Chapter 17: The Price of Love
Yu Xiaogang wanted to kill someone.
But he couldn't.
Not only was his Dantian destroyed, but he couldn't even stand up.
He was a crippled man—a broken, hollow shell. Resentment and despair filled him as he repeatedly slammed his fists against the cold ground. Tears mixed with snot smeared across his face in a pathetic display.
Bibi Dong watched him silently, looking at the man who was once her lover.
She squatted beside him and gently stroked his messy hair with her hand.
But Yu Xiaogang suddenly raised his arm to block her.
"Why are you telling me all this?" he growled, his voice hoarse with emotion. "You came to provoke me, didn't you? You wanted to see me like this—helpless and furious!"
His voice trembled with anger and grief.
"Now that you've seen enough, why don't you get out?"
Bibi Dong shook her head slowly. Her gaze drifted back to Yu Xiaogang's useless legs dragging behind him.
"Of course, I will leave," she said softly. "But not yet."
"Didn't I just say I still have something to do?"
"What… what are you going to do?" Yu Xiaogang asked, suddenly alert. A flicker of panic flashed in his eyes.
He was helpless. Even at his peak, he wouldn't have been able to resist Bibi Dong if she truly wanted to harm him. And now, as he was—powerless and broken—he didn't stand a chance.
"You haven't let me finish," Bibi Dong said, almost absentmindedly, as if talking to herself. Her lips curled into a soft, distant smile.
"My husband… he's divorcing me because of you. Tell me, Xiaogang… what should I do?"
Yu Xiaogang trembled.
"What does that have to do with me?"
"How could it not have anything to do with you?" Bibi Dong suddenly snapped.
She lunged forward, grabbed his collar, and threw him back onto the bed like a rag doll.
"If you hadn't shown up, how could he misunderstand me?"
"How could he leave me?!"
"Yu Xiaogang! This is all your fault!"
She was always like this. When something went wrong, it was never her own fault. Always someone else to blame.
Yu Xiaogang lay stunned on the bed.
In that moment, he understood everything.
He had simply been walking down the street.
And then—out of nowhere—someone came and destroyed his Dantian and broke his legs.
Why?
Because of this.
Because of her.
He was the most innocent, most pitiful scapegoat.
"Hehe…"
He stared up at the ceiling and laughed bitterly.
"You deserve it."
"You deserve it."
All he had done was come to ask about the secret of the twin martial spirits.
Bibi Dong didn't want to tell him, so he had respected her decision and left without pushing further.
He had never intended to stay.
So why had he returned?
Why had he ever come?
He regretted everything.
But regret could no longer save him.
"Then what do you want to do?" he asked weakly, despair sinking into numbness.
"My husband left me because of you," Bibi Dong said gently. But there was something deranged in the glint of her eyes. "So naturally, it's only fitting that he comes back because of you."
"You don't get it?"
"He gave you to me like this. Crippled. Humiliated. That's his way of telling me he's angry… still angry."
She leaned closer, her breath brushing his ear.
"So, what do you think I should do?"
"Xiaogang, you're a smart man. You know the answer, don't you?"
Yu Xiaogang stared at her.
Strangely calm now.
A beast's growl escaped his throat.
"I don't know. Bibi Dong… just kill me."
"Why would I kill you?" she replied in a disturbingly gentle tone.
"After all, I really did love you once."
Her hand stroked his hair again—slowly sliding down.
From his face… to his throat… to his chest… and then his abdomen…
Until finally, she reached his crippled legs—those lifeless limbs that would never move again.
Yu Xiaogang trembled.
"You… what do you want to do?"
He wasn't afraid of death.
But he was afraid of torture.
Especially the kind that made one wish for death.
Bibi Dong giggled softly.
She leaned closer, her voice whispering in his ear like a devil's lullaby.
"Xiaogang, your legs are already useless."
Her breath was fragrant, sweet, and sickening.
"So why not give them to me?"
"I'll give them to my husband. He'll be happy when he sees them. Then he'll stop being angry and come back to me."
"He will come back. I'm sure of it."
She used the word sure three times.
She believed in it.
This was Bibi Dong's solution.
In her eyes, Qin Chuan had crippled Yu Xiaogang and delivered him like a package—an act of punishment. A sign of his fury.
And to untie a knot, one must find the person who tied it.
So she made her decision.
She would cut off Yu Xiaogang's legs and send them as a gift to Qin Chuan.
To prove her love.
To win him back.
"No! Bibi Dong! You can't do this!" Yu Xiaogang screamed in horror.
He would rather die than endure this humiliation.
"Xiaogang, don't be afraid," she said gently. "I won't let you die."
"I've already arranged for the best healing spirit masters."
"You'll survive."
"I only want your legs."
"Just your legs, Xiaogang."
"You can help me save my love. Thank you."
Her spirit power surged, locking Yu Xiaogang's body in place on the bed. He couldn't move a finger.
"No…"
"No… kill me instead…"
"Bibi Dong… Dong'er… I beg you… kill me…"
"You can't do this to me!"
He sobbed and begged.
But it was too late.
Two healing Spirit Emperors entered the room.
"Your Highness, it's time to begin."
Outside Wuhun City
Far in the distance, a massive city loomed, like an ancient colossus rising from the earth. The teams from the Tiandou Empire stared in awe.
Qian Renxue stood atop a ceremonial carriage, her hands folded behind her back, staring at Wuhun City with complex emotions.
It had been so many years since she last returned.
Even when her father, Qian Xunji, passed away… she hadn't stepped foot back here.
Now, she was finally home.
"Your Highness, we're approaching the city. What are your instructions?" a commander from the armored army asked respectfully.
Qian Renxue took a long breath, then spoke calmly, "Wuhun City has its rules. As guests of the Tiandou Empire, we must follow local customs. Only the fifteen participating academy teams may enter the city."
"The Iron Armored Army and Royal Knights are to camp outside. No one moves without my command."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The commanders saluted and rode off to give the necessary orders.
"Everyone, please follow me into the city," Qian Renxue said as she turned to address the teachers and students of the fifteen teams behind her.
"Understood, Your Highness," the teachers replied respectfully.
Just as everyone began to reorganize for entry, a sudden commotion erupted at the city gates.
A single horse burst through, kicking up a trail of dust.
A red belt fluttered in the wind behind the rider.
The figure sped toward the Tiandou formation.
"Stop!" the Iron Armored Army moved quickly, forming a line to block the incoming rider.
But before they could react further, the man in red robes leaped into the air, soaring gracefully.
Soul rings lit up around his body—an imposing display.
He was a red-robed archbishop of the Spirit Hall.
As he landed, his voice rang out urgently:
"Where is His Majesty Qin Chuan?"