Chapter 57: Imprisonment

“Correct.” Bai Yanci still flat. “Staying beside you was only to lower your guard—easier to strike when it mattered.”
“What do you want?”
“Fallen-god power, of course.” Bai Yanci looked almost surprised—as if she’d asked something very stupid.
Of course. She should have known long ago.
Besides fallen-god power she had nothing worth coveting.
If Bai Yanci could hide spiritual-flame breath at first she could hide immortal traces too—play weak and pitiable.
Bai Yanci gave Yang Yufei a look—Yang left.
When the door closed she met Bai Yanci’s eyes: “You stole the Spirit Tide jade pendant—that’s why the immortal realm posted a warrant, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“And Qixie’s whole plan?”
“All my design.” Bai Yanci cut in, cold. “Satisfied now you have answers?”
Deep breath—eyes closed—heart dead—couldn’t face any of it.
A lover’s betrayal was countless knives in the chest and salt on top.
A thousand years together—yet when they met again in this life, why purpose and lies?
She lifted her head—nails dug deep into her palms: “What else did you lie about?”
“What’s the point asking now?” Bai Yanci didn’t care, slow. “You know my greatest secret—as you wished, no more hiding. Still not content? Without me you’d have died when flame was stripped.”
She laughed at herself: “Then I have nothing to say.”
Looking away—only then felt pain in her hands.
She’d pressed hard—blood seeping—numb spreading.
“You!” Bai Yanci noticed—face changed—stepped forward and seized her wrist.
“Don’t touch me.” She shook Bai Yanci off. “Just a small wound—not worthy of your personal concern.”
Bai Yanci’s flat face finally darkened: “Is this how you care for yourself when I’m gone?”
She turned away—Bai Yanci gripped her shoulders—couldn’t move.
Bai Yanci at her ear, low: “Darling, why not join us? Stay here—let me care for you.”
Still no response—Bai Yanci closed eyes—opened gentle as always: “Ke-ke, isn’t this good? All Qixie obey me—no one will hurt you.”
Her lover’s face changed faster than fear.
“Sister, stop joking, all right?” Knowing it was self-deception—she said anyway: “This isn’t funny at all.”
As expected—Bai Yanci unmoved.
In secret she tried summon power—still nothing.
“Don’t waste effort. You’re fallen god—I’ll guard against fallen gods properly.” Bai Yanci sneered. “Mu’s lab instruments are fine goods—I tweaked the principle—can limit all your power.”
She knew—ordinary human now—no escape under Bai Yanci.
But Mu’s instruments needed divine-consciousness fragments to run.
She was sure—Bai Yanci didn’t carry her consciousness.
Bai Yanci read her doubt: “Spiritual flame.”
The purest cluster from her heart—cut out with her own hands.
She’d given her life to her lover—and her lover used it to bind her freedom—and later, other plots.
Disbelief at the one she loved—everything past felt like dream.
Awake—only blades crossed—that was reality.
Raised under moon rules—even betraying Diting—interest above all.
In Bai Yanci’s values—if the goal required it—even love became a chip in hand.
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“I never forgot those promises. I swore before you—nothing between us changes.” Bai Yanci looked down at her. “I’m still me—why not stay for me?”
Pause—earnest: “Mu used you as a tool—you don’t truly sell your life to the bureau—why not stand with me? In your heart am I not worth more than those wastes?”
“Stop! Stop! Don’t say more!” She shook her head hard—trying to throw the words away.
Bureau or Qixie—she accepted neither.
She’d known from the start—Bai Yanci hid countless secrets.
When Bai Yanci promised no more hiding—she’d believed—handed over her whole heart bare.
Trust punished—heart thrown down hard. Too hurt. Too much pain.
Without memory from a thousand years ago—same soul—change this vast.
But dreams always end.
“Lord Jade Dust, I thought I’d always be most special to you—at least lovers would be honest.” Cold laugh. “I was wrong—I laugh at my trust—curse my foolish heart.”
She looked away—wouldn’t look at Bai Yanci again: “If I could choose again—I’d rather never have met you from the start!”
The words stabbed Bai Yanci deep.
“Don’t hate me.” Bai Yanci closed in—gripped her chin—forced eyes to meet. “You promised to be my wife, didn’t you?”
Close enough—time stretched long.
At last she saw herself in Bai Yanci’s eyes—even the love churning wild there.
But besides love—something else mixed in.
“Sister, I thought after all we went through we’d know each other.” Soft. “But I see you less and less clearly.”
“Letting you see through—that was my carelessness.”
Yes—love and hate in this world had blurred lines—where was clean division?
She knew clearly—nothing and no one was pure black or white.
Yet hate in her chest ran deep—full to overflow—almost swallowed reason.
She couldn’t.
Do that—and how was she different from Bai Yanci?
“Whether you stay or not—you have no choice.” Bai Yanci left one line at the door. “Ke-ke, think clearly. Don’t refuse the toast and drink the penalty.”
The cell door slammed. Bai Yanci left without looking back—only a resolved back.
That night temperature dropped fast.
She nearly froze unconscious—maybe Bai Yanci had some conscience—or thought her still useful—shouldn’t gamble on temper—sent someone to move her to a clean neat room.
The room was arranged to her taste. Neat art supplies—a bunch of pink roses in full bloom on the table.
Reminded her—she’d once given Bai Yanci the same roses.
Now—the irony.
Grievance and hate surged—she almost smashed the flowers on the floor and stomped them.
Then picked them up and set them on the table again.
The roses ruined—more irritation in the eyes.
Nowhere to vent—she turned it on herself—lost appetite entirely.
First strangers in ability-user dress brought food—respectful—she ate nothing.
Days later Yang Yufei came herself—by Bai Yanci’s order no mockery—only sweet talk—still wouldn’t take a bite.
Today Yang Yufei brought food again—impatience in the brow—still coaxed soft: “My lady, good team leader—eat a mouthful. If something happens to you how do I answer Lord Jade Dust?”
“Why won’t she see me?” She didn’t lift her eyes—voice weak.
“Lord Jade Dust said she doesn’t want to see you.”
“She really said that?” Heavy. “Yang Yufei—you’d better not lie.”
“Why would I lie?” Yang Yufei sniffed. “I never do meaningless things.”
True—prisoner now—Yang Yufei had no reason to lie.
Her words that day were too harsh—maybe Bai Yanci wanted her to cool a few days—refused meeting.
Only way out—see Bai Yanci first—get permission to move—then act—find the suppressor and destroy it.
She looked up at last: “Tell her—I want strawberry cake she makes herself.”
Yang Yufei delighted—ran to pass word.
Soon the door opened again—Bai Yanci leaned in the frame: “Suddenly want strawberry cake? Servants’ cooking not to taste?”
She shook her head: “Sister—I missed you.”
Bai Yanci surprised—tilted head—silent a long while.
She stepped forward—caught Bai Yanci’s sleeve: “Last contest had no winner—for me—paint one more piece.”
After a long while Bai Yanci asked: “You’ve thought it through?”