An Explanation

Chu Xiaotian's embrace might not have seemed like a big deal, but he had apparently forgotten that he was in the prime of his youth. He was holding the stunning woman he loved in his arms, and they were both "stark naked." Stimulated by the soft warmth pressed against him, his body couldn't help reacting.

"Shameless! Let go of me!" Xia Xue could feel the change in Chu Xiaotian's body. Tears streamed down her cheeks, impossible to hold back any longer. She felt she had truly misjudged him. The man who had seemed so different from others had finally revealed his true nature—and it was something she found utterly unacceptable.

Chu Xiaotian's face flushed red, too. The situation was painfully awkward. He didn't know whether to let go or keep holding on, and for a moment he froze, unable to react.

"Smack..." A sharp sound rang out. While Chu Xiaotian stood there stunned, Xia Xue wrenched herself from his arms, raised her hand, and slapped him hard across the face. Then she rushed out of the pool, snatched up her clothes from the bank, and ran toward the house.

Only then did Chu Xiaotian come to his senses. He had no more thoughts of bathing or going to sleep. He scrambled out of the pool, hastily pulled on his clothes, and ran after Xia Xue.

"Xue, wait! Hear me out! It really wasn't what you think!" Chu Xiaotian felt more wronged than Dou E. If he couldn't explain things clearly to Xia Xue, he had no idea what might happen. But Xia Xue had no interest in listening. She dashed into the house and slammed the door shut.

"Stop right there! If you come any closer, I won't hold back!" By the time Chu Xiaotian reached Xia Xue's door, she had already stormed back out with her long sword in hand, pointing it at him as she shouted.

"Xue, I really didn't lie to you. This was truly an accident. Please, hear me out!" Chu Xiaotian stood before Xia Xue, watching the tears on her cheeks and the baleful intent in her eyes. His heart gave a painful lurch. He could understand how much she was suffering. No woman could possibly take a situation like this lightly. Xia Xue was already handling it rather calmly; someone else might have drawn her sword and attacked him on the spot.

"Go away! I never want to see you again, and I don't want to hear your explanations!" Xia Xue waved her sword and screamed at Chu Xiaotian until her voice gave out.

"Fine, Xue. Since you don't believe me, I'll prove it to you. I really didn't lie!" Chu Xiaotian knew he had made a serious mistake, even if it had been unintentional. What he had done had badly violated a young woman's chastity. If he couldn't make Xia Xue listen to his explanation, he would never forgive himself. The moment the words left his mouth, he drew the dagger he had bought that day to skin beasts later and plunged it toward his chest.

"Pfft..." The dagger sank into Chu Xiaotian's chest, disappearing up to the hilt. Blood gushed from the wound, and the searing pain made it impossible for him to stay upright. He dropped to one knee, his eyes never leaving Xia Xue.

"Xue, I really didn't lie to you. This was absolutely an accident. I'll prove it with my life. If you don't believe me, then strike me with your sword. I'll repay you with my life and restore your honor." Chu Xiaotian pointed to his heart and spoke slowly, his voice low and heavy. He hadn't driven the dagger straight into his heart, but if Xia Xue still didn't believe him, he wouldn't mind letting her finish him with a single thrust.

He had never said it aloud, but Xia Xue meant a great deal to him. He didn't want her to suffer the slightest injustice—not even one caused by him. So if she still didn't believe him, he would make good on what he had just said.

With a clatter, Xia Xue's long sword fell to the ground. She rushed to Chu Xiaotian, at a loss as she stared at the dagger in his chest and the blood spilling from the wound. She had truly hated him before, and had even wanted to kill him with her sword. After all, her chastity had been ruined at his hands. But seeing him like this, she could no longer bring herself to resent him.

Everything Chu Xiaotian was doing now was clearly meant to prove that this had all been a misunderstanding. She didn't doubt that he was putting on an act. If he really were as despicable as she had thought, he could simply have walked away. He wouldn't have needed to risk his life to prove himself. Besides, when she thought it over, perhaps she had been too emotional. Chu Xiaotian had been holding her tightly. If he had truly wanted to do something to her, she would never have had a chance to escape. In fact, apart from his body's reaction, he hadn't done anything else to her. That, too, showed he had never intended to take advantage of her. It really had been a misunderstanding.

As these thoughts came to her, regret immediately filled Xia Xue's heart. She regretted not calming down and listening to Chu Xiaotian's explanation. Now he had suffered such a serious wound. If anything happened to him, she would never be able to forgive herself for the rest of her life.

"Big Brother Chu, it was all my fault. I shouldn't have blamed you. Please, you have to be all right. Let me help you inside. I have healing pills in my room. You'll recover soon." Xia Xue threw herself toward Chu Xiaotian, her face full of remorse as tears streamed down her cheeks. She finished speaking and tried to help him up so she could take him into her room and treat his chest wound. She was terrified something might happen to him; otherwise, she would spend the rest of her life drowning in regret. After all, for most people, a dagger driven into the chest up to the hilt was a fatal injury. Especially as far as she knew, Chu Xiaotian was an ordinary person who had barely cultivated at all.

"Xue, don't panic. I'll be fine. Listen to my explanation first, then I'll go inside with you for treatment. If you won't listen, I won't go in." The heavy loss of blood had left Chu Xiaotian somewhat pale. He looked at Xia Xue's remorseful face and reached out to wipe away her tears. He smiled faintly, but his words were unyielding.

"All right, all right, I'll listen. I'll listen. Hurry up and tell me." Xia Xue held Chu Xiaotian's hand and pressed it tightly against her cheek, urging him to speak. With his injuries, the longer they delayed, the more dangerous it would become. But she knew that if she didn't listen, Chu Xiaotian absolutely wouldn't go inside with her for treatment.