Jade of Another World

Guided and assisted by the high priest, Lin Ning finally arrived at Xuan Yuanche's grave. The grave stood alone in a desolate place, overgrown with weeds, exuding a desolate atmosphere.

Lin Ning gazed at the overgrown, desolate grave, a wave of sorrow washing over her, and her eyes instantly reddened. The once high and mighty, arrogant prince now lay buried here, forgotten and neglected. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face, dripping onto the ground at her feet.

She slowly walked to the grave, knelt down, and involuntarily prostrated herself, as if this would bring her closer to Xuan Yuanche. "Xuan Yuanche, I've come to see you." Lin Ning's voice trembled, filled with endless sorrow and emotion.

She gently stroked the tombstone in front of the grave, and the image of Xuan Yuanche's voice and smile appeared before her eyes, his domineering nature mixed with the occasional tenderness he showed. "I never thought you would leave in this way. I used to hate you and resent you, but now, my heart aches so much."

As Lin Ning spoke, she reached out to clear the weeds from the grave. Her movements were gentle and slow, as if she were afraid of disturbing Xuan Yuanche, who lay buried there. "You fool, why did you give your life to Nangong Jin? Do you know what I'm going to do now that you're gone?"

Tears streamed down her face, blurring her vision. "I received the box you left, and I read your letter. I love you, I really do. It's just a pity you can never hear me again."

Lin Ning knelt before the grave, rambling on and on, pouring out all the grievances, anger, longing, and frustration of not being able to go home that she had accumulated over the years. She didn't know how long she had been talking, but she felt the oppression in her heart ease slightly.

"Don't worry, I will live well with your share of life," Lin Ning said firmly, as if making a promise to Xuan Yuanche.

After clearing away the weeds, Lin Ning sat by the grave for a long time. Only when the sun set and its afterglow bathed the grave did she slowly stand up, take one last, deep look at Xuan Yuanche's grave, and turn to leave. Her retreating figure carried a hint of resolve, but also a hope for the future, because she knew she could no longer wallow in grief; many things awaited her...

The afterglow of the setting sun, like blood, spilled across the earth, draping the entire world in a golden veil. Lin Ning had just emerged from her endless sorrow and感慨 when she inadvertently looked up and saw a familiar figure in the distance. Nangong Jin was standing in the halo of the setting sun, and because he occupied Xuan Yuanche's body, his appearance made Lin Ning momentarily lose her composure.

She once had complex feelings for the owner of this body. But now, the real Xuan Yuanche is gone, and the person before her is Nangong Jin, filled with unwavering obsession.

"Yes, it's about time." Lin Ning murmured to herself, a bitter taste in her voice. She knew that once her escape from the guards was discovered, Nangong Jin would come to arrest her immediately.

A bitter smile touched Lin Ning's lips. She didn't choose to run away, but resolutely walked towards the man in the halo of light. Every step she took was firm, as if she were walking towards an unknown yet inevitable end.

As they drew closer, Lin Ning could see the expression on Nangong Jin's face clearly. His eyes held a coldness and determination, along with a hint of barely perceptible doubt.

"So you did come looking for him after all." Nangong Jin's voice rang out, carrying an undeniable authority.

Lin Ning stopped and looked him straight in the eye, saying, "I just wanted to figure some things out, and now I know the truth."

Nangong Jin frowned slightly, seemingly puzzled by Lin Ning's words: "What good will it do to know?"

Lin Ning took a deep breath and said, "About Xuan Yuanche, about you, about all of this. Why did you do this?"

A flicker of emotion crossed Nangong Jin's eyes, but it quickly returned to its icy expression: "He's my brother? That's his choice. I promised him I would take good care of you. Just stay by my side and don't worry about anything else."

Lin Ning looked at him, a wave of sorrow washing over her: "Take care of him? You've certainly done a good job. Fine, now, I just hope you can let me go, and that'll be the end of it."

Nangong Jin snorted coldly: "Impossible. You are mine, and you'll never leave me in this lifetime."

Lin Ning looked at the man before her, blinded by his obsession, knowing further words would be futile. But she wouldn't easily give up on her goals; a new contest seemed to be quietly unfolding under the setting sun…

Nangong Jin said he knew Xuan Yuanche had left the Plum Blossom Seal to her. He said he didn't want it; the Plum Blossom Seal was Xuan Yuanche's seal of authority as the head of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, and whoever wielded it could command the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion was the largest secret organization in the martial arts world. Now, Xuan Yuanche wanted to give it to Lin Ning. Nangong Jin said he wouldn't stop Lin Ning from taking charge of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, but Lin Ning couldn't leave him. Otherwise, he would definitely kill Lin Ning's family, raze the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion to the ground, and even move Xuan Yuanche's grave so that Lin Ning could never find him again.

Hearing Nangong Jin's words, Lin Ning felt a surge of anger and helplessness. She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms, but she felt no pain.

"Nangong Jin, why do you have to do this?" Lin Ning's voice trembled slightly, her eyes filled with hatred. "You threaten me with such methods, aren't you afraid of retribution? Xuan Yuanche has already given you his life, why won't you give up?"

Nangong Jin smiled coldly, his eyes filled with madness and obsession: "Retribution? I've lived for so many years, what retribution am I afraid of? I only want you, as long as you stay by my side and obey me. I can give up that plum blossom seal, you can go and take charge of that so-called Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. But if you dare to leave me, I mean it, your family, that Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, and this grave will all suffer."

"You don't even spare those who are about to be buried? Are you even human?" Lin Ning bit her lip, struggling painfully inside. She knew Nangong Jin's ruthlessness all too well; he was absolutely capable of doing these heinous things. These were her weaknesses.

"You're just obsessed? This isn't love at all!" Lin Ning said angrily. "This is all your possessiveness; you're just extremely selfish."

Nangong Jin stepped forward, staring at Lin Ning with a sinister look: "I don't care what is what, I only know that what I want, I must get. If you're smart, then obediently listen to me and don't make any futile resistance."

Looking at the man before her, consumed by his obsession, Lin Ning felt a surge of sorrow. She knew she had no power to resist at this moment and could only compromise for the time being.

“Fine.” Lin Ning said through gritted teeth, “I will stay by your side, but you must promise that you will not harm my family, nor will you touch the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion or this grave.”

Nangong Jin smiled with satisfaction, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes: "As long as you obey, I will naturally keep my word. However, you'd better not try anything funny, or you won't be able to bear the consequences. Also, you don't need to look for your father anymore; he has been dead for many years. As for your brother, he probably won't come back either; he has already fled to a faraway place for treason. I will not allow you to leave me with such an excuse in the future."

Lin Ning lowered her head, concealing the hatred and resentment in her eyes. She secretly vowed that one day she would break free from Nangong Jin's control and make him pay for his actions. But now, giving her the plum blossom seal would surely become his biggest regret. "Xuanyuan Che, what use is this plum blossom seal to me? I'm still under house arrest..."