Su Zui chased after Qian Renxue all the way to her doorstep, where she paused slightly.
Before him stood a heavy, black stone gate.
This cold door panel stood as a solid barrier, separating him from Qian Renxue.
Su Zui raised his hand tremblingly, his fingertips gently touching the stone door. A bone-chilling cold seemed to come alive, piercing Su Zui's flesh and bone, making his teeth chatter.
With Su Zui's current strength, he could easily push open the door with just a little effort.
But he eventually withdrew his hand slowly.
He understands Qian Renxue too well.
She used to be pure and proud, like the bright moon in the sky, untouched by any dust.
She was born surrounded by admirers and respected, and never suffered the slightest grievance or embarrassment in her life.
But now, everything has changed.
She is now trapped in the Slaughter City, a prison where the sun never shines, where she fights day and night, her days stained with blood.
Su Zui had no idea how many long, desperate nights she had endured alone.
It wasn't that she didn't want to see him; she simply didn't dare.
Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's voice rang out. "Xiao Zui, don't force her, coax her slowly. Do you even know how to coax a girl? If you can't, I'll take over!"
Su Zui shook his head.
I'll handle this myself. This whole thing started because of me, so it's my job to smooth things over.
Su Zui leaned gently against the door and sat down on the floor, her voice slightly hoarse as she spoke, "Snow Sister, I know you're inside."
I won't force you to open the door, and I won't leave either.
Inside the door.
Qian Renxue, who was standing pressed tightly against the door, trembled violently.
Two streams of tears fell without warning, like spring rain, filling one with sorrow.
She bit her lower lip hard, so hard that her lips turned white, forcefully silencing the sob in her throat.
Her slender shoulders, encased in a black dress, trembled slightly, unable to be contained.
At that moment, all she wanted to do was hide.
Hiding in this deathly darkness, avoiding the boy outside the door.
She was terrified, terrified that he would see her in this wretched state.
Su Zui stood quietly outside the door, speaking slowly, as if she were whispering.
I know what you're afraid of.
"You're afraid I'll be disappointed, afraid I'll dislike you, afraid I'll feel you're no longer the pure and innocent Snow Sister you used to be, right?"
But you're really wrong.
"I don't care about light or darkness, nor do I distinguish between holiness and depravity. I don't recognize the lofty Angel Godhood; I only recognize you."
"I want to acknowledge Snow Sister, who protected me, loved me, and accompanied me as I grew up."
In my eyes, my Snow Sister is the best. I love you simply because you are you, and that's the one I love.
Su Zui's voice was slightly hoarse; it wasn't loud, but every word struck Qian Renxue's heart precisely.
"It was my weakness that put me in such a dangerous situation, causing you worry."
"From beginning to end, I was the one who was wrong, never you."
"I only came here to take you home, to our own home."
Qian Renxue, inside the door, could no longer hold back.
Su Zui's gentle words easily shattered all her pretense.
After a long while, a dry, hoarse sound drifted out from behind the door, so humble it was almost broken.
"You can leave now..."
"I look terrible right now... I'm ashamed to face you."
"I've long since fallen from grace; I'm no longer the innocent person I once was."
"Get out of here and live your life. Don't waste your time on someone like me."
"My Xiao Zui is a prodigy, the most talented Soul Master in the world. With you in the Spirit Hall, I can rest assured."
Those few words almost exhausted all of Qian Renxue's strength.
Outside the door Su Zui felt a sour and swollen sensation in his chest. He felt as if he had eaten expired dried lemons while he had a cold, his heart aching and he felt nauseous.
Despite her physical discomfort, Su Zui continued to speak gently.
Whether you're worthy or not is never up to you to decide.
When I was little, you always carried me, afraid I would fall.
Now that you are trapped in darkness, how could I possibly abandon you?
"What difference does it make whether it's light or darkness? I, Su Zui, am neither a good person nor a saint."
"I just want to protect my family."
Su Zui raised her hand and gently stroked the warm Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid in her arms.
"I brought Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid."
"Snow Sister, this is Immortal-Grade Medicinal Herbs. Perhaps it can be of some help to you."
"Snow Sister, stop hiding."
I am not afraid of your darkness, I am not afraid of your ferocity, and I am even less afraid of your bloodstained hands.
"My only fear is that you've tied yourself up."
"She was carrying too much of a burden on her heart."
Sky Dream Ice Silkworm whispered her instructions.
"Furthermore, the blood and energy here can affect a person's mind. Next, you need to be more assertive and continue talking, making her understand that you love her."
Su Zui listened quietly to Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's words, organized her thoughts, and continued speaking:
"You've always stubbornly believed that depravity is sin."
"But in my eyes, all your fighting, all your helplessness, was for me."
"You refused to harm the innocent, which is why you came to the Slaughter City. I know you've been gritting your teeth and holding on, desperately clinging to the last shred of kindness in your heart."
You are not dirty at all, not wretched at all.
You were simply let down by fate.
"But in my heart, you've never changed; you'll always be that gentle and pure Snow Sister."
Inside the door, Qian Renxue's body trembled violently.
"Xiao Zui, but... I have ultimately fallen. I have failed Grandpa's expectations of me, and I can no longer inherit the Angel God's legacy."
Qian Renxue choked back sobs, her voice broken, weak, and intermittent.
"I can't go back... I don't know how I'll face Grandpa when I go back, how I'll face all of this... I really don't deserve your favoritism."
Who says that only those who live in the light deserve to be loved?
Su Zui's tone was somewhat forceful, yet gentle beneath that forcefulness.
"You used to be bathed in holy light, and you gave me tenderness year after year."
"Even now, though you are trapped in darkness, your heart remains pure."
"What I want is never a high and mighty, flawless and holy Angel."
"I want Snow Sister, the best Snow Sister, it's always been just you."
From now on, I will walk with you on the road ahead, and I will never let you bear all the hardships alone again.
"Don't push me away anymore."
"Open the door, please?"
When Su Zui got to this point, there was a hint of pleading in his voice.
He was genuinely afraid that Qian Renxue would get stuck in a rut and trap herself in a dead end.
What he needs to do now is to push down the wall that is trapping Qian Renxue.
Su Zui's words finally struck a chord deep within Qian Renxue's heart.
So, Xiao Zui never disliked herself.
It turns out, I was just scaring myself.
If that's the case, why did she create this mess for herself?
Qian Renxue gently raised her hand and pushed towards the door in front of her.
Click--
The door opened