Chapter 452 - 271: Yin Crow Tong Yinyin (2)

Chapter 452: Chapter 271: Yin Crow Tong Yinyin (2)

"Do you understand now? The Yin Crow was born from hatred, but Tong Yinyin... she just wants to escape that hatred."

"She just wants to protect herself."

Tong Yinyin spoke calmly. In contrast to Su Xing’s sympathy, she—the very person involved—seemed completely unaffected, as if she weren’t the one who had been bullied all those years ago. Su Xing, however, couldn’t stop himself from saying,

"Li Ye’s power is considerable. With his skill as a Tier Eight Transcendent, it’s only a matter of time before he comprehends the essence of his power. He’s sure to become the mightiest among the Tier Eights in the future. Protecting you would be no problem."

"Besides, you know I have a disciple. I’m capable of protecting them. If you’re willing to return to Cang City with me, I can keep you safe as well."

"Sigh, I know..." Tong Yinyin said with a sigh.

The moment she finished saying "I know," Su Xing felt himself struck by an inexplicable energy that seemed to pierce his very marrow and seep deep into his body.

Ordinarily, he never would have been struck so easily. Su Xing was a veteran of countless battles and, more importantly, stronger than Tong Yinyin. But his emotions had been so stirred by her that he failed to notice her sudden move.

The blow was so powerful that Su Xing lost control and collapsed to his knees. His consciousness began to blur, and he could only vaguely hear Tong Yinyin’s final words:

"Don’t worry, I didn’t use much force. I’m just putting you to sleep for a while."

As she finished speaking, Li Ye, who had been playing a bamboo flute nearby, finally stopped. He stepped in front of Tong Yinyin and spoke with a hint of regret.

"So, you’ve finally made your decision."

"Please take good care of him. When he wakes up, all of this should finally be over," Tong Yinyin said, shaking her head.

"He was right. My own talents may not compare to Su Xing’s, but I can still protect you in a world like this. Besides, I’m sure he’d be willing to help."

Li Ye said earnestly.

"I know, and I’ve never doubted it. Even though we haven’t spent much time together, I know he’s a trustworthy person."

"He might not even know it himself, but under Li Daoshen’s arrangements, he is destined to become a figure of immense renown. He’ll be loved and supported by tens of thousands, his name even echoing through the ages. But what about me? I’m already stained with too much blood; my only companion can be the grave."

Tong Yinyin shook her head. "That flower... it represents two extremes, life and death. Cross the threshold and live, fall short and die. Perhaps my fate was sealed from the very beginning."

"The sky is getting bright. I should be leaving now."

Tong Yinyin gazed at the sky, then turned to look at Li Ye seriously. "Brother Ye," she said, "we might never see each other again."

"Take care."

...

「The next day. Hang Lake Inn, Room 502.」

On an unfamiliar bed, Su Xing threw off the inn’s standard-issue white blanket and shot bolt upright, gasping for air.

A moment later, a piercing pain shot through his head. Fragments of memory began to surface, and Su Xing couldn’t help but mutter,

’Before... What happened...’

’Spirit Flower... Tong Yinyin...’

It all came back to him in a rush. Tong Yinyin had struck him while his guard was down, but she hadn’t used much force. Apart from feeling a little dazed upon waking, he was otherwise fine.

Hearing Su Xing stir, Li Ye, who was sitting in a nearby chair, turned to look at him. ’He woke up a bit earlier than I expected,’ he muttered. ’But she must be long gone by now.’

"Li Ye, where are we?"

"Where is she?"

Su Xing remembered the moment before he passed out, so his first instinct was to ask for Tong Yinyin. Initially, he had treated her simply as the daughter of Li Longxuan’s friend, but now, he truly considered her a friend of his own.

"An inn at Hang Lake. As for Yinyin... she’s long gone."

"Gone?"

Su Xing leaned against the headboard, unsure of what to feel. He simply looked at Li Ye and said with determination,

"I’m going to Hang Lake."

"What’s the use in going now? You know that at the speed of a Tier Eight Transcendent, the journey only takes a few minutes. It’s impossible for you to catch her."

Li Ye asked, looking at Su Xing.

"Li Ye, you can’t stop me."

Su Xing rose, ready to leave. Watching him, Li Ye couldn’t help but sigh.

"You’re just as stubborn."

...

「Three minutes later.」

At Hang Lake, the Spirit Flower was gone, evidently plucked by someone else.

’Just as I thought...’ Su Xing sighed. He glanced at the calm-faced Li Ye standing beside him and asked,

"You didn’t stop her?"

"From what I’ve seen of your relationship, you should be the last person who’d want her to die."

"She and I have similar pasts. After years of knowing each other, we understand one another deeply. That’s why I wouldn’t stop her from making any decision. If our positions were reversed, I would do the same."

Li Ye said solemnly.

"Is there a chance we’ll see her again?"

Su Xing asked. In truth, that wasn’t his real question. He wanted to know if Tong Yinyin still had a chance to live, but the blunt words changed form by the time they left his mouth.

"After taking the Spirit Flower, she has one year left to live."

"This isn’t a case of drinking poison to quench a thirst. The problem is that she can’t control the backlash of Demonic Qi from her techniques. The flower can only suppress the Demonic Qi; it can’t cleanse it. The backlash will continue to accumulate, and she’ll die the instant the flower’s medicinal properties are exhausted."

"However, if she can manage to completely master that Demonic Qi within this year, while also fully absorbing the flower’s medicinal essence, she might still have a chance," Li Ye explained.

"I see."

Su Xing nodded. From Li Ye’s explanation, the chances were slim, but it didn’t mean there was no hope of seeing her again. Besides, there was nothing else Su Xing could do but silently root for the girl who had already departed.

"Don’t worry."

"She’s not one to give up easily," Li Ye said reassuringly.

"Li Ye, what are your plans now?" Su Xing asked, looking at Li Ye.

"Chi Yu is dead, and Yinyin is gone. I don’t have any particular plans for the moment," Li Ye said, shaking his head.

"In that case, would you be willing to return to Cang City with me? If I ever run into trouble, you would be a great asset," Su Xing extended the invitation.

"Of course."

Li Ye looked at Su Xing. Those two simple words were enough to convey his trust in him.

"Then from now on, I’ll be counting on you, Li Ye," Su Xing said with a smile.

’Su Xing was well aware of Li Ye’s strength, and his potential for growth was immense. With a partner like him, things should be much easier upon returning to Cang City.’

’This was the only good news of the day.’

The thought made him gaze at the spot where the Spirit Flower had been, his mind filling with an image of Tong Yinyin. ’I came to Luocheng just to bring her back to Cang City, but it ended up like this. I have no idea how I’m going to explain any of this to Li Longxuan.’

’Forget it...’

’As long as she isn’t dead... we’re bound to meet again someday, right?’

Not far from them, Tong Yinyin watched quietly through the eyes of a Crow Puppet until both Su Xing and Li Ye had finally departed from Hang Lake.

Only then did Tong Yinyin begin to sing softly, "After this long farewell, even the most beautiful days will seem hollow. And with a thousand feelings in my heart, who will be there to listen?"

’If we ever have the chance to meet again, will you let me sing this for you in person?’

...