"What should we do then?" the demoness exclaimed, her face filled with murderous intent. "If he really chooses that scoundrel, I'll destroy him!"
"Don't get excited, don't get excited. If Mu Yunhe chooses me directly, I'll feel sad and heartbroken. Look, we've only known each other for a few days. Although we have a special connection, if he really abandons Luo Zhiheng without hesitation because of his feelings and this connection, what's the difference between him and abandoning me? His ability to cut ties so quickly is irresponsible, selfish, and heartless. If Mu Yunhe really does that, how long can my relationship with him last?" Luo Zhiheng said softly with a smile.
Even the demones rarely showed the Bear King's simple, honest, and nearly agonizing expression: "Why is it so complicated? I don't understand. Does Master want Mu Yunhe to choose you, or that imposter?"
Luo Zhiheng shifted her posture, saying lazily, "You're fundamentally wrong. I can see that Mu Yunhe has absolutely no feelings for that vile person. Luo Ningshuang lost this battle from the very beginning and was excluded. This battle, from the start, was a duel between myself and myself, a contest between my choices and my past. So, no matter who Mu Yunhe chooses three days later, I'll be happy. Of course, I'd prefer to choose my past. Because that would show he's loyal and not heartless."
"Then he doesn't love you anymore, does he?" The enchantress's beautiful face was so conflicted that it almost crumpled into a ball.
"You're wrong again. Mu Yunhe doesn't not love me. He thinks he can't love anymore, that he has no love left. But that's just because the person he's been protecting for three years isn't me. He loves me, but not me. Even if we have the exact same face, he doesn't feel anything." Luo Zhiheng's smile deepened as she spoke.
She only recently finally understood Mu Yunhe's complicated feelings. What do you mean he doesn't understand love or can't love? Nonsense! It's just because the woman he loves has changed. Luo Ningshuang is a stranger to Mu Yunhe; how could he possibly love her?
"So, your feelings for each other are really deep. Even if she didn't recognize you, it would still be so strong that she wouldn't give this love to the wrong person!" The demon girl obviously understood as well, her face showing deep shock and intense envy.
"But Master, if Mu Yunhe really chooses that imposter as you guessed and thought three days later, then what if you don't want him anymore?" The demoness was very worried.
Luo Zhiheng narrowed her beautiful eyes and let out a few cold, eerie laughs: "How could that be! He's my man. I set the rules of the game. Everything I said and did was just to torment Mu Yunhe. I will never abandon him. Besides, how could I possibly give Mu Yunhe to that vicious bitch Luo Ningshuang!"
"That's good! But that vile woman Luo Ningshuang should be awake by now, and she must be in a lot of pain. That illusion has a special effect: even if the illusion disappears, it will still cause the person cast the spell to suffer unbearable pain, and no painkillers will work." The demoness smiled sinisterly, clearly loathing and hating Luo Ningshuang to death.
"What's a little pain? If I don't thoroughly torture Luo Ningshuang to the point of wishing she were dead, and let her taste the torment I suffered before, how can I let her go?" Her casual words were filled with deep hatred and murderous intent. Suddenly, her expression softened as she asked, "Which path did Mu Yunhe choose just now?"
The demoness said with an ambiguous expression, "You know him so well, don't you know which path he will choose? Tell me, what does that illusionary path really represent?"
Luo Zhiheng's smile deepened, and she said crisply, "Which path represents me? I am that extra path, full of unknown challenges and adventures, fraught with difficulties and dangers, and I may even lose my life. Choosing a familiar continent or choosing an unfamiliar path represents Mu Yunhe's heart. By choosing the path, he chose me. At that moment, his heart had already leaned towards me."
"Oh..." the demon girl drawled, looking at Luo Zhiheng, who wasn't shy at all.
"You should leave now, I need to rest for a while." Luo Zhiheng felt embarrassed by her gaze and impatiently shooed her away.
The enchanting woman swayed her slender waist and left with a smile. Luo Zhiheng looked at the ceiling above the bed, a smile spreading across her eyes as she thought about his kiss just now, and about the name Mu Yunhe had inadvertently uttered between his lips.
Perhaps he hadn't even noticed it himself, but he had already discovered her? His heart and soul had already recognized her? Otherwise, how could he have called out her name so casually?
Clutching the blanket, she was filled with joy and anticipation: "Yunhe, after I've made Luo Ningshuang experience the pain of being shattered to pieces, I hope you'll recognize me by then."
——
Mu Yunhe looked at Luo Ningshuang on the bed. She was still unconscious. He had heard that she had regained consciousness once before, but had fallen unconscious again due to pain.
He slowly approached her, sat on the edge of the bed, and looked at her eyes and mouth peeking out from under the bandages. Even though her face was disfigured, it was still exactly the same as in his memory. Mu Yunhe frowned, his gaze fixed on Luo Ningshuang's mouth, his expression almost frighteningly conflicted, his face showing struggle. Finally, he slowly leaned down, the movement appearing as if he wanted to kiss Luo Ningshuang!
But when his lips were only two inches away from Luo Ningshuang's, he suddenly stopped. At that moment, his eyes were filled with deep impatience and disgust!
He couldn't treat her the way he treated Ruilin! He couldn't even bring himself to give her a simple kiss! He had a strong feeling that kissing her would make him feel disgusted!
Startled by this thought, Mu Yunhe jumped up from beside Luo Ningshuang's bed, looking at her with some suspicion and uncertainty: "How could this be? I can't get close to her, I hate her!"
Thinking about it is one thing, but actually proving it is another. He didn't believe that he could stop loving Luo Zhiheng for no reason. He stubbornly approached Luo Ningshuang again, lowering his head time and time again. Each time he was about to kiss her, but each time he stopped himself at the crucial moment.
Mu Yunhe became depressed. Was this some kind of strange occurrence? The person in front of him was clearly Luo Zhiheng, yet he felt nothing for her. When he held Ruilin, he felt guilty, but more than that, he felt a deep joy and satisfaction. He couldn't control or extricate himself from his feelings for Ruilin, and his feelings for Luo Zhiheng were equally intense, an uncontrollable aversion and resistance.
The more he liked Ruilin, the more he disliked Luo Zhiheng.
Mu Yunhe almost cried. Was he showing signs of becoming a heartless man again? The Mu Yunhe of the past would obey Luo Zhiheng the moment she glared at him, and rush to her side with joy at her beckoning. If Luo Zhiheng was hurt or sad, he would be even more heartbroken and hurt than she was.
But now? This perfect man has turned into a heartless traitor!
Even if Luo Zhiheng weren't his wife yet, and even if she were truly disfigured, Mu Yunhe's love for her would never change, even if the seas dried up and the rocks crumbled. How did he manage to make things turn out this way?
Mu Yunhe despised himself time and time again, loathed himself time and time again, but the more he did this, the more he missed the alluring Ruilin with her golden mask. He even childishly threw the ruby ring Ruilin had given him far away, refusing to look at it, refusing to think about it, and even trying to forget it, hoping that this would make him forget that woman, Ruilin.
But damn it, he just can't forget Ruilin!
He clearly remembered putting the ring under his pillow. He couldn't help but walk over, take the ring out from under the pillow, and carefully caress and examine it, as if he could see Ruilin's bright and beautiful eyes. They were truly special eyes, so red and so pure. How could he have forgotten to ask her why her eyes were red?
Mu Yunhe was like a deeply conflicted child. Excluded from everyone, the pitch-black room mirrored his bedridden state just as it had been years before. He was enveloped in loneliness and darkness. Three years ago, Luo Zhiheng, a dazzling star, suddenly appeared, illuminating his bleak life. Now, more than three years later, Ruilin was there to accompany him, even if it was just a ruby ring that belonged to her.
"Who exactly are you? I know you so well, I can't resist you. The first day you appeared, I felt like you were the person I'd been staring at for ten thousand years. I don't dare tell you, I don't dare tell anyone. I don't know if I'm sick again. My eyes follow you around. I worry about you and get anxious for you. Even though we've only met a few times, all my feelings for you are so intense and natural. Where have we met before?"
"Who were you to me in my past life? I'm not the powerful Mu Yunhe, so I can't uncover your secrets, nor can I see my future or past. But I always feel that you're very important to me. Little thing, don't you think so? Your master is a very important person to me, right?"
Mu Yunhe lay alone on the bed, muttering to himself just like many years ago when he secretly looked at erotic pictures behind Luo Zhiheng's back. He rubbed the ring on his palm, his attitude as earnest as if he were confiding in a close friend. His eyes were bright and clear, and the ruby he had rubbed was clean and transparent, clearly reflecting his simple and pure face.
"But I can't remember who she is. Can you help me?" Mu Yunhe placed the ring on his heart, his gaze gradually becoming vacant.
Three days felt more unbearable to Mu Yunhe than the long and empty three years.
He paid no attention to anything outside, regardless of Luo Ningshuang's injuries, the progress of the investigation into the murderer, or Ruilin. He focused solely on carefully contemplating his future. Three days later, when he emerged from his room, shedding his rare childishness, he was once again the composed, reserved, and exceptionally handsome high priest.
However, the priest looked a bit downcast today. The stubble on his usually clean chin shone brightly, adding a touch of mature beauty.
Today, his gaze is deeper and more profound than ever before.
"Master, we still haven't found the culprit who harmed the Princess." After three years of training and tempering, Xiao Xizi had matured and become much more composed, but at this moment, even he couldn't help but turn pale and lower his head in guilt.
"It's alright, you can continue searching. I have a feeling that the murderer went south," Mu Yunhe said calmly and steadily.
He gave Xiao Xizi the wrong direction, saying he had a feeling, and Xiao Xizi happily believed him without a doubt. Mu Yunhe, however, felt guilty. Rui Lin was in the north, and he didn't want them to find any trace of him. Therefore, he could only apologize to the woman lying in bed.
Although he no longer loves her, and although he cannot give her an explanation and justice like Mu Yunhe once did, he will spend the rest of his life making amends for the mistakes Ruilin made.
Rui Lin hurt Luo Zhiheng because of jealousy. Mu Yunhe didn't want to scold Rui Lin, and he could only apologize for making Luo Zhiheng suffer. But his final choice should be enough to make up for Luo Zhiheng.
A sharp pain shot through his chest, and his throat was parched and aching. He looked up at the blue sea and sky, but Mu Yunhe's eyes could no longer stir up any storm or trace of emotion.
He was a diviner, and even though he was no longer the powerful Mu Yunhe of the past, his duty and conscience wouldn't allow him to do something as despicable as abandoning his wife and seeking a new love! Moreover, Luo Zhiheng's face was completely ruined, so he couldn't abandon her at this time.
So, Ruilin, I'm sorry.
So Ruilin, I can only keep this love buried in my heart!
The ruby ring in his palm will soon be completely sealed away by him! Just like his love for Ruilin, which can only be buried in the darkness.
First update! This chapter is a make-up update for the 5th. Today's update is 20,000 words, and there will be more updates later. This is yesterday's make-up update and today's update. They just fixed the fiber optic cable, so they were able to get online. Huasha didn't write much yesterday because she was really in a hurry. She will try her best to write more today, my darlings. Don't worry, I said I would make up for it, and I will. I just pray that my computer won't go black! Still asking for recommendation votes, comments, monthly tickets, and group kisses.
480 He was so scared by his wife that he lied! (Bonus chapter for comment #5, 36,500)
Updated: 2013-12-06 14:04:51 Word Count: 3480
"What exactly happened? Mu Yunhe, what can you do? Are you a piece of trash? You can't even protect Aheng! If you can't protect Aheng, then please let go and hand Aheng over to me!" An angry voice roared, deafeningly loud.
Xia Beisong rushed over with a livid face. He had arrived long ago and had been guarding Luo Ningshuang's bedside for the past three days, anxiously and tenderly watching over her. However, Mu Yunhe had not shown his face for three days, nor had he uttered a single word of concern, which made Xia Beisong extremely angry.
Is this the person Luo Zhiheng fell in love with? So heartless and ungrateful, what's there to miss?
For three years, Xia Beisong couldn't believe that Luo Zhiheng would fall in love with Mu Yunhe. They were childhood sweethearts, inseparable since they were little. He loved her so much, and she had promised to wait for him. But he never expected that what he would see on the battlefield was the sensational love story between Luo Zhiheng and Mu Yunhe.
Xia Beisong was almost ready to give up on his feelings and love for Luo Zhiheng. He had fought on the battlefield for three years without receiving a single letter or greeting from her. Although she had been unconscious for those three years, Luo Zhiheng was perfectly fine three years ago! But at that time, Luo Zhiheng was too busy having a romantic relationship with Mu Yunhe and had been neglecting him.
Sometimes Xia Beisong would think ironically to himself, "How could Luo Zhiheng not ignore me? She simply hasn't remembered me at all."
This is his cousin whom he has always deeply loved!
But he came back. He didn't see the deep love between Luo Zhiheng and Mu Yunhe that was said to be there. What he saw was Luo Zhiheng suffering and hardship, Mu Yunhe who didn't care about Luo Zhiheng at all, and Mu Yunhe's indifference and apathy.
How can this man be considered to truly love Luo Zhiheng? Why did those people spread such rumors? If it weren't for those rumors, how could he have almost given up on Luo Zhiheng?
Choosing Xia Beisong is absolutely certain; Luo Zhiheng will not be happy, even miserable! Mu Yunhe doesn't love Luo Zhiheng, nor can he give her happiness. Therefore, they shouldn't be together!
Looking at Mu Yunhe's indifferent face, Xia Beisong suddenly blurted out angrily, "Since you can't take care of Aheng and can't give Aheng happiness, then let Aheng go. I will care about Aheng more than you do. No, I will love and care for Aheng as my everything."
The moment he said that, everyone present changed their expressions.
Isn't this blatant robbery? In ancient times, men were very patriarchal; national and familial hatred, the loss of a wife or child—these were extremely serious and intolerable. Xia Beisong's words clearly indicate an intention to steal his wife.
Mu Yunhe coldly observed the extremely agitated Xia Beisong, feeling nothing whatsoever. A stunningly beautiful smile even curved his thin lips: "Want her? Can you afford her?"
The contemptuous attitude caused a flush to rise on Xia Beisong's handsome face. He struggled to control himself and didn't roar, but his breathing was very unsteady. Suddenly, he said coldly, "Mu Yunhe, you don't love Luo Zhiheng anymore, do you? You haven't shown the slightest bit of concern for Luo Zhiheng. You even value that barbarian chieftain more than Luo Zhiheng. Don't deny it, you've fallen for someone else!"
Despite being exposed, Mu Yunhe remained calm, his expression growing even colder: "Luo Zhiheng is my wife, for life! As long as she doesn't say she wants to leave me, I will not let her go."
Perhaps the complete Mu Yunhe would say, "I will never be separated from Aheng in this lifetime." But he wouldn't say that today. He has no feelings for that Luo Zhiheng; all he feels for her today is responsibility.
His love, before it even had a chance to blossom, was destined to wither and die. He was already deeply wronged, but he had to be strong and indifferent. And Ruilin? She would probably hate him to death. But he was a man, a man who should be responsible for his wife and family!
Xia Beisong's eyes flickered as he seized upon the loophole in Mu Yunhe's words: "You mean you'll let go as long as Aheng himself says he wants to leave you?"
"You have no right to discuss this with me." Mu Yunhe did not give a direct answer, but glanced at Xia Beisong with contempt before turning and leaving.
Enraged by Mu Yunhe's attitude, Xia Beisong completely lost his temper, strode after him, grabbed him, and amidst the gasps of the crowd, swung a punch at Mu Yunhe's face.
"Master!" Xiao Xizi and Xiao Yongzi were shocked and rushed over, but it was too late.
But Mu Yunhe wasn't really going to wait for Xia Beisong and his gang to come crashing down on him. He took a step back, his face cold and stern, and said in a low voice, "Xia Beisong, if you don't calm down, you're no longer welcome here. I'll have someone throw you out!"
As soon as Mu Yunhe finished speaking, several men in black suddenly appeared from all sides. They moved like the wind, without a trace, and their auras were powerful. They were clearly experts among experts.
Xia Beisong, however, was not afraid. He merely scoffed, "It's utterly ridiculous. With so many experts here, how could you have let Ah Heng get injured like that without even realizing it? How could you let those villains come and go so freely?"
"I have no obligation to explain to you," Mu Yunhe sneered.
The two were arguing fiercely when a servant came to report that the female chieftain of the barbarians had arrived. Xia Beisong immediately said coldly, "You don't open this place to your own people, but instead allow someone from a vassal state to come and go frequently. Mu Yunhe, don't go too far. If you break Aheng's heart, you won't be able to win her back even if you want to."
Mu Yunhe ignored Xia Beisong, but dared not face Luo Zhiheng. Caught in this dilemma, Luo Zhiheng swaggered over on her own.
"It's quite lively. I just entered the courtyard and heard people shouting inside. I thought there was a theatrical troupe celebrating something, but it turns out it's General Xia speaking." Luo Zhiheng said with a smile, offending almost everyone with her first words.
Their mistress was seriously injured, and this was the most oppressive and distressing time in the priest's mansion. How could she say anything about celebration? Was this woman an idiot? Or was she deliberately trying to provoke hatred?
"Hmph, barbarian chieftain, please have some self-respect! Isn't the Mu Dynasty different from yours? There are no etiquette or rules in the barbarian lands, and the people here aren't as casual as you are." Xia Beisong didn't even bother to look at Luo Zhiheng, coldly snorting as he began his lecture before leaving.
Luo Zhiheng wasn't angry. She smiled and looked at Mu Yunhe. The moment her eyes met Mu Yunhe's, she saw the guilt, evasion, and sorrow in his eyes. Luo Zhiheng's eyes flashed, and she understood Mu Yunhe's final choice.
She was satisfied, though somewhat disappointed, but mostly happy, at least she hadn't betrayed her basic morals and conscience for her new love.
But she feigned anticipation as she looked at Mu Yunhe's hand. When Mu Yunhe met her gaze, he instinctively hid his hand behind his back, his spine stiffening slightly. He knew why she had come today, and suddenly he didn't have the courage to let her know his choice. He didn't want to hurt her, not at all.
Luo Zhiheng pretended not to see and took two steps forward, her voice a little anxious and a little coquettish as she said, "Why are you hiding? Show it to me."
Mu Yunhe refused. He dared not look into her expectant gaze, dared not take his hand out. He could even imagine how disappointed and heartbroken she would be when she didn't see the ring on his finger. Perhaps, her resolute and clear-cut personality would even make her hate him!
He didn't want her to hate him!
"Why are you here?" Mu Yunhe took a few steps back without making a sound. He didn't want to reveal any of his emotions to her, not even a smile. But he still couldn't help but force a smile, even though it was a very forced one.