RNP Page 546
Page 546
In a corner where the firelight couldn't reach, a tiny figure leaned against a withered tree, casting envious glances at the other children.
"Sister Xia Die, do you want to play together? I recently learned a little bit of magic."
As these words were spoken, a flower emerged from the grass.
"Angelica dahurica?"
Xia Die was pleasantly surprised.
"Hmm, it's me, Sister Xia Die. You really like these flowers, don't you? I saw you touching them on the grass a few days ago."
"These are flowers I just picked. Would you like to touch them?"
Bai Zhi handed the light purple flower to Xia Die.
Xia Die subconsciously reached out her hand, but then withdrew it, shaking her head with disappointment in her eyes. "Little Bai Zhi, you know I can't..."
Bai Zhi had been in Aidiria for some time now, so she naturally knew what Xia Die meant.
Xia Die, the war-mongering saintess of Aidiria, possesses a death curse; her hands will give death an embrace to anyone who touches her.
To be precise, not only humans, but other forms of life, including plants, will wither and die if touched by the butterfly.
Therefore, she dared not touch anyone, or even any living being.
"It's alright, they're just some flowers. Even if they wither, there are other flowers."
"Besides, Sister Xia Die, as I said, I've learned a little bit of fun magic tricks, and the trick is on the flower~"
As she spoke, Bai Zhi handed the flower forward.
Xia Die pursed her lips, looking at Bai Zhi's serious eyes, and could only cautiously touch the flower.
Soft, carrying a hint of the warmth of angelica, like life itself.
But such a life, in her hands, would probably vanish in a second.
Suddenly, she froze, staring at the flower that seemed to be still in full bloom, her jewel-like eyes revealing an incredulous look.
"why is that?"
Xia Die's mind went blank for a moment. Based on past experience, no one could escape the embrace of death, whether they were a general with a strong spirit or a prisoner who had given up everything. Before the curse of death, everyone was treated the same.
The same applies to plants; towering trees and roadside grass can both wither in an instant.
But the flower in Bai Zhi's hand still looked fresh and vibrant.
Is this flower fake?
The warm, smooth touch, the delicate veins in the flower, and the slight moisture seeping through told her that this flower was a genuine wildflower, not man-made, and without any life.
"Dear Sister Xia Die, as I told you, I know a little bit of magic tricks~"
Bai Zhi smiled slyly, "After all, my life is short, unlike Sister Xia Die who can live a long time. If I don't have some special skills, how can I leave my mark on this world?"
"Little Angelica, don't say such things. You're still young."
Xia Die said with a hint of reproach.
"I know, but there's conflict everywhere in this world. Who knows, I might die someday for various reasons."
Bai Zhi looked up at the sky and could sense that this world was somewhat peculiar, as if amidst the intertwining of multiple destinies, there were also those Titans who resembled native gods.
The people here are even more interesting. In the ancient Golden Age, all things grew, civilization expanded, there was neither illness nor disaster in the world, stones did not wear down, and people had endless lifespans.
Even the Immortal Ship couldn't achieve such a feat. The people of the Immortal Ship still have demonic bodies, yet in this world's Golden Age, such a great achievement has been accomplished.
Although the Golden Age has long since ended in the historical records of this world, now is an era of strife, with various city-states constantly at war.
"This flower is for Sister Xia Die."
"really?"
Xia Die was pleasantly surprised. Although wildflowers were everywhere, she had never seen a wildflower that wouldn't easily wither in her hands.
This tiny miracle of life made her reluctant to let go.
"However, Sister Xiadie, I have a small request."
"Ok?"
Xia Die looked at Bai Zhi with a puzzled expression.
"When I'm about to pass away peacefully, I just hope Sister Xia Die can give me a hug~"
"No... Little Angelica, you're still early. Although it's no longer the Golden Age, ordinary people still have a lifespan of at least a hundred years."
Upon hearing Bai Zhi's request, Xia Die's first reaction was to refuse. It had been so difficult for Bai Zhi to give her the experience of touching life, and she couldn't imagine how terrible it would be if Bai Zhi were to be corrupted by her own death curse like an ordinary person.
"Everyone dies eventually, whether it's early or late, it's all the same. Besides, I've never actually experienced dying of old age. The reason I'm saying this to Sister Xia Die is simply because Sister Xia Die is very beautiful."
"To die in the arms of a beautiful girl, that sounds like a very romantic thing."
Bai Zhi smiled and spoke in a relaxed tone, as if she didn't care about this sensitive topic at all.
"Alright, come here, Sister Xiadie, here's a flower for you."
Seeing that Xia Die had fallen silent, Bai Zhi didn't say anything more and directly handed over the flower that had been imbued with a large amount of her horse talisman power.
"Don't be sad anymore, Sister Xiadie, you still have me."
Xia Die subconsciously took the flower. Looking down, she saw that the flower was still vibrant, but it seemed to be slowly aging.
At this rate, if you hold it in your hand for seven or eight hours, it will probably turn into a black, withered flower.
"Is there still no way to avoid it?"
Xia Die keenly sensed that the power that brought her some warmth was fading away.
"It seems that Sister Xiadie's hug was heavier than I expected, but it's okay."
Bai Zhi moved closer to Xia Die, glanced at the flower with a smile, and then gently touched it with her finger.
The flower, which had begun to wither slowly, has regained its radiance, just as it did when it was blooming freely on the grass.
They were so close that Xia Die could almost feel Bai Zhi's breath as she spoke, carrying a slight warmth, like the sun.
This startled her so much that she quickly moved a meter away from Bai Zhi, afraid that she might accidentally touch her.
"Actually, there's no need to be afraid, Sister Xia Die. Maybe I won't fall into the arms of death so easily, just like this flower."
Looking at the vibrant flower in her hand, Xia Die hesitated for a moment, but then shook her head fiercely.
In any case, even if Bai Zhi makes this flower bloom in her hands, she would never let Bai Zhi take risks for this reason.
……
Chapter 975 Bai Zhi: Xiao Die, Death is not a cold thing
Inside the small, not-so-large, house.
There was a mirror and simple furniture.
Having grown to about 5 meters tall, Bai Zhi, who looked more like a young lady with long, straight black hair, carved a third mark on the wall.
This is her third year in Onphalus.
Based on the lifespan of the Vidyadharas being a hundred times faster, her lifespan is already equivalent to more than 300 years.
When she first met Xia Die, she was already about the same height as Xia Die, but now Xia Die is much shorter than her.
"noob!!"
A girl's sweet voice came from behind.
With a faint, delicate fragrance, the purple-haired girl approached Bai Zhi and offered her a flower.
"Are you here to regain your life again?"
Bai Zhi's tone carried a hint of helplessness, but her hands did not stop. She simply stretched out her right hand and gently touched the wildflower that she had given to Xia Die more than two years ago.
The wildflowers, which had been somewhat withered, were brought back to life under the influence of the talisman, just like the ones Bai Zhi had given to Xia Die.
"Actually, I can give you a different flower. I remember there are some very beautiful flowers near the execution platform, much prettier than this wildflower."
"No, I want Little White's flower."
After the wildflower burst into life, the girl, as always, retorted.
This wasn't the first time Bai Zhi had suggested changing the flower, but the girl always smiled and refused.
"Today... there must have been another war in the city-states, right?"
Bai Zhi turned around, staring intently at Xia Die, then reached out and carefully straightened Xia Die's clothes.
Xia Die stood still, afraid that Bai Zhi would touch her skin. Only after Bai Zhi finished tidying her clothes did the girl breathe a sigh of relief, and then she showed a somewhat sad expression.
When city-states go to war, it means that Aederia will capture many of its enemies or produce many deserters. As Aederia's war-mongering saintess, Xia Die's duty is to bring death to these people.
"Xiaobai, I don't want to do that..."
"Hmm... I understand your pain."
Bai Zhi reached out and adjusted the girl's headdress, saying, "After all, you are a good child who loves life."
"Xiaobai, don't treat me like a child."
Xia Die lowered her head at first, but then raised her face somewhat angrily, seemingly very dissatisfied with Bai Zhi treating her like a little sister.
"Haha, but I grew faster and taller than you, Xiaodie, so in my eyes, you're just a little kid~"
Bai Zhi gestured with her hand above her head, then reached out and gestured to Xia Die's head.
"Humph."
Xia Die turned her face away angrily, but then glanced at Bai Zhi out of the corner of her eye, afraid that Bai Zhi would be angry.
In Aidiria, few people can consider her a friend. She is a holy maiden who oversees the war and is also cursed by the god of death. If ordinary people come into contact with her, they will be sent to the underworld if they are not careful.
"What are Xia Die's thoughts?"
Bai Zhi asked curiously.
Without the slightest hesitation, the girl immediately replied, "This city only needs healers like Xiaobai; it doesn't need someone like me who inflicts curses."
"Everyone loves you more and fears me; I am just an unwanted person."
In the past two years, both Bai Zhi and she have made a name for themselves in Aidiria, but they have not received the same treatment.
From the perspective of most of the lower classes, and even the middle and upper classes, the healing power of Angelica is a gift from heaven to the city-state and its people. Thanks to Angelica, they have been able to survive one war after another that was almost certain to end in death.
Many people have received treatment from Angelica dahurica, and thus, Angelica dahurica has earned the title of a healing angel in Aidiria.
However, due to Audrey's unique view of death, many people do not have a high opinion of Angelica dahurica.
For them, death was not a terrible thing, but rather a peaceful sleep after utter exhaustion, while angelica dahurica robbed some of the people who should have been sleeping peacefully of their future.
Conversely, the butterfly is an object of fear for most people. Even though the culture of Aedria is unique, the human fear of death as a life instinct does not disappear because of culture.
Therefore, for them, Xia Die is often also an executioner.
However, from the perspective of those in power, Xia Die is someone who can grant people complete peace of mind and allow weary souls to reach the other side.
For example, Amonnet, the elder of Aedria and also the head of the executioners.
"Xiaodie, is that what you think?"
Bai Zhi smiled and said, "But Xiao Die, do you think death is only something dark and terrifying?"
Bai Zhi sat down and gestured for Xia Die to sit down as well.
Xia Die nodded. "Death is not needed!"
"No, Xiaodie, do you think love comes from endless life or from death?"
"Eh?"
Xia Die was taken aback by Bai Zhi's sudden question. "Why would Xiao Bai ask this?"
"Xiaodie, answer me first."
Bai Zhi looked intently at Xia Die.
"Without life, love is nothing; life is the foundation that carries all love and hate."
Xia Die said firmly that this was what she had always believed: her existence was not a blessing, but a way of robbing life of love and hate—a terrible curse!