The situation changed. Just now, because of me, Jue was a bit hesitant, but now that he's unleashed his power, many people have already become the victims of his sword. In an instant, our side overwhelmingly won. I swung the Moonlight Sword, smelling the blood that had already filled the air, and my throat involuntarily tightened. I felt a little nauseous. I didn't want to, but it wasn't a matter of not wanting to; it was a necessity. If I had shown mercy, then I would have been the one lying on the ground. I didn't want to die, so I felt deeply guilty. Now, there was no time to think about these things.
The elders and their companions, weakened by their battle with Xingchen's guards and facing the combined forces of various gang leaders, were struggling, though not to the point of being completely defeated. Xuebin and Jing'er watched us anxiously. Jing'er felt terrible; her stomach churned, and she felt nauseous but couldn't vomit. Xuebin tried to shield her, but Jing'er pushed him away. She needed to adapt, for everyone's sake. She couldn't remain a naive girl confined to her chambers, oblivious to everything. She needed to become strong. The scene was overwhelming, and Jing'er couldn't take it anymore. She closed her eyes, but the shrill, piercing screams of various people still echoed in her ears.
Xuebin didn't know why Jing'er had changed, but he was worried and saddened by it. He only had this one sister, and he had always been unwilling to let her know that there was a dirty and dark side to the world, hoping that she would always keep her kind and pure heart. He didn't know if he was doing the right thing. Now, seeing Jing'er with her eyes closed, his heart felt like it was being cut by a knife. Xuebin reached out and hugged Jing'er, who was trembling slightly with her eyes closed, and whispered, "Don't look, Jing'er, brother will protect you. You will be alright." That's how the vow was made.
"Brother," Jing'er hugged Xuebin tightly. She was sorry, but she still couldn't accept it. People were dying one by one in front of her, and she couldn't accept it.
Countless martial artists died here. Jue and I were unharmed, but the elders were slashed several times. Seeing the corpses and blood on the ground, the martial artists felt a chill run down their spines, their palms sweating, and they stood frozen, afraid to move. Everyone was now sizing each other up. As for Gui Yao, needless to say, she had won a complete victory. Luo Ying lay on the ground, blood streaming down her chest, staring wide-eyed at Gui Yao as if she were looking at a terrifying monster. Gui Yao's face was cold; the blood of her own father stained her hands, so cold. In truth, Gui... Yao hesitated at this moment. She had come to kill him with hatred in her heart, but when he was about to die, she stopped herself. Her hands were ice cold, and the strength in her grip on the sword seemed to be fading, but she still refused to put down the sword. This man had killed her grandfather and made her mother lose her heart and mind because of him. He had never cared about love until her appearance made him realize that his heart could still be moved by a woman. But she was not his, and he had no regrets. He realized that love was not only about destruction, but also about no regrets.
After we stopped fighting, I stood next to Jue and heard the commotion from Gui Yao's side. I knew that it was the last moment, the most genuine moment in Gui Yao's heart. I knew he had hatred, but that hatred was different when it came to his father. That moment of obsession, that moment of choice, no matter what, was something he had to go through.
"Don't kill me!" Luo Ying pushed his already fragile body back slowly, but the sword was still pointed at him. He had no strength left, only a weak voice pleading sadly.
"If I don't kill you, how can I erase the sins you've committed? You have to bear the consequences of your own actions." Gui Yao's expression was blank, but his words revealed his agitation and the deep-seated hatred he had harbored since childhood. He wanted Gui Yao to pay the price for what Gui Yao had done.
"No, Master, let's talk this out. I don't know when I offended you." Luo Ying's expression became even more humble and her voice trembled even more when she heard the murderous intent in Gui Yao's tone.
"Haha, do you remember Xiao Yan?" Gui Yao, radiating a chilling aura, strolled leisurely towards Luo Ying and knelt down. His tone was indifferent, yet it deepened the fear in Luo Ying's heart. At this moment, Luo Ying felt that hell was far away from her. Hearing the familiar name, her eyes widened. What did he say? Xiao Yan? Why did he know Xiao Yan? Didn't Madam Jue say that Xiao Yan was a commoner? How could she know the master of Gui Manor? Wait, Luo Ying carefully examined Gui Yao and finally felt disheartened. So that's how it is. Haha, I, Luo Ying, who am usually so clever, have been so foolish for a moment. I actually believed Madam Jue's words without even checking. That face that looked like Xiao Yan's was clearly Xiao Yan's son. How come I only recognized him now?
"You...are my...child," Luo Ying uttered these words tremblingly. In his heart, he still had hope. How could a son kill his father? He felt that Gui Yao might spare his life. If he could escape, he would gather his forces, march on Gui Manor, and kill them. Then the position of Gui Manor Master would be his. So, Luo Ying was insatiable. Even though he was about to die at the hands of his own son, he was still thinking about how to seize his son's position.
"Shut up!" Gui Yao knew countless people. He had shouldered responsibilities since childhood and was more mature than other children. Seeing Luo Ying's calculating eyes and her playing the family card, he could no longer contain his anger. He plunged his sword into Gui Yao's chest and said, "Go and keep Grandpa company."
Luo Ying died, and Gui Yao's heart turned cold. He was too weak to look at Jue again. The sword cut away from the ground. At this moment, he could no longer think. He only wanted to go home and see his mother.
Jing'er didn't know what had happened inside, but she sensed the sorrowful aura emanating from Gui Yao as he left. She wanted to chase after him, but her brother grabbed her, and she could only watch him go. At that moment, she felt worried for him. Jing'er turned around and said, "Brother, I'm going to Ghost Manor."
Xuebin was unaware of Jing'er's relationship with Guiyao. Seeing the love in her eyes as she spoke, he hesitated, but since this was the first time Jing'er had asked him for something, he decided to agree.
Luo Ying's failure instilled even greater fear in those martial arts practitioners, but seeing Gui Yao leave brought them a sigh of relief. Perhaps losing a Gui Manor lord was good news for them.
I'm not too worried. From what I've heard, I feel like I'm in a strong position. It's just that Gui Yao's departure makes me very concerned. Hearing Jing'er's words confirmed my suspicions. It seems that Jing'er really likes Gui Yao.
They returned to stillness, with the elder standing behind Jue. I knew this, and I was actually very grateful to him because he had helped Jue a lot. At least in the current situation, his contribution was undeniable.
Five men in black suddenly appeared out of thin air, causing the martial arts practitioners to take a few steps back, their eyes fixed on them with even greater vigilance. The tense atmosphere made everyone overlook the cold laugh that came from the elder behind Jue.
Chapter 124
I was more sensitive than anyone else. I sensed the elder's sword coming at me, but it was too late. I turned around and took a step or two to block behind Jue. The sword pierced his stomach, and I felt the blood dripping to the ground. My strength gradually disappeared. At that moment, I suddenly felt like I was about to disappear.
Jue had sensed it too, but when he turned around, his eyes were filled with terror, his pupils turned crimson. The young girl in front of him had gone limp and fallen towards him. A feeling of suffocation surged into his heart, and his heart ached violently, almost to the point of numbness. The hand holding the woman hardened at this moment, staring intently at her gradually paling face. Jue felt as if everything around him was about to devour him, and endless darkness was looming over him. He forgot to speak, and simply held her.
Xue'er gradually... finally regained her voice, hoarse and deep.
Jue Lianren's pale lips pursed into a smile. At that moment, I smiled, like a snow lotus blooming on the edge of a snow-capped mountain. I was happy that I was able to protect him in the end. Sure enough, I protected him without hesitation in the end, even though I didn't know if what I did was unnecessary.
"Sister!" Jing'er's face was deathly pale, as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, a chill running from her heart to her toes. She dared not let her feet touch the ground, yet she quickly knelt beside me, tightly gripping my hand. She couldn't believe it. How could it be? The person who had just been joking with her was now lying on the ground. Her fingers trembled, her eyes widened as she shook her head, tears streaming down her face. She clutched Zixue's hand, crying, "No, it can't be, sister, sister!"
Xuebin was burning with rage, his teeth grinding together, his eyes flashing with an uncontrollable fury, like an enraged lion. He drew his sword from the guard and thrust it at the elder, but was blocked by the man in black. He couldn't reach the elder no matter what he did. Unable to vent his anger, he shot the sword at the elder, but it was knocked away by the man in black.
"I...I'm...okay." I knew their worries, and I couldn't bring myself to hold their hands.
The martial arts practitioners were dumbfounded. How did the scene turn out like this? They looked at each other and decided it was wise to stay out of it and let them fight amongst themselves. They slowly retreated with their swords in hand. In an instant, the bamboo forest returned to its tranquil state. Only the bloodstains on the bamboo leaves on the ground indicated that a bloodbath had just taken place.
Jue pulled out several bottles from his robes, his hands trembling slightly as he poured out pills and held them to Zixue's lips. "Xue'er, eat, eat quickly, you'll be alright."
I know my own physical condition and I know that Jue is a doctor, but I don't know if I can survive in modern times. Taking those pills would be a waste. But I don't want Jue to worry, so I put it in my mouth. But then blood welled up in my throat. I spat out the pill and the blood, and my chest was also stained with blood. Jing'er and Jue both cried out, but I felt like I couldn't hear them very clearly. I was a little dazed.
"No, sister!" Jing'er was even more frightened when she saw her sister vomiting blood. She held her sister's hand tightly, trying to ease her sister's pain.
Xuebin glanced at us, then closed her eyes in despair. After a while, she opened them, looked at Jue, and then stepped forward to pull Jing'er up. "Jing'er, let them talk." Even Xuebin felt that I had no hope.
"Hahaha," the elder laughed, his gaze sharp as he looked at me. "Zixue, you should have died. You should have died two years ago. However, I spared you because you are the Lord of the Moon Spirit, and the Moon Spirit is said to save lives. Did you think I would keep you alive until now? But now it seems none of that matters."
Hearing the elder's words, Jue laughed in a daze, a cold laugh. In a wave of frenzied heat and bone-chilling cold, his thick eyelashes drooped, obscuring his dark and ever-changing eyes. His clear, piercing gaze swept over the elders like an ice blade, making them feel that they would die here today. This feeling caused the elders and the men in black to take a few steps back inexplicably, looking at Jue in fear.
I sensed Jue's anger and chill. I reached out and gripped him even tighter. I didn't want him to ruin the plan because of me.
"How could this be?" At this moment, Xuanwu arrived with a large group of people, which was unexpected by the elder. He thought that Jue's subordinates in the Blood Tower had all been sent away. The arrival of Xuanwu and the others made the elder a little flustered.
"Miss" Xuanwu didn't approach me; she just stood there, because her mistress's fierce aura made them all afraid to get close.
"Jue, promise me, live well... live well..." I ignored everyone else and, with the last of my strength, said what I had always wanted to say. I felt like I was going to be a tragic woman for a moment, and I think this is what every lover hopes for their partner.
"Miss, aren't you the Lord of Moon Spirits?" Xuanwu actually knew this, but he didn't understand it because he had read books and knew that Moon Spirits could save his master's life once.
"Saving her is probably impossible; he used it all up that time." The elder's face was contorted with rage, and his words surprised everyone present. The elder had only just remembered Zi Xuebu's scheme, and it was wrong to take it all for granted. He vaguely knew the truth and was speaking it out to break Jue's spirit.
He absolutely refused to believe it. He didn't believe Xue'er was the Lord of the Moon Spirits. He didn't believe Xue'er had given him the only chance to save his life. He knew nothing about it. He felt powerless, his eyes were slightly wet, and the fear in his heart remained.
"Eyes, that's right, my sister's eyes, it was all your fault!" Although Jing'er didn't know anything, she was clever and could vaguely guess the truth. She remembered asking her sister why her eyes were like this before, because she still didn't believe the reason. Her sister said, "Ah, it was given to the person I love most." That person must be this Jiajue. Jing'er was very angry and glared at the man. He abandoned her sister but had her love and her eyes. He didn't deserve her sister at all. Now her sister was hurt because of him, which made Jing'er hate Jiajue even more.
Jue's face gradually paled, and he closed his eyes. In his mind, he saw the image of the beautiful girl in his arms. He realized that she had done so much, that he had always let her down, and that he had ultimately failed to protect her. He opened his eyes, and the sadness in them was about to overflow. The grief made him feel like he was suffocating.
Hearing the elder's words, I gave a bitter smile. In the end, he still found out that I did all this without expecting anything in return. It was all wishful thinking on my part. I was fortunate to have his love, but saddened not to. Was I going to die?
"You found out eventually, but this time I don't have another pair of eyes to save you." I still smiled; I didn't want to leave in tears.
"Don't talk nonsense, I will save you." This was the first time Jue had spoken so many words. His voice was firm and powerful, yet tinged with sorrow, and his tone seemed so pale and powerless in front of them.
"It's too late, you have to...live." My chest jolted, and I felt life slipping away rapidly. My dazed head became even heavier. I'm so tired, so tired. I'm leaving. You have to be okay. I hope you're okay. Suddenly, the hand holding Jue's loosened and fell to the ground. I knew nothing more after that.
Chapter 125
Jue's eyes were bloodshot, his burning gaze fixed on the pale face in his arms. He held her delicate hands tightly in his own. He still couldn't believe it. How could she leave like this? He had promised to protect her, but in the end, she was the one protecting him. The pain was deep in his bones, numbing him. He wanted to scream, but he couldn't utter a sound. He could only hold the woman he loved so dearly.
The hoarse, dark voice carrying a different kind of gloom in the quiet bamboo forest caused the elders to unconsciously retreat, their eyes filled with fear as they looked at Jue kneeling on the ground, embracing the woman. In their eyes, Jue was now a demon, a demon that wanted to devour their blood. The elder who had been so confident just moments before gasped, all that confidence vanished. A chill ran from his feet to his head, making him want to kneel down and beg for mercy.
A chilling atmosphere descended, a cold wind howled, and all the blood splattered in the air, creating a magnificent spectacle of blood rain.
The elders and those men in black fell to the ground, their necks severed. The splattered blood fell onto the bamboo leaves on the ground, staining them like maple leaves. The scene caused everyone present to gasp and freeze, their eyes wide with disbelief as they stared at the demon on the ground. A shadow fell over their hearts, a shadow cast by Jue.
"Xue'er, let's go back." A woman in red robes fluttered, her alluring figure gazing at the weak woman in her arms with doting eyes. With a fleeting glance, she uttered chilling words, "Find the divine healer Wuyou, or we'll fight to the death." After the woman in red passed by, everything returned to calm. The blood rain had taken away a wounded heart and a pair of bloodshot eyes.
Jing'er was terrified again, this time even more so than in the cabin. She never imagined this ruthless man could be so cruel and heartless. Facing the murderous intent, his eyes were fixed solely on his sister. The splattered blood made Jing'er tremble in Xue Bin's arms. It was far more terrifying than she had imagined. She had been too naive. The deaths in the cabin were nothing compared to the chaos of the martial world. Jing'er felt a pang of despair, but she quickly shook her head, rejecting this cowardly thought. Her love for her sister was unwavering. No matter what, she had to grow up and face the world. "Sister, Jing'er will pray for your safety. Sister, you promised to see Jing'er married, to see Jing'er happy. You can't break your promise. Jing'er will wait for you, wait for your return in good health." Tears streamed down Jing'er's face. She still couldn't believe that the sister who had been laughing and joking with her just moments before had vanished.
Xuebin knew the impact this scene would have on Jing'er, but he was powerless to stop it. It was all too fast, the chilling atmosphere was too swift, so fast that even he himself felt a sense of fear. By the time he thought of covering Jing'er's eyes, it was already too late. Seeing Jing'er's face hardening, Xuebin understood that the girl he had always protected in her infancy was growing up. He felt a pang of reluctance, but he knew that if she didn't grow up, he couldn't protect her forever. No one can stay a child forever.
"Brother, take me to Ghost Village," Jing'er replied firmly as she turned around. In her heart, she thought, "Sister, I will wait for you in Ghost Village. I will let you see my happiness. So sister, Jing'er will wait for you, forever and ever."
"Jing'er," Xuebin patted Jing'er's head tenderly and sighed. It seemed he couldn't change Jing'er's mind. Xuebin now knew about that Gui Yao, and it seemed Jing'er had also fallen into the whirlpool of love. Jing'er needed to be tempered, and no matter the outcome, as her brother, he would do his best to protect her.
"Let's go..."
Dust to dust, ashes to ashes, under the moon in Chang'an, on the peony blossoms.
Dust to dust, ashes to ashes, south of the South, time is endless.
The pavilions and terraces stand empty, surrounded by a few green hills.
The rouge of parting lovers, the withered flowers in a few places.
When burying the flowers, the rising smoke paints the scene with the colors of spring.
Where I gaze, the flowers are withered and faded, and the fleeting light is easily broken.
Five years later, orioles sing, maple leaves flutter down, and frost-covered leaves are redder than February flowers. In the woods, there is a small wooden house, low and hidden among the maple trees, as if it has blended into one with the forest. The clear voices of children come from the small wooden house, laughing and joking.
In the maple forest, the bushes parted, and a child's head peeked out. It was a girl, wearing a white, floor-length dress with pink floral embroidery on the wide hem. A long, flowing purple silk sash hung from her arm, and her fair skin was like a freshly peeled egg. Her large, bright eyes seemed to speak volumes, and her small red lips stood out against her white skin. A pair of dimples were evenly distributed on both sides of her cheeks. When she smiled gently, the dimples appeared and disappeared on her cheeks, making her as cute as a fairy.
"Mother's" silvery voice carried a unique kind of coquettishness, and her soft, sweet words made one want to hug her.
"Ding-dong, ding-dong," she said, dressed in a light blue long dress embroidered with white plum blossoms, her slender waist cinched by a white brocade belt. Her dark hair was styled into a simple bun, adorned only with a single white jade plum blossom hairpin. Though simple, her attire exuded a fresh elegance, a gentle charm tinged with a hint of allure.
When the girl smiled, her lips resembled a serene crescent moon, and her voice was as melodious as a nightingale's song. Her bright, watery eyes were fixed on the serene woman who was slowly walking towards her.
"Where are you going? If your father finds out, he'll scold you again." The woman squatted down slightly, her finger gently tapping the little girl's nose. Her coquettish tone made the child unconsciously raise her nose. The woman took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the little girl's nose, her faint smile dazzling the surrounding scenery.
"Hmph, Daddy always bullies Dangdang. Mommy, Dangdang is very good." She pouted, her big, bright eyes sparkling. Her features were charming, and her fair skin made her even more adorable. She reached out her small, tender hand and curiously touched the woman's belly.
"You," the woman shook her head. If you looked closely, you could see that her abdomen was slightly protruding, clearly indicating that a small life was growing inside.
The sound was magnetic, like that of a violin.
The little girl shrank back at the sound, immediately pulled her hands behind her back, and looked at the man with innocent, wide eyes, saying, "Daddy, Dang'er is a good girl."
Chapter 126
"Xue'er" wore a pale yellow robe with gold trim, like a flawless piece of jade cast into a beautiful woman. Even standing there quietly, she possessed a unique and extraordinary charm, giving people a sense of nobility and elegance. Her fair and smooth face revealed a sharp and cold handsomeness; her dark and deep eyes shone with a captivating luster; her thick eyebrows, high nose, and exquisitely shaped lips all proclaimed nobility and elegance. Her deep eyes softened as she looked at the woman before her. Reaching out to pick up his naughty daughter, he felt genuinely happy. Whenever he recalled that time, he couldn't help but hold the woman before him tightly, afraid that it was a dream.
"Absolutely," I turned back and smiled slightly, but sadly, my eyes were still empty, which made Absolute cherish her even more, wishing he could gouge his own eyes out of her.
"Daddy, Mommy's tummy, little brother!" The little girl, clearly excited by the hug, was happy that her father hadn't been punished for letting her mother come out to find her.
"Dang'er, have you forgotten what Daddy said?" Jue looked down at the little girl in his arms who had changed the subject, his face stern, but you could see the doting in his eyes.
"Daddy is so stingy, I know, Dang'er won't let Mommy look for me anymore!" Dingdang twisted off her father's lap, ran to her mother's side, made a face at her father, then ran behind her mother, grabbed her mother's skirt, and peeked at her father. She knew, she knew from birth, that her father had taught her martial arts since she was little, in order to protect her mother. She didn't know why her mother was blind, but she could feel that her father cared a lot about her mother's eyes, holding her in his hands and protecting her. She couldn't even make her mother angry, otherwise her father would punish her severely. But Dang'er knew that she had made up her mind long ago to protect her mother and not let her mother be sad.
"Alright, Jue, it's okay." I bent down and picked up Dang'er. I knew how nervous Jue was. Not being able to see what her child looked like was always a pain in her heart. But she knew that her child with Jue would be wonderful. She knew from Jing'er and the others how adorable her baby was, and they all wanted to be her godparents. She was happy now, so she didn't want to ask for anything more. This was enough. Living happily with her beloved and her child was the greatest happiness in her life. Thinking about what happened after I woke up, I realized that I didn't have time to waste. Fortunately, Xuanqin found the divine doctor Wuyou, who pulled me back from the brink of death. However, the divine doctor Wuyou couldn't cure my eyes. I was able to accept it, but from then on, Jue took care of me every step of the way and told me all about his life.
It turns out that Jue's father was the former leader of the martial arts alliance, but he was murdered by the Empress Dowager of Xing Kingdom and Chen Kingdom, along with the current leader of the martial arts alliance. All 130-plus members of the Mo family were killed. Fortunately, Jue's father had a good steward who saved Jue. Jue established the Blood Tower to avenge his father's death. As for Xue'er, she was the steward's daughter. Jue and Xue'er only had a brother-sister relationship. He had used her to protect her before, but now he ruined his original plan for me. He decisively killed the leader of the martial arts alliance, causing a stir in the martial arts world. Unfortunately, the Empress Dowager of Xing Kingdom escaped. The Empress Dowager of Xing Kingdom actually colluded with Luo Ying and spread the news that I was the Lord of Yue Ling in the martial arts world. She wanted to kill me to make Jue suffer. Everything is a cycle of cause and effect. The Empress Dowager of Xing Kingdom was killed by Xing Chen, and Xing Chen also gained control of Xing Kingdom. The condition for not disturbing me and Jue was that the Blood Tower was not allowed to interfere in this matter. Due to the betrayal of the elders, the remnants of the elders in the Blood Tower were also wiped out by Jue. Everything happened so fast, yet everything also happened so slowly.
"Let me hold her." Jue was really startled when he saw Xue'er pick up Dang'er. He quickly took Dang'er from her arms, and Dang'er obediently let her father hold her.
"Just hold him for a little while, it'll be fine." I found it a bit funny that he was so flustered. I remember when Dang'er was first born, he was terrified. Xuanwu and the others were also frightened by their master. With that silly grin, Lengtian and the others rubbed their eyes desperately, refusing to admit that this silly boy was their master. He was absolutely doting on me. Otherwise, he wouldn't even let me take his little handkerchief when I got out of bed. I was both amused and exasperated by his antics and could only let him be. This time, it wasn't as exaggerated, but my level of nervousness hadn't decreased. I was a little helpless.
"Dang'er, you're being naughty again!" Jing'er's voice rang out from behind. She was heavily pregnant, hands on her hips, walking briskly. She herself didn't seem to care, but it terrified Gui Yao, who was standing next to her. "Can't you walk a little faster with that big belly? Who are you trying to fight?"
"Jing'er, don't run, slow down!" Gui Yao stretched out her hands to block Jing'er from the front and back, afraid that the girl might jump and lose the baby in her excitement.
"Go away! You're always following me around, it's so annoying, go away!" Jing'er said impatiently, but the corners of her mouth curled up, revealing that she liked Gui Yao's behavior. However, she had worked very hard to win him over back then, but that guy took advantage of her and ignored her like a princess, even acting like a lord. It made her so angry that she became a tigress after marriage.
"Alright, alright, be careful," Gui Yao said helplessly. He hadn't expected this girl to be so petty. She had been giving him attitude ever since they got married, and it had gotten even worse after they had a child. He didn't dare to scold her, so he just let her have her way. She knew when to stop, and sometimes she was quite cute when she got angry.
"Auntie, be shy!" Dingdang scratched her cheek and made a face at Jing'er. This Aunt Jing was more protective of her mother than her father was. Sometimes she even competed with her father for his affection, which made her father jealous and take it out on her.
"You little brat!" Jing'er reached out and quickly walked over, wanting to pinch Dingdang's cheek. Dingdang quickly jumped off her father and ran into the maple forest, shouting, "The tigress is roaring! The tigress is roaring!"
A cheerful sound rang in my ears, and I laughed along. Jue reached out and hugged me. I leaned against Jue's chest and thought: I am very happy in this life.