CHAPTER 390: 0332 TOM THE ELDER, FOREVER REMEMBERED_1

Leon didn’t know why, but after hearing the conversation between himself and Emma, the red-haired director, who initially seemed defiant and as if he wanted to say more, suddenly fell silent and sat motionless on the Crocodile God’s forehead.

After chatting with Leon for a few moments about his daughter’s situation, Emma also seemed touched by the memory, gazing up at the circling Crows of Death Report above her without continuing to speak. The three of them remained silent atop the Crocodile God’s back, returning to the vicinity of the Realm of the Dead’s entrance.

"You two go back now."

The red-haired director waved a hand at Leon and Emma, his face calm as he said,

"The three directors have already sent out the [Directive List]. With a three-to-one situation, the Aquarius Director won’t be able to resist for long and could be pulled into the Realm of the Dead by the [Netherworld Streetlight] at any moment. I have to wait here for him to ascend the No Return Path, so I won’t be able to send you back myself.

"Afterwards, just follow the No Return Path back. After you pass the ’Black and White Bridge’ and the ’Nest of the Crows of Death Report’ and keep walking for a while, you’ll see the Canine Deity guarding the entrance to the Realm of the Dead. Just let it shout once to send you back... Remember to always move forward on the road, and don’t look back!"

"Alright, I got it."

Because Senior Emma was a "frequent visitor" to the Realm of the Dead, seemingly having traversed back and forth multiple times, and since this was Leon’s first time in the Realm of the Dead, he was very aware that these instructions were likely especially for him from the red-haired director, so he responded. Curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn’t help but ask,

"Director, why can’t we look back? If we look back, will it mean we can never leave the Realm of the Dead?"

"Pretty much."

Patting the big head of the Crocodile God, the red-haired director pointed to the beach chairs by the Yellow Springs River, signaling it to take him over there. With his back to Leon and Emma, he waved without turning his head,

"For the dead, the No Return Path is a road that can only move forward, with no option to turn back.

"As for the living who accidentally fall into the Realm of the Dead and step onto the No Return Path, although they can still turn back, this road hates such incidents and will do everything to keep those who try to return remaining here.

"Occasionally looking back wouldn’t be much of an issue, just causing you to see some illusions, but if you look back too often and see too many things you can’t let go of, getting your soul confused by the road, then you might not make it out."

*It sounded kind of dangerous...*

After listening to the red-haired director, Leon’s throat moved slightly, and he quickly chose the safer option without hesitation.

"Director, how about you actually send us off..."

"I’m busy, no time to escort you."

After jumping down from the Crocodile God’s head, the red-haired director comfortably lay on the beach chair by the Yellow Springs River. Picking up a magazine from the small table beside him, he waved dismissively without looking up and said,

"Don’t worry, Emma has been to the Realm of the Dead many times; with her walking with you, nothing will go wrong... Right, Emma?"

*That makes sense... Senior Emma has been back so many times, it shouldn’t be a problem... right?*

Staring at Senior Emma beside him, biting her lips as her arms, faintly tinged green, started to tremble unconsciously, Leon blinked in bewilderment and spoke somewhat confusedly,

"Senior Emma? What’s going on with you..."

"I’m fine!"

After giving Leon a somewhat forced smile, Emma looked up at the red-haired director reading the magazine, questioning with a slightly pale face,

"Olivia! Did you bring all this up just to make me give up?"

"No."

Without even lifting her head, the red-haired director turned a page of the magazine and said,

"I’m just busy and unable to take you guys back.

"But rest assured, I’ll be waiting by this river, not going anywhere. If either of you can’t bear the pain in your heart and get led back by the No Return Path, I’ll pull you back."

"You... I won’t look back! I’ve already made up my mind!"

"Mmm, I believe you. So when are you starting to head back?"

"..."

...

*It always feels like they’re implying something...*

After looking at the red-haired director saying she’s busy while lying leisurely on a beach chair, and then looking at Senior Emma, who said she’s made up her mind but wouldn’t budge, rooted in place.

Leon smacked his lips and, sensing the awkward atmosphere, tentatively suggested,

"How about... Senior Tom is still in the crocodile’s mouth, Director, why not let him out so the three of us can get back together?"

"Can’t let him out."

"Why not?"

"Because he’s already dead."

With a loud shuffle of turning a magazine page, the red-haired director glanced at Leon expressionlessly and said,

"When I went with you to find the Third Generation Director to forge an Anomalous Object, Tom had already been digested by the crocodile, turned into excrement in the previous lake, and then eaten by a big fish. You don’t need to worry about taking him back."

"Huh?"

"Huh, what? Do you want to go back and join him?"

"..."

*Got it, the director and Senior Emma indeed seem to be at odds with each other over something.*

Since Senior Emma appeared to be afraid of walking the "No Return Path," the director purposely didn’t send her, forcing her to return through the path, hoping it would make her change her mind.

As for Senior Tom, turned into crocodile dung, either he had a way to help her, or he had some way to traverse the realms of life and death directly, and thus was forcibly banned by the director, not allowing him to exit the Crocodile God’s mouth.

Considering the director’s style of planning ten steps ahead, she likely had this in mind when they first entered the Realm of the Dead, which is why she didn’t mend Senior Tom’s bone or bring him to the Third Generation Director...

But why was I placed beside Senior Emma?

And director, what’s your plan? Although I trust your sober mind when not drinking, could you at least give me a heads-up when you pull such stunts, so I can be somewhat prepared?

"What’s wrong? Why aren’t you going yet?"

After an unsettling silence that discomforted Leon, the red-haired director finished flipping through the "Four-wheel Carriage Structure Disassembly," seemingly learning wagon repair skills, and looked at him with mild surprise, asking,

"Leon? Why haven’t you moved yet? Do you claim you’ve made up your mind, but your heart is still riddled with regrets, so you don’t dare to step onto the No Return Path, fearing the exposure of your inner fragility and hesitation?"

"..."

*Oh yes, that’s it, it’s me indeed, yes that’s right!*

Leon, baffled by an avalanche of reasons and labeled as "afraid to proceed because of lingering regrets," was about to speak when a force suddenly yanked him, causing him to stumble.

"Senior Emma? What are you doing... hey... slow down! Slow down!"