Gu Qinghan took a deep breath, a faint weight settling deep in his chest.

"My apologies, Miss."

He paused, then continued helplessly,

"Though I truly wish to help you, right now I must first—"

"I know what you're thinking, Mr. Hohenheim."

Liana slowly lifted her head, cutting him off.

A trace of ice flickered in her swollen, red-rimmed eyes:

"You plan to escape, don't you? I won't let you succeed, sir."

"For my honor—and my fiancé's dignity."

Her voice turned grim; her frail body trembled uncontrollably.

"I will report you to the Church of Pure Love. You will face the harshest punishment—to prove my loyalty."

"I will save my marriage through action."

In an instant, she snatched the clothes beside the bed and hurled them at Gu Qinghan!

His vision blurred for a moment.

A cold dread surged inward.

Damn.

She was clearly about to do something extreme!

Blocking the fabric with one hand, Gu Qinghan heard a sharp *thud*—his toe took a brutal hit.

Liana had hidden a stone inside the pillow and thrown it too!

"This shabby room… even hides rocks?"

Gasping through the pain, he ignored the sting and looked toward Liana—

Teeth clenched, one arm crossed over her chest, the other reaching for the bedside window.

She was going to jump!

*Like this?*

A buzz filled Gu Qinghan's head; a chill shot through his hands and feet.

If she jumped, the consequences were clear.

The Church would hunt him down immediately.

Imprisonment for life flashed in his mind. Gritting his teeth, he lunged and pinned Liana onto the bed.

—*Crash!*

The vase on the table shattered, shards scattering across the floor.

Liana lay completely bare before him.

Like a half-opened blossom, she carried a faint, delicate scent.

"Let go! Let me go!"

Eyes swollen, she weakly pounded his chest, scratching a bloody trail.

Silent, Gu Qinghan clamped her slender wrists like iron vices, jaw tight.

If anyone saw her like this—his fate would be sealed.

A grave violation.

Against her will.

"Miss, please calm down."

"Let me go, you beast!"

A chill prickled his scalp.

The room had terrible soundproofing. If they kept struggling, neighbors would hear.

In the Kingdom of Pure Love, citizens reported any man and woman alone behind closed doors—without hesitation.

The quilt slipped. Her petite, tender feet kicked the sheets frantically.

Gu Qinghan's full weight pressed down—a compromising scene.

One glance from an Inspector at the door would be damning.

Tears welled in Liana's eyes. Today would ruin her reputation.

But she had to fight.

"Help! Someone's trying to force—"

Her cry cut off mid-sentence.

Cold, soft lips sealed her cherry mouth.

Desperate, Gu Qinghan kissed her to silence her.

"—Mmmph!"

She thrashed violently, muffled whimpers escaping her jade-like body.

Now, Gu Qinghan was beyond redemption.

Cold sweat drenched his back. The situation spiraled.

*Why did it come to this?*

It all started with just playing a game.

Was gaming a crime?

Careless connections bring tears to loved ones.

A faint metallic sweetness bloomed in his mouth—sharp pain followed.

His lip had split.

*Liana bit me.*

Blood mixed with her saliva, a bittersweet taste spreading on his tongue.

The sting, like poppy poison, seeped into his Cortex.

Pain! Pain! Pain!

Agitation surged straight into his Cortex.

He wanted to explain—it was a misunderstanding.

But the second he let go, she'd scream. Guards would drag him to the dungeon.

No explanation possible now.

Worse: the wall clock read 7:58.

Two minutes left.

He had to resolve this before the guards arrived.

Castration moments after transmigrating? Not even a bitter laugh came.

Thinking this, he deepened the kiss, pressing firmly to stifle her cries.

Two paths lay before him.

Flee? Liana would report him. Within hours, wanted posters would blanket the city.

Fight the guards? With no magic, no swordsmanship—he'd be crushed by any Inspector.

He was just ordinary.

*Any other way?*

His Cortex raced.

7:59. One minute.

Beneath him, she still struggled; her teeth bit deeper.

No time left to cover anything up!

Suddenly—a flash.

This was the [Grand Enchanter] Hohenheim's room.

*His tools of wickedness must be here.*

Gu Qinghan turned his head—

A four-meter alchemy bench, aged cedar surface cluttered with reagents.

His prized workstation.

Among the tools, a small vial of white powder stood out.

*Use it?*

His gaze locked on the palm-sized bottle. Heart hammered.

Last resort.

Hypnotic Powder.

Sprinkle it—she'd lose consciousness, obey his every word.

But using it himself… he'd no longer be innocent of Hohenheim's sins.

The Church arresting him would be justified.

He'd truly have hypnotized her. A point of no return.

He didn't want this.

*Is there another way?*

—*Thud! Thud! Thud!*

His heart stopped.

Liana froze too.

Eyes met. They both knew.

*They're here.*

Church Inspection Team.

Gu Qinghan shot a sharp glance at the clock.

8:00 sharp.

Outside, a solemn voice intoned, sealing their fate:

"Greetings. I am Katarina of the Kingdom of Pure Love Guard. May I request entry for inspection?"

Clear. Crisp. Final.

Gu Qinghan knew—he had to choose.