Chapter 74: The Pouch

Qingxi helpless: “So all these years—I’ve lived on resentment.”
Yi Ke’s eyes dark—didn’t interrupt—let Qingxi continue.
Under moon discipline—immortal to immortal—thin ties. No conflict over interest—already peaceful.
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As Qingxi said—she avoided the world—alone—loneliness into night.
Maybe no one to hear—tonight she said more.
“I should hate so many—I’ve lost count. I hate my Lord—hate Bai Yanci—even hate you! In the end—the one I hate most—is myself.”
Qingxi paused—laughed: “I think constantly—if I’d had even a little love—I wouldn’t be here.”
Yi Ke saw in Qingxi’s eyes—dead calm—rare fire lit.
Qingxi looked at her—word by word: “Immortal Xi Yue—mend my spirit flame—I’ll get you out of water prison—you can take Lord Bai off the moon too.”
“Out of prison—then?”
Qingxi cold laugh—hate bare: “Kill him.”
Expected—still shook to hear three words.
What free bird chooses thorns?
Power by tyranny—loyalty by force—turns the blade back at power.
Violence—never buys half a true heart.
Leaving—Qingxi dropped water prison barrier—pried a crack in her power-seal array.
Seal array—Diting’s force—three immortal tools to hold.
She mocked—inwardly—great immortal—such fuss—for same effect as Mu’s invention—just bigger—covers whole immortal realm.
She doubted—was Mu really only human?
Qingxi promised—today she’d find chance to get her out.
No delay—flame and lifespan both bleeding—every second a bet on life.
Diting sent many immortals outside water prison—Furong led.
Furong and Qingxi always clashed—if Furong came to kill her—no fight left.
Power sealed—Qingxi only pried a gap—leaving prison needed full break.
Before Qingxi—she’d thought to end her own life.
Water prison—Diting wouldn’t release—for old feeling—won’t kill Bai Yanci—she’d die as offering—consciousness separate.
Centuries—millennia—consciousness whole again—back to moon—Diting’s life—lover free.
Near certain death.
Now—Qingxi defected—hope lit in despair.
Ice-Clear Jade finally glimmered—Bai Yanci’s voice at ear: “Ke-ke—how are you? Did Qingxi trouble you?”
Familiar gentle voice—calmed her.
That shield array—couldn’t block Bai Yanci’s art.
Warmth—voice soft: “Sister—don’t worry—I’m fine.”
“You lie.” Bai Yanci urgent. “Water prison damp dark—not where a great immortal belongs—Diting shames you…”
She cut in: “I’m really okay.”
With Qingxi’s care—prison only bit cold—no real suffering.
Bai Yanci heard another meaning: “Ke-ke—rest easy—I won’t be impulsive like before.”
She realized—Bai Yanci meant Xi Yue days—chest tight.
Sure no listener outside—told Bai Yanci everything about Qingxi’s visit.
Pause on Bai Yanci’s side—didn’t expect Qingxi to turn—long silence: “Moon rumor—one great immortal same era as Diting—born in gods’ age—called Yuanzheng.”
She asked: “That’s the great immortal who never showed?”
Bai Yanci nodded: “Besides him—no other qualifies. Yuanzheng brave—War God’s old guard—Diting’s closest colleague. After Diting rose—vanished—no trace.”
“Private talk—Yuanzheng and Diting fell out—left moon—for mortal realm cultivation.”
All rumor—Bai Yanci or Qingxi—couldn’t prove true.
Friend or foe unknown—even on moon unknown.
Footsteps outside—near.
Heart tight—cut comm—sleeve over Ice-Clear Jade.
Reflection on ground—Furong at the door.
Since main hall—Furong sharp—must’ve felt wrong air inside.
Furong arms crossed—smug smile: “So you’re Immortal Xi Yue—long admired.”
Ignored—Furong again: “If you’d killed that fool Lanzhi not Qingxi—I’d be one of the four immortals by now.”
Cold snort—still ignored.
Furong left bad taste—same face as campus bullies.
Flatter upward—turn with wind—nothing else.
Gift wasted—shame she never went into acting.
“No wonder that day Lord Bai called only you. Thought that fool Lanzhi sneaked favors behind my back—turns out Lord Bai’s lover.”
“Back then my Lord knew—made your life hard—wanted you dead?”
Furong triumphant—attack zero—joy in others’ fall—noisy.
“Thought you loyal to Diting—bold enough—spy great immortals—defy my Lord’s orders.”
Slow look up: “Strut to water prison to see me—not afraid my Lord punishes you?”
Furong sniffed: “Loyalty? Useless. Since ancient times—winner takes all—who lives forever on loyalty…”
Before finish—hidden twin blades—struck Furong—flew dozens of meters—pinned to wall.
Blood shocking—pool on ground.
Qingxi had warned—Furong proud—loves kicking the downed—stall time.
“You killed her?”
Qingxi glanced: “Can ‘mercy’ save your life?”
“Go.” Qingxi pulled blades from Furong’s chest—key from her—unlocked chains.
“And the array.”
“Don’t need reminding.” Qingxi struck at once.
Explosion under solid barrier—not a sound out.
Left water prison smooth—no guard met—Qingxi had cleaned them fastest and hardest.
Felt her look—Qingxi flat: “If we don’t kill them clean—they run and tell—only dead are safe.”
Silent—Qingxi was right.
Furong bullied—killed many immortals—this end deserved.
What moved her—Qingxi didn’t hesitate.
Moon ate people—even gentlest immortal—another face entirely.
After leaving—clear sky rained sudden.
Moon rain rare—same rain night again.
“Heaven helps.” Qingxi eyes bright. “While my Lord’s power weak—I’ll get the pouch. Today can’t fail—we’re not Bai Yanci—no Diting’s favor. Fail—no second chance.”
Diting slept main hall—power cut deep in rain.
Just removed great threat—Life God in his hands—even in sleep—satisfied smile.
Only rain days—Diting slept uncontrolled.
Consciousness pouch at waist—Qingxi’s hide art better—step by step—watched his face—afraid sudden wake.
Countless red threads of power on pouch—Qingxi formed scissors from power—cut careful.
Halfway—Qingxi stopped.
“What are you doing?”
Instinct fear—Qingxi gasped—wouldn’t look up—knelt—mind-voice to her: “Hide—whatever happens—don’t come out.”
Scissor-power scattered—Diting awake somehow.
Steal pouch—obvious—no excuse. Gap too wide—no fight to death.
“Qingxi—you chill me. What backing—unlimited tolerance?” Diting cold. “I thought years of loyal work—true loyalty. You lay low—for this day.”
Diting looked down—stepped on Qingxi’s pale hand: “Forget—your life’s in my hand.”
Qingxi grunted—head down—forced: “Your servant… wouldn’t dare.”
“You wouldn’t? You dare plenty!” Cold laugh—whip out. “To traitors—I never spare…”
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Before finish—Qingxi erupted—long ready—huge scissors—cut tangled red threads—snatched the pouch!