High-Risk Master - Extra Chapter 8: [The End]

After Wen Liubing took over Fenglu City, he specially invited his master to come over.

In front of Mu Zhe, Wen Liubing and Shen Gurong stood side by side on the high city wall of Fenglu City. With a wave of his hand, he said, "Master, this is the world that Sanshui conquered for you."

Shen Gurong: "..."

Mu Zhe: "..."

Shen Gurong looked at his eldest disciple strangely and said, "Sanshui, can you beat your junior brother?"

Wen Liubing asked curiously, "Master, why do you say that? My junior brother and I are brothers; how can you say I can't beat him?"

Shen Gurong smiled like a loving mother: "Because your brotherly junior brother is going to beat you up."

As soon as he finished speaking, Mu Zhe's face turned ashen, and he charged forward with a sword that pierced through the air.

Wen Liubing: "..."

The newly appointed city lord of Fenglu City was beaten and forced to run all over the city by Mu Zhe. Yu Xinghe had been lazing around in Yuzhou City, doing nothing but eating and drinking, until his older sister kicked him out of the city, telling him not to come back until he became a burly man.

Yu Xinghe, fighting back tears, packed his small bundle and came to seek refuge with Wen Liubing, vowing to become a real man and protect his sister.

Wen Liubing, seeing how useless he was, threw him into the Demon-Slaying Realm for training.

Yu Xinghe cried and begged every day, but never uttered a word about quitting.

Wen Liubing was very pleased.

Hearing that his master was coming, Yu Xinghe specially ran over, circling his master many times, excitedly saying, "Master, look at me! Xinghe has already reached the Nascent Soul stage! Master, Master, Master!"

Shen Gurong: "..."

In the Records of the Capital, Yu Xinghe would come to show off every time his cultivation greatly increased, but Shen Gurong had completely ignored him then.

After showing off, Yu Xinghe instantly remembered what happened in the Records of the Capital. His face paled, and he froze on the spot for a long time, almost bursting into tears.

"I...I haven't reached the Nascent Soul stage..." Yu Xinghe awkwardly tried to take back his words, "Xinghe is especially stupid...Master, please don't look at me."

Shen Gurong: "..."

Shen Gurong sighed, patted his head, and said, "Xinghe is very capable."

Yu Xinghe was stunned, staring blankly at Shen Gurong for a long time before letting out a "waaaah," almost crying—luckily he managed to hold back.

Yu Xinghe looked up at the sky, not wanting the tears to fall, and said with feigned coldness, "Xinghe will work even harder."

He had waited two lifetimes for praise, and finally he heard it.

It was as if something had filled his empty heart; Yu Xinghe felt both wanting to cry and excited, wishing he could fight a tiger bare-handed.

Shen Gurong smiled helplessly.

As soon as Mu Zhe returned after beating his senior brother, he saw Yu Xinghe fawning over their master, who was all smiles, seemingly pleased by his flattery.

Mu Zhe: "..."

Mu Zhe drew his sword again and began chasing after Yu Xinghe.

Yu Xinghe: "Ahhh! Junior brother, spare me!!!"

Shen Gurong watched from the side, a broad smile on his face.

His disciples were truly united and friendly, helping each other out.

So harmonious.

Mu Zhe didn't want to stay in Fenglu City any longer. After beating one, he had to beat another, constantly watching out for anyone approaching his master. It was exhausting. Although he knew Wen Liubing and Yu Xinghe didn't have feelings for their master, their affections still made him jealous.

But Shen Gurong seemed quite happy, so Mu Zhe had no choice but to reluctantly accompany him on his aimless wanderings through Fenglu City. Let's take a look at the empire Wen Liubing has built for himself.

Shen Gurong, who loved excitement in his youth, now suffers from a century of arduous cultivation. He can't stand being in a crowd for long, his head throbbing terribly. Seeing this, Mu Zhe had no choice but to take him back to the residence Wen Liubing had prepared for him in Fenglu City.

Wen Liubing, with his malicious intent, arranged two separate rooms for the two of them.

Mu Zhe felt even more suffocated at this. With a grim face, he followed Shen Gurong into the room, not even glancing at the other room.

Shen Gurong always maintained a cool and aloof demeanor in public, but he was remarkably relaxed in private. Upon entering, he casually tossed off his crane cloak, not caring whether Mu Zhe could catch it, with a very elegant gesture.

Mu Zhe was prepared and caught the cloak accurately, with practiced ease.

Shen Gurong stretched, then took off his outer robe, unbuttoning it as he walked, with Mu Zhe following behind, picking up the clothes.

By the time they reached the inner room, Shen Gurong was left only in a thin white robe, which made his waist appear extremely slender, as if it could be encircled by a single hand.

Summer had passed in Fenglu City; an autumn breeze was blowing, and the nights were still slightly cool. The room prepared for Shen Gurong contained countless fire stones, making even someone as sensitive to the cold as Shen Gurong feel somewhat hot.

Mu Zhe remained unmoved, folding the clothes neatly and placing them aside. Noticing a rare bead of sweat on Shen Gurong's forehead, he flicked his finger and opened the window beside him.

A night breeze swept in through the window. Shen Gurong, preparing for sleep, sat on the couch, tilting his head slightly. He caught sight of the moon hanging in the treetops, paused for a moment, and then asked, "What day is it today?"

Mu Zhe thought for a moment and said, "It seems to be the Mid-Autumn Festival."

The Mid-Autumn Festival, the fifteenth of August, is a day for family reunions in the mortal world, a day only celebrated by ordinary people. Shen Gurong sat on the couch for a long time, a rare sadness in his eyes.

Mu Zhe couldn't bear to see him like this, so he gently moved closer and carefully kissed his brow.

Shen Gurong then came to his senses, tilted his head slightly, and bit Mu Zhe's lips, mumbling, "Want to drink?"

Mu Zhe was startled, knowing his master's tolerance for alcohol was barely more than a sesame seed, and asked strangely, "You want to drink?"

Shen Gurong nodded.

He picked up his clothes and put them on, then quickly leaped onto the roof with Mu Zhe. From his storage ring, he took out a small table, wine cups, and a wine jar.

Mu Zhe frowned. Shen Gurong tended to talk nonsense when drunk, like a child, and was difficult to handle.

He wanted to stop him, but seeing that Shen Gurong seemed genuinely upset, Mu Zhe reluctantly agreed.

Shen Gurong took out some osmanthus wine from who-knows-where, poured two cups, handed one to Mu Zhe, and said with a smile, "Here."

Mu Zhe had a high tolerance for alcohol and took a sip.

The osmanthus wine was sweet, not quite like wine, but more like honey.

The two of them drank the entire jar of osmanthus wine, one cup after another, then admired the moon for a while. Finally, as Mu Zhe had predicted, Shen Gurong got drunk.

"Even such sweet wine can make him drunk," Mu Zhe sighed.

Shen Gurong hugged Mu Zhe's neck, tilting his head to look at the full moon in the sky, his eyes filled with tears. He murmured, "Mu Zhe, I miss my parents and brothers."

Mu Zhe's heart ached. He gently hugged him, stroking his back, and said softly, "If you miss them, then go see them."

Shen Gurong suddenly sobbed, "They don't remember me. They don't call me Gurong anymore, they all call me 'concubine,' and they laugh at me, boohoo..."

Mu Zhe: "..."

Although he knew it hurt, Mu Zhe still wanted to laugh.

Mu Zhe held Shen Gurong on his lap like a child, gently rocking him and whispering soothingly, "Mu Zhe will always be by Master's side, and will never leave you."

Shen Gurong paused for a moment before nestling his head in Mu Zhe's neck and whispering, "That man surnamed Mu wanted to trick me into becoming his concubine. I said I wouldn't, but he insisted. Tomorrow I'm going to complain to my brother. You just wait, my brother is very powerful."

Mu Zhe: "..."

Mu Zhe almost burst out laughing.

When Shen Gurong was drunk, he liked to talk nonsense, sometimes sobbing, sometimes telling stories, sometimes struggling so much that Mu Zhe almost couldn't hold him down. Finally, it was late at night before Mu Zhe carried him back to bed.

As soon as Shen Gurong touched the bed, he kept burrowing deeper into the covers, soon falling into a deeper sleep, only his steady breathing could be heard.

Mu Zhe had been watching him for a long time, and was about to sit down and meditate when he heard Shen Gurong suddenly call out.

"Mu Zhe."

Mu Zhe turned his head to look at him.

Shen Gurong had somehow raised his hand and was now clutching his sleeve. He must still be asleep; his brows were furrowed, as if he were having a nightmare.

Mu Zhe's heart softened. He took Shen Gurong's hand in his own and whispered, "I'm here."

Shen Gurong remained silent for a long time, then murmured, "Where are you?"

Mu Zhe was startled. Looking at Shen Gurong's seemingly distressed expression, he suddenly felt an uncontrollable urge to know what he was dreaming about.

After much hesitation, Mu Zhe finally probed Shen Gurong's consciousness, invading his dream.

Ordinary cultivators, even in a dream world, would instinctively resist, refusing to let outsiders in. But Shen Gurong trusted Mu Zhe unconditionally, offering no resistance and allowing him to enter the dream realm deep within his sea of ​​consciousness.

After the white mist dissipated, Mu Zhe entered the dream.

Looking around, he saw the bustling city of Huitang.

It was still the Lantern Festival that Shen Gurong could never forget.

Amidst the crowds, the young Shen Gurong, with his black hair and red robes, sat leaning against him by the river, his chin propped up as if in deep distress.

The river was filled with bright red lanterns. Shen Gurong watched them drift past, using others' lanterns to make wishes.

Mu Zhe heard him murmur, "I hope I find my way home soon."

Mu Zhe was taken aback, somewhat amused.

Looks like he's lost. No wonder he asked where he was. He walked over slowly and sat down on the steps next to Shen Gurong, tilting his head to look at him.

Shen Gurong heard the voice, opened his eyes, tilted his head slightly, and looked at the stranger in front of him with a confused expression.

Mu Zhe asked him softly, "Can't you find your way home?"

Shen Gurong nodded and asked, "Are you here to help me?"

Mu Zhe smiled and said, "Yes."

Shen Gurong let out a soft "Ah," muttering, "So, borrowing someone else's lantern to make a wish can make your dreams come true?"

Mu Zhe: "..."

Mu Zhe sighed helplessly, wondering what kind of dream his master had that made him not even recognize him.

He held out his hand to Shen Gurong: "Come, I'll take you home."

Shen Gurong looked at him suspiciously for a long time before saying, "Do you know where my home is?"

Mu Zhe said, "I know."

The largest house in Huitang City was the Shen family's, and next door was the private school.

Shen Gurong looked at him for a long time before finally offering his hand.

Mu Zhe gently took his hand and helped him up.

The city of Huitang was filled with lanterns. Mu Zhe led Shen Gurong by the hand, walking through each lantern. With each step, a lantern beside them would gently extinguish, slowly fading into darkness and swallowing the path behind them.

Mu Zhe glanced back, watching the lanterns slowly go out, like withered flowers, or like fading sorrow.

Shen Gurong, holding Mu Zhe's hand, walked step by step through the long lantern-lit street. As the lanterns went out, the boyish Shen Gurong grew up little by little.

Mu Zhe watched as his once vibrant face turned to ashes in an instant;

He watched his tall figure, yet his body was as thin as a skeleton;

He watched his hair turn white overnight, severing all feelings and love;

He watched him leap into the flames like a moth drawn to a flame;

He watched him suffer unbearable pain, dying tragically on the icy plains.

Finally, they passed the entrance to the Lantern Street, their footsteps lightly landing on the bluestone pavement with a crisp sound.

The last lantern went out silently.

The lantern nightmare that had haunted Shen Gurong for a hundred years finally turned to dust, slowly dissipating behind him.

Shen Gurong, his hair white, his face streaked with tears.

He let Mu Zhe lead him by the hand, walking out of this century-long nightmare.

Shen Gurong still held Mu Zhe's hand, gently rubbing it against his cheek, his eyes curving into a smile, as passionate and vibrant as they had been in his youth.

“Thank you for taking me home.”

Mu Zhe stared at him, stunned.

The lantern-lit street vanished, and the place that had once been the Shen family's residence in Huitang City was now the Great Swamp of Taozhou in the present world.

—The residence of Shen Gurong and Mu Zhe.

Shen Gurong took Mu Zhe's hand, nimbly leaping up the steps, turning back with a smile, “Come on, let's go home.”

Mu Zhe looked at him for a long time before suddenly smiling and squeezing his hand tightly.

The Great Swamp is boundless, and the years are long.

[The End]

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