Chapter 42: Am I a Monkey?

Suddenly, Elder Zhong coughed forcefully twice, his face showing a faint pallor.

He got up unsteadily.

Yu Sheng could see Elder Zhong's hand trembling slightly as he leaned against the wall.

Always seeming detached, as if indifferent to worldly matters, a hint of helplessness flickered deep in Elder Zhong’s eyes, but he still smiled and said, "Haha, I'm old, kid. Cheer up, sometimes... people aren't as bad as you think."

"Try opening your heart to some people, and you might experience a different kind of life."

After these enigmatic words, Elder Zhong began to walk away.

Yu Sheng watched his retreating figure thoughtfully, remaining silent.

It was as if a pristine sheet of paper had been thrown into a vat of black dye. When it was retrieved, the entire sheet was black.

But now, someone was carefully, bit by bit, wiping each stain off the paper.

It must be said, the atmosphere in Veterans Camp was very good.

The people here had once been soldiers, captains, and even generals, but they perfectly blended together.

Even those who were physically disabled maintained an optimistic spirit.

They were self-sufficient too.

The vegetables they ate were all grown by themselves.

Mo Pavilion had mentioned providing subsidies, but they had all been refused.

"Do I need your charity?"

"Save it for the pensions of those who have passed away!"

Their responses were always something along these lines.

After all, those who stayed in Veterans Camp were without children and lived alone; not starving was enough for them.

The day gradually darkened.

Some of the older individuals went to bed early.

The rest returned to their rooms, maintaining the habits from their days in the military.

Liu Qingfeng walked with Yu Sheng through the fields.

Looking up, they could see the stars and the dim moonlight, which made the surroundings seem like a scene from a prosperous era.

It felt like they could unload all the worries and concerns in their hearts.

They almost wished they could shout out loud.

Of course, the likely result would be a group of old soldiers cursing as they came out, each ready to kick you.

"How does it feel?"

Liu Qingfeng lifted his head, gazing at the pitch-black night sky, took a deep breath of fresh air, and asked.

Yu Sheng thought back over all the events of the afternoon and nodded, "It seems... pretty good."

For some reason, seeing those old people laughing and frolicking without any care stirred a sense of envy in him.

Though it was a faint feeling.

But...

It was enough to make the moment unforgettable for Yu Sheng.

Could he actually feel envious of others?

Liu Qingfeng didn't continue speaking but led Yu Sheng slowly forward.

Until a lake appeared in the distance.

At the edge of the lake, there stood five tombstones.

Next to the tombstones was a simple thatched hut.

There was also a stool and a fishing rod nearby.

"This is Elder Zhong's residence."

Liu Qingfeng slowly began, "Buried in those five graves are Elder Zhong's father, mother, wife, and son..."

Five graves, yet only four people were buried.

The last tombstone was unmarked.

Seeing Yu Sheng's somewhat puzzled expression, Liu Qingfeng explained, "The last grave is reserved for Elder Zhong himself."

"Back then, Elder Zhong’s parents were also once the marvel of their era."

"They were the envied celestial couple everyone admired."

"But in the end, they died in battle at Demon-Suppressing Pass."

"A few years later, Elder Zhong joined the Reserve Forces, passed the examination, and ascended to Demon-Suppressing Pass."

"I remember that year, everyone was watching, scrutinizing whether this outstanding youth of the Reserve Forces could survive the harsh conditions of Demon-Suppressing Pass."

"And in the following decades, this youth wrote a legend with his own hands."

"The legend of Zhong Yushu."

At this moment, Liu Qingfeng's eyes were especially reverent, as if that dilapidated thatched hut was the most sacred place in the world.

"Back then, everyone remembered one saying."

"You can always trust Zhong Yushu."

"As long as he is there, Demon-Suppressing Pass will have nothing to fear."

"Unfortunately, heroes eventually meet their end."

With a slight tremble in his voice, Liu Qingfeng's emotions surged, "To kill Elder Zhong, the demon clan paid a heavy price, even secretly collaborating with a cult."

"Although Elder Zhong is still alive... the awakened item is shattered."

"Just like when he was a youth, he came alone and he will leave alone."

"Even as he was leaving, Elder Zhong was smiling, saying... saying... 'Zhong Yushu trading himself for two demon lords, that’s a bargain.'"

"But on that day, humanity mourned in silence."

"Afterward, Elder Zhong returned to his homeland, to this very place."

"A place unknown to others."

"Yu Sheng..."

Liu Qingfeng took a deep breath, turned to Yu Sheng, his eyes sincere, "There are many ways to live a life, I'm not saying the path you're taking now is wrong."

"But... humanity truly needs geniuses."

"Protectors strong enough to guard humanity."

"Perhaps what I've experienced, what I've seen... is too limited, but you are the most outstanding youth I have ever met."

"I have an intuition that in the future you... could soar to great heights."

"As a teacher, I truly hope you can do whatever you can to help humanity."

"Letting everyone remember your name might also be a fulfilling life."

Liu Qingfeng was somewhat agitated.

For some unknown reason, he felt inexplicably irritable.

He was merely doing what every teacher does, yet for Yu Sheng, it seemed like pushing him step by step into more dangerous situations, forcing him to bear more burdens.

If one day Yu Sheng changed because of his words, and went... to die.

Then he would be the greatest executioner.

But he had no choice.

Because a teacher's duty is to train strong warriors who will fight to the death for humanity, without retreat.

Yu Sheng silently gazed towards the thatched hut, somewhat lost in thought.

No one knew what he was really thinking.

Even...

He didn't respond to Liu Qingfeng's words.

Liu Qingfeng sighed softly, once again reaching out to pat Yu Sheng’s head.

Yu Sheng simply stepped back calmly, moving aside.

Perhaps the only thing that could console Liu Qingfeng was that... this time, Yu Sheng’s hand did not hold a blade.

"Yu Sheng, Sin City is just Sin City."

"This world, the human realm, offers a different landscape."

"You can go see, listen, and feel."

"Perhaps you will discover another kind of beauty."

Under the starry sky, Liu Qingfeng's voice carried a mix of anticipation, gentleness, and... guilt.

"Mm."

Yu Sheng responded softly.

Suddenly, from inside the thatched hut, a curse rang out: "In the dead of night, can't you pick another place for your melodrama?"

"Right outside my house, no less!"

"What is this, a zoo?"

"Or do you think I'm some kind of monkey on display?"

The voice was robust and full of life!

Liu Qingfeng instinctively shivered: "Yu Sheng, run!"