Keyboard Immortal

Chapter 2886: A Method to Return to the Past

Sweat rained down Zu An’s face. He hadn’t expected her to be listening to his thoughts. He hurriedly put a halt to his train of thought and respectfully apologized, “I was only able to glimpse at your radiance thanks to the great Eye of Truth you have bestowed upon me. It’d be my greatest honor if you permitted me a look at your complete divine vestige.”

“...Is that how you speak to Mi Li too?”

Zu An obediently kept his silence. He didn't dare to speak ill of Mi Li behind her back. It would also be blasphemy if he complimented another deity at a time like this, though he was probably the farthest thing in the world from a faithful worshiper.

“Enough. I’ll overlook your offense in view of your outstanding performance in the Order Ceremony.” The digits flickered.

“Your magnanimity overwhelms me, Deity of Memory.” Zu An took this chance to probe, “You seem to dislike the Deity of Annihilation as well, no?”

“I don’t like or dislike anyone. I am a faithful recorder of the Myriad Worlds. I don’t involve myself in the conflicts of other universal deities.”

“Last time, the great Deity of Memory clashed with the Deity of Annihilation in order to protect me. I am moved by your utmost compassion...” Zu An blabbed a ton of fawning words, though they did reflect how he truly felt.

The Mirror Scribes’ lack of presence signaled the style of the Memory path. They recorded events from the shadows and avoided contact with others, lest they cause ripples in history. But the Deity of Memory had overlooked his tampering with history and even clashed with Annihilation for his sake...

“Hmph. Even if I turned a blind eye to your plight, Mi Li would have protected you.” the Deity of Memory sneered, though she didn’t sound truly angry. Zu An’s bootlicking had worked.

Zu An wisely steered the conversation somewhere else. “O great Deity of Memory, wouldn’t Memory lose its significance if Annihilation destroyed everything and plunged the Myriad Worlds into stillness?”

A long silence awaited him. His heart skipped a beat. He was worried that his words were blasphemous.

Finally, the Deity of Memory replied, “Every universal deity has their own way of dealing with what’s to come. I’ll only know if my way works when the time comes.”

Zu An was surprised. “Is there something that even universal deities are unable to resolve?”

“It's not something you should concern yourself with,” the Deity of Memory replied coldly.

Zu An had wanted to ask about Order’s and Reproduction’s fates, but the frigidity in her voice made him swallow his words and he asked something else instead. “My two friends, Xie Daoyun and Suolun Shi, bask in Memory’s radiance as well. May I know how they're faring?”

The digits twinkled. “They're talented. They're undergoing their respective trials now.”

Zu An breathed a sigh of relief. It was enough for him to know that they were safe.

“They're all beautiful ladies. I think you’re more suited for Bliss and Desire.”

Zu An exclaimed in horror, “My loyalty lies with Memory!”

“You’re beating around the bush. You’re hesitant to ask about the method to travel across spacetime.”

Zu An’s heart shuddered. He quickly bowed. “I can’t hide anything from you.”

“Hand me the Nature Jade.”

Zu An carefully passed over the Nature Jade, which had turned into a stone. Light descended upon it and imbued it with a luster that flowed across its surface. It grew pristine and translucent, reverting to its original form.

Zu An was overjoyed. “The spirit of the past is eternally inscribed in flowing scrolls. I thank the revered Deity of Memory for bestowing me with everlasting Memory.”

The Deity of Memory continued, “This Nature Jade will allow you to travel across spacetime into the worlds you seek three times, but be warned that you may bring calamity upon yourself if you carelessly tamper with history.”

“I understand.” Zu An knew that this was Memory’s principle. His goal was only to visit the Goddess of Wu Mountain and the ancient Mermaid Queen. He wouldn’t interfere with anything else.

Sensing that the Deity of Memory was leaving, he hurriedly asked, “O great Deity of Memory, pardon my insolence, but may I ask about the location of the Great Yin Ruins?”

“Why are you looking for the Great Yin Ruins?” Meng sounded intrigued.

“I am seeking an ingredient. My investigation led me to the Great Yin Ruins,” Zu An replied carefully.

Meng was momentarily silent before replying, “You may run into them during your journey, but it’ll be up to fate.”

She vanished after leaving those words behind, leaving no room for Zu An to pose follow-up questions. He first confirmed that the Deity of Memory was truly gone before quickly accessing the Keyboard system and switching his title from ‘Love Sage’ to ‘Heaven Plunderer’. That would make him less vulnerable to universal deities from now on.

He had been too caught up with his conversation with Chu Chuyan and Isabella, to the point that he'd overlooked that. But when he thought about the Nature Jade and the lead to the Great Yin Ruins, his spirit immediately lifted.

Noticing Zu An’s irrepressible smile, Isabella asked, “What’s wrong, big brother Zu?”

“I just received an audience from the Deity of Memory and resolved a problem that has bothered me for a long time,” Zu An shared his joy.

“Congratulations, big brother Zu!” Isabella exclaimed. “You must be a blessed individual. Most people go about their lives without meeting a universal deity, but you're frequently granted audiences with them.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to meet the kind and adorable Bella if I wasn’t blessed.” Zu An felt more relaxed than before.

“Big brother Zu~” Isabella was embarrassed by his teasing.

Zu An gently embraced her. He felt as if he was about to explode from bliss.

Isabella felt nervous. If he takes things further, should I remain demure or let him act as he pleases?

But she soon realized that he had no such intention and breathed a sigh of relief. I was thinking too much. A gentleman like big brother Zu wouldn’t... It would be much better if we can do it after our official marriage.

The thought of that made her face turn completely red. She adjusted her body to snuggle in a more comfortable position against his chest. Just like that, the two of them cuddled on the sofa while looking at the starry sky outside. Sweet nothings flowed between them.

...

At midnight, Chu Chuyan snuck into Zu An’s room, hoping to see something exciting. She still vividly remembered how Isabella had walked in on them in the spaceship; it had made her so awkward that she considered burying herself on the spot.

But it turned out that the two had fallen asleep like that on the sofa! She felt both amused and maddened. When did Ah Zu become such a pure-hearted individual? But looking at Isabella’s sweet smile, she could see why he was hesitant to do anything to her. She placed a blanket over them before quietly leaving.

The following day, Isabella woke up in Zu An’s arms and felt a rush of embarrassment. She ignored Zu An’s invitation for breakfast and darted off. Along the way, she couldn’t help but notice unusual smiles on familiar faces. Even her maids were looking at her with gossipy eyes.

Zu An went straight to Aragorn to ask for Isabella’s hand in marriage.

Aragorn was rendered speechless. He'd wanted to use this matter as a bargaining chip against Zu An, only to learn that his daughter had spent the night in Zu An’s room. Word had already spread in the Conglomerate. To protect his daughter’s reputation, he had no choice but to agree to the wedding. Haa. No wonder they say daughters can’t be counted on.

After settling his marriage with Isabella, Zu An informed Chu Chuyan about his upcoming expedition into the Celestial Court world. Chu Chuyan was both astonished and happy for him. She wanted to accompany him. However, Zu An turned her down. As this matter involved traveling across spacetime, there was a risk that he could lose her there if a lapse occurred. That would become the greatest regret of his life, even if he rescued the other two.

Chu Chuyan weighed the pros and cons and didn’t insist on her stance. She was planning to return to the Cultivation World, but Isabella invited her to stay at the Conglomerate. In view of Isabella’s insistence and that it would be easier for her to raise her cultivation here, she decided to stay.

After settling everything, Zu An excitedly activated the Nature Jade. Yaoji, Suyin, I’m coming to get the two of you!