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  • After I Abandoned the Protagonist [Quick Transmigration] 230

    Chapter 230: So I’m the Protagonist After All (26)

    Sui Yihuan hadn’t expected the person on top of her to become even more emotional after she said those words, as if she had done something unforgivable.

    —But she hadn’t.

    Not knowing how to comfort someone who was losing control, but sensing the scalding tears, Sui Yihuan knew she had to continue this task she wasn’t good at.

    So, while being held tightly by Su Mingxiu, she also tried to say something to alleviate the other person’s heavy guilt, which was almost self-destructive:

    “Can you… tell me about your past life? I want to hear it.”

    Her intuition told her that if she didn’t do something, Su Mingxiu might sink into those emotions and be unable to extricate herself.

    But the other person didn’t seem very interested in these things, just listlessly rubbing her warm lips against the ear wearing the snowflake earring, her hot breath making Sui Yihuan itch uncomfortably.

    “There’s nothing to tell.”

    Su Mingxiu murmured, “It’s just a story of a fool falling in love with a heartless scumbag.”

    Sui Yihuan had almost gotten used to being called a “fool” by her. She responded with a helpless look, her eyes shifting slightly, having long since returned to their usual black, now also containing a smile, no longer the cold and distant look she had feigned when they first met in the Demon Abyss.

    “How could you be that kind of person?”

    After a pause, she said, “You shouldn’t belittle yourself like that. I know my own nature. If I like you, it must be because you’re worthy.”

    “But I’m not worthy.”

    “Uh…” Sui Yihuan was both amused and exasperated by her stubborn self-deprecation. Noticing that the clinging kiss had moved from her neck to her face, making her eyelashes tremble uneasily, she didn’t dare to push away the emotionally unstable person at this time. She could only endure it, comforting her haltingly, “The Su Mingxiu I know is a cultivator who never yields to fate and always follows her own path… Whether in the cultivation world, the Demon Abyss, or the underworld, she walks through reincarnation and never bows her head… You are better than you think. I believe in you, even in the previous life, you must have fought.”

    If you also loved me, you must have struggled for me—Sui Yihuan believed so.

    Su Mingxiu cupped her face. After her voice fell, she swallowed the rest of her breath, their lips and teeth entangled for who knows how long. The person who finally let go chuckled, “Where did you get this trust? I don’t even dare to believe in myself like that.”

    It was precisely because she had dissected her own heart that she knew all her flaws. Even though her cultivation had once been below demigod level, an existence that anyone in the Nine Continents would address as “Venerable,” as long as she wasn’t a god for a day, the dark side of human nature, the seven emotions and six desires, would always be bound in her heart, looking for opportunities to do evil.

    Recalling the reincarnations in those illusions, Su Mingxiu didn’t even dare to tell Sui Yihuan how many excessive and terrible things she had done to her…

    She had made her long for something she couldn’t have, and she had also made her suffer, lose hope, and break down… Thinking of these, Su Mingxiu felt that Sui Yihuan was really a fool, because a smart person wouldn’t like her.

    “No one can escape the power of this ‘blood curse,’ only you… broke free from it and insisted on remembering me. It’s the same now, and it must have been the same before.”

    Sui Yihuan wasn’t lying. She admired Su Mingxiu’s unyielding spirit the most, which allowed her to stick to her heart and remain unshaken no matter where she was or what kind of despair she faced.

    Su Mingxiu was her anchor.

    Because the other person had never lowered her head, she wouldn’t allow herself to give up either. Su Mingxiu in this life, after that night in the fishing village, was able to break free from her power.

    Even though there was the temperament honed by reincarnation, who said that Su Mingxiu in the previous life was mediocre?

    The fact that she could maintain her heart in those countless reincarnations already proved that this person was the same as before—if it were any other cultivator, they would have long since lost themselves in the repeated changes.

    Therefore, Sui Yihuan was very sure that whether it was in the previous life or this life, this person was worthy of her love and her devotion.

    Even though she didn’t have the memories from before and didn’t know why Su Mingxiu belittled herself like this, she firmly believed that the other person had also tried to fight against the Heavenly Dao in countless midnight hours, and had never stopped, never yielded.

    “You really are…”

    The usually eloquent cultivator was speechless in front of this pure Demon Lord.

    The two snuggled close, drawing warmth from each other, the atmosphere incomparably warm. But just then, there was a sudden fluctuation of demonic power outside the room, making them both put away their expressions. Sui Yihuan took the initiative to ask, “What is it?”

    “Above the Demon Abyss, the formation has changed. Please preside over the situation, Demon Lord.”

    Half an hour later.

    Su Mingxiu accompanied Sui Yihuan to the Demon Abyss’ discussion hall in Black Stone Dock. The hall was located at the very top of the tower, overlooking most of the Demon Abyss. Looking at the abyss shrouded in black and red mist, Su Mingxiu turned her gaze and swept over the agitated demons.

    “This cultivator must be a spy sent by the Nine Continents. If it weren’t for them, the formation we altered wouldn’t have been broken so quickly—”

    “Kill her!”

    “We’ve been cooped up here for too long, it’s time to let the Nine Continents see the spirit of our demon race!”

    But the cultivator, who had already been sentenced to death hundreds of times in these demons’ proposals, was very calm. She just looked behind the City Lord of one of the cities, at the demoness standing there with her head lowered.

    This person looked familiar. She remembered that in her previous life, when the Demon Abyss and the Nine Continents were at war, this person was standing beside Sui Yihuan, and her identity was…

    The future Demon Queen?

    So that’s how it was.

    So that’s what the final holographic game world meant.

    Listening to the agitated crowd, there was one person who hadn’t expressed any opinion from beginning to end, and that was the Demon Lord beside Su Mingxiu, Sui Yihuan.

    But even without speaking, just those crimson eyes calmly sweeping over everyone present made the rising clamor quiet down.

    Just then, Sui Yihuan heard a soft chuckle beside her ear. She couldn’t help but turn her head, a subtle puzzlement in her eyes, wondering where her good mood came from.

    Su Mingxiu didn’t have time to share her interesting discovery, about the final story of her previous life. Her expression just changed slightly, and she looked towards the top of Black Stone Dock, the emotions in her black eyes gradually cooling, like an icy plain swept by a cold wave, everything frosted over.

    “They’re here.”

    Hearing her words, Sui Yihuan also focused and sensed for a moment, her expression turning serious, “Those Nine Continents cultivators are so fast…”

    But she clearly remembered that she had already grasped the whereabouts of those intruding cultivators. Where did they get their information from? Was it that elusive Buddhist Sect again?

    “It’s not the Nine Continents.”

    Su Mingxiu shook her head, sensing the change in the heart demon oath in her spiritual platform, “There are very few people coming—but one of them couldn’t wait to cheat.”

    Almost as soon as she finished speaking, a rumbling sound suddenly came from above the Demon Abyss, alarming all the demons.

    The meeting of the city lords and demon elders in Black Stone Dock also became meaningless. When the first lightning bolt pierced through the formation barrier and struck the top of the Black Stone Dock tower, the demons inside all stepped out.

    Sui Yihuan and Su Mingxiu stood in mid-air, saw the countless rolling thunderclouds vaguely carrying a figure inside, and raised their eyebrows.

    But Su Mingxiu still revealed the other person’s identity:

    “Xiao Xingwei.”

    Peak of Tribulation Transcendence.

    One thought away from becoming an immortal, even able to break through the void and no longer be bound by the rules of the Heavenly Dao here.

    Sensing his pressure descending upon the Demon Abyss, Sui Yihuan’s expression was quite ugly. She obviously thought of what Su Mingxiu had said before, knowing that this person must have achieved great success in the Buddhist Sect’s secret treasure—

    According to their plan, they should have arrived at the Buddhist Sect first and killed these cultivators who were favored by the Heavenly Dao before the Nine Continents’ plan succeeded.

    But they didn’t expect the Buddhist Sect’s secret treasure to be so terrifying… Peak of Tribulation Transcendence, how many years had it been since the Nine Continents had seen such a powerful existence?

    When Xiao Xingwei drew the Tai’e Sword from the rolling thunder and lightning, it shook the entire Demon Abyss. The mountains and the ground trembled, almost like the world was splitting apart in ancient times.

    When he held the Tai’e Sword, the thunder that entered the Nine Continents with him continued to strike the Black Stone Dock tower. The terrifying rumbling poured down towards the Demon Abyss. A City Lord of the Demon Abyss was originally very close to the lightning strike and was trying to retreat, but was caught by the jumping ball lightning and instantly turned to ashes.

    “It’s tribulation lightning…”

    “Ascension tribulation lightning!”

    It had been too long since a cultivator ascended in the Nine Continents, but the demons of the Demon Abyss still remembered how those cultivators from the Nine Continents had taken advantage of the Heavenly Dao and exterminated them tens of thousands of years ago.

    But after so many years without another ascender, the Demon Abyss thought that the Nine Continents’ luck had run out, who knew…

    Now there was another Child of Heaven! There had been Tribulation Transcendence cultivators who could pluck stars, seize the power of the sun and moon, and move mountains and fill seas, but which Tribulation Transcendence cultivator could control ascension tribulation lightning?

    None! This was the first!

    The remaining City Lords of the Demon Abyss hurriedly retreated eight hundred miles away, afraid of being touched by even a wisp of the lightning that Xiao Xingwei had torn through the formation and brought into the Demon Abyss. This destructive power was too terrifying. Anyone below Tribulation Transcendence would die if touched…

    But their expressions were sorrowful, and some even showed grief, knowing that this time, it was the Nine Continents, it was the Heavenly Dao, that wanted to completely destroy them.

    After lying dormant for tens of thousands of years, the Demon Abyss’s grand plan to return was like an absurd joke under the will of the Heavenly Dao.

    The male cultivator holding the Tai’e Sword glanced at Sui Yihuan and the high-ranking demon cultivators scattered around, but didn’t acknowledge anyone, his gaze finally settling on Su Mingxiu.

    After a pause, Xiao Xingwei raised his other hand and reached out to Su Mingxiu:

    Sui Yihuan subconsciously looked at her, as if wanting to say something. But in the end, she didn’t say a word, just quietly watching her.

    The green-clothed female cultivator stood still for a moment, saw the lightning surrounding Xiao Xingwei that symbolized the will of the Heavenly Dao, and understood the arrogant words it had spoken to her when it was disguised as a system.

    【You lost. I told you long ago that you should abide by your predetermined destiny. If you were still my protagonist, you wouldn’t have to face such a tragic end. You could have looked down upon the Nine Continents.】

    She curled her lips and suddenly said to Xiao Xingwei, “Okay.”

    Then she ignored the lightning surrounding him and walked towards him step by step in the sky above the Demon Abyss.

    The surrounding protective lightning hesitated at this moment, and then magnanimously made way for her to pass, as if generously forgiving the child who had once betrayed it.

    Xiao Xingwei stood with his sword, watching her approach. Just as Su Mingxiu was only a foot away from him, Xiao Xingwei’s wrist suddenly moved—

    It was this movement that allowed him to block a ball of thunder spiritual power and lightning that had condensed in Su Mingxiu’s hand at some point. He subconsciously raised his sword and slashed across.

    The green-clothed woman was cut in half, but not a single drop of blood fell from the sky.

    Xiao Xingwei looked closely and saw Su Mingxiu and Sui Yihuan appearing in mid-air in another place.

    And in the Demon Lord’s hand, a large pearl had appeared at some point, emitting a faint light… The figure of Su Mingxiu pretending to surrender earlier was just an illusion created by the pearl’s misty aura.

    He frowned and coldly spat out four words, “Child’s play.”

    “Tch.”

    Su Mingxiu smiled faintly, wondering what he had to be proud of besides the Heavenly Dao’s favor. He was clearly a loser in every aspect compared to her.

    “Just returning the favor.”

    She said calmly, not answering the momentary confusion in Xiao Xingwei’s eyes. She was referring to the final memory of her previous life that she had just recalled. As the protagonist of the Heavenly Dao, with peak Tribulation Transcendence cultivation, she shouldn’t have died in the battle between the Nine Continents and the Demon Abyss.

    But there was someone who was very jealous of her, and because she couldn’t have her, she developed hatred. So she actually… ambushed her on the battlefield.

    The Heavenly Dao kept saying that she was too rebellious, but it wouldn’t admit its poor judgment. Because the one who made its plan collapse was clearly the male protagonist it had chosen, Xiao Xingwei.

    If he hadn’t ambushed Su Mingxiu in their own camp, none of what happened later would have happened. But the Heavenly Dao didn’t want to admit its blindness and attributed everything to Su Mingxiu being too rebellious, insisting that it was because she refused to accept Xiao Xingwei that all the subsequent accidents occurred.

    It even felt that Sui Yihuan was hindering Su Mingxiu’s future. So it readily accepted her soul’s destruction in exchange for Su Mingxiu’s rebirth, and then in those many reincarnations, it tried its best to reshape the protagonist into the way it wanted, but failed again.

    Now it seemed—

    “I suddenly understand why it chose you as the male protagonist. After all, you’re birds of a feather.”

    Su Mingxiu thought, if the Heavenly Dao could take human form, it would definitely be a man like Xiao Xingwei. If someone surpassed them, then that person would eventually have to submit to them, otherwise they shouldn’t exist in the world.

    If they chose someone, and that person didn’t want to accept their arrangements, then that person was too ungrateful, too rebellious, and had taken the wrong path.

    To describe it in modern terms, both the Heavenly Dao and Xiao Xingwei were full of that condescending “fatherly” attitude.

    Thinking of this, she once again sincerely felt that being able to be enemies with these two things at the same time was truly the most satisfying thing.

    Seeing the two of them standing on the same side, Xiao Xingwei snorted coldly, ignoring Su Mingxiu’s inexplicable words, and slashed towards the front. He instantly cut the Black Stone Dock tower into ruins, but that was not his goal.

    As the tower fell…

    The prisoners imprisoned by the Demon Lord, at this moment, all saw the light brought by the thunder and looked towards the sky.

    Sui Yihuan’s expression changed drastically. Sure enough, beneath the endless ruins, she saw a black shadow breaking free from the blood pool, carrying the black and red, ancient power of curses, laughing maniacally as it swept up from below, “Sui Yihuan!”

    “I said, when I see the light of day again, it will be your death date!”

    It was the Heavenly Demon.

    Thinking that this guy only needed a little more time to be completely dispersed in that pool, eternally sealed beneath the Black Stone Dock tower, but now she was adding fuel to the fire, Sui Yihuan’s eyes darkened to the extreme.

    And Su Mingxiu, facing this long-lost master, didn’t have the leisure to greet her. She just glanced at Xiao Xingwei, “You really colluded.”

    With Xiao Xingwei’s abilities alone, how could he know the relationship between the Heavenly Demon and Sui Yihuan?

    Looking at the lightning strikes that were falling everywhere but not on him, the one who deserved it the most, it was a clear fact that this person had colluded with the Heavenly Dao.

    Xiao Xingwei didn’t care about her comments. For him, the most important thing was to become the strongest in the Nine Continents. No matter who the obstacle in front of him was, they couldn’t stop him.

    He had considered giving Su Mingxiu a chance. After all, her character and beauty were truly worthy of him. It was a pity. Since she didn’t want to submit to him and was also someone the Heavenly Dao wanted to eliminate, let this beauty perish in the Demon Abyss.

    “To be a stepping stone under my reputation—”

    “You should feel honored.”

    He raised the Tai’e Sword, its tip pointing towards the two people in front of him, his imposing manner making the entire Demon Abyss tremble.

  • On How to Conquer System Fairies and Make Them Your Wives 194

    Chapter 194: No Goodbyes, No Partings

    Inside the Wu Xuan Cave’s main hall, the Grand Witch idly played with her teacup as the masked man spoke.

    “Grand Witch, have you made a decision?”

    “Sigh,” the Grand Witch sighed dramatically and glanced at him sideways. “Does Shen Li really need me that much?”

    “Your talent is exceptional, Grand Witch. We at Shen Li value talent and would be honored to have you join us.”

    “But I’m not sure I want to get involved in your affairs.”

    The Grand Witch’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. After a moment, she said,

    “Tell you what.”

    “I’m about to enter a secret realm with Chen Yin and the others to retrieve the Phantasmal Harmony Ganoderma.”

    “Whoever brings me the Ganoderma first, I’ll grant their request.”

    The masked man fell silent.

    “What?”

    The Grand Witch narrowed her eyes. “You don’t like my offer?”

    “I think it’s quite generous.”

    “Not at all,” the masked man replied respectfully. “As you wish, Grand Witch.”

    He bowed and left the hall.

    The Grand Witch watched him go, a thoughtful expression on her face. Lian’er’s voice suddenly came from behind her.

    “Grand Witch, if you don’t want to join them, just refuse.”

    “You don’t understand,” the Grand Witch rolled her eyes. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Shen Li and the Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion are enemies, and behind the Pavilion stands Immortal Yu Ling.”

    “Chen Yin’s visit is not as simple as it seems. Perhaps Immortal Yu Ling is trying to force our hand, to make us choose a side.”

    “The Triennial Day is approaching, and the Heavenly Tribulation is almost certainly real.”

    “We have to be cautious…”

    The Grand Witch continued her explanation, then turned around and almost burst out laughing.

    Lian’er was happily licking a lollipop, her face beaming with delight.

    “You…” The Grand Witch sputtered, then waved her hand dismissively.

    “Forget it! I’m a fool for even trying to explain such complex matters to you.”

    Lian’er blinked at her innocently.

    “But Grand Witch, Lian’er doesn’t know anything about the Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion or Immortal Yu Ling.”

    “Those are secrets of the cultivation world, only known to high-ranking members of major sects. Of course, a little servant like you wouldn’t know.”

    “Then why did you call Lian’er stupid…?”

    Seeing her pouty lips and teary eyes, the Grand Witch snatched the lollipop from her hand.

    “Waaaaah!”

    Lian’er’s eyes welled up with tears.

    “My candy…”

    “You’re my servant. What’s yours is mine.”

    The Grand Witch licked the lollipop, her eyes widening slightly.

    “Hmm. This is quite good. Where did you get it?”

    “Big Brother gave it to me… but you took it…”

    The little girl looked like she was about to cry.

    “It’s not bad.”

    The Grand Witch nodded with satisfaction. “Go get me some more.”

    “Huh?”

    Lian’er looked up at her with teary eyes. “B-but Big Brother said that if Lian’er wants more, I have to—”

    “Just agree to whatever he asks.”

    The Grand Witch waved her hand dismissively. “Go on, go on, don’t bother me.”

    Lian’er pouted and left the hall.

    As soon as she was gone, the Grand Witch took the lollipop out of her mouth.

    Her eyes were calm and distant as she whispered, “System.”

    “…Are you going to ask about that again?”

    “She’s started cultivating. She meets the basic requirements now.”

    “I can complete some missions and earn enough points in the next few days.” The Grand Witch’s voice was serious.

    “Transferring the Heavenly Dao Fragment isn’t just about having enough points.” The System sighed. “If you want to give it to that little girl, you have to convince me first.”

    “Don’t you approve of her?”

    “…I need more time to observe.”

    The System suddenly changed the subject. “Besides, why would you give me up so easily? You’re such an excellent host. Why would you want to be with a little girl? Is she really that important to you?”

    The Grand Witch didn’t answer.

    The only sound in the hall was the soft jingling of her silver bracelets.

    “Think about it carefully,” she finally said.

    The System sighed and fell silent.

    The masked figure left the main hall and went to his secluded cave.

    “System, contact the Divine Son.”

    The Divine Son’s image appeared before him.

    “…That’s the situation. The Grand Witch is still hesitant, but if I can help her obtain the Phantasmal Harmony Ganoderma, she’ll join us for sure.”

    “That’s good. But our plans are being delayed.”

    The Divine Son’s voice was cold and indifferent. “The Triennial Day is approaching. We can’t afford to wait any longer.”

    “Please give me another chance, Divine Son!” The masked figure’s voice was filled with a desperate urgency.

    “Don’t worry, I’m not blaming you.”

    The Divine Son’s voice softened slightly. “We’re all family in Shen Li. We’ve dealt with the Grand Witch before. She’s always been fickle. It’s not your fault.”

    “Continue with your plan. Regardless of the outcome, you’ll be promoted to Divine Messenger after this. We’ll handle the rest.”

    The masked figure hesitated, then bowed respectfully. “Thank you, Divine Son.”

    The image disappeared, and the masked figure looked up, his gaze distant.

    “…What are you worried about?” The System asked.

    “The Divine Son’s last words…” The masked figure’s voice was filled with uncertainty. “It seems he’s planning to get personally involved in the Wu Xuan Cave matter.”

    “Are you worried about his safety?”

    “At least for now, I’m not a Divine Messenger yet. I don’t know enough about the situation. If the Divine Son intervenes, things will be beyond my control.”

    The System sighed. “It’s too difficult for you alone. Why don’t you just tell him the—”

    “You promised me.” The masked figure interrupted sharply.

    The System fell silent.

    The cave was silent and dark.

    After a long pause, the masked figure whispered,

    “No goodbyes, no partings.”

    “I’ve made up my mind.”

    “Don’t try to dissuade me.”

    The System nodded silently.

    Outside, the wind howled through the mountains.

    The masked figure stared out into the darkness, his gaze distant and filled with a quiet resolve.

  • Sickly Girl Doesn’t Die in Zombie Simulator 132

    Chapter 132: Proper Treatment

    In a verdant, untouched section of Kun City, three figures walked along a street overgrown with vines and moss.

    Well, two were walking, one was being pushed in a makeshift wheelchair fashioned from woven vines.

    Lin Jiayao sat in the vine wheelchair. Surprisingly comfortable and sturdy, thanks to the vines’ natural flexibility and the reinforcing fungal tendrils.

    It even moved smoothly on Kun City’s uneven streets.

    Lin Xiwan pushed the wheelchair, her eyes scanning their surroundings with curiosity.

    Even after leaving Guangdong Province and traveling almost a thousand kilometers, she’d never seen a city like this.

    Now that the immediate danger had passed, she finally had time to observe.

    Most cities, whether large or small, were dilapidated, overgrown with weeds, littered with abandoned vehicles, barely a single intact window in sight.

    This city, however, covered in lush greenery… if it weren’t for the ever-present danger of zombies, it would be a beautiful sight.

    “Yao, how much further?” Lin Xiwan asked, her hand sliding from the wheelchair’s push handle to her sister’s shoulder, gently squeezing it.

    “Almost there…” Lin Jiayao replied hesitantly.

    With half the city burned down, the familiar landmarks gone, she was slightly disoriented.

    And [Vascular Network] only showed her the flow of energy within the city’s interconnected flora, not the actual layout.

    She’d seen several clean, water-filled reservoirs while controlling the second zombie, the Building-Tree Guardian.

    Turning a corner, she spotted a large, semi-circular structure and breathed a sigh of relief.

    “There’s water over there,” she said, pointing.

    It was a massive, semi-circular structure, which, if not for the vines covering it, would have been an open-air football stadium.

    Now, its entrances sealed by vines, it resembled a giant, natural reservoir, filled with filtered rainwater.

    “There? Alright.”

    Lin Xiwan pushed the wheelchair towards the stadium and then, reaching the massive entrance, blinked.

    “How do we get in?” she asked, squeezing her sister’s shoulder.

    Thick tree roots blocked the entrance, the gaps filled with vines. Opening it would be difficult.

    “It’s okay, they’ll let us in,” Lin Jiayao said, beckoning to Huayibai. “Come closer, Yibai.”

    As Huayibai reached her, Lin Jiayao lifted her and placed her on her lap.

    A tendril extended from her wrist, connecting to the vines on the ground.

    Having activated Vascular Network earlier, vines from the stadium’s outer wall reached towards her, stopping just in front of them.

    Lin Jiayao’s tendril split, connecting to one of the dangling vines. “Sister, hold on tight,” she said.

    The vines beneath their feet intertwined, forming a platform which then slowly lifted them upwards, like an elevator.

    As they ascended, Lin Xiwan, through the still-intact windows, saw the interior of the stadium.

    Filled with water?

    Before she could process it, they reached the top, the vines retracting into the water after depositing them on the edge of the platform.

    They could now see the stadium clearly.

    Crystal-clear water filled the entire structure, the water level almost reaching the platform’s edge.

    And through the clear water, the stadium’s interior was clearly visible, almost pristine, except for a few submerged seats covered in algae.

    A rare sight in the apocalypse: cleanliness.

    If it weren’t for the ripples where the vines had retracted, it would have been hard to believe there was even water there.

    This place is good, but the water is a bit too… deep…

    Just as Lin Xiwan was about to suggest they just take some water from the edge of the platform, more vines emerged from the water.

    The vines formed a smaller, scoop-shaped platform just below them, seemingly for easier access to the water.

    “Yao, did you do this?” Lin Xiwan asked, looking at the vine-scoop, large enough for several people to sit in. “Impressive~”

    “But… isn’t it a waste to bathe in this? This water is drinkable. We should just take some…”

    Even seeing such a large amount of clean water, Lin Xiwan, accustomed to scarcity, still thought of conserving.

    Clean water was a rare commodity.

    “It’s fine.”

    Lin Jiayao simply nodded and then, using Vascular Network, raised the vine-scoop.

    It moved past them, towards the other side of the platform.

    “This way, we won’t contaminate the main water source,” she said, smiling at her sister. “There are many reservoirs like this in the city, and they refill every time it rains. There’s plenty.”

    “Oh, I see… good!” Seeing the smaller pool of water separated from the main reservoir, Lin Xiwan relaxed and started undressing.

    After removing her clothes, she gently lifted Lin Jiayao and undressed her as well.

    Only then did she notice the two band-aids on her sister’s chest.

    “I’m taking these off now. 3… 2… 1!”

    Giving her sister ample warning, she carefully peeled off the band-aids.

    Then she looked at Huayibai.

    “Xiao Yibai, do you need help?” she asked.

    “Eh? Yibai can do it herself.”

    Huayibai bent down, gripped the hem of her white dress, and, with a swift upward motion, lifted it over her head.

    Seeing Huayibai undressed in less than a second, Lin Xiwan’s jaw dropped. “You should… wear more clothes…” she finally managed.

    “Okay!” Huayibai nodded obediently.

    In reality, the white dress was its fungal tendrils, modified at Mommy’s suggestion after their second encounter.

    Otherwise, removing the dress would have revealed a mass of bloody tendrils.

    Now naked, Huayibai curiously peered into the vine-scoop.

    Although it had seen people bathing in others’ memories, it had never bathed itself.

    Beside it, Lin Xiwan dipped her foot into the water, testing the temperature.

    “It’s a little cold. Is that okay?” she asked, gently lowering Lin Jiayao towards the water, her bottom touching the surface.

    “It’s fine,” Lin Jiayao nodded.

    With her enhanced physique, unless it was ice water, she wouldn’t catch a cold.

    Lin Xiwan carefully lowered her sister into the water, the small pool overflowing slightly as they settled in.

    The overflowing water trickled down the side of the platform, watering the plants below.

    “Hoo…”

    Sitting on the soft vines, the water level reached her neck.

    But if she put her sister down, it would probably reach her nose.

    So, she kept Lin Jiayao on her lap.

    Cold water, but still a luxury after so long.

    “Ahh…” The feeling of being immersed in clean water was incredibly relaxing.

    “Splash—”

    Huayibai, perhaps because it had slipped, suddenly fell into the water.

    Before Lin Xiwan could react, it had already sunk to the bottom, its hands crossed over its chest, blowing bubbles, a serene expression on its face.

    “Uh… what’s it doing…?” Lin Xiwan, confused, looked at Huayibai.

    “It’s… happy,” Lin Jiayao said, sensing Huayibai’s excitement, searching for a suitable analogy. “Like a puppy rolling around in mud.”

    “Is it… okay down there?” Although reassured by her sister’s words, she was still worried, seeing Huayibai blowing bubbles.

    “It’s fine, its ability allows it to hold its breath indefinitely.”

    “Oh… good…”

    After observing Huayibai for a while, confirming the blissful smile on its face, Lin Xiwan relaxed.

    Just as she was about to start washing her sister, enjoying the warmth of her body against hers, Lin Jiayao suddenly moved, escaping her embrace.

    “Hmm? What is it?”

    Lin Xiwan released her, curious.

    Her sister, using her legs to turn around with some difficulty, then with Lin Xiwan’s help, settled into a position facing her, straddling her lap.

    “Removing the stitches. They’re all over the burns,” she said, looking at her sister’s body.

    Lin Xiwan hadn’t even noticed them.

    Thin, almost invisible tendrils, acting as sutures, closing her wounds.

    After a night, the burns had mostly healed, so the tendrils needed to be removed.

    “Stitches…?”

    She hadn’t felt any discomfort and hadn’t realized there was anything there.

    Now, upon closer inspection, she saw the thin, thread-like tendrils on her arms, abdomen, and other burned areas.

    As if she’d undergone major surgery.

    She hadn’t noticed them with her clothes on.

    “Did… did you do this? So skillful!” She looked at the neatly closed wounds on her arm, impressed.

    She’d thought her sister had simply used her usual healing method.

    She hadn’t realized she had other abilities.

    But after witnessing her sister’s numerous and varied abilities, she wasn’t surprised anymore.

    She’d expected her sister to pull out the tendrils, but instead, Lin Jiayao cupped her arm and then, lowering her head, licked it.

    “Eh? Don’t you… pull them out?” Lin Xiwan instinctively pulled her arm back, creating ripples in the water.

    Lin Jiayao looked up at her, a slightly exasperated expression.

    “Pulling them out would hurt,” she said, stating the obvious.

    Pulling the tendrils out now, after they’d fused with the flesh, would be incredibly painful.

    Imagine having stitches removed without anesthetic, the thread pulled taut…

    Just the thought made her wince.

    So, the thoughtful Lin Jiayao would use her tongue.

    Her saliva had healing properties. Removing the tendrils while also healing the wounds would minimize the pain.

    She could even make a small cut on her tongue to add the numbing effect of her blood to her saliva, making it even less painful.

    “Okay…”

    Lin Xiwan nodded, not questioning her sister’s… methods.

    She didn’t know much about healing abilities.

    Relaxing, she let her sister continue.

    Lin Jiayao gently cleaned the skin around the stitches with water, then lowered her head and licked.

    With each lick, a few tendrils disappeared.

    It didn’t hurt… Lin Xiwan only felt her sister’s soft tongue, a strangely… pleasant sensation.

    Soon, Lin Jiayao sat up, and Lin Xiwan, looking at her arm, saw that the stitches were gone, her skin smooth and unblemished, the healing perfect.

    Relieved, she could finally relax completely.

    She’d been worried about making strange sounds while her sister was… licking her…

    It was supposed to be a medical treatment, if she’d moaned or something…

    Her image as the responsible, reliable older sister would be shattered.

    “Eek—!”
    “Mmm!”

    A sudden warmth, and Lin Xiwan shuddered, her hand instinctively covering her mouth.

    She saw her sister had submerged herself, her long hair spread out, obscuring her movements.

    But she knew… her “reliable older sister” persona was about to be tested.

    If she remembered correctly, her sister had said the stitches were all over her burns.

    And she…

    Was covered in burns.

  • Dear, it’s time for your medicine! 277

    Chapter 277: I’m Not Interested in Other Men’s Wives

    Bitch?

    The term Wadsworth used puzzled Sharon.

    But she dismissed it as a slip of the tongue in his rage. Secretly delighted, she eagerly led him towards the “scene of the crime.”

    Behind the tent, Carol and Angelica breathed a sigh of relief.

    Compared to the other consorts, Carol knew her father better. She knew he wasn’t a blindly impulsive man. Even if Qin Chu had truly wronged his consort, he would have restrained himself. But… the rift between the royal family and the Hero would have widened, irreparably.

    Thanks to Angelica’s information, this was the best possible outcome.

    …

    Meanwhile, walking through the palace corridors, Qin Chu sensed something amiss.

    The palace should have been teeming with servants and guards.

    He had seen many hurrying about earlier, but now the surroundings were eerily deserted.

    Lowering his gaze, Qin Chu smiled. He had just been discussing with Wadsworth how to lure out the Blissful Witch Society assassins, and now it seemed they were even more impatient than he anticipated.

    The assassin would likely appear soon.

    Qin Chu wondered who it would be. A maid? A court lady? Someone else?

    Feigning ignorance, he stretched and continued towards the courtyard exit.

    As expected, a tall figure emerged from the inner courtyard entrance. Qin Chu’s eyes lit up as he saw the woman.

    What a striking figure.

    Bright eyes, white teeth, graceful and seductive.

    Barely in her twenties, at the peak of a woman’s beauty, her hair elegantly coiled, she wore a pure white dress that exuded elegance and nobility. The hem revealed the outline of long, shapely legs, adding a touch of allure.

    Her skin was delicate like a young girl’s, her voluptuous figure swaying enticingly as she moved.

    Her figure was only slightly inferior to Athena’s. Qin Chu hadn’t expected such a treasure hidden within the palace.

    He was certain any man would be captivated by her… ahem… striking charm, his gaze drawn to her and nothing else.

    This woman was like a captivating siren. Any man, upon seeing her, would feel a surge of desire, a yearning to possess her, regardless of the cost.

    And this woman would surely show him the true meaning of paradise.

    Except for Qin Chu.

    While he appreciated beauty, he wasn’t a fool.

    Was she beautiful?

    Very.

    But she was still a step below Angelica and Anastasia, let alone Shaye.

    Yet, even Shaye didn’t possess such overt seductiveness. This level of allure seemed unnatural, directly targeting a man’s primal desires. This was… charm magic.

    The Blissful Witch Society’s specialty.

    Moreover, Qin Chu, a veteran of countless battles and encounters with women far more beautiful than her, had developed considerable immunity. He merely nodded politely as a sign of respect.

    Coupled with his exceptionally high mental fortitude, her charm magic was useless.

    Although he had identified her as a witch from the Blissful Witch Society, Qin Chu didn’t intend to follow the plan he had discussed with Wadsworth. Judging by her attire and demeanor, she held a high position within the palace, likely one of Wadsworth’s consorts.

    Wadsworth’s worst fears had come true. He had been cuckolded.

    Wadsworth was on his revenge list, but further down. Qin Chu didn’t want to antagonize him prematurely.

    If he interacted with this woman, future encounters would be awkward.

    Again, Qin Chu had no interest in other men’s wives.

    Even if he had a justifiable reason.

    Seeing Qin Chu’s calmness, Angela frowned. This wasn’t going according to plan.

    According to the Blissful Witch Society’s intelligence, Qin Chu could be described with one word: insatiable.

    This man wouldn’t let any beautiful woman go, not even Demon Beasts. Luring him should have been easy.

    Angela had been confident that a slight display of seduction would have him panting after her like a dog.

    Yet, he remained strangely unmoved.

    She had even cleared the area of guards and servants. They were alone in the courtyard. What was he so hesitant about?

    Ah, she understood.

    It must be because of his title as Hero. He wanted to maintain his image.

    Hah, what a joke. Everyone knew what kind of man he was. What was the point of maintaining a false facade? He hadn’t been in this world long, but he had already learned the nobles’ hypocritical ways.

    Perhaps, she needed to give him a stronger incentive.

    He wouldn’t be able to resist.

    Whoosh…

    A sudden gust of wind billowed her pure white skirt upwards, revealing her jade-like legs.

    Angela feigned surprise, quickly pressing down on her skirt, bending forward.

    One of her shoulder straps had slipped, revealing ample cleavage.

    Under the setting sun, her skin was dazzlingly white.

    Qin Chu rolled his eyes. Did she think she was Marilyn Monroe?

    Her contrived actions disgusted him.

    As if that wasn’t enough, Angela’s eyes teared up, her face flushed, her entire being radiating seductive allure.

    She was certain the Hero wouldn’t be able to resist this.

    But she was disappointed again. The Hero merely glanced at her, showing no sign of the ravenous pursuit she had expected.

    He even clicked his tongue dismissively, showing no interest whatsoever. He bypassed her completely, walking around her as if she wasn’t even there.

    Hiss…

    Angela shivered.

    Her face flushed, not with shame, but with anger.

    She had never been so thoroughly ignored. At the Witch Society gatherings, she was always surrounded by dozens of admirers. She refused to believe her charm had no effect on the Hero.

    Was it because he was surrounded by so many beauties?

    Was she inferior to those silly girls?

    At that moment, the mission to lure Wadsworth into killing the Hero, to fulfill the Lord of Pleasure’s will, became secondary. She needed to prove her own allure.

    Accustomed to being the center of male attention, Angela couldn’t accept being ignored.

    Gritting her teeth, she lifted her skirt, the click-clack of her heels echoing as she moved to block Qin Chu’s path.

    “Excuse me, are you the Hero? … Oh!”

    Her melodious voice turned into a cry of surprise.

    Her heel seemed to catch on something, causing her to stumble. Her voluptuous body lurched forward, falling towards Qin Chu.

    Again?

    Qin Chu sighed inwardly.

    As she was about to fall into his arms, he sidestepped again.

    Angela was stunned. He had dodged her deliberate fall? Was this man even a man? Who said he was insatiable?

    Too late to recover her balance, she watched the ground rush towards her.

    Then…

    Thud!

    She landed face-first, her nose gushing blood.

    Her shoulders shook, her lips trembling. She had never suffered such humiliation, ignored so completely by a man.

    He had even dodged her… dodged her?

    The insult to her pride stung far more than the pain in her face and nose.

    Finally, she couldn’t hold back any longer. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

    She looked utterly pathetic.

    Not my problem.

    Qin Chu, wanting to put this embarrassing display behind him, started to walk away. But as he passed her, she suddenly wrapped herself around his leg.

    Literally wrapped herself around him.

    Her body became like a boneless snake, coiling around his legs, her hand grabbing his tie and pulling him down.

    This bizarre tactic caught even Qin Chu off guard.

    He stumbled forward, falling onto her. Angela quickly adjusted her position, ensuring he landed on top of her.

    His hand landed squarely on her breast.

    At that very moment, footsteps approached. Emperor Wadsworth, accompanied by Sharon, was hurrying towards them.

    They witnessed the worst possible scene.

    A sly smile flickered across Angela’s face, instantly replaced by an expression of fear and struggle. Her scream echoed through the palace: “Help! Someone help me!”

    “I’m the Emperor’s consort! You can’t do this! Beast! Let me go! Sob… Help!”

    Her acting was impeccable.

    She perfectly portrayed the fear and despair of a woman being assaulted. She deserved an Oscar.

    Combined with her disheveled clothes, exposed skin, and tear-streaked, bloodied face, no one would doubt her words.

    Wadsworth’s face contorted with rage, his knuckles white as he clenched his fists.

    Sharon could hear the suppressed growl rumbling in his throat.

    A triumphant smile spread across her face. The Hero was dead.

    Angela had really gone all out, even making herself look this disheveled. It was even better than they had planned.

    Go on, Wadsworth.

    Do it. Kill him.

    Qin Chu sighed, resigned. This was the worst possible scenario. He climbed off Angela, spreading his hands helplessly: “Your Majesty…”

    “I didn’t intentionally touch your consort.”

    “Do you believe me?”

    Qin Chu felt wronged. She had started this.

    He truly had no interest in other men’s wives!

  • Reincarnated as a Holy Nun, I Refuse to Lose! v2c3

    Volume 2: Witch Kingdom Arc

    Chapter 3: The Envy Witch

    Luo Yuxi watched as Ruo Li leaned in, her tongue tracing a path down Luo Yuxi’s neck. Remembering Ruo Li’s words about absorbing magic power, she panicked and pushed Ruo Li away, covering her chest.

    “Where do you even absorb magic power from?!”

    “Anywhere is fine, I was just curious…”

    “Really, don’t you witches have any shame?!”

    Luo Yuxi’s face flushed crimson. Then she remembered that witches, indeed, had no shame. In the game, to emphasize their lewdness, some witches even marked the number of nuns they had “captured” on their bodies. And the witches in the protagonist’s harem showed no regard for her feelings, just tossing her onto the bed.

    “Really, so many demands from a captive. I’ll skip that part for now…”

    Ruo Li, seeing Luo Yuxi’s lack of fear, decided against a more forceful approach. She gently lifted Luo Yuxi’s right hand and placed her index finger in her mouth, her tongue swirling around it. Luo Yuxi was confused.

    “Wh-What are you doing?”

    She felt a strange suction on her finger, her strength draining, flowing towards that point. She could feel something being drawn out of her.

    “Stop it!”

    Luo Yuxi pulled her hand back. Ruo Li licked her lips contentedly, a dazed look in her eyes as she gazed at the defenseless Luo Yuxi. She knew that if she wanted to, she could easily overpower her.

    “Let’s end it here. I didn’t expect a nun to have such a rich reserve of magic power. Next time, it won’t just be a finger~”

    Ruo Li put on her coat and left without looking back, leaving Luo Yuxi sitting on the bed in a daze. Just moments ago, she had been enjoying the Church’s favor, and now she was a plaything in the Witch Kingdom.

    “I have to escape! I don’t have the protagonist’s willpower, I’ll be completely corrupted after a few more times…”

    Luo Yuxi noticed a neatly folded nun’s habit by the bed. Although she wasn’t sure if it was hers, it fit perfectly, although the ample space around the chest area made it rather revealing.

    “Did the witches prepare this for me? Why is it still a nun’s habit…?”

    Luo Yuxi looked at the magic chain on her ankle, the golden inscriptions and markings impervious to her efforts. She recalled a similar situation in the game.

    “I think I escaped that room by making a deal with Gluttony, Dorolo…”

    The thought of that tentacled loli made Luo Yuxi shudder. Although she was cute, and Luo Yuxi had enjoyed the protagonist’s tentacle scenes in the game, experiencing it herself was a different story.

    “The only one who can remove this chain without alerting the other witches is her…”

    Luo Yuxi remembered the item used in the deal: the protagonist’s long hair, which had been cut short. But Luo Yuxi had a better alternative.

    “Tears should also work. I’m quite attached to my hair…”

    Luo Yuxi stroked her pink hair, waiting for Dorolo to appear. But after waiting for a long time, no one came.

    “What’s going on? It’s almost night, why hasn’t anyone come?!”

    She had been expecting witches to come after her, but no one had appeared. Had her charm decreased? In the game, the witches couldn’t wait to use the protagonist’s body as a serving platter. But only two had visited her: one who liked her loli form and one who absorbed magic power.

    “Wait, is this the ‘cold treatment’ from those doujinshi?! Leaving me alone in this room, making me think I’ll be tortured, but only giving me a small taste, then letting me slowly fall into depravity!”

    Luo Yuxi was worried. The witches’ methods were truly cruel. Just as she thought this, the door burst open.

    “…”

    “Finally! Someone’s here!”

    Luo Yuxi excitedly jumped off the bed. She had been afraid of witches before, but after waiting all day, she was now eager for their arrival. A black mist drifted into the room.

    “What… what is that…?!”

    [Ding]

    [———]

    Occupation: Witch

    Affiliation: ¥∗¥ &*^

    Skills:???

    Title:Envy Witch

    Affection:¥&*^

    OrderLevel: ¥$&*^

    Luo Yuxi looked at the garbled text on the panel, wondering what was wrong. The black mist filled the room, and she could feel it entering her body.

    “The Envy Witch?! Even without other information, the title is enough. I’ve captured every witch in the game…”

    As the black mist solidified into a figure, Luo Yuxi realized her memories of the Envy Witch were hazy. She couldn’t recall her appearance or her CGs. She knew her identity, but couldn’t remember anything else.

    “So she’s here…”

    “Who… who are you? I… who am I…?”

    Luo Yuxi’s eyes became vacant, her memories fading, like someone sinking in quicksand. The more she struggled, the deeper she sank. She looked at the black-robed figure, who reached out to her, and felt no desire to resist.

    [Ding]

    Status: [Cognitive Distortion]

  • Reincarnated as a Holy Nun, I Refuse to Lose! v2c2

    Volume 2: Witch Kingdom Arc

    Chapter 2: The Fate of a Nun in the Witch Kingdom

    Luo Yuxi slowly opened her eyes, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, her body sinking into the soft mattress. She sat up, confused, with no memory of what had happened.

    “Wh… where am I? I think Dorolo ate me…”

    The thought made her head ache. She remembered being swallowed, entering another space, the last image of pink tentacles coiling around her, pulling her into the abyss. The memory made her shudder.

    “Am I in hell? But this place looks familiar…”

    Luo Yuxi examined the room, the antique chandelier, the ancient walls, the large bed with gold trim. It resembled the room where Ruo Li interrogated the protagonist after she was discovered infiltrating the Witch Kingdom in the game.

    “If that’s true, then I’m not dead!”

    Luo Yuxi excitedly threw off the covers, then noticed that her body, which had been transformed into a loli by the fairy witch’s magic, was back to normal, her breasts even seeming larger.

    “The side effects are gone? I’m back to normal! This is much better, I don’t like being so short. Ouch…!”

    As she examined her body, she noticed bruises all over, as if she had been ravaged. She panicked.

    “What happened?! Why?! Why am I like this?!”

    “Oh my, what’s all the commotion so early in the morning…?”

    A naked Doris sat up beside her, rubbing her sleepy eyes. Luo Yuxi stared at her, speechless.

    “You! You… you! I, I, I… I!!! This, this…!! I!!”

    “I didn’t expect you to wake up so early after last night. It was quite addictive~”

    Doris stroked her smooth legs. Luo Yuxi was too scared to speak. There was no doubt she was in the Witch Kingdom. She had been swallowed by Dorolo, brought here, and then spit out. That had to be it.

    “What… what happened last night?!”

    “Hmph, you were so cute at first, but you changed back to this lewd body!”

    Doris, feigning anger, rolled over and pinned Luo Yuxi down.

    “If you didn’t like me, why did you do those things?!”

    “Tsk, you dare ask me back? It seems I need to show you the consequences of angering Wrath!”

    Doris’s fingers danced over Luo Yuxi’s body, making her blush and struggle, begging for mercy. Doris, seeing her helpless state, felt a surge of satisfaction.

    “From today onwards, you’re not going anywhere. This room was our temporary resting place, but now, it belongs entirely to you~”

    “Please let me go! I’m not interested in your war with the Church! I’m just a—”

    “You don’t understand. A witch’s desires are endless. The moment you were brought to the Witch Kingdom, you were destined to stay here~”

    “Wh-What do you mean…?”

    “You’re our captive now. Forget about your normal life. Lying naked on the bed, that’s your only value now~”

    Doris’s words sounded familiar. Wasn’t that the classic line from the game, triggered when the protagonist chose to fight the Witch Kingdom and lost? But the CG wasn’t just with Wrath, there were three of them.

    “You’ll incur the Church’s wrath! You better send me back now!”

    Doris lifted Luo Yuxi’s chin, her gaze predatory, ignoring her threats. Luo Yuxi hadn’t expected her charm to be so effective, even on a witch who preferred cute things.

    “By the way, I bought this potion from the apothecary. It can temporarily reverse someone’s age by ten years. It’s not very useful for us witches, but…”

    Doris looked at Luo Yuxi meaningfully, the implication clear. She got dressed and left the room. Luo Yuxi, seeing her leave, tried to escape, but a chain with a golden mark appeared on her ankle.

    “What is this?!”

    [Divine Art: Holy Flame]

    Luo Yuxi tried to break the chain with divine arts, but it remained intact. She had gone from a nun seducing witches to a plaything in a witch’s room. After several attempts, the chain remained unbroken.

    “Don’t bother. You can’t break a chain created by a 2nd Order~”

    “It’s… you…”

    Luo Yuxi saw Ruo Li, the witch who had sold her at the auction. Seeing Ruo Li’s gaze, she realized she was still exposed and quickly covered herself with the sheet.

    “Wrath seems to be having fun. But I’m also quite interested in you~”

    Ruo Li took off her coat and hung it on a nearby rack. Luo Yuxi panicked, clutching the sheet tightly.

    “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to you. Just replenishing some energy. We succubi need to feed~”

    Ruo Li pulled off the sheet, her gaze lingering on Luo Yuxi’s body, the marks left by others strangely alluring. She licked her lips.

    “Itadakimasu~”

  • Transformed into a Female Villain, But Captured by My Beautiful Girl Disciples v2c8

    Chapter 8: Drunken Frenzy

    Yan Chuyue had been feeling quite down lately.

    Especially when reading the booklet summarizing recent events around the Heartflame Empire, her mood worsened.

    What happened?

    Firstly, the man she met in Cloudmist City vanished overnight.

    Although she understood that abandoning his identity and starting anew was a reasonable course of action after those incidents, he could have at least told her who he was now.

    Did she hold so little weight in his heart…?

    Of course, Yan Chuyue, or rather, Gong Youyuan, wasn’t one to dwell on romantic matters.

    Since she couldn’t contact him, she focused on her cultivation and gathering information.

    Then she noticed something strange.

    The Hehuan Sect and Dongyang Sect, who were supposed to be fighting, hadn’t clashed at all.

    Instead, they jointly explored a secret realm, and the Hehuan Sect members were subsequently eliminated by a combined force of the Heartflame Empire and Dongyang Sect.

    And supposedly, the mastermind behind this was an immortal master from a sect she had never heard of.

    “What? What? What is all this?”

    Yan Chuyue wanted to reread her own novel. This was utterly absurd.

    Although this world generally followed her plot, some people seemed to be ripping up her script and rewriting it.

    If this was happening now, would the future deviate even further from her original plan…?

    Then, something even more unexpected happened.

    After the Cloudmist City incident, Yan Zilan hardly dared to make a move against her, secretly plotting something bigger instead.

    However, as soon as Yan Chuyue left the pharmacy, she was knocked unconscious and stuffed into a sack.

    Later, she woke up in a moving carriage. After what seemed like a short journey, she was taken out.

    When the sack was removed from her head, her eyes almost popped out.

    “Aunt Lingyue?”

    Yes.

    The one who kidnapped her was Shangguan Lingyue.

    This made Yan Chuyue both amused and bewildered.

    “Aunt Lingyue, this is the capital… what’s going on?”

    Shangguan Lingyue helped her down from the carriage and led her towards her manor. “To keep things secret, I had to resort to this. You’re not angry, are you, Chuyue?”

    “Angry? Not really…”

    Yan Chuyue smiled wryly. “But please explain why you kidnapped me.”

    This was getting more and more confusing.

    In her novel, she wouldn’t meet Shangguan Lingyue for at least another six months, and there was no such absurd kidnapping incident.

    “About that…” Shangguan Lingyue chuckled awkwardly. “I’m not entirely sure either. You can ask the Immortal Master who asked me to bring you here.”

    “Immortal Master?”

    “You must have heard of her, right?” Shangguan Lingyue said. “That Immortal Master who almost eradicated the Hehuan Sect. Her activities are around your area.”

    …What a coincidence!

    She had been wondering who this person was, and now she was told that this person wanted to see her.

    Just who was this person…?

    As she was thinking, a black-haired girl walked past.

    She had seen this girl before…!

    Wasn’t this the disciple of that Young Master Guan Yilin?

    “Miss Qiu Ming?” Yan Chuyue asked instinctively.

    But when Qiu Shui looked up, she saw a stranger.

    “Who are you?”

    Oh right, she had used a disguise before. This girl was seeing her real face, so it was normal for her to not recognize her.

    Wait… Yan Chuyue suddenly realized something.

    Why was this girl… here?

    If she was here, did that mean Guan Yilin was also here?

    No… the identity of Guan Yilin was most likely fake. Then this person’s true identity… could it be the Immortal Master? So that’s why she was called here.

    “But I remember the Immortal Master being a woman…”

    Just then…

    A lazy and slightly crazed voice came from behind her.

    “Little Qiu Shui~~~”

    A woman with a veil and flowing hair stumbled in, a gust of wind swirling around her. She leaped over Yan Chuyue and landed in Qiu Shui’s arms.

    Qiu Shui: “…Master?”

    Shangguan Lingyue: “…???”

    Yan Chuyue: “…???”

    Before Qiu Shui could ask, a strong smell of alcohol wafted from her master.

    She… had been drinking?

    Qiu Shui couldn’t help but ask, “What happened? Did you drink in the palace?”

    Gong Yiling, slightly dizzy, rubbed Qiu Shui’s cheeks, distorting her face.

    “Mmm… mmm… Little Qiu Shui, heeheehee.”

    She nuzzled Qiu Shui’s chest, acting drunk and unrestrained.

    “Master!”

    Feeling a strange sensation on her chest, Qiu Shui turned to Shangguan Lingyue and asked, “What… what in the palace could have made her like this?”

    Shangguan Lingyue stroked her chin. “Based on my estimation, she probably drank my brother’s special wine, Sleep Till Daybreak.”

    “Sleep Till Daybreak?” Qiu Shui was puzzled. “Master isn’t usually so careless.”

    “This wine has a unique characteristic,” Shangguan Lingyue explained. “It doesn’t taste like alcohol at first, more like juice. It has a slight alcoholic scent, but it doesn’t feel intoxicating.”

    “But two hours after consumption, its potency hits you all at once, and it’s much stronger than any other wine on the market.”

    “That’s why… it’s called Sleep Till Daybreak.”

    “What Sleep Till Daybreak?”

    Gong Yiling flailed her arms around drunkenly. “I’m not drunk! Not drunk, not drunk, not drunk! I’m not drunk!”

    Her voice wasn’t just lazy; it was seductive, almost bone-melting.

    “Yes, yes…” Qiu Shui said with a wry smile. “Master isn’t drunk. Master isn’t drunk.”

    “Heehee… I can still drink, still drink.”

    “No more, no more. Master, why don’t you go and rest?”

    “No… heehee, Little Qiu Shui, why is your chest so soft? So soft…”

    Qiu Shui: “…”

    Shangguan Lingyue: “…”

    Yan Chuyue: “……………”

    Yan Chuyue was speechless.

    Could… could this person really be the young master from before? No way, no way, no way, right?

  • My Girlfriend is a Cold and Aloof Sickly Beauty 46

    Chapter 46: Childhood Memories

    The winter days grew colder and colder, and even in Jiang Xue’s world, it began to snow.

    Taking advantage of the weekend, she took pictures of the snowy scenery and the icicles hanging from the eaves. She broke off some icicles, cut them into sections, carefully melted a hole through the center of each, threaded them onto a red ribbon, put them in a plastic bag, and sent them to Xiao Luohan to play with.

    That night, when she entered the dream, a separate little eave decorated with icicles appeared in the “mindscape.”

    “I wonder if this space will still exist after you come over,” Jiang Xue muttered, touching the icicles and looking at the young woman not far away.

    She had forgotten since which dream it started, but Xiao Luohan had changed her gray cloak to a bright red one.

    She was no longer fixated on recreating furniture with the Scream bottle, but instead, holding a long sword carved with plum blossoms, she was dancing in a blank area further away.

    Jiang Xue still remembered the layout of Wangmei Pavilion, knowing that it was in the courtyard, which became desolate in winter, with only the plum tree retaining its vitality.

    As Xiao Luohan danced, she saw greenery and purple sprouting from the ground.

    They were clusters of “vetch,” also known as “wild pea.” Among the vast expanse of small green leaves were small purple flowers, like butterfly wings.

    Like shepherd’s purse, it wasn’t a precious plant, but it tasted good and grew vigorously. Most importantly, Xiao Luohan liked it.

    Jiang Xue rubbed her chin, thinking, and also started dancing in another blank area.

    Wherever she went, dandelions sprouted.

    Time wasn’t fixed in this space. With a thought, she saw the dandelion buds bloom into yellow, then the petals closed, undergoing an unseen transformation. The closed petals and sepals withered, and when they opened again, they were fluffy white spheres.

    It wasn’t convenient to dance on the fluffy dandelions, so Jiang Xue retreated from the dandelion field, picked one, and smiled at Xiao Luohan. “Xiao Luo, look at this!”

    Ever since she heard Wei Mommy call the Third Princess “Xiao Luo,” she had also started calling her that—she always liked imitating Wei Mommy.

    Xiao Luohan stopped dancing and walked towards her, sword in hand.

    “I also like dandelions.” She smiled at the sight of the fluffy sphere, then looked at the dandelion field beside her. “Mother would occasionally pick dandelions for food, eating them in a salad. I would follow behind her and collect the fluffy seeds.”

    She raised her hand, and the sword transformed into a handful of dandelion seeds.

    Turning slightly, Xiao Luohan gently blew on the seeds, and the little “parachutes” scattered joyfully, carried by the wind towards the sky.

    Jiang Xue instinctively looked up and saw that the dandelion seeds were flying towards dark, twisting branches, dotted with deep pink plum blossoms.

    She took a deep breath and smelled the refreshing floral fragrance.

    Wangmei Pavilion was named after the old plum tree in the courtyard. Even though she had fainted from kneeling under it that day, Xiao Luohan had still brought it into her mindscape.

    “Looking at the buds on the plum tree branches, I always wonder if Elder Sister’s soul lingers on them, wanting to watch over me.”

    After blowing away all the seeds, Xiao Luohan also looked up. “Do you think… what state is Elder Sister in now?”

    “Is she just quietly watching, or is she maintaining this space and our dreams?”

    Perhaps because she had been reading more fantasy works recently, her speculations became bolder.

    Jiang Xue thought for a moment. “Maybe both?”

    “If that’s the case… why doesn’t Elder Sister say anything to me?” Xiao Luohan lowered her gaze. “Like us, we’ve already progressed to planning the assassination of the Crown Prince of Daying, yet she doesn’t appear or say anything.”

    Jiang Xue knew what she was thinking.

    If the Crown Prince died, the Emperor would be furious and might use it as an excuse to start a war, which would bring suffering to the people of both countries.

    “Maybe because… we’re just continuing what she originally wanted to do?” she guessed. “Think about it, in that battle, your elder sister cut off a strand of the Daying Crown Prince’s hair!”

    “If your elder sister hadn’t been at her limit, venturing deep into enemy territory alone, and struck by so many arrows… that sword strike wouldn’t have just cut off hair, but the dog of a Crown Prince’s head!”

    Although they couldn’t cut off the Crown Prince’s head now, they could give him a powerful “headshot” with Uncle Seuss’s gun!

    “Even if the Emperor has many sons, it’s not easy to raise another ‘heir’ from scratch, not to mention the other uncles and elders who are eyeing the throne. If the Crown Prince really dies, Daying will be in chaos!”

    “Shaking the foundation of Daying is also good for Beiliao. Anyway, whether the Crown Prince dies or not, Beiliao’s future is in danger.”

    Jiang Xue was optimistic, but she also knew that she was only saying this because she wasn’t living in a time of war, and everything she said was based on her understanding of historical knowledge, from an outsider’s perspective.

    So she stopped there and, seeing Xiao Luohan’s expression soften, didn’t mention it again.

    They continued to stay in this space, sometimes chatting, sometimes playing with flowers.

    The night passed unknowingly. The next day, Jiang Xue, still drowsy, put on her jacket, grabbed the diary, and went downstairs to send Xiao Luohan her breakfast.

    After sending the food and confirming that Xiao Luohan, who always woke up early, had received it and started eating, she went to wash up, get dressed, and eat her own breakfast, yawning.

    Recently, Jiang Xue would rather wake up early than stay at her rented apartment.

    There were more things available at home, and it was more convenient for Sister Cheng to prepare meals.

    Besides that, she could exchange updates with her older sister during breakfast, which was the most important.

    “What did ‘Hermes’ say?” Jiang Xue asked eagerly this morning.

    Last night, when she came back from evening self-study, she had heard her older sister talking on the phone with her uncle!

    “Hermes” was the nickname the sisters had for Uncle Seuss—he liked living alone, had no spouse or children, but was especially fond of a stallion he had raised since it was a foal. Now that the horse had grown up, he declared to everyone that he had a “horse son.”

    “He said, ‘We can take some additional measures to increase the chances of success, such as simulating self-rescue and follow-up actions after the weapon is seized by the Crown Prince. After we simulate feasible outcomes, Jiang Xue can relay them to the princess.’” Jiang Mei recounted his words. “If you don’t mind, ‘Hermes’ can even act as the Crown Prince.”

    Although Uncle Seuss felt that there wasn’t much difference between men and women, after all, many women practiced boxing and fitness abroad, and their strength shouldn’t be underestimated, Jiang Mei still felt that they should practice with a man. When counterattacking, a man’s weaknesses might not be the same as a woman’s.

    Jiang Xue chuckled. “Then ‘Hermes’ better wear his full set of protective gear!”

    Busy with studying during the day, and with rehearsal in the afternoon, she didn’t find a chance to tell Xiao Luohan until that night, when she entered the dream and sat on the “cat tree” to explain the new plan.

    Xiao Luohan had already filled the Wangmei Pavilion in the mindscape with many things. The “cat tree” was extra large, and even she wasn’t sure if it was for a real cat, or… for Jiang Xue, the human-sized cat.

    However, Jiang Xue seemed to like the cat tree, so that was enough.

    After hearing Jiang Xue’s explanation, Xiao Luohan thought for a moment and placed a mannequin near the plum tree. But she didn’t give it a face or clothes, it was just a wooden figure.

    With her will, the mannequin started moving.

    “Can it simulate strength?” Jiang Xue leaned in curiously.

    She tried to imagine the strength and movements she wanted the mannequin to display, and as soon as the thought crossed her mind, the mannequin lifted her onto its shoulder!

    “It works!!” Jiang Xue wasn’t flustered. Thinking “put me down,” the mannequin placed her back on the ground.

    “I was just imagining what it was like when my sister carried me,” she shared with Xiao Luohan frankly. “This is great! After I meet Uncle Seuss, I can bring in his strength and movements for simulation!”

    Although this space was Xiao Luohan’s “mindscape,” Xiao Luohan now allowed her to leave her own “mental images” here as well, which made many things easier.

    Xiao Luohan nodded with a smile, then asked curiously, “Why did Mei-jiejie carry you like that?”

    Jiang Xue also smiled, but didn’t answer, instead moving aside. “Do you want to try?”

    Her curiosity piqued, Xiao Luohan walked towards the mannequin.

    The next second, she was also lifted onto the mannequin’s shoulder, and then her vision spun—

    Xiao Luohan had never been lifted and spun around like this before. She cried out in surprise, but after the initial shock, she started laughing heartily.

    Her red cloak also swirled around her like a red cloud.

    Jiang Xue let the mannequin, representing her older sister in her memory, spin Xiao Luohan around several times. When Xiao Luohan shouted “Stop,” she had the mannequin put her down.

    “When I was very young, my older sister and I went to the park and saw a father playing with his daughter like this. I also grabbed my sister’s hand and said I wanted to play like that.”

    Casually picking a wild pea and putting it in her mouth, Jiang Xue sat on the grass, reminiscing. “Actually, my sister wasn’t very old back then, but she still tried her best to lift and spin me around.”

    “Later, when my sister grew up and became stronger, she remembered this and insisted on playing like that with me that day.” Jiang Xue chuckled. “But… I was going through a growth spurt at the time and was quite heavy. She couldn’t lift me, so she ended up carrying me on her back instead!”

    Xiao Luohan imagined the scene and smiled. “That’s very interesting.”

    “If you like listening, I can tell you more,” Jiang Xue said, turning to her.

    She saw Xiao Luohan lower her gaze and remain silent for a few seconds. “Then I’ll also tell you a story about me and my elder sister.”

    “I was frail, so even my elder sister didn’t dare engage in such playful activities with me. But she liked carrying me on her back…”

    As she spoke, the surrounding furniture, decorations, flower fields, and plum trees disappeared, replaced by an unfamiliar palace scene.

    Two girls, one tall and one short, were running under the red walls.

    The taller one steadily carried the shorter one on her back, running and occasionally jumping or bouncing. The shorter girl would let out small cries of surprise, then giggle uncontrollably.

    “She would carry me wherever I wanted to go. If I wanted to walk, she would put me down. When I got tired, I would climb back onto her back.”

    Xiao Luohan’s voice softened. “At the time, I really thought life could continue like this. But later, when I grew a little older, I stopped asking Elder Sister to carry me.”

    Seeing Jiang Xue listening attentively, she paused. “Except for one winter night, when I had a high fever. Mother was afraid that the Imperial Hospital wouldn’t accept someone from the cold palace, and that I wouldn’t survive, so she went to kneel outside the Empress’s palace.”

    “Later, it was Elder Sister who braved the snow, carried me all the way to the Imperial Hospital, kicked open the door, and demanded that the physician on duty treat me with acupuncture and moxibustion… That’s how I survived that night.”

    She didn’t share any more details with Jiang Xue, lost in thought.

    She remembered being delirious with fever that night, vaguely hearing her elder sister say with a sob—

    “I won’t let Xiao Luo die! Even if the Black and White Impermanence come to take you, I’ll snatch you back from the King of Hell!”

    T/N:

    Black and White Impermanence: 

    It refers to two ghostly figures from Chinese folklore and Daoist/Buddhist mythology who serve as underworld messengers or deities. They are responsible for escorting the souls of the dead to the afterlife.

  • After Failing to Find Immortality 209

    Chapter 209: Weaving Intentions

    Lin Tianlu bowed respectfully, his voice calm and steady. “There’s no need for thanks, Elder. It was my duty. After all, the First Elder showed me kindness, offering me a place in the Lunar Valley and even giving Ruoyu and the others a chance to undergo the trial. I owed her a debt of gratitude.

    And when I saw her lose control, I couldn’t just stand by and watch.”

    Seeing his humble and composed demeanor, the Fifth Elder was impressed.

    No wonder the other elders, and even the Valley Master, favored him. His character was impeccable.

    And he was handsome and incredibly powerful. For the Lunar Valley to have such a son-in-law was truly…

    “That Ruoyu girl has brought us a great blessing.”

    The Fifth Elder sighed with emotion.

    Then she chuckled self-deprecatingly. “You’ve shown such kindness towards the Lunar Valley, Master Lin, all because of Ruoyu. And yet, we elders have been so presumptuous, acting as if we have the right to judge and interfere, disregarding her years of hardship and suffering, using our connection to her to make demands.”

    “You’re too kind, Elder.”

    Lin Tianlu smiled gently. “Ruoyu still cares deeply about the Lunar Valley. She was happy to return and reunite with the Ninth Elder. We’re practically family now.

    And the elders I’ve met have all been kind and welcoming. I’m truly grateful.”

    He was being sincere.

    Although he had only been in the Lunar Valley for less than half a month, the elders he had met were all mature and understanding, treating him with respect and kindness. He felt a sense of warmth and belonging, as if he were among family.

    The Fifth Elder’s expression softened, her eyes warm.

    “It seems I’ve been too focused on my own perspective… But, Master Lin, you don’t have to worry about the other elders. Just remember Jingyun’s kindness.”

    She sighed softly. “Jingyun is the youngest among us, but also the most mature and reserved. She rarely interacts with others. She doesn’t even have a single disciple. But perhaps it was fate that brought her and Ruoyu together. They formed a close bond, like mother and daughter. We all saw their affection for each other.

    And when Ruoyu became rebellious, yearning for the outside world, questioning our traditions and wanting to leave the Lunar Valley… Jingyun was the one who supported her the most.”

    “They had no blood relation, yet Jingyun respected Ruoyu’s decisions, caring for her deeply, never showing any disapproval. And after Ruoyu left…”

    The Fifth Elder’s eyes dimmed, and she sighed. “She shut herself away in her private chamber, refusing to see anyone. When we visited, she was always melancholic, sometimes even weeping in secret, as if she wanted to leave with Ruoyu.”

    Her expression turned serious. “Jingyun truly cares about Ruoyu. Her feelings are genuine. You must cherish her, Master Lin, and understand her loneliness.

    And seeing how gentle and affectionate she is towards you, it’s clear that she considers you her precious son-in-law, wanting to protect and care for you. Don’t disappoint her, Tianlu. Her love is true and deserves your respect.”

    Hearing this story, Lin Tianlu nodded seriously. “I’ll keep that in mind, Elder. I’ll treat Martial Aunt well.”

    “Calling her ‘Martial Aunt’…”

    The Fifth Elder paused, then chuckled. “It’s appropriate for now, but you should address her more intimately later.

    And I should also mention… her full name is Wu Jingyun. Her past is similar to Ruoyu’s. She was also orphaned during a time of war and taken in by the Lunar Valley. Perhaps it was her difficult childhood that made her so reserved and aloof, even within the safety and comfort of the valley.”

    Lin Tianlu said thoughtfully, “So that’s why Martial Aunt enjoys literature so much—”

    “She was the only daughter of a wealthy family. She grew up surrounded by books and developed a love for learning. And after coming to the Lunar Valley, she would often spend her time reading and studying. She was incredibly diligent.”

    The Fifth Elder’s eyes were distant, as if she was recalling the past. “The other elders would often scold me, telling me to learn from Jingyun’s dedication. And when her cultivation surpassed mine, I was quite jealous for a while.”

    Lin Tianlu chuckled softly.

    He hadn’t expected to hear such stories about the elders.

    “It seems you and Ninth Elder have a good relationship, Fifth Elder.” Yun Yue suddenly spoke, glancing at the calligraphy and paintings on the walls.

    The Fifth Elder’s melancholy faded, and she smiled. “These are all Jingyun’s works. Some were gifts, and some I begged her to make for me. She might seem cold and distant, but she’s truly kind. She would always find time to create these for me, and I display them prominently, so I can admire them every day.”

    Lin Tianlu nodded thoughtfully and bowed slightly. “Thank you for taking care of Martial Aunt, Fifth Elder.”

    “Don’t tell Jingyun that. I don’t want her glaring at me. It’s quite scary.”

    The Fifth Elder winked playfully. “Well, now that you’re here, I have something to discuss with you. Follow me.”

    She turned and walked away, and Lin Tianlu and Yun Yue exchanged glances, then followed her.

    …

    The Jade Luo Courtyard was truly a beautiful place, its vast gardens filled with colorful flowers, their vibrant hues glowing under the moonlight, like a dreamlike wonderland.

    A sweet fragrance filled the air, calming and refreshing.

    But as midnight approached, the courtyard was quiet and serene.

    “Such beautiful flowers are rare in autumn and winter.”

    Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but sigh.

    Yun Yue’s eyes flickered, and she murmured, “It seems that a powerful Yin technique is preserving these flowers, preventing them from wilting, maintaining their vibrant colors and fragrance.”

    “You have sharp eyes, Azure Fox. As you said, this garden is maintained by Yin techniques, keeping it in perpetual bloom, its fragrance always fresh.”

    The Fifth Elder paused, her gaze lingering on a nearby flower.

    She touched a petal, and it transformed into shimmering particles, swirling around her fingertip like a miniature flower crown. “Sixth Elder enjoys gardening. She helped create this courtyard.”

    Lin Tianlu chuckled. “The elders of the Lunar Valley are all so talented.”

    “These are just our hobbies, ways to pass the time and find solace.”

    The Fifth Elder’s gaze turned distant, her expression melancholic.

    After a moment…

    She looked down at the flower crown, a faint smile on her face. “Sometimes, I envy Jingyun.”

    Lin Tianlu’s heart skipped a beat, and he said softly, “Are you thinking about the past?”

    “It’s just a fleeting thought.”

    The Fifth Elder flicked her finger, and the flower crown scattered in the wind. “She has found happiness, reunited with her disciple, and even gained a wonderful son-in-law… I truly envy her.”

    Her expression turned complex, a shadow of sadness crossing her face.

    Silence fell upon the courtyard, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the autumn breeze.

    Lin Tianlu raised his hand, and the scattered petals flew back, converging at his fingertips, forming a beautiful flower. He offered it to the Fifth Elder.

    “If you don’t mind, Elder, when Ruoyu and I visit, we can bring you some gifts from the outside world. We can also sit and chat, sharing stories.”

    The Fifth Elder was stunned, and she instinctively took the flower, her voice a soft murmur. “You…”

    “I can sense your loneliness, Elder.”

    He smiled gently. “Letting go of your burdens and enjoying life… it’s a good way to find solace. Suppressing your emotions will only make things worse.”

    The Fifth Elder remained silent.

    After a while, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, inhaling the flower’s fragrance, a faint smile appearing on her face, fragile and fleeting.

    “You’re truly perceptive, Master Lin. You’ve seen through my heart.”

    “It was just a guess, Elder. I hope I didn’t offend you.”

    “Of course not. In fact, I should thank you. If your words are true…”

    The Fifth Elder placed the flower back in its place, her eyes sparkling with a renewed light.

    But then she suddenly slapped her cheek.

    She took a deep breath and quickly regained her composure, her usual gentle smile returning. “Forgive me, showing such weakness before you. It’s unbecoming of an elder. But—”

    She winked playfully. “Don’t forget your promise, Master Lin~”

    Lin Tianlu nodded slightly. “I won’t.”

    “Oh my~ Just as Xin’er said, you always say the most charming things, Master Lin. It’s quite overwhelming.”

    The Fifth Elder’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Perhaps soon, even Jingyun will be blushing around you.”

    Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly. “That’s…”

    “Alright, I’ll stop teasing you. Please don’t mind me.”

    The Fifth Elder glanced at Yun Yue, who was still smiling calmly, seemingly unfazed.

    She chuckled softly and changed the subject. “Since you know that Sixth Elder is skilled in gardening, and Jingyun excels at calligraphy and painting, why don’t you guess what I’m good at?”

    “Embroidery and sewing.”

    “Eh?”

    The Fifth Elder was stunned, surprised that he had guessed correctly, without even a moment’s hesitation.

    “How—”

    “Your subtle gestures and movements revealed it, Elder. That natural grace and precision can only be achieved through years of practice.” Lin Tianlu mimicked her earlier movements. “And your aura, so focused and precise yet also ethereal and fleeting… you must be a master seamstress.”

    “This is…”

    The Fifth Elder was speechless. She instinctively touched her right hand, her voice filled with wonder. “You’re truly observant, Master Lin.”

    She waved her hand, and bolts of colorful fabric flew through the air, swirling around them.

    “Since you’ve already guessed, there’s no need to keep it a secret. I’m the most skilled seamstress in the Lunar Valley. And I called you here today to make some wedding robes for you, as a congratulatory gift.”

    A warm smile appeared on her face. “Although I’ve already taken your measurements, it’s always better to have a fitting. Let me know if there’s anything you want to change.”

    Lin Tianlu’s expression turned strange. “Thank you for your kindness, Fifth Elder. But are we going to try on the robes right now…?”

    “Remove your clothes first.” The Fifth Elder’s words surprised him. “It will be more accurate this way.”

    Seeing his awkwardness, she chuckled and gestured towards a nearby flower bed. “Let’s go over there.”

    Yun Yue watched them leave, a smile on her face. But then she felt a gaze on her.

    “Eh?”

    She pointed at herself, her eyes wide. “Do I have to—?”

    “Miss Yun Yue’s figure is similar to Ruoyu’s. She can be my model.”

    The Fifth Elder smiled mischievously. “And if I make a few extra robes, perhaps you can use them as well, Miss Yun Yue.”

    “…”

    Yun Yue blushed, her expression flustered.

    But she quickly regained her composure, her hand brushing against her shoulder, and her robe slipped to the ground, revealing her flawless body, her figure curvaceous and alluring, her skin smooth and radiant. Her ample bosom and hips were perfectly proportioned, her legs long and slender, like a masterpiece sculpted by the heavens.

    Even the Fifth Elder couldn’t help but admire her beauty.

    With such a captivating figure, if she unleashed her full charm, she could easily ensnare any man, a true temptress.

    But…

    “I must show her my skills as well.”

    The Fifth Elder’s eyes narrowed, and she flicked her sleeve, sending a shower of silver needles flying through the air, swirling around them like a silver dragon.

    Bolts of colorful fabric flew towards them from all directions, converging and interweaving, forming a shimmering barrier, countless threads of silver light darting through the air.

    Yun Yue spread her arms, and she was surprised to see a piece of azure fabric appearing on her stomach, expanding rapidly, clinging to her skin.

    She looked at the Fifth Elder, her eyes closed, her fingers twitching slightly, as if she was controlling thousands of needles with her mind, the colorful threads weaving themselves into intricate patterns, a display of extraordinary skill and precision.

  • Friend(GL) 103

    Chapter 103: Injured

    The call disconnected abruptly. You Ruxu jolted awake, sitting up in bed. Ignoring the pain in her leg, she immediately got out of bed, stumbled, and steadied herself against the nightstand, then called Zhou Tianzui.

    The ringing echoed in the corridor, sharp and insistent. The man’s face paled, and before Zhou Tianzui could react, he tried to pull out the knife, but she grabbed his hand. He was holding the baby in his other arm, unable to use his full strength. The nurses’ station was nearby. She turned and shouted, “Call the police!”

    The nurses rushed out, their footsteps echoing in the corridor. The man, unable to pull out the knife, yanked his hand back and kicked Zhou Tianzui hard in the leg, sending her sprawling to the floor.

    “He’s taking the baby! He’s killing someone!” Someone screamed, and the lights in all the wards flickered on. Zhou Tianzui breathed a sigh of relief, her hand clutching the wound, the blood flowing freely, her face pale. A nurse started crying, “Dr. Zhou! Dr. Zhou!”

    Other doctors and nurses also rushed over. The man, seeing this, quickly ran towards the stairwell. Zhou Tianzui gasped, her voice weak and strained, “The baby…”

    Before she could finish, a scream came from room sixty-two, “Where’s my baby?!”

    The ward erupted in chaos.

    When You Ruxu arrived with the police, the scene was chaotic. Zhou Tianzui had been taken into surgery. The police were chasing the man down the stairs. The patients were all holding their babies, standing outside their rooms. The husband of the patient in bed sixty-two grabbed the woman from bed sixty-three by the collar, “Where’s your husband?!”

    The woman cried out desperately, “He’s not my husband!”

    “I don’t care if he’s your husband or not! Give me back my son!” The man, his eyes filled with rage, tried to grab the baby from her arms, but was restrained by another man and dragged away. His wife screamed at him, “Go find him! Go find him!”

    Having just given birth, she was still weak, collapsing onto the bed after just a few words, the other patients looking at her with pity. Several mothers, holding their babies, watched from a distance. You Ruxu, supporting herself against the wall, asked a nurse, “Where’s Zhou Tianzui?”

    The nurse’s face was pale, still in shock, tears in her eyes, “Dr. Zhou’s in surgery.”

    You Ruxu looked down and saw a pool of blood on the floor. She swayed slightly.

    “Dr. Zhou was the first to notice.”

    “Dr. Zhou was stabbed.”

    “What happened? Was he trying to steal the baby?”

    “Is he part of the gang from the maternity hospital?”

    Voices all around her, a cacophony of noise, but You Ruxu couldn’t hear anything, her mind blank, her ears ringing. She leaned against the wall, her hands and feet cold, supporting herself on one leg, trying to find the operating room, her vision blurry, she stumbled forward.

    “Reporter You!”

    A nurse caught her, and You Ruxu, gripping her arm tightly, asked, “Which operating room?”

    Yu Qiao arrived at the operating room, her face pale and drawn, looking at the brightly lit sign above the door, listening to the nurse, “Auntie, Dr. Zhou is in surgery.”

    She heard them talking about surgical plans, consent forms, risks, but Yu Qiao’s mind was blank, her body numb. She couldn’t understand how this could happen, how could someone be attacked while working at the hospital?

    She stood there, stunned.

    Then she heard You Ruxu call out, “Auntie.”

    Yu Qiao turned, her movements mechanical, momentarily forgetting their earlier argument, “Xiao Xu? What happened to Xiao Tian?”

    You Ruxu’s eyes were red-rimmed, tears threatening to spill. She blinked and reached out to support Yu Qiao, noticing her trembling hands. Yu Qiao looked down at her hands, clenched them, then realizing, her expression hardening, but she didn’t pull away.

    They stood together, You Ruxu supporting herself on one leg with difficulty, but she didn’t move, or rather, she forgot she could move.

    She stood there like a statue, oblivious to the pain, the exhaustion, numb.

    Until a nurse said to her, “Reporter You, your leg…”

    She looked down, “It’s fine.”

    Yu Qiao, hearing this, said, “Go sit down.”

    You Ruxu’s hand, still gripping Yu Qiao’s, was cold and trembling. Yu Qiao helped her onto a bench.

    “What happened?” Yu Qiao asked, “How did Xiao Tian get hurt?”

    You Ruxu wanted to speak, but her throat was tight, a lump forming, she suddenly remembered Zhou Tianzui standing by her bedside earlier, her eyes red and filled with anguish, that desperate fear of loss, she now understood it completely.

    “It was…” You Ruxu’s voice was hoarse, lacking its usual clarity, dry and raspy.

    A police officer hurried over.

    A crew-cut officer stopped in front of You Ruxu and asked, “Is Dr. Zhou alright?”

    Yu Qiao, seeing them, quickly asked, “What happened to Xiao Tian?”

    The officer looked apologetic, “Dr. Zhou seems to have witnessed a crime.”

    “A c-crime?” Yu Qiao was confused. She looked at the officer, then at You Ruxu, wanting to ask, but not knowing what to ask. You Ruxu spoke, “That man, was he involved with the missing baby from the maternity hospital?”

    The officer nodded: “They’re part of the same gang.”

    Using the identity of a patient’s husband, they could freely enter and leave the wards without suspicion. The expectant mothers were abducted from remote villages, their husbands held hostage, threatened with harm to their families and newborn babies if they called the police, forcing the mothers to cooperate.

    Yu Qiao said, “What does that have to do with our Xiao Tian?”

    “Dr. Zhou seems to have figured it out.” But she hadn’t raised the alarm, and the man, sensing her suspicion, had acted rashly. The officer continued, “Our colleagues have apprehended the suspect, the baby is safe.”

    The baby was returned safely. The mother from bed sixty-two, along with her family, rushed to the operating room, profusely thanking everyone, her husband even kneeling down, thanking Zhou Tianzui, thanking Yu Qiao. Yu Qiao’s eyes reddened as she cried.

    The scene was chaotic, but You Ruxu seemed oblivious, her eyes fixed on the operating room light, everything else blurred, fading away. She could hear her own heartbeat, rapid and frantic, each beat a desperate cry.

    Calling out Zhou Tianzui’s name.

    Zhou Tianzui’s surgery was successful.

    The doctor emerged from the operating room and informed them. You Ruxu tried to stand up, but her movements were slow and unsteady. Yu Qiao rushed over to the doctor, gripping his hand, “How is Xiao Tian?”

    “The surgery was successful, the knife didn’t penetrate too deeply, Dr. Zhou…”

    You Ruxu, following behind, her legs giving way at those words, she collapsed onto the floor.

    Yu Qiao turned around and saw You Ruxu.

    You Ruxu said, her voice trembling, “Auntie, she’s okay.”

    Yu Qiao’s lips trembled, she didn’t speak.

    You Ruxu, her voice choked with tears, repeated, “She’s okay.”

    Yu Qiao gritted her teeth, looked at You Ruxu, then looked away. After a few seconds, she turned back and helped You Ruxu up. You Ruxu gripped her hand, her fingers cold, the coldness spreading to Yu Qiao’s hand.

    The chaos didn’t subside until late into the night, but the online discussions continued to rage.

    [A doctor at Jindu First Affiliated Hospital was murdered!]

    [I heard it was also about a stolen baby!]

    [Don’t spread rumors, she’s still in surgery.]

    [Holy shit, is this real? Did they catch the killer?]

    [Have you seen the video? Blood everywhere, don’t click if you have a weak stomach!]

    Many people were present at the time, some called the police, others filmed the scene. Zhou Tianzui leaned against the wall, surrounded by doctors and nurses, her white coat stained crimson, her hand clutching the wound, her face pale.

    Even then, she still managed to tell them that the baby belonged to the patient in bed sixty-two.

    You Ruxu didn’t dare watch the video, her heart clenching painfully. Her face ashen, she sat on the bed, listening to Wu Xiulian say, “It’s alright now, Dr. Zhou’s condition is stable.”

    She nodded, looking at Wu Xiulian, “Can I go see her?”

    “Your leg…”

    “I’m fine.” You Ruxu said, “I want to see her.”

    Before Zhou Tianzui was out of surgery, she had been restless, the doctors taking her back to her ward. Now, it was almost morning, Zhou Tianzui was out of observation, and You Ruxu wanted to see her.

    Wu Xiulian said, “Her mother is also there.”

    You Ruxu nodded, “I know.”

    Wu Xiulian said, “I’ll wheel you over.”

    You Ruxu sat in the wheelchair, being wheeled towards the elevator, thinking of Zhou Tianzui, of Yu Qiao, and suddenly said, “Aunt, if I had told Chen Xiang earlier, to investigate the backgrounds of the other patients in that ward, would Zhou Tianzui still…”

    “Xu Xu.” A hand rested on her shoulder. Wu Xiulian bent down and looked at You Ruxu, “Don’t think like that, if you could think of it, the police could too, this was an accident, it happened so quickly, no one was prepared. Dr. Zhou was already very cautious.”

    Remaining calm and composed, not alerting the attacker, that was already remarkable.

    It was just that the attacker was experienced and sensed her suspicion, hence his rash action.

    Thankfully, Zhou Tianzui had been prepared, stepping back, grabbing the man’s hand, preventing the knife from penetrating too deeply, even managing to stall him and buy some time, “Don’t blame yourself.”

    You Ruxu’s expression eased slightly, but the thought of Zhou Tianzui lying in a hospital bed still made her feel nauseous. They reached the ward. You Ruxu, seeing Wu Xiulian about to knock, instinctively grabbed her hand. Wu Xiulian looked at her.

    You Ruxu released her hand, her face pale as a sheet.

    The door opened with a soft click. Yu Qiao was standing there. You Ruxu and Wu Xiulian stood outside. The three of them looked at each other for a few seconds. Wu Xiulian finally spoke, “Sister, is Dr. Zhou awake?”

    Yu Qiao’s gaze was fixed on You Ruxu.

    Her expression much calmer than their previous encounter at the apartment. She hesitated, then said, “No.”

    You Ruxu’s eyes dimmed. She called out, “Auntie, can I…”

    Yu Qiao glared at her.

    You Ruxu continued, “Can I go see her?”

    A hint of pleading in her tone. Yu Qiao’s hand tightened on the doorknob, she looked at the person inside the ward, then at You Ruxu, then after a long moment, said, “Go ahead.”

    You Ruxu breathed a sigh of relief, wanting to smile, but it looked worse than crying. Yu Qiao, in her memory, You Ruxu was always elegant, beautiful, composed and capable in front of the camera, so different from the You Ruxu now, her image crumbling.

    She was disheveled, anxious, worried sick about Zhou Tianzui.

    Yu Qiao saw it all.

    She glanced at Wu Xiulian, then went to the pantry.

    Several people were waiting in line for the water dispenser, chatting casually as they waited.

    “There was an incident at the hospital last night!”

    “I know, it was Dr. Zhou from the obstetrics department, right? I saw the video.”

    Yu Qiao’s grip on the water bottle tightened.

    “I heard she was stabbed multiple times!”

    “Is she dead?”

    “The knife missed any vital organs.”

    “That’s good, that’s good. Not many doctors are willing to put themselves in harm’s way these days.”

    “She was lucky, there was a reporter hospitalized there, and her police escort arrived just in time to apprehend the suspect.”

    “Was it that baby kidnapping case from the maternity hospital? Apparently, it’s a gang, they caught several of them last night…”

    Yu Qiao, listening to their conversation, was in a daze.

    “It’s all thanks to that doctor, otherwise who knows how many babies would have been harmed. They still haven’t found that baby from the maternity hospital.” A few family members chimed in, “I hope the doctor is okay, it would be such a loss if something happened to her.”

    “Exactly.” Another one said, “She’s so young, and I don’t think she’s even married.”

    “I wonder if she has a partner, her family must be terrified.”

    Yu Qiao walked out of the pantry with her water bottle and returned to the ward. She saw Wu Xiulian standing outside in the corridor. Wu Xiulian hadn’t entered, just standing there. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned around, “Sister.”

    Yu Qiao nodded curtly and stood beside her, looking through the small window above the door. You Ruxu was sitting by the bed. Zhou Tianzui was awake, her hand, adorned with a red string bracelet, reaching out to hold You Ruxu’s.

    You Ruxu also wore a red string bracelet on her wrist.

    Yu Qiao took a deep breath and didn’t enter.