Chapter 130: I Promise
After that, more and more people lost their minds.
At first, it was only one or two a day. Occasionally, a small group would succumb together.
Then, seven or eight, then a dozen.
Then dozens at once.
Madness was everywhere.
She saw the dwarf weeping on the ground.
She saw the monk, eyes glazed with lust, performing obscene acts towards the illusory female cultivators.
She saw the painter laughing and crying, using his own blood as ink, painting grotesque images on the scroll.
She saw the swordsman carving open his own stomach with his blade, eating his own flesh.
It was a living hell.
Qingying knew that without Chen Yin’s initial protection, she wouldn’t have lasted this long. His jokes and teasing had kept her sane amidst the growing despair.
But as the madness spread, she became numb to it, no longer needing his constant shielding.
Her only comfort was that her brother, Qingchen, still maintained his daily routine. He hadn’t gone mad, only grown quieter, withdrawing into himself. He no longer shared his insights or greeted others, just mechanically repeating his daily routine.
But at least he wasn’t mad. Yet.
Qingying’s greatest fear was seeing her brother lose his mind. She was terrified he would become like the others.
Fortunately, Chen Yin had told her Qingchen would be the last to fall, so she held onto that hope.
During the final week…
Everyone lost their minds.
The platform became a madhouse. A naked old man running wildly, a female cultivator mutilating herself with a smile, people setting themselves on fire, others weeping uncontrollably.
Huang Manlou and Yu Manli sat facing each other, catatonic. A pair of illusory shoes appeared before them.
“Dao… Dao…”
“Shoes are the Dao… shoes are the Dao…” Huang Manlou mumbled, his eyes empty.
Suddenly, their eyes lit up with manic glee. “Shoes are the Dao! It’s mine! Don’t take it! Mine! Mine!”
They fought over the illusory shoes, then began to tear at each other’s scalps.
Qingying remembered their kind smiles, the love in their eyes when she first saw them.
Xu Xiu, the young girl, sat hunched over, her face pale and gaunt. She pulled out her hair, stuffing it into her mouth and muttering, “This is my only chance… I can comprehend the Dao… I can… gibberish…”
Qingying looked at her with pity, remembering her gentle smile and bright eyes. She was numb to the madness, but she felt a deep sadness.
Only Chen Yin, Qingying, and Qingchen remained sane on the platform.
The Daoist, oblivious to the chaos, continued his lecture, his voice gentle and his smile serene. It was a surreal scene, like a teacher lecturing to a chaotic classroom.
As the sun set, the Daoist asked, “Any insights today?”
No one answered. Only the sounds of madness filled the air.
“No need to be discouraged. Try again tomorrow.” The Daoist smiled and left on his crane.
Qingying watched as her brother stood up and walked towards his dwelling, his steps unsteady. She remembered his cheerful demeanor on their first day. She couldn’t reconcile that image with the haggard young man before her.
She finally broke down and sobbed.
“No… Don’t… comprehend anymore…”
Chen Yin watched her silently.
When her sobs subsided, he asked softly, “Are you done?”
“…Yes.”
“Do you need comfort?”
“…No.”
Qingying bit her lip, tears streaming down her face.
Chen Yin sighed and pulled her up. “Before we came, I asked if you were prepared for your brother’s death. You said you were, but I knew you weren’t. And now?” He looked away sadly.
Qingying wiped her tears. “Now… I hope A’Chen dies soon.” A quick release from this living hell. They had never feared death, but this slow erosion of hope, this unbearable torment, was far more terrifying. She couldn’t bear to watch him suffer any longer.
“Then you’re lucky,” Chen Yin said, his voice making her look up. “Because tomorrow is the last day.”
The next day, Qingying woke up early.
The moment she stepped out, she noticed the difference.
…Silence.
Yesterday, the air had been filled with the cacophony of madness.
But today, Ephemeral Mountain was eerily quiet.
Everyone was gone.
Only three remained.
Qingying understood. Yesterday had been the final act. The end of madness was silent oblivion.
Finally, only Qingchen was left.
When they reached his house, he was already dressed in clean clothes, everything neatly arranged.
He stepped out, bowed deeply towards his house, then walked towards the platform in silence.
No one spoke. The silence was deafening.
They arrived at the platform and sat down. The vast space was empty except for them.
The Daoist arrived on his crane.
“Fellow Daoists, if you have any insights today…”
The same opening words, the same lecture.
None of the three listened.
Qingchen lowered his head, Qingying’s eyes were red-rimmed, and Chen Yin remained silent.
“…Newcomer.” Qingchen suddenly spoke, holding a jade pendant.
He wasn’t speaking to anyone, more like talking to himself.
“I don’t know if anyone will ever see this. If anyone is lucky enough to not be lost… could you listen to my last words?”
Qingying watched as the confusion in her brother’s eyes faded, replaced by a deep sadness.
He took a deep breath and spoke:
“…I’m sorry. I can no longer walk this path with you. I hope when you see this, there will be others with you. If not…” He fell silent, his head lowered.
“Let me introduce myself again. I’m Qingchen, of the Mist Spirit Sect’s secret division. I didn’t have a name originally. I was an orphan. My sister and I were given our names when we joined the sect.”
“From a starving orphan to a cultivator, even given a chance at enlightenment… I was lucky. I’m content. That’s why I still have some sanity left… but that’s all. I can’t hold on any longer.”
“They say, ‘It is better to hear the Dao in the morning and die in the evening.’ I still don’t know what the Dao is, but I’m already trapped.”
“I don’t regret it,” he said calmly. “My only concern is my sister. Her name is Qingying. She’s five years older than me, also in the secret division, but even more troublesome than me.” He smiled faintly.
Qingying didn’t get angry. She covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face.
“Newcomer, although it’s unlikely… but if you meet my sister, please take care of her. Tell her not to be so stubborn, not to push herself so hard. Tell her to stay warm and dry. Tell her, if she finds someone she loves, to find me a brother-in-law.”
“Oh, and…” Qingchen chuckled sadly, “Don’t tell her about this place. I don’t want her to be sad. Just tell her… A’Chen is doing well.”
Qingying sobbed uncontrollably.
Chen Yin stood before Qingchen, watching as the young man, a serene smile on his face, raised his dagger.
He closed his eyes and bowed deeply.
“Fellow Daoist Qingchen,”
“I am Chen Yin.”
…I promise.
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