Chapter 93: It Turns Out Your Knot Is Here

Shi Ran stared at her own hand in disbelief, then looked at the little boy's swollen cheek,

An indescribable feeling welled up from her heart; she clearly did not know this boy before her, yet why? Although the little boy smiled happily, she could feel his sorrow, as silent and boundless as the deep sea....

"I…" Shi Ran opened her mouth, but found her throat dry and painful, unable to utter a word.

The little boy suddenly lunged into her embrace, tightly hugging her, his small body trembling uncontrollably: "Mother, don't be afraid! Xiao'er will protect you! And Father…"

"Shut up!" Shi Ran shoved him away, "Don't mention him again! If you still acknowledge me as your mother, come with me now—let's leave this place!"

She had thought the boy would flatly refuse, but instead he calmly nodded, "Okay, let's leave together!" He patted her like a little adult, "Don't be afraid, I'll always be with you!"

Shi Ran felt doubtful, increasingly sensing that the little boy before her was very familiar—those eyebrows, that demeanor, exactly like…

Shi Ran's heart skipped a beat; she was about to ask the little boy's name when a strange bell sound suddenly came from outside the window, growing nearer.

The little boy was also startled, he jumped onto the bed and tightly covered Shi Ran's mouth: "Mother, absolutely do not make a sound—this is the Immortal-Locking Bell!"

Shi Ran widened her eyes, seeing through the latticed window a group of black‑cloaked figures hovering above the courtyard, each holding a string of blood‑red bells that rang on their own, emitting a chilling sound.

"Mother, don't be afraid! We have a barrier outside; they can't get in!" the little boy whispered in Shi Ran's ear, his small body tensed, wishing he could instantly send a secret sound transmission to his father.

These people clearly came prepared; although trapped outside the barrier, they kept lingering, unwilling to leave. Shi Ran felt these evil spirits brandishing a bunch of bells were coming for her!

She couldn't help feeling a headache—first inexplicably becoming someone else's mother, with memories not her own, her body and speech beyond her control, yet she could clearly sense her mixed love and hatred for this child.

Shi Ran could no longer hold back; she leaned close to the little boy's ear, her warm, humid breath like ripples on a lake, gently blowing into his heart: "Are you called Ling Xiao? The Ling Xiao from the Ling Xiao flower?"

The mother had never been this close to him; the little boy's face flushed red, momentarily forgetting his father's countless instructions, and he replied in a small voice: "Mother said I was named Ling Xiao because the Ling Xiao flower was in full bloom when I was born!"

Little Ling Xiao lowered his head, seeming somewhat puzzled: "But Father doesn't like my name, saying it doesn't suit my status. Mother, what is status?"

Shi Ran trembled all over, too overwhelmed to act as Little Ling Xiao's encyclopedia—this plot is absurd! Wasn't she Ling Xiao's disciple? How did she become his mother now? What on earth is this author doing?

Shi Ran quelled the anger in her heart, about to speak, when suddenly the entire window shattered open!

"Finally found you!"

The leading black‑clothed man gave a cold smile, each word stirring in Shi Ran's mush‑like mind: "Cold Shadow Immortal Venerable, the Demonic Venerable summons you!"

Shi Ran, wanting to cry but unable to, watched herself drag Little Ling Xiao behind her and sneered: "After the Immortal‑Demon War, the Demon Realm has grown ever more desolate—even a petty Soul‑Locking Envoy dares to speak to this Venerable!"

The Soul‑Locking Envoy, infuriated by Shi Ran's words, raised the Immortal‑Locking Bell: "Since it's come to this, there's no need for the Immortal Venerable to lower himself—the Demonic Venerable's order: upon encountering Su Changhen, strangle him immediately; produce the body alive!"

"Dead or alive, show the corpse!" the remaining black‑clothed men shouted in unison, dozens of bell strings screeching simultaneously, the sound shaking Shi Ran's eardrums painfully.

Shi Ran strained to hold on, but Little Ling Xiao suddenly stepped in front of her, his small palm glowing with icy blue light: "You dare harm my mother—you're asking for death!!"

Shi Ran stared in shock as that blue light formed a barrier, blocking the sound waves completely; Little Ling Xiao is only three or four years old, yet he can resist such a piercing sound wave—his future cultivation is immeasurable!

Hey! Shi Ran gave a self‑mocking laugh—could it not be immeasurable? This is none other than the future Mountain‑Subduing Lord Ling Xiao, her master!

"Your Highness!" the Soul‑Locking Envoy, having no choice, lowered his bell: "Your Highness, the Immortal‑Locking Bell is not something you can withstand! Step aside now, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"Hmph!" Little Ling Xiao snorted disdainfully, thrusting his palms together; from between his fingers burst myriad icy crystal‑like brilliant blue lights, the radiance like a galaxy poured upside down, or like an aurora suddenly exploding in a polar night, carrying irresistible power as it shot at great speed toward more than a dozen Soul‑Locking Envoys.

"Bang bang bang!" the Immortal‑Locking Bell that had just been troubling Shi Ran shattered instantly, like broken jade ware, emitting a clear, ethereal tone.

The Soul‑Locking Envoys stared at one another, unaware that the illegitimate son hidden by the Crown Prince could possess such cultivation at such a young age.

The Soul‑Locking Envoy leader's heart jolted further; he stared blankly, then lifted his gaze to Little Ling Xiao— a fiery red demon mark flickered faintly on his jade‑white forehead, tiny ice crystals clung to his hair tips, his eyes clear and bright as stars.

This is the hope of the Demon Realm!

The Soul‑Locking Envoy leader couldn't help but tear up—such a heaven‑gifted genius, actually the future Demonic Venerable of the Demon Realm! Why worry that the Demon Realm cannot unify the Three Realms and grow strong?

Thus, he changed his former arrogant posture, dropping to one knee: "Subordinate has offended greatly just now; I hope Your Highness will pardon past faults, considering my loyal service, and forgive me a little!"

As he knelt, the black‑clothed men behind him all fell to their knees, as if they had not just been seeking to take lives.

Little Ling Xiao gazed puzzled at the kneeling crowd, wondering why the fight had stopped so abruptly; but he was still a child, and soon grew happy, laughing as he went to find Shi Ran to claim credit.

"Mother, look how mighty Xiao'er is— they all fear me! Mother, from now on let Xiao'er protect you, okay!!"

Little Ling Xiao's eyes were full of affection, yet to Shi Ran at this moment it felt no less than being sliced by a thousand knives.

She clearly knew what her body was about to do, yet unable to stop it, she could only watch helplessly as her hand touched Little Ling Xiao's tender cheek and drove a long blade deep into his abdomen!

No!

No!

Shi Ran's vision filled with blood‑spattered sky, and Ling Xiao's incredulous eyes.

Su Changhen! What on earth are you doing!

Shi Ran wanted to ask, but could not utter a word; like a mere tool she wiped away her own tears, looking at Ling Xiao fallen in the pool of blood and saying: "In your next life, may you be reborn into a good fate!"