262 I Shall Give Up On the Heavens, But Not On My Beloved (1/2)
Ye Gu Han's sword had shot out and pierced the armpit of the black-clothed man whose sword had pierced his lower abdomen. The black-clad man exerted himself to draw his sword out of Ye Gu Han's body. But, it did not budge. Ye Gu Han was actually using his own muscles to jam that person's long sword!
This was a real fight.
The blood-red sword in that assailant's armpit had started to move upwards within this short pause. The black clothed assailant was scared out of his wits at this. He then made a prompt decision to abandon his sword in Ye Gu Han's abdomen.
He dodged and prevented his entire body from a miserable death of getting slashed into two. Unfortunately, it was already late. His arm didn't receive the luxury of that narrow escape. The blooded sword went forth and separated the arm from his body; and the half of his shoulder. The sword went a little further and pealed-off the layers of his skin — all the way up to his facial muscles. What was left behind… was terrifying to behold — his white bones were bared; his twisting-worm-like veins could be seen very clearly… along with the wisps of blood that flowed inside them.
This person screamed a blood-curling cry as he retreated; it sounded more beast than human. His eyes were exposing the shock that had been bestowed upon his conscious, ”My hand! My face! Ah!”
However, Ye Gu Han recovered his sword at an incredible speed. He then quickly took advantage of that moment and stabbed again; it was lightning fast.
Ye Gu Han's actions; his lack of hesitation in getting hit by the enemy — it had all been for this one moment.
This one blow…
Ye Gu Han knew that his strength wouldn't hold out in a drawn-out battle. He knew that he wouldn't be able to face the combined strength of these five Sky Xuan assailants. Therefore, all he could was fight with everything he had. However, Ye Gu Han was a very experienced fighter. Anyone could tell that all five of them were Sky Xuan experts. But, he could clearly sense that the Xuan Qi of two of his enemies was unstable. He could sense that they had sustained serious injuries in the past and hadn't healed yet.
He himself was now a spent force. So, the most he could do was take the two of them down with him. However, the remaining three attackers were in good condition. Therefore, he couldn't be as sure about dealing with them. Therefore, those two injured enemies were his primary targets. In fact, they were his only targets.
Ye Gu Han's sword stabbed him repeatedly. But, the palms of one of the enemies hit his chest. He was happy that he had dealt such a blow to the enemy, but hadn't expected that his own ribs would be shattered. However, his chest now resembled a whirlpool as it sucked in the enemy's palms, and held them in place.
That person was aware of the danger and was vigorously tried to free himself from Ye Gu Han's grasp. He was about to succeed when a cold light rose from Ye Gu Han's sword, and made its way towards his chest.
The sword of death!
A blood curling scream escaped that man's mouth as he desperately tried to evade the oncoming attack. But Ye Gu Han's sword swooped-up in a moment, and pierced him right up to its hilt; it didn't pierce his heart. However, the Xuan Qi attached to that sword left his five frail visceral points in shambles!
However, Ye Gu Han had finally run out of steam now. He had stuck his sword into his enemy's chest, but didn't have the strength to draw it out this time.
One of his remaining opponents bellowed. However, Ye Gu Han didn't even have the strength to pull his sword out. His right hand was cut-off by his enemy's sword. But surprisingly, no blood flowed out of that wound — the blood in his body had already flowed out by now!
His face was reveled in a mocking smile. Yet, his eyes were still full of tender affection as he looked in a particular direction…
… the direction of the Imperial palace;
One of the black clad people leapt-up and kicked Ye Gu Han hard. His body was sent flying-up in the air. Ye Gu Han fell down heavily. But still, Ye Gu Han stubbornly turned his body over. Suddenly, there was a loud and terrifying sound; the sound of his ribs being crushed. However, there was not a single sign of pain on his face.
His eyes had never so proud before; neither had they ever been so desolate…
They were full of inexhaustible gentleness and yearning…
Not a lot remained of his life, yet he couldn't see his beloved. So, looking at the place where she resided… the direction in which she was… would have to do…
He had hidden his feelings for a long time, but all of them came gushing out. [I think of you, Xiu Xiu! I think of you! I… think of… you…]
Ye Gu Han's mind was suddenly hit by an incomparably-bight light, and many memories from the past started flooding it. He was already in a state of trance, but these images inside his mind were lifelike; this dream seemed real. And then, he heard a gentle voice. It was lightly reading a small poem again and again. It seemed to go on endlessly; like a tiny thing that was floating in a vast area — it was just like a dream.
[Don't regret such deep affection,]
[I willingly fall and wither into loneliness;]
[The regret of my beloved can haunt an eternity,]
[I shall give up on the heavens, but not on my beloved.]
These were the parting verses which Ye Gu Han had written for Murong Xiu Xiu; eighteen years ago.
[I shall give up on the heavens, but not on my beloved.]
[I shall give up on the heavens, but not on my beloved.]
Ye Gu Han couldn't speak. However, his lips still opened and closed slightly. And if one were to pay close attention, they would notice that he was repeating the last line of that poem.
[Xiu Xiu, I had left eighteen years ago, and I lost you forever. I had left you with this poem… And you cried incessantly as you read the last verse. I remember to this day… the way your long hair was disheveled in the wind then…
[Now, I'm leaving once again. And I will never return after I leave this time. You may become aware later… that just like before… I was recalling the last lines of that poem in my final moments…]