Bab 20: Chapter 20: N’er’s Departure
Time flows like water; three years passed in the blink of an eye.
In East Sea City, at Xuankong Academy, students poured out at dismissal time. Amid the bustling crowd, one young man stood out.
His face was exceptionally handsome, his skin fair, and his figure tall and poised. He had large, bright eyes with a calm, deep gaze. His short black hair was soft and smooth, and his gentle smile radiated confidence and calm, giving people a sense of peace. Most striking was the unique aura about him—a mix of freshness and elegance, nobility and approachability—that made others want to get closer.
Unsurprisingly, this young man attracting all the attention was Jing Shaoyu.
"Brother!" A sweet, joyful voice called out, and a young girl just as eye-catching ran toward him.
Her large, soft purple eyes sparkled with life, and her silvery hair, tied into a playful ponytail, swayed as she ran, tugging at the hearts of those who watched. Her face, like a finely crafted doll's, bore a smile that was as warm as winter sunshine and as radiant as summer flowers, making anyone who saw her feel a rush of affection.
This girl, naturally, was N'er.
"Let's go home!" N'er ran to Jing Shaoyu, clinging to him affectionately. He gently patted her head, smiling warmly.
"Mm!" N'er nodded, hopping onto the back seat of Jing Shaoyu's bicycle.
As they rode away, many parents waiting to pick up their children couldn't help but look on with envy, casting longing glances at their own kids and feeling even more wistful.
Jing Shaoyu was unaware of the impression he and N'er had left on their peers and the impact they had on parents. As usual, he shared stories about his day with her as he cycled home. Oddly, though, she was unusually quiet today, unlike her usual lively self.
"N'er, something on your mind?" Jing Shaoyu chuckled, slightly puzzled. "Are you upset because I'll be going to East Sea Academy soon?"
"Of course not! I just suddenly wanted to hold you like this. If only we could stay like this forever." N'er shook her head, holding him tighter and resting her face on his back. Her eyes held a sadness she tried to keep hidden from him.
"Alright, then let's head to the beach. We can ride around for a bit longer." Jing Shaoyu, not thinking much of her response, smiled as he spoke.
"Okay! Brother, go slowly, so I can hold on to you a little longer." N'er's voice was cheerful, but tears silently slipped from her eyes.
Jing Shaoyu finally sensed something was wrong. His heart sank as a dreadful thought crossed his mind, and his voice began to tremble. "N'er… is there something you're not telling me?"
"It's nothing, really!" N'er tried to sound cheerful, swinging her feet and hiding the sorrow she could barely contain. When she saw Jing Shaoyu trying to turn his head to look at her, she quickly reached up to stop him. "Keep your eyes on the road, no looking back!"
"…Alright." Jing Shaoyu sighed, his voice heavy. Slowing his pace, he could feel the impending weight of the inevitable.
Silence fell between them as they continued slowly down the road. The setting sun cast a dim glow as streetlights flickered on. Jing Shaoyu's eyes turned red, filled with an aching sadness, while N'er, behind him, quietly wept.
By the time they reached the beach, twilight had set in.
"N'er…" Jing Shaoyu's voice quivered, and he turned around, only to find her eyes swollen with tears, her face wet and trembling with grief.
He pulled her into his arms, and finally, N'er let go of her restraint, clinging to him and crying uncontrollably. Her sobs tore at his heart. How he wished he could make her stay… but he was powerless. For the first time, he felt an overwhelming desire for strength.
"Brother, I'm sorry. I've regained my memories, and I have to leave." After a long time, N'er's sobs quieted, though her eyes were still teary. Her voice was hoarse, filled with sorrow.
"Is there… no way for you to stay?" Jing Shaoyu's voice was barely a whisper, clinging to a desperate hope.
"I… I'm so sorry, Brother. I wish I could, but my family needs me. They've come for me." Her heart ached seeing his pleading gaze. She nearly said yes but forced herself to stay strong. Tearfully, she looked toward the nearby coastal road.
Jing Shaoyu turned and saw several figures standing in the darkness. Though their features were obscured, he felt their powerful presence.
"Brother, it's time for me to go." N'er made her decision. She gently broke free from his hold, and though he tried to hold on, an invisible force gradually loosened his grip. She took a step back.
"N'er!" Jing Shaoyu called out, his voice laced with despair.
Step by step, she retreated, and each step tugged at his heart. Suddenly, she paused, and a glimmer of hope sparked in his eyes. She quickly walked back, and to his surprise, stood on tiptoe and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips.
Jing Shaoyu was stunned. Her lips were cool and soft, with a delicate fragrance that captivated him. By the time he snapped out of it, N'er was already moving away, her figure fading into the darkness.
"Brother, goodbye." Her final words echoed.
"N'er!" Jing Shaoyu's voice was hoarse with sorrow. His fists clenched, and he took a step forward, only to stop as tears filled his eyes, frustration and helplessness flooding his heart.
On the vast, empty beach, Jing Shaoyu stood alone, enveloped by melancholy. He'd known this day would come, yet the reality of her departure hit him hard. Prepared as he thought he was, he hadn't expected it to hurt this much.
Though all humans know death is inevitable, it still brings sadness and fear when it comes. Logic and emotion coexisted in him, creating a swirl of complex feelings.
At that moment, he finally understood that N'er and Gu Yue were two separate souls. Although they were both part of the Silver Dragon King, their emotions and memories made them distinct.
For the first time, Jing Shaoyu wished Gu Yue would never appear, for that would mean N'er could become the complete Silver Dragon King.
But if Gu Yue did appear, it would mean that N'er, as an independent soul, would eventually face her predestined fate—a reality Jing Shaoyu couldn't bear.
Destiny, he vowed, would be rewritten.
That night, Jing Shaoyu stayed on the beach for a long time. When he finally returned home, the once-spirited youth seemed more composed and steady. But despite this growth, he found no joy in it.
N'er's departure impacted no one outside Jing Shaoyu's family. When Jing Ziyuan and Lin Xin learned that N'er had been taken by her family, their reactions differed. Lin Xin was heartbroken, unable to eat for days, while Jing Ziyuan masked her sadness with a cheerful demeanor. She spoke of how this would let Jing Shaoyu focus on his training without distractions. If he hadn't seen her lost in thought outside N'er's room, he might have believed she was glad.
N'er's room remained untouched, cleaned by Lin Xin as if she still lived there.
Jing Shaoyu's routine continued—mornings spent studying with Xu Xiaoyan at East Sea Library, afternoons training at East Sea Park, and evenings cultivating soul power. With N'er gone, he threw himself into his regimen with little time to rest.
This quiet life continued until the day before East Sea Academy's opening. That day, the Spirit Ascension Platform reopened,
marking his last visit to the platform before advancing to the Intermediate Academy.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone