Chapter 66: Run

Mall noise drowned thought—like spring ice not yet melted.
Mind blank—cold lips—fire in the chest.
Bai Yanci loved her dignity—yet bold before all eyes.
Since she left—Bai Yanci had changed much.
Eyes clear—obsessive—word by word: “You’re only mine. You’re back—don’t think of leaving. This time—you won’t leave me again.”
Bai Yanci’s hands shook—she soothed low: “Sister—I won’t leave—unless I die…”
“Don’t say ill luck.” Bai Yanci cut her off.
“Okay—won’t.” She slid the green-silk ring from Bai Yanci’s index—back on her middle finger. “Index finger—what’s that mean? Three years away—you found another girl?”
Teasing—Bai Yanci took it serious—urgent: “I thought you hated me—wouldn’t stay—so…”
“So you’d play single rabbit on your own?” Brow up. “Me—I’d move one ring to the ring finger—call it married.”
Bai Yanci did—eyes bright: “Fine—as you say.”
Two days—they went everywhere interesting in Jintian.
Since Bai Yanci came to earth—SI, school—never had time to wander properly.
Back—two days free—waiting for Qingxi—calm before the storm.
Soul-chasing art cost lifespan—unavoidable—flee to earth’s end—found anyway.
Since escape impossible—worry pointless—live well—enjoy time.
Time near—they went to the suburbs—Qingxi would strike—suburbs sparse—no ordinary humans caught.
Two days passed—clouds swallowed sun—Jintian summer—snow fell wrong.
Bai Yanci grave: “Careful—Qingxi’s breath.”
Green figure—Qingxi great immortal too—twin blades—several cuts—Jintian barrier Bai Yanci set—shattered.
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“Lord Bai—found you at last. Long time—still so sharp.”
Qingxi landed before them—unhappy: “You don’t look surprised at all.”
“Why surprised?” Bai Yanci cold. “You came to take me back.”
“Take is harsh—I bear my Lord’s order—to invite you back.” Qingxi glanced at her with interest—back to Bai Yanci. “My Lord says—return to the moon—return Spirit Tide jade pendant—serve again—past faults forgiven.”
Snow in Jintian—stared at—cold all over.
On the moon she’d found it odd—she’d cut off Qingxi’s arm with Qiyang Sword.
Half-artifact wound shouldn’t heal so fast—miracle recovery.
Now should hate her—face changed—Qingxi despised humans—didn’t recognize her.
Qingxi mocked: “Lord Bai—not so devoted to Immortal Xi Yue as rumor. Few years—already someone new?”
Qingxi looked awful—maybe soul-chasing cost—power drained—words tangled—dream logic.
Just said long time—then years—left brain fighting right?
Qingxi remembered—sneered: “Back then you ran with Xi Yue—broke taboo—my Lord had to be cruel.”
“Taboo? I fear taboo least. Once broke—twice—what’s one more?” Bai Yanci drew Qiyang—at Qingxi. “I won’t go with you. Force me—no old favor left.”
Qingxi puzzled: “I advise—you seek death. You two third-rate tricks—match a godlike Lord? Even fallen god Xi Yue—helpless before him.”
“I advise—before my Lord’s wrath—kill the one beside you. Human—short life—kill and done. Moon is your home. Back to moon—back to my Lord—nothing changes—you’re still Lord Bai.”
At Xi Yue’s name Bai Yanci’s face darkened.
“Immortal Xi Yue—you’re upset?” Worse Bai Yanci looked—more excited Qingxi. “Don’t blame my Lord—Xi Yue wouldn’t bend—hit his sore spot…”
Before Bai Yanci spoke—she’d heard enough—cut in cold: “Your Lord’s sore spots are everywhere—touch one and you’re unlucky—whoever bumps in is cursed?”
Insolence—Qingxi looked at her proper: “A mere human—dares judge my Lord!”
Blades charged with power—at her: “Lord Bai won’t act—I’ll act for my Lord—take this human’s life!”
She reached for Spirit Tide jade pendant—Qiyang met the blades—shielded her.
Voice in her mind: Ke-ke—don’t let Qingxi know you’re fallen god.
Bai Yanci’s power full now—Qiyang nourished—seven-colored light: “Last time on the moon I wasn’t fully recovered—you got lucky. Harm her—I’ll make sure you don’t leave alive.”
Qingxi raged: “Absurd—moon great immortal with a human—and a woman! Immortal realm won’t tolerate you!”
Two great immortals fought suburbs—she moved—fallen god exposed—could only watch—useless.
Bai Yanci was right—Qingxi close to Diting—Diting hunted fallen gods. If Qingxi knew—Diting would stop at nothing—even come himself—drag her to the moon.
Diting unfathomable—without a sure plan—never go to the moon—fall into his hands.
Qingxi just used forbidden art—power spent—no match for Bai Yanci.
Blades flew loose—Qiyang at her throat.
“Qingxi—you lost.” Bai Yanci cold. “What did my Lord give you—sell your life—forbidden art to find me?”
Qingxi lost—smiled proud: “Lord Bai—you lost.”
Gold flash—two thunderbolts—whip wind swept Qiyang—struck Bai Yanci. Qingxi broke free—stood aside—cold watch.
Bai Yanci’s pupils shrank—dodged—still hit—blood.
“…Diting.”
No need look up—the move gave him away.
She ran to Bai Yanci—shielded behind—faced Diting.
White robe—whip-like immortal tool. If not for his filth—like an untainted immortal.
Hands behind—looked at Bai Yanci—not her: “Yanci—that face—you didn’t expect me personally?”
Ruthless—Bai Yanci badly hurt—standing hard—no words.
Diting sighed: “You were my most loyal—so many chances—why won’t you give me face?”
Neither Qingxi nor Diting saw her—good in a way.
Unprepared—Spirit Tide jade pendant’s force—fight to the death. Hold Diting—draw Spirit Tide Pearl—heal Bai Yanci—chance to run.
Bai Yanci read her—gripped her hand from behind—hurt—but eyes still bright—forced two words: “Ke-ke—run…”
So soft—only they heard.
“I won’t leave you!”
Diting clapped: “Touching—this little girl’s fine—even I’m almost moved.”
Mockery—but expose power—beat Qingxi easy—not Diting.
Diting matched War God—even prime Milt couldn’t match War God.
“Ke-ke—listen—we can’t both fall to Diting. He won’t kill me—you must hide—far—don’t let them know you’re fallen god.”
Tears—couldn’t speak—shook head like a drum.
Bai Yanci tried a smile—gentle: “Please—promise me—okay?”
Then stood despite flesh like ten thousand ants—shielded her: “I’ll handle them—go!”