A raw surge of emotions, a tumultuous mix of anger, understanding, and desperate hope, propelled Deming out of the tavern doors like a man possessed. He didn't see Yang Bao or the Fang twins until he collided with them, falling to the ground in a jarring, undignified heap.
"Student Dong, are you alright?" Yang Bao asked, his voice laced with immediate concern as he knelt beside him, offering a hand.
Deming pushed himself up, his limbs feeling strangely disconnected from his racing heart, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Sorry, I'm in a hurry. It's my fault," he mumbled, his voice hoarse, barely coherent. The world around him was a blur of faces, a chaotic tapestry of strangers he barely registered. His mind, however, was painfully clear on one thing, a singular, burning purpose.
"What are you in a hurry for, Student Dong?" Yang Bao persisted, puzzled by Deming's disoriented urgency, his eyes searching Deming's face.
"I'm looking for your Senior Brother," Deming stated, the words a desperate plea, a desperate need for answers.
Then, a familiar, gentle voice from behind cut through the noise, a calm amidst the storm. "No need to rush to find him, Student Dong, he is right here," Xiao Mei said, a soft smile in her tone, as she stepped forward with Guozhao Zhiqiang.
Weici, standing next to Guozhao Zhiqiang, grumbled, oblivious to the emotional tempest brewing, her eyes fixed on the distant tavern. "Why are we here, anyway? It's so crowded."
Lim Junjie simply pointed towards the bustling tavern, a wry smile on his face. "Because everyone else is there, Weici. And Zhiqiang was summoned."
Suddenly, Fang Weisheng burst from the tavern, a wide grin on his face, followed closely by the rest of their group – the Brotherhood team, all emerging to greet Guozhao Zhiqiang, their expressions a mixture of relief and curiosity.
Deming's gaze, frantic and burning with a fierce, newfound clarity, locked onto Guozhao Zhiqiang. The crowd, sensing the sudden, charged shift in the air, slowly turned their attention to Deming, their chatter dying down to a hushed murmur. He swallowed, the words a burning ember on his tongue, and then, with a force that surprised even himself, he declared, his voice cutting through the festive din, clear and unwavering, "Guozhao Zhiqiang! I want you to know that I'm very angry with you right now, because you made a decision about my life without ever asking if I agreed! You decided for me!" His stare was unwavering, fierce, a challenge thrown. "If I had chopsticks in my hand, I'd try to poke you in the eye with it, you infuriating man!"
Lim Junjie, bristling, stepped forward, ready to defend his Senior Brother, his hand instinctively going to his sword. "What did he do to make you so angry, Student Dong?!" he demanded, his voice sharp with accusation.
Yang Bao, ever the peacemaker, quickly intervened, stepping between them. "Student Dong, please calm down. Let's chat slowly in the tavern, away from prying eyes."
But Deming knew. He knew if he retreated into the quiet confines of the tavern, the raw, fiery courage that fueled him now, the desperate need to reclaim what was lost, would dissipate like smoke. He cast his mind back, to the gentle caress of Guozhao Zhiqiang's hands combing his hair at Sunrise Inn in Waterfall City, a memory steeped in shared, unspoken happiness, a promise of forever. He remembered that night on the training ground, when he had conceded defeat not to strength, but to the overwhelming power of Guozhao Zhiqiang's love, a love he had only just begun to understand. Now, for the second time, that love, or the illusion of it, had defeated him, pushed him away. But no more. If their souls were truly destined, if Yue Lao himself, the Old Man Under the Moon, had granted him this impossible second chance, then he would seize it. He would cherish it. He promised himself, with every beat of his heart, that Guozhao Zhiqiang would be his, and only his, no matter what. He would stand here, now, before this entire city, and claim what was rightfully theirs, just as Master Fang had once famously declared his love.
Deming roared, his voice trembling with conviction, raw with emotion, "Everyone says you never lie, Guozhao Zhiqiang! You said that no matter how I look, you'll really love me?! Was that a lie?!" A collective gasp rippled through the stunned onlookers, their eyes wide. "I want everyone to hear your answer! Answer me, Zhiqiang!" His eyes, brimming with a desperate plea, pierced into Guozhao Zhiqiang's, demanding the truth. "Zhiqiang, I want you to know that I have never blamed you for my death! Never! It wasn't your fault!"
Guozhao Zhiqiang's shoulders sagged, a slow, shuddering sigh escaping him, a profound weariness. "I told you to live happily," he murmured, his voice laced with old pain, a quiet resignation. "That's all I wanted for you."
Deming's anger, now tempered with a profound sorrow and a fierce understanding, flared anew. "Your cold shoulder, chasing me away, it won't work anymore, Zhiqiang!" he cried, his voice gaining strength, ringing with defiance. "Everyone, stop and listen! Listen to me!" More people on the bustling street paused, drawn by the raw emotion, the public spectacle. "I, Deming, will live in the city in the cloud with Guozhao Zhiqiang as we've promised! That is my home!" He walked closer, each step a testament to his unwavering resolve, his eyes fixed on Zhiqiang. "I, Deming, from now on, stand beside Guozhao Zhiqiang and be his shadow until my hair is white and my face is wrinkled! Even if I die again, I will wait for you at the foot of Naihe Bridge until you come! Now, answer me, Guozhao Zhiqiang, do you really mean it when you say, 'no matter how I look, you will still love me'?"
A murmur rippled through the brothers, a stunned, disbelieving sound. "Brother Deming?" they whispered, their eyes wide. "Tian Xiang," one muttered, "How is this possible? He's alive?"
Guozhao Zhiqiang's gaze, filled with a mixture of shock, profound relief, and a nascent spark of joy, met Deming's. A flicker of something akin to surrender, mixed with profound relief, crossed his face, a silent acknowledgment of the truth. "I meant what I said, Deming," he affirmed, his voice barely audible but firm, a sacred vow.
Without a moment's hesitation, Deming reached up, pulled down Guozhao Zhiqiang's black robe, and kissed him deeply, passionately, right there on the lips, in front of everyone. The world seemed to hold its breath, the bustling street falling into an astonished silence.
"It turns out that the love legend that Teacher Li told us is true," Fu Yongrui murmured, almost to himself, his eyes wide with wonder, a faint blush on his cheeks. "At this time of year, people do find love, even in the most unexpected ways."
Deming pulled away, his chest heaving, his eyes shining with a fierce, possessive love, a triumphant glow. "I might not have red hair anymore, my skin isn't as white, I'm not as tall, and I'm many years younger than you," he confessed, his voice breathless, "but you haven't gotten older since the last time we met. It doesn't matter," he breathed, a catch in his voice, tears of joy welling. "What really matters... I want to be the one who makes you smile; the same way you put a smile on my face. If you push me away, that smile will disappear from my face forever. I won't let you do that to me."
Guozhao Zhiqiang's eyes, once clouded with sorrow, held a nascent spark of joy, a light long extinguished. "As a hunter, Deming, we will encounter many difficulties," he said, a hint of his old stoicism, but now softened by emotion.
"As long as I face those difficulties with you, Zhiqiang, I'm not afraid," Deming declared, his voice unwavering, filled with fierce resolve.
Then, a sound that brought tears to the eyes of those who knew him best, a sound they hadn't heard in years: Guozhao Zhiqiang scoffed, a happy, disbelieving sound that blossomed into a full, genuine laugh, rich and resonant, echoing through the stunned crowd.
"Senior Brother laughed!" Zheng Yaozu roared, his voice thick with emotion, tears streaming down his face. "He actually laughed!"
A chorus of joyous shouts erupted from the crowd, a wave of elation washing over the street. "Senior Brother laughed! The Black Hunter laughed!" they cried, celebrating the miracle, the breaking of a long-held sorrow.
Guozhao Zhiqiang, his face alight with a long-lost joy, embraced Deming fiercely, pulling him into a tight, possessive hug. As he did, fireworks, as if summoned by their profound love and the sheer force of Guozhao Zhiqiang's happiness, began to sprinkle the clear night sky, painting vibrant streaks of crimson, gold, and emerald across the darkness, celebrating their reunion. The hunters and friends stood, captivated, watching until the last ember faded, a silent testament to the moment.
Xiao Mei, ever practical, gently nudged them, her eyes still glistening. "Let's go inside for dinner now, shall we? The food's getting cold."
The hunters, a lightness in their steps, their hearts full, walked into the tavern, leaving only Guozhao Zhiqiang, Deming, and Weici behind, bathed in the lingering glow of the fireworks.
Weici, her eyes still glistening with tears of happiness, gently took Deming's right hand. "Brother Deming," she said softly, her voice filled with wonder.
Deming smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile, his eyes shining. "Weici," he returned, pulling her into a warm, comforting hug.
"You like him?" Weici asked, her voice hushed, still processing the public display.
Deming smiled, a shy but definite nod, his face flushed with happiness. "More than anything."
"How long?" Weici pressed, her disbelief evident. "How long have you loved him?"
"Thirteen years," Deming answered, the weight of the years a profound, beautiful truth.
"Thirteen years?!" Weici repeated, her eyes wide with astonishment.
"Since I was sixteen," Deming confirmed, his smile unwavering.
Weici's eyes welled up again, but this time, her tears were mixed with a bright, happy smile, a profound understanding dawning. "Okay, I'm hungry!" she declared, a sudden, cheerful shift, then walked into the tavern, leaving them to their moment.
Guozhao Zhiqiang looked at Deming, his eyes twinkling with a long-lost mischief. "Why did you suddenly confess, Deming? In front of everyone?" he asked, a teasing note in his voice.
Deming, feeling a delicious sense of triumph, teased back, his voice playful. "I decided to take you away from Hu Dingxiang, Zhiqiang, to accommodate for all those years he imprisoned me, for all the time we lost." He took three steps forward, then turned back, a mock seriousness on his face, his eyes sparkling. "Even though we reconciled, I'm still mad at you because you drove me away. You have a lot to make up for."
The two walked into the tavern, their steps light, only to find the entire group staring at them, mouths agape, still reeling from the public declaration.
Deming's face flushed with intense embarrassment, a deep crimson spreading across his entire face. "Can everyone stop staring at me?" he mumbled, burying his face in Zhiqiang's shoulder.
"How is that possible, Brother Deming?!" Tian Xian exclaimed, still reeling from the revelations. "You're alive!"
Tam Liang added, his voice filled with awe, "Senior Brother even summoned your soul! He brought you back!"
"I don't know," Deming admitted, a shrug escaping him, still a mystery. "When I woke up, I was in Guzheng Sector."
Cao Yifei, her eyes still a little red from tears of joy, gushed, "Student Dong, you are amazing! You confessed your love to Brother Guozhao in front of everyone, just like Master Fang! It was so romantic!"
Fang Weimin looked at Cao Yifei, bewildered. "What are you talking about, Sister Cao? Our father never did that."
Cao Yifei, undeterred, explained, "Teacher Li told us the love story between Master Fang and Teacher Lee. How Master Fang suddenly stood on the rooftop and confessed his love to Teacher Lee in front of the people of Peace Town!"
Fang Weisheng quickly interjected, shaking his head, "Our father would not confess to Uncle Lee in front of so many people, Sister Cao. He is a decent gentleman who would not embarrass Uncle Lee like that, since Uncle Lee gets embarrassed easily. That's an exaggeration."
"But Teacher Li stated that Master Fang was standing on the roof and shouted to confess to Teacher Lee!" Cao Yifei insisted, her voice firm.
Fang Weimin clarified, a small smile playing on his lips, "At that time, there were only our father, Uncle Lee, our two masters, our Shimu, the two Huang aunts, and Uncle Guo. It was a private gathering."
Deming looked at Fang Weimin shyly, a small part of him disappointed that his grand gesture wasn't unique. "Really? He didn't announce it before the people of Peace Town?"
"No," Fang Weisheng confirmed, shaking his head.
Fang Weimin smiled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "But you are bolder than our father, Brother Deming. I think by tomorrow, everyone in Cloud City will know about the two of you. Your story will be the new legend."
Deming's face burned with such intense embarrassment that he wished the ground would swallow him whole. He was speechless, managing only a quiet, "I don't have the face to face anyone anymore," burying his face further into Zhiqiang's shoulder.
Li Bingqing, her gaze still lingering on Deming, a complex mixture of emotions in her eyes, turned to Guozhao Zhiqiang. "Is your name Zhiqiang?" she asked softly, her voice hesitant.
Guozhao Zhiqiang nodded, a faint smile on his face.
Yu Lei, puzzled, asked, "Why do you ask, Lady Li? You didn't know his name?"
Li Bingqing explained, her voice gentle, "No, when Enlai… Deming was still in a coma, he murmured the name Zhiqiang, and sometimes he even called for Zhiqiang to help him. When he first woke up, he rushed out of the door calling for Zhiqiang to help him. It was always your name."
Yang Bao looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang, a serene smile gracing his lips, his eyes filled with profound understanding. "Leave those pains to yesterday, Senior Brother," he said, a quiet blessing. He then looked at Deming, his smile widening, a genuine welcome. "Brother Deming, we welcome you to the city in the cloud. Welcome home."
The Guozhao Hunters, with triumphant cheers, raised their wine cups in unison, their voices ringing with joy and acceptance. "We welcome you, Brother Deming! Welcome!"
Tam Liang, with a playful glint in his eye, asked, his voice full of mischief, "Well, since Brother Deming wants to stay with Senior Brother, shouldn't we call him Senior Sister-in-law?"
Everyone erupted in laughter, a joyful, uninhibited sound, as Deming blushed violently, a deep crimson spreading across his entire face, but this time, it was a blush of pure, unadulterated happiness, a testament to his newfound peace and belonging.