Chapter 299: Not Even in Death
Chapter 299: Not Even in Death
It took Xiang Ling a while to wrap her brain around Zhang Xuan’s words, not because of what he said, but because of what his words were actually implying. "Is something... about to happen?" She asked in the softest voice possible.
The man didn’t answer her question through words, but the look in his eyes was more than enough to confirm her guess. Xiang Ling became completely silent as she tried to calm her inner self down and accept what she just learned. "Can you see the future?" She asked when her fear got overpowered by her curiosity.
Very slowly, Zhang Xuan shook his head in a negative response before he spoke, "I can’t see the future, but I can sense it, especially when it’s the time of someone’s... end..." He became silent for a moment and his hold on Xiang Ling’s hands tightened slightly before he added in a very low voice - "... and right now, I’m getting the same feeling about quite a few people."
Xiang Ling almost stopped breathing when she heard his words. Her wide eyes stared at the man in terror which made him squeeze her hand again as if to comfort her.
"Don’t worry, Ah Ling. I’m giving you my word, I will never let anything happen to your Primordial Spirit. Not as long as I’m alive." His voice was firm and so was his gaze as he looked straight into her eyes. He really meant his words.
"I know." Xiang Ling spoke a moment later. "I know that you will protect my Immortal Spirit at any cost. That’s why I’m not worried about myself. I’m worried about the... others you just mentioned." She confessed her fear and watched as Zhang Xuan brought her hand closer to his mouth and placed a kiss on her knuckles.
"I’m sure they will be alright. But if you are really that worried, I will try my best to look after them as well. However, my priority will be to make sure that you are safe." He tried to assure her, but his words only made Xiang Ling chuckle.
The two became silent after that for a couple of minutes before Xiang Ling asked another question. "Didn’t you say that marrying me will allow you to keep me safe during my mortal life? Or was that just an excuse for marrying me?" Her voice was soft and light, devoid of any sign of accusation or disappointment in it, making it obvious that she didn’t hold him accountable for not keeping his words.
Still, when Zhang Xuan looked up at her face, his eyes carried the look of guilt in them. "I should apologize for that, shouldn’t I?" The disappointment and regret was very clear in his tone.
Xiang Ling quickly shook her head in negative. "You don’t have to. I know that you didn’t lie to me back then. You actually believed that marrying me will give you the ability to interfere with my mortal life without going against the high rules. So, there’s no need for you to feel sorry about."
Zhang Xuan took in a deep breath before he spoke, "Back then, I really did believe that my identity as your husband will allow me to interfere with your mortal life. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until today that I realized the truth. It was only now that I realized there’s always someone or something more powerful than the other in this world. Even with my identity, I can’t go against the high rules of fate."
His tone almost carried an edge that highlighted his anger toward his current situation. He turned his attention back toward her face before he quickly added - "But this doesn’t mean I’m completely useless. If you want to continue your mortal life here, I can help you with it."
"But the high rules-"
"The high rules are indeed hindering me, but they can’t really stop me. I will get punished by the fate for breaking them, but for someone like me, loosing my powers for a century or two didn’t really mean anything if it can help you. If you want, I can shift the future for you. What is meant to happen will eventually happen, but I can change its course of time and place."
Xiang Ling stared at the man in disbelief. She could hardly wrap her mind around what he just confessed. "Ah Xuan... exactly who you are?" She asked in a voice that was barely audible. "How can... how can you go against the fate?"
Zhang Xuan placed another kiss on her hand, and this time, it was in the center of her palm. Keeping his gaze fixed on her, he answered, "You know that I can’t tell you my identity as long as you are undergoing your life tribulation. But I will tell you everything about me as soon as you will return to the Celestial Realm. Now, tell me, Ah Ling. Do you want to continue your mortal life?"
Xiang Ling didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she took her time to think. Did she like her current life? Yes! Despite the constant hard work she had to put into her life very day, she was enjoying living as Chen Xiang Ling while surrounded by her loved ones. Did she wanted to stay in the Mortal Realm for a while longer? Yes! Truth be told, she would have loved to spend at least a few decades in the Mortal Realm. But, did she want to do it on the expanse of Zhang Xuan going against the plans of fate? The answer was a clear no.
Taking in a deep breath, she cupped the man’s face with her palms as she answered, "I love my current life here, but I’m also ready to return to the Celestial Realm. All I want... is for you to stay by my side. You will do that, right?"
Zhang Xuan quickly nodded his head in a positive response. "I will never leave you alone, Ah Ling. Never. Not even in death." And he sealed the promise with a deep kiss.