Chapter 201 — The Stranger
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 5 of 5
Ming Li did not spare the leopard another glance; his expression unchanged, he continued forward, while Xiao Hui, perched on his shoulder, seemed full of vigor, peering all about. Jin Pingyue followed behind them, and as she passed the two-headed demon leopard, she turned to look. On the leopard's body, the once-thick flesh had shriveled away entirely, as though all its essence had been sucked out—naturally the work of the Blood-devouring Bead's demonic power.
Yet such a creature was itself an exceedingly powerful being. Even with the soul-devouring demon staff in hand, for Ming Li to put such a great demon beast to death in an instant—this cultivation of his was not merely formidable; it was terrifying.
Just when had this man's cultivation begun to advance so by leaps and bounds!
Jin Pingyue grew more alarmed by the moment, and the look in her eyes as she watched Ming Li's back grew ever more complicated. Just then, Ming Li's body suddenly stopped, and a wary expression slowly surfaced on his face.
Jin Pingyue started. Though demon beasts had guarded the way all along, she had never seen Ming Li so cautious. She quickly gathered herself and stood on guard—and indeed found something wrong with their surroundings.
After the two-headed demon leopard died, the cave had returned to its usual stillness. But now, in that formless darkness, a low, deep song drifted toward them:
*On the little pine ridge, moonlight like frost; we drift like willow catkins, and the flowers, too, are grieved.*
*Ten-odd years, three thousand years; may we part, yet never forget each other.*
The song was plaintive and mournful. Though it seemed not loud, somehow it crept into the ear, and every word was heard with perfect clarity. At first the song seemed utterly desolate, and then the heart was borne away into sorrow, as though unseen forces had carried one with the singer across three thousand years of time, to relive a tenderness unknown yet poignantly beautiful.
Time is merciless as a blade. Is it only a pair of faintly smiling eyes that warms your heart?
Have you forgotten?
After many years—or in another cycle of worldly change?
What is it that you remember?
That blank emptiness is like a memory, staring blankly into the darkness, into the distance.
The past—did I ever hold it in my arms?
With you.
The monkey Xiao Hui suddenly let out a "cheep-cheep," as though overjoyed, and actually leaped down from Ming Li's shoulder and darted with a whoosh into the darkness.