Chapter 422: Chapter 422

422: Chapter 409: It Hurts 422: Chapter 409: It Hurts Her gaze fell on Fang Geyu like ice and snow, revealing a trace of bleakness that was about to melt away.

Fang Geyu’s bewildered eyes paused slightly; the arrogance that had not faded despite being in the never-ending fierce flames was entirely stripped away at that moment.

Clean things always show a hint of fragility.

She was like a proud white crane with damaged wings, refusing to lower its flight, still circling in the sky—suddenly, unexpectedly hit by an arrow, striking a vital spot.

The taste of blood lingered in her throat, a mist formed in her eyes, and she slowly opened her lips, with the burning pain of fresh blood, her voice choked, calling softly, “Mother.”

In the rolling wind, the woman seemed to respond to the call.

With her right hand holding a sword behind her back, she suddenly bent down, her left hand gently touching the young girl’s cracked and bloodied face, their foreheads meeting.

The temperature of her hand was so soft and solid, as if it brought her redemption amidst endless pain.

In the faint white light, the woman’s face was cold yet enchanting, beautiful as if she had stepped out of an illusion.

The woman gently stroked the girl’s face, her gaze alternately wistful and tender as if she wanted to infuse all the world’s comfort and affection into her palm for her.

To hug Fang Geyu tightly, the woman pressed her body down further, her hand on the cheek passing through the girl’s hair, gently curving around her frail shoulders, drawing her into an embrace.

Fang Geyu rested her chin on the woman’s shoulder, the faint fragrance was a distant scent from her memory, the sudden intimate comfort making the prideful young lady flustered.

She had never tasted the flavor of familial love, nor knew how to respond to this embrace.

She could only stiffen her back, her hands hanging in the air, her voice choked as she cautiously conveyed her pain and grievances to the person closest to her.

No child is born unafraid of pain.

It proved that even Fang Geyu, could feel wronged enough to cry.

Humans are fearless and thorny because the person who could pamper them was no longer there.

The firelight reflected the woman’s tender gaze, she held the frail body very tightly, as if regaining a cherished treasure, wishing she could protect her inside her own flesh and bone.

Her voice was indescribably gentle and caring, “Mother is here, good child.”

Fang Geyu cried out loud, clinging to the embrace she desperately desired yet could not ask for, her breath filled with the familiar cold scent of her mother’s sleeves.

For a moment, she was so bewildered that she didn’t know where she was, only felt she had returned to that icy Silver City, atop its sheer high tower.

She cried convulsively, struggling to shrink into the embrace, wishing to hide herself away, not to let anyone see, her words jumbling:

“Mother, it hurts—they all say I’m not Mother’s child, Geng Yan extinguished the charcoal in the Netherworld chamber; it’s so dark…

so cold, Mother, please don’t lock me up again, they treat me poorly, Mother, take me away, please take me.”

People only see today’s Shifang City’s young mistress as brilliant, adored universally, with immortal beasts pulling her chariot, her drunkenness setting the city ablaze.

But who knows this glamorous young mistress once suffered alone in the gloomy chamber, trapped in a crisis of false identity, doubted by everyone, bullied by maids.

The relentless winds and snow of the cold city, that Netherworld chamber that held her, where even the charcoal fire keeping her warm was maliciously extinguished.

These grievances were unheard by Mother then, nor dared she speak them.

The woman sighed softly, stroking the girl’s hair, saying, “Mother cannot take you away, Mother has perished at Qian Tower, as one who has passed, I cannot guide the living.”

“But it hurts so much, Mother—endless dragon bellies, who will save me?

With fierce fire burning my body, who will substitute for me?”

Why should she suffer this way?

If she really wasn’t her mother’s child as they claimed, then why make her the master of the Ten Directions Sword?

The arms around her tightened a bit more.

Initially, Fang Geyu was being held tightly, as if to blend into the woman’s body.

Now, with the pressure increasing, the burns on her body cracked open, making this embrace not just an embrace, but also a source of oppressive pain.

She heard her mother’s soft voice suddenly become cold and harsh, “No one can save you, if the masses want you dead, who would come to save you?

Everyone wants to live, who—would substitute for you?

Even Mother can’t make decisions for you, if you want to be with Mother, it depends on yourself.”

Fang Geyu was greatly disturbed, lifting her neck in confusion, her eyes vulnerable as if they would shatter upon touch, “Mother, I don’t understand…

Her lips slowly neared the girl’s ear, whispering softly, “Fierce fire consuming and burning the body, does it hurt?”

“Being alone and wandering, does it hurt?”

“Yes, the resurrections brought by destruction are not redemption, Ge’er, why not tear that last thread, and join Mother in the netherworld?”

“The Netherworld may be cold, but Mother will be by your side, and the loneliness and pain of the future will have Mother.”

The sword tip, like a mirror, brushed an inch away from her eyes, Fang Geyu slowly shifted her gaze.

Looking sideways at the sea of fire, her eyes had turned profoundly deep.

“Isn’t Mother’s company coming a bit too late?” Her voice still choked, but the words she spoke were as chilly as a cold wind.

The woman was silent for a moment, then spoke, “You child, why speak such foolish words?”

Fang Geyu let out a low laugh, her expression cold and severe, like fish on parched ground, long sun-baked, her eyes devoid of life, “Mother, indeed an eternal solitary figure standing in the high tower, even a simple hug you do not know.”

“Mother…” Fang Geyu slowly raised her bloodied face from her embrace, this call of ‘Mother’ no longer pitiful but full of mockery, “Doesn’t Mother know, hugging with one arm shows a lack of sincerity?

My other half is still cold, why not put down the sword in your other hand, and give me a complete embrace.”

The woman’s Ten Directions Sword held behind her back did not move, standing as convincingly immovable as an object of reverent permanence.

Even though she knew it was false, upon seeing the unflinching sword tip, Fang Geyu’s eyes still momentarily reddened.

The woman remained silent for a long time, surrounded by the roaring sounds of molten lava and flames.

She sighed lightly, then slowly pushed Fang Geyu away.

When she looked at her face again, all warmth and caring had vanished, her golden eyes now alien and callous.

Fang Geyu’s gaze was icy, “Truly a taste for the macabre.”

The woman took two steps back, and when she spoke again, her voice was an indistinguishable low, “I don’t believe anyone in this world is invincible.”

She raised a finger, placing it on Fang Geyu’s chest, “You indeed are the most resilient human I have ever seen.”

And the one living with the clearest awareness.

So clear… it was utterly terrifying.