Jing Feng held the youngest son's hand, lifting hers a bit higher: "Alas, indeed."
In recent days, the Venerable One's voice sounded rather weak during reports, as if he hadn't slept for days and looked gaunt.
At this moment, Bai Ran stared blankly at the person before her: "You..."
Long Jin Han tightened his grip on her hand, seemingly reluctant to let go of the warmth in her palm.
"A few days ago, a demon attacked the Divine Realm. Let's talk in the tea house next door."
Bai Ran furrowed her brows, glancing down at their clasped hands: "Alright."
Li Hu, on the ground, watched their retreating backs, appearing to be deep in thought.
She allowed Long Jin Han to lead her away, and he still didn't let go even after they entered the private room of the tea house.
After the tea was served, Bai Ran withdrew her hand: "Speak, what is it?"
Long Jin Han felt his hand being pulled away and silently clenched his fist: "Do you have any demons by your side?"
Bai Ran looked at him with confusion: "Yes, what's wrong?"
"Those beautiful emerald eyes..." Guilt surged within him, preventing the man from meeting her gaze.
Emerald eyes? Bai Ran pondered for a moment. Only Lin Ze had emerald eyes.
"He was the one who attacked the Divine Realm?"
Long Jin Han nodded gently: "He died at the hands of the Divine Lord Baili..."
Bai Ran lowered her gaze, not having expected Lin Ze, who had been missing for so long, to suddenly attack the Divine Realm.
Recalling the dirty-faced youth, she still felt a pang of sadness in her heart.
Long Jin Han looked up, a hint of panic and unease in Bai Ran's eyes: "Do you... hate Divine Lord Baili?"
Hearing this, Bai Ran was momentarily stunned but answered earnestly.
"If it were before, I would have wanted to tear him to shreds."
Long Jin Han's shoulders trembled slightly. So it was true...
She still wished to flay him alive... but then again...
He had hurt her so many times, betrayed her so many times. It was only right that she hated him...
Her tone was calm, and after a pause, she sighed lightly: "But now, what right do I have to hate him?"
It was Baili Xiao who exchanged his life for her rebirth, who was repeatedly blackmailed by the Divine Emperor to do unwilling deeds to protect her corpse.
"So, you don't need to transform into his appearance to see me."
Long Jin Han stiffened, surprise evident in his eyes, but then he smiled with relief.
That's right, Ran Ran is so clever...
He then placed his large palm over his face, and with a surge of spiritual energy, Long Jin Han transformed into Baili Xiao's likeness.
He was afraid. He was afraid that if he met Bai Ran in his true form, she would turn him away, or even wish to kill him.
After much deliberation, Baili Xiao had disguised himself as Long Jin Han.
Even if it was the person he disliked the most, as long as he could get close to Bai Ran, he would be happy.
Bai Ran picked up her teacup and took a sip: "I have fallen in love with Long Jin Han."
Baili Xiao, you must understand... I cannot reciprocate your feelings...
In an instant, Baili Xiao's heart felt as though it were being torn apart, yet he forced himself to remain composed: "Mm... I know..."
He lowered his head, his voice trembling slightly: "Before the demon died, he told me about the plan for the demonized humans..."
"What are you two talking about?"
A sudden voice rang out. Qian Qiu was sitting on the windowsill, a smile on his face.
Instantly, a fiery red sword was pressed against his throat.
Bai Ran's face darkened, her gaze fixed on him. Once or twice was understandable, but this person always appeared by her side.
"What is your purpose? Why do you repeatedly approach me?"
Qian Qiu blinked, glancing down at Bai Ran's sword, and chuckled: "You worry too much."
"You are a demonized human?"
Bai Ran's sharp gaze pierced him. She already knew that she was the queen of the demonized humans. If Qian Qiu before her was also a demonized human, then everything would make sense.
Hearing this, Qian Qiu waved his hand dismissively: "Alas, I am not a demonized human."
Baili Xiao, standing nearby, met Qian Qiu's gaze: "He is a demonized human."
Bai Ran knew his abilities, and besides, he had no reason to lie to her.
Qian Qiu frowned. That demon could read minds. Could this man also possess some special ability to see through his identity?
Just as Bai Ran's sword was about to strike, Qian Qiu vanished from his spot and turned to attack Baili Xiao.
Baili Xiao was startled and quickly drew his sword to block, but his body was growing weaker, and his strength had significantly declined.
"Bang—!" Qian Qiu sent the man before him flying with a palm strike, crashing heavily against the wall.
"Cough, cough!" Baili Xiao shakily sat up, swallowing the metallic taste in his throat.
He propped himself up with his sword and pulled Bai Ran behind him: "I'll hold him off, you go quickly!"
But the next moment, Baili Xiao was gently pushed aside. Bai Ran stepped forward: "You are the one who should go."
Qian Qiu would never kill her, because if she died, his inner demon would also die.
"But you'll get hurt!"
"Bang—!" Baili Xiao was sent flying again by Qian Qiu.
Baili Xiao's eyes were filled with worry and heartache: "Yes, that demonized human won't kill you."
"But that doesn't mean he won't hurt you!"
Bai Ran clenched her fist and gritted her teeth: "What, you won't kill me?"
She could only say this. Bai Ran knew these words might hurt him, but she couldn't let his final moments be spent like this.
As expected, Baili Xiao's face turned pale, and he swayed. He tightly pursed his trembling lips, his eyes reddening.
"I'm sorry..." He raised his hand and set up a barrier, enclosing Bai Ran.
However... he still couldn't bear to see the person he loved get hurt in front of him...
Baili Xiao gripped his sword and stood resolutely in front of Bai Ran.
"Baili Xiao! Are you tired of living!" Bai Ran attacked the barrier repeatedly, but it remained unyielding.
"Clang—" The two swords clashed. Qian Qiu smiled sinisterly, while sweat beaded on Baili Xiao's forehead.
Following that, Baili Xiao was once again blasted away by Qian Qiu's palm.
I must get farther away... He wiped the blood from his lips and glanced at Bai Ran not far away.
Otherwise, the barrier might be damaged...
Baili Xiao leaped from the window, and Qian Qiu coldly pursued him.
Bai Ran's expression grew anxious, and she immediately took out her communication jade pendant, infusing it with spiritual energy.
Upon receiving the order, Zhong Zi and Dong Ling immediately set off for the tea house.
"Pfft—" His left shoulder was pierced by a sword. Baili Xiao groaned and plummeted from a great height.
He crashed heavily onto the ground, his body unable to move further.
Qian Qiu's sinister sword point was aimed directly at Baili Xiao's neck: "Why aren't you running anymore? It's not far from the tea house, you know?"
He sneered, looking at the furious glare of the man before him: "Besides you, who else knows our plan?"
Intense pain shot through his left shoulder. Baili Xiao clenched his fists, remaining silent.