The Endless Promise {COMPLETED}

126. Genius of the East Sea

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"Let me go as someone who created something so wonderful with you!" Bao Qinlian squeezed Yin Luyue's hand, and tears ran down her face.

Luyue shook his head as he raised a hand to wipe her tears.

"It's not fair..." His voice trembled as he clutched Qinlian's hands tighter, as if holding her tight would stop fate from tearing her away.

His eyes were now raw with grief, as an unbearable pain settled in his chest, and he looked between her and the child.

"I refuse... There has to be another way! Lord Medicine!" He turned sharply to the old deity. "You've lived for almost a millennia! Is there really no other way?!"

Lord Medicine sighed heavily, his gaze filled with sympathy. "I am not cruel... If there was even the slimmest chance, I would say so..."

"What if I give my own core? My own life?!" Yin Luyue asked as a final hope.

"No...!" Qinlian weakly protested.

However, Lord Medicine shook his head gravely.

"The culprit didn't want you dead." He said to Luyue. "They wanted your wife dead. If I'm not mistaken, they essentially gave their life for this poison, filling it with their hate. The mer essence within will absorb any spirit energy directed at your wife, dispersing it into nothingness, and if it's forced, it will kill her at once! This poison requires a powerful grudge.

"Even the strongest immortal might not be able to exchange their life for hers..."

Luyue's hands clenched into fists. He was the ruler of the vast East Sea, feared and respected. Yet now, he was powerless.

A tiny cry broke through the air, as the child stirred, and Qinlian carried him, cradling him in her arms. "My little *Bailong..." She held him before Luyue.

(*White Dragon)

"A-Yue... look at him." Her voice wavered. "This is our son... The first pure dragon for millennia! Can you bear to let him die?"

"I can't bear to let you die!" Luyue snapped. "How do I raise him without you? How can I look into his eyes every day, knowing I let you die?!"

She gave him a sad smile. "You are stronger than you think, and he will need you."

She raised a hand to caress his cheek, her expression full of love. "You once promised me," she whispered, "that you would protect whatever was most precious to me. A-Yue, this is my final request..."

But as Luyue looked at the child again, his heart ached, torn between selfishness and sacrifice.

It was a bitter choice indeed... One no husband or father should ever have to make.

"Save the child." He said turning his head away, his voice barely a whisper.

Lord Medicine gave a solemn nod. He held out a hand and a brilliant pill appeared in his palm- a pill which looked like it was made from pure light.

He touched the pill to the baby's lips, and it was instantly absorbed.

Qinlian smiled at the child one last time, whispering, "Bailong..."

And then her eyes fluttered closed, her breath already weakening.

Luyue did not move from her side. He held her hand as her warmth slowly faded, his fingers trembling as he pressed her palm to his forehead.

The sea beyond the palace trembled, waves crashing violently against the shores, as the East Sea itself mourned.

On land, Golden Rain fell amidst sunshine to signify the birth of a new Dragon, but under the sea, Yin Luyue, King of the East Sea, let out a roar so sorrowful that the waves swept ashore with fury...