#33: Man-Made Disaster (6)

Yao Yin pushed open Zi Chen’s door and saw him leaning against the headboard, expressionless, holding a pristine white teacup from which steam was rising. The white gauze covering Zi Chen’s face looked clean and soft, without a trace of blood, as if nothing had happened. But Yao Yin had personally endured that profound, bone-deep pain; she knew Zi Chen was only outwardly calm, but inwardly must have been in excruciating pain. Xiao Qing was arranging incense nearby, wisps of smoke drifting, filling the room with a faint, serene, and peaceful fragrance.

“Yao Yin, why are you just standing at the door in a daze, not coming in?” Zi Chen turned his head and looked towards the door, a calm smile on his lips as usual.

“It’s a wonder you can still smile.” Yao Yin touched the corner of her eye, only to find tears flowing again. She casually wiped them away and then walked to the bedside and sat down. Yao Yin looked at the white gauze on Zi Chen’s face, her right hand instinctively reaching out to caress it. She asked softly, “Does it still hurt?”

“Don’t look at me like that. I’ll feel like I’ve done something wrong,” Zi Chen joked. “Don’t cry. I’m completely fine now.”

“That’s good...” Yao Yin sniffled, nodded, then suddenly looked up, startled, and asked, “How did you know I was crying?”

“I can see,” Zi Chen pointed to his heart, saying, “Here, it sees clearer than anywhere else.”

“Stop pretending to be a high god. I know you’re just comforting me. My inner eye hasn’t even opened yet. With your cultivation, what could you possibly see?” Yao Yin took Zi Chen’s teacup, added some warm water, and brought it to Zi Chen’s lips, feeding him. Zi Chen enjoyed Yao Yin’s service, always with a smile on his lips, and didn’t answer.

“And even if your inner eye opened, I wouldn’t want you to lose your eyes,” Yao Yin said, a misty film covering her eyes again. “You were ugly enough before. If you lost your eyes, no one would ever marry you.”

“Then I’ll have to depend on you for the rest of my life...” Zi Chen spread his hands, his voice full of helplessness.

“Don’t joke,” Yao Yin smiled faintly, “You already have Xiao Qing, I won’t cause any more trouble.”

“What are you talking about? I don’t understand.” Zi Chen, in a hurry, quickly and accurately grasped Yao Yin’s hand. He held it very tightly, as if afraid she would suddenly disappear.

On the other side, Xiao Qing saw the two appearing distant yet intimately close, gnashing her teeth in hatred. The delicate incense bottle in her hand shattered with a ‘crack.’ Just then, Hua Jun Yan silently floated to Xiao Qing’s side, pointed at her palm, and asked, “What is this?”

“Ma-Master!” Xiao Qing was so engrossed that she hadn’t noticed. Hua Jun Yan’s sudden voice truly startled her.

“This is just Zizhuan flower incense powder. When placed in the incense burner, it can... calm the mind and spirit,” Xiao Qing’s eyes darted around, afraid to meet his gaze directly.

“Let me see.”

“The bottle is broken, and it’s covered in my blood. I’m afraid it would dirty Master’s eyes. I’ll send you a new bottle another day.”

Hua Jun Yan didn’t wait for her to finish speaking. He simply formed a spell, and the glass bottle in Xiao Qing’s hand appeared perfectly intact in Hua Jun Yan’s hand. Hua Jun Yan sniffed the opening of the bottle, then glanced at her expressionlessly, and said faintly, “Pregnant women should not smell Futu flower nectar; it’s bad for the child.” Hua Jun Yan had a knowing expression.

Xiao Qing, hearing this, was struck as if by lightning, startled to the point of almost kneeling: “Palace Master, forgive me!”

Hua Jun Yan tossed the bottle back to her, “You brought this upon yourself.”

“...Yes.” Xiao Qing’s heart pounded anxiously, the hand holding the bottle trembling uncontrollably.

“Let them talk alone for a while,” Hua Jun Yan said, then drifted out.

“But...” Xiao Qing hesitated, glanced at Hua Jun Yan, then pointed hatefully at Yao Yin by the bed and said, “But Zi Chen is my husband, I should rightfully be by his side. Palace Master, are you really at ease letting them stay together? Yao Yin is your woman!”

“You really underestimate me,” Hua Jun Yan chuckled without turning his head, “The woman I fancy, do I still need to guard against others?”

“You are the Palace Master, of course you don’t need to guard against Zi Chen, but I am not you. I don’t have your power and authority. I am just a tiny ghost demon. Yesterday, after you bestowed the marriage, I informed my parents and friends that I am about to get married. I... must marry Zi Chen,” Xiao Qing gritted her teeth and kowtowed, “Please, Master, forgive me.” After speaking, she walked towards Yao Yin.

“Heh, interesting. But greed never has a good outcome,” Hua Jun Yan stopped, found a nearby stool, and sat down. He seemed to have no intention of stopping them, instead resting his hand on his chin, looking as if he was watching a play. If Shi Yan were here at this moment, she would surely have thoughtfully offered him a plate of melon seeds.

“Young Lady Yao Yin, Zi Chen needs to take his medicine now. Please go back and rest. I’m here, you can rest assured,” Xiao Qing walked forward, lowered her eyes, and snatched the teacup from Yao Yin’s hand, subtly separating their tightly clasped hands.

Yao Yin frowned. Although she had never been in love, she understood Xiao Qing’s meaning, even if she hadn’t experienced it herself. She glanced at Zi Chen, then nodded, saying, “Now that I’m sure Zi Chen is safe, I feel at ease. Goodbye.”

“Don’t go,” Zi Chen grabbed Yao Yin’s hand, his voice a little anxious, “Where are you going?”

Yao Yin glanced at Xiao Qing and said, “I’m an outsider after all, it’s not appropriate for me to stay long.”

“Why?” Zi Chen was puzzled.

Yao Yin thought for a moment, then decided to explain clearly, saying directly, “Because although I am very grateful for everything you’ve done for me, I think perhaps your initial intention was just to repay me for saving your life. Now that you’ve repaid it, we owe each other nothing. Now that Xiao Qing is carrying your child, you should be responsible for her and the baby.” As Yao Yin spoke, Xiao Qing obediently poured medicine by the side, never looking up.

“Wait, I don’t understand,” Zi Chen rubbed his forehead, looking confused, “My child?”

“Young master, it’s time for your medicine,” Xiao Qing walked over, offering Zi Chen a bowl of dark, murky medicinal soup.

Zi Chen frowned, pushing away the medicinal soup Xiao Qing offered, revealing an expression of utter bewilderment. He asked, “Who are you?”

‘Clang—’ The medicinal bowl in Xiao Qing’s hand clattered to the floor. She looked utterly shocked, exclaiming, “I’m Xiao Qing! Don’t you recognize me, young master?” Xiao Qing’s eyes glowed a faint green, and she made to pounce forward.

“Of course I know you’re Xiao Qing, but when did I get a wife? When did I have a child?” Zi Chen pushed her away with disgust, afraid she would touch his body.

“The child in my belly is truly your flesh and blood...” Xiao Qing clutched her stomach, her expression evasive.

“Absolutely impossible,” Zi Chen stated unequivocally, convinced the matter had nothing to do with him.

“Young Master... you can’t abandon me, I beg you,” Xiao Qing’s eyes welled with tears. As she spoke, she took advantage of Zi Chen’s inattention and threw herself onto him. Zi Chen, looking disgusted, tried to push her away. During their struggle, Xiao Qing’s delicate glass bottle fell out, emitting a faint purple smoke. Xiao Qing’s face changed drastically, and she made to snatch it back, but Zi Chen was a step ahead of her and opened the bottle.

Xiao Qing gave up struggling; she only hoped Zi Chen wouldn’t recognize what it was.

“Futu flower nectar,” Zi Chen said with a smile, capping the bottle and tossing it to Yao Yin. A faint, subtle fragrance drifted out. Yao Yin found the scent very familiar. For the past few days, whenever she saw Zi Chen, she would smell this scent on him.

“...” Xiao Qing resignedly lowered her head, her fists clenched.

“What is this?” Yao Yin studied the glass bottle, finding it very beautiful.

“Futu flower nectar. Smelling it can make one forget worries and hallucinate,” he said. Then he turned to Xiao Qing and said, “That you could obtain such a thing truly surprises me.”

“To recognize this item, Young Master, you are not an ordinary person, are you?” Xiao Qing deflated, chuckling self-deprecatingly, “I admit, I used Futu flower nectar to make her see illusions, but my intention was because I love you, I want to be with you! And she is a stumbling block between us!”

“You’re the stumbling block.” Yao Yin raised her hand, and with a “smack,” delivered a crisp slap to her face: “If it weren’t for you, where would the misunderstanding between us have come from? I would have already left the Ghost Tribe with him. No, if you hadn’t pushed me down, perhaps I wouldn’t have come here at all!”

“Oh really? Do you think the Master would let you go?” Xiao Qing gave a bitter laugh, then said to Zi Chen, “In the two days you were injured, she has already become the Master’s queen, and this is the proof!” Xiao Qing grabbed Yao Yin’s left hand, revealing the ring she was wearing.

“I won’t believe you,” Zi Chen said calmly.

“Tell him yourself!” Xiao Qing glared at Yao Yin, her eyes filled with fury.

Yao Yin said seriously, “I accepted the ring, but Hua Jun Yan has already promised to let me leave.” Hua Jun Yan, sitting not far away, shrugged in agreement when he heard this, indicating his acquiescence.

“How can this be... You would refuse the Master? Impossible! No one would do that!”

“You are a ghost demon, I am an immortal. Our essences are different, so we cannot communicate. Zi Chen certainly wouldn’t want to stay here, would he?” Yao Yin looked back at Zi Chen.

Zi Chen nodded.

“I don’t care! The Master has already bestowed our marriage; you must come back with me and get married!” Xiao Qing completely lost her mind, walked to the bed, and pulled Zi Chen to the ground. As soon as Zi Chen’s feet touched the ground, he let out a muffled groan as if stepping on ice blades, and collapsed. Xiao Qing ignored Zi Chen’s pain and forcibly dragged him outside.

Yao Yin took a big step forward, but as soon as she touched Xiao Qing’s hand, she was pushed back by a powerful force. Seeing Zi Chen’s pained expression, Yao Yin, in a moment of desperation, took the bottle of Futu flower nectar and poured all of it onto Xiao Qing’s face.

“Ah ah ah—!” Xiao Qing’s agonizing scream echoed through Nightfall Palace. She no longer cared about Zi Chen, covering her face with both hands. She felt a burning pain on her face, “My face... Ah—no!” Xiao Qing’s body glowed with a purple aura, and under the corrosion of the Futu flower nectar, her face became increasingly distorted. The enveloping smoke made her entire being appear somewhat unreal.

Hua Jun Yan rubbed his forehead and sighed, “I told you greed has no good end.”

“...What happened to her?” Yao Yin took advantage of the lull to quickly help Zi Chen up and shield him behind her.

“She just wanted to become beautiful,” Hua Jun Yan said with a hint of indifference, “The Painted Skin Ghost Demon tribe is born ugly, with hideous faces. They are supposed to stay in the forbidden grounds their entire lives, guarding the Futu flower. She probably stole the Futu flower nectar, disguised herself, and slipped out to find a husband to revive her tribe.”

“So she insisted on taking Zi Chen back?”

Hua Jun Yan nodded, took a sip of tea, and said, “As long as a beautiful person is willing to marry them, their descendants can break free from the tribe’s curse and no longer be ugly. Young Master Zi Chen, with his captivating looks and low abilities, is naturally the top choice.”

“Low abilities...” Zi Chen, hearing Hua Jun Yan’s compliment, endured the pain and chuckled, “I am unworthy of such praise.”

Hua Jun Yan glanced at him, revealing a profound and enigmatic smile.

Yao Yin looked at the two of them, feeling utterly confused. Although both had smiles on their lips, she felt as if they were engaged in a life-and-death struggle of wits, with thousands of sharp blades whistling past her, aimed directly at each other.

“Aow—” Just as Yao Yin was caught between the two, enduring their silent, deadly gaze, Xiao Qing let out a timely howl. The smoke dispersed, revealing Xiao Qing’s true form: a green face with sharp fangs and blood-red eyes.

This was the first time Yao Yin had truly seen such a legendary demon, having only seen them in murals before. At one point, she had stumbled upon a forbidden book in the Qingjing Heaven’s library. The book described treasures of the lower realm, and the Futu flower of the Ghost Tribe was one of them. At the time, she wasn’t interested in that topic and had quickly skimmed through it, so she didn’t remember the contents clearly. She only recalled an illustration in the book, depicting six fierce ghosts guarding a fruit with delicate white petals and a crimson stamen.

“Are you coming with me?” Xiao Qing’s face was distorted, her voice hoarse, revealing her yellowed fangs as she spoke, almost making Yao Yin vomit.

“I won’t let Zi Chen go with you, just give up!” Yao Yin roared. Zi Chen stood behind her, nodding like a pecking chick, his whole body limp against Yao Yin, looking very frail.

“You bitch! It’s all because of you!” Xiao Qing lunged at Yao Yin, claws bared, “As long as you’re dead, Zi Chen will be mine!”

Yao Yin instinctively raised a barrier to block Xiao Qing, but Xiao Qing’s power grew stronger and stronger, and Yao Yin gradually began to lose.

“Marry me and I’ll save you,” Hua Jun Yan said, sipping his tea and smiling, “Don’t struggle. You marry me, Zi Chen marries Xiao Qing, isn’t that a happy ending for everyone?”

“You promised not to force me!” Yao Yin shouted. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her barrier was weakening.

“I’m not forcing you. I’m just letting you choose: death or marriage?”

“I...” Yao Yin was troubled, clenching her teeth and fighting with all her might. But her barrier grew weaker and weaker, and Xiao Qing’s aura had even breached the protective wall, reaching towards Yao Yin’s face.

“Of course not marrying. I’ll protect you.” At this moment, Zi Chen said from behind her, then he placed his hands on Yao Yin’s shoulders, forcefully turning her around. In the next moment, he had swapped places with Yao Yin.

“Zi Chen!” Yao Yin exclaimed in shock.

“Tsk tsk, young people are hot-headed, but they’re going to suffer a big loss,” Hua Jun Yan chuckled nonchalantly.

Xiao Qing’s eyes suddenly widened. She wanted to retract her hand, but it was too late. The miasma rapidly covered Zi Chen’s entire body. The next moment, he slumped onto Yao Yin, unconscious.

“You’d rather die than go with me?” Just as Xiao Qing was lost in self-reproach, Yao Yin threw Zi Chen onto her back and flew out the window.

“Stop!” Xiao Qing regained her senses and immediately gave chase, “He’s poisoned. If you don’t want him to die, put him down!”

“He even risked his life for me, so how can I let him fall into your hands?” Yao Yin no longer cared about anything else, using all her strength to flee.

“Do you think he loves you? Don’t dream!” Xiao Qing stopped halfway, suddenly halting. She floated steadily in the air, laughing loudly at the backs of Yao Yin and Zi Chen, “He even calls out ‘Ye Jiu’ in his dreams. You’re just like me, a delusional woman!”

“I don’t care who he loves! I only know that the person he’s with right now is me! I’m not wasting any more breath on you. Mountains may change and rivers may flow, but we shall never meet again!” Yao Yin took off like a shot, flying far away in a flash, and gradually, Xiao Qing’s figure was no longer visible.

“Are you really just leaving like that?” Hua Jun Yan’s voice came from beside her.

“You, how did you catch up? Didn’t you promise to let me go?” Yao Yin turned her head and saw Hua Jun Yan floating leisurely beside her. She was instantly indignant. She thought she had fled with all her might, yet she still couldn’t outrun his leisurely flight.

“I’m not as heartless as you, needing to say goodbye even when leaving,” Hua Jun Yan said languidly.

Yao Yin thought for a moment, then said seriously, “Then, Palace Master Hua, goodbye.”

“So heartless. Don’t you want me to save him?” Hua Jun Yan pointed to the half-dead Zi Chen on Yao Yin’s back.

“No need. You are of the Ghost Tribe, and we are immortals. Our arts are inherently at odds. Even if you saved him, it wouldn’t address the root cause, and I would owe you a favor. However you calculate it, it’s not suitable.” Yao Yin, with the six Bashe eggs in her pocket, already had an idea for saving him.

“Alright then, good luck, goodbye,” Hua Jun Yan smiled, and in a blink of an eye, disappeared into thin air.

“Did he really leave?” Yao Yin looked around, but couldn’t find any trace of him. She murmured uncertainly, but quickly someone replied, “Yes, he did.”

“Who!” Yao Yin was startled, looking around but seeing no sign of Hua Jun Yan, yet it was clearly his voice just now!

“Don’t look for me. I’m just talking to you through the ring. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, turn the ring three times to the right, and I’ll come to help you immediately.”

“...” Yao Yin’s hair stood on end. She immediately landed, put Zi Chen down, and then tried to throw the ring away, but no matter what she did, the ring remained stubbornly on her finger.

“You promised to wear it properly.”

“...” She genuinely hated the feeling of everything being controlled by others, but at this point, she had no choice but to accept it, saying, “Alright, you win.”

“I’m not teasing you anymore. I’m really leaving. Remember to turn the ring three times if you need anything.” The ring on her hand emitted a golden flash and then was gone. Yao Yin, seeing that he had truly disappeared, finally looked up to see where she was before deciding on her next move. She found herself in front of a familiar large door—the very place Bone Jade had brought her into Nightfall Palace.