Chapter 638: Retribution and Response (II)
The courtyard was now empty, with only Ning Hemian sitting softly beside him. She clasped his hand silently, her expression calm and patient.
He raised his eyes to look at her, but the words refused to come out. His throat felt like it was full of thorns. After a long pause, his trembling voice finally broke the silence, "Mian'er, the Daoist Master has ordered me to kill."
Ning Hemian, ever perceptive, lowered her gaze as she took the list of names from his hand. Slowly gripping his hand tighter, she forced herself to say, "This is… a token of allegiance."
Li Xuanfeng's heart felt like a cold stone, lodged deep and immovable, as he watched Ning Hemian, her face pale, begin to read aloud, "Xiao Fu… the sixth grandson of Xiao Guitu… Kong Gusun, the nephew of Kong Yu himself! Cheng Xun'en… an inner disciple of Sword Gate… though not highly regarded, still a member of Sword Gate… Daoist Master… what is he thinking?!"
Ning Hemian abruptly stood, her face as white as paper, as she prepared to rise with the wind. But Li Xuanfeng caught her wrist, his lips bloodless as he spoke in a low voice, "Our family killed Yu Muxian."
The words struck Ning Hemian like thunder. She slumped back into her seat, staring at Li Xuanfeng, who refused to meet her gaze, his eyes fixed on the ground. The two sat in silence, husband and wife with no words to bridge the gulf between them. Finally, Li Xuanfeng spoke, "There is no other way forward. If the heavens and earth condemn me, let the punishment fall upon me alone. I will not allow it… to implicate others."
Ning Hemian's hands slowly fell to her sides as she sat quietly, watching him. Under the moonlight, his temples had turned completely white.
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In September, the rain fell incessantly.