Chapter 1266: Misfortune
White Snake dragged his nearly numb body, step by step, to the edge of the black broken hole.
Then he swung his legs over the side, leaned his head against the wall, and looked up at the boundless, vast starry sky.
The breathtaking sight momentarily enchanted him, as if it had been a long time since he had quietly admired the scenery like this.
No, actually, what scenery was there to see in the "Land of the End"?
"People" were the only scenery here.
"So it's true—when people are dying, they really do see their life flash before their eyes…" White Snake murmured.
Yet, scanning through all the images in his mind, not a single scene came from the real world. They were all filled with stories that had happened in the "Land of the End."
"That damned brat!"
"My name is Qi Xia, not 'damned brat.'"
Two voices echoed in White Snake's mind.
"I'll call you 'damned brat' if I want!"
"Fine, suit yourself."
"By the way… everyone's afraid of me. Why aren't you?"
"Afraid of what?"
"I'm neither male nor female… like a… monster…"
"You haven't gotten in my way," the voice replied.
"I…" In the memory, White Snake's emotions were anxious. "But a lot of people point fingers at me when they see me… even…"
The voice paused, then said, "That's because they have too much free time—so much that they can meddle in other people's lives. I'm busy. I don't have time. And besides…"
He stared at White Snake and said in a low voice, "I don't think you're a monster."
Whether it counted as comfort or not, that damned brat's words did make White Snake feel a little better inside.
It was precisely because he had endured countless instances of malice since childhood that he could cherish every bit of kindness.
No matter what Qi Xia had really thought back then, White Snake had now repaid that debt of gratitude.
But why did he still feel sadness?
After who knew how long, White Snake gradually felt his hands and feet grow cold. Every wound on his body seemed to have wind pouring in, making them feel chilly. The blood had dried on his skin, itchy and cold. He thought he might have slept for a while, or maybe fainted. His consciousness was no longer clear, and his limbs gradually lost all sensation.
He had done everything he could. Celestial Snake had cut open several blood vessels on his body—under these circumstances, there was no better outcome.
Although he had trapped Celestial Snake, it seemed he couldn't trap "Qiong Qi."
After a while longer, the movements of Celestial Snake and "Qiong Qi" behind him ceased. Then footsteps sounded, and a figure sat down beside White Snake. It was Celestial Snake.
The two of them gazed together at the vast nebula, silent for a long time.
"Is she gone?" White Snake asked.
"She's gone."
"Don't you want her to use 'Warp' to take you away?" White Snake asked again.
"Her…?" Celestial Snake laughed bitterly, then shook his head. "Take me back to Azure Dragon so she can twist the story and report my failures? I've already messed up the mission. Going back means instant death. Besides, I can't be sure that Qiong Qi can even make it back."
"Ha… good."
Another long silence followed. It was as if staring at the starry sky above could make one forget about time.
Or perhaps… everyone in the "Land of the End" had long forgotten time.
"Earth Snake…" Celestial Snake's tone was still tinged with sorrow. He said in a low voice, "I have an idea. Let me stitch up your wounds right now… I'll keep you alive. I don't want to stay here alone… With no one to talk to, I'll definitely go mad."
"Ha ha…" White Snake stared at the stars, laughing dazedly. "Thanks for the offer, my dear teacher, but I'd rather die."
"Why…" Celestial Snake lowered his head and grabbed his hair, wailing. "You could survive! We could be company for each other! You're knowledgeable, aren't you? We can exchange knowledge! You like reading, I like reading—wouldn't that be…"
"Hahahaha!" White Snake laughed weakly, his serpent eyes reflecting the vast sea of stars. "How ridiculous. Ahem… Celestial Snake… you don't want to stay here with Qiong Qi yourself, so why would you think I'd want to stay here with you? What's the difference between the two of you? That's the funniest joke I've ever heard… Ahem…"
"Qiong Qi is different!! Qiong Qi, she…" Celestial Snake quickly pulled the crumpled paper scraps from his pocket, flipped out two crooked characters, and showed them to White Snake. "Do you see this?! She's a 'Harbinger of Calamity'! How can she stay here?"
"'Harbinger of Calamity'? Hahahahaha." White Snake grinned, letting out a dry laugh. "So that's it… Su Daji? Bao Si? Ha… Ahem… My dear teacher, you actually did a good deed this time… You have 'Clairvoyance,' but you didn't check that woman's 'Echo' the first chance you got… Who can you blame for that…"
"My 'Clairvoyance'…" Celestial Snake stood up angrily, dragged the 'Furniture' with 'Clairvoyance' right in front of White Snake, and removed its eyepatch.
Only then did White Snake see that the 'Furniture''s eyes were bloodshot.
"Why would I damage my beloved 'Furniture' for that woman?!" Celestial Snake gritted his teeth. "Besides, who would have expected her to carry such a bizarre 'Immortal Art'?!"
"Indeed… 'Harbinger of Calamity'… Ha… Ahem…"
White Snake coughed weakly, his life truly entering its final countdown.
With limited medical conditions, even if Celestial Snake stitched up all his wounds, there was no way to replace the blood he had lost.
"The term 'Harbinger of Calamity' originally referred to a woman who, after gaining favor, could bring ruin to a nation or organization…" Celestial Snake said with lingering fear. "She will only continuously create chaos for the organization she belongs to. As long as she thinks she's on our side, we're doomed to lose…"
"Wrong…" White Snake smiled weakly, shaking his head. He clearly had very little strength left. "My dear teacher, you and I are not on the same side."
"You…" Celestial Snake paused. "Fine, even if you and I aren't on the same side, it won't change anything. As long as the 'Harbinger of Calamity' is still around, Azure Dragon won't be able to suppress this rebellion. It's all that woman's fault… Everything is going to fall apart."
"Cough… I don't agree with that statement." White Snake leaned against the shattered wall, staring blankly at the sky. "A vast nation or organization… doesn't collapse in an instant just because of one woman. In my view, that's just incompetent rulers shifting the blame. For a 'Harbinger of Calamity' to find a crack to exploit only proves that the cracks themselves are numerous enough."
Celestial Snake paused upon hearing this, then quickly said, "See! Earth Snake! You're so knowledgeable! Can't we just chat like this every day… and get through this long stretch of time? Let's talk about how various 'Echoes' can be used. Let's discuss how terrifying the 'Harbinger of Calamity' really is. Maybe one day we can…"
"Ha ha." White Snake let out an ambiguous laugh, his gaze growing even more distant. "Celestial Snake, you're too foolish. I can't chat with you every day. I'd go mad."
"I… foolish?"
"You say… the terrifying thing is the 'Harbinger of Calamity'?" White Snake retorted. "What's truly terrifying is the person who wields the 'Harbinger of Calamity' skillfully… Let me ask you… Ahem… If the 'Harbinger of Calamity' were your soldier… how would you use her to lead yourself to victory?"