Travel through Teyvat and spend your life with Linghua

Chapter 167 Butterfly leads to life

"This... this should be considered a success, right?" Xinyang gasped heavily.

"Yes, there's no trace of murderous intent left in him." Xiao nodded slightly, speaking calmly. He then put away the faintly fluorescent Hepu Kite in his hand, reached out a hand, and gently pulled Xinyang, who had fallen to the ground, to his feet.

After Xinyang stood firm, he looked around anxiously, muttering to himself, "Why hasn't Uncle Hu come out yet? Could something have happened?"

As Xinyang finished speaking, the remains of the previously defeated Chi began to slowly disappear, melting like ice and snow in the sun. After it completely dissipated, only a dazzling light remained in its place.

As the light gradually faded, a familiar figure appeared before them—it was Kurumi's father! His soul, however, seemed even more ethereal than before, as if a gentle breeze could blow it away. Even so, a smile of satisfaction still adorned his weathered face.

At this moment, a figure flashed across the canyon.

Xiao and Xinyang looked up at the same time. "He's here, I didn't notice him because I was busy fighting."

"The Emperor's actions have their own profound meaning."

"Thank you both for fulfilling your mission." Hu Tao's father's voice sounded a little weak.

Hearing this, Xinyang and Xiao hurried forward. Xinyang's face was even more anxious, his eyes full of worry and concern: "Uncle Hu, how are you? Are you hurt?"

Hu Tao's father shook his head gently and replied with a smile: "It's okay, don't worry. Being able to resolve this crisis is my last contribution to Liyue. Now, my mission is completed, and it's time to go where I should go." As he spoke, his eyes slowly swept over everything around him, his eyes full of nostalgia and reluctance.

"Really? Is this the price? Why didn't uncle make it clear in advance?" Xinyang asked with tears in her eyes.

Hu Tao's father smiled and shook his head, saying, "My child, life and death are determined by fate. There's no need to grieve. I have no regrets for being able to contribute to Liyue once more before I leave."

"But...at least...say goodbye to Hu Tao." Xin Yang said with a sob.

Upon hearing this, Xiao disappeared instantly, and the next second Xiao came here with Hu Tao.

"Great Sage, did we succeed? Why did you suddenly bring me here..."

Before Hu Tao could finish her words, she saw her father's illusory soul.

Hu Tao was stunned at first, then tears welled up in her eyes: "Dad! What's going on?" Hu Tao wanted to hug her father but could only pass through the illusory figure.

"How could this happen? Just now it was clearly..." Hu Tao still didn't want to believe what she saw.

Hu Tao's father looked at his daughter lovingly, reaching out his hand to touch her face, but he couldn't reach her: "Hu Tao, my child, don't cry. This is Daddy's choice."

Walnut held back her tears and tried to calm herself down. "Dad, why is this happening? We just met, how could this happen..."

Hu Tao's father sighed softly, his eyes filled with guilt and reluctance. "Hu Tao, life is full of frustrations. I'm already very satisfied just to see you again. You must be strong and live your life well."

"Dad, I don't want you to leave." Walnut burst into tears. "There are still many things I want to do with you."

"Hu Tao, you've grown up, and you have to walk your own path in the future. Remember, always stay optimistic and positive, just like you have always done. Promise your dad, okay?" Hu Tao's father said gently.

Walnut bit her lip tightly and choked out tears as she said, "Dad, I understand. I will try my best to do it."

Hu Tao's father smiled and nodded. "My daughter, I trust you. I leave the Hall of Rebirth to you. You must pass it on and help more souls find peace."

Walnut nodded vigorously, tears streaming down her face: "Dad, don't worry, I won't let you down."

Hu Tao's father nodded, then looked at Xin Yang and Xiao.

"Thank you both very much. If it weren't for you, Liyue would have been in great trouble."

Xinyang and Xiao quickly bowed.

"We admire the righteousness of our predecessors."

Hu Tao's father looked at Hu Tao deeply for the last time and said, "Hu Tao, you will always be your father's pride." Then his figure gradually became transparent, slowly turned into a red butterfly, and flew away into the distance.

Hu Tao stared at the direction of the butterfly's flight, speechless for a long time. Xin Yang and Xiao stood quietly by, giving Hu Tao enough time to calm down.

"Butterflies usher in life..." Walnut murmured softly, her gaze following the red butterfly until it vanished into the sky. The butterfly, carrying her father's soul, endless care and hope, gradually flew away. A gentle breeze ruffled Walnut's hair. Though her face was still stained with tears, her eyes became resolute.

After a long moment, Hu Tao turned around, took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself down. "Dad, don't worry. I'll take good care of myself and run Wangsheng Hall well," Hu Tao whispered softly in the direction the butterfly had disappeared. Her voice was soft, but filled with determination.

At this moment, the others slowly arrived. Everyone looked anxious, especially Linghua.

Linghua stepped forward quickly and asked anxiously, "What is going on? I just saw Xiao suddenly appear and take Hu Tao away without saying a word!" Linghua's voice trembled slightly, and she was obviously very uneasy.

Seeing this, Xinyang on the side quickly made a gesture to keep quiet, and carefully leaned close to Linghua's ear and whispered, "Wife, now is not the time to talk. Uncle Hu just said goodbye to Hu Tao. Let Hu Tao be alone and quiet for a while." After that, Xinyang gently patted Linghua's shoulder.

Linghua nodded thoughtfully, understanding Xinyang's meaning. She said nothing more, simply gazing silently at Hu Tao, her eyes filled with concern.

For a moment, everyone fell silent, and the atmosphere around them suddenly became somewhat heavy. Walnut, however, remained standing quietly, motionless, like a statue, seemingly completely immersed in her own inner world.

After a long while, Walnut finally made a move. She slowly raised her head, which had been lowered for a long time, and then cast her eyes towards the people gathered around her.

Linghua took a step forward and took Hu Tao's hand, her eyes filled with tenderness and encouragement. "Hu Tao, I completely understand how you feel right now. I've lost loved ones myself, and I know the pain. But we must be strong and live our lives with their hopes in mind. If you need anything in the future, feel free to contact us. We will always support you."

"Thank you for your concern. I'm fine." Walnut's voice, though still a little hoarse, revealed a firmness. "Dad is gone, but I will keep his instructions in mind. I will run the Hall of the Dead well and help more souls find a place of rest."

Xiao was very grateful to Hu Tao. "My karma has plagued me for a thousand years. Without your father's help, I would have been unable to escape this long-lasting torment. In the future, if you encounter danger in the wilderness, encounter thieves on the road, encounter danger from fire, water, weapons, ghosts, spirits, drugs, poisons, vicious beasts and insects, or encounter enemies and evildoers, please call my name. I, the Three-Eyed and Five-Manifested Immortal, will obey your call and come to protect you."

Walnut smiled slightly "Thank you everyone, I'm really happy to have you here, let's go home."

Walnut led the group out of the "border" and back to Wuwang Slope. The fog and the evil spirits that had surrounded Wuwang Slope were long gone, replaced by a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows across the ground.

Several red butterflies flew to Hu Tao and danced around her. Hu Tao stretched out her hand, and a butterfly landed gently on her fingertips.

"Dad is always by my side." Kurumi said softly with a faint smile on her face.