Chapter 46
Despite her anger at Li Xinjun for venturing out in the rain, Song Ling couldn’t help but smile upon seeing her. She stopped pushing the carriage and waved back. At that moment, the hillside, weakened by days of relentless rain, gave way, sending a torrent of mud and rocks crashing down towards them.
The mudslide slammed into a boulder perched precariously on the edge of the cliff, dislodging it and sending it tumbling down the slope. The couple in front of the carriage were swept aside by the mud and fell into a nearby field.
Song Ling could have escaped, but she was determined to save the little girl inside the carriage. She ran towards the carriage, reaching through the window to pull the girl out, but the child, terrified, cowered back, delaying their escape.
The mudslide slammed into Song Ling, pushing her and the carriage over. She was pinned beneath the weight of the mud, unable to move. Li Xinjun, witnessing the scene, gasped and sprinted towards Song Ling with incredible speed, arriving just a second before the boulder struck.
Without hesitation, Li Xinjun shielded Song Ling with her own body. The boulder slammed into her back, and she coughed up blood, collapsing unconscious. Song Ling, her face splattered with Li Xinjun’s blood, screamed in horror.
“Jun’er!!”
But Li Xinjun was unresponsive. No matter how much Song Ling called out to her, she didn’t stir. Song Ling wanted to turn and check on her, but she was pinned beneath the mud, unable to move. She could only watch helplessly as Li Xinjun’s blood dripped down her face and onto her hand.
“Jun’er, please answer me! Don’t scare me like this! Jun’er!”
“Jun’er~ What’s wrong? Please, if you can hear me, answer me! I’m scared…”
“Jun’er… You can’t do this… Jun’er… I don’t want you to be like this… Waaah…”
No matter how much she called out, Li Xinjun remained unresponsive. Song Ling’s cries turned into desperate pleas, then into soft whimpers.
“Jun’er… You promised you would be with me forever. Remember?”
“Remember how you said… you loved those white wedding dresses the foreigners wear?”
“You said you wanted to see me wear one for you… Please answer me… Say something… Jun’er…”
“If you don’t answer me, I won’t wear a wedding dress for you… Just say something… Jun’er… Please…”
Li Xinjun remained silent. Song Ling, her strength failing, slumped against the carriage, tears streaming down her face. For the first time in her life, she felt utterly helpless. She had not only failed to protect herself but had also caused Li Xinjun’s injury. She couldn’t even check on Li Xinjun’s condition.
Guilt and self-reproach consumed her. She blamed herself for her incompetence and for interfering in a situation that wasn’t her concern. If she hadn’t tried to help those strangers, she wouldn’t be in this predicament. She wouldn’t have been late getting home, and Li Xinjun wouldn’t have come looking for her and ended up in this life-threatening situation.
She didn’t know how long she cried. She only remembered that eventually, exhausted from weeping, she lost consciousness. When she awoke, she was in a guest room at Henry’s castle. She sat up abruptly, her eyes scanning the familiar surroundings, confirming her location. Seeing that she was alone, she forced herself out of bed, determined to find Li Xinjun.
She stumbled out of the room, her hand trailing along the wall for support. She encountered Henry in the hallway and immediately grabbed his sleeve, her voice frantic.
“General Henry, where’s Jun’er? How is she? Is she alright?”
She bombarded him with questions, but Henry remained silent, his head bowed, his expression grim. He shook his head slowly. Song Ling’s heart sank.
Her remaining strength drained away, and she collapsed to the floor. Henry, quick to react, caught her before her head hit the wall.
“Miss Song, please don’t do this. She wouldn’t want to see you like this. Let me take you to her.”
Song Ling didn’t respond. Henry helped her up and led her to another guest room. He opened the door, revealing Li Xinjun lying on the bed. Song Ling hesitated, her legs trembling, but she forced herself to approach the bed.
“The physician said that Miss Li’s internal organs are severely damaged. She might not survive the night. If you have anything to say to her, say it now. I’ll leave you two alone. And please, don’t grieve too much. Call for me if you need anything.”
Henry sighed and left the room, closing the door behind him. Song Ling, her body trembling, sat down on the bed beside Li Xinjun. The physician had treated her wounds, and she was no longer covered in blood. She looked peaceful, as if she were merely sleeping. Song Ling reached out, her hand shaking, and gently touched Li Xinjun’s face, afraid of hurting her.
She traced the lines of Li Xinjun’s eyebrows with her finger, her touch featherlight, and then let her finger linger on Li Xinjun’s lips. Silent tears streamed down her face, soaking the pillow.
“Jun’er, why won’t you wake up? Don’t you want to see me?”
“Are you really leaving me? Are you really so cruel? Please, say something… “
Song Ling whispered, her voice barely audible, afraid of disturbing Li Xinjun. She leaned down and kissed her lips softly. Li Xinjun remained unresponsive. Song Ling continued to gaze at her until the door opened behind her. She didn’t even notice.
It was Mark. He had been invited to Henry’s castle a few days ago and had stayed on due to the bad weather. He had heard about Song Ling and Li Xinjun’s accident and had come to offer his condolences.
He approached Song Ling and placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently. Song Ling turned to look at him. Mark smiled sadly but didn’t speak.
Suddenly, Song Ling’s eyes widened. An idea had struck her. She stood up abruptly, grabbing Mark’s arms, her expression a mix of hope and desperation. Mark looked at her, confused.
“Mark! Tell me the truth! Are you the jiangshi king?”
Mark frowned, his eyes wary. He stepped back but didn’t answer her question. Song Ling, seeing his reaction, felt a surge of hope. She was right! She grabbed his arms again.
“Please tell me! Don’t lie to me! I tracked the jiangshi king for a while. I recognize its aura, and it’s very similar to yours. I just haven’t had time to confirm it.
But don’t worry, I’m not going to harm you. I just need to know the truth. If you are the jiangshi king, please help her! Please tell me the truth!”
“You want me to turn her into a jiangshi, to let her live as a monster?” Mark, seeing her desperation, decided to reveal his true identity.
“You really are the jiangshi king?”
“I’m not a king, but I am the one you fought in Chen Family Village.”
Song Ling had never imagined herself begging a jiangshi for help. She had dedicated her life to slaying demons and monsters. But now, knowing Mark’s true identity, she felt a surge of gratitude that she hadn’t killed him. She dropped to her knees, looking up at him with pleading eyes.
“Please, help Jun’er! I can’t lose her!”
“Do you understand the consequences?”
“Yes, I know what it means. But I also know that it’s the only way to save her. No matter what she becomes, I won’t abandon her. I just want her to live.
Please, I beg you, save her! Only you can do this! I’ll do anything!”
Song Ling kowtowed repeatedly, the sound echoing through the room. Mark, unable to bear the sight, stopped her.
“Stop this! Listen to me! Get up and speak properly, or I’m leaving.”
Mark, exasperated, threatened to leave. Song Ling immediately stopped kowtowing and stood up. Mark sighed and said,
“Miss Song, saving her is not difficult, but I must warn you. If I do this, she will crave blood for the rest of her life. She will never be able to live as a normal human again. Do you understand? She will become a monster that everyone fears. Can you accept that?”
“Yes! As long as she lives, I can accept anything!”
“You say that easily, but have you considered her feelings? She will become a terrifying monster, a creature that will never age or die. No matter how hard she resists, she won’t be able to control her bloodlust. Do you understand?”
“Mark, I don’t care anymore. If she can’t accept it, I’ll become a jiangshi with her. I’ll share her bloodlust, her immortality. I’ll be with her forever.”
“Since you’re so determined, then fine! I’ll do it! But don’t come crying to me later when you regret this.”
“I will never regret this!”
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