“Does it hurt?” Mu Xi leaned in and asked, her voice as gentle as a lover’s whisper.
“Compared to the despair I felt when you imprisoned me, what does this pain amount to?”
A single tear slipped from Ye Lan’s eyes—not because of the pain in her body, but because of the hatred in Mu Xi’s words.
She had thought her love could make up for everything, never expecting that the wounds had already sunk to the bone, impossible to erase.
“I know… I was wrong…” Ye Lan managed to squeeze out a few words, her voice so hoarse it was barely audible.
Mu Xi crouched down, slender fingers stroking Ye Lan’s cheek, her movements impossibly gentle.
This gentleness unsettled Ye Lan even more than the violence just now.
“What is it you know is wrong?” Mu Xi’s fingertips traced Ye Lan’s lips.
“Was it wrong to imprison me? Or is it wrong to let me go now?”
Ye Lan closed her eyes, letting her tears fall.
She didn’t know the answer—or perhaps, she was afraid to know.
“I only know that I love you.” Ye Lan’s voice seemed to come from far away.
“Even if you hate me, I still love you.”
Mu Xi’s fingers paused at Ye Lan’s throat, so lightly they could tighten at any moment.
The air in the mine tunnel froze—even time itself seemed to stand still.
“Love?” Mu Xi’s voice trembled, whether with anger or something else, even she couldn’t tell.
“You don’t even know what love is.”
Her fingers left Ye Lan’s throat, seizing her collar and yanking her upright.
Their faces were now mere inches apart, breaths mingling.
“I’ll teach you what real love is.” A flash of resolve appeared in Mu Xi’s eyes.
“And then, I’ll let you taste what it’s like to be hurt by love.”
A flicker of hope lit Ye Lan’s eyes.
Even knowing this might be the beginning of even greater suffering, she accepted it willingly.
“I’ll wait.” Ye Lan’s lips curved in a weak smile, “Whether it’s love or hate, as long as it’s from you, I’ll accept it.”
Mu Xi removed her hand and Ye Lan collapsed heavily to the ground.
She stood up, looking down at this woman who once seemed so invincible, now swayed by her every move.
“Remember what you said.” Mu Xi turned and walked toward the Stone Gate, her silver hair streaming behind her.
Through the Stone Gate, Mu Xi stepped into the main mine tunnel.
Her silver hair shimmered with a cold light under the dim lamps.
A damp and desperate atmosphere pervaded the air.
Inside the tunnel, the Security Guards who once strutted so arrogantly now sat slumped on the ground, eyes vacant.
The Maids who had once stood so prim and proper now hung their heads in dejection, not even daring to look her way.
Even the burly Miners were curled up in the corners, as if all the life had been drained out of them.
Only the Nightfall Guards still stood tall and straight, their vigilant eyes scanning the surroundings, weapons ever ready to offer the last ounce of loyalty to their Master.
Mu Xi’s lips curled in a faint smile, a glint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.
From prisoner to ruler—the thrill of this shift in power was even more exquisite than she had imagined.
Weaving through the crowd, she quickly spotted Little An and Li Xin huddled together.
Little An saw her and leapt up as if seeing a savior.
“Young Master!” Little An rushed over, trembling hands hovering uncertainly, her eyes full of worry, “Are you alright? I heard your voice, but they wouldn’t let me in…”
Mu Xi reached out and gently patted Little An’s rough little hand, feeling her shiver slightly from the simple touch.
“I’m fine. Never been better. Ye Lan is now in the palm of my hand.”
Her gaze shifted to Li Xin.
The once capable and cold woman was now pale from illness, her sharp eyes filled with pain and endurance.
But when Li Xin looked at Mu Xi, her eyes still shone with a sickly obsession and fanaticism.
“Miss Mu Xi… you really weren’t hurt?” Li Xin struggled to sit up, but the pain from her broken leg forced her back to the ground with a muffled groan.
“Don’t move.” Mu Xi crouched down, fingertips brushing across Li Xin’s sweat-drenched forehead.
“I’ve found a way to make Ye Lan pay. And you—you are my best ally.”
Li Xin’s eyes lit up with wild delight, like a dying traveler glimpsing an oasis in the desert.
Off to the side, Little An showed a barely noticeable hint of jealousy.
“Little An, help me carry Li Xin inside.” Mu Xi commanded, meeting Little An’s suddenly complicated gaze, clouded by jealousy.
“Don’t worry. I promise you both, from today on, you are safe.”
Little An bit her lip and nodded quickly, then helped Mu Xi carefully lift Li Xin.
Li Xin’s body was even lighter than expected.
It seemed her time in captivity had drained her of all strength, leaving only her obsession with Mu Xi sustaining her life.
When they entered Ye Lan’s small mine chamber, the once lofty woman was leaning against the stone wall, her wounds glaringly visible under the dim light.
Seeing Mu Xi enter with Little An and Li Xin, Ye Lan instantly tensed, unease flickering in her eyes.
“Why did you bring them in?” Ye Lan’s voice was hoarse, yet still carried a trace of command—as if she’d forgotten she was now a ‘prisoner’.
Mu Xi didn’t reply.
She gestured for Little An to set Li Xin down, then slowly walked toward Ye Lan.
She crouched down, meeting those suspicious phoenix eyes, and suddenly reached for Li Xin’s foot.
“Do you know why I chose Li Xin?”
Mu Xi gently removed Li Xin’s shoes and socks, revealing feet swollen and pale from long confinement.
A sour, rotten smell immediately filled the cramped mine chamber.
Mu Xi wrinkled her nose, but still cradled Li Xin’s foot in her hands as if holding some precious treasure.
“How much pain has she suffered because of you?”
Mu Xi’s fingertips brushed the scars on Li Xin’s leg.
“Pierced by Crossbow Bolts, shot by bullets—all because she tried to take me away.”
A flash of pain crossed Ye Lan’s eyes, quickly replaced by stubbornness, “She betrayed me. Betrayal must be punished.”
“Then what price should you pay for hurting me?” Mu Xi abruptly shoved Li Xin’s foot toward Ye Lan and said, “Lick it.”
The words exploded like a bomb in the mine, their echo pounding in everyone’s ears.
Ye Lan’s eyes widened in disbelief, staring at Mu Xi as if unsure she’d heard right.
“You… you want me…” Ye Lan choked, face filled with incredulity.
“Is this your way of taking revenge on me?”
“If you lick it, maybe—just maybe—I can forgive you a little.”
A cold light flickered in Mu Xi’s eyes, though her lips wore a sweet smile, “But only a little. If you refuse, my hatred for you will only deepen. The choice is yours, Ye Lan.”
The air in the chamber froze.
Li Xin’s breathing quickened, her gaze flickering with shock, confusion, and a hidden excitement.
Having once suffered at Ye Lan’s hands, seeing her brought so low sparked a sweet sense of revenge in her heart.
Off to the side, Little An let out a cold laugh, “Why isn’t Master smiling now? Weren’t you enjoying yourself when you did it to others? What’s wrong—can’t handle a taste of your own medicine?”
Ye Lan’s gaze darted between the three, like a caged beast.
She bit her lip so hard blood welled from the wound.
She had once controlled everything, yet now she struggled for even a scrap of Mu Xi’s forgiveness.
“Xi’er…” Despair filled Ye Lan’s voice, “I’d rather let you hit me a thousand times than suffer this kind of humiliation.”
Mu Xi leaned in, silver hair falling forward and veiling them both.
Her lips were almost at Ye Lan’s ear and she asked, “When you imprisoned me, did I not beg you the same way?”
A tear slipped from the corner of Ye Lan’s eye as she slowly lowered her noble head, as if finally breaking the last thread of her pride.