For her to forcibly keep his soul in this world, while also deceiving the underworld, meant she had gone to great lengths.
She was defying fate itself.
Yet, even now, she had gotten away with it—likely because Wuchang had failed to retrieve his soul and, fearing punishment from King Yama, had chosen to cover it up.
Hong Ning hardened her heart.
“The cycle of life and death is the natural order of the world. Your wish to save him isn’t wrong, but taking innocent lives in the process is.”
She looked straight at Madam Hu.
“If you refuse to wake up, then I will tell him everything.
“Let’s see if he will still accept what you’ve done.”
Madam Hu’s face drastically changed.
She took a step forward—but hesitated.
If Young Master Qi learned the truth about what she had done…
Would he really be able to stay by her side?
Hong Ning walked slowly toward the room, her voice steady.
“You have a choice: tell him yourself or end this before he finds out.”
Behind her, Madam Hu did not move.
Instead, she simply closed her eyes and let out a quiet laugh.
Sensing something was wrong, Hong Ning turned sharply, her expression filled with alarm.
“What are you trying to do?”
Madam Hu stared at her coldly.
“You can destroy my inner core, but I can just as easily destroy him first,” she said. “If you insist on forcing me, I would rather disperse my soul along with his.”
Hong Ning retorted, “If you continue down this path, your fate will be obliteration as well. If you truly cannot be together, why not let go? He has already suffered so much for you—do you really want to drag him down even further?”
Madam Hu’s voice was unwavering.
“He will not blame me.”
Hong Ning hadn’t expected her to have such resolve.
She fell silent for a moment before speaking again.
“As far as I know, Jade Pool Water can help you shed your true form, allowing you to be reborn together with him.”
Madam Hu’s eyes widened in shock.
She hesitated briefly before murmuring, “Jade Pool Water belongs to the Flora Clan. I am from the Northern Celestial Fox Clan—I would need water from the Northern Celestial Spring instead.
“That spring is currently in my uncle’s possession. When I first heard about it, I begged him for it, but he refused, saying it was nothing more than a baseless rumor.
“How do you know about this?”
Hong Ning’s heart stirred.
“Could your uncle be the Northern Realm King?”
Madam Hu froze for a moment, then quickly thought to use her status as a shield.
If she revealed her true identity, perhaps it would make Hong Ning hesitant.
So, she nodded.
“My name is Hu Yue. My mother is the younger sister of the Northern Realm King’s consort.”
Hong Ning immediately asked, “Then Lu Jiu is…?”
Hu Yue replied, “Yes—he is my cousin. Do you know him?”
Hong Ning smiled.
“In truth, curing Young Master Qi isn’t that difficult.”
Hu Yue was overjoyed, yet still somewhat skeptical.
“I have begged my mother many times for help, but she always says even my aunt couldn’t save him.”
Her meaning was clear—even celestial beings were helpless against this condition.
What could a mere mortal possibly do?
Hong Ning said, “Surely, you’ve heard of Zhong Tian King.”
Hu Yue looked at her in surprise.
“You know Zhong Tian King? My mother told me that he was engaged to my cousin just two years ago.”
Hong Ning raised an eyebrow.
“Whether I know him or not doesn’t matter. What matters is whether he is willing to help.
“Your mother claims there is no cure—but is that truly the case? I doubt it.
“The real issue is whether she wants to save Young Master Qi at all.
“If I’m not mistaken, she probably disapproves of him, doesn’t she?”
Zhong Tian King was an unparalleled immortal, renowned for his boundless power.
Hu Yue had already exhausted all means trying to keep her husband alive.
She was desperate enough to try anything.
Hearing Hong Ning’s words, she couldn’t help but believe her a little.
After all, her mother had been vehemently opposed to their relationship from the start.
She had refused to ask the celestial realm for the spiritual spring and had even ordered her to return home multiple times.
It was entirely possible that she was deliberately withholding help.
Hong Ning observed every flicker of emotion on Hu Yue’s face.
She knew that she was wavering.
Her voice softened.
“You don’t believe me?” she coaxed.
“I can wake him up right now, so he can speak to you.
“But if you truly want him to recover completely, you’ll have to do something for me first.
“And you must not tell anyone about this.
“If your mother finds out that I am trying to save him, she will definitely try to stop it.”
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