Chapter 2404: Desolate Hearts

Chapter Fourteen: Wasteland of Human Hearts

Zhu Yan was a little surprised. It wasn't that she didn't want to believe Shi Ying, but she was afraid of being disappointed.

After pondering for a while, she finally asked:

"Is it true?"

Shi Ying looked at her seriously.

"When have I ever lied to you?"

Zhu Yan was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"Alright, I believe you."

Shi Ying’s heart finally felt a little lighter.

"Then..." Zhu Yan looked at him, her eyes shining with anticipation, "When can we meet the person who can bring back the Cangliu Emperor?"

Shi Ying's expression grew somber. He lowered his voice and said:

"I don't know either."

Zhu Yan was startled.

"You don't know?"

Shi Ying looked out the window at the turbulent sea and the dark clouds.

"Yes, I only know that there is such a person, but I don't know where they are, or even if they are still alive."

Zhu Yan was stunned and stood motionless. She had just been filled with hope, and now it felt like a basin of cold water had been poured over her head, drenching her to the core.

She looked at Shi Ying, the burning flame in her heart extinguished in an instant, leaving behind only a vast expanse of ash.

"You... you tricked me?"

Shi Ying sighed.

"I just didn't want to see you so despairing."

Zhu Yan’s body swayed, and she almost collapsed. Fortunately, Shi Ying was quick and supported her.

"Don't talk nonsense," Shi Ying frowned, "We will find him. Even if we have to search the entire world, we will find him."

Zhu Yan pushed his hand away, her face pale.

"How can we find him when you don't even know where he is?"

Shi Ying was silent.

Zhu Yan looked at him, her eyes filled with anger and despair.

"You knew! You knew all along that there was no hope, but you still said those words to me!"

Shi Ying's heart ached as if it were being torn apart.

"I didn't want to deceive you, I just..."

"Just what?" Zhu Yan interrupted him sharply, "Just wanted to give me a little hope? And then watch me fall into even deeper despair?"

Shi Ying felt suffocated. He wanted to explain, but he didn't know where to start.

Zhu Yan looked at him, her voice trembling.

"Do you know... do you know how much I hoped you were telling the truth?"

Shi Ying’s throat was tight.

"I know."

Zhu Yan’s tears finally streamed down, blurring her vision.

"You're too cruel."

Her voice was so low that it was almost inaudible, yet it pierced directly into Shi Ying's heart, causing intense pain.

Shi Ying stretched out his hand, wanting to wipe away her tears, but Zhu Yan avoided him.

"Don't touch me."

Her voice was cold and distant, like a stranger.

Shi Ying's hand froze in the air. He looked at her, his heart aching.

The atmosphere in the room instantly became heavy and suffocating.

After a long silence, Zhu Yan finally spoke, her voice hoarse.

"Let me be alone for a while."

Shi Ying nodded slowly. He looked at her one last time, his eyes filled with complex emotions, then turned and walked out of the room.

The door closed gently, separating the two people into different worlds.

Zhu Yan stood there, motionless, feeling the coldness and silence engulfing her. The hope that had just ignited in her heart was extinguished once again, leaving behind only a desolate and boundless wasteland.

She looked at the vast sea outside the window, the waves turbulent, like her current mood.

The Cangliu Emperor... was he really gone forever?

Was there really no hope?

Tears continued to flow, blurring her vision, as if the entire world had become a gray and desolate wasteland.

In the days that followed, Zhu Yan remained in the room, not wanting to see anyone, not wanting to speak to anyone.

Shi Ying would come every day, but she would not open the door. He would stand outside the door for a long time, then sigh and leave.

The entire ship was shrouded in a somber atmosphere. The sailors were afraid to speak loudly, afraid to disturb the princess's sadness.

One evening, Shi Ying stood outside Zhu Yan's door again. After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice low and hoarse.

"A Yan, are you... alright?"

There was no response from inside the room.

Shi Ying stood there for a long time, then finally sighed and turned to leave.

Just as he reached the end of the corridor, the door to Zhu Yan's room suddenly opened.

Shi Ying stopped and turned around.

Zhu Yan stood at the doorway, her face pale and gaunt, her eyes red and swollen.

"Shi Ying."

Her voice was still hoarse, but without the previous coldness.

Shi Ying's heart tightened, and he walked back quickly.

"A Yan, are you... willing to see me?"

Zhu Yan nodded slowly.

"Come in."

Shi Ying entered the room. The room was still dark and silent, filled with a suffocating atmosphere.

Zhu Yan closed the door gently.

"Sit down."

Shi Ying sat down opposite her, feeling a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.

Zhu Yan looked at him, her eyes calm, but with a hint of weariness.

"I've thought a lot these past few days."

Shi Ying listened quietly.

"I know you didn't intend to deceive me," Zhu Yan said slowly, "You just didn't want me to be so sad."

Shi Ying's heart ached.

"I know."

"But," Zhu Yan continued, "you should have told me the truth. Even if it's cruel, it's better than giving me false hope."

Shi Ying lowered his head, feeling guilty.

"I understand."

Zhu Yan sighed lightly.

"We are disciples of the same master," she said, "We should trust each other."

Shi Ying looked up at her, his eyes filled with sincerity.

"I will never lie to you again."

Zhu Yan nodded.

"Alright, I believe you."

The ice in the room seemed to melt a little.

Zhu Yan looked out the window at the endless sea.

"What are we going to do now?"

Shi Ying also looked out at the sea, his eyes filled with determination.

"We will find him."

Zhu Yan looked at him, a glimmer of hope in her eyes again.

"How?"

Shi Ying turned to look at her, a faint smile on his lips.

"As I said, even if we have to search the entire world."

Zhu Yan looked at his determined face, and a warmth flowed through her heart.

Perhaps... perhaps there was still hope after all.

The two of them sat in the room for a long time, quietly looking at the sea, the silent understanding flowing between them.

The ship continued to sail on the vast sea, towards an unknown future. And in this unknown future, they would face more challenges, more difficulties, but they would also face them together.

Because they were not alone anymore. They had each other.

And that was enough.