Chapter 45 Torture [First Update] I beg Heaven, I beg the earth, I beg for endless suffering…
Mu Qingheng did not respond.
In fact, he was completely unable to utter a single syllable.
The nine poisons that gnawed at his bones continued to surge within his body, and even though he still had his tongue, he couldn't utter a complete sentence in such excruciating pain.
Cold sweat dripped down his face, but he showed no sign of pain. However, after taking the pill, his fingers trembled slightly.
Her lowered eyes trembled in panic, out of Mu Luo's sight.
Mu Luo glanced coldly at Mu Qingheng, then slowly revealed a smile. "Mu Qingheng, don't think I'm cruel. If it were just a personal grudge, I might not have used such methods against you. But this is the price you have to pay for the crime you committed against Mengmeng."
She turned around and slowly paced around the narrow cell twice.
Her expression was incredibly complex. She finally stopped and stared silently at the dilapidated wall opposite her. "You don't know, when I was very young, I also wondered why my brother never paid attention to me, why you hated me so much. But gradually, I stopped caring. I am a princess of the Celestial Clan, and I have my own pride. I will repay those who treat me well. If you dislike me, I won't like you either. Later, Mengmeng was born, and I discovered that my sister is a thousand times, ten thousand times better than my brother. She would stay with me, act spoiled with me, care for me and love me, and always think of me. At that time, I knew that I only wanted my sister, not my brother, but you—you just had to come and take her away from me."
Mu Luo spoke slowly, her voice a mixture of sorrow and resentment, "But Mengmeng is very good. She knows her older brother and sister's relationship is strained, but she loves everyone and doesn't want anyone to be sad or upset. She always treats everyone equally. She's with you today, and she'll definitely come to see me tomorrow. Sometimes I see her counting on her fingers, wondering if she's favored anyone or neglected anyone. Then I think—my little Mengbao, she should live a peaceful and carefree life, free from any harm or suffering. If anyone dares to bully her, I'll be the first to chop them up with a knife."
She slowly turned around, her bloodshot eyes fixed on Mu Qingheng, a thin layer of tears gradually gathering in them. "I always thought you thought the same way I do."
Mu Qingheng's fingers, which were suspended in mid-air, curled up little by little.
His eyes gradually became misty with a layer of watery light.
"But you are not. Not only are you not, you also used the cruelest methods in the world to deal with her."
Mu Luo curled her lips in a mocking smile. "So you don't like me because there's no pure heart in my heart; so you treat Mengmeng well not because she deserves to be treated well."
"You actually imprisoned her and humiliated her at will—Mu Qingheng, you watched her grow up, don't you remember that she was afraid of the dark? You let her hear every day how many people of the Celestial Clan died in battle and how they were defeated one after another, don't you know that this made her more miserable than killing her? When I saw you slap her across the face, cut out her heart, and throw her off the Endless Cliff, do you know what I felt in my heart?"
Mu Qingheng suddenly raised his head.
His deep, dark eyes were filled with surprise and doubt. He slightly opened his lips and uttered only two words, but only faint, almost silent, indistinct syllables were heard. Mu Luo didn't even realize that he had spoken.
Mu Qingheng stopped, realizing he could no longer make a sound.
Mu Luo was just talking about... him?
She explored Mengmeng's memories and saw that it was "he" who hit Mengmeng, "he" who cut out her heart, and threw her off the endless cliff.
Mu Qingheng finally realized something was wrong—that day, he was in the throes of extreme, heart-wrenching pain, his eardrums were ringing, and he was somewhat delirious. When Mengmeng said, "He killed her," he had always thought she believed that he had sent someone to do those things.
So, the person who hurt Mengmeng actually has the exact same face as her?
For a moment, Mu Qingheng just wanted to ask for clarification, but as soon as he straightened up, he gave up the idea: Mu Luo was just an observer, she might not know.
And at this moment, she would never believe anything I said.
He disregarded everything else, his brow furrowed as he quickly pondered: How could this be? In his past life, although he had searched far and wide for the murderer and wreaked havoc, he had always believed that the real culprit was some blind demon.
So after wiping out the demons, a weight was lifted from his heart.
Even if he really was some kind of expert from outside the Demon Clan, seeing Mengmeng's current abilities, he felt somewhat relieved.
But if the murderer looks exactly like him—that's a bit eerie. Who is he? Why doesn't he use his own face? He did it in his past life, so what about this one? Does he have some other scheme up his sleeve?
How could he possibly die peacefully when his life was so bizarre and grotesque? I'm afraid he won't be able to rest in peace even after millions of years.
Mu Qingheng only raised his head briefly before immersing himself in his own world, remaining motionless for a long time. Mu Luo ignored him, noticing his solemn expression, as if he were pondering something extremely important.
Seeing that he remained silent, Mu Luo didn't want to stay any longer. She tilted her head and gave a slight, cold laugh: "Mu Qingheng, judging by the time, the Shattered Soul Dream should be taking effect soon. Although I am not very talented, I do have some knowledge. The Shattered Soul Dream may not be fatal to us, but for a demon like you who has fallen in love, it can have the effect of leaving you with no way to live and no way to die."
"Just bear with it."
After saying that, she turned and walked away.
Just as I reached the prison gate, a small pebble flew up in front of me and gently hit the bars with a "ding".
Mu Luo turned around impatiently: "What?"
Mu Qingheng didn't want anyone to know that his tongue had been cut off. He slightly opened and closed his lips, silently saying in lip language: "My identity is that of the Celestial Clan. They want to open my chest to examine my heart as evidence."
Fearing that Mu Luo wouldn't understand, he slowly turned his pale hand, pointed his finger towards his heart, and made a downward swiping motion.
He didn't make a sound, only his lips moved. Mu Luo saw it but didn't pay attention, assuming that he was too weak to speak due to his serious injury and was using sign language to say, "Not bad."
"Let Mengmeng come," he said.
Mu Luo sneered, "What right do you have to make demands? You think you're worthy to send Mengmeng?"
Mu Qingheng's expression was firm, and he didn't care about Mu Luo's angry scolding. He said, "Let's open his chest and examine his heart. It's just to give Mengmeng a chance to get revenge on me."
He had to come in the dark because there were some things he needed to ask in person.
This time, Mu Luo remained silent. Her eyes were cold as she ruthlessly scrutinized Mu Qingheng from head to toe, as if he were a fish on a chopping board. Finally, she lowered her eyes, seemingly pondering the possibility that Mu Qingheng had mentioned.
But she neither said yes nor no, and withdrew her gaze, about to turn and leave.
Wait. Mu Qingheng immediately called out to her, even uttering a few low, bloody syllables.
Mu Luo was already very impatient and didn't intend to pay attention, but she was stunned when she caught a glimpse of Mu Qingheng's lip movements.
Feel sorry.
He said.
He only uttered two words, yet his clear, bright eyes seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words.
In that instant, Mu Luo realized she actually understood what he meant. When he apologized, he wasn't apologizing to her or Mengmeng; he was referring to herself.
It is the hurt and grievances she endured, and the many years of separation from her lover due to misunderstandings.
Mu Luo was surprised that Mu Qingheng would say this, but she remained silent for a moment, then turned and left without looking back.
...
One day later.
“Brother, shouldn’t we report this situation to His Majesty? A whole day has passed, and the commotion is still so great. Even if it’s a criminal, this shouldn’t be happening…”
"Alright, what is there to report? His Majesty left him here and even pierced his collarbone with the Heavenly Spirit Rope. This is clearly showing no mercy. Even if you report it, what good will it do? He's just a demon. What serious crime did he commit? Do you think His Majesty would release him and treat him properly? Don't you have a brain?"
"This...sigh, I don't know what methods the princess used on him. He was so unyielding, he didn't even utter a sound even when the Heavenly Spirit Rope pierced his collarbone, how could he have ended up like this..."
Inside the cell, Mu Qingheng's eyes were unfocused, his body trembling violently, and his expression was somewhat crazed. He kept muttering silently, but kept repeating one name:
Mist... Mist... Mist...
The Shattered Soul Dream is raging.
Before him were not cold, dark bars, nor were he surrounded by a dimly lit cell; instead, he was faced with one illusion after another, each capable of shattering him.
Being in it, one is unaware of the illusion that is real and unreal.
In the peach blossom grove, a beautiful young girl wore an innocent and carefree smile. Light pink petals fell one by one, landing on her black hair and clothes, adding color to both the person and the flowers.
A bright and clear-eyed young man wrapped his arms around her slender waist from behind, his voice incredibly gentle, "Mengmeng, which one do you like? Brother Jiuyan will pick it for you."
He acted intimately, gently kissing Mengmeng's cheek as he spoke.
Mengmeng smiled and tilted her head back, carefully selecting for a moment before pointing to a flower branch adorned with blossoms, "I want this one."
"You want this one? It's too high!" Yun Jiuyan smiled mischievously, leaned closer to Mengmeng's lips, and whispered, "Then you have to kiss me, otherwise I can't reach it."
"You even make demands for a broken branch of flowers? You... really..." Mengmeng glared at him, her fair cheeks flushed, her small hands twisting the buttons on her clothes. After thinking for a moment, she couldn't help but laugh, quickly turning her head to kiss Yun Jiuyan on the cheek.
Yun Jiuyan's smile deepened. He tiptoed and reached out to break off the tall flower branch. He held it in his hand but did not immediately hand it to Mengmeng.
"What are you going to do now?" Mengmeng was initially happy to accept, but when she realized he had no intention of giving it to her, she turned her head and smiled helplessly, scolding him, "You're definitely going to make some shameless request again."
Yun Jiuyan smiled and gently tapped Mengmeng's forehead with a peach blossom branch. "You are my fiancée, so I'm not ashamed to ask you anything." He raised the branch high and pulled Mengmeng into his arms with his strong arms.
A deep kiss was planted, petals fluttered down, and the young boy and girl embraced and kissed under the peach blossoms, a scene as beautiful as a painting.
Mu Qingheng raised his head high, his jade-like neck curving as if he were dying. He opened his mouth, and muffled groans escaped his throat.
The pain was excruciating—all the excruciating pain he had endured before combined was less than one ten-millionth of the pain he felt this time.
The scene suddenly shifts, revealing a vibrant, festive red expanse, countless familiar faces, each beaming with joyful smiles.
Sheng Yuanting changed out of his usual black armor and into a festive red robe. His handsome face was filled with boundless joy, and even a faint blush appeared on his cheeks.
He held a piece of red silk tightly in his hand, while his bride held the other end of the silk.
The bride, her head veiled in red, was petite and slender, her delicate beauty inspiring tenderness in all who beheld her. Even with her face hidden, one could tell she possessed an unparalleled, ethereal beauty, making one yearn to see the exquisite face beneath the veil.
Sheng Yuanting lowered his voice and reminded her, "Mengmeng, be careful. Let's walk slowly. You can't see, so don't fall."
Mengmeng's voice was tinged with laughter, "You're always so worried, I'm not that stupid."
Sheng Yuanting smiled, his gaze fixed on his beloved wife, filled with deep affection.
"First bow to Heaven and Earth—"
"Second bow to the parents—"
"Husband and wife bow to each other—"
The two figures in bright red gradually disappeared into the distance; their wedding ceremony was complete, and they should now be a loving and devoted couple.
Mu Qingheng closed his eyes, tears streaming down his face. He frantically tore at the iron chains, his wrists already red, swollen, and cracked, and his collarbone was bleeding profusely. He roared in despair, but no sound came out.
Mengmeng...don't marry...please...don't do this...
Mu Qingheng muttered to himself absentmindedly. Suddenly, he began to tremble and shook his head violently, making his hair even more disheveled.
Suddenly, his eyes turned sharp, as dark and lifeless as a wild beast's, and his movements became even more frantic as he desperately tried to break free of his restraints, seemingly willing to tear his shoulders and arms apart.
He kept reaching forward, the iron chains rattling as they shook, but he could never touch the canopy bed bathed in warm, golden candlelight, where the atmosphere was tender and romantic.
Mengmeng lay on the bed with a smile on her face. Her thick, smooth black hair was spread out beautifully, like a blooming black lily, which made her fair skin and red lips look even more stunning.
Yue Liutian's gaze was extremely dark. He slowly leaned closer and gently kissed Mengmeng's forehead, cheeks, and lips.
Those large, well-defined hands, like a nimble snake, brought forth boundless springtime beauty wherever they went.
The room was filled with gentle warmth.
Vibrant and fragrant.
Mu Qingheng leaned weakly against the wall, hot tears streaming down his pale, delicate skin, blurring the dried blood on his chin and mixing it with a pale red hue.
The liquid seeped into his collar, burning holes in his chest.
Mengmeng... Mengmeng ah...
sorry……
I was wrong... Please don't do this... Please love me one more time, please have mercy on me one more time...
It hurts so much...it hurts so much...
He closed his eyes tightly, but it was no use.
He kept shaking his head, but he could never shake off the beauty who was always by his side.
Mu Qingheng bit his lower lip so hard it was almost raw. He was bound by iron chains, and no matter how he tried to escape, he couldn't get out of this small space. But even if he could escape to the ends of the earth, he couldn't get rid of this agonizing pain that followed him like a shadow and gnawed at his bones.
His pupils were already somewhat dilated, and before him was a fantastical world composed of countless bright spots and dark spots, an endless pain, and ceaseless torment. He didn't know what he was saying, nor could he hear what he was saying. He could neither see nor touch this world.
Please...
Mist, mist, mist...
Spare me. Spare me.
Mu Qingheng opened and closed his lips repeatedly, his words broken and incoherent. He humbly pleaded a thousand times, but the beautiful girl before him, as delicate as a flower, never once smiled at him.
She smiled at Yun Jiuyan, at Sheng Yuanting, at Yue Liutian, and she greeted all living beings and all things in the world with the gentlest smile and the softest compassion.
But the gaze directed at him remained cold and sharp as a knife.
His mind was completely clouded. In a daze, he saw his past life's Sheng Yuanting lying on the ground covered in blood, using his last strength to roar at him:
"Mu Qingheng...do you know what you have now? Do you know what you are about to lose? You discard Mengmeng's sincere heart like trash, how do you know that you won't find another person in this world who would treat you the same way!"
"It's not too late for you to stop now; the terrible mistake hasn't been made yet... If you really cut out your heart to take the elixir, one day you will be heartbroken and filled with remorse!"
"Mu Qingheng... what you have given up with your own hands, even if your soul is shattered and your blood is drained, even if you search the highest heavens and the deepest hells, you will never be able to have it again!"
"Mu Qingheng—you will regret it, you will definitely regret it! There is never a second chance in this world! Never!"
Mu Qingheng closed her eyes, gently leaned against the wall behind her, and a tear quickly slid down her cheek and fell into the dry grass.
There is no second chance.
No matter how far she searched, from the highest heavens to the deepest hell, Mengmeng would never love him again.
Even though every bone in his body had been broken, even though he suddenly felt like he was a pile of minced flesh and blood.
The little girl who got teary-eyed just from seeing a small cut on his finger will never again give him a kind look.
Mu Qingheng was on the verge of death. He had never shown weakness in his life, but under the torment of the Shattered Soul Dream, he begged for mercy countless times like a lowly slave.
He didn't even know who to beg for mercy from.
I pray to the heavens, I pray to the earth, I pray to the gods and Buddhas.
The Bodhisattva who prayed to him smiled at him, cried for him, and when she looked at him, her eyes seemed to be filled with the whole world.
Spare him.
Spare him.
But it was no use. He didn't deserve pity; he deserved to be damned forever.
"Your Highness, what brings you here? Oh—has His Majesty permitted you to undergo a heart-examination?"
"This way, please—"
Mu Qingheng opened his eyes, trembling all over.
misty……
Tears welled up in her eyes instantly, and she crawled forward little by little, moving her knees along the ground.
misty……
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