Volume One: Hidden in the Azure Abyss Chapter Fifty-Four

Geng Yuan was momentarily stunned, gazing into Jin Li’s bewitching, intoxicated eyes, surrounded by an intoxicating fragrance—a blend of crisp wine and delicate pear blossoms that was so intense it could drive one mad.

His throat tightened, his lower abdomen grew warm. He swallowed hard, yet his mouth was dry and parched. He was just about to move away from Jin Li.

But Jin Li waved her hand gently, and a subtle fragrance drifted to his nose, making his limbs weak and helpless.

“A Yuan, do you love me?”

“…I do.”

“Do you want me?”

This time Geng Yuan did not answer, but his breath grew rapid, desire bottomless in his eyes.

Jin Li's jade hand rested on his shoulder, her allure overwhelming; just one glance could steal a man's soul.

“The poison of the Beauty Gu should be cured now,” she whispered.

She leaned in, softly pressing her lips to Geng Yuan’s, and as she closed her eyes, tears slipped down her cheeks.

After this, she and Geng Yuan would never meet again.

With only a kiss, Geng Yuan barely held himself upright, supporting Jin Li, his eyes filled with longing, yet his words were for her sake, “Ah Jin… no…”

Before he could finish, Jin Li sealed his lips once more, sweeping away every protest.

Then slender fingers loosened his belt, hands entwining with his sash—whose it was, neither knew. Robes fell away suddenly, garments dwindling to almost nothing, fair skin enticing. Jin Li’s kisses, light as a dragonfly, landed on Geng Yuan’s neck, throat, and chest.

She looked at the beauty beneath her, her gaze full of reluctance.

If only she escaped, sealed the demon god, the evil bone could be extracted and vanish, and then Geng Yuan would suffer no more.

They entwined, Geng Yuan’s kisses falling again and again on her earlobe, and she heard him repeat, “I love you.”

“I love you.”

“I love you.”

…

When Geng Yuan awoke, traces of passion marked his body, the table and scrolls scattered across the floor, sheer curtains torn down. Remembering last night—from the wine table to the desk, then the windowsill and eventually the bed—his face flushed.

He dressed, searching for Jin Li, but saw not a trace of her. A growing unease took hold in his heart. Ignoring the marks on his neck, he rushed out and called for Jiang Ji.

“Where is the Lady?”

Jiang Ji’s face was puzzled and at a loss. Before Jiang Ji could answer, Geng Yuan clenched his fists. “She still doesn’t trust me, in the end she ran away on her own!”

“Go, she cannot be far. Her spiritual power is gone, she cannot run far. Hurry!”

Midnight, the back pavilion.

Jin Li had just climbed out the window when she heard the guards shout, “The Lady is here!”

Instantly chaos erupted all around, but Jin Li had only one thought: run.

When she saw the figure of Ruan Tu ahead, she believed she could finally escape.

Overflowing with joy, she ran toward him, calling, “Ruan Tu.”

But when that figure slowly turned, Jin Li felt a chill in her heart, and all her unease exploded.

“Where were you planning to go, Ah Jin?”

Geng Yuan.

Jin Li turned to flee, but Jiang Ji, cold-faced, led soldiers to surround her.

She was utterly helpless for the first time, not knowing what to do. How did Geng Yuan know about this place, or about her arrangement with Ruan Tu? Geng Yuan approached through the crowd, sadness in his eyes. “Ah Jin, will you still run?”

“What do you want? Where is Ruan Tu? Where is he?”

“Do you think I wouldn’t notice all your little tricks?”

“What did you do to Ruan Tu?!”

“Killed him.” He said it with ease.

Killed.

Those words fell from Geng Yuan’s lips so effortlessly that Jin Li could hardly breathe. Her eyes reddened instantly, staring at him in disbelief. He looked innocent, but beneath that exquisite face hid the visage of a demon—cold, ruthless, decisive.

“Geng Zi, no!” Jin Li cried, her eyes blazing.

She snatched a dagger and plunged it into Geng Yuan’s heart. Immediately, her immortal arts could no longer be restrained.

Geng Yuan’s brows furrowed, a mist shrouding his eyes as they reddened.

Jin Li truly meant to kill him for another.

He reached out, gripping her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. He smiled, “You would kill me for someone like that?”

Jin Li’s gaze was resolute. Her voice cold: “I won’t just kill you—I’ll end you completely!”

The young man’s face darkened, emotionless, chilling.

“I regret not killing you when I had the chance, for the sake of old feelings. Now, everything must end!”

As he spoke, Geng Yuan’s eyes sharpened. Jin Li’s soul unfurled, no one could approach. The talisman array immobilized Geng Yuan, holding him fast. She spread her hands, and the Mystic Spirit Fire blazed brightly. Now she would use Geng Yuan’s feelings to refine and eradicate the demon energy and evil bone within him!

Geng Yuan watched as Jin Li pressed the scorching Mystic Spirit Fire into his heart. Instantly, agony overwhelmed him—a pain so deep it tore his soul apart.

The burning torment was unbearable; he spat a mouthful of blood, his eyes bloodshot, veins bulging in his neck, each one grotesque and terrifying! He stared at Jin Li, eyes red with disbelief. The binding spell began to falter, the Mystic Spirit Fire seared the evil bone, its power rampaging within him, struggling fiercely. Geng Yuan broke free with a violent effort, striking Jin Li hard.

She crashed to the ground, her soul depleted, coughing up blood that stained the floor crimson.

The golden light shattered, the talisman array vanished. Geng Yuan clutched his heart, collapsing in despair.

All around, weapons were raised toward Jin Li. The evil bone’s power was immense. Geng Yuan protected it, and it protected him. The two had become as one; even extraction would not be simple, and the Mystic Spirit Fire rebounded upon its wielder.

Both were gravely wounded.

She wept in anguish.

She had failed—failed to escape, failed to extract the evil bone.

She succeeded at nothing, and Ruan Tu had suffered cruel harm because of her.

Now, her fate—life or death—hung on Geng Yuan’s whim.

“Take her back!”

As Jin Li was escorted back to the sleeping chamber by a crowd, only then did Geng Yuan shed his ruthless demeanor, his body collapsing, Jiang Ji rushing to support him.

Suddenly, Geng Yuan vomited blood, dark and thick with demon energy.

“Sire!”

Geng Yuan fell. The dagger pierced his heart, the Mystic Spirit Fire scorched the evil bone.

Jin Li was locked in that room at last, surrounded by cold, impassive guards. They sealed every window and door, set up barriers, plunging her into utter despair.

Her eyes were red, filled with regret, unwillingness, and above all, hopelessness. She sat on the floor, watching the light in the room grow dim until it was nearly night-dark.

She was overwhelmed by guilt and remorse. Because of her foolish compassion, she believed Geng Yuan would change, that if she escaped, everything would end. After sealing the demon god, she would seal the evil bone herself, transforming into a talisman, using herself as the seal to trap the evil bone within Geng Yuan.

Then, she could still accompany Geng Yuan.

Even so, at least he would not suffer.

But how could she trust a demon bound to the evil bone in life and death to feel pity for her?

Anyone who had betrayed him had met a dire fate.

Poor Ruan Tu, lost his life because of her, and she had become nothing but a prisoner, locked in this sunless place.

Her eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness. Perhaps since the day of the Illusory Dust, she had already grown accustomed to it.

The door opened.

Jin Li lifted her head slightly, and saw a faint blue hem.

“Greetings, Lady.”

Someone behind lit a candle. She saw the person’s face clearly.

Nan Mo?