I Only Want to Stay by Your Side

Si Jing was at his wit's end.

After Jiang Zhuoxue collapsed from exhaustion, the Supreme Elder intervened and resolved their conflict with the Limitless Sect. Sang Ying and the others then stayed at an inn in Crane Islet City, arranged by Sword Frost Cliff.

There aren't many cross-border flying boats available now, and it will probably be some time before they can safely leave the Black Tortoise Realm. After much deliberation, they accepted Sword Frost Cliff's offer and decided to wait until they could buy tickets for the cross-border flying boat before leaving the Black Tortoise Realm together.

Everyone moved to the inn, Jiang Zhuoxue and the others naturally followed.

Si Jing had assumed that Jiang Zhuoxue, given her injuries, would need several more days to recover from the sudden return of her memories. However, she woke up early the next morning and insisted on finding Sang Ying.

Fearing he might cause trouble, Si Jing had no choice but to swallow his pride and go find Sang Ying to appease his master.

And indeed, things turned out just as he had expected. However, as soon as he saw Sang Ying, Jiang Zhuoxue, who had been making such a ruckus that she almost overturned the inn, immediately quieted down.

The masked man following behind him didn't see Si Jing and Sang Ying, and thought his master was about to go crazy again, so he was about to step forward to stop him.

Fortunately, Si Jing intervened in time to stop him, preventing Sang Ying like a Jiang Zhuoxue, thus saving his old friend from serious injury.

Seeing his master scoop Sang Ying into his arms, Si Jing couldn't help but hiss, feeling a sudden pang of pain in his teeth.

"What's with that expression? The master has someone he likes, aren't you happy for him?" The masked man nudged his companion.

Si Jing was already frowning with jealousy. "I'm happy, of course, but it's really hard to get used to seeing Master so engrossed in love."

The masked man fell silent, because he hadn't gotten used to seeing it either.

In their eyes, Jiang Zhuoxue had always been the epitome of strength and ruthlessness; they had never seen their master so clingy and vulnerable before.

At this moment, Jiang Zhuoxue held Sang Ying tightly in his arms. He was already large, and holding her like this made it seem as if he had melted Sang Ying's entire body into his.

However, Jiang Zhuoxue did indeed think so. They were separated by ten thousand years. In that long period of time, whether Jiang Zhuoxue sealed her memories or not, there was always an empty space in her heart.

He created two clones to help him plan his return to the past because Jiang Zhuoxue could no longer bear the loneliness. However, he did not expect that fate had already arranged everything. The person he had missed for so long was destined to meet him.

"Jiang Zhuoxue, loosen your grip a bit." Sang Ying, feeling the stares of the others, suppressed the heat on her face and offered her advice.

But Jiang Zhuoxue was not listening to her at that moment. He was filled with the joy of regaining what he had lost, and the fear that she would disappear again.

He had previously heard others describe Sang Ying's tribulation with awe, and Jiang Zhuoxue couldn't believe it. What if Sang Ying failed to overcome the tribulation, and when he woke up full of anticipation, he heard the news of Sang Ying's death? How could he possibly continue living?

Fortunately, she finally succeeded; she finally didn't abandon herself again.

Sang Ying felt his embrace tightening and could only push his shoulder away. "Loosen up a bit, you're holding me too tight, I can't take it."

Startled by her words, Jiang Zhuoxue suddenly released her.

"I'm so sorry." Jiang Zhuoxue's expression suddenly turned serious. "I didn't hurt you, did I? Are you feeling alright anywhere? I was too reckless. I'm so sorry, Sang Ying."

Sang Ying saw his cautious manner but felt no joy.

She stopped Jiang Zhuoxue from checking his injuries, and then whispered to him, "I have something I want to tell you, I don't know if it's alright."

"Of course!" Jiang Zhuoxue replied without hesitation.

His identity as the Black Dragon has now been exposed. Even though the people of Sword Frost Cliff had no intention of taking advantage of him, their yearning and worship of dragons still made these cultivators treat Jiang Zhuoxue with even greater courtesy.

So, apart from Sang Ying, the room they arranged for Jiang Zhuoxue was the best among all the people there.

The two went to his room, and the others, hearing this, wisely did not follow. Once the door was closed and no one was around, Sang Ying finally spoke:

"Jiang Zhuoxue, do you like me?"

Jiang Zhuoxue hadn't expected Sang Ying to be so direct, but he dared not hide it. He had waited too long for the last missed opportunity, and now that she had asked, Jiang Zhuoxue said frankly, "Yes, I like you. I've liked you for ten thousand years."

Hearing his unspoken feelings, Sang Ying's heart trembled involuntarily. "I... I don't know what my feelings are for you right now. I can't guarantee that I definitely like you, but I don't dislike having you by my side..."

Not hearing Jiang Zhuoxue's reply, Sang Ying continued, "Right now, I'm focused on cultivation and can't concentrate on matters of love. I can't give you an answer. Even so, will you still stay by my side?"

Jiang Zhuoxue has gradually regained his former strength, and removing a single United Heart Gu should no longer be difficult for him. If he no longer wishes to follow her and wants to live a free life, Sang Ying has no intention of stopping him.

But Jiang Zhuoxue, who understood the meaning behind her words, only felt excitement in her eyes. "So, you're willing to let me stay?"

"As long as you don't want to leave, I will never send you away," Sang Ying assured him.

Jiang Zhuoxue tentatively took her hand, tears welling in her eyes. "I won't leave, I'll never leave. I don't ask you to like me, just let me stay by your side, and I'll be content."

He always knew what kind of person he had fallen for, and he also knew that Sang Ying's greatest wish was to ascend to immortality. What Jiang Zhuoxue liked about Sang Ying was her indomitable stubbornness and her unwavering determination to become stronger. If Sang Ying lost her true self because of him, she probably wouldn't be the Sang Ying he loved anymore.

Moreover, perhaps he once thought of keeping Sang Ying by his side forever, but the fact that he was so generous in letting Sang Ying leave shows that Jiang Zhuoxue would rather see her happy than have her lose her freedom and stay by his side.

Hearing Jiang Zhuoxue's answer, Sang Ying didn't feel relieved; instead, she became even more upset. "But this is really unfair to you."

"There's no such thing as fairness or unfairness. I'm willing to stay by your side like this. It would be sad if you kicked me out. Besides, I can tell you're not completely indifferent to me. Maybe you haven't fallen for me yet, but I believe you'll notice me someday. Let's just let things happen naturally."

Sang Ying felt a bittersweet feeling welling up inside her, yet there was a subtle hint of sweetness within it.

Jiang Zhuoxue is right. They should just let things take their course and believe that everything will eventually lead to the perfect ending.