Chapter 44 – The Choice Between Love and Loyalty
Yu Xiaogang hadn't eaten in three days.
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong, whose fury had barely calmed, erupted again. Her expression twisted with rage.
"What now? Has the whole world turned against me?"
She shot up from the throne, her voice laced with venom and icy malice. Her eyes were dark and sinister, a sharp contrast to her usual composed elegance.
"He refuses to eat?" she hissed.
"Fine. Then strangle him to death. Hang his body at the gates of Wuhun City and let it rot in public for ten days."
Platinum Bishop's face changed dramatically, his eyes wide in disbelief. He was utterly stunned.
Meanwhile, after waking up, Qin Chuan remained in his room for another five days to recover.
During this time, Qian Renxue never left his side. Ye Lingling also came frequently, using her Nine Heart Begonia martial soul to gently warm and nourish his body.
Interestingly, the long healing process, which spanned nearly twenty days, led to unexpected results.
Ye Lingling's soul power surged continuously and eventually reached Level 50—just one soul ring away from the threshold of becoming a true Soul King.
However, her heart was no longer calm.
Every time she looked at Qian Renxue and Qin Chuan together, her expression grew more complicated. She didn't hide the emotions in her eyes.
Qian Renxue noticed—how could she not?
But right now, all her attention was focused on Qin Chuan. She didn't have the time or emotional energy to address Ye Lingling's feelings.
As for Qin Chuan himself, the fusion with Ye Lingling's martial soul caused his soul power to rise as well, increasing to Level 92.
Qian Renxue was amazed by this progress. It reminded her of something Ye Lingling had proposed days ago—that her martial soul was highly compatible with Qin Chuan's. When fused, their soul power growth would be nothing short of miraculous.
That was why Ye Lingling had expressed her desire to stay with him.
Qian Renxue had been deeply conflicted about this. Her love was possessive, even selfish. She couldn't bear the idea of sharing Qin Chuan with another woman—not in title, affection, or intimacy.
At least, that was what she had always believed.
But over the past several days, hesitation crept into her heart.
She watched Ye Lingling selflessly care for Qin Chuan, attending to him day and night. She watched her grow weary, lose sleep, and worry silently—just like herself.
And she watched both their soul powers grow.
Ye Lingling even shared the joy of her level breakthrough with her, like a friend might.
Qian Renxue wavered.
Reason whispered to her: Love is selfish by nature. I am his lover. I shouldn't need to share.
But emotion reminded her: I made a promise. I told her everything would be up to Qin Chuan when he wakes up.
And so, when Ye Lingling finished another soul-nourishing session and was about to leave, Qian Renxue spoke gently:
"Lingling, wait. Don't go yet."
Ye Lingling paused, her heartbeat inexplicably quickening.
Qin Chuan looked at Qian Renxue, puzzled.
Why had she stopped Ye Lingling?
Qian Renxue walked over and softly took Ye Lingling's hand.
But at that moment, a radiant golden light burst from the center of Qian Renxue's forehead. Her body glowed brilliantly as if reborn.
In Ye Lingling's astonished eyes, she transformed rapidly.
Her disguise faded, revealing her true appearance—long golden dress with a standing collar, an elegant and noble presence, graceful figure, and flawless beauty.
"You…" Ye Lingling gasped, stunned.
"You've suspected it for a while," Qian Renxue said with a forced smile, gently pulling her to sit beside Qin Chuan on the bed.
Qin Chuan, on the other hand, instantly narrowed his eyes. Coldness surged in his gaze as he stared at Ye Lingling with extreme vigilance.
He didn't know why Qian Renxue had exposed herself, but her identity had to remain a secret.
If there were any risk of that being compromised, even if it meant killing Ye Lingling—he would do it.
Her kindness to him meant nothing compared to Qian Renxue's safety.
Noticing the chill in his eyes, Qian Renxue turned to him with a complex look.
"Brother Qin Chuan, don't scare her."
Only then did he soften his gaze, though his brows remained furrowed.
"Do you understand what you're doing?" he asked sharply.
Revealing one's true identity was no trivial matter—it was dangerous.
Qian Renxue responded with a bitter smile.
"Do you think it's still possible to keep it a secret after everything that's happened recently?"
While Qin Chuan had been unconscious, Pope Bibi Dong had come again and again, trying to force her way in. Qian Renxue had blocked her, but it had caused enough commotion.
Anyone observant could easily deduce something was off.
Not just Ye Lingling. Even the rest of the Tiandou Royal Team probably had their suspicions by now.
Once they returned to Tiandou City, rumors would spread like wildfire. At that point, there would be no controlling it.
"And Lingling must have heard what the Pope said that day."
Ye Lingling nodded in silence.
Yes, she had heard everything.
She had replayed that conversation over and over in her mind. That was why she had been so anxious lately.
Finally, she asked the question lingering in her heart:
"So, what is your identity?"
Qian Renxue gently let go of her hand and stood up.
"Who am I?" she repeated softly.
"I am the daughter of Qian Xunji—the last Pope of the Spirit Hall. I am the rightful heir of the Hall. What else do you think I could be?"
Ye Lingling trembled, stunned by the confession.
She turned to Qin Chuan again, seeking answers.
Qin Chuan looked at her and said plainly:
"I never lied. I was once the Great Elder of the Pope's Hall. But now, I have left the Spirit Hall. I no longer carry that title."
Ye Lingling couldn't help but ask:
"Then why did you do all this? Why hide your identities and sneak into the Tiandou royal family?"
"You still don't understand?" Qian Renxue said with a faint sneer.
"Look at the two empires. The nobles live in luxury while the common people starve in hopelessness."
"Once, becoming a soul master was the commoners' only hope to break free from fate. But even that has been monopolized by the nobles."
"If not for the Spirit Hall's efforts to provide free martial soul awakenings in rural areas each year, soul masters would become a class exclusive to the elite."
Ye Lingling had no rebuttal. It was the truth.
The empires used their iron grip on status and resources to maintain power. If ordinary civilians had the strength, revolutions would follow.
But what did this have to do with her?
She was just one woman.
"Then why call me here? Why reveal everything to me?" she asked softly, lifting her head.
Qian Renxue looked her straight in the eyes and replied:
"Because now, everything will be decided by him."
She glanced at Qin Chuan.
"I've promised—I won't make the choice. I'll leave it to him."