GD Ch. 61 Part 1

Chapter 61: Do You Blame Me?

Changying.

When Zhuyou heard the voice, she knew it was her. No wonder her restrictions had been bypassed so effortlessly. 

But why was this dragon so anxious, grabbing her hand the moment she arrived?

It had been a hundred years since they last met, and this was the first time Changying had held her hand—though perhaps “held” wasn’t the right word.

Changying had indeed changed. In her youth, her hands were small, but now, as she pinched Zhuyou’s wrist with two fingers, there was still room to spare.

After exchanging heart’s blood, the dragon’s hands were no longer as cold as before. They were warm, like tea that hadn’t completely cooled—soft and gentle.

Changying’s fingers loosened their grip on Zhuyou’s wrist, and her entire hand covered the back of Zhuyou’s hand.

This pampered dragon’s palm was smooth and soft, her fingers slender and long, enveloping Zhuyou’s hand.

Changying slowly shifted her fingers, almost aligning them with Zhuyou’s, and with a slight pressure, she pressed Zhuyou’s hand onto the Turbid Mirror.

As Zhuyou touched the mirror, a chill ran through her palm.

Zhuyou was momentarily stunned. Although she had intended to enter the mirror, being forced by the dragon felt inappropriate.

Her hand was tightly pressed against Changying’s palm, and a continuous flow of spiritual energy surged between them, cold and unyielding, like a mountain spring, wrapping around her fingers.

The spiritual energy was icy, as if it wouldn’t allow her to retreat.

What was this dragon planning?

Zhuyou’s thoughts were in disarray, too tangled to sort out. She suddenly felt that Changying might be deliberately leading her into the mirror.

Perhaps she was bewitched, but she couldn’t shake the thought that this Nine Heavens Divine Venerable might be guiding her into the Turbid Mirror to find the remaining soul of the Devil Lord.

Changying held her hand firmly, pressing it onto the mirror, forcing Zhuyou to bend forward. As she leaned, her chest inadvertently brushed against Zhuyou’s back.

The softness was unlike the youthful Changying of the past, and it stirred a sense of awkwardness in Zhuyou amidst her tangled thoughts.

Zhuyou immediately shook off Changying’s hand. Though she knew she was no match in strength, she still pushed back against the spiritual energy suppressing her. The cold energy burst forth like a wave.

Her right hand slammed onto the table, causing a loud crack, and the Turbid Mirror was flung into the air by the spiritual energy.

The mirror flipped mid-air and landed back on the table with a thud.

Changying’s expression remained calm, showing no displeasure at having her hand shaken off. She spoke coolly, “Since you wish to enter the Turbid Mirror, wouldn’t it be better with me guiding you?”

Zhuyou turned her head to see Changying standing extremely close, strands of her hair falling onto Zhuyou’s shoulder.

Changying’s sharp eyes showed no trace of softness, only cold indifference, as if everything passed by her like the wind, and she remained unfeeling toward all.

“How do I know you’re not trying to harm me?” Zhuyou said bluntly, as if accusing the Nine Heavens Divine Venerable of being some unscrupulous villain. She didn’t shy away after speaking, thinking that since she couldn’t escape anyway, it was better to be clear, lest the dragon think she was being coy or insincere.

Changying frowned, her voice cold, “Why would I harm you?”

Zhuyou naturally didn’t believe her and narrowed her eyes in scrutiny.

“Do you know the consequences of entering this mirror without permission?” Changying asked, knowing she couldn’t defend herself.

Zhuyou did know. Though ancient texts didn’t record it, she was aware that entering the mirror would separate her soul from her body, placing her in great danger.

“Your greed, anger, and desires will all be reflected in the Turbid Mirror. Everything you see will be influenced by your cravings, and without guidance, you could drown in it,” Changying explained slowly. After a pause, she added, “If I guide you, there’s no need to worry. But once inside, you must not be more than three steps away from me.”

She sounded so confident, as if she had grown powerful. Back in the day, she needed someone to lead her by the hand.

Zhuyou narrowed her eyes and said leisurely, “How impressive. It seems you’ve forgotten some things after becoming the Nine Heavens Divine Venerable.”

“What have I forgotten?” Changying looked down at her, not stepping back, only slightly straightening her posture, her front robe brushing against Zhuyou’s back.

She seemed as if she wanted to envelop the devil before her in her arms, but she didn’t. The hand that had been shaken off now rested properly on the edge of the table.

Zhuyou, having been a devil for so many years, had never felt like this before—as if she were at a disadvantage and couldn’t break free.

Perhaps Changying’s slight restraint made her think she still had a chance, so she didn’t feel much fear.

“Have you forgotten that over a hundred years ago, I was the one who hatched you?” Zhuyou said slowly.

Changying’s face showed no smile, her expression still cold, but a flicker of memory seemed to stir in her eyes. She nodded, “It was indeed you.”

“Your dragon bones have hardened, and now you don’t know how to respect me, even trying to play games with me,” Zhuyou said.

Changying was momentarily speechless, then after a while, she asked, “How should I respect you?”

This part of her hadn’t changed—still asking questions when she didn’t understand, as diligent as ever.

Zhuyou, thinking she genuinely didn’t know, said slowly, “You should act like how mortals treat their young.”

Changying hesitated, her face expressionless. “You want me to guard the house?”

Zhuyou was at a loss for words. She was thinking along the lines of how to deal with disobedient children and never expected this dragon to compare herself to a guard dog.

Changying seemed to realize she was being teased. Her brows furrowed slightly, and she hid the sharpness in her eyes. Her pale lips parted, “I truly don’t wish to harm you.”

“If you wanted to harm me, I’d probably be dead before I even realized it,” Zhuyou said with a hint of sarcasm, though her tone was flat, not at all like she was joking.

She indeed harbored reservations about this dragon. Even though she had raised her, Changying was still the Nine Heavens Divine Venerable. How could Zhuyou not be wary?

“I won’t harm you,” Changying repeated, her pale lips moving slightly. “I’ve already said so.”

Her face was still devoid of color, her lips pale, but her demeanor was anything but frail. Her tone was firm, a far cry from the delicate, pitiable child she once was, who had evoked such tender affection.

Zhuyou naturally didn’t believe her. She had trusted too much in the past, and that had led her down a path of endless mistakes, plunging her into this abyss of despair.

“You still don’t trust me,” Changying said coldly, noticing the distance in Zhuyou’s eyes.

Zhuyou quietly pondered where she could flee to if she took the mirror and escaped now. She glanced toward the door and asked, “Did you harm Hanzhu?”

Changying’s eyes darkened. A hundred years apart, and this devil seemed to care more and more about the peacock demon. “I didn’t harm her,” she said, pausing before adding, “Not a single hair on her head.”

Zhuyou twirled her fingers, leaning slightly toward the table to create some distance. The passive posture made her feel as if she were being pulled into an embrace. Her eyes flickered as she carefully chose her words, “A hundred years ago, I abandoned you. Don’t you resent me?”

After speaking, she turned her head, her face nearly touching the table, openly scrutinizing Changying’s expression.

This close, and with the room brightly lit, she could finally see Changying’s face clearly since their parting at Cold Eye.

She had indeed grown. Upon closer inspection, her features bore a faint resemblance to her childhood self, and the small mole on the tip of her nose was still there.

That tiny mole seemed like a blade, shaving away much of the sharpness in her demeanor.

Changying’s cultivation was indeed profound, befitting the Nine Heavens Divine Venerable. No wonder others found it painful to look directly at her. Zhuyou only felt a warmth in her eyes, barely managing to remain unaffected.

Upon hearing Zhuyou’s words, Changying’s golden eyes suddenly shifted into dragon pupils, the vertical slits sharp and intimidating. It was as if she were angry, barely restraining the fierce energy within her.

Zhuyou thought to herself that the dragon must still hold some affection for her, even if only a little. Otherwise, why would Changying’s expression turn cold at the mention of events from a hundred years ago?

Changying was like a fledgling bird, opening her eyes to see Zhuyou first, and thus imprinting on her.

But such feelings should have faded by now. As the Nine Heavens Divine Venerable, how could she still act like a child, sulking over being neglected?

Wasn’t she sulking? Her pupils had changed, yet she hadn’t said a word, nor had she lashed out in anger.

Zhuyou pondered for a moment before asking again, “Do you really not resent me?”

Changying’s breathing suddenly quickened, and the spiritual energy around her caused a vase in the corner to shatter. Her mind was in turmoil, replaying Zhuyou’s words.

Had Zhuyou really abandoned her? Was it truly her decision?

No…

She nearly lost control, but she quickly pulled herself back to the present, remembering that Zhuyou had been gravely injured at the time, likely delirious. How could she have had the strength to tell Hanzhu not to bring her along?

Changying pressed her lips together, staring intently at the devil before her. Even if Zhuyou admitted it was Hanzhu’s idea, she… wouldn’t have truly harmed her.

After all, Hanzhu was the attendant Zhuyou had insisted on retrieving after her fall into devilhood. How could Changying have truly struck her down?

She remained silent for a long time, her eyes fixed on Zhuyou, before finally saying, “I did resent you.”