Ouyang Ye listened to Mu Anxiao’s sincere reply. Glancing at the dirty-faced man, paralyzed with fright by the girl’s action, his eyes darkened. Just as he was about to speak, the girl spoke first, “Her life is in my hands. If you don’t make a choice, she’s going to die.” She glanced at Mu Anxiao, then at Ouyang Ye.
On one side was Mu Anxiao’s life, and on the other, the person Mu Anxiao wanted to protect.
Ouyang Ye knew that winning Mu Anxiao’s genuine affection would be harder than climbing to heaven. After such a long journey, he had finally earned a word of sincere trust from her. If he gave up now, obtaining such trust again would be even more difficult.
Thinking about it, he suddenly didn’t know what to do.
“…” His expression tensed, and he lowered his hand that had been reaching for Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao slightly turned her head to look at Ouyang Ye, who was lost in thought. A subtle curve formed on her lips. “Ouyang Ye, listen to me. Save him.”
“You…”
“A mere dagger can’t kill me,” Mu Anxiao interrupted. In reality, she was in unbearable pain, but for a life, she had to persevere.
“Die…” Ouyang Ye repeated the word, suddenly recalling Mu Anxiao’s stubborn nature. At that very moment, he realized that his ability to reach this point was largely due to Mu Anxiao. If she were truly to ‘sacrifice’ herself, even if he gained her trust, what would it matter? All his plans would undoubtedly fail.
As it turned out, with Feng Qishi’s strength, he could surely find Mu Anxiao in an instant. By then… what would he amount to?
Considering these consequences, he would rather be hated by a living Mu Anxiao than be trusted by a ‘departed’ Mu Anxiao. “Mu Anxiao, don’t be so stubborn. Hand him over.” He said, not wanting her to die from the bottom of his heart.
However, Mu Anxiao thought… Ouyang Ye had compromised. To her surprise, she had indeed misjudged him. Looking at him, she couldn’t help but sneer, “It seems we are truly not on the same path.” With that, she gasped, directly grasping the girl’s hand that held the dagger.
The girl flinched and said, “What are you doing?”
“I…” Mu Anxiao closed her eyes for a moment in pain, then turned to meet the girl’s eyes tightly. “My life belongs to myself. I can take it or leave it as I wish. Do you understand what I mean?”
“What do you want to do?” The girl tried to break free but dared not, her eyes wide.
Seeing this, Ouyang Ye roared, “Mu Anxiao, you’re insane.”
“Since you won’t help me, I’ll help myself,” Mu Anxiao said, slowly turning to glare at Ouyang Ye. “Shen Fengzi no longer trusts me. Even if I become an immortal, what of it? It will only bring me back to decades ago. This time, I don’t want to owe Feng Qishi, and I don’t want to owe you.” Having said that, she exerted her strength, tightening her grip on the girl’s hand.
The dagger pierced her abdomen. Memories resurfaced. At this moment, Mu Anxiao truly realized that as long as she lived, she would bring endless trouble to Feng Qishi. If she died, perhaps everything would return to its origin.
Decades ago, a sip of immortal blood made Mu Anxiao indebted to Shen Yan for her life. If the ‘Shen Yan’ of this life, Feng Qishi, were to truly marry Gu Yan, she would be indebted to him for his lifetime of happiness.
Such a scenario could not be repeated.
And so, she had the idea… to end it all.
In the woodshed, Jia and Lou Yi listened to Mu Anxiao’s words from outside, astonished.
Jia said, “She’s going to do something foolish.”
“What do we do?” Lou Yi grew anxious.
Jia looked through the crack in the door at the girl, who was being forcibly restrained by Mu Anxiao. He frowned, “She has made up her mind.”
“You…”
“In this situation, we have no way out,” Jia interrupted Lou Yi, then thought about his nearly year-long interaction with Mu Anxiao. His eyes darkened, and he fixed his gaze on the door lock, beginning to cast a spell without hesitation.
Seeing this, Lou Yi also tried to cooperate with Jia.
Outside.
Ouyang Ye dared not make any rash moves, slightly extending his hands. “Mu Anxiao, don’t be foolish.”
“I’m serious,” Mu Anxiao panted, then looked back at the girl who had inflicted such harm on her. “Thank you.”
“Why are you…”
“If you hadn’t done this to me, I would have truly been unable to figure out some things. Now,” Mu Anxiao interrupted, forcing a sickly smile, “I give you permission to pull it out, but on the condition that you don’t harm that person. That person is innocent.”
“He is not innocent,” the girl growled, but her hand remained still.
“He is merely someone who works for me. If I’m not mistaken, you came out to provoke him. Of course,” Mu Anxiao narrowed her eyes slightly, “I know your past was tragic. I sympathize with you, pity you, but… I still say the same thing: he is innocent.” While speaking, she coughed twice due to her injury.
Ouyang Ye dared not make any rash moves, looking for an opportunity.
The dirty-faced man, after hearing Mu Anxiao’s words, became even more hesitant.
Not far away, Liu Ye, who happened to witness this scene, was startled. “This is bad. I need to find the General.” Saying so, she turned and hurried away.
At the same time, Mu Anxiao’s wound tore open, blood flowing profusely, but she showed no intention of letting go. She continued to stare at the girl, waiting for her compromise.
Ouyang Ye looked down at the blood dripping onto the ground, growing anxious. “Mu Anxiao, can you stop being foolish? You…”
“Shut up. You are in league with her. And,” Mu Anxiao furrowed her brow tightly, not glancing at Ouyang Ye, “I am an immortal. Death, for me, requires time. Rest assured, I will persevere until the end, even until tomorrow. You will not force me to give up.” Having said that, she fixed her killing gaze on Ouyang Ye.
Ouyang Ye’s heart sank. He said in a low voice, “Mu Anxiao, do you hate me that much?”
“It’s your own choice,” Mu Anxiao said, gritting her teeth to endure the pain.
Seeing Mu Anxiao’s pained expression, Ouyang Ye also became resolute. “I won’t let you die.” With that, he reached out and placed his hands on Mu Anxiao’s shoulders.
Immediately, Mu Anxiao’s eyes widened. “What are you doing?” She felt a warm current entering her body.
“You don’t have enough spiritual energy, so I’ll use my demonic energy to help you maintain it,” Ouyang Ye said, his gaze firm, and continued his ‘operation’.
Mu Anxiao’s body stiffened. Just as she was about to refuse Ouyang Ye’s help, he said again, “If you move, that person’s life will truly be forfeit.” With that, he looked at the girl, who was waiting for Mu Anxiao to relax.
The girl muttered, “Damn it.”
Then, Mu Anxiao let out a soft hum and suddenly closed her eyes.