Chapter 144 part1
The gatekeeper disappeared. Fu Liqun returned the halberd to his back, faced the gate, and let out a prolonged sigh.
Zhou Sheng said, “Gege, think through it carefully. Don’t open that door before thinking it through clearly.”
Fu Liqun didn’t look back.
Yu Hao recalled what Zhou Sheng said to him before he had first pushed his door open.
Four people went up to stand behind Fu Liqun. Fu Liqun still didn’t turn back. After a long period of silence, he slowly shook his head, then turned back and said, “Did you guys ask yourselves the same question before going through this last door?”
Ou Qihang turned his head sideways to look at Fu Liqun and answered, “I didn’t.”
“I……un, I did.” Chen Yekai thought about it for a bit, then answered, “But the problem I faced was different from yours.”
Yu Hao knew that on the second morning after they returned before the New Year, Zhou Sheng and Fu Liqun had seriously discussed their careers, futures, Fu Liqun’s feelings with Cen Shan, their confusion about their futures, and all of these were still thorns in Fu Liqun’s heart.
Although Fu Liqun had thought about what path he wanted to take in the future, when he faced a challenge regarding his personal values and how he should live the rest of his life, he still had not truly, completely figured it out.
“What about you?” Fu Liqun asked Yu Hao.
“Mine was different too.” Yu Hao said, “At that time in my life, I still hadn’t faced the same anxieties as you do now.”
Ou Qihang said, “You should be the kind of person who wouldn’t really worry too much about material things ba, Yu Hao.”
“Yeah.” Yu Hao smiled, “Perhaps it was because of my childhood.”
So the five of them just continued standing like that in front of the door and didn’t go in. Fu Liqun looked up at the primitive patterns on the door. Zhou Sheng suddenly said, “My dear wife, counsel Gege a bit? It should be your turn at this kind of time.”
Yu Hao, “I really don’t know what to say.”
Ou Qihang smiled, “Don’t you always have a way, somehow? When it comes to brainwashing, you’re even better at it than Uncle Kai.”
Chen Yekai said, “Even more amazing than pyramid schemes.”
Yu Hao didn’t know if he should laugh or cry, yet Fu Liqun was staring at the door seriously.
“Which path do you want to choose?” Yu Hao suddenly said, “Sometimes, I feel like the problems that both you and Zhou Sheng face are very similar.”
“Which path?” Fu Liqun muttered.
Yu Hao said, “Become a CEO, marry sis-in-law, and embark on a path to the pinnacle of your life?”
Fu Liqun said, “If it’s possible, who wouldn’t want that? Who wouldn’t want success? But the thing is, I can’t do it!”
“If you can do it,” Yu Hao thought about it, “Then would you walk forward and push the door open? Gege, have you ever thought about what kind of success you would regard as true success? Is it a success in the eyes of the people in this world, or success in the truest sense for you?’
This was a belief that Yu Hao has always insisted upon as well.
Yu Hao continued, “Is there only one way to succeed in this world? In the eyes of others, is the path that’s filled with all sorts of riches the only path that’s considered right? I don’t know about others, but I know in my heart clearly, that for me, I have far more than just one choice in my life. I believe that I’m currently walking on the right path. And more importantly, I’ve never regretted choosing it.”
Zhou Sheng and Yu Hao were currently holding hands, and their grip tightened slightly.
Fu Liqun opened his eyes wide; the door in front of him was reflected in his clear pupils. Within a split second, every scene around them disappeared, and their surroundings transformed into a vast expanse of white.
“No matter who’s ahead, I believe that your last battle won’t be a game of Materialism.” Chen Yekai said, “If you want to defeat it, the most important point isn’t to become richer than it, but for you to always hold a firm belief in yourself.”
“After fighting evil dragons for a long time,” Ou Qihang said, “you’ll end up becoming an evil dragon yourself. That’s the wrong path I once walked through, but Qun Ge, I don’t think you will.” ()
Fu Liqun slowly nodded and said, “I’ve thought it through.”
“Then carry your conviction with you and push the door open!” Zhou Sheng said, “We’ll go together!”
Everyone went forward and bent down. Yu Hao had never thought that from the very beginning a long time ago until now, they would develop in such a way that they would push open the door deep in the heart of their comrade-in-arms together!
The last door creaked noisily; the hinges on the door turned and it opened with a loud rumble. Gold and jewelry shone brightly within, and their glow was so dazzling that they were almost unable to keep their eyes open for a moment. The light faded, revealing the ma.s.sive hall within.
Everyone held their breath at the same time. Gold coins and jewelry were piled up so high that they formed a mountain. For a moment, Yu Hao even thought that he had walked into the wrong location and had instead transmigrated into a western fantasy film. Within the vast treasury, the walls and pillars were all carved into golden statues.
Zhou Sheng said, “If only this was reality…”
Yu Hao said, “Be careful.”
Everyone wielded their weapons and approached slowly. On the jewelry and gold coin mountain in the treasury, they found a gigantic grey dragon entrenched there! The grey dragon was currently sound asleep. An iron chain was tied around its neck, and the other end of the iron chain was tying up a veiled girl with a lithe figure who was wearing a silk dress!
“Sis…sis-in-law.”
For a while, even Zhou Sheng couldn’t react in time.
That girl was the Cen Shan in Fu Liqun’s dreamscape. As of right now, she was being guarded securely by the evil dragon. She looked at Fu Liqun and the others with sorrow evident in her eyes.
“Who’s that dragon?” Ou Qihang scrutinised the evil dragon. Its eyes were narrowed and slanted upward, and it actually had two eyebrows, a nose, and the contours of its dragon face still appeared human.
“That’s your sis-in-law’s father.” Fu Liqun felt awkward as he said this.
Zhou Sheng couldn’t help but want to burst into laughter. In the face of such a scene, everyone immediately laughed so hard that they were shedding tears.
Chen Yekai whispered, “So, this is an age-old story about a knight saving a princess.”
Yu Hao said, “But what about the totem?”
Zhou Sheng motioned for Yu Hao to pay attention to Cen Shan, now the princess of Loulan, whose body glimmered with a faint light.
“Is the totem her?” Fu Liqun asked, “It can turn into a human?”
“This isn’t the first time that’s happened.” Chen Yekai thought about it for a bit and said, “Go up to her.”
All of them approached the center of the treasury very carefully. Fu Liqun took the lead, while the rest wielded their weapons and kept a close watch on the grey dragon nervously. Yu Hao said, “I’m very certain that dragon will wake up.”
Zhou Sheng, “Not necessarily. Whether or not the dragon wakes up doesn’t depend on us disturbing it.”
Chen Yekai said, “Un, it depends on whether Liqun and Cen Shan’s relationship can still continue on right under the nose of the dragon that’s guarding the totem…If he’s confident enough to be with Cen Shan, that dragon will only wake up after he seizes histotem back.”
“You’re here.” Princess Loulan stared at Fu Liqun in a daze.
“I’m sorry.” Fu Liqun carried a halberd on his back and was clad in leather armour. He said, “I’ve been running away for too long.”
A hint of a smile could be seen in the princess’ eyes. She whispered, “It’s still not too late, knight.”
After she spoke, she gently lifted her veil; the veil fluttered into the air, floated down, and Cen Shan’s absolutely stunning face was revealed.
“So beautiful…” Ou Qihang, “She’s even more beautiful than when I saw her that day.”
Chen Yekai said, “Indeed, her eyes are too beautiful.”
Zhou Sheng, “Sis-in-law is an exceptional beauty ah.”
Yu Hao, “Why are four gays here discussing how beautiful someone else’s girlfriend is?”
“Everyone loves beauty ma.” Zhou Sheng smiled as he used his jingubang to lift Yu Hao’s chin. He said, “But of course, my wife is still the best.”
Yu Hao, “……”
Right at that moment, Fu Liqun made a move that surprised everyone else very much. He didn’t take Cen Shan’s hand, nor did he cut off her shackles. Instead, he pressed a hand against his chest and bowed slightly to Cen Shan.
“I’m not a prince, and there’s no throne for me to inherit.” Fu Liqun said softly, “I don’t have unlimited wealth, I’m just a knight…”
Cen Shan watched Fu Liqun with a sad, slight smile on her face.
“I can’t give you what your father asked for.” Fu Liqun knelt down on one knee. With one hand pressing down on his knee, he looked up at Cen Shan and slowly said, “But I will give you the very best that I can afford to. I will also work hard all my life. In this world, some people are born princes, while there are also some who are born as knights. I have my mission as well, I don’t know if you will choose me…”
“You already know the answer long ago, don’t you?” Cen Shan said softly, then reached out with her fair fingers towards Fu Liqun.
At that moment, everyone’s hearts reached their throats as they focused all of their attention on the grey dragon’s eyes! Fu Liqun knelt on one knee, extended a hand, and touched Cen Shan’s fingers.
Yu Hao’s grip on his daggers tightened. Zhou Sheng got into a battle stance, while Chen Yekai and Ou Qihang wielded their weapons——
Right at the instant their fingers touched, the grey dragon’s eyelids lifted slightly such that its eyes opened a crack, revealing its serpentine pupils, and its pupils suddenly contracted into vertical lines!
“Now!” Zhou Sheng shouted.
Within an instant, the gun and laser fired at the same time and unleashed a mad torrent of shots on the grey dragon. Immediately afterward, the grey dragon roared.
“A bunch of imbeciles——”
The grey dragon was instantly furious. It spread out its wings and suddenly got up. Cen Shan was dragged away by the chains tied around her feet, but Fu Liqun still grasped onto Cen Shan’s wrist tightly and shouted, “What do we do now?!”
“Keep a firm hold on her!” Zhou Sheng shouted, “Leave the rest to us! Focus on taking your totem back!”
“How do I take it?!” Fu Liqun pulled Cen Shan, but within an instant, he was dragged into mid air. That grey dragon still didn’t notice him; it only had the other four people in its eyes. It roared, “Ants that know nothing of the world!”
Yu Hao felt like he was looking at Zhou Laichun. It can’t be that the att.i.tudes of these rich people were all the same, right? Chen Yekai rushed out from the side and shouted, “Watch out!”
The grey dragon spewed out fierce flames that surrounded the hall. Yu Hao thought, Why hasn’t it risen yet?
The hall shattered with a loud blast, and time seemed to stop: flying rocks, rubble, gold coins, and jewelry scattered in all directions instantly, and started spinning around like they were in a violent storm!
The opportunity has come! This was the moment Yu Hao was waiting for. When the master comes into contact with their totem in their dreamscapes, the scene will disintegrate, leaving behind a platform that will rise into the air. And sure enough, the same thing was happening in Fu Liqun’s dream!
“Pillars!” Yu Hao shouted, “Zhou Sheng!”
“Ai!” Zhou Sheng carried his jingubang on his back and hit all of the gold and silver jewelry that had rushed toward him with his rod using a whirlwind move, scattering them all over the sky. He shouted, “My honored wife, what’s your command?!” After he spoke, he turned around and faced the golden pillar that was supporting the treasury. He brandished his jingubang to resist it and shouted, “It’s so heavy! Where should I hit?!”
Yu Hao leaped up and flung the scattered hinge outside the gate. A storm came; the hall disintegrated, and the scorching sun in the sky shone down. Under the light of that blazing sun, Yu Hao fluttered his wings open with a whoosh. He dragged the iron chain and flew past the ma.s.sive golden pillar and rapidly flew around it several times.
Chen Yekai shouted, “Catch!”
Chen Yekai and Ou Qihang were unable to fly. Chen Yekai threw out the other end of the hinge and Zhou Sheng instantly understood; he kicked the golden pillar in the air, caught the iron chain and shouted, “Go!”
As the platform rose, Yu Hao and Zhou Sheng worked together as they quickly flew around the golden pillar. Zhou Sheng grabbed the other end of the hinge and flagrantly rushed towards the grey dragon, then abruptly coiled the hinge around it.
The grey dragon turned its head and noticed Fu Liqun. It opened its mouth, and blazing flames started gathering within; right at the moment, its dragon flames were about to erupt, and Fu Liqun would be burned to ashes——
All of the buildings everywhere retreated; the sunlight was like a scorching flame that illuminated the earth. Fu Liqun hugged Cen Shan tightly, and the two of them embraced each other closely within this storm. Cen Shan opened her eyes, raised her head, and wrapped her arms around Fu Liqun’s neck.
As soon as the grey dragon spread its wings open to take flight, it was instantly dragged down by a ma.s.sive golden pillar, and its body sunk uncontrollably, such that it fell onto the platform once again. The dragon flames that it didn’t have the time to spew out formed a light pillar that shot towards the sky as the dragon raised its head.
Cen Shan was suddenly yanked away as well, and she was pulled out of Fu Liqun’s embrace. Fu Liqun fell from mid air as he chased after her and grabbed onto her wrist, refusing to let go. Yu Hao and Zhou Sheng flew away, a loud noise blared, and the grey dragon slammed harsly onto the edge of the platform. Both its wings kept flapping fiercely.
“The sun’s here!” Zhou Sheng said, “Summon your mounts over!”
Chen Yekai, Ou Qihang, Zhou Sheng, and Yu Hao raised their weapons at the same time; from where they were on level ground, they faced the blazing sun in the middle of the sky—— the light from Yu Hao’s weapon connected to Zhou Sheng, the light from Chen Yekai’s weapon connected to Yu Hao, while a seal materialised in Ou Qihang’s hand that connected to the sun in Fu Liqun’s dream world.
The grey dragon fell, and Fu Liqun fell along with it. With a m.u.f.fled thud, he smashed down so hard his head was covered in blood, and he struggled to get up. Cen Shan was firmly tied up by the fetters around her feet. She crawled towards Fu Liqun and cried out anxiously, “Get up! Get up now!”
Fu Liqun propped himself up with his halberd and arduously got up. He was swaying from side to side as he walked towards Cen Shan.
Fu Liqun, “I can’t take her away! She’s locked!”
“You can!” Yu Hao shouted.
Chen Yekai said, “One crucial key is missing! Like in my dream…”
Yu Hao suddenly remembered and shouted, “Zhou Sheng— catch!”
Yu Hao pointed at the sky with one finger; a light particle materialised at his finger tip, and he flung it at Zhou Sheng.
Zhou Sheng, “???”
The light particle landed between Zhou Sheng’s fingers. Zhou Sheng pinched it and instantly remembered — it was the ear stud that they had accompanied Fu Liqun to choose three years ago! Zhou Sheng threw the ear stud into the air and struck it with his jingubang, then shouted,
“Gege! Catch! Your brothers picked it for you!”
The ear stud elongated in mid air and turned into a long silver needle. Fu Liqun felt like he was just awoken from a dream; he held the needle with one hand and inserted it into the fetters on Cen Shan’s legs and unlocked the shackles!