Bengtie: My death fueled their madness.

When the spacecraft arrived at the preset coordinates, the hatch opened, and Ruan Mei stood at the top of the gangway, looking down at the snow scene below, when she suddenly froze.

Returning to her old home after several Amber Ages, she thought her home no longer existed.

Ordinary buildings that are uninhabited and unmaintained simply cannot withstand the erosion of time.

But now, the home is still there.

It stands silently in the wind and snow, clearly visible from a high place.

Not far away, there was a bamboo hut.

After double-checking the latitude and longitude of the mailing address, Ruan Mei confirmed that the bamboo house was indeed Qi Zhimu's current residence.

He didn't move into her house... huh?

That is……

Through the rustling snow, Ruan Mei's gaze locked onto a moving figure in the courtyard.

Although they hadn't seen each other for six hundred years, and although from this distance, the person was just a tiny black dot.

But she recognized him at a glance—her student, Qi Zhimu.

The spacecraft began its smooth descent.

The lower the altitude, the more things you can see clearly.

She discovered that the mountain path leading to her home, which stretched from the banks of the Togetsu River, was quite conspicuous even when covered in ice and snow.

Along the way, the branches of the tall trees showed obvious signs of pruning.

Was it trimmed by Amu?

The spaceship eventually landed on an open space not far from the front of the house.

As her feet touched her homeland once more, a flicker of emotion finally crossed Ruan Mei's usually composed and refined face.

Before we knew it, several Amber Ages had passed.

Unfortunately, she still couldn't achieve her initial goal of bringing back her loved ones and the family she loved.

Ruan Mei stopped in front of her house.

"Energy lock?"

She sensed the special barrier enveloping the entire residence, which was currently closed.

It's obvious without even thinking that it was done by one of their own students.

Stepping across the threshold and looking around at the familiar layout of the house, memories that had long been eroded and blurred by time gradually become clear again.

I heard the sound of snow being swept coming from the backyard.

Ruan Mei did not call out, but walked naturally through the sandalwood corridor and saw that familiar figure.

"Ah..."

Before the word "Mu" had even left his lips, a look of doubt crossed his face.

That wasn't his student, Qi Zhimu.

The reason it feels familiar is that for nearly six hundred years, there has been a figure who has been by her side day and night, taking care of her daily life in place of the departed student.

At the same time, as Ruan Mei spoke, the mechanical puppet turned around.

Their eyes met, but their gazes were completely different.

"Ms. Ruan Mei, hello! After hundreds of years, you have finally returned."

Ruan Mei did not see any trace of scanning in the doll's eyes; she only saw herself for a fleeting moment before her identity was confirmed.

"I am Qi Zhimu's creation, a mechanical puppet powered by his memories and acting in accordance with meta-instructions."

"Um."

Ruan Mei was not surprised.

Although he didn't teach Qi Zhimu how to make the mechanical doll, he had seen the original design blueprint, so it wasn't surprising that he could make it.

Having a doll around can save a lot of unnecessary time.

"Where are the Amurs?"

Like Yu Qingtu back then, Ruan Mei is currently unaware of anything.

She calmly inquired about the students' whereabouts, never expecting—

The doll's next words shattered her centuries-old composure.

"Ms. Ruan Mei, Qi Zhimu has passed away and will soon turn 489."

"..."

What did it just say?

Ruan Mei stood frozen in the courtyard, her eyes gradually welling up with emotions she had never felt before.

It says...Amu is dead?

…impossible!

He will soon be 489…489…

Thinking of a certain possibility, Ruan Mei suddenly lost her composure.

Qi Zhimu was 64 years old when she completed her apprenticeship, and she confirmed her lifespan at the time, saying she would live to be 175.

His lifespan ended exactly 111 years after he completed his apprenticeship, plus the number 489... 600.

In other words, he did not use any methods to extend his lifespan!

"Why... why did you have to let me down too..."

Ruan Mei murmured softly, a shadow falling over her face.

"I told you we'd meet again after the research was finished, why didn't you listen...?"

Ruan Mei unconsciously searched for reasons to explain Qi Zhimu's situation.

Perhaps... it was an accident?

Her heart, which was about to descend into chaos, still clung to a last sliver of hope.

"Amu died in an accident, right? Tell me, who did it?"

Ruan Mei stared intently at the doll.

The doll was not equipped with an emotion simulation system, and when Ruan Mei asked, it answered in a completely emotionless tone.

"Qi Zhimu did not die accidentally, but passed away naturally when his lifespan was up. According to the emotional reading, we can conclude that he passed away peacefully and calmly."

"..."

Ruan Mei instinctively stepped back, her steps even becoming somewhat unsteady.

Just then, the puppet stepped forward and made almost the same gesture as when it met Yu Qingtu many years ago.

It opened its chest cavity and reached into the folded space inside to take out the food storage container.

"This is the only item Qi Zhimu left for you before his death, but unfortunately it only has a shelf life of 150 years."

Ruan Mei's gaze fell on the open food storage container.

There was only a plate of familiar-looking pastries.

From the outside, there were no signs of spoilage.

She took the box, picked up a piece, and brought it close to her nose.

The plum blossoms still retain their unique, refreshing fragrance, showing no signs of spoilage.

But at this moment, she had no mood to taste it, much less to examine it further.

"What else did Amu say...?"

"He didn't say anything."

Upon hearing this, Ruan Mei subconsciously pursed her lower lip, a look of disappointment flashing across her face that she herself did not even realize.

I wanted to question why they didn't even leave a word for the teacher before leaving.

But then she remembered that she had told Amu not to bother her anymore.

After completing his apprenticeship, apart from the plum blossom wine he received every year, he never wrote a single letter.

The remarks section on the shipping label is always blank.

From what angle does she have to criticize Amu?

…etc--

Yes, plum blossom wine!!!

Ruan Mei recalled that the plum blossom wine was still being sent on time this year, with the same flavor as always.

If Amu has been dead for many years, where did all this wine come from?

Several possibilities quickly came to mind.

The first reason is that Qi Zhimu is still alive.

The truth she dared not think about most was related to the mechanical doll in front of her...

"Tell me, what are the meta-instructions that Amu set in your core?"

The doll's answer:

"1. We regularly cultivate plum groves, harvest plum blossoms, and brew wine according to a pre-set procedure. Finally, we will send you the finished product after three years."

2. Regularly maintain your home and bamboo house, and clean them daily.

"3. Regularly trim the vegetation along the mountain path that starts from the Togetsu River and leads to your doorstep."

"4. Apart from the above-mentioned schedule, I will remain at your doorstep and activate the security mode to prevent any situation that may cause damage to your residence."

Each emotionless reply left Ruan Mei with mixed feelings.

The possibility she least wanted to believe eventually came true.

Why did Amu do this?

"No relevant information found in the database, unable to answer."