Chapter 1838: [Between Life and Death] (Part 2)

When Ji Feihua controlled the court, Qiqi was merely a child; the entire Huangcheng, indeed the whole Dakang, turned pale at the mention of her, and this included Qiqi. Although she had never actually crossed blows with Ji Feihua, deep inside she still felt a certain awe toward her.

Qiqi looked at Ji Feihua, and she actually burst out laughing.

Ji Feihua gazed at the now-blossoming young maiden Qiqi before her, recalling her former appearance in her mind, striving to find a point of similarity, and she smiled, saying: "It's been years; you've grown into a young lady."

Qiqi nodded and said: "People always grow up, and gradually grow old, but it seems time has left no trace on your face." She raised her chin haughtily and whispered: "Sit!"

A faint smile played on Ji Feihua's lips, her eyes showing appreciation for Qiqi: "I originally thought your first reaction would be to call for help."

Qiqi said: "If I were to call for help, would you kill me right now?"

Ji Feihua shook her head: "No need to rush; even if Mu Rongzhan stormed in with all his warriors, I would still have enough time to kill you."

Qiqi said: "Between us, there doesn't seem to be any deep hatred."

Ji Feihua said: "So you can't figure out why I want to kill you."

Qiqi walked over to her, her expression devoid of any fear; when fear was useless, she would not waste her expression on it, brushing past Ji Feihua to sit at the table, her gaze on the half-burned candle, its flame flickering, crystal-like tears of wax sliding slowly down the candle, like tears or blood. Qiqi recalled Hu Xiaotian, who had conveniently left, wondering if he had anticipated her predicament. She said: "Those monks from Heavenly Dragon Temple actually teamed up with you to harm me."

Ji Feihua sat on the opposite side of the table: "Where is the skull?"

Qiqi said: "I don't understand what you mean; there are so many skulls— which one exactly are you referring to?"

Ji Feihua sighed, then suddenly reached out; though she did not touch Qiqi's body, Qiqi felt her chest constrict, and then she could make no sound, her limbs unable to move. Terror shone in Qiqi's eyes; she even began to regret not having called for help— at least that would have been an effort for her life— such a vague, meaningless death was too unacceptable, and she did not even know why Ji Feihua wanted to kill her— was it for revenge?

Ji Feihua rose and walked slowly to Qiqi, bending down to whisper: "You shouldn't have cooperated with Hong Beimo; if you helped him finish that thing, everything here will be shrouded and destroyed by you."

Qiqi wanted to argue, but she couldn't utter a single word.

Ji Feihua's snow-white, slender palm slowly rose, then lightly fell upon Qiqi's head; Qiqi could not speak, yet in her heart she called Hu Xiaotian's name, hoping for a miracle, hoping that Hu Xiaotian would return in time to save her, although she knew the chance was slim.

Ji Feihua's palm glowed with a Lan-colored light halo, which illuminated Qiqi's crystal tears like stars; no one is unafraid of death.

Qiqi felt as if a small hole had been bored into the top of her head, an invisible force sucking from it, trying to drain everything from her mind; her remaining consciousness struggled desperately against this force.

"Do you really think that after keeping me for three days I could be freed and repay all my debts to Chu Fufeng?" Hu Xiaotian shook his head: "As long as I wish it, you will never be freed in this life or the next."

Kongjian said: "Here, what you say doesn't count."

Hu Xiaotian laughed loudly: "Although I have no confidence escaping from here, I am confident enough to kill myself; if I die, Ji Feihua will hold you responsible for this debt."

Kongjian stood there stunned; although he could defeat Hu Xiaotian and had enough confidence to trap him, he could not prevent Hu Xiaotian from committing suicide.

Hu Xiaotian said, word by word: "If I die, you will forever be unable to repay the Chu family's kindness; Ji Feihua would rather sacrifice her own life than let me come to harm, and if she knew you forced me to my death, she would spare no expense to take revenge on you— you not only fail to repay Chu Fufeng's grace, but you repay kindness with enmity; Chu Fufeng, even in the afterlife, would never forgive you."

"This..." Kongjian hesitated at Hu Xiaotian's words, but he quickly realized Hu Xiaotian was merely threatening him, perhaps he lacked the courage to kill himself, and Kongjian said: "Sir, why speak such alarmist words? I bear you no ill will."

Hu Xiaotian bluntly cut him off: "I despise people like you most— all mercy on the surface, yet your actions are utterly cruel; though you haven't killed anyone, do you not realize that what you're doing amounts to being an accomplice? Do you not know what they intend? Ji Feihua had you trap me here in order to kill the Yongyang Princess; if the Yongyang Princess dies, Heavenly Dragon Temple will surely face unprecedented retaliation, and the disaster of over three hundred years ago will repeat itself— no one in Heavenly Dragon Temple, high or low, will escape."

Kongjian said nothing, but inside a fierce struggle began.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I will walk out of here right now; if you forcibly detain me, well, I'll just die— if I die, you'll become an enemy of the Chu family, Ji Feihua will relentlessly pursue you, and if the Yongyang Princess dies, the entire Heavenly Dragon Temple will turn into a hell on earth— weigh your options yourself!" Having spoken, he turned and left.

Kongjian sat rigidly atop the massive rock, yet made no move to stop Hu Xiaotian. Martial skill can indeed solve many problems, but it does not mean that superior martial prowess guarantees invincibility.

Qiqi had believed she was surely doomed, but Ji Feihua's palm suddenly lifted from her head, and Ji Feihua's face showed astonishment: "You..."

A figure burst through the door— it was Hu Xiaotian, hurrying back, who shouted: "Stop!"

Ji Feihua turned to glance at him, then soared out the window; Hu Xiaotian did not give chase, but immediately went to Qiqi's side, confirmed she was still alive, and then released her acupoints; Qiqi's limbs returned to normal, seeing Hu Xiaotian finally return in time, a surge of feelings overwhelmed her, she flung herself into his embrace, with a thousand words on her lips yet unable to utter a single one.

At that moment, Mu Rongzhan and his troop of warriors, having heard the news, rushed over; they had been stationed outside, unaware that someone had slipped into the princess's chamber, each of them terrified, faces drained of color— if the Yongyang Princess truly suffered any mishap tonight, even the combined heads of these men would not be enough to satisfy the punishment.

Hu Xiaotian waved his hand, signaling those people to leave; at this moment Qiqi also calmed from her panic, she briefly recounted her recent experience to Hu Xiaotian, who heard that Ji Feihua had merely touched her head without harming her— if Ji Feihua truly intended to eliminate Qiqi, she had ample time to do so earlier, and even if Hu Xiaotian returned he could not have stopped it. Perhaps Ji Feihua never planned to kill Qiqi from the start, or perhaps at the last moment she changed her mind and abandoned the idea; maybe only Ji Feihua herself could provide the answer.

Hu Xiaotian instructed Mu Rongzhan and the others not to make a fuss; he wanted to see how Heavenly Dragon Temple would explain things. Regarding his encounter with Kongjian in Splitting Cloud Valley tonight, Hu Xiaotian said not a word.

After the incident with Ji Feihua, Qiqi no longer dared to stay alone in her room; she voluntarily asked Hu Xiaotian to accompany her in the meditation chamber, which was not only reliance on Hu Xiaotian but also a lack of trust in the imperial guards led by Mu Rongzhan.

Everything returned to silence; under Hu Xiaotian's comfort, Qiqi finally relaxed completely, holding his hand as she fell into a deep sleep.

Hu Xiaotian gazed at Qiqi's delicate face, seeing the tear tracks still on her lovely visage, he inwardly mused that no matter how strong Qiqi appeared before others, she was still a girl who needed a sturdy shoulder to lean on— and the best candidate for that was himself.

Ji Feihua abandoned the assassination of Qiqi and fled; it is unknown whether she will leave Heavenly Dragon Temple. The whole affair was her sole scheme, with Yuanmu and Kongjian as accomplices; this cannot be disclosed to Qiqi, for if she learned the truth she would surely blame Heavenly Dragon Temple, and its monks would likely suffer.

As Hu Xiaotian's thoughts ebbed and flowed, he felt his hand gripped tightly; Qiqi suddenly sat up in bed, her fair forehead beaded with sweat— she had had a nightmare, seeing Hu Xiaotian guarding her at her side, a warm surge rose in her heart; had she not experienced tonight's events, she would not have realized how much she relied on Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Had a nightmare?"

Qiqi nodded.

"Thirsty? Let me get you a glass of water." Hu Xiaotian went to fetch water, but his large hand was firmly gripped by Qiqi, and he couldn't help laughing: "You're holding onto me like this—I can't go anywhere."

Qiqi said: "Then just stay put honestly."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Unfair— you're lying down, I'm sitting up."

Qiqi realized what he meant to say, and smiled: "Then I'll sit with you." She rose from the bed, still holding Hu Xiaotian's hand, and they went together to the table; Hu Xiaotian had intended to pour her tea, but Qiqi displayed unprecedented obedience, helping him pour a cup of tea and softly saying: "Thank you for your effort."

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's not really hard work; as long as you're fine, that's all that matters."

Qiqi sipped her tea, recalling the recent events still left her uneasy; she bit her lip and said: "I never expected Ji Feihua to still be alive— tonight she actually tried to assassinate me; when I return to the palace I will issue a sea‑wide bounty notice, offering a heavy reward for her head."

Hu Xiaotian laughed; a sea‑wide bounty notice and a heavy reward would be of no use against Ji Feihua.

Seeing him laugh, Qiqi pouted: "What are you laughing at? Did I do something wrong?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I just don't understand why she came to see you; if she truly intended to assassinate you, she had plenty of time to act earlier, and even if I arrived I couldn't have stopped her."

A new week has arrived— please vote for recommendations! (To be continued~^~)