12dz Chapter 76: The Sunset is Infinitely Beautiful
Chapter 76: The Sunset is Infinitely Beautiful
The setting sun, like blood, soaked the entire sea.
"Master Zou, is there anything else you'd like to say?"
Ying Zheng stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at the ever-silent Zou Yun, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the sword at his waist.
He slowly raised his right hand, pressing down lightly with his palm facing down.
On both sides of the ship, the crossbows, already poised to fire, would unleash a volley of arrows, pinning that figure to death in the twilight.
Ying Zheng's cold, iron-like voice echoed in the sea breeze, suggesting that the outcome was already irreversible.
but!
Zou Yun, however, keenly sensed a deep-seated wavering in Ying Zheng's heart, a wavering that he himself might not have even noticed.
After all, if you've really made up your mind, why ask such a question?
This so-called "last words" were less a chance for Zou Yun to give his final speech, and more a direct expression of Ying Zheng's inner struggle and resentment.
Immortality...
In the end, it is still a cup of poison that has been etched into the marrow of humankind since ancient times.
Even the greatest emperors of all time could not escape its allure.
Good fortune comes to mind.
At that moment, Zou Yun understood perfectly.
He didn't say anything. Only he knew the Taiyin Refinement Technique, and only he could give Ying Zheng a second chance at life.
He did not rush to defend himself or beg for mercy.
Instead, he turned to look at the crimson sunset that was sinking into the sea, letting the sea breeze ruffle his wide sleeves, and sighed softly.
"The sunset is infinitely beautiful, but it's nearing dusk!"
Zou Yun's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached Ying Zheng's ears.
"The sunset is infinitely beautiful... but... but it's only nearing... dusk..."
Ying Zheng subconsciously murmured softly, his gaze involuntarily falling on that crimson hue.
The sunset reflected in his eyes seemed to show him himself, just like the giant sun, irrevocably sliding into the underworld.
No matter how illustrious one's achievements may be, they will eventually decline and perish.
Just as Ying Zheng was captivated by the conversation, Zou Yun spoke again.
"The sun rises and the moon sets, we are born in the morning and die at dusk; a human life of a hundred years is nothing more than this."
The voice was clear and melodious, each word striking the heart.
He suddenly took half a step forward, his toes touching the blood-stained deck.
"Mortals spend their entire lives, a mere few decades. Even with vast empires and overflowing wealth, they will inevitably grow old and frail, their bodies withered and emaciated. No matter how grand and magnificent one's life may be, it will eventually come to an end."
Zou Yu's gaze swept over Ying Zheng's increasingly gloomy face, and his tone suddenly changed to a higher level.
Like metal striking stone, it pierces straight to the soul.
"But immortals are different. They follow the natural order and become immortals. Immortals transcend the natural order and watch the rise and fall of millions of years, the rotation of the sun and moon."
"If not, how can one be worthy of being called a god?"
"Your Majesty, what do you think?!"
The final question was like a thunderclap.
Before the echo could dissipate into the wind, Zou Yun suddenly turned around, his sleeves drawing an arc in the wind.
Without saying another word, he calmly stepped across the deck and walked toward Feng Zhixue and the others.
"Tap...tap...tap..."
His steps were slow and light, landing on the deck with only a faint sound, yet it sounded like a heavy hammer striking the dead air.
One step, two steps, three steps...
The figure gradually faded into the distance in the elongated slanting sunlight.
Ying Zheng stared intently at that carefree figure, his eyes flashing with light.
His body was tense, his raised arm trembled slightly, and the knuckles of the armored soldiers gripping the crossbows turned bluish-white, sweat silently sliding down their foreheads.
Countless chilling arrows followed Zou Yun's movements.
They would kill Zou Yun on the spot, just as the king would kill a giant whale.
Ten steps... twenty steps...
Zou Yun remained unhurried, but had already reached the edge of the ship's side, watching as the figure was about to disappear into the shadow of the ship's side!
The air was frozen solid.
The bowstring was stretched to its limit!
Just as Ying Zheng clenched his teeth, his eyes flashed with fierce light, and he was about to utter the word "kill" through his teeth.
"Boom—!"
A thunderclap, without warning, resounded in the clear, cloudless sky.
The sound was so abrupt and violent, as if the sky itself had been cleaved open.
Everyone on the ship looked up in horror, only to see a clear blue sky with thunder rumbling wildly between the sea and the sky.
And just as the thunder echoed, just as Zou Yun's figure was about to disappear completely!
Ying Zheng's hand was already slightly lowered.
In the end, they couldn't fall behind!
The last rays of the setting sun shone on him, staining his dark dragon robe even more crimson and glaring than blood.
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After shooting down the giant fish that blocked their path, the First Emperor's entourage continued to travel westward along the coast by boat.
It wasn't until they reached Pingyuanjin that the vast group abandoned their ships and went ashore again to travel by land.
I don't know if it was because of that silent struggle at sea that day.
Ying Zheng did not force Zou Yun to stay any longer, but instead ordered them to join Xu Fu's fleet to travel to Penglai Mountain in search of the elixir of immortality.
"Great Master, what should we do next?"
At the ferry crossing, where smoke and dust obscured the sun, Wei Shuqing gazed at the dark ceremonial guard gradually receding into the distance and spoke to Zou Yun.
Zou Yun stood in the wind, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"wait!"
"wait???"
"That's right, we'll wait for the right opportunity!"
Zou Yun turned his head and looked at Wei Shuqing, who was full of doubt, with a puzzled expression.
"Timing...when...?"
"Haha...it's a secret...!"
Wei Shuqing was about to ask more questions, but Zou Yun suddenly burst into laughter, rubbed his head, and didn't continue to explain anything.
Meng Xuande glanced at the two of them without saying a word, though he was also full of doubt.
"Great Master, it's time to set off!!!"
Not far away, Feng Zhixue and Zheng Ze shouted in this direction.
Behind them, the laborers had already loaded the last batch of supplies onto the giant ship, preparing to return to Zhifu and join Xu Fu's fleet seeking medicine.
"They're here!"
Zou Yun shouted and led Wei Shuqing and Meng Xuande to run quickly onto the boat.
Behind them, thousands of armored soldiers, countless carriages and horses, and a continuous procession, departed from the vast East China Sea and slowly moved towards the western inland.
The west wind howled, tearing at the banners.
Between the loess and flowing water of Pingyuanjin, the Qin Dynasty's grandest eastern tour was thus completely split into two routes.
The autumn wind is bleak, and the setting sun casts its glow on the water.
In the vast expanse of heaven and earth, one land and one water, one west and one east, became the last desolate scene before the First Emperor's life's achievements came to an end.
On the ship, Xu Fu, with his long gray beard, watched the black carriage disappear into the horizon.
Turning to Zou Yun beside him, he for the first time shed his air of otherworldly wisdom, his expression slightly wistful, and asked, "Do you think my journey... will be successful?"
"Great Master, aren't we heading to the Penglai Wonderland? Now that the giant fish blocking our path is dead, what else could possibly hinder our journey?"
Zou Yun withdrew his gaze and said jokingly.
"Oh!"
Xu Fu gave a wry smile, shook his head, and said softly.
"Isn't the Grand Master curious about where I'm going? I've already decided, this trip... will be to the barbarians in the sea."
"As expected, it's still the Japanese islands."
Zou Yun understood.
"Master Zou, are you really not going to travel with me?"
"Although this voyage is fraught with peril, we alchemists seem to have no other choice but to face His Majesty on the verge of death."
Xu Fu looked at Zou Yun earnestly and extended another invitation.
"No need."
Zou Yun shook his head, straightened his clothes, and then bowed, saying, "I hereby wish Grand Master Xu a safe journey."
Looking at the resolute Zou Yun, Xu Fu was slightly taken aback, a complex and unfathomable light flashing in his eyes.
But he didn't try to persuade her any further. He straightened his clothes and returned the greeting with a bow.
"Then Xu Fu also wishes the Great Master a lifetime of peace and good health!"