Chapter 435 - 350: The Kong Jian Who Won’t Grow Up
But Kong Jian looked a bit downcast.
He ate his instant noodles without asking any more questions.
’But his mind drifted back to the time he was with his Master. That year, they were at a place called... Dragon Mountain, wasn’t it?’
’Master had taken the prized treasure of their sect and played with it for a whole month before returning. The people of Dragon Mountain had come to see her as a mortal enemy.’
’Kong Jian could still remember it clearly. He had been trembling in fear back then, yet he had stubbornly wanted to apologize on his Master’s behalf.’
’He would have been willing, even if the people of Dragon Mountain killed him.’
’But to his surprise, his Master was truly incredible. She told him to get some sleep, and when he woke up, the people of Dragon Mountain were treating him with the utmost courtesy.’
They even sent someone to escort him to their guest rooms to rest, where he could eat delicious food.
When those people looked at him and his Master, their eyes no longer held any hatred or anger.
’The period that followed was one of the few happy times in Kong Jian’s life where he didn’t have to wander about. At Dragon Mountain, it seemed he became the center of everyone’s affection.’
He remembered the stars were especially bright that night.
He and his Master sat on a hillside, watching the stars.
Master told him that there was a person inside every star.
He asked his Master, "Then is Master inside a star?"
Master nodded and said yes. If one day she was gone, Kong Jian could look up at the stars, and she would be there, watching over him.
And one day, Kong Jian would also appear in a star, so that others could see him just by looking up.
Kong Jian didn’t understand what she meant, but he remembered her words.
’Later, when his Master really did disappear, Kong Jian would always wonder as he looked at the stars, ’Which one is my Master?’’
’Is she watching me from her star right now?’
’But now, he suddenly understood something his Master had said that he hadn’t understood back then.’
’Now he got it. The whole "people in the stars" thing was just a story to tell a child.’
’Master had clearly spoken the five words, "We will not meet again."’
’He had thought she was saying it to someone else, but now he realized it was meant for him.’
’Master had left that world, so there would be no day for them to meet again.’
’But now, he had come to his Master’s world. When would she remember him?’
The arduous journey, the countless hardships he had endured—none of that mattered.
He was content just to be with his Master.
The two of them went from sitting up eating instant noodles while watching the stars to lying down on the grass to watch them.
"Little Kongjian, is there something you want to say to Liger?"
"Liger, do you think there are humans on other planets, besides the one we live on now?"
"I don’t know about that. I’ve never seen an alien, after all."
"Well, has Liger been to other worlds?"
Wen Ying didn’t think much of it. "I guess so, but they’re all more or less the same."
"Was there anything, or anyone, in those worlds worth staying for?"
Wen Ying smiled. "They were fun, but there was never anything that made me want to stay."
Little Kongjian’s spirits sank again.
’Nothing worth staying for?’
’Were her feelings for him not worth staying for at all?’
’But he recalled those days with his Master... she had clearly said that the days she spent with Little Kongjian were her happiest.’
’Was all of that a lie?’
"Liger, did you meet anyone important to you in those worlds?"
"Of course. Even though I’m just a passerby, if you go to a world alone, you have to immerse yourself in it, not just act like a visitor. Only by diving in can you truly experience what those worlds have to offer."
Little Kongjian’s heart began to beat a little faster. He couldn’t help but ask with anticipation, "Then... did Master ever meet a little monk like me?"
Kong Jian did his best to remain calm, but his voice still carried a slight tremor.
It was unnoticeable if you weren’t listening carefully.
Evidently, Wen Ying was not in a state to be listening carefully. Upon hearing the question, she answered immediately.
"A little monk as adorable as you? How could there be one in every world? For Liger, having you in this world is enough."
Although these words made Kong Jian very happy, Yiyi was still a little sad.
’Does Master really not remember the him from that world?’
’Did she really forget so easily?’
’Did she forget so easily because she didn’t really care that much?’
’But just now, Master said she cares a lot about the him of today.’
’The him of today, the him of back then... they’re both me.’
’It’s all so frustrating to think about.’
’Whatever, I won’t think about it so much.’ "Liger, I’m also really happy to have met you. Truly, super happy and super blissful."
But Kong Jian didn’t say the last three words out loud.
When she turned to look, Kong Jian had already closed his eyes. His breathing was steady and the corners of his mouth were curved in a smile; he was clearly asleep.
’But thinking about it now, those questions Little Kongjian just asked...’
’Why do I get a strange feeling about them?’