Chapter 332

After chatting with Leon about his daughter’s situation for a bit, Emma seemed to be touched by this topic and recalled something. She looked up at the death-announcing crows hovering above her and didn’t say anything further. The three people on the back of the crocodile god then silently returned to the entrance of the Deathscape.

“You two should head back.”

The Red-haired Bureau Director waved her hand toward Leon and the other, with a calm expression: “The three directors have already sent out the [instruction list]. In a three-to-one situation, the Aquarius Director won’t be able to resist for long and could be dragged into the Deathscape by the [Streetlamp of Death] at any moment. I need to stay here and wait for him to take the No Return Road, so I can’t see you off any further.

Afterward, just follow the No Return Road back. Once you’ve crossed the ‘Black and White Bridge’ and the ‘Nest of the Death-Announcing Crows,’ keep going forward a little more, and you’ll see the Hound God guarding the entrance to the Deathscape. Let it call out to send you back… Remember, always go straight ahead, don’t look back!”

“Alright, I understand.”

Since Senior Emma was a “regular visitor” to the Deathscape and had traveled through it many times before, while this was Leon’s first time there, he clearly understood that these instructions were specifically meant for him. So he responded once and couldn’t help but ask curiously: “Director, why can’t we look back? If we do, will we never be able to leave the Deathscape?”

“Something like that.”

Patting the big head of the crocodile god, pointing at the beach chair by the River of Yellow Springs, and signaling it to carry her over, the Red-haired Bureau Director waved her hand without turning around:

“For the dead, the No Return Road is a path that only goes forward; there’s no option to go back.

But for the living who accidentally fall into the Deathscape and step onto the No Return Road, they can still turn back. However, this road dislikes such occurrences very much and will try everything possible to keep those who turn back.

Occasionally looking back isn’t really an issue—it’s just seeing some illusions—but if you look back too often and see too many things you’re reluctant to leave behind, and your soul gets tricked by this road, then you might not be able to leave.”

It sounds pretty dangerous…

After hearing the words of the Red-haired Bureau Director, Leon’s throat involuntarily moved slightly. He then decisively chose a safer way.

“Director, how about you still escort us…”

“I’m busy, I don’t have time to see you off.”

Jumping off the crocodile god’s head, the Red-haired Bureau Director comfortably lay down on the beach chair by the River of Yellow Springs. Then, while picking up a magazine from the nearby small table, she waved her hand dismissively without looking up: “Don’t worry, Emma has been to the Deathscape many times. With her accompanying you, there definitely won’t be any problems… Am I right, Emma?”

This is… Senior Emma has come so many times and returned safely every time, so there shouldn’t be any issues… right?

Looking at Senior Emma beside him, whose lips were bitten until they turned pale green and whose arms began trembling unconsciously, Leon blinked in confusion and asked somewhat bewilderedly:

“Senior Emma? Is something wrong with you?”

“I’m fine!”

Giving Leon a strained smile, Emma looked up at the Red-haired Bureau Director who was reading the magazine, her face slightly pale as she questioned sharply:

“Olivia! Are you trying to make me give up with all this sudden stuff?”

“Nope.”

Flipping a page in her magazine, the Red-haired Bureau Director replied without raising her head: “I’m just a bit busy and can’t spare the time to see you off.

But rest assured, I’ll be waiting by this river and won’t go anywhere. In case either of you can’t bear the pain in your heart and get lured back by the No Return Road, I’ll fish you out.”

“You… I won’t look back! I’ve already made my decision!”

“Hmm, I believe you. So when are you planning to start walking back?”

“…”

It feels like… there’s some underlying meaning in their conversation…

Looking at the Red-haired Bureau Director lying on the beach chair flipping through her magazine but claiming she’s too busy, and then at Senior Emma who says she’s determined but whose feet seem rooted to the spot and refuses to move, Leon clicked his tongue feeling the atmosphere wasn’t quite right. He tentatively suggested:

“Well… Senior Tom is still inside the crocodile’s mouth. How about, Director, you let him out, and the three of us walk back together?”

“Can’t release him.”

“Why can’t you release him?”

“Because he’s already dead.”

With a loud rustle, she flipped another page of the magazine, glanced at Leon, and said expressionlessly:

“When I went with you to find the Third Generation Honorable to forge anomalous items, Tom had already been digested completely by this crocodile, turned into poop, and dropped into the lake we passed earlier. Then a big fish ate him. You don’t need to think about bringing him back.”

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“Ah?”

“What’s with that ‘ah’? Do you want to go back and stay with him?”

“…”

I see, both the Director and Senior Emma are indeed mad at each other for some reason.

Since Senior Emma seems afraid of taking the “No Return Road,” the Director deliberately doesn’t escort her, forcing her to walk back via the No Return Road, hoping to change her mind.

As for Senior Tom, who has either found a way to help her or has the ability to traverse life and death directly, the Director forcibly banned him, not letting him out of the crocodile god’s mouth.

And considering the Director’s style of thinking ten steps ahead, she probably planned this from the moment we entered the Deathscape, which is why she didn’t treat Tom’s broken bones and intentionally didn’t bring him along to meet the Third-Generation Bureau Director…

But why am I standing next to Senior Emma?

Also, Director, what exactly are you planning? Although I trust your judgment when you’re sober, couldn’t you have given me a heads-up so I could prepare myself a little?

“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you leaving yet?”

After an awkward silence that made Leon uncomfortable, the Red-haired Bureau Director finished the entire issue of “Four-Wheel Box Light Carriage Structure Disassembly” with a rustling sound, seemingly having learned carriage repair techniques. She looked up at him with a slightly surprised expression:

“Leon? Why haven’t you moved yet? Could it be that even though you claim you’ve made your decision, you still have unresolved regrets in your heart, so you’re hesitant to walk the No Return Road, fearing it will expose your inner weakness and wavering?”

“…”

Oh, yes, it’s me, it’s me, it’s definitely me! Just as Leon was about to speak after being inexplicably labeled with a bunch of reasons for being “afraid to set off” due to his regrets, he was yanked hard and stumbled.

“Senior Emma? What are you doing… Ow… Slow down! Slow down!”

(End of Chapter)