Overdraw the future and become a peerless martial god

Chapter 93 If someone remembers you, then you are still alive.
Unaware of what was happening, Chu Ning's fingers dug into her slender shoulders: "Look at me! I'm Chu—"

The words abruptly stopped. The body beneath his palm was disintegrating inch by inch.

Spiderweb-like cracks appeared on the girl's body, her silver hair turned to ash inch by inch, and her spirit collapsed with a bang.

The moment his spirit completely disintegrated, Qingli suddenly raised her hand and lightly stroked his blood-stained cheek.

It has no temperature, no physical form, as if this final tenderness is condensed solely from obsession.

The next moment, a wisp of frost power pierced through the air and quietly embedded itself into the golden seal between his eyebrows.

“Qingli…” Chu Ning murmured, his fingertips still lingering on the spot where she had touched him.

The cold light flashed back, and the fox head pendant suddenly absorbed all the remaining traces.

In an instant, the pendant's eyes flashed with a blood-red light, emitting an eerie glow.

It was icy cold, pressed against his heart, pounding rapidly, like a second heart, bearing all the unspoken emotions and vows he had made.

"Enough... This moment is enough for me to know that the legend of the Azure Palace in the far north—is not a lie!"

He stared at the remaining ice crystals in his palm and suddenly chuckled softly.

The laughter grew increasingly maniacal, and blood-tinged foam spilled from between his teeth:

Even if it means shattering the path to the underworld, I will still bring you back!

Until a ray of dawn pierced the sky, shining straight in through the broken window and into the depths of his pupils.

He suddenly raised his hand, as if to grasp a ray of sunlight.

The light spots danced in his palm, as if transforming into ethereal threads, lingering and tumbling between his fingers, like the girl's last fleeting image.

He stared at the ray of light, his expression suddenly turning serious.

His eyes blazed with fire, as if he wanted to transform even the fleeting light of dust into a ladder to heaven.

The thunder gradually subsided, and silence returned to the surroundings.

As I pushed open the door, the morning light was just right, casting a cool, shimmering glow on the stone steps.

Chu Ning walked slowly, and before he had even stepped out of the courtyard gate, he suddenly heard a soft female laugh faintly coming from the other side of the courtyard wall.

He paused slightly, turned his head to concentrate for a moment, and then slowly turned around to look in the direction of the sound.

That was the corridor and path in the West Garden. On both sides of the stone path, there was a row of winter plum blossoms that had not yet bloomed. When the morning breeze blew, the branches swayed gently, like a ripple on a lake.

Feng Jin, dressed in a light pink dress, walked slowly under the flowers, holding Xie Jinghong's arm.

Xie Jinghong's expression was blank, his eyes were empty, and his steps were stiff, like a puppet that had been forcibly awakened.

But Feng Jin's smile was incredibly genuine. She held his hand while whispering something to him.

Every now and then she would lean down and brush the fallen flowers off his shoulder, her eyes revealing not pity or sadness, but a deep joy and satisfaction.

At that moment, Chu Ning did not step forward, but stood at the corner of the corridor, quietly watching this scene.

He was rarely moved by worldly emotions, but at this moment, a certain indescribable feeling welled up in his heart—a sense of melancholy mixed with a touch of respect.

Even though Xie Jinghong is now a cripple, Feng Jin still regards him as the most important person in her life and has never given up on tenderness and waiting.

Such love truly exists—unconditional, undaunted by fate.

He withdrew his gaze, slowly turned around, and came to the door of Xie Mingli's residence. He knocked twice, but no one answered.

The door was ajar, so he gently pushed it open and went inside.

The room was quiet, the gauze curtains were not rolled up, and wisps of tea smoke rose from the table. Xie Mingli was not in the room, but at the end of the corridor by the window, standing with her back to him.

She also saw the couple walking slowly.

Chu Ning walked closer quietly, taking a few steps, but did not make a sound to disturb her.

Xie Mingli watched quietly for a long time before softly saying:
"He doesn't recognize anyone now, he doesn't know how to speak, and he walks only by his remaining instincts. But she... still accompanies him on walks, talks to him, and basks in the sun."

Her voice was slightly choked, yet still restrained and clear.

“My brother used to pursue her relentlessly, but she didn’t appreciate it. After losing her, she understood the meaning of ‘cherishing’ even more.”

She paused slightly, turned her head to look back, her eyes brimming with tears, but they did not fall.

"I used to think that if a person loses their soul, they have nothing left. But now it seems... as long as someone remembers you and is still willing to hold your hand, you are still alive."

Chu Ning listened quietly without interrupting, but her heart was startled.

Xie Mingli's gaze fell on Feng Jin, a slight smile playing on her lips, but her smile was tinged with regret:

"Between them... it was only her who was persistent."

"Did you sleep well last night?" She looked up at him, her eyes still filled with tenderness.

Chu Ning sat down opposite her, her gaze softening slightly:
"The Ice Crystal Pill you gave me... stabilized several internal injuries I suffered last night, it really works."

Xie Mingli blinked, a slight smile playing on her lips:

"Then hurry up and say thank you!"

Chu Ning smiled and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect:

"Thank you, Marquis Xie, for sending the elixir in the snow; your kindness is like giving me a second life."

"loquacious."

She gave him a reproachful look, then said softly, "After this competition, I'll have my father get more Northern Cold Marrow and have it refined into several batches. With your constitution prone to injury, we need to have some on hand."

Chu Ning gently shook her head:

"The Cold Marrow is rare, so don't go to great lengths for my sake. If I really need it, I can easily make a trip to the far north myself."

Xie Mingli smiled, but a strange emotion flickered in her eyes:

"What a coincidence..."

She paused, looked up at him, and her tone suddenly softened: "This morning, Father sent a message saying that your performance in the Qingyun Arena has been submitted to the imperial court. As soon as the competition ends, the Zhenwu Division will transfer you to the Northern Border to participate in the battle against the beast tide on the front lines."

Chu Ning was taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Xie Mingli said softly:

"The northern border is rife with unpredictable winds and snow, and is plagued by demonic tides year after year. With your skills, you were bound to get there sooner or later... It's just that this step has come sooner than I expected."

Chu Ning lowered his head, remained silent for a moment, and finally said:
"I see."

She smiled, her eyes dimming slightly.
"It can be considered a reward. You have gained the approval of the Zhenwu Division, and Father said that you can enter the secret vault to choose a weapon."

Chu Ning raised an eyebrow:

"The secret vault of the Marquis of Wu's mansion? Isn't it said that even you can't get in?"

"So you have a lot of influence, huh?" Xie Mingli raised an eyebrow and chuckled, a hint of smugness flashing in her eyes. "This is the authority of the 'Third-Class Imperial Treasury,' which is a rare find even in the century-old collection of my Marquis's Mansion."

Chu Ning sighed, half-jokingly:
"As expected of the daughter of the Marquis of Wu, even the Marquis has been persuaded to agree by you."

Xie Mingli gave a soft snort:
"I only mentioned you a few times. He saw that you were capable and had good fortune, so he did me a favor."

Chu Ning stared intently at her, then suddenly said softly:
"Then I really have to thank you."

"If you really want to thank me, when you're choosing weapons from the secret armory—don't pick those that look like they're designed for recklessness."

She didn't reply, but took a sip of tea, and suddenly smiled:

"The northern border is bitterly cold and snowy. If you choose the right weapon, you'll have at least a better chance of survival."

Chu Ning chuckled softly:
"Okay, I'll pick one that's just as pretty as you."

"Go and choose your weapons. Steward Qin is already waiting in the secret vault."

Xie Mingli spoke calmly, but couldn't hide the hint of reluctance at the end of her words.

Chu Ning hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded slightly:
"it is good."

He turned and walked out of the room. The morning light was just right, shining on the stone steps of the corridor, and the dappled light and shadow moved with the wind.

He suddenly stopped and looked back.

Inside, Xie Mingli was standing by the window again, dressed in plain clothes, her hair gently blowing in the morning breeze.

Her gaze remained fixed on the courtyard—where Feng Jin was walking slowly alongside Xie Jinghong.

Chu Ning watched her retreating figure, and a sudden tightness gripped his chest.

There are countless kinds of emotions in the world; some are as passionate as fire, while others are as serene as snow.

But no matter which one, if someone is willing to stop and wait for you on your way home, then it is worth it for you to travel thousands of miles.

……

Qin Henian was already waiting in front of the secret stone gate.

He was not wearing armor today, but dressed in plain clothes, which he had ironed perfectly without any wrinkles, and his belt was tied meticulously. He stood straight as if he were standing in front of the emperor.

That face, which once carried a hint of arrogance, now held none of its former disdain, replaced by a subtle restraint and respect.

He looked at Chu Ning walking slowly towards him, a complex and unfathomable emotion flashing in his eyes for a moment.

—It was this boy from another family.

Just over ten days ago, Qin Henian secretly questioned his background and mocked him for being too sharp and arrogant.
But just over ten days later, on this very day, he watched with his own eyes as this young man accepted the challenge of the Hundred Battles Arena under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

He remembered that strike, a lightning bolt that shattered the arena. That was not the kind of spirit a sect disciple should have; it was... the first spark of a general, the arrival of a thunder god.

At that moment, he finally understood how ridiculous his arrogant gaze, once that of a "senior," had been.

Now, when he sees Chu Ning again, he doesn't even have the courage to look her in the eye.

“Lord Chu… no,” he said, his throat tightening, his voice almost trembling, and he lowered his head.

"Thunder Blade Master, please."

He bowed deeply, his voice filled with barely suppressed awe and remorse:

"The Marquis has ordered his subordinates to wait here and personally lead you to the secret storehouse to select weapons."

As soon as he finished speaking, he didn't even dare to look up at Chu Ning.

It wasn't because of orders, but because of an instinctive sense of awe and fear within me.

In this world, once some people draw their swords, others can no longer judge them by their social status.

—He is Lei Ji Dao Jun, the young man who single-handedly shook the Hundred Battle Arena today.

Indeed, from now on, we will have to look up to them.

Chu Ning didn't raise an eyebrow, but simply nodded slightly.

Qin Henian immediately bowed and led the way, passing through the corridor and entering the deepest rock corridor beneath the Wuhou Mansion.

Along the way, there were numerous traps and hidden locks, and more than ten arrays appeared one after another, like layers of heavenly locks, blocking the mortal world.

Without a key to guide the way, even an eighth-rank grandmaster who forcibly broke in wouldn't be able to set foot even a little bit.

Finally, a massive bronze gate, three zhang tall, appeared before us.

The door is carved with thunder dragons soaring through the clouds and pythons coiling around pillars, with thunder patterns sealed at the four corners and lightning flashing like snakes.

The entire stone wall seemed to be a slumbering, ancient beast, ready to awaken and devour any intruder at any moment.

Qin He stepped forward, walked to the door of the secret vault, bowed slightly, and spoke in a low voice, his tone already carrying a hint of awe and probing:
"This is the 'third-class inner treasury' in the Marquis's mansion. Although it is not the pinnacle of inheritance, it is the foundation of the Marquis's mansion for a hundred years."

He paused slightly, his gaze not lingering on Chu Ning's face, and continued:

"Among them are not only spiritual weapons and rare artifact embryos, but also some... fragments of cultivation techniques, ice soul crystals, lightning-type spiritual bones... all kinds of rare treasures that outsiders cannot see."

(End of this chapter)