In the beginning, during the first few years after Xia De was reincarnated into this world, he had packaged himself as a sensible, mature, and friendly child. Back then, his disguise skills weren't quite good enough.
Sister Vanessa and Novas could see that a deep obsession was hidden in his heart, making him always unable to open up to others.
Later, as Xia De grew older, he became more mature and better at hiding himself, and they gradually stopped sensing that obsession on him.
But from their perspective, they didn't know if Xia De had truly resolved his obsession or if he had just hidden it away.
They leaned toward the latter, because they had never felt any heartfelt emotions from Xia De.
Therefore, Novas's dying wish was for Xia De to take a good look at the world, hoping he would lay down the heavy burden in his heart.
On the day Novas died, Sister Vanessa truly felt the sorrow in Xia De's heart.
The next day, when Xia De left, she didn't know how to face him.
Because she understood that Xia De didn't want others to see his sadness, yet her nature made it impossible for her to turn a blind eye to such things.
So that day, she didn't join the others to bid Xia De farewell, but silently prayed for him in the church instead.
When Xia De returned to the village last time, Vanessa felt very comforted to see him. Although Xia De hadn't fully shown his emotions back then, he was already gradually changing.
And with that smile just now, Vanessa truly felt the emotion in Xia De's heart. This showed that the burden in his heart was slowly being laid down.
“Grandpa Novas's dying wish?”
Xia De lowered his eyes and murmured softly, then nodded firmly to Sister Vanessa, smiling.
“I will enjoy life to the fullest.”
Previously, because his strength was too weak, coupled with being new to this unfamiliar world and his personality from his past life, he wouldn't show his inner self to others.
Because he couldn't afford the price.
When one is weak, sincerity is often extremely genuine but at the same time extremely fragile.
Perhaps there were people who wouldn't betray sincerity, but Xia De never believed he would be lucky enough to meet them.
Now, his strength was already great enough, and he could relax a little.
Lili looked at the two of them in confusion, feeling a bit puzzled, but she could see from Sister Vanessa and Xia De's smiles that they were very happy.
That was enough!
“Sister Vanessa, I came back this time to say goodbye to everyone. I might not return here for a very long time after this.”
Meeting Sister Vanessa's gentle gaze, Xia De lowered his head and said with some embarrassment.
Because at the thought of leaving so soon after returning, he knew it would make those who cared about him feel sad.
But the disappointment Xia De expected didn't appear on Sister Vanessa's face. Instead, filled with maternal love and comfort, she said:
“Go, child. This is also a part of your journey, a part of life. Just as Novas said, the road ahead of you is bound to be wonderfully exciting. So there's no need to feel troubled for our sake. We are already very happy that you made a special trip back just to let us know.”
With that, she crossed her fingers before her chest, lowered her head, and closed her eyes. With a voice filled with motherly love and care, she said to Xia De:
“May the Gods bless you, child. May He light up every long road your feet are about to tread with the sacred flames that burn eternally in the high heavens. May the morning star guide your way, and may the evening breeze never hinder your boat. May the people you meet harbor good intentions, and may the evil you avoid never touch your robes. May you find unprecedented rewards at the end of your journey. May your path ahead be smooth sailing, and your journey colorful. May you meet those who love you and those whom you love. And finally, may the Gods protect you from your very next step until you return here once more.”
The long blessing fell upon Xia De's ears. Xia De didn't believe in gods, but he knew this was Vanessa's own way of expressing her concern and blessings for him.
Xia De nodded firmly and smiled. “I will! I will walk this journey well.”
Sister Vanessa looked at Xia De's young face, the tenderness and affection on her own face deepening even further.
Afterward, Xia De and Sister Vanessa caught up briefly, and the two of them even guided Lili in learning healing magic.
Since both of them were usually very gentle and friendly but never careless when it came to serious matters,
the unfortunate Lili experienced the long-lost double-high-pressure education she used to have before Xia De left, and sad tears almost spilled from the corners of her eyes.
“Sister Vanessa, I'll head home first then. After all, no one has lived there for so long, so I need to go back and clean up.”
At the church door, Xia De waved to Sister Vanessa.
Sister Vanessa nodded with a light laugh. Beside her was Lili, whose mouth was slightly open and her head was spinning, looking as though she hadn't quite recovered yet.
Just as Xia De had walked some distance away, the sound of wind piercing suddenly came from behind him.
With a chuckle, Xia De reached out two fingers and easily caught the wooden sword flying toward him from behind.
“As expected of the ‘Grim Reaper,’ to actually be able to catch my sword.”
An excited voice came from behind him, very loud and clear, sounding as though it contained an endless supply of energy.
Xia De sighed softly, turned around slowly, and said helplessly:
“A sneak attack doesn't really suit the identity of a Hero, Huey.”
Standing behind him was indeed Huey, whose smile was like the sun.
Compared to their last meeting, Huey had changed quite a bit. Not only had his height grown to around 1.75 meters, but his strength had also increased, now reaching the level of Tier One, Rank Three.
He looked just like a young adult.
But only one thing had never changed from beginning to end: the silly yet warm and brilliant sun-like smile on his face.
“Then I'll be the first Hero who knows how to sneak attack. After all, a sneak attack is also a manifestation of wisdom. You were the one who taught me that.”
Huey came to Xia De's side, extended his fist toward him, and smiled.
“Come duel me, Xia De!”
“No! I still have to go home and clean my house!”
Xia De flatly refused.
“Well, alright then.”
Huey nodded, then added, “Then we'll duel tomorrow!”
“Fine, we have three days anyway.”
“You're actually staying for so long this time!”
Huey said in surprise, because the last time Xia De came back, he had only stayed for a single day before leaving in a hurry.
Immediately after, an even stronger excitement erupted on his face, his eyes shining with golden light.
“Then we can have a great, satisfying fight over these three days! I'll let you see my growth over this past year. I'm no longer who I used to be. The Grim Reaper versus the Hero—just thinking about it gets me excited!”
Xia De didn't take Huey's bait. Knowing Huey, the more he argued with him on this topic, the more excited the guy would get.
He decisively changed the subject.
“But to think you'd actually join the guard force. Didn't you say back then that you'd become an adventurer once your cultivation broke through?”
Hearing Xia De's words, Huey said somewhat gloomily:
“My sister insisted on it. She said I'm still too childish and need to be tempered more, so she had that guy Greto bring me into the guard force. I can only go out to be an adventurer once I turn sixteen. Damn it! I really want to go out and make a name for myself right away. Maybe I'd even get a title then, or even become a Hero. After all, you only went out for a month and already got the title of Grim Reaper. As your partner, I absolutely cannot lag behind!”
“A Hero's title? The Bed-Wetting Hero?”
Rate on N.U.
