Chapter 46 (Part 2) – Vixen

Rong Shang: “…?”

Realizing what she had just said, she quickly corrected herself, “No, I mean… Is the grape sweet?”

Rong Shang glanced at her. “I’ve forgotten.”

Yu Zhengzheng: “…”

He forgot? Already? Was he suffering from memory loss?

Reluctantly, she picked up another grape. Since he had eaten one without issue, the fruit should be safe.

Starving, she stopped overthinking, peeled a grape, and stuffed it into her mouth.

Rong Shang idly played with his prayer beads, then turned his head leisurely toward her. “Is it sweet?”

Yu Zhengzheng popped another grape into her mouth and replied dismissively, “Why don’t you try another and see for yourself?”

His fingers stilled on the beads. Propping an arm on the low table, he leaned over slightly and, with practiced ease, pressed his lips to her cherry-red ones.

He sought the grape flesh between her teeth. Though he had already bitten into it, he only took a tiny piece, his movements slow and teasing, as if he were playing a game.

Yu Zhengzheng forcefully pushed against his chest, her face flushed crimson, almost as if it could bleed. Despite her full effort, to Rong Shang, her resistance felt as gentle as a kitten’s paw softly scratching.

His gaze darkened slightly, his Adam’s apple rolling as he silently deepened his actions.

When he finally released her, evidently satisfied, Yu Zhengzheng threw a punch at his chest, shouting, “What’s wrong with you?!”

Rong Shang lazily narrowed his long eyes, smacking his lips twice. “Sweet.”

Yu Zhengzheng froze for a moment, her face just recovering its color before it turned hot again. She averted her gaze, silently cursing him in her heart: Shameless!

The others seemed oblivious to this little exchange. Their attention was fixed on An Ning. Only one person cast a fleeting glance at Rong Shang, a subtle smile curving his lips.

Xiao Bichi, noticing An Ning’s pale complexion and recalling Xiao Yuqing’s earlier mention of some kind of formation, quickly proposed, “It’s getting late. Why don’t we all rest in the rear hall for the night? Tomorrow, I’ll properly host everyone with a banquet.”

No one objected to the suggestion. After all, the ordeal within the illusion realm had left everyone mentally and physically exhausted. Rest was a priority.

The Heavenly Emperor was the first to leave. His presence in Xianming Hall kept everyone on edge.

Xiao Bichi dismissed the dancing girls and led the group toward the rear hall.

This mountain, known as Sacred Mountain, was originally a site for refining pills and purifying spirits in Lingbi Palace. After Xue Xi’s passing, Xiao Bichi renovated it into his residence.

Sacred Mountain was spacious. Before Xiao Yuqing joined the Ghost Sect, he also lived here with Xiao Bichi.

There were two or three palaces on the mountain, surrounded by rolling clouds. The misty scenery gave the area an ethereal quality, akin to a celestial paradise.

Perhaps due to An Ning’s presence, Xiao Bichi didn’t lead the group to the guest palace. Instead, he arranged for them to stay in the rear of Xianming Hall, near a shrine he had specially constructed for Xue Xi.

Before letting them settle in, Xiao Bichi acted as a guide, introducing the history and origins of the structures along the way.

When they reached the shrine, he paused, casting a silent glance at An Ning.

Softly, he asked, “Would you like to go in and have a look?”

An Ning wore an expression of confusion, so Xiang Feng spoke for her. “Let’s take a look.”

Xiang Feng assumed An Ning had lost her memory. He thought perhaps seeing relics from the past might awaken her memories.

Hengwu Xianjun showed no interest in Xue Xi. He left with Shanshui in his arms.

Yu Zhengzheng and Rong Shang, however, stayed, following Xiao Bichi into the shrine.

Calling it a shrine was perhaps a stretch—it was more of a room with a spirit tablet dedicated to Xue Xi. The space housed various items from her life, with red-lacquered pillars draped in white cloth, giving it an eerie and unsettling atmosphere.

Xiang Feng kept a close eye on An Ning. She seemed dazed, her gaze fixed on the spirit tablet, her expression tinged with an indescribable sorrow.

Step by step, she approached the tablet, her body trembling slightly.

Yu Zhengzheng squinted, her suspicions aroused. If she hadn’t seen An Ning’s dreams herself, An Ning’s acting would have completely fooled her.

Apart from the creepy ambiance, there didn’t seem to be anything special about this shrine. Why had Xiao Bichi brought An Ning here?

Her thoughts were interrupted by Xiang Feng’s sudden shout, “Xue Xi—!”

Yu Zhengzheng turned sharply, just in time to see An Ning collapse heavily to the ground.

An Ning’s face was ashen, and in her fall, her hairpin had been knocked loose, letting her black hair cascade messily around her. Dressed in red, she looked like a vengeful ghost.

Yu Zhengzheng instinctively stepped back. Xiao Bichi hurriedly caught An Ning, checking her condition with a grim face. He coldly diagnosed, “The girl has fainted due to severe blood loss. I need to use divine energy to heal her. Everyone, leave!”

Xiao Bichi, having studied under the same master as Xue Xi, was skilled in medicine. Although not as proficient as Xue Xi, his abilities far surpassed Xiang Feng’s.

Xiang Feng, however, was reluctant to leave An Ning in Xiao Bichi’s care. Healing required partial disrobing, and with just the two of them alone, who knew what Xiao Bichi’s intentions might be?

Yu Zhengzheng and Rong Shang were ushered out.

As Xiao Bichi treated An Ning, he couldn’t resist scolding Xiang Feng. “Is this how you’ve been caring for her? To think you’re supposed to be Xue Xi’s true disciple!”

Xiang Feng remained silent, enduring the rebuke without argument.

After some time, Xiao Bichi grew visibly weak, coughing up blood. “I’ve done my best. This girl’s injuries are too severe. She won’t live past a month.”

Xiang Feng was stunned, his lips trembling. “No… That’s impossible… You’re lying!”

He fell to his knees beside An Ning, his fingers trembling as they rested on her wrist.

Xiao Bichi wasn’t lying. An Ning’s pulse was faint, and her body, ravaged by two severe injuries, was as fragile as that of an elderly person on their deathbed.

Xiang Feng slumped to the floor, his face drained of all color. “How could this happen…”

Looking at An Ning’s lifeless face, a sudden thought struck him. He knelt before Xiao Bichi, his head hitting the ground with a loud thud. “Please, save her. You must have a way—please!”

Xiao Bichi let out a long sigh. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “There is one way…”

Xiang Feng clutched his pants tightly. “What way?”

Xiao Bichi pressed his lips into a thin line. “You’ve surely heard of refining a divine descendant’s soul to craft an elixir. Consuming it grants immortality, eternal youth, and can even revive the critically ill.”

A divine descendant?

Xiang Feng’s pupils contracted, and he stiffly lowered his head.

Meanwhile, Yu Zhengzheng was eating in another room.

Xiao Yuqing had prepared the meal. After confirming the Ghost King had eaten without issue, Yu Zhengzheng finally dared to dig in.

According to Xiao Yuqing, once she had spiritual power, she could attempt to live without food. But Yu Zhengzheng didn’t care. She was starving, and only an idiot would think about fasting in her current state.

Around the same table, she lost control and ate a bit too much.

Especially the West Lake Beef Soup on the table, which was delicious and savory, she drank three bowls in one go.

Once she had eaten and drunk her fill, her body naturally called for the bathroom. She politely inquired about its location, and Xiao Yuqing courteously directed her to it.

After she left, Rong Shang seemed a bit distracted.

Xiao Yuqing seemed to notice this and kindly offered, “That spot is a bit secluded, it might be hard to find. Would you like me to go with you?”

Rong Shang narrowed his eyes slightly. “I’ll go alone.”

Shameless. Was Xiao Yuqing planning to sneak into the women’s restroom?

He sneered softly and left the room slowly.

Following Xiao Yuqing’s directions, Rong Shang easily found the outhouse.

Just as he was about to call out to Yu Zhengzheng, his sharp ears picked up the sound of a man’s voice coming from inside.

Rong Shang paused for a moment, then, his toes lifted slightly, and in the next instant, he was perched on the crooked tree beside the outhouse.

The restroom was semi-open, so he had a clear view of what was inside.

He saw Yu Zhengzheng’s wrist gripped by a man as he coldly asked, “Where’s the black ceramic bottle I gave you last time?”