Chapter Forty-One: Dying in Your Stead

"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have fought in underground matches to earn money, nor would you have given up on rebuilding a family for my sake, and you wouldn't have been kidnapped by those villains because of me. Father, you've struggled so bitterly just to make my life a little more comfortable, haven't you..."

"Father, I'm sorry. I have to take this boy away. He's too strong, and I don't want to be your burden any longer..."

Xuan Yao, like a shattered maple leaf, slowly raised her head before fainting, her blood-red hair turning black with a tinge of withered yellow.

Mu You steadied her as her head touched the ground, gripping the spot where the needle had pierced. The sting of the broken skin came, and Mu You gently laid Xuan Yao on the ground.

"Death may be a release for you, but isn't it cruel for your father? You're running away, punishing your father—and yourself—for the wrongs of this world."

Hearing these words, Xuan Yao struggled to open her eyes, feeling the warmth at her neck. She stared at Mu You in disbelief. "What are you doing? Are you crazy? I tried to kill you just now! How could you do this and not care for your own life?"

"I don't know... I just rushed over instinctively..." Mu You grimaced. "I feel like you can be saved, because only truly good people are willing to give of themselves, even to the point of death. I, Mu You, am not qualified to kill a person like that."

"I think even God would grant someone who remains kind a chance to repent. I'm far inferior to God, so I cherish... such people all the more."

No sooner had Mu You finished speaking than he groaned and collapsed into Xuan Yao's arms, his face landing in a soft embrace.

Xuan Yao cried out, about to push him away, but she realized he was enduring immense pain, his hands desperately clutching the bare muscles of his chest, tears squeezed from the corners of his eyes as he struggled to withstand the hellish torment.

Moreover, Mu You had no strength left to suppress the turmoil within him. To save Xuan Yao, he had forcibly withstood the full effects of "Night's Desire: Birth of Joy." Now, his surging passion was like a wild horse unleashed, rampaging violently.

Mu You howled in agony, gasping for breath, and somewhere on his body tore open from the pressure. His muscles were hard as steel, covered in a fine sheen of sweat.

All his struggles were felt by Xuan Yao. Her face flushed, she tried to dodge, but remembering Mu You had saved her—willingly taking her place for execution—she gritted her teeth and embraced him tightly.

Instantly, Mu You's howls were muffled, reduced to whimpers. His frantic struggling was contained in Xuan Yao's arms, protecting him from further harm. Confused and delirious, Mu You couldn't distinguish right from wrong and bit down on the soft flesh before him.

Xuan Yao threw back her head with a cry, but she didn't push him away. All this was her fault. The boy in her arms was paying the price for her actions—how could she feel at ease? What was a little pain in her chest compared to this?

She suddenly realized that being touched by the opposite sex wasn't as terrifying as she remembered.

Gradually, Mu You's screams faded, his struggles lessened, until he finally lay still.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

Xuan Yao's chest ached. She couldn't understand it—she had tried to kill Mu You, so why did he, seeing her about to be executed, save her without a second thought, exchanging his life for hers?

Did he pity her? What nonsense. Death Row Paradise had people with genuine feelings, but not a single fool.

Yet he... died, really died for her...

Xuan Yao hugged Mu You tighter, as if she could absorb him into herself. Suddenly, she realized she owed Mu You an immense debt—one she could never repay in this lifetime.

"You are not at fault; it is this world that is wrong..."

Mu You's words echoed in her ears. In the girl's desolate, sorrowful expression, traces of resentment and jealousy mingled.

Blame the game. Blame Death Row Paradise. Blame society. Blame this world!

Not only was she broken, she was destroying others as well.

Her hair fell across her face. She bit her lip, silver teeth clenched, as tears once again slid down her cheeks, dripping onto Mu You's ear.

Suddenly, Mu You stirred, and a pained groan came from Xuan Yao's chest.

"Cough, cough, are you trying to suffocate me..."

Xuan Yao instinctively froze, then released Mu You with a cry. Seeing the glimmer at his mouth and the dampness on her clothes, her face flushed bright red.

"You—you didn't die!"

Xuan Yao was at first overjoyed; she thought, of course, how could this boy take on such risks without certainty? She relaxed, the guilt in her heart fading by half, and then recalled their intimate moment, giving Mu You an angry glare.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you? Men really are scoundrels!"

Xuan Yao feigned anger, her moonlit cheeks still tinged with blush, making her look truly endearing.

Mu You coughed dryly, embarrassed. "Who could pretend to be in that much pain?!"

"I don't care. You're a scoundrel," Xuan Yao pouted.

"Alright, alright, I'm a scoundrel. There, satisfied?"

Mu You had no choice but to agree repeatedly.

The two met each other's eyes and burst out laughing, all their previous barriers swept away.

"Thank you, Mu You," Xuan Yao said, still a bit shy but staring boldly at Mu You, expressing her gratitude word by word. The way she said "Mu You" made his legs feel weak, and the fire he'd just subdued seemed to flare up again.

Looking at the blood-red mist still swirling around them, Mu You suddenly had an evil thought—if he lunged at her now... heh heh heh...

But when he met Xuan Yao's sincere gaze, he abandoned the idea, cursing himself for being filthy. At that moment, the others began to gather, led by Thunder, and were about to find them.

"How are we going to explain this?" Xuan Yao blushed even more.

Mu You was stunned, and his face grew hot too. Right—he'd been affected by Xuan Yao's "Night's Desire: Birth of Joy," and their cries and whimpers had been heard. No one saw what happened, but now they were both disheveled, faces flushed, reconciled. If people didn't suspect something, they'd have to be blind.

"Here, help me out."

Mu You thought for a moment, his eyes glinting mischievously, and leaned toward Xuan Yao.

"What now?!"

Xuan Yao crossed her arms over her chest, striking the classic defensive pose, her face full of vigilance as she stared at Mu You.

Mu You sighed. It seemed the "big pervert" label had been firmly fixed in Xuan Yao's mind. He smiled helplessly and said, "It's simple—pretend to be dead to draw your father's attention. We're square with him, but that big white pig—I have to kill him."

Xuan Yao felt pretending to be dead was cruel to her father, but hearing Mu You call Zun Ye "big white pig," she burst out laughing, realizing he was spot-on.

"Your father won't be in the mood to fight me. While he's focused on you, quickly explain things to him. I'll take the opportunity to kill Zun Ye. I've offended two major factions—I'd like you and your father to help me later."

Xuan Yao nodded obediently, lay down, and closed her eyes in feigned sleep.

Mu You was about to stand, patting the dirt off and rubbing his face, when Xuan Yao suddenly sat up, startling him.

"Wait, hang on! You didn't save me just to get us to help you, did you?!"

Mu You nearly sprayed her with salt soda, quickly signaling for her to lie back down. In life-and-death moments, who had time to plot so much?

Seeing Mu You's reaction, Xuan Yao felt she'd regained the upper hand, and with satisfaction, lay down again amidst Mu You's exasperation.

Goodness, this girl even has a hidden scheming side!