Decisive Battle (VI)
Just before the Blood Soul Bell was about to break, Su Baiwei injected the last bit of her internal energy into the needle tip.
Boom!
In the center of the Holy Fire Hall, the mother Gu within the Blood Marrow Cauldron let out a shrill wail, and the cauldron's body exploded with a bang. The remnant soul of the Cult Leader, residing within, let out a twisted howl before disintegrating into gray smoke. Immediately afterwards, a blood-red light erupted, carrying the remains of the mother Gu and fragments of the cauldron in a fierce attack, sending the surrounding guards flying.
The entire Beimang Mountain seemed to roar from the depths of the earth, trembling violently. The mountain rumbled and huge rocks rolled down.
Tiao Tiao's body shuddered, and the Zi Gu transformed into a wisp of green smoke and dissipated from his chest. Elsewhere, Ding Kui stared blankly at the green smoke gradually dissipating from his chest. His delayed fear turned into a cold sweat, but he suddenly laughed out loud, looking up to the sky: "I'm free! I'm free!"
The eyes of the medicine men, whose eyes had been dull and their movements stiff, gradually began to clear. They looked around blankly, as if awakening from a dream, momentarily unsure of what had happened or where they were. Some raised their hands to gaze at their uncontrollable fingertips, while others touched their cheeks in a trance, as if truly aware of their own existence for the first time.
At this moment, a cry of surprise exploded from the crowd: "It's going to collapse! It's going to collapse here!"
Everyone looked up, only to see the rock on the cave ceiling collapsing, cracks spreading rapidly, and a roar echoing through the entire mine. Those who had just regained consciousness were instantly thrown into panic, and screams and cries instantly filled the cave. Some stumbled and fled, some collapsed to the ground, and some subconsciously helped up the fallen strangers beside them...
Hongmao swallowed the blood boiling in his throat and said hoarsely to Lantu and Daben, who were still able to move, "We can't stay here for long. Get everyone out of here!"
"Go this way!" Lan Tu's voice was hoarse, and she waved her sword towards the narrow entrance of the mine.
Hongmao looked back at the three people breathing heavily on the ground and said anxiously, "Hurry up and catch up!"
Doudou and Dada leaned on their swords, gritting their teeth and holding up their trembling bodies. Chen Jin supported them on either side. Sally also struggled to stand, cold sweat dripping from her forehead.
"Jump jump, go!" Rainbow Cat shouted again, then turned around and followed Blue Rabbit and Daben, quickly evacuated from the mine entrance, and rushed to the main road to evacuate more people.
Tiaotiao was covered in wounds, his strength drained. He forced himself to his feet, enduring the excruciating pain. He lowered his head to meet Su Baiwei's gaze from the stone platform. The moment their eyes met, he leaped down without hesitation. A tearing pain instantly coursed through his body, and he swayed, nearly losing control.
Su Baiwei leaped to her feet, her inner strength drained from her body as she charged towards him. Unable to perform her Qinggong (lightness skills), she could only spread her arms, using herself as a shield, to absorb his downward momentum. As he landed heavily on the ground, Tiao Tiao was held tightly in her arms, unharmed; but she bore the full impact, a trickle of blood trickling slowly from the corner of her lips.
Tiaotiao, enduring the excruciating pain, struggled to free himself from her embrace. He struggled to his feet, leaning on his Qingguang sword, each movement tearing at his wounds, yet he still reached out to her. Su Baiwei calmed herself down, then used the force to stand, then grasped his arm. Supporting each other, they stumbled away, step by step.
The mine tremors became more violent, and debris fell like rain.
Chi Lian stared at the pierced Blood Soul Bell, then looked back at the two figures supporting each other. With the Mother Gu destroyed, the Holy Fire Hall's long-standing foundation collapsed, and the Demon Cult's last hope for revival was completely shattered at this moment. His lifelong ambitions, years of planning, were all shattered by these two people!
His eyes were filled with blood, new and old hatreds surged in his chest, and all his hatred for Su Yuanshan was now poured onto Su Baiwei.
Now that all their lifelong pursuits have been dashed, no one can expect a good end! He roared, shaking the mine: "Die!"
He concentrated all his strength and struck out with a palm, carrying a fishy wind, directly hitting Su Baiwei's back, extremely cruel.
Su Baiwei felt a chilling palm wind coming from behind her, its aura eerie and reminiscent of the night of the Holy Fire Hall's retreat. Back then, it had been the same lethal move, with Tiao Tiao pushing her away and sacrificing himself.
Now that she had lost all her internal strength and suffered severe injuries, she was no longer able to dodge, but she would never allow the past to happen again.
In a split second, she made her decision: if she pushed Tiao Tiao forward, perhaps he would escape danger, while she took the blow head-on. She gritted her teeth and exerted force, trying to push him away, but suddenly she felt her foot stumble and fall forward.
It was actually Tiaotiao.
He had already anticipated her willingness to sacrifice herself, and at the critical moment, he took the initiative to strike, knocking her down. At the same time, he spun around to meet her, and with his severely injured body, he took Chi Lian's concentrated palm strike with all his strength.
The palm wind completely penetrated his body. With a dull thud, he flew backwards like a broken zither, slamming heavily into the stone wall, and was silent.
Doudou's pupils suddenly shrank, and he broke free from Chen Jin's support, but his legs gave way and he stumbled to the ground. He still propped himself up on his elbows and stubbornly moved forward, inch by inch closer to Tiaotiao.
Dada's eyes widened, tears streaming silently, yet he was completely unaware. He slumped to his knees on the other side, digging his fingers deep into the ground, until there was dirt between his nails, but he was powerless to save the situation.
Sally's sword-leaning hand trembled violently, and she fell to the ground, unable to support herself any longer. She still stretched her hand forward, as if this would bring her closer to him, closer.
Chen Jin suddenly thought of his wife. If it were him, he would have blocked that attack for her without hesitation. He fully understood Tiao Tiao's choice. And precisely because he understood it, he felt even more regretful. If it weren't for the karma he had sown back then, how could this perfect couple have ended up like this? Endless regret and sorrow flooded his heart like a tide.
The mine was shaking violently, rubble was falling, and smoke and dust filled the air. But no one looked towards the exit, and no one moved to leave.
Su Baiwei's eyes suddenly turned cold, and a cold light flashed from her sleeves. With all her remaining strength, she thrust the dagger straight into Chi Lian's heart. Warm blood splashed onto her cheek, merging with the blood that flowed from her forehead, making her skin even paler.
Chi Lian had just poured all his internal energy into that palm strike, and now he had no strength to dodge. His eyes widened as he stared at the person before him in disbelief, and he struggled to squeeze out a few words: "You..."
Su Baiwei stumbled to her feet, a chill in her eyes. She gripped the hilt of the knife and twisted it hard, the blade twisting between flesh and bone, tearing deeper wounds until the man's breath was completely cut off.
Chi Lian fell straight back with a dull thud. Trembling, she drew her dagger, the blade stained crimson. Before she could even begin to feel the shock of murder, she had already turned her head, her entire mind firmly fixed on the silent figure beneath the stone wall.
Shi Yanluo stood on a high platform, his eyes cold and disdainful. Chi Lian was dead, the Mother Gu destroyed. Decades of hard work, undone in an instant. His face showed no emotion, only a frosty, stern look. The situation was hopeless; there was no need to linger even a moment longer. He glanced indifferently at the collapsing mine below, as if it were a ruined tomb. Then, with a cold snort, he turned and disappeared into the depths of the secret passage, never looking back.
Ding Kui, basking in his sudden freedom, threw his head back and let out a roaring laugh. His laughter was filled with frenzy. He looked down at the people grieving below, a sinister expression on his face: "Great! Great! Let's all be buried right here, together!" With that, he leaped into the dark passage with a smirk, his figure vanishing in the billowing dust.
Chen Jin watched the figure plummet to the ground, his heart pounding. He hurried forward. Tiao Tiao lay amidst the rubble, his face rapidly fading. Chen Jin trembled as he felt for his pulse. The faint beat at his fingertips startled him. With injuries like these, leaving this place, even holding on for a moment, was a luxury.
Su Baiwei stumbled forward, her legs giving way as she knelt beside Tiao Tiao, her fingertips pressing against his wrist as tears streamed down her cheeks. Sharing half of his lifespan was impossible; time and circumstances wouldn't allow it. The only remaining option was the forbidden technique of exchanging one's life for another.
She gazed at Tiao Tiao's face longingly, wanting to carve his outline into her heart, but she was afraid to waste even a moment. The familiar voice seemed to ring in her ears again:
"In three days, I'll take you to Jiangnan to see the misty rain, and Lingnan to taste lychees. I'll definitely teach you what sweetness feels like."
"It's settled."
Su Baiwei's eyelashes trembled slightly. The mother Gu array was broken, the child Gu had been resolved, and the dawn was about to arrive, but it had to be destroyed before dawn. She remembered Tiao Tiao once saying that she loved the blue before dawn, but now she had to miss it forever.
"I'm sorry, I'm breaking my promise," she whispered. She grasped his cold hand and decisively slashed their palms with her dagger. Blood gushed out, and she dipped her finger in the blood, quickly drawing a rune.
A forbidden technique that exchanges life for life!
Chen Jin instantly recognized this forbidden technique. To save his wife, he had secretly studied it, hiding it from Su Yuanshan. Later, he learned it could only extend the lifespan of those nearing the end of their lifespan, not cure a gravely ill body. Watching Su Baiwei's resolute movements, he suddenly realized: it was his past escape that had sown the seeds of today's disaster. And these two, for each other and for the common good, were both willing to sacrifice their lives for justice.
He couldn't escape anymore.
Just as Su Baiwei was about to perform the spell, a gust of wind suddenly struck her acupoint. She froze, unable to move.
"What are you doing! Let me go!" Su Baiwei's eyes suddenly burned with anger, and she shouted harshly, but she could only watch Chen Jin walk forward.
As everyone watched in shock, Chen Jin slashed his palm open, using his blood as ink to draw a rune. Then, he grasped Tiao Tiao's limp hand and pressed their palms together.
In an instant, he felt his life slipping away. His black hair quickly faded to a snowy white, his skin lost its luster, and gradually withered. Meanwhile, Tiao Tiao's hair gradually returned to its dark color, his face regained vitality, and the wounds on his body gradually healed, as if time were running backwards for him.
As his life force flowed, Chen Jin imagined a scene back home: beneath the warm yellow candlelight, his wife hummed a ballad, gently patting their child to sleep. He saw her gentle profile, the child's long eyelashes fluttering softly in sleep, and in her tiny hands, she clutched the wooden horse he had carved before leaving. A tranquil atmosphere permeated the house. Occasionally, she would glance out the window, her eyes still filled with anticipation for his return.
All of this seemed within reach, yet it was slipping away with him. He knew he could never go back.
Chen Jin lowered his eyes, and two tears rolled down and mixed into the palms of their hands.
Tears glistened in Doudou's eyes. She was relieved that Tiaotiao was gradually coming back to life, but when she looked at Chen Jin's withered face and snow-white hair, her heart sank.
Dada stood there in shock, his chest heaving. Shock and sorrow mingled in his eyes, his lips trembling slightly, but he remained silent.
Sally fell to the ground, her hands trembling slightly. She felt a little relieved that Tiao Tiao was saved, but she was also saddened by Chen Jin's determination to atone.
Tiao Tiao woke up from his coma, opened his eyes, and saw Chen Jin transferring the last bit of his life into his body.
"Treat her well." Chen Jin whispered, his voice hoarse but unusually calm.
Tiao Tiao stared blankly at his white hair and withered face, and was speechless for a moment.
Su Baiwei's vision was blurred by tears. In a trance, she seemed to see the young man from so many years ago again. He was still as gentle as jade. Upon seeing her, his brows relaxed, and he smiled as he lifted her high and spun her around. Whenever she got into trouble and was punished by her father, Chen Jin would quietly complete her tasks or allow her to rest secretly.
The warmer the past, the more painful it was now. Recalling how she had treated him coldly, how distant and distant they had become, she felt a surge of regret that twisted her heart like thorns, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.
Her tear marks were mottled, her lips trembled slightly, and she finally called out hoarsely: "Senior Brother..."
Chen Jin's entire body trembled. He slowly turned his head, meeting her gaze, and with difficulty, a gentle, tired smile rose at the corner of his lips. Then, he quietly closed his eyes, and there was no sound.
The folded hands had turned ice-cold. Tiaotiao suddenly remembered: in the secret room, he had just exhausted his life force to recover his fighting strength, but Chen Jin, who was tied to the side, insisted that he go with him, claiming that he could break the dragon formation.
Tiaotiao took a pill from the bottle and said indifferently, "This is the Soul-Severing Pill. If there's no antidote within twelve hours, your meridians will reverse and you'll die in agony. If you take it, I'll believe you."
The sword flashed, and the rope fell. Tiao Tiao placed the pill in Chen Jin's palm.
Chen Jin lowered his eyes and remained silent for a moment, then raised his hand and head, swallowing the pill. There was no hesitation in his movements, as if he had swallowed just an ordinary pill, not a poison that could penetrate the intestines.
Tiaowang stared at him for a long time, and finally nodded.
The tremors in the cave intensified, boulders tumbled, and smoke and dust filled the air. Seeing Su Baiwei frozen in place, Tiaotiao immediately realized she had been acupunctured and immediately intervened.
Su Baiwei looked at Chen Jin's corpse, her heart aching. She swayed and almost fell down, but was supported by Tiao Tiao.
A huge rock crashed down beside her, and Su Baiwei suddenly woke up and said urgently, "Take them away quickly!"
"Then you..." Tiao Tiao was interrupted by her before she could finish her words.
"I can keep up." Su Baiwei dug her fingertips deep into her palms, using the pain to stay awake, and gritted her teeth, "Hurry up!"
"Okay." Seeing her determined look, Tiao Tiao said no more. He quickly picked up a long sword left by the guard on the ground and handed it to her for support.
Just as he was contemplating how to get Doudou and the other two out simultaneously, a figure suddenly flashed by the cave entrance. It was Hongmao, returning from his previous trip. He had just evacuated everyone to safety, but he still felt uneasy. He left the nearly exhausted Lantu and Daben outside and, bracing himself against his injuries, stumbled back. He held onto the rock wall for support with one hand, tightly holding onto Sally with the other, gritting his teeth and walking ahead. Blood and cold sweat soaked his white clothes, and every step he took irritated his wounds.
Tiaotiao immediately helped Doudou and Dada to the exit. Before entering the increasingly narrow branch road, he turned back to Su Baiwei and said solemnly, "If you can't keep up, call me immediately."
Su Baiwei nodded slightly.
Tiaotiao said no more. He carried the weakened Doudou on his back, one hand holding him tightly from behind, and with the other, half-supporting, half-dragging Dada, as they struggled forward along the narrowing rock face. Debris fell, pounding the three men's shoulders and backs.
Su Baiwei followed behind, leaning on her long sword, her steps already unsteady. She silently recited the unfulfilled promises over and over again, trying to keep herself from collapsing.
Rocks crashed down from above, filling the cave with smoke and dust, and a perilous atmosphere. Suddenly, a huge rock rolled down from the side, striking her side. Su Baiwei was caught off guard and fell forward, her long sword flailing from her grasp. The sound of a clang was instantly drowned out by the surrounding roar. Before she could recover, another rock crashed down, pinning her left leg. She groaned, her screams of pain fading before they were lost in the relentless roar of the collapse.
A soft "crack" pierced her ears, and her heart suddenly sank. Waves of excruciating pain washed over her, and she almost lost consciousness. She opened her mouth to scream, but the moment she looked up, she saw Tiao Tiao's back receding.
His left leg was broken, making it difficult for him to walk. Doudou and Dada's lives were hanging by a thread, and they depended entirely on him. If he turned around and saw himself in this state, what would he do?
The cry on her lips was swallowed back, caught in her throat, transformed into a silent tremor. Suddenly, memories of past promises surfaced: watching the misty rain of Jiangnan together, touring the lychee groves of Lingnan, savoring the fresh tea of Bashu... All those futures flooded through her heart like a tide. Silent tears fell, drop by drop, sinking into the dust.
Rainbow Cat helped Sally out of the cave, and Blue Rabbit and Daben, having just regained some strength, rushed to help. Tiaotiao, supporting one person at a time, stumbled out of the cave. After settling the two, he felt his strength nearly drained, his limbs heavy as iron. But when he turned around and saw Su Baiwei was nowhere to be seen, his heart sank. Without a second thought, he turned around and rushed back towards the collapsing mine.
Lan Tu looked at the trembling mountains, her heart tightening: "Be careful!"
The cave was filled with rubble and smoke, and the main road had collapsed in half. "Wei'er!" Tiaotiao called out hoarsely, stumbling forward amidst the falling earth and rocks. The only response was the incessant roar of the collapse all around him.
He took a deep breath and rushed deeper into the area against the direction of the collapse. Finally, at the end of the branch road, he saw the light green figure trapped by the huge rock.
Tiaotiao’s breathing hitched.
He almost instantly understood the reason for her silence. A strong sense of fear washed over him like ice water, chilling his limbs.
He fell to his knees, shoulder against the stone, prying the crack open with his hands, pouring all his remaining strength into his arms. With his tendons tense and teeth clenched, he actually managed to pry the huge rock open a tiny gap.
Su Baiwei had closed her eyes, prepared for death, but the moment she heard the noise, she suddenly opened them. It was indeed him who had returned. A sudden surge of warmth washed over her. She had previously huddled in the darkness, dreading his departure and even more terrified of his return and the dangers of his return. Now, seeing him risking his life to save her, she felt that even if they died together now, there would be no regrets.
She stifled a sob and struggled to move out of the gap he'd opened. A ripping pain in her left leg nearly knocked her unconscious. When she finally freed herself, Tiaotiao suddenly let go of the boulder, grabbed her wrist, and spun her around, carrying her on his back.
He forced his willpower, his already exhausted body, and sprinted outward. Behind him, the mine tunnel collapsed, its roar following closely. Su Baiwei slumped over his back, unable to hold back her tears. Warm tears, mixed with the blood on her face, silently seeped into his clothes. She couldn't tell whether these tears were from the joy of surviving the disaster or the panic of lingering fear.
Outside the mine, the crowd had long since dispersed, leaving only the six heroes still waiting there. They learned of Chen Jin's death from Doudou and the others, and were all silent for a moment.
After a moment, Sally sighed softly, "It's truly shocking to see him so resolutely give his life to Tiao Tiao."
Hongmao's gaze was far-reaching as he whispered, "Although he didn't commit the sin himself, he can't escape blame. Now paying with his own life, perhaps this is the final conclusion of this karma."
Lan Tu adjusted her sleeves, a trace of pity in her eyes. "His life, too, has been mired in tragedy. He made a terrible mistake trying to save his wife, spent twelve years in hiding, and ultimately paid with his own life. Ultimately, he had no choice."
Daben wiped his face fiercely, spat out the sand in his mouth, and said in a rough voice: "I originally thought he was just a coward! He made Bai Wei suffer for so many years. But that last move of his, he was a real man!"
Doudou checked his injuries, shook his head and smiled bitterly, "What a pity. A person like him should have achieved something great, but in the end, he was trapped by the word 'love'."
Dada nodded slightly: "Those moves to break the formation were decisive and neat, indeed they had some of the style of a master."
After a few words, everyone fell silent again, their gazes fixed on the continuously collapsing mine. Everyone was wounded, bloodied, yet no one left. Each roar of collapse made their hearts sink even more.
Just as the last boulder was about to seal the cave entrance, a figure suddenly burst through the smoke and dust. Tiaotiao, carrying Su Baiwei on his back, used up his last bit of strength to leap out.
Almost at the same time, the entire mine collapsed with a loud bang, the sound was deafening, and smoke and dust rolled up like turbid waves.
The six heroes almost held their breath.
Rainbow Cat's eyes suddenly lit up, and he said in a hoarse voice, "It's out!"
Lan Tu's eyes were filled with tears as she called out, "Tiaotiao! Bai Wei!"
Daben let out a long sigh and raised his hand to wipe away the tears running down his face.
Sally slowly loosened her grip on the hilt of the sword, her fingertips still trembling slightly.
Doudou tried to stand up, but Dada held her steady. They looked at each other for a moment, their eyes moist, and then they hugged each other tightly.
Tiaotiao stumbled a few steps, his body shaky, and finally, exhausted, he collapsed to one knee. Everyone rushed forward, helping him up. He was almost unconscious, his head drooping weakly, and only instinct kept him from carrying the child.
Everyone carefully took Su Baiwei off his back, only to be startled to see her face covered in tears and sobbing softly. They had rarely seen her so out of control.
As soon as Su Baiwei was stabilized, she ignored the severe pain in her left leg and reached out to hug the almost unconscious Tiao Tiao tightly.
Rainbow Cat struggled to stand steady, glanced at his exhausted companions around him, and coughed lightly.
Lan Tu understood immediately and endured the pain, her voice slightly panting: "Mu Jin and Uncle Li are still waiting for news in the secret room. We have to go back as soon as possible to report that we are safe."
Sally tugged at Daben's sleeve and said in a low voice, "Let's go."
Daben was stunned: "Ah? Just leave?"
Sally tugged at him lightly: "Don't dawdle, hurry up."
"Let's go, let's go..." Daben used her strength to stand firm, and the two of them leaned on each other and took a step forward.
Doudou slumped to the ground: "Just catching his breath..."
Dada reached out and pulled him up, offering his shoulder: "Lean on me, let's go back first."
The few of them had just rested for a while and recovered some of their strength. Now they were staggering away in groups of three or two, supporting each other, leaving the silence and tranquility to the two people behind them who were scarred but finally reunited in life and death.
Su Baiwei heard Tiao Tiao cough softly and hurriedly released her embrace. Tiao Tiao slowly opened her eyes, meeting her worried gaze. He instinctively raised his hand to wipe the blood and tears from her face, but found his sleeves were already stained with layers of coal dust. He was about to find a cleaner spot on the lining when Su Baiwei had already wrapped her arms around his neck again, burying her blood-stained face deep into his shoulder.
Tiao Tiao was slightly startled, then pretended to be nonchalant and said, "Doctor Su, who loves cleanliness the most, now you don't mind me being covered in dust?"
Su Baiwei didn't answer, but hugged him tighter. Even at this moment, he was still worried that she would get dirty.
Tiao Tiao said nothing more, tearing a relatively clean piece of cloth from the lining and silently handing it to her. Su Baiwei took it and wiped her face hastily, her fingertips still trembling with lingering fear.
Silence reigned, the air still thick with the aftermath of the tragedy. They were wounded and dusty, yet they finally felt the warmth of each other's true feelings. Tiao Tiao lowered her head, a silent tear sliding down, burying itself in her messy hair.
Her sobs gradually subsided, turning into intermittent breathing. Just as she was about to move away, he gently held her down and pulled her back into his arms.
"Don't move," he said in a low voice, as if afraid to disturb a fragile dream, "Just like this... for a while."
Tears still welled up in Su Baiwei's eyes, but the corners of her lips curled up slightly. She raised her head and called him softly, her voice still choking with sobs: "Tiaotiao, look at the sky..."
Tiao Tiao looked in response, only to see the sky had quietly faded from its inky black color, now covered in a hazy blue-gray, like ink silently spreading across rice paper. The distant mountains gradually became visible, and a faint light shone through the clouds, slowly dispersing the night inch by inch.
Gradually, the blue-gray color on the horizon turned into light gold, and the morning sun slowly rose from the mountain ridge, spreading out tenderly, illuminating the dust and bloodstains on their bodies, and also illuminating the tears in each other's eyes.
Su Baiwei said softly, "It's dawn."
Tiao Tiao stepped back slightly, not looking at the sunrise, but quietly gazing at her. The morning light fell into her still-wet eyes, like reflection in a clear lake, creating tiny, gentle ripples of light. He smiled faintly and replied:
"Well, it's daybreak."
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