Chapter 92: Betrayal

——Even the night that embraces the stars is still too lonely; it's nothing like Wuye.

I flung my eyes open, a stabbing sensation surged, yet I kept my eyes open and hoarsely said, "Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng, thank you for saving me."

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng smiled faintly, his expression soft, like spring rain and dew—refreshing mixed with childlike purity. He extended his dry, slightly rough fingers and gently wiped the tears from my cheek: "You cried so sadly; what did you just dream about?"

I strained to move the corner of my mouth: "Just dreamed of an old acquaintance."

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng's hand on my face paused, then withdrew, and he wore his usual carefree smile: "Is that so? What about Qiran and Busha? How could they leave you alone to be hunted? Those people are highly skilled, yet never seen in the martial world. Bingyi, who exactly have you offended?"

I struggled to sit up, couldn't help laughing with a hint of bitterness: "With so many questions, how can I possibly answer?"

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng wrapped his arms to prop up the pillow behind me, smiling: "Then let's answer the first question first."

My smile faintly stiffened, I lowered my lashes, and with a light, steady voice I squeezed out the words pressing on my chest, one by one: "Because, I cannot forgive them, nor can I forgive myself. I…"

My voice suddenly choked, crystal tears slid down my lashes and fell onto the sheets—how much bitterness and ache filled my heart! I gritted my teeth, swallowed the tears, then lifted my head.

But the view before me remained misty; I wore a smile dotted with water, voice hoarse: "It's fine, sorry, these matters seem utterly unrelated to you. Yet I keep unloading my bitterness onto you—truly sorry."

In the faint mist, I clearly saw Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng's eyes trying to conceal, yet unable to hide, pity. His hand lifted slightly, as if to touch my face, but then froze abruptly.

"Sad things will pass; rest well these days, I'll protect you." Having said that, he pulled the blanket covering me higher, tucked it in gently, then turned and left without looking back.

I blinked, and the tear moist at the corner of my eye slid down, grazing the skin at my temples, icy and stinging.

I tugged the corner of my mouth slightly, then slowly closed my eyes.

"Bingyi, are you up? Breakfast…" Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng flung the door open, bringing the warmth and freshness of outdoor sunlight, loudly calling my name, then suddenly paused: "Ah! You… I…"

I yanked the sheet up to cover myself, grabbed the pillow beside me and hurled it at the door, shouting: "Get out!!"

…………

"Bingyi, break… fast…"

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng received my fierce glare, his face a little embarrassed, yet his eyes full of teasing mirth as he sat in the chair beside me.

I cooled my cheeks with my cold hands, then without ceremony lifted the silver ear fungus and bird's nest porridge and began eating.

"I should eat a bit more…"

My hand holding the spoon hesitated, I felt puzzled, lifted my head about to ask why.

But I saw his gaze, faintly resting on my chest, then he shook his head slightly with regret: "Indeed, you're a bit too thin."

"Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng!" I gritted my teeth, seized the bowl, "Damn you, go die!!"

"Bang!!" The fine porcelain bowl smashed against the wall, a clattering sound, shattering into pieces.

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng lightly jumped from the chair, brushed off his clean robe cuffs, smiling with self-satisfaction: "Not only are you too thin, you're also a bit too savage. Taking you home as a wife is really…"

The corner of my mouth twitched violently, I forced the words out between my teeth: "What the hell are you doing!!"

"But never mind, I'll just take the loss. Although it wasn't intentional just now, after all I did get to see your body; according to your words, men and women should not be intimate…"

"Bang——" Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng dodged the tray I threw, smiling broadly: "Attempting to murder your husband!"

My vision blurred; before I could smash the chopsticks in my hand, I felt my wrist tighten, my sight dim, and Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng's slightly childish, punchable face loomed suddenly before my eyes.

"Let go!!" I stepped back, my back hit the closed window lattice, I flung my arm hard, my face flushed crimson.

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng chuckled, not retreating, reached out and snatched the chopsticks from my hand, his voice so gentle it gave me gooseflesh: "Bingyi, holding something like this, if it hurts me it's fine, but if it hurts you, I'll feel heartbroken."

My face twitched, I inhaled, inhaled again, finally calming the fury within, I adopted a lazy, bored, decadent expression and coolly said: "Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng big brother, Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng great hero, Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng great sir, have you had enough fun?"

"Not enough!" Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng flashed an especially roguish smile, his eyes deep as night: "How about… we play for a lifetime?"

My heart gave a sudden jolt; my left hand, not caught, hung at my side, I clenched it lightly, my face showing forced calm and a look of not comprehending, "You tugged the wound on my arm—it really hurts!"

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng jolted, panicked, released his hand, lightly pulled open the clothing on my shoulder, his face instantly darkened to the extreme.

I turned my head; scarlet blood seeped through the white clothing into my view, yet I laughed. Secretly, I laughed wildly, feeling no pain at all—how wonderful.

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng, have you forgotten? Men and women should not be intimate—when did I ever say that to you?

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" he asked.

I lowered my head, silent.

"I'm asking why you didn't say so earlier," Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng gripped my uninjured hand painfully, "Are you really unwilling to act cute with me? Have you never thought of relying on me?"

Still not hurting! I laughed hysterically in my heart, because there's a place that hurts more. My bowed head sank lower, to the point I couldn't lift it even an inch.

My jaw suddenly ached fiercely; I was forced to lift my head to meet those black eyes, familiar yet strange, his hot lips mingled with complex, sky‑filling anger, and he pressed them hard against mine.

I kept my eyes open; my long lashes trembled right before me, like my heart riddled with a thousand wounds.

My lips felt as if being torn and bitten, burning, yet I neither retreated nor struggled, watching his maddening face, feeling it steal my breath and invade my mouth and teeth.

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng shoved me away with a sudden shove; the room held only his heavy breathing. He looked at me with a complex expression, his voice hoarse with a hint of desire: "Why didn't you push me away?"

I still kept my head down, tearless and smiless, gazing at the disheveled open collar on my chest—only endless silent sorrow, entwined and lingering.

"You… bandage your wound, then rest half a day. This afternoon I'll take you to buy some personal items."

I silently nodded, hearing a repressed sigh, the sound of the door opening and closing, then I slumped sliding down along the windowsill.

The curve of my mouth grew wider until bitter tears seeped in; I buried my head between my hands and knees, inwardly chanting over and over: "Wuye… please bless me, please surely bless me."

Outside the window was bright sunshine, birdsong intermittent, warm spring, scorching summer—right now at the cusp of the seasons. Noon, just passed.

On the bed lay a thick plush mat, yet the blanket was only a single thin layer.

I curled up in the center of the blanket.

My originally relaxed brows furrowed slightly, then more, tears seeped from the corners of my eyes. I turned over, lying extremely uneasy.

By the bedside sat a person, clearly exuding a fresh, comfortable aura, yet mingled with a raw, cold killing intent.

My breathing gradually grew hurried; I turned over and lay on my back, my dry, cracked lips opening and closing, my throat squeezing out painful moans.

"'……night……Wuye……' tears trickled from the corners of my eyes, grief, regret, sorrow, despair mingling in my expression and sobs: 'Don't!! Wuye!!'"

I sprang up suddenly, tightly embraced the person before me, my voice hoarse as I cried: "Wuye, don't die! Please, don't leave like this!"

I could feel Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng's hand hanging in the air for a long while, then finally wrapping around my waist, gripping me tightly, as if determined to fuse me into his very self.

I opened my eyes wide awake, without a trace of confusion. Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng never knew I am fundamentally a dreamless person; aside from Qiran and Busha, no one would think that Shui Bingyi has no right to dream or speak in dreams.

"Bingyi… Bingyi…" he murmured my name, his warm lips lightly lingering between my hair and neck, "I will never leave you, absolutely not…"

I shuddered all over, shoved him away violently, stared blankly, my eyes filled with inexplicable complexity, "Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng, sorry, I mistook you for someone else."

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng's face showed no expression, yet his eyes flashed with a captivating light. The hand he had placed on my waist slowly, slowly tightened, until I gave a slight struggle, whereupon he suddenly exerted force and pulled me into his embrace.

His warm lips quietly covered mine. Slowly moving from the edge of my lips, they kissed the tip of my nose, my small earlobe, my fair collarbone. I clenched the fists at my sides, yet a soft moan escaped me.

"Bingyi, let me protect you." Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng's kiss paused at my collar, his tongue tip lightly swirling on my collarbone, his action gentle but his tone decisively harsh, "You may only look at me, only think of me, only love me. Only let me protect you!"

I forcibly suppressed the trembling of my whole body; in my eyes that had never closed, a sting of pain arose. Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng lifted his head and lightly pressed his lips against mine again. His scorching, slightly dry and calloused hand slipped into my collar, caressing the skin beneath my undergarment.

Perhaps, it is now… I kneel-sit on the bed, my body tightly encircled, half-leaning in his embrace. Lips are fiery, body is burning, yet deep inside I am ice-cold. A flash of icy light flickered in my eyes; I drew out my right hand, and the air seemed to seek that cold light, which flashed suddenly.

"You!" Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng gasped in pain, loosening his grip, supporting his bleeding arm, he stared at me with shock and anger.

I forced an angry expression and roared, "What do you take me for?!"

My eyes burned with humiliating fury, my face showed indignation. Then I pressed my lips together, my gaze sweeping over the drop of blood that had fallen onto my collar—this… precious blood.

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng reached out to embrace me: "Bingyi, I am truly…"

I violently shook off his hand and shouted angrily, "Get out!"

I looked at him, and he likewise gazed at me with complex thoughts. Time trickled by, bit by bit, equally precious time.

I slumped inwardly and sighed, softening my voice: "Let me think about it a little longer."

"Bingyi, you mean that?" Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng's eyes flashed with joy and disbelief as he seized my hand.

I lowered my eyelids, lightly nodded, showing a weary expression, "Without Xiao Yin, my wounds won't heal anytime soon, and I feel somewhat fatigued. Things, please help me buy them back, and I won't go out." I slowly withdrew my hand, my voice growing gentler, "These few days, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you."

The door closed gently; I knew Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng left with a satisfied, pleased smile, waiting until his footsteps faded away.

I sprang up from the bed in an instant, quickly rolled up the blood-stained clothes and threw them out the window, then took out another identical set, crumpled it, slit my wrist to drip blood onto it, making the two garments look exactly alike. My heart felt a moment of sour bitterness, panic, unease; all I wanted was to fling myself into that fresh embrace and never leave.

But still, not yet. I know, truly, I still cannot.

The moonlight shone like silk; Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng and I sat opposite each other in the pavilion by the lake, chatting idly while drinking tea.

Today marks the fifth day since Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng brought me to his side. These past days, he has been especially careful, bringing me to evade the relentless pursuit of Ice Ridge. Relying on his vast information network of unknown origin and his formidable martial arts, he has actually prevented me from suffering any harm at all.

The small residence we currently inhabit appears unremarkable from the outside, yet its interior is decorated with fresh elegance and refined taste, first-rate; it seems to be a private villa owned by Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng.

I swayed the precious jade cup in my hand, gave a faint smile, "I raise my cup to invite the bright moon, and with my shadow we become three."

How lonely that verse is; my mind conjures the apricot and pear blossoms in the Snow Pear Garden, yet it was once my most beautiful wish.

"I can wait." Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng lowered his head and suddenly spoke lightly.

I stared at him in astonishment, the teacup in my hand trembling slightly before I set it down on the table.

"Since I cannot forgive them, I might as well give up. Bingyi, I can wait for you to forget them." His face was calm and composed, yet his eyes surged with deep affection, "But you must promise to stay by my side forever, never to leave."

I could hear the blood gurgling through the veins on the wrist he held, cold and lonely.

I so wanted to speak, to make that promise, to say I would not leave you. Only then would he trust me more.

But at this very moment, under that moonlight, beneath his gaze so clear it was transparent, I could not utter a sound. For he was silently, yet sorrowfully, pleading with me.

Please… do not deceive me; please… do not hurt me again.

"Sorry." I withdrew my hand, my face showing a self-mocking bitter smile—alas, I who once underwent assassin training. It turns out that despite all this ease and indulgence, I have still forgotten those survival instincts, "The me of today still cannot promise you."

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng silently regarded me, his hand now empty and unable to hold anything, still maintaining its original pose before me. Just as I shrank back, wishing to avoid his eyes, he suddenly laughed, a laugh accompanied by sound.

That laughter was like a morning dewdrop sliding over a lotus leaf and falling into the water—so pure it made my whole body tremble slightly.

"Bingyi, I had still thought you were deceiving me. Turns out not…" His hand grasped mine again, my whole body involuntarily breaking out in gooseflesh from panic, his voice so soft it merged with the moonlight, "How wonderful, Bingyi, I will wait for you."

I don't want you to wait for me! My intention was never to provoke you, nor did I want you to use the guise of affection to repeatedly wound my beloved friends, trampling my trust into mud! I only wish for the one I love to be able to love me—nothing more!!

That voice echoed again and again in my heart, painful and guilty. Yet I still had to feel grateful in my heart; without such a bluntly correct answer, I could not have gained his trust so quickly.

"Careful—" I had not even finished feeling sorrow when my body was suddenly dragged by Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng into a large roll; a silver flash brushed past my cheek, ringing with a ding. Several figures as swift as lightning drifted down.

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng helped me to my feet, surveyed the surroundings, his brows slightly furrowed yet his lips curled in a disdainful smirk: "Chengyou, the four chief ministers of Ice Ridge, you actually all gathered together?"

I glanced around and couldn't help but feel a slight startle; setting aside Chengyou, Wen Ruobin and Aotian Jun notwithstanding, Bai Shengyi would likely seize the chance to eliminate me, while behind Mu Lifeng followed a dozen or so experts whose steps were silent, breathing deep and shallow.

Wen Ruobin gave me a glance, then shrugged helplessly at Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng: "We, along with Bai Shengyi, are also acting under the young master's orders to safely escort Miss Xiao Ruo back. Otherwise, who would dare to oppose the number one swordsman of the Tianhe Continent, the guardian of Ice Ridge?"

My body trembled, I looked at Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng with a shocked expression.

He gave a faint bitter smile, a flash of loneliness in his eyes vanishing instantly: "I am the current guardian of Ice Ridge—Sima Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng."

Also the senior brother who should have perished in the cliff fall, Qiran; I silently recited in my heart that, aside from Bai Shengyi, Sima Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng is the only one who truly grasps the essence of the Heart-Eating Technique.

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng's voice continued into my ears, "I indeed possess the 'gold-silver demon pupils' monster; being with me will only bring misfortune. If you truly wish to return…"

"No! I will stay. What gold-silver demon pupils, what monster—I don't believe any of it." My voice blurted out, while deep inside I sneered at myself, my face showing a sorrowful expression as I looked at him, "Didn't you say you would wait for me?"

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng's body shuddered violently; what surged in his eyes, what churned, I cannot say. Yet in this tense standoff, under the gaze of many watching like tigers, he clung to me, tightly, tightly embracing me, his voice unexpectedly breaking with a sob: "It turns out… the old man spoke the truth. In this world, there truly is someone who will be toward me, regardless of whether I am a monster, regardless of who I am…"

I am someone who, once a decision is made, can be ruthless enough to harm anyone who loves and protects me, even more than my own life.

Before, it was Qiran, Wei Lingfeng, and now… Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng.

"Milady…" Chengyou's flat, merciless voice interrupted Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng's embrace and also my train of thought; he looked at me, his eyes flashing with contempt and hatred, and said coldly, "The Emperor orders me to escort you back to the palace."

A faint smile appeared in my eyes; this Chengyou, I have seen him only a few times. I only know he has always lurked silently beside Wei Lingfeng. Seeing him act respectfully and obediently before Wei Lingfeng, trembling with nervousness, it is truly hard to imagine that he is actually one of the Three Great Masters of the Tianhe Continent, equal in fame to Xiao Yifei and the master Qiran.

I only wonder, if Wei Lingfeng parts from him, would he be safe?

"So you're saying the three of you are not on the same side?" Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng released his grip, his face returning to its usual nonchalance and composure, though the light in his eyes turned quite icy.

He did not change his posture; somehow he drew the Condensation Chapter from his bosom—silver light flashed, the originally rust‑stained, unremarkable sword blade now shone all over, bewitching the heart and mind in the moonlight.

Chengyou's eyes flickered with gravity, his face icy as he said, "One of the Four Divine Weapons, the Condensation Chapter, is actually in your hands?"

Mu Lifeng glanced apprehensively at his own left shoulder, then waved a hand at those behind him; his eyes, deeper and more icy than when he had pushed me off the cliff years ago, devoid of warmth, fell upon me as he said coldly, "No need to repeat the Emperor's order—alive, I want to see the person; dead, I want to see the corpse."

In the fierce melee, Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng shielded me from behind, yet my mind was elsewhere. For I knew well that the only ones who would truly strike a killing blow at me were these few of Mu Lifeng's party.

Among the accompanying few, Chengyou's martial skill was clearly the highest, entangled in combat with Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng. Wen Ruobin, meanwhile, sought to prevent me from being harmed, occasionally blocking those who rushed to attack.

As for Aotian Jun, he is actually a subordinate of Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng; I of course know he would not, nor dare to, exert his full strength.

(End of chapter)