The Winds and Clouds of the Desert

The sun rose to its zenith, blazing with a malevolent heat that scorched the earth and drew lament from every living being. In this sweltering, distorted air of the desert, one side saw an endless bloody battle, smoke rising to the heavens; while on the other, hooves pounded swiftly, hearts shattered in despair. Huang Beishuang rode with Ruo Wen, her eyes now vacant as she lay in his arms. If it weren't for that sweet time with Qingyun, perhaps she could have endured the present torment. Beside Ruo Wen, there might have been a way out once he tired of her. But now, she couldn't; she dared not even think of the future.

Human desire is an inscrutable force, much like imperial ambitions, pleasures of wine and song, indulgence in nature, or journeys across distant lands. Yet for someone as terrifyingly persistent as Ruo Wen, his desires—though simple—were impossible to satisfy. It was futile to appeal to his emotions, impossible to sway him with reason, and laughable to think of subduing him by force. Even if Qingyun stood against him, in the end, the one who'd drink the blood of a curved blade would undoubtedly be Ruo Wen's opponent.

"Ugh!" Huang Beishuang bit her tongue amidst a sudden jolt. She tasted blood on her fingers as she reached for her mouth and could no longer withstand the mental oppression. She retched, pounding on Ruo Wen's chest. "Let me go! I need to throw up!"

Ruo Wen frowned, stopping his horse and tossing her onto the parched ground—a barren, crescent-shaped expanse of sand, endless and devoid of life. In this season, not even jerboas were seen; escape was out of the question.

"Another half-day, and we'll be there! No point in stalling!" he said, remaining on his horse as he watched Huang Beishuang stumble away, kneeling atop a dune to vomit.

Fox Man scoffed at the sight, taunting, "Throw it all up now, so you don't soil the boss later!" He and Wolf Head chuckled, mocking her, while Ruo Wen merely sat impassively, watching the woman retch. Each time he saw her, she seemed weaker—once fearless of life and death when they first met, then adrift like floating duckweed, and now, trembling in despair. Was it because he had grown stronger beyond her expectation, or because her yearning for life had deepened?

Ruo Wen pondered, amused, urging his horse slowly forward, towering above her. It wasn't the first time he'd seen her so undone—now, she seemed drained of all color, dim and powerless. He gripped the reins tightly, a flash of confusion crossing his eyes. If it were Ge Xinwei, he would have beaten her black and blue for showing such weakness, forbidding her to enter his bed again. But even though they shared a similar face, Huang Beishuang's fragility ignited something inside him—a nameless fire that left him bewildered.

Lost in thought, Ruo Wen dismounted and walked over, standing silently behind her, watching her trembling shoulders. Huang Beishuang finished vomiting, gasping as she tried to regulate her breathing. She looked back at Ruo Wen standing against the sun.

"Heh!" Ruo Wen laughed, his voice sharp and shaky, almost deranged. "There's always something I want to do to you."

Huang Beishuang turned away, her gaze fixed on the dunes below. Ruo Wen's words only chilled her further. She sat dazed on the yellow earth, her hands limp at her sides, slowly regaining clarity. "The sand?" she muttered, feeling something unusual beneath her hands. She scooped up a handful of gravel. "Quicksand! This might be…!" She leapt up, scanning around her. Between the dunes below, there was a distinct depression.

"Done vomiting? Let's go." Ruo Wen, unaware of the anomaly, turned away.

"Ruo Wen…" After a long moment, Huang Beishuang called out to him. Ruo Wen turned, irritated. "What are you standing there for? Move!"

Her eyes turned cold, her voice barely a whisper, as though she were sleep-talking. "What will you do with me?"

He stopped, meeting her icy, clear gaze. Without hesitation, he replied, "Put you in my bed, play with you till I'm done!"

"And then?"

"Let the brothers have their turn."

"And after that?"

"Sell you, or kill you."

"Haha…" She laughed aloud, almost to herself. "Is there no better ending for me?"

Ruo Wen tightened his grip. "Your fate is mine to decide!"

"Ruo Wen!" She looked up. "Do you know that love is terrifying?" She took a step back. "You can be so ruthless because you have no love, but I do. I can't accept such an ending! Heaven or earth, only one person can touch me."

Ruo Wen clenched his whip, his eyes sinister, advancing slowly. "Qingyun? Ha, if he knows you've become mine, will he still come to save you? I wonder."

Huang Beishuang smiled, feeling the shifting sands beneath her feet. "Yes… What should I do? I'm always causing him trouble. I'm so afraid that one day, he won't love me anymore."

Ruo Wen reached the dune's midpoint, sensing something wrong. His gaze shifted to her feet. "Quicksand!" He quickly retreated several steps, stabbing his sword into the ground for balance. Ahead, Huang Beishuang was already knee-deep in sinking sand.

"Dammit!" Ruo Wen hurriedly untied his spear, extending it to her. "Grab on!"

Huang Beishuang looked at the spearhead. She clenched her teeth, refusing to reach out. The quicksand engulfed her faster. She smiled blankly, her eyes lifting to the sky. Life, fleeting as an ant's, vanishing in a week like the wind. Qingyun, where will you wait for me?

"Huang Beishuang!" Seeing her half-buried, Ruo Wen panicked, shouting her name in desperation, his mind blank.

"Boss! Don't go any closer!" Fox Man and Wolf Head yelled as they approached the pit of quicksand.

"Grab it, you hear me?" Ruo Wen, abandoning his sword, edged closer. "Huang Beishuang!"

But no matter how he shouted, she kept her eyes closed, her face serene. His eyes turned cold, and he growled, "You leave me no choice. Don’t blame me for this!" With that, he plunged the spear through her shoulder, seemingly intent on pulling her out by force. Blood poured down her chest. Huang Beishuang's eyes shot open, and she grasped the spear, her gaze blazing as she looked at him.

"Good, hold on tight!" Ruo Wen roared. "I'll pull you up!"

But she chuckled, eyes full of resolve. "Ruo Wen, the underworld is too lonely. Why not join me?"

Her words shook him to his core. Before he could react, she yanked the spear, pulling him down into the quicksand with her.

"Boss!" Fox Man and Wolf Head cried out in alarm, rushing toward the pit, stopping just shy of the quicksand's edge, shouting frantically.

The reins were too short. Without hesitation, Wolf Head dropped to the ground. "Fox Man, grab my legs, I'll crawl over to the boss! Be careful!" he called, urgently crawling toward Ruo Wen.

"Ruo Wen…" For the first time, Huang Beishuang clung to him, calling his name over and over. "Come join me…"

"Boss!" Wolf Head struggled to reach out his hand to Ruo Wen. "Boss!"

But it was too late—even Wolf Head was nearly halfway buried in the sand. Fox Man clenched his teeth, yanking them both to safety. They fell to one side, staring in disbelief at the now empty stretch of yellow sand before them.

"Boss!" The anguished cry scattered the clouds above.

When will the heavens endure, and the earth remain? Rivers dry, thunder silenced. When will love remain unwavering? Mountains crumble, pines fall. Endless yellow sands fly, timeless romance weighs heavy. A lone boat crossing the illusionary sea—when shall it return? The soul reaches the heights of longing, yet a wisp of breeze cannot dispel it. I asked you to try the sword, one night of flute-playing bliss, Only to see flowers bloom, whispers softly murmuring…

Snow plains.

Qingyun was resting in his tent, adjusting himself, still holding his sword as he slept, drenched in sweat, while Miao Jing watched over him.

"Shuang!" Suddenly, Qingyun shouted, bolting upright, his gaze scattered and frantic.

"Your Majesty?" Miao Jing jumped at the outburst, rushing over. "What's wrong, Your Majesty?"

"Wangliu! Have Wangliu's men returned?" Qingyun panted, his heart pounding as though something had bitten him, only to vanish immediately after. He spoke quickly, his voice filled with uncontrollable unease. "Send someone to Fentian immediately!"

Miao Jing was taken aback. "Your Majesty, Wangliu's men came back last night to report that Her Majesty is safe. Are you overthinking this?"

Qingyun shook his head, rising from his bed and walking to the table, pouring himself a cup of wine. As soon as it touched his lips, he coughed it all back up. "You don't understand! You don't understand! Go find her, do you hear? Find her right away! You go too!" His voice was raw and fierce.

"Yes, I will go at once!" It was the first time Miao Jing had seen the king in such a state. He nodded hastily. As he left, he turned to General Liaozhen and General Jihua, who were waiting by the entrance. "I'm heading to Fentian to find Her Majesty, but for now, Ruo Wen's cavalry attacks have not ceased. Please double the caution around His Majesty!"

Liaozhen and Jihua both nodded. "Don't worry!"

Miao Jing smiled, knowing these were brothers who had fought life and death alongside them, needing no further words. He hurried on his mission.

Recently, the snowfield battleground had been under Tian's full control. However, Ruo Wen's few thousand reckless men frequently launched surprise attacks, unsettling their troops. It seemed this group cared little about holding their ground, focusing instead on ambushing the king. Several times, they had nearly succeeded.

"Liaozhen!" Qingyun sat at the table, his eyes dark and intense as he pounded his palm against the map. "What's the situation in Jiandu?" His tone remained irritable.

"Your Majesty, they can't hold on much longer," Liaozhen responded.

"How much longer?" Qingyun pressed, his hand on his chest, feeling his heart race. "Hold them off! Once the encirclement forms, we will be in control of this war!"

"Yes!" Liaozhen nodded.

Before long, a scout rushed in, kneeling with excitement. "Good news, Your Majesty! The Yellow Sky Mad Corps has been surrounded!"

"What?" Jihua beamed. "How did that happen?"

"Not sure, seems it's allied forces from Fentian's Zhao Huai. Quite a lot of them, too! They split into three groups to surround the Corps, and with our forces joining in, we've got them locked down tight!" The scout answered fluidly. It seemed he had endured enough of their attacks in recent days and now finally had a chance to strike back.

Jihua quickly understood and turned to Qingyun. "Your Majesty can rest assured—this must be Her Majesty's doing!" He sighed, unable to help himself. "Since ancient times, women have been known for their tenderness, but the Shadow Queen Consort proves exceptional!"

Qingyun's gaze turned cold, his hand heavily rubbing his chest, feeling emptiness there. He thought for a while before saying, "Order three squads to join Zhao Huai's forces and capture Ruo Wen!" After a moment, he added, "Make sure you catch him!"

Then he dismissed them, gripping his sword, sitting alone, attempting to calm himself. But deep inside, a voice kept urging him—this helpless confusion could only be answered by Ruo Wen.

The desert stretched out in a fiery expanse. The sand-drifter tears glistened in crystalline light—a mournful song dancing with the sun's blaze, toasting with the moon's coldness. Traveler, when you wander here, make sure to wear a soft scarf—don't let the fine sand enter your eyes and nose, or you'll fall into eternal darkness. So, when you gaze upon this mystique, never linger, for loneliness… will lead you into an abyss, never to find your way home again.

"Boss!"

No response came to their calls. Two tiny figures, ant-like, shouted hoarsely into the crimson landscape, refusing to give up. Wolf Head, his body lean, had already broken his voice, coughing up blood. He collapsed on the sand, gazing at the sky's crimson glow, continuing to shout, though his voice was no longer audible.

Amid the silence, coldness prevailed.

The desert does not echo; all it holds is the howling wind and the enigmatic yellow sands.

"I don't believe it!" Fox Man ran back and forth across the spot where the two had vanished, drenched in sweat, his eyes nearly losing focus. He couldn't bear the growing anxiety, shouting skyward with his already hoarse voice, "I don't believe it! Boss! Boss!" After countless cries, exhaustion overtook him, and he finally collapsed.

The two lay on the sand, staring at the red clouds above, unable to utter another word.

One lifetime of ruthless resolve, three lives of unwavering commitment. Ruo Wen, in that moment she pulled you down, What were you thinking? What rendered your struggle so powerless? Beneath the yellow sands, did you come to understand?

"You have no escape left! Surrender!"

Here, on the snowy frontier, was the aged but still formidable Prince Ji Han of Zhao Huai. Mounted high, he stood at the center of Tian's encirclement, pinning down the once-dreaded Yellow Sky Mad Corps, giving them no room to maneuver.

At this moment, Cheng Xiang stood before his brothers, his face mocking. "Brothers, choose—do we take out the old prince and break through, or deal with those little rats behind us and fight our way out?"

A roar of laughter rose from three thousand men, all standing up, abandoning any attempt at stealth. "Cheng Xiang, the boss told us to follow your lead. Just give the word!"

"Yeah! What's with all the questions? Wherever you charge, we're right behind you!"

Cheng Xiang turned, seeing Tian's three squads blocking their other side. The boss had instructed him not to take unnecessary risks. Breaking through the old prince's blockade seemed the better option. Decided, he raised his blade and yelled, "Brothers, let’s play the good guys this time and send this old man on his way, how about it?"

"Oh! Oh! Oh!" Their unified cheers crashed like waves.

Hearing this, Ji Han turned pale, quickly retreating behind his vanguard. He tried to keep his composure, laughing coldly, "Hmph, Cheng Xiang, there are so few of you—don't court death!"

Cheng Xiang laughed loudly. "Hahaha, Ji Han, there's no need to worry. Even if I die, I won't go alone! You won't be lonely, I promise!"

Ji Han, sweating profusely, took a few more steps back.

"Where is Ruo Wen?"

At this moment, the previously silent Tian vanguard captain, Sozana, spoke, his voice resonant.

Cheng Xiang turned back, sneering, "Who the hell do you think you are? Shut your damn mouth!"

At those words, Sozana raised his hand, and in an instant, thousands of arrows were drawn, the wind falling silent. Though young, he had been directly promoted by the Northern Jing King, and unlike Ji Han, he was no mere opportunist. Without expression, he repeated, "Where is Ruo Wen?"

Cheng Xiang observed his demeanor, feeling an unease settle in. Keeping his composure, he replied, "The boss wouldn't come in person. Listen, if you want to fight, then fight. If I were scared of death, I wouldn't have made it this far. Besides, even if you manage to take me down, the boss will use your blood as a sacrifice for us. Fair trade, don't you think?"

"So Ruo Wen isn't here?" Sozana's eyes darkened. He leaned toward his adjutant, whispering, "Inform His Majesty at once!" The adjutant nodded, spurring his horse and galloping off.

"Cheng Xiang, is it?" After giving his instructions, Sozana turned back to the three thousand men they had surrounded. "I know you're all fearless warriors. If we clash, it'll be mutual destruction. However, we are soldiers. Our orders are absolute. But…" He took a few steps forward, his horse inching closer. "I have a way to avoid this bloodshed. Would you like to hear it?"

Cheng Xiang eyed him without responding.

Sozana smiled, "If Ruo Wen hands over the people of Ruoshui City, we'll let you go."

Cheng Xiang burst into wild laughter. "Do you think we're fools? Hand over people? We'd die even worse deaths!"

"Whether foolish or not is for Ruo Wen to decide. I hope you make the wise choice—after all, no one wants to die a meaningless death." Sozana's tone was calm, but an undeniable menace lingered in his words. A veteran of countless battles, he clearly wouldn't be intimidated by these madmen.

At that moment, King Jing of Tian was at the rear of the central battlefield, overseeing troop movements, with General Jihua leading the charge. The situation was favorable.

"Your Majesty! Miao Jing has returned!"

Qingyun sprang from his chair, and seeing Miao Jing enter, he grabbed his shoulder before he could even salute. "Well? Where is she?"

Miao Jing's face was pale as he shook his head. "The Ji Han residence has sealed off all news. I led a team in to search, but…"

"Speak!" Qingyun's grip tightened around the sword at his side.

"We found only Her Majesty's thirteen attendants. They said… Ruo Wen took her."

At this, Qingyun's vision swam—his day-long anxiety now confirmed as trouble.

"Your Majesty, Deputy Sozana seeks an audience!" came an urgent report from outside.

Qingyun narrowed his eyes, pressing his thin lips together before finally sitting back down, exuding a deadly aura. "Let him in!" he ordered.

"Your Majesty! The General has sent me to report!" The deputy knelt immediately upon entering. "We have successfully surrounded the Yellow Sky Mad Corps. However, they number only three thousand, and their leader Ruo Wen is not among them. Should we eliminate or capture them? Please decide, Your Majesty!"

Qingyun scoffed. "Capture them!"

Miao Jing stepped forward and asked, "Should we use them to exchange for Her Majesty?"

"Ruo Wen!" By now, Qingyun could hear nothing else. The veins on his clenched fist bulged. After a moment, he turned and barked, "Liaozhen, speed up the central encirclement! By sunset tomorrow, that battle must be sealed off in the western war zone!"

Liaozhen acknowledged.

"Miao Jing, capture those madmen of the Yellow Sky Mad Corps, then head straight to Ruoshui to exchange for Ruo Wen! Not a moment's delay!"

Miao Jing acknowledged.

With that, Qingyun waved his hand dismissively. "Go!"

The men exchanged glances, then quickly exited the tent.

Huang Beishuang…

No matter where you are, do not waver. As long as you live, I will find you, across every corner of the world.

No matter what harm befalls you, do not despair. As long as you live, I will dedicate all my being to heal you.

For you alone are the only light in my life.

Huang Beishuang…

There are still too many words I wish to say to you.

So you must wait for me…

Voices sing, asking where my beloved is, singing by the water, as a lone boat sails forth…

Two souls delight, promising never to part, sword glinting, cleaving through the void…

When will love and hate end? When will heaven and earth age?

In the desolation of this world, when we meet again,

It will be the eternal lover, never again to know the pain of separation.

Amid the darkness, though the light was faint, one could still barely see the intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes on the crumbling gray walls. Between the towering walls, sand continued to trickle down, whispering softly as it fell.

"Damn it!"

With a curse, Ruo Wen looked into the dark abyss, covered in dust. He still held Huang Beishuang in his arms, the two precariously wedged between two walls by a long spear. It was impossible to tell how high above the ground they were, but falling from this height would almost certainly mean death.

"What the hell is this place!" Ruo Wen cursed, inching along the wall, holding the unconscious Huang Beishuang. He didn't know how long he climbed, his hands constantly cut by the edges of the wall, blood seeping down his arms into his sleeves. Finally, before his arm gave out, they managed to reach the ground.

He set Huang Beishuang down, surveying the surroundings.

In all his life, he had never seen such a place. Though dark, a strange light emanated, casting a soft crimson glow throughout. It seemed to be a palace, with towering walls, many of which had collapsed, yet still exuding a sense of grandeur. Tattered silk hung from the doorways, swayed by an unseen breeze.

The desolate palace felt steeped in untold secrets, burdened with unspeakable sorrow. After searching for a while and finding no sign of life, Ruo Wen pursed his lips, turning back to lift Huang Beishuang. His arm now throbbed with pain like a blade carving into him. Clenching his teeth, he staggered to place her on a bed beneath an intact wall, throwing her onto it, sending yellow dust flying. "Cough!" He choked, quickly sitting by the bed, slapping her face firmly. After such prolonged exposure to the sand and taking a spear through the chest, Huang Beishuang's lungs were filled with dust—her breathing almost nonexistent. Ruo Wen looked at her bloodless lips, and after a long while with no response, his gaze darkened. With his bloodstained fingers, he gently caressed her face, as if trying to paint her pallor with blood.

He traced the lines of her lips gently. Suddenly, his throat tightened, and he looked at the spear still lodged in her shoulder. His eyes turned cold. He gripped the spear tightly for a long moment, then yanked it out violently, tossing it aside along with the flowing blood.

"Ah!" In that instant, Huang Beishuang's eyes flew open—apparently, the intense pain had called back her final shred of consciousness. "Cough, cough!" Her hoarse coughs indicated her throat was still clogged with dust.

"Still alive?" Seeing her awaken, Ruo Wen was visibly startled. He hastily tore his clothes into strips, binding her shoulder to stop the bleeding. Huang Beishuang could barely keep her eyes half-open, gazing at Ruo Wen, her breath faint, her throat burning painfully. "Water…" she whispered weakly.

Ruo Wen stared at her blankly, then burst into laughter.

Her will to live was indeed strong—stronger than anyone's.

"This place is called the Wasteland Capital!"

After some time, Huang Beishuang leaned against the bed, holding a crystal-clear goblet filled with surprisingly pure water. After drinking a few sips, she began to regain some strength. Looking around, her face showed an expression of utter astonishment.

"It seems we did not fall into quicksand."

"Not quicksand?" Ruo Wen crouched nearby, somehow having found a flint, setting up a pit and boiling water.

"This is called a Fallen Ravine!" Huang Beishuang said. "According to 'The Desert Chronicles,' this should be the ruins of the Heavenly Empire from a thousand years ago."

Buried beneath the yellow sands, whenever a pillar collapses, part of it crumbles, and sand cascades down, forming a ravine. "Ruo Wen, your fate is truly charmed—surviving even this!" Huang Beishuang remarked with a listless smile.

Ruo Wen stood up abruptly, carrying the pot of hot water, his expression dark and severe. He stared at her for a long time without speaking, then tore open her clothes, startling Huang Beishuang, who fell back. "What are you doing?"

"Hmph!" He ignored her, dipped her clothes into the basin, wrung them out, and began to wipe her wound with the warm cloth. The injury was severe, and without proper treatment, her life was in danger. After cleaning her wound, he bandaged her again, still without a word, then sat back, picked up his spear, and fell silent.

Huang Beishuang stared at Ruo Wen, as if seeing a different person, incredulous. Finally, she couldn't help but ask, "Why are you saving me?"

Ruo Wen looked up, licking the blood off the spear, a smile playing on his lips. "Want me to keep you company? Huang Beishuang, you've got guts. This time, let's see if you can escape again."

"Escape? I don't even have the strength to walk!" She leaned back against the bed, letting out a bitter laugh. "There's nothing here but water. No food, and the pillars keep falling. We'll be buried alive before we starve."

"We won't starve." Ruo Wen replied with certainty after she finished speaking. "There are snakes here. Plenty of them."

Huang Beishuang froze. "How do you know that?"

Ruo Wen smiled coldly. "Look behind you."

Upon hearing this, a cold sweat broke out on her skin. She didn't turn her head; instead, she strained her ears, listening to the hissing sounds behind her. Her eyes locked onto Ruo Wen, unmoving.

Ruo Wen looked at her—he enjoyed seeing her like this, terrified and helpless, her eyes reflecting his shadow. He spat on the ground and walked over, stabbing his spear downward. There was a faint screech. When he drew it back, three gray snakes were impaled on it. In this position, he leaned over Huang Beishuang, his laughter tinged with mockery. "Well? Which one do you like—the thick one or the thin one?" The indecent atmosphere spread instantly.

"Get lost!" She snapped back to her senses, instinctively retreating.

"Heh!" Seeing her fierce expression, Ruo Wen felt a twisted joy. His laughter grew louder. He then picked up the three snakes and busied himself by the fire; at a glance, he really looked like a cook.

Sitting on the bed, Huang Beishuang watched him. Suddenly, she thought of Qingyun, with whom she had promised to reunite in seven days. Now she didn’t even know whether it was day or night outside. If she had died, it would all be over; but this was worse—a form of torture. She curled up, staring at Ruo Wen as he busied himself with the snake soup, and couldn’t help but ask, "Why are you so carefree? Aren't you afraid at all?"

Ruo Wen, still facing away, replied, "Afraid of what? Dead is dead. If you're alive, live well. Hungry? Find something to eat. Tired? Sleep. I don’t know what happens after death, but at least I know what I want to do while I’m alive."

Huang Beishuang couldn't help but laugh softly at his words. "And what is it you want to do?"

Ruo Wen turned to look at her. "Play with women, drink good wine, eat good meat. And if someone annoys me—kill them. That's it."

She stared at him, stunned, then turned away, holding her knees tightly.

"Are you cold?" Ruo Wen asked. She shook her head.

Ruo Wen was cruel, but he was also straightforward.

Ruo Wen's desires—everyone has them.

Ruo Wen was wrong, but he was also right.

Ruo Wen's love and hatred—clearer than anyone else's.

How could you possibly respond to such a man?

The abandoned capital was now in ruins, yet from the remaining carvings on the walls, one could still imagine the grandeur of the desert's ancient Heavenly Empire. But why did grandeur always seem like a dream, and resplendence feel so empty?

Curled up on the bed, Huang Beishuang looked around the palace she had imagined countless times. She couldn't help but feel a deep sense of loss. The wisdom of countless people had built this place centuries ago, and now, centuries later, all that remained was an empty ruin, devoid of human spirit.

She smiled bitterly. Who knew what the Tian Ice Palace would look like after a few more centuries? Or the Cloudpearl Palace? What of the vast desert? King Zhan's dream had been to recreate the Heavenly Empire, but she shook her head. Was there ever really an empire of heaven on this earth?

The snake soup that day had been revolting—flavorless and pungent. Ruo Wen had even forced her to swallow the snake gall whole. Later, he climbed onto the bed, tightly holding her, interrupting her thoughts.

"Let go of me!" she growled, though her entire body was as cold as ice.

"Don't be tense. I just want to warm you up." Ruo Wen smiled, pressing her down with a forceful kiss. Both their mouths were filled with the foul taste of snake, their lips and tongues tangling in an instant. Forced back, Huang Beishuang had no strength to resist.

...

Qingyun's kisses always carried a slow, seductive quality that made her lose herself, craving more.

Ruo Wen's kisses, on the other hand, were brutal. If she did not respond, he didn’t care if it hurt her; he wouldn't stop until she opened her mouth.

"Huang Beishuang…" A soft murmur came from Ruo Wen. Holding her tightly, he slipped his hand inside her clothes, his sweaty palm clutching her left breast, beneath which her heart pounded furiously.

"Your heart is beating so hard!" He lingered at her neck, breathing in her scent for a long while before lifting his head to look at her face, flushed as though blushing, her expression both alarmed and enchanting.

"There are so many things I want to do to you, and this is just one of them." With that, he pressed her down, making sure she felt his arousal clearly.

Huang Beishuang, terrified, didn't dare move. Her gray eyes filled with tears. From her time with Qingyun over the last month, she deeply understood the kind of turbulence that existed in a man's desires.

Ruo Wen gazed into her watery eyes, frowning. She was injured—if she struggled, it would aggravate her wounds and might even kill her. Yet he wanted her so badly that even speaking felt like an unfamiliar act.

After struggling with himself for a while, he abruptly pulled her up, holding her as he sat back. His voice was hoarse. "I won't touch you until your injuries are healed."

Huang Beishuang was stunned, thinking she must have misheard him.

"But in return, you must kiss me. Anytime I want, you must kiss me." Ruo Wen stared into her eyes, inching his lips closer, whispering, "Starting now."

She looked at him, her fists clenching tight, her tears finally spilling over. Unable to bear any more, she cupped his face with trembling hands, her lips touching his, salty with tears. From that moment, her crying ceased to be sobs or soft whimpers, turning instead into a heart-wrenching lament, drowning out the last bit of hope in her heart, accompanied by a kiss that only Ruo Wen could end.

In the darkness, Ruo Wen held her tightly, her tears unable to quench his thirst. She cried like rain while he kept his eyes closed, repeating harshly, over and over, "Don't stop…"

...

Deep night desires, vast like a dark sea, My love, as delicate as silk. A fleeting moment of tenderness consumes a lifetime. Even in the next life, I could never forget— Your soft lips at this moment, The searing bitterness of your blood. Beloved, do you know? One kiss, And I will remember it for lifetimes to come.