Chapter Seventy-Three: Jumang? Jumeng!
Things are indeed a bit tricky, but there are ways to handle them.
One month, no, not even a month.
Not long has passed since the last “there are always a few days every month,” and I still have over twenty days as a buffer. At least, during this time, my situation isn’t so bad.
Although I don’t know her purpose for seeking me, twenty days is enough time for me to deepen my connection with her, uncover her true intentions, and devise ways to avoid the upcoming crisis of “those days.”
On another note, she hasn’t explicitly stated the time and quality required to locate the core of the urban legends, which means I can find ways to get all the information about various urban legends she knows without any cost.
In this light, this situation isn’t entirely unfavorable for me, Luxianbei thought.
He had felt from the very beginning that learning the contents of The Book of Siye from Jiang Li would have certain limitations on understanding urban legends and should not be taken at face value.
The content on The Book of Siye is likely only what the Siye Society is willing to share with their members, and Jiang Li’s explanations carry a certain subjective flavor.
Just like the information from the Solar Eclipse Society, which she is unwilling to disclose.
If he could gain sufficient knowledge from the girl to compare with the records in The Book of Siye, it would definitely be more authentic and reliable.
Luxianbei pondered in silence for a few minutes before looking at the girl, who was sitting on the couch in a carefree manner. He said firmly, “After thinking it over, I believe your proposal is feasible!”
“I’ll find a way to help you collect the core of the urban legends, and in return, you need to teach me any knowledge I want to know. That seems reasonable.”
“However, don’t you think a verbal agreement feels a bit childish? Aren’t you afraid I might betray you? Of course, I also fear you might stab me in the back.”
As he spoke, Luxianbei quietly removed the mulberry kn*fe from his waist and tightly gripped it in his hand, seemingly deliberately letting the girl see it.
The gesture served as a silent warning to the girl.
Don’t play tricks; a cornered rabbit will bite! If I get really angry, I might just stab you!
“Oh? You’re quite cautious,” the girl said, waving at Luxianbei, “This problem isn’t difficult. It can be solved with a simple spell formula, come here.”
Luxianbei walked over skeptically but kept the kn*fe in his hand.
Seeing Luxianbei approach, the girl’s gaze briefly swept over the kn*fe in his hand, seemingly wary, and she subtly shifted to the side to offer him a place to sit.
“Give me your hand.” The girl extended her hand in front of Luxianbei.
Luxianbei stared at the girl for a few seconds before gently placing his hand on hers.
“Mm.” The girl nodded in satisfaction, “Now, whatever I say, you just repeat after me, okay?”
“Mm.”
“I…” The girl started but tilted her head and asked, “By the way, what was your name again? The guy from the Siye Society mentioned it, but I didn’t catch it.”
“Luxianbei.” Luxianbei replied, suddenly realizing that after hours of interaction and a crisis with the girl, he still didn’t know her name.
“Speaking of which, since you know my name now, I should know yours too, right?”
Though Luxianbei had guessed the girl’s identity, he still thought it would be better to hear her say it directly for confirmation.
“Jumeng.” The girl replied nonchalantly.
“Mm?” Luxianbei thought he misheard her and paused for a moment, then asked, “Just to confirm, you said Meng, not Mang?”
“You heard right, it’s Meng.” The girl affirmed, her expression slightly smug, as if showing off to Luxianbei, “See, am I cute or what?”
“I thought you were…” Luxianbei hesitated.
“This?” The girl smiled meaningfully at Luxianbei, “Well, sort of. It’s complicated to explain; I can’t clarify it right now.”
“Are you not being honest?” Luxianbei frowned and subtly edged the kn*fe closer to the girl.
The girl noticed Luxianbei’s slight movement, her heart racing a bit, but she continued to act nonchalant.
“Ah—! I’m really scared of you now, just get on with the spell formula, alright? Honestly, a real man shouldn’t be so petty; you’ll be single for life!”
“You don’t need to worry about that, I’ve already arranged a marriage by proxy.” Luxianbei replied expressionlessly, internally adding that whether it’s true or not, it doesn’t stop me from showing off.
“Tch!” The girl spat in disdain and continued, “I don’t want to deal with that! Alright, let’s continue the spell formula, repeat after me.”
“I Jumeng…”
“I Luxianbei…” After Jumeng finished, Luxianbei immediately echoed her.
“Today, I become husband and wife with Luxianbei here!”
“Today, I… uh?!” Luxianbei’s eyes widened suddenly as he stared at Jumeng.
What’s going on? Didn’t we agree to become partners? Are you actually trying to marry me?
“Uh.” Jumeng realized she had misspoken and scratched her head, “Sorry, I’ve hosted too many weddings in the Peach Source, it slipped out. Let’s start over.”
“I, Jumeng, today establish a cooperative relationship with Luxianbei. The heavens and Hou Tu witness this heart, sharing fortunes and facing difficulties together, helping and supporting each other, and maintaining faithfulness—violators face eternal damnation, never seeing peace!”
Luxianbei, “…”
Why does this sound so familiar? Besides, did she leave something out? Aren’t we supposed to say something about being together for one year and one month? Does that part not get included?
“You say it?” Seeing Luxianbei’s stern face with no response, Jumeng urged.
Luxianbei gave her a sidelong glance and flatly replied, “What happened to the spell formula? Why has it turned into a brotherhood vow? Are you messing with me?”
“This is the spell formula!” The girl rolled her eyes, “You think the ritual for brotherhood transformed from what? In ancient times, those people not only had to perform the spell formula but also had to say a lot and bl**d bind with oaths; there’s significance behind it all.”
“Really?”
“Can’t be fake.” Jumeng replied somewhat impatiently, “Otherwise, you’ll just have to become my dependent, but I think you should know what that means, and you definitely wouldn’t want that.”
“However, being my dependent is also great; you only need to spend twenty minutes a day praying sincerely and offer meat and vegetables, and then I can…”
“Of course, I wouldn’t want that.” Luxianbei interrupted Jumeng without hesitation.
Du Sixian is already driving me crazy; if I become her dependent, who knows what will happen?
“Then it’s settled? So, are you reciting or not?” Jumeng asked, becoming a bit unreasonable again as she spoke, “If you don’t cooperate well, I think it’s better we part ways early.”
“You keep playing your role as a traitor of the Siye Society, stumbling around like a headless fly; perhaps one day you’ll reach the pinnacle of life, but maybe you’ll just d*e tomorrow, and I’ll just turn myself in.”
“…” After pondering for two seconds, Luxianbei skeptically repeated Jumeng’s words. As soon as he finished, a severe burning sensation shot through his eyes.
After a brief flash of distorted light and a tremor in space, the surroundings dimmed abruptly. In the darkness, Luxianbei saw two tender white hands tightly clasped together.
What happened? Why did I transform?
A sudden jolt of fear gripped Luxianbei, as if an electric current had passed down his spine, cold sweat soaking his clothes.
At that moment, he suddenly saw a green light floating out from Jumeng’s hand, resembling a new sprout developing at a visible speed, with a fragrance of peach blossoms filling the air.
In the next instant, accompanied by a soft sound, a flame ignited on the back of his own hand, surrounded by a drop of dark red bl**d, slowly moving toward the tender sprout.
The flame circling the bl**d drop made contact with the tender sprout, immediately merging together, the chaotic colors and shadows resembling spilled paint mixed in the air, transforming into a dirty gray.
That dirty gray then took a breath and advanced, swiftly becoming a pitch black that fell down abruptly, like ink splattering on both of their hands, sketching out a complex spell pattern, which ultimately merged into their skin, disappearing without a trace.
At that moment, Luxianbei had a strange thought; he was certain that if he or Jumeng betrayed each other during their collaboration, they would suffer the backlash of those spell patterns.
…
The burning pain in his eyes gradually faded, and the light returned. Luxianbei cautiously looked at Jumeng, noticing her furrowed brows, and internally exclaimed, that’s bad.
I just managed to see my own change; as a top-tier urban legend, she must also be able to see it.
Isn’t this exposing everything right now? Luxianbei thought.
“Mm…” Jumeng propped her chin, considering for a few seconds before suddenly laughing, “Hey! I didn’t expect your spirit energy attribute to actually be fire; you’re quite lucky, huh?”
Upon hearing that, Luxianbei felt momentarily dizzy.
What does that mean? Didn’t she just see that? What does luck have to do with it?
Luxianbei pondered as he weakly asked, “So, does this mean the spell formula is now complete?”
“Done. It should’ve been more complicated, but since I led this time, many unnecessary details were spared, so it’s considered complete now.” Jumeng shrugged.
“Can I ask you for knowledge now?” Luxianbei tentatively inquired.
“Sure…” The girl intended to agree immediately, but suddenly remembered something, tilted her head, and added, “But I can’t teach you the positions between men and women; everything else is fair game.”
Luxianbei, “…”
No wonder she’s a mythological species that deals with reproduction; she must be filled with mature topics!
While silently complaining, Luxianbei changed the subject, “Then… can you now tell me why you are called Jumeng and not Jumang?”
“As it is said, in the month of spring, vitality is abundant. The term ‘Ju’ means emergence, and ‘Meng’ implies reaching fullness; the curled fist is ‘Ju’ while the straight spike is ‘Meng’. Therefore, Jumeng is also Jumang.” Jumeng stated earnestly.
“…” Luxianbei waited a few seconds, and when Jumeng didn’t continue, he incredulously pressed, “Is that it? Don’t tell me that’s all there is!”
Woman, I can smell the odor of lies on you!
“That’s just it!” Jumeng blinked her big eyes and shrugged her shoulders.
I can’t tell him that I was originally a peach tree with a magpie nest, mistaken by ancient refugees as a Fusang tree, with descendants worshiping for thousands of years, somehow gaining most of Jumang’s powers, right?
It feels really embarrassing to say that out loud! Do girls not care about face? Jumeng thought.
Luxianbei stared straight at Jumeng without showing any expression, “Alright, if you don’t want to elaborate, I won’t ask.”
The spell didn’t take effect, which means her concealment isn’t anything underhanded; since she doesn’t want to say it now, I can slowly extract the details!
Anyway, there’s still plenty of time ahead!
