CHAPTER 72: CHAPTER 71: EXCHANGED HEALTH

"Wasn’t it Meng who pushed the person? Then who did? Isn’t the one who pushes the person the mastermind behind the scenes?" Ling Shuhan was confused by Yu Nianzhao’s words, "What do you mean by death energy? I saw nothing like that on Meng."

"If you could see death energy at will, you could be a Daoist."

Yu Nianzhao raised an eyebrow at him, pinched a talisman between her fingers, and with a flick, the talisman flew towards Sui Meng.

The talisman ignited automatically in front of Sui Meng, with golden light shining from the flames onto her!

"Ah!"

Sui Meng cried out in pain and was knocked to the ground.

"Meng!" Ling Shuhan was extremely worried and glared at Yu Nianzhao, "What did you do to Meng?"

"What...what is that?" Mrs. Ling exclaimed, covering her mouth with one hand and pointing at Sui Meng with the other.

Ling Shuhan turned his head to look, and then froze like he had turned to ice, staring in shock.

They clearly saw wisps of black energy swirling around Sui Meng’s body, especially at her heart, the black energy had spread out.

"What is this?" Ling Shuhan stammered.

"Weren’t you eager to see the death energy? Well, here it is for you." Yu Nianzhao smirked, grabbed Ling Shuhan by the ear and dragged him over to Sui Meng, ignoring his shocked expression. "Didn’t you want to protect her? Then protect her in front of her, just as you always do, don’t be a coward."

Ling Shuhan, who had just been feeling sorry for Sui Meng, had never seen so much death energy before. He immediately rubbed his hands apologetically, "Sorry Princess, it’s my fault for not recognizing greatness earlier. I really didn’t notice any death energy on her before. I apologize, I apologize!"

Yu Nianzhao then let him go, disdainfully wiping his hands with his sleeve.

Sui Meng, hurting to death, wanted to get up, only to realize her body was trapped and couldn’t move at all.

Every time she struggled, the golden light became like a net, firmly trapping her. Trying to forcibly leave made her feel as if burned by flames, in severe pain.

"What did you do to me?" Sui Meng glared at Yu Nianzhao with resentful eyes.

"This is a Soul-locking Talisman. What you have isn’t originally yours, so it’s time to return to its rightful owner, isn’t it? You’ve been stealing others’ health for so many years, you certainly have some nerve."

Yu Nianzhao smirked, stepping forward and pressing a foot on her chest. "Look at your dark forehead, you’re destined for an early death, yet you don’t believe in fate and want to change your destiny. I admire your courage in that regard. But you shouldn’t build your health on others’ suffering. You stole Xiangyun’s health, it’s crooked magic, never meant for you, you have to give it back!"

Yu Nianzhao’s eyes turned fierce, and she reached out to Sui Meng’s forehead, forcibly pulling strands of black energy out.

"Ah, ah, ah!"

Sui Meng screamed in agony, sweating profusely, feeling the vitality steadily streaming out of her body. She frantically begged Ling Shuhan for help, "Brother Shuhan, save me, please save me, I don’t want to die yet!"

Ling Shuhan was witnessing such a scene for the first time, his face turned pale.

"Meng, was it really you who harmed Xiangyun?" he stuttered, barely asking a question.

"Ah! Even at a time like this, you’re still concerned about Ling Xiangyun. Didn’t you promise to protect me? Were you lying to me?" Sui Meng yelled viciously, fully revealing her true nature, "I hate you, I hate everyone in the General’s residence, none of you truly wanted to help me, you all wanted me dead!"

Ling Shuhan’s face turned ashen, "So it was really you who stole Xiangyun’s health? Was it you who pushed Xiangyun into the pond back then? I clearly saw your figure, had you not pleaded bitterly, claiming fear of misunderstanding by father and mother and getting expelled, I wouldn’t have kept it hidden for you until now, never expected to help an ingrate."

"Hahaha, Ling Shuhan, you’re nothing but a coward. What help did you give me? All I wanted was a healthy body. I’m still so young, I don’t want to die, what did I do wrong?"

Sui Meng sneered coldly, her demeanor transformed from an innocent flower to a fierce wolf.

"Enough of this nonsense!" Yu Nianzhao scoffed coldly and mercilessly pulled the black energy from her forehead, taking away the talismans she wore close to her heart.

"Give it back, you must give it back to me, my body won’t hold out much longer. That’s my Life-extending Immortal Elixir, I beg you not to take it away, I’ve struggled to make it this far, I’m just one step short of rebirth."

As the black energy and talismans were taken, Sui Meng’s previously rosy complexion turned haggard in an instant. She grabbed onto Yu Nianzhao’s leg, bitterly begging her.

Mrs. Ling cried out in pain, "Sui Meng, your father died heroically on the battlefield. Out of old friendship, the General brought you, an orphan, to the General’s residence, treating you like a daughter, giving you everything equal to Xiangyun, why would you treat us like this? Xiangyun is truly our daughter. She treated you as her own sister, yet you wish to harm her, how could you be so heartless."

Mr Ling looked on with disappointment, "When you first came over, malnourished and often sick, I sought out doctors to treat you. In the end, it appears we nurtured an ingrate. It’s no wonder you were weak and suddenly improved drastically afterward, I originally thought your father was blessing you from heaven, but didn’t expect... you’d commit such heinous acts."

"Biological daughter? That’s nice to say, but if you treat me as a daughter, why not share some health and fortune with me? What are you begrudging?" Sui Meng showed no signs of remorse.

"If Xiangyun had been born with ailments, we wouldn’t have swapped your health for hers. We have given all we could to you, yet your words are turning the tables!"

"Look at your conscience, if not for the General’s residence raising you as an adopted daughter, could you have come this far? Your actions have greatly disappointed me!"

Mr and Mrs Ling, amidst their sorrow, were utterly disappointed.

"Princess, does this mean Xiangyun can be saved?" Mrs. Ling asked anxiously.

"There’s a Transfer Curse here containing Xiangyun’s birth date and a strand of hair; she’s trying to transfer all ailments onto Xiangyun. Once I burn it, their original physical conditions will return, and Xiangyun will be alright."

Yu Nianzhao’s calm tone reassured Mrs. Ling.

"You can’t do it!" Sui Meng suddenly scoffed coldly.