Bai Yang was still tangled in the meaning behind Song Wanníng's words when a flash of sword light slashed straight toward him.
In that instant, his mind went blank. Although he wanted to run, his legs felt rooted to the ground, completely unable to move. He watched helplessly as the sword light came closer. Yet the imagined pain never came.
Suddenly, he found himself in a place both strange and familiar.
Was this the Song family?
Bai Yang froze.
When he was very young, Master had taken him back to the Song family, where her parents welcomed him warmly.
The clan Patriarch treated him well too, always giving him delicious food and taking him around to play. But after growing up, he had never been back.
Why had he suddenly arrived at the Song family now?
His mind was full of questions when a strong wave of energy swept over him. He turned his head and was stunned. Because he seemed to be seeing himself.
Along with Ye Chuxue, Gu Qingyuan, An Ze, Lu Nan Feng…
And disciples of Wentiān Sect.
So many familiar faces.
Uncertain, he stood aside as the Song family people charged out.
"Song Qingyun, hand over Song Wanníng at once!"
He heard "himself" shout this to Song Qingyun.
Bai Yang's eyes widened in disbelief. A bad feeling rose in his chest. He wanted to look away from what was coming, because he seemed to understand why Master's attitude had changed so drastically.
But reality forced him to watch bit by bit.
He saw himself raging at the Song family and saw Song Wanníng forced to reveal herself.
But this Master looked very disheveled, shrouded in demonic energy, clearly desperate.
Still, she remained as stubborn as he remembered—fearless even if the whole world was against her.
Only when they attacked the Song family disciples did Master finally lower her proud head.
"Bai Yang, I raised you with my own hands. Whether or not there was merit, there was effort. I do not ask you to help me, but please save the Song family members!
They are innocent. The one who turned into a demon was me. Me. It has nothing to do with them! If you want to kill someone, kill me! Kill me!"
A tear slid from Master's eye, filled with despair and pain.
It was the first time Bai Yang had seen Master cry.
He opened his mouth to tell her not to cry, but saw "himself" sneer coldly. "Don't mention past favors. Even without you, other Zhēnjūn would have taken me as a disciple. I never owed you anything. Don't think you can hold that over me.
"The thing I regret most in this life is becoming a disciple of a demon like you. Besides jealousy and madness, what else do you have? Because of you, everyone mocks us brothers everywhere.
Do you know what we have suffered?
Today we must do what is right and kill the demon who harms the world. None of you or the Song family will escape."
As the words left his mouth, Bai Yang saw "himself" join Gu Qingyuan and others in attacking Song Wanníng.
With the Song family disciples restraining her, Song Wanníng was soon captured and knelt on the ground.
Kneeling before him.
Bai Yang was speechless, his body shaking uncontrollably.
But he still could not stop the actions of this "self."
He saw "himself" kick Song Wanníng to the ground.
Listening to her sorrowful and hateful curses, a smile bloomed on "his" face.
"Bai Yang, you betrayed your master and destroyed your ancestor's legacy. You will pay for this one day!"
Song Wanníng's voice was hoarse with despair as she cursed.
"Hah—pay for it?"
Bai Yang scoffed, as if hearing the biggest joke.
"Let's see if I pay for it. But you won't live to see that day. Song Wanníng, prepare to die!"
A white light flared, completely engulfing Song Wanníng.
The sword light struck in an instant, wounding her to the ground. He stepped forward, slowly approaching Song Wanníng.
Raising his long sword, he swung it through her neck, cutting it cleanly. Her head and body split in two, blood splattering over him.
He showed no sign of reaction.
Seeing Song Wanníng's Yuányīng escaping, he sneered and slashed it down with his sword.
"No—"
A desperate shout echoed as Song Wanníng's Primordial Soul vanished into the world. He glanced coldly, then suddenly struck Song Wanníng's corpse with a palm.
In the next moment, her body turned to ash and scattered on the wind, leaving no trace.
His face was filled with satisfaction, no hint of sorrow. He even cruelly smiled and said to the others, "The demon Song Wanníng has been slain, but the Song family is an accomplice. None will be spared."
At his command, everyone attacked the Song family.
The entire Song family was soon filled with endless screams and cries. Limbs flew everywhere, blood sprayed high, splashing before Bai Yang and staining his vision red. He felt icy cold all over, his eyes burning as if they were pierced. He could not believe this was something "he" had done. He looked at "himself," only to see "him" holding Ye Chuxue tenderly, acting as if those killed were nothing but garbage.
No trace of pain at all.
Bai Yang closed his eyes. At that moment, he fully understood Master's change.
If it were him, he could not forgive either.
He could not.
Before him lay a sea of blood, drowned in endless cries. Only terror and regret remained in his heart. He did not understand how he became this terrifying person. That was not the future he wanted.
When all the dust settled, Bai Yang's vision returned to normal. There was no Song family, no junior brothers, no bloodshed or killing.
Master was still alive.
Ye Chuxue was not in his arms.
He looked up in confusion, staring at Song Wanníng. He opened his mouth to say "Master," but tears fell freely. He did not know why he had been so cruel to her. But he was deeply sad, hurt, and full of regret. All the pain Master had suffered—it was all caused by him.
It was his fault.
"I'm sorry…"
He sincerely repented, dropping the long sword and releasing all his strength. He was wrong, terribly wrong.
In this life, he would never be able to repay what he owed Master. A pale smile lifted Bai Yang's lips. "Master, Nan Feng… and An Ze…"
He did not ask everything clearly, but both understood his meaning.
Song Wanníng looked at him coldly, not answering.
In that moment, Bai Yang understood everything. His mouth twisted into a more forced smile. He cried while smiling, but no longer blamed Song Wanníng.
It was their fault.
Their own choices had brought this ending.
No one else could be blamed—not even Master.