in2ebook Chapter 278 Xuannv 143
Chapter 278 Xuannv 143
The confrontation between emotion and principle
"Why would you say that?" Donghua leaned gently on Jiaojiao's shoulder, his warm breath brushing against her ear, seemingly carrying a hint of languor and nonchalance.
Jiaojiao stiffened slightly, then subtly dodged to the side, standing aside with a complex expression and a hint of barely perceptible melancholy in her voice, "I have never been this close to the Emperor before. Is it really worth it for the Emperor to abandon the entire world just because of that little bit of attraction?" She raised her eyes, looking directly at Donghua, her questioning undisguised.
Upon hearing this, Donghua's lips curled into a faint smile, his expression unchanged, his domineering aura undiminished. "Oh? Why can't I, for my own selfish desires, destroy the entire Four Seas and Eight Desolations? As the Emperor of the Four Seas and Eight Desolations, all those beneath me are but ants." As his words fell, the surrounding air seemed to freeze under his undeniable aura.
Jiaojiao looked at Donghua before her, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes. She took a deep breath. "So, you have a problem." As soon as she finished speaking, she flicked her wrist, and the Canghe Sword was drawn. In an instant, the sword shone brightly, its blade humming as if responding to its master's emotions. If Donghua uttered another word against the righteous path of this world, it would strike him without hesitation. (This Canghe Sword is a memento left to Jiaojiao by Donghua after his first incarnation; it has long since recognized Jiaojiao as its master, so please don't be surprised, there's no typo.)
Sunlight streamed onto the sword, reflecting a blinding light that mirrored the starkly different states of mind of the two men. Donghua gazed silently at Jiaojiao, his eyes devoid of any fear or hesitation, as if the sharp sword before him were nothing to him. Jiaojiao's hand, gripping the hilt tightly, turned slightly white; her eyes held both heartache for Donghua's change of heart and unwavering resolve to uphold justice.
"To abandon the common people for one's own selfish desires—this is not the Emperor Donghua I know," Jiaojiao said through gritted teeth, her voice soft yet filled with unwavering determination.
Donghua stood calmly with his hands behind his back. "The common people? In my long years, I have witnessed too many rises and falls. Without my protection, the four seas and eight wastelands are so vulnerable. What meaning do they have for existence?" His voice was deep, yet it echoed clearly in the silent space.
The Canghe Sword shone even brighter, as if sensing the indignation and struggle in its master's heart. Jiaojiao stepped forward, the tip of her sword pointing directly at Donghua, "So you are not him, he would not violate the principles of this world."
Reunion
"Heh, heh heh heh, hahahaha." Donghua suddenly threw his head back and laughed loudly. The laughter echoed wildly, startling the birds around him into a fluttering flight, as if he wanted to release all the emotions that had been suppressed for a long time.
Jiaojiao was startled by the sudden laughter. Before she could recover from the tense atmosphere, she saw Donghua abruptly stop laughing and look at her intently. The deep emotions hidden in his eyes made her heart tremble.
"As expected, it really is you." Donghua's voice was deep, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.
Jiaojiao stared at Donghua in this state, her mind going blank for a moment before she finally found her voice: "What do you mean?" Her eyes were full of doubt and wariness. Although she did not put down the Canghe sword in her hand, her grip on the sword loosened slightly due to this inexplicable situation.
Donghua gently raised his hand, his movements as tender as if touching a rare treasure, and slowly stroked Jiaojiao's head, murmuring softly, "Jiaojiao, I've raised you to be too naive, but it's true, you've always held fast to your true self." His tone was filled with endless tenderness and affection, as if time had turned back to those bygone years.
Jiaojiao subconsciously turned her head away from the hand, raising her eyes to question, "When have you ever taught me manners?" But when her gaze met the undisguised doting in Donghua's eyes, a flash of inspiration struck her. In an instant, it was as if something had struck the softest part of her heart. Her eyes quickly reddened, tears uncontrollably welling up, and her voice trembled involuntarily, "Shaoyang, is it you?" Her eyes were full of disbelief, yet also faintly filled with expectation.
"It's me, I'm back. Jiaojiao, you've had a hard time these past few days." Donghua's eyes were slightly red, his voice filled with the joy and heartache of a long-awaited reunion. He gently pulled Jiaojiao into his arms, his movements careful, as if afraid of hurting the person in front of him. With his other hand, he took the Canghe Sword from Jiaojiao's hand and placed it aside.
Holding him tightly in her arms, Jiaojiao trembled slightly, tears streaming down her face, soaking Donghua's clothes. She raised her hand and hugged Donghua back tightly, as if to confirm that what she was seeing was not an illusion, murmuring, "It really is you... I thought... I thought I would never see you again..."
Donghua gently patted Jiaojiao's back, resting his chin lightly on the top of her head, his voice as soft as a spring breeze: "Silly girl, how could I bear to leave you? All these years, I've let you face so much alone, it's all my fault." Sunlight filtered through the dappled leaves, casting dappled shadows that fell on the two embracing figures, bathing this long-awaited reunion in a warm, golden glow.