Tokyo people don't talk about Wude

Chapter 449, Section 446: The King of Love and Death

Within the core data space of Izanami, Xiao Jing's body was covered in cracks like a porcelain doll, her figure flickering between light and shadow, as if she might shatter and vanish at any moment.

Do you believe in Gensokyo?
"Yes": ■■■■□□□□□□□
"Not needed": ■■■■■■□□□□
As more and more people choose to resist, the willpower gathered through the core also rises.

As the bridge connecting the wish-gathering hub and the Crimson Ash, Xiao Jing is enduring immense pressure. She must keep her mind and consciousness in an overclocked state to barely withstand it.

Do you believe in Gensokyo?
"Yes": ■■■□□□□□□□
"Not needed": ■■■■■■■□□□
"Ouch, it hurts so much!"

As her willpower grew stronger, Xiao Jing began to lose her senses, constantly sobbing softly, her eyes brimming with tears behind her black-rimmed glasses.

As Kagari Night Sound said, "collecting willpower to revive Red Ash" is a plan that is very likely to end in vain.

Regardless of whether the theory of "resurrection by willpower" is feasible, and whether Hong Zhongjin really intends to be resurrected and fight again, Xiao Jing, who serves as the "bridge," is already unable to withstand such a massive amount of energy.

The power of her will ravaged her spirit like a raging flood, and the excruciating pain relentlessly eroded her sanity. The cracks on her body grew denser and denser, as if she would crumble and scatter at any moment.
She didn't even know why she was still persisting; she was almost unable to think anymore, and the thought of begging for mercy kept echoing in her mind.

Perhaps her current state is like being electrocuted; even on the verge of despair, she is unable to move and can only helplessly feel the surging, raging energy destroying every cell in her body.

Do you believe in Gensokyo?
"Yes": ■■□□□□□□□□
"Not needed": ■■■■■■■■□□
"Awoooo ...

She couldn't help but scream shrilly, her eyes rolled back, and tears streamed down her face.

Countless tiny fragments detached from her body, and her data entity began to collapse.

"Crack-!"

At this crucial moment, the dim light in her palm suddenly burst forth with dazzling light.

A strong, powerful hand emerged from the light—and then, as if performing a contortionist escape, a tall, robust young man squeezed his way out of the light.

He pulled Xiao Jing into his arms and reached out with his other hand to catch the swarming starlight of wishes.

"."

Xiao Jing, who was on the verge of collapse, suddenly felt a lightness in her body, and then felt someone hug her, a warm and reassuring touch spreading throughout her body.

After a moment of surprise, she looked up and saw that the person embracing her was a dashing and otherworldly young man who looked like a celestial being.

The young man had long, black hair that flowed freely in the wind. His face was ordinary but upright and strong. His star-like eyes were deep and captivating, and a light, breezy smile played on his lips.

"Brother Chengcheng, waaaaah—!" Xiao Jing was stunned for a moment, then his face turned red, his eyes welled up with tears, and he panicked so much that his glasses fell off.

Although she knew this wasn't the time for romance, and although she had become a data entity and shouldn't theoretically have such strong emotions, she still felt this way.
But at this moment, her heartstrings were still tugged by the fluttering of the deer, stirring up a series of restless noises.

"Wait a moment." Hong Zhongjin didn't look at Xiao Jing, but continued to concentrate on absorbing the power of wishes.

Xiao Jing lowered her head shyly, not daring to move, and could only whisper, "Okay, okay, Brother Cheng."

Do you believe in Gensokyo?
"Yes": ■□□□□□□□□□
"Not needed": ■■■■■■■■■□
The number of stars in the sky dwindled until they became countable to the naked eye—Red Ash knew this was the limit of collecting willpower.

He reached out and absorbed the remaining starlight, then squeezed his hand, and the last starlight in his palm immediately exploded, turning into fragments that scattered in all directions.

"Not bad power." Fully feeling the surging new energy within him, Hong Zhongjin felt like a race car with the accelerator fully depressed, ready to launch at any moment.

"Whether it's Kagari Otonashi or you, you're both incredibly bold! To actually gamble on my survival like this, haha! It's truly hilarious!"

Xiao Jing nestled helplessly in his arms, only able to ask in embarrassment, "Wa Cheng, Brother Cheng... could you... let me go first?"

At this moment, Xiao Jing had been embraced by Hong Zhongjin for an unknown amount of time. Although this was in the "data world," it was still a beautiful dream she had never dared to imagine in her entire life.

Moreover, probably because he absorbed the power of will, all the corpse spots and traces of the living corpse on Hong Zhongjin's body disappeared, and he turned back into the warm-hearted brother who could not be called handsome but was definitely right in her good zone.

Hong Zhongjin, however, seemed unfazed, gently lowering his eyes: "What's wrong? You were just saying you liked me, but now you're resisting me?"

"Wow...no, no." Recalling her heartfelt confession just now, Xiao Jing's face turned bright red again, and steam billowed from her head.

She never expected that Cheng-ge, who used to seem indifferent to love and even a little heartless, would become so sentimental!
"Actually, you've liked me for a long time, haven't you?" Hong Zhongjin smiled contentedly, recalling the past:
"But back then, none of you dared to tell me openly. It was because I had once stated my requirements for a partner: I wanted my girlfriend to be at least 60% as capable as me, to prevent her from being in danger because of me."

"But now, I find those words naive, arrogant, foolish, and even extremely irresponsible!" "If a woman is completely devoted to me and truly loves me, and I don't mind exchanging my heart with her, then I should have a thousand ways to protect her, keep her from danger and pain, and make her happy for the rest of her life. If I can't do that, it only proves that I am an incompetent man who doesn't understand love!"

"Rejecting and refusing a woman's love because you're afraid you can't protect her. Hahaha, what a childish excuse only a coward would use!"

"And I, Hong Zhongjin, hereby swear that I will never again betray anyone who loves me or anyone I love! Everyone!!!"

Hong Zhongjin's gaze met Xiao Jing's, deep yet unrestrained, his words utterly devoid of any jest:

"Zuo Jingtang, I've heard your confession. Since that's the case, I must give you my answer!"

"I, Red Ash, love you too!"

"Eek—!" Xiao Jing's eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with both hands, letting out a soft moan like steam.

Despite being in a data state, she felt her heart pounding wildly, and her mind was so full of honey that she couldn't think straight, with only the word "love" echoing endlessly in her head.

"Xiao Jing, you are so devoted to me, even willing to pay such a deadly price for me," Hong Zhongjin continued his confession.

"I felt this love, and it deeply moved me! From this day forward, you are my love. I will do everything in my power to ensure you live in a world filled with peace, happiness, and love!"

After making a resounding oath, Hong Zhongjin asked softly:
"Xiao Jing, if I make this promise, will you still be willing to love me wholeheartedly?"

With her vision blurred, Xiao Jing no longer knew how she managed to answer, "I do!"

"Very good, this promise is enough~" Hong Zhongjin gently stroked Xiao Jing's head:
"Unfortunately, now is not the time to enjoy beautiful love. I have something important to do. It's something only I can do."

Xiao Jing, with her gentle eyes and limp body, lay in the young man's arms and said tenderly, "Yes, Brother Cheng, I'll wait for you."

"Alright! But before that, I'll take you back first." Hong Zhongjin stroked Xiao Jing's face with his thumb again; her fair skin was covered with cracks like broken porcelain, which was quite heartbreaking.

"You've suffered so much from this injury."

"Hmm~ It's okay." Xiao Jing squinted her eyes and asked in a sweet voice, "Brother Cheng, can I still go back?"

"Hehe, don't underestimate me!" Hong Zhongjin laughed heartily.
"I have Kagari Otonashi's memories, so I naturally know what she's up to. She's right, your chances of regaining consciousness are slim to none, especially without my help!"

"Can Brother Chengcheng really do it?" Xiao Jing was so happy she could hardly breathe.

"You're my woman, how could I not do it?!" Hong Zhongjin flicked her nose with his thumb: "Xiao Jing, close your eyes and relax!"

"Mmm!" Xiao Jing closed her eyes and waited quietly, like a shy girl waiting for a kiss.

As Hong Zhongjin gathered his energy, a stream of "true energy" transformed from his willpower struck Xiao Jing's chest.

"goodbye--!"

With a single palm strike, Xiao Jing's body rapidly retreated and disappeared into this data space.

Looking in the direction Xiao Jing had left, Hong Zhongjin frowned, his carefree smile vanishing.

In order to help him transmit his will, Xiao Jing's soul endured an excessive amount of energy, and the countless cracks on her data body are proof of the damage to her soul.

Even though Hong Zhongjin could use his soul energy to send her back to her body, the damage to her soul could not be easily healed.

She might suffer significant long-term effects after returning home; I can only wish her good luck.

If given the chance in the future, Hong Zhongjin would be willing to do anything to heal her. But right now, he has more important things to do.

He had previously used the energy transmission channel of his will to allow his soul to trace back to the data space of Izanami's core, all to save Xiao Jing's life.

At this moment, he must close his eyes and concentrate, allowing his soul to leave the core and return to his body—that cursed body that also bears the name of a hero!
"Go!" he shouted fiercely, throwing a punch through the air!
Click—click—!
The space began to shatter like glass, as if it could not withstand the force of the punch.

"Stop! Stop!" Hong Zhongjin unleashed two more powerful punches, making the collapse of the data space even more apparent.

Seizing the opportunity, Hong Zhongjin flashed into a rift and disappeared without a trace from this space.

(End of this chapter)