As Lin Linghua watched Liang Lingfeng panic and flee, her wavering emotions gradually solidified. She understood that her choice at this moment meant life or death, and she opted for her own happiness, even at the cost of Liang Lingfeng's life.
"Where do you think you're going?" While Li Gao Li and Lin Linghua conversed, their attention closely fixed on Liang Lingfeng. Suddenly, Li Gao Li struck Liang Lingfeng's chest with a palm infused with a faint spiritual power, accurately hitting his target.
Liang Lingfeng suffered an instant heavy blow, his body flying backward, his head slightly tilting up as blood gushed out, the crimson liquid splattering in the air, some staining his freshly washed clothes, vivid red contrasting against the originally pale fabric. The air carried the pungent scent of blood.
He lay on the ground, resembling a broken doll, with only a faint breath remaining, seemingly on the verge of dissipating. Unnoticed by the three, as he spat out blood, the surrounding space underwent a subtle distortion. An invisible white pearl appeared in the air, coincidentally landing where Liang Lingfeng's blood spurted.
As the blood touched the white pearl, it mysteriously absorbed it. Although the amount was small, it was enough to transform the pearl from transparent to deep crimson.
The pearl, as if drawn towards something, directly flew towards Liang Lingfeng. Despite its vibrant red color, its swift flight went unnoticed due to its speed and the onlookers' lower cultivation levels.
Unimpeded, the pearl merged into Liang Lingfeng's body. He felt his blood flow reverse, his body out of control, agony engulfing him while consciousness gradually faded. Eventually, he gently closed his eyes, his breathing weakening.
"Did he... did he die?" Lin Linghua, unable to believe her eyes, stared at Liang Lingfeng lying motionless on the ground. She turned to Li Gao Li, her face displaying fear, stuttering as she asked.
It was her first time witnessing death, particularly someone she was engaged to, and killed. Fear, confusion, and a hint of regret adorned her face.
Without responding, Li Gao Li walked to Liang Lingfeng, tentatively checking his pulse. Finally confirming Liang Lingfeng's passing, he breathed a sigh of relief. Despite facing numerous life-and-death situations with wild beasts, this was his first time personally taking a life, let alone the son of the village head. If discovered, it would bring immense trouble.
"I can confirm he's dead. We need to handle this properly, or we'll both be in trouble if anyone finds out." Li Gao Li stood up, surveying the area to ensure no one was nearby. Then he looked at Lin Linghua, his tone serious.
Lin Linghua's expression turned instantly cold. She nodded and said, "Let's hurry. I'm afraid someone might pass by soon."
The two lifted Liang Lingfeng and headed towards the mountains. Lin Linghua followed behind Li Gao Li, her face pale, anxiously scanning the surroundings, fearing someone might be watching. After all, murder was no small matter, especially when she was indirectly involved.
"Alright, now no one should discover there's someone hidden in here." Li Gao Li cleared the grass around the cave, which was about half a person's height. He even used some large stones from elsewhere to seal the entrance, just to prevent curious kids from entering.
Lin Linghua nodded absentmindedly. Li Gao Li knew it was challenging for her to accept this fact at once, so he embraced her and said gently, "Linghua, you have to consider that Liang Lingfeng's death also benefits us. With him gone, our engagement will be annulled, and I can openly marry you."
Initially shocked and disoriented, Lin Linghua suddenly looked up, her face showing signs of joy. After all, she loved Li Gao Li, not Liang Lingfeng. Now that Liang Lingfeng was gone, their engagement in name could be dissolved, couldn't it?
"Gao, let's go back first. It won't be good if someone finds us here," Lin Linghua said, a mix of joy and worry evident on her face. After all, it was a significant matter.
Li Gao Li understood her concerns and didn't say much. He held Lin Linghua's hand and led her towards the other side of the mountain, where both the Li and Lin villages were located.
"Father, Feng hasn't returned since morning. Would you go look for him?" A modestly dressed woman sitting on a stone bench in front of the door asked the man. Though there were traces of aging on her face, her youthfulness remained apparent.
The man sitting on the stone bench tapped the ashes off his smoking pipe, stood up, furrowed his thick brows, and replied from inside the house, "Alright, I'll go search for him. That boy is usually back in time for meals. Why isn't he here today?"
Yet, after three days of searching, there was still no sign of Liang Lingfeng. Even in the evening, the torches on the mountain were still lit.
The woman, who once had a gentle face, now looked haggard after three days of weeping. She seemed to have no more tears left. She gazed vacantly at the doorway, seemingly hoping to see her son return home and call her 'mother.' However, three days passed, and there was no sound of his familiar voice.
Suddenly, footsteps approached. The woman sitting on the chair suddenly perked up, stood up, and looked outside. But her hope was dashed when she saw only one person returning, her husband, Liang Xiong. Her face returned to its previous gloominess.
Yet, she still clung to her last hope, to see her son, even in death. With a hollow gaze, she looked at her husband and asked, "Xiong, any news about Feng?"
Liang Xiong looked at his wife, who had become weary over the past three days. He sighed and shook his head. Though it was the expected result, the woman sighed faintly, her gaze returning to emptiness. It seemed her tears had dried up. Liang Xiong embraced his wife, silently comforting her.
Three days had passed. Liang Lingfeng's finger suddenly twitched on the dry ground, followed by a flicker of his eyelids. With some difficulty, he managed to open his eyes slightly. He found himself in a dark cave. Simultaneously, he felt his stomach rumbling.
Recalling being struck hard by Li Gao Li, and feeling his life force ebbing away before closing his eyes, he wondered if he had reached the underworld. But as his vision adjusted to the dimness, he realized he was in a cave—similar to many others they explored for fun on the mountain.
Pinching his face, Liang Lingfeng felt the pain. He suddenly felt a sense of rebirth. Without further ado, he tried to walk out but tripped over a stone placed at the entrance, scraping his hand. However, he paid no mind to this minor injury.
As Liang Lingfeng exited the cave and headed downhill, he saw several lights and faintly heard shouts, seemingly calling his name. He recognized the path and hurried towards the scattered lights.