Some people in the crowd agreed, but the old man narrowed his eyes and gave Huo Tong a deep look before coldly saying, "One should show mercy when possible, young man. Look how weak he is now. Do you still want to force him to die? If so, how are you any different from that vicious snake-man?"
"I..." Huo Tong was speechless for a moment, and looked at Gu Liyan with resentment, but he couldn't do anything to the old man in front of him.
The old man looked up at Gu Liyan, then turned to Mo Han and said, "Commander Mo is the one who has led the troops to the most victories, and we should trust him! As for the people he trusts, I think he knows how to deal with them and will give us a fair and just explanation. The key issue now is the antidote. Only by obtaining the antidote can we have a chance to fight against the snake people!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Wang Qi, standing in the crowd, sneered, "You're all so foolish! Just because he said he'd provide medicinal herbs doesn't mean he really will! He's just lying to you, trying to buy time! The Liu family has never received any medicinal herbs from him!"
All eyes turned to Wang Qi, their expressions questioning. Seeing Wang Qi's confident smile, Gu Liyan and Mo Han simultaneously felt a surge of nervousness.
Wang Qi sneered at the two people on the stage, then turned to look behind her. Following her gaze, Liu Mengxian stood there with an unusually cold expression.
Gu Liyan saw a look of joy on Liu Mengxian's face. If Liu Mengxian came forward to testify, he would definitely be cleared of suspicion!
However, thinking of Wang Qi's smile just now, Gu Liyan felt a vague unease in her heart for some reason.
"Liu Mengxian, you tell us!" Wang Qi said with a smile.
"Hello everyone, I am Liu Mengxian from the Liu family. The antidote issued by the Imperial City was developed by me!" Liu Mengxian came to the crowd and spoke with an icy expression and a very cold tone.
Mo Han sensed something was amiss, only to hear Liu Mengxian continue, "Young Master Mo just said he would give me medicinal herbs from the Liu family, but I've never heard of them before. He—is deceiving everyone!"
Mo Han's eyes widened as she pointed at Liu Mengxian and shouted, "Liu Mengxian, are you crazy? Even if you didn't say anything, you shouldn't frame Xiao Li! Do you know you'll get him killed!"
Liu Mengxian raised her head and looked at Gu Liyan. "Everything I, Liu Mengxian, have said is the truth!"
Gu Liyan was stunned, staring blankly at Liu Mengxian's incredulous expression. "Xian'er, you, why..."
Seeing this, Wang Qi couldn't help but burst into laughter. "What? Did you think the Liu family would lie to everyone? Liu Mengxian, tell everyone what you just tested in the bottle Mo Li was holding!"
Liu Mengxian said expressionlessly, "Young Master Mo is holding a high-concentration poison that matches the toxic fog!"
What? !
Mo Han looked at Liu Mengxian in disbelief. "Liu Mengxian, don't make false accusations! This concerns Xiao Li's reputation!"
Liu Mengxian coldly replied, "I'm stating the facts!"
"You..." Mo Han was furious and was about to say something when Gu Liyan behind her suddenly changed his expression and spat out a mouthful of black blood.
"Xiao Li!" Mo Han hurriedly helped Gu Liyan up, and her face darkened as she saw the black blood at the corner of his mouth. "You, how did you get poisoned? When did this happen?"
"Senior brother, this is... no longer important..." Gu Liyan waved his hand weakly.
Wang Qi sneered, "What's the use of you two brothers still staging this self-inflicted injury ruse? Now the evidence is conclusive, Mo Li, what else do you have to say?"
Gu Liyan looked at Wang Qi, exhaled a breath of stale air, and said, "You won, but I... I accept my defeat wholeheartedly!"
What else could he say in the face of Liu Mengxian's "betrayal"?
We lost, we lost completely!
The person she wanted to protect was still alive, but she had become part of the enemy camp!
Wang Qi looked at Gu Liyan's smug face, but in her heart she was worried about his health. If that heart-piercing poison damaged his heart and lungs, even if there was an antidote, it would probably leave lasting damage...
Gu Liyan looked at Liu Mengxian and smiled, a smile that was breathtakingly beautiful. He spoke weakly, "Although everyone doesn't believe me, and Xian'er is being manipulated by you, I don't hate them... nor do I hate you, Wang Qi!"
Finally, Gu Liyan's gaze fell on Wang Qi.
Wang Qi was stunned. Gu Liyan didn't hate? How could that be? He said he didn't hate, but deep down he must wish she were dead! That must be it!
"I pity you, Wang Qi. You've never been yourself in your life, you've only ever lived for others. You're really... so pitiful!"
Gu Liyan's gentle gaze fell into Wang Qi's eyes, and Wang Qi felt her heart flutter for a moment...
Gu Liyan mustered all his strength to stand up, and with Mo Han's help, he finally straightened his back. Looking at everyone, he smiled gently, "I thought my plan was foolproof, but who knew I couldn't save you all at all..."
Gu Liyan felt his life force was nearing its end, but even so, he still stood before everyone, before Liu Mengxian, and smiled as he spoke, "I don't regret having come, having loved, and having suffered—"
Looking at Gu Liyan's deathly pale face, Liu Mengxian saw that even his usually icy expression was softened by tears. Warm tears streamed down her cheek, and Liu Mengxian stared blankly at Gu Liyan, unsure what to say.
Mo Han sensed that something was wrong with Gu Liyan and hurriedly said, "Xiao Li, you..."
Gu Liyan sighed, "Actually, all of this should have ended a long time ago... I'm sorry, senior brother, I was too selfish!"
Looking at Gu Liyan, Mo Han opened her mouth, but didn't know how to speak.
Gu Liyan looked at Liu Mengxian, whose face was streaked with tears, and said softly, "There's something I've never said to you before, Xian'er... I love you!"
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