Chapter 156 Dual Blades, Icy Brilliance in the Martial World (25)

“Ziheng!” Yaoyao was utterly taken aback by Tantai Ziheng’s words.

The deceased and the living could never be compared.

“They are my family! If it were your family, would you say such things?”

As the time drew near, Yaoyao gritted her teeth and reiterated, “Ziheng, don’t interfere with Young Lady Bai, and stop being hostile towards her. Lastly… be cautious of Qi—”

Bai Tang returned to her own body, cutting Yaoyao off before she could finish speaking.

Yaoyao apologized, “Young Lady Bai, I just wanted to warn Ziheng to be cautious of Qi Jiayan.”

Bai Tang shrugged it off, “I know, but it’s not necessary. Tantai Ziheng will be fine.”

After sizing up Tantai Ziheng, Bai Tang chuckled lightly and left.

Tantai Ziheng knew that this laughter signified the return of the woman, not Yaoyao.

What did this laughter mean? Was she mocking him? Mocking him for being unable to surpass the dead?

Seeing Bai Tang approaching, Qi Jiayan handed her a leg wrapped in a lotus leaf, saying, “Young Lady Bai, try it and see if I’m now qualified to become a teacher.”

Bai Tang didn’t refuse, Qi Jiayan hadn’t reached the point of drugging her yet. With each bite, the meat was tender and fragrant, bursting with flavor and a satisfying texture. Bai Tang generously raised her thumb in approval, “Young Master Qi is indeed extremely talented.”

Qi Jiayan gossipingly asked, “Young Lady Bai, is there any misunderstanding between you and Young Villa Master Tantai?”

Bai Tang shot him a warning glance, and Qi Jiayan obediently turned his gaze away, quietly enjoying the roasted chicken.

Weng Quan handed a sword to Bai Tang, and she understood his intention—a friendly spar.

As Tantai Ziheng approached, Qi Jiayan sensed that something was amiss, as if he had lost his spirit.

Patting his shoulder, Qi Jiayan asked, “Young Villa Master, why the long face?”

Tantai Ziheng exclaimed, “She really wants to break off our engagement, she truly… wants to end it. I thought Lady Yao was being forced, but it turns out she wants it herself.”

Tantai Ziheng seemed as if he were in a trance, feeling as if Yaoyao no longer wanted him.

“Young Master Qi, do you believe that the living really cannot compare to the dead?” he asked, his tone desperate.

Qi Jiayan had a complex expression on his face, realizing how deceiving the word “emotion” could be.

“Young Villa Master, it depends on who they are and how they died. There’s no need to compare with the dead, they are already gone. The living have a future, the potential to change everything, don’t they?”

“They are Yaoyao’s family. In her heart, I cannot compete with the hatred she harbors for her parents’ deaths,” Tantai Ziheng admitted.

Qi Jiayan’s expression became even more complex, and he distanced himself a bit.

Isn’t that a problem? Do you demand that you are more important in your own heart than someone else’s parents?

“Young Villa Master, in your heart, is the position of being the head more important than Lady Yao? If you can’t do it yourself, how can you demand it from Lady Yao? As a child, witnessing the gruesome deaths of her parents before her eyes, if it were you, could you let go?” Qi Jiayan continued, casting a fleeting glance in Bai Tang’s direction.

He deliberately killed her parents in front of her, intentionally ordered a subordinate to stab her, yet granted her a chance at life. He wanted to see what kind of person Bai Tang, fueled by this hatred, would become.

Yaoyao snorted, “He dares to say such things. This devil leader really has no shame.”

Bai Tang replied, “After all, having dual identities of good and evil requires some effort, doesn’t it?”

Qi Jiayan carefully pondered over these moves and chose not to say much.

Tantai Ziheng was stunned, and appeared conflicted. Yaoyao’s words had ultimately made him uncomfortable. Chasing after her was initially meant to salvage the situation.

But now, how could he give up?

Clarifying this point, Tantai Ziheng’s gaze regained some clarity.

After a month of travel, Bai Tang and the others encountered an ambush from the Blood Devil Cult.

Seeing their techniques, unmistakably from the Blood Devil Cult, Bai Tang’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

——