Chapter 656: It's the World That's Wrong_1

"Qian Dao Liu and the others are discussing how to impeach you," Xu Ran said, inhaling the fragrance from Bi Bidong's body and feeling immensely content. Subtle yet enchanting, it was a scent that made one long to breathe in more.

"Oh."

Bi Bidong nodded lightly, her head held high. She had anticipated this would happen. She wasn't bothered, knowing there were true affections and things worth cherishing in the world made her indifferent to these matters.

Although the position of the Pope was exalted and revered by thousands, how many knew the Pope's hardships?

"What did Xue'er say?" Bi Bidong asked with a slight frown, a touch of nervousness in her voice. She didn't care about the opinions of others, but she did care about Qian Renxue's actions. Qian Renxue, she couldn't avoid.

Her greatest wish in this life was to repair her relationship with Qian Renxue.

She had wronged Xue'er before and now she regretted it; she didn't want to make another mistake.

"Xue'er has agreed. However, I suggested that you should talk peacefully first," Xu Ran said.

"Really?" A flicker of joy appeared in Bi Bidong's eyes, and she suddenly beamed with happiness. Although this was merely a small step and their relationship remained cool, she saw a possibility for the ice to break.

Since Xue'er returned, she had thought about going to explain everything to her, but she hadn't had the chance.

Xue'er had always been cold to her, never engaging in conversation.

"Xu Ran, thank you," Bi Bidong expressed her heartfelt gratitude, a deep appreciation evident in her beautiful eyes. In the Martial Soul Hall, she might have had many capable subordinates as the Pope, but they were ultimately just subordinates, obeying her commands only because of her papal authority.

Only Xu Ran truly helped her.

Now just a fallen Pope, that title meant nothing to Xu Ran. Xu Ran's help was because of her identity as Bi Bidong.

The difference between the two was significant, totally unlike one another.

Bi Bidong enjoyed this feeling; it was lonely at the top. In her high position, Xu Ran's concern could bring a trace of warmth to her cold heart.

This warmth, she really hadn't felt it for a long time.

She now suddenly understood why she was attracted to Xu Ran: because in this world, only Xu Ran cared about her just for being Bi Bidong herself.

Others, even Xue'er, saw her as an archenemy.

But she didn't hate the others; she had brought this situation upon herself.

"Why thank me? With the nature of our relationship, speaking of thanks would just seem too estranged," Xu Ran said with a smile.

Bi Bidong would eventually be his woman.

"Besides, as long as you're not angry with me, I'm satisfied. Right now, I can only stand by Xue'er's side. I can't offer you much help, I might even need to help Xue'er..."

"Why would I be angry?"

"Everyone thinks being the Pope is wonderful, but ever since I took the position, I have never been happy. I used to be obsessed, but now I will let the past be carried away by the wind. This belongs to Xue'er; if she wants to take it, let her take it."

"The fleeting glory and fame are far from compensating for my previous wrongs against Xue'er."

Bi Bidong's expression turned melancholy, sorrow evident in her lovely eyes. She used to be protected by the Martial Soul Hall, loved by her teacher, and flanked by a throng of admirers chasing after her.

Back then, things really were good.

If it weren't for that one incident, she might be living well now.

Since that incident, her personality became extreme, twisted, turning into someone even she herself despised. She still remembered that in her romantic youth, she too was once very pure and kind.

"Don't be sad, I've got everything under control."

"No matter what happens, I'll always be by your side."

Xu Ran tightened his embrace around Bi Bidong's slender waist, his gaze filled with compassion. What Bi Bidong desired was nothing more than the simple joys of a normal family, even if it was just a simple meal shared together.

But Bi Bidong was different; she was a Twin Martial Soul bearer, she was Soul Hall's Saintess, and she was the most talented woman in Martial Soul Hall for centuries.

Such a status meant that many people had their eyes on her.

Even without Yu Xiaogang, there would have been others... Given Bi Bidong's innocence at that time, she was doomed to fail in matters of the heart. However, others probably wouldn't be as sinister and shamelessly vile as Yu Xiaogang.

Others wanted to use Bi Bidong's status and power to skyrocket to the top. But Yu Xiaogang was obsessed with crushing Bi Bidong under his feet.

Having been a worthless individual from a young age, despised and spat upon, Yu Xiaogang's psyche was twisted. He couldn't stand to see others doing well.

"So many times, I've thought. How wonderful it would have been if I hadn't awakened my Martial Soul, if I wasn't Soul Hall's Saintess; maybe I wouldn't have to go through all this?" Bi Bidong's emotions were somewhat out of control, her ample bosom heaving wildly as she lay against Xu Ran's body, pouring out her heart to him.

Tears welled up in her beautiful eyes, growing more and more numerous until they fell in drops.

For reasons Bi Bidong couldn't explain, being close to Xu Ran made her want to speak at length. Somehow, Xu Ran brought her peace. Being held in Xu Ran's arms had initially made her ashamed, but gradually, only a sense of grievance and loneliness remained.

She wanted to reveal everything to Xu Ran, the man she trusted, the only one she could confide in.

Ever since she took over Martial Soul Hall, she felt unable to share her pain, unsure how to express it, or with whom to share it.

She had no one left to confide in, not a single person.

"It's not your fault; it's the world that's wrong," Xu Ran sighed. Holding Bi Bidong, he ceased any frivolous behavior. He simply wanted to embrace this unfortunate woman.

She had endured too much alone.

And now, she was even facing the crumbling of her own power and enmity between mother and daughter.

Although Bi Bidong didn't care, the feeling of being abandoned as the tree collapses and the monkeys scatter was difficult to bear.

Listening to Xu Ran's words, Bi Bidong's tears became uncontrollable. Her heart quivered fiercely, and she suddenly felt she had found a kindred spirit.

In this world, only Xu Ran truly understood her, and it was only Xu Ran.

Is the world really at fault...

Bi Bidong sobbed softly, leaning on Xu Ran's chest, no longer concerned with other restrictions. In that moment, she just wanted to lie in Xu Ran's embrace; it was truly warm, a sensation she had never felt before.

So heartwarming...

She remembered how as a young girl, she too had yearned for such a life.

Now, she had finally touched that longed-for feeling in reality. But the person who brought her that sensation was Xu Ran — was it some cruel joke by the heavens?

Why was she faced with such a choice again?

Xu Ran's chest was already damp with her tears; Bi Bidong's delicate body felt weak and powerless as she continued to cry on him.

Xu Ran knew how she felt, so he stayed quiet, not wanting to disturb her. Sometimes, crying lets all the suppressed emotions out.

Now, he just hoped that Bi Bidong would be alright.