It’s truly a distant memory.
In the beginning, the seven of them were inseparable.
Li Zhi was the gentle big brother, Ling Yue was the impatient but caring big sister. Tan Yuan seldom spoke, Ning Yu was somewhat haughty. Yu Si was mischievous, always causing trouble, Wu Mian always held the bunny plush she gave him. And she loved sitting barefoot on the swing outside the Light Temple, swinging back and forth.
But as time passed, unknowingly, everyone changed significantly.
Tan Yuan would always look at her, his eyes deep as ink. An unknown tension filled the air between Ning Yu and Tan Yuan, while Ling Yue’s gaze towards her grew sharper. The most restless, Yu Si, became increasingly lazy, and Wu Mian grew more gluttonous. As for herself, she seemed to lose interest in everything around her.
She attempted to change that situation.
Under Li Zhi’s guidance, she tried to ease the tension between Tan Yuan and Ning Yu. She pulled Wu Mian to make healthy low-fat meals, gave them to him and also delivered them to Ling Yue. She encouraged Yu Si to write novels and became his first reader.
But unexpectedly, in the end, she was the first to completely change.
Changed to the point where everyone found her unfamiliar, even she didn’t recognize herself.
So much time has passed, memories from back then should have blurred, yet they remain so clear in her mind.
During the final battle, Li Zhi, Ling Yue, Yu Si, Wu Mian...those closest to her became enemies, turning swords against her.
However, she clearly remembered the bewilderment in Li Zhi’s eyes, the pain in Yu Si’s eyes, and the sorrow in Wu Mian’s eyes.
None of them wanted to hurt her; only Ling Yue engaged in combat. So rather than saying the four of them were defeated by her, it was more accurate to say they never truly wanted to fight her.
Lu Sheng called out these familiar names, and as Yu Si heard them, his eyes reddened.
"When I was woken up by the noise, I couldn’t help but lose my temper. They told me you had returned, and only after seeing the sea of roses outside did I believe them. I immediately found Wu Mian and came over with him."
Yu Si said, "Yinyin, you’ve already been punished. Li Zhi said you were still being hunted by the Demon Hunter in the Human Realm. That punishment is enough. If Father intends to punish you further, I will plead with him on your behalf!"
For a God who committed the sin of Pride, being demoted from the highest position in the Six Realms to the lowest Demon is certainly punishment.
But how is that enough?
She killed so many innocent people; such a crime couldn’t be washed even by a thousand cuts. Yet, she was still loved and cherished in the Human Realm, which seemed terribly unfair.
"I will go to see Father, I’ll accept whatever further punishment he wishes to bestow."
Lu Sheng lowered her eyes, "More importantly, I need to ask him for an answer in person."
An answer as to whether Tan Yuan is truly dead.
Lu Sheng took a deep breath, preparing to walk out the door.
The top floor of the Light Temple, where the Divine Lord resides, is the place closest to the light.
However, before Lu Sheng could leave, Wu Mian, with his free hand not holding the bunny plush, grabbed her.
Lu Sheng was somewhat perplexed.
Still, although Wu Mian held onto Lu Sheng, his gaze was fixed on Li Zhi behind them.
"Do you truly not intend to tell her?"
Wu Mian silently looked at Li Zhi, rare defiance in his expression, "Are you afraid that after knowing the truth, if she rebels against Father again, she will face even harsher punishment?"
"...What truth?" Lu Sheng was taken aback, "Wu Mian, what are you talking about?"
Wu Mian took a deep breath, ignoring Li Zhi’s changed expression, determinedly looking at Lu Sheng: "Ah Yin, there is something Li Zhi hasn’t told you."
"I don’t want you to carry such a heavy burden of guilt for the rest of your life because you were blamed for the savage and bloody massacres that weren’t caused by you."
"The one who caused those massacres was our selfish and hypocritical father, who is regarded as the supreme God of the Six Realms, not you."