Chapter 125: Infinite Cannon Fodder (15)

How could he choose her? How could Arnold possibly select this woman?!

The mere thought of how, in his memories, Arnold had betrayed his own beliefs for this woman who abandoned him sent searing agony through his entire being.

He must confess to the Lord, seek redemption from Him alone—nothing, no one, should influence this sacred path!

The last vestiges of warmth vanished from Arnold’s eyes. “Ting, I don’t know what methods you employed to lead me astray,” he declared, his voice cold as ice. “You may control those monsters, but you shall never control me!”

“My soul, my body, every fiber of my being belongs to my Lord!” As Arnold spoke these words, a fervent, almost ecstatic expression bloomed on his face. It was clear he cared not for Tong Ling’s treatment of him; even in the face of death, not a hint of fear flickered across his visage.

Tong Ling sighed. “It seems your choice is made.”

Bound to the chair, Arnold offered a wry smile. He was quite curious to see how exactly Tong Ling would… end his life.

Bending down, Tong Ling reached towards Arnold’s pant leg, deftly retrieving a dagger hidden there.

The black scabbard of the dagger was intricately carved with runes, while the hilt, crafted from an unknown material, exuded a chilling aura that permeated through the touch.

Tong Ling drew the blade from its sheath; the sharp edge flashed with a cold light as he examined the dagger curiously.

“Arnold,” Tong Ling asked, “as an upright and kind monk, why would you carry such a weapon?”

A fleeting expression of surprise crossed Arnold’s face—he hadn’t anticipated his concealed dagger being discovered. ”…Is this your reason for suspecting me of murder?”

“No,” Tong Ling replied bluntly. “Whether or not you’ve committed murder has nothing to do with whether I’ll arrest you.”

Arnold’s expression darkened slightly. Ever since encountering Tong Ling, this woman had always left him feeling perplexed. He sensed that some things were slipping out of his control, which made him distinctly uncomfortable.

“I’m arresting you because I want revenge on you.” Tong Ling pressed the chillingly cold blade against Arnold’s handsome visage. “Don’t tell me you still haven’t realized your mistake?”

Arnold furrowed his brow. “Revenge?”

“It seems you truly don’t understand,” Tong Ling said irritably. “Friend? Arnold, am I just a friend to you?”

Arnold felt somewhat conflicted—was this what she cared about? Why…

“You’ve not only betrayed your master, but you’ve betrayed me as well!” Tong Ling raised her knife, aiming it at the man’s neck artery. “You always kept our relationship hidden in the shadows. You cowardly, selfish bastard! How dare you come before me now, acting like nothing ever happened?”

The woman exuded a dangerous, terrifying aura of killing intent, yet her eyes were filled with an intense love that couldn’t be ignored.

Love and killing intent intertwined within her, making her appear so unique, possessing a demonic allure.

Arnold found himself involuntarily stunned; when he realized how difficult it was to look away from her, he hastily closed his eyes.

Devil! This woman was undoubtedly a devil wearing human skin!

She had easily bewitched those monsters, and now she’d set her sights on him, trying to ensnare him too!

“Arnold,” the woman called out his name, a slightly cool finger gliding across his brow. “Do you know why I left you?”

“You were too greedy.”

In the darkness of night, the woman’s voice was like a siren’s song—sweet and alluring, with an almost hypnotic power. “You wanted to cling to your faith while secretly indulging in our affair. Do you really think such a perfect arrangement exists? My departure is entirely on you, Arnold.”

At that moment, the icy-sharp blade pierced Arnold’s neck. The pain was slight to him; instead, it seemed to awaken his senses, sending shivers through his entire body.

This wicked woman had the audacity to blame everything on him! She was the one who recklessly invaded his life and then abandoned him without a second thought. It was she who cast a shadow over his beliefs, making his Lord lose faith in him!

He must die! I have to… kill her!

No, he had to endure this. Arnold restrained himself—the girl was a sacrifice, meant to be offered to God. Only by dedicating her to the divine could his Lord forgive his sins.

Not yet, Arnold told himself. It’s not time to act.

“Are you angry? Fuming?” Tong Ling chuckled, her tone enigmatic.

“Open your eyes, Arnold,” Tong Ling commanded. “Are you afraid to look at me, lest you commit a sin?”

Arnold refused to obey her order. He understood this principle well: no matter what the devil said, as long as he didn’t listen or believe it, then no one could shake him.

That ice-cold finger slowly slid from the center of Arnold’s brow down to his nose bridge, then continued along his nose until it reached his lips.

Arnold kept his eyes tightly shut, giving no reaction whatsoever.

He felt Tong Ling draw close to him, her warm breath caressing his neck. In her hand was that sharp dagger, its icy tip pointed directly at him.

Shriiiing.

The tip of the blade suddenly tore through Arnold’s cultivation robes. A chill washed over his chest as his heart began pounding wildly.

What did this woman intend?! Just what was she trying to…

Arnold’s eyelids quivered. He heard the woman let out a soft chuckle. Her fingers traced his lips as she purred seductively, “Let me see if you’ll truly succumb to temptation.”

Before Arnold could react, her lips replaced her fingers, pressing softly against his mouth.

!

Arnold’s Adam’s apple bobbed involuntarily as he tilted his head back and tried to pull away. But the woman’s hand pressed against the back of his skull, her knife held firmly at his chest—she had him trapped.

“Don’t move around, Arnold,” Tong Ling warned. “Let us enjoy this moment together.”

His heart raced faster still; kissing on death’s doorstep left his mind blank, so disoriented that even refusing felt like too much effort.

Her warm, fragrant body leaned into his embrace, but he barely sensed its weight. She was petite and delicate, yet somehow, in that instant, Arnold found her more terrifying than any devil.

It was as if he’d been ensnared by a supple vine—one that tightened mercilessly with every attempt to break free. The vine bound his neck and limbs, constricting, never stopping…

He wanted her off him, but when his lips parted, her soft tongue slipped past his teeth. Their mouths entwined like a pair of lovers deeply connected.

Her kiss is sweet.

The thought flashed through his mind, sending a shudder through Arnold’s body. His eyes snapped open.

Arnold met Tong Ling’s gaze. He saw the woman’s dark and profound eyes; she was staring at him, looking extremely serious and focused.

It was just a look, but Arnold felt his body ignite with heat. Perhaps he had been dragged into hell by demons—perhaps he was already… in hell.

This suffocating kiss lasted for an unknown duration before it finally ended.

Arnold’s straight back bent over as he leaned against the chair, gasping unevenly through his chest.

“Arnold, do you think your Master is watching you right now?” Tong Ling moved her hand to the back of Arnold’s neck, forcefully pressing down on his head. “He sees you betraying Him again, harboring thoughts you shouldn’t have. Your body no longer belongs to Him, and soon your soul will also turn away from Him…”

“I didn’t!” Arnold glared furiously at the woman before him, grinding out each word between clenched teeth, “I… did… not!”

“Denying it won’t change your body’s reaction,” Tong Ling said dismissively. No matter how much Arnold tried to deny his feelings, he couldn’t deceive his physical response.

Of course, Arnold knew just how absurd his words sounded. He had been tempted by a demon—this was different from those hazy memories that filled him with anger. This time…he had truly succumbed to temptation.

He’d erred once, twice, and now even contemplated a third mistake.

Madness, he thought, I must be insane. Shifting his gaze away, Arnold struggled to calm his turbulent heart.

“Why won’t you look at me?” Tong Ling whispered into Arnold’s ear. “If only you would look into my eyes, you’d surely fall in love with me… For love is more mysterious than death.”

A shudder ran through Arnold as he found himself compelled to meet Tong Ling’s gaze.

Love? No, what he saw was desire, seduction, and…sin. She would be his demise; her very presence spelled certain doom for him.

Tong Ling could see herself reflected in Arnold’s eyes, but it wasn’t enough. She needed him to believe in her with the same fervor he had for his god—such extreme devotion should not be given to anyone else! She wouldn’t allow it.

The dagger in Tong Ling’s hand slowly descended, inch by inch, slicing through those rigid black monastic robes.

Arnold felt a lump form in his throat as he asked hoarsely, “What do you plan to do?”

“Is what I want still unclear?” Tong Ling raised an eyebrow suggestively. “Of course, I want you to experience… what love truly is.”

He’s bound to this chair, unable to move—a cultivator about to be sacrificed to his ‘god.’ How obedient and charming of a believer he’d make.

“Believe in me, Arnold,” she coaxed. “What can your Lord possibly give you? How much joy can He offer?

“But I can give you so much more; I know you like it that way…”

Tong Ling drew closer, her body pressing against him. “Do you even need to think about such an easy choice?”

Arnold felt like he had truly lost his mind.

His body had betrayed his will, committing unspeakable acts.

The scent of the woman still lingered on him. As she left, it seemed as if she had taken all the warmth with her, plunging the bright room back into darkness.

Arnold recalled their conversation before she departed:

Left alone in the room, Arnold could no longer maintain his composure. He felt as if part of his soul had followed Tong Ling out of this place. The damp, musty odor that filled the air became almost unbearable. He found himself yearning for her fragrance, her warmth; even with his eyes closed, he could vividly picture her alluring figure nestled against him.

The mere thought of her sent a thrill through his body.

Damn you, devil… What have you done to me?!

Moonlight streamed through the window, casting its glow over the silent chamber. From within the darkness emerged the repressed panting of a man struggling against desire…

“Lin…” Arnold murmured, his face reflecting deep longing and obsession. “Come back…”

He needed her, he wanted her…

“Arnold, you’ve betrayed our Lord!”

“You’ve been defiled by the devil!”

“Humanity’s filthy desires have corrupted you. Are you seeking your way to hell?”

“No!” Cold sweat beaded on Arnold’s forehead as his body, once ablaze with passion, froze over in an instant. “I haven’t betrayed you!”

The cacophony of voices showed no mercy, their clamor growing ever more insistent within his mind:

Prove it! Arnold, you must prove your loyalty to the Lord!

“I will prove my loyalty!” In a sudden surge of strength, the ropes that had bound him moments ago snapped like twigs. Arnold rose to his feet.

He rearranged his tattered clothes and picked up the dagger Tong Ling had cast aside.

“Lord, I have sinned,” Arnold declared, addressing the void before him. His eyes flickered with internal struggle, but swiftly, that turmoil gave way to a deathly stillness.

“I have sinned.” Arnold pressed the tip of the blade against his own heart. He couldn’t help being captivated by her; he was indeed guilty.

“Who said you could commit suicide?! Arnold, go kill that woman!” The voice in his head berated him harshly.

“How can I kill her?” Arnold fell to his knees without hesitation. The knife pierced through his chest directly into his heart. “She has done nothing wrong. This sin is mine alone.”

“My Lord…” Arnold twisted the dagger, tearing at his own heart. “Take my life as penance for my sins. May You find it sufficient!”

Blood gushed forth in crimson waves. Arnold’s body convulsed twice before crumpling to the ground, where he lay still, his life extinguished.

“Lord—” Arnold murmured, stretching out his hand as if grasping at straws.

Lingling—

If the Lord could forgive him, then there would be no sin in being with her, right?

Ha, he truly was dying for Lingling.

Arnold’s body grew colder by the second, his consciousness ebbing away.

He didn’t regret giving up his life for those moments of joy; he had been genuinely happy, happier than he’d ever been before…

Just as Arnold resigned himself to death, the blood flowing from his body coalesced into a circle of strange runes. The air thickened, and eerie, twisted shadows emerged from within the runes, enveloping Arnold completely.

Arnold couldn’t describe what he felt; in the presence of the Lord, he was so utterly insignificant. Faced with an omniscient, omnipotent deity, how could he not adore and submit to Him?

“Prepare… the sacrifice…”

The voice wasn’t human—it sounded nothing like something a person could utter. Terror struck Arnold’s heart, and though he opened his mouth, he couldn’t form even a single word.

The distorted shadows within the runes transformed into eight cone-shaped tentacles, each about one foot thick. These limbs dripped with mucus, flexing and swaying with resilience. They seemed to communicate among themselves, emitting bizarre sounds.

After their exchange, the tentacles lunged directly towards Arnold at the center of the runes. His eyes seeped a blood-like crimson as his organs seemed to be hollowed out. His limbs convulsed uncontrollably; no human could endure such agony, and he finally lost consciousness.

When Arnold came to again, his body bore not a single wound. Even the arm that Miya had broken was now perfectly whole.

The blood on the ground had vanished, and everything that happened last night seemed like a dream.

But Arnold knew it wasn’t a dream. His cultivation robes lay open, revealing several wriggling tentacles within his shattered heart.

“Thank you for granting me new life, my merciful Lord!”

“I’ll offer you the best sacrifices,” he murmured, his eyes filled with dark thoughts. “Please wait just a moment. You don’t need her, do you? That was my selfish desire. I’ll give you something better…”

In Arnold’s mind, his survival meant the Lord didn’t care about what happened between him and Tong Ling. His faith had been acknowledged, so surely changing the sacrificial offering should… be no problem.

“The flesh of merfolk, the hearts of vampires, the blood of witches, and those… peculiar humans.”

“All of this should suffice.”