Suddenly, a white blur leapt out of the shadows—Xiao Bai came crashing down upon Bai Han with a furious snarl. His fangs tore through the fluttering talismans, shredding them to pieces, while his powerful claws ripped the earth, scattering the circle of dark runes.
Bai Han staggered back in shock. Before he could chant another spell, Xiao Bai lunged again. With a thunderous snap of his jaws, he crushed the flying claw still dangling from Bai Han's grip. The great earthen jar toppled and shattered against the ground. From within spilled a writhing mass of venomous insects—centipedes, scorpions, and blood-red beetles—crawling in every direction.
The swarm turned on Bai Han, drawn to the scent of the blood that soaked his robe. His screams tore through the night as the creatures covered his body, biting, stinging, gnawing through flesh. He clawed at his own skin, tearing strips of it away, but the swarm only burrowed deeper.
With another savage leap, Xiao Bai pinned Bai Han to the earth, fangs sinking deep into his throat. The sorcerer's gurgling shrieks turned into silence as blood fountained in the moonlight. His body twitched, then went limp.
Xiao Bai lifted his head, his muzzle dripping crimson, and released a bone-chilling howl that echoed across the night, declaring Bai Han's death to the heavens.
The wind suddenly stopped, leaving the world eerily quiet. Lang Huan pulled Feng Yao closer. "It's over… don't cry."
Qiu Yue and the other guards froze, eyes wide. They couldn't tell if what had just happened was a natural disaster or something supernatural. The fear in the air was suffocating.
From the ground, Bai Fei rose silently. Lang Huan hadn't noticed him. With lightning speed, he hurled his sword toward her.
Feng Yao reacted instantly. She wrapped herself around Lang Huan, turning her body to shield her. Fortunately, Lang Huan—whose meridians had already been opened—was more attuned to her surroundings. With a wave of her palm, she deflected the sword, sending it flying in another direction.
"Don't ever do this again. I don't need you to protect me. If anything happens to you… I'd rather die." Lang Huan's voice trembled with worry.
Bai Fei's eyes widened in disbelief. He had never imagined the Eldest Princess would throw herself into danger just to shield Lang Huan. A bitter smile crept across his face as he clenched his fist so tightly that his nails dug into his flesh.
"God is truly unfair… Not only did I fail to protect the Bai Clan, even the woman I love chose someone else."
A chill ran through his veins. Fear crawled into his chest at the thought that Lang Huan would never let him go.
"Your Highness!" Qiu Yue shouted as she ran toward Bai Fei.
The other guards rushed after her. But the poison in their veins had drained their strength. Against Bai Fei, they were no match.
With a cruel sneer, Bai Fei kicked Qiu Yue hard in the chest. She was thrown to the ground, coughing violently as pain seared through her ribs. Xiao Bai, The loyal beast recognized Qiu Yue, and with a furious snarl, he sank his sharp teeth into Bai Fei's leg with all his might.
"Arghhh!" Bai Fei roared in pain, staggering as Xiao Bai refused to release his bite. With his free hand, he drew a dagger and thrust it into the beast's belly, the blade cutting deep through flesh.
A pitiful whimper escaped the creature as blood stained his white fur. Writhing in agony, Xiao Bai lashed out with his powerful legs, kicking Bai Fei away. The force of the blow sent the man stumbling several meters. The great beast, weakened by his wound, collapsed heavily to the floor, shaking the ground beneath him.
"Xiao Bai!" Qiu Yue screamed, dragging her battered body across the floor, tears blurring her vision. She reached desperately for the fallen beast.
"Damn!" Lang Huan gently pushed Feng Yao into A Li's arms, knowing the maid would guard her with her life. Her hand tightened around the hilt of her sword as her gaze locked onto Bai Fei. There was no hesitation in her eyes, only vengeance. She regretted not killing him earlier.
The sword in her hand seemed to push her forward, bursting with killing energy. With qinggong, she leapt across the blood-soaked floor, seized Bai Fei by the collar, and drove her blade into his chest. Again and again. Steel pierced flesh, blood splattering across her face. She stabbed him without mercy, as if possessed.
At that moment, Lang Ruhua leapt down from the roof after freeing all the captives, shocked at the chaos before her. "Hey lunatic… he's dead already!" She grabbed Lang Huan's shoulder, trying to stop her.
Lang Huan slowly turned, her eyes empty, and laughed sinisterly. From her mouth came a low murmur. "Kill… kill… kill…" Without warning, she thrust her sword toward Lang Ruhua.
Luckily, Lang Ruhua was fast. She twisted aside, avoiding the strike. "Damn it… are you possessed? Or suffering heart deviation?"
Steel clashed against steel as the two women fought, sparks flashing in the ruined courtyard. Lang Huan's movements were wild and full of killing intent, her eyes clouded with madness.
Master Xuankai and Wu Ming hurried over, helping Qiu Yue to her feet and giving her as well as the other guards an antidote. Wu Ming then turned to Xiao Bai, examining the beast's wounds and sprinkling medicine over them. "Leave him to me… you go protect Her Highness."
They nodded and rushed toward the Eldest Princess."Your Highness, are you hurt?"
Feng Yao shook her head, though worry clouded her face. Her eyes never left Lang Huan, who seemed to have lost her sanity. "What happened to Lang Huan?" she asked.
"Lang Huan is suffering from heart deviation. Your Highness stay back. In this state, he won't recognize anyone. Miss Lang's martial skills are exceptional—otherwise, who could possibly stop him?" Master Xuankai warned.
Qiu Yue grabbed the princess's arm, keeping her from stepping closer.
In the middle of the duel, Lang Huan froze mid-strike. Her empty eyes shifted toward Qiu Yue and Master Xuankai. "What are you doing?" she hissed.
Rage and grief had twisted her mind—she remembered no one else. The only person left in her world was Feng Yao. When she saw Qiu Yue's gesture, she believed the girl was trying to harm the princess.
Abandoning her fight with Lang Ruhua, Lang Huan changed her target and lunged straight at Qiu Yue.
As she raised her blade, she suddenly staggered. A violent tremor ran through her body as the chaotic qi within her chest surged out of control.
Lang Ruhua didn't waste the chance. she stepped in and struck a vital point at the side of her neck, sealing her meridian. The force of the blow sent Lang Huan collapsing into her arms
The guards quickly carried Lang Huan inside. As Lang Ruhua followed, her eyes fell on Lang Huan's fallen sword.
She picked it up, frowning. The blade radiated a murderous aura—no wonder Lang Huan's heart deviation became worst. With a sigh, she set the sword down on the table.
"I'll try to find a way to save him… but I need time," Lang Ruhua said firmly.
Feng Yao's gaze lingered on Lang Huan for a moment, her eyes heavy with worry. Then, she gave a small nod. "I will entrust Lang Huan to you, Miss Lang."
Escorted by A Li and the others, the Eldest Princess stepped out, leaving the room to her
Lang Ruhua brushed away the strands of hair clinging to Lang Huan's damp forehead, her expression dark. Power gained in an instant was never without risk. The little monkey lying before her was proof of that.
Her body brimmed with abundant internal force, yet her cultivation was shallow and her mental state unsteady. Shaken by grief and rage, she could not control the torrent. Once the balance between heart and qi collapsed, even great power turned into poison, consuming its master from within.