The long sword in Ye Guhan’s hand, during that previous parry, had slipped under the armpit of a masked man in black. That man’s sword was still lodged near Ye Guhan’s lower abdomen, and when Ye Guhan yanked it with force, it wouldn't budge! Ye Guhan was using his own muscles to lock the man’s blade in place!
This was a true fight to the death!
In that instant, the long sword swung upward in a slash accompanied by the most tragic glint of blood. The man cried out in absolute terror and, making a swift decision, abandoned his sword!
Unfortunately, it was a fraction too late! He managed to dodge being cleaved entirely in two, but his arm was beyond saving. A flash of red light erupted, misting blood as the arm separated from the body, taking half a shoulder with it. Even the flesh on his face was scraped away, exposing the pale, shriveled bone beneath, crisscrossed with fine, worm-like, writhing nerves and blood vessels!
The man emitted a scream that was barely human, staggering backward, his eyes wide with unparalleled horror. He shrieked, “My hand! My face! Ah—!” But Ye Guhan’s sword had already retracted with lightning speed, continuing its arc in a fresh thrust, swift as a bolt of lightning!
Every move he made, enduring several blows himself, was for this precise moment!
This strike!
Ye Guhan knew that in his current state, exhausted from the long battle, he could no longer withstand the combined assault of five opponents. The only option left was a desperate fight for his life! Based on his combat experience, he could clearly sense that although all five were masters of the Tianxuan realm, the Xuan Qi of two of them was visibly unstable! They appeared to be recovering from severe injuries!
Now at his absolute limit, the most he could hope for was to drag these two down with him! As for the others who were intact, he had no confidence against them. Therefore, these two were his primary—and only—targets!
The long sword thrust out again with brutal precision. The man had just landed his palms against Ye Guhan’s chest, filled with the smug relief of having disabled and struck down his enemy. But he never expected that even though he had shattered all of the opponent's ribs, Ye Guhan’s chest suddenly formed a vortex, trapping his palms firmly!
The man realized the danger and struggled fiercely, barely tearing his hands free. But in that split second of delay, the chilling long sword, trailing a brilliant blue light, arrived before his chest!
A killing blow!
He let out a desperate cry and tried desperately to dodge to the side, but as soon as he moved, the long sword hissed through his chest, going in all the way to the hilt! Although it missed the vital core of his heart, the Xuan Qi attached to the blow had already churned his fragile internal organs into ruin!
But Ye Guhan, too, had reached the end of his tether! The sword was buried in the enemy’s chest, and he lacked the strength even to pull it out!
One of the assailants roared and brought his long sword down viciously. Ye Guhan could no longer resist; his sword-wielding right hand was severed by that strike. Very little blood flowed from the wound—his blood had nearly all been spilled by now!
Yet, a mocking smile remained on his face, and his eyes, filled with tenderness, gazed in a specific direction.
That direction pointed toward the Imperial City!
Another man launched a kick, sending Ye Guhan’s body flying backward until it slammed heavily onto the ground. Ye Guhan stubbornly managed to roll over; the shattered bones in his chest grated with a sickening kacha-kacha sound, but Ye Guhan seemed utterly unaware, as if feeling no pain at all.
In his eyes, the arrogance of yesteryear was gone, as was the desolate loneliness.
There was only infinite tenderness and lingering affection.
In the last moments left to him in this life, he could not see the one he loved, but just gazing upon where she lived, in the direction she resided, was enough.
The feelings he had suppressed and dared not reveal for so long now erupted like a mountain flood: "Xiuxiu, I miss you! I miss you! I... miss you."
In this instant, Ye Guhan’s mind was astonishingly clear. Many memories rushed in, hazy and dreamlike, yet feeling absolutely real. Within his heart, a gentle voice softly recited a short poem, over and over, seemingly endless, yet ethereal, like a dream:
“No regret in this life for planting deep affection, Willing to wander alone, drifting by fate; Long I regret that soulmates meet only in dreams, Better to betray the heavens than betray you!”
This was the farewell verse Ye Guhan had written to Murong Xiuxiu eighteen years ago.
Better to betray the heavens than betray you!
Better to betray the heavens than betray you!
Ye Guhan could no longer speak, but his lips moved feebly. If one observed his mouth shape closely, they would see him softly murmuring this line of poetry continuously.
Xiuxiu, eighteen years ago, I left. I lost you forever. When I left, this poem was all I gave you. At the time, you kept softly repeating the last line, tears streaming down your face... I still remember how your long hair was disheveled by the wind then...
Now, I am leaving again, and this time, I will never return; do you know that in this moment, the one thing I think of is still this line of poetry.
Better to betray the heavens than betray you!
Xiuxiu, in this life, I have never failed you! Nor will I ever fail you!
Zhou Jianming roared, about to rush forward and flay Ye Guhan’s body into pieces; Lei Jianhong bellowed, “Enough! His Xuan Qi is spent, his five internal organs are destroyed—he definitely won't live. Quickly pick up Fourth and Fifth, and hurry up and grab that girl from Shuke Online. We must leave now! Do not use fire or thunder!”
Zhou Jianming and the woman roared in grief and indignation, each scooping up the injured Fourth and Fifth, and flashing toward the direction Princess Lingmeng had fled, pursuing her at breakneck speed.
Princess Lingmeng was being hurried along by the two women, frequently turning back to anxiously watch the distant battle. When she saw Ye Guhan, covered in blood, suddenly collapse, in that exact moment, Lingmeng suddenly screamed like a madwoman, “Uncle Ye! Ah!” Her voice was piercingly tragic!
Her feet seemed rooted to the ground, unwilling to move another step. Suddenly, her mind felt struck by lightning, going utterly blank, and tears began to gush uncontrollably.
Uncle Ye... This man who had protected her meticulously since childhood, this elder who seemed invincible in her memory, this man whose solitude made her heart ache every day, had finally fallen today while protecting her...
Princess Lingmeng’s heart suddenly tore with agonizing pain!
The Imperial Family has no kinship!
The Imperial Family has never known kinship. She had understood this since childhood. Although her Imperial Father was very good to her—even indulgent, one might say—he was simply too majestic. Though she longed to cling to him and enjoy a father's embrace, her father could never hold her for long before business called, and he would immediately revert to the imposing air of an Emperor.
Emperor and Father; the title of Emperor always came before Father. Imperial Father—once a father becomes an Emperor, he ceases to be a daughter’s father.
It was only in Uncle Ye’s presence that Princess Lingmeng truly felt what it was like to have a father. She could act spoiled and petulant toward Uncle Ye without restraint. Though she always called him "Uncle Ye" out loud, deep in her heart, Princess Lingmeng had long considered Ye Guhan her father—her true father!
He was so doting toward her; he indulged her in everything. But when she truly did something wrong, he would get angry, he would strike her, striking without mercy!
But he genuinely cared for me!
He always guarded me silently, never showing himself, never vying for anything, never demanding anything. He was always watching her from a quiet corner, seemingly satisfied just to be there.
But whenever she faced danger, he was the first to step forward to defend her!
When her three Imperial Brothers sometimes bullied her and caused her distress, he was always the first to stand up for her!
No matter the time, he took care of her with utmost devotion. And now, he had fallen because of her, finally collapsing there... He must be so tired all these years, Uncle Ye. Do you need to rest?
Do you not want your Little Lingmeng anymore? Can you bear to leave your Little Lingmeng behind like this? Can you bear it? Can you bear it?!!!
Uncle Ye... do you know that in my heart, you have long been my father?
Father! Please don’t leave me.
Princess Lingmeng stood there, lost in spirit, not knowing what she was doing or thinking. Dugu Xiaoyi and Sun Xiaomei pulled at her, but she remained motionless...
For a girl who had just lost a benevolent father, she cared nothing for the consequences!
Why haven't the people sent by Father Emperor appeared yet? Why?! Why did they just watch Uncle Ye fight so desperately without showing up? They should have been here!
If Uncle Ye truly... is gone, I will take revenge! I will surely seek savage revenge on you!
With my life, with everything I have, I will avenge you!
Princess Lingmeng roared silently in her heart, her furious chest nearly exploding, yet she could not utter a single word. Tears blurred her vision, and her throat felt clogged with ten thousand pounds of stone. She felt her limbs grow cold and tremble, her entire body as if suddenly transported to a world of ice and snow...
In that instant, the three black-robed masked men had caught up. Lei Jianhong roared in fury and lunged toward Princess Lingmeng. Lingmeng stood there blankly, showing no reaction.
Dugu Xiaoyi and Sun Xiaomei sprang forward simultaneously, brilliant golden light erupting from both of them. For their age, reaching the Golden Profound Realm was quite commendable! Both attacked at once, one with a saber and one with a sword, striking from left and right!
But the opponent’s strength...
“Get lost!” Lei Jianhong swept his hand, and with two sharp slaps, the two women were thrown far away. “I don’t want to kill you! Don’t force me to!”
“Who are you? Who are you all?!” Princess Lingmeng seemed to awaken suddenly from a dream. At this moment, she was strangely unafraid, determined to avenge Uncle Ye! Revenge!!!
Her eyes were filled with hatred and venom. “What kind of people are you? Why are you harming me? Why did you kill my Uncle Ye?!” At the last sentence, Princess Lingmeng suddenly shrieked!
The sheer volume of her cry startled even Lei Jianhong, who had never imagined that this delicate, frail-looking woman could unleash such a sharp, high-pitched sound.
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