“Then what about you? What are you planning to do?”
After a long, tense silence, the one to finally break it was none other than Ban Xia, typically detached and aloof.
Amber turned to her, her expression unreadable. “Me? If the master is willing, he can take me too.”
“And what about him?” Ban Xia suddenly shouted, pointing at Li Luo's lifeless body. “Are you really planning to leave him unavenged, just to live this so-called life you want?!”
Amber froze, caught off guard.
“And her!” Ban Xia grabbed Yan Zhi by the arm, shaking her. “This foolish little marten who fell for my nonsense without a second thought. Are you just going to leave her to fend for herself?”
In the process, Ban Xia yanked out another tuft of Yan Zhi’s white fur, prompting the little marten to let out a pitiful whimper and cling to Amber’s leg, teary-eyed.
“Sure, you’re kindhearted and gentle by nature, but don’t you understand? Your sister entrusted the marten clan to you when she died. At this point, your so-called kindness is nothing but cowardice—a crime in itself!”
“What if we helped her get rid of Yan Liu?” Chi Xue interjected, attempting to diffuse the tension.
“And what about after Yan Liu? What if there’s another Yang Liu or Hua Liu? Are you planning to kill them all, every last one?” Ban Xia’s voice rose with indignation.
Amber’s gaze cleared as she lifted her face, her features gaining a new determination.
“Your spiritual power far surpasses Yan Liu’s,” Xuan Ye finally said, crouching down to her level. “What you need is to trust yourself.”
“Sometimes, we don’t get to choose our destinies. Some burdens must be borne, no matter how heavy.”
He sighed deeply, his eyes narrowing as though sensing something far off.
“Why can I sense her?” Chi Xue murmured, still troubled as they left the mountain pass.
“Perhaps because she’s attuned to the spirit world,” Xuan Ye replied. “There may be a unique connection between those with such abilities.”
Chi Xue hugged his potted flower tightly, blinking rapidly until the realization dawned on him. “You mean I’m connected to the spirit world too? Is it true? Am I really attuned?” His face lit up with excitement, flushing crimson.
“Yes,” Ban Xia said dryly, rolling her eyes. “So attuned that you can connect the North and South Poles.”
They continued their journey, exchanging light banter until Ban Xia’s phone suddenly buzzed to life in her pocket. The ringtone chimed brightly: “I love chocolate!”
A text message appeared on the screen. It was from Amber, and it contained just two lines:
“He truly cares for you, but he has his burdens. Be understanding, and never give up.”
Ban Xia stood frozen, her heart rippling like waves in a quiet lake.
“I want you to hear something,” she suddenly announced, scrambling to navigate the phone’s clunky interface.
Xuan Ye looked puzzled, unfamiliar with modern devices, and simply stared as Ban Xia fervently prayed the old phone wouldn’t lose power.
“Found it!” she exclaimed triumphantly, pressing play.
A powerful, soaring voice burst from the phone’s speaker:
“Love even in death!”
The lyrics of the song soared passionately, leaving Xuan Ye and Chi Xue stunned into silence.
“Did you understand?” Ban Xia asked as the phone finally gave out, its battery drained. Her eyes sparkled with determination.
Chi Xue blinked nervously, misunderstanding her question. “No… no, I didn’t get it.”
Ban Xia ignored him, stepping forward to clasp Xuan Ye’s hand. “I like you,” she declared boldly. “Even in death, I’ll still love you! I don’t care about you being the Ya Jin or your so-called destiny. I like you. I only care about now!”
Xuan Ye did not pull away, allowing Ban Xia to hold his hand as they walked through the wilderness.
For Ban Xia, the road ahead seemed uncertain and vast, but in that moment, her heart was full.
When they finally stopped at a roadside inn to rest and eat, she reluctantly let go of his hand. “So?” she asked, curious. “How does it feel to have someone hold your hand?”
Xuan Ye turned to look at her, his gaze a swirl of complex emotions.
“I don’t feel anything,” he finally said, opening his right hand to show her. “This hand has no sensation. Other than holding a blade, even fire couldn’t make me feel anything.”
“What about me?” Ban Xia pressed, undeterred.
He remained silent, staring down at his palm and rubbing it absently.
Though he hadn’t rejected her, there was no warmth in his response either.
“He truly cares for you, but he has his struggles. Remember to understand him and never give up.”
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