The Shackles of Identity!

Lin Xia's concerned inquiry broke the silence of the moonlit night and startled Bibi Dong, who was lost in her own thoughts.

She turned her head at the sound, her movements carrying a hint of barely Frisk urgency.

When that handsome face, imbued with the warmth unique to young men, came into view, a faint yet genuine glimmer of joy flashed across her deep purple eyes, like a pebble thrown into an Ice Seal lake, creating ripples.

Those were the children she watched grow up, the heirs she poured her heart and soul into raising, and one of the few sources of solace in her gloomy life.

However, this faint light was extinguished instantly upon seeing Qian Renxue walking closely behind Lin Xia, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over it, leaving only cold, heavy ashes.

On Qian Renxue's exquisite face, there was still a blush of shyness from when she nestled in Lin Xia not long ago. Her Viola eyes were filled with a bright light nourished by love, as well as worry for her mother at this moment—a worry that itself carried the unique confidence and gentleness of the one who is loved.

Bibi Dong's heart sank.

Happy?

For whom do we rejoice?

What is the cause of this joy?

The thought sent a sharp pang of pain and shame through her. She instinctively clenched the jade cup in her hand, the cold cup digging into her knuckles, bringing a sharp, conscious pain.

She gazed at the perfect couple outside the pavilion, at the harmonious sight of them standing side by side, their breaths mingling, and at the pure happiness on her daughter's face—a happiness she had never given, nor had she ever received...

A torrent of bitterness, sorrow, jealousy, and a deeper self-loathing Wrap her heart like a poisonous vine, tightening its grip until it almost suffocated her.

"... It reminded me of some past events."

Bibi Dong's voice rang out, colder than the pond water, more ethereal than the moonlight.

She forced herself to look away and refocus her gaze on the shattered reflection of the moon in the water, as if that were the only safe haven.

She deliberately slowed her speech, trying to conceal the tremor that might be leaking from her voice.

So, I had a drink.

This answer was so perfunctory that even Qian Renxue, who was standing next to her, frowned slightly.

Past?

What kind of past events could make a mother who is usually strong, cold, and sees emotions as a burden, so heartbroken and even resorting to alcohol to drown her sorrows?

Lin Xia's heart clenched even more tightly.

He knew Bibi Dong all too well—her pride, her forbearance, her aloofness.

Her loneliness at that moment and her casual remark about "the past" were like a thorn piercing his heart.

He strode into the pavilion almost without hesitation, and to Bibi Dong's astonishment, he opened his arms and embraced her slightly cold body without hesitation!

"Teacher!"

Lin Xia's voice was deep and firm, carrying an undeniable warmth.

Don't be sad! I'll always be by your side!

The boy's embrace was warm and Sturdy, carrying a vibrant life force and a sunny aura that instantly dispelled the chill of the night wind and forcefully penetrated the icy defenses that Bibi Dong had built.

This sudden intimate contact made Bibi Dong stiffen all over, her fingers gripping the wine glass tightened sharply, and her fingertips turned white.

She instinctively wanted to break free, to maintain the Pope's dignity and distance, but the long-lost, almost luxurious warmth of his embrace made her unable to move.

Lin Xia's aura enveloped her, familiar yet strange, possessing a captivating charm that made her feel flustered yet unable to resist.

In that moment of stalemate, Qian Renxue quickly stepped forward, stretched out her arms, and together with Lin Xia, hugged Bibi Dong tightly.

"Mother!"

Qian Renxue's voice was filled with urgency and genuine concern.

"I'm right here with you! Don't dwell on it anymore, let bygones be bygones!"

Two warm embraces, two sincere expressions of care, were like two scorching hot irons, simultaneously imprinted on Bibi Dong's cold and chaotic heart.

Feeling the warmth emanating from her front and back, and hearing the heartfelt words of comfort from the two people beside her, Bibi Dong's body froze completely.

Her lips twitched uncontrollably, and a deeper, almost overwhelming bitterness surged from the darkest corner of her heart.

Don't be sad?

Always by your side?

Are they all around us?

What a beautiful promise, what a warm comfort.

But... this very act of comfort is the greatest irony and torment for her!

Whom are they comforting?

How to comfort a mother tormented by the past?

But was she really thinking about those past hatreds and betrayals?

No!

The glaring scene beneath the Glazed Pavilion replayed uncontrollably in her mind—the daughter's shy, happy blush, the undisguised love in the boy's eyes, their figures embracing tightly... That was the venomous snake gnawing at her heart at this moment!

What she cared about was that unspeakable thought deep within her heart, a thought that even she herself felt ashamed and guilty about!

What she cared about was the boy embracing her, his heart that beat passionately for someone else under the moonlight!

What she cared about was this twisted, unwanted, yet inescapable, persistent... unwanted thought of hers!

Identity?

She is the Pope!

She is Qian Renxue's mother!

He's Lin Xia's teacher!

These layers of identities were like heavy shackles, imprisoning the dark, burgeoning delusions in the deepest recesses of her heart, making her dare not even think about them openly, let alone utter them aloud!

What could she say?

Should I say, "I'm not sad about the past, what's painful is that you two are together"?

Should I say, "I don't need you all by my side, I just want..."?

Absurd! Shameless! Outrageous!

This terrifying thought, like a gaze from the Abyss, made Bibi Dong's very soul tremble.

Immense pain and self-loathing overwhelmed her like a tsunami.

She felt herself being torn apart, on one side a cold shell forged by the responsibilities and pride of being Pope, mother, and teacher, and on the other side a wildly growing, uncontrollable dark desire and jealousy deep within her heart.

The intense conflict and unventable pain caused her soul Soul Power to ripple violently and involuntarily. A cold, resentful, and decaying aura spread uncontrollably from the depths of her soul!

Just then, Lin Xia, who was holding her tightly, suddenly shuddered!

The divine power imprint originating from the Rakshasa God within his body instantly became scorching and restless, like a spark thrown into boiling oil!

This power resonated strongly with the aura emanating from Bibi Dong at that moment!

A torrent of icy, bone-chilling Grudge surged through the embracing arms, like countless slippery, venomous snakes, frantically burrowing into Lin Xia's senses!

"Hiss--!"

Lin Xia gasped, feeling as if her heart was being gripped tightly by a cold, ghostly hand!

He's experienced that feeling before!

When Bibi Dong initially suppressed the Grudge of the Rakshasa God!

But at this moment, the intensity and depth of this Grudge, as well as the twisted, repressed, and almost desperate negative emotions it contained, far exceeded any time before!

It wasn't just a simple desire for killing and destruction; it was more like a madness imprisoned by despair, a dark venom brewed from the extreme pain of unfulfilled desires and unrequited love!

'Oh no!' Alarm bells rang in Lin Xia's mind, filled with horror. 'Teacher's Inner Demon... how did they suddenly erupt? And... how could it have become like this?! It's more than ten times worse than before!'