Chapter Ninety-Five: Dreamlike Confession

Compared to this, Huo Tianqing appeared much calmer, his voice deep as he asked, “Why the panic?” Gu Ruohan, hearing the lack of concern in his tone, turned and retorted, “Aren’t you worried Bai Shengyun might do something terrible to Yingying?”

Huo Tianqing only stared coldly and indifferently at the crimson lacquered door behind the iron thorns, offering no further comment.

Gu Ruohan, seeing his attitude, let out a mocking laugh. “You used to act so protective and anxious over her, and now you don’t care at all. How quickly you change your face!”

At these words, Huo Tianqing shifted his gaze, and only then did Gu Ruohan notice the simmering murderous intent beneath his eyes.

Then she heard him speak softly: “Gu Ruohan, I’ve always said you’re stubborn—you never believed me. Now, can’t you see it? Bai Shengyun doesn’t want Yingying dead.”

“What do you mean?” Gu Ruohan frowned, her eyes full of disbelief. “...No! Isn’t Bai Shengyun cultivating the path of ruthless detachment?”

“That depends on whether he was born to follow that path. If not, he won’t lack any emotion he ought to have.” With that, Huo Tianqing gave a faint snort, the murderous glint in his eyes intensifying.

In truth, it wasn’t that Gu Ruohan was dense or foolish; Bai Shengyun’s reputation for ruthless detachment was well known among both sects, and she could see some of it herself.

Thinking of this, her gaze grew even more obscure.

Gu Ruohan found herself at a loss for words, finally forcing out, “Such sin!”

Then, gritting her teeth, she seemed to make some silent decision.

Morning arrived, the daylight bright, but within the Evil Sect, no spiritual cranes or birds sang—only black crows swept across the sky.

Within the sleeping palace, Xie Yingying’s fever had not subsided, only cooled slightly, no longer as scorching as it had been in the depths of night.

Still, she remained unconscious, her face paler as she slept, her breathing weak and long, so much so that Bai Shengyun thought several times she might have died.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Bo Meng, who was also badly wounded, stirred faintly.

Her companion, keeping vigil at her bedside, saw her move and exclaimed joyfully, urgently calling at her ear, “Bo Meng, wake up! The sun’s already up!”

She even placed both hands on Bo Meng’s shoulders, shaking her vigorously, as if Bo Meng were not an injured patient but a mere doll.

“Wake up!”

No sooner had the words left her lips than Bo Meng slowly opened her eyes, looking at her with utter despair.

She grabbed her companion’s hand, still shaking her, and sighed, “I’m not dead yet. You’re underestimating the healing abilities of our demon clan!”

Her companion, relieved she’d awakened, finally stopped shaking her, perched a leg on the bed’s edge, and bit into a freshly peeled apple. “This time, you really owe it to Bai Qirui and Bai Shengyun—and Elder Jingling. If not for them, you’d have died already.”

“Hm?” Bo Meng looked puzzled.

She only remembered being infused with powerful spiritual energy by Shen Ruru, launched like a cannon at Xie Yingying, but nothing after.

She blinked her gray eyes and scratched her head. “What happened?”

“You’ve forgotten?” Her companion looked amazed. “That vicious woman burned your organs with spiritual power, and Bai Qirui and Bai Shengyun caught you. They treated you right then and there. Elder Lieyang said if they hadn’t intervened in time, you’d have died by now!”

Bo Meng, recalling Bai Qirui’s elegant figure and flowing robes, blushed, but quickly concealed it.

“I’m telling you…” Her companion chewed on apple slices, speaking indistinctly, “You really ought to thank both of them.”

Bo Meng nodded immediately. “Where’s Bai Qirui now?”

“In the Hall of Bonds, north of the Palace of Joy.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than Bo Meng hopped out of bed.

Ignoring her aching body, she bounded out of the room like a rabbit.

Her companion, seeing how swiftly she moved, doubted whether she really was the gravely injured patient who’d been unconscious all night, her face stunned.

On her way, Bo Meng passed the fragrant kitchen, stopped abruptly, darted inside to snatch a few pastries, then dashed off toward the Hall of Bonds.

At that moment, Bai Qirui was unaware of her imminent arrival.

He sat alone in the hall, tea cup in hand, lightly tapping it on the table.

Though Xue Feng had agreed to let him and Bai Shengyun remain in the Evil Sect, it remained perilous—one never knew when danger might strike. They needed to return to Mount Gu Feng as soon as possible.

But seeing Bai Shengyun’s attitude, if he couldn’t take Xie Yingying away, Bai Shengyun would surely stay, and since Xie Yingying refused to leave, who knew how long the two would linger here.

Thus, they found themselves in a deadlock.

Bai Qirui picked up his Clear Heart Fan, tapping it gently against his forehead in frustration, when he heard knocking outside the hall.

He went to open the door, expecting Bai Shengyun, but instead saw Bo Meng—much shorter than himself.

Her complexion was still poor, but her health had clearly improved. Her dark gray eyes, once stubborn, now held only a touch of moving vulnerability.

“Bo Meng, is there something you need?”

She was slightly out of breath, thrusting a bamboo basket forward. “I came specifically to thank you. These are pastries I took from the kitchen—they’re delicious. Please try them.”

Bai Qirui nodded, but pushed the pastries back, giving her a gentle smile. “I’ve fasted for a long time. You’d better take them back.”

Bo Meng had no choice but to hold the basket to her chest again.

Bai Qirui moved to close the door, wishing to avoid further entanglement—first because of their different statuses, second because he had guessed Bo Meng’s feelings, and he had long decided to walk the path of cultivation alone. He didn’t want Bo Meng to be hurt, hoping she’d let go of her longing.

Bo Meng, seeing his resistance, was confused but hurriedly blocked the door, quickly saying, “I have something else to tell you.”

He sighed inwardly, his years of manners preventing him from shutting the door, so he responded with a curious “hmm.”

Seeing he hadn’t closed the door, Bo Meng’s eyes grew bright, her dark gray gaze fixed on him.

“Do you have someone you love?” she asked bluntly.

“No,” Bai Qirui replied, and saw her face light up even more as he continued, “But I wish to spend my life alone.”

To his surprise, Bo Meng seemed even happier.

Bai Qirui’s expression grew complex.

Originally, Bo Meng had thought he liked Xie Yingying, but hearing his answer now, she realized he had no such feelings—and was all the more delighted.

She bounced with joy and asked, “Then may I confess to you?”

Bai Qirui opened his mouth, but before he could reply—

“I fell in love with you at first sight!” she said with a smile.