I flew to the throne, sitting with an extremely cool posture, tilting my head at a heroic angle. “I’ll give you two choices. One, come back with me to the Number One Hall, get a job, earn some money, and live a peaceful, happy life. Two, die.”
My tone carried impatience, “Choose for yourselves!”
My voice had barely fallen when the entire scene erupted, everyone cheering and throwing away their weapons, removing their masks and rags, shouting with joy: “Long live Lord Ling! Long live Lord Ling!”
I held my head high, looking smug as Baby, Beibei, the elders from various sects, and Bao Xi all applauded me.
Seven Nights brought his ice blade closer to Xiao Chen Yue’s throat, saying, “If you don’t want to die, hand over the antidote.”
Xiao Chen Yue reluctantly removed the pendant from his neck, opened the locket, and took out a light blue pill, handing it to Seven Nights while the ice blade remained poised. Seven Nights warned, “You better not play any tricks.”
Xiao Chen Yue pouted, “What tricks could I possibly play? All my people have been captured! Take it if you want!” Seeing Xiao Chen Yue’s expression, the antidote seemed genuine. Seven Nights then put away the ice blade and ordered him to be tightly bound.
Seven Nights handed me the pill, which I accepted, swallowing it under everyone’s watchful eyes. The crowd cheered. Shang embraced me tightly, his chin resting on my shoulder. I felt a chill from his tears.
“Han… I’m so glad you’re okay…” Moved, I shed a tear of happiness. I reached out to embrace him, but then smelled a strong vinegar scent. I curled up, shivering uncontrollably, my vision blurring. “Han! What’s wrong?”
“Everyone called my name, but my head was painfully throbbing, my body growing colder, like abandoned in an ice cave.
I hazily saw Seven Nights grab Xiao Chen Yue’s collar furiously, everyone drawing their swords. Seven Nights’ trembling, angry voice roared: “What did you put in the antidote?! Why is Han like this?!”
Shang removed most of his clothing, covering me and holding me tightly, trying to warm me with his body heat, but to no avail. I saw in Shang’s eyes that my lips were turning purple. Suddenly, smoke filled the hall, everyone coughing – a smoke bomb!
