Honkai Star Rail: My Death Feeds Their Madness — Chapter 107

Chapter 107: Only Master, Only Master, Only Master

In the end, the master and disciple did not fight side by side.

A year later, Kagashi returned.

Perhaps the years of high-intensity Hunt expeditions had severely depleted the vitality of the Abominations of Abundance; in the following period, the frequency of warfare significantly decreased, and moments of leisure became rare and precious.

Two weeks later, it happened to be the Xianzhou Alliance’s annual major festival, the Ember-Ban Festival.

It was a solemn occasion meant to commemorate those who perished during the Suiyang rebellion in the Era of Fire Catastrophe, as well as the great hero who burned to nothingness alongside the Flint Emperor to protect the Xianzhou.

To respect these heroic spirits, the Xianzhou people chose to avoid everything related to fire on this day.

On that day, all the Xianzhou would jointly host a grand singing and dancing gala, broadcast live to the entire universe.

Within every residential sector, every household hung up colorful lanterns and prepared pre-boiled Qiongshi bird eggs.

complex and gorgeous auspicious patterns, such as cloud motifs and auspicious beasts, were skillfully carved onto the eggshells, symbolizing rebirth and perfection.

As night fell, the lights of the Yaoqing Xianzhou were as bright as day.

The bustling commercial districts were crowded with people, and laughter filled every corner.

Kagashi wore a vintage belted long robe, making his figure appear tall and slender.

Jingliu, Mianxue, and Qinghan had also changed into similar styles of clothing for the first time in a long while.

Now, Jingliu’s hair bun was adorned with the hairpin Kagashi had given her during her ceremony, and the corners of her mouth were slightly lifted.

Overall, she looked quite charming, like the girl next door, drawing frequent glances from countless passersby on the street.

“It’s so lively.”

Qinghan’s gaze drifted over the dazzling array of lanterns and snacks on both sides of the street, her eyes filled with novelty.

A faint smile also played on Mianxue’s lips as she followed closely behind Kagashi with her younger sister.

Jingliu walked beside them, her gaze always glued to Kagashi’s back.

The atmosphere tonight was wonderful.

No war, no military orders—only Master and them.

Perhaps Master’s usual coldness would soften a bit?

Perhaps she could be like an ordinary woman, strolling through the streets while holding Master’s arm?

Just as she was thinking this, melodious music drifted from the central plaza ahead.

That was the climax of the Ember-Ban Festival gala, the Dance of Shared Wishes.

According to custom, everyone in the plaza would find a dance partner at this time and dance together under the brilliant lights.

It was both to praise the heroes of the past and to pray for peace in the coming year.

“Everyone, the auspicious hour has arrived! Let us dance and pray!”

The host’s voice spread throughout the venue via the broadcast.

The surrounding crowd stirred; young men and women blushed as they invited each other, while old couples smiled at one another and stepped onto the dance floor hand-in-hand.

Jingliu’s heart pounded wildly. She feigned composure, gathered all her courage, and turned to look at Kagashi.

The words ‘Master, can you accompany your disciple in a dance?’ were already on the tip of her tongue.

However, at that very second—

Kagashi turned slightly and very naturally reached out his hand toward Qinghan.

“Qinghan, would you like to dance with me?”

His voice was quite gentle, carrying an easygoing tone that Jingliu had never received.

Qinghan was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously placed her hand in Kagashi’s palm.

“It would be my greatest honor, Lord Kagashi.”

Their hands intertwined, and they stepped onto the dance floor together.

Jingliu’s arm, halfway extended, froze in mid-air.

The unspoken words turned into thorns, piercing her throat—unable to be swallowed, unable to be spat out.

“Jingliu?”

Mianxue’s voice came from beside her.

Looking at the stunned Jingliu, Mianxue seemed to have sensed something. She reached out awkwardly but with pity.

“Since Lord Kagashi and Little Sister have gone, then… shall the two of us partner up? It’s just a formality anyway…”

Jingliu did not speak, as if she hadn’t heard Mianxue’s words. Her gaze was locked onto the two figures in the center of the dance floor.

That was her Master… At this moment, the most brilliant lights shone down together, casting light and shadow upon Kagashi and Qinghan.

Kagashi’s hand rested on Qinghan’s slender waist, while his other hand held her delicate hand.

They were so close, close enough to hear each other’s breathing.

Following the beat of the music, they spun, advanced, and retreated.

Qinghan looked up at Kagashi, tenderness flowing in her eyes.

And Kagashi… extremely rarely, the corners of his mouth curled into a faint, gentle arc.

That was an expression Jingliu had dreamed of countless times, craved countless times in her dreams, yet had never received.

She had trained desperately, killed enemies desperately, improved desperately, and desperately tried to prove herself—all just to earn even a single glance.

But now, this gaze, this tenderness, this intimacy… was given to another person without reservation.

The bustling cheers and music around her seemed to be completely stripped away at this moment.

In Jingliu’s world, only the dancing figures of the two remained.

Thump, thump, thump… The sound of her heartbeat became exceptionally heavy, each beat like a sledgehammer striking her chest.

The light in her eyes vanished bit by bit, replaced by a deep darkness; if one were to suddenly lock eyes with her, it would surely cause their heart to skip a beat in fear.

‘Why is it Qinghan?”I am clearly stronger now.”I am clearly more talented, I clearly… love Master more.’

Jingliu watched the scene expressionlessly. After a moment, the corners of her mouth slowly and extremely stiffly curled into an arc.

The light reflected across, but that arc seemed to have no warmth, only a bone-chilling sense of collapse.

‘Ah… Master’s hand is on Senior’s waist… That spot, if a sword were to pierce through it, the sensation would surely be wonderful, wouldn’t it?”No, that won’t do. Master’s hand is there.”Then… what if I were to cut Senior Qinghan’s waist off?”That way, Master would have nowhere to hold her, right?”No, that would make Master angry.’Jingliu tilted her head slightly, lightly clutching her chest, her crimson eyes hollowly reflecting the heart-wrenching scene.’Why do you both look so happy?”Why do I feel so cold here?”Is it because I’m standing too far away?”Or is it because… some people are truly redundant?”If… if only Master and I were left in this world… if there were no Mianxue, no Qinghan, would Master only be able to look at me?”Would Master’s hands only be able to hold me?”Would Master’s tenderness only belong to me?’

“Jingliu? Are… are you okay?”

Seeing Jingliu’s hollow, lifeless pupils and the eerie smile on her face, Mianxue inexplicably shuddered and subconsciously took half a step back.

“Your expression is a bit frightening. Are you unwell?”

Jingliu’s deathly still eyes rested on Mianxue for a few seconds before she suddenly snapped back to her senses.

Realizing what she had just been thinking, a chill rushed from the soles of her feet straight to her head.

She must have been crazy just now!

Mianxue and Qinghan were not only her seniors but also fellow survivors of Cangcheng… For her to actually harbor such rebellious thoughts—if Master found out, he would surely cast her out.

No, she couldn’t!

She only had Master, only Master… only Master, only Master, only Master—

If she lost Master, she would die; she wouldn’t be able to go on living!

Looking back at her Master dancing with Qinghan, Jingliu suddenly felt it wasn’t so eyesore anymore.

That feeling of having nothing at all was something she absolutely did not want to experience.

At least Master was still before her eyes… she could still look at him…