Chapter 199
Chapter 199: Shi Zi Chu, Are You the Reincarnation of a Hyena?
Upon hearing Shi Zi Chu’s response, Ye He Qi dared not move, his gaze fixed on her as she curled up, her body sinking into the soft pillow from the pain.
What was going on here?
He had already eaten dinner, so the food couldn’t be the issue. That left only the sugar water and the dessert.
Suddenly, Shi Zi Chu reached out and grabbed Ye He Qi’s arm, interrupting his thoughts.
Her slender fingers gripped tightly, the knuckles turning white, her hand like an iron claw, as if trying to embed her fingers into his flesh.
Ye He Qi couldn’t help but wonder, if he weren’t a fusion-stage cultivator, his forearm would likely be crushed by Shi Zi Chu’s grip.
What kind of strength did she possess?
Seeing Shi Zi Chu pull his arm toward her mouth, Ye He Qi struggled to warn, “Don’t bite… ah!”
The pain made him gasp for air, and he tried to shake her off. But looking at Shi Zi Chu’s pale, sweat-covered face, he could only endure.
Afterward, when Shi Zi Chu was alright, he would be sure to claim a few Heaven Rank magic artifacts from her. He wouldn’t let this go!
Pain almost driving her mad, Shi Zi Chu bit his arm again, as if forcing him to experience her torment firsthand.
“Still biting!”
Ye He Qi, his arm numb from the pain, could no longer tolerate it. He grabbed Shi Zi Chu by both cheeks, exerting just enough force to pry her mouth open, freeing his arm from her iron-like bite.
Looking at the blood seeping through his sleeve, Ye He Qi gave a half-smile, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he spoke, “Shi Zi Chu, are you the reincarnation of a hyena?”
Shi Zi Chu slowly lifted her gaze, her peach blossom eyes streaked with blood, and her gaze was chilling. She stared directly at Ye He Qi, her expression one of calculation, as if considering how to tear him apart.
Sensing the danger, Ye He Qi immediately seized both her hands and pressed her back down onto the soft cushion.
The dead Daoist would never escape the poor priest!
“Pain…” Her voice trembled, weak, and hearing it made one’s heart soften.
His arm still trembling in pain, Ye He Qi, now learning from his past mistake, coldly instructed, “Endure it.”
Half her face buried in the soft cushion, Shi Zi Chu’s eyes were red, filled with an expression that seemed to border on madness from the unbearable pain.
In a position where Ye He Qi couldn’t see, she pressed her bloodstained lips together, her smile twisted with malice as the scent of blood filled her senses, provoking her insanity.
Her peach blossom eyes, tinged with a red hue, flickered with a hint of bloodthirsty calculation, but her voice remained weak, “It hurts so much…”
The pain in her dantian felt as though it was being torn apart, unbearable, and since it couldn’t be endured alone, why not make others suffer too?
Why should she be the only one to hurt?
If she couldn’t have peace, no one else should either.
Ye He Qi, with his heart like iron, remained unmoved, still holding her firmly in place.
But when Shi Zi Chu’s intermittent sobs reached his ears, he hesitated for a moment.
Was it really that painful?
However, that fleeting hesitation caused the situation to take a sharp turn.
Suddenly, Shi Zi Chu surged with strength and overturned Ye He Qi.
Moving so fast she left afterimages, she rushed forward, grabbing his neck and pinning him to the carpet.
Ye He Qi’s vision blurred as he was choked, unable to breathe. The sensation of impending death caused spiritual power to surge in his palm as he prepared to fight back.
“Venerable Xing Lan?!”
The carriage came to an abrupt halt, and a surprised, respectful voice of a guard came from outside.
Ye He Qi’s spiritual power dissipated instantly.
Just as Shi Zi Chu was about to continue her assault, her body stiffened.
The two pairs of peach blossom eyes met, and in their gazes, they saw the danger they were both about to face.
The atmosphere inside the carriage became deathly still.
With a creak, the carriage door was suddenly opened from the outside.
Xing Lan, half bent at the door, looked inside, his narrow eyes momentarily revealing a ripple of emotion, which was quickly covered by indifference.
Clan Chief Ye, always elegant and dignified, was now pressed to the carpet, his hair disheveled, his collar creased, and his neck gripped by a pair of delicate hands, looking quite disheveled.
Shi Zi Chu, who usually appeared so gentle, revealed her inherent brutality. Her face, pale and drenched in sweat, bore a sinister expression, exuding an air of triumph that was dangerously enticing.
Shi Zi Chu, kneeling on Ye He Qi’s abdomen, raised her eyes, her bloodshot peach blossom eyes meeting Xing Lan’s calm, deep gaze.
The upward tilt of her eyes, combined with the reddish hue in her gaze, was both seductive and fraught with danger.
Perhaps it was the emotion stirring in Xing Lan’s eyes, or perhaps Shi Zi Chu understood him too well. With just one glance, she discerned the anger hidden beneath his calm exterior.
“Master, it hurts.”
Her voice, faint and weak, combined with her pale face, was both alluring and pitiful, enough to tug at Xing Lan’s hardened heart.
Then, as if all the strength drained from her, Shi Zi Chu collapsed, her body crumpling onto Ye He Qi.
Suddenly, the temperature inside the carriage dropped drastically.
With the weight lifting from his body, Ye He Qi looked up, only to see cold spiritual power holding Shi Zi Chu in place.
He managed to sit up, his collar slightly open, revealing a small portion of his collarbone and a patch of cold, white skin.
Several red marks lingered on his delicate skin, a rather suggestive sight.
The atmosphere in the carriage grew dense.
Xing Lan stood up, his movements fluid as he made his way to a cushion beside him, and with a loud ‘bang’, the carriage door was slammed shut.
Shi Zi Chu, suspended in mid-air, was gently lowered into Xing Lan’s arms.
Ye He Qi met Xing Lan’s cold, indifferent gaze, remaining composed as he spoke, “On the way back, Daoist Shi suddenly complained of pain in her dantian, and it soon became uncontrollable.”
Xing Lan remained silent.
Now was not the time to confront Ye He Qi. Jiu Jiu’s condition was far more important.
With long fingers, Xing Lan placed his hand over Shi Zi Chu’s dantian, and cold energy slowly seeped into her body through the meridians.
Ye He Qi rose, tidying his robe before sitting on the opposite cushion with a calm and composed posture, as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
He had long been prepared for his encounter with Venerable Xing Lan.
“She is undergoing root augmentation.”
Xing Lan’s voice was low, tinged with obvious fury.
Ye He Qi paused for a moment.
Root augmentation?
It didn’t sound like something good.
Now somewhat revitalized, Shi Zi Chu grabbed Xing Lan’s arm, pulling it toward her mouth.
Xing Lan lowered his gaze, his sharp features cold as ever, his aura full of icy indifference. However, he made no attempt to stop her.
If he didn’t allow Jiu Jiu to bite something, she might harm herself.
Watching the emotionless, steady Xing Lan, Ye He Qi couldn’t help but inwardly remark.
Shi Zi Chu was indeed a product of his upbringing; if anyone else were in her position, they wouldn’t dare get so close, let alone act so recklessly.
Before long, the carriage came to a stop.
Ye He Qi spoke softly, “Daoist Shi is in no condition to travel right now. If Venerable Xing Lan doesn’t mind, perhaps you should rest at the Ye Clan’s residence.”
Xing Lan gave him a detached glance.
Had it not been for Jiu Jiu’s physical condition, he would have long taken her back to Rising Succession Peak.
Bamboo Cloud Courtyard
Upon reaching the courtyard gate, Ye He Qi paused and turned to Xing Lan, his gaze meeting the sharp, cold one with ease. He spoke calmly, “Since we share the water spiritual root, this place might be more suitable for Daoist Shi.”
With that, he gestured politely.
The Bamboo Cloud Courtyard was equipped with a top-tier spirit-gathering formation, and the abundant water spiritual power would indeed be beneficial to Shi Zi Chu.
Xing Lan, holding Shi Zi Chu in his arms, stepped inside.
Side Room
After placing Shi Zi Chu on the bed, Xing Lan gripped her chin, forcing her to open her mouth and withdraw her arm.
Ye He Qi stepped forward, glancing at Shi Zi Chu. Seeing that she seemed to be drifting in and out of consciousness, he showed a flicker of concern.
Xing Lan, not wishing to discuss Shi Zi Chu’s condition with Ye He Qi, coldly ordered, “Come outside to talk.”
Ye He Qi immediately understood. If Xing Lan hadn’t been certain that Shi Zi Chu was stable, he wouldn’t have turned to confront him.