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墨書 Inktalez
The King of the Underworld paused for a moment, then slowly lowered his eyes and blinked. The hand behind his back tightened imperceptibly, and the corners of his lips curled into a stiff smile.
"Only when consumed by desire can one be reborn from the flames. I firmly believe in the existence of Miracle and will never give up." I stared at him earnestly, taking in his expression as I spoke each word clearly, "In this game, I must win, for them and for myself."
After saying this, I turned and walked away.
My heart was filled with too many emotions. I didn't want anything to happen to Molin, Qin Ling, or even Jian Rou. I hoped that everyone around me would live safely, but these were merely beautiful dreams; reality had always been cruel.
"Humans die to become ghosts, and ghosts die to become spirits, yet few ghosts become spirits. Do you know why the King of the Underworld exists solely in authority? It is because they are all spirits. Ghosts fear spirits and submit to them, just as humans fear ghosts. Once one becomes a spirit, their soul will scatter and dissipate into the world after death. Both Jun Chong and I are merely ghosts who have died once. Anxin, do you think this victory is so simple? Without Jun Chong's protection, you will have nothing, living like a mere shadow—a complete waste."
My steps faltered slightly at his words but ultimately did not stop.
I knew my courage better than anyone else. The truth of the King of the Underworld's words was uncertain, yet they made me realize that once Jun Chong was gone, I would never find anything related to him again. I was inherently weak and incapable; if it weren't for Jun Chong, I might have perished long ago.
The hand resting on my waist alternated between tight and loose as my breathing slowed and deepened. I said nothing as I returned to Dragon Spring Palace. Jian Rou had not yet returned; she was probably still with Shizui.
I leaned helplessly against the bed, my mind swirling with chaotic thoughts. My belly had already begun to swell; many things had become complicated, and I didn't know when it would all come to an end.
In a daze, I unexpectedly fell asleep. When I woke up, it was already dark outside. I got up to light a lamp but found that Jian Rou still hadn't returned. Not feeling anxious, I called for Aunt Song to eat something before stepping outside for a walk.
Dragon Spring Palace was quite large, with mountains, water, and pavilions; the scenery was truly beautiful.
Tonight was cool as water, carrying a slight chill. Despite it being summer, I couldn't help but shiver. My hands intertwined as I rubbed my arms and sneezed. Rubbing my nose, I prepared to head back when I spotted a pair of lovers under the moonlight at the hexagonal Linglong Pavilion on the left side of Dragon Spring Palace.
Under the silent night sky, they gazed at each other and leaned close together without words, yet their silence spoke volumes. Dressed in blue robes and simple garments, with a jade-like beauty beside him, Shizui and Jian Rou were perfectly matched in both appearance and temperament.
I smiled as I watched cherry blossom petals drift from the nearby tree into the pavilion like living chains of flowers spiraling up from the ground without interruption. The floating chains danced around them, brushing against their hair and clothes while intertwining their hearts even more closely together. The night breeze stirred the thin curtains of the pavilion, creating an ethereal scene that was indescribably beautiful.
“Shizui, Jian Rou, you must be happy.”
My wish was sincere.
I knew that not all lovers in the world could find perfect happiness, but I had a selfish hope that my friends around me could be happy.
As I made my way back to the room, I was suddenly grabbed by a pair of hands, pulling my arm and pressing me against the door. Before I could even let out a gasp, the newcomer covered my mouth with their hand. The deliberately lowered voice was so familiar, “It’s me.”
In the dim yellow light of the room, I finally recognized the person’s face.
“Lianchi? Aren’t you supposed to be under house arrest? What are you doing here?”
Lianchi was uncharacteristically anxious, all smiles hidden away, revealing the most genuine emotions. The hands gripping my arms trembled slightly, and his voice carried a quiver.
“Jun Jun is in trouble.”
“What happened?”
“During the last Vine Demon incident, Feng Ao was ordered to capture her. I had secretly interfered to ensure he would fail his mission, but somehow someone provided him with a lead that led him to Jun Jun. The king did indeed give me a separate order regarding Jun Jun, but before that, there was another command: to capture any humans who entered the underworld with full force; those who resist are to be executed on the spot. I received news that Feng Ao found Jun Jun and injured her. While escaping, she was severely wounded by a black-clad spirit. The situation is critical. Feng Ao will definitely kill Jun Jun, and I cannot allow her to die at someone else's hands, which is why I came to ask for your help.”
“What kind of help?” Lianchi was unusually tense; that expression was one only seen when someone truly cared for another. “I will help you with anything I can.”
Though I said this, I noticed a flicker of reluctance on Lianchi's face. I sensed it keenly and asked, “Does this have something to do with my baby?”
“...Yes.” He struggled to utter a single word before suddenly kneeling on the ground, startling me greatly. “Lianchi, what are you doing?”
“Anxin, the king has punished me this time and taken away most of my Ghost Power. Right now, I cannot defeat Feng Ao or save Jun Jun. So I need your child's Demon Fetus Power. Although Jun Jun has been reincarnated, she still retains a small portion of Demon Fetus Power within her. Your Demon Fetus Power can combine with hers to heal her and save her life. However, this will stimulate your child’s growth and they may be born at any moment.”
I trembled, my back pressed against the door, grateful that it could support me as I stood there.
Everything seemed to be linked to the Demon Fetus from the very beginning.
The Demon Fetus would consume the Mother, and I would die.
The blood of the Demon Fetus could save Molin, but then the Demon Fetus would die.
The power of the Demon Fetus could save Jun Jun, but it would also stimulate the Demon Fetus, accelerating its growth, and I would die.
On the surface, it seemed that only the second option was the best choice for me. Moreover, if the second option was willing, it could also share the power of the Demon Fetus to save Jun Jun, and I wouldn’t die—an ideal solution all around.
But after all this time spent connected by flesh and blood, how could I bear to abandon this child?
All my efforts had come to nothing; I couldn’t do it, yet reality forced me into a corner.
Images flashed in my mind: Lianchi’s anxious and excited expression upon seeing Jun Jun’s happiness and shyness, Shizui and Jian Rou’s passionate reunion after a long separation, and Molin’s dying struggle growing increasingly distant...
To make them all happy and well, I only needed to sacrifice one thing.
I reached down to touch my belly, resting my head against the door, my heart aching painfully.
Should I give up or continue to endure and lose even more? Time was passing; I could wait, but they might not be able to—so I tightened my grip.
Lianchi noticed my hesitation; his brows furrowed tightly. His white teeth bit down on his lip, leaving a pale mark as he moved to stand up from the ground.
“If you are unwilling, I won’t force you. Regardless, I must save Jun Jun. Anxin, I’m sorry for putting you in this dilemma; I shouldn’t have come to you and added to your troubles.”
A large hand landed accurately on my head, while Lianchi stood beside me with one hand on the door, gazing in a different direction.
"I've received news that the king has begun preparations for the wedding, and today it was announced that he will marry the Queen of the Underworld. The betrothal gift is a Phoenix Feather from the Queen of the Underworld. A great battle is imminent, so you need to be ready. And take this."
I saw him handing over a transparent vial, shaped like a droplet, with a single drop of blood floating in mid-air within its rounded body.
"What is this?"
"The heart's blood of the King of the Underworld." Lianchi pressed it into my palm and closed my fingers around it. "I believe you will survive, absolutely." He took a step back and smiled at me. "Anxin, it's truly wonderful to know you."
Lianchi's words sounded eerily like a farewell. Only then did I notice that his complexion was different from usual—pale and ashen, not merely from biting his lips but from blood loss.
"I'm leaving."
Before I could finish my sentence, I felt the sound of wind rush past. When I looked up again, he had vanished without a trace, leaving only the vial in my hand to confirm everything that had just happened.
I bit my lip, staring at the vial, recalling how he had been confined and lost his Ghost Power. A sense of dread crept into my heart. "He wouldn't be that foolish, would he?"
A voice deep inside me told me he would.
Because it was Jun Jun's request, he would surely fulfill it; it was his way of expressing his love for her.
My heart was pierced with pain as I hid the vial away. Without a second thought, I opened the door and rushed out, but there was no sign of Lianchi anywhere. I grabbed a passing servant and ordered them to take me to Lianchi's palace, hoping he might return there.
I wanted to tell him that I was willing; hesitation sometimes didn't mean rejection but rather concern for that dark-clad spirit. I suspected it was the one who had leaked information to Feng Ao.
"Babe, you don't hate me, do you?"
"Mom, the baby won't hate you. Even if you are willing to use my blood to save Molin, I will follow your wishes. As long as you are happy, as long as you don't cry, I am willing to sacrifice myself. So, Mom—"
"My dear, with your kind heart, I have enough. It is I who am sorry for you."
"Mom, you have allowed me to live this long, and that is enough for me. I don't want to harm you."
I placed a hand on my belly and said solemnly, "Baby, you must not do anything foolish without my permission."
The baby fell silent as I made my way to Lianchi Palace. His confidant informed me that Lianchi was not present; the King of Hell was already aware of the situation and had sent Yazhen to capture him.
I nodded and left, gazing at the vast night sky, unsure of where to search for Lianchi's whereabouts.
"Baby, can you tell me how I can find Lianchi?"
"The baby is not familiar with his aura, so I cannot tell."
I sighed; perhaps this was fate?
"No, there must be a way."
Anxiously lifting my skirt, I stepped outside the palace, uncertain if I would be able to leave at all. I thought of it as merely checking the situation. However, before I could reach the palace gates, a dark shadow blocked my path.
A wide-brimmed hat was lifted by delicate hands, revealing a stunningly beautiful face that could captivate nations. She smiled at me and said, "Anxin."
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