The fragrance of flowers wafted around, and scattered sunlight fell on the path in the valley.
The place was filled with blooming flowers, making it difficult for Su Cheng to identify all the plants.
The woman's heart before him was as intricate and dazzling as this splendid garden, hard to fathom.
But could she see her own heart clearly?
Su Cheng glanced at the silent Ah Yin, sighing inwardly.
He then stopped speaking further.
Turning around, he walked away without hesitation.
"… Wait."
Before he walked too far, the woman's anxious voice came from behind.
Su Cheng paused, not moving his shoulders, only turning his head to look back, quietly waiting for her to continue.
In the warm and bright spring sunlight, his expressionless profile looked exceptionally cold.
This wolfish demeanor made Ah Yin's heart tremble.
Yes, he really is this kind of person. He has always been this kind of person. Didn't she already know?
The words of persuasion she wanted to say could no longer be spoken.
She never could influence his decisions.
Ah Yin knew Su Cheng's past because he had told her personally.
So she also knew that this seemingly gentle person was, in fact, more cold-hearted than anyone deep down.
His indulgence, his ruthlessness, often stemmed from a whim.
He seemed like a passerby in this world, and unless one walked into his heart, no amount of seduction or provocation could stir much emotion in him.
He simply didn't care.
According to Su Cheng, he also possessed memories of another world.
When Su Cheng spoke those words, the loneliness he exuded left a lasting impression on Ah Yin.
She didn't know how profound the so-called "other memories" were.
But that moment touched her the most.
However, it seemed she once walked into Su Cheng's heart, probably during his loneliest time. His lover was far away, and he was weak and alone.
But due to a misunderstanding, they were separated into two worlds again.
Just moments of interaction and conversation gave her the illusion that everything had returned to the past, to when they shared everything.
Su Cheng would ask her about plants and vent his accumulated negative emotions, treating her like a confidant...
Yes, Ah Yin saw herself in this role.
Though most of the time, he mocked her ignorance, naivety...
Until this moment, she suddenly realized it wasn't true.
Going back to the past was just an illusion.
Once things happen, they can't be changed.
When she was no longer under his control.
When she blocked his sword that day.
Everything was already different.
There was no place for her in his heart anymore.
She couldn't be his confidant or play the role of a sister.
In the future, he would continue to be lonely.
All secrets would only be buried deep within himself.
Qian Renxue is the woman he loves, but she cannot share those secrets with him because she is too strong-willed. She might not even know about Zhu Zhuqing's existence.
Zhu Zhuqing can't help either; she herself is burdened with heavy pressure.
"I can accompany you in your research."
Looking at Su Cheng's profile, Ah Yin spoke hurriedly.
"My power should be very helpful for your research, right? You just said that my situation is very complex.
"I know my soul power has some peculiar properties that you can definitely use.
"And, Su Cheng, I've never mentioned your secrets to anyone. You can trust me!"
"..."
Su Cheng did not respond. This was not the answer he wanted to hear.
He turned his head silently and continued to walk away.
Ah Yin stared blankly at his receding figure, feeling a dizziness akin to a lack of oxygen.
It shouldn't be like this...
It can't be like this!
She had already retreated countless times.
From Xiao Wu's death.
To Tang Hao and Tang San's departure.
To her joining the Spirit Hall, facing countless cold stares and even harsh words.
To today, she even let him know all her secrets...
She had retreated to this extent, letting him do such excessive things...
"...What more do you need me to say!"
This time, the voice from behind suddenly became agitated.
It was mixed with heavy breathing.
Hearing this, Su Cheng stopped again, turned around after a moment's pause.
"Isn't this enough..."
Ah Yin's delicate face was devoid of any color.
The once boiling blood cooled bit by bit, solidifying into ice shards flowing within her.
Her fists clenched, knuckles whitening from the force.
"It's been almost two years..."
Ah Yin's expression was bitter.
"Do you know where this is?
"This is Spirit Hall, the place most hostile and terrifying to all soul beasts...
"They see me as an anomaly, look down on me. Do you know that I once died at the hands of these people...
"Bibi Dong treats me as a pawn to be manipulated at will. She is Qian Xunji's disciple, and her martial spirit is stained with the blood of hundred-thousand-year soul beasts!
"She sits on a throne built from the lives of countless of my kind!
"But what can I do? Without her, I couldn't even stay in Spirit City..."
Su Cheng stared blankly at Ah Yin, caught off guard by her sudden outburst.
The content of her words weighed heavily on his heart.
And in the distance ahead, Ah Yin's outpouring wasn't finished.
"Except for you, I don't have a single friend here. All I see every day are enemies!"
Tears flowed down her pale cheeks, falling to the ground.
Her once bright red lips had become pale and dry.
"Do I have to tell you myself that you can go kill Tang Hao?!
"Do I have to say it for you to trust me, is that so important to you?!
"Or do you need me to take action myself someday to satisfy you?
"Since that one trip back to the Blue Silver Grass Forest, I haven't left Spirit City for this entire time!
"If you don't want to believe me, why didn't you just kill me back then?
"Doing so would have been easy for you! With your ruthlessness, would you hesitate because of pity?!"
Her voice grew hoarse, her reddened eyes trembling slightly, yet stubbornly meeting Su Cheng's gaze.
"Have you never deceived me?
"You clearly said you wouldn't kill that transformed soul beast before, so are you torturing me because I stopped you?
"Yes, I broke free from your control and didn't tell you about it.
"So, I deserve to continue being your slave, your sword spirit, under your control for life and death?"
Su Cheng was silent.
He had never seen her so distressed before.
Even when he first awakened her soul body, she was mostly filled with shame and fear, but her emotions were not as intense.
He opened his mouth, "I never said—"
"You resurrected me, gave me a second life.
"My life belongs to you, killing me would be justified, but why are you torturing me like this?
"Fine, if you want to hear it, then I'll say it!
"I have nothing to do with Tang Hao anymore. Do whatever you want with him!
"If that's still not enough, then put the chains back on me. With your methods, that should be easy, right..."
Towards the end, her voice gradually lowered.
Tears streamed freely down her cheeks.
The splendid garden regained its tranquility.
Ah Yin's body collapsed to the ground, burying her head in her raised knees, curling up into a ball.
"...Why go to such lengths, why do this?"
A familiar voice suddenly came from behind, and a warm hand rested on her thin shoulder.
Finally, she couldn't hold it in any longer and turned to bury her face in the chest of the person behind her, sobbing softly.
Su Cheng sighed silently, his expression complex.
Perhaps Ah Yin's outburst wasn't just about his earlier attitude.
Over the past year in Spirit City, the external pressures she endured were likely far beyond his imagination.
Such feelings, without experiencing a similar situation, would probably never be truly understood.