Inside the cave, Guan Hai'er sat on the ground with a dejected expression, "Impossible, Ye Ge died just like that!"
Luo Yaqin stood beside her, arms crossed, looking at Li Degui with suspicion.
Seeing their reactions, Li Degui seized the opportunity, "Don't panic, everyone. Even though Lu Ziye is dead, isn't there still me, Li Degui! If you all listen to me from now on, I'll definitely lead you out alive. That would be the least I could do for Lu Ziye's spirit."
Luo Yaqin glanced at him and asked coldly, "Li Degui, did Lu Ziye really fall off the cliff and die?"
A flicker of panic flashed in Li Degui's eyes, but he quickly concealed it. "Luo Yaqin, I know your relationship with Lu Ziye is unusual! I personally saw him fall. I'm also very sad!"
"But now is not the time to discuss this. I am the only man left among us now. I want you to listen to me because I intend to take responsibility. Do you have any problems with that?"
Li Degui, despite his other shortcomings, was a master of words.
In a few sentences, he had painted himself in a positive light and subtly accused Luo Yaqin and me of having an unusual relationship.
Luo Yaqin's face turned cold, and she pointed at Li Degui, shouting, "Li Degui, take a look at yourself! You worthless scoundrel, how dare you try to lead us!"
At this point, Li Degui dropped his pretense and snarled at Luo Yaqin, "I know you were involved with that Lu Ziye brat. Don't push your luck! Understand the situation. From now on, you'll listen to me here, got it!" kuAiδugg
Li Degui and Pan Lili were locked in a tense standoff, neither willing to back down.
The atmosphere in the cave was charged with hostility. Pan Lili quickly stepped forward to mediate, "Alright, stop arguing. Don't let this spoil our camaraderie. Since Lu Ziye is dead, we should consider the future."
Pan Lili's expression was complicated. Perhaps she was shocked by the news of my supposed death and a little flustered. After all, this beast Li Degui, aside from his eloquent speech, was utterly incompetent and unreliable.
Li Degui, believing he had gained control, said smugly, "What was so great about Lu Ziye? I can do anything he could do, and better. I believe he'll be watching over us from heaven."
I, standing outside the cave, could no longer bear it. Today, I would make Li Degui pay a bloody price!
"Li Degui, look who I am!"
I walked slowly into the cave entrance and sneered at Li Degui.
Li Degui turned around, and the shock sent him to the ground. He scrambled backward in panic.
"Are... are you a ghost or a person!"
Looking at Li Degui, I wanted to tear him to pieces, but there was no rush. Since I had returned, I would make sure Li Degui experienced the despair I had just felt.
"Of course I'm a person. But I did just return from hell."
I walked up to Li Degui and struck him hard with the flat of my blade.
The blow ripped open a bloody gash. Li Degui cried out repeatedly, not daring to resist, only pleading, "Ye Ge, I'm sorry, please let me go! I won't dare again, I won't dare again!"
Still thinking of a "next time"?
Did this Li Degui really take me for a soft-hearted fool! I suspect today will be your anniversary next year.
I didn't hold back. Li Degui was beaten until he was covered in wounds, his clothes hanging in tatters.
"Li Degui deserves this beating!" Luo Yaqin cheered from the side, watching me beat him.
Pan Lili opened her mouth as if to persuade me to stop, but ultimately did nothing.
After all, no one was foolish. Li Degui had just declared me dead. Yet, here I stood, unharmed, and immediately proceeded to beat Li Degui. Anyone with a bit of common sense could figure out something was amiss.
At that moment, Shangguan Yao suddenly walked in from outside. Seeing me relentlessly beating Li Degui, she exclaimed in shock, "Lu Ziye, have you lost your mind! You fell off the cliff yourself, why are you beating Li Degui upon your return? Stop it!"
As she spoke, Shangguan Yao stepped forward, attempting to grab my hand and stop me.
Damn it, did this woman have no sense of right and wrong!
Her actions infuriated me. I shoved her away irritably and looked at her with cold eyes, "Shangguan Yao, just because Li Degui is your relative, you're not even asking for the truth before deeming Li Degui innocent? Can't you tell right from wrong!"
"Li Degui lied to me, saying he'd found someone, and lured me into a swamp, then pushed me in. If I hadn't been lucky, I would have died in that mud! With so many people watching, and no one stopping me from beating Li Degui, have you ever wondered why? Today, if I don't tear Li Degui to shreds, I will make him pay with his blood!"
Shangguan Yao was stunned after hearing my words.
She looked at Li Degui on the ground in disbelief, "Is what Lu Ziye saying true? Didn't you say he fell off the cliff and died!"
Li Degui lowered his head and remained silent, avoiding Shangguan Yao's gaze.
Seeing Li Degui's reaction, Shangguan Yao understood. She kicked Li Degui fiercely, then looked at me with a hint of shame and sat down in a corner by herself.
At least she was sensible.
Seeing that Shangguan Yao was no longer intervening, I resumed beating Li Degui.
Before long, my arms began to ache. Li Degui, by then, was bruised and bloody, his body a mess.