Chapter 65

Following the sound, the golden light gradually faded, but I couldn't see that graceful figure at all.

That's not right. According to reason, she should be around here. I looked at the ground, and it seemed the golden light had weakened a lot, but it was slowly converging into a pale red mist.

I looked up, and ahead, red clouds were rolling! A visual impact like a sea of blood surged toward me!

Wife! Sister-in-law! I couldn't find her, so I called out, thick-skinned.

Stop shouting! Don't you think it sounds terrible? Call me the Ninth Princess! Sister-in-law shouted from the cloud sea, and the surrounding air currents parted to make a path.

Oh! Alright, Ninth Princess. I actually think Sister-in-law sounds nice; I've been calling her that for over twenty years, and I'm already used to it. I don't care about this moment's gain or loss.

After the rolling blood cloud moved aside and surged forward again, I thought she was about to lose her temper, but then I saw that all the blood clouds had formed a blood-red robe. She flicked her sleeve, and the long, narrow tail of the blood robe fluttered behind her as she walked in another direction.

Her skin was still as white as jade, everything was blood-red: the blood-red phoenix crown, the blood-red cloud robe, the blood-red steps.

She was still as domineering and fierce, even though her eyes were still closed. Her profile made people feel unwelcome, and compared to her, I felt my actions were so undignified when I approached her, because every move she made was so regal and graceful.

But when I looked down at myself, I was wrapped in a black cloud robe, like dark thunderclouds in a starless sky, crackling with lightning. I touched my body, and a streak of lightning came out, but I didn't feel any pain or burning.

I found that my armor was transparent, made of a dark cloud.

When did I become like this?

I was very curious. I don't usually wear black clothes, so why was I carrying a dark cloud?

But the style of this black cloud wasn't bad, matching well with Sister-in-law's blood-red cloud robe.

Maybe Sister-in-law can control dreams. Seeing me in cheap clothes, she must have felt embarrassed and gave me this outfit to cover up.

So, why did you look for me? Sister-in-law didn't stop, walking in a white mist, with nothing around, like a white watercolor splash.

I just wanted to see you. You haven't contacted me much these days, and I was worried something might happen. I didn't feel awkward talking to her; we've been married for over twenty years. It's understandable that we haven't held hands, but if we can't even talk, that would be too much.

I followed her steps and finally reached her side.

Looking closely, her face was incredibly fair, with long eyelashes and a fresh, elegant expression. Every inch of her beauty was flawless.

Would I be like this if nothing happened? Sister-in-law slowed her steps, her brows slightly furrowed.

You know, I don't have any strength. You've watched me for over twenty years; you've seen what I've done. I shrugged, feeling a bit helpless.

Unexpectedly, her face darkened, and she said, "So you're blaming me for not protecting you well? If you had always listened to me, would you be in this situation today?"

We haven't argued for over twenty years, but we started bickering as soon as we met. I felt we finally had a bit of a couple's feel. It seems her temper is quite strong.

I softened and said, "Not at all. I blame myself for being weak. If I could provide you with enough strength, wouldn't we be able to be together all the time? We could discuss things together and do things together."

I wouldn't dare to be smooth-talking with her. It's fine with Han Shanshan, Zhao Qian, and Yu Xiaoxue, but with Sister-in-law, she would probably turn and leave if I tried.

"Haha, you want to use your own strength to make me appear? What a big talk." Sister-in-law's lips curled up, and she laughed lightly.

At that moment, my heart raced. They say a smile can make a hundred beauties, and Sister-in-law's even when mocking was captivating.

"Is it big talk? How would we know without trying? You know, once I set my mind on something, I will do it. If I don't, won't I be even less capable in the future? When I'm fifty or sixty, with white hair, and you're still a seventeen or eighteen-year-old bride-to-be, wouldn't that be tragic?" I looked at her, feeling a mix of emotions. If that day comes, and I'm old and gray, and she's still a bride-to-be, it would be a great blow to my heart.

Sister-in-law was silent. She usually doesn't talk much, and when she does, she's very proud and likes to offend people. She always needs to be consulted, and any slight can make her furious.

But she has three souls and seven spirits. When she doesn't know how to respond, she's just as silent as a mortal.

People can lack self-awareness, but it's rare to find someone as thick-skinned as you. So, what do you want? Sister-in-law stopped, turned to face me, her blood-red robe burning like fire, but her expression was as clear as water. If I had to describe it, "radiant" would be the word.

Most importantly, she softened under my words.

Actually, being thick-skinned isn't necessarily bad. I just see her as my Sister-in-law, so I don't need to be too cautious when speaking.

I want to be with you, forever! Even if it means climbing a mountain of knives or crossing a sea of fire, I'm willing! I said resolutely.

If you only have the determination to climb a mountain of knives and cross a sea of fire to be with me, go back and don't come again. Sister-in-law's brows furrowed again.

I'll do anything! I quickly added, afraid she would wave me away and I would be out of the dream.

That's reckless. Sister-in-law said coldly, turning away, seemingly unmoved by my words.

Then what do you want me to do? I'll do it without hesitation. This time, I won't disobey you. I pleaded, knowing she was venting her frustration over my past disregard for her warnings, which led to my body's gradual collapse.

Don't you know? You've been my soul vessel since childhood, and I am the soul in that vessel. When you are strong, you can contain me, but when you are weak, I will dissipate. But you act recklessly, putting me in danger multiple times without self-awareness. How can I trust you? It would be better to wait for you to die of old age and then return to heaven. Sister-in-law flicked her sleeve and walked quickly forward.

The white ink gradually changed color, turning pale red, then blood red, about to merge into a sea of blood.

Since you chose me as your soul vessel, there must be a reason. I don't know what you're thinking, but there must be a deeper meaning! If you just want me to live a quiet, ordinary life and die, why choose me at all? I might as well go to heaven directly! I was angry and grabbed her hand in her sleeve.

Sister-in-law couldn't pull free, so she raised her other hand, and a huge sea of blood surged toward me, knocking me to the ground.

I felt sorry for you and did it on a whim. Sister-in-law turned and was about to merge into the sea of blood.

Impossible! I said, sitting on the ground, feeling dejected.

Watching her move further away, I couldn't hold her back, but my heart calmed down.

I think maybe I was wrong from the start.

I didn't come to ask for anything. I just missed you and wanted to see you. I said to the blood cloud.

It seemed I was alone, the cloud silent and terrifying, as if she had really left.

Sister-in-law, I really want to become strong, very strong. When I'm stronger than you, maybe I can give you freedom to live as you wish, no longer trapped in this soul vessel. Time seemed to stop, and I didn't wake up from the dream.

It might just be a beautiful dream, a fantasy, but if I don't try, how will I know? There are countless beings and strange things in the world. Even if I face countless obstacles, I will find a way to become strong, a path to the exit. I knew she was listening, thinking.

You always say I act recklessly, thinking I won't give up until I hit a wall, but have you considered that this is my determination to become strong? If you protect and maintain me everywhere, when will I become strong? When will I grow up? When will I be able to free you from this soul vessel? Looking at the blood mist, I stood up.

Sister-in-law, I am still me. I will still do things you think I can't do. Facing an impenetrable wall, if I believe it's right, I will still crash through it, even if it means breaking my head and shattering my body. Wife! Just wait, I will never regret it, not since the moment I returned from Xiaoyi Village! I can't turn back now! Saying this, I no longer looked at the blood mist but at the sky.

Above, a beam of light shone down, welcoming me. I knew I was about to wake up.

Sister-in-law slowly walked out of the blood mist. I looked at her, my resolve unwavering.

She still didn't open her eyes, but I believed she had acknowledged my words, even if not completely, at least not as lightly as before. Because I was no longer the snot-nosed kid in her eyes, no longer just receiving her protection and affection.

She was no longer just my childhood bride, because as I grew, I also learned to protect and cherish her.

As I rose from the ground like air, I felt her tug on my clothes, and tears welled up in my eyes.

I don't know how long later, I opened my eyes and saw the ceiling, and Xijun, who was curious, and Song Wanyi, who was kneeling beside me, wiping away my tears.

But at the same time, the ghost general Jiang Han was sitting cross-legged in the corner, which startled me. I struggled to sit up and picked up my phone: How long have I been asleep?