Wandering Swordsman |

But reason is like ice water poured over one's head.

He stared intently at the masked man—whose martial arts skills were beyond human capability.

If they fight again, they will surely die.

He suppressed his inner displeasure and heart-wrenching pain, clenching his teeth so tightly they almost bled.

In the end, without saying a word, he turned and fled, his black robes billowing as he swept through the night like a crow.

The Crimson Lotus Demon followed closely behind, surrounded by a mist of blood. The two sped away like ghosts, their figures quickly disappearing into the night.

Half an hour later, after traveling dozens of miles, they finally found a secluded valley.

This place is surrounded by walls on all sides, with vines hanging down and a quiet stream flowing through it, resembling a desolate, otherworldly place.

Situ Changkong stopped in his tracks, his chest heaving violently, his eyes blazing with fury.

He whirled around, grabbed the Crimson Lotus Demon by the throat, and slammed her against the rock wall, his voice booming like thunder: "Why—why—did—you—give—Ms.—that—kind—poison—you—gave—Dream—Junior—Sister—that—kind—of—poison?!"

Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying blood and hatred.

"Do you know how important her innocence is?! Do you know how much pain I feel?! How could you use such despicable means to tarnish her reputation and let her fall into the hands of that masked man?! You...you..." His voice trembled, and he could barely speak.

The Crimson Lotus Demon remained unperturbed, letting the man grip her throat, a bewitching smile playing on her lips: "You think I wanted this? But tell me—besides 'The Ghostly Lotus's Guide,' do I have any other useful poisons on me?"

She slowly raised her hand, her fingertips gently stroking his tense cheek, her voice as soft as silk: "That masked man is a master of martial arts. Even if we escape, he will catch up quickly, and we will surely die. Only by using Situ Meng as bait can we make him stop."

"And the 'Symphony of the Hidden Bloom' is the only bargaining chip that can prevent him from pursuing us—it won't harm her life, and it allows us to escape. Why not?"

She leaned close to his ear, her breath sweet as orchids: "If you truly care about her, you should be thankful that she's still alive. Even... in that way."

Situ Changkong shuddered, his anger receding like a tide, replaced by endless pain and powerlessness.

He slowly loosened his grip, leaned against the rock wall, looked up at the dark night sky, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms.

"In the end... I still couldn't protect her..." he murmured, his voice hoarse like a withered leaf. "From childhood to adulthood, I swore to protect her... but now... she's going to be killed by a stranger..."

"……hateful!!!"

He closed his eyes in anguish, tears streaming silently down his face.

Right now—

The Crimson Lotus Demon flicked her fingertips, and a mist of blood quietly spread, seeping into the air without a sound.

Her eyes were slightly closed, and she murmured a strange incantation, her voice like a chant or a curse.

Situ Changkong was completely unaware.

He was immersed in pain and his mind was scattered, making it the perfect time for illusion.

Suddenly, the scene before his eyes distorted—the rock wall vanished, the stream turned into moonlight, and the Red Lotus Demon... had transformed into Situ Meng!

That beautiful face, those affectionate eyes, that familiar smile... it was all like a dream.

"Brother Changkong..." Phantom whispered, her voice gentle as water.

Situ Changkong was stunned, staring at her in disbelief: "Meng... Junior Sister Meng?! You... how did you get here?"

"I've been waiting for you." The phantom slowly approached, reaching out to touch his face. "You said you would protect me for life... Now, I need you."

He was breathing rapidly, his reason as fragile as a candle flickering in the wind.

He knew something was amiss, but the look in his eyes, the aura, the warmth... it was all so real! So real that he wished he could believe it was real.

"Junior Sister Meng...I..." He reached out with trembling hands and pulled her into his arms.

Their clothes slipped off, their skin pressed together, burning hot.

They intertwined under the moonlight, like a pair of lovers reunited after a long separation, forgetting hatred, betrayal, and the ways of the martial world.

Situ Changkong succumbed to this false tenderness, turning all his anger, pain, and resentment into a passionate outburst.

He thought he was being redeemed.

Little did they know that they were stepping into the abyss of desire meticulously woven by the Crimson Lotus Demon.

When the passion subsided, he collapsed to the side, still panting. The moonlight shone down again, and the illusion vanished—before him still stood the enchantress in her blood-red dress.

He sat bolt upright, his eyes blazing with renewed fury: "You...you tricked me with illusions again?!"

The Crimson Lotus Demon merely chuckled, lightly tapping his chest with her fingertip: "Lying to you? No, you're lying to yourself. You knew perfectly well that it was me, yet you still... accepted it, didn't you?"

She rose, waded barefoot into the stream, turned back with a smile, as alluring as a flower: "Because... you've wanted her for a long time, haven't you?"

Situ Changkong was struck dumb, sitting there speechless.

A night breeze swept by, carrying the low murmurs of the distant valleys.

He could no longer distinguish between dream and reality, between love and sin.

......

Returning to Shen Mo's side, Shen Mo watched the two escape. He wanted to stop them, but when he caught Situ Meng, she was ice-cold to the touch and had a weak breath.

If they continue to pursue, Situ Meng will be in grave danger.

Situ Meng's internal energy was as chaotic as the tide, sometimes surging and sometimes stagnating, with a faint fire poison rising from her dantian and eroding her meridians!

He was shocked: the poison was so potent!

Situ Meng's vital points were sealed by acupressure, rendering her unable to move or speak. Only her eyes remained fixed on Shen Mo, trembling slightly, as if glistening with tears.

Although she was unable to move or speak, when she heard the Red Lotus Demon say "You got off easy," her eyelashes trembled violently, and her eyes flashed with hatred as she stared intently at the two fleeing figures, as if she wanted to etch their images into the depths of her soul.

Shen Mo looked down at the pale face of the woman in his arms. Her breathing was slightly disordered, and fine sweat had seeped from her forehead. Her body temperature was quietly rising.

Could it be that only by harmonizing yin and yang and engaging in sexual intercourse can Situ Meng be saved?

But what if the Red Lotus Demon is lying? Wouldn't that tarnish Situ Meng's reputation?

The night wind was as dark as ink, rustling the withered leaves in the mountains, as if the world itself was holding its breath, awaiting a fateful decision.

Shen Mo's fingertips trembled slightly, and cold sweat dripped down his palms. He looked down at the woman in his arms—Situ Meng's face was pale with a sickly flush, her breathing was slightly rapid, her lips were dry and cracked but faintly hot, and a thin strand of sweat slid down her forehead, winding down her neck and disappearing into the depths of her collar.

The poison from the You Tan Yin had begun to erode her heart meridian. Her internal energy was churning like boiling water, and there was a faint fire poison surging between her meridians. If she had been a moment later, her meridians would have been burned and her life would have ended.

His gaze was heavy, and his heart was breaking.

If they abandon her and instead pursue Situ Changkong and the Red Lotus Demon, she will surely die.

If we want to save her... the only way is to neutralize the poison using the method of yin and yang harmonization.

Once this happens, even if no one witnesses it, as long as the Red Lotus Demon spreads a rumor, the rumors in the martial arts world will spread like wildfire.

Situ Meng, daughter of the leader of the martial arts alliance, has an impeccable reputation; once it is damaged, she will never have peace in her life.

But if we don't save them...

Could he really just watch Situ Meng perish right before his eyes?