Chapter 422: 成全他，给他一剑

"Cough, cough, cough..." Wang Chengjian bit his tongue, spitting out a mouthful of blood. "Junior Sister... you're... so heartless..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Qingxian felt a pang in her heart.

The three outer-sect disciples couldn't bear to watch either."Senior Sister Liu, isn't Senior Brother Wang's life worth a single word from you?""He saved your life, yet you can't even grant him this small dying wish!""He's almost dead; what's the harm in agreeing? You won't actually have to fulfill it!"

Liu Qingxian's mind was thrown into turmoil by their words. She even began to wonder if she was being too cold-hearted.

Wang Chengjian's heart was filled with anticipation. He could feel Liu Qingxian's resolve wavering, on the verge of compromise. So, he bit the tip of his tongue again, spitting out another mouthful of blood, feigning extreme injury. He looked up weakly and said, "I... I can't die in peace..."

Liu Qingxian was overwhelmed with self-reproach. Just as her emotional defenses were about to crumble again, several agile figures swiftly leaped down. Leading them was none other than Jiang Fan.

"Senior Sister?" Seeing Liu Qingxian safe and sound, Jiang Fan's suspended heart finally settled. Although he had speculated that Liu Qingxian was not dead, whether she was injured or suffered any permanent disability remained unknown. Seeing her unharmed, he was completely relieved.

Liu Qingxian thought she was hallucinating. Was she hearing Jiang Fan's voice? She turned her head, puzzled, to look. Upon seeing him, her gaze became fixed. A handsome face, one she yearned to see but also feared, came into view.

Ever since the touring auction house of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, she had, as if by some strange impulse, kissed Jiang Fan, and since then, she had been too embarrassed to face him. Consequently, she hadn't dared to show her face at the Nine Peaks Grand Competition. But after being trapped there for ten days, she gradually began to regret it. The path of a martial artist was perilous; death could strike at any moment. Some feelings of love, if left unsaid, might never have a chance to be expressed.

Therefore, suddenly seeing that face, she couldn't control her emotions. She immediately threw herself into Jiang Fan's arms, her slender arms wrapping tightly around his neck, burying her entire body against him. For days, she had presented herself as a calm, rational, and tough leader. Now, it was as if she had returned to a safe haven. She revealed her most vulnerable side. She wept bitterly in his embrace, "Why did you take so long to come? I thought I'd never see you again!" She sobbed.

The three outer-sect disciples were stunned. In those days, no matter how severe Liu Qingxian's injuries were, she wouldn't even frown. She was tougher than any male disciple. Yet now she was so delicate? What made them feel even more sympathetic was Wang Chengjian. Wang Chengjian was almost dying for Liu Qingxian, but she hadn't shed a single tear for him. Jiang Fan merely showed up, and Liu Qingxian was throwing herself into his arms and weeping uncontrollably. The difference between people... Sometimes it was greater than the difference between a person and a dog.

Wang Chengjian was so furious he vomited blood, cursing Jiang Fan's ancestors eighteen generations back. Why didn't he come earlier or later? He just had to show up at this exact moment! He refused to believe that his self-inflicted injury ploy couldn't outweigh Jiang Fan's mere appearance!

Liu Qingxian only then remembered that someone was still lying on the ground. She quickly stopped crying, a look of self-reproach on her face. "Xiaofan, Senior Brother Wang just now blocked the frigid poison to save me. Now... he's almost dead..."

"Frigid poison?" Jiang Fan remembered that this was a very potent poison. It was even more terrifying than the venom of the Seven-Colored Poison Toad. However, looking at Wang Chengjian, there was no ice on him, nor did he outwardly appear to be suffering from frigid poison. He immediately and discreetly cast his Aura-Viewing Technique. He saw through his internal state. His blood was flowing smoothly, red and vibrant. There was not the slightest indication of frigid poison. He couldn't help but feel a little doubt: "Senior Sister, are you sure he's afflicted with frigid poison?"

Liu Qingxian was flustered with concern and hadn't thought much, so she nodded. After a moment's thought, she didn't hide Wang Chengjian's earlier request. She didn't want to lie to Jiang Fan. Not at all. "Senior Brother Wang's dying wish was... was for me to promise to marry him..." She quickly added, "But I didn't agree!"

Jiang Fan suddenly understood. So, he was feigning illness, then morally coercing Liu Qingxian into agreeing to an engagement. That way, once they were outside, he could use it as an excuse to forcibly marry Liu Qingxian. The Senior Brother had gone out and learned to be wicked. He didn't expose him, instead asking Liu Qingxian, "Do you want to agree?"

Before Jiang Fan arrived, she might have had a slight chance of being persuaded. But, lying in Jiang Fan's arms, she stated unequivocally, without the slightest hesitation: "Impossible. I can repay him with my life, but I will never use my honor as collateral." She paused. She looked deeply into Jiang Fan's eyes, gathered her courage, and said, "I only want to marry Xiaofan." Ten days in desperation had made her see things clearly. Some words, if left unsaid, might never be spoken.

Uh— The three outer-sect disciples were dumbfounded. What astonishing news had they just heard? Liu Qingxian, the most beautiful woman of the Nine Sects, was already taken?

Jiang Fan, however, remained relatively calm. Although Liu Qingxian had never explicitly expressed her feelings, Jiang Fan wasn't made of wood. From every little detail, how could he not discern Liu Qingxian's intentions? He just hadn't expected her to be the one to break this unspoken barrier. Jiang Fan said nothing more, reaching out to embrace her waist. Silence spoke louder than words at this moment. Liu Qingxian's beautiful face flushed crimson, her eyes reflecting shyness and joy.

However, an incongruous, angry voice shattered the atmosphere. "Junior Sister Liu... you... are you really going to be so heartless towards me?"

Wang Chengjian was driven mad with rage. He had feigned misery only to win Liu Qingxian's agreement to an engagement. Jiang Fan had done nothing, yet Liu Qingxian was actively offering to marry him. This contrast, this disparity, made him completely lose control!

Liu Qingxian regained her composure and quickly asked Jiang Fan, "Junior Brother, do you have any Spring Revival Pills?" The bottle she had before was one Jiang Fan had given her. Now, the only thing that could save Wang Chengjian was a Spring Revival Pill.

Jiang Fan spread his hands. "Mine were used up long ago."

Liu Qingxian looked helpless. "Then what should I do? Senior Brother is like this because of me."

Jiang Fan drew the Mourning Frost Sword from his back and placed it in her hand, saying: "Senior Sister, Senior Brother Wang is in so much pain. Just do as he said earlier: end his life to spare him more suffering. From now on, every Qingming Festival, I will burn extra paper money for him. I will never forget his life-saving kindness towards you."

The three outer-sect disciples were speechless with shock. This... isn't this too heartless? How could Liu Qingxian possibly agree?

"This... is this alright?" Liu Qingxian hesitated.

Jiang Fan said, "You're already not listening to me so soon?"

Fearing Jiang Fan would get angry, Liu Qingxian hurriedly said, "I'll listen, I'll listen to you!" Then, clutching the sword, she walked towards Wang Chengjian and said, "Senior Brother Wang, the pain of frigid poison is ten times worse than a sword. I will end your life with one strike, trying my best to spare you from more suffering. Don't worry, Xiaofan is kind-hearted; he will remember your kindness to me and burn plenty of paper money for you!"

With that, she thrust the sword forward.

Wang Chengjian wanted to curse his mother! Jiang Fan, you're utterly poisonous! With just a few words, he had tamed Liu Qingxian, who was as proud as a peacock, into obedient submission! Seeing the cold glint of the sword approaching, how could he dare to keep up the act? He quickly rolled, narrowly avoiding the sword strike.

Liu Qingxian froze. The three outer-sect disciples also widened their eyes in astonishment.