I'll also work hard to conquer the dungeon today.

Chapter 323, 1.21-39: The Girl Imprisoned in the Tower
The fire spread faster than they expected, reaching them almost before they even realized it, clearly indicating that the group had planned it in advance.

"Damn it!!" Mingxi cursed under her breath, her silver hair turning crimson from the flames, the air thick with heat, as if it could burn everything to ashes.

Ming Jin looked up at the passage blocked by flames, her brows furrowed, pondering the feasibility of breaking through.

The girl trembled as she hugged the little white squirrel in her arms, but the squirrel broke free in panic and jumped away.

"Ah—don't run...it's dangerous..." the girl exclaimed and took off after him.

"Hey!!" Mingxi's expression changed drastically when she saw her acting on her own, and she chased after her while shouting.

The girl seemed to have tripped over a stone on the ground, staggered a few steps, and then fell to the ground. Her gray eyes were fixed on the white squirrel rushing into the flames, a hint of despair in them.

It's beyond saving...

Why did you rush into the flames?!

Crystalline tears slid down her cheeks, but were quickly evaporated by the heat.

She lay on the ground, unable to get up for a long time, her fists clenched tightly as she pounded the ground, a look of regret and sorrow on her face.

She couldn't save anyone, not even her pet.

She's a useless, worthless person who can't do anything.

"I can't even protect you, my only one..." The squirrel's pitiful cry came from her ears, and the girl could only vaguely see a small ball moving in the flames.

She was sobbing softly, seemingly grieving for something unknown.

She slowly got up and sat on the ground, amidst the flames, watching the beautiful forest turn red.

The scorching heat in the air caused sweat to drip from her forehead, and even her breath felt hot.

Suddenly, she remembered that night.

She cried and begged the man to let her go, but he forced her, and her hope turned to despair. She had no choice but to obey him.

The man said he loved her, but later traded her to the Dark King as an object.

He gained wealth, she gained confinement.

Their limited freedom was taken away, and they were locked in a tower in darkness, where the light that was within reach became something they could only dream of but never reach.

She became mute because the man didn't like her talking to others, so he removed her vocal cords.

She became blind because the man didn't like her looking at other people, so he gouged out her eyes.

Originally, she was just an ordinary nun raised by the Vatican.

But her life was ruined because of that man.

People in the Wonderland are not allowed to commit suicide, because the souls of those who commit suicide become extremely filthy and must even go to hell after death.

She didn't want to suffer so much pain only to end up not being able to go to heaven.

So she endured the pain and persevered; she didn't want to die, at least not by her own hand.

Born in the light, I only wish to return to the embrace of the light after death.

If she were to be accepted by the filthy darkness, she would rather give up even her soul.

The flames burned ever brighter, licking at the hem of her skirt, but she remained oblivious.

"Hey! Sister! Where are you?" Mingxi's slightly anxious voice came from beside me.

The girl's eyes flickered slightly. She turned to look at him, her lips moving slightly. She had never expected that the one who would come to find her in the end would be Mingxi, who had openly expressed his dislike for her.

Tears slid down her face and dripped down her chin.

She hadn't been abandoned... Mingxi stood in front of her, frowning and looking down at her with a hint of displeasure. "I said I would save you, so I will definitely save you. I'm not the kind of person who goes back on their word."

The flames scalded his fair skin until it was bright red. He casually wiped the sweat from his brow with his arm and reached out to pull the girl up.

“I’ll grab your wrist, and you come with me. Don’t run off this time! Even if it’s to save the animals, you have to consider your own situation first.” Mingxi frowned, surveying the surroundings as she pulled the girl forward.

The sound of a tree breaking and crashing was followed by a painful groan as someone's back slammed against the hard "wall" behind them.

The girl's eyes widened, and she turned her head to try to see clearly, but her vision grew increasingly dark.

The vibrant flowers beside her ear evaporated their moisture and returned to their dried state, and she once again became blind and mute.

The last glance revealed only the boy's contorted expression, his lake-blue eyes carrying a hint of reassurance, and two invisible hair clips tucking away stray hairs on the side of his face.

Mingxi...

The girl sobbed, repeatedly telling Mingxi to give up, but she couldn't make a sound.

She couldn't speak, and he couldn't hear her at all.

"I'm sorry..." Mingxi said softly, her tone carrying a hint of guilt and sadness for the first time.

"I wanted to protect you, but in the end I did nothing." Whether it was because of the pain or something else, Mingxi suddenly became a little sentimental and said things she had never said before.

The girl's eyes were wide open, with tears streaming down her face.

She shook her head, muttering something to herself.

no……

You did it...

She really was protected...

So don't feel guilty, okay?

You have never wronged her. It was because she was too weak and incompetent, unable to do anything, and in the end, she could only foolishly wait for you to come and save her.

She's just a burden.

Mingxi took a deep breath, suppressed all her emotions, and slowly got up. She frowned and complained as if nothing had happened, "They're walking too slowly."

His face was a little pale, but he still managed to bend down and reach out his hand to the girl.

The girl stared at him with her blank, wide eyes, but made no move to respond, as if she couldn't see him at all.

Mingxi muttered irritably and took her hand to pull her up.

The girl was about to say thank you when she suddenly realized she could no longer speak. In the end, she only moved her lips but said nothing.

"Let's talk about that after we get out. You're too weak." Mingxi's tone was harsh, but there was a hint of concern in it.

Ming Jin coldly watched as Ming Xi led the girl closer and closer, then stopped in front of him.

He walked behind him without saying a word, placed one hand on Mingxi's shoulder, and the other on his back.

"Mingjin! What are you doing? I'm fine!" Mingxi frowned, but still stood there obediently, letting Mingjin examine him.

Slender, pale fingers traced down Mingxi's back, slowly moving downwards until they stopped at a certain indentation.

Ming Jin's face instantly turned extremely gloomy, and she pressed her finger on the uneven spot with a little force.

"Ouch!!! Are you crazy?!" Mingxi jumped up instantly, took several steps back, her forehead covered in cold sweat, and said with lingering fear.

Mingxi, a real man!
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(End of this chapter)