Chapter 19: Combined Force

Yi Ke noticed—Chu He’s chaotic flame was finding order—not as dim as before.
Filth inside—unchanged.
Chu He seemed steadier—left the riverbank—came beside them silent. Head down—shoulders shaking—quiet sobs.
Still high school—just adult—still a child.
At that age troubles were grades, people, or fuzzy love.
To them—that was the whole world—collapse wasn’t exaggeration.
Yi Ke showed SI ID: “I’m SI Team Leader Yi Ke. Come with me—won’t take long—I want to save you.”
Chu He looked up. Actually pretty—taller than Yi Ke—had to tilt up to see dull eyes.
“Team Leader Yi—Qiming told me my talent was mediocre—experiment failed.” Soft tired laugh—not that age. “They said SI would find me—strip my ability.”
“Sorry sisters—thanks for comforting me—I won’t do anything stupid.” Eyes flashed—firm: “But I still need this power… I can’t go back with you yet.”
Words done—some trigger—vanished on the spot.
“Displacement art.” Bai Yanci judged at once.
Chu He’s blink was exquisite—no energy trace left—high immortal technique—Jade Dust’s power for sure.
Jade Dust herself rarely handled Qiming’s filth—but her power was everywhere.
Wherever Yi Ke went—whatever she did—Jade Dust clung like a ghost.
Dazed, pale—Bai Yanci: “Ke-ke—we have time. Chu He’s flame steadied—don’t worry too much.”
Hearing that—she tried to settle—alerted SI—released power to track Chu He’s flame.
Half a beat—urgent: “Chu He took that A-Cheng boy to the suburbs!”
Suburbs—abandoned warehouse—shadow that wouldn’t leave—too many bad memories there.
When they arrived on ability—A-Cheng tied to a chair.
Rope was an ability tool—light bind and ordinary people couldn’t move.
Chu He had smashed his phone—dagger in hand—looking down at him—eyes soft and obsessive: “A-Cheng, do you love me?”
“I love you—I love you!” A-Cheng pale—terrified—wouldn’t dare say no, “Xiao He—you’re the one I love most!”
Chu He sensed them—no extra emotion—flat: “Sisters—you’re faster than I thought.”
A-Cheng saw salvation—screamed: “Police! Call police! This crazy woman’s going to kill me!”
“Shut up!” Dagger at his throat. “Think you can run? Think stupid cops can catch me?”
They’d heard the mall scene clear.
Chu He’s obsession deep—flame plunged again—chaotic black.
“Don’t think I didn’t know you gaming with other girls—I only loved you, indulged you. I was wrong—so wrong!”
Voice hotter: “I thought obedience would buy your heart—you got worse—bowl and field both—well done!”
Rush forward risky—dagger close—might kill by accident.
One step test—Chu He roared: “Back! Or I kill him now!”
“I didn’t mean to! I have you in my heart! They—they seduced me!” A-Cheng babbling. “Xiao He—you were gentle, generous. I promise I won’t again—let’s pretend it never happened—okay?”
“So you did nothing—they threw themselves at you? Hear how disgusting that is? Don’t use others as your excuse!”
Cold laugh: “My soul’s already dead and you say let it pass. I regret liking you—no backbone, coward, selfish fake.”
Dagger to his neck—blood line: “You’re right—I was generous. I don’t want to be the good generous one anymore. If hurt in my heart won’t reach you—you pay with your life!”
Yi Ke’s eyes widened—Chu He’s filth wasn’t like Jiang Ci’s!
Flame color fully black—never seen.
Delay—severe consequences.
Signal to Bai Yanci—Bai Yanci understood—in a heated gap—blinked behind—hand chop—out.
A-Cheng laughed wild: “You’re police? Lock this crazy woman up—don’t let her out—psych ward best!”
Bai Yanci ignored him. Yi Ke took over: “You want her at the station—right?”
Head bobbing like a drum—she smiled understanding: “Fine—I’ll have someone lock you up a few days—learn your lesson.”
“You!”
Face red—about to curse—she raised hand: “Kid—insulting police adds time—think clear.”
Jiang Ran arrived with people. Riding back to SI beside Bai Yanci—memory of last time same ride.
Last time she’d used moon forbidden art—sister furious—still came.
This time sister seemed in good mood.
She dropped worries a moment—arm naturally through Bai Yanci’s—voice light: “Sister—when this ends let’s go shopping.”
Side glance—eyes met: “Want to… eat something good?”
Bai Yanci had been mortal a while—never properly tasted mortal food—never really shopped.
Besides takeout breakfast she’d ordered—either make-do or Bai Yanci’s cooking.
“…Anything.” Bai Yanci obedient.
When Yi Ke leaned in—arm linked—blood ran backward—froze—then back.
After agreeing—realized what shopping meant—cheeks burned.
Soft: “Shopping… like the market?”
“Pretty much—same thing.”
In her memory only intimates shopped markets together—very ambiguous.
Yi Ke kept on bright: “Clothes, jewelry, nails, food—so much fun…”
Couldn’t hear—couldn’t remember—only Yi Ke shining—smile bright as sun.
Yi Ke smiling—could dim heaven and earth.
After SI paperwork—A-Cheng locked with cause—straight to holding.
Chu He worse than anyone before.
“Your body can’t use forbidden art again.” Bai Yanci held her. “Every rescue burns root power. You’re human—not immortal cultivation.”
Silent—eyes on Bai Yanci—resolve.
“Use mine. Together.” Hand out—pale white power flowing. “Burn my flame—be your strength.”
Holding room fully sealed—Bai Yanci no longer hid flame—released openly.
Unhidden—Bai Yanci’s flame appeared. Bright pure blue—most beautiful color.
“I can’t steer flame or cast forbidden art for you—but I can supply power.” Slow. “Link our flames with your gift. I’ll guard you while you work—keep you safe.”
“But your cultivation…”
“Call it debt—pay me back. You owe flame from before—after this pay cultivation too.”
Still hesitating—Bai Yanci took her hand anyway—power poured in.
Per Bai Yanci’s advice—special link between their flames.
Instantly—vast power surged in—overwhelming—body full.
Summoned flame again—wrapped in pale white—Bai Yanci’s immortal force.
Two powers woven—no clash—strange beautiful state.
Last strip’s gap not fully healed—no pause—pain again—tore a cluster—into Chu He’s chest.
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But when it touched Chu He’s flame—the fragile balance shattered—violent shake—filth surged back—corrupted the pure flame she sent!