The atmosphere in Dugu Bo's manor was thick with anticipation, the air itself a tangible hum of focused soul power. The silence was broken only by the faint, rhythmic sound of a soul power pulsation and the soft rustle of leaves in the courtyard.
Bibi Dong, her expression a mask of intense concentration, had immediately begun the treatment. Her hands, nimble and precise, moved with the grace of a surgeon as she manipulated a series of spiritual needles.
Each needle was a conduit for her soul power, a delicate instrument that she used to cleanse Dugu Bo's body of the lingering poison. It was a painstaking process, a spiritual alchemy that required every ounce of her focus and skill.
She was not just treating a man; she was treating a lineage. The poison had seeped into his bones, his spirit, and even into the very core of his family's bloodline. This wasn't a simple cure; it was a total purification, a complete reset of his body's spiritual energy.
The work was exhausting, draining her soul power with every passing minute. Hours passed in this manner, and the sun, once high in the sky, began its slow descent, painting the world in hues of orange and gold.
The air grew cooler, and a soft, gentle darkness began to creep into the manor. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Bibi Dong's hands stopped. She took a long, shuddering breath, a profound sense of exhaustion washing over her. The treatment was complete.
"It's done," she said, her voice a soft, weary whisper. "Your body is now free of the poison."
The words hung in the air for a moment, and then a wave of joyous relief broke over the family. Dugu Bo, his eyes wide with disbelief, felt a lightness he hadn't felt in decades. T
he familiar, burning sensation in his veins was gone. His son, Dugu Xin, fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face, and Yue Qing, her hands clasped to her chest, let out a sob of pure, unadulterated happiness.
Dugu Bo, his voice trembling with emotion, tried to thank her, but she simply raised her hand, a gesture of quiet command. "It's alright, Dugu Bo," she said, her voice soft and compassionate.
"I have received more than enough from your family. Your hospitality and your loyalty are more than enough for me." Her words were a testament to her character, a woman who did not ask for thanks but simply gave.
Yue Qing and Dugu Xin, their faces beaming with gratitude, tried to persuade her to stay for dinner, but she politely declined. "I appreciate the offer," she said, a warm, genuine smile on her face.
"But my children are waiting for me. I will surely take you up on that offer another time." They did not pursue her, knowing her responsibilities as a Saintess. They knew that she was a woman of her word, and they would see her again.
Before she left, Bibi Dong crouched down and played with little Dugu Yan for a few minutes. The child, her face bright with a childlike innocence, was a source of pure joy.
She giggled as Bibi Dong tickled her, and her laughter, a beautiful, musical sound, filled the air. With a final hug and a heartfelt goodbye, Bibi Dong left the manor, her heart filled with a profound sense of contentment.
Bibi Dong decided not to fly back to Spirit Hall. Her body was tired, but her spirit was weary, and she craved a brief respite from her duties.
She decided to walk, to immerse herself in the simple pleasures of a normal life. She wanted to eat, to see the sights, to be an anonymous figure in a crowd. She followed the path that led her away from the familiar and into the unknown.
Her path led her to the bustling, vibrant city of Soto City. The sight of it sent a jolt of recognition through her. Soto City, a place that held both bittersweet memories and a haunting sense of what could have been.
It was here, in this very city, that Tang San's journey had truly begun. A wave of profound sadness washed over her, but she quickly quelled it.
This was the past, and she had to let it go. She would not be reckless like her past self. She would simply be a person, a woman, a mother, who wanted to enjoy her life.
She entered the city, and a smile appeared on her face. The streets were filled with people, a kaleidoscope of faces, each with their own story.
The air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of street food, the sound of laughter and music, and the vibrant colors of the market.
The sunset was beautiful from here, a breathtaking masterpiece of colors that painted the sky in shades of orange, violet, and gold. She appreciated the view, and a profound sense of peace filled her.
She bought a skewer of roasted meat and began to wander, her steps slow and deliberate. She felt a sense of freedom, a feeling she had not felt in a long, long time.
She was not a Saintess here. She was just a woman, a woman who was enjoying a simple moment of peace.
She saw people laughing, talking, and enjoying their lives, and she felt a sense of connection to them. The market was a symphony of sounds and smells, and she reveled in the chaos.
She came across a little girl selling balloons, her face a mask of exhaustion and despair. Bibi Dong felt a surge of empathy.
She approached the little girl and bought all her balloons, a simple gesture of kindness that she had not felt in a long, long time.
The little girl, her eyes wide with surprise, thanked her profusely. Bibi Dong smiled and asked her why she was selling balloons at such a late hour.
The little girl's story was a familiar one. Her mother was sick, and she and her older brother were working to pay for her mother's treatment.
Bibi Dong's heart, which had been so cold and calculating, felt a tremor of emotion. She was reminded of her own children, of the love she had for them, and of the lengths she would go to protect them.
She patted the little girl's head and told her some sweet, comforting words. She then asked for the little girl's address, and the little girl answered, "the forest alley."
Bibi Dong noted the information in her head, and she resolved to have the Soto City branch of Spirit Hall send a doctor and some money to the little girl's family.
She wanted to help, to make a difference, to change someone's life for the better.
Due to her camouflage and her high soul power level, she looked like a normal girl. Her natural beauty, which would have caused a sensation here, was hidden behind a veil of normalcy. She was a little amused by this thought, a fleeting moment of vanity that quickly passed.
After walking for some time, she found a bench near a fountain in the center of the city. She bought a juice and sat down, her body and mind at peace.
The rhythmic sound of the fountain, the gentle murmur of the crowd, and the sweet taste of the juice were a source of profound comfort. She closed her eyes and took a deep, steadying breath, allowing her mind to clear.
When she opened her eyes, a sight that she had not expected to see, a sight that she had only seen in her previous timeline, made her heart tremble.
She saw a man, his face a familiar sight, his features a mix of nostalgia and pain. It was Yu Xiaogang, her former lover. H
e was walking, laughing happily, his arm wrapped around the waist of another woman. The woman, with her fiery red hair and her strong, confident presence, was Liu Erlong.
Bibi Dong's heart, which had been so full of peace just moments ago, was now a storm of conflicting emotions. The sight of them, so happy, so carefree, was like a knife to her heart.
Not a knife of jealousy, but a knife of profound sadness. She had loved him, and she had lost him. She had suffered for him, and she had been betrayed.
Her hands, which had been so calm just moments ago, now trembled with a silent, profound ache. Her inner monologue, a voice that was so often so cold and calculating, was now a maelstrom of emotions.
He's happy, she thought, her mind reeling. He's found his happiness. A happiness that he could never have with me.
The sight of them, so perfect together, was a cruel, cruel reminder of all the things she had lost. The life she could have had. The family she could have had.
The love she had craved so desperately. It was a life that was now a ghost, a memory that would forever haunt her.
She watched them go, her eyes filled with a profound sense of sadness. The juice in her hand felt like a bitter, poisonous drink. She had thought she was over him.
She had thought she had moved on. But the sight of him, so happy with another woman, had brought all the pain rushing back. It was not a pain of betrayal, but a pain of acceptance.
She had to leave. She had to get out of here. She had to go back to her children, her true loves, the only loves that had never betrayed her.
She rose from the bench, her movements slow and deliberate. She did not feel a sense of rage, but a sense of finality. This was it. This was the end of a chapter in her life.
She was no longer a victim. She was no longer a lover. She was a mother, a protector, and a future ruler. She had to be strong. She had to be ruthless.
She had to be a queen. And to be a queen, she had to let go of her past. She had to let go of the man she had loved, and she had to let him be happy.
It was a cruel, but necessary sacrifice. She walked away, her head held high, a solitary figure in a bustling city.
Her heart was in pieces, but her spirit was stronger than ever. She would not let the past define her. She would let it fuel her.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Note:
Dear Readers, I know many of u are little disappointed on this fanfic's late chapter release but i can't do anything. Haah, let's do this if u guys support me then go to my novel below and add it to library, make it atleast 100 collections, then i will release 4-5 chs/week. If u want then do it, i know my this content is good and i also want to use it, don't blame me.