Chapter Eighty-Five: Conflict (Part One)

Bai Shengyun was neither angry nor surprised by this, for he had long understood the nature of Xie Yingying. His gaze merely darkened a shade.

He raised his hand, and with a gentle flick of his finger, a golden stream of spiritual power shot forth, wrapping tightly around Xie Yingying’s body and forcefully dragging her back. Xie Yingying’s expression was conflicted this time; she truly wanted to cry, but the tears would not come. She could only lower her head and watch as the thin golden thread encircled her waist, pulling her back to Bai Shengyun’s side.

“Still trying to run?” Bai Shengyun rested one hand against his temple, eyes closed as he questioned her.

Xie Yingying forced a pale smile, explaining, “No, I really was just going to fetch you a glass of water.”

But Bai Shengyun exposed her lie at once, pointing with one hand to the tea table on the opposite side from where she’d tried to escape. He smiled wickedly, saying, “The tea is over there, so why were you running toward the door?”

Unable to explain further, Xie Yingying was helplessly dragged back onto the bed by Bai Shengyun.

She was already prepared to be harshly punished, uncertain whether this time the threat would come from the Celestial Fox’s primordial power or harm her directly. Yet Bai Shengyun’s next actions surprised her.

He merely moved his fingers, turning Xie Yingying around, then leaned against the bedhead, exhaustion written on his face as he asked, “Am I really so frightening?”

Recalling his words about “pleasing” him, Xie Yingying’s expression became earnest. “Of course not!”

“Then why do you always keep your distance from me?” he pressed.

“I...” Xie Yingying’s eyes darted everywhere, uneasy and unsure how to respond.

Seeing her discomfort, Bai Shengyun asked no more, merely narrowed his eyes as he watched her, his thoughts hidden.

Xie Yingying felt uneasy under his gaze, as though sitting on pins and needles.

After a moment, Bai Shengyun’s gaze turned extremely dark. Had Xie Yingying looked closely, she would have seen traces of sadness beneath the golden sheen of his eyes—a sorrow unbecoming of one destined for the path of ruthless cultivation.

But that emotion flickered and vanished swiftly, and Xie Yingying did not see it.

He got out of bed, hands clasped behind him as he gazed out at the crimson sun. His voice was calm. “I’ve already proposed to your elders. You’ll return to Gu Feng Mountain with me soon. Didn’t you say you missed it dearly?”

As he spoke the last sentence, Bai Shengyun’s tone grew tinged with mockery.

“Ah...” Xie Yingying coughed lightly and quickly said, “I’d like to stay at the Evil Sect a few more days.”

“Very well.” Hearing this, Bai Shengyun’s lips curled in a scornful smile.

Xie Yingying hadn’t expected him to agree so readily.

In the next instant, Bai Shengyun turned to her, amused. “Will you die in the Evil Sect, or live at Gu Feng Mountain? Which do you choose?”

Xie Yingying was unfazed by his words.

She pursed her lips, thinking: No matter where I go, death awaits. Better to quietly perish here, than to be tormented to death at Gu Feng Mountain.

Bai Shengyun saw her hesitate to reply and already guessed her answer. He prompted, “If you choose to die at the Evil Sect, it will likely be under the torment of the Celestial Fox’s primordial power. If you return to Gu Feng Mountain with me, perhaps there’s still a slim chance for survival.”

Xie Yingying’s eyes flickered at his words.

No denying it—when faced with life or death, those desperate to live would unhesitatingly choose life.

But she reconsidered: A ‘slim chance’ is still just a sliver. In the end, death is highly probable. She had no wish to die at Gu Feng Mountain, to be trampled before the end and have her name disgraced for eternity.

“Well?” Bai Shengyun arched a brow.

“I... I still want to stay at the Evil Sect,” Xie Yingying said firmly.

Hearing her choose the Evil Sect once more, Bai Shengyun’s expression darkened.

“Why?”

Xie Yingying’s fingertips turned pale as she stammered, “I’m going to die anyway. Better to die here than elsewhere.”

He frowned, his voice cold. “You don’t even want that slim chance?”

“A slim chance is still just that... The odds of dying are high, aren’t they?”

Bai Shengyun stared at her, gritting his teeth. “Do you hate me so much?”

“I—”

Before she could answer, Bai Shengyun’s fury surged. He seized her by the throat. “What would I do to you? Or have I done anything to you? Hmm?”

“Cough, cough...” Xie Yingying felt his grip tighten, unable to utter a single word, only able to cough dryly.

Bai Shengyun’s anger had not abated, but seeing her face turn purple, he realized something and loosened his hold.

“Return to Gu Feng Mountain with me.” This time, his tone was commanding.

Still coughing, Xie Yingying felt a flame ignite in her heart at his authoritative words.

Her mind involuntarily replayed every moment of humiliation she had suffered at Gu Feng Mountain, and that flame grew ever fiercer.

“No,” she said.

Bai Shengyun was furious. He cared only for Xie Yingying’s life, yet she showed no gratitude. Had he not found the Evil Sect today, she would have died already!

“I said, you’re coming back to Gu Feng Mountain with me! Whether you agree or not, you’re leaving today!”

He grabbed her hand, intent on dragging her out of the bedchamber.

Now truly enraged, Xie Yingying struggled, yanking her hand away. “I won’t go to Gu Feng Mountain with you! I don’t want to!”

Bai Shengyun turned, his icy gaze fixed on her. “You’ll die.”

“So be it!” Xie Yingying breathed deeply in anger, blurting out her thoughts, “I’ll die at Gu Feng Mountain anyway. I’d rather die here than be tormented to death by your women and those elders!”

“Who dares torment you?” Bai Shengyun said sternly. “You are my legitimate wife!”

“Who acknowledges it? Do I, or your people? And has my master agreed to let you marry me?” Xie Yingying felt his grip on her wrist grow ever tighter. “Let go! Even if I die in the Evil Sect, I won’t return to Gu Feng Mountain for your so-called ‘slim chance.’ There is no hope for me there!”

“Is that truly how you feel?” Bai Shengyun’s gaze flickered.

“Yes! And what of it?!” No longer holding back, she let her worries, indignation, grievances, and anger explode—her life was nearing its end anyway. “I am disgusted by you. I refuse to go back with you!”