Journey Through Realms: Fulfilling Last Wishes

Chapter 10: The Innocent Little Lotus of the Demon Sect

At the edge of a bottomless cliff behind Jianhai Manor stood two people.

“Shen Yu, are we lost? Should we look for another way out? This place is way too dangerous,” An Ran suggested nervously as she looked down at the seemingly endless drop, her heart filled with fear.

“Don’t worry, Ran Ran. We’re not lost. This is the only way to escape from them,” Shen Yu said seriously, his gaze focused on her.

“Is there really no other option? Do we have to take such a risk? Shen Yu, maybe we can find a tree to hide in for the night and wait for them to disperse tomorrow. Then we can look for another path, don’t you think?”

An Ran took a few steps closer to the edge, peering down. The cliff face was smooth, with no plants or even jutting rocks to grab onto. Falling down meant there was nothing to hold onto.

“Trust me, Ran Ran. Don’t be afraid. As long as I’m here, I won’t let anything happen to you,” Shen Yu reassured her, his back turned as he observed the cliff.

“Alright… I… I trust you the most, Shen Yu. As long as you’re here, I’ll be fine,” An Ran said, forcing a smile and stepping back from the edge.

What kind of escape route is this? It feels more like a suicide path. There’s no way we’ll survive this! No trees, no vines, nothing to save us on the way down… but look at him, speaking so confidently, An Ran thought to herself.

“I knew you’ve always trusted me the most, Ran Ran,” Shen Yu said, clearly seeing through her forced smile but not explaining further.

He chuckled to himself.

how the little girl had learned to lie to him after just a few days apart. Seems like it’s time for a little lesson, he thought.

“Well, then, Shen Yu, let’s jump now!” An Ran said with a grin, inwardly preparing for the worst.

Better get it over with quickly!

If I fail, at least it’s a learning experience. Who knows, maybe I’ll survive, find some martial arts secret manual down there, and become invincible!

“No rush, we’ll wait a bit longer. There’s still time to jump,” Shen Yu replied calmly, showing no signs of urgency.

What? We’re waiting? Even jumping off a cliff has to be timed? Will waiting get me a better reincarnation? These ancient people and their superstitions!

“Alright, fine… wherever Shen Yu goes, I’ll go too. I’ll never leave your side again,” An Ran said sweetly, hoping her words would somehow convince him not to jump after all. She secretly hoped for any change in the plan.

“There they are, by the cliff! Qin San, go inform the Young Master! We’ll guard them here!” The leader of the search party shouted as they quickly closed in.

“They’re fast. Ran Ran, get ready, we’re jumping now,” Shen Yu said, getting up from his relaxed position on the edge.

“We’re really jumping now, Shen Yu? Should I prepare anything special?” An Ran asked tentatively. Maybe he has some secret weapon up his sleeve that I don’t know about. Better ask just in case I mess things up.

“No need. There’s nothing to prepare. But if you’re scared, you can just hold on tight to me,” Shen Yu said, flashing a mischievous grin.

Hold on tight to him? That’s his brilliant plan? Is he just trying to take advantage of me?

“Ran Ran, loosen your grip a bit. You’re holding on too tightly. I can’t even move. You know, it’s better if I’m the one doing the embracing in situations like this,” Shen Yu teased, his tone both playful and slightly mocking.

Unbelievable! How dare he! He’s enjoying this, yet he acts like he’s the victim here. He’s so infuriating!

An Ran had considered not holding on to him, but then she thought, If I don’t hold him tightly, I might panic during the fall. Besides, if I’m holding onto him, I won’t be able to see anything, and that’ll make the jump less terrifying. It’s not about wanting to cling to him—it’s about not getting separated… right?

But Shen Yu’s teasing was too much. Furious, An Ran almost let go.

I don’t need to hug him anyway! Hmph!

“Hold on tight and don’t let go. You’ve already hugged me—no need to get mad. I don’t mind. You can hold on as much as you like,” Shen Yu quickly grabbed her waist, sensing her frustration and not wanting her to back out of the jump.

“You… Shen Yu, you’re too much!” An Ran shouted, exasperated.

The system really couldn’t be trusted, An Ran thought bitterly.

According to the profile she had read, Shen Yu was supposed to be cold, ruthless, and emotionless—a man who killed without blinking. Even towards the original character, he had only ever protected her from the shadows, never crossing any boundaries. But here he was, speaking shamelessly, as if she had been the one to take advantage of him. It was infuriating!

Just as An Ran was debating whether to keep holding on to him, Qin Yuan, having received word, rushed over.

Qin Yuan had been busy at the banquet, but his mind kept drifting to An Ran, worried she wouldn’t take her medicine and would hide it from him. So, he found a moment to check on her, only to walk into an empty room.

Gone out again? Even after getting hurt, she still can’t stay put. How disobedient, Qin Yuan thought helplessly.

He was about to leave when he saw Qiuyue approaching with a bowl of dessert, and no one else in sight.

Qin Yuan’s brows furrowed, a sense of unease growing. He hoped his suspicions weren’t correct.

“Where have you been? Where’s your lady?” Qin Yuan asked in a cold tone as Qiuyue entered.

“Greetings, Young Master. The lady is resting in her room. I just went to fetch her some sweet soup since the medicine was bitter,” Qiuyue replied with a fawning smile.

The moment Qiuyue said that An Ran was in her room, Qin Yuan’s heart sank. Seeing Qiuyue’s obsequious expression, he lost his temper and kicked her, sending her flying.

“Resting in her room? Then go find her there! You can’t even look after one person properly—useless!” Qin Yuan shouted angrily at Qiuyue, who was now coughing up blood on the ground. He turned and stormed out.

“Gather all the manor’s guards and search for her! She can’t have gone far!” Qin Yuan ordered a patrolling guard as he left the guest courtyard.

“Yes, Young Master! Is there a description of the person we’re looking for?” The head guard asked, confused.

“She’s a young woman, wearing blue, and there should be a man with her. They can’t have gone far, search the manor grounds and the back mountain!” Qin Yuan replied quickly.

By the time Qin Yuan arrived, he saw An Ran and Shen Yu embracing near the edge of the cliff.

“What do you think you’re doing? Let go of An Ran! If you do, I might consider leaving your corpse intact!” Qin Yuan roared at Shen Yu, his fury barely contained.

“Why should I? Ran Ran was the one who hugged me first. If I let go, she’d be heartbroken. As for leaving my corpse intact, thanks, but I don’t need that. As long as Ran Ran is with me, even if we’re crushed to pieces, I’m not afraid,” Shen Yu replied arrogantly, deliberately provoking Qin Yuan.

“Shameless! How did you trick An Ran into coming with you? Let her go now, or else!” Qin Yuan threatened, his face darkening.

“You’re quite amusing. First of all, Ran Ran came with me willingly to die for love. Secondly, why should I let her go just because you said so? Who do you think you are? Demanding I let her go without offering anything in return?” Shen Yu mocked.

“You… Fine, I’ll give you ten thousand taels of gold if you let An Ran go,” Qin Yuan stammered, his face turning red—whether from anger or anxiety, it was unclear.

“Ran Ran, I didn’t know you were worth so much. Maybe you should go with him—ten thousand taels of gold is quite tempting,” Shen Yu said with a smirk, looking down at An Ran in his arms.

An Ran, meanwhile, was mentally cursing Shen Yu for his shamelessness. Die for love? When did I ever agree to that? She gritted her teeth, thinking about how thick-skinned he was.

“No! Shen Yu, you can’t sell me! I’ll work hard to earn more than ten thousand taels of gold in the future, so don’t give me away!” An Ran said, looking up at Shen Yu in a panic. Inside, she was screaming, How can you even think about selling me? If I didn’t need to fulfill the original owner’s wish, I’d beat you to the ground!

“See, Young Master Qin, I’d love to sell her to you, but Ran Ran here insists on staying with me and earning me more gold. So why don’t you be a good man and let us leave the mountain in peace? We’ll be forever grateful,” Shen Yu said with a smile, calling out to Qin Yuan.

“Dream on! You’re from the Demon Sect, known for your countless murders. How could I, a righteous man, let you leave and harm others?” Qin Yuan shouted righteously.

“Hah! The Demon Sect kills, sure, but haven’t you done the same? Oh right, according to you righteous people, those you killed deserved it, so you were just doing good deeds. How noble of you,” Shen Yu scoffed, glaring at Qin Yuan.

Why are they arguing about killing now? Aren’t we supposed to be jumping off the cliff? My arms are going numb from holding on, and my wound is starting to hurt again, An Ran thought, growing impatient.

“Shen Yu, let’s not waste time talking to them. They’ll never understand. Let’s jump—I’m in pain,” An Ran said pitifully, looking at Shen Yu.

“True, there’s no reasoning with hypocrites. Hold on, Ran Ran, we’re jumping now,” Shen Yu said, tightening his grip on her and offering a reassuring smile.

“You heard her, Young Master Qin. Ran Ran can’t wait to die with me. I won’t waste any more time with you. Farewell!” Shen Yu called out as he jumped off the cliff with An Ran in his arms.

He’s truly shameless. Being called shameless would be a compliment at this point, An Ran thought just before feeling the sensation of falling. So, in the end, we really jumped.

The last thing she heard before they plunged into the abyss was Qin Yuan’s frantic scream.

“No! An Ran, get away from him! No…!”

Watching them leap off the cliff, Qin Yuan was filled with despair.

“This isn’t right. It’s too simple. They must have a backup plan. Why would they jump right in front of me? There must be something else going on. An Ran fears death—she wouldn’t jump unless there was a trick,” Qin Yuan said, suddenly realizing something.

“Search the bottom of the cliff! There’s something suspicious going on. Investigate thoroughly!” Qin Yuan ordered his men, before turning and heading down the mountain himself.