A sword strike came hurtling towards Xiao Fan's face.
Now devoid of his former cultivation and crippled, Xiao Fan had no power to resist.
Yet, even in this dire situation, Xiao Fan's expression remained calm, with not a trace of fear in his eyes.
He had long since ceased to fear death.
These past days, Gongsun Yarou had sacrificed so much for him, and he was acutely aware of every detail.
It was he who had burdened Gongsun Yarou.
Gongsun Yarou should have had a vast and glorious future, but she had given it all up for him.
Now, not only did Gongsun Yarou endure the mockery of the entire demon clan, but she had also been alienated by her kin, losing everything because of him.
And just now, she had even forsaken the opportunity to inherit the Demon Emperor's legacy for his sake!
But for someone as worthless as him...
Was it really worth it?
The first time he met Gongsun Yarou, she was the cunning and wise demon clan saintess, brave and strategic.
To uncover the dragon clan's plans, she had even risked her life to infiltrate their secret realm for decades.
But such a determined woman had willingly abandoned everything she had painstakingly gained for him.
Seeing all that Gongsun Yarou had done for him, how could he not be moved?
Now he was a cripple, alive only to be a burden to Gongsun Yarou.
It would be better to seize this opportunity and free Gongsun Yarou.
So when Gongsun Bo attacked him, Xiao Fan's heart was serene.
Although Xiao Fan was resigned to death, Gongsun Yarou would not allow it.
In a flash, Gongsun Yarou shielded Xiao Fan with her own body, intercepting Gongsun Bo's attack.
Seeing Gongsun Yarou appear before him, Gongsun Bo quickly withdrew his assault.
At that moment, Gongsun Bo was ensnared in an illusion set by Gongsun Yarou.
Though she had momentarily trapped her father, Gongsun Bo, several uncles were still eyeing them menacingly.
She could not afford any negligence now.
Her innate gift for bewitching others was formidable.
Even those with cultivation levels a major realm higher than hers could easily fall prey.
But this power could not be used endlessly.
Each time she used her bewitching ability to trap an opponent in an illusion, it drained her mental strength significantly.
By the third or fourth time, her head felt like it was splitting, and cold sweat poured from her forehead and neck.
By now, her father, Gongsun Bo, who had first fallen into her illusion, was regaining his senses.
With no other option, Gongsun Yarou pressed her sword to her own throat.
"Father, if you continue to press us, I will die here before you!"
"If you want to kill him, you'll have to step over my dead body first!"
Gongsun Yarou's gaze was resolute, showing no hesitation.
Any rash move from the other side, and she would end her life without a second thought.
"Daughter, you!" Gongsun Bo's eyes were almost aflame.
Knowing his daughter well, he understood that once Gongsun Yarou spoke such words, she was not joking.
Even if she failed to die now, she would seek death again once she regained consciousness.
Until she succeeded in ending her life.
In that case, everything they had done would be meaningless.
He never imagined that Gongsun Yarou would be willing to forsake her life for a human!
If Gongsun Yarou died, what was the point of killing this human?
After a long, silent standoff with Gongsun Yarou's resolute eyes, Gongsun Bo sighed helplessly.
"Gongsun Yarou, I hope you won't regret today's decision."
Gongsun Bo's disappointment was evident as he addressed her by name, no longer calling her daughter.
With that, Gongsun Bo left with the other clan strongmen.
Seeing them leave, Gongsun Yarou finally relaxed her tense stance.
Lowering her sword, she found her palms sweaty.
Despite this, her first thought was to comfort Xiao Fan.
After settling Xiao Fan in a chair in the courtyard, Gongsun Yarou gently said, "Xiao Fan, don't worry. They shouldn't return. From now on, just focus on healing."
Unexpectedly, Xiao Fan's response was cold, "Do you think I will be grateful?"
"If you hadn't brought me here, why would they harbor such hostility towards me?"
Gongsun Yarou was instantly enraged.
"Xiao Fan, don't be ungrateful. If not for me, you would have died in that stupid dragon's mouth!"
Furious, Gongsun Yarou couldn't believe that Xiao Fan not only didn't appreciate her efforts but also blamed her.
But Xiao Fan's next words were even colder, sending a chill through her body.
"Gongsun Yarou, I warn you, don't insult Xiaoxiao as a stupid dragon!"
Xiao Fan's eyes were icy, "Xiaoxiao is my disciple. Even if I were to die by Xiaoxiao's hand, I would accept it willingly."
"Who asked you to meddle? Did I ask you to save me?"
"You! You..." Gongsun Yarou was so infuriated she was at a loss for words.
Her knuckles turned white as she clenched her fist, ready to strike Xiao Fan's head.
This punch would surely kill Xiao Fan.
But her fist hovered in the air for a long time, unable to land.
"Xiao Fan, do you know what I've sacrificed to save you?"
Gongsun Yarou spoke through gritted teeth, her eyes bloodshot.
"I don't know, and I don't want to know. Whatever you've done for me is just your one-sided wish."
"Do I have to repay anyone who does something for me out of their own volition?"
"Do you know what that's called?"
"That's called moral coercion!"
Xiao Fan's expression was one of impatience.
Boom!
Gongsun Yarou's face instantly froze.
Indeed, everything she had done was just her one-sided wish.
What right did she have to demand Xiao Fan's response to her sacrifices?
"What is wrong with me?" Gongsun Yarou muttered as she walked back to her room, dazed.
Why had she become like this?
When had she changed?
She originally just wanted to conquer Xiao Fan, to make him her captive.
Why?
Why had she turned into a resentful, ugly, pitiful woman?
No, she needed to think carefully, to understand what had happened to her...
Watching Gongsun Yarou's desolate figure retreating, Xiao Fan's expression turned silent, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.
The previous aggressiveness was gone.
He hoped his words would stop Gongsun Yarou from wasting her time and energy on him, helping her make the right decision for herself.
To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/Jw-q2euGywY