chapter 14

The little lotus wiped her tears, quietly pondering . Finally, she took a deep breath and decided, “I want to see the this side of him… . If I walk away now, I will never get the chance to say goodbye . Even if in his eyes, I am nothing, ever since I’ve opened my eyes in this world, he has been my everything . He is the most important person in my life . ” Recollections of memories floated through her mind, causing her eyes to redden once again with tears, “I worked hard to become become a real person, learned how to talk, studied human customs, just to gain his favour… . . Just to be with him…… . Not kill me, ah… . . ”

Chen Li sighed, squatting next to her, “Although what I’m saying is a little cruel, you must listen . That Prince Rui, raising you from birth, only to slaughter you, for him, this is the only value you have . Anything else, no matter how much you do, even if you beg him, he will be completely cold and aloof . It has no value, do you understand?” Chen Li held her face, using her thumb to wipe of her tears . “Therefore, you must quickly stand back up and walk to the future . You are such a good girl, so forget about him, this world has so much more beautiful things to explore . ”

In the back, Xing Yun quietly looked at Chen Li’s squatting figure . The little lotus miss also stared at Chen Li before lowering her head, “You are carefree, but me…” She lowered her head, burying her face into her knees . She sounded unwilling as she said, “I would like to see what kind of woman she is, to make the prince go through such efforts to revive her . I want to know, between her and I, how big the distance truly is . ”

Chen Li stood up, exchanging looks with Xing Yun . He spoke, “Go take a look- You’ll have to face disappointment eventually . ”

Chen Li’s mouth twitched, thinking in her mind . Why would you need to see her once again? The fact is already there . Even if little lotus is better in every aspect than the woman lying on the bed, the one Prince Rui loves is not her . That cannot be changed . But seeing little lotus being so persistent, she swallowed down her thoughts, and said instead, “Okay, okay, I’ll bring you to see her . When we go down, hide behind Xing Yun while I find an excuse to lead Prince Rui away . Then, you can stare at her as much as you like . ” The woman was already dead, it’s not like little lotus can harm her .

Chen Li used a special technique, instantly teleporting them to the secret chamber . Chen Li signaled Xing Yun with her eyes to little lotus, Xing Yun quickly moving to block her with his body . Chen Li then walked inside, finding Prince Rui sitting by the bedside . His eyes were fixed on the woman whom laid on the bed . Chen Li interrupted, “The little lotus has been killed by me . ”

Light, shallow, indifferent words echoed in the room . Prince Rui’s body was stiff, not turning to look his head . Chen Li continued, “All the bloody demon spirits caused by the resentment has returned to normal . I will escort you out . ”

The room was silent for a long time . Finally, Prince Rui laughed bitterly, his voice sombre, “Why must I go?” He bent down, lightly kissing the woman’s icy cold forehead . “Ye Shi hasn’t awoken, so what difference does it make if Zhu Chengjin is alive or dead . ”

Hiding in the dark, little lotus’s fists were clenched tightly, the light in her eyes dimming .

“Throughout my life, I was constantly searching for power . To me, Ye Shi was just a woman . After a few years together, I had thought that she was still nothing to me . However, we both actually cared deeply about each other, seeping into our very being . For the past 3 years, I had been dreaming of her awakening every night only to be disappointed . So, I placed all of my hopes onto little lotus’s body… . . But in the end, she too died . ” Prince Rui smiled sadly . “When I look back, everything is empty . ”

He caressed Ye Shi’s hair gently, “You may go . I’ll accompany her here . I won’t be going out . ”

Chen Li was silent . This statement, it shows that one truly can die an emotional death . If this time, Prince Rui is hell bent on death, then Xing Yun… . Before she could finish her thoughts, a pink figure suddenly ran past her . Such a surprise, she startled the god Chen Li so much, she did not have enough time to catch her!

She could only watch as little lotus ran out towards Prince Rui, her palm ferociously slapping his face . Crying out like her life depended on it, she screamed at Prince Rui, “I HATE YOU!!!!”

Rui Prince Zhu Chengjin looked at her, not quite recovered from the shock . He could only see the little lotus’s figure change into a ball of silver light, leaping into Ye Shi’s cold body . The last few drops of tears flew through the air, landing on his hand . On the bed, the woman coughed weakly . Prince Rui didn’t notice, his eyes focused on Ye Shi . His eyes were bright as he stared . Eyes of hope .

Chen Li felt something cold freeze over her heart, little lotus’s sacrifice for this kind of man really wasn’t worth it . “Silly girl . ” She sighed . It felt as if her cries sounded once more next to her ears .

“Why me? Why me?!”

“For him, I practiced and studied every day to become a person!”

She was clearly just a supporting role, a side character . Why must that silly girl die for him?

“Cough…… Cough… . . ” The woman in the bed coughed, almost choking . Prince Rui’s eyes lit up, raw joy flooding through him, leaving him almost unprepared . “Ye Shi, Ye Shi… . . ” He was constantly whispering her name, his hoarse voice sounding, “You wait, I’ll get you out . ” Prince Rui quickly scooped her up, carrying her as he quickly walked in front of Chen Li, an anxious look on his face . “I’m sorry, I must trouble you to quickly clear up an exit . ”

This is the only female that would be able to make the proud price lower his head for help . Chen Li tugged Prince Rui’s hand, pulling him to a stop, saying gently, “Little Lotus said that, she for you, struggled through hardships to become a real person, not for you to slaughter . Now, for you, she sacrificed herself . ”

Prince Rui was startled, listening to Chen Li’s emotionless voice as she continued, “My own fault, I was too careless about bringing her here . I hadn’t thought that you would’ve been able to sense her here, knew that she was hiding behind us . Such a good play you had created, right Prince Rui? However… . . ”

Chen Li didn’t finish, but Prince Rui could guess the meaning behind it .

Little Lotus had seen through him, but had still foolishly followed her feelings for him . She loathed the scheme Prince Rui had put on, but she still couldn’t escape the plot .

A truly, downright silly girl .

Prince Rui was silent . Chen Li turned to Xing Yun and spoke, “I’ll go deliver them outside, you stay still and wait for me here . ”

Xing Yun hid his hands behind him, his face heavy with dark circle, and gently nodded . However, the preoccupied Chen Li couldn’t see the differences in the dark, only grasping Prince Rui’s wrist . With a flash, the two were standing on the bridge near Prince Rui’s residence .

The palace was silent, lacking any signs of life . Corpses of bodyguards floated on the surface of the lake . Prince Rui’s brows wrinkled, about to ask a question, but suddenly Chen Li disappeared with a flash, not saying a word of goodbye . The lady in his arms coughed twice, causing a sense of urgency to well up in his heart as he rushed down the bridge . As he did, his eyes were involuntarily attracted the the lotus in the lake .

Withered leaves, bent stalks, and a dry flowerhead told that it was dead . In this moment, a picture inexplicably leaped into Prince Rui’s head . A pink clothed girl leaped into his arms, smiling . Not yet able to speak, she instead rubbed her cheeks against his chest to express her love . She stuttered adorably, “Zhu… . . Zhu, lotus likes . Z-Zhu likes . Zhu l-likes . Little lotus?”

He remembers at that time, saying without hesitation, “Like . ” He easily deceived her, yet the deceived little girl just let out a bright, happy smile . So beautiful, it could almost light up his soul, letting him see all the darkness inside him .

A Liar! He was such a big liar! Since today, this world will never have another Little Lotus… . At this moment, Zhu Chengjin actually hated himself, hated how despicable he really was .

~~~

In the underground chamber, Chen Li slapped her hand angrily on the stone bed . The soul tying array on the bed cracked, dust flying up into the air causing Xing Yun to cover his mouth, coughing lightly . “Don’t vent your anger onto the stone bed . ” Xing Yun sighed, “It was I chose to bring little lotus down here . If you want to vent your anger, just talk to me . ”

Chen Li closed her eyes, her angry mood gradually calming down . “If I were her, then I must kill that man . Make him pay for my life with his . ” Her demeanor was cold and gloomy, “To sacrifice herself for that kind of man’s happiness, he is unworthy . ”

“It’s not right for outsiders to have the final say . ” Xing Yun spoke, “As long as she was willing, no one is qualified to judge this matter is right or wrong . ”

Chen Li felt an urge in her heart . “That guy didn’t know who he has killed . ”

“How could he not have known?” Xing Yun smiled faintly, “He knows, just for him, Little Lotus’s feelings simply didn’t matter . ”

Chen Li was silent, anger stirring in her heart . “Such a disgusting man, other woman always on his mind!” Suddenly she thought of her own situation, Fu Rong’s own disgusting nature . So annoying! “If I ever fancy a man, then I will never care about anyone else or let people interfere with us! To me, I will only accept the whole thing, if only a part, I won’t care! If he dares to scheme with me, then I’ll break his bones!”

Her speech was loud and clear, causing Xing Yun to turn, shocked . Blinking to refocus, he spoke, “Nice courage . ”

Chen Li regained her composure and scratched her head awkwardly, “Of course, the day before yesterday, I took a fancy to you . However, we won’t be together in the future, so you are still free to marry . ” Listening to her words, in spite of holding it in, Xing Yun burst into laugher . Before he could finish, Chen Li waved her hand, “I don’t have any more time to stay here . Come, I’ll send you out . ”

“Okay . ” Xing Yun agreed, extending his hand . But before Chen Li’s hand could grab him, he shrank his arm back . He coughed hoarsely, his waist bending towards the floor . Chen Li was startled, not yet recovered from her surprise when Xing Yun started vomiting out clouds of black blood . Chen Li was worried for his life, “How?”

Xing Yun opened his mouth, wanting to reply, but black blood just repeatedly gushed out instead . Chen Li rushed to hold him up, grabbing his hand to get his pulse . However, on his hand was a charred, thumb-sized black hole . Chen Li looked closer, realizing that it wasn’t newly made, but was caused by the baby demon spirit’s tears .

“When did you receive the wound?!” Chen Li was furious, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier!”

The surrounding flesh of the wound was already infected, the black flesh slowly expanding . The bloody spirits were a result of resentful magical qi being released into the air . Therefore, their bodily fluids were not only putrid, rotting, but also very, very toxic . Xing Yun was already very weak, meaning the infection was many times more serious than it would be for the common person . Yet for so long, he didn’t say a thing… .

Chen Li really wanted to hit him, but also feared that if she lost control of her strength, would kill him in one shot . Therefore, she could only clench her teeth and force back her anger . She hauled him onto her back, angrily shouting, “You! When you spat out that toxic black blood at me, did you want to kill me!”

Xing Yun’s lips were still black, blood flowing down from the corner of his lips . However, he still laughed faintly, “I tried to hold it back, but wasn’t able to so I had to . ”

Chen Li grinded her teeth, “A sickly person shouldn’t try to flaunt himself as a hero . You shut up!”

“Yeah… . ” Xing Yun sighed quietly, “When you were in your troubles, I have never once turned my back on you . ”