Tavern of the Spear: Desire for Pleasure

Chapter 36 Returning “Home”

Ao Lian shook her head again, hesitant to speak. Cheng Yu was about to speak when Ao Lian suddenly pounced on him, knocking him down onto the stone bed. Before he could react, warm lips covered his, carrying a hint of blood. Blood, warm blood with a slightly sweet taste, flowed from Ao Lian's mouth into Cheng Yu's, down his throat, and down his esophagus into his stomach. This blood seemed to possess a magical power; wherever it flowed, the pain in Cheng Yu's body gradually subsided, and his wounds began to heal.

At first, Cheng Yu instinctively wanted to resist, but feeling this strange healing power, he gradually relaxed and let Ao Lian do as she pleased. The kiss lasted a long time, so long that Cheng Yu almost suffocated. When Ao Lian finally pulled away from his lips, her face had turned deathly pale, as if she might faint at any moment.

Ao Lian forced a gentle smile. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have hit you."

Cheng Yu quickly shook his head, "No, it's my fault. I shouldn't have come back and caused you trouble."

Ao Lian gave a wry smile, accepting Cheng Yu's apology. "How did you get in? The location of the entrance kept changing. How did you find it?" His tone carried a hint of curiosity, as well as a barely perceptible worry.

Cheng Yu told Ao Lian in detail about his encounter with the mysterious old man.

After listening to Cheng Yu's story, Ao Lian gave a bitter smile, as if mocking Cheng Yu's gullibility, or perhaps self-mocking her own helplessness. "You actually believed a stranger? Aren't you afraid he's lying to you?"

Cheng Yu remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, "I don't know, I just...feel that he wouldn't lie to me."

Ao Lian nodded and didn't press further. He took a deep breath and slowly said, "'The Forgotten Land'... is a world abandoned by a god. This place was originally the dream space of the Dream God, but the Dream God was killed by another god in his dream. That god was 'Wolf'."

Cheng Yu's heart sank. "Wolves? Why?"

“Because of possessiveness.” Ao Lian’s tone carried an indescribable sadness. “'Wolf' and Dream God both fell in love with the same god, and that god was also pulled into this dream, witnessing the scene of them killing each other. After Dream God died, 'Wolf' possessed everything here, but he looked down on this person, so he threw this place into another dimension, and that’s how it became what it is now.”

Cheng Yu was horrified. He hadn't expected that such a cruel story was hidden behind the "Forgotten Land." "Then... what about that god?"

Cheng Yu probably guessed it too, but why would "Wolf" throw Bai Long here?

Aolian shook her head. "I know you've already guessed. Maybe he also thinks I'm not good enough for Him, or maybe... He's already dead."

Cheng Yu fell silent, unsure of what to say. The story was too cruel, leaving him feeling utterly powerless.

"What about me?" Cheng Yu looked up at Ao Lian. "Why don't you want to tell me these things? Do you think something bad will happen to me if I hear these stories?"

A look of pain appeared on Aolian's face. "I...I am...never mind, I absolutely cannot tell you this. I have already answered all your questions."

“Okay…” Cheng Yu’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Thank you for understanding,” Aolian nodded, “but you can’t stay here, at least not now. Some things are only truly understood when you realize how terrible they are!”

"What is it?" Cheng Yu pressed.

Aolian hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "It's not time to tell you yet. I'll tell you everything when you're strong enough."

Although Cheng Yu was filled with doubts, he didn't press the matter further. He knew Ao Lian had her own reasons, and he believed that one day he would learn the whole truth.

"Do you know how to leave here?" Cheng Yu asked, eager to escape this place filled with danger and sorrow.

Aolian shook her head. "I don't know. 'Wolf' controls the entrance here; no one can leave easily."

"...Then how did I leave?"

Bai Long remained silent. He didn't speak, but even though Bai Long didn't speak, Cheng Yu seemed to have guessed something.

"Yes, I'm sorry, I'm back now. Do you regret it?"

Cheng Yu's heart sank. He felt as if he had fallen into an abyss, with no hope in sight.

"Ha, no regrets. It was just a transaction, a transaction in which only one side perished. This transaction earned the sincerity of both parties..."

"Why do you care about me so much? Just because there was a wolf in this desolate place who kept you company for a while?"

Ao Lian gave a bitter smile, "Because you gave me a name."

Cheng Yu stared wide-eyed in disbelief. "Just because of a name? Is it worth paying such a high price for a stranger you've only known for a few days?"

Aolian smiled gently, "Of course it's worth it."

Cheng Yu remained silent for a long time before speaking again, "Does this name... have any special meaning?"

“I like it.” Aolian’s answer was simple and firm, but there was one more thing he didn’t say: because that’s what my name is.

"Is...is it that important?" Cheng Yu still couldn't understand.

Aolian nodded and explained, "In the beginning, the gods had no names because they didn't care about anything. The gods' names came into being because of the appearance of their followers, and the gods' positions also came into being because of the appearance of their followers. Just like Quirinus, the god of war, he originally had no name and never represented war. But because he had followers, and because he led his followers to start wars for the sake of peace, he became the god of war, Quirinus."

Cheng Yu still didn't understand. "But that doesn't mean names are important. I only needed to be killed to escape this place, so why does someone else have to pay a heavy price to get me out?!"

A flicker of pain crossed Aolian's eyes. "Because... I don't want you to die."

"Why?" Cheng Yu pressed.

Ao Lian fell silent, unsure how to explain. After a long while, he slowly spoke, "Because... you are special."

"Special?" Cheng Yu didn't understand what was so special about him.

“There’s something about you that feels familiar to me.” Ao Lian’s tone was somewhat elusive, as if she were lost in some kind of memory. “I feel like we’ve met somewhere before.”

Cheng Yu's heart skipped a beat, a strange flutter spreading through him. Could it be... that he and Ao Lian really knew each other?

"You remembered?" Ao Lian's eyes held a hint of expectation.

Cheng Yu shook his head. "No, I can't remember anything."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Aolian's eyes, but he quickly masked it. "It's alright, you'll remember someday."

"Then... will I ever see you again?" Cheng Yu asked, suddenly feeling reluctant to leave Aolian.

Ao Lian gave a bitter smile. "I don't know. 'Wolf' controls the entrance here, and I don't know when I'll see you again."

Cheng Yu's heart sank; he felt as if he had lost something important.

"Promise me you'll live well." Aolian's eyes were filled with tenderness and determination.

Cheng Yu nodded. "I promise you."

Ao Lian reached out and gently stroked Cheng Yu's cheek. "Goodbye, Cheng Yu."

Cheng Yu closed his eyes, feeling Ao Lian's tenderness. He knew this might be the last time they met.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself back at the lake. It was completely dark, and a thick fog hung over the lake, like a giant monster ready to devour him at any moment.

The old man was long gone, as if he had never existed.

Cheng Yu took a deep breath, turned around, and left the lakeside. He knew he had to leave this dangerous place as soon as possible and return to his own world.

But where could Cheng Yu go? Back to his master? The "painting" wasn't finished yet, and he still had no clue how to leave the "Forgotten Land." He knew he had to help Bai Long. But what good would going back do? These worries were like a tangled mess, tightly binding his thoughts and leaving him utterly exhausted. He didn't want to go to Evand and the others; he knew that even if he told them, they would be powerless and it would only add to their worries.

After much deliberation, Cheng Yu finally decided to return to his master. He rushed to the Minotaur tribe as quickly as possible, moving like a nimble cheetah through the dense jungle, silently avoiding the sight of all the guards. He had only one thought in his mind: to see his master as soon as possible and seek his help and guidance.

After a long trek, as dawn broke and the sun was about to rise, Cheng Yu finally arrived at the temple atop the mountain. He pushed open the temple doors, panting, and was immediately enveloped by a solemn and dignified atmosphere. He entered a small room filled with calligraphy and paintings, took a deep breath, and uttered the title he hadn't used in a long time: "Master!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the space in the room began to ripple, spreading out like water. Then, Cheng Yu found himself in a familiar courtyard house. Warm sunlight shone on him, the courtyard was lush with flowers and plants, filled with birdsong and the fragrance of blossoms; everything seemed so peaceful and serene. This familiar scene made Cheng Yu feel incredibly at ease, as if he had returned home.

His master, the mysterious and powerful dragon, was leisurely reclining on a deck chair in the courtyard, watching him with a smile. "You're back." Those two or three simple words contained boundless care and warmth, causing Cheng Yu to finally hold back his tears.

Seeing Cheng Yu's appearance, a hint of worry flashed in Long's eyes. He teleported to Cheng Yu's side, gently pulled him into his arms, and tenderly comforted him, "What's wrong? What happened? Tell me slowly, don't rush."

Cheng Yu nestled in Long's arms and told him everything that had happened during this time, including his encounter in the "Forgotten Land," Ao Lian's sacrifice, and his inner confusion and bewilderment.

Long listened quietly, without interrupting Cheng Yu's narration. After Cheng Yu finished speaking, he sighed softly, "Child, you have suffered."

Cheng Yu raised his head, looked into the dragon's eyes, and asked, "Master, what should I do?"

A profound light flashed in the dragon's eyes. "Child, your journey is long. You need to keep learning and growing. The secrets of the 'Forgotten Land' are far more complex than you imagine. You need to become stronger to unravel these mysteries."

Cheng Yu nodded. "I know, Master. I will try my best."

Long smiled. "I believe you. Now, take a good rest. I'll walk the rest of the way with you."

Cheng Yu nodded, nestled in Long's arms, feeling his warmth and strength. He knew that no matter how difficult the road ahead might be, he would not be alone, for he had his master's companionship and guidance.

In the dragon's embrace, Cheng Yu gradually relaxed and fell into a deep sleep. He had a dream in which he returned to the "Forgotten Land" and saw Ao Lian's gentle smile. He knew that even though they were in different worlds, their hearts were always together.

Hakan: Well, I've become the clown...