Chapter 105: From Cocoon to Butterfly (End)
The cocoon, which appeared to be only half the height of a person, was ugly in appearance, with a dull color that emitted an ominous aura.
Before Yu Shi regained consciousness, two other demon exorcists from the Xue family who attempted to approach the cocoon fell into a terrifying illusion when they got within a meter of it.
Xue Shanwei, a senior demon exorcist, resisted the illusion formed by the residual power, but when he touched the cocoon, he was still corroded by the overwhelming aura of death on its surface and had to retreat.
“It’s useless. Inside this cocoon, Chi Heng’s power is very strong. It won’t be long before he devours Feng Xuexiang,” said Huang Yuren, who was severely injured and tied up to the side.
She could see that the confrontation between her master and Feng Xuexiang was far from over.
They were now entangled and inseparable, and the final outcome could only be one devouring the other.
However, her master, who could control the jade scrolls, was more powerful, so the aura of death on the cocoon, belonging to her master, was even stronger.
In such a confrontation, no one could help them.
Yu Shi was the last to wake up. He was an ordinary person with no demon-hunting qualifications and unable to cultivate.
He was even a person with a weak constitution, possessing the Five Yin Fate. However, despite the attempts to stop him, he approached the cocoon, successfully passed through the illusion, and placed his hand on it.
The moment his hand touched the surface of the cocoon, it was like pressing against a branding iron. The force covering the cocoon instantly tore through his skin, leaving his flesh and blood exposed.
“Xuexiang, for me, could you hold on just a bit longer?” he whispered.
In his eyes, that strange cocoon seemed like his beautiful lover, rather than something else.
His blood flowed through the grooves and folds on the gray-white surface of the cocoon, dripping onto the ground and nearly dyeing the entire cocoon red.
Jiang Mang, feeling some reluctance, wanted to stop him from touching it any further and make him leave the cocoon’s side. But just as she was about to speak, she suddenly saw something surging and writhing inside the cocoon.
From the spot where Yu Shi’s hand had touched, a faint purple color began to spread over the gray-white aura of death.
Yu Shi moved his aching fingers and felt the spot beneath his hand that had turned purple. The burning pain was gone, and his expression softened into a smile.
This butterfly was a creature born from consuming love. He would persevere.
Seeing Yu Shi lift the cocoon without dying from the invading aura of death, Huang Yuren shouted in shock, “This is impossible!”
Jiang Mang raised her hand and gave her a light smack.
There was nothing impossible about it. She had no idea just how much of a “romantic” her uncle was.
Huang Yuren twisted in pain, having already lost part of her soul to Chi Heng, and now, in her weakened state, she couldn’t suppress Feng Zaiyin’s consciousness, which emerged again.
“Save me…” Feng Zaiyin said.
Jiang Mang gave him another smack.
“Sorry, can’t save you. Once we’re out, I’ll hand you over to the Crisis Bureau.”
She still remembered that this old ghost who had hidden in Feng Zaiyin’s body used to be someone from the Crisis Bureau.
Whether the Crisis Bureau knew his true identity or not, it was best to let them handle the trouble themselves.
When the Crisis Bureau took “Feng Zaiyin” away, they looked grim, and later on, there were some unpleasant disputes between them and the Feng and Xue families.
But their relationship had always been delicate, with moments of tension in the past.
All these diplomatic matters were handled by Jiang Mang’s aunt, Xue Ruoya. Later, she heard that the Crisis Bureau had organized another group of people to enter that tomb.
They lost some people but also made some other discoveries.
…
In the months following their emergence from the tomb, the cocoon formed by Chi Heng and Feng Xuexiang remained in the Xue family. Several times, people from the Crisis Bureau and the Feng family came to investigate, but each time they left disappointed.
Gradually, everyone shifted their attention to the grand underground palace tomb, and fewer people came to probe.
Jiang Mang went to see the cocoon, and nearly half of it had turned various shades of purple. The outer skin of the purple areas had become smooth and lustrous like amethyst.
But it had never grown any larger.
Jiang Mang thought to herself that the size of the cocoon didn’t seem large enough for a person to emerge from it. Could it be that, in the end, a giant butterfly would really fly out of it?
When she considered how Yu Shi spent every day with the cocoon, stroking and wiping it, speaking to it without the slightest fear, she felt a deep sense of admiration.
…
One day, the people from the Crisis Bureau stopped probing into the situation of Feng Xuexiang and, instead of their previous investigations, they began to keep a respectful distance.
It was only then that Jiang Mang learned that the “Feng Zaiyin” they had taken away had become a deputy director at the Crisis Bureau, leading them in their exploration of the underground palace tomb.
Those who were unaware thought that Feng Zaiyin had been ostracized by his uncle and had left the family to join the Crisis Bureau. However, only a few, including Jiang Mang, knew that the one inhabiting Feng Zaiyin’s body was a departed soul from Li Dynasty from many years ago—and a woman at that.
So, whenever Jiang Mang occasionally encountered Feng Zaiyin in public afterward, her expression was always subtle.
Feng Xuexiang was completely silent, and even the Feng family stopped coming to disturb them.
…
That winter, after discussing with a few members of the Xue family, Yu Shi quietly took the cocoon and left, heading to Qinglu Village. He placed it in his new home, completely withdrawing from everyone’s view.
Except for a few from the Xue family, no one knew their whereabouts.
In the spring, Yu Shi’s courtyard was filled with blooming flowers. While he was busy catching insects and pruning, a purple butterfly flew from somewhere and landed on his glove.
Yu Shi paused, removed his glove, and the butterfly did not fly away. Instead, it settled peacefully in his sweat-dampened palm, folding its wings.
Feeling a stir in his heart, Yu Shi changed his shoes and returned to the house to check on the cocoon.
On the cocoon, now almost entirely purple, a small crack had appeared.
Looking at the butterfly resting on his hand, Yu Shi had a suspicion in his mind.
…
The next day, he stayed by the cocoon without leaving, and he saw with his own eyes another purple butterfly emerge from the crack.
The small purple butterfly that had just emerged from the crack was still a bit damp. It flapped its wings to dry them and then eagerly circled around Yu Shi before landing on his curled finger, just like the one before.
Yu Shi’s hands bore noticeable scars, remnants of injuries from the cocoon’s power that had left red marks even after treatment.
He opened his palm, and the butterfly settled in his hand, spreading its wings to cover the red marks.
Day after day, new butterflies emerged from the crack, gradually filling Yu Shi’s palm.
Whether he was working in the courtyard or doing chores in the house, these butterflies were always fluttering around him. At night, they would rest on his hair and his blanket.
As he watched them, Yu Shi thought that perhaps because he had spoken to the cocoon, telling Feng Xuexiang that he hadn’t seen him for a long time and felt a bit lonely, these butterflies had struggled to emerge to keep him company.
It was something that Xuexiang would do.
After the cocoon had completely turned purple, it finally began to grow slowly.
Yu Shi was always patient. He could focus intently on repeating the same task for as long as it took. He patiently waited, staying by the cocoon’s side.
By the time the flowers of the next spring had withered and the summer blossoms had bloomed again, one morning, as Yu Shi walked into the house, he suddenly saw that the once serene purple cocoon had deflated, looking like a dried-up leaf.
Beside it sat a person, resting his forehead against the window, gazing out at the small garden full of blooming flowers.
His long black hair draped over his shoulders, and the soft morning sunlight bathed his fair skin.
He turned around and smiled, “Is it summer already, Ashi?”
…
Feng Xuexiang had awakened.
He remembered the past, including all the memories he had forgotten over the past twenty years.
“I will never sleep again, and I will never forget,” Feng Xuexiang said, holding Yu Shi close and placing Yu Shi’s hand on his chest.
His fingers were long, beautiful, and distinct as he held Yu Shi’s hand with a pained expression. “You got these scars all because of me.”
Yu Shi replied, “Not entirely. I’ve also gotten some calluses from working over the past two years. This is after I’ve taken care of them.”
Feng Xuexiang gently cradled his hand as if it were broken.
“The suffering you’ve endured is greater than mine. It must have been difficult to maintain your consciousness.”
Yu Shi had witnessed this long, drawn-out struggle firsthand. He saw the purple on the cocoon gradually increase, even recede at times, but in the end, Xuexiang persevered.
“Xuexiang, you’re truly amazing,” Yu Shi said as he took the initiative to kiss him, praising him. “I’m so happy that you’re back.”
Feng Xuexiang was momentarily stunned by Yu Shi’s straightforward words and expression, but then he couldn’t resist returning the kiss passionately.
…
After Feng Xuexiang reappeared in the Xue family, Yu Shi heard from Jiang Mang that “Feng Zaiyin” had fled, abandoning his duties at the Crisis Bureau, and no one knew where he had gone.
Feng Xuexiang had devoured the remnants of Chi Heng’s soul and fully merged with the jade scrolls, so Huang Yuren, fearing revenge, had fled first.
Yu Shi’s system spoke in a weak voice:
[The storyline of this world has changed too much. The male protagonist is now half-dead.]
Yu Shi comforted it, saying, “But the female protagonist is doing well.”
Jiang Mang could become a powerful demon exorcist through her own efforts. She had the care and guidance of her elders, friends to talk to, and the ability to help the children and teachers at the orphanage with her powers. She lived a free and happy life.
Perhaps in the future, she might even inherit the Xue family and become the new head of the family.
“And besides, the male protagonist isn’t dead.”
He was just forced to share a body with someone else, unable to control himself.
[But the storyline has changed too much, and I’ve been reported. Mr. Yu Shi, you promised that if you met the male protagonist, you would help him break free from control. You haven’t forgotten, have you?]
There was a hopeful tone in the system’s voice.
“Yes, I promised.”
But that was only if he could meet Feng Zaiyin again.
However, considering how Huang Yuren was so terrified of Feng Xuexiang after it had devoured Chi Heng, it was likely she would never dare to show up in front of him again.
They stayed with the Xue family for a few days, during which Jiang Mang said to Yu Shi, “I feel like my uncle is being much kinder to me this time around. I’m not used to it.”
“Yes, he’s much more peaceful,” Yu Shi replied with a smile.
That was because Feng Xuexiang knew he wouldn’t lose everything again, so he wasn’t as afraid anymore.
“Grandpa and Aunt also noticed how much he’s changed. Last time we had dinner, Uncle suddenly called Grandfather ‘Uncle’ and addressed Aunt Ruoya as ‘Cousin,’ which shocked them! Hahaha!”
But after the initial shock, they were all very happy—she even heard her grandfather humming a tune.
Many things had changed, but what hadn’t changed was how much Feng Xuexiang still adored Yu Shi. In fact, after recovering those positive memories and feelings, he treated Yu Shi even more gently.
To put it bluntly, Jiang Mang often thought that her uncle, now in front of Yu Shi, resembled a gentle, noble, and virtuous… wife.
Before they could say much more, that gentle, noble, and virtuous… figure appeared.
Jiang Mang, with great tact, quickly made her exit. While her uncle had indeed become more peaceful, his jealousy was a different matter.
“Why didn’t she stay and chat longer?” Feng Xuexiang asked with a tone of tolerance.
Yu Shi replied, “Shall I call her back to chat a bit more? We could all have lunch together later.”
Feng Xuexiang: “…….”
Yu Shi couldn’t help but laugh at the change in his expression.
Awkwardly changing the subject, Feng Xuexiang said, “Ashi, I want to meet with Seventh Brother.”
Yu Shi noticed the subtle anxiety and melancholy in Feng Xuexiang’s eyes and held him by the shoulders. “Alright, let’s go. I’ll go with you.”
…
They went together to Yuncheng to meet Feng Kuo.
Yu Shi didn’t hear what the two brothers talked about, but for them, it was likely a farewell to the past, a way to soothe old wounds and hidden scars.
After leaving Yuncheng, they went to see the snowy mountains.
They walked hand in hand at the foot of the mountains, watching the sun leap over the peak, turning from fiery red to golden yellow, illuminating the earth and sweeping away all shadows.
“Ashi, this winter, I can watch the snow with you.”
“The snow in the south isn’t heavy. If you want to see more, we can take a trip to a northern city this winter.”
Feng Xuexiang leaned against him and happily agreed, “Sounds good.”
