Chapter Twenty-Two: Survival Comes First

However, Bai Shengyun did not believe her. He gazed at Xie Yingying for a long while, his eyes deep and inscrutable, then suddenly broke into an unexpected smile. "Xie Yingying, you certainly have a talent for coaxing people."

Xie Yingying feigned innocence, not understanding his meaning. "How could that be? Everything I said comes straight from the heart, not a single false word among them."

Bai Shengyun let out a low chuckle, his eyes tinged with mockery, and spoke with disdain, "There are more than a few people watching you in secret. Do you really think your every move can escape their notice?"

It was precisely because he knew Xie Yingying would never resign herself to obedience, that she would surely seek every opportunity to escape, that there were naturally plenty of hidden sentries around her.

"I won't hold you accountable for what's happened before, but from this day forward, if you dare to entertain thoughts of running away again, you may try and see what happens."

Faced with Bai Shengyun's threat, Xie Yingying deflated like a punctured ball, her whole demeanor sinking.

Seeing this, Bai Shengyun continued to smile as he spoke, "Remember well: nothing you do can escape my sight. It's utterly impossible for you to slip away from me."

"I absolutely won't run blindly," Xie Yingying replied in resignation, unable to believe how many arrangements Bai Shengyun had made without her noticing.

She recalled how, just days ago, she'd been smug, thinking she could slip away while Bai Shengyun attended the Heavenly Fox Grand Ritual.

Never had she imagined that every action had been under Bai Shengyun's watchful eye—including her wild wanderings across the mountain, and even the times she'd managed to avoid the patrolling disciples.

Thinking back on her foolish attempts, she felt as if struck by lightning, utter despair settling in.

After issuing his warning, Bai Shengyun turned and ordered her out. "I'm tired. Go back and rest, I don't need you to serve me today."

He had no concern that Xie Yingying would try to escape; after all, she could never slip past his surveillance.

He told her all this as a means of instilling caution, to make clear that there were no blind spots on Gu Feng Mountain—not for someone with Xie Yingying's abilities. Escape was utterly impossible.

At this point, Xie Yingying could only retreat in defeat, returning to her room and collapsing onto the soft bed, her mind a whirl of confusion.

She couldn't help but recall the times the elders had tormented and humiliated her, and how Bai Shengyun had so imperiously defended her.

From such small details, she could sense, however faintly, that Bai Shengyun was not entirely indifferent to her.

Yet, remembering the agony of the Initial Yuan Force's flare-ups, she involuntarily shuddered, as if a dull pain stirred again in her abdomen.

The slap and the sugar—this was the state of her relationship with Bai Shengyun.

Whenever she irritated him, the Initial Yuan Force would torment her to the brink of death. And when others bullied her, he would descend like a deity to stand up for her.

The contrast left Xie Yingying with a tumult of emotions.

She vented her frustration by grabbing the pillow and pounding it fiercely. "You heartless fox, demon! I will never forgive you!"

In that moment, it was as if the pillow in her hands was Bai Shengyun himself, the one who so often tormented her.

Despite these revelations, Xie Yingying's heart remained unsettled.

The pain from the Initial Yuan Force's attacks made her instinctively want to avoid Bai Shengyun, wishing she could disappear into the earth rather than face him.

She rolled on the bed, pondering for a long time, then remembered the scene in the original story where Bai Shengyun mercilessly killed her. A chill crept down her spine.

She pressed her hand to her chest, feeling her heart's steady beat, and finally let out a long breath.

In the original tale, Xie Yingying's death had been especially tragic, and as a mere cannon fodder, it was folly to remain by someone so favored by fate as Bai Shengyun.

Otherwise, she would be just like those who willingly died for him—though she herself was anything but willing.

Thinking of this, Xie Yingying clenched her fists in indignation. "Fate has granted me a second life; I can't waste it on Bai Shengyun!"

This life was one she'd picked up by chance. If she lost it now, there might not be another chance for rebirth.

She hadn't had her fill of living, nor seen enough of this world's wonders. She longed to enjoy it all, carefree, and had no intention of giving up on life.

Her resolve to escape was renewed, and Xie Yingying's vigor returned.

She wandered about as before, but now even more brazenly, bounding about the mountain with boundless energy each day.

In doing so, she encountered many people, including Ning Qingqing, with whom she'd crossed paths several times.

This time was no exception. In high spirits, she greeted Ning Qingqing, "Lady Bai, are you adjusting well to life here?"

Ning Qingqing's face darkened instantly upon seeing Xie Yingying. "I don't need the concern of a demoness like you!"

To her, Xie Yingying's entanglement with Bai Shengyun could only be the result of some secret trickery, forcing him to cooperate.

Moreover, Xie Yingying was from the Evil Sect—a woman of sinister cultivation was bound to be cunning. No matter how powerful one was, it was difficult to guard against her schemes.

Hearing this, Xie Yingying's smile deepened, intent on teasing Ning Qingqing.

She looked around theatrically, feigning distress. "Lady Bai, I'm not very familiar with the surroundings. Could you give me directions back to the dormitory?"

Thinking it over, Ning Qingqing was indeed pitiable—following them all this way, a delicate flower of compassion, but crossing paths with a man utterly impervious to her charms.

The deeper Ning Qingqing's feelings grew, the more hopeless her situation would become. The man she fancied had no interest in her at all.

"If you can't even find your way, why are you out here? You're nothing but a nuisance!" Ning Qingqing retorted angrily. Without outsiders present, she had no need to be polite to Xie Yingying.

Xie Yingying sighed deeply, pretending regret. "All right, I won't trouble you further. I'll find my own way back."

She then bade Ning Qingqing a ceremonious farewell and left in high spirits.

Behind her, Ning Qingqing was seething, nearly erupting like a volcano, her glare drilling holes into Xie Yingying's departing figure.

Whenever she met others, Xie Yingying would ask for directions, all the while secretly observing the terrain, searching for the best escape route.

Though Bai Shengyun watched her every move, she could not concern herself with that—her priority was to avoid the fate laid out in the original story.

Unbeknownst to her, Bai Shengyun was fully aware of everything, and his hidden agents reported her movements in detail.

But the more she acted this way, the more Bai Shengyun found himself intrigued by Xie Yingying, curious to see just what escape plan she would devise.