Ling Qianhe did not spare the little girl a glance.
The little girl looked at Ling Qianhe and, for some reason, instinctively felt this beautiful elder brother was terrifying. Her eyes widened, seeming to well up with tears. Those tear-filled eyes were enough to evoke pity in anyone.
But Ling Qianhe did not look at the girl.
His expression was stern.
He spoke.
"Do not move."
He did not want anyone to intrude.
The little girl's eyes were blurred with tears, still clinging to her lashes. Hearing Ling Qianhe's words, she sobbed softly and murmured.
"The outside is full of demons—"
"This city is likely lost... those demons outside are slaughtering indiscriminately, there is blood everywhere... it's terrifying..."
She was not lying, for the hem of her clothes was stained with a lot of blood. The strong smell of blood made one nauseous, but it only ignited Ling Qianhe's killing intent, which was why he told her not to move.
The little girl looked at Lin Muci, whose face was slightly pale. Perhaps it was the aura of this pretty older sister that made her feel gentler, and her tone softened considerably. The little girl spoke softly.
"Sister—please, save me..."
"My grandfather died at the hands of demons protecting me..."
She wanted to cry again but managed to hold back.
"The outside is now chaotic... we can only escape, I know a secret passage..."
Lin Muci was silent. She slowly stood up and said.
"There is no need to escape."
"It's not that troublesome."
She stood up, and upon opening the door, she saw clearly that the sky outside had turned a terrifying purple.
Dense purple clouds converged in the sky. Her cheeks felt a little cold; the purple clouds above were indeed a strong omen of ill fortune.
She took a deep breath and was about to step out.
But Ling Qianhe grabbed her wrist!
He leaned into her ear, pulling her close so she almost stumbled into his embrace. She did not want anyone to see her collapsing into his arms and tried to maintain her posture, but Ling Qianhe's fingers traced her body inch by inch, roaming over her skin.
She trembled all over and involuntarily fell into his arms again, hearing him say.
"What, are you so eager to play the savior?"
"Overestimating yourself. With your current broken body, who can you save?"
"You can't even save yourself. Those demons will only eagerly devour you, claiming your flesh and blood inch by inch—"
"You think you can save this world? Hmph, it's just a foolish fantasy!"
His words were so cold, and Lin Muci trembled all over, her voice becoming extremely strained.
"You—let go of me."
Ling Qianhe had no intention of letting go.
"If you walk out that door and encounter a powerful demon, I will absolutely not save you. You should consider carefully whether you are willing to risk your own life to save these people."
Lin Muci fell silent.
Ling Qianhe then glanced at the flustered and helpless little girl, and he let out a cold laugh.
"You should know, I can see through people's hearts."
"Her escape to this place—is not that simple."
"She is far from as innocent as she appears. Do you willingly want to save her?"
Lin Muci was somewhat exasperated.
"I'm not just saving her, I'm saving... saving the people of this city!"
But Ling Qianhe said.
"But they are not worth it."
"Demonic energy invades the mortal world, amplifying the evil thoughts in everyone's hearts. Do you know, with the rivers of blood outside, how much is caused by demons, how much by humans killing each other, or by people pushing loved ones out to be devoured by demons just to survive..."
"Even demons would feel ashamed of such wickedness. At the brink of death, it is these people's evil thoughts that are most easily ignited."
"The people you want to save are precisely these—their wickedness is as vast as rivers and seas, endless. Do such people deserve even a shred of your pity?"
His lips were filled with mockery and sarcasm.
As if her actions were something to be laughed at. Lin Muci's cheeks turned slightly pale upon hearing his words. After a moment, she raised her head, her voice much firmer.
"Yes."
"I want to save these people."
"And I don't need your help."
She turned around, looking as if she was about to step out of the door. Ling Qianhe watched her figure intently. After a moment, she heard Ling Qianhe speak.
"If you encounter danger, I truly will not save you."
"Do not regret it."
Lin Muci walked out without looking back.
...
As she walked out, the little system also sighed silently.
It had not prompted the host on how to proceed with the plot because it knew the host would make such a choice. However, the little system sighed and said.
"Actually, this time, Ling Qianhe was not lying. He was telling the truth; demons indeed only amplify the evil in people's hearts."
"That little girl was the only survivor in the inn because she and her grandfather used everyone else as stepping stones, as blood sacrifices fed to the demons. When their talismans broke, it was her using her grandfather to block the demons' attack that allowed her to escape here."
"She harbored no good intentions at all."
"This little girl possesses a very sinister artifact—she has been refining it with human souls, and it is likely nearing completion."
"She hid here to refine the artifact, she is not some weak or helpless soul, and it is unknown how many lives have fallen into her hands."
"Host, it is naturally not worth it for you to stand up for such a person."
"Moreover—the people outside are indeed killing each other. The human world is now almost indistinguishable from the demon realm; you don't need to feel excessive pity for these people."
"Doing so... will make you seem, seem very saintly."
With the apocalypse upon them, it was merely a matter of protecting oneself. How could one care about the lives of others? Caring too much would inevitably lead to sadness and distress.
But Lin Muci remained silent for a moment, then she said.
"Ling Qianhe is a person who lacks a sense of good and evil."
"Since he is a born demon, born from the world's wickedness—his appearance must have a purpose."
"He is not a true incarnation of sin. Without evil, how can there be good."
"Without darkness, there is no light."
She was silent for a moment, but a hint of tenderness flashed in her eyes.
She rushed out.
And said with a determined tone.
"I want him to pity all beings."
"Perhaps I am too greedy."
"But this is my wish!"