...He would also be reluctant.

But it seems, there's no other way.

Under the burden of two civilizations, this is the best ending. The only one lost is "him".

He placed his finger on his lips, making a silent gesture.

The footsteps of the three people slowed down, silently gazing at Su Ming'an, even Lv Shu, who rarely sheds tears, had red eyes.

Under the drifting white hair, His lips moved.

No, must, become, my, tombstone.

In just a short sentence, it seemed like everything was contained.

...It was the best advice He could think of after witnessing the deaths of many The Originals.

He never imagined that it would be His turn to tread this path.

The blade faced downward, and He sensed the power of time fluctuating around Him, closed His eyes, and completely cut down the blade—

"Crash."

In this instant,

White dove wings flapping sounds echoed by His ears.

A hand suddenly grasped His wrist, as if just to halt His slash in this moment.

He opened His eyes blankly.

Then, He saw a pair of eyes like frost and snow.

For a moment, He felt as if in a dream. Otherwise, why would someone appear beside Him precisely at this moment?

Li Mingyue held His wrist, surrounded by shimmering space.

The cross headband on Su Ming'an's forehead, reflected a similar light.

—Li Mingyue used this headband to teleport Su Ming'an back to the chapel. Just like when Su Ming'an was intercepted by deities, Su Ming'an activated the necklace to teleport to Li Mingyue's side.

"Why did you teleport me back..." Su Ming'an was puzzled.

At that moment, as Su Ming'an stared, he thought he saw a true angel witnessing the godfather's moonlit eyes.

In Su Ming'an's bewildered gaze, Li Mingyue sighed, as if witnessing a story finally reach its end.

"...It's alright."

"Leave the rest to me."

"After being called a godfather for more than thirty days, I ought to... do something for you."

"This is a method I've been pondering for a millennium, let's see if it works."

Upon hearing the godfather's comforting words, Su Ming'an might have felt a joyful rebirth, but why did he feel nothing in his heart, only a stark sorrow?

This stark sorrow was too familiar.

So familiar that even if He only had His last senses left, He felt lonely.

...Why?

Why every time at such times... does someone always bear the "cost" for him?

Why...?

"Because I won't let 'you' die." The godfather held his hand, warmth transmitting and enveloping, humans giving warmth to deities.

His eyes were lowered.

"You are a..."

"Very, very good child."

...

["Su Ming'an, have you heard of the concept 'Word Spirit Transfer Object'?"]

["Yes. The Holy City ascended to transfer the Word Spirit of Dieying to ten thousand eras, the Holy City itself detached."]

["Correct. As long as the cost paid is high enough, and one cuts all Causal Lines, leaves civilization, this effect can be achieved—using The Republic's detachment, shielding others, changing Dieying's Word Spirit target from all humankind to ten thousand eras."]

...

The one who sealed Su Ming'an's Death Rebound was Dieying's Word Spirit—'Ignorance and Unconsciousness, Undying'.

The one who directly attacked The World of Old Days was Su Ming'an's deity body.

Then, if the Word Spirit was transferred?

The scope of civilization was limited to "planet". Then what if... a deity leaves the scope of The World of Old Days?

"Godfather, you want to..." Su Ming'an started.

He suddenly understood what Li Mingyue wanted to do.

Early in the instance's start, Li Mingyue demonstrated high Sixth Level Word Spirit... Li Mingyue's positional rank is very high.

Unlike Chao Yan, General Qin, and Xiao Ying, Li Mingyue is the only one carrying a small The Republic with him. For a millennium, Li Mingyue's reincarnations steadily elevated positional rank, never experiencing any interruption.

In the Witch Age, he was the renowned Order Angel distanced from the Mortal World.

In the Louyue Age, he was the immaculate, eternal Immortal Master.

In the current era, he's the godfather safeguarding the Old God hidden in the Mortal World.

He never broke the chain of his own legacy, each past life handing over to the next. Positional ranks were never severed. Chao Yan's reincarnation Alice could be devoured by the Exotic Species King, yet every life of Li Mingyue lived to its full span. It equates to the world having only Li Mingyue who lived a millennium.

The "Rule Book" is the best proof; this book has existed for a thousand years and continues to be written even after a millennium.

Su Ming'an suddenly understood why Li Mingyue was so adamant about staying in the church and never leaving.

Perhaps he had foreseen this possibility long ago, and had been pondering... how to save the Old God in such a situation.

This thought process persisted for a thousand years.

Holding steadfast for a lifetime, wholehearted and single-minded.

...

[Immortal's Talisman: "Transfer Object"]

[Transfer Object: You can transfer the target of attacks from other high-level talismans (including Immortal's Talismans) to others.]

...

[Su Ming'an knew long ago that Word Spirit is like a miniature Wishing Machine—as long as the "Positional Rank" is high enough and the "cost" paid is sufficient, no matter the content, object, method, or duration of the wish... they would all be enhanced.]

...

"I've been thinking for a long time... how to preserve your sense of self. Once you become a god, the Shadow will certainly eliminate your self. I've always been deliberating 'transference'." Li Mingyue said, "You already possess the sword to sever the Causal Line; as long as the 'cost' is enough, I can bear this causal line for you, like... detaching from the Holy City of civilization."

"And I've pondered for a millennium... among billions, it seems I am the only one capable of bearing such a 'cost'."

Su Ming'an felt himself embraced by this warm snow.

It was a cautious, trembling comfort, a warm touch beneath the hand of an elder.

"What is the 'cost'?" He asked.

Li Mingyue's lips moved, muttering something softly.

Su Ming'an felt as if he had lost his strength, unable to push the other away. It was as if he had reverted to a child, unable to do anything except feel the warmth beneath his palm.

He had seen many snows.

The snow in Yun Shang City, he fell from high above, the snow appearing like stars of hope in his eyes.

The snow of the 33rd cycle, mingled with blood and alarms.

The snow within the small town, he lowered his head and divided the bread, the Godfather following behind, their shadows long.

But he had never seen snow turned from humanity itself.

Transforming his millennium-old positional rank, millennium-old ability, millennium-old emotions, millennium-old soul... and even countless incarnations of life to come... all into the "cost" of a wish, using himself to bear the Shadow's curse for him.

Using the detachment of The Republic to shield others, just as leaving the clone to the Shadow beneath the Nine Serenities, Su Ming'an once again detached a clone, leaving this divine body to the Shadow above the stars, allowing Su Ming'an himself to be preserved.

Coincidentally, Su Ming'an had already acquired the "Skill to simultaneously summon Ming and Shadow."

The Shadow, left to the Shadow beneath the Nine Serenities a thousand years hence.

Ming, left to the Shadow above the stars, allowing the divine body to leave the realm of civilization of The World of Old Days.

Thus, under The Republic, Li Mingyue could pay the cost to transfer the target of the Shadow Word Spirit from Su Ming'an to himself.

Yet Li Mingyue's positional rank was still not sufficient.

At this moment, Su Ming'an looked up.

The church was already crowded with priests and clergy.

They wore solemn expressions, clearly refined religious personnel, lean in stature, yet solemn as if they were warriors about to step onto a battlefield.

They followed behind Li Mingyue, shouting—

"Willing to follow you forward!"

"Willing to follow God forward—!"

It was snowing.

The darkness broke open a streak of snowlight.

They had followed Li Mingyue for decades, preparing together for this day. The priests Su Ming'an had seen years ago were all prepared as the "cost" for this day.

Tiny white lights rose from their bodies. Elderly with white hair, young priests, dignified and gentle nuns... they looked at Su Ming'an, smiling and bowing to him, reciting sacrificial words.

Su Ming'an didn't speak yet.

—And he was already bearing new wraiths.

...

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."

In the dark juvenile detention center, a boy was chained in the corner, covered in scars from beatings, quietly humming the birthday song alone.

His voice was weak, his whole body punctured with needle-like pain, yet he still remembered... he didn't regret saving the girl in the classroom. He still believed the darkness of the world could be swept clean and still believed the decay and filth could be washed away.

He picked up a bloodstained rag and covered himself with it, hoping to be a bit warmer.

His gaze leapt over the rusty iron bars, and he seemed to see... at age eight, he was under that old parasol tree in the courtyard, opening birthday presents, and his father, who rushed home from work, picked him up high without even changing out of his police uniform, spinning him around.

"Wensheng is eight years old this year!" Dad laughed: "One step closer to being a brave man!"

And he protested: "Eight can also be a man!"

Dad laughed heartily: "Yes! Everything in the world, Wensheng must face boldly, Wensheng will certainly become an outstanding man one day!"

At the dining table, his mother with a blurry face patted his head. Grandma came over leaning on a cane, and said in a low voice: "Wensheng ah..."

"Yes!"

"What do you want to eat today?" Grandma asked.

Su Wensheng thought about it and loudly said: "Tomato soup!"

"Alright, Grandma will make it for you!" Grandma responded, trembling as she walked towards the kitchen, then turned back after a few steps: "Wensheng ah."

"Hey!"

"What do you want to eat today?" Grandma asked.

Su Wensheng smiled and patiently repeated, "I want tomato soup."

"Alright, Grandma will make... make... make what again?" Grandma paused in confusion.

"Tomato soup, Grandma."

"Yes, yes..." Grandma frowned, suddenly pointed her cane at Dad, "Wait, who are you? How did you get into my house?"

"Grandma, that's my dad..." Su Wensheng taught her repeatedly.

He already knew, Grandma had an illness, as if turning back into a naive child. But it didn't matter, just like Grandma once taught him, he would teach Grandma.

As they ate, Dad talked about his work today, mentioning they caught an exotic species, something like... Chi? That exotic species kept repeating, "I'm here to save you..." That madness was seriously intense. Listening to it nearly drove several guards mad.

Su Wensheng warned Dad to be careful and not get too close to the exotic species.

Grandma brought out a jug of plum wine, the aroma intoxicating once opened. Su Wensheng curiously glanced over, almost swooning, causing Mom and Dad to laugh aloud.

Blowing out the candle to make a wish, Su Wensheng slowly closed his eyes.

"Wensheng, what do you want to be in the future?" Dad asked.

Su Wensheng said without hesitation, "I want to be a guard like Dad, to protect everyone!"

"That's very hard work."

"It doesn't matter! I'm not afraid of hardship, what I fear most is having no hope."

"Any other wishes?"

"If I can't be a guard, a scientist benefiting humanity is fine, an astronaut exploring space is fine, or even a security guard standing on duty is fine..." He freely imagined the possibilities of his future.

Among those countless possibilities, there must be better and further ones. No matter what you want to become, there's a chance.

As long as you study hard, you can have a vibrant and colorful future... That's what teachers always said in school.

Licking the cream off his lips, his thoughts floated to the sky, dreaming of growing up to become a powerful person, sweeping away all injustices in the world, bringing poetry and painting back to this numb era... saving the entire world...

Until, a knock on the door was heard.

Mom and Dad immediately quieted down, looking toward the door with respectful expressions.

The all-white Godfather stood at the door, as if bathed in dawn light, his eyes cold and indifferent.

"Wensheng, happy birthday." His voice was as cool as frosty snow.

Su Wensheng paused, then smiled and responded, "Godfather!"

When he was very young, this divine-like figure became his Godfather. People said, with the Bishop valuing Su Wensheng so much, he would definitely become someone great in the future, maybe even a Demi Immortal.

Li Mingyue turned to leave, but Su Wensheng quickly chased after him.

"What is it?" Li Mingyue didn't look back.

"Godfather! You've always valued me so much, can I give you gifts in the future? When is your birthday? I heard butterflies can bring good luck..."

Li Mingyue walked straight ahead, Su Wensheng couldn't keep up. Until Li Mingyue's figure disappeared, Su Wensheng, panting, could only walk back in regret.

Godfather... seemed to not care about his gift.

Maybe, to Godfather, he was just a student. Nothing... special.

He lowered his head, somewhat depressed as he walked back, moonlight lengthening his shadow.

"Catch a butterfly for me."

A cool voice suddenly came from behind.

Surprised, Su Wensheng turned around and saw the Godfather, who had gone far, somehow reappeared behind him.

Those ice-blue eyes, unchanged for thousands of years, quivered slightly, looking back at him. The moonlight lengthened their figures, blending them together.

"Catch a butterfly for me."

Li Mingyue looked at this little boy, repeating.

If you could... show me an extra possibility. If you could... be strong enough to replace the coming Savior. I'd be willing to believe in your future.

So,

Catch a "butterfly" for me.

In this Dao Ya City, almost impossible to appear, a butterfly already polluted and very swift and sharp. If you can catch it as an ordinary person, that's a miracle.

I long for a miracle. Let me... let you go and save you… from the fate of withering at nineteen.

I long for...

"Your" kind of naive and innocent idealism.

The boy paused, then a big smile spread across his mouth. Bright and clear, naive and innocent.

The boy couldn't understand the profound meaning in the Godfather's words, he was just thinking—

So Godfather likes butterflies.

That's great.

He likes them too.

...

Li Mingyue had dreamt countless times of that blue lake.

The winged angel kissed the lake surface, falling into the moon in Dao Ya City's East Lake, under the blue full moon, the boy's passing was silent and unnoticed.

Li Mingyue had thought countless times, what exactly is this considered. A sacrifice destined for the Savior? A life destined for tragedy? Or a nightmare that's tormented him for a thousand years?

Why can't there be some idealistic innocence left? Why can't two Saviors coexist in the world?

Why... does fate have to ultimately... drown a youth full of ideals?

Just thinking of the look in Su Wensheng's eyes at the end, he would feel his hands stained with blood.

He began to fear seeing everything that Su Wensheng left behind, a heart indifferent for a thousand years, yet shattered by the death of a child.

Whether it was the rusted pencil case, backpack, or the early reading textbooks the boy left behind. Every time he saw these, it was as if he was sinking into a never-ending nightmare.

Su Wensheng's struggles, pain, despair filled his heart. Each time he walked under the Blue Moon, or to the banks of East Lake, it was as if he could see a shadow waving to him.

"Godfather, look, here's a butterfly I caught for you... Oh no, the butterfly escaped."

"Godfather, look, the butterfly escaped."

"Godfather."

"The butterfly escaped."

Again and again, again and again, before his eyes, unceasingly replaying night and day, the scene of Su Wensheng catching a butterfly for him, like an endless nightmare.

From childhood to adulthood, every time Su Wensheng came to the church to study, he would try to bring him a butterfly. But in Dao Ya City, butterflies were rare, and even when caught, they would quickly break free and escape.

At eighteen, Su Wensheng finally caught a butterfly and presented it to Li Mingyue.

When Li Mingyue's eyes trembled, about to pray to the deities to spare Su Wensheng... Su Wensheng suddenly smiled and let go of the butterfly in his hand.

Under Li Mingyue's astonished gaze, Su Wensheng watched the butterfly dancing in flight:

"Let it go, then."

"The sky is beautiful, and there are wildflowers outside of Dao Ya City."

"These years, I've seen too much tragedy, mostly originating from the deities. I think luck still needs to be earned, not given by a deity's blessing. I've been wondering, all these years relying on a butterfly for hope, what does it truly mean? I know very well... a butterfly doesn't hold any extra significance."

He lifted his head, looking at the godfather whose face hadn't changed in ten years.

In his eyes, there was still that desirable, naive, and pure ideal.

"Isn't that right, Godfather? I think, I should try harder instead of relying on a butterfly."

Li Mingyue's lips quivered for a moment.

His throat caught with something, he could hardly find his voice.

Maybe, all his life, Su Wensheng never understood what the butterfly he insisted on catching represented in Li Mingyue's eyes. Perhaps, Su Wensheng had long understood, just never said it out loud.

But he did let go of the "butterfly."

He also let go of his "life" in the end.

In the silent night dreams, Li Mingyue often dreamt of that East Lake.

The grass swayed, under the blue moonlight, the boy's black hair elegantly lifted as he tilted his head and smiled at him.

A white dove flapped its wings, drifting down pure white feathers between them, like fresh snow.

Seeing him, the boy crossed over the grass, striding forward, came under the tree, and smiled, speaking to him.

"Godfather."

"I want to catch a butterfly for you."

Countless times, countless times, the boy smiled at him by the lake, black hair lifted, gazing at him.

As if an eternally replaying nightmare,

The boy said to him repeatedly,

"Godfather."

"I want to catch a butterfly for you."

...

When the laughter stopped, there was nothing in the East Lake.

No moonlight,

And no butterflies.

...

"I'm sorry."

"...I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry for burdening 'you all,' truly sorry."

Li Mingyue held the nineteen-year-old deity tightly, repeatedly apologizing.

Sorry for... not trusting in that childlike innocence.

Sorry for... not reaching out towards the lake full of moonlight then.

Sorry for... never catching that butterfly until the end.

...But you don't need to apologize to me. Su Mingan thought in confusion.

His hand froze stiffly in the air, unsure whether to return the embrace or wield a sword.

Su Wensheng was gone.

In his final moments, he was indeed unwilling, but in Su Mingan's perception... he had hated the world, hated the deities, hated those thugs, hated the corrupt Union Government, hated this unchangeable destiny...

But there was not even a trace of hatred for his godfather.

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