At the marquis's residence, the silent night lay under a cold wind. Blood steadily spilled from the mouth of the figure fallen in the dust, the desolation of crushing defeat painfully glaring.
He struggled several times, trying to rise, but his grievous injuries would not support him. Again and again, he failed.
Hatred stained his eyes red with blood. Pain pierced deep into his bones. Bai Ye struggled without cease, the scene of his loved ones' tragic deaths lingering before his eyes. He had never forgotten it in thirty years. In this life, he had but one thought—to persist until death.
"Your hatred is far from enough. If you cannot surpass yourself, you will never kill me."
Ning Chen spoke coldly, casually tossed out a jade vial, then turned and walked toward a nearby room.
"These are healing pills. Whether you use them is up to you. For one month, you may attack me whenever you wish. I will not kill you. After one month, should you make another improper move, whether you live or die will be left to fate."
As his words fell, the door slammed shut. In the courtyard, the defeated man kept coughing blood, his hate-filled eyes fixed ahead. After a moment, he struggled to crawl toward the jade vial that had rolled onto the ground.
"You're going to keep him?"
Inside the room, Xia Xinyu looked at the man before her, surprise on her face.
"I owe him this."
Ning Chen replied calmly.
Xia Xinyu fell silent, then nodded gently without saying anything more.
"Mingyue, come with me to the Ministry of Justice tomorrow."
Ning Chen looked toward the maid at the side and spoke.
"Mm."
Mingyue answered softly.
"It's late. Get some rest, all of you. Xinyu, let's go."
Ning Chen glanced at Zijing