Qin Ying didn't reply. Instead, she just threw aside the showerhead, suddenly collapsed onto Wang Zhan's chest, and burst into tears.

She was torn.

She wanted Wang Zhan to die, yet she couldn't bear to see him actually die. She wanted Wang Zhan to live, yet the guilt she felt towards Qin Yuan was like a thorn in her heart, making her unsure how to face Qin Yuan.

She sobbed uncontrollably, all her worries finally crumbling under the emotional collapse, and she appealed to Wang Zhan without reservation.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I don't want you to die! But why did you have to meet Qin Yuan? Do you know, he's the one who truly saved my life, and he was the kindest person to me. Why did you have to meet him? Why did you take that mission? Why do you look so much like him? Why won't you just let me go? If you hadn't met him, and I hadn't met you, if we'd never known each other, and if Qin Yuan hadn't died... oh, how good would that have been..."

Wang Zhan distinctly felt the softness and beauty of Qin Ying's body pressed against him; for a moment, he was too startled to react. Then he realized that Qin Ying had caused all the events of tonight. But Wang Zhan could only smile bitterly; what else could he expect from someone inherently irrational?

He then prepared to comfort her, to gently pat her smooth back.

But Qin Ying disregarded him and directly kissed him with her soft lips—intense and swift, inexperienced but resolute.

Wang Zhan tried to resist, but he couldn't escape her advances, like a powerless, feisty monkey.

After a long while, Qin Ying finally let him go and, looking at him with teary eyes, said, "Promise me, you'll stay alive, okay? Even if you never want to see me again, you must stay alive."

At this moment, no one knew what was going through Qin Ying's mind.

Wang Zhan gazed at her with clear and calm eyes and asked softly, "Can you tell me, in your eyes, am I Wang Zhan, or am I Qin Yuan?"

Qin Ying laughed, then laughed until she cried, and cried until she laughed again, as if she had gone mad.

"Qin Yuan is my brother. He likes me, and he's good to me, but I don't like him. Still, why did he have to die? You can rest assured, from now on, I won't confuse you with him anymore. You are you, and he is he. It's just that you two are so incredibly similar that I can't bear to leave you... Do you know, even though he's dead, I always feel like he's still alive, living on in you. Yet, I understand that you're definitely not him. It's as if I'm bewitched..."

Wang Zhan understood.

The story was melodramatic, but doesn't the world only teach us to cherish what we have after it's gone?

Qin Ying was baffling, clearly not in her right mind. And judging by her current behavior, she also seemed a bit of a scoundrel, at least in how she'd treated Qin Yuan.

However, this didn't mean she wasn't a good girl... What a misfortune.

With a sigh, Wang Zhan looked at Qin Ying's pleading and pitiful gaze. He suddenly felt that this woman was truly pitiable, so desperate that she would seek comfort from Qin Yuan's lookalike in him.

Wang Zhan smiled and, unbothered, with some effort due to his paralysis, grasped Qin Ying's hand.

"As long as you can distinguish between me and Qin Yuan, that's all that matters. Even if we become strangers in the future, I think if you really need companionship, I might be willing... Um..."

Qin Ying came at him again, this time with bitter tears and a joyful heart.

After a long time, she let go of Wang Zhan again. Then, with determination and without hesitation, her eyes filled with tears, she said, "We won't become strangers. Even if you don't give me a proper status, I don't mind."

Having said that, she buried her head, causing a wave of sensual heat to ripple through the bathroom.

"GASP... What are you doing?!"

Wang Zhan hadn't expected her to do this. Unbeknownst to him, Qin Ying softly said, "Qin Yuan is dead. After I met you, I swore that you would be mine. I once wanted you dead, but from now on, I will make sure you live well, just like this..."

She was domineering, leaving no room for negotiation, as if Wang Zhan's wishes weren't even a consideration for her.

But Wang Zhan, his mind in turmoil, how could he have ever expected something like this to happen? He was just trying to comfort this foolish woman. Besides, he was a patient right now, paralyzed and bedridden.

Was this a case of him carelessly losing his body? But what about Yao Yao?

"I... I have a girlfriend!" Wang Zhan hesitated for a moment but still spoke firmly.

Qin Ying raised her head, her face once again covered in tears, yet she shook her head resolutely, crying without a sound.

"I... I don't mind..."

SIGH!

All Wang Zhan could do was sigh, staring at the bathroom ceiling. How had things come to this?

One moment they were fighting to the death, and the next, romance was blossoming?

「...」

It wasn't until Wang Zhan lay on the bed, feeling as if his entire body had fallen apart, that his initially restless heart finally began to calm slightly.

He hadn't consented to this. Paralyzed in bed, he was completely at Qin Ying's mercy, and it felt terribly unfair.

Qin Ying, wearing an elegant nightgown, lay comfortably on Wang Zhan's chest.

She looked at Wang Zhan somewhat nervously, her voice tinged with an anxious fear of his answer as she asked, "Do... do you really not mind? Also... also, did you like that?"

Wang Zhan felt both baffled and amused.

Although they hadn't gone all the way, it was no different from being in a committed relationship.

"I'm really not too interested in these things," Wang Zhan said. "The only thing I want to do right now is become stronger. You should know my situation; looking all glorious on the surface, but in reality, I have enemies everywhere."

"Then... what about just now..." Qin Ying's face reddened like a bullfighter's cape.

You claimed not to like it, yet you seemed to enjoy it so much. Was this some kind of joke?

She was a girl after all. Even though she was a few years older than Wang Zhan, how could she have the nerve to discuss such things with him?

She buried her head and asked sulkily, "So, what do you plan to do? You're actually quite powerful now. Although it's with external assistance, that in itself is a kind of skill..."

She continued hesitantly, "Consuming the Blood Essence Pill also requires Talent. Ordinary people would die from their bodies exploding if they took it. You must have inherited your father's bloodline talent; otherwise, you would have died long ago."

"What? Even this requires Talent? Then what's the deal with Wang Yidao?" Wang Zhan exclaimed, genuinely shocked.

Damn, that old coot Li Chengyuan was really up to no good! If I hadn't inherited that bloodline ability, I'd be dead for sure, already pushing up daisies and having incense burned for me!

Although Wang Zhan wasn't proactive, Qin Ying, who already considered their relationship established, naturally didn't mind analyzing things a bit for him as she said, "Bloodline talent, yes, it's like what beasts possess. Did you really think the Human Race could fight those beasts to a standstill, relying on just a few Martial Artists?"

Wang Zhan looked a bit chagrined. To be honest, he really had thought that way.

Just beasts, right? Nothing too special. At most, it would take a few more slashes, no big deal. But now, hearing Qin Ying, he knew he must have gotten it wrong; things weren't that simple.

Indeed, Qin Ying continued, "Actually, humans and beasts share many similarities, like writing systems, heritage, martial arts... many, many things. The Human Race has also adopted many characteristics from beasts to develop numerous martial arts, thereby solidifying its own foundation. Of course, you don't know these things because you chose Chu State Military Arts Academy. It's too small, and its level is too low. It's quite normal that you're unaware of many inside stories...

Just think, your academy's dean is at best a Martial King. However, this kind of information is only accessible to those at the Martial Emperor realm or higher. I know you probably thought it's better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond. But who are you? You're Wang Zhan! You're a genius. Surrounded by mediocrity, how could you feel any pressure? If you hadn't been running around all this time, constantly achieving breakthroughs with the help of powerful Martial Artists like Grandmasters, you wouldn't even have a hint of this information now. And don't think the Four Great Academies are just what they seem on the surface. Many more powerful figures are hidden behind the scenes; those are the real old monsters. Someone like Edward, at the Five-Ring Realm, is actually insignificant..."

Wang Zhan was utterly speechless.

Although he didn't know this woman's origins, she was clearly not to be trifled with. Especially with this information, she seemed so high-class and sophisticated, leagues beyond him, making him envious.

Of course, he didn't regret choosing Chu State Military Arts Academy. After all, it was his own choice. Besides, he wasn't doing too badly now.

Qin Ying didn't look at him but just advised, "I know you might have regrets, but one wrong step can truly lead to a cascade of mistakes. You're a genius, a Martial Artist. If you don't want to fade into mediocrity, you have to fight and seize your opportunities. Chickens eat millet, while a Phoenix feeds on flesh and blood. Do you really think you can keep getting stronger by being 'vegetarian'? And don't think you're already very strong. You might win a desperate fight once, but can you keep doing it indefinitely? Accidents will always happen. When they do, what will you do then? I'm not saying you should transfer to a Martial Arts University, I just want you to think about your path forward. Either join the military or go into business. In any case, you must constantly work to close this gap..."

Wang Zhan looked at Qin Ying, who had transformed into a motherly figure in the blink of an eye, a helpless expression on his face.

Still, enduring the throbbing pain, he raised his hand and gently patted her small head. "I know, don't worry. Ever since the Eastern Battlefield, I've understood. A Martial Artist, unless they truly reach the pinnacle, still needs to rely on the strength of numbers. Unity is strength."

Qin Ying raised her head. "Then what about Mingyue? Aren't you involved with her?"

Wang Zhan's face darkened. What did she mean, 'involved'?

"There's nothing between Mingyue and me," he said. "At most, Wang Yidao has some dealings with them. Besides, they just want to use me as a weapon. I can't help that right now. I can only wait until they realize that wielding this blade can also make them bleed. Only then will I not be so passive."

He wasn't foolish enough to ask Qin Ying about her identity; that would be too hurtful to her feelings.

Cooing sweet nothings one moment and then turning cold the next? Did he really think Qin Ying ran a charity and would just take it?

Wang Zhan wasn't that naive; he just felt a headache coming on.

"Mm, that's good," Qin Ying said. "You said it yourself. Don't you dare let any scandals arise between you and her, or I won't spare you."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.