The Journey of Pursuit

As Luo Wei pushed open the door, he was met with the sight of a burly huntress butchering an animal in the courtyard. He couldn’t help but pause in surprise.

“Oh, young man, you’re awake!” The huntress wiped the blood from her face and flashed a friendly smile. “How are you feeling? Any discomfort?”

“I’m much better now,” Luo Wei replied, glancing around the yard. It was hung with freshly skinned animal pelts—clearly, this was indeed a hunter’s household.

“That’s good…” The huntress sighed in relief. “Glad you’ve recovered, or your wife would’ve been worried sick.”

“My wife?” Luo Wei hesitated.

“Yeah?” The huntress looked at him curiously. “Isn’t that pretty girl your wife?”

“Uh… you could say that,” Luo Wei answered vaguely. “How did I end up here?”

The huntress explained, “Three evenings ago, just as my husband and I were about to eat, we heard frantic knocking at the door. When we opened it, your wife was carrying you, covered in wounds. She said you’d been attacked by beasts in the river valley…”

As she spoke, she muttered under her breath, “Strange times lately… more and more beasts roaming the roads. Where are they all coming from…?”

“I see… Thank you, ma’am.” After expressing his gratitude, Luo Wei scanned the courtyard again but saw no sign of Eleya.

“Where is she now?”

“She’s sitting by the river to the north,” the huntress pointed in that direction before adding curiously, “Is your wife troubled by something? These past few days, she’s been sitting by the river whenever she’s free, sometimes for hours on end…”

“Thank you, ma’am. I’ll go find her.” Luo Wei thanked her again.

“Huh? Young man, you’re going the wrong way! That’s south!”

“I know.”

Watching the young man stride off without looking back, the huntress wore a puzzled expression.

…

In the quiet river valley, Eleya silently gazed at her reflection in the water.

As the wind stirred, ripples distorted her image, twisting it into something unfamiliar.

Though it was undeniably her, at this moment, it felt strangely foreign.

“You’ve been tricked. The original purpose of the capital trip wasn’t like this, yet for Luo Wei, you destroyed years of groundwork with your own hands.”

Eleya spoke to her reflection, her eyes cold and detached.

But soon, she shook her head, her expression conflicted.

“No… Emperor Wegener is dead. The greatest obstacle in my path has been removed. Even if the original plan failed, it wasn’t a complete loss…”

“Hah, still lying to yourself.” Her gaze turned icy again.

“The Church was never a match for Wegener. What difference does a peaceful emperor make now? Your spies in the Wegener Church have been rooted out. Infiltrating them again will be next to impossible.”

“There’s still a chance… The spread of the new divine arts can’t be wiped out so easily. We still have time…”

Her emotions shifted once more, and Eleya suddenly smirked mockingly. “As long as Luo Wei exists, you’ll never achieve your goal. He’ll always stand in your way.”

Her eyes flickered as she fell into silence.

“What are you hesitating for? He’s the enemy! The greatest obstacle to your ascension!”

“No, he’s not the enemy. I’ll make him understand. He’ll help me. Just give me time…”

“Foolish! There is no more time. Can’t you feel the call of that unseen will? If you can’t do it, then I will!”

“No!” Eleya struck the water in frustration.

The once-calm surface shattered, scattering her reflection.

But the voice persisted, haunting her.

“You already know the answer in your heart. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have brought him here, would you?”

“No, no…” Eleya clutched her forehead, desperately trying to force the thought away.

“That’s not it. I didn’t bring him here to kill him. I just…”

“Just…”

Suddenly, her expression froze as if she sensed something.

Her eyes snapped toward the southern end of the valley.

“Luo Wei? Where are you going?”

In the sparse woods, Luo Wei turned to see Eleya smiling faintly at him.

“You scared me…” Luo Wei patted his chest.

“Were you trying to run away from me?” Eleya asked.

“No.” Luo Wei shook his head before reaching for his waistband. “Just needed to relieve myself.”

“Oh.” Eleya stared at him without moving.

“Don’t look at me like that…” Luo Wei sighed. “I can’t go with you watching…”

Eleya turned her head away but still didn’t leave.

Resigned, Luo Wei stepped deeper into the woods and forced himself to proceed.

“So, what were you doing by the river?” he asked curiously. “Contemplating life?”

Thinking back to her earlier turmoil, Eleya fell silent for a moment.

“No.”

When Luo Wei emerged from the woods, he noticed something off about Eleya’s mood.

“Are you… okay?” He frowned, realizing her corruption level had spiked significantly.

[Eleya]

[Affection: 100]

[Corruption: 72↑]

The last time she’d been like this was in the square when she transformed into a Throne Angel—her divine side had taken control.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” Eleya avoided the question, her gaze shifting to the hunter’s cottage in the distance, where smoke now rose from the chimney.

“Come on, let’s go eat.”

As dusk fell, the barren western lands were bathed in a rosy glow. The master of the house returned before nightfall, and the huntress brought out steaming pots of stewed game meat.

Having gone three days without food, Luo Wei was ravenous. He eagerly dug into a rib, tearing into the hot meat.

“Slow down, slow down, child…” The huntress chuckled helplessly. “You’ve just recovered—don’t eat so fast! It’s not good for you.”

Eleya watched Luo Wei devour his meal, a soft smile playing on her lips. “You’re acting like Helena now. There’s plenty of food—no one’s fighting you for it.”

Luo Wei scoffed. “Easy for you to say! You’re not the one starving!”

Eleya giggled. Seeing that he was only eating meat, she gently handed him a wooden spoon.

“Don’t choke. Have some soup.”

Luo Wei leaned over and drained the spoon of fish broth.

Eleya’s smile grew warmer.

The huntress watched their tender exchange with a grin. “Ah, youth… One moment you’re bickering, the next you’re all lovey-dovey…”

Luo Wei shot her a glance, but the woman rambled on.

“The key to a happy marriage is mutual understanding—and affection!”

"After all, you're not like us. You still have so much time ahead..."

The smile on Eleya's face slowly faded.

She silently lowered her head and continued eating, avoiding Luo Wei's gaze.

Noticing her shift in mood, Luo Wei nudged her gently under the table.

"What's wrong?" His light golden eyes held a trace of confusion as he looked at her.

"Are you taking me to Blackwater Town?" Luo Wei asked in a hushed voice.

"Yes," Eleya nodded softly.

"What's the purpose?" Luo Wei frowned. "I remember you wanted to meet me there back in the Northern Territories. Why are you so fixated on that place?"

"You'll understand when we get there."

Seeing Eleya still speaking in riddles, Luo Wei scoffed. "What if I refuse?"

That wretched place was where his first life had met its ruin—it carried nothing but ill fortune.

Eleya shook her head. "Then I'm afraid you won't have a choice."

"I hate being forced," Luo Wei said flatly. "Tell me the reason, and I'll go with you willingly."

Eleya studied Luo Wei's stern expression and finally let out a resigned sigh.

"The will of the gods calls to me. A secret lies hidden there—one about the fall of a deity..."

"Going to Blackwater Town is for the story's end."