Ye Jin gently stroked A Lai, lost in thought.
She suspected the authenticity of Ning Yitao's words. In her memory, Ye Qianmo didn't know such witchcraft. However, it was a fact that she had hurt A Lai, and it was also a fact that Ye Jin had felt the intimidating pressure from her.
Perhaps, she was the Chosen One mentioned by their grandmother.
Ye Jin didn't dare to risk A Lai's life. She just calmly looked at Ning Yitao and said, "Give me a reason to trust you."
Ning Yitao walked unhurriedly to the cages where the children were locked up.
The children's eyes were clear and innocent. But now they were locked in this underground cage, their faces filled with panic. Locked up by their closest relatives, no one knew what was going on in their minds.
Ning Yitao unlocked the cages.
The previously locked - up children had also hoped that someone would come to rescue them. It was obvious what those children had suffered.
Whether they could unlock the mental shackles of the villagers in the Di family depended on today.
As soon as the cages were opened, the survival instinct told the children to run.
Ning Yitao watched as these children broke free from the cages and rushed towards the stairs, like a flock of newly - born birds eager to fly into their own blue sky.
Ning Yitao quietly stood behind Ye Jin.
"A Lai should have lived under the blue sky like them, carefree, shouldn't he?"
"Instead of huddling in a dark corner, struggling to survive, with an endless lifespan and boundless loneliness."
Ye Jin looked hesitant. Thinking of A Lai when he was alone, she realized that A Lai should have been among those happily running children...
"You should know yourself that this shouldn't be A Lai's ending. You were deceived by Ye Zheng. The spell of sharing life and death is extremely challenging, even your grandmother couldn't do it, let alone her."
Ye Jin was stunned. Suddenly, her eyes widened, as if struck by a thunderbolt. She felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over her from head to toe, and her whole body went numb.
She was so shocked by Ning Yitao's words that she couldn't utter a single word.
She couldn't believe that she had been deceived by Ye Zheng.
After a long while, she finally asked, "But she did complete the ceremony at that time."
Ning Yitao countered:
"She did complete the ceremony, but it failed. You are in the same body as her. Now I've almost killed A Lai. But think carefully, has there been any discomfort in her body? If what she said was true, she should be on the verge of death by now."
As Ye Jin understood the truth, anger gradually welled up on her face. Because of Ye Zheng's lie, both she and A Lai had been pushed into the worst situation.
Ye Jin was filled with resentment and anger, but she had nowhere to vent. She also resented her own incompetence, which had made A Lai suffer for so long.
But then she thought that it was too late to discover this now.
She had voluntarily dedicated her soul to Ye Zheng.
If Ye Zheng died, she couldn't escape either. In the end, A Lai would be left alone in this world.
He had been lonely for too long. He shouldn't have to pay for her mistakes.
After Ning Yitao told her this, Ye Jin changed her mind. She didn't intend to help Ye Zheng anymore. Ye Zheng didn't deserve to live, nor did she deserve immortality.
Ye Zheng was even less worthy of A Lai's protection.
She pleaded with Ning Yitao earnestly as if taking a last - ditch effort: "I'll help you kill Ye Zheng's soul and save the people in this village as you wish. I only have one request. Could you please take care of A Lai for me?"
She said anxiously, "Take him as your disciple. Let him do any dirty and tiring work. He's very obedient. As long as you can give him a place to survive in this world."
If Ye Jin had to choose someone to take care of A Lai in the future, she would choose Ning Yitao without hesitation.
Although she had never shown a good attitude towards Ning Yitao before, and even plotted against her and done a series of despicable things,
Ye Jin knew that Ning Yitao would only hate her, not transfer the hatred to innocent people.
Ning Yitao was kind - hearted and wouldn't kill innocent people. As long as it was something she promised, she would definitely do it.
But to her surprise, Ning Yitao coldly refused and said:
"Don't pin your hopes on me. You're even willing to abandon your own child. Why should I clean up your mess?"
"Moreover, I don't intend to take in any more disciples. I already have one. Once you're dead, I won't even look at A Lai. I'll just let him fend for himself."
Duan Qinghuai, who was named, had a smile on his eyebrows. Was he already recognized by Ning Yitao?
The atmosphere around Ning Yitao was the exact opposite of Duan Qinghuai's mood.
After Ning Yitao finished speaking, she looked at Ye Jin with a sharp and icy gaze.
Ye Jin looked embarrassed. For A Lai's sake, her legs bent slightly. Just as she was about to kneel on the ground, Ning Yitao grabbed her.
"Don't kneel to anyone casually. Listen to me. I have another way to let you and A Lai both survive."
Hearing Ning Yitao's words, Ye Jin finally saw hope. She quickly straightened up, grabbed Ning Yitao's hand, and eagerly asked:
"Really? What do I need to do? As long as I can be with A Lai, I'll do anything."
Ning Yitao asked:
"Are you willing to live in this old body from now on? I can kill Ye Zheng for you, but you'll have to live in her body.
"You're twin witches. You should know that if she dies, your witchcraft will also disappear. So you'll have to spend the rest of your life in this sickly body."
Ye Jin fell silent. She looked at her wrinkled hands. The transformation from a young girl to an old woman was too great.
At this moment, A Lai spoke up:
"Mother, don't beg her. I'm used to being alone. Don't worry about me. I'll always follow you. No matter when you turn around, I'll be standing right here waiting for you."
Before Ye Jin could react, she saw that her tears had formed a small puddle on the ground.
She felt extremely guilty. In the past, she had let A Lai shoulder all the responsibilities while she hid in Ye Zheng's body and escaped.
The guilt in her heart towards A Lai was overwhelming.
Ye Jin hugged A Lai's face and pressed it tightly against her own, trying to warm A Lai's cold body with her body temperature.
But no matter how hard she tried, A Lai remained cold. Ye Jin said, "My A Lai, after today, we'll embrace the future you've always wanted. We'll never be separated again."
She wanted to live, and live with A Lai.
Ye Jin made up her mind and said to Ning Yitao:
"Come on. Ye Zheng is very weak now. Although her soul is in the same body as mine, she can't see what's going on outside. Tell me what to do. I must kill Ye Zheng. Otherwise, I can't quell the hatred in my heart."
It was all because of her. If it weren't for her selfishness, she and A Lai would have had a brilliant life, instead of hiding in the dark like this.
When Ye Jin mentioned Ye Zheng again, she couldn't help but look fierce. Her eyes seemed to show that she had a deep - seated hatred for everyone.
"I'm going to kill her."
The old and new hatreds welled up in her heart, turning into a blazing fire. Every word that came out of her mouth was filled with resentment.