Chapter 3 - Betrayal

Ye Huaran stood in the midst of the flames, behind her, was a sea of fire.

She turned around, looking back at the Xie Mansion engulfed in towering flames.

The golden-edged plaque of the Xie Mansion, with the three characters "Xie Mansion" written vigorously, bore the personal seal of Xie Guinian.

At this moment, the golden-edged plaque swayed dangerously, emitting a crisp sound in the fire.

Ye Huaran held a dagger dripping with blood, her eyes focused on the plaque gradually being consumed by the flames, her gaze lingering.

Guinian, I once promised you in front of your grave that one day, I would send all those who killed you to hell, I would make them kneel before you and repent.

I've done it!

The flames surged from all directions.

Inhaling too much thick smoke caused Ye Huaran's brain to suffer from severe oxygen deprivation.

"Cough, cough, cough, cough—"

Ye Huaran began to cough violently.

With a "thud," the blood-stained dagger in her hand fell to the ground, making a crisp sound.

Ye Huaran didn't dodge or evade. There was no fear in her eyes, only calmness and composure in the face of death.

If there really was an underworld in this world, she only hoped that Black and White Impermanence could lead her to see you.

Guinian, are you still waiting for me on the road to the Yellow Springs? In the midst of the flames, Ye Huaran suddenly saw a tall figure, bathed in red flames, like a deity, striding towards her.

Ye Huaran's heart trembled violently.

Hot tears welled up in her eyes.

Guinian!

It's Guinian! Guinian, are you here to take me?

Ye Huaran lifted her feet and ran towards the tall figure with all her strength.

After only a few steps, her body suddenly swayed, and her vision blurred.

That embrace, firmly caught her.

"Gege!"

"Gege!"

"Dongzhu!"

In a daze, Ye Huaran seemed to hear the voices of her deceased mother, stepmother, and several brothers who died in battle, and even the voice of Bai, whom she had once respected and later hated.

All the people she loved and who loved her in her life floated before her eyes.

In this life, she owed no one but one person's heart.

It's good, he came to pick her up.

This life, it's finally complete.

She tightly grasped the arms of the person holding her, "Guinian, Guinian..."

Promise me, this time, don't leave her alone in this world, struggling to survive.

Alright? Guinian?

Tears streamed down her cheeks as Ye Huaran completely passed out.

A tear fell on Xie Yubai's tiger's mouth and was quickly evaporated by the high temperature.

Xie Yubai stared at the crystal-clear tear that melted into his tiger's mouth, his palm clenched into a fist, his eyes reflecting a deep crimson light, burning like a raging fire.

Aisin Gioro Dongzhu, who exactly do you mistake me for? Escaping from the mansion in the middle of the night, with only two personal maids by your side, and instructing them to ride horses in two completely opposite directions midway, with such careful planning and arrangements, how dare Xie Yubai presumptuously think that her tears, as the fiancée, were shed because of him!

Holding the unconscious Huaran, Xie Yubai's arms tightened.

Aisin Gioro Dongzhu, who is the scoundrel man that made you defy orders, betray the family, and flee overnight?

"Boom—"

"Crackle—"

"Bang—"

More and more trees fell in the raging fire, and the flames spread rapidly.

Xie Yubai's complexion changed slightly.

There was no more hesitation.

Xie Yubai decisively wrapped the outer coat that had been wet with water when he came in around Huaran's body, held her tightly, and rushed out of the fire.

(End of this chapter)