CHAPTER 64: THE GUILT OF ONE, THE PAIN OF OTHER.

ORIGINAL Author: Chaos

SPINOFF Author: Vester

The atmosphere in front of the Barrier building was tense, with Ye Xinxia locked in a desperate struggle to convince the soldier to let her pass.

“Why won’t you listen to me?!” Ye Xinxia’s voice echoed through the air, filled with desperation and pleading. She had been arguing with the soldier for what felt like an eternity, her heart pounding with fear and anxiety.

“I’m sorry, miss, but I can’t let you through. Please, try to understand,” the soldier replied, his tone firm but compassionate. He knew the gravity of the situation, but he had his orders to follow.

Tears welled up in Ye Xinxia’s eyes as she dropped to her knees, her hands clasped in front of her in a gesture of supplication. “Please, my brother went outside the Safety Shelter to find our father. I just saw him, after waiting for six days. Please, I beg of you, send someone to find him. I can’t bear to lose him again, I can’t…”

The people around them began to take notice of the emotional scene unfolding before them. A girl in a wheelchair, pleading for the life of her brother, tugged at their heartstrings.

They watched in silence, some with pity in their eyes, others with a sense of helplessness. They knew the pain of loss all too well, having endured the horrors of the calamity for far too long.

As Ye Xinxia begged and pleaded, the soldier’s resolve wavered. He knew he was being harsh, but he also knew that allowing her inside would set a dangerous precedent. He had to stand firm, no matter how difficult it was.

“Please, just this once…” Ye Xinxia’s voice trailed off, her strength failing her. Her head sank to the cold hard concrete, tears streaming down her face.

The soldier hesitated, torn between his duty and his compassion, but he remained resolute. “I’m truly sorry, but I can’t make any exceptions. I have to follow protocol,” he explained, his voice filled with regret.

“…”

“… To hell with this,” Ye Xinxia muttered under her breath, her voice filled with frustration and determination. She knew she couldn’t wait any longer. Every moment lost was a moment closer to losing her brother forever.

After enduring six days of torment, waiting for her brother Mo Fan and their father Mo Jiaxing amidst the chaos of the calamity, Ye Xinxia reached her breaking point.

She couldn't bear another moment of the agonizing suffocation that came with uncertainty. The mere sight of her brother in this chaotic mess felt like a miracle within a nightmare.

But just as despair threatened to consume her, a glimmer of hope appeared on the horizon.

Three pairs of fiery wings blazed across the sky, followed by a squadron of forty Heavenly Eagles landing on the rooftop of the Barrier building. It could only mean one thing – Commander Zhankong and his elite army had returned triumphant after slaying the monstrous Darkwing Wolf, The Commander-class Monster and the leader of the wolf monsters currently invading the city.

\\\\\WUUUUOOOHHH/////

The people erupted into cheers and applause as they spotted their saviours on the rooftop. Many words of gratitude echoed for them.

But amidst the celebration, something even more extraordinary unfolded before their eyes.

WHOOSH~

With a whoosh, two intricately beautiful golden butterfly wings burst forth from Ye Xinxia's back.

“What the—" The soldier guarding the entrance was dumbfounded, his jaw dropping in awe as he stumbled and fell to the ground in shock.

The ethereal golden glow of the Magic Wings shimmering in the night light of the city, combined with Ye Xinxia's beautiful feature and graceful presence, captivated everyone who laid eyes on her.

SWOOSH!!

The Magic Wings beat as she ascended into the sky, and with a swoosh of her wings, a fluorescent blue line trailed behind her as she flew away in the direction of the rooftop!!

In the blink of an eye, Ye Xinxia floated over the rooftop, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and determination.

Zhankong and Commander Liu, being Super Mages, had already sensed her approach and were staring in her direction.

“That girl… she was with Mo Fan at Yu Ang’s birthday party…” Zhankong murmured, his eyes narrowing slightly in recognition.

“You know her?” Commander Liu asked, her gaze shifting between Zhankong and Ye Xinxia.

“I do… kind of,” Zhankong replied cryptically, his mind racing with thoughts of the young man who had impressed him before.

The distinguished individuals of Bo City present at the rooftop immediately recognized Ye Xinxia. They had seen her before at the glorious coming-of-age party of the Mu Clan, where she had been with Mo Fan.

The soldiers, on the other hand, were on high alert, their magic at the ready, unsure of what to expect from the flying girl.

“Everyone stand down, that’s an order!” Zhankong commanded, and the soldiers reluctantly withdrew their magic, obeying his authority.

As Ye Xinxia landed on the rooftop, she collapsed on the concrete, her beautiful wings disappearing. Zhankong watched her closely. He didn’t offer a helping hand, but his eyes betrayed a hint of curiosity.

“Little girl, I’m pretty sure you know, but this place is off-limits to civilians—”

“Xinxia?!” Zhankong was cut off mid-sentence by a familiar yet unexpected voice.

Mu Ningxue, who had been sitting beside her father ever since Mo Fan left, finally moved. She hurried over to Ye Xinxia, her expression a mix of surprise and concern.

“Ningxue…” Ye Xinxia turned her head towards the familiar voice, tears already welling up in her eyes.

Mu Ningxue immediately enveloped Ye Xinxia in a warm hug, her heart aching at the sight of her friend’s distress. Ye Xinxia, overwhelmed by emotion, broke down into tears, her body trembling with each sob.

As Ye Xinxia cried in anguish, Mu Ningxue’s heart clenched with guilt..

She also felt a wave of relief wash over her at the sight of Ye Xinxia, understanding now the gravity of Mo Fan’s situation.

The thought of losing her own family in such a calamity terrified her, and she felt guilty for not heeding Mo Fan’s warnings earlier, realizing that her actions had put his family in danger.

Ye Xinxia’s tears were relentless, her words choked with sorrow. She seemed so fragile, like a lost child in need of comfort. Mu Ningxue gently rubbed her back, offering what little solace she could, before carefully lifting her and placing her on a nearby bench.

“Uugh… Ningxue! Brother Mo Fan… he… *Sob*” Ye Xinxia’s words were choked with emotion as she tried to explain the reason for her tears.

“Xinxia…” Mu Ningxue’s voice was soft, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears. She held Ye Xinxia close, offering what comfort she could in that moment.

As Ye Xinxia cried, her tears falling like rain, a crowd began to gather around them, their curiosity piqued by the emotional scene unfolding before them.

“There, there, don’t cry anymore,” Mu Ningxue murmured, her voice soothing.

“No!! That’s not it! Brother *Sob* Hic.. Brother Mo Fan, he went out of the safe zone again to find dad… Please, you have to bring him back!!” Ye Xinxia’s words were desperate, her voice pleading as she clutched at Zhankong’s sleeve.

“What?!” Mu Ningxue’s eyes widened in shock, her grip on Ye Xinxia tightening.

“I can’t lose him again… please, if anything happened to him, I can’t bear it anymore, please bring him back, please I beg of you please!!” Ye Xinxia’s voice cracked with emotion, her words a heartfelt plea to save her brother.

After Ye Xinxia’s heartfelt plea, a sombre silence fell over the rooftop. Only broken by her sobbing sounds.

Mu Ningxue was shaken to the core. She never imagined Mo Fan would risk everything to find his family outside the Safety Shelter.

“Y-you mean to say, Uncle Mo Jiaxing is still outside the Safety Shelter…” Her voice trembled, betraying her shock and disbelief.

To be honest, not even a peak Intermediate Mage like her could survive the calamity for six consecutive days outside the Safety of the barrier, much less an old ordinary civilian…

It was a harsh truth, but Mu Ningxue knew deep down that Mo Jiaxing was likely no longer alive.

She understood Mo Fan’s intellect well enough to know that he must have also realized the grim truth. Yet… he was unwilling to accept it and that’s why he went into the maws of death literally to rescue his already dead family member…

Mu Ningxue’s heart clenched with guilt as memories of the past flooded her mind. She remembered vividly the pain she had caused Mo Fan and his father, Mo Jiaxing, with her reckless actions years ago.

At the tender age of twelve, she had committed a grave mistake that had repercussions far beyond her understanding at the time. Her father, Mu Zhuoyun, had punished Mo Fan and his family mercilessly, leaving them destitute and broken. The image of Mo Fan’s house in ruins and his father being beaten before her eyes haunted her still.

Despite the turmoil she had caused, Mo Fan had shown her kindness and generosity in recent times. He had helped her discover the truth about her magic bow and offered guidance on her cultivation path. All he had asked for in return was one simple favour, but she had failed to fulfil it.

To compound matters, she recalled her father’s request to Mo Jiaxing just before the calamity struck. It was a seemingly innocent errand to deliver supplies to the Northern Military Post. But now, as she looked at her father’s stunned expression, she realized the gravity of their actions.

The weight of her past mistakes pressed down on her, suffocating her with remorse. She couldn’t bear to face Mo Fan or his family now, knowing the suffering she had caused them. In that moment, she felt the crushing weight of her guilt, knowing that she could never undo the harm she had inflicted.

“Hic… I… told Brother Mo Fan that dad had to deliver some.. Hic… supplies at the Northern Military Post… Hic… right after the day he had to go into…Hic… seclusion at the underground holy spring and in the next moment he just vanished from the spot.” Ye Xinxia’s words further fuelled the turmoil within Mu Ningxue.

She blamed herself for Mo Fan’s predicament, feeling responsible for telling him about the supplies delivery to the Northern Military Post right before he disappeared.

…

MO FAN’S CURRENT PROGRESS.

 CANNOT BE MEASURED

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Hello guys~ 🤗

Vester here 🙋🏻‍♂️

So, I'm sure a lot of folks are wondering why I am not uploading as I used to, well it was because of my internship program at first as I wanted to concentrate more on that as it determines my future of course 😅 and the other was that recently I broke my back during my internship and I was on complete bedrest 🛏️ on doctor's orders. 

But anyways, I am now able to type again so I will continue my uploads at a more frequent pace, and also for all my readers who have stuck with me despite my Tardiness, I'm very appreciative and also very glad that I have readers like you guys! 

I'm very thankful for your wonderful comments and I'm looking forward to write more now as you have decided to put your faith in me as well ❤️ 

I will make sure to see this Novel to its end! So stick around everyone and spread the word~ 😁