Chapter 72: Cruelty

"Wow—when did you come over?" I stared dumbfounded at Mo Yan standing beside me, his dark skin faintly shimmering in the sunlight, his face blankly simple with no expression of rise or fall.

Strange! What exactly is the medicine they smeared on the wound? In the few days after applying it, my internal force and spiritual sense were completely unusable.

He bowed slightly, grinned to reveal two rows of white teeth, and said lightly, "When the young master steps out, the subordinate will come in."

"Xiao Ruo, are you going back?"

"Mm, okay." Having lain here so long alone was rather boring. I lifted the blanket off my body, pulled a nearby cloak over myself, and slowly stood up, leaning on the chair back.

When I saw him come to help me, I smiled and said, "No need, I've gotten used to the pain of the three applications of the medicine. Besides, after lying so long, I'm still afraid my muscles… my limbs won't obey."

As I expected, the first few steps were indeed arduous, but later it went much smoother; as for speed, I prefer not to mention it. Still, credit to Mo Yan for staying calmly behind me without agitation.

"Xiao Ruo, walk along this corridor; although the route is a bit longer, there are places to hold onto along the way."

"Thank you!" I exhaled, looked up and smiled gratefully. It seems this person appears foolish on the outside, but is actually quite attentive.

Mo Yan merely smiled faintly at the words, and continued silently following behind me.

"Ah—" A mournful cry suddenly rang in my ears, followed by a faint sob.

I froze for a moment, turned to glance at Mo Yan's unchanged expression, furrowed my brows slightly, and walked toward the direction the sound came from.

"Xiao Ruo…" Mo Yan stepped two paces ahead, blocking me, his face showing unease.

I pursed my lips, skirted around him, and kept moving forward.

Sigh! Lately it's been unbearably boring, causing me to completely forget the ancient proverb—curiosity killed the cat.

From the outside, this Great Hall resembles the place where I first reunited with Qi Ran and was nearly killed. A bitter smile curled my lips; does Qi Ran especially enjoy using such places for executions? Isn't that… a bit too extravagant and overtly righteous?

I don't know if it's because my body has been too frail these days, or because I haven't seen blood in ages, but when I unpreparedly gazed at the hall strewn with corpses and blood splattered seven paces… cough… okay, I admit I exaggerated… the sight made my chest churn with uncontrollable nausea.

There were actually few people in the hall; seated at the head was Qi Ran, with two black‑clad men standing on each side. Above them, two people sat leisurely: Bai Shengyi and Wen Ruobin.

In the center of the hall lay two bodies. One was a stranger, scarred all over, one could imagine he had endured severe punishment before death. The other was someone I knew, standing beside Yin Tianxue, a maid named Cui Er.

The sobbing came from Yin Tianxue and Hong Er; she was a mess, kneeling and prostrated on the ground, her flawless makeup washed away by tears, and her eyes looking at Qi Ran were filled with fear, sorrow, and despair.

Kneeling beside them, trembling, was another person—familiar features, a web of scars, a frail posture that seemed ready to faint at any moment… but who is it if not Shui Lian Yue?

But none of these were what shocked me the most.

In the center of the hall stood a person—actually a child—whose slender hand clutched a blood‑dripping longsword, trembling uncontrollably. His pale, delicate face was smeared with a few crimson, seductive drops of blood; long lashes hung down, obscuring the twin gold‑silver irises… Yes! That person was Xiao Chi, only ten years old.

The glimpse was fleeting, just a hurried glance, so fast… barely a second.

Qi Ran seemed to sense something; his gaze suddenly flicked toward me, and then—his previously indifferent, cold face froze, the only blue eyes visible beyond the crescent‑shaped mask gradually shifting from mocking sarcasm to boundless panic and fear.

Suddenly a darkness blossomed before my eyes, shadows spreading like a blanket; the next second, a tall, lanky figure stood before me, gripping my shoulders tightly, shouting angrily, "What are you doing here?!"

"Who told you to bring her here?!" Qi Ran's gaze passed over me and roared at Mo Yan behind him.

"It hurts!" I moaned softly. Qi Ran jolted, slowly released his grip, his blue eyes rippling with helpless panic, which pained my heart.

I extended my cold, sweaty hand, brushed his equally cold palm, about to clasp it, when a youthful, trembling voice rang out from the hall's center.

"Miss?"

My whole body jolted as I looked at that familiar, delicate young face, its eyes unusually bright, filled with hope and disbelief, staring at me; the pupils were black yet faintly silver‑tinged.

"Xin Luo?!" I let go of Qi Ran's hand, staggered forward a few steps, "You're Xin Luo?!"

"Miss!!" Xin Luo shouted and lunged into my arms, striking my chest wound so it burst open, blood spilling, the pain nearly collapsing me. Xin Luo clutched my waist tightly, like a child who, after great grievance, suddenly sees a loved one, crying loudly, "Waa… Miss… Miss! So scary… Xin Luo misses you so much!"

"Xin Luo, be good, don't be afraid! Don't be afraid…" I leaned on Xin Luo, weakly stroking his hair; for a moment I saw the blood‑dripping sword and snarling corpses, my mind churned like boiling oil, and all I could do was mutter repeatedly this phrase.

"Xiao Ruo," a pair of clear, slender hands slipped around from behind, stopping before my eyes as if to cover them, paused, then instead grasped my shoulder gently and carefully, "The wound has split open; let's go back…"

Qi Ran and I had an agreement: in front of outsiders, he still calls me Xiao Ruo. After all, the name Shui Bingyi means nothing to others, but to those of the Ice Clan it signifies—death without mercy.

"What's going on?" I turned to Qi Ran, bewildered, not knowing what expression I wore, "…what's happening? Why… make Xin Luo kill people?"

No! I'm not questioning Qi Ran; he must have his reasons. It's just…

"Xiao Ruo—" The hem of the cloak was suddenly yanked, Hong Er rolled and crawled to my side, crying hoarsely and sharply, "Please beg the young master for me, spare my princess!"

Yin Tianxue knelt not far away, her face a mix of shock and bewilderment as she stared at me, then turned to look at Shui Lian Yue.

During the period when I hadn't recognized Qi Ran, I avoided Yin Tianxue and Shui Lian Yue, but couldn't avoid Hong Er and Cui Er; they often came to the Imperial Hospital for medicine and consultations. I wasn't close to them, yet they were somewhat familiar faces.

I twitched the corner of my mouth; I'm probably weak enough now, aren't I? Yet now there's one on my shoulder, one hanging at my waist, another clutched at my feet, and I wonder what scene the onlookers see in my eyes.

Speaking of onlookers, my gaze naturally drifted forward; Shui Lian Yue's scar‑covered face tilted slightly upward, facing me. That face is very familiar to me; the most striking feature of her disfigurement is the pair of eyes faintly glowing amber.

And now, those eyes fixed on my body, my face, and behind me… surprise, shock, disbelief, and a host of complex, unspeakable emotions—are these what she intends to convey?

If she truly is Lan Yingruo… I forced a bitter smile, having taken her identity, destroyed her nation, killed her father, and possibly indirectly ruined her appearance; all those debts fall on me.

The killing intent suddenly spread.

Suddenly darkness fell before my eyes, a warm sensation on my eyelids, then the pressure on my shoulder vanished completely.

There was no shouting for help, not even a wail, yet the cloak on my body was yanked, tearing my neck away from my body. Icy air mixed with the sweet scent of blood seeped through the thin clothing into my skin, into my heart.

In my ears I heard a cold snort, a sigh, a gasp of cold air, then the sound of wailing cries and my heavy heartbeat.

My body lightened, and I was enveloped in a warm embrace, darkness before me. His voice remained as gently as always, "It's okay, let's go back." His breath was as warm as usual, yet I felt bone‑deep cold.

"Miss—" I heard Xin Luo's low, trembling voice receding farther away.

Qi Ran…

Why does my chest hurt? I'm clearly already in his arms. But… do we truly love each other? Really… love each other?

"Qi Ran, put me down first." I was surprised by my own voice, still so calm and composed.

Qi Ran's steps paused briefly, then continued forward.

"Qi Ran," I sat up straight, gazed toward the hall behind, my unruffled eyes landing on him, quietly saying, "Put me… down!"

Qi Ran jolted, his thin lips stubbornly pressed together, then his hand sank down, covering my sight, and he kept walking outward.

When the steps were bound by memories…

I don't want to become small, losing myself.

It feels like someone put me in a pocket—no sky.

I was silently singing that song whose lyrics I couldn't remember, when suddenly I clenched my teeth and shoved hard, my body tumbling over……

"Bang——" a sound rang beside my ear; I keenly felt the intense pain coming from my chest, so painful I almost fainted. I gave a wry smile in my heart, accustomed to great winds and waves, not worth making a fuss over—compared to the agony of blood-worms devouring the heart, this could only be considered trivial.

"Miss!!" Xin Luo shouted, rushing toward me. But suddenly his face showed fear, and he slowly came to a halt.

I know what he's afraid of; in the Snow Pear Garden I've certainly seen Qiran angry before.

I pushed myself up with my weak body, not looking at Qiran's face, and staggered step by step toward Xin Luo.

"Miss..." Xin Luo glanced at Qiran behind me, then sprinted over to support me; tears poured from his silver‑glinting eyes, "Miss, you've lost so much blood!"

"Xin Luo, I'm fine." I gave a weak smile, "How about you? Want to come with me? I'll take you to see Xinhui……"

Upon hearing Xinhui's name, Xin Luo didn't feel pleased; instead he trembled even more, clinging to me and wailing: "No sister…… Xin Luo hates sisters the most! Woo—— Miss, don't abandon Xin Luo like a sister would, woo……"

A sour ache rose in my chest; I embraced him and whispered softly: "Sorry! Sorry, Xin Luo, I won't leave you again……"

Before I could finish speaking, my body was violently flung out, chest pain tearing like a rip. I saw Bai Shengyi's bewitching smile, the hatred etched into his bones, and Xin Luo hoisted by the neck with one hand, able only to stare wide‑eyed as he struggled in midair.

But as expected, I didn't fall to the ground; instead I landed in a warm embrace. I knew deep down that no matter the circumstance, he would protect me from harm. This—was Qiran!

But Qiran, your gentleness is yours, your cruelty…… is also yours! Do you even understand?

I didn't turn back, straining to break free from his hold, but I couldn't. I could feel his hands gripping my arms trembling, crystal‑pale, and faintly see the fine blood vessels and bulging veins beneath his skin.

Bai Shengyi sealed Xin Luo's acupoint, then tossed him aside like a rag, curling his lips into an evil, cold smile and said: "Lan Yingruo, what do you think this place is? Do you think you can just say you're taking someone away and actually do it?"

"Ah——" Shuilian Yue let out a startled cry, her slender index finger pointing at me; as her pallid lips kept trembling, the shock in her eyes grew stronger, gradually turning into anguish.

I returned a wry smile, looked away, and met Bai Shengyi's eyes, cold as a deep pool. Those eyes had once made me break out in cold sweat from fear, and they still do. But……

The medicine applied to my chest merely sinks my internal energy into the dantian to store it; when circulated, it causes pain all over the body, but it is certainly not unusable.

I was thinking of Qiran, and I didn't expect this either. So when I forcibly circulated the twelve‑cycle internal breath and broke free from his grasp, he actually couldn't stop me in time.

My body was stained with blood, weak as a willow in the wind, swaying on the verge of collapse, yet I coldly stared at Bai Shengyi and said: "Since you can't just take me away, can I… seize you?"

I know Bai Shengyi's strength is unfathomable; with my meager cultivation I could never defeat him. Still, I will gamble, betting on his contempt for me and a moment's hesitation when facing Qiran!

My meridians ached as if bursting, drenching my whole body in cold sweat, the pain muddling my consciousness—but I was perfectly aware of what I was doing.

My stance swayed slightly; I saw Bai Shengyi's face reveal a contemptuous cold smile. Good! I likewise smirked inwardly, then without hesitation drew the silk thread from my hand……

"Bang——" a huge roar echoed through the great hall even before I and Bai Shengyi clashed.

I could only glimpse Bai Shengyi letting out a muffled grunt, flying backward until he struck the hall's pillar. Immediately after, I fell into a scorching, rigid embrace, enveloped by a fury and dread that filled heaven and earth, clutching me so tightly it seemed it would crush my bones to dust.

"How dare you use internal energy! You——do you even know what the consequences will be?!'' Qiran seized my body, roaring furiously; his eyes held not a trace of azure, only—crimson red, as if about to burn everything to ash.

"I've always been this kind of person." I said quietly, head bowed, my body too weak to stand without his support—"willful, selfish, able to kill strangers without hesitation."

"This past year……" I slowly lifted my head, gazing at him unwaveringly, the corner of my mouth tinged with blood forming a faint smile, like a brilliant yet sorrowful flower—"this year, my body has long borne heavy sins, my hands already stained with blood that won't wash away. Qiran, did you hear me clearly?"

A year—neither long nor short—has changed not just you, but me as well!

Qiran hastily averted his gaze, tightly encircling me, and barked: "Guards! Lock the princess in the Fragrant Herb Garden—no one may leave without my order!"

My chest throbbed violently, then suddenly grew even colder—worse than the bodily pain, making it unbearable. My vision dimmed from yellow to black, like the despair and sorrow in my heart; in a haze I heard someone answer "Yes," and I thought, there's still something unresolved—"Xin Luo..." the sound only reached my throat.

This time I absolutely must not faint for six days again, or else—Qiran's stomach…… I…… will lose consciousness.

(End of chapter)