Chapter 131: Who Should Be Saved?

Disaster struck! The flames rapidly spread, engulfing the entire villa in an instant.

Zixiaoyin’s life hung by a thread.

Gu Xiangnan stood in the courtyard, his heart torn as if sliced by a thousand knives.

Who should he save first?

He had to stay calm!

Gu Xiangnan reminded himself to steady his mind quickly so he could devise a plan.

The fire was creeping ever closer to Zixiaoyin.

If he went inside to rescue Zhang Hongmei, there would be no time left to save his sister.

Just then, a window on the second floor was suddenly thrown open.

Huang Ying poked her head out and shouted,

“Gu Xiangnan, you go save Xiaoyin! I’ll save Auntie!”

Having just vomited several times, Huang Ying’s stomach was empty of alcohol. The deafening explosion had instantly cleared her mind.

She saw Gu Xiangnan rush outside.

Moments later, a loud crash came from upstairs.

A fire had broken out in Zhang Hongmei’s room on the second floor.

Huang Ying’s first instinct was to save a life.

In that instant, countless memories flashed through her mind.

Zhang Hongmei had been like a mother to her, cooking delicious food, caring for her every need.

Whenever she felt weary or downcast, Zhang Hongmei always offered encouragement and comfort.

Huang Ying had long been deprived of maternal warmth; Zhang Hongmei’s presence had rekindled the feeling of home.

Moreover, Zixiaoyin treated her like a true elder sister, sharing her innermost thoughts without reservation or defense.

Gu Xiangnan, though outwardly cold, had unhesitatingly transferred five million yuan to her.

This family was full of good people.

And she had been deceiving them all along!

She felt deeply ashamed.

She realized she had to do something to atone for her mistakes and save this loving family.

Huang Ying resolved—with unwavering determination—to rescue Zhang Hongmei.

She quickly soaked a towel in water, then dashed upstairs, ready to brave the flames.

From the corridor window, she looked outside.

On the roof of the neighboring villa, countless shells were being fired.

Gu Xiangnan was dodging back and forth in the courtyard.

Zixiaoyin was cornered, with nowhere left to retreat.

Huang Ying noticed Gu Xiangnan glancing first at the upper floor, then at Zixiaoyin.

Suddenly, she understood.

Gu Xiangnan was torn, agonizing over whom to save.

That was why she risked opening the window and shouted to him as she had.

She quickly withdrew back into the room.

Sure enough, a barrage of bullets followed.

The window where Huang Ying had stood was riddled with holes like a wasp’s nest.

Covering her mouth and nose with the wet towel, Huang Ying dashed toward Zhang Hongmei’s bedroom.

In the courtyard, Huang Ying successfully drew the fire away.

This bought Gu Xiangnan a brief moment to catch his breath.

His godmother had someone to save her now; all he needed to do was focus on getting his sister to safety.

Just then, a breathtakingly beautiful woman appeared in the courtyard.

The mercenaries were stunned.

Where had this woman come from?

She was so stunning, it was as if she possessed a mesmerizing, soul-stirring charm.

All the shooters halted their fire.

Gu Xiangnan was the happiest of all.

It was Tao Yao!

“Tao Yao, remember to keep some alive!” he warned.

Gu Xiangnan knew Tao Yao’s prowess and feared she might kill them all outright.

He needed living captives for interrogation.

Tao Yao nodded slightly.

“Master, leave the rest to me!”

Closing her eyes, she clasped her hands, pressing her index fingers together as she whispered an incantation.

Purple mist began to emanate beside her.

With a loud shout, “Phantom Demon Mind, Level One!”

A purple light shot from her fingertips toward the mercenaries.

Before they could react, the light penetrated their bodies.

“Marked!” Tao Yao’s eyes snapped open, her purple irises amplifying her allure.

Purple sigils appeared on each mercenary’s forehead.

Their minds fogged; suddenly, their memories shattered.

Their bodies ceased to obey their own will, becoming puppets completely.

“Come here on your own. Drop your weapons,” Tao Yao commanded.

The mercenaries shuffled forward like zombies, expressionless.

With Tao Yao’s help, no one interfered with Gu Xiangnan anymore.

But the fire was now less than two meters from Zixiaoyin.

She had been overcome by thick smoke and fainted.

Gu Xiangnan was frantic, silently praying, “If only water were here, the flames could be extinguished instantly!”

His greatest happiness was to ensure his sister’s safety.

Just as he prepared to risk everything and charge into the inferno, the Infinity Sword appeared in his hand.

Gu Xiangnan was puzzled.

What use was the Infinity Sword now?

Could it possibly cut through the flames?

Looking down, he was stunned.

This time, the Infinity Sword’s blade had transformed into water—soft and whip-like.

This!

Gu Xiangnan was overjoyed.

He cracked the watery whip through the flames, wrapping it tightly around Zixiaoyin.

With a swift tug, he pulled her into his arms.

Because the whip was made of water, the flames near Zixiaoyin were extinguished.

After securing his sister, Gu Xiangnan immediately dashed inside to check on Zhang Hongmei’s condition.

As he reached the top of the stairs, the scene before him crushed his spirit.

He saw two figures collapsed on the ground.

Both were charred black beyond recognition.

“Godmother! Huang Ying!” Gu Xiangnan dropped to his knees, screaming hoarsely, tears streaming like a torrent.

No!

This could not be!

They had just shared hotpot and grilled skewers that evening.

Only a few hours had passed, and now they were separated forever!

He must be dreaming.

Yes!

They had drunk red wine tonight.

This must be a dream!

At that moment, Zixiaoyin slowly regained consciousness in the courtyard.

She first saw Tao Yao, a stranger to her.

But Tao Yao knew her.

“Your brother went inside,” Tao Yao said calmly.

Zixiaoyin struggled to rise, weakly moving toward the house.

After only a few steps, she heard Gu Xiangnan’s heart-wrenching cries.

Her heart clenched.

Could it be that her mother had suffered misfortune?

Gritting her teeth, she quickened her pace toward the house.

From afar, she saw two blackened human shapes on the ground.

Grief overwhelmed her; her heart felt as if torn apart.

A surge of blood and qi rose, chest heavy, a bitter-sweet taste flooding her throat.

With a sudden “pfft,” she spat blood and collapsed, losing consciousness.

Gu Xiangnan was so lost in sorrow he failed to notice Zixiaoyin approaching from behind.

Suddenly, a thud sounded behind him.

He turned to see his sister fainted on the ground.

Wiping a tear away, he took her pulse.

His brow furrowed deeply; her pulse was erratic, clearly caused by extreme emotional distress.

He quickly drew several silver needles from his pocket.

He inserted them into her acupuncture points to stabilize her breath.

Fortunately, Zixiaoyin’s complexion slowly regained some color.

Her eyes fluttered open.

Seeing the two figures lying on the floor, her eyes reddened again.

“Mom—”

“Senior Sister Huang—!!!”

Zixiaoyin crawled over to them, leaning over their bodies, weeping bitterly.

Suddenly, one of the hands twitched slightly.

Gu Xiangnan’s heart leapt with hope.

“Sis, someone’s still alive!”