"What... what did you say!?"
The woman's expression changed abruptly.
"My senior brother has already died. There is no doubt about it!"
The woman swayed, then fainted on the spot the next moment.
Li Xuanxiao hurried forward to support her. "Miss, miss."
"..."
Inside the bamboo hut.
Baili slowly woke up.
"You're awake?"
Baili rubbed her head, then suddenly came to her senses.
"What did you say!? What happened to your senior brother?"
Li Xuanxiao said gravely, "My senior brother was killed by evil creatures while protecting Shu Mountain. Everyone knows of it."
Baili's eyes widened. She spat out a mouthful of blood, her body swaying as though she might collapse.
"Miss!"
Li Xuanxiao hurriedly stretched out his hands and steadily caught her.
At that instant, a strange fragrance rushed toward him.
That exotic scent was like a wisp of pale smoke, slipping straight into his nose and slowly seeping into his body along his airways. Ripples stirred across the lake of his heart, and his mind began to sway of its own accord.
Li Xuanxiao could not help but freeze slightly.
Tears filled Baili's eyes. "It's all my fault! It's all my fault..."
"Miss, there is no need for excessive self-blame. What has happened has happened. I hope you will take care of yourself."
Baili said, "Now that he is dead, I no longer have any reason to live."
"Miss, you must not think that way. My senior brother's spirit in heaven would not wish to see this either."
Baili let out a long sigh.
Seeing her like this, Li Xuanxiao naturally could not rest easy leaving her alone here.
So he could only remain by her side day and night, lest she do something foolish.
Though more often than not, their conversations went like this.
"Alas, the Death