Douluo Continent: My Martial Soul is the Black Dragon, I am the Lord of the Gods

Chapter 293 What do you want?

……

Just then, the shadows on one side of the bedchamber rippled like water, and a tall, aloof figure silently appeared.

Bibi went east and then returned.

She was still wearing her papal robes, her majesty undiminished, but a hint of weariness, barely perceptible, lingered in the depths of her eyes, a difference from when she was in the square.

"Your plan is ruthless, but also very effective," Gu Yuena said first, her tone flat, neither revealing whether she was praising nor judging.

Bibi Dong walked to the bedside, her cold gaze lowered, meeting Xuan Ming's eyes. "In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken."

“Ning Fengzhi is a smart man. He knows which way is the dead end and which way still has a glimmer of hope. For the sake of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School’s inheritance, he will make the right choice, even if it is like drinking poison to quench thirst.”

"You've brought forward the Soul Hunting Plan and forcibly tied the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to the war chariot. Aren't you afraid of forcing them to rebel, or sowing the seeds of even deeper trouble in the future?" Xuanming asked.

Although he understood Bibi Dong's decision, he believed that this move was undoubtedly walking a tightrope.

While militarism, which glorifies violence, can indeed concentrate power to the greatest extent during wartime, the drawbacks of this extreme violence will destroy a country from within once the slightest accident occurs or the war ends.

External shocks can be resisted with violence, but what about internal collapse?

To suppress through greater violence?

"Afraid?" Bibi Dong asked coldly.

"That's why I sent them to attack the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. With the blood of their former allies on their hands, there's no turning back. Apart from clinging tightly to the Spirit Hall, there will be no place for them to stand in the world, no matter how vast it is. This is not a choice, but the only way out."

"As for future troubles? Once the continent is unified, under an iron fist, what troubles will there be? Internal collapse? Then we will use even stronger power to reforge it! Doubt, betrayal, hatred... these weak emotions are meaningless in the face of absolute power."

Bibi Dong's philosophy was simple yet cruel: to overcome skill with force and to suppress all instability with power.

In her view, any internal problems ultimately stem from insufficient power and incomplete control.

Xuanming looked at her silently, offering no further rebuttal.

He had no interest in arguing about the philosophy of domination; to him, human conflicts were sometimes like watching a noisy drama.

His involvement was more for specific people and events than for any particular ideology.

Bibi Dong has her path, and he has his.

Bibi Dong didn't intend to say much about this matter; it was official business, not personal.

She changed the subject, saying, "Qian Renxue is looking for you, as well as Ning Fengzhi and your girlfriends."

"They all have something to say to you."

Their original plan was that after the Ice Dragon King crippled the Golden Crocodile, Qian Daoliu would make his move, and then Xuanming would expose Qian Renxue's identity and leave Wuhun City.

Given the threat posed by the Ice Dragon King, Qian Daoliu will no longer oppose her.

But they didn't expect such a big commotion; Qian Daoliu didn't even show up.

Moreover, Yu Xiaogang suddenly went crazy and exposed Qian Renxue's identity. She still can't figure out how Yu Xiaogang knew about this.

Could it be because Tang Hao discovered it when Xuanming and Qian Renxue were attacked outside Tiandou City?

……

The next day, deep within the Papal Palace.

After a night of rest and recuperation, Xuanming's condition has improved considerably. Although he is still far from his peak, he is no longer in serious condition.

The soft footsteps broke the silence in the depths. Unlike Bibi Dong's silent demeanor, these footsteps carried a hint of deliberate slowing and caution.

With a slight shift in light and shadow, a figure appeared at the entrance.

She is no longer the gentle, refined, and elegant "Crown Prince Xue Qinghe of Tiandou," nor is she the pale-faced Qian Renxue whose identity was exposed under the spotlight last night.

She changed into a simple white casual outfit, her long golden hair tied back simply. Her face was still stunningly beautiful, but all pretense had been washed away, revealing a hint of genuine weariness and confusion.

Deep within those clear, golden eyes lay an indescribable struggle, humiliation, and a trace of... a yearning for answers that she herself might not even be aware of.

She stood there, not coming in immediately, her gaze piercing through the dim light, landing on Xuanming leaning against the couch, and Gu Yuena standing quietly to the side, seemingly blending into the shadows.

Xuanming opened his eyes, looked at her, and waited quietly without saying a word.

Qian Renxue took a deep breath, stepped in, and stopped a few steps away from Xuanming.

The two stared at each other, and the air seemed to freeze.

"...Grandpa Golden Crocodile, how are you?"

Finally, it was Qian Renxue who spoke first, her voice a little hoarse, but she asked this question.

Although Golden Crocodile Douluo acts in extreme ways, he is, to her, a senior who genuinely cares for her.

"He shouldn't die for now, but he's old and his soul power is completely gone, so he won't live for many more days." Xuanming's answer was concise. He just didn't kill the Golden Crocodile directly, but the old man wouldn't live much longer either.

Qian Renxue's fingers twitched slightly. This answer seemed to both relieve her and sting her. She remained silent for a moment, then looked up again, her eyes sharpening.
"why?"

"what why?"

"Why did you hold back at the end?" Qian Renxue stared at him. "With the power you displayed at the time, you could have easily... killed him. Just like you killed Yu Yuanzhen."

She didn't understand. Since they were already enemies, why show mercy? Was it pity? Or... something else?
“Didn’t you treat me the same way before?” Xuanming said.

The reason for crippling her without killing her was partly due to Bibi Dong's needs and the threat posed by Qian Daoliu, but ultimately it was because of Qian Renxue.

No matter how much Qian Renxue schemed against him, she never truly killed him, even when he repeatedly challenged her bottom line.

In the past, the two of them tormented each other.

Qian Renxue didn't let him off the hook, and he didn't let Qian Renxue get away with it either.

Qian Renxue's gaze trembled slightly, as if those words had pierced the deepest part of her heart. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but then swallowed it back.

Her pride and stubbornness made her unwilling to acknowledge this "specialness," yet deep in her heart, this answer stirred up an indescribable ripple.

Qian Renxue looked away, remained silent for a moment, and then whispered, "...Thank you."

The words of gratitude were spoken with great difficulty, yet carried a sense of relief.

"No need," Xuanming shook his head. "It's just a matter of each getting what they need."

Qian Renxue took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind. She looked at Xuanming again with a complicated expression: "I... I have to go back to the Elder Hall. Grandfather wants to see me."

Her identity has been exposed, the plan has completely failed, and now that Golden Crocodile Douluo has been crippled, the power of the Spirit Hall has been handed over to the Pope.

As Golden Crocodile Douluo said before, she is not young anymore and it is time for her to shoulder the responsibility of being the successor of the Six-Winged Angel family.

Xuanming looked at her, said nothing more, only said, "Take care."

Qian Renxue looked at him deeply, as if trying to etch his image into her heart, before finally turning around and disappearing into the shadows of the corridor.

She knew that this parting might be the last time they saw each other for many years to come.

Gu Yuena stepped out of the shadows and came to Xuanming's side, whispering, "She doesn't seem to hate you."

"Whether I hate you or not, it doesn't matter anymore." Xuanming closed his eyes and sighed softly.

"She wants to go her own way, and I... I'm going to go my own way too."

"Aren't we going to see them?" Gu Yuena asked.

"They must have a lot of questions for you."

“But I don’t know how to answer,” Xuanming said.

According to the original plan, after the chaos in Wuhun City, he should have left directly, and Bibi Dong would have handled the rest.

But now… Gu Yuena’s eyes flickered slightly as she slowly sat down next to Xuan Ming and gently took his hand. “Let me help you.”

"You?" Xuanming was slightly taken aback.

"Don't you believe in my abilities?" Gu Yuena asked.

Xuanming's expression was somewhat unnatural. "I just trusted your abilities too much."

Gu Yuena was trained by the Ice Dragon King!
"Don't worry, I'll take care of these things for you," Gu Yuena said.

"Besides, I'm the only one who's truly suited to handle this, aren't I?"

Xuanming's relationships are indeed very complex, and dealing with them can be simple in some ways and difficult in others.

Moreover, besides her, only Bibi Dong is currently capable of handling this matter.

The bedchamber fell silent for a moment, with only the faint sound of the wind coming from outside the window.

Xuanming looked at her, a complex emotion flashing across his icy blue eyes.

He knew Gu Yuena's methods and mindset well. If she took action, she could indeed sort out those complicated relationships clearly, and might even handle them more "appropriately" than he could handle them himself.

But that "appropriateness" is often accompanied by her unique, almost ruthless efficiency and a certain unquestionable arrangement.

He could almost imagine that Ning Rongrong's grievances, Zhu Zhuqing's stubbornness, Dugu Yan's shrewishness, Ye Lingling's quietness... all these different emotions and demands would probably be calmly analyzed and categorized in front of Gu Yuena, and then a most "reasonable" solution would be given.

This solution might quell the storm, but wouldn't it also erase the warmth that should have been present in those emotions?
The brief but heavy conversation he had just had with Qian Renxue had left him feeling inexplicably weary.

Xuanming spoke up: "What... do you plan to do?"

Gu Yuena smiled slightly and said softly, "That depends on you. What kind of outcome do you ultimately want? Do you want to cut the Gordian knot quickly and completely, letting them each live in peace and not disturb each other? Or... forcefully maintain a situation that seems balanced but is actually fraught with hidden dangers?"

"Xuanming, you need to think clearly about what you want. Otherwise, my actions might deviate from your true wishes."

Xuanming fell silent.

What did he want? All he wanted at first was to survive, then become strong, no longer be controlled by others, and be able to control his own destiny.

But before I knew it, more and more people gathered around me, and more and more emotions became involved.

These were unexpected variables, yet they were also a rare glimmer of warmth in his cold fate.

Completely sever ties? He found himself seemingly... unwilling.

But what good will it do if he keeps going? His path ahead is destined to be full of thorns and bloodshed. He doesn't even know how far he can go, so how can he promise others a future?

His initial thought was simply to cause a scene, leave, and leave the rest to Bibi Dong to handle, and that's why.

But now...

"I understand." Gu Yuena gently hugged Xuanming.

"I'll take care of it for you."

Xuanming was silent for a moment, then said, "Have you ever thought about what would happen if... I failed...?"

Gu Yuena stretched out her cool fingers and gently stroked Xuanming's slightly furrowed brow, interrupting his unfinished words, which carried a hint of ominousness.

"No ifs."

Her voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable firmness, as if stating an established rule.

"I believe in you. You are the chosen one by the Lord of Soul Beasts, the Ice Dragon King, and the one I have chosen. Your path will only lead to the highest."

Her fingertips slid down his brow bone, across his straight nose, and finally stopped on his lips.

The touch was icy cold, yet strangely it ignited a restless flame within Xuanming's body.

The tension, killings, scheming, and the indescribable complex emotions he felt when facing Qian Renxue's departure all seemed to find an outlet at this moment.

Xuanming looked up and met her eyes, which were so close to his. They no longer held the usual coldness and aloofness, but rather something deeper and more domineering, like a surging undercurrent beneath the frozen surface of the sea.

“As for now…” Gu Yuena’s voice lowered, with a hint of seduction, “What you need is rest, to clear your mind, not to think about worries that haven’t happened yet.”

Before he could finish speaking, she leaned down, her cool lips conveying an undeniable force, sealing away all the words he was about to utter.

The kiss was not gentle; it even carried a biting, punishing quality, as if trying to drive away all his chaotic thoughts, leaving only the most primal sensory impact.

Xuanming groaned and instinctively tried to struggle, but Gu Yuena held him even tighter in her arms, completely enveloping him with her unique, cool yet rich fragrance.

A powerful force emanated from her, and Xuanming was forced down onto the soft bed.

The cool touch of the brocade seeped through the thin fabric, but was instantly masked by the rapidly rising body temperatures of the two.

“Na…” Xuanming tried to turn his head away to get a chance to catch his breath, but his voice became muffled and hoarse because of the kiss.

Gu Yuena, however, did not give him any chance to escape.

Her movements were swift and forceful; her slender fingers deftly slipped inside his shirt, applying a slight pressure—

"Thorn-"

The sound of clothes tearing was exceptionally clear in the silent bedchamber.

The cool air touched the exposed skin, sending a shiver down her spine, but it was quickly followed by a hotter touch.

Gu Yuena's hand roamed over his taut chest, with a domineering air of surveying territory, igniting clusters of undeniable flames wherever it passed.

Xuanming's breathing became completely disordered.

Reason told him that this might not be the right time, but his body honestly responded to this sudden, soothing invasion.

The struggle and resistance crumbled rapidly in the face of absolute power and surging emotions.

Xuanming closed his eyes, took the initiative, and gripped the back of her neck, deepening the kiss that carried the scent of blood and cold fragrance. With his other hand, he almost roughly tore open the belt around her waist.

His clothes slipped down in disarray, revealing large expanses of smooth skin, which intertwined with the old and new scars on Xuanming's body, creating a breathtaking contrast.

The temperature inside the bedchamber seemed to be rising rapidly; the sounds of panting and the rustling of fabric mingled together, creating a scene that was both alluring and anxious.

Just as they were lost in their passion, the shadow at the entrance to the bedchamber flickered almost imperceptibly for a moment.

A tall figure appeared silently there, her golden crown still on, her magnificent robes making her appear dignified and cold.

Bibi Dong.

She was clearly there to handle some follow-up matters or to give some instructions, but she unexpectedly stumbled upon the scene inside the inner hall.

Her steps faltered, her cold purple eyes falling on the intertwined figures on the bed, her pupils contracting for a moment.

The bed curtains swayed, the light and shadows blurred, and the intense and primal scene crashed into her vision without any concealment.

She saw Gu Yuena's snow-white back and scattered silver hair, saw Xuanming's rare, wild, passive posture when he was pinned down by her, and heard his suppressed, broken breathing.

Bibi Dong's face was expressionless, as if covered by a layer of ice that would never melt.

But the fingers gripping the scepter tightened almost imperceptibly for a moment, and the knuckles turned slightly white.

She stood there quietly, like a silent ghost, for about two or three breaths.

Then, without a word, she slowly, step by step, retreated, her figure disappearing back into the shadows of the entrance, as if she had never been there.

Inside the sleeping quarters, a fierce wind and rain were raging.

Gu Yuena seemed to sense something, glancing towards the entrance with her purple eyes, a faint, knowing smile curving her lips, before becoming even more focused on this sudden "soothing" session.

The sound of the wind outside the window seemed to be shut out, while the surging waves inside the palace continued unabated throughout the night.

(End of this chapter)