Who let him join the Sword Sect?!-Chapter 736 - 382: Forget-me-not, and don’t forget Fuji either.

"Who exactly is the White Emperor?" Zhang Ze looked at Sister Wang.

Faced with Zhang Ze's question, Sister Wang smiled but didn't answer, only pointed behind her.

"Turn right as you exit, go downstairs, it's the room with the white door."

"She knows more than I do. If you have questions, just ask her."

"Alright, asking questions feels like going through trials." Zhang Ze jumped down from the windowsill.

After Zhang Ze pushed open the door and left, Sister Wang curled her fingers, intending to sneakily follow and take a look at what kind of old thing the White Emperor was, but was hooked back by a chain.

"Don't cause trouble."

Holding three egg yolks in her arms, Sister Wang looked at the night sky outside the window.

No complicated ceremonies, no unnecessary battles, or excessive puzzles.

Just as Sister Wang said, go out, turn right, and follow the stairs down, that's all.

Zhang Ze came to stand in front of that unmarked white door.

It was easy to find, because it was the only door on the whole floor.

"Who is it? Is it the White Emperor? I'm coming in." Zhang Ze stood in front of the white door dawdling for a long time, finally reaching out to knock.

There was no response, but a small crack appeared in the white door.

Pushing open the white door, Zhang Ze's vision blurred, and a feeling of weightlessness came from his feet, as if he had been transported somewhere.

A moment later, the sound of birdsong entered Zhang Ze's ears, followed by the smell of soil and wild grass.

Zhang Ze opened his eyes, finding himself transported to another place.

Just an inch beyond his toes lay the boundary. On his side was a silver-white metal corridor, and ahead was a meadow in early autumn.

This meadow seemed familiar.

Zhang Ze stepped into it, parting the slightly withered mugwort, walking up the small hill ahead, then looked west.

It was White Jade County.

Zhang Ze felt something blocking his throat.

White Jade County, surrounded by mountains, was silent and still. The streets were empty, and though it was dusk, aside from the County Magistrate's Mansion in the east of the city, there was no light in any household.

Death is not the opposite of life, but an eternal part of it.

Zhang Ze suddenly thought of this phrase, recalling the last time he had thought of it was on this very hill.

Although he had long suspected, but...

An indescribable emotion surged in his heart, and Zhang Ze rushed down the slope.

He wanted to reach there immediately, but he also wished the road would never end.

[Promise me one thing, after I die, please forget me forever...]

He pushed open the mansion door, and no one greeted him.

He walked through the corridor, seeing no one still.

It wasn't until Zhang Ze passed the empty courtyard and came to the small courtyard with blue tiles and white walls that he heard a clinking sound coming from the kitchen inside.

Entering the courtyard, Zhang Ze pushed open the kitchen door.

The white walls of the kitchen were mottled, yet it was arranged extremely neatly. A girl in a white cross-collared short shirt stood by the stove, her hair with a wooden hairpin clamped between her lips, black strands falling as she deftly twisted them into a cloud bun.

Having tidied her hair, the girl tied a gray cloth apron around her waist. During her movements, the sleeve brushed against the early osmanthus fragrance, and the jade bracelet on her wrist clinked against the celadon salt jar, waking the ashes slumbering in the stove. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Three pine needles bundled into a cluster probed into the stove eye, a slight blow to the tinder, and golden-red flames climbed up the resin veins. The girl's eyelashes, under the firelight, were tinted with warmth, while in her autumn-water eyes beneath the distant mountain brows, the leaping light was reflected.

As soon as the pine wood firewood began crackling, warmth flowed through the room; she flicked her wrist and splashed half a ladle of spring water into the pot.

Zhang Ze did not disturb, just leaned against the door quietly watching, for the sight in this kitchen he could never tire of seeing.

On the cutting board, the fresh green chives were as green as jade, chopped with the rhythmic thud of the knife.

It was as poorly cut as if chewed by dogs.

Finally, unable to hold it in, Xiangxiang threw down the knife, pouting, "How long are you going to watch! You know I can't cook!"

Xiangxiang's culinary skills were limited to lighting the fire and boiling water, even if she became the White Emperor.

Boiled chives with garlic, a signature dish only she could create.

"Pfft..."

Zhang Ze couldn't hold back his laughter, and laughed until tears came, finally responding.

"I'm coming, I'm coming."

Wiping away his tears, Zhang Ze stepped into the kitchen, came behind Xiangxiang, wanting to hold her hands like he used to, to teach her how to chop with a knife.

Only, Zhang Ze's hand went right through Xiangxiang's body.

The smile froze on his face.

No tactile sensation, not a divine soul out of body, but merely a projection.

Like an illusory fantasy.

Xiangxiang sighed, took a step back, passing through Zhang Ze's body.

"I am a mortal, to wait for you here, I have to pay a certain necessary price."

Xiangxiang folded her hands in front, watching Zhang Ze's back as she spoke.

The bamboo steamer emitted white mist, the stove fire continued to crackle, outside the window the moon climbed to the treetops, light and shadow flickered, dreamlike and ethereal.

The scent of pine wood in the stove grew stronger, the dampness of the earth and the aroma of wild grass climbed back into Zhang Ze's nostrils, the birdsong once again rose, near and far.

The surrounding scenery began to crumble, the kitchen, courtyard, White Jade County, all turned to nothingness, like bubbles from the past.

Zhang Ze stood in the pristine circular metal hall, turned to look at Xiangxiang.

Xiangxiang, dressed in a flawless white dress, stood in the center of the hall, faint lights flickering around her, reminding Zhang Ze of the smoke and pine fragrance in the kitchen.

Zhang Ze stepped forward, reached out, wanting to touch her face, but once again his hand passed through Xiangxiang's body, causing ripples.

"Sorry, this is just a projection." Xiangxiang looked at Zhang Ze gently.