A Crossing of Paths, Diverging Fates

Just moments ago, the “white-clad woman,” out of sheer shock, had forgotten to maintain his disguised voice.

“Sorry, brother… I just wanted to comfort you with a bit of motherly warmth.”

The crossdressing man chuckled awkwardly, looking a little embarrassed.

Well, it made sense.

Two men hugging each other—no matter if one of them was dressed as a woman—was bound to feel a bit awkward.

And to think someone as beautiful as a celestial maiden had turned out to be a man—

most people wouldn’t take that well either.

The white-clad youth apologized,

“I’m an opera performer who plays dan roles.”

“Since I have a performance today, I just went out wearing my costume.”

“If you feel disgusted for being hugged by a man, you can hit me to vent your anger.”

“No need.”

“You’re a good person. Thank you.”

The black-clad youth opened the umbrella, still faintly warm from its previous owner.

“You’re rehearsing opera about great cultivators, and rushing to perform at a time like this…”

“The patron of your performance—could it be Young Master Cheng, who is said to face his ascension tribulation today?”

“Yes, indeed.”

“Whether he succeeds or fails in ascension, he won’t be watching mortal opera for a long time after today.”

“If he succeeds, he’ll be in the heavens, unable to watch the plays of the human world.”

“If he fails… he’ll have to wait until his next life—or perhaps never see them again.”

“I’ve heard that opera performers witness the justice of the world and portray it deeply.”

“So tell me, brother—do you think the living should avenge the dead?”

“Didn’t the Skeletal Emperor say it herself?”

“The Heavenly Dao favors cycles of retribution.”

“But that cycle still needs people to push it forward—things depend on human action!”

Even dressed in feminine costume, the white-clad youth radiated vigor and spirited charm.

“To repay kindness and avenge grievances—that’s the nature of a man!”

“But—” he suddenly changed tone,

“Before you seek revenge, have you thought about your limits… and the price you’ll have to pay?”

“If you’re ready to bear the cost, then go all out and make your move.”

“I heard Young Master Cheng and I share the same birthday.”

“At a moment like this, I don’t even have time to wish him well or seek a bit of good fortune… that’s a bit of a pity.”

“Everyone is different, you know.”

“Even people born on the same day can walk entirely different paths and see entirely different worlds.”

The black-clad youth walked on a sparsely populated road, holding the umbrella that once belonged to the white-clad youth.

Thinking of the person he would likely never see again in this lifetime, he silently said “thank you” several times in his heart.

The white-clad youth, having given away his umbrella, continued strolling through the rain.

Yet not a single drop of rain touched him.

A thin layer of spiritual energy formed around his body, evaporating the raindrops the moment they came close.

When a person is sincere about something, external things cannot easily change them.

Just like the white-clad youth’s love for crossdressing—

and the black-clad youth’s resolve to die while slaughtering all his enemies—

these were things they had no choice but to do.

Two strangers who met by chance were like intersecting lines.

After sharing a single point of intersection, they drifted farther and farther apart.

One walked toward a joyful heaven.

The other, toward a dark hell.

As for the white-clad youth, who was about to perform at a grand banquet—

he was, presumably, quite happy.

Young Master Cheng, having seen through worldly wealth, was hosting a lavish feast at his finest restaurant on the eve of his ascension.

At the same time, he was distributing his remaining fortune among the poor of the surrounding villages.

That restaurant was filled with unending joy.

As for the place the black-clad youth was heading toward—no matter how much joy it once held it would soon be swallowed by darkness.

Because a soul, already dead inside, was going there to kill every last person who lived within.