Find Your Novel
Before searching for a novel, please provide two or three letters as a starting point.
Chapter 52: Distance
Without frowning, without finding it distasteful.
Solemn expression.
One piece, then another.
Watching Yu Sheng, Liu Qingfeng felt a pang of sadness in his heart. Despite having almost spat out his earlier bite, he silently began to chew like Yu Sheng.
It still tasted awful.
The bitterness swept through his mouth.
The mushy parts were somewhat choking, but Liu Qingfeng endured and swallowed.
The dinner was eaten in silence.
The two, one older and one younger, calmly continued until all the food on the table was gone.
"Thank you, Teacher."
Yu Sheng looked at Liu Qingfeng and said.
Liu Qingfeng was conflicted. "Doesn't it taste bad?"
"As long as it's food, it's not bad," Yu Sheng shook his head, then stood up, took the plates, and walked into the kitchen to wash them diligently.
Watching Yu Sheng's busy figure, Liu Qingfeng felt only bitterness in his heart.
"As long as it's food, it's not bad..."
That statement was somewhat shocking to him.
But it was true, especially in Demon-Suppressing Pass... Even a piece of meat charred black would be savored deliciously.
Hadn't he once been the same?
Yet, after returning to the rear, he had gradually begun to forget his past.
What was different... was that Yu Sheng still maintained that perspective.
If Demon-Suppressing Pass was about resisting demons, then Sin City... was about resisting the human heart.
Suddenly, Liu Qingfeng felt a slight enlightenment.
Just watching Yu Sheng's figure...
Night fell.
In the secondary bedroom, Yu Sheng lay on the bed, casually clutching a dagger in his hand, with a cocked crossbow next to his pillow.
But in the moonlight, looking at the corner where a brand-new schoolbag lay, with its text and clothes, Yu Sheng remained silent, then put away the crossbow, leaving only the dagger in his hand. He gripped it tightly, then tried to place it a little further from himself before finally lying down, gazing out at the moonlight, somewhat lost in thought.
It seemed... being with Liu Qingfeng really felt different.
It was like... like...
For a moment, Yu Sheng struggled to find the right word.
Perhaps, it was like the figure in his childhood dreams.
Broad and reassuring.
In the early morning, a faint fragrance drifted into the room.
Yu Sheng silently opened his eyes.
Liu Qingfeng sat at the dining table with a solemn expression on his face, staring at the spread of steamed buns and soy milk, lost in thought.
It wasn't until Yu Sheng came out that Liu Qingfeng managed a forced smile. "Awake?"
"Sit."
Yu Sheng sat down, saying nothing, just observing Liu Qingfeng.
Liu Qingfeng offered a bitter smile. "Remember the man selling buns outside the school gate?"
Yu Sheng nodded.
"This is his last day selling buns."
"Tomorrow... he's going to Veterans Camp."
Liu Qingfeng's voice dropped as he opened another bag.
Yu Sheng paused.
He knew the rule about entering Veterans Camp... no family allowed.
He remembered that middle-aged man... he had a son, and... he was in the Reserve Forces.
"Eat, it'll get cold soon."
"Over the years, I've come to terms with life and death."
"At least we're still alive."
"At least humanity is still safe."
"Waking up to breakfast, having a car to ride, going to sleep without worrying about never opening our eyes again."
We rely on your support! read at https://novelplex.org
"That's enough."
"This is also what the countless fallen heroes at the four great human fortresses would have wished for."
Liu Qingfeng quickly regained his composure, biting into a bun, "Sadly, the next time I want to eat his buns, I'll have to go to Veterans Camp."
Yu Sheng just quietly ate.
It was like he was continuously observing, continuously learning, absorbing everything about the world outside Sin City that he didn't know.
"I could have gone to Veterans Camp too."
"After all, damage to an awakened item is more serious than to the body."
"But I felt that at least as a teacher, I could still contribute something to humanity."
"Unfortunately, Mo Pavilion has been pushing me lately, saying I can't delay any longer, that it’s time for me to report to Veterans Camp."
"I... I want to put down your information, say you're my apprentice..."
Liu Qingfeng paused, a hopeful look in his eyes, "Not just a student, but... an apprentice."
"My only apprentice."
"That way, I might be considered to have a successor, and not need to go..."
"Would that be alright?"
As Liu Qingfeng spoke, his hand holding the bun trembled slightly.
Yu Sheng nodded without hesitation, simply uttering, "Mm."
Liu Qingfeng let out a long sigh of relief and began to smile.
It was a joyful smile.
A tear traced down his cheek, quickly wiped away by his hand.
In that moment, it was as though two lonely souls in the world had found a bond with each other.
A disabled veteran, worn from battles and destined to spend his days in Veterans Camp.
A youth, stepping out from Sin City, alone.
"I don’t want to enter Veterans Camp, at least it proves I'm still useful, not just a useless person living off Mo Pavilion."
"So..."
"I hope I don't receive another notice from Mo Pavilion one day, saying... saying it's time for me to report."
Liu Qingfeng spoke slowly.
Yu Sheng looked up at his teacher, whose eyes now bore a hint of wrinkles: "Okay."
That single word made Liu Qingfeng smile.
Smile through his tears...
Throughout the day, Liu Qingfeng insisted on Yu Sheng sitting on the couch with him, watching some action-packed anime.
The style was...
Liu Qingfeng was animated, while Yu Sheng was exceptionally quiet.
And yet, Liu Qingfeng kept on exclaiming, "Isn’t this thrilling? Isn’t it?"
"The backbone of humanity..."
"Sigh..."
Yu Sheng just quietly watched him.
At night, after a simple takeout meal, Liu Qingfeng became serious again: "Now, go back to your room and rest. Tomorrow morning, they will update the specific exam location and announce the details."
"I hope you do more than just win first place in Mobei."
"I want you to be first in Jiangbei Province!"
"Let everyone know that Liu Qingfeng taught a student who is the best in the province."
Saying this, Liu Qingfeng looked up, intending to pat Yu Sheng on the shoulder, but instead just ran his hand through his own hair and let it drop.
"Go for it!"
Liu Qingfeng gave a thumbs-up in a somewhat juvenile manner.
It was as though he was playing with a three-year-old.
Not even five...
Because even a five-year-old might find it a bit boring.
Back in his room.
Yu Sheng looked at the dagger, thoughtfully moved it a bit further away from himself...
It was as if each time he distanced himself from it, he was opening up a larger breach in his own spiked exterior.
Trying... trying to accept.
After all, throughout the past month, no matter what was said, not even a trace of... gray mist had emanated from Liu Qingfeng.