# Chapter 2048: Parting Sorrow
These sudden words caused Hua Caili's tense heart to suddenly fall into confusion: "I... I..."
Yun Che's voice and expression remained calm: "If my guess is correct, you should be surnamed 'Hua' and named 'Caili', am I right?"
"...!" Hua Caili's head lifted sharply, her gaze trembling.
As if obtaining the final answer from her expression, Yun Che smiled: "Indeed. Actually, it wasn't that hard to guess."
He raised his head, looking at the sky that had returned to gray, and said slowly: "That day, when your veil fell, I was fortunate enough to see your true face, stunning as a dream... Later, I inadvertently recalled that legend, lamenting that the legendary Caili Divine Maiden, who gathered all the beauty of the Abyss, might not even be a third as stunning as you."
"It was after that sigh that I naturally conceived a nearly absurd thought... Could you, who seemed like a celestial descending into the mortal world, be the legendary Caili Divine Maiden?"
Hua Caili silently bit her lip, at a loss for words.
"So, I thought back to our first encounter in Linyuan Realm. Facing that silver-clad man who intended to do you harm, you were very certain that his surname was 'Meng', and then called out the names 'Mengjianxi' and 'Mengjianzhou' respectively. Although I have never dealt with people from the Divine Kingdoms, I also know that 'Mengjianxi' is the Divine Son of the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom."
"But at that time, the Divine Kingdoms were too distant for me, so distant they seemed almost illusory. I certainly wouldn't have derived any other thoughts from it. Looking back now, you clearly have no guile in your heart, yet when you called out the Weaving Dream Divine Son's name, you were exceptionally calm and certain..."
"Unless, you are someone of equal standing to him."
"When we met in the Mist Sea, we encountered that person named 'Fan Qingzhou'. With just one glance, you declared he was a candidate knight of the Eternal Pure Land. I was deeply amazed at the time but didn't find it convenient to ask more... And the legendary Caili Divine Maiden, although she is the Divine Maiden of the Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom, often resides in the Eternal Pure Land, beloved by Yuan Huang and the Divine Officials. Naturally, she would know the Abyss Knights better than anyone."
Without looking at Hua Caili's current expression, Yun Che continued: "And then there's the sword you cultivate. My master has explained various sword paths to me, and all I've seen in my life fall within them. Only the sword intent you displayed was beyond my master's understanding of the sword path."
"And the pinnacle of Abyss sword paths lies in the Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom. It is said that the sword path cultivated by the Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom was taught by the supreme Yuan Huang, so it is indeed likely to be beyond my master's understanding of the sword path. Since we met, you have never revealed half a word about the sword path, sword techniques, or even the name of your beloved sword. That's because even the slightest hint would expose your identity."
These reasons were laid out one by one, telling Hua Caili of the various flaws she had inadvertently revealed.
She moved her lips, lifting her head slightly... As the Zhe Tian Divine Maiden, her voice was now so soft and timid: "Do you blame me for deceiving you? But I... I..."
"No, of course not." Before she could finish, Yun Che shook his head decisively: "You are the Divine Maiden of a Divine Kingdom, how noble you are. Hiding your identity is the most appropriate action. No one could possibly blame you for that."
The dimmed beautiful eyes regained their light, and the girl's voice recovered some joy: "Then... Young Master Yun really isn't angry with me?"
As she spoke, she stepped forward, about to grab Yun Che's wrist... But as soon as she took a step, Yun Che quickly stepped back.
Hua Caili's body froze instantly, as if stars were shattering in her eyes.
"You... are indeed still angry with me. It's only right that you're angry. You have always been sincere with me, never holding back even your biggest secrets. Yet I... I..."
She bit her lip hard, barely suppressing the acridness that threatened to well up in her eyes, and forced a smile on her face: "I promise you, from now on, I will never hide anything from you again. And... and all my secrets, everything, as long as you want to know, I will tell you... okay..."
"............" Hua Qingying's brows gradually tightened, eventually becoming like two sword edges containing killing intent.
Yun Che shook his head again: "I really am not angry, and I really don't blame you. I have no reason, no qualification to blame you or be angry with you."
As if afraid to meet the broken look in her eyes, he lowered his gaze and said slowly: "Do you remember the words I once said to you?"
"We are people from two worlds."
Hua Caili: "..."
"When we first met, just your aura and charm made me know your background must be extraordinary. At that time, I thought you might come from a large clan or sect, perhaps even from a Divine Kingdom... But I never dreamed that you could actually be the Divine Maiden of a Divine Kingdom."
He laughed self-deprecatingly: "So, we are not just people from two worlds. The Divine Maiden of a Divine Kingdom, a rootless drifting duckweed... The chasm between us cannot be bridged by countless worlds."
"..." These words caused much of the killing intent in Hua Qingying's brows to dissipate.
"No, that's not true." Hua Caili shook her head vigorously in denial: "I have never felt there is any difference between us. On the contrary, you are the best person I have ever met in this life... the best in every way. Even... even Uncle Yuan Huang often tells me 'all beings are equal'..."
"You might indeed think that way, because you are still too pure and kind, too naive and innocent." Yun Che's face showed none of the emotion Hua Caili had hoped for: "What's more pitiful is that the phrase 'all beings are equal' only comes from the mouths of those in power."
"Divine Maiden of a Divine Kingdom... I believe that no matter how naive you are, you should understand what this identity entails... It is not only the highest nobility and status, but also the fate and future of a vast Divine Kingdom."
"Her nobility cannot be stained by even a speck of mortal dirt; her choices cannot allow any damage to the Divine Kingdom; and her dignity, her will... Can you imagine, if the world knew that a Divine Son or Divine Maiden was close to a mortal without even a background, what turmoil and uproar it would cause?"
Yun Che's words guided Hua Caili's thoughts. She wanted to refute but couldn't think of enough words to do so, and could only shake her head even harder.
Yun Che slowly reached out, his fingertip gently landing on the corner of her eye.
A teardrop dissolved beneath his fingertip, spreading the first tear of love this girl had ever shed in her life.
Hua Caili stared at him blankly, unable to move, unable to speak.
"Sister Qu," his voice became so gentle, "During the time I spent with you, every moment felt like a dream."
"Your figure, your eyes, your voice, your innocence, your youth... Everything about you attracted me, made me infatuated to the point of losing my heart and soul countless times."
"Ah..." A soft moan escaped Hua Caili's lips, tears glistening.
"I guessed your identity, but I couldn't bear to leave. Because every moment near you was too beautiful, too extravagant. Every day, I greedily watched you, protected you, tried to do things that might make you happy, until..."
He suddenly turned his head away. Though the movement was quick, Hua Caili still caught the faint glint of moisture in his eyes.
"Until just now, I felt you drawing closer to me."
His hand slowly moved away from her cheek, as if taking away the last trace of his attachment. He turned around, his voice as faint as the wind: "I was overjoyed, and then a fear a thousand times greater than the joy... I absolutely could not allow myself to become your burden, not even a temporary stain."
He let out a long breath: "Caili Divine Maiden, may you have a smooth life. I will never forget... Sister Qu."
As his voice fell, his figure resolutely walked away, never looking back.
"Young Master Yun!" Hua Caili cried out in a daze, instinctively chasing after him.
"The person you are betrothed to is still waiting for you to return."
A quickly fading voice reached the girl's ears, causing a buzz in her soul sea. She stood frozen on the spot, her gaze rapidly losing focus.
The person she was betrothed to...
The engagement between Dian Jiuzhi, Divine Son of the Senluo Divine Kingdom, and Hua Caili, Divine Maiden of the Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom, bestowed by Yuan Huang himself, was known to all the world.
Because of the potential "distribution" of Divine Successors and the inheritance of bloodlines, marriages between Divine Sons and Divine Maidens were extremely rare in the history of the Abyss. Thus, the earth-shaking significance of this betrothal could be imagined.
And the one most indifferent and ignorant of it all was, ironically, Hua Caili.
She understood the meaning of the betrothal but had never taken it to heart.
Because it was her Father God's arrangement.
Her entire life had been arranged by her Father God. The betrothal he arranged was, to her, like arranging a trial, a ceremony... no different from any other arrangement of what she should do at which stage.
Dian Jiuzhi was very good to her, and she was especially close to him. So regarding this betrothal, she had no concept of rejection, and at the same time never paid it any mind... Because when the time came, her Father God would arrange everything, and she would just follow his arrangements as usual.
But at this moment... the word "betrothal," which had always been so light that she never actively thought of it, suddenly became so heavy, making her eyes blurred, her heart confused, almost unable to breathe.
It wasn't just a betrothal, not just a lifetime bound to another person.
It was also the stability and dignity of two great Divine Kingdoms.
It was her Father God's expectations, the eyes of the world;
It was Yuan Huang's supreme imperial might.
It was...
That's why he left so resolutely...
...
The world seemed to become empty, time seemed to stand still... After who knows how long, the heavy suffocation in her heart still hadn't dissipated. She slowly raised her eyes, and as far as her sight and perception reached, there was no trace of Yun Che.
She closed her eyes, a devastating sadness on her face that could break any man's heart in an instant.
I am the Divine Maiden of the Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom. My life is already destined not to belong to myself, but to the Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom.
So...
It was destined to be only a... fleeting dream...
Like a meteor that shines brilliantly for a moment, but is destined to be extinguished...
Hua Qingying gazed into the distance. Yun Che had left with exceptional resolve and terrifying speed, as if afraid of being caught up by Hua Caili, until he vanished beyond her perception, disappearing into the boundless mist sea.
...
...
Confirming that he was far enough beyond Hua Qingying's perception, Yun Che finally slowed down slightly, and all expression instantly disappeared from his face.
Now alone again, Yun Che completely relaxed, even extravagantly letting out a few big breaths.
After all, during this entire time, he had been under the watchful gaze of the Sword Immortal, his nerves constantly tense.
He strolled leisurely for a while... This time, it was finally Yun Che's turn to speak first: "Little Li Suo, why aren't you asking?"
"...Every time I ask, after you answer, you always say I don't understand." Li Suo's voice was as soft as a dream as always, but seemed not without resentment.
"Ahem... Although you were once a Creation God, after all, your cognition is shattered. Everything has to recover slowly." Yun Che said unhurriedly: "If you watch more and ask more, won't you gradually understand?"
"She was actively approaching you just now, which should have been the success you long awaited. Why did you choose to retreat at this moment, and so resolutely?" Li Suo asked.
Waiting for her to ask this, Yun Che immediately countered: "Tell me, when does a person truly realize the preciousness of something?"
Li Suo thought briefly and answered: "When they lose it."
"Exactly!" Yun Che nodded in approval.
"So, this is what you did it for?" Li Suo seemed not to have found clarification, her voice carrying even more confusion.
"Of course it's not just that." Yun Che narrowed his eyes: "It's for the most critical... last step."
"The step I least expect?" Li Suo quoted Yun Che's earlier words.
"Right." Yun Che answered without hesitation: "You can even start thinking of as many attacking words as you can now, so you won't be at a loss for words when the time comes."
"You... what exactly are you going to do?"
Yun Che smiled slightly, a chilling arc flashing across the corner of his lips: "Although I have used every means I could think of, in such a short time, how deep could her feelings for me be? Could they possibly surpass the love she has received from her Father God since birth?"
"Right now, she has at most... a fondness for me. But what I want is far more than that. I want her to be willing to give up everything for me, to defy everything!"
"Otherwise, how can I use this Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom as a fulcrum to stir up the six great Divine Kingdoms, and even the entire Abyss!"
"..." Li Suo was silent for a long time, completely unable to imagine how Yun Che could achieve the result he spoke of.
A sympathetic sigh arose in her heart:
Though this Zhe Tian Divine Maiden is a Divine Maiden, her heart is pure and untouched. The first time she entered the mortal world, she encountered Yun Che... this one who swore to overturn the Abyss, the most dangerous and terrifying demon god of this era.
How tragic and pitiful.