Chapter 55: The Price of Salvation and a Fateful Proposal

“Something the matter? Speak your mind, but I’m curious to see what ‘matter’ allows you to brazenly flirt with my Yun’er.”Ouyang Xiyue declared, immediately standing with his hands on his hips, his gaze fixed intently on Chi Congyu, as if silently conveying, ‘If you don’t offer a satisfactory explanation, I won’t make things easy for you.’

“Ahem, alright, stop looking at me with such a strange expression. I’m a proper person, and you know perfectly well who I like. Actually, I wanted to examine the person you wish to save. I’d like to check her physical condition first. If she’s fine, it won’t take much effort; however, if her condition is dire, it might be quite difficult. Is that convenient?”

“Who do you like? How would I know? Oh, I see… Alright, there’s no inconvenience. If you wish to examine her, then follow me.”

Ouyang Xiyue paused, considering this. ‘Let’s just assess the situation,’ he thought. ‘Back then, I honestly didn’t know how to save Moxuan’s life, which is why I froze him.’

“Oh, Xiyue, your wooden-fish brain…” Chi Congyu muttered softly.

“Huh? What did you say? Speak up, I can’t hear you.” He vaguely perceived Chi Congyu saying something behind him, but he couldn’t quite make out the words.

“Nothing, you misheard. Let’s go.”

After exiting the kitchen, Ouyang Xiyue glanced at Shangguan Yun on the sofa.

Seeing that she was alright, he felt a measure of relief.

Pausing before the bedroom door, Ouyang Xiyue then opened it.

Without a word, Ouyang Xiyue walked straight inside.

Chi Congyu, watching Ouyang Xiyue, felt her mood sour the moment the door opened.

Consequently, she remained silent throughout.

“So, this is him. When he committed suicide in front of me back then, I was at a loss. After all, it was the first time I’d witnessed a person… a living, breathing person… take their own life right before my eyes.”

“Ah, though I’ve experienced much with Master in the past, facing countless life-and-death situations, those were always against demonic creatures.”

“It’s different when it’s a human. I truly felt helpless then.” Ouyang Xiyue admitted, a hint of headache in his voice.

“Indeed, I too have witnessed countless partings of life and death. Alas, such is the way of the world; it’s best to view it with a lighter heart. Let me conduct an examination first.”

As Chi Congyu spoke, her gaze fell upon a large area completely encased in ice.

A bed was visible, with a person lying on it, surrounded by a significant amount of blood.

Nearby lay a knife, and a distinct wound marred the person’s neck.

‘What exactly transpired with this girl? How could she bring herself to do this?’

‘There were no other visible injuries on her body, and no magical energy could be sensed, save for the obvious, fatal wound on her neck.’

‘It seems all other injuries on the girl had been healed by the time she was brought back.’

‘Such a delicate young maiden… she doesn’t appear to be very old. It would truly be a pity if she were to die like this.’

‘Moreover, seeing Xiyue’s face, etched with tension and sorrow… this maiden’s relationship with him must be extraordinary, wouldn’t it?’

‘Is she his sister, or a close friend, a confidante? Hmm… wait, a chilling thought suddenly struck me.’

‘What if this person also has feelings for Xiyue, or rather, if Xiyue has feelings for her?’

‘Even if only one of these scenarios is true, it would only spell trouble for me; it seems quite dire.’

‘I certainly don’t want my grandfather to pay a hefty price to save someone who could potentially become my love rival, for no good reason.’

‘If that were truly the case, it would be a colossal blunder, like losing Jingzhou due to carelessness. Is that the right idiom?’

‘Never mind, it doesn’t matter anyway.’

‘Perhaps… I could find an excuse, tell Xiyue it’s too late, that they missed the optimal time for rescue?’

‘Even if my grandfather couldn’t reverse the situation, hmm, no, that wouldn’t work either.’

‘The reason Xiyue wants to marry me is precisely so I can save this maiden.’

‘If I claim I can’t save her, wouldn’t I become worthless? And wouldn’t our marriage prospects fall through?’

‘No, no, this risk seems even greater. It’s worse than the previous idea.’

‘The last one might have been ‘harming an enemy by a thousand, but losing eight hundred of one’s own’, but this one would be ‘losing the wife and forfeiting the army’ – neither is a good deal. So…’

Ouyang Xiyue watched Chi Congyu, whose eyes darted back and forth.

He assumed she was considering the severity of Moxuan’s condition and deliberating on how to remedy it.

‘Could it be… alas…’

“So… Chi Congyu?… How is he…?” he asked, a hint of worry in his voice.

At that very moment, Chi Congyu was lost in deep contemplation, devising a strategy to minimize potential losses.

Consequently, she didn’t hear Ouyang Xiyue calling her name.

“Chi Congyu? Hello? Chi Congyu, are… are you alright…?” he inquired again, raising his voice slightly.

Yet, he still spoke cautiously, wary of disturbing her train of thought.

“Ah… what?! Wha… what is it, Xiyue? I’m here!” she exclaimed, startled.

“No… nothing, I just saw you deep in thought. Is it about Moxuan…?”

As he spoke, he lowered his head.

“Cough, cough. It’s something, but also nothing. Hmm, how should I put this…?” she stammered, as if trying to conceal something.

“Just tell me… as long as she can be saved, I’ll agree to any condition… So… I’m counting on you… Congyu…” Ouyang Xiyue didn’t know what else to say.

He simply gazed with profound worry at the young maiden before him.

“Hmm… your instinctive technique back then was quite correct. I’ve examined it. Your ice attribute is truly unique; it won’t melt on its own.”

“This absolute zero ice of yours can only be dissolved by specific methods or by fire-element magic of equal or greater power than your own.”

“Otherwise, if the one attempting to thaw it is too weak, they will be repelled and suffer frostbite.”

“It’s a very special protective instinct. I never imagined, Xiyue, that at such a young age you would already possess absolute zero ice.”

“Truly worthy of my high regard; your future prospects are indeed boundless. Ahem, I’ve strayed a bit from the topic.”

“Your ice magic can encase someone who has just died, placing them into a state of suspended animation. She isn’t truly dead; your magic acts as a protective shield for her, continuously providing a small amount of life force.”

“While it’s just enough to barely sustain her vital signs, preventing actual death, on the surface, she appears lifeless. This concept is quite esoteric.”

“If a necromancer were present, they might be able to discern her true state, unless, of course, they are individuals of exceptionally high power.”

“After all, your ice possesses some hidden, special protective mechanisms. Sometimes these are excellent, but at other times, they can be troublesome.”

“Everything has its pros and cons; one simply gets used to it. Let’s move on from this and discuss the solution.”

“I can save this person for you, but it will be somewhat complicated. As you know, my grandfather is quite advanced in years.”

“Though he won’t die now, nor will he in the future – after all, let me just reveal a little about his current power – he has already stepped into a demigod state.”

“I believe that in the near future, my grandfather will ascend to the Upper Realm, becoming an existence akin to a true angel, a genuine deity.”

“My grandfather’s current bloodline is also similar to yours, as you are a person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s bloodline is actually the same as that of our Holy Light Church.”

“It’s just that for some unknown reason, we later branched off. In essence, we’re all part of the same family.”

“My grandfather’s unique bloodline manifests on his back, where the most distinctive feature of the Holy Spirit Continent’s bloodline lies: the ability to evolve into angelic wings.”

“My grandfather now possesses eleven wings on his back, an eleven-winged angel. Cough… I’ve said a bit too much, and accidentally veered off topic again. Cough.”

Listening to Chi Congyu’s words, Ouyang Xiyue also fell into contemplation.

‘Eleven wings… and my bloodline is in the same place, on the back? I never imagined the Holy Spirit Continent’s bloodline would be identical to that of the Holy Light Church…’

‘Eleven wings, that’s almost a Seraph, isn’t it? How many wings does a Seraph have? Twelve, perhaps? Well, it doesn’t matter.’

‘Could the key to saving people lie in the bloodline? An angelic bloodline…’

‘When my power reaches the demigod stage, will I also be able to save people like His Holiness the Pope?’

‘It seems my future path is still long and arduous, fraught with unknown difficulties and unforeseen events.’

‘I must continue to strive, uphold my faith, and press onward. I believe everything will eventually improve.’

“Saving her is possible. While it’s a bit troublesome, it’s no real problem for my grandfather. However, you said you’d agree to any condition I set.”

“My condition is very simple: stay by my side forever and marry me. Though we are both girls and won’t bear children together, I hope you’ll consider that we could adopt a child.”

“Of course, whether or not we adopt is entirely up to you; if you like the idea, then it’s fine by me. I simply want you to remain by my side as my wife.”

“This is my single, straightforward request. Please consider it. If you can agree, then there’s nothing more to discuss.”

“I’ll contact my grandfather directly now, and you should also inform your Emperor Father. Hmm, let them discuss it, find an auspicious date, and make preparations.”

“I can hardly wait to see you in a wedding dress, Xiyue.” As Chi Congyu spoke, she slowly approached Ouyang Xiyue.

She then gently took a strand of Ouyang Xiyue’s beautiful hair and brought it to her nose, inhaling softly.

‘Ah, such a delightful fragrance… This beautiful, exquisite face, this hair as pure as an angel’s – is this the future Saintess chosen by God?’

‘I have sworn an oath to God to remain eternally loyal, no matter what.’

‘Whether it’s a Saintess or a Saint, they are essentially chosen by God, children of God. I will devote everything to serving and protecting Him. Well then, let us be together forever.’

‘Once my grandfather abdicates, I will assume the role of the next Pope. Then, I can openly love you, protect you, and cherish you.’

‘I also look forward to you becoming a true Saintess.’

‘To become a Saintess, one must undergo God’s trial. Only those with absolutely pure hearts can pass.’

‘Otherwise, they will succumb to inner demons, become utterly ruined, and descend into a state of utter uselessness.’

‘But I believe in Xiyue, believe in my future wife. I will love you dearly, forever and ever~’