Bengtie, I'm really not a villain!

At that time, she was filled with unrealistic dreams, fantasizing day and night about one day learning Jingye's skills and then using those powerful abilities—enough to change the world—to avenge Raiden Mei, who had been ruthlessly defeated by Jingye in battle and plunged into despair.

"How could I have been so stupid back then?"

[Furibas inwardly mocked himself, a bitter and helpless smile tugging at his face, his eyes filled with regret, as if he wanted to utterly condemn his past foolish self.]

Looking back now, those actions seem so ridiculous and childish, like a naive child playing around.

She finally understood why Teacher Himeko had so vehemently opposed her seeing Jingye. Teacher Himeko always spoke to her with a solemn expression and earnest words of advice.

Why does Teacher Himeko always say that Jingye's power is too dangerous, and that getting close to him will only lead to endless danger, like a dark abyss into which there is no turning back once you step in?

[But at that time, I was blinded by my desire for power, my eyes were blinded by greed, and I couldn't listen to my teacher's good advice. I often quarreled with her because of her obstruction, and even resented her for not understanding my ambition.]

[Furibas's eyes were slightly red, tears welling up like a flood about to burst its banks.]

........................

She clearly recalled that whenever Teacher Himeko spoke of Jingye, an extremely complex expression would appear on her face. Her eyes were deep and solemn, as if they could pierce through layers of mist, see into the future, and witness her own tragic fate of being manipulated by Jingye and trapped in a desperate situation.

At that time, I was consumed by a desire for power, like a blind person with their eyes covered. I scoffed at my teacher's worries and advice, stubbornly pursuing power and ignoring his earnest advice.

Now, the utterly humiliating scene of Raiden Mei before her eyes was like a heavy hammer blow, crashing down on her heart with immense force, making her very internal organs tremble.

Raiden Mei is a legendary figure known to all in Izumo. Her heroic deeds are told throughout the streets and alleys, and countless people worship her fervently, seeing her as the beacon of hope protecting Izumo. Every battle she fought is sung as an epic tale.

In Furibas's heart, Raiden Mei is not only a close friend who fights alongside her, but also an idol she has always respected and admired. Countless times, she has looked up to Mei in her heart, longing to be as brave and fearless as her, protecting everyone.

[But at this moment, this pride of Izumo, his own hero, was kneeling in humiliation on the cold, hard ground, his head mercilessly trampled under Jingye's feet.]

Her body trembled violently with anger, humiliation, and fear, like a lone boat tossed about in a storm, yet knowing the strength of her opponent, she dared not offer the slightest resistance.

Tears streamed down her tear-streaked face like a burst dam, soaking the ground and piercing Furibas's heart.

"Isn't this the best proof?" Furibas's eyes widened instantly, almost bursting out of their sockets, burning with anger and resentment. "How could I be so stupid? How could I be so foolish? Only now do I fully understand my teacher's good intentions."

Her fists clenched tightly involuntarily, her nails digging deep into the flesh of her palms, and bright red blood slowly dripped from between her fingers.

[Furibas's gaze, like an incredibly sharp sword, pierced straight at Raiden Mei, carrying complex and unfathomable emotions.]

That gaze was like a beam of intense light, instantly piercing through the defenses that Raiden Mei had painstakingly erected with her last shred of dignity.

At this moment, Raiden Mei's heart was already filled with humiliation and anger, like a volcano about to erupt. The instant she felt Furibas's gaze, filled with shock, heartache, and a hint of indescribable disappointment, her emotions of humiliation and collapse surged to their peak like a flood bursting its banks.

"How could I let her see me like this..." Raiden Mei cried out in despair, the sound echoing in her mind as if shattering her soul. Her body trembled more violently, her limbs convulsing uncontrollably, as if she would be mercilessly torn to shreds by this endless humiliation and pain at any moment.

Her hands were clenched into fists, her nails digging deep into the soft flesh of her palms, leaving shocking streaks of blood. Crimson blood slowly trickled from between her fingers, dripping onto the cold ground, forming poignant blood flowers, yet she felt no pain. Tears flowed like a runaway torrent, gushing forth like broken beads, blurring her vision and shrouding the world before her in a hazy mist.

[Raiden Mei thought this might be a deliberate arrangement by Jingye. Otherwise, how could Furibas have come to his house so coincidentally?]

Jing Ye has always been ruthless in his methods; he likely intends to further humiliate himself through this means, causing him to completely lose his dignity in front of his friends.

"This demon, how could he be so cruel..." Raiden Mei cursed inwardly, her hatred for Jingye growing even stronger.

But she knew she was powerless to resist Jing Ye's arrangements at this moment; all she could do was continue to endure.

However, even though her heart was riddled with holes, as if repeatedly pierced by countless sharp blades, Raiden Mei gritted her teeth and, with unwavering determination, endured the heavy, almost suffocating pressure that Jingye was pressing down on her.

Her thoughts drifted involuntarily to her mother, who was bedridden and unconscious, and to her teacher, Himeko, whose awakening time was uncertain.

She also remembered those who had stood behind her, full of trust and expectation, needing her protection; their calls seemed to echo in her ears.

"I can't give up, I must endure..." Raiden Mei repeated these words to herself over and over again, each repetition feeling like a faint yet resilient strength being infused into her soul.

Her lips were bitten until they were white and bloodless, even oozing a trace of crimson blood, which stood out starkly against her pale skin. Yet she remained as stubborn as a pine tree standing firm in a storm, maintaining that utterly humiliating posture, allowing Jing Ye's feet to trample on her dignity, as if she were using this painful endurance to exchange for a sliver of hope for the future.

[Jing Ye seemed to sense the intense emotional fluctuation in Raiden Mei. His eyes, sharp as a viper's, narrowed slightly, and he pressed down slightly with his foot, as if to crush Raiden Mei completely into the dust.]

His face wore that utterly repulsive, cold smile, a smile like a demon's projection on earth, radiating an aura of evil and cruelty.

"What, your friend's here and you can't stand it anymore? Keep bearing it, this is just the beginning."

The voice was cold and ruthless, devoid of any warmth, like a demon's whisper from the deepest hell, echoing in the suffocatingly oppressive room. Each word struck Raiden Mei and Furibas's hearts like a heavy hammer.

Jing Ye leaned down slightly, his posture like a cheetah poised to pounce, exuding a dangerous aura. He slowly approached Raiden Mei's ear, his icy breath like the frost of a winter's day, brushing against her slender neck, instantly raising goosebumps on her skin. She couldn't help but shiver, her body instinctively shrinking back.

"You said you came to me for help because you know in your heart that you're just a weak and useless piece of trash, completely incapable of protecting those you care about?" He deliberately lowered his voice, but though it wasn't loud, it was like an incredibly sharp dagger, carrying malice, aimed precisely at Raiden Mei's most vulnerable and untouchable heart, as if to tear apart her last remaining dignity and confidence.

As Jing Ye spoke, he glanced sideways at Furibas with his icy eyes, which were like those of a frozen pool. His cold smile deepened, and the upward curve of his lips seemed to flaunt his supreme and unshakeable absolute control. In this world, he was the god who ruled life and death and decided fate, while Raiden Mei and Furibas were nothing more than ants to be manipulated at will in his palm.

At this moment, the outside world seemed to be at the other extreme, still bustling with activity, like a never-ending carnival. The cheers of the crowd surged like a tidal wave, one after another, rising and falling, never ceasing.

"Raiden Mei! Raiden Mei!" The fervent shouts, filled with boundless passion and adoration, surged through the thick walls like a raging torrent, relentlessly filling the room.

These voices were once Raiden Mei's highest honor, the best testament to her valiant battles, and the strength she forged with sweat and blood. Every shout carried the people's trust and respect for her; she was the beacon of hope in their hearts, the hero who protected this land.

But now, in this dark, oppressive room, in her humiliating situation, those cheers seemed so ironic, forming a stark, almost cruel, contrast with her current wretched state, like handfuls of salt rubbed into her wounded heart.

Raiden Mei bit her lower lip so hard it looked like she was about to shatter it. A moment later, crimson blood slowly trickled down her lip, leaving a horrifying trail on her deathly pale face. Her eyes were bloodshot, and the anger in her heart was like surging magma, churning and roaring wildly in her chest, as if it would burst forth at any moment and incinerate everything before her.

She continued to endure, her hands gripping the cold floor so tightly that her nails almost dug into the hard surface. It seemed that only in this way could she grasp the last vestige of strength that threatened to vanish in the darkness, the last bit of courage to keep going amidst endless humiliation and despair.

[Furibas could no longer tolerate Jing Ye's inhuman humiliation; the anger in his heart, like a powder keg ignited, exploded instantly.]

She took a sudden step forward, a step filled with determination and anger that seemed to make the ground tremble slightly. Her hands were clenched into fists, the veins on the backs of her hands standing out from the force, and her body trembled violently with rage, like a lone boat tossed about in a storm.

The scene on the battlefield involuntarily flashed through her mind: Jing Ye controlling Raiden Mei, instantly turning the tide of battle.

"Back then, Furibas thought you were strong and righteous, but how could you so cruelly trample on her dignity? Your actions are utterly outrageous!" Furibas's voice trembled with emotion, a mixture of heartache for his friend's suffering and extreme disappointment in Jing Ye's behavior.

Raiden Mei kept her head down, silently enduring everything. Her body trembled slightly, whether from anger or humiliation, it was hard to tell. But she knew she couldn't act impulsively now. To protect her family and friends, she had to endure, even if the price of that endurance was so heavy.

Jing Ye remained unfazed by Fulibas's accusations, his face still bearing that mocking smile.

"You monster! How dare you treat her like this? You have no idea how much Mei has sacrificed to protect everyone!" Her voice was choked with uncontrollable sobs, as if pain and anger were choking her, yet it was also filled with a powerful force born of rage, a force that seemed capable of breaking through the oppressive space and completely exposing Jingye's ugly face.

Jing Ye straightened up, his movements elegant yet exuding boundless arrogance, and glanced contemptuously at Fulibas, his gaze as if looking at an insignificant insect.

"Protect her? In her current wretched state? She can't even protect herself, let alone protect others." His words were like cold bullets, carrying deadly force, mercilessly shooting at the last remaining glimmer of hope in Raiden Mei and Furibas's hearts, instantly shattering it into countless fragments that dissipated into the cold air.

Upon hearing Fulibas's angry accusations, Jing Ye showed no emotion or remorse whatsoever; instead, he let out a grating chuckle.

The laughter echoed in the oppressive, almost suffocating space, like the hooting of an owl in the dead of night, carrying an indescribable eeriness and sinister chill that sent shivers down one's spine.

In an instant, he reached out, his hand like a swift eagle's claw, grabbing Raiden Mei's hair tightly. He then forcefully pulled her upwards, the movement rough and savage, showing no regard for Raiden Mei's feelings, forcing her to raise her head and face Furibas directly.

"Look at yourself, in such a pathetic state. You know in your heart that you're pitifully weak, don't you?"

Jing Ye leaned down slightly, close to Raiden Mei's ear, and spoke in an extremely low yet clear voice. The voice, seemingly gentle, was actually like a meticulously crafted, sharp blade, precisely cutting into Raiden Mei's last remaining pride; each word was like a drop of concentrated sulfuric acid, searing her heart.

A flash of intense pain crossed Raiden Mei's once bright eyes, as if struck by a sudden bolt of lightning. She desperately tried to control herself, struggling to keep a sound of pain from escaping her throat. Tears of humiliation welled in her eyes, like a flood about to burst forth, but her stubborn nature forced her to hold them back, refusing to let them fall easily, as if this would preserve the last shred of her dignity.

Witnessing this, Furibas instantly ignited a raging fire within her. "Let her go!" Her voice was hoarse and distorted with anger.

Jing Ye merely glanced at Fulibas with utter contempt, as if looking at a small, overconfident insect.

At the same time, the force in his hand not only did not weaken in the slightest, but actually increased even more.

"You think you can save her?" Jing Ye let out a mocking laugh, his face full of disdain. His arrogant attitude seemed to declare to the whole world that in his eyes, Furibas and Raiden Mei were nothing more than two powerless ants, who could only be manipulated and trampled upon at his will.

The atmosphere in the dimly lit room was so oppressive it was hard to breathe, as if the whole world was shrouded in darkness, with not a glimmer of hope in sight.

Looking at Raiden Mei's stubborn and unyielding appearance, Jing Ye's mischievous sense of amusement burned even more fiercely, like a wildfire that had been ignited.

A sinister glint flashed in his eyes. With a sudden burst of strength, the muscles in his arm tensed instantly, forcefully lifting Raiden Mei's head upwards again. The movement was brutal and savage, completely disregarding Raiden Mei's pain.

"Tell me yourself, are you a piece of trash?" He leaned down, his voice icy and piercing, carrying a heavy sense of oppression, like the whisper of a demon from the deepest hell. In the small, enclosed space, the voice echoed and swirled, making one's eardrums ache, as if trying to drill into the depths of the soul and crush the last vestige of dignity.

Raiden Mei's lips were tightly pressed together, her stubborn expression seeming to encapsulate all the world's indomitable spirit. Her eyes were wide open, filled with a raging fire of anger and resentment, as if she wanted to burn Jing Ye completely.

She shook her head desperately, strands of hair flying wildly in Jing Ye's hands. Each shake was a resolute resistance, a firm unwillingness to obey Jing Ye's humiliating command.

"What? You don't want to talk?" Jing Ye's lips curled into a cold smile, a smile as frosty as ice, exuding a chilling aura. At the same time, the strength in his hand suddenly increased again, gripping Raiden Mei's hair like an iron clamp.

In an instant, Raiden Mei felt a tearing pain in her scalp, causing her body to tremble violently. Tears welled up in her eyes again, swirling but refusing to fall due to her stubbornness.

[Furibas watched anxiously from the sidelines, her hands clenched into fists, her nails digging deep into her palms, yet she felt no pain.]

She paced anxiously back and forth, her eyes filled with worry and helplessness, yet utterly powerless to change the situation. However, her cries were like stones sinking into the vast ocean in Jing Ye's frenzied world; he paid no heed to her voice, as if she were invisible.

He stared intently at Raiden Mei like a wolf eyeing its prey, a morbid expectation flickering in his eyes, awaiting her submissive answer.

Raiden Mei clenched her teeth, her pearly white teeth turning slightly white from the force. At that moment, it felt as if two little people were fiercely battling within her.

Speaking out meant utterly trampling her dignity underfoot, reducing her to a pathetic creature subject to humiliation; remaining silent, however, threatened to utterly destroy her will through relentless, constant torment.

She turned her head with difficulty and glanced at Furibas. In her friend's concerned eyes, she saw worry, a worry that felt like a warm embrace, giving her strength; she also saw encouragement, an encouragement that felt like a torch in the darkness, illuminating her path forward.

Finally, to protect her family and friends, and for that faint yet precious hope in the darkness, her throat trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her mouth...

Just as Raiden Mei was about to utter those humiliating words that would crush her dignity, Furibas's eyes became bloodshot with anger and anxiety.

"No! Mei, don't say it!" Furibas cried out with all her might. She suddenly stretched out her arms, the movement swift and decisive, as if trying to shield herself from all the malice in the world.

[Then, with every last ounce of strength in her body, she hugged Jing Ye tightly.]

Her arms were wrapped tightly around Jingye's body, as if to imprison him in this eternal darkness, never allowing him to inflict the slightest harm on Raiden Mei again.

Jing Ye's body stiffened slightly for a moment. A fleeting look of surprise crossed his face, as if to say, how could this seemingly frail woman possess such astonishing courage and strength?

[Raiden Mei's words were abruptly interrupted by this sudden turn of events. Her lips, which had been poised to receive endless humiliation, parted slightly, as if frozen in a crack in time.]

Her eyes were filled with shock and confusion. Her previously dull eyes now held a sparkle because of this unexpected turn of events, but even more so, they were filled with bewilderment, as if she were lost in a fog, unsure of which way to go.

Tears still welled in her eyes, threatening to spill like beads from a broken string, but now they were tinged with a hint of struggle due to the complex emotions within her.

Furibas held Jing Ye tightly, as if embracing not just a person, but the very source of all evil in the world. Her body trembled violently and slightly from the force of her grip, a tremor like the shaking of the earth during an earthquake, conveying the deep pain and resentment within her.

She turned her head with difficulty to look at Raiden Mei, her eyes filled with determination and tenderness. Her gaze seemed to pierce through the darkness, giving Raiden Mei endless strength. "Mei, you are not useless, never will be." Her voice was soft yet powerful, like the warm spring sun shining on Raiden Mei's cold heart.

However, this warm spring sun falling into the darkness was darker than all the evil, and it made Raiden Mei feel an immeasurable coldness and terror in her heart.

Jing Ye quickly recovered from his surprise. His eyes instantly regained their usual coldness and contempt, and that nauseatingly contemptuous smile reappeared on his face. He struggled forcefully, trying to break free from Fulibas's grasp, his arm muscles tense and veins bulging, but he found her holding him as tightly as an iron clamp.

"You think this will save her? Ridiculous." Jing Ye scoffed, his voice emanating from his nose, thick with disdain, as cold and biting as a winter wind.

[Raiden Mei's gaze was fixed on Jing Ye's chilling, sinister smile. Her pupils contracted sharply, and a surge of intense panic, like a raging storm, suddenly welled up in her eyes, which were already dimmed by humiliation and pain.]

Her past interactions with Jing Ye flashed through her mind like scenes from a movie. She knew all too well Jing Ye's wickedness and cruelty; every detail was like a gruesome scar etched into her heart.

[In the past, whenever Jing Ye displayed such a chilling expression, without exception, he was secretly plotting some extremely vicious plan that could drag someone into an endless abyss.]

[“Oh no, his target couldn’t be…” Raiden Mei’s thoughts raced wildly like a runaway horse, driven by fear. A terrifying idea suddenly flashed through her mind.]

In an instant, her eyes were filled with terror, like a bottomless black hole, brimming with despair and helplessness. Her gaze, as if drawn by a magnet, was fixed on Jing Ye's demonic figure, and on Fulibas, who was currently restrained by him, completely unaware of the danger.

"Could he be planning to attack Furibas?!" This thought flashed through her mind like a bolt of lightning carrying destructive power.

In an instant, she felt as if the blood in her body had frozen. A chill shot from her feet to her head, causing her body to tremble uncontrollably. Her limbs seemed frozen stiff, unable to move.

[Furibas remained as steadfast as a statue, tightly embracing Jing Ye, her arms trembling slightly from the force, her face filled with determination and resolve.]

Her mind was completely consumed by the thought of protecting Raiden Mei, single-mindedly wanting to shield her friend from all the malice in the world, unaware that danger was silently but deadly approaching her step by step in the darkness.

[She was lost in her own beliefs, oblivious to Jing Ye's already sinister gaze, which was now growing increasingly dark and unfathomable, threatening to devour her at any moment.]

[Raiden Mei was frantic, wanting to shout to warn Furibas, but her throat felt like it was being gripped tightly by an invisible, cold hand, leaving her too dry to utter a sound. Her lips parted slightly, but she could only exhale a few weak breaths in vain.]

She knew Jing Ye's methods all too well; those cruel past experiences haunted her like nightmares. If Jing Ye were to truly attack Furibas, with Furibas's current strength, he would be utterly powerless against Jing Ye, like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, and would be instantly crushed.

Just as Furibas was exerting all his strength, the hairs on his neck suddenly stood on end, and a strong sense of unease welled up inside him.

She keenly sensed that Jing Ye's needle-like, sharp, and icy gaze was fixed intently on her. That gaze was like a tangible, cold arrow, carrying a chilling pressure that seemed capable of easily piercing her skin and seeing into her soul.

[Fulibas felt a sudden chill, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. He instantly realized that Jing Ye's target had probably shifted to him.]

She subconsciously bit her lower lip slightly, her pearly teeth sinking into her delicate flesh, leaving a faint red mark. A resolute glint flashed in her eyes—the courage of a do-or-die situation, the unwavering determination to protect those she cared about at all costs.

In this critical, life-or-death moment, she took a deep breath, her chest heaving, the oppressive air filling her lungs through her nostrils, yet it couldn't cool the burning determination within her. Then, she clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms, and with a sharp pain, she spoke.

"Jingye, I'm willing to accompany you in iaido," Furibas declared loudly, her voice bursting from the depths of her chest. Her vocal cords trembled slightly with nervousness, yet it carried a resolute determination that seemed to pierce through the darkness, each word ringing with conviction.

The moment she spoke, the room, which had been oppressively tense, fell into a deathly silence. The air seemed to freeze; every movement ceased, and only time itself flowed slowly through the stillness.

[Raiden Mei, who had been filled with anxiety, her eyes brimming with worry for Furibas's safety, even with tears welling up in them, widened her eyes instantly upon hearing Furibas's astonishing words. Her pupils contracted sharply in extreme shock, like two black pearls about to burst, her eyes filled with disbelief.]

"Furibas, what are you saying?!" Raiden Mei's voice was sharp and trembling, filled with deep worry and anxiety. Her voice seemed to pierce the oppressive space, trying to bring Furibas back to his senses.

Her mind went blank; she couldn't comprehend why Furibas would make such a reckless decision at this moment. In her eyes, it was tantamount to pushing herself into an abyss of no return, placing her in extreme danger, like a weak lamb willingly walking into the jaws of a vicious wolf.

Upon hearing Fulibas's words, Jing Ye's frozen expression slowly melted away, transforming into one of keen interest.

His eyes were filled with curiosity and inquiry as he looked Furibas up and down, as if examining a novel and fascinating toy he had never seen before.

"Oh? Are you sure?" Jing Ye asked, his voice tinged with amusement and a slight upward inflection, as if he found Furibas's suggestion quite amusing, like discovering a new game that could bring him endless fun.

[As Fulibas met Jing Ye's seemingly tangible gaze, filled with both mockery and inquiry, her heart pounded violently, as if trying to break free from the confines of her chest, like a frantically spinning drum machine, each beat causing her chest to ache.]

Her legs trembled uncontrollably, like leaves falling in the autumn wind, shaking violently. She knew perfectly well how powerful Jing Ye was; he was like an insurmountable, towering mountain, while she was nothing more than a tiny ant before him.