Xue Niang exploded before him!
Guests' panicked screams echoed from outside, but Xiao Shan ignored the falling debris and shattered tiles that rained down on his head, rushing madly towards the burning inferno.
This was no ordinary fire. After the explosion, not a trace remained, only the rustling of falling dust and broken wood. The roof had been blown off, revealing the dark, somber sky.
Xue Niang was nowhere to be seen, only a pile of dust and fragments on the ground, resembling a mounded grave.
"Xue Niang, Xue..."
Xiao Shan's trembling hands slowly reached out, then began to dig frantically.
Is she still here?
Is there anything left?
Don't leave him with nothing.
Sharp wooden splinters pierced his palms, and broken tiles cut his flesh, making it bleed profusely. Yet, he was oblivious, his movements growing faster, his eyes burning with a fiery madness.
He was the煞神 (Sha Shen) that struck fear into the hearts of his enemies, a demon who killed without blinking, a king who looked down upon the world.
But at this moment, he was merely a pathetic fool driven mad by love.
Heaven, he wanted nothing else, only this one woman.
He never believed in gods or Buddhas before, but now, he frantically prayed to all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats. As long as she was still here, he would believe in anything!
Finally, a human shape was revealed within.
An adult's.
Judging by the contours, it was Xue Niang after she had grown!
Xiao Shan, tears of joy streaming down his face, brushed away all the dust, revealing a naked human body.
The body was pitch black all over, as if charred. The hope that had surged in Xiao Shan's heart was doused by a downpour of cold water.
Chilled to the bone.
But she was indeed his Xue Niang, her features the same as when she was a child.
Xiao Shan slowly embraced the body, resting his forehead against her face.
He could not feel the slightest sign of life. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Feng Yi stood outside the door, watching his master, who stood silently inside like a statue. He quietly turned around, signaling his subordinates to handle the commotion in the inn.
He himself stood guard outside like a guardian spirit.
After a long while, he heard a deeply unsettling, low laugh from within.
"You are, after all, but a phantom, one I can never grasp."
"Let's go, let's go. Where do you wish to rest in this life? We shall find peace there."
"Feng Yi, go buy some women's clothes."
Feng Yi's heart leaped. He responded and left. Why was his master's voice so calm? It was just that the sound was oppressive.
When he returned, he carried all sorts of women's clothes, large and small, and behind him followed Qing He and her group.
The baby's babbling reached his ears, but Xiao Shan ignored it, meticulously wiping the dark, withered body.
"General, who is she?" Qing He trembled all over.
Who else could it be in the General's arms?
Yu Liu covered her mouth, and Yu Shan, holding the curious children, ran outside. Tears streamed down her face, and Bei Yue reached out his small hand to wipe them away.
She hugged her child tightly, biting her lip to suppress her sobs.
The General seemed to have shut himself off.
His face was serene as he gently dressed the body.
Qing He's trembling hand reached for the body's neck.
It was merely a doctor's habit. The body was already in such a state, how could it possibly be alive? Aside from the recognizable features, the rest was merely a human shape.
However, after checking the carotid artery, her eyes flickered, and she disbelievingly searched for the wrist.
"Don't touch her," Xiao Shan warned hoarsely.
"General, there is still life. No breath, but a faint pulse."
It was very weak, intermittent, and barely detectable if one wasn't paying close attention.
Xiao Shan's eyes, as still as dead water, finally lifted. He seemed not to understand what Qing He was saying.
The next moment, he felt a powerful force surge towards him. His arms were suddenly empty; Xue Niang's body had vanished.
And inside the room, a young man in black had appeared.
He seemed to have leaped down from the empty, open roof.
"Give her back..."
Xiao Shan's fierce, bloodthirsty expression froze. He saw the golden lotus on the young man's forehead.
Hearing the commotion, Feng Yi entered and immediately drew his saber upon seeing the stranger who had suddenly appeared.
"Feng Yi, go out and stand guard!"
Xiao Shan stared intently at the young man. His recently dead heart seemed to come alive again, his thoughts in turmoil, jumping uncontrollably, but this was the hope of rebirth.
His eyes, unknowingly, began to show longing and supplication.
Have the gods arrived?
The young man's eyes, like ancient, deep pools, gradually warmed as he looked at Ling Yao.
Silly Ah Yin, lacking even Nirvana's power. This should have been completed in one go, yet she took several attempts. How weak must her spiritual power be?
He bit his finger and let a few drops of blood fall into her mouth, then chanted a few strange words.
Xiao Shan saw the body's chest clearly rise and fall.
She was breathing!
"Great Sun Divine Monarch." The young man looked at Xiao Shan, his gaze cold and deep.
From birth, Xiao Shan had a fiery spirit, possessed immense courage, and had tempered himself in battle, standing proud against the wind and frost, fearing nothing.
But before this person, he felt an oppressive, chilling fear.
However, he was willing to submit.
Willfully.
"Yes," he replied. "As long as she is well, you shall be my master."
Master?
Ap Song Shi's expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, he rolled his eyes dramatically.
This person possessed the Fire Spirit Pearl, and was chosen by Ah Yin as the Great Sun Divine Monarch. Although his power was very weak, in this world where humans were as insignificant as ants, he was still the strongest.
It's just that his appearance was not that great.
Didn't Ah Yin love beautiful things the most? Why did she choose him?
"She failed Nirvana. Her meridians are not yet healed. I need to help her repair them."
Ap Song Shi's tone was still somewhat stiff. It seemed that these words were not as simple as he thought, and quite difficult to pronounce.
Xiao Shan's mouth trembled with excitement. He opened it several times before managing to utter, "Good!"
Ap Song Shi hugged Ling Yao and turned to leave.
"Wait, where are you taking her?"
Ap Song Shi was unhappy, but this person was the Great Sun Divine Monarch, Ah Yin's guardian monarch. Oh, no, this mortal might even need Ah Yin's protection.
In any case, he was Ah Yin's person.
He might as well say one more thing!
"In this world, there is a defensive energy stone of the Ma clan. I need to borrow its power to help Ah Yin recover quickly. You cannot go; mortals would go mad."
Ah, it's so annoying, the language here really tires the mouth.
"I'll stay far away." Xiao Shan followed.
Ap Song Shi no longer wished to speak. Holding the person, he floated lightly down the stairs, then with a single step covering ten feet, he vanished in an instant.
Such speed! Only Xiao Shan's eyesight could barely keep up, but he couldn't follow!
On the street, government officials were posting notices. It was about the Emperor establishing an empress and taking concubines, posted every thirty meters, ensuring everyone knew.
Qing He emerged from the room, her eyes still a little unfocused.
"Miss Qing He, that person seemed very powerful."
Yu Liu had witnessed the ethereal figure and seen the master chase after him. To be honest, the gap was too great.
"The power of gods is naturally beyond what we mortals can compare to."
He must be from the princess's kin, right?
Looking at the chubby dragon and phoenix twins, who were gnawing on their fingers, Qing He smiled. "Let's go back to Yingzhou!"