C2 Lin Yunchen's Death

Lin Yunchen's eyes were fixed on Huangfu Xihua as she held a dagger to his throat, and his fleeting impulse to struggle was crushed in an instant.

It wasn't that Lin Yunchen had abandoned the fight; rather, Huangfu Xihua had denied him any opportunity to do so.

The look in Lin Yunchen's eyes as he gazed at Huangfu Xihua was slowly transforming; he saw her as if she were a stranger.

"Huangfu Xihua, I must commend your thoroughness. I never imagined you wouldn't even allow me the slightest chance to resist."

In that moment, Lin Yunchen was engulfed in utter despair, knowing that this time, no one could come to his aid, unless Huangfu Xihua had a change of heart. But what were the chances of that? Clearly, none.

Upon hearing Lin Yunchen's words, the cold smile on Huangfu Xihua's face grew even more radiant. She spoke deliberately, "Lin Yunchen, I'm well aware that you're at the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Pulse Condensation Stage, nearly stepping into the Origin Purging Stage. Would I dare confront you without an impeccable plan?"

"Even if I were bold enough to strike, I would surely pay a steep price, one that the Huangfu family, in its current state, could not afford."

As Lin Yunchen listened to Huangfu Xihua, the fury in his eyes intensified.

He began to bellow like a caged beast, "Huangfu Xihua, is this why you've turned me into a pawn for your so-called plan? Is this how you honor the feelings between us?"

Huangfu Xihua was momentarily at a loss for words upon hearing Lin Yunchen's thunderous accusation.

Just then, an elderly woman's figure emerged behind Huangfu Xihua.

The crone rested a hand on Huangfu Xihua's shoulder and whispered, "Xihua, these burdens were never meant for you. But remember, if not for the Lin family, if not for Lin Yunchen's father, your parents might still be alive. You must seek justice for them and consider the future of the Huangfu family..."

As the old woman spoke, Huangfu Xihua seemed to wrestle with a significant decision, a battle of wills known only to her, pondering deeply in that very moment.

Lin Yunchen appeared completely oblivious to the old crone lurking behind Huangfu Xihua.

As Lin Yunchen mistakenly believed Huangfu Xihua's reluctance to harm him was due to his earlier words, a fleeting white shadow transformed into a chilling dagger that plunged deep into his chest.

Blood seeped from Lin Yunchen's chest, quickly soaking the bed crimson.

In that instant, Lin Yunchen's blood cast the entire room in a macabre shade of red.

Huangfu Xihua watched Lin Yunchen, undergoing a transformation herself at that moment.

Her gaze landed on Lin Yunchen, yet it was filled with an icy detachment, a coldness that commanded both respect and distance.

She resembled a heartless assassin, devoid of emotion, or perhaps, she was gradually losing something—something known as emotion.

Lin Yunchen's hand, halfway raised, suddenly dropped with a thud.

In that moment, Huangfu Xihua realized Lin Yunchen was truly dead, killed by her own hand—the young man who had cherished her above all else.

"Xihua, quickly absorb the Divine Sun Energy from Lin Yunchen's body. If you delay, much of it will dissipate," the old woman urged.

Without hesitation, Huangfu Xihua sat down cross-legged next to Lin Yunchen and closed her eyes, beginning to draw in the Divine Sun Energy within him.

The old crone's face, etched with wrinkles, twisted into a malevolent grin.

"Things have unfolded more smoothly than I anticipated. I thought I'd have to intervene, but it seems I overestimated the boy. The Divine Sun Energy will end up enriching me after all. Huangfu Xihua, make sure you fully absorb this lad's energy, for your body will soon be mine," she cackled with glee.

The morning after the wedding night, a shocking piece of news swept through the border city.

"What? Are you saying that Yunchen was found dead in his bridal chamber after marrying Huangfu Xihua last night?"

In the great hall of the Lin family, Lin Yi received the grim news of Lin Yunchen's death. Lin Yi realized that his worst fears had materialized; he had been powerless to prevent the tragedy.

Lin Yi rose to his feet slowly, gazing into the pale blue sky with a heavy sigh. "Child, I've failed you. If only I had done everything in my power to stop you, perhaps none of this would have happened..."

In the Moo family's backyard.

"Yunchen, rest assured. I swear I'll avenge you by slaying that wretch Huangfu Xihua, ensuring your spirit finds peace in the afterlife."

"Huangfu Xihua, Yunchen showed you nothing but kindness, and yet, on your wedding night, you had the audacity to murder him. Mark my words, within three years, I, Moo Qiubai, will claim your vile life and offer justice to Yunchen's spirit in the heavens!"

Upon learning of Lin Yunchen's horrific demise on his wedding night, Moo Qiubai shed her girlish demeanor, transforming into a cold, merciless cultivator, single-mindedly focused on avenging Lin Yunchen at the earliest opportunity.

Standing to the side, Moo Qiubai's father watched his daughter's tear-stained eyes with a pang of sorrow.

"Ah, child, you're chasing after something that isn't yours, taking on a burden that isn't meant for you. Why put yourself through such torment?"

"This is the path you've chosen, and as your father, what more can I say? Rest easy, I'll support you with all my might. Though it's beyond me what you see in that young Lin Yunchen, what makes you so willing to go to these lengths for him..."

The news of Lin Yunchen's tragic end on his wedding night spread like wildfire throughout the city. There wasn't a soul who hadn't heard of the city's top prodigy meeting his untimely fate in Huangfu Xihua's bridal chamber, seemingly without cause.

Despite the whispers of an inexplicable tragedy, it was clear to any discerning eye that the Huangfu family was behind it all. But who would dare speak out? No one wanted to court disaster by crossing the inscrutable Huangfu clan over a man already dead.

"I could never have imagined the sheer magnitude of the Divine Yang Power within Lin Yunchen. It's so potent that it enabled me to spontaneously condense the Yin Yang Spiritual Body and elevate my strength to the middle phase of the Seventh Layer in the Pulse Condensation Stage. It seems unlikely I'll make any further progress in the near future."

Huangfu Xihua's eyes fluttered open slowly. As her gaze settled on Lin Yunchen once more, her expression was utterly still, devoid of any ripple of emotion, as if nothing existed before her.

The elderly woman stood by the bedside, observing the spark of intelligence that flickered in Huangfu Xihua's eyes. She gave a slight nod, her face crinkling into a smile amidst the network of wrinkles.

"Xihua, at last, you grasp the depth of this old woman's intentions. Henceforth, the reins of the Huangfu family are yours to wield. It's time for me to seek a tranquil haven to gracefully embrace my twilight years."

Upon hearing the elderly woman's words, Huangfu Xihua descended from the bed and approached her. With a voice as calm as her placid expression, she assured, "Grandmother, leave the Huangfu family to me. I promise you, there will be no disappointment."

In that instant, Huangfu Xihua exuded the presence of a sovereign, a subtle regal aura enveloping her.

The old woman's eyes gleamed upon hearing Huangfu Xihua's pledge, though the younger woman remained oblivious to the shift in her elder's gaze.

"Xihua, what are your plans for Lin Yunchen's remains? Should the Lin family discover his body, the Huangfu family is ill-prepared to withstand their fury."

The soul residing within the old woman might not be the true matriarch of the Huangfu clan, yet she bore the full legacy of the patriarch's memories. And within those memories, the Lin family was shrouded in enigma, all because of one individual...

After a moment's contemplation, Huangfu Xihua responded to the old woman's query with a gentle nod. "Grandmother, there's a Blood Pool on the Huangfu estate's rear mountain, isn't there? Let's consign Lin Yunchen to its depths. His body will dissolve in the pool's sanguine waters, leaving no trace behind. That way, we'll have no future concerns to fret over."

The old woman's smile radiated with increasing warmth at Huangfu Xihua's words.

"Xihua, you truly have come into your own..."

In that moment, the old woman couldn't contain her admiration for Huangfu Xihua's resolve—a woman ready to forsake personal affection for the sake of her lineage. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, her potential for greatness was boundless.

At this moment, the Sinister Dame began to waver, uncertain whether to proceed with the plan involving Huangfu Xihua.

"Someone come here," called out Huangfu Xihua, her voice piercing through the room and reaching the guards stationed outside the door.

Before her command was fully uttered, two silhouettes entered, standing before Huangfu Xihua with utmost respect. "Miss," they greeted.

Huangfu Xihua gestured towards Lin Yunchen's body and instructed icily, "Take Young Master Lin's body to the Blood Pool on the back mountain. You know what must be done. Should word of this get out, you're well aware of the consequences."

Upon hearing her, the guards were soaked with a cold sweat.

To the outside world, Huangfu Xihua might have seemed affable, even sisterly to Lin Yunchen, but only those within the Huangfu family truly understood the nature of their Miss. She was ruthless, her resolve steel; a single act of defiance against her, and heads would roll within the minute.

"Now, go!" Huangfu Xihua's voice sharpened with impatience as she saw the guards frozen in place.

Prompted by her urgency, they quickly lifted Lin Yunchen's body and made for the Blood Pool on the back mountain.

After the guards departed, Huangfu Xihua turned to face Huangfu Jie, who had been standing quietly behind her. "Grandmother, I fear those two might spill our secrets. Please, take care of it."

The Sinister Dame gave a slight nod at Huangfu Xihua's request. In a blink, she transformed into a chilling breeze and vanished.

Huangfu Xihua remained at the doorway, her gaze following the path of the Sinister Dame's departure, her expression turning grave.

"Huangfu Jie, do you truly believe I'm oblivious to it all?" she murmured.

Slowly lifting her gaze to the overcast sky, Huangfu Xihua noted a faint streak of blue amidst the grey—a sign, perhaps, of something more.

In the Huangfu family's back mountain, the story continued to unfold.