“My masterpiece.” Ye Lan lightly shook the small vial.
“Colorless, tasteless. A single drop swallowed, and within thirty days, every system in the body gradually collapses. First the blood vessels, then the nerves, and finally the internal organs. The death is long and agonizing, with no cure.”
The man let out a painful groan, his body convulsing violently as black blood dripped from the corners of his mouth.
Mu Xi felt a wave of nausea, but Ye Lan’s hand gripped her shoulder tightly, preventing her from escaping.
“The most exquisite part is that it keeps the victim’s consciousness clear, forcing them to experience every moment of agony.”
Ye Lan’s voice brimmed with morbid excitement, “This is the price for betraying me.”
Mu Xi stared at the man struggling in pain, fear spreading deep in her heart.
“Remember this scene, my little pet.” Ye Lan’s fingers gently stroked Mu Xi’s long hair.
“You are now the only one who knows the existence of the Tears of Oblivion… besides him.”
Ye Lan cast a meaningful glance at the dying prisoner before putting the vial back into her bag.
At that moment, the prisoner’s body convulsed suddenly, his eyes rolling back, limbs twisting into impossible angles.
Black blood gushed from all seven orifices like a fountain, pooling into a dark puddle on the damp stone floor of the dungeon.
His skin visibly withered at a terrifying speed, clinging tightly to his bones, as if some invisible force was devouring his life from within.
Mu Xi felt dizzy and her stomach churned.
She instinctively took a step back, only to have Ye Lan’s hand clamp firmly onto her shoulder again.
This was the first person Mu Xi had ever witnessed dying from the Tears of Oblivion, and his death was far more horrific than she had imagined.
A satisfied curve lifted Ye Lan’s red lips, and her phoenix eyes gleamed with a dangerous light.
“Do you see it, my little pet? This man even tried to make a move on you before.”
Mu Xi looked up in surprise.
She furrowed her delicate brows in confusion.
She had no memory of ever seeing this man, let alone him having any designs on her.
Ye Lan seemed to see through her thoughts.
Her slender fingers caressed Mu Xi’s cheek, cold yet soft to the touch.
“Of course you don’t remember him. He never got the chance to appear before you, nor to get close. I captured him before that, subjected him to severe interrogation and torture.”
Her voice was as smooth as silk but laced with undeniable menace, “Actually, it’s not just him—there are many others who had impure intentions towards my little pet. But before those intentions matured, I extinguished them completely.”
Mu Xi rolled her eyes inwardly but dared not show any expression on the surface.
She inwardly scoffed, thinking Ye Lan was only putting on airs, exaggerating her power and control.
After all, she could say whatever she wanted.
Who could prove these so-called threats really existed?
But when her gaze inadvertently swept across the prisoner’s already distorted and twisted face, an uncontrollable chill shot up her spine.
Ye Lan’s terror lay in the fact that you could never guess how much of what she said was truth or lies.
“Come with me.” Ye Lan’s voice brooked no refusal.
Her long fingers easily clasped Mu Xi’s wrist, with just the right pressure—not enough to leave marks, but enough to make Mu Xi understand escape was futile.
The forest to the west side of the Manor looked ordinary from afar.
The lush greenery hid secrets no one could imagine.
Mu Xi tread carefully, the hem of her Gothic Lolita dress swaying gently.
She felt the fresh red heart-shaped tattoo on her lower abdomen suddenly begin to heat faintly.
“You’ve always wanted to meet Li Xin, haven’t you?”
Ye Lan turned her head, a dangerous smile flashing in her phoenix eyes.
“I’ve thought it over and decided to grant you this little wish.”
Mu Xi’s heart suddenly raced.
‘Meet Li Xin?’
‘Really?’
But caution quickly crept over her.
Ye Lan never bestowed favors without reason.
They arrived at a sturdy ancient tree.
Ye Lan expertly pressed several inconspicuous bumps on its trunk.
The base of the tree silently slid open, revealing a metal elevator entrance.
“This….” Mu Xi’s large, lively eyes widened in surprise, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings.
“Surprised?” Ye Lan chuckled softly, her slender fingers brushing Mu Xi’s silver hair.
“The secrets of this Manor are far more than you could imagine.”
The elevator interior was a small, vintage gilded space—a strange contrast to modern technology.
With a slight tremble, they began descending.
Mu Xi could feel the Chun Medicine she was forced to take daily slowly activating inside her, her body growing warm and restless.
She pressed her rosy lips tightly, determined to control her reactions and show no weakness before Ye Lan.
The elevator stopped, metal doors silently sliding open, revealing a completely different world.
In the blinding white light stood a modern underground medical facility.
The air smelled of disinfectant, and transparent glass walls lined the corridor, behind which medical equipment emitted cold blue glows.
“Welcome to another little realm of mine.” Ye Lan’s voice brimmed with pride.
“This is the Immortality Laboratory, my private research base.”
Mu Xi was surprised to see researchers in white coats busily working in the rooms lining the corridor.
Screens in front of them flickered with various biological data and charts.
Some rooms even contained devices resembling operating tables.
“Don’t be afraid,” Ye Lan noticed Mu Xi’s tension and chuckled.
“Today you’re just a visitor. But next time…”
Her words deliberately trailed off, leaving endless space for imagination.
Turning a corner, they came to a spacious observation room.
Through the one-way glass, Mu Xi saw a familiar figure.
Li Xin.
She was lying on a hospital bed, looking tired but peaceful.
A female doctor was examining her.
More importantly, both her legs remained intact, not amputated as Mu Xi had feared.
“Li Xin…” Mu Xi whispered involuntarily, pressing her fingers against the cold glass.
At that moment, a warm current surged in her chest, completely unlike the heat stirred by the medicine inside her.
Ye Lan keenly caught the flicker in Mu Xi’s eyes, a playful smile curling on her lips as she asked, “What’s this? So attached to her, are you?”
Before Mu Xi could answer, Ye Lan pressed a button.
Li Xin in the room visibly twitched, then looked up toward their direction.
Though the one-way glass prevented her from seeing them.
“See, she sensed you.” Ye Lan whispered into Mu Xi’s ear.
“There’s a special connection between you two. I’m curious what that’s about.”
Mu Xi’s heart raced—not only because Li Xin was here but also due to the danger hidden behind Ye Lan’s words.
She knew this reunion was no coincidence but part of Ye Lan’s scheme.
Still, just knowing Li Xin was safe was a tremendous comfort.
“Want to go in and see her?” Ye Lan suddenly asked.
Mu Xi turned in surprise, meeting those dangerous phoenix eyes.
She could read challenge, probing, and a twisted kind of anticipation in them.
“Can I?” Mu Xi asked cautiously, her voice trembling slightly with nervousness.
Ye Lan didn’t answer immediately but gently stroked Mu Xi’s cheek.
“Of course, but everything comes with a price. What are you willing to pay to see her?”
Mu Xi bit her lip, torn inside.
She knew Ye Lan too well—this woman never did business at a loss.
But Li Xin was right there.
“I…” Mu Xi took a deep breath and said, “I’m willing to pay any price.”
A mischievous glint flickered in Ye Lan’s eyes as she laughed softly and whispered, “That’s exactly why I admire you most.”
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