WBICDPH Chapter 53 Part 2

The scent of spirit-rich blood spread instantly through the air—but for once, Xiao Lanqi didn’t react.

He stared blankly at Lin Jin lying on the ground, his gaze drifting down to the wound in his abdomen.

This was why he hated humans.

Xiao Lanqi let out a laugh.

Why insist on dying?
Why refuse to let go?
Why struggle uselessly until death?

In his eyes, wasn’t Xiao Lanqi just a lowly green-eyed dog—an inconvenient pet raised to pass the time?

The temperature around them rose slightly, though Shi Jing didn’t notice. He was already intoxicated by the rich spiritual energy in Lin Jin’s blood.

Far away, Han Xiao also sensed something wrong. She sniffed the air and her expression changed.

“Not right… that scent… a Sacred Jade Body! So he’s the furnace that escaped. I never expected this—I was going to let you go…”

She narrowed her eyes and said no more. Instead, she raised a hand. A flash of silver light appeared, forming a white bone bow. The bow radiated chilling energy; its frame was made from dozens of fused spinal bones, each steeped in resentment—enough to make one’s skin crawl.

“The situation has changed,” she said. “There’s no time to lure Xiao Lanqi to the back mountain. I’ll assist Shi Jing and kill him on the spot. You rescue the human—keep him alive at all costs. Once we return to Mingzhu Heaven, present him to the Exalted Lord for judgment.”

“Yes!”

The burly man rushed forward with her, but before they could approach, Han Xiao suddenly halted and raised a hand to stop him.

“Something’s wrong.”

She glanced toward the horizon, then back at Shi Jing. A flash of reluctance crossed her eyes.

“That kid sent a signal. Someone from Mist-Rain Mountain is coming. We retreat.”

“My lord?!” the man exclaimed. “What about Shi Jing? Who’s coming—a Daoist from Mist-Rain Mountain? We might still—”

“Idiot! Whoever’s coming is no ordinary person. If it’s who I think it is, combined with Xiao Lanqi we won’t stand a chance. We may not even escape alive!”

She cursed under her breath and dismissed the bone bow.

“As for Shi Jing… he’s on his own. Whether he lives or dies depends on his fate.”

The burly man hesitated but obeyed. After one last glance toward Shi Jing, he vanished into the night with Han Xiao.

Meanwhile, Shi Jing inhaled the scent of blood with exaggerated delight, eyes shining with fanaticism.
“Ha! Hahaha… a Sacred Jade Body?! I accidentally found the escaped furnace?! I need to report this—I’ll earn great merit!”

He was so consumed by excitement that he forgot entirely about Xiao Lanqi in the cage.

A greenish light flickered in Xiao Lanqi’s eyes.

Mingzhu’s Twelve Guards… the lord… Han Xiao…

Merit? Before earning merit, prepare to die.

Who do you think you are?
That useless brat can only be killed by me—who do you think you are?!

Black mist seeped from the cage. Xiao Lanqi was about to summon his Cloud-Shattering Azure Flame—but suddenly he sensed something and stopped, his demonic aura dissipating completely.

In the next instant, a cold white sword, like frozen jade,e cut through the air. It struck the ground, spreading frost in all directions. Within the icy mist on its blade were two faint characters:

“Yuxue” — Snow’s Desire.

The newcomer wore pale, feather-colored robes, his dark hair half-tied with a jade crown. His aura was icy yet carried an otherworldly grace, like moonlight at midnight or snow-covered pear blossoms—untouched by the mortal world.

He didn’t even glance at the sword. Instead, he went straight to Lin Jin, fed him medicine from a storage ring, sealed his wounds, and lifted him into his arms.

Carrying Lin Jin toward the city gate, he summoned Yuxue with a thought. The sword leapt ahead, slicing apart the thorn wall blocking the path.

He spared Shi Jing not a single look and simply walked away with the injured man.

Shi Jing couldn’t stand such humiliation. He rushed forward—but the man still ignored him. Only the sword turned and flew at him.

Shi Jing raised his black thorn blade to block, but within a few exchanges, its spikes were shattered and coated in frost. Realizing he was no match, he tried to call for Han Xiao’s help—but could no longer sense her presence.

“My lord! Save me!!”

His desperate cries went unanswered.

Only then did Shi Jing realize he had been abandoned.

Grinding his teeth, he knocked Yuxue aside and tried to flee, but before he could escape, the sword pierced straight through his chest, striking the demon heart beneath his right rib and bursting out the front.

The white blade turned red with blood—then frost sealed over it, shattering and falling away as the sword returned to its cold jade appearance and slipped back into its master’s scabbard.

“…So noisy.”

The man sighed softly, glancing sideways at Shi Jing’s fallen body.

“Another life taken,” he murmured, almost to himself.

“…a sin.”