Сhарtеr 23 (14/18)
At that mоmеnt, а hаnd grаbbed Shangguan Qiаn's wrist аnd forcеfully flung her аwау. Shаngguаn Qiаn focusеd her gaze and saw it was асtuallу Gong Zishаng.
Shаngguаn Qiаn sneеrеd соntеmptuоusly, "How dаrе somеone like уou bloсk my waу!"
Just аs shе wаs аbоut tо attaсk Gоng Zishang, shе nеvеr eхpесted Gong Zishаng tо suddenlу producе a metal суlindеr from whiсh two black irоn bаlls wеre lаunсhеd. Shаngguаn Qiаn cоuldn't dоdge in timе and wаs struck by thе eхрlоding blaсk рrоjеctiles, tumbling to thе side.
"You dare injure Jin Fаn? I'll blow you tо pieсes!" Gоng Zishаng shoutеd while pressing the switch on the handle, firing iron balls with terrifying destructive power. Shangguan Qian could only continuously evade as explosions erupted one after another. She was wounded again by the blasts and could only rise and flee. In her panic, the Cloud-Piercing Twin Lotus she carried in her bosom fell to the ground.
Seeing Shangguan Qian escape, Gong Zishang turned and rushed over to embrace Jin Fan, crying out with heart-wrenching anguish, "Jin Fan!"
Jin Fan struggled to lift his hand to wipe the tears from Gong Zishang's face, but instead saw the Green Jade on his hand stained crimson with blood. For some inexplicable reason, the corners of his mouth lifted into a faint smile.
Seeing this, Gong Zishang cried, "You're still smiling? What are you smiling about!"
Jin Fan said, "All my life, I've carried one regret in my heart—that I could never become a Red Jade Guard again. But I never imagined... this blood has finally dyed the Green Jade red. It fulfills my wish after all..." He could no longer hold on, his hand fell, and his eyes closed.
Gong Zishang broke down completely, "Jin Fan!!"
In the distance, Elder Yue, who had defeated Han Ya Qi, approached covered in blood. Seeing the distraught Gong Zishang, he remained silent.
The injured Shangguan Qian fled Yue Manor and discovered Han Ya Qi lying on the ground, barely clinging to life. Blood bubbled from Han Ya Qi's mouth as he called her name, "Shangguan Qian..."
Shangguan Qian looked at him, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately stopped and tried to pull him up to escape together.
Han Ya Qi smiled, shaking his head as his gaze fell. "Go alone..."
Tears actually welled up in Shangguan Qian's eyes. She also shook her head. Neither would listen to the other.
Han Ya Qi smiled, then crushed something between his teeth. Shangguan Qian heard the sound of his teeth grinding, then saw green liquid gush from between them—she knew he had taken poison to end his own life.
Han Ya Qi smiled, "I called you... just to see if you would stop for me... Now I know the answer... You can go now... Live well..."
Shangguan Qian laid down the dead Han Ya Qi, wiped her tears, and turned to leave.
Elder Yue and Gong Zishang helped carry Jin Fan into Yue Manor. By then, Gong Ziyu and Yun Weishan were nearly finished circulating their energy.
Gong Ziyu's complexion had recovered considerably. Seeing the severely injured Jin Fan, he asked anxiously, "What happened to Jin Fan?"
Gong Zishang took out the Cloud-Piercing Twin Lotus that Jin Fan had protected with his life from her bosom and handed it to Gong Ziyu. Its pure white petals were now stained with Jin Fan's blood.
"This is what Jin Fan fought for with his life to give to you..."
Gong Ziyu checked Jin Fan's pulse, "Give it to Jin Fan! Give the Cloud-Piercing Twin Lotus to Jin Fan! Hurry!"
Everyone looked at Gong Ziyu. Gong Zishang's eyes shone with hope, but her breathing was rapid. Elder Yue looked troubled and exchanged a glance with Yun Weishan, "This..."
"Ah Yun just helped me circulate energy to heal my injuries. I don't know why, but our poison has already been neutralized. I'm not in serious condition anymore and don't need the Cloud-Piercing Twin Lotus." Gong Ziyu looked at Yun Weishan and gave her a meaningful look, "Right, Ah Yun..."Yun Weishan felt somewhat troubled but decided not to expose him, nodding to everyone.
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