Chapter 183 Dual Blades, Icy Brilliance in the Martial World (52)

You save them, I save you…

As if something had struck a chord in his heart, Qi Jiayan paused. The torment of the Western Region’s Gu poison bugs was unbearable. She could have pretended to search for a cure or simply not bothered, yet despite knowing his identity, she still went to great lengths to find a solution.

If he saves others, will someone save him in return?

It seemed not. He once gave food he’d begged for to another dying child, only to be pushed by that child into the abyss. Since then, he hadn’t seen the light of day in that place.

Qi Jiayan leaned against the cage, closing his eyes. “Young Lady Bai, we’ve met before, haven’t we? My original plan was to let the original Bai Tang, that is, Yaoyao, live. Killing her off seemed pointless, so I wanted to leave someone with deep feelings like her to live in pain. Hence, I gave her a chance to survive with that sword strike. She had fainted, but when I saw her open her eyes again, the only thought in my mind was to kill you without delay. So, I acted. Now, looking back, it seems we must have met before.”

Bai Tang drew her sword. “Indeed, we have met before. This is the third time.”

Qi Jiayan chuckled softly. “It seems it’s the third time I’ve been thwarted by you, the third time I’ve been imprisoned. Young Lady Bai, why must you persist like a lingering spirit? Can’t you leave me alone?”

Bai Tang shook her head firmly. “I didn’t have anything to do with you originally. It was some foolish, rotten, cowardly thing who dragged me into this, wanting me to reform you. But because you’ve already stained yourself with the blood of too many innocents, I refused. My life was a bit dull anyway, and you serve as a bit of seasoning. As long as you continue to desire chaos, to want the world as your sacrifice, then I’ll continue to stand against you.”

“This isn’t some noble deed, you’re seeking revenge, you’re venting your injustices, you’re envious, aren’t you? Why is it that you can’t find something good for yourself? Why were you born to be despised, born to be reviled? When you were dragged into the mud, into darkness, no one reached out to help you. They even trampled on you, shamelessly insulting you, right?”

Bai Tang began inspecting the layout of the cave, making adjustments as she went.

After a while, Qi Jiayan spoke up. “Young Lady Bai is right. I am seeking revenge, I am envious. Everyone stepped on my face, called me despicable, so I’ll make them as despicable as I am. The world abandoned me, so I’ll ruin this world; people insulted me, so I’ll give them darkness. If I’m despicable, then there shouldn’t be anything noble.”

Bai Tang’s gaze became complex, as if she wanted to hit Qi Jiayan with a hammer. “Young Master Qi, you’re wrong.”

“How am I wrong?” Qi Jiayan insisted stubbornly.

Bai Tang replied, “Not everyone, not the whole world. The world didn’t abandon you; there are countless people in this world, too many for it to handle. The ones who abandoned you were your parents, the ones you once sincerely cared for but who trampled on your sincerity. And not everyone insulted you. Among the countless people in the world, we must admit that most are easily swayed, but not everyone lacks intelligence. Many people are busy with their own lives. 

“Think about the farmers in the fields, toiling all day, coming home in the evening to tend to their homes, raising their children. Their daily concerns are what they’ll eat next, how the harvest will be, whether their children will turn out like them. That part of the blame shouldn’t be placed on everyone’s shoulders, Young Master Qi. You’re not despicable either; no one is born despicable. Who decided the distinction between lowly and noble destinies?”

Bai Tang continued, “If someone tells you that you’re despicable, do you believe it? Absolutely not, Young Master Qi. People can think, never lose the ability to think, and never lose your clear mind. Only a clear mind can give you accurate judgment.”

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