Chapter 118: Speaking to You
After a long time, Luxianbei finally awakened from her slumber. At first, she couldn’t feel her limbs.
As if the water vapor was dissipating, her vision gradually became clear, and she finally regained her senses.
Following that, when Luxianbei struggled to rise from the broken, collapsed boulders, excruciating pain coursed through her body, causing her to fall back into the rain-soaked mud.
From a certain perspective, it could be said that she had died before.
Having experienced various forms of d*ath, from being bisected to exploding, her pain tolerance far exceeded that of an ordinary person, yet it still felt unbearable.
What surprised her, however, was that despite the pain, her body felt surprisingly comfortable.
Those hidden injuries that had been lingering in her body due to the Hundred-Armed Giant Power, as well as the hidden dangers caused by reshaping her body with Wang Ying’s bl**d and flesh, had miraculously diminished significantly.
It felt inexplicably like having a decade of cerebral thrombosis cured.
Could it be that the sword from the Ancestor just now was intentional? Luxianbei wondered.
“Are you okay?”
Hearing the voice, Luxianbei looked up and saw the pink HELLO KITTY flip-flops in front of her, along with a pair of delicate toes and well-toned legs.
As her gaze lifted, she saw the familiar face.
Long black hair, wet from either rain or sweat, was somewhat messy, sticking to Huasang’s cheek.
“…”
What material is that flip-flop made of?
How did it remain intact after going through that kind of battle?
Is it the same style as the Hulk’s shorts?
Luxianbei mentally complained, as her focus was always quite unique at times like this.
“I’m fine…” Luxianbei said breathlessly, and as she opened her mouth, a metallic taste flooded her mouth, and she spat out a large mouthful of fresh bl**d.
The dark red bl**d dripped onto the damp ground, instantly giving off a wisp of white smoke.
Is this considered “fine”? Huasang turned to look at Luxianbei’s pale face, now covered in dirty bl**d, and frowned.
After dealing with Hu Chuan, seeing that Qing Ji had not disappeared and was still attacking Luxianbei, she had initially thought Qing Ji just wanted to teach Luxianbei a lesson.
This liar, who never spoke the truth, indeed needed some serious education.
It wasn’t until she saw Qing Ji slash with that sword that Huasang suddenly realized that perhaps Qing Ji didn’t just want to teach Luxianbei a lesson, but intended to clear out the intruder.
In that case, she would have to intervene in their “family matter.”
After all, she couldn’t just watch Luxianbei get killed, could she?
Even though…
She wasn’t sure she could withstand Qing Ji’s sword.
————
On the other side.
Qing Ji held the sword in one hand, horizontally beside him, walking towards Luxianbei when he suddenly saw Huasang blocking Luxianbei’s path. He smiled slightly and continued to walk forward slowly.
As he reached halfway, he suddenly stopped, changed direction, and approached the water Shuishu Beast, which was shaking and hiding its large head between its forelegs.
It quite liked Qing Ji, since over the long years, Qing Ji had been one of the few humans on Zhenwu Mountain who could play happily with it.
However, today, Qing Ji’s demeanor was clearly off.
Although it couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong, it could tell that Qing Ji was definitely not in the mood for play.
A Qing Ji that couldn’t play would be terrifying.
When Qing Ji reached the Shuishu Beast, he bent down, stroked its mane, and gently said, “Old friend, long time no see…”
Hearing Qing Ji’s voice, the Shuishu Beast stiffened, and then let out a strange cry, its body bursting with lightning as it leaped into the air.
Then…
It was grabbed by the tail and pulled back down to the ground by Qing Ji.
“Why are you running? Am I that scary?” Qing Ji examined the Shuishu Beast for a while and said lightly, “You’re still the same, not changed at all… didn’t I teach you the method before?”
Logically speaking, the Shuishu Beast’s powers were unique, and its talent was only slightly inferior to those of urban legends like Jumeng. If it wanted to, it could easily escape Dachunyang Palace.
The Shuishu Beast that remained in Dachunyang Palace, in a sense, was no different from a captive bird.
Qing Ji thought so too, which is why, after slowly getting to know the Shuishu Beast, he devised some methods to help it gain “freedom.”
“Ugh…” The Shuishu Beast looked at Qing Ji with grievance in its eyes, letting out a low growl as if begging for mercy.
It looked just like a mischievous child who, after misbehaving, was caught by the one person who could restrain it.
“…” Qing Ji gazed at the Shuishu Beast for a moment, sighed silently, “Forget it, as long as you’re happy.”
What others considered freedom might not necessarily align with what the Shuishu Beast liked.
The fact that it could stay on Zhenwu Mountain for so many years, running around like a foolish deer, showed that it really enjoyed being there.
What it liked was the best for it.
Thinking this, Qing Ji gently patted the large head of the Shuishu Beast.
As if sensing Qing Ji’s thoughts, the Shuishu Beast finally let down its guard and leaned into Qing Ji’s arms, nuzzling affectionately.
Then…
As if suddenly remembering something important, the Shuishu Beast raised its head abruptly, looking around as if searching for something.
Noticing the Shuishu Beast’s actions, Qing Ji tilted his head and asked, “Are you looking for Xiaoyanzhi?”
The Shuishu Beast looked at Qing Ji and nodded.
It remembered the little chef who was always by Qing Ji’s side; she always made delicious foods that couldn’t be found in Dachunyang Palace.
After Qing Ji and Luxian Zhi left Dachunyang Palace, it couldn’t eat those delicacies anymore, and briefly thought of following Qing Ji’s methods to complete its powers, transform into a human form, and descend the mountain to seek food.
However, that notion didn’t last long and was happily cast aside.
From a certain perspective, calling the Shuishu Beast the number one laid-back urban legend in Z Country wasn’t an exaggeration.
“She?…” Qing Ji gently stroked the Shuishu Beast’s soft fur, looking into the distance, and said softly, “She has long since disappeared.”
The Shuishu Beast looked up at Qing Ji, stunned for a few seconds, then as if recalling something, its eyes dimmed and it lowered its head, letting out a whimper.
————
Luxianbei sat in the mud for a moment, feeling much better, perhaps due to the Spirit Energy replenished by the Night Erosion emanating from Huasang. She leaned on the boulder and got to her feet.
Seeing Qing Ji, who was immersed in “playing with the dog” not far away, she raised an eyebrow and took a step forward. Just as she took one step, she stumbled.
Seeing this, Huasang quickly supported Luxianbei, bewildered, “You’re in this state and you still dare to go over?”
To her, in this situation, Luxianbei should stay put and let her handle Qing Ji until reinforcements from Dachunyang Palace arrived.
“Why wouldn’t I dare?” Luxianbei curled her lip.
“Because…” Huasang hesitated, glancing at Qing Ji, frowning, “It’s very dangerous.”
She learned at a young age that even family members may harbor malice.
This kind of thing is like opening a mystery box; “there are no exchanges or returns.”
Some may have kind relatives like her grandmother, while others may have malicious relatives like her father—completely dependent on the luck of being born at that moment.
Moreover, now that the “senior Qing Ji” has been eroded by the strange urban legend with the code F, it’s hard to say what actions he might take.
“Don’t worry…” Luxianbei waved her hand to Huasang, speaking with certainty, “The Ancestor won’t harm me.”
Even if he really meant to harm me, I would have to find a way to convince him to help, right?
Luxianbei thought, taking a deep breath, her gaze slightly focused as she stepped toward Qing Ji.
Huasang watched Luxianbei’s back, biting her lip, and followed her steps.
Moments later.
Luxianbei stood beside Qing Ji, slightly adjusted her breath, and said, “Ancestor, I would like to ask you for a favor, is that okay?”
“At worst, I’ll work hard and let you hold a grandchild sooner or later?”
Huasang watched Luxianbei’s back, wanting to speak but stopping short, looking tense.
Even at this point, why is she still talking nonsense?
She’s still single now; how could she possibly allow Qing Ji to…
Realizing this, Huasang was suddenly reminded of her engagement with Luxianbei, and her face quickly flushed with redness.
Upon hearing Luxianbei’s words, Qing Ji withdrew his gaze from afar, a playful smile appearing on his face, “That sword just now didn’t scare you into oblivion?”
“Of course not…” Luxianbei said calmly, “Not only was I not scared, but I also owe you my gratitude, Ancestor!”
Qing Ji smiled and glanced sideways at Luxianbei, teasingly saying, “Smooth talker! Speak, what do you want me to help with?”
As he spoke, a hint of that unique indulgence seen in elders looking at their juniors appeared in his eyes.
As expected of the Ancestor, he truly cares for me… Seeing Qing Ji soften, Luxianbei secretly breathed a sigh of relief, her expression impassive as she began recounting the whole story.
“Ancestor, this is the situation…”
————
Luxianbei briefly summarized what the Proxy Player Sister had told her and relayed it to Qing Ji.
“This matter is absolutely unacceptable!”
When he heard that Luxianbei wanted him to strike out with a sword against the strange urban legend behind Hu Chuan, Qing Ji’s expression changed drastically, and he sharply interrupted Luxianbei.
“Why can’t I?” Luxianbei blurted out, confused about why Qing Ji would refuse her.
“…” Qing Ji realized he had lost his composure momentarily, remained silent for a few seconds, looked into Luxianbei’s eyes, and said earnestly, “Do you know that if I strike with all my strength, this wisp of residual soul will disperse?”
“Ah…” Luxianbei’s eyes widened, frozen in place.
d*mn it, if that Proxy Player Sister had told me this earlier, I would have…
“Ancestor, I didn’t know your full strength would… then how about we forget it? I’ll think of another way.”
Qing Ji glanced at Luxianbei and waved his hand, saying, “If stopping that urban legend from awakening and saving countless lives just came with the price of this residual soul, it wouldn’t be a big deal. However…”
Pausing, he shifted his tone, asking Luxianbei, “Do you know why this fragment of Ling Tai Purification, which was forged into a ruler, remains in Dachunyang Palace?”
Luxianbei shook her head.
Qing Ji then looked at Huasang and asked, “Young friend, do you know?”
Huasang glanced at Qing Ji, then at Luxianbei, and shook her head.
“Ha…” Qing Ji shook his head with a wry smile, “Let me tell you, this fragment was entrusted to Zhang Hainan for safekeeping. You could say it was abandoned in Dachunyang Palace.”
“Abandoned? Why?” Luxianbei asked in surprise.
“Do you want to know?”
Luxianbei nodded.
“…” Qing Ji lowered his eyebrows, pondering for a few seconds, then as if he had made a decision, straightened his posture, gazed into the distance, and said with reminiscence, “Alright! Then I shall tell you…”
(Today, I had some writer’s block…)
