Chapter 59: What’s Wrong with a Quick Kiss?
From a distance, as he gazed at Jumeng walking out of Liao Zhai Tavern, the general’s expression was grave as water.
In the world of spirits, those who have undergone special training or have seen countless battles develop an exceptionally keen spiritual awareness, allowing them to capture a kind of essence known as “killing intent” in combat.
Certain urban legends with unique birth factors also possess a special perception of killing intent.
However, for the vast majority of spiritual ability users and urban legends, killing intent is an abstract and elusive thing—something that is occasionally grasped but difficult to describe concretely.
Yet, the general was not among them.
As a Disaster-Class Spiritual Ability User burdened with the “Mixed Species Hundred Generals Map” spirit patterns, and having gone through hundreds of life-and-d*ath battles, his perception of the so-called “killing intent” was extraordinarily sharp.
At this moment, the general sensed a terrifying killing intent emanating from Jumeng, as if it surged like a spring.
Emerald green spirit energy fluctuations rose from her petite body, outlining the shadow of a towering giant tree reaching up to the heavens and down to the earth, with countless black crows perched at its branches, casting indifferent glances.
The almost tangible killing intent swirled like a dense purple-black shadow, intertwining, overlapping, and differentiating, dancing with twisted limbs, enveloping everything in sight.
In a daze, the general seemed to see countless corpses quietly falling like straw amid those shadows behind Jumeng, immediately devoured by the stormy flock of birds.
That was the scene of Jumeng repeatedly engaging in the Hundred Demons Walk, ultimately exchanging slaughter for the “throne.”
At that time, a certain urban legend, its origins unknown, had just emerged from Liao Zhai Tavern after a hearty meal.
Walking in the alley, upon sensing Jumeng’s spirit energy fluctuations and killing intent, it immediately stood on end, letting out a “howl!” and promptly dashed back into Liao Zhai Tavern, hiding away.
Though the general had no intention of battling Jumeng, facing her who had already entered a combat state, he did not dare to show any negligence, much less retreat.
Almost as soon as Jumeng took her first step in his direction, he activated his spirit patterns, urging his powers to withstand her killing intent and steady his mind.
Thus, spirit energy surged.
In an instant, like an iron curtain, dark clouds emerged from behind him, rapidly spreading and gradually covering his entire being, outlining the contours of iron armor. Amidst chilling wails, thunder boomed within that cloud-like armor, creating a heartbeat-like resonance.
The next moment, Jumeng’s pink fist shot forth, like a meteor, crashing into the rising “Fengshan Wolf Smoke.” In response, a freezing ferocity erupted.
Like tangible flames, anger and slaughter manifested in the general’s hands, forming a torrent that silently surged, revealing the glint of cold light from the armor.
In a moment of illusion, Jumeng’s vision conjured an endless wasteland, a dark sky, countless wails of the dead, and shadows resembling the Grim Reaper on the horizon.
They wore chilling iron armor, their weapons drenched in bl**d, as horses trampled over corpses, displaying the projection of an ancient battlefield. “The Fifth of the Hundred Generals Map!”
Thus, two different powers, two different spirit energy fluctuations, collided in the most primitive and violent manner. In an instant, an immense sound boomed.
With one strike, the general immediately felt as if he were being swallowed by a storm. An indescribable, calamity-like storm surged forth, hiding within it some bizarre power.
It swam against the current, like a flock of fish returning to spawn, carrying seeds aloft, eventually rooting in the soil, or like a simple, vigorous cell division, multiplying!
That power infiltrated the spirits of the soldiers, instantly imbuing them with a touch of maternal brilliance. It was as if the battlefield would soon transform into a maternal and child health care hospital, the atmosphere becoming progressively twisted.
At this moment, an unexpected look flashed in the general’s eyes, and he softly called out, “You’re the Peach Spring Master, Jumeng?” Having spoken, he stomped forward, swiftly retreating to a distance, shouldering his Fang Tianhua Halberd behind him.
Earlier, at Liao Zhai Tavern, Jumeng had worn a mask, suppressing her spirit energy fluctuations, so the general hadn’t recognized her. Now facing her in combat, he distinguished her identity from her spirit energy.
If it is Jumeng, then mixing with calamity wouldn’t be all that surprising.
Jumeng shot a sideways glance at the general and coldly stated, “You’ve got a good eye, that’s me! Since you’ve recognized me, why don’t you hurry and get lost?” The general pondered for a moment, his gaze drifting to the figure behind her, and inquired, “What you’re carrying, is it calamity?”
“What do you think?” Jumeng retorted unapologetically.
“Then I shall assume it as such….” The general contemplated and said, “If you don’t mind, may I ask you to pass on a message to her?”
“Just tell her that if she plans to venture to Yumen Pass, she can come find me.”
He had initially intended to get Luxianbei drunk and take her there, but now…
Well, it doesn’t matter! Since she knows Bai Kai has gone there, she should come looking for me again, thought the general.
Yumen Pass? That ghostly place guarded by Yumen Sands Sea Branch? Jumeng looked the general up and down, lifting her chin slightly, “What if I don’t help you pass on the message?”
“Then that’s fine, I’ll just look for her later.” The general responded calmly.
Jumeng remained silent for a few seconds, then huffed, “Is that all? Can you get lost now?”
Upon hearing this, the general slightly furrowed his brow, remained silent, and quietly stepped aside, gesturing for her to go ahead.
“Hmph!” Jumeng snorted coldly and walked forward, slightly pausing as she passed by the general. She coldly tossed him a line.
“I’ll pass on the message, but you shouldn’t look for her anymore afterward.” After that, she quickened her pace and headed out of the alley.
In response to Jumeng’s warning, the general clasped his hands in a bow towards her departing figure. Only when she had walked far away did he straighten up, retracting the “Fengshan Wolf Smoke,” raising his hands to examine them.
In those calloused palms, long accustomed to wielding weapons, two emerald green threads wriggled, as if plants were growing, siphoning his vitality and spirit energy, expanding and multiplying continuously.
“Haah…” The general exhaled heavily, murmuring, “I didn’t expect her strength not only to improve after reconstructing her powers but to surpass her previous might.”
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Jumeng walked back towards Jingyi Apartment, carrying Luxianbei, her tightly clenched pink fist gradually relaxing once her spiritual awareness could no longer sense the general’s presence.
In her palm, bl**d droplets seeped from cuts.
“Hah, just a minor injury!” Jumeng disdainfully tossed her head, “Lucky you ran fast!”
Back at Jingyi Apartment, Jumeng tossed the unconscious Luxianbei onto the bed like a dead pig, then placed her hands on her hips, looking down at Luxianbei.
“Stupid dog, you should just drink yourself to d*ath! Do you realize that I almost had to fight the general just to bring you back in one piece?”
“It’s not that I can’t handle him! It’s just that opposing the Siye Society’s guardians is very risky, you know?”
“You owe me at least ten 648 credits for this!”
Insulting someone must be reciprocal to be motivating.
With Luxianbei currently unconscious, she wouldn’t retort. After a few insults, feeling bored, Jumeng turned to continue playing games, looking for some unfortunate soul to vent her frustrations.
However, as she just turned, a sudden grip tightened around her wrist.
In her dazed state, Luxianbei grasped Jumeng’s wrist and gently pulled her back, whispering softly, “Don’t leave me alone.”
“Ugh, what’s your weird problem?” Jumeng murmured as she turned back and noticed Luxianbei curled up, seemingly having a nightmare, her eyelids fluttering incessantly.
She looked like a shivering wildcat on a winter street, making one feel pity.
“Come on! If you can’t drink, don’t imitate others drinking! Stupid!” Jumeng spat, her face filled with impatience, but she didn’t leave; instead, she sat down by the bed, quietly observing Luxianbei.
Having the core of a witch-type urban legend, Luxianbei’s appearance had always been striking, and in her drunken state, she appeared even more alluring.
Jumeng stared, captivated, and without realizing it, lay down beside Luxianbei.
In the soft, warm light of the night lamp, her face radiated warmth like a piece of beautiful jade, a blush blooming on her cheeks, extending along the snowy white line of her jaw to her graceful neck.
With a delicate nose and slightly pouting cherry lips, seemingly translucent like jelly, she made it hard to resist the urge to take a bite and savor it.
Jumeng thought, “If I kiss her now, she probably wouldn’t notice, right?”
“This isn’t taking advantage! I have permission, she said I could do as I please! If she told me to do as I please, what’s wrong with a quick kiss? I didn’t make her a mother— that’s pretty good, right?” Jumeng thought, leaning closer until her nose nearly touched Luxianbei’s.
The warm, wine-scented breath brushed against her face, making her feel a tickling sensation inside, as if a small kitten was sharpening its claws, growing increasingly restless.
Thus, as if preparing for that kiss, she pressed her lips together. Then, she moved in.
At that moment, Luxianbei’s eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes slowly opened. Their gazes met, and Jumeng exclaimed, “…
