Chapter 031: Chen Ran’s Path
A night of passion.
That night, Chen Ran finally experienced the essential transformation from a boy to a man, although the process… was a bit “short”…
Chen Ran had a beautiful dream. He dreamt that he was traveling the world with Lia, visiting every city, seeing real dragons, elves, and sea sprites. It was incredibly wonderful.
But suddenly, the world dimmed, and all the scenery disappeared. Lia was still by his side, seemingly within reach, yet exceptionally distant. He saw Lia lower her head, her expression filled with endless guilt.
“I’m sorry…”
Hearing this, Chen Ran’s heart couldn’t help but tremble. He asked, bewildered, “Lia, what are you talking about? Why would you say that…”
Lia didn’t answer. Her ethereal form just gradually receded. Chen Ran reached out, wanting to grab her, but his fingers only brushed past the back of her hand, her fingertips…
Lia retreated faster and faster, farther and farther. Panic rose in Chen Ran’s heart. He chased after her with all his might, but he could never touch that figure, only watch as she gradually vanished before his eyes.
“No!”
In the small room, Chen Ran suddenly woke up. Then, he let out a sigh of relief.
“So it was a dream…”
Chen Ran couldn’t help but wipe his forehead, only to find it covered in fine beads of sweat. He glanced beside him; Lia’s figure was gone…
“Don’t tell me that last night’s passion was also just a startling dream?”
However, he quickly came to his senses.
The air in the small room still carried a certain evocative, musky scent. Although he had drunk a little, the stain of a virgin’s first blood on the animal-skin bedsheet at least proved the reality of that night…
As for why Lia was gone…
Chen Ran glanced at the sun, which was already high in the sky. He hadn’t expected to sleep for so long. He figured Lia must have woken up earlier than him.
After last night, he was eager to see Lia again.
He got out of bed, dressed, and walked out of the house. He found a few members of the Sunlit Tribe and asked, “Has anyone seen Lia?”
Most of them shook their heads. A Sunlit Tribe warrior raised his hand and said, “A brother and I saw Miss Lia this morning. She woke up very early. I even greeted her and asked where she was going. She said she had something important to do and asked us about the terrain in the dense forest. I gave her a simple map, and she left. She seemed to be in a hurry.”
“What?”
Chen Ran stood there, stunned and bewildered, not understanding Lia’s actions. However, he seemed to have a faint realization.
It seemed that before he woke up, he had felt something. It was as if someone had kissed him, and something warm and moist had dripped onto his face. He hadn’t felt it at the time and had continued his wonderful dream.
Now, he couldn’t help but touch his cheek.
The skin was a little tight. It seemed to be the taste of tears.
Remembering Lia’s strange reactions over the past few days, a bad premonition rose in his heart.
“Ask the people nearby if anyone saw which direction Lia went. Take me to her!”
Chen Ran’s heart was filled with anxiety. He couldn’t help but think of the last part of his dream.
All this time, Lia had never told him her real story. She had always held back. Last night, it was more like Lia was using her body to repay him for his care these past few days, out of some sense of compensation.
Damn it!
Even if I’m really not that handsome, even if I’m really not that useful right now, even if I’m really… But, Lia, you shouldn’t have left without a word. At the very least, you should have given me a reason for leaving without saying goodbye!
The hunting party leader, Moro, and several other warriors quickly arrived. After learning what had happened to Chen Ran, and with the information from a few knowledgeable tribesmen, Chen Ran led them in a hurried pursuit.
Wings of Light was cast on several of them, making their pursuit exceptionally swift. Endurance was also added to reduce their stamina consumption. Although there was a gap of several hours, at this speed, they should be able to catch up. Maybe Lia was just waiting for him up ahead…
After several hours, Chen Ran still hadn’t found any trace of Lia. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.
The hunting party leader, Moro, stood by Chen Ran’s side and reminded him, “Your Excellency, Miss Lia seems to be intentionally avoiding you. She took some hard-to-find paths to leave. We’ll never find her by searching aimlessly like this.”
“I understand,” Chen Ran said, lowering his head, a look of disappointment on his face.
“Let’s go back first. Maybe I’m just overthinking things.”
With no other choice, Chen Ran returned to the Sunlit Tribe.
He had been hoping that Lia’s departure was just a joke, that she would come back after thinking things through. So he waited for her there.
For three whole days, Chen Ran still received no news of Lia’s return and had to accept the reality.
Now, Chen Ran unexpectedly realized that he knew too little about Lia. Everything had been based on that feeling. He didn’t know her family, her background, or her experiences. He had always thought that Lia would eventually tell him everything.
It seemed that everything had been too idealistic. He felt so tired at this moment.
Chen Ran still left the Sunlit Tribe, declining the offer to be their chief. He only took the hunting party leader, Moro, as a guide. Moro was an experienced hunter who had left this forest many times and had simple dealings with foreigners. He was familiar with several paths out of the dense forest.
He just randomly chose a direction. Chen Ran didn’t know where he was going, nor what lay ahead. The only difference in his eyes now was the paths Lia had taken and the ones she hadn’t.
This magical beast forest no longer held the same thrill as when he first arrived. The dangers of the past had become much simpler under the guidance of the strong hunting party leader, Moro. But Chen Ran felt a sense of loss.
Twenty days. In twenty days, Moro safely brought Chen Ran to a small path at the border. From the wheel tracks on it, it seemed that they were not far from a normal city. Following these roads should lead them to some small towns or villages.
“Moro, you can go back. I can walk the rest of the way. Thank you for guiding me these past few days.”
After twenty days in the dense forest, Chen Ran’s state of mind had completely cleared.
“Divine Emissary, don’t say that. Your contribution to our Sunlit Tribe is something I can’t compare to. What’s a little walk?” Moro looked at both ends of the road. There was no one here. He couldn’t help but worry. “Your Excellency, why don’t I see you off a little further, until we find a place with people?”
“No need. This is it. Your wife and daughter are waiting for you at home, and there are many things waiting for you leaders to handle with the Sunlit Tribe’s relocation,” Chen Ran said, patting Moro’s broad shoulder. He then turned and walked alone toward one end of the road, leaving only a desolate figure behind.
“All good things must come to an end. I’m leaving to find a path that truly belongs to me. Whether the road ahead is bitter or sweet, this is what life requires one to experience and face. Only by continuing to walk can one see more. To walk freely, to walk to one’s heart’s content—this is the path I pursue, my own path…”
Moro stood in place until he saw Chen Ran’s figure about to disappear at the end of the road. He waved goodbye with all his might.
“Divine Emissary, have a safe journey! When you have time, remember to come to the stone forest to see the new Sunlit Tribe. The people there will always remember and miss you!”
