Let Her Go! . . .
With a tremor in his voice, Xiao Mufei spoke gently, "He won't die so soon. Girl, are you Rongrong? Rong... Rongrong, come here, let me have a look at you."
The girl raised her head and knelt before him, clutching his legs while her tears flowed freely. She implored, "Please... Please... Save my Uncle Gao... He doesn't want me to beg... But I don't want him to die... I am begging you..."
Xiao Mufei looked into her eyes for the first time, and a profound disturbance overcame him. His eyes widened, reflecting confusion and pain. The girl's face had struck a deep chord within him, as though it had penetrated his heart's weakest and most vulnerable part. He felt an excruciating pain, akin to a heart that was bleeding.
Tears welled in his eyes as he whispered, "Rongrong... Good girl... Is it really you? Is this real?"
He bent down to embrace her.
In that poignant moment, the girl's tearful eyes transformed, gleaming with a glint of murderous intent. Two streams of cold light shot forth from her hands, piercing through Xiao Mufei's legs. Simultaneously, the old man rolled over, brandishing his own weapons with deadly intent and striking at Xiao Mufei's chest.
The girl swiftly stepped back, lowering her head, and dark lights surged from her hair, assaulting Xiao Mufei's face.
Despite appearing lost in his own memories, Xiao Mufei instinctively closed his eyes. He reached out and grabbed the old man's swords, and with a sudden backward lean, he evaded the deadly onslaught. The murderous attacks missed their mark, but he couldn't dodge the numerous dark, needle-like projectiles. They struck his body, leaving painful wounds on his chest, waist, and legs.
Xiao Mufei shouted, channeling his inner strength as he seized the old man by the neck. His roar echoed, "Give me the antidote!"
Though his leg injuries weren't severe, the needles on his chest caused itching and pain, indicating they were poisoned. Xiao Mufei's experience allowed him to suppress the poison's effects by blocking the veins around the wounds with his spiritual energy. Still, the itching persisted, signaling an unusually potent toxin that even a Dao Origin Stage cultivator would struggle to neutralize.
Despite the circumstances, Xiao Mufei maintained his restraint, targeting the old man but not attacking the girl. His eyes betrayed a deep sense of sorrow and pain.
The old man, gasping for breath, had been clutched by the neck, the bones in his throat audibly cracking. Despite impending death, he sneered maliciously, "Antidote, you say? Come and take it if you can catch me."
Then, he tilted his head, biting a hidden poison capsule. Black blood emerged from his mouth, nose, eyes, and ears as death claimed him. He had chosen to die rather than divulge the antidote, his eyes fixed on Xiao Mufei with a sinister satisfaction.
As he perished, the Dao Origin Stage cultivator ceased to breathe.
Xiao Mufei, gripped by the same poison, was in the throes of death.
A somber atmosphere gripped the disciples who had gathered around, their faces marked by dismay. Several emanated a murderous aura, directed at the girl.
"Give me the antidote!" their voices echoed, their frustration and anxiety palpable. Xiao Mufei's complexion grew darker by the moment.
It was evident to everyone that if Xiao Mufei succumbed to the poison, the one hundred and seventy men under his command would face an insurmountable peril on their journey.
The girl remained standing, catching her breath. Then, with a chilling smirk, she taunted, "You won't get it, even if you kill me! That is Nine Determination Dark Poison! Anybody who thinks he can save him, go try it!"
The others were left dumbfounded.
"Hahahaha… There is no antidote for this poison!" She cackled maniacally. "I came here today, with a plan of death. To die with such a Dao Origin Stage cultivator, I kind of feel happy."
Her laughter continued, but her eyes betrayed a deep sadness.
Who would willingly choose death over life if there was a chance to survive?
Yet she knew her fate was sealed. No one who crossed paths with Cold Moon Palace remained alive. As a Dream Origin Stage assassin, she understood that her sole mission was to eliminate Xiao Mufei. Success or failure, death was her only outcome.
"I am going to kill you!" Fang Dalong's voice was laden with sorrow and anger. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he clutched his sword, preparing to strike.
The girl, however, remained unflinching, her eyes closed.
"Stop!" A voice thundered with anger. Xiao Mufei abruptly stood, shouting, "Don't kill her!"
"Master!" Fang Dalong sobbed. "Why not?"
Xiao Mufei's face grew darker, but when he gazed upon the girl, there was no trace of hatred in his eyes. Instead, he regarded her with an almost affectionate gaze. Ignoring the two daggers piercing his legs, he took step after painful step toward the girl.
With each stride, blood oozed from his wounds, yet he carried on as if nothing had happened. He walked up to the girl, his eyes filled with longing, seeking confirmation. After a moment, he spoke gently, "Girl, you should go. Run... Run from people of Cold Moon Palace."
Reaching into his clothing, he retrieved a space ring and handed it to the girl. He continued, "There is everything in it... Take it and live a good life. It should be enough to cover the expense of your entire life."
Finishing his words, Xiao Mufei closed his eyes and sighed. He then told her, "You should go now."
The girl stood there, stunned by the unexpected turn of events.