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Chapter 31: You Are My Faith (XII)


Shang Ke leaned against the soft blanket and closed his eyes to rest. His wound had been rebandaged and he had changed into a robe. The front was slightly open, allowing the Flaming Red Sky to be seen faintly. A couple strands of hair flowed down, scattering across the blanket.

Tylor held some of the strands in his hands and suddenly spoke, “Shang Ke, after we seal the tree, live with me, alright? Let me take care of you.”

Shang Ke opened his eyes and looked at his serious expression before speaking with a smile, “I can take care of myself.”

“You know what I mean.” Tylor’s gaze was full of devotion, a faint fire flickering in the depths of his eyes.

“Tylor, you best not forget, you are a prince.” Shang Ke said as he looked down at Pupu, who had fallen asleep on his stomach.

“I already renounced my inheritance right when I had come of age, and I am now just an ordinary member of the imperial family.” Tylor’s tone was cautious as he continued, “I may be unable to allow you to flaunt your status openly, but I vow to only be loyal to you for my entire life.”

Shang Ke’s heart was touched. This man seemed to fall for him every time. He obviously didn’t have any memories of the past worlds, but he could always find him among the crowd of other people and single him out, and give him his heart.

Ignoring both gender and identity, he was so focused on his feelings that it made it difficult to resist him.

Shang Ke knew that his heart was already touched by him and he really wanted to love him without worry. However, before his third mission ends, he was unable to promise him anything.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t promise you.” A delicious meal had been placed in front of the ravenous him, but he could only ruthlessly reject it.

“Is it because of my identity, or my gender?” Tylor’s gaze swept past his eyes, lips, jaw, Adam’s apple, and collarbone, one by one.

“No,” Shang Ke replied, “It’s because of my identity, and my gender.” As someone specialized in dying, he felt that he first had to throw off the scum man called “Death God” before he could dip a finger into the promising young man. (Death God: A scum man? Want to try and see whether I will kill you right now?)

“You can’t change your identity.” Tylor held Shang Ke’s chin and hooked a hand on his waist before whispering by his ear, “But gender, perhaps we can overcome that.”

The moment after his words fell, a burning hot tongue replaced it to explore his ear, sucking it.

“Don’t move.” Tylor curbed Shang Ke’s wish to move away, speaking in a husky tone, “Don’t wake up Pupu.”

While Shang Ke hesitated, Tylor’s lips swept past his chin to his Adam’s apple, before continuing down…

“Tylor!” Shang Ke quietly reprimanded the other man, “Stop it before you go too far.”

Tylor raised his head from his chest, his eyes flickering with mirth as his lips quirked in a faint smile, “Shang Ke, it’s not like you feel nothing for me.”

He was already having a hard time resisting, so could he please not seduce him, alright?!

Shang Ke pulled a long face, doing his best to appear sincere.

Tylor laid down beside him and helped him to pull the blanket that had slid to his waist back up, gently speaking, “Don’t worry, even if I want to do something, this isn’t the place for it.”

Shang Ke glanced at him, before leaning back and turning away from Tylor. He went to sleep while holding Pupu.

Tylor watched the two figures sleeping together. He didn’t shift his gaze for a long, long time…

Kaiser and their group continued on their journey, and on the way, they met several groups. Just like Philippines had said, not a single one was in good condition. Without exception, all of them had been invaded by the devil qi, and it was only in the degree of severity that they differed.

Despite Shang Ke doing his best to treat them, he could only save some of them. In the end, Tylor had no choice but to prohibit him from saving anyone else when he could barely walk.

Five days later, the group had expanded to around sixty people when they finally arrived at the center of the marsh.

Everyone could finally see up close the Devil’s Tree that had disturbed the continent for thousands of years.

The tree was approximately one hundred meters tall, and its trunk around fifty meters wide. Roughly thirty people would be needed to wrap their arms around it. Its branches spread and weaved together far above them like a large umbrella. The tree’s leaves had devil qi condensing and flowing around them, burning like black will-o’-wisps.

Everyone felt as if they had fallen into hell, and before their eyes was only darkness. Besides the dense devil qi, there was nothing else.

The Devil’s Tree pressure made breathing difficult for everyone. Their hearts stirred restlessly and their legs froze. They were completely unable to move.

The fear, cold, pain, and pressure… drowned nearly everyone.

They lost their senses and sank into a never-ending nightmare, incapable of resisting.

Of over seventy people, barely two or three people managed to maintain their clarity.

Shang Ke gripped Tylor’s hand and helped to absorb the devil qi within his body. At the same time, he reminded him, “The magic crystal.”

Tylor regained his composure and fished out a transparent crystal from his pocket.

At least three magic crystals were needed to make a boundary.

Shang Ke also helped to absorb Kaiser’s devil qi, and then the horticultural master Sindi–who was the first one to break away from the devil qi invasion out of everyone. The three of them constructed a boundary.

They held the magic crystal and imbued all of their faith within.

Gradually, the magic crystal began to shine, flickering like a small firefly in the dark.

Under the shining light, many people returned from their murky states and took out their own magic crystals with difficulty, joining the others in releasing their faith.

Philippines, Max, Amy, Youri… with each crystal lighting up, the rays of faith power became stronger and stronger.

Although Shang Ke only found four of the warriors that had previously sealed the Devil’s Tree, they had found many helpers. Although their powers of faith were incomparable to those of the seven all of them together should be enough to seal it.

However, because of Shang Ke’s protection, most of the people had not undergone the devil qi’s test and built up their resistances. Therefore, after setting foot into the place of the devil qi’s origin, they were very quickly invaded by the devil qi, with the devil qi penetrating deeply.

One after another, they turned into apostles and completely lost their senses, randomly attacking those near them.

In the end, the situation that Shang Ke had worried about the most still happened.

Tylor immediately stopped infusing his faith and told the others, “Kaiser, you guys continue to seal the Devil’s Tree. I’ll be in charge of protecting you guys.”

He took out his weapon and stood in front of Kaiser and the others. At the same time, he also warned Shang Ke, “Stay by my side. Don’t stray too far.”

Shang Ke held Pupu and nodded.

The devil qi invasion spread like the plague, and in just a few minutes, half of the group had been invaded.

Tylor fought four to five people who had gone crazy in an intense battle. The cries of pain, the clash of swords, the angry yells, and so on all jumbled together in the confusion.

Shang Ke took a look around. At present, there were thirteen people who had lit up their magic crystals. Sealing the Devil’s Tree would take five hours. With Tylor and the other’s strength, handling a dozen people should be fine, but regretfully there should be other low level apostles hiding in the darkness. The Devil’s Tree would not allow humanity to seal it.

Even if there weren’t ten thousand devil apostles in the continent, half of that number was quite possible. The number of those in the initial and middle stages of invasion was even less. Although it was impossible for all of them to be recalled by the Devil’s Tree, a couple hundred should still be possible.

They were only a step away from completing the mission. Shang Ke did not want anything to spoil it from happening.

He walked behind Youri and took the harp from his back.

Youri was focused on the magic crystal, and so he did not notice the movement behind him.

Shang Ke held the harp and sat cross-legged. He raised his head to look silently at Tylor, who was locked in combat. Then, he took out a magic crystal and handed it to Pupu, reminding her, “Pupu, don’t let go of this no matter what, alright?”

Pupu grasped the crystal and nodded solemnly.

Shang Ke smiled and rubbed her small head, before placing his fingers on the strings and beginning to play…

Tylor suddenly turned back when he heard the familiar sound of the harp. As expected, he saw Shang Ke holding the harp, playing not too far from him.

“Damn it!” Rage flashed through his eyes. Was this guy insane? No matter how strong his faith was, absorbing devil qi in its place of origin, it would be impossible to suppress such violent devil qi!

However, at this moment it was no longer possible for him to stop him. There were more and more apostles appearing from all directions, and their situation was becoming increasingly dangerous.

There was a bloodthirsty light in Tylor’s scarlet eyes as he raised his gleaming sword and rushed forward like a ferocious beast. Blood danced around the sword, accompanying the sweet sound of the harp.

Dark tears flowed from Shang Ke’s eyes, and the devil qi twisted around him like black flames. His fair skin had become an even brighter white, his lips were red as blood, and his long hair moved even when there was no wind. He looked like a god who had descended from hell, both devilish and beautiful.

The music carried his power of faith and slowly absorbed the devil qi from everyone else’s body into his own. They formed strips of light in the darkness that flowed to him.

Shang Ke’s eyes were completely enveloped by the darkness, and his hair burned like will-o’-wisps as black tears flowed down his fair face, disappearing into fog as they made contact with the air.

Those who were invaded by the devil qi gradually regained their reason. Those who had long turned into apostles also began to show signs of confusion.

As Tylor and the other’s battle grew on an increasingly larger scale, their disadvantage gradually shifted.

The harp was still being played, sinuous and melodious, fluctuating between higher and lower pitches. The devil qi in its surroundings began to crazily bubble up, colliding intensely with everyone’s condensed powers of faith.

Right at this moment, ten more people suddenly leaped out from the darkness.

Without exception, they were all King level apostles, both quick and strong. Because of their surprise attack, in just a few minutes, three magic crystals no longer shone.

The devil qi within the King level apostles was stable, and the melody from Shang Ke’s harp had a very limited influence on them. The battle once again sank into a critical situation.

Shang Ke slowly raised his eyes, a dark fog rushing from within. The fingers that were flying over the strings quickly waved and a burst of hurried harp music surged up violently, like a wave.

Shang Ke only had one thought in his mind: even if he dies, he can’t let the sealing fail!

The harp’s power of faith suddenly rose up, going straight for the King level apostles like a hurricane.

They became aware of Shang Ke’s threat, and immediately dispatched a few apostles to deal with him. Tylor immediately moved in front of him, blocking them off with his sword. He refused to allow any of them to take another step closer.

With the passage of time, the number of dead bodies littering the ground grew increasingly. The scent of blood filled the air, but the devil qi has lessened. A light gradually appeared in their dark world.

When the completion of the sealing was within sight, four out of the ten magic crystals suddenly went out.

At least seven types of faith were required to seal the Devil’s Tree. If there were only six, it simply couldn’t be done. The devil qi that had dwindled suddenly surged, almost completely overtaking the remaining six.

Was this the end?

Despair gradually emerged in everyone’s expressions.

No, there was still hope.

Shang Ke’s harp still had not stopped.

Everyone’s gazes followed the sound, and they were shocked to find that Shang Ke’s body was completely wrapped by devil qi. His figure was faint, like a watery reflection. Only the flickering of the harp’s power of faith and those five bloody fingers could be seen clearly.

The golden strings were full of blood, while his fingers were badly mangled. But even so, he continued to play without stopping, and the harp sounded just as melodious and emotional as before.

Everyone felt their eyes sour as tears fell. At the present, there was no one in more pain than him.

He hadn’t given up, so how did they have the qualifications to give up?

Everyone once again focused, and the lights of faith shone brighter.

Tylor looked toward Shang Ke, his eyes full of grief. He finally knew what Shang Ke’s faith was.

And that was–Sacrifice!

The more he sacrificed his life, the stronger his faith would become.

This was also the reason why he did not fear the devil qi, because every time he fought, he held the determination to die.


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54 thoughts on “[HDS] Chapter 31: You Are My Faith (XII)

  1. shizukamikki says:

    On another case of “Putting on Perfect Expressions Pack”… We now have the song version! (tho the chapter is still a longgg ways off…)

    *Starts singing excitedly in Mulan’s songs (waiting for chapter version)*
    Outside: Let’s get down to business! To defeat! The wait! ٩(。・ω・。)و

    *Crying internally, while singing Mulan’s songs (waiting for chapter version)*
    Internally: Who is that girl I see… Staring straight back at me? When will my chapter finally show? Right here~! \(QΔQ」∠)_

  2. Takethattofu says:

    Oh my GODDDD!! Somany chappy release in one day!
    I AM VIOLENTLY HAPPY AND EXCITED!!!!

    • Takethattofu says:

      *starting to open a new tent*
      Waiting patiently and violently shaking with anticipation
      \(>//□//<)/
      WOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!

  3. Lati says:

    T^TT^TT^T this are tears of happiness!!!! thank you very very very much!snowy!!

  4. Lizzy says:

    *sob* *sob* *sob* thank you so much Snowy-sama for releasing 3 chapters! My heart feels full!
    And now I’m setting up my tent!

    • SnowTime says:

      2.5 Chapters… I feel like everyone skipped my note ?

  5. Rinth says:

    I’m so happy~! I decided to be inspired by Shang Ke and made paper peonies.

    I did a rolled rose but somehow my peonies looks better.

    *sets up shrine* (it upgraded now that I have crafted, though everything is in thick paper)

    *lays down mat*

    Thank you very much for the many blessings and super fast chapters Snowy-sama~!!! I hope you rest well and have a great time~! We will always be waiting in our moving castles and camps?

    Our heart feels so fulll by your generosity and care for us rotten followers of yours~!

  6. k888 says:

    thanks for the chapters.

  7. raizaelian says:

    *sets up camp and started singing*

    Life should have shang ke, feelings of hopelessness
    Loneliness, he’ll (MC) fix them all away
    Able, graceful and he (mc) always left him (ML) all alone
    Every ending has a new beginning
    Unexpected things will happen
    He (ML) will always be following him (MC)

    [Chorus]
    Time heals all sorrows, chase him (ML) with no worries
    Cause nothing is more precious than love, noble, faithful
    He (ML) will always be right next to him (MC)
    Oh, dear heart’s so sweet

    [Verse 2]
    It is his (ML) love
    No one can do and says anything
    A precious beauty, my one and only
    He’s (MC) not only gentle but selfless
    With honest eyes, it’s true

    [Verse 3]
    Lost in the labyrinth
    Never know what love means
    Cause truly that precious innocent smile
    No fears, no more tears
    He (MC) will make it and stay alive
    Oh, dear heart’s so please

    [Chorus]
    Time heals all sorrows, chase him (MC) with no worries
    Cause nothing is more precious than love, noble, faithful
    He (ML) will always be right next to him (MC)
    Oh, dear heart’s so sweet
    ♪ ♬ ヾ(´︶`♡)ノ ♬ ♪

  8. Laura Méndez says:

    I’m so excited to see the finale of this arc, but at the same time I don’t want it to end!

    • Rinth says:

      I agree… At the same time, I’m looking forward to the new world!

  9. Little Fluffy Ninja Sheep says:

    *builds a shrine for goddess snowy-sama*
    *burns some incense and mumbles* Thanks you snowy-sama and congratulation for your ascension! All hail goddess Snowy-sama! You’re our rotten readers’ faith!\(T∇T)/

  10. Chibi ~Stalking Since 2009 says:

    Let’s start to prepare tissues, ice cream and plenty of chocolate!
    Come bad end!

  11. Allen Walker says:

    Snowy-sama, obrigado por todos esses capitulos, e aguardarei o capitulo final ansiosamente. Parabéns por ter cultivado ao nível da divindade.

    • SnowTime says:

      :ULParty:

  12. Duelo Literário G.N. says:

    Thanking the god of translation for blessing us with new chapters! Anxiously waiting for the grand finale!!! Snow-sama, you’re awesome! 😀

  13. Dahksahna says:

    ???? thanks

  14. Kouta Asato says:

    *prepare a great stage before scream into the mike* Welcome to the 31st camping spot!!, and Now a song I just found in INTERNET! https://youtu.be/RFqjI4I5AKM

    • Takethattofu says:

      OMYGASHOMYGASHOMYGASHOMYGASHOMYGASHOMYGASHOMYGASHOMYGASHOMYGASHOMYGASHOMYGASHOMYGASHOMYGASHOMYGASH
      *screaming violently with high frequency*
      KYAAAAAAAAAAAÀAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAÀAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAÀAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAÀAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAÀAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAÀAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAÀAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAÀAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAÀAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAÀAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

      • Takethattofu says:

        I did not expect it would be that many “A”

        • Kouta Asato says:

          It’s Over 9000! *crush the measuring machine*

          Sorry I couldn’t help myself xD

          • Takethattofu says:

            XD
            IKR!!!

    • Saphire Sheer says:

      That song was awesome! XD
      Could totally rock out a BL concert at the moving castle plaza. Thanks for sharing.

  15. libraryrocker says:

    ⛲⛲⛲⛲⛲⛲⛲⛲⛲⛲⛲⛲⛲⛲

    I feel like waterfalls of tears are coming. …

  16. yulin says:

    ⛺? (u/\u)

  17. etherealrainbowcanvas says:

    I think the MC is awesome, but I really can’t wait until we get to the big drama scene & then to the next arc, I’m just not comfortable with all this faith talk… too many excuses for that word to cause harm in the real world & they aren’t any more better people here either.

  18. ae says:

    Thanks so much for translating this novel! It’s such a pleasure to read. * v *

  19. Cookies n' Cream says:

    *moves castles*

    Excuse me, moving castles~!

    Phew! Only got this time to move castel!

    *sighs* this arc is about to end huh? Then comes the tragedy then a new arc (´;︵;`)

    Just going to stock up on tissues in the castle…

  20. Alejandra Rouge says:

    Oh camp
    Oh great camp
    we are gathered here with the aim of reading the translations of our goddess snowy sama
    Oh goddess hear our prayers and bring us your work on earth and in heaven
    Amen

    • SnowTime says:

      Your Snowy has been too immersed in gaming today… I’ll try to get something out >_>

      • fayu lovly says:

        How… Ur game,, give to me,,, asap 〒_〒
        Thankz for the appetaizer

      • Rinth says:

        Snowy-sama what game are you playing?

        • SnowTime says:

          ElderTales alpha >.>

          • Alejandra Rouge says:

            when you discover that the gods also like games…and it makes you want to play

            • SnowTime says:

              updated >_>

          • Rinth says:

            Will totally check that out~

            Thank you for answering my question and updating Snowy-sama~!!!

  21. Takethattofu says:

    Noooooooooooooooooo
    I was so happy when I see the page no longer contain the title only, but to find it wasnt fully one page, Snowy-samaaaaaaaaaa why are you raise my hope and drop it with german suplex style?!
    Is this carrot and stick type of torture!!
    ༼ ༎ຶ ෴ ༎ຶ༽

    Cant wait for full chappy tho

  22. raizaelian says:

    Expect the unexpected real quick. Hahahaha.
    (´ ▽`).。o♡

  23. Talmara says:

    ..Can I join you in your camping?… I brought biscuits ^○^

  24. nekurafujoushi says:

    I felt really blessed when I saw Snowy-sama has finally bestow upon me the scriptures……

    ……part of it?!!!

    ????

    Good. GOOD.

    What is the life of a believer if they are not in pain & suffering. I shall devote myself more in the faith of Snowy in order to attain peace and tranquility…????

    • SnowTime says:

      Doing it right now, about halfway through >.> my morning class was cancelled

      • Tatyana says:

        Hail Snowy sama!!

        Praise be to your crazy fast update speed!!

  25. ae says:

    Thanks for the update, o great Lord snowy!
    Ive actually wondered how the MC’s faith was so strong, but figured “becus he’s the MC…duh.” but it seems so obvious now that it’s been mentioned in the story! sacrifice! Duh! No matter what arc or chapter it’s been, he’s always thinking of the best way to sacrifice himself…his poor hubby tho 🙁

  26. libraryrocker says:

    ?????????????

    THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING AWESOME! ! !

  27. Takethattofu says:

    I.CANT.WAIT.FOR.THE.FINALE!!!!!!!!
    *VIOLENTLY SCREAMING!*
    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

  28. Ignobilia says:

    I have this warm feeling in my cheast from reading this, satisfaction?
    But I know my heart will soon be squeeze in the next chapter… Still I’m looking forward to reading it.. This story is turning me into a M..

    Well anyway, thank you Snowy-sama for your update of the holly scripture! ♥️

    It most be hard to translate it from the ancient language of bl.

    (Ps. It’s so fun commenting here because everyone is so weird that I also can let out my weirdness, hah, the feeling of freedom and mutual weirdness. ?
    We have not only started a religion but also have our own culture and way of being, I so wish that I had fujoshi/fudanshi friends in real life, the things we could do together, the world would not see it coming before it was to late and they all got turned by us)

    • Cookies n' Cream says:

      I feel ya! ????

  29. Kiddie says:

    I still cant blv A character was named after my country hehehe ❤️

  30. onefallenleaf says:

    I thought his faith was completing the mission 😂

    Thanks for the chapter, Snowy! ( ‘﹃’⑉)/♡

  31. Jack Nathaniel Mikhail says:

    I can’t stop crying…
    Thanks for the chapter

  32. Kailyria says:

    Indeed to have a heroic death, one has to sacrifice. Sigh i guess they won’t make it to their lovey dovey life this time either? 😣

  33. Benomora says:

    Thanks for the chapter ♡´・ᴗ・`♡

  34. Kawaii Panda says:

    I choked my food huhu

  35. drenlith says:

    a song suggestion for this scene: Onmyoji; Kinnara Tune of Star

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