Chapter 45 – No Way Out
"So why did you ask me to stay and expose my identity?"
Ye Lingling's voice was cold, her gaze unwavering.
This was a question even Qin Chuan had no answer to.
What exactly was Qian Renxue planning? She had never been the type to act so recklessly.
"Since I've already decided to accommodate you, your presence will be discovered sooner or later," Qian Renxue said calmly, settling back into her seat with a slight smile. "Instead of making you struggle in the shadows, torn over whether or not to betray me, it's better to lay everything bare right now."
Qin Chuan was still trying to make sense of her words, but Ye Lingling's expression shifted—stunned, then trembling.
"You… what did you say?" she asked in disbelief.
Qian Renxue smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"I've already said this before," she continued with casual confidence. "This matter isn't something I can decide on my own. I had to wait until Brother Qin Chuan woke up. Now that he's awake, the decision is his."
She turned her gaze to Qin Chuan, her eyes twinkling.
"Right, Brother Qin Chuan?"
Still disoriented, Qin Chuan met Ye Lingling's expectant eyes—and grew even more confused.
"What are you two talking about?" he asked.
Qian Renxue leaned closer, her tone suddenly teasing.
"Would Brother Qin Chuan be happy to take a concubine?"
Qin Chuan's face darkened instantly.
"Nonsense!"
Qian Renxue's smile turned sly as she looked at Ye Lingling.
"Then there's no choice. Since Brother Qin Chuan refuses, and you already know so many of our secrets… you can't be allowed to leave."
Now everything clicked.
Qian Renxue's previous words had been laying the groundwork for this exact moment—forcing a choice.
Either Ye Lingling joined them, or she died with their secrets.
Qin Chuan frowned deeply. "What are you doing?"
He didn't even know what had truly happened while he was unconscious. But letting someone who had cared for him face death?
That wasn't something he could allow.
Qian Renxue turned to him with an innocent look.
"She said your martial spirits are extremely compatible and she wants to follow you… to become your woman. Do you agree?"
"I didn't…" Ye Lingling immediately waved her hands, flustered.
"You didn't what?" Qian Renxue snapped, her tone sharp.
"I… I…" Ye Lingling stammered, her face flushing with embarrassment. "I don't want to become His Majesty Qin Chuan's woman. I just want to follow you…"
She finally managed to get the words out.
She had never said she wanted to be with Qin Chuan—only that she could help cover for them, to divert suspicion.
Qian Renxue sneered. "Isn't that the same thing?"
Ye Lingling lowered her head quickly. "Lingling dare not."
"There, see? You just don't dare. Not that you don't want to."
Qian Renxue laughed disdainfully.
Then she looked up at Qin Chuan again.
"Brother Qin Chuan, it's your decision. Keep her… or kill her."
A heavy silence followed.
After a moment, Qian Renxue stood up and walked toward the exit.
As her silhouette faded, Qin Chuan's mind drifted to memories from more than a decade ago—of snow, of loneliness, of her walking away just like this.
"Xue'er."
He called out instinctively.
Qian Renxue paused, her voice low and strained.
"It's okay, Brother Qin Chuan. No matter what you choose this time, I won't be angry."
"Xue'er is already happy. What you said before you lost consciousness… that was enough for me."
And with that, she disappeared behind the beaded curtain, which swayed and clinked gently.
Qin Chuan sighed, then looked at Ye Lingling, who still sat beside his bed.
"Thank you… for taking care of me during this time."
Two days later.
The Tiandou royal caravan, which had been stationed outside Wuhun City for nearly a month, finally began its return journey.
Unlike the grand, mighty procession that had arrived, the current formation was sparse. Aside from the Royal Knights, only a single carriage remained.
The Ironclad Army?
They had been ordered by Qian Renxue to escort the participating teams back to Tiandou City half a month earlier.
Inside the carriage, the air was heavy with tension.
Three people—two women, one man—sat in silence, their faces shrouded in gloom.
"That woman is cruel," Qian Renxue said at last, her fists clenched. "Brother Qin Chuan, you were right to leave."
Qin Chuan's expression darkened. After a long silence, he said quietly,
"Xue'er, order the carriage to turn around."
Ye Lingling, dressed in black and seated in the far corner since they boarded, had remained silent the entire time, trying to minimize her presence.
But now she looked up, confused.
"Why… why go back?"
They had already left Wuhun City. Why return now?
Qin Chuan met her gaze and smiled bitterly.
That day, he couldn't bring himself to be cruel.
Whether it was because of Ye Lingling's kindness, or the fact that their martial spirits truly complemented each other—allowing for powerful fusion cultivation—he simply couldn't let her die.
But he couldn't accept her into his harem so easily either.
In the end, he decided she would follow him—so he could keep a close watch and ensure Qian Renxue's secrets remained safe.
"I've been thinking," Qin Chuan said slowly. "Yu Xiaogang… he was really wronged."
He had only come to Wuhun City seeking the secret of twin martial spirits. He had left behind a half-finished cup of tea.
Yet he paid the ultimate price.
First, his dantian was destroyed, his legs broken—crippled for life.
Then, Bibi Dong had those same legs severed and offered them up as a cruel gift.
And even after all that, she still used him.
Appointing him as a new Elder of the Pope's Palace during the tournament ceremony—even though he couldn't speak, couldn't move, and had long been reduced to a mute, broken husk.
Qin Chuan and Qian Renxue didn't even realize he had died until they left Wuhun City.
Yu Xiaogang's body had been hanging at the city gates all along—baking under the sun, left to rot.
"I thought she'd squeeze the last bit of value out of him," Qin Chuan muttered. "But I never expected her to be that heartless."
Qian Renxue nodded, sighing.
"Even I feel sorry for him," she murmured. "He didn't get what he came for, and in the end, he was tortured to death."
"Brother Qin Chuan," she asked softly, "what are you planning?"
"I'm going to collect his body," Qin Chuan said with finality. "He's dead now. All grudges should be buried with him."