I Contracted All Ancient Divine Artifacts

Chapter 503: Chapter 402: Those People, Those Stories

The appearance of Deep Blue City has not changed much over the past two years.

Since it’s a city long occupied by the Imperial forces, its development has been considerably stunted.

The city walls still bear dark red bloodstains, making it difficult to discern whether it’s the warm blood of the Great Xia Spirit Contract Masters or remnants of Exotic Beasts.

A group of people entered Deep Blue City, with all eyes focusing on Lin Jingxuan.

As the initiator, the itinerary in Deep Blue City was entirely his responsibility.

”Let’s first pay respects to our teacher,” Lin Jingxuan said.

Li Shutong sacrificed himself while guarding Deep Blue City, preventing the Insect Emperor from slaughtering the citizens of Deep Blue.

Due to Imperial intervention, there was initially no place in Deep Blue City to honor Li Shutong.

But after the Empire was expelled and the land was reclaimed, the residents of Deep Blue City voluntarily carved out a place to pay homage to the hero of Great Xia, Li Shutong, along with many others who sacrificed like him.

This piece of land, newly dedicated, isn’t far from the shore.

It was right here that countless Combat Spirit Contract Masters and the Insect Race fought valiantly, dyeing the entire sea red, with corpses strewn across the beach, tragically brutal.

Now, it’s still a beach, but without the scent of blood, and there are no longer bodies or the Insect Race.

The sea waves ripple, and a gentle breeze blows, as if time itself rests in tranquility.

Time will smooth everything, including memories. In decades, even centuries, these profound memories may only become a thin page in the history book of Great Xia.

Thus, the cemetery for paying respects becomes particularly important.

It’s more like an attitude.

Its existence tells future generations: Never forget the sacrifices of the predecessors!

Lin Jingxuan had done his homework in advance, traversed through the streets and alleys of Deep Blue City to the burial site.

In sight is a tall statue, the person portrayed on it is Teacher Li Shutong.

The statue faces the direction of the sea, just like in those days, as if still watching over the land he vowed to protect with his life.

Below the statue, white flowers lie like snow, with many people coming voluntarily to pay their respects.

Among them are elderly, middle-aged, young people, and children.

They may be of different ages, but they all share a common identity: they are Great Xia People.

Lin Jingxuan and his group quietly watched this scene, no one breaking the silence.

Under Lin Jingxuan’s ability, the residents of Deep Blue City did not notice their presence.

The group moved to the front of the statue, respectfully bowing in tribute.

With this bow, countless emotions flashed like a slideshow in Han Zhan’s mind, with scenes experienced with Teacher Li Shutong appearing repeatedly, and with this bow, becoming clearer in his memory.

Because Han Zhan knew, he could finally face this memory head-on.

No longer needing to evade, no longer needing to fear, he would remember these memories and carry them, with Great Xia, to a farther future.

Wei Qing and Lin Jingxuan were the first to stand up, with the others following closely.

Wei Qing exhaled a long breath, as if relieving the knot in his heart.

”I’m a bit hungry,” he said, rubbing his stomach.

”How about we go for hotpot?” Han Zhan’s suggestion quickly received unanimous approval from everyone.

They went to the nine-grid hotpot restaurant they frequented before.

It must be said, this hotpot restaurant is really resilient, even the gates of Deep Blue City had been replaced three times due to Exotic Beast sieges, yet it remained open with good business.

Lin Jingxuan lightly shook his Feather Fan, enveloping everyone in a misty white aura, altering their appearances accordingly.

At this moment, just about to enter the door, Han Zhan noticed Xia Youwei paused at the entrance, prompting him to approach and ask:

”What’s wrong?”

Xia Youwei shook her head, her eyes somewhat evasive.

Since becoming the Main Palace Lady, it was the first time she showed such an expression.

Like a wife saying ”I’m fine” with her mouth, yet appearing as ”I’m very not fine.”

So, without a word, Han Zhan grabbed Xia Youwei’s soft hand, squeezing her palm, ”Quickly tell me, what’s wrong?”

Seeing she couldn’t hide it, Xia Youwei lowered her head slightly and said softly, ”I think I just saw my aunt.”

Aunt?

Xia Youwei’s aunt?

Fortunately, with the Bodhi Treasure Tree enhancing his consciousness, be it memory or comprehension greatly improved, Han Zhan managed to recall from memory the content related to Xia Youwei’s aunt.

”Is it that eccentric Xia Yan?”

Eccentric is apt for she truly was one.

Back then, when the brothers and teacher were having hotpot, she rushed in to argue with the teacher and listed all the relatives worth naming.

Such an eccentric is indeed rare in the world, making her hard to forget.

”Where is she?” Han Zhan asked again.

Xia Youwei’s gaze lingered in the distance, following her line of sight, Han Zhan saw a disheveled beggar begging on the street.

Clutching a filthy, broken bowl, she asked for food from the people passing by.

At this moment, a dialog box popped up in front of Han Zhan.

Bob: ”Already investigated.”

”This woman named Xia Yan was already abandoned by her relatives two years ago, with everyone avoiding her like a plague, terrified that her habit of ’declaring identity’ would bring trouble they couldn’t afford.”

”Moreover, her reputation has always been terrible, even neighbors couldn’t stand her, ultimately resulting in her current state.”

Bob’s investigation results were also visible to Xia Youwei.

After reading them, her lips moved slightly, but she didn’t speak.

Youwei is like this, easily soft-hearted. After all, that was the aunt who raised her. Perhaps I should encourage her to go over and take a look, Han Zhan thought after seeing Xia Youwei’s reaction.

With Xia Youwei’s current status as a Great Xia Corps Commander, not to mention enjoying endless wealth and honor, merely shedding the identity of a beggar and living decently like an ordinary person is definitely possible.

Just as Han Zhan was about to speak and persuade Xia Youwei to let go of her knot.

The beggar Xia Yan, cradling her broken bowl, had already wobbled close to them.

”Please, please have mercy, give me something to eat.”

”My daughter is the wife of the Great Xia Leader, you know, give me something to eat, and I’ll introduce you to her, huh?”

Hearing this, Han Zhan’s lips pursed slightly.

Suddenly, he felt his arm being tugged, it was Xia Youwei.

”Ah Zhan, let’s go.”

”The second brother and the others have ordered; we should go inside.”

Han Zhan paused for a moment but quickly responded, nodding lightly, then turning to take Xia Youwei’s hand, and they both walked into the hotpot shop.

Some people can never be forgotten and must be remembered in the heart.

Some people should never be remembered, allowing them to remain strangers.