Chapter 557: A Fleeting Dream
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I am a mortal, a human living in the Northern Realm—and that alone is strange enough.
My name is Miaomiao, but there's nothing wonderful about it—quite the opposite.
Cold words cut deeper than the biting wind. This world's sorrow is nothing new—it feels like an age-old rule.
Senior Sister, you ask how hard it is to brew medicine in that cauldron atop the dilapidated stove?
Well, you need herbs first, don't you?
It's no simpler than alchemy—the steps are far more complex. Just getting the fire going is enough to give me a headache.
My mother's coughing in the dead of night is more heartbreaking than any wail. I almost wish she would just die—then she wouldn't have to suffer anymore.
I hate my own helplessness, and I hate this world even more.
Everyone says the world is full of good people, but why have I never seen any?
They say they're doing good deeds—why have I never witnessed any?
The waist-high threshold of that clinic seemed designed to choke the throat, leaving one gasping for air.
My father only wanted back what was rightfully his, yet he was beaten to death in the middle of the road.
I hate my own cowardice—I couldn't even retrieve my father's body, for those bloodthirsty beasts hadn't left yet.
My mother lies gravely ill in bed, and I'm the only one left in the house who can still run and jump.
What could I do?
I want to, I want to try those possibilities too!
Do you think I want to do this?
I don't want to either! But I have no choice!
I wish my mother could just die like this. There's nothing left in this world worth holding onto!
Twenty taels of silver—now it's just my monthly allowance. But back then, it could have bought my father's life, or even several lives.
A life like mine is worth so little.
Who will teach me how to love this world?
My senior sister asked if I'm bad at getting along with people. Actually, that's not it.
I simply don't trust anyone. I only trust myself.
A bowl of rice creates gratitude, a bushel breeds resentment. No one in this world helps another without expecting something in return. I don't believe there are good people in this world!
Maybe there are, but they'd never live past eight! They'd be bullied to death long before that!
My master says I'm some kind of "god of slaughter." I don't know what that means—maybe it's something from a past life.
But if I truly possessed power like my master's, well… maybe it's true. Heh.
I don't think I'm rebellious by nature—I just refuse to be pushed around.
I want kind people to be rewarded for their kindness.
I hope those beasts meet a miserable end!
If I truly possessed such power, I'd want to rule over everything. I'd demand justice from the heavens themselves!
Even if it means shackling these scum with chains called rules, I will bind them!
If I can't, I'll destroy this world. With power like my master's, I could grant absolute fairness to everyone on this earth!
Regardless of wealth or poverty, status or rank, virtue or vice—I would grant them all an equal death!
This isn't revenge—it's how I change the world!
Now that I've finally found a glimmer of hope, that the clouds have parted to reveal the light—you tell me one day, all this will vanish?
If you walk, I walk with you. If you die, I die with you!
If one day the Master were to vanish, what would that mean?
Master, you want me to smile and say it's okay?
If that's the case, I refuse to be the good little girl!
"Miaomiao knows Master would never abandon her. So if one day Master vanishes, it must be for a reason."
"As for what Miao Miao would do… does Master truly wish to know?"
"Truthfully, Miao Miao still wants to maintain her image in Master's heart."
Miaomiao straddled Su Cheng's body like this, her jade-like hands pressed against his shoulders, a radiant smile lighting up her face.
[Just as I knew. My disciples are never easy to handle…]
"Um… Miaomiao, actually…"
Miaomiao seemed like a completely different person now, exuding a hint of that sickly-sweet charm Chu Youwei had displayed when she first met Su Cheng!
In those eyes, Su Cheng saw the gaze of a killing god—laced with a hint of playful delight, tinged with a gambler's madness!
Her right hand rose lightly, pressing gently against Su Cheng's lips. Yet compared to Ye Qinghan's seductive allure, Miao Miao's aura sent shivers down one's spine!
"Shh~"
"If any villains dare bully my Master, they won't let Miao Miao stay with her~"
"Miaomiao will make this world, will make everyone understand, that they're nowhere near evil enough! When that time comes, Miaomiao will crush this world at any cost, slaughter every last soul, and teach the villains a lesson—with Master around, Miaomiao is the good girl~"
Miaomiao was smiling, and this was what Su Cheng found most terrifying…
Master~
There was never any panacea for saving the world. It was you who gave me hope.
If you're gone, heh, do you think this good-child game can even continue?
I think I finally understand what all this means. A God of Death?
Now I feel I have a natural talent for being a villain, don't I, Master?
If you don't want me to turn into a little villain, Master, you'd better keep a close eye on me—best keep me tucked right in your pocket. If Miao Miao can't find you, she'll be heartbroken!
……
If possible, Miaomiao wouldn't want to resort to this method—this threat-like approach—especially when it's directed at her Master.
But Miao Miao doesn't know what else to do.
Perhaps you could say she's spoiled by your affection, but isn't that exactly the kind of familiarity you wanted, Master?
"Ah, Miao Miao, I was just teasing you! Look at you, taking it so seriously?"
As he spoke, Su Cheng picked Miao Miao up and set her down beside him like a small object, then turned his attention back to the chessboard.
He had been so close to winning just moments ago!
But now it felt like he'd taken a few steps backward?
"Miaomiao, let's continue our game… Hey? Miaomiao, did you steal my pieces?"
Miaomiao tilted her little head, feigning ignorance. The three missing pieces were right in her arms!
Heaven and earth knew, you and I knew—Su Cheng knew, and Miao Miao knew. Miao Miao never thought she could outsmart her master, and Su Cheng didn't believe she'd dare to push things too far with him.
She just couldn't believe her master would strip her naked over three chess pieces!
"Huh? Miao Miao didn't! Wasn't it just your turn to make a move, Master?"
【Whoa… I suppose I underestimated you before. You really are quite the chess player~】
【After all these years, I've certainly lost before. But you're the first to cheat and steal my pieces!】
"Hehe, Miao Miao is correct. It was indeed Master's turn to move."
Speaking, Su Cheng curved his lips slightly and raised his hand to place the piece: "Miaomiao, how many possibilities do you see? If I place my piece here, how would you respond?"
They say the chessboard holds infinite possibilities, yet ultimately, they are finite.
If those three pieces were likened to blades pressed against one's throat, snatching them away would be nothing more than a desperate last gasp in Su Cheng's eyes.
If it were Su Cheng, he would have snapped the opponent's neck the moment contact was made. That was undoubtedly the fastest way to break the stalemate.
At the very least, he would have sought to shift the advantage in his favor—not merely remove the three unfavorable pieces before him.
Miaomiao stared blankly at the board, sucking in a sharp breath…
Without those three pieces, her master was no longer constrained. In the blink of an eye, his move had sealed her fate!
"Wait, wait, wait! Master, I remember now! Those three pieces were knocked off by Miao Miao just now…"
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