Recap
Long Shiyu blinked, confused.
The next moment, he was dragged from his room, his tail held firmly in Shen Chaomu’s grasp.
“Couldn’t you just come and get them yourself?” Shen Chaomu asked, a mixture of amusement and exasperation in his voice.
“Ying.”
“Not coming to build a nest tonight?”
“No, I’m still angry.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
His tail twitched nervously.
Shen Chaomu sighed, scooping up the dragon on the ground and depositing him on the bed. “Good boy,” he said with a smile. “I know you’re still angry. So, build a nest for me, okay?”
Since the princess had made the request, the excellent evil dragon naturally complied. Long Shiyu diligently fluffed the quilt, creating a cozy nest, and was rewarded with a goodnight kiss.
He slept soundly, dreaming of holding the princess’s hand and running through a sunny field, then residing in a magnificent castle, the princess adorned in a beautiful gown. He even giggled in his sleep.
Around noon the next day, they approached the ancient tree. Long Shiyu, sipping his milk, gazed out the window at the colossal trunk, so thick it would take hundreds of people to encircle it. The leaves, tinged with autumnal gold and red, created a breathtaking tapestry.
Wooden stairs and rope ladders spiraled around the tree, connecting various platforms and tree houses. Birds sang and flitted among the branches, their synchronized flights a mesmerizing spectacle.
The ancient tree housed a sprawling complex, home to many orcs. It was the birthplace of their civilization. Their ancestors, after a perilous journey through the treacherous jungle, had found refuge in this tree. Its branches offered shelter, the moonlit spring at its base provided water, and the surrounding creatures offered sustenance. The ancient tree was their mother, its image adorning souvenirs and even the logo of the Zhanshu Chamber of Commerce. Twice a year, in spring and autumn, they held festivals to celebrate the tree, and travelers would join in the festivities.
A ten-kilometer no-fly zone surrounded the ancient tree. They parked the aircraft and boarded a sightseeing bus with a crowd of tourists. Despite the wildfire and the resulting exodus, the area was still bustling. Dozens of people crammed into the bus alongside them.
The Black Knight, astride Potato, followed, mistaken for an eccentric hunter.
Shen Chaomu and the others occupied the back row, their weapons and equipment attracting curious glances. Tourists rarely saw hunters up close, and their excitement was palpable.
As the bus wound through the forest, a few brave souls approached, asking for photos. Yang Zhiming, engrossed in his tinkering, was left undisturbed. Song Qianqian, ever-affable, readily agreed, her smile bright for the camera. Li Jianchun, though reserved, also posed for a few pictures.
Someone recognized Shen Chaomu. “Is that…Shen Chaomu?” they whispered.
His reputation preceded him, especially among the younger generation. Hunters’ contact information was confidential, but that hadn’t stopped lovestruck girls from sending him letters through the dispatcher. He hadn’t received any lately, being away from headquarters.
Now, a crowd surged toward him, eager for photos, the scenery outside forgotten.
Shen Chaomu, who had been smoking, quickly extinguished his cigarette as a parent approached with a child. He patiently posed for pictures, though his natural aloofness and years of solitary hunting gave him an intimidating aura. Even with his polite demeanor, few dared approach him directly.
After a few more photos and farewells, Shen Chaomu noticed Long Shiyu’s sullen expression. He had moved away, and even when Yang Zhiming offered snacks, he didn’t budge. This was a serious problem.
The sightseeing bus trundled along, passing a gurgling stream. As the tourists’ attention shifted to the scenery, Shen Chaomu turned to Long Shiyu. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “Are you hungry?”
“You took pictures with them,” Long Shiyu mumbled, “but we don’t even have a photo together.”
Shen Chaomu realized this was true. “We can take one now,” he offered.
Long Shiyu’s face brightened. “Okay!”
Shen Chaomu, not a selfie expert, fumbled with his terminal. He figured as long as both their faces were visible, it was a success. He slung an arm around Long Shiyu and snapped a picture.
Long Shiyu had his eyes closed, and half of Shen Chaomu’s face was cut off. The only clear element was the vibrant background of colorful leaves.
“This photo is nice,” Shen Chaomu declared after a pause. “Let’s keep it.”
“Ying!” Long Shiyu wailed.
“What’s wrong?” Shen Chaomu asked, alarmed.
“I want to take another one.”
“Okay, okay.” Shen Chaomu hastily snapped another picture.
This time, they both had their eyes closed, and the image was blurry.
“It’s…peaceful,” Shen Chaomu offered weakly.
Song Qianqian, unable to bear it any longer, interjected. “Brother Shen, your photography skills are truly something. Here, let me take one for you.”
She expertly adjusted the settings, then instructed, “Smile! Three, two, one…”
The resulting photo was perfect.
“How’s this one?” Shen Chaomu asked Long Shiyu.
Long Shiyu studied it, then smiled. “It’s good.”
He even smiled at Song Qianqian, who, though her expression was still complex, smiled back.
The bus continued its journey, passing towering trees and gurgling streams. A vast plain of golden grass swayed in the breeze, the wind carrying a refreshing scent. Sheep grazed peacefully, their wool like fluffy clouds against the green.
In the distance, cloud-wreathed mountains rose against the horizon.
Shen Chaomu felt a strange sense of familiarity, as if he had seen this landscape in a dream.
Long Shiyu gazed at the scenery, lost in thought, then yawned and dozed off, leaning against Shen Chaomu.
Twenty minutes later, they reached the base of the ancient tree. Wooden buildings clustered around its massive trunk. As they disembarked and headed toward their designated inn, the aroma of delicious food wafted from various stalls.
Their accommodations were located midway up the tree. Climbing the winding stairs, they were rewarded with a breathtaking view of the plains and the forest. The setting sun painted the distant mountains in fiery hues.
The hot air balloons dotted the sky, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the lush greenery below. Herds of animals roamed freely, their forms weaving through the golden grass and along the winding streams.
The hotel on the ancient tree was a collection of individual tree houses. Long Shiyu unlocked their door, the scent of wood filling the air. He opened the windows, letting in the fresh breeze. A small balcony offered a view of the surrounding forest, flowerpots lining the railing.
Shen Chaomu unpacked their belongings, noticing several scopes mixed in with his equipment. He gathered them and headed for the girls’ tree house, located a level below.
As he passed the Black Knight’s room, he heard the telltale sounds of the card game and the rhythmic munching of carrots.
He reached the girls’ room and knocked. Only Song Qianqian was inside.
“Where’s Li Jianchun?” he asked.
“She went to the top of the tree to enjoy the view,” Song Qianqian replied, assembling her rifle with a chocolate bar in her mouth. “She might be a while.”
“Your scopes got mixed up with mine,” Shen Chaomu said, placing them on the table beside two bags of snacks – marshmallows and bear biscuits.
“Thanks,” Song Qianqian mumbled through a mouthful of chocolate.
As he turned to leave, she spoke again. “Brother Shen,” she said, her voice casual, “you like him, don’t you?”
Shen Chaomu froze. “What?”
“Long Shiyu.” Song Qianqian’s tone was light, conversational. “You told me your relationship was fake, a disguise, but it seems pretty real to me.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because I’m not blind.” Song Qianqian swallowed the last of her chocolate. “You two share a bed every night. Who knows what you get up to? And look at you today, taking pictures, asking him if they looked good. That expression was priceless.”
“And in Bei En,” she continued, “after that amazing fight against the mermaids, the first thing you did was look for him.”
“Did you play basketball in school? Boys always look for the girl they like after scoring a point. You had the same look in your eyes.”
Before Shen Chaomu could respond, she continued, “But Brother Shen, though I like Long Shiyu, I can’t accept dragons. Do you know where Jianchun is from?”
“She’s never told me.”
“Lanyas,” Song Qianqian said, her eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions. “The small planet that produced those berries. You know what happened there, don’t you?”
Shen Chaomu remembered the attack on Lanyas over twenty years ago. An ice dragon had destroyed the planet’s famous berry crops and countless lives. It was the only dragon the Alliance had encountered in recent years. Though slain by hunters, its icy legacy remained. Lanyas, once prosperous, was now a desolate wasteland.
“Her parents died in that attack,” Song Qianqian said quietly. “She struggled for years, living on aid, until she joined the association.” She paused. “This isn’t Long Shiyu’s fault, I know. It’s just…”
“I understand,” Shen Chaomu said. “I’m sorry I lied.”
“I don’t need your apology.” Song Qianqian shook her head. “Remember our first mission together, in Tull?”
“That was my first mission. We hadn’t even spoken before. Lu Shanhuai and I were attacked by water ghosts. You risked your life to save us. You still have the scar.”
“There have been many similar incidents. You always protect those around you, strangers or not. I don’t distrust you. I just think…” She trailed off, her gaze searching his.
Song Qianqian hesitated. “I…I don’t know what to say. It’s complicated. I don’t need your apology. I’m just saying, your choices will be controversial. I might not be able to accept Long Shiyu as your partner, but it’s not his fault. My support for you won’t change.”
“We’re really not—” Shen Chaomu began, but Song Qianqian cut him off.
“And if you meet someone you truly care for, go after them. Don’t let them slip away, or you’ll regret it.” She smiled genuinely, her ponytail swaying. “Don’t you understand that? You can’t be an unfeeling robot forever.”
Shen Chaomu descended the wooden steps, her words echoing in his mind. He had intended to refute her claims, but he found himself speechless. A confusing mix of emotions churned within him.
Back in their room, a bag of apples and a bag of pears had vanished.
Long Shiyu was on the balcony, gazing out at the scenery. Shen Chaomu joined him, following his line of sight to a lively barbecue stall under a distant tree.
“There should be a meteor shower tomorrow,” Long Shiyu announced, turning with a bright smile.
“Did the stars tell you that?” Shen Chaomu asked, stepping onto the balcony.
“Yes. Actually, the day Wilpan and the siren died, there was a meteor shower in a distant galaxy. Fire meteors.”
“That’s amazing,” Shen Chaomu said. “And romantic. I’ll never know what it’s like to communicate with the stars.”
“And you don’t have a tail.”
“True. My ancestors evolved out of that.”
Long Shiyu grinned, hooking his tail around Shen Chaomu’s wrist. “But I don’t understand many things about you either, so it’s even.”
They stood in comfortable silence, the wind rustling through the leaves above them. Shen Chaomu’s turbulent emotions gradually calmed. The setting sun cast long shadows, painting the golden grass and distant mountains in a warm glow.
A sense of familiarity washed over him, a feeling of belonging, of a connection that transcended time and species.
“Have you heard the saying that people become stars after they die?” Shen Chaomu asked.
Long Shiyu looked at him, puzzled.
Shen Chaomu smiled. “It’s another fairy tale people like to believe. Is it true?”
“Probably not,” Long Shiyu replied. “But I don’t know much about things outside this galaxy. Why do you ask?”
“Just a thought.” Shen Chaomu ruffled his hair. “Come on, let’s get some barbecue.”
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