White flames enfolded that nearly transparent wisp of life-soul, hovering above Baihuaxiu's cold corpse.
The phantom grew steadily more solid.
Buddhist light pressed slowly downward, and the life-soul sank toward its body, slipping between her brows.
Wukong hefted the jade case in his hand and bounded over to the corpse.
He crouched halfway down and gently pushed the lid with his thumb.
Click-
Wukong pinched the pill between his fingers, pried apart Baihuaxiu's tightly clenched teeth, and placed the Immortal Pill in her mouth.
The Soul-Returning Pill dissolved on contact.
Immortal energy slid down her throat into her organs, spreading wildly through her depleted meridians.
A faint glow shone beneath her skin.
A trace of living color was forced into Baihuaxiu's pale cheeks, and warmth gradually returned to her icy limbs.
Her long lashes trembled.
Baihuaxiu opened her eyes, her gaze dazed, as though she were recalling something.
The moment her vision focused, it fell upon the corpse on the jade steps a few paces away.
The blood on the body had long since blackened.
Her gaze swept over the corpse, then turned toward the depths of the great hall.
Empty.
They were gone, and so was he.
The old king knelt beside her, having long since cried himself speechless.
The queen, who had rushed over from the inner palace, lay across her, only broken whimpers escaping her lips. Her tears had long since run dry, leaving nothing but hoarse sobs.
The old king raised his head, wild joy spreading across his tear-streaked face.
He opened his mouth, wanting to call out "Daughter," but his throat was too tightly choked. All he could do was reach a trembling hand toward Baihuaxiu.
The queen flung herself forward, wrapped her arms around Baihuaxiu's waist, and buried her face against her shoulder, wailing: