The Dark Fall process ended, draining 99% of Bai Yue Ling’s health.
She let out a soft whimper, collapsing powerlessly onto Qing Jin. Their ample curves pressed together, flattening momentarily before bouncing back with elasticity, then settling heavily.
Feeling the sudden pressure on her chest, untouched for a decade, Qing Jin’s pupils contracted. An instinctive surge of icy magic erupted.
Crack!
Bai Yue Ling was instantly frozen into an ice sculpture. Qing Jin sat up swiftly, pushing her aside, a trace of embarrassed anger crossing her icy face.
“Take… take this reckless Otherworld Traveler and execute her!”
This Priest Hero had spun flattery and grand promises, even signing a contract staking her life, which had sparked a sliver of hope in Qing Jin’s heart.
Yet, in the end, that hope was mercilessly shattered. This audacious Otherworld Traveler was merely toying with her.
Since her queen consort vanished, many had coveted Qing Jin, the beautiful widow, hoping to “care for” her in her later years—emperesses, archbishops, even her own generals.
But Qing Jin, a master of ice magic, had a heart as cold as millennia-old frost. She ruthlessly crushed anyone who dared harbor improper thoughts, earning her the title of the world-renowned ice-cold beauty. Two years ago, when Scorching Flame struck, she revealed a frail, vulnerable side.
That didn’t mean others could take advantage. On the contrary, sensing her end nearing, she grew even colder, gazing upon her kingdom with detached indifference, aiming to make one final contribution in her remaining time.
In such a state, no one could stir a ripple in her heart. Even physical contact only provoked her anger.
“Sorry, Mother, I’ve disappointed you…”
Huilian sighed, looking at the frozen Bai Yue Ling, then turned to her mother and froze in shock.
“Mother… You… You can sit up?!”
“Hm?”
Qing Jin paused, looking down at her towering, snow-white curves. At this moment, she was sitting on the bed like an ordinary person.
“How… How is this possible?!”
Qing Jin was slightly stunned, ripples of excitement stirring in her usually unperturbed heart.
She, who had been bedridden, was now sitting up?
“Could it be… my illness is actually healing?”
The powerful Ice Sorceress immediately circulated her magic to check her condition. Her body, once ravaged by Scorching Flame, had indeed improved slightly.
Though only a tiny bit, it was enough to ignite hope for a cure.
Qing Jin gripped the bed’s edge, her slender legs extending slightly, her toes touching the cold floor. Taking a deep breath, she carefully stood.
She succeeded.
For the first time in two years, she stepped off the bed that had caged her, standing as a queen on her kingdom’s soil.
“Haa…” Qing Jin exhaled softly, murmuring, “Finally…”
Suddenly, her knees buckled, strength draining from her body, and she collapsed to the floor.
“Mother!”
Huilian rushed over, helping her mother back onto the bed, her voice trembling with excitement, “Mother, this is the first time you’ve stood since falling ill two years ago.”
Though it lasted only seconds, it was monumental news for them.
“Yes… It seems I still can’t move as freely as before.”
Sitting on the bed, Qing Jin savored the long-lost sensation of standing, a rare smile gracing her usually cold face.
Her condition… had truly improved!
After lying in bed like a useless husk for two years, she had stood again.
Over those years, she’d endured countless disappointments, scornful looks, and whispered curses.
On the surface, she remained an unyielding ice mountain, unaffected by negativity. But deep down, hadn’t she resented herself?
On the eve of her kingdom’s prosperity, she, the Queen, had fallen ill, watching helplessly as her painstakingly built kingdom crumbled, heading toward division, with even her four daughters turning against each other.
Beneath her icy heart lay deep unwillingness. While enduring Scorching Flame, she desperately wished to recover instantly, to rise and sweep away all her kingdom’s problems, obstacles, and enemies with her boundless ice magic.
But she couldn’t. She could only lie in this bed, using her last strength to part her lips, issuing weak, trembling orders to her ministers, struggling to maintain the kingdom’s stability.
It was no long-term solution. The kingdom’s issues couldn’t be resolved from a bed.
In recent days, she’d felt her life nearing its end, her cold heart sinking into despairing silence.
But now, with Bai Yue Ling’s help, Qing Jin’s condition had improved.
If she could fully recover, she could take matters into her own hands, resolving all the kingdom’s problems and pulling it back from the brink of collapse!
She saw hope again.
Qing Jin took a deep breath, suppressing her excitement, and said softly to Huilian, “Don’t tell anyone about this yet… In fact, continue spreading news that my condition is worsening.”
“Yes,” Huilian nodded eagerly, “All thanks to Little White!”
Qing Jin paused, “Indeed, that Otherworld Traveler didn’t lie…”
She turned, gazing at the frozen Bai Yue Ling on the bed. This girl had healed her, becoming her new hope.
Staring at Bai Yue Ling’s delicate face, Qing Jin’s heart stirred inexplicably. A crack seemed to form in her decade-long frozen heart, a faint affection seeping out, urging her to pull this adorable girl into her arms and cherish her.
Unaware of her heart’s shift, Qing Jin murmured, “She’s my… hope.”
“Indeed.”
Huilian’s heart swelled with emotion. As the eldest daughter, she’d spent the most time with her mother and understood the deep unwillingness hidden beneath her icy exterior.
She’d often cried alone at night, feeling her mother’s growing frailty and impending departure.
But everything had changed because of Bai Yue Ling. The kingdom now had hope because of her.
Huilian’s heart pounded as she looked at the motionless Bai Yue Ling and asked, “Mother, can we thaw her now?”
“Hm…”
[NPC Qing Jin’s Dark Fall value has increased by 1%. Current Dark Fall value: 2%.]
“You’re right.”
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