Chapter 30 Hurt Him He forced a smile, blood flowing down his pale face…
In the stillness of the night, a bright moon shines outside the window.
Mu Qingheng escorted Mu Meng back to her bedchamber. Seeing that she was drowsy, he gently coaxed her to sleep.
He stayed by her bedside, and didn't leave even after she had fallen into a deep sleep.
"Your Highness, it's late. Why don't you go back first and come visit the young prince again tomorrow?" Lingwei came over with a lantern; this was the third time she had urged him.
Mu Qingheng glanced at her unhappily and lowered his voice, "Turn off the light. It's so bright, aren't you afraid it will make Mengmeng feel dizzy?"
Lingwei lowered her head and said softly, "You don't know, but the little princess is extremely afraid of the dark. These lights won't disturb her. She will only wake up if they are all turned off."
Mu Qingheng blinked blankly, then turned to gaze at Mu Meng's sleeping face.
"Was Mengmeng always this afraid of the dark? It's that serious, how come I didn't notice at all?"
"Actually... I wasn't always this sensitive. I usually left a small lamp on at night, and sometimes I would turn it off completely. But... it was probably around the time of my coming-of-age ceremony that I suddenly became extremely afraid of the dark. If there was no light, the little prince would panic and seem terrified."
Mu Qingheng nodded thoughtfully, without asking any further questions. His eyes were full of tenderness as he gently held Mu Meng's exposed little hand.
Seeing that Mu Qingheng had no intention of leaving, Lingwei stopped urging him. Well, he looked so pale; he must have gone through some excruciating pain.
At this moment, he was filled with tenderness and pity, and when he was urged to leave the side of his beloved who was suffering from severe poisoning, he absolutely refused.
After a moment of silence, Lingwei asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, do you have a solution to the Nine Poison Pearl matter? This poison is potent and deadly, and Your Highness was not poisoned through direct contact, so there's no way to neutralize it..."
"It's nothing, I already have a plan," Mu Qingheng said in a low voice.
He shook his head, his gaze fixed on Mu Meng, reluctant to leave, his tone both indulgent and helpless, "This silly girl, how could she get this wrong?"
Lingwei stared at him blankly.
There is only one way to deal with it, but as a demon, one's heart is already bound by desires, how could one bear to let one's lover get hurt?
That……
Suddenly, Lingwei's eyes widened, and she blurted out in shock, "Master! You want to—"
"Keep your voice down!" Mu Qingheng scolded in a low voice.
Lingwei nodded hurriedly. She had been too anxious. Even though Mu Meng was asleep, she still had to be careful.
"Don't talk about it here."
Mu Qingheng left a message and went to the outer room. Lingwei closed the door and followed him out step by step. "Master, you're not thinking of using that method, are you? How can that be?! If you do that, you won't be able to neutralize the poison of the Nine Poison Pearl!"
A night breeze caressed his face, and the bright moonlight shone softly on Mu Qingheng's cheeks, making it almost impossible to tell whether it was the gentle moonlight or his tender expression that made it so.
"What's wrong with this method? At least Mengmeng won't be harmed."
Mu Qingheng seemed oblivious to Lingwei's anxious expression. "The Nine Poison Pearl originated from the Demon Clan, and only we know its true benefits."
He smiled faintly and whispered devoutly, "Luckily I knew."
Lingwei felt like she was going crazy. "Master, please think it over. If you really can't bear to do it, why don't you let me slap the little prince and transfer the poison to myself? Don't worry, I know what I'm doing and I definitely won't hurt the little prince too much."
Mu Qingheng shook his head, "Not even a single hair can be knocked off. Don't say that again, or I will definitely kill you."
His tone was calm, but it left no room for argument.
This is usually his last bit of patience; he can't say another word.
There was nothing that could be done then, and Lingwei lowered her head dejectedly.
Actually, she knew in her heart that once a demon develops a heart, he becomes a slave to be slaughtered by his beloved, and nothing she said will make a difference.
Even if you kill them, they won't let their loved ones get hurt.
Lingwei felt despair. They had worked so hard for so long and done so much, but in the end, they could only watch helplessly as the demon race slowly headed towards its doom.
—In the same way.
“Master, your mind is made up. I know I can’t persuade you, but I have to remind you one more time—if you use that method to draw the poison of the Nine Poison Pearl onto yourself, you will be unable to escape the torment of the Nine Poisons gnawing at your bones. In addition to the excruciating pain in the future, my demon race… will truly have no hope.”
"What's there to fear about the nine poisons gnawing at my bones?" Mu Qingheng said nonchalantly. "I'm lucky that I won't suffer the excruciating pain, so there's no pain I can't bear."
He couldn't be bothered to explain anything else to Lingwei. What good would it do to restore the Demon Clan? He wasn't unfamiliar with it.
Bones lay strewn everywhere, and blood stained the ground.
He traded the most precious treasure of his life for boundless loneliness and desolation.
He was the supreme ruler of the six realms, and also the most pitiful person in the world.
Mu Qingheng paused for a moment before realizing he was lost in thought. "You don't need to worry about these things. I'm about to return to the desolate border. You should know what you need to do."
Lingwei nodded, "Yes, I understand, and I will never fail my master's trust."
She heard about the actions on the other side of the wasteland; her master was clearly planning to expose his identity, thus making it a natural way for him to be demoted to the wasteland.
Although I don't understand why my master suddenly took this step, he probably wants to sever his sibling relationship with the young prince as soon as possible.
They were all of the same race. Seeing them so deeply in love, I felt anxious and helpless, but I also hoped that they could find love: "Master, go back in peace. The little princess loves you so much. Even if I don't persuade her, she will definitely go to the desolate border to find you."
Mu Qingheng smiled: "I know."
Lingwei knew that he had said all he could say, so he bowed deeply and said, "Then I would like to wish my master all his wishes come true and a life free from suffering."
...
Mu Meng had been waiting for Mu Qingheng for a long time.
She hadn't slept last night; Mu Qingheng was right next to her, how could she possibly sleep peacefully? However, she overheard a few words between Lingwei and him.
Although they went outside to say what came next, the information they had heard before was enough: Mu Qingheng had come up with a way to detoxify, but Lingwei did not quite agree.
Since Mu Qingheng abandoned the method that everyone knew, not wanting her to be hurt, then his next method would certainly not hurt her either. Judging from Lingwei's anxious and nervous tone, she guessed that it would most likely hurt himself.
Mu Meng, with her hair uncombed and wearing only her nightgown, sat on the corner of the bed, hugging her knees, deep in thought: What's wrong with Mu Qingheng? Why is he acting like this?
She didn't stay in a daze for long; soon after, she heard someone outside announce that His Highness the Crown Prince had arrived.
Mu Qingheng entered the room, looked over and smiled slightly, "Mengmeng, why are you still lazing in bed?"
Mu Meng was surprised that he would come into her bedroom in broad daylight without any attempt to avoid her. She touched her hair and muttered softly, "Why did you come in like this, brother? I haven't even combed my hair yet."
Well, after all the shocking things I did before, he probably thinks we're in love now.
Mu Qingheng's smile deepened as he tilted his head slightly to gaze at her.
Her black hair was loose and flowing, like a piece of fine silk, smooth and soft, which set off her snow-white skin and red lips, making it impossible to look away.
He watched for a while, and a faint blush slowly crept up his ears.
The atmosphere suddenly became quiet, with an indescribable subtle tension in the air. Mu Meng couldn't stand it any longer and quickly broke the silence: "Brother, did you come here so early? Is there something you need?"
Mu Qingheng sighed and gently flicked her nose. "Of course I'm here to detoxify you. I've been preparing all night without closing my eyes, and you, on the other hand, aren't you at all concerned?"
Mu Meng feigned surprise, "You have a solution so quickly? What should I do?"
Mu Qingheng sat to the side, thought for a moment, and said, "Sheng Yuanting is just a martial artist. He only knows one thing about the Nine Poison Pearl. In fact, it is not just a defensive weapon. In the beginning, it was a less-than-honorable offensive weapon." With a few words, he piqued Mu Meng's interest and gave Sheng Yuanting another jab. Mu Qingheng looked at Mu Meng with clear eyes.
"Not very honorable?" Mu Meng was indeed curious.
"It is true that when someone who has taken the Nine Poison Pearl is attacked, the poison will be transferred to the attacker; however, as long as one has enough spiritual power, one can transfer the poison to the person being attacked by striking first."
Mu Meng understood Mu Qingheng's plan, except for the sneak attack method...
She shook her head. "No, if the only option is to move, I'd rather have someone hurt me."
Mu Qingheng felt a pang of pity and softened his tone: "Of course I know. 'Sneak attack' is just a general term; to be precise, it refers to attacking someone who doesn't use spiritual power to resist."
Since it was a sneak attack, there was naturally no time to resist with spiritual power. But if one simply stood there without dodging or avoiding, that condition would also be met.
Mu Meng was stunned for a moment, then looked up at Mu Qingheng: "You mean you want me to hit you, and you... won't dodge?"
“Yes,” he said with a smile.
Mu Meng pursed his lips, thought for a while, and said, "How can that be? If you don't use your spiritual power to resist, you won't survive if I hit you with one palm."
Mu Qingheng's smile remained unchanged. He gently lifted his robe and knelt on one knee beside Mu Meng's bed, raising his head slightly to look up at her. "No, don't worry. Just fight as hard as you can. Your brother won't die."
He was already extremely handsome, and looking up at her like this, his refined features became even more striking.
Mu Meng lowered her eyes, feeling inexplicably irritated.
The current situation is so different from his previous life. Mu Qingheng's actions have split him into two completely different people.
In his past life, he was ruthless and cold-hearted, deceiving her so cruelly, humiliating her without any mercy, trampling on her dignity, and showing no hesitation when he finally killed her.
In this life, however, he took the Azure Phoenix Feather but did not kill her. Despite having the absolute advantage, he was willing to adhere to etiquette and did not force her. Now, he would rather hurt himself than harm her in the slightest.
She used a nine-poison pearl to test her importance in his heart—and it was indeed a significant one.
She didn't know what was going on, or why the difference between before and after was so great, but the person she hated and wanted to take revenge on was Mu Qingheng, who had hurt her so badly.
The person in front of her could be considered to be burdened with a false accusation and innocently bear the brunt of her hatred.
But he wasn't entirely innocent; he had undeniably hurt his sister. He had caused her to be separated from her beloved for so many years, each suffering in their own way, and she had to settle that score with him.
What should she do? If it were that heinous enemy from her past life, she would not hesitate to strike him with a palm strike, ensuring he would never have a chance to live.
But now that the person in front of her is sincerely offering her life, she can't be too self-righteous.
"Mengmeng, Mengmeng, it's okay..."
Caught between a rock and a hard place, Mu Meng heard Mu Qingheng call her name. She looked up and saw that his face had turned pale again.
Mu Qingheng subtly touched his heart with one hand. Although his face was pale, his eyes were filled with joy and happiness. "Don't be so sad. Don't feel sorry for me."
He paused, then continued, "You don't need to think about anything, just close your eyes and slap me once. I can take it. I'll neutralize the poison soon, and we'll both be fine, okay?"
...
Mu Qingheng comforted her softly for a long time, seemingly more worried about her refusal to slap him than about being slapped himself.
Standing in the center of the main hall, Mu Meng's palms were covered with a thin layer of sweat.
Her spiritual power was not low. After being reborn, she cultivated even more diligently every day. With the addition of the Crimson Pill, her palm strike was definitely not something that could be easily withstood.
Moreover, if he doesn't use his spiritual power to resist, even if Mu Qingheng swears that he won't die, he will definitely be seriously injured.
"Brother, what if I really kill you?" Mu Meng clenched his fist and asked slowly.
"No, I won't die. I'll be perfectly fine. Mengmeng, relax and don't worry," Mu Qingheng assured with a smile. This was already the umpteenth time he had made this promise today.
Mu Meng wasn't worried, but insisted on one answer: "What if?"
“If that were the case,” Mu Qingheng smiled helplessly, “you wouldn’t be in any danger. Your brother has made all the necessary preparations, and it’s all voluntary and enjoyable. Even if I really die, no one will blame you in the slightest.”
Mu Meng sighed almost imperceptibly: she asked him the question, but he answered her.
Unexpectedly, he valued her life less than his own, and even less whether she would be blamed by others.
Mu Meng's fingernails dug into her palm, as chaotic memories of the past flashed before her eyes like a revolving lantern.
Inside the dark cave, he sneered casually, "I offered my heart to the bright moon, but the bright moon shines on the gutter. Since you are unwilling to acknowledge me as your brother because of these people, why should I bother to pity you?"
He pinched her cheek hard: "Since you hate my touch so much that you're willing to give up your life, I'll make sure you don't get your way."
A flash of blue light, and his heart ached unbearably, blood gushing out. He grinned menacingly to the side.
The wind beneath the Endless Cliff is colder than the snow-capped mountains that have stood for millennia.
In a daze, she looked into his eyes, and his eyes seemed to speak, comforting her, pleading with her, "Mengmeng, don't be afraid, hit me."
Mu Meng slowly closed his eyes, then suddenly opened them, revealing fine blood vessels in his eyes.
Enough. The grievances have their perpetrators, and the person she sought revenge against was someone she would never see again. The man before her, however kind to her, had hurt her sister and done wrong; he was not innocent. So, she did as he asked and slapped him with all her might.
If he dies, it's his bad luck, and she will give him a grand and dignified burial, as if he were a crown prince; if he really doesn't die, then she... after annihilating the demon race and clearing the desolate graves, can spare his life, seal him in the demon's lair, and never let him step out for the rest of his life, allowing him to have the ending he deserved in his previous life.
It all depends on whether he survives.
Mu Meng gritted his teeth and no longer hesitated. A ball of light gathered in his palm, and he swung it out fiercely. A powerful spiritual force suddenly attacked Mu Qingheng!
Mu Qingheng suddenly flipped out, his clothes billowing in the wind, and crashed heavily into the palace door before falling to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
He opened his eyes slightly, his gaze somewhat unfocused due to the intense pain. He knelt on the ground, coughing incessantly, each cough accompanied by a spurt of blood.
Hearing the commotion, Lingwei immediately pushed open the door and rushed in. She knew what was inside, but she was still startled when she saw what was happening. "Quick! Help His Highness the Crown Prince up and get him to bed!"
The person behind her swiftly stepped forward.
Mu Qingheng stretched his body straight, pushed away the people who came to help him, knelt on one knee, and slowly stood up with one hand for support, as if he did not want to look too weak and pale.
He forced a smile, blood flowing down his pale, delicate skin, from his chin down his neck, until it reached the depths of his clothes.
Mu Meng's hand twitched, she grabbed the hem of his clothes, and stared straight at him.
Crimson lips, deathly pale face. Cold sweat trickled down his leaden eyebrows, a strand of hair clinging messily to the blood on his cheek.
His eyes were fixed on the girl opposite him, and a gentle smile gradually appeared on his face. His voice was barely audible, "It's alright... Mengmeng, your poison is gone..."
Mu Qingheng's dark phoenix eyes shone brightly. He smiled, then suddenly his body went limp and he fainted completely.
...
Mu Qingheng was unconscious for three whole days. No one knows what kind of arrangements he made before he fell into a coma. Apart from a few people in the palace that day, no one else knew that he was seriously injured and unconscious. This matter was kept under wraps, and even the Heavenly Emperor was unaware of it.
Mu Meng came to visit Mu Qingheng in the evening.
He always hated being close to people and never allowed anyone to enter or leave his bedchamber. There wasn't even a servant in the huge palace.
Mu Meng walked to the bedside. The room was quiet and there was no strong smell of medicine, but she was stunned when she saw the unconscious person on the bed.
Mu Qingheng's eyes were tightly closed, his smooth forehead covered in cold sweat, even his temples were slightly damp. He was lifeless, only his faint breathing proved that he was still alive.
In my memory, Mu Qingheng had never looked so weak. Even when he pretended to cripple his spiritual power in his previous life, he didn't look this bad.
He was completely different from the Mu Qingheng who had humiliated and trampled on her in her memory.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince's medicine is ready," the person outside the door reported in a low voice.
Mu Meng said, "Bring it in."
The servant put down the medicine bowl, bowed, and withdrew. Mu Meng stared at the dark medicine, its strong bitter smell making him frown.
She recalled her childhood, when she only reached Mu Qingheng's waist, when Mu Qingheng was newly crowned crown prince and went to the battlefield for the first time.
When he returned from quelling the rebellion, he had a deep, bone-revealing wound on his chest, which was still bleeding from the battlefield in the south.
She was heartbroken; it was the first time she had ever seen her brother injured, and she cried uncontrollably.
She didn't even dare touch him: "Brother, are you in a lot of pain? Don't go anymore! It's dangerous! I'll go in your place!"
Mu Qingheng smiled and casually handed her the medicine bowl. "No need. Just drink this for me."
Without thinking, she snatched it and gulped it down.
Despite the excruciating pain, she asked him through tears, "Brother, I've finished drinking it all. Are you feeling any better now?"
Mu Qingheng stared blankly at the empty bowl for a moment, then chuckled softly, rubbing his forehead, "Alright, alright, it doesn't hurt at all anymore."
Mu Meng rubbed her throbbing temples. At the beginning of life, people are inherently good. No one is born a devil. She was almost raised by Mu Qingheng himself, and many principles were taught to her by Mu Qingheng gently and patiently.
Since her rebirth, many things have changed. She can treat the past as a dream, but she cannot easily wipe the slate clean of her sister's debts.
"misty……"
Mu Meng glanced at Mu Qingheng.
His handsome face was deathly pale, and his lips trembled as he murmured, "Mengmeng..."
"Mengmeng...Mengmeng...I'm sorry...come back...don't jump..."
His voice was too low; all that could be seen was his lips moving, emitting a few faint breaths, making it impossible to understand what he was saying.
Mu Meng thought for a moment, then looked down to find a handkerchief. Suddenly, Mu Qingheng opened his eyes wide, his eyes bloodshot, his slender fingers gripping the quilt tightly, and he sat up in a panic.
Seeing that he wanted to get out of bed, Mu Meng got up and pressed him down, "Don't move, do you want some water?"
Mu Qingheng was stunned for a moment, then looked up at Mu Meng with his mouth slightly open, as if slowly realizing something: "Mengmeng?"
"It's me."
“Mengmeng…you are…” Mu Qingheng nodded, slowly exhaled, loosened his fingers, and absentmindedly smoothed out the wrinkles on the quilt.
If it were her former self, she would have been heartbroken and tearful by now. But now, seeing him like this, she felt no pity, but her hatred was not as intense as before.
With her thoughts in turmoil, Mu Meng turned around and picked up the medicine bowl to find something to do. "Brother, drink your medicine first, and I'll go get you some water."
"No need, I'm not thirsty." He said, taking the medicine bowl steadily and drinking it all in one gulp.
Surprisingly, he agreed so readily, without needing to be coaxed before drinking the medicine as usual. Mu Meng wanted to take the empty bowl, but Mu Qingheng wouldn't let her touch it, placing the bowl aside himself.
"Mengmeng, how many days have I been asleep?"
"It's been three days already."
Mu Qingheng's eyes welled up with tears, half with joy and half with heartache, as he said, "Mengmeng, you've been guarding for so long, your body must be exhausted. Go and rest, your brother is fine."
Have you been waiting for this long?
Could it be that Mu Qingheng thought she had stayed with him here for three days?
She would come to check on him every day, but only after finishing her daily cultivation to see if he was awake.
Oh...right, he thought he was in love with him.
This felt extremely awkward. There had been no chance to clarify the matter until now, when the result had been obtained, so Mu Qingheng would no longer have to misunderstand.
Mu Meng cleared his throat, about to come up with a reason to explain the kiss that day, but then paused after slightly opening his lips.
Wait, what did Mu Qingheng say that day? He told her to wait patiently, but wait for what?
She was a reborn person, so Mu Qingheng naturally didn't know that she already knew he wasn't her biological brother. What he made her wait for must be the change in his background, so that the two of them wouldn't be hindered by their so-called identities.
In other words, Mu Qingheng would reveal that he was a member of the demon race because of her "liking" him, which saved her half the trouble.
Mu Meng pursed her lips. He had lied to her for so long; now it was her turn to lie to him.
"Your Highness! Your Highness!"
Suddenly, a hurried call came from outside the door, as if something terrible had happened: "Your Highness, the Heavenly Emperor requests your presence!"
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