Chapter 73

The Demon's Selection (73)

"Wow!"

Dan Aksun couldn't help but exclaim at the festive scene on the street during the holiday. For a moment, he was distracted by all the food and sights, but then he suddenly felt something strange and turned around.

He couldn't see the silent Han Xuehua who had been following him.

Han Xuehua was standing far away, motionless.

"Auntie?"

Dan Aksun called out to her, but she didn't respond. She just frowned and raised her sleeve to cover her nose.

Dan Aksun was puzzled by her behavior.

"Why are you doing that?"

"It smells."

"What? What smell?"

"That guy is here."

While Han Xuehua was looking around,

Boom!

The street was filled with the loud sound of fireworks and thick smoke.

Then, a beautifully decorated lion appeared, and the street was overwhelmed by a huge cheer.

Dan Aksun stood on tiptoe to watch the lion dance, but the crowd was too dense to see.

At that moment, Fan Guiwei lifted Dan Aksun and placed him on his shoulder.

"Thank you."

Fan Guiwei, disguised, smiled.

Dan Aksun was enjoying himself.

Fan Guiwei was so tall that the view from up there was very pleasant.

Moreover, it was the first time he had watched a street festival since he was very young, when he came with his parents.

Just as Dan Aksun was enjoying the festival,

Han Xuehua stopped Chao Ailiang.

"It's best to leave now."

Chao Ailiang, disguised as a scholar with an inhuman mask, looked puzzled.

"Why?"

"The leader of the beggars is here."

"The Chief of the Beggar Sect?"

Han Xuehua nodded.

"Only that guy can produce such a foul smell."

Chao Ailiang nodded and sent a telepathic message to Fan Guiwei.

—Let's go back. The Chief of the Beggar Sect is nearby.

—Can't I show this to Doctor Dan?

—Let's go back without causing any trouble.

Fan Guiwei nodded reluctantly.

In the end, the two of them told Dan Aksun they would return to the Demon's Valley first.

"Why? Can't we stay and watch a bit more?"

Dan Aksun's plea made the two of them hesitate for a moment.

"It's too crowded and uncomfortable. That guy and I will go back and rest first. Sister Han, take your time and enjoy yourself."

With a reluctant look, Dan Aksun watched as Chao Ailiang and Fan Guiwei disappeared into the crowd.

Dan Aksun's mood suddenly dampened.

"Do you know why?"

There was no reason to hide it, so Han Xuehua answered honestly.

"The Chief of the Beggar Sect is here. They left first to avoid being recognized."

"Oh... I see."

Dan Aksun sighed, finally understanding the reason.

His heart became complicated. At first, he felt disappointed, but as time passed, he felt more and more wronged.

"You two must also feel stifled, right? You can't show yourselves openly."

Both of them were people who had nothing to regret anywhere.

Who in the world could ignore the Venerable Bloodwater and the Wanshan Grasshopper?

Yet, they had to disguise themselves and hide their identities every time they were with him.

Dan Aksun suddenly felt guilty towards the two of them. If it weren't for him, they could enjoy their lives in the martial world freely and be treated with respect.

At this point, Dan Aksun no longer wanted to play.

"Let's go back."

Han Xuehua nodded silently, reading Dan Aksun's expression.

After buying food, fireworks, and other items for the holiday at the market, they headed back to the Demon's Valley. Dan Aksun's face brightened when he noticed something.

The door of his regular herbalist shop, which had been closed for a while, was now wide open.

"The herbalist uncle must be back!"

The owner of the herbalist shop, who had been kidnapped by the evil people of the Zhangluo Sect and suffered greatly, had returned to his hometown for recuperation and had now come back for the New Year.

Dan Aksun ran into the herbalist shop.

"Uncle!"

Sure enough, he saw a familiar face.

Overjoyed, Dan Aksun greeted him.

"Happy New Year, Uncle. Are you feeling better now?"

"..."

Unexpectedly, the herbalist's expression was not bright.

"Uncle?"

Dan Aksun was confused.

The man who had always been kind to him now felt a strange distance. It didn't take long for Dan Aksun to realize why.

"I'm sorry."

The herbalist, looking embarrassed, continued.

"Seeing you brings back those memories..."

Dan Aksun fell silent as the herbalist trailed off.

Physical wounds may heal, but the scars in the heart last longer. As a normal person, he had to endure torture by martial artists.

It's not easy to forget such a terrifying experience in a short time.

"I understand. Take care of yourself."

As Dan Aksun turned to leave, the herbalist suddenly spoke.

"I hope you can do business with other herbalists in the future."

"Excuse me?"

"I'm sorry."

The herbalist avoided Dan Aksun's gaze.

"I can't face you. I shouldn't have... Even though I was suffering, I shouldn't have told your story..."

"It's okay. Anyone in that situation would have done the same. I'm fine..."

"I'm saying this because I'm suffering."

"..."

"Every night, I suffer from nightmares and can't sleep. But seeing you again..."

The herbalist trailed off, but Dan Aksun could guess what he was trying to say.

Dan Aksun bit his lip.

"I'm really sorry... I'm really sorry."

Dan Aksun walked out of the herbalist shop in silence for a while. He looked back at the shop one last time.

He wanted to take in the place filled with long memories.

He saw the herbalist, limping, closing the shop door with difficulty.

The sight pierced Dan Aksun's heart.

Trying hard not to cry, Dan Aksun felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Han Xuehua.

Dan Aksun looked up at her and smiled.

It was a sad smile, one that made Han Xuehua feel even more sorry for him.

"I've known him for a long time... I'm losing another connection."

"It's not your fault."

Dan Aksun nodded at Han Xuehua's comfort.

Wanting to comfort him more, Han Xuehua couldn't think of the right words.

* * *

Chao Ailiang and Fan Guiwei greeted Dan Aksun, who returned earlier than expected, with puzzled looks.

He tried to look cheerful, but they weren't so clueless as to miss the shadow in his eyes.

"Did you see the lion dance?"

Fan Guiwei asked, and Dan Aksun showed the items he had bought.

"Let's set off fireworks!"

"Suddenly?"

Surprised by Dan Aksun's sudden suggestion, Fan Guiwei asked.

"They say setting off fireworks can drive away bad luck."

Dan Aksun took out the fireworks and hung them on a long pole. He lit the long fuse.

The loud bang and the smoky smell of gunpowder filled the air, and the bright sparks continued for a while.

Chao Ailiang and Fan Guiwei's faces showed confusion, as the person who suggested the fireworks didn't seem very excited.

He just sat there, resting his chin on his hand, staring at the sparks in the sky.

Dan Aksun suddenly spoke.

"I hope it works."

Chao Ailiang looked at Han Xuehua, who shook her head silently.

She knew better than anyone why Dan Aksun had suddenly suggested setting off fireworks. How could she explain it to others?

She just hoped he would feel a little better with the fireworks.

The fireworks soon ran out, and silence returned.

Dan Aksun, who had been sitting there with his chin in his hand, suddenly realized how quiet it was and looked up.

Concerned gazes were fixed on him.

Dan Aksun smiled awkwardly.

"Do you know? In the old days, they burned bamboo to scare away ghosts with the sound of the shells bursting. Even though we use gunpowder now, we still call them fireworks for that reason."

Chao Ailiang and Fan Guiwei listened silently, not really interested in the origin of fireworks, but sensing something was off with Dan Aksun.

Neng Suomil noticed the strange atmosphere and tried to lighten the mood.

"Shall I bring out some wine?"

Shamuxin smiled and agreed.

"Good idea. It's a shame to have a holiday without wine."

The two of them started to prepare.

The food Dan Aksun and Han Xuehua bought at the market, along with the wine from the storage, quickly turned into a meal.

* * *

Suddenly, Fan Guiwei felt Dan Aksun's intense gaze.

"That..."

"Hmm?"

"Can I try some too?"

Only then did Fan Guiwei realize Dan Aksun was looking at the wine glass in his hand.

Fan Guiwei absentmindedly handed over the glass.

At that moment, Han Xuehua's icy voice cut in.

"Are you crazy?"

While Fan Guiwei was flustered, Han Xuehua waved her sleeve.

The glass was now in her hand.

"How can you give a