived for most of our lives. Mother had built a spiderweb house, not much different from the one present at the sect, just a little smaller. We used to spend our days training in the morning. After lunch, we could play a little, and then we had to listen to lessons on human civilization. After Mother thought we were at a sufficient level of understanding about human society, she let us go to the village not too far from here. After that, we alternated between the village and the forest. I would have liked to show you our old house. Unfortunately, we had to destroy it in order not to leave traces of us.” Hei explained with a melancholy tone.

The Multicolored Leaf Forest was where it all started — the location where he had met his mother and his little sisters. Only by standing there, a myriad of memories had begun to flood his mind.

Lian at his side took his hand and said.

”It's all alright. As long as you keep the memory of it, it never really disappeared, right?”

At Lian's words, Hei smiled and slightly increased his grip on Lian's hand. Yes, she was right. Nothing was wholly destroyed as long as its memory was preserved.

”Well then, there is one person I have to meet. Ye, Xing, do you want to come with me? ”

'Big Brother? Wait, do you mean-?' Asked in unison the two little spirit beasts.

”Yes, I'm talking about Lei Lei. I'd like to say goodbye before leaving and apologize because it's likely we won't see each other again. Besides, I would also like to see my teacher, Lei Bai.”

Ye and Xing nodded their heads and left Shui's back, climbing Hei's body.

”Lian, stay with Mi and Shui. It won't take long. We'll come back to you quickly.”

With this, Hei started running as fast as he could and was swallowed up by the forest vegetation.

*

In a house on the outer edge of the Leaf Village, a young woman with a simple but elegant appearance was resting deeply on her bed. To her chest, she held a thick book with illustrations and writings that filled every edge of the pages. It was Le Lei; the first human being Hei had met in his life.

”As always, you study a lot. I'm sorry to come here so secretly. But if I met you, I would end up making you suffer. Furthermore, I still don't feel like talking openly about my mother's death. But be serene, I haven't forgotten the promise I made to you - I won't forget you. So, don't forget about yours. Continue with your life and live proud of who you are and what you do. Farewell, Lei Lei. Thank you for welcoming us into your home and your life.”

Hei then left a bouquet of forget-me-nots flowers and a space ring on the bedside table next to Lei Lei's bed. Within the space ring, there were multiple resources. With those, Lei Lei and Lei Bai could develop spirit power, although it would be difficult for them to cultivate beyond the first stage. But the mere fact of having awakened it would help them a lot.

”So, you came back, boy.”

A gruff voice sounded silently behind him. Turning around, Hei could see Lei Bai staring at him and telling him to go outside. He didn't want to wake Lei Lei with the sound of their voices.

After leaving, Bai took two chairs and placed them on the ground and motioned for Hei to sit down.

”So came back, boy. And yet, you leave again without saying goodbye.”

At his words, Hei could only bow and apologize.

”I'm sorry I didn't want to disturb you. I wanted to see you one last time before leaving the Rainbow Island.”

”Leaving the Rainbow Island? Boy, look up and stare into my eyes.”

Hei did as much as Lei Bai requested and looked him straight in the eye.

”I see. Now I understand everything. So, your mother is dead, right?”

At Lei Bai's words, Hei's body froze. He never imagined that Lei Bai could understand that only from a glance.

”Yes. It is as you say. How did you know? ”

”It is simple. I also had the same look when my wife died. Since your sisters are with you, the only reason is that your mother died then. Ah... poor boy. I know exactly how you feel, and I won't tell you useless words of encouragement. I'll just tell you what I know. It hurts; it hurts like hell. It is a wound that can never heal. But even so, you still have someone to protect, don't you? Continue to walk and don't look back. Even if you fail and fall, you must continue. Even when everything seems black and hopeless. Because one day, someone will come to help you escape the tunnel of sadness and depression. I know it well. That person was you for me.

Even though I had Lei Lei, I felt guilty inside me. Since I am not as powerful as martial artists or wealthy, I couldn't save her mother, nor could I give her the life she deserves. She was the only reason I stayed alive, but at the same time, it was also what kept me anchored in the remorse of the past. That is ugly for a father to say, but it is the truth. Fortunately, you came. You and your little sisters. You have brought a breath of joy into our home and our lives. It is why I will be grateful to you for my whole life, not just for saving us that night. But as I was saved, you too will be saved. Therefore, continue on your way. If possible, don't get dragged down by the mistakes and remorse of the past. Break those chains and move on.”

When you Lei Bai finished speaking, he got Hei out of the chair. Then, with his right fist, he hit Hei's chest, where the boy's heart was located.

”Run, run to the top of this world, and don't stop.”

”Thank you, master, thank you for everything. I will never forget what you told me. ”

With this, Hei did what Lei Bai said and set off towards the Multicolored Leaf Forest toward Lian, Shui, and Mi.

”You are awake, aren't you?” Asked Bai without turning around.

”Yes,” answered a soft voice behind him. It was Lei Lei who had woken up from her sleep.

”It is so typical of him to leave without saying goodbye. He didn't even notice that I was awake all the time, stupid.”

”You could have greeted him then. Why?”

”That's okay. It's the decision Hei made. I wanted to respect his desire. Our roads are not meant to continue together, but it doesn't matter. It's enough for me to have been close to him for at least a while. His place isn't here but at the end of this world.”

She looked at Hei's back in the distance with a warm smile. On her chest, she clutched the bouquet of blue forget-me-nots flowers, which reminded her of the moments spent together and that they would never live together again.