The system: "..."
Finally, the system signed an electronic agreement with Qin Jiujiu in her mind. If it violated the agreement, it would be cursed to never have its bound host complete their mission.
What a malicious curse! As expected, the most venomous hearts belong to women!
Only then did Qin Jiujiu, satisfied, head towards Liu Qi's location as provided by the system. The original text clearly did not have this part. For this corrupted plot, it had sacrificed a lot.
Liu Qi was following a discernible path on horseback, searching for Qin Jiujiu's tracks. He wasn't riding fast, to allow for better observation.
By chance, he encountered Xie Jing.
He saw a figure in the distance and reined in his horse, bringing it to a slow stop. As he approached, he recognized the younger brother of Great Hero Xie—that silent, cold teenager.
He wondered what he was doing in these deep mountains.
"Second Young Master Xie? What are you doing here?" he asked politely, dismounting and walking up to him.
Xie Jing, however, just stared at him, offering no reply. Liu Qi felt something was off and continued, "Second Young Master Xie?" He looked as if he were possessed.
Suddenly, Xie Jing drew the sword from his waist. It was the same sword he had used to kill people at the Hong Xiu Hui that day. Liu Qi recognized it; Xie Jing had seemed to have the same expression then.
Liu Qi took a slight step back, creating more space. He also carried a sword; it was common for martial artists.
Unlike Bai Qianluo, Xie Jing and Xie Yun could only rely on talismans and magical artifacts for demon-hunting. Bai Qianluo, on the other hand, possessed heart incantations, a significant difference.
Liu Qi's hand subtly moved to the sword at his waist. Having been through many battles, he was most sensitive to killing intent.
Xie Jing's gaze was cold, yet his eyes churned with a strange emotion, appearing sinister and terrifying.
The scene at the Hong Xiu Hui that day flashed through Liu Qi's mind. Although he wasn't there for the aftermath, so many people had died, their throats slit with a single stroke. It was hard to imagine this frail man was responsible.
As he prepared himself for defense, Xie Jing naturally noticed. The corner of his lips curved slightly, as if mocking Liu Qi's overestimation of himself.
Even without talismans and spells, Liu Qi couldn't defeat him!
Even Xie Yun had no idea just how powerful he truly was.
Xie Jing's lips were tightly pursed, his eyes filled with dark, bloodshot veins. A cruel, excited smile flickered across his face, making him appear even paler, like a nocturnal Asura come to claim lives.
Xie Jing used Qing Gong, leaping lightly towards Liu Qi. Liu Qi flinched from the cold glint of Xie Jing's sword and instinctively blocked. But Xie Jing's arm strength was immense; his sword pressed firmly against Liu Qi's, immobilizing him. In the stalemate, the sword was inching closer to Liu Qi's throat.
Xie Jing's gaze fell on Liu Qi's face. Liu Qi saw the red at the corner of his eyes, his peach blossom eyes radiating ruthlessness, faintly glinting with a sickly dark light.
Liu Qi broke free from the sword that was only inches away and, swinging his own sword, attacked Xie Jing fiercely. His movements were swift and brutal.
They fought fiercely for a long time, neither gaining the upper hand. The birds in the forest sensed the sword intent and scattered, their panicked chirps filling the air.
Suddenly, Xie Jing's internal energy surged. The voice reappeared in his mind—deep and hypnotic.
"Do you want me to help you?" the voice continued to entice. "Otherwise, that woman will be snatched away by him!"
Xie Jing ignored it. The voice was undeterred, continuing to whisper in his ear, "Let me merge with you, and your strength will be unmatched in the world! It's such a beneficial transaction for you!"
Xie Jing tried to banish the voice, but not only did he fail, but when he looked at Liu Qi, he saw a triumphant smile on his face.
The voice spoke again, "See? That woman belongs to him! He's mocking you! Hahahahahaha..."
The smile on Liu Qi's face indeed grew more unrestrained. An overwhelming rage surged through Xie Jing. He saw Qin Jiujiu, standing beside Liu Qi, and Liu Qi reached out to embrace her.
They were affectionate and intimate before him, and he was like a clown!
A roar echoed in his ears, and he heard Qin Jiujiu's voice. He stared at her face. She turned to look at him, her smile vanishing abruptly, replaced by a mocking curve of her lips. Her mouth moved, and he heard her say, "I like Ah Qi!"
Rumble...
Something in his heart collapsed. His heart felt as if it were being gripped, causing immense pain. His breathing became rapid, and he struggled to catch his breath.
He watched Qin Jiujiu nestled in Liu Qi's arms. Liu Qi was smiling, and she was smiling too. He, it seemed, was not part of their world; he was alone in this world.
They turned away. He watched their backs, and gradually, he sank into darkness while they remained in the light. Finally, even their retreating figures began to vanish, the last flicker of light swallowed by the darkness.
The demonic energy raged within Xie Jing, on the verge of successfully merging with him!
Liu Qi looked at Xie Jing, feeling that the young man before him was becoming increasingly strange. He seemed to be looking at him, yet not at him. Many emotions he couldn't understand flashed in his eyes, only to be completely engulfed by malevolence.
His eyes were now bloodshot, his icy gaze upon Liu Qi capable of piercing his bones.
"Soon! You will gain world-destroying power!"
Liu Qi's sword was knocked away by Xie Jing, who then grabbed him by the throat. He didn't choose to stab him with his sword, perhaps finding it insufficient for revenge. He threw his sword aside and gripped Liu Qi's throat tightly with his hand.
Liu Qi struggled desperately, but the frail young man before him possessed astonishing strength. No matter how he thrashed, he couldn't break free.
His strength seemed to have increased significantly just now.
Xie Jing had lost all reason. His world was shrouded in darkness, and he only wanted to grasp the last ray of light, so he reached for Qin Jiujiu's hand.
In his daze, Liu Qi seemed to see Qin Jiujiu's figure, followed by her voice, "Ah Jing!"
The constriction around his neck suddenly disappeared. Xie Jing turned to look at her. Liu Qi finally had a chance to breathe, his hand going to his neck as the feeling of suffocation gradually receded.
Light suddenly pierced through Xie Jing's eyes. Qin Jiujiu stood not far away, bathed in light. As she took step after step closer, the darkness beside him was replaced by light, and gradually, he could see clearly.
The cry of "Ah Jing" lingered in his ears, sounding increasingly gentle and affectionate.
"System, has the villain's darkening value decreased? I called him that as you said, it wouldn't be that it hasn't dropped, right?"
Xie Jing suddenly strode towards her, his narrowed eyes fixed on her, with the predatory glint of a beast.
And he was undoubtedly the prey!
Qin Jiujiu feared he might transfer his killing intent to her and quickly asked the system, "I ruined the villain's good deed, he won't kill me, will he!"
The system finally replied, "No! Host, the villain's darkening value here is fluctuating within the normal range. He shouldn't want to kill you, but Host, you should still find a way to explain your address for him!"
There was Yan Xing Gege in front, and now Ah Jing!
Actually, his mother used to call him "Ah Jing." (This is all later.)