Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Bride Weeps, Part 37 (End)

Night fell, and the village was aglow with lanterns and festive decorations, suffused with jubilant reds. Huang Meilun and Miao Sheng’s clothing too had transformed into wedding attire.

While most were still bewildered by these changes, Su Man was the first to start clapping. The others, caught up in the infectious celebration, joined in with applause and cheers.

Hand in hand, Huang Meilun and Miao Sheng exchanged a smile, tears shimmering in their eyes.

“Hey, hey! The bride and groom aren’t supposed to meet before the ceremony!” A cheerful, booming voice rang out at the door, drawing everyone’s attention. Villagers dressed in equally festive garb entered, their faces beaming with smiles as they carried a bridal sedan and shouted lively greetings.

“Daddy…” A child recognized his father and rushed forward, sobbing, but his arms passed through the figure—it was only an illusion conjured by Qing Ke.

Yet Huang Meilun and Miao Sheng could touch these apparitions; the villagers enthusiastically separated the pair. Miao Sheng was surrounded by laughing men, while Huang Meilun was whisked away by a group of women who began combing her hair and dressing her up.

Their incessant chatter sounded just like the loving fuss of family. Among them, Su Man spotted Mei Huan.

Mei Huan, tearful, spoke up, “Sister, if Aunt and Uncle could see from the heavens, they’d be so happy.”

Huang Meilun nodded, her eyes misty. She hadn’t dared hope to see her parents again after all these years, but turning her head, she saw them appear—just as they were fifty years ago, gazing at her with love. “Our Meilun is getting married,” they said.

Her tears flowed unchecked. Though she knew it was all Qing Ke’s doing, she couldn’t hold back her emotions.

After exchanging words with the villagers, her gaze finally rested on Su Man. She knew, if not for Su Man, Qing Ke would never have gone to such lengths for her.

“Thank you,” she said sincerely, her voice choked with emotion. “I know you probably don’t like me. You think I’m selfish… but I really believe you’re a good person. If I were still alive, I would desperately want to be friends with you.”

Su Man fell silent for a moment, then spoke earnestly, “You’re not selfish—not at all. It was I who misspoke.”

She took a deep breath, her expression serious as she looked at Huang Meilun. “I just dislike all actions carried out under the banner of love. In any relationship, people may act for themselves or for others, but never simply for love… Of course, that’s just my personal issue.”

“I don’t dislike you,” she paused, then shared a story. “When I was young, I had a sister who treated me very kindly. She fell ill with an incurable disease. Her husband loved her deeply, and during her final days, he often said he wouldn’t live without her. Yet less than a year after she died, he found new love.”

“To most people, that might not seem strange—after all, one can’t be lonely forever…” Seeing Huang Meilun’s silent reaction, she continued, “You don’t have to understand me. I only wanted you to know, it’s nothing personal, I don’t hold anything against you.”

Surrounded by betrayals in her own life, Su Man’s views on love had become radical. Seeing Huang Meilun so troubled by love had stirred these feelings. “I should have told you this much earlier.”

Huang Meilun hung her head, sobbing uncontrollably.

Time was nearly up. The villagers came to urge Huang Meilun into the bridal sedan. She walked a few steps, then suddenly turned back and hugged Su Man tightly.

“Su Man, one day you’ll meet someone who cherishes you. You will be happy!”

Huang Meilun climbed into the sedan. Miao Sheng rode ahead on a tall horse, leading the procession, villagers following behind with drums and festive noise, faces radiant with happiness. They left, carrying their joy with them.

The children of the village whimpered as they watched their loved ones walk farther and farther away, the figures fading from sight. Their cries echoed, long and sorrowful.

Their subconscious already told them—they would never see their families again.

Around them, the illusions vanished, taking away all who didn’t belong.

“What happened? What’s going on? Why are all the children here?” Chang Gui suddenly came over and patted Su Man’s shoulder.

Su Man understood—the last thread of Qing Ke’s consciousness had disappeared.

“Your village is free now,” she said.

She pointed at the group of wailing children, “From now on, they’re all your responsibility.”

Lin Qi, left with only a head, hopped over to her. “Su Man, you really know how to tell stories. I heard the one about your sister—bet you made that up, didn’t you? You’re not so kind as to comfort people like that. Tell me a few more, I’ll add them to my collection.”

Su Man said nothing, merely kicked him away. “Go cool off somewhere else.”

The scenery began to fade, voices grew distant. She knew the task was done.

Yet this time, she found herself back at her own villa in her territory.

The light screen informed her that, because she had chosen the world of horror, she was entitled to a permanent place to stay.

This was her first piece of land; she could designate any spot as her private territory.

Private territory meant no NPCs or players could disturb her.

Su Man was delighted, boldly staking claim to the largest villa in the area.

Once confirmed, she appeared directly inside the villa.

The light screen began to settle her remaining rewards.

[Although you failed to complete the final mission, your resolution was excellent. You moved the NPCs, their satisfaction rating is high, so as an exception, you are considered to have completed the task and retain the right to occupy the territory. Would you like to occupy it?]

Of course she would.

Su Man saw a new spot marked by a hidden flag on her sheepskin map—Celestial Master Village was now hers.

She noticed her two territories were rather far apart.

She asked, “If one day I want to travel between these territories, can I?”

She only raised the possibility, but the light screen answered directly: [In the world of horror, there are vehicles that can travel between any maps.]

It added a caveat: [If your strength is insufficient, you may disappear while using the vehicle.]

Su Man’s confidence remained unshaken; her eyes shone with excitement. If one day she could claim all the territories here, wouldn’t that mean she’d become the ruler? Everything would obey her commands.

The prospect thrilled her—a life’s ambition fulfilled.

But her pleasant daydream was interrupted by a sudden voice. “Su Man, where is this? How did we end up here?”