As Baili老爷’s hand, which had been gripping her, slowly loosened.
“What do you want to say? Speak quickly!” Gu Qianying continued to ask, but Baili老爷 had already breathed his last. His eyes stared blankly at Baili Jingxuan, who had fallen into Song Wuji’s arms. His consciousness was forever frozen at this moment.
“How could you be so foolish? How could you be so foolish!” Song Wuji embraced the person in his arms, raising his other hand to caress Baili Jingxuan’s face. The blood on Baili Jingxuan’s chest had already run dry, and his robes were stained red. Song Wuji stroked his face as if holding a precious gift, unwilling to let go, not wanting to let go. His eyes were filled with mist. They say men shed blood but not tears, but that is only until they are truly heartbroken. At this moment, Song Wuji suddenly understood why Baili Jingxuan had made the choice to sacrifice his life. Baili老爷 was Baili Jingxuan’s father. His nurturing kindness was immeasurable, and the blood ties made it impossible for Baili Jingxuan to watch his own father die before his eyes. However, his own father had killed his mother and sister. His grief was something no one else could bear. By repaying his father with his own life, he had also avenged his mother and sister. He felt no guilt. But… he had never considered that there was someone else in this world who would worry about him, cherish him, and feel heartbroken when his life was about to end.
“No… don’t be sad, Song… Song Wuji, I’m not worth it…” With his last bit of strength, his blood-stained hand reached out to touch his face. Baili Jingxuan’s voice was very weak. He struggled to look up at Song Wuji, his eyes fixed solely on him. He smiled faintly. He continued to speak the words in his heart, each word he uttered now was spoken with all his might, word by word. Song… Song Wuji, don’t… grieve for me… I’m not worth it. You… you should find a woman who loves you… marry her, have children… and live a good life with her… Song Wuji… I’m sorry… it’s all my fault… I… I shouldn’t have developed feelings for you…
His weak arm suddenly clutched Song Wuji’s collar. Baili Jingxuan spoke with great difficulty: “Listen… listen? … Song Wuji, you have… no feelings for me… you’re just a good-for-nothing… you just don’t want to hurt my feelings… that’s why… that’s why you’re with me in a ‘cut-sleeve’ relationship. Song Wuji… you never loved me… from…”
“No, I loved you!” Tears fell from his eyes, and Song Wuji gazed dotingly at Baili Jingxuan lying in his arms. A breeze blew, and leaves fell. The falling leaves, like a celestial scattering flowers, gently landed on Song Wuji’s head and shoulders. At this moment, Gu Qianying stood frozen, her gaze fixed on Baili Jingxuan, remaining silent.
“No… Song Wuji, you don’t love me, listen, you never loved me… tell me… you… tell me… you never loved me, you… say it… say it, okay?” As he said these words, Baili Jingxuan’s voice grew weaker. How could Song Wuji not understand his thoughts? The people beside them understood as well. Gu Qianying closed her eyes, then finally turned away, her back to Song Wuji and Baili Jingxuan. She understood that at this moment, Baili Jingxuan wanted to be alone with Song Wuji, and more importantly, wanted to hear what he longed to hear from Song Wuji’s mouth. Looking at Baili Jingxuan, whose face was as pale as paper and growing paler, almost devoid of color, Song Wuji finally could not bear it and spoke the words: “Okay, I’ll say it. I, Song Wuji… have never loved you, never!” Gripping the hand that was caressing his cheek, Song Wuji’s tears fell like a broken string of pearls, and he choked back a sob. He then placed a kiss on the back of Baili Jingxuan’s hand. As if hearing a vow of eternal love, Baili Jingxuan looked at Song Wuji and smiled with great joy. The blood at the corner of his mouth continued to flow, from staining to soaking. He lay almost in a pool of blood.
“Remember… remember my words… you… you never… loved… loved… me…” His words were left unfinished. His hand slowly fell. His slightly open eyes were forever closed at this moment. “Baili Jingxuan… Ah…!” Burying his head in his neck, Song Wuji wept in pain. And Baili Jingxuan, whom Song Wuji held tightly, could no longer feel his joy or sorrow. “Ah…” He raised his head and cried out. Gu Qianying did not turn around for a long time. But her face was already covered in tears. She tightly clenched the jade hands at the hem of her skirt. She made no sound, but her grief was palpable to everyone around her.
At this moment, Han Chenglin was held at swordpoint by Han Xuan. No matter how many pleasant words he spoke, Han Xuan had no intention of letting him go. Han Chenglin was also seriously injured. Han Xuan, wanting to replace him, had shown him no mercy. “Xuan’er, you cannot believe the words of that vixen Gu Qianying. In the future, everything your father has will be yours. Why are you in such a hurry? Xuan’er, if you kill your father, your sister and brother will not forgive you.” Han Xuan looked at Han Chenglin, his eyes filled with ice. His younger siblings were of no consequence to him. His family members had never truly understood him. Moreover, he remembered that when he was young, no matter what he did at home, his siblings would mock him. Even if he was the eldest son, who truly treated him as an elder brother? Looking at the coldness in Han Xuan’s eyes, Han Chenglin became flustered. He was truly afraid that his son would commit patricide.
“Xuan’er, if you don’t like your brother and sister, it’s fine. But… don’t forget, Yan Shuang, she is waiting for you to return to the mansion. Xuan’er, your beloved woman Yan Shuang, have you forgotten her?” The name “Yan Shuang” made Han Xuan’s voice even colder: “Heh, Father, have you forgotten that Yan Shuang is carrying my younger brother’s child? You were the one who arranged this marriage. Father, the Lu family is a gate you value, and also a gate you wish to acquire for yourself!”
“Father, it’s not that I’ve forgotten, it’s you who has forgotten. You’ve forgotten how you broke us apart. You’ve forgotten how you forced our dying mother to make me swear a solemn oath to sever ties with Lu Yan Shuang. It was also you who made Mother force me, at home, to prioritize my younger siblings first, to become your good helper, and to help you capture the City Lord’s position.”
“Father, your eyes only see yourself. You are selfish and heartless, favoring your younger siblings at home. Father, have you ever considered my feelings, your son?” Han Xuan revealed all the past grievances. Han Chenglin was speechless, but immediately, he began to defend himself again. “Xuan’er, Father knows you like the eldest daughter of the Lu family. Listen to Father, the reason Father sent your brother to the eldest daughter of the Lu family was all for you. Father had someone divine a prophecy for Lu Yan Huan. Her fate and yours are incompatible; marriage is not advisable.”
“However, if she stays by your side in another capacity, it will be very auspicious. Father also knows that you and she are in love and should be together, but Father cannot disregard you, Xuan’er!” “However, Father has already decided. As long as she gives birth to your brother’s child, it will break the inauspicious fate between you and her. At that time, your brother will divorce her, and you will marry her. This would be the best of both worlds, Xuan’er.” “In this way, you and she can be together day and night, Xuan… Do you know, Father…”
“Enough, shut up!” Han Xuan could no longer listen to what Han Chenglin was saying. He looked at Han Chenglin with disappointment: “Father, you actually want your son to marry his sister-in-law in the future? Hahaha… How can you utter such absurdities! What do you take me for, Father? Hahaha, I was a sacrifice from the moment I was born!” From disappointment to despair, Han Xuan’s gaze towards Han Chenglin now held no emotion.
At this moment, as the wind blew, a figure in red appeared beside Han Xuan. “Old Master Han and Baili Jingxuan’s father, Song Gang, the three of you killed the old City Lord, and now you have caused the death of my sect’s close friend, Baili Jingxuan. Old Master Han, this sect master has always been someone who repays enmity with enmity and grievances with grievances, striking back with every tooth!” With a light flick of his sleeve, a sword fell at Han Chenglin’s feet. Gu Qianying’s voice was cold, like winter ice.
“Choose yourself, Old Master Han: commit suicide or be killed!” At this moment, Gu Qianying’s eyes were devoid of warmth, filled only with killing intent. She would not let go of those who caused Baili Jingxuan’s death. Seeing the sword at his feet, Han Chenglin panicked. Having been surrounded by many unseen shadows earlier, he already knew the formidable power of this vixen Gu Qianying. He was no match for her. And now, this vixen wanted to kill him, and he was somewhat afraid.
“Xuan’er! Did you hear? Gu Qianying, that vixen, wants to kill Father. Xuan’er, quickly kill this vixen. Father knows you are an obedient child, you definitely won’t watch your Father…” Before his words were finished, he was interrupted by Han Xuan’s cold remark: “Old Master Han, choose yourself: commit suicide or be killed by me!” This sentence clearly stated Han Xuan’s attitude and made Han Chenglin recognize his current predicament.
“Xuan’er, you… you actually want Father to die! Xuan’er! You have disappointed Father too much…” The sword on the ground was suddenly picked up by someone. To Han Chenglin’s shocked gaze, that person directly plunged the tip of the sword into Han Chenglin’s chest. As blood spread, Han Chenglin looked at Han Xuan before him with disbelief. His lips trembled, wanting to say something, but was silenced by another sword thrust. He fell backward, heavily crashing to the ground. Blood splattered onto the person’s face, and the person turned to look at Gu Qianying: “Miss Gu, how is this sincerity?”