Bengtie, I'm really not a villain!

[Agreeing to the duel with Jing Ye at this moment was undoubtedly like venturing into a beast's lair with a lantern—a gamble with a tiger for its skin. But when her gaze swept behind her and she saw Raiden Mei's humiliated appearance, her eyes instantly hardened, as if illuminated by a sacred light. Without hesitation, she nodded heavily, a nod that seemed to have exhausted all her strength and carried her complete determination to protect her friend.]

She took a deep breath, trying to inhale the suffocating air around her to calm her racing mind. Then, as if driven by a mysterious force, she did something unexpected.

She placed her hands on her hips, her slender arms trembling slightly, yet she tried to project a strong posture. Despite her petite stature, appearing insignificant before Jing Ye's tall and menacing figure, she exuded a powerful, fearless aura, as if she were using her small frame to hold up a clear sky and dispel the gloom for Raiden Mei.

"Hmph, it's just Jing Ye, what's there to be afraid of!" Fulibas said loudly, her voice clear and resonant, standing out starkly in the deathly silent room. Yet, if you listened closely, you could still detect a slight tremor, a hint of nervousness she was trying to conceal.

"I bet you I can withstand your Iaijutsu. If you promise, I'll never humiliate Raiden Mei again."

As she spoke, her face flushed crimson with excitement and nervousness, like a ripe apple. Fine beads of sweat glistened on her forehead in the dim light, and strands of her hair clung slightly to her cheeks, making her look somewhat disheveled. Yet, her eyes were incredibly resolute, like the brightest star in the night sky, fixed intently on Jing Ye, without the slightest hint of retreat. It was as if she intended to use that unwavering gaze to forcefully suppress Jing Ye's arrogance.

Raiden Mei watched Furibas from the sidelines, her heart filled with mixed emotions—worry and gratitude intertwined, overwhelming her like a surging tide. She knew Furibas's strength all too well, and was also acutely aware of Jing Ye's terrifying power. This bet was like throwing an egg against a rock; it was far too dangerous for Furibas, dangerous enough that it might cost him his life.

"Furibas, no..." Raiden Mei tried to dissuade her, but her voice was as if an invisible hand was choking her, becoming broken and intermittent with sobs. Every word was filled with her concern and reluctance for Furibas, but in this oppressive environment, her voice sounded so weak, as if it might be swallowed by the darkness at any moment.

She raised her slightly trembling right hand, her slender hand swaying gently in the dim light, like a candle flickering in a storm, its flame weak yet striving to emit its last glimmer of light.

She gave Raiden Mei a thumbs-up, trying to convey a firm belief to her friend through this simple yet powerful gesture, telling her that she had the courage to face anything and that everything would be alright.

Tears welled uncontrollably in Furibas's azure eyes, swirling like a flood about to burst its banks, glistening with a light that held both fear and resolve.

She bit her lower lip tightly, her pearly teeth sinking deep into her delicate flesh, almost drawing blood. She desperately tried to hold back her tears, knowing that if she showed weakness, Raiden Mei would fall into even deeper worry and despair, and that worry would be the final straw that broke her friend's back.

In reality, her heart was already filled with fear. Her legs trembled more and more violently, her knees clattering together with a soft "thump-thump" sound. Every breath was rapid and trembling, as if she would be completely swallowed up by this ever-present, invisible yet powerful fear, and dragged into that dark, boundless abyss in the next second.

But when she looked at Raiden Mei again and saw her friend's face filled with humiliation and worry, her dim eyes, and her slightly trembling body, a surge of overwhelming, resolute courage welled up within her.

"For Mei, I have to fight this hard." She silently vowed to herself again and again, her voice as resolute as a booming bell. She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms; the stinging pain felt like heavy hammer blows, but it only made her more clear-headed and strengthened her unwavering resolve.

[Looking at Furibas's feigned strength, Raiden Mei felt a surge of inner pain welling up like a burst dam. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face, blurring her vision like a broken string of pearls.]

She wanted to rush forward at all costs to stop this extremely dangerous gamble, but her legs seemed nailed to the ground, unable to move. Jing Ye's powerful aura was like an invisible net, binding her tightly.

"Furibas, no..." Her voice, thick with sobs, echoed in the deathly silent room, each word brimming with helplessness and despair, like the mournful cry of a soul trapped in a dark abyss.

[A fire seemed to be burning fiercely within Raiden Mei's heart, her anxiety surging like a tidal wave, threatening to engulf her entirely.]

She desperately tried to rush forward and stop this mad, almost absurd, gambling game. Her feet pounded the ground frantically, as if trying to break free from some invisible restraint, but her legs felt as heavy as molten lead, like two towering mountains, impossible to lift an inch.

Her hands flailed wildly in the air, her fingers scratching frantically, as if she could grasp at a sliver of hope, at the tail end of this disaster. But in the end, all she grasped was a handful of cold, lifeless air, which slipped through her fingers, seemingly mocking her powerlessness.

"No, we absolutely cannot let Furibas take this risk..." she screamed hysterically in her heart, the sound pounding in her chest, making her heart ache.

For some reason, her cry seemed to be blocked in her throat by an invisible and cold hand. No matter how hard she tried, not a single whimper could escape; it could only turn into painful sobs in her throat.

Her heart was filled with anger and resentment towards Jing Ye, an emotion as fiery and turbulent as a volcano about to erupt. She wanted to explode at Jing Ye, to unleash all the pent-up anger within her.

But just as that thought flashed through her mind, a sudden, unpredictable wave of weakness and exhaustion washed over her like a surging, overwhelming tide, completely engulfing her.

Her body felt as if all its bones had been removed, instantly losing its support and swaying violently uncontrollably. At the same time, her vision began to blur; everything around her seemed like a distorted mirror image, constantly swaying and spinning before her eyes, as if the entire world had fallen into chaos and confusion.

"How could this be..." Raiden Mei's heart was filled with despair, a despair like a black hole that swallowed all her hope. Her eyes were filled with confusion and pain. She couldn't understand why, at this critical moment, she had become so weak and powerless, like a beast without claws and fangs, completely at the mercy of others.

Finally, her swaying body could no longer support her; her legs buckled, and like a puppet with its strings cut, she collapsed straight to the ground.

A dull, loud thud sounded abrupt and jarring in the quiet room. She fell heavily to the floor, kicking up a cloud of choking dust that danced wildly in the dim light, as if mourning her fate.

However, fate seemed unwilling to let her go so easily; she hadn't completely lost consciousness, her awareness struggling on the edge of chaos and darkness.

Her eyelids felt as heavy as if they were being crushed by a thousand-pound boulder; each time she opened them even a crack, it took immense effort. Yet, with sheer willpower, she forced herself to open her eyes slightly, her gaze filled with helplessness and pain as she stared at everything before her.

She saw Fulibas's resolute yet frail back, so frail beneath Jing Ye's powerful aura, like a candle flickering in the darkness, ready to be extinguished at any moment; she saw Jing Ye's mocking and malicious smile, a smile like a demon's mark, radiating a chilling aura.

Just like the first time Jingye caused Raiden Mei's heart to break down, he used the full dose without her even realizing it.

"Furibas..." she whispered her friend's name in her heart, her voice as faint as a spider's thread. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks, eventually soaking the cold, hard ground, as if telling of the endless pain and sorrow deep within her heart.

Raiden Mei collapsed pathetically onto the frosty ground, her consciousness teetering on the edge of clarity and confusion.

Her body was as limp as a rag doll, devoid of any strength. She tried to move her finger, even the slightest movement, but it seemed nailed to the ground, remaining completely still.

What's even more agonizing is that she desperately longs to fall into a brief coma, to escape this nightmarish reality, but her consciousness stubbornly remains sharp. Every passing second is like a dull knife slowly sawing at her nerves, subjecting her to inhuman torture.

Her eyes widened suddenly, filled with terror and anger, for she realized that this agonizing state of collapsing to the ground yet unable to lose consciousness was part of Jing Ye's vicious plan.

Recalling Jing Ye's ruthless methods and meticulous calculations, she knew that given his style, he must have deliberately administered the drug, and the dosage must have been carefully calculated and precisely controlled, like a cold-blooded executioner precisely controlling every detail of the torture.

His purpose, undoubtedly, was to force himself to witness so vividly what was about to happen, to see his friend in danger, to see his own powerlessness, and thus to suffer endless, excruciating mental torment.

"That heartless demon..." Raiden Mei cursed through gritted teeth, each word seemingly squeezed out from between her teeth, filled with her deep hatred for Jingye.

[A flame of anger and resentment burned in her eyes, a flame that leaped in the darkness but could not illuminate the predicament before her.]

That profound, bone-deep sense of powerlessness, like a surging tide, completely overwhelmed her. This powerlessness was more despairing than any physical pain she suffered, as if it were devouring her soul and plunging her into an endless abyss of darkness.

Her vision remained blurry, as if shrouded in a thick fog; the scene before her was indistinct and difficult to discern.

But based on her familiarity with her friend and her instinctive perception, she could vaguely sense that Furibas was not far away, facing Jing Ye, who was like a demon, all alone.

"Furibas... Be careful..." With the last of her strength, she managed to utter these words, her voice as weak as a withered leaf in the wind, as if it might be blown away at any moment. Her eyes were filled with anxiety and worry as she stared intently in the direction of Furibas, hoping her friend would hear her warning.

Jingye stood to the side, like an evil statue, looking down at Raiden Mei's struggle.

[Furibas, filled with anxiety, stared intently at Raiden Mei, who lay slumped on the cold ground, weak as a candle flickering in the wind.]

She shouted at Jing Ye, "Jing Ye, let's find somewhere else to do our reunion, not here." She straightened her back, her words carrying an unyielding firmness, attempting to persuade Jing Ye with her resolute stance.

Upon hearing this, Jing Ye's face instantly contorted into a mocking smile, a smile as cold as a viper's hiss. He slowly took a step forward, his hand, like an unbreakable iron clamp, slamming down on Fulibas's shoulder.

[Fuli Buston felt an overwhelming, surging force, as if he were being crushed by a towering mountain, his joints completely immobilized, unable to move an inch.]

"Want to change locations? Do you think I'd agree?" Jing Ye sneered, his voice seeming to come from the depths of hell. "Right here. Let her see for herself."

Upon hearing this, Furibas's face flushed instantly, a hint of shyness flashing in her eyes. Having to engage in such a life-or-death duel in front of her friend filled her with mixed emotions. On one hand, she feared that Raiden Mei would see her in such a disheveled state; on the other hand, she worried that Raiden Mei would be harmed because of this duel.

She lowered her head slightly, her hands unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes, hesitating for a moment. But remembering that Raiden Mei was in danger and needed her protection, she gritted her teeth, nodded firmly, her hair swaying slightly with the movement, and her eyes hardened once more.

[As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly exerted force in his arm and pushed hard. Furibas felt a strong force from his shoulder, and his body instantly lost its balance. He staggered, his feet frantically moving on the ground as he tried to regain his footing, almost falling heavily in front of Raiden Mei.]

Despite being overwhelmed by weakness, with every inch of her skin screaming powerlessness, Raiden Mei stubbornly held on amidst her hazy consciousness.

Witnessing this tense scene, her heart was in turmoil, a mixture of despair and anger burning like a raging fire.

She strained with all her might to stop the impending disaster, but her body was frozen in place, unable to move. She could only watch helplessly as Jing Ye and Fulibas confronted each other, her heart filled with helplessness and sorrow.

"Furibas... No..." Raiden Mei spoke again with difficulty, her voice as weak as the last thread of autumn, as if it would dissipate into the air at any moment.

[Raiden Mei collapsed onto the cold ground, her eyes empty and filled with despair, staring intently at the iaido duel about to unfold before her. Her body was limp and powerless, each breath heavy with pain, yet even so, her gaze remained fixed on Furibas.]

[Furibas struggled for a long time before steadying her swaying body. She slowly turned her head, her gaze gentle yet firm as she looked at Raiden Mei, and whispered, "Mei, don't be afraid, I will protect you."]

"Alright, since you want to be here, then come on." Furibas took a deep breath, his chest heaving, and slowly assumed an iaido stance. His feet firmly planted on the ground, his hands slightly clenched into fists, his gaze fixed intently on Jing Ye, as if declaring his unwavering determination.

Chapter 121 The Underworld as an Arena

[Raiden Mei collapsed onto the cold ground, her eyes empty and filled with despair, staring intently at the iaido duel about to unfold before her. Her body was limp and powerless, each breath heavy with pain, yet even so, her gaze remained fixed on Furibas.]

[Jing Ye's lips curled into a cruel smile as he glanced at Raiden Mei, his tone filled with mockery and malice: "Last time you first met this girl, wasn't it just a face-to-face iaido encounter? Since you two are close friends, this time, it should be the same scene. Just watch." With that, his figure moved like a ghost, instantly closing in on Furibas.]

Fulibas's eyes narrowed, and he swiftly drew his long sword from his waist. However, Jing Ye was even faster; his figure resembled a black whirlwind, rapidly spinning around Fulibas.

Even though Furibas had undergone a lot of training with Raiden Mei, how could she possibly be a match for Jingye?

Hearing Keiya's harsh words, Raiden Mei's tears welled up uncontrollably. Her thoughts, like a runaway horse, instantly drifted back to the day she first met Furibas.

When she fell uncontrollably to the ground, utterly disheveled and her dignity shattered, it was the most shameful and unbearable moment of her life. Yet, she displayed it all before Furibas, whom she was meeting for the first time.

[“Raiden Mei murmured to herself, her voice so faint it was almost inaudible, filled with endless regret and self-reproach. Now, in order to protect me, Furibas has also fallen to such a terrible end…”]

Tears blurred Raiden Mei's vision, but she still tried to keep her eyes wide open, afraid of missing a single moment. She knew that Furibas was fighting with all her might at this moment, and the only thing she could do was to stay here and watch over her, offering her even the slightest bit of emotional support.

"Furibas, you must be safe and sound..." Raiden Mei prayed silently to her friend, each word filled with her deep concern and worry.

Jing Ye moved with ghostly elusiveness, his attacks seemingly chaotic yet precisely maneuvering to corner Fulibas. A faint, cold smile played on his lips as he swung his blade, each strike grazing Fulibas's clothing with perfect precision, seemingly missing by the slightest margin, but in reality, intentionally guiding her movements.

"What, is that all you've got?" Jing Ye said mockingly, while feinting an attack, causing Fulibas to panic and lose his balance.

[Furibas struggled to steady herself, her hands gripping her long sword tightly. Sweat streamed down her forehead, dripping onto the ground. She knew Jingye's strength all too well, yet she gritted her teeth, her eyes resolute as she prepared for the next attack.]

However, Jing Ye was in no hurry to end the fight. He treated it like a cruel game, reveling in the absolute control he had. He deliberately slowed down his attacks, and every time Furibas tried to counterattack, he skillfully dodged to the side, even lightly striking her arm with the back of his blade, nearly causing Furibas to drop her long sword.

"You think you can hurt me like this? How naive!" Jing Ye sneered, simultaneously shifting his stance and moving behind Fulibas, striking her hard in the back with the hilt of his sword.

[Furibas stumbled, staggered forward a few steps, and knelt on one knee. But she struggled to her feet, using her hands to support herself.]

Seeing this, Jing Ye slowly walked up to her, looking down at her with a mocking and cruel gaze. He stretched out his foot and lightly stepped on the long sword in Fulibas's hand, grinding it forcefully.

"Look, this is your best friend. She tried to save you, but ended up in such a miserable state." Jing Ye turned to look at Raiden Mei, who was lying on the ground, his cruel smile growing even stronger. "Now, do you still think she can protect you?"

He forcefully kicked the long sword from Furibas's hand, the blade leaving a long gash in the ground. Then, he grabbed Furibas's beautiful white hair and began a violent Iaijutsu, as if gripping a handrail.

[He pressed Fulibas firmly to the ground. A muffled groan escaped her lips, a low, painful sound, as if squeezed from the depths of her soul. Her hands frantically clawed at the ground, her nails scraping against the earth with a sharp sound, trying to prop herself up and stand again. But all her efforts were in vain; under Jing Ye's overwhelming strength, her resistance was utterly powerless.]

[As Raiden Mei watched this scene, tears streamed down her face like a burst dam, instantly blurring her vision. Her body trembled violently with anger and pain, like a withered leaf in a storm, swaying precariously. She wanted to rush forward at all costs, to stop it all, to save her dearest friend, but her body was tightly bound by the drug's effects, as if bound by countless cold iron chains, making even moving a single finger incredibly difficult. Each attempt only plunged her into deeper despair.]

"Jingye, you demon! Let her go!" Raiden Mei screamed hoarsely, her voice forced from the depths of her throat, filled with boundless anger and despair, yet it sounded so weak in the empty, deathly silent room, as if it might be mercilessly swallowed by the darkness at any moment.

[Furibas lay sprawled on the cold, icy ground, the chill seeping through her thin clothing like needles, but the physical cold paled in comparison to the burning humiliation and rage within her.]

She bit her lower lip so hard it seemed she would shatter it, and streaks of crimson blood were already seeping out. Her cheeks were flushed red with shame and anger.

[Like a flame ignited, her eyes widened, staring intently at Jing Ye. Her gaze was like two sharp blades, filled with a burning desire to tear this demon to pieces, brimming with resentment and deep-seated hatred.]

However, Jing Ye's overwhelming power, like a towering mountain, pressed down heavily on her. Her body seemed frozen in place, unable to move an inch; her limbs felt as if nailed to the ground by invisible steel spikes.

No matter how hard she struggled, it was all in vain. Each attempt was like a moth fluttering in the dark, only plunging her into deeper despair.

Looking down at Fulibas's appearance, Jing Ye's smile became increasingly distorted.

He seemed to feel that such torment was far from enough, insufficient to drive these two men who dared to defy him to utter despair.

Just then, he suddenly reached out his hands, hands that seemed like claws from hell, carrying an icy chill, and grabbed Furibas's shoulders.

His fingers dug deep into Furibas's skin, and Furibas felt a sharp pain in his shoulder, as if his bones were about to be crushed. Then, Jingye exerted force, pushing Furibas towards Raiden Mei.

[Furibas had no time to react; his body lunged uncontrollably towards Raiden Mei. Her eyes widened, filled with fear and helplessness; she wanted to stop, but was powerless to do so.]

[Raiden Mei's heart was originally filled with anger towards Keiya, an anger as fiery and turbulent as a volcano about to erupt.]

However, when she saw Furibas lunging towards her, her eyes instantly changed, shifting from anger to shock and fear, as if she had witnessed the end of the world.

She wanted to escape, to use all her strength to flee this horrific scene, but her body was completely paralyzed by the drug, as if bound tightly by an invisible shackle, unable to move an inch. Her heart was filled with despair, as if submerged by a dark tide, unable to find even a glimmer of hope.

"No...no..." Raiden Mei closed her eyes in despair, tears streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks like a burst dam, soaking the cold ground beneath her. Her body trembled slightly, like a flickering candle in the cold wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.

With a dull thud, jarringly loud, and seemingly abrupt sound in the deathly silent room, Furibas slammed heavily onto Raiden Mei.

The two women trembled violently from the sudden, intense impact. Strands of Furibas's hair, like a tangled spiderweb, fell onto Raiden Mei's face, the itchy sensation unable to dispel the fear and humiliation within them.

They could clearly feel each other's rapid breathing and violent heartbeats—proof of their struggle in dire straits, and a silent indictment of Jing Ye's brutality.

Jing Ye walked slowly, his footsteps echoing in the deathly silence like heavy hammer blows, striking precisely at the taut nerves of Furibas and Raiden Mei.

With each step closer, it felt like the shadow of death was drawing ever closer, making their hearts leap into their throats. Finally, he stopped beside them, looking down at them from above.

[Last time, we had a good time using Raiden Mei's mother as a ring. Jingye lowered his head slightly and moved closer to Raiden Mei.]

[Kageya still remembers how Raiden Mei and her mother acted back then, and how interesting the expressions on Furibas and Himeko's faces were when they saw them in person.]

"Now the tables have turned, it's your turn, Raiden Mei. I'll use you as my arena and see how long your best friend can last against me, see how desperately she'll fight to save you."

Upon hearing these words, Furibas's eyes widened instantly, filled with disbelief and burning rage.

Her pupils contracted sharply with rage, as if she wanted to etch Jing Ye's hideous appearance deep into her heart.

However, her body was still firmly suppressed by the force Jing Ye had previously exerted, as if weighed down by a towering mountain, her limbs seemingly nailed to the ground, unable to move an inch.

She could only manage to squeeze out a few words through clenched teeth: "Jing Ye, you... you bastard!" Her voice was filled with resentment and hatred, but due to her physical limitations, it sounded weak and helpless.

[Raiden Mei's heart, already shrouded in despair, was now overwhelmed by an overwhelming surge of intense grief and indignation. Her mother's ordeal remained the deepest, most painful wound in her heart, one she least wanted to revisit.]

Those painful memories, like hideous demons, haunted her dreams from time to time. Now, Jing Ye was so cruel, bringing up the past and intending to treat her in the same inhumane way.

Tears, like a burst dam, surged forth again, streaming down her tear-streaked face. Her body trembled even more violently, like a flickering candle in a storm, every inch of her skin quivering with anger and pain.

She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but her throat felt like it was being choked, and she couldn't utter a complete sentence, only letting out painful and desperate sobs.

"You... how could you do this..." Raiden Mei choked back sobs, her voice as weak as the last whisper of autumn, yet filled with a deep-seated hatred for Jing Ye. Her words were fragmented, carrying endless sorrow and questioning, drifting through the cold room, but receiving no response.

Jing Ye seemed completely oblivious to their reactions.

[Raiden Mei collapsed onto the cold ground, her body paralyzed by the drug, unable to move an inch. Her eyes were filled with despair as she stared intently at Jingye and Furibas.]

Tears streamed incessantly from the corners of her eyes, leaving glistening streaks on her cheeks. Each tear carried the endless pain and resentment deep within her heart.

At this moment, she was filled with self-loathing for her own powerlessness and deep worry for Furibas. She knew clearly that, given Jingye's cruelty, this Iaijutsu would be incredibly brutal, and Furibas would most likely suffer unimaginable harm in order to protect her.