CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 64: TOGETHER IN LIFE, UNITED IN DEATH

Almost everyone in the mountain stronghold was killed, leaving only the Second Master.

Shu’er, Tang Zan, Lu Qing, and Zhang Chao, the group of four, all went after the Big Master and Ling Niang.

Shu’er had previously promised Ling Niang that she would take her away, so she couldn’t break her word.

Moreover, the Big Master, the instigator, had to be captured.

The dangerous element, the Third Master, couldn’t be left unchecked either.

His final gaze was so cold, it made Shu’er very uncomfortable.

He would definitely come to seek revenge on her.

Shu’er didn’t want to leave any disaster behind.

After searching outside for a long time, they still didn’t find the two of them.

Shu’er suddenly thought of a place and said to everyone, "This way."

Once they reached Ling Niang’s residence, Tang Zan opened a mechanism, and the group jumped down to find no one there.

Shu’er lit an oil lamp and saw the blood stains in the room, as well as the treasures that had been completely cleared out.

They even found several bloody handprints on some concave rocks.

Shu’er thought the arrangement was very regular.

Tang Zan raised his hand and pressed, and the stone wall in front of them opened.

Shu’er was somewhat amazed.

Besides that hidden path, the mountain stronghold actually had another escape route.

The escape route was very thoroughly prepared.

They walked into the passage and followed the blood stains forward.

After walking for a while, they heard Ling Niang’s excited voice ahead.

"No, I can’t leave with you. My father—"

It was Ling Niang’s voice, her voice choked with tears.

The Big Master’s voice was low, restrained, and sounded somewhat gentle.

He spoke extremely slowly and arduously.

"Ling Niang, your father has been dead for two years."

"Let’s go quickly."

Upon hearing this, Ling Niang became silent, only heavy breathing could be heard.

Then Ling Niang suddenly let out a short laugh, and another.

"Jiang Ye, you deceived me for a whole five years?"

Jiang Ye sighed, "Ling Niang, you’re so smart, you should have guessed it long ago."

Ling Niang laughed hysterically, "Yes, Jiang Ye, I guessed it. But I couldn’t believe it; my father was so healthy, he couldn’t have died."

It took Jiang Ye about five seconds to speak.

"I killed your husband, and you joined with outsiders to destroy my stronghold, causing the death of so many of my brothers. Let’s call it even and live peacefully, alright?"

At this moment, the rough man’s words were almost a plea, his voice gentle and subdued, his lips trembling, as if fearful of disturbing Ling Niang.

He gently cupped Ling Niang’s face with the hand covering his wound, smearing blood all over her face.

Ling Niang brushed away Jiang Ye’s hand, laughing, her face full of winding tears.

"Alright? No! How your brothers fare has nothing to do with me. I only want my Yuanlang back, I only want my father back!"

"Evening the score... there’s no way to even the score unless you die!"

At the last, Ling Niang’s eyes were full of fierce intent as she drew out the dagger from Jiang Ye’s abdomen.

She stabbed it again into Jiang Ye’s abdomen, causing blood to flow even more fiercely.

Jiang Ye looked at her quietly, resisting the instinct to fight back, then grasped Ling Niang’s hand.

Twisting the dagger cruelly in his own abdomen, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Even if you stab me to death, I still won’t regret it. I’ve never regretted it."

"These five years, it’s been my gain."

Ling Niang stabbed Jiang Ye with fury, this martial arts master seemed powerless to resist, gradually falling silent in her arms.

In the end, Ling Niang was almost mechanically stabbing him with the dagger.

Shu’er said, "Stop stabbing, he’s already dead."

Ling Niang raised her head, her face covered with warm blood, tears flowing, gathering at her chin, dripping down.

Though her lips were curled in satisfaction, Shu’er felt sadness.

Shu’er said, "Let’s go, Ling Niang, leave this scum, and you can start anew."

Ling Niang blankly looked at Shu’er, then lowered her head to the man in her arms who was now completely silent, nodding dully.

She took a few steps toward Shu’er, then slowed her pace and gradually halted.

Shu’er noticed the absence of footsteps behind her.

She turned to see Ling Niang standing quietly, her head bowed.

"Ling Niang?" Shu’er called.

Ling Niang lifted her head, her eyes carrying a gentle smile.

"I’ve never avoided mentioning Yuanlang in front of Jiang Ye. I told him over and over, told others, told myself how I missed Yuanlang."

Shu’er didn’t know what Ling Niang wanted to say but listened quietly.

Finally, Ling Niang just smiled and then shook her head.

"One night as spouses, a hundred days of grace. Jiang Ye and I were at least dew spouses for five years. I should find him a resting place."

Only then did Shu’er smile, letting out a breath of relief.

"Alright."

Shu’er went over to help move Jiang Ye, but Ling Niang shook her head to stop her.

"No need, I can do it myself."

She pointed at the path ahead, "The Third Master ran that way."

Shu’er and the others hurried forward, discovering that the path led to the edge of a cliff, merely having a carved trail.

Tang Zan, Lu Qing, and Zhang Chao quickly went after it, while Shu’er stayed with Ling Niang.

Ling Niang slowly moved Jiang Ye to the cave entrance, smiling weakly.

"This is the first time I realized he was this heavy."

But as soon as she finished speaking, her tears started to flow.

Shu’er wiped the tears from her face and heard Ling Niang speak.

"Do you remember? I always said I wanted revenge. I never told you I wanted to leave with you, so you don’t need to wait for me."

Shu’er was startled, "But the food supply here has run out."

Ling Niang shook her head, "It doesn’t matter."

"After all, my father is dead, Jiang Ye is dead too."

She pointed at herself, a bright, relieved smile on her lips.

"And I’m going to die."

She tightly embraced Jiang Ye’s corpse and slowly fell toward the cave mouth.

"I no longer owe Yuanlang anything."

Shu’er reached out quickly to pull her back, but only managed to grasp her clothing before Ling Niang, with a smile, fell away.

An ache pierced Shu’er’s heart, this intelligent woman...

She never intended to leave here.

She killed Jiang Ye to give Yuanlang his life back.

She took her own life to repay Jiang Ye for his.

Yet in the end.

She still chose to die in the same grave as Jiang Ye.

The saddest thing was that even in the end, Jiang Ye never understood Ling Niang’s intentions.

Her thoughts were hidden so deeply, no one knew.

Shu’er suddenly recalled the secret passage, built in Ling Niang’s room by Jiang Ye.

He feared Ling Niang would run, yet also feared she would encounter danger.

So he decided to put the escape passage here.

Shu’er felt her eyes sting, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled, the oppressive feeling in her heart easing a bit.

These were a pair of star-crossed ill-fated lovers.