Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1585 - 965: The Jade Mystery

"Why? Does my statement surprise you?" Fang Geyu observed Baili An's reaction.

"A little... Considering you said she was created by your mother.

Her entire purpose was to protect you, so...

Why would she intend to bring ruin upon Shifang City?"

Fang Geyu found the notion utterly preposterous.

"Protect me? She was simply executing the master's command.

To seal the True Ancestor Evil God within the Ten Directions Sword, my mother had already exhausted her life force.

Though I was young then, my capacity for mischief was significant, and my father lacked the inherent brilliance of the Immortal Bloodline.

If I were to secure control over Shifang City and gain the loyalty of my mother's former subordinates, I had to put in a hundredfold effort compared to normal to manage the city's affairs, leaving me no energy to attend to me.

Thus, Jiushijiu and Little Five were constructs created by my mother to manage me.

Puppets operate solely on their master's directives; they possess no superfluous emotions or objectives. Their existence is dedicated to obedience, whether it involves guarding or killing, much like a sword wielded in hand.

After my mother's demise, they became entities without a master, and it is not unusual for such beings to develop independent consciousness.

What is truly alarming is their fundamental lack of humanity. As their creator, it never crossed my mind to impart human morality or ethical standards to emotionless puppets.

A puppet devoid of a heart experiences neither remorse nor fear, nor can it distinguish between right and wrong.

In their perception, annihilation is as simple as crushing pebbles on the ground. Therefore, puppets originating from Shifang City, how could they possibly comprehend the concept of 'guarding' something?

Because without the constraint of 'orders,' destruction presents a far simpler alternative to preservation.

For the sake of those who have departed, destruction is pursued.

If Jiushijiu acts with such extreme malice towards Shifang City due to the master's death...

This explanation appears logical.

Yet, the Jiushijiu encountered by Baili An in the tavern that evening seemed considerably more intricate than the straightforward persona Fang Geyu depicted.

During their interactions, Baili An sensed her profound cunning and a terrifying insight that rivaled Ning Feiyan's.

Despite revealing her true form and openly admitting her identity, purpose, and intentions,

the enigmatic aura surrounding her evoked the elusive nature of Three Rivers Wang Yi.

Consequently, Baili An was highly confident that Jiushijiu's actions were motivated by more than mere destruction.

Baili An let out a soft sigh, a smile gracing his lips, and stated, "Fang Geyu, you truly understand her well."

The nocturnal snow intensified, alighting upon their shoulders and hair, bestowing upon them a shared appearance of white-haired elders.

Fang Geyu brushed the snow from her shoulder, her black hair resembling ink, her sleeves billowing in the wind.

The pendant box suspended from her neck chimed with a delicate sound as she moved, drawing Baili An's attention.

Snowflakes settled between the young maiden's finely sculpted eyebrows; Fang Geyu appeared indifferent. "Between beings of similar nature, feeling empathy, what is so wrong about that?"

Baili An's eyes flickered slightly, a hint of emotion surfacing. "Similar... beings?"

Fang Geyu slowly exhaled, a steady breath, the warm white vapor clearly visible against the snowy nightscape. She gently tapped the box with her fingertips.

"Feelings suppressed, yet possessing independent consciousness, capable of thought and discernment of right from wrong, and this flesh capable of feeling pain...

Do you believe there is a significant disparity between Jiushijiu and myself?"

Baili An remained silent.

"If a distinction must be made, my memories are not sealed, and I am aware of my circumstances and comprehend my mission.

The most substantial difference between her and me is that the command imparted by my mother remains unfulfilled.

This grants me greater clarity, enabling me to distinguish between what I ought to do and what I ought not."

Fang Geyu's gaze gradually narrowed as she looked at Baili An. "Acquire what you seek from Jiushijiu, fulfill the stipulated conditions, claim your reward, and depart from Shifang City; that is the prudent course of action."

"That certainly makes sense."

Baili An shook off the clinging wind and snow from his attire, looking up at Fang Geyu, his eyes alight with purpose.

"However, when collaborating with another, should I not wholeheartedly see through her entrusted task to fully enjoy my reward with a clear conscience?"

Fang Geyu's casual smile faltered slightly. She slowly crouched down, bringing her face closer to Baili An.

Her dark eyes, as if moistened, emitted a gem-like luminescence, clear as frost amidst snow—strikingly black and white, devoid of any discernible emotion.

She softly declared, "Dispel your extravagant notions. I do not deny our past acquaintance, nor the special feelings I once harbored for you."

This was, in effect, an admission of her past affection for him.

Such candor and directness stood in stark contrast to the proud, reserved Fang Geyu of yesteryear.

However, this candidness felt like a tiny blade, swiftly and gently slicing a wound across Baili An’s heart, a subtle ache blooming in its wake.

He understood then; only when one truly harbored feelings for another would they become hesitant.

To openly and freely confess affection was akin to awakening from a sweet dream, finally seeing past the illusions of days gone by.

Fang Geyu’s hand lightly caressed the sword hilt at her waist, her gaze unwavering and bold.

"Since you've already faced the True Ancestor Evil God, you must grasp why she was able to possess my body. Remaining here will only invite immense peril upon me."