Chapter 011: Mutual Destruction

The man had not yet recovered from his surprise, nor had he anticipated her sudden action. He could only instinctively raise his hand to block, but he was still a step too late.

A sharp pain seared across his neck, followed by an icy chill that swept through his entire body.

In the moment before she lost consciousness, Jin’er saw his face contort with terror and disbelief, heard his agonized, unwilling screams, and felt an unprecedented surge of satisfaction. The corner of her lips curled up in a slanting arc.

Well then, if nothing else, they would perish together, wouldn’t they? She had said she would never let him outlive her.

Immediately after, darkness engulfed Jin’er and she collapsed, her final sensations the thick, decaying scent of leaves on the ground and the sudden coldness enveloping her body.

In that instant, she felt no fear whatsoever, for she had long since grown accustomed to death.

Rain poured down in torrents, the drops icy as they struck her body. After a long while, Jin’er slowly opened her eyes, only for the large, heavy raindrops to fall upon them, forcing her to squeeze them shut once more.

After some time, she let out a soft moan, lifting one hand with difficulty to shield her eyes, while with the other she gradually propped herself up into a sitting position.

All around her, nothing but the sound of rain could be heard, yet it brought with it a sense of peace and serenity. Jin’er looked down at her rain-soaked hands; the small wound on her finger had been washed clean, leaving only two faint marks.

Suddenly remembering something, she quickly turned her head to the side. There lay the man she had hated for so long, his lips blackened, motionless upon the ground. A calm joy spread swiftly through her, a feeling of indescribable relief.

She glanced up at the tangible reality before her and a delicate smile played on her lips.

She was alive—truly alive! But he was dead. He was dead!

A wild, uncontrollable laughter burst from her lips, blending with the rain until it was indistinguishable, her tears hidden and washed away by the downpour. Yet her face radiated pure, unrestrained exhilaration and joy.

At last, she was free.

After laughing and crying for some time, Jin’er gradually composed herself. She stood and walked to the man’s side, using her back to shield him from the rain as she searched through his belongings. She found several bottles of pills, the remaining dried provisions, a bit of broken silver, and the notebook he had always kept close.

After stuffing these items into her sleeves, Jin’er vented her anger by kicking him several times before turning and retracing her steps.

The rain soon ceased, and the sun reemerged from behind the clouds, warm and comforting, much like her current state of mind.

During the days it took to leave the mountains, Jin’er had no time to examine his notebook. She continued taking one antidote pill a day from his bottle, and everything seemed normal.

But upon finally making her way out of the dense forest and sitting in the sunlight on the grass, she flipped through his notebook—and her heart sank.

That scoundrel! He had scribbled out the antidote’s recipe! He must have done it deliberately, afraid she might someday steal it from him. Damn him! She wished she could go back and tear him to pieces!

Grinding her teeth in fury, Jin’er was overtaken by a wave of panic.

What now? What should she do? Wait to die?

Frustrated, she snapped the book shut, and as her gaze inadvertently shifted to her right wrist, she was utterly stunned.