Chapter 10

Xue Ming spent the entire day today thinking while basking in the sun, her mind never stopping. Although she wasn’t exceptionally intelligent, she at least realized that her situation was very unusual. The ghost temple she couldn’t escape from, the treasures she couldn’t use, the deviation from the original plot, and the male ghost living in the center of the lotus pond who wasn’t mentioned in the original story—all these things posed too many mysteries. Her legs were almost worn out after only two nights in the ghost temple. If this continued, she feared she would be the first to die.

Of course, Xue Ming wouldn’t sit idly by, so she decided to talk to Nie Xiaoqian. The sky was filled with red clouds, glowing warmly on people’s faces.

Xue Ming sat on the ground, her black brocade robe making her skin look extremely fair. Her long hair was loosely tied, with strands falling to cover some red marks on her neck. She had very clear and bright eyes, pure black, capable of reflecting any light. However, the lingering kiss marks on her neck, partially hidden by her hair, added a touch of allure. Her disheveled appearance was messy and strikingly beautiful, overshadowing the blooming lotuses behind her.

Xue Ming’s eyebrows and eyes were very gentle, a kind of warmth honed from long hours as a corporate worker. When she smiled, it made people easily lower their guard. “I’ve thought for a long time and decided to make a deal with you.”

Nie Xiaoqian’s eyes flickered as she glanced at the house in the lotus pond and said, “This place is not suitable for talking. Why don’t you come out and sit with me in the house?”

Although her expression didn’t change much, Xue Ming still noticed that she seemed apprehensive when she looked at the house, which confirmed that Xue Ming had chosen the right place. She gently shook her head. “We can only talk here. My safety needs to be absolutely guaranteed before I can make a deal with you.”

Nie Xiaoqian raised her eyebrows, eyes full of charm, and said pitifully, “I’ve already taken a risk coming here to find you. If I alarm the one inside, I’ll be in trouble. I told you on the first night I found you that I wouldn’t take your life. Why don’t you believe me?”

Xue Ming silently chanted to herself, “My heart is like iron, unbreakable,” then said expressionlessly, “So I think we shouldn’t waste any more time. I only want to stay alive, so I’m willing to give you a few breaths of my yang energy as long as it doesn’t endanger my life. But you need to answer some of my questions.”

“It’s just a few breaths of yang energy. It’s not like I must have it,” Nie Xiaoqian snorted.

Xue Ming thought that if Nie Xiaoqian didn’t care, she wouldn’t have come to find her for three consecutive nights. So she tempted her, “I’ve been in the sun all day today, and now I have plenty of yang energy. If you don’t want it, I’ll go inside and let the one in there take it.”

Seeing that Xue Ming was about to leave, Nie Xiaoqian immediately stopped her, “Wait.”

“Have you made up your mind?” Xue Ming smiled inwardly, having accurately gauged Nie Xiaoqian.

“Then give me two breaths first, and I’ll answer your questions.”

Xue Ming firmly said, “Answer first.”

Nie Xiaoqian seemed slightly angry, her face showing a hint of malice, her eyes swirling with a dark aura. “What if I tell you, and then you hide and don’t let me take any?”

“Would I be stingy about a few breaths of yang energy?” Xue Ming said. “It doesn’t matter who takes it. I’m sincerely here to make a deal with you and won’t go back on my word.”

Nie Xiaoqian remained silent as if seriously considering it.

Nie Xiaoqian would undoubtedly have spent a long time negotiating and thinking carefully if it were in any other part of the temple. However, with her cunning mind driven by the fear of death, Xue Ming had chosen this place cleverly, making Nie Xiaoqian too apprehensive to act freely.

“Have you made up your mind?” Xue Ming urged. “If it gets dark, I’ll have to go inside. If I’m late and the one inside gets angry, I’ll say you delayed me.”

Nie Xiaoqian had no choice but to relent, “Ask your questions.”

“Alright, you can choose to answer or not answer any of my questions, but whatever you say must be the truth. You can’t lie to me,” Xue Ming said.

Nie Xiaoqian nodded.

Xue Ming immediately asked her most puzzling question, “Why can’t I escape this temple? Yesterday, I clearly walked out of the forest and into the town, but after sleeping, I woke up back here. What caused this?”

Upon hearing this, Nie Xiaoqian’s face also showed a puzzled expression. She asked in return, “Are you pretending not to know, or do you really not know? It’s strange. Didn’t you come here specifically? Why have you been trying to leave these past few days?”

Xue Ming wanted to get angry, thinking that if she knew, she would be asking. She suppressed her temper and said, “Just answer my question without asking back.”

Nie Xiaoqian scrutinized her expression and, after a moment, said, “You never actually left this ghostly realm. As for why you return to that room at night, go back and check the southeast corner of the house, and you’ll find the reason.”

Xue Ming was utterly confused. “Ghostly realm? What ghostly realm? Are you saying that from the forest to the town ahead, it’s all within the ghostly realm?”

She had walked for an entire day, yet Nie Xiaoqian told her she had never left?

Nie Xiaoqian explained, “This ghostly realm is the entrance to the Feast of Ten Thousand Ghosts. Only after the feast ends will the ghostly realm disappear. Before that, anyone who enters, whether alive or dead, cannot leave.”

“Then why are there still mortals living in this ghostly realm?”

Nie Xiaoqian was surprised. “How is that possible? Although a few living people might accidentally enter, they don’t last long. Like the one who came yesterday, he died quickly. The mortals who originally lived around here have long since died out.”

Xue Ming was shocked and broke out in a cold sweat. Thinking back, she realized that the bustling people she saw in the town yesterday might not have been human—no wonder she couldn’t escape.

“Any more questions?” Nie Xiaoqian urged her.

Xue Ming had to set aside her thoughts for now and pointed towards the center of the lotus pond, her voice slightly lowered. “Who is the person inside?”

Nie Xiaoqian shook her head. “I don’t know. I only remember that he suddenly appeared here. Grandmother warned us not to go near, but a few who didn’t listen were torn apart by him, their souls scattered.”

“This ghost is that powerful…” Xue Ming instinctively touched her neck.

Yu He didn’t seem very aggressive, just very protective of his territory. Nie Xiaoqian had noticed this too, so she stood about ten steps away from Xue Ming, outside the walkway.

Xue Ming loosened her collar a bit, revealing the wound on her left shoulder, and asked, “How should I treat this wound?”

Nie Xiaoqian glanced at it and said, “The wound from the Yaksha ghost isn’t serious. Just spend more time in the sun.”

Xue Ming finally felt relieved, put on her clothes, and asked one last question: “When can I leave this place?”

“You’ll be able to leave once the ghostly realm disappears. Until then, you can’t leave,” Nie Xiaoqian replied impatiently, her expression full of annoyance. “You’ve asked enough questions.”

“Alright.” Xue Ming didn’t push her luck. She slowly got up with the help of a wooden stick, dusted herself off, and walked a few steps towards Nie Xiaoqian. Still a bit uneasy, she reminded her, “You can only take a few breaths; don’t harm my body.”

Nie Xiaoqian eagerly waved her over, “I know, I know. Just come here.”

Xue Ming slowly approached, closed her eyes, and puckered her lips, mentally preparing herself. It was just a few kisses, whether it was a male ghost or a female ghost; it didn’t matter. It was no different than being kissed by a dog. But the next second, she thought: no, kissing a dog would be even worse. This comparison was so awful it made her want to slap herself.

Unexpectedly, Nie Xiaoqian just gave her a puzzled look, then took half a step forward, opened her mouth to reveal her ghostly fangs, and turned her head to bite Xue Ming’s neck. Just as her sharp fangs were about to touch Xue Ming, the red marks on Xue Ming’s neck suddenly flashed with a faint golden light. Nie Xiaoqian was thrown back, landing a yard away, and the umbrella she had been holding rolled to the side.

Xue Ming was startled by Nie Xiaoqian’s scream, her body trembling. When she opened her eyes, she saw Nie Xiaoqian lying on the ground.

“What happened to you?” Xue Ming asked in confusion.

Nie Xiaoqian propped herself up, revealing a face marred by a wound. A sinister red mark stretched from the corner of her mouth along her jawline to her neck, emitting wisps of white smoke. Her expression was twisted with pain, and she glared at Xue Ming with hatred. “How dare you deceive me!?”

“I didn’t,” Xue Ming defended herself. “I don’t know what happened!”

“Deceitful mortal! I will make you pay!” Nie Xiaoqian spat out a vicious threat before disappearing into a wisp of green smoke.

Xue Ming looked innocent, watching Nie Xiaoqian vanish before her eyes. She still hadn’t figured out what had happened. If she had known, she wouldn’t have closed her eyes. What a mess.

As night began to swallow the sky, Xue Ming didn’t linger. She used her wooden stick to cross the lotus walkway towards the small house in the middle of the pond. As she got closer, she noticed a wide open window appeared on the east side of the house, with Yu He sitting on the windowsill.

Today, Yu He had his long hair tied into a high ponytail with a jade crown and wore a bright yellow robe. The vibrant color made his appearance even more striking and beautiful. His bloodless, snow-white skin almost seemed to reflect light, making him stand out even in the dimming twilight.

Yu He was wearing a more formal outfit than in previous days, leading Xue Ming to guess that he was out today. His expression was indifferent, and his calm gaze rested on her without concealment. She wondered how long he had been watching from the window and whether he had heard her conversation with Nie Xiaoqian.

Xue Ming stood awkwardly, scratching the back of her head, and greeted, “Lord Yu He, enjoying the scenery?”

Yu He didn’t respond; he just slightly tilted his head, his gaze falling somewhere unknown. The next moment, the door in front of Xue Ming opened itself. She chuckled awkwardly and walked in, suddenly noticing the pattern on the side of Yu He’s neck. She had vaguely seen it before, but his loose hair always covered it. With his hair tied up, she could see it clearly this time. The pattern on his neck seemed like a crane but wasn’t complete. Half of its body was as ethereal as smoke, as if flying among the clouds, ready to dissipate with the wind at any moment. This pattern made Yu He look as ethereal as an immortal.

Xue Ming walked through the door, finding only a corridor in front of her, with a room at the end. She was used to the peculiar sight of the room constantly changing its structure. She slowly walked to the end, pushed open the door, and saw Yu He sitting by the window, gazing at the scenery outside. The first two times she came here, she soaked herself in the hot spring to clean herself. Although Yu He never said it, Xue Ming felt he might have a bit of a cleanliness obsession. But this time, there was only one path, and Xue Ming didn’t know what to do for a moment. She stood by the door and asked, “Should I go to the hot spring to wash up first?”

In her previous world, she was a corporate slave, a sycophant to her boss. Now, here, she had to be a servant, offering herself to ghosts and cleaning herself proactively. She thought that when her evil boss hadn’t given her the Employee of the Year award, she should have anonymously cursed him in the group chat.

Yu He slowly stood up, walked over to Xue Ming, and stopped before her. His expression was somewhat somber, lacking the relaxed demeanor he had before, and an invisible tension filled the air.

Having been accustomed to reading her boss’s expressions, Xue Ming quickly sensed that something was off with Yu He’s mood. She proactively said, “I spent the whole day in the sun today, so my life force should have recovered greatly. You can take a few more breaths, my lord.”

Yu He raised his hand to grip her jaw, his fingers pressing into her face, lifting her head as he looked down at her. “Do you enjoy giving your yang energy to others?”

Hearing this, Xue Ming realized Yu He had overheard her conversation with Nie Xiaoqian and sighed inwardly. She had anticipated this risk but had no other choice. Xue Ming could only restrict Nie Xiaoqian in that specific place, but she hadn’t expected Yu He to catch her red-handed. Feigning calm, she countered, “So it was you who placed something on me to keep Nie Xiaoqian away?”

Yu He’s gaze fell on the red marks on her neck, his thumb gently rubbing over them as he said indifferently, “I don’t share my meals with others.”

Xue Ming found this response very fitting for Yu He’s character. He had a strong sense of personal territory, and anyone approaching would face dire consequences. So, when he considered Xue Ming his possession, he naturally wouldn’t allow anyone else to touch her.

For Xue Ming, this might be a good thing.

Xue Ming said, “Then you should have told me in advance.”

Yu He looked at her indifferently, his gaze seemingly saying: What right does food have to make demands?

Indeed, she was here seeking refuge, her life in someone else’s hands, and she had no equal standing in this transaction. In her previous job, her superiors often ordered her around because of her meager salary. Now, in this world where she had become “a bowl of rice,” the concept of “equality” was even more nonexistent.

Fortunately, Xue Ming was used to being a sycophant with no backbone when her life was at stake. She immediately tried to appease the temperamental male ghost, “I didn’t know before. Since Lord Yu He minds, I promise I won’t let any other ghost take a breath of my yang energy in the future!”

She spoke with conviction as if swearing an oath, but Yu He’s expression remained unchanged. Seeing this, Xue Ming steeled herself, stood on tiptoe, and wrapped her arms around Yu He’s neck, trying to get closer. She whispered, “Lord Yu He, isn’t it time to take today’s yang energy?”

This sentence was more effective than her previous oath. Yu He lowered his head and captured her lips while his arm wrapped around her waist, lifting her and carrying her to the bed.

Xue Ming’s feet left the ground, and she was almost completely pressed against Yu He. His shoulders were broad, and his arms were hard as he exerted force, making it difficult for Xue Ming to breathe.

Yu He cruelly bit the wound on her lip, just like before, causing a painful and itchy sensation that made Xue Ming’s eyes well up with tears. She was thrown onto the soft bed, instinctively trying to sit up, but before she could, Yu He pressed down on her, pinning her to the cool sheets. He lowered his head to continue the kiss, but Xue Ming turned her head to avoid it.

Yuhe’s H eyes darkened, and he pinched her chin, saying gloomily, “Why are you hiding?”

Xue Ming licked her painful lips and could only beg for mercy with a soft bone, “Can you please stop biting me? It hurts.”

Yu He stared at the small tongue that occasionally stuck out of her lips. The tip of her tongue was always bent as if it was controlled and could lick anything clean.

The two bodies were very close, and Yu He pressed her with no spare strength, so Xue Ming could immediately sense any small, subtle changes.
Her face flushed, her eyes widened in fear, and she stammered, “You, you…why don’t you get up first? I can’t breathe.”

After saying that, she grunted and pretended to have difficulty breathing. This male ghost always liked to move his hands when transferring the yang energy, which made Xue Ming aware of it a little, but if he really had this desire, Xue Ming was still instinctively afraid.

However, Yu He showed no mercy. He quickly put his hand into her clothes and grabbed the chest band accurately. “I told you not to wear anything extra.”

Xue Ming immediately grabbed his wrist and began to struggle anxiously. “What are you doing? I only sell my yang energy, not my body! Let go!”

Yu He did not force her but did not let go either. His cold fingertips explored the tightly wrapped chest inside, but his eyes were calm and composed. “The injury on your shoulder is getting worse. If you don’t treat it, you will become half-human and half-ghost in less than three days, and you will not be able to walk in the sun.”

Xue Ming was shocked. “Didn’t Nie Xiaoqian say it would be fine if I got some sun?”

Yu He opened her clothes, revealing the claw marks on her left arm, and brushed the black air from it with his fingertips. Such a wound was conspicuous and ugly on the originally white skin. Yu He said, “When the wound is completely ulcerated, we can only cut off this shoulder to prevent the evil spirit from eroding it.”

Xue Ming was so scared that she broke out in a cold sweat; her heart was pounding, and she began to analyze who was lying between him and Nie Xiaoqian. Nie Xiaoqian didn’t look like she was lying just now, but Yu He’s face didn’t look deceiving either. It was tough to tell for a while. The injury on her shoulder put too much pressure on her, and she was utterly ignorant in this regard, so she couldn’t think calmly at all. When she was panicking and distracted, Yu He’s hands gently kneaded her body everywhere, and the strength in his hands was very well controlled, like a massage, the cold palms pressed against the burning skin, causing Xue Ming to tremble constantly.

Xue Ming thought for a long time and said tremblingly, “I’ll let you absorb a few more breaths of yang energy, and you help me treat my injuries, okay?”

Yu He adjusted his posture, and the thing on Xue Ming’s leg suddenly became more noticeable. He asked in a calm voice, “What do you think?”

Xue Ming wanted to say that I might as well just die. It would be better to hang myself than to sleep with a ghost. But she didn’t say it. She rolled down two tears and looked at Yu He with watery eyes. She seemed very pitiful and begged weakly: “Lord Yu He…”

Yu He looked down at her for a long time and finally sat up. He dug out one of her legs from under the wide hem, slid along the smooth line from the knee to the slender ankle, and then easily grabbed it. His face was calm as if he had no desires, but it was difficult to hide the passion rolling in his eyes, which made his beautiful eyes chaotic. He said leniently: “The leg is also fine.”