Song Wanníng showed no attempt to hide her glee. She squatted down, thoroughly enjoying the moment.
"You two really are as close as ever, loyal to the very end… hahaha…"
She laughed from the bottom of her heart, feeling an incredible sense of satisfaction. Though she had long lost any feelings for Gu Qingyuan, seeing the one who betrayed her meet such an end gave her immense pleasure.
Pure satisfaction.
"Wanníng…"
Gu Qingyuan snapped back to reality, involuntarily calling her by her nickname.
In the past, he never called his Junior Sister anything but "Wanníng." But after taking in Ye Chuxue, he often grew angry with her, and the address changed to "Junior Sister."
Later still, he grew impatient and simply called Song Wanníng by her full name. Looking back now, it seemed like a colossal joke. He lay on the ground stunned, his eyes full of shame and regret.
"Don't call me that. We're not close."
Song Wanníng stepped back, a trace of disgust flashing in her eyes.
"Don't think you can come to me looking for attention after being abandoned. The only reason I've kept you this long is not because I pity you…"
A sinister smile curved on her lips. With a lift of her hand, a dagger appeared.
The dagger first scraped across Gu Qingyuan's pale face.
Although Gu Qingyuan's family was not wealthy, he had a striking face—aloof and cold, always giving off a distant vibe.
She had been young then, raised with endless admiration.
He was the first cold person she'd ever met, and she had gradually become attached.
Now, thinking back, she realized how naive she was, never truly reading people carefully.
But it had never been one-sided.
If Gu Qingyuan hadn't responded occasionally, she would not have fallen deeper.
In the end, the more she gave, the less willing she was to let go, until she fell into an abyss of no return.
Gu Qingyuan owed her too much.
The dagger quickly landed on Gu Qingyuan's neck.
The coldness spread through his limbs instantly, making him shiver.
In his dull eyes, regret deepened.
"Wanníng, it's my fault. I mistook worthless things for treasures. I have failed you…"
Now, Gu Qingyuan truly regretted everything.
Ye Chuxue was nothing like he had imagined.
From beginning to end, the only person who had been good to him was Song Wanníng.
Yet he had severed their bond with his own hands and…
"Wanníng, I'm sorry. Please give me a chance to make it right."
His eyes reddened, desperate to mend the harm he had done.
Scenes from the past kept flashing before his eyes.
Only then did Gu Qingyuan realize how happy those days had been.
"Chih—"
Song Wanníng let out a mocking laugh, looking at him like he was a fool.
"You're quite the dreamer."
She cast him a cold, disdainful glance.
"Gu Qingyuan, hide that look. It makes me sick."
The dagger plunged in.
"Ah—"
Gu Qingyuan's scream echoed, frightening away the beasts outside the cave.
Blood poured endlessly.
"Wanníng, you… could you really bear to kill me?"
Gu Qingyuan refused to believe his Junior Sister truly had no regard for their feelings.
"Killing you?"
Song Wanníng shook her head, but the dagger slid lower along his neck.
"I just want to chop you up and feed you to the dogs."
She spoke coldly, mercilessly probing his meridians.
"When your meridians were shattered, I risked my life to save you. Now it's time you repay me!"
The dagger swiftly sliced through.
Gu Qingyuan trembled in pain but no longer screamed. He bit his lip hard, veins bulging, writhing in agony. Feeling the rupture of his meridians, he knew his life was truly over. He knew there was no path left. He should have realized it sooner.
Song Wanníng was always like this.
When she loved you, you were a treasure; when she didn't, you were worse than trash.
He closed his eyes, convulsing, but couldn't help recalling the past.
When he broke his meridians chasing treasure and his dantian was sealed—
It was his Junior Sister who risked everything to find herbs and refine pills for him.
He had just recovered when she collapsed.
Too many memories.
Every time, his Junior Sister was determined to protect him, never regretting or hesitating.
And him?
He repeatedly accused her of jealousy, narrow-mindedness.
He accused her of cruelty.
He was the asshole!
He was the one who made the mistake!
"Junior Sister…"
Gu Qingyuan stared blankly at Song Wanníng.
Once, her brows and eyes had been full of youthful vitality and pride.
Now, there was only coldness and ruthlessness.
Wasn't it all his fault?
"I-I'm sorry."
Tears streamed from Gu Qingyuan's eyes.
His heart was full of regret.
"I don't ask for your forgiveness—"
"Pfft—"
Song Wanníng mercilessly plunged the dagger in again, a mocking light flashing in her sharp gaze.
"You don't deserve my forgiveness."
The last meridian snapped under her blade.
A breath of relief flashed in her eyes.
She stood up smoothly, looking down on Gu Qingyuan, who was already barely breathing.
Her heart felt only satisfaction.
"Now, I just need your life."
With that, she raised her longsword and swung it down.
There was no hesitation or regret in her eyes, only the joy of settling a great score.
Gu Qingyuan watched it all, with no hope left.
He smiled bitterly, calmly accepting his fate.
The sword's light fell, and Gu Qingyuan's head was severed.
But he seemed unable to feel pain.
In a daze, he returned to childhood.
The Master had brought the Junior Sister before him.
"Qingyuan, this is your Junior Sister. You must protect her well."
"All right!"
He had answered decisively then.
But he broke that promise.
He had failed his Master's teachings and the deep affection of his Junior Sister.
His death was no regret.
But if there was a next life, he would not make the same mistakes.
He would cherish Wanníng properly.
Gu Qingyuan's pupils dimmed completely. He was gone.
Song Wanníng watched coldly through it all without a trace of mercy.
With a slight effort, Gu Qingyuan turned to ashes in an instant, his Nascent Soul shattered.
The cave fell into silence.
Just as she expected, no Heavenly thunder struck this time.
Perhaps Gu Qingyuan was not worth it.
She swept her gaze lightly and flashed after Ye Chuxue.
Though inside the cave, her divine sense trailed Ye Chuxue constantly. There was no escape.
To Song Wanníng's surprise, Mo Yuan, after learning the truth, was still willing to block Ye Chuxue for her.
A thoughtful flicker crossed Song Wanníng's face as she quickly caught up with Ye Chuxue.
Because Ye Chuxue was rushing to escape, she stumbled and fell, still clutching the silken smoke grass tightly.