Chapter 86

Seeing Xuan'er's expression, Zhao Hao felt as if his heart had been pierced by a needle.

Xuan'er is Wen Tianxiang's younger sister, and she is not yet twenty years old.

She should not have had to bear such great pressure.

Indeed, she did not have the strength to bear such pressure.

The one who made her the "Blood Phoenix" and led her down this path of both glory and hardship was him.

"Xuan'er, those who are praised by the world will also be criticized by the world. In this world, only mediocre people have no faults and receive no praise." Zhao Hao patted Xuan'er's fragrant shoulder and gently held her in his arms to comfort her.

"Your Highness, I have killed many people, even Uncle Meng is afraid of me." Xuan'er finally burst into tears.

At an age when she should have been innocent and carefree, she had become a blood-soaked executioner.

That was bad enough, but what truly hurt her was that not only did the enemies fear her, but even her own people were afraid of her.

Meng Gong was not the first, nor would he be the last.

Such things had happened many times in the past and would continue to happen in the future.

Even within the Power Gang, Xuan'er was a person to be avoided.

Gradually, in the eyes of others, Xuan'er seemed to have become a two-faced person.

Many even believed that Xuan'er had a split personality.

One side was innocent and adorable, the other side was cold-blooded and murderous.

But Zhao Hao knew that Xuan'er had never had a split personality from the beginning.

She had just deliberately created a mask to isolate herself from others.

This protected both herself and others.

However, she was ultimately a girl in the bloom of youth.

In front of Zhao Hao, she could not remain calm.

Especially after experiencing something very terrifying.

"Xuan'er, any sins, I will bear. You are a fairy, and in the future, you will surely be revered by all." Zhao Hao said firmly.

Only Zhao Hao knew how much Xuan'er had sacrificed and how much pressure she had borne for him over the years.

The emotion Zhao Hao least often showed was regret, because he understood that regret was the most useless thing. It not only troubled his present self but also negated his past self.

But with Xuan'er, Zhao Hao really felt some regret.

If he had not intervened and let Xuan'er grow up freely, the Power Gang would have lost a "Blood Phoenix," but it might not have had a significant impact on the world.

But now, he had gambled with Xuan'er's entire life.

"I have embarrassed Your Highness." Xuan'er finally held back her tears and left Zhao Hao's embrace.

Zhao Hao shook his head, saying nothing, and looked at the courtyard with a complex expression.

Zhao Ling'er was by Zhao Hao's side, and she did not feel any discomfort because of Zhao Hao's intimate actions with Xuan'er.

Because she also understood the kind of pressure Xuan'er was bearing.

Even she could not remain calm.

Some experiences were so painful that even imagining them was difficult.

Especially for someone with a conscience.

"Ling'er, don't go in." Zhao Hao said.

Although Zhao Ling'er was no longer a little sister who needed his protection, Zhao Hao still did not want her to see too much of the world's filth.

Some things, he alone knew were enough.

But Zhao Ling'er shook her head, came to Zhao Hao's side, took his hand, and smiled gently, saying, "Brother, I will always stand behind you and share the burdens you can bear."

Zhao Hao felt a warmth in his heart.

This was truly a close and blood-related family.

"Xuan'er, you have suffered a lot." Zhao Ling'er said with sympathy.

"Shifu is also very hard. I know his pain is no less than mine, but he has never shown it." Xuan'er said.

"All the sacrifices are worth it. Xuan'er, what you and Mr. Qiu have done is of great significance to Xiangyang City and even to the Song Dynasty. The sin of killing will be borne by me, and you are the saviors of thousands of people." Zhao Hao said.

"Your Highness's words are enough to comfort me for life. But I am not that great. When I agreed to do this for you, it was more out of a doctor's research. But now I realize what kind of monster Xuan'er and I have created together. To be honest, I am a bit afraid."

The courtyard gate opened, and Qiu Shenjie had a complex expression.

Just like Xuan'er just now.

Some things are created to kill.

And they will kill many people.

As the creator, the pressure they bear is unimaginable to outsiders.

They might spend the rest of their lives in regret.

"Mr. Qiu, you are a great talent, I bow to you." Zhao Hao said sincerely.

Qiu Shenjie sighed. He was not a good person, and his hands were also stained with others' blood.

But compared to what he had just researched, all the evil deeds he had done before were trivial.

"Your Highness, please come in." Qiu Shenjie stepped aside to let Zhao Hao and the others enter the courtyard.

As soon as Zhao Hao entered the courtyard, his expression changed.

The courtyard gate closed by itself, and Zhao Hao, hearing the painful moans, said solemnly, "Did Meng Gong and Guo Jing know about this experiment?"

"Guo Jing did not know, but Meng Gong might have guessed." Qiu Shenjie said honestly.

"I will talk to Meng Gong. This matter must be kept secret. If it leaks out, you and Xuan'er will be condemned by all." Zhao Hao said seriously.

"From the beginning, I was probably prepared for this." Qiu Shenjie said.

"I will not allow it. Since you have chosen to follow me, I will take responsibility for you. You can die in battle, but you must not be destroyed by this. This is something you cannot bear, only I can." Zhao Hao said.

"I can too." Zhao Ling'er said.

Her status and position indeed gave her the right to stand by Zhao Hao's side.

"Alright, we will bear it together." Zhao Hao smiled.

"Let's go in and take a look."

"Xuan'er, how many times have you conducted this experiment?"

"121 times."

"If it succeeds, what impact will it have?"

"At least ten thousand, and it is highly contagious with no cure."

"Can't you cure it either?"

"No cure, no one can solve it."

A long silence.

"This is a double-edged sword, a slight mistake will hurt ourselves."

"Great wealth comes with great risk, we do not have the luxury to be picky."

"Mr. Qiu, how long does it take from incubation to onset?"

"Half a month is enough."

"I understand."

After half an hour, Zhao Hao and Zhao Ling'er left the courtyard.

Looking up, the sky was blue and the clouds were white, and Zhao Hao took a deep breath.

"Brother, this method is ultimately not the right path." Zhao Ling'er said.

"I know, but this is not the final battle. What we need first is a victory." Zhao Hao's gaze was firm and resolute.

For victory, no means are too extreme.