I Am Not the God of Drama

Abandonment

"Cough... cough cough cough cough cough..."

Amidst the ruins of the city, Li Fu hunched over, leaving bloody footprints with every step as he staggered forward.

Deafening booms echoed from afar, where the destinies of Associate Emperors frantically intertwined like a proud duel between heaven's chosen, drawing the gaze of almost everyone present...

The sky flickered with light and shadow behind Li Fu. In the unregarded ruins, he lowered his head, resembling a pathetic dog with no home.

"Brother Xiao Li, are you in a lot of pain..."

A-Qian supported Li Fu's body, tears silently trailing down her cheeks. Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, terrified that speaking any louder would somehow cause his wounds to hurt more.

Li Fu breathed heavily. He squeezed out a pale smile and patted A-Qian's hair.

"Don't worry, I'm not in pain... I'm just a little tired."

"...No."

Li Fu pursed his lips. He looked up at the barren, abandoned Imperial Palace not far away, a flash of reluctance in his eyes. "I want to try one more time."

Han Dong, who had run out with Li Fu, heard this, and his eyes lit up slightly.

"Really, Brother Li?"

Behind Han Dong stood three other youths. They were the young men who had followed Li Fu from the beginning. Thanks to their consideration of past affections to tear open a path, Li Fu had avoided being beaten to death alive...

But truth be told, their intervention earlier had been driven purely by youthful hot-bloodedness. Now that they had escaped, their faces were filled with anxiety and confusion. After all, the current Li Fu was nothing more than an Ordinary Person; he couldn't lead them out of the Ancient Vault.

Upon hearing that Li Fu wanted to try again, a glimmer of hope rekindled in their eyes.

"Try once more... just one last time!"

Li Fu silently clenched his fists, his nails digging deeply into his palms, his eyes brimming with resolve.

He could endure being beaten, and he could endure the pain, but the fact that Zhu Zhong had actually dared to lay a hand on A-Qian undeniably ignited the rage and hostility deep within his heart. After all, at such a hot-blooded age, how could he remain as calm as still water?

No one didn't want to Defy Fate, and no one was unwilling to mount a desperate counterattack. Seeing Li Fu's determination, a spark of hope ignited in the hearts of the others.

"Alright!! Brother Li! You can definitely do it!!" Han Dong punched the air heavily. "We'll go back and ruthlessly smack that kid Zhu Zhong in the face!"

The group supported Li Fu as they walked straight into the dilapidated Imperial Palace.

Associate Emperor Destinies didn't just exist in one Imperial Palace. Li Fu could sense that within this abandoned palace before him, there was a similar destiny. And this was perhaps his very last chance to turn the tables.

As the group ventured deeper, the interior of the Imperial Palace grew increasingly desolate...

Vegetation had withered and died, corpses littered the ground, and scorch marks still lingered on the walls. It was unknown which era of history this palace belonged to, but as they stepped inside, a profound sense of twilight and solitude washed over them.

Yet, this perfectly suited Li Fu's state of mind. He advanced step by step through the barrenness that nobody cared about. It was just unknown whether what awaited him was the hope of a comeback, or an even deeper despair.

Finally, he stepped into the empty grand hall.

"Brother Li..."

Upon seeing the cluster of Associate Emperor Destiny hovering above the throne, everyone turned to look at Li Fu simultaneously. Han Dong was just about to say something when Li Fu strode forward without the slightest hesitation.

He stepped onto the black stairs one by one, his eyes devoid of everything except for that cluster of Associate Emperor Destiny.

He was like a gambler forced into a corner, extending his hand to fate for the final time... and then using all his strength to grasp it in his fingertips!

His fingers gradually sank into the Associate Emperor Destiny, but as if blocked by something invisible, they were bounced back out. He gritted his teeth and tried again, the veins on his neck bulging one by one!

At the bottom of the stairs, the group had their hearts in their throats, their expressions incomparably tense.

Bang—!

A muffled thud came from the throne. Li Fu's body seemed to be swept away by an invisible force, plummeting directly from above and tumbling wretchedly onto the floor of the grand hall...

"Brother Li!"

Han Dong and the others immediately rushed forward and helped Li Fu up. The latter's forehead had already been gashed open from hitting the ground, and blood stained his cheeks, making for a shocking sight.

"Get lost!!"

Li Fu's eyes were bloodshot. He shoved the group away and stumbled as he charged toward the throne once more!

Bang—!!

A few seconds later, his body was sent flying backward again.

Everyone was somewhat stunned. They watched helplessly as Li Fu dashed toward the throne time and time again, only to be bounced away without exception. Their expressions shifted from initial shock, to pity, and then to numbness...

They had no idea how many times Li Fu had tried, only knowing that the Associate Emperor Destiny hadn't diminished in the slightest despite his efforts. The only proof of his struggle were the puddles of blood scattered across the grand hall's floor.

"Brother Li..."

"Leave me alone!"

"Brother Li!"

"..."

The youths who had run out with him watched Li Fu fall over and over again, and the spark of hope that had just ignited was completely extinguished... They exchanged glances, seeing the confusion and complex emotions in each other's eyes.

After a long silence, someone finally spoke up with hesitation,

"Brother Li... I still have my parents waiting for me at home. I'm the only child left in our family... I... I have to get out."

After being bounced away once more, Li Fu staggered as he tried to pick himself up from the ground, but due to a sharp pain in his ankle, he powerlessly slumped to his knees before the grand hall...

Perhaps it was from excessive exhaustion, or perhaps it was just too painful. Sweat streamed wildly down his cheeks, completely drenching the ends of his hair. He lowered his head, his weary eyes shooting a backward glance.

After a long while, he spoke in a hoarse voice,

"You guys can go... Whoever wants to leave, just leave."

Upon receiving this answer, the youths who had followed him all wavered. Gritting their teeth, they left the grand hall together, running back toward the direction of the battle between the two Emperors...

At the end of the day, they were just a bunch of kids who wanted to leave the Ancient Vault. Having previously received the grace of a meal from Li Fu, they had bravely stood up to bail him out just now. They didn't owe him anything. Now that Li Fu was destined to be unable to rise again, for the sake of their own lives, they had to seek other chances of survival.

Li Fu was well aware of this point in his heart.

Li Fu took a deep breath. After trying several times, he once again struggled to his feet. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Han Dong still standing to the side with a complex expression, and he asked in a deep voice,

"Han Dong, why haven't you left yet?"

"I..." Han Dong opened his mouth but didn't know how to reply.

"If it's because you pity me, there's absolutely no need." Li Fu staggered toward the throne again, speaking without looking back. "I did save you once, but you also saved me. We're square and even now... Are you sure you want to throw away your own life for a piece of trash like me?"

Han Dong fell into silence.

Li Fu ignored him further, instead continuing to walk toward the throne on his own.