Chapter 1329: "The Next Life"

Chapter One Hundred Forty-Seven: "The Hereafter"

He watched, his gaze intent.

That figure, ethereal as mist.

Stepped onto the bridge.

The Bridge of Hereafter.

A path leading to the beyond.

Its end shrouded in boundless white fog.

Obscured, yet seemingly holding all that lay beyond.

The figure, with light steps.

Walked upon the bridge.

Each step carrying the weight of time.

And the passage of souls.

Slowly, step by step.

Walking towards the depths of the mist.

And he, stood here.

Watching.

Wishing to call out.

To stop that figure.

But a strange power.

Pressed down upon him.

Sealing his throat, sealing his voice.

Rendering him speechless.

Unable to utter a sound.

Only able to watch.

As that figure, step by step.

Walked into the depths of the white fog.

Becoming one with the mist.

Fading into the boundless white.

Vanishing from his sight.

His heart, ached.

A deep, profound pain.

Like something vital being torn away.

And at that moment.

He saw clearly.

The figure's face.

Turned back for a fleeting instant.

A final glance.

And in that glance.

He saw.

The familiar eyes.

Filled with a gentle sadness.

And a hint of farewell.

Then, the figure was gone.

Completely swallowed by the fog.

He wanted to follow.

To chase after.

But his legs were heavy as lead.

Unable to move.

Stuck to the ground.

He could only stand there.

Watching the white fog.

Where the figure had vanished.

A vast emptiness filled his chest.

A sense of loss so profound.

It threatened to consume him.

He raised a hand.

Reaching out to the mist.

Wishing to grasp something.

Anything.

But his hand passed through.

Finding nothing but empty air.

The white fog, silent and indifferent.

Gave no answer.

Offered no solace.

Only the endless expanse of white.

Separating him from what was lost.

He stood there for a long time.

Unmoving.

His gaze fixed on the fog.

Hoping against hope.

That the figure might return.

But the fog remained.

Still and unchanging.

Holding its secrets within.

And he, was left alone.

On this side of the bridge.

With the ache in his heart.

And the image of that final glance.

Etched forever in his mind.

The Bridge of Hereafter.

A path to another realm.

And on this side.

Only sorrow remained.