Talulah, I'm still a child.

"Hmph, let's see what you have to offer to keep me here."

Ya's tone was full of disdain and arrogance. Since she dared to come alone to assassinate him, she must have been confident of escaping. Ling also saw this. He lit a lantern in his hand, and the space where the two of them were in the next moment changed to another scene. Shang Shu was beautiful with its mountains and rivers, shrouded in clouds and mist. Golden sunlight shone on the mountains and fields in the hazy light. This was the early spring morning scene that she and Mei Xue had enjoyed together that day.

"Dream?"

"You actually recognize this as a dream?"

"To split himself into twelve and still retain such power..."

These words are worth pondering. He raised his eyebrows slightly, adjusted his pace, and assumed a stance, determined to keep the other party here no matter what.

"It seems you know not only me, but also her."

"I want to see Him, not you. This mere dream cannot hold me back."

As Ya returned casually, the surrounding dreamscape shattered instantly, like a mirror being struck by a stone, turning into countless rays of light that drifted away. This surprised Ling somewhat, as her ability, though not complex, was by no means something that just anyone could easily break through.

"It seems you've been dreaming for quite some time."

But in the brief moment of their struggle, Chong Yue and the others arrived. Wei Yanwu was furious. Someone dared to kill in front of the fox spirit and the Grand Tutor. This was no ordinary bandit.

"Since you intend to take my life, why don't we settle our score right here and now?"

Holding the sword he had just taken from the wall of Zuo Xuanliao's council hall, Wei Yanwu still exuded an imposing aura, even though it wasn't the Chixiao sword.

"What does my desire to kill you have to do with you? What grudge do we have?"

"If there are no past grievances, then we'll see what your methods are."

He drew his sword, crimson sword energy swirling around its blade. Despite wearing a brocade robe, Wei Yanwu's movements were clean and swift, unaffected in the slightest.

"I, Wei, am ready to learn from your skills once again!"

Stepping out to pay, without any superfluous moves, yet unstoppable. As the governor of Lungmen, Wei Yanwu has always held a high position, so most people in Lungmen only know that former police superintendent Chen Huijie was a master swordsman, but only a few know that Wei Yanwu's swordsmanship is probably something Chen Huijie could never catch up to in his lifetime.

This sword strike was somewhat dangerous, but Ya happened to take a step back. The sword energy swept across the grass like a gust of wind. Although the wind was strong, its sharpness was insufficient, and the grass did not break.

But that wasn't all. The next moment, Ya Zi raised his knife and cut through the flying yellow sand, watching the old man Zhalak, who was walking slowly with a cane and wearing a coat.

"The wind is strong on the city wall, be careful not to get it in your eyes."

Since Governor Wei Yanwu of Longmen is here, how could Rat King Lin Gerui, as his shadow, be absent?

"Do you guys always talk so much when you're fighting? Tsk."

Ya suddenly remembered what a certain silly fox once said: if you can't output enough, make up for it with your voice; moves are just something people shout out.

"You have nowhere to run. Surrender and tell us everything."

Chong Yue's expression was solemn. Wei Yanwu's sword strike was considered top-tier among the swordsmen of the Great Yan Dynasty, but Ya dodged it so easily, indicating that the opponent was not weak.

"There are quite a lot of people here, but if I want to leave, do you think you can stop me?"

Ya raised his hand, and the moonlight shone on the long sword. The curve of the sword tip became a third crescent moon, from which endless spring spirit poured out. Suddenly, the fragrance of peach blossoms drifted in from the sky. Crimson peach blossoms came from nowhere and fell in a shower, adding a touch of warmth to the cold and desolate border.

The desolate land of Yumen has always been a place where peach blossoms are rarely seen, especially now in early spring when the plum blossoms have not yet faded and the peach blossoms are even less likely to bloom.

Such Originium Arts were unheard of, and no one dared to be arrogant. Wei Yanwu, Lin Gerui, Chongyue, and Lin surrounded them, attacking from the front and flanking from both sides to cut off their retreat. Although this was the first time the four of them had worked together, they were exceptionally in sync.

Inside the military council hall, the Grand Tutor and Mei Xue sat together. After several unsuccessful attempts to recommend the Nutritional Express drink, Mei Xue had no choice but to brew him a cup of tea.

"I never expected to be able to drink tea brewed by a fox spirit. I wonder how many people in the Great Yan Dynasty must be envious of me."

"What's there to envy? I've cooked a lot on Rhodes Island, and I even treated you to a meal before. But this shower of flowers... it would be so nice if it were during the day, so the people of Yumen could have a good look."

As Mei Xue drank her nutritional drink, she completely entered "adult mode." Relying on her restored memories, she was indeed much more mature than usual in terms of speech and behavior.

"Only you, fox spirit, could have such a leisurely mindset."

"Calling me Fox Fairy sounds too formal. Just call me Mei Xue. As for Youzai... I'm always troubled. If I think about upsetting things, my fur will become really bad."

The little fox swayed his tail gently. He didn't think much and hated scheming. That's why he liked Miss Doctor. He left everything to her to think about, and he only needed to follow orders and consider whether it was something he wanted to do.

"They say that fox spirits' appearances remain unchanged for thousands of years, but they also have these worries?"

"At first, I was annoyed because I had to spend a lot of time drying my hair and tail every time I took a bath. How many people can truly live a carefree life?"

Mei Xue licked the nutritional drink from the corner of her mouth, then rested her chin on her hand and leaned against the table.

"Actually, if you look at it from a different perspective, you'll understand. The ephemeral mushroom doesn't know the difference between day and night, and the cicada doesn't know the difference between spring and autumn. Their lives are short, and they don't even know that there are four seasons in this world. Compared to them, isn't human life long?"

"Everything is relative; compared to giant beasts, humans are indeed like ephemeral fungi and cicadas."

The Grand Tutor nodded in agreement with Mei Xue's statement. Having risen to a higher position and lived longer, he had much to consider and much to ponder, and thus understood many principles. He had always been relatively lenient towards the incarnation of the Year Beast, given Mei Xue's precedent. If it weren't for the great upheaval caused back then, how could the Great Yan Dynasty be so sensitive?

"Of course, the ephemeral mushroom cicada cannot achieve the great feat of being bestowed the title of deity by the Great Yan Dynasty. Humans... are truly amazing creatures."

As he spoke, Mei Xue took a sip of his drink, his tone carrying a hint of nostalgia, which piqued the Grand Tutor's curiosity.

"Excuse my boldness, but what was the fox spirit's purpose in helping the Great Yan back then?"

If humans are like ephemeral fungi or cicadas in their short lifespan compared to giant beasts, then aren't giant beasts just as short-lived compared to fox spirits? Although some people think that fox spirits are also among the giant beasts, according to the research of giant beast scholars in the Great Yan Dynasty over the years, fox spirits and giant beasts are completely different beings.

"I don't know, my memories haven't fully returned yet, but I think... maybe it's just that I simply like humans."

The fighting on the city wall continued. Grand Tutor could not see it, but Mei Xue kept track of all the movements. Ya was indeed very strong, but he was clearly overwhelmed by the attack of four people.

"You've already recognized her?"

"Yes, she's an old friend. She can carve out a piece from time."

"A beast with a vengeful nature, who has distorted history and slashed the very fabric of the universe... could it be another colossal beast?"

Now the Grand Tutor could no longer feign ease. He knew that the Great Yan was currently preparing for the battle against the Year Beast with all its might. If another one came, the losses would likely be even greater, and the situation would inevitably become uncontrollable.

"Scared?"

"Fear? How could that be? The Great Yan was able to defeat them back then. Now, a thousand years later, with the strength of the Great Yan, we are naturally even more fearless. Even if another God Hunting War were to break out, the generals, heroes, and extraordinary talents of the Great Yan army would not hesitate to risk their lives."

Indeed, the losses will increase, but if the Great Yan were truly afraid, how could they have raised their banner against the arrogant gods a thousand years ago? It's just that if they could, who wouldn't want to live a good life? Who would want more people to sacrifice themselves?

"You don't sound like an old man when you say that, but you and Grandpa Patriot are the same."

"That Wendigo?"

"Yes, you are all the kind of people who are old but still can't let go of your responsibilities, the kind who always have a fire burning in their hearts."

Mei Xue, who is known for her patriotism, has a gentle smile. After finishing her drink of the nutritional drink, she takes out an umbrella from her tail.

"I gonna go see."

A stalemate has been reached on the city wall. Chong Yue discovered that the person in front of him was not particularly skilled in martial arts, but his abilities were extremely strange. So much so that even when the four of them joined forces, they could only injure him. He had been flustered for a moment, but now that he had calmed down and thought about it carefully, there was no such thing as a realistic Originium technique in the world.

"You guys...you're really wasting my time."

Ya's face was clearly burning with anger, but her injuries told her she couldn't stay any longer, lest she ruin what was to come.

"As an uninvited guest, your words seem rather ridiculous."

Ling clearly didn't have a good temper. Although the other party's initial goal was to assassinate Wei Yanwu, he obviously recognized Mei Xue. Putting aside everything else, you could tell from his expression that they had a grudge.

"With your ridiculous physique and strength, standing on the side of these people, you have the nerve to call me laughable?"

Peach blossoms fell and were then lightly cleaved in two by a long sword. Ya was about to leave when he suddenly smelled a faint yet undeniable fragrance of plum blossoms.

"You left in a hurry just now and forgot to mention, it's been a long time, Sister Ya Zi."

Mei Xue, holding an umbrella, appeared in front of Ya without anyone noticing. Her sudden arrival caught everyone off guard, and she was standing very close to Ya. From this position, the other party could easily kill her with a single swing of her knife.

"Shut up! How dare you call me by such a despicable name? Traitor!"

Upon seeing Mei Xue, Ya Xian became even angrier, her hand gripping the knife trembling. She still remembered that day when she disdained the massive army, but she hated him the most, standing on that high wall, coldly observing everything, and Sui, who disguised himself as Su Xue'er and lent his power to mortals.

"Really? But I remember you were smiling so happily when I named you that, and you even lifted me up really high. Um... I don't remember anything after that. Sorry, that's all I can remember."

Mei Xue's words confirmed Chong Yue's suspicions. Ya, one of the giant beasts that escaped from Da Yan back then, had actually returned.

"If that's the case, do you remember how your former compatriots fell one by one, their roars and resentment before they died? Even that guy Sui has become this wretched state, while you alone have become the laughable faith of these people."

At this point, Ya pointed to a section of the city wall in the distance.

"Look, do you remember whose resentment was before he died? Do you remember his final question?"

Why, why did you choose to betray them? Why did you side with those weak ants?

Were they threatened? Or misled? Was everything from back then a lie?

Mei Xue seemed to hear the sound of war drums from a thousand years ago, followed by a deafening roar that could dispel the clouds. He stood there, stunned, unable to answer the question for a moment.

Yes, why did he choose to stand on the side of humanity in the first place? Was the affection between him and the giant beast just a facade?

"Answer me!! Tu Shan Mei Xue!"

With a single swing of his blade, Ya Zi, enraged beyond measure, even used his own strength. By cutting through time and ignoring the passage of time, the blade was already at the edge of Mei Xue's neck when it was swung out.

But before Chongyue and Ling could react, Ya's knife suddenly stopped, and a thin bloodstain appeared on Mei Xue's neck. He would not normally be injured, but this time was different.

"You said my name is Mei Xue... Is that my original name?"

Mei Xue raised his head, his eyes now a brilliant gold. He realized something was wrong. Ya Zi knew him from the past and knew that his surname was Tu Shan, which was probably true. Of course, the surname itself was not important; Mei Xue himself had only just learned that his surname was Tu Shan.

The key lies in how Ya Zi addresses him. Normally, she should be called "Tu Shan Mei" or "Mei," or at the very least, Mei Xue. But she calls him that so naturally. In her rage, the only name she can utter is the one she knows best.

But his original name was Mei, and the name that represents snow was his older sister Su Xue'er. The name Mei Xue came later. So why did Ya Zi call him that?

"do not you remember?"

Suddenly realizing something, Ya Zi put down his knife and burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, it seems this is your retribution, the retribution for betraying us!"

Laughing, with new wounds not yet healed and old wounds reopening, Ya Zi ignored the pain, her laughter filled with unbridled joy. The more she laughed, the more Mei Xue felt her head throb.

"You'll regret it when you find out the whole truth!"

Leaving behind these words, Ya Zi suddenly disappeared from the crowd's encirclement. This was a direct jump in space and time. Chong Yue and the others didn't have time to chase after her, and just rushed to check on the little fox's injuries.

But the moment Ling helped Mei Xue up, the little fox collapsed into her arms and fainted. The minor wound had already healed.

"Quickly, take him back to the military camp!"

Everything concerning the fox spirit is of great importance. Wei Yanwu and Chongyue keenly realized that this was definitely not due to any injury; the problem stemmed from Mei Xue herself.

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Chapter 33 The Price of Growing Up