CHAPTER 680: RETURN TO LAN SECT

Mark followed the Jade Rabbit silently through the winding halls of Chang’e’s abode, the beauty of the structure still striking him as they moved deeper into its serene atmosphere.

As they entered a room that felt even more ethereal than the others, Mark’s gaze immediately fell upon Chang’e.

She was sitting on a velvet cushion, her fingers gently caressing the string of the bow laid across her lap.

The bow gleamed in the soft light, elegant and powerful, yet Mark couldn’t take his eyes off her for a moment. She was so absorbed in thought, her expression soft and distant, that she didn’t notice them approaching.

Mark stood there for a moment, watching her, unsure of whether to interrupt.

She looked... different from the last time. More beautiful than ever, but there was something heavy in her gaze that rattled his emotions.

Memories surged within him of the past, his past life as Houyi, the legendary archer who wielded this very bow. But Mark wasn’t Houyi. He is Lu Zhen, and that is his current present. The past of Houyi no longer has anything to do with him.

He clenched his fists, trying to ground himself in the present, to fight off the overwhelming tide of memories that threatened to drown him.

As he took a deep breath to steady his gaze, the Jade Rabbit called out softly, "Master, Lu Zhen is here to see you."

Chang’e looked up at the sound of her voice, her eyes widening as she caught sight of Mark standing in the doorway.

For a heartbeat, she froze, her breath catching in her throat.

Then, her expression softened, and she set the bow aside. Her steps were hesitant at first, but she quickly regained her composure and took a few quick strides toward him, though she stopped halfway, as if unsure of how to approach him.

"Seems you’re awake now, Hou... Lu Zhen," she said, her voice calm but laced with emotion. She smiled, though there was a hint of sadness hidden beneath it.

Mark nodded, offering a small, appreciative smile in return. "I’m awake," he said simply.

Chang’e’s eyes flicked briefly toward the bow on the bed, a moment of hesitation in her gaze.

Mark’s eyes followed hers, and his heart tightened.

The bow... he had held it before, but it had been before the memories of Houyi had returned to him.

Back when he held it, it had meant nothing. But now, he had the memories of Houyi, and it felt quite different as it had accompanied him for years until his death.

He tried to push those thoughts aside, but they lingered, like ghosts tugging at his mind.

The Moon Goddess seemed to notice his lingering gaze on the bow and then quickly looked back at him. "You... remember the bow?" she murmured softly. It was more a statement than a question, but the hurt in her voice was unmistakable.

Mark swallowed the lump in his throat. He couldn’t allow himself to fall into the trap of the past again, no matter how badly his heart ached for that time. He needed to focus on the present.

Instead of replying, Mark said. "Your Grace, I will repay you for everything, for your help, and for taking care of me. But I must go back." His voice was firm now, even though a part of him wanted to stay.

"Why not stay for a while?" Chang’e’s voice interrupted his thoughts, gentle and coaxing. Her eyes were soft, but they betrayed a trace of sadness. "You just woke up. Your body needs time to recover."

Mark felt a sharp pang in his chest as he looked at her, her gaze filled with an emotion he couldn’t quite name. He wanted to stay. He wanted to forget about everything and just rest, to let her take care of him, to feel the warmth of her presence. But he doesn’t want to. Because he is not her Houyi. No matter how many women there were in his life, he loved only one person, and that was Song Yue. He doesn’t want any other person with whom he might develop feelings.

Hence, it is best to nip it in the bud. Or so he thought.

"I can’t," he said politely, his voice barely a whisper. "My family... they’re waiting for me. I can’t leave them behind, Your Grace."

Chang’e’s face dropped, and for a moment, Mark thought she would say something more, but she simply looked down, her fingers clutching the hem of her robes. "I see," she murmured, her voice quiet but laced with sorrow.

Mark’s heart ached at the sight.

He felt the urge to go to her, to wrap her in his arms and tell her that everything would be okay. But he held himself back, biting down on the impulse.

Chang’e raised her head, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, but she forced a smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. "If you must go, then I won’t keep you." She turned toward the Jade Rabbit. "Make preparations for his return."

The Jade Rabbit gave a small, understanding nod. "Of course, Mistress Chang’e."

Mark stood there for a moment longer, his gaze staying on the Moon Goddess for a bit.

But clenching his fists tightly and then releasing them, repeatedly a few times, without another word, he turned and walked toward the door.

As they reached the Temple of Ouroborus, Mark turned to the Jade Rabbit. The creature, always so composed, was now watching him with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"You are ready to return to your home, Master Lu Zhen?" the Jade Rabbit asked, its large, soft eyes reflecting the gentle glow of the temple.

Mark, however, replied. "I need to go to the Ice and Fire Plane of Existence."

"Huh?" The rabbit blinked in surprise. "The Ice and Fire Realm?" it repeated, voice filled with disbelief. "Master, I thought you were returning to the mortal realm."

Mark met its gaze and simply said. "I have things to do."

The Jade Rabbit didn’t ask further questions. Instead, it nodded respectfully. "As you wish, Master Lu Zhen."

With a deep breath, the Jade Rabbit raised its paw and muttered a chant under its breath.

Mark felt the pull of magic wrap around him like a warm blanket. The world seemed to shift, colors twisting and distorting around him.

In an instant, everything disappeared.

Back in her chambers, Chang’e sat alone in sadness. Her fingers traced the delicate outline of a painting she had made, a portrait of Mark, not one of Houyi but the present Mark.

Her hand trembled as she wiped away a stray tear.

"Why... why can’t you remember me?" she muttered softly, her voice barely audible. She looked down at the painting again, her fingers lingering over his image.

A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she closed her eyes, willing the tears to stop.

Meanwhile, far away, in the cold, windswept expanse of the Icy Planet, Mark blinked as he materialized on the frozen world. He exhaled, watching his breath form into visible clouds in the air.

"Back here again," he muttered under his breath. His thoughts immediately returned to the Eternal Pagoda and the others still trapped inside.

He activated the interface of his Eternal Pagoda, and with a flash of light, the doors to the second floor opened.

Lan Xia, Reva, Yuan Feng, and Ryder all stepped out, each of them appearing slightly disoriented after their time spent within the Pagoda.

Lan Xia immediately looked around, her gaze settling on Mark with relief.

Looking around, Reva asked. "Where are we?"

Yuan Feng then spoke. "Commander, are we to remain here on this planet? Is it our next mission?"

Mark glanced at him briefly before shaking his head. He simply smiled as he said. "This is going to be your new home."

"Eh? New home?"

They all looked at each other.

Lan Xia couldn’t help but smile as she thought. "We are home. And that means soon, we will become husband and wife."