Chapter 95: Relatives

"All stop!" A crisp, pleasant female voice suddenly rang out at the tense stone‑chamber doorway, cutting off the battle and the watching crowd.

I looked on in surprise and saw Lan Yingruo in a sheer dress, holding a sharp dagger pressed against the neck of the unconscious Leng Zhuoxi. Her face was cold and indifferent, her expression calm and aloof as she scanned the crowd.

"Young master." Lan Yingruo looked calmly at Qi Ran and said, "Do you want your mother's life, or the sect leader's life? Choose."

Qi Ran slightly furrowed his brows, his voice icy and cruel, "Kill her if you wish, or spare her. Today I will not stop until I draw Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng's blood!"

"Is that so?" Lan Yingruo smiled coldly, increasing the pressure; a strand of blood grew thicker, sliding down Leng Zhuoxi's translucent pale skin, and the unconscious woman let out a faint moan.

"Wait!" Wei Lingfeng barked, a flash of murderous intent appearing then vanishing in his eyes, a cold smile curling his lips, "Lan Yingruo, don't forget, the lives of Lan Yingyue and Lan Jianyun are at the whim of my thought."

"You think I would……"

Wei Lingfeng's smile remained as he stepped a few paces forward, casually cutting her off, "I bet you care about their lives! If you don't believe it, go ahead and kill her to test."

Lan Yingruo forced a calm demeanor, but a flicker of struggle shone in her eyes. The dagger at Leng Zhuoxi's throat trembled slightly.

She lowered her head, silent for a moment in the stillness, then suddenly lifted it, a resolute, icy stare in her eyes, and coldly told Wei Lingfeng, "The lives of our Lan clan for the life of your King Qi's mother—now that's a fair trade."

After speaking, she pressed deeper on the blood‑red wound, laboriously dragging the unconscious Leng Zhuoxi, stepping toward the pallid Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng who was hurrying to steady her breathing. Her eyes never wavered, fixed on the surrounding cold‑faced onlookers waiting for a chance.

She walked past me step by step; I could feel her tense nerves. At that moment she had neither time nor energy to care for me, a half‑dead wreck.

In that instant I was moved; Lan Yingruo truly shocked me. For a long, long time she existed only as an image in my mind, a description from others: a virtuous, filial, kind young woman. Long ago I finally saw her with my own eyes; then she was a pitiful, sorrowful, unfortunate woman, making my guilty heart uneasy.

Yet the woman before me was cold yet composed, resolute yet calm, instantly assessing the situation and seizing the initiative. Facing disadvantage, she only barely struggled before deciding. Whether right or wrong, she showed no hint of regret.

I knew it was wrong, yet in that instant I truly felt a sigh of relief. Lan Yingruo is also a strong person. Through so much pain and setbacks, she has always lived better with her belief and persistence.

Still, grateful as I am, I inhaled deeply, forcing down the searing pain in my chest, my true qi circulating the twelve meridians. I raised my right hand, placed my left, a silver thread flashed with a demonic gleam, and my body moved lightly.

Now, for me, nothing is more important than the safety of the step‑kill.

"Bang—Bang—" The silver thread caught the falling dagger; the blade snapped, but the tip skimmed my neck, blood seeping out. I clutched the wildly dancing Leng Zhuoxi with both hands and rolled on the spot, barely evading Lan Yingruo's fierce slash.

A sharp chest pain, and vaguely I felt a foot strike me; my waist went numb, and the rolling finally halted.

I strained to open my eyes and met Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng's deep yet clear gaze, where faint gold and silver hues shimmered.

Suddenly his stern face hardened; he jerked his head up, furrowing his brows, a single hand hovering in the air, and coldly demanded, "Who gave you permission to strike?!"

Startled, I turned and saw Lan Yingruo's icy dagger; I had no time to think, only to drag Leng Zhuoxi away. Yet after that burst of qi, my whole body went limp, unable to exert any force.

"Wh—" The person in my arms let out a faint whimper. Qi Ran and his group also rushed over at the same time.

A familiar aura approached; I heard a "ding" sound, and Lan Yingruo stepped back a few paces, her face pale and sorrowful as she stared at Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng.

Qi Ran held me, about to leave, but suddenly furrowed his brows, a low moan escaping his throat.

"Xiao Qi Ran, I've been pondering for a long time—what method, what person can truly subdue a monster like you, immune to a hundred poisons and unyielding to death?" Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng withdrew the crystal‑clear long needle from his hand, a cold, cruel, triumphant smile on his face.

I widened my eyes, terrified, staring at the devilish man before me, yet my body, for reasons unknown, was immobilized as my acupoints had been sealed.

"Then, finally it occurred to me." Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng hauled the helpless me from the ground, cradled me, and sneered, "A woman, a set of silver needles for bloodletting, even the dream‑disturbances in the hidden realm—these… are gifts I prepared especially for you. Satisfied?"

"I originally intended to keep you to fulfill my revenge. But now…" Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng slowly lifted the Condensing Seal in his hand, silver light flashing alluringly, "I instead want to tear you apart!"

"Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng!!" My voice was hoarse and desperate, painful and frantic, "No!!"

The panic of the step‑kill, Wei Lingfeng's reaction, Cheng You's astonishment—all drifted away from me, fading far from my ears and sight.

Qi Ran knelt half‑down on the ground, his pale face serene, then lifted his head and stared deeply at me. It seemed like a lifetime of longing, a life's affection, endless to express, endless to cherish.

He slightly tugged at the corner of his mouth, drawing a gentle, faint smile.

In a daze I seemed to see that clear‑eyed youth we first met—an unparalleled visage, a warm smile, sky‑pure, gentle, deep blue eyes… the person who took deep root in my heart.

The Condensing Seal flashed a captivatingly cold light, thrust straight toward Qi Ran's chest, into his very heart…

"Ran'er!!" A mournful scream rang out, like a giant beast suddenly awakened, rising from the ground.

Scalding hot blood splashed onto my face, mingling with bitter tears, rolling onto my lips.

"Mother—!!" Wei Lingfeng's voice suddenly rose from afar to near, erupting abruptly.

Something brushed my acupoints; my mind went blank, and I clumsily scrambled to Qi Ran's side, took out a silver needle, and pierced his chest's Tan Zhong point. Qi slowly entered, until his blood vessels flowed again.

I lowered my head, still unable to see Qi Ran's expression, only seeing Leng Zhuoxi's beautiful silver hair, a large patch stained crimson by blood—some tangled against her face, some embedded in Qi Ran's pale garments, leaving streaks of scarlet.

"Ran'er… I'm sorry, Ran'er…" Leng Zhuoxi gasped with difficulty, her blood‑soaked hand slowly, laboriously brushing Qi Ran's cheek, "Mother didn't care for you, and forced… hatred onto you. I'm sorry…"

Qi Ran sat kneeling, stunned, as if he hadn't grasped what had happened. He remained motionless, silent, letting blood soak his cheeks and clothes, for a moment even his breathing ceased.

"Mother!" Wei Lingfeng rushed to Leng Zhuoxi's side, supporting her frail body, shouting, "Qi Ran, hurry and save her! Save her now!!"

Qi Ran suddenly snapped out of his stupor, looked at Wei Lingfeng, his eyes like a dead, dark night, void of light. He gently shook his head.

Wei Lingfeng seized his collar, "She is our mother! You can save anyone, why…"

"Xuan'er…" Leng Zhuoxi gasped for precious air, her voice so weak it was barely audible, "Xuan'er… don't blame him, don't blame… your brother. Mother… really can't be saved."

Wei Lingfeng released his grip, slowly lowered his head, gazing at that now wholly pale, unglamorous face, his voice tinged with hoarseness, "Mother… I…"

Leng Zhuoxi showed a weak, dying smile, then suddenly extended her other hand, laboriously grasping Wei Lingfeng's hand.

Her two hands inched toward each other, and finally the clasped hands overlapped, tightly, sticky with blood strands.

She used the last bit of strength in her life to make the two sons, who had suffered twenty years of pain because of her, clasp hands tightly.

"Xuan Er, Ran Er… whatever decisions you make in the future… cough cough… remember, you are brothers bound by blood. Never… never be like me and my sister… unending, unkillable…"

Leng Zhuoxi's eyes gradually lost their light; her hands loosened, and an odd reddish flush appeared on her face.

I know, that is already a retrograde phenomenon.

Her face suddenly broke into a delighted smile, she thrust her blood‑stained hands into the air, shouting hoarsely, "Yi Tian! Yi Tian! Have you finally come to find me? Don't abandon me…"

The soul‑piercing voice that made me want to weep halted abruptly at the happiest moment.

I knelt on the ground, gently wiping away tears and blood from my face. The Condensing Seal, one of the four divine weapons of Heaven and the Continent, induces hallucinations the instant it pierces. Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng and Lan Yingruo had vanished at some point, and amid the chaos snatched from Cheng You's hand, also one of the four divine artifacts, the Ling Xie.

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng… Wu Ye, just like that left, leaving only a room full of sorrow, a house filled with pain and hatred.

Suddenly feeling a tingling numbness on my arm, I slowly turned my head, and for a moment only felt a soft, aching tenderness in my heart, mixed with countless threads of neither hatred nor love. What else should I say to you? Xiao Yin…

I gently lifted it off my body, watching it calmly until tears fell onto its smooth, silk‑like silver fur.

"Xiao Yin… actually, you never truly harmed me, did you?" His eyes, black as lacquered glass, gazed at me, light rippling.

I set down the white fox in my hand, revealing a brilliant yet desolate smile, "The day I took you away, I saw the lingering, painful look in your eyes, and then I should have known that, no matter what, you could never let go of Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng. Yet you also saw the hatred filling this room, so, go, return to your true master's side. Xiao Yin, we'd better never meet again."

This underground secret chamber actually had two exits. One was the forest stairway through which Qi Ran and the others had entered. The other exit wound and twisted; we walked for a long time until light finally came. To my surprise, that exit led to the elegant, noble yet still splendid rear garden of a palace.

This turned out to be the royal palace of the Yueyang vassal of the Yi Kingdom!

Qi Ran gave orders, arranging a room for each person. Wei Lingfeng and Cheng You also did not leave for the time being; they would probably have to wait until Leng Zhuoxi's burial before departing.

My room was still in the most remote part of the palace, yet unusually luxurious and comfortable. Aside from the carved railings, jade tiles, and countless furnishings, even the concave goose‑feather soft bed and the marble‑walled bath outside the palace testified to its opulence. However, it did not reflect Qi Ran's style; it seemed to be a remnant left by the former royal family.

"Qi Ran." I grabbed Qi Ran, who was about to turn and leave after settling me, opened my mouth, but didn't know what to say.

There was little expression on Qi Ran's face; Leng Zhuoxi's death seemed to have left no trace on him, but was it really so?

"Rest now." He released my hand; the coolness carried a hint of icy cold, then let go.

"Qi Ran!" I lunged in front of him, staring intently at his face, in an instant or not, "Are you sad, or are you angry at me?"

"Take jade spring, mica, cinnabar sand, supplemented with purple stone applied underneath. The Hand Taiyang and Shaoyin constitute the exterior and interior; Shaoyang and the heart master constitute the exterior and interior; Yangming and Taiyin constitute the exterior and interior—this is the Yin‑Yang of the hand. Piercing Yangming releases blood‑Qi, piercing Taiyang releases malignant blood‑Qi, piercing Shaoyang releases Qi‑malignant blood… If you use silver needles to regulate according to this, it can at least lessen the pain when internal breath circulates."

"Do you understand?" I tugged the hand that had been held, Qi Ran's mouth twitched into a faint bitter smile, let go, and walked past me.

"Qi Ran—, I didn't mean to hide it from you." A sudden panic rose in my heart; this Qi Ran was not the one I knew—so indifferent, so nonchalant, "What on earth is wrong with you?"

"What can I do?" Qi Ran gave a cold smile, brushed my cheek with one hand, his fingertips icy, "You no longer need me to heal you; what else can I do?"

"I just don't want you to worry!" I seized his hand and explained hastily. I felt that if I lingered a moment longer, the person before me would vanish without a trace, "I really only fear that you'd feel guilty and worry."

His blue eyes flickered slightly; Qi Ran's expression finally softened a little, gazing deeply at me, the deep sorrow in his eyes flashing away.

He blinked, gently pulling me into his arms, yet averting his gaze. This embrace was somewhat cold!

"Qi Ran..." I wrapped my arms around him, submissively leaning against his chest, opened my mouth to speak but didn't know how to start. Qi Ran, are you sad? Watching your own mother die before you, or dying for you—does that make you sad?

If you truly are sad, how should I comfort you? How… should I comfort you?

The next day, Qi Ran and Wei Lingfeng personally cremated Leng Zhuoxi's corpse. It is said this is the tradition of Bingling: after death one is not buried, but turned to ash and scattered into water, wind, and earth, merging with nature.

I silently watched those two handsome faces that were not very similar. Their expressions were so calm that I almost thought they were merely burning an inconsequential person.

Only when the raging flames roared did the firelight illuminate their pale faces, and I could see a faint, shifting sorrow on those otherwise calm, almost cold faces.

Wei Lingfeng's hand was slender and fair, the knuckles evenly proportioned; in the sunlight it resembled white porcelain, like fine jade, crystal clear as if it emitted its own light.

But those hands now lifted handfuls of gray‑white ash, scattering them into the surging South Sea.

After all the ash was scattered into the sea, Wei Lingfeng slowly turned his head; his moon‑white long robe rustled in the sea breeze before the cliff.

"I will return to the capital Lin Du of Qi Kingdom in two days," he said lightly, looking at Qi Ran.

This morning I seemed to hear news: the Yinchuan Kingdom, occupied by Profound Heaven Sect, was under a desperate attack by the Yin Kingdom, and the situation was critical.

"Bing Yi, come back with me?"

I was startled, then realized he was speaking to me. His complexion was a translucent pallor, the corners of his mouth curled into a faint, ambiguous smile, gentle yet indifferent.

I sighed inwardly, gently shook my head, but no sound came from my throat. Out of the corner of my eye I caught Qi Ran's calm expression; his blue eyes were as deep as the sea, a depth that no amount of effort could reach.

Suddenly I felt very weary, a constricting pang in my chest, and turned to leave.

In the wind came the rustling of garments; I did not look back.

These past two days I ate very little; the food was brought in by palace maids, and because it wasn't prepared by Qi Ran, it lacked any flavor.

Whenever I went out and saw Qi Ran, he was always busy; I was too lazy to ask what he was doing, but upon seeing that calm, indifferent face, I couldn't help but swallow all the words I wanted to say, silently turning away.

In the instant I turned, I did see Qi Ran's mournful expression, a deep sorrow. Yet I knew he was in pain, but I didn't know how to share that pain.

Thus, I went out less and less each day, simply because I feared my own helplessness when facing those blue eyes, so I avoided confronting it.

These past two days, I have seen very little of Wei Lingfeng. He will stay here a couple more days, presumably to discuss cooperation between the Qi and Yi kingdoms with Qi Ran. It should have nothing to do with me, should… but every time I see him, I still flee.

At night, past the hour of the Rat, the palace was empty except for the night‑watch guards. I walked through the long corridor, and under the habitual gaze of the gate guards, strolled out the rear gate of the palace.

Not far away, someone kept a distance of several dozen meters, following; I knew Qi Ran had instructed them to protect me covertly, so I paid no mind.

By the shores of Yueyang Lake, a gentle breeze, light fluttering fireflies, and a clear moonlit night. I took out a special elixir and applied it to my exposed skin; a faint, strange fragrance instantly spread over me. Insects swarmed away, keeping a one‑meter radius.

I gave a slight smile, about to kneel by the lake as usual, when my steps suddenly halted; a tangled feeling rose in my heart, I sighed silently, and turned away.

"Your Highness!" A swift figure suddenly appeared before me; Cheng You's stern face seemed to have gained a few lines of world‑worn age, his two dark eyebrows knit together.

My complexion turned cold, about to erupt, but I saw his face show worry, his voice wavering slightly, "Please, Your Highness, be sure to go see the Emperor."

I was stunned, and asked haltingly, "What's wrong with Wei Lingfeng?"

"These past few days the Emperor has come, sometimes angry, sometimes laughing, even handling state affairs and negotiations normally. But precisely because of this, we below are worried…"

I lightly furrowed my brows, looked up to see Cheng You's face full of heartache and worry, and sighed again, "In this matter I am also powerless. I think Wei Lingfeng is capable of regulating his own emotions."

"Your Highness!" Cheng You's complexion turned cold; he did not brandish his long sword across me, but it quivered slightly before he sheathed it. Suddenly he bent his knees and knelt before me, his lowered voice choked and trembling, "Although it has only been a brief five years, I have personally watched the Emperor become cruel, numb, and deeply scheming while alone in the palace. In these five years I have seen every expression of the Emperor, yet before your arrival I had never seen a genuine smile from him…"

"Get up!" I reached out with a feeble hand, but did not touch his sleeve, and turned toward the pristine figure.

(End of Chapter)