Feng Tianyu's gaze sliced through the brush like a blade, fixing unerringly on Ji En.
Ji En knew he could hide no longer. Leaning on his long knife, he forced himself out of cover, face pale but eyes defiant.
Their eyes met. Feng Tianyu's brimmed with disdain, loathing—and something like jealousy.
"I don't know you," Ji En rasped, voice hoarse but stubborn. "Why are you trying to kill me?"
Feng Tianyu sneered. "Why pretend ignorance at death's door? What did you do to her?"
"…Her? Who?"
"Ling Yue." The name was spoken with an obsessive possessiveness.
Ji En's mind cleared at once. So that was it! This man loved Ling Yue—and believed he had taken liberties with her.
"I saved her," Ji En said evenly.
"Answer me truthfully, and perhaps I'll let you live," Feng Tianyu replied with cold arrogance.
Ji En laughed bitterly. "If you wanted a living witness, you wouldn't have let the corpses silence those bandits."
"What did you do to Ling Yue?!" Feng Tianyu's voice rose, killing intent thickening.
"I said, I saved her!" Ji En snapped. "If you don't believe me, ask her yourself!"
"Does no one ever tell you—when you lie, your eyes shift?" Feng Tianyu stepped closer, spiritual energy pressing like a storm. "A man and a woman, alone in the wilderness for days. How could there not be… intimacy?"
Ji En exploded. "Hell with you! She was shot and fell into the river—I dived to pull her out! She was injured, couldn't walk—I carried her on my back! That's intimacy? Would you rather I watched her die?"
"Ling Yue is a woman of extraordinary grace. How dare a filthy beggar like you touch her?!" Feng Tianyu roared, reason consumed by jealousy.
"You're insane!" Ji En shouted back. "I saved her, and that's my crime? If I'd known the Soul-Suppressing Alliance repaid kindness with treachery, I'd have let her drown!"
His fury only deepened Feng Tianyu's contempt. The Daoist's eyes gleamed like ice. "She cares for you. That is proof enough. Admit it—what passed between you?"
"Care?" Ji En barked a laugh. "She abandoned me in a ruined temple to die. That's your idea of care?"
"You lie!" Feng Tianyu insisted. "She begged me to return for you again and again—her concern was obvious. You truly claim nothing happened?"
"Nothing!" Ji En turned, baring his scarred, pus-crusted back. "Look at me! Half-dead, bones shattered. Do I look like a man with thoughts of lust?"
"Not even a flicker of affection?" Feng Tianyu pressed.
"…" Ji En hesitated, recalling moments of fragile trust from Ling Yue—but quickly denied them. "You're ridiculous! You love her, fine. I don't contest it. Why kill me? Is this your idea of honor?"
"Enough smooth talk!" Feng Tianyu snapped. "She looked at you differently. That alone is unforgivable. You cannot live!"
He struck without warning. His palm, brimming with spiritual force, slammed into Ji En's chest.
"Pfft!" Blood burst from Ji En's mouth. His chest caved, organs shifting from the blow. His body flew like a broken kite, smashing into a tree and crumpling to the ground.