Chapter 334

After noticing the nonexistent embrace, Leon couldn’t help but turn his head slightly and sneak a glance at the little girl’s condition out of the corner of his eye.

The deceased little girl, although she hadn’t stopped, had her tears disappear from her face. The look of terror had calmed somewhat; her red and swollen eyes from crying opened again, quietly shedding their fear and sorrow as she curiously looked around the path ahead.

“In the world of the living, flesh is real, and the soul is intangible. In the Deathscape, there’s no such thing as flesh—only souls are acknowledged, turning bodies into untouchable things.”

Spreading out her palm, Emma showed Leon the tearstains on it before softly explaining:

“The souls and bodies of the living are inseparable. That’s why in the Deathscape, they become almost non-existent. Only willpower, belief, or emotions can influence other deceased ones. Without any particularly strong desire to touch another deceased person, we in the Deathscape are just fixed-shaped breezes.”

After explaining the situation earlier, Senior Emma slightly turned toward Leon and earnestly began advising him:

“Also, your soul isn’t strong enough yet. Remember not to make contact with those deceased who appear unusual, like those full-faced with resentment, brimming with regrets, or wailing in sorrow. These deceased carry overwhelming emotions that could affect the stability of your soul. If you’re not careful, even after leaving the Deathscape, you might feel uneasy for quite some time.”

“I understand.”

Looking at Emma Senior, whose complexion was still somewhat pale but continued patiently explaining precautions to him, Leon couldn’t help but nod slightly. Then he tightened his right hand gripping hers even more forcefully.

Wanting to warm Emma’s cold hand just like how she wiped away the little girl’s tears earlier, he hoped to give her courage against the No Return Road.

‘Don’t worry, I’m here,’ right?

Through their tightly clasped hands, Emma faintly sensed Leon’s inner thoughts. Her eyes softened slightly, then she took a deep breath, reciprocating Leon’s grip filled with determination. She stepped forward towards the black-and-white stone bridge not far away.

…

【Name: Black and White Bridge (Recall, Recall)】

【Appearance: A primitive long bridge spanning over the Yellow Springs of the Deathscape, paved with black and white bricks. With every step onto a new brick, part of one’s life is recalled】

【Ability: Happy Recollections, Painful Recollections】

【Cost: None】

【Record: After the death of the Deathscape Sovereign “Faceless Person,” all the memories from his long life were extracted, categorized into happiness and pain, and crafted into black and white bricks.

These ever-changing black and white bricks have entirely different effects. Stepping on a white brick recalls happy experiences from one’s life, while stepping on a black brick recalls painful ones…】

【Evaluation: Just as no one knows whether their next life event will be joy or sorrow, before truly stepping down, no one knows if the brick will be black or white.

No one lives a life of constant tears, nor does anyone laugh forever. Only by personally experiencing all joys, sorrows, hardships, and pleasures can one truly say they’ve lived their life】

【Taint Value: Same as user】

Memory player, huh?

If my guess is correct, the reading range of the 【Black and White Bridge】 should only be limited to the user’s memories. My memory of this world only goes back three years.

Although I started working tirelessly for my family right after recovering from illness, encountering many ugly situations and having plenty of difficult memories, thanks to my younger siblings, overall, I’d say it’s been fairly happy. Those pains, though deeply etched, haven’t overshadowed the warmth in my heart.

The only time I suffered unbearably was when Anna coughed up blood late at night and asked me to keep her death hidden so she could continue “cheating” for compensation money. Fortunately, because I joined the Clearing Bureau, I managed to avoid that outcome.

So for me, the effect of the 【Black and White Bridge】 wouldn’t be too tough. Even if I can’t handle it, just thinking about the present days should help me get through it.

But Senior Emma…

Thinking about the big tree at the entrance of Baohua Manor, Leon fell into a deep silence.

Considering her entire clan was executed, leaving only her and her daughter, even if she luckily steps on white bricks each time and revisits only beautiful memories, recalling the final outcome would bring even deeper torment.

And beside her, Emma clearly knew this already. Even before stepping onto the 【Black and White Bridge】, merely imagining the possible scenes awaiting her made her lips go pale from biting them.

“How about… I go first?”

After a moment of silence, Leon suggested:

“I just touched the railing, and it seems that once someone steps on a brick, it won’t change anymore. I can go onto the Black and White Bridge first, hold down all the white bricks for you, which should make it a bit easier for you.”

Upon hearing Leon’s suggestion, Emma’s pale face twitched her lips, seemingly wanting to refuse, unwilling to let Leon bear the painful memories for her.

However, before she could reject it, a deep sense of relaxation mixed with heavy guilt flowed through their tightly clenched hands straight into Leon’s heart.

“That’s settled then!”

Gripping Senior Emma’s hand firmly, sending back the thoughts of ‘it’s okay’ and ‘I’m willing to do this for you,’ Leon took a deep breath and boldly stepped onto the black-and-white stone bridge.

White brick.

As Leon’s foot landed, the misty surface of the Black and White Bridge suddenly became clear. A plain white brick, barely large enough for an adult’s foot, appeared under Leon’s feet, exuding a calm warmth.

Thank you, really thank you! Gripping Leon’s hand tightly, Emma’s eyes softened as she tiptoed and carefully stepped onto the edge of the white brick Leon had yielded.

“Brother, you’re back!”

As her toes touched down, the world around her suddenly darkened. Emma found herself standing in a pitch-black alley, where every muscle capable of exerting force was painfully throbbing, causing unbearable fatigue that blurred her vision.

In this world, overflowing with darkness both in reality and in her body, the only thing still shining faintly was a distant dim oil lamp and the pale, thin face of a surprised young girl illuminated by the lamp.

(End of Chapter)