Xing Yuan's heart was inevitably touched, waves of warmth surging directly into her soul. A supremely gentle smile bloomed on her face.
"It is also my honor," she whispered.
Their relationship progressed at a rapid pace.
The emotions Xing Yuan had been forced to seal away due to pain began to revive, bit by bit, yet her rationality always remained in command.
But this was not an era suitable for romance. War raged outside, and all the tranquility here was merely temporary.
On this land, wars between nations could be navigated by choosing sides to ensure one's safety. However, when other countries encroached upon their territory, their enemy became singular, and the conflict was to the death.
If they couldn't drive out the invaders, this land would never know peace. It was a pity that most people did not grasp this point.
The flames of war intensified. When they reached the doorstep, everyone had only one choice: to strike dead the one who ignited the conflict.
Since ancient times, in the hearts of many, the status of women was always low. Yet, sometimes, this underestimation of women could lead to unexpected shifts in the tide of battle.
This all-female squad had masterfully exploited the male underestimation of women, continuously extracting intelligence from them, and even severing their throats.
Men and women had a disparity in strength, but there was also a gap between trained women and untrained men. They knew how to utilize their limited strength for resistance.
However, individual strength was always finite. They could make significant contributions in certain aspects, but the impact they could have on the overall battlefield situation was truly limited.
They were exhausted from their constant movement, yet the results they achieved fell far short of expectations.
Some would weep in the quiet of the night, but by the next day, they would again be tenacious, unyielding warriors.
Warriors who could not be defeated by any hardship, even if everyone believed they were engaged in futile efforts.
Xing Yuan felt a deep concern for Meng Fanyue. She could remain indifferent and uncaring towards all things, but Meng Fanyue was special.
Therefore, when full-scale war erupted and Meng Fanyue earnestly told Xing Yuan that she was going to the battlefield, Xing Yuan finally decided to act.
Not for anyone else, but solely for her. Because she wanted to, she would do it.
Angels fought for all beings, but she was not an angel; she was a "demon." Demons fought only for one person.
This was the fundamental difference between them.
The world revered angels, but who wouldn't desire the unique favor of a demon?
Xing Yuan had many disciples. Initially, it was purely for self-preservation, to ensure her own safe survival in this world filled with war. Later, she genuinely felt pity for those homeless children who would die if she didn't intervene.
Whatever these children did, Xing Yuan would support them with all her might. Now, her disciples were present in all walks of life, even holding considerable positions within them.
Thus, after instructing Wei Hui to take good care of her, she bid farewell to Meng Fanyue one day and departed.
"You're leaving? Why?" Meng Fanyue tightly grasped Xing Yuan's hand, her face filled with reluctance.
"I, I have some matters to attend to. Once I've handled them, I will definitely return to find you," Xing Yuan soothed gently.
"But, I'm afraid."
Meng Fanyue's body trembled slightly. She feared that once Xing Yuan left, she would never see her again.
War was always cruel. She was just an ordinary person, possessing nothing more than flesh and blood. She feared that one day she might not wake up, and never see her again.
"Don't be afraid," Xing Yuan embraced her, gently kissing her forehead.
"Promise me you'll take good care of yourself. I will definitely sort everything out as quickly as possible and come to find you," she vowed.
Meng Fanyue's thick eyelashes fluttered, a few crystalline tears gathering. Her eyes, red-rimmed, looked at Xing Yuan, "Where are you going?"
"What if you can't find me? Tell me where you're going. If you can't find me, then I'll come find you. The outside world is very dangerous."
"I'm going to find a few people. They are in different places. Don't worry, I will definitely find you. No matter where you are, I will find you. Trust me, okay?"
Xing Yuan's gaze shifted, looking at the person before her with such gentleness, filled with deep affection and longing.
Meng Fanyue could no longer bear to refuse or question her. She merely let out a soft "Mm."
She believed her now. She pleaded with her not to disappoint her, not to leave and never return.
Meng Fanyue's heart remained uneasy. She had agreed to be with her, but during their time together, she could only feel warmth from her, not love.
Yet, even if they merely interacted like family, she was content.
***
Xing Yuan first went to find Situ Ying.
Even though she had many disciples, Situ Ying was the most special among them.
In fact, her personality used to be very good and gentle. It was only after a misguided infatuation that all her former aspirations vanished. She became a nun.
Her greatest current wish was to establish churches throughout the country.
This was a lofty ambition, and Xing Yuan greatly admired it. After all, this child always set high standards for herself; if she did something, she would do it to the best of her ability.
As for the man who had caused her misguided infatuation, when Situ Ying discovered he was involved with another woman, she had ended him with a single stroke.
Xing Yuan came to find her not to persuade her to re-enter the world, but to inquire about the whereabouts of her other disciples.
Situ Ying had been an information broker in the past, making her the most likely person to know their locations.
When Xing Yuan found Situ Ying, she was in a terrible state.
Chased by a group of people, she ran in disarray, having even lost one of her shoes.
As she ran, she cursed those behind her incessantly.
After a brief hesitation, Xing Yuan acted. She leaped onto the rooftop, and several sharp flying daggers shot from her hands.
The daggers pierced the bodies of several people, and blood spurted out like pillars.
Hearing the cries of pain from those behind her, Situ Ying realized she had reinforcements. Her eyes lit up, and she fired several shots behind her.
With their combined efforts, it wasn't long before more than twenty people lay dead on the ground.
Xing Yuan jumped down and slowly walked to Situ Ying's side. "How did you get yourself into such a mess?"
Her tone was too gloating. Situ Ying stiffened slightly and cast a somewhat wronged glance at Xing Yuan. "Do you think I wanted this? I was set up."
"Who?" Xing Yuan asked with pure curiosity. Who had the audacity to scheme against her?
Weren't they afraid of losing everything in their attempt?
Upon hearing this, Situ Ying tilted her head back, gazing at the sky at a 45-degree angle. "Who else could it be? It's that ungrateful bastard Zhang Can!"