Chapter 447: 437, exactly the same

Ling Que couldn’t withstand the intense pressure and stumbled several steps backward until a camphor tree halted her retreat.

A trace of fresh blood spilled from the corner of her mouth, a shocking sight.

To the side, Xuanyuan Shangchen remained standing there, motionless as ever, regarding the overwhelming pressure as if it were nothing, as steady as a rock.

A black trench coat flowed without wind around him, carrying with it a piercing coldness.

Mo Zhixuan stood opposite the two of them, the corners of his cool lips slightly raised, his expression as chilly as ever, as if his features were frosted over.

The arc of his smile changed nothing.

This was a contest between titans.

Indecisive in outcome.

Ling Que couldn’t utter a word; pain like suppressed endurance filled her eyes. For the first time in history, she felt the Grim Reaper was so close to her.

Fear and cold seized her body all at once; she had never felt as helpless as she did at that moment.

The young lord of the Mo family committed a massacre, his presence akin to that of a ruler—his reputation well deserved indeed.

Xuanyuan Shangchen calmly laid his hand on Ling Que’s shoulder, and streams of spiritual energy, invisible to the naked eye, flowed from his palm into Ling Que’s body.

The pain that had weighed heavily on her receded like the tide, and Ling Que felt a lightness wash over her. Looking at Mo Zhixuan once again, her eyes filled with newfound respect.

"I will leave as soon as possible," Xuanyuan Shangchen raised his head to look at Mo Zhixuan, his dark calm eyes concealed under the brim of his hat, leaving only his well-defined jawline visible, his tone was very deep, bone-chilling, "If you dare wrong her, I will never let you go!"

The last sentence was laden with danger.

A flicker of light passed through Ling Que’s eyes.

She hadn’t expected that Xuanyuan Shangchen would choose to leave.

He loved Jun Huang so much, how could he willingly give her up to another man?

Had Xuanyuan Shangchen just given up on Jun Huang?

Yet why did she feel not the slightest bit of joy?

Instead, there was a hint of coldness, a chill in her heart.

No one understood Xuanyuan Shangchen better than she did; she knew he would not compromise so easily.

"Rest assured," a mocking curve formed on Mo Zhixuan’s lips, his voice ice-cold, "I am not you, Xuanyuan Shangchen, and Chu Jin is not Empress Jun Huang."

One sentence, two meanings.

First, it was sarcasm about Xuanyuan Shangchen’s pettiness a thousand years ago.

Second, it was a reminder that what’s done could not be undone; the events from a thousand years ago were in the past, and Chu Jin was just Chu Jin, not a substitute for anyone.

Hearing this, Xuanyuan Shangchen pressed his lips into a thin line, saying nothing.

After all, he owed Jun Huang.

Now, he had no standing to refute Mo Zhixuan’s words.

One day, he would prove his worth through his actions.

As long as Jun Huang lived well, nothing mattered more than her life.

Even if it meant giving up everything, he was willing.

Ling Que seemed to want to say something, her lips moved, but the words died before they escaped.

She felt indignant for Xuanyuan Shangchen, for without him, Jun Huang would have "Scattered Like Ashes" long ago; what right did Mo Zhixuan have to speak so of Xuanyuan Shangchen?

But she couldn’t voice these thoughts.

Chu Jin was Chu Jin, she was also Jun Huang, yet she was not Jun Huang.

Since ancient times, those who defied the world were not recognized by the Heavenly Dao; no matter how powerful Mo Zhixuan became, he could not contend with the Heavenly Dao.

But Ling Que had forgotten that in this world, there were children of the Heavenly Dao.

The air grew still.

"Take good care of her." After a long while, Xuanyuan Shangchen finally spoke these words, with a tinge of bitterness.

With that, he turned and walked away.

Ling Que followed closely behind.

The black figures gradually blended into the night, soon disappearing from sight.

Sudden lightning and thunder erupted overhead, followed by a torrential downpour.

Mo Zhixuan stood there, the very image of frigidness, lightning and thunder reflected in his eyes, large raindrops falling on his sharply chiseled features, cool to the touch.

He remained in the rain, unyielding as Mount Tai, his expression icy cold, a chilling aura emanating from his gaze, making the heart shiver even in June.

Xuanyuan Shangchen and Ling Que continued on, neither of them speaking, the heavy rain soaking their already thin clothes.

They soon stopped in front of a villa.

Xuanyuan Shangchen in front.

Ling Que behind.

As he approached the door, it opened, and a young girl’s figure emerged, "Brother Xuanyuan, you’re back," her voice was light and faint, but melodious.

It also seemed... familiar.

Ling Que’s heart jolted at the sound; she quickly lifted her head to look, and was instantly astounded to see the girl dressed in a floor-length red gown, her delicate features exquisite, skin like creamy jade, teeth bright and lips red, the red gown subtly highlighting her nobility.

Air of elegance mixed with soft beauty.

Alluring and enchanting, yet sacred and inviolate.

A phoenix tail pattern adorned the space above her left eyebrow.

Like one who stood above the nine heavens.

Was this... the living Jun Huang?

Ling Que’s complexion turned pale in an instant.

If it hadn’t been for the recent sighting of Chu Jin at Huagui Park, Ling Que would have thought she was witnessing an illusion.

The girl before her resembled Chu Jin to perfection, almost without a single discrepancy, even the red mole beneath the clavicle was in the exact same spot.

"Did you feel unwell at all this afternoon?" Xuanyuan Shangchen stepped inside and asked.

"I’m fine," the girl smiled gently, "Brother Xuanyuan, there’s no need for you to worry." Her tone was affectionate and natural, as if she had known Xuanyuan Shangchen for a long time.

Following the two of them, Ling Que felt her blood run cold.

Brother Xuanyuan.

How long had it been since she’d last heard these four words? Ling Que drowned in deep memories.

Just then, the red-clad young lady suddenly halted, turned around with a playful and charming smile, "Brother Xuanyuan, who is this?"

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read