FRGNM -Chapter 332 Memories Like Smoke

Boom! A massive violet-black semicircle swept out, striking forward like lightning.

Baili Wushuang, fleeing, frowned and quickly dodged—but the black figure’s speed exceeded hers. In an instant, the bloodthirsty black scythe in his hands slashed toward her.

Smack! Unable to evade in time, Baili Wushuang was struck hard, crashing into the ice cave. One hand pressed against her chest, her gaze fell on the nearby greatsword, and she reached for it.

Crack! It was as if something had snapped. The sheathed greatsword burst forth from the snow, radiating boundless killing intent. A golden dragon roared out, almost instantly enveloping Baili Wushuang.

Light footsteps touched the snow. The slender figure bent down, warm hands picking up the broken Purple Bamboo Divine Needle from the ground. With a thought, the previously broken bamboo instantly restored to its original state. Everything around seemed frozen. That calm figure stepped forward and, in an instant, reached Baili Wushuang’s side, snapping fingers.

Boom! The black figure shot forward violently, crashing into the ice bed.

Snow swirled endlessly. The figure standing there smiled faintly, casually waving his right hand. The three small figures reappeared beside him. That warm smile was so familiar, so dazzling—it was as if it were only yesterday.

“Brother Feng…” Baili Yan’s voice seemed stuck in her throat. She froze completely. Even the spear in her hand fell to the ground unnoticed. She felt like her soul had been lost as she moved toward him.

A perfect arc formed on his lips. The person opening his eyes smiled faintly, a powerful hand resting on Luo Mingyu’s shoulder. “Boy, forget what I once told you? Don’t let the Nine-Yin Ghost Energy control you—you are its master.”

“Ma-Master…” The murderous intent in Luo Mingyu’s eyes vanished instantly. He drew a deep breath, clenching his fists and turning to look at the person beside him.

The rusty greatsword trembled, silver light flashing as it reinserted itself at his feet. Meanwhile, the previously unconscious person had fully awakened. With an outstretched right hand, the Purple Bamboo within Yuwen Zhiyuan shot out and landed in his hands.

Whoosh! Lightning-like light shot forth. The five Purple Bamboos quickly shielded Ling Ruoxi, infusing her body with limitless vitality. Ling Feng raised his sword-like brows and snorted: “This girl is clever—pretending like she was about to die.”

“What do you mean?” Silver Wolf was startled, quickly transforming into human form and standing beside Ling Feng.

A faint smile curved Ling Feng’s lips. “You are Ruoxi’s primal beast. Do you think that if she dies, you would remain in this world?”

“Uh… but there really is no life force in her body.” Green-clad inhaled sharply. Could she be feigning death? But the symptoms didn’t match that.

“This girl has merely grasped a higher level of cultivation. Time inside is different from the outside. She will awaken soon.” Ling Feng smiled faintly, eyes turning toward Baili Wushuang ahead.

Recalling Ling Feng’s secluded state, devoid of vitality like a corpse, Luo Mingyu immediately understood. With Purple Bamboo protecting Ling Ruoxi, she should be safe for now.

Cough cough… Low, intermittent gasps. The person kneeling on the ice bed, pressing a hand on the ice, lifted their head coldly. Fingers dug into the snow as murderous intent radiated outward. But upon meeting Ling Feng’s gaze, a faint smirk appeared: “Ling Feng, I intended to kill you before you awakened, but it seems impossible now.”

“Oh? Weren’t you the one to wake me?” Ling Feng smiled faintly, lips curling. Turning to the figure opposite, his once-familiar face unchanged, he instinctively extended a hand, smiling gently: “Baby, you came to see me—I’m really happy.”

“Die!” In that instant, Baili Yan leaped down, punching Ling Feng’s abdomen with force and yanking his ear. She almost roared: “Twenty years! You ignored me all this time. I was trapped on Qiongyu Immortal Island, thinking you’d live happily with Xiao Xi’er. But you secluded yourself here. Do you know how Xiao Xi’er spent these years? You’re an unfit father!”

“I say, baby, must you be so violent? Same temper as twenty years ago. See, your daughter, your grandchildren are all watching. If you pull my ear again, I won’t hold back.” Ling Feng quickly covered his ear. No trace of his previously ethereal demeanor—he looked just like an ordinary person.

Pfft! Even bystanders nearly spat blood. What was this situation? Looking at their tender exchange, Ling Feng’s elegance and gentlemanly demeanor, calling Baili Yan’s nickname—yet instead of an embrace, they threw punches at each other!

All eyes turned to Luo Mingyu. One wondered if Ling Ruoxi would be like this someday: like mother, like daughter.

Baili Yan raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Do you still want to hit me?”

“Well…” Ling Feng chuckled, quickly pressing under Baili Yan’s arms and lightly tickling her. In that brief moment of distraction, he pulled her into his embrace.

“Alright, baby, stop fussing.” His calm voice carried a subtle commanding tone, instantly quieting her. A glint flashed in his eyes. Ling Feng looked at her, saying calmly: “Baili Wushuang, now do you realize your mistake?”

“Mistake? I never erred. Ling Feng, you ask if I know my mistake—do you know where you went wrong?” Her eyes flickered with killing intent. Baili Wushuang’s seductive figure rose from the ice bed, unafraid of Ling Feng, stepping forward.

Ling Feng stared directly at her, eyes flashing. His lips curved unconsciously, shielding Baili Yan behind him. “Oh? Where did I go wrong? Tell me—I’ll listen carefully.”

“Why did you deceive my feelings? I confessed to you, you rejected me. But I never expected your cruelty. You drugged me in my water, causing me to lose myself to the Qiongyu Island Master. That act completely destroyed me. Weren’t you supposed to be happy?” Her long fingers gripped Ling Feng’s clothing, cold as stone.

Who doesn’t experience youthful love? Who doesn’t feel the stirrings of the heart?

Moreover, they were secluded in cultivation, growing up without ever seeing the outside world. That one escape caused them to admire this elegant, distant man.

Like leaves in the rain—fragile yet offering her umbrella, while he stood in the rain, disappearing from view. She remembered him under willows, playing the flute; the weak yet determined girl protecting them, willing to confront a bandit even without fighting energy; the innocent youth, under moonlight, savoring three sweet plum cakes.

Yet, she never imagined—through it all, in his eyes, she didn’t exist. She was virtuous, considerate, attentive… yet he loved the reckless, fiery, careless Baili Yan!

She couldn’t understand why.

She remembered that full-moon night, presenting him a handmade sachet, only to be rejected. She cried, asking why—wasn’t she good enough? His words still echoed:

“No, it’s not that you weren’t good enough. It’s that, at the right time, I met the right person. Two people complement each other. Everything about her is what I envy.”

The moonlight felt like daylight. She cried long under that moon. Afterward, she hated light, making her room pitch dark—hating the rejection under moonlight.

Then came the next incident, fueling her anger. Though she became a supreme figure, she still hated him. Why do this?

Following her plan, eliminating all she desired removed, she became the strongest. She imprisoned Baili Yan for twenty years, waiting for this man. But…

A flash of cold light appeared in her eyes. Facing the man, she could not bring herself to strike. Impossible!

“Ling Feng, you’ve hurt me too deeply.”

“You’re overthinking. That wasn’t me. As a pharmacist, do you think I’d use drugs on you?” Ling Feng’s starry eyes met hers. His aura was calm. His large hand covered Baili Wushuang’s fingers, voice deep: “I didn’t mean to hurt you, but Wushuang, I swear to heaven, my feelings for you are purely sibling-like. You’re virtuous, considerate… like family. I know you can take care of yourself. Baby is different. She’s reckless, careless, often worrying me. That’s why I must protect her properly.”

Baili Wushuang shivered, coldly smiling. Her eyes gleamed sharply, locking onto him, grip tightening. “Hah! You think I can take care of myself? Ling Feng, you’ve ruined me! Do you think I’ll let you go? I want your life—and I’ll make you watch your wife and children die!”