Jiang Yin woke up. To be precise, the moment Tang Muxi entered the cave, she had already snapped out of her dazed state. However, the sinister force was tearing at her soul, leaving her no room to be distracted.
The thing she feared most had happened.
When she saw Tang Muxi unhesitatingly cut her wrist and pour a large amount of blood into her mouth, a complex mix of emotions surged in her heart.
She was moved, after all, having lived through a lifetime, although she had loyal subordinates, there was only Tang Muxi who would save her life without hesitation. Jiang Yin was a Demon Lord, with a heart of stone. But she wasn’t blind to people’s true nature, nor was she cold and unfeeling. On the contrary, she valued gratitude the most.
Tang Muxi had offered her blood several times and even risked her life to save her. This sentiment was always remembered in her heart. So she would give up blowing up the spiritual vein for her, even if it meant taking a great risk.
But aside from this feeling of being moved, there was also disappointment.
Jiang Yin was angry at her for not taking care of herself. Just like now, clearly having lost too much blood, her face pale and weak, yet she still used spiritual power to keep the wound open to prevent it from healing.
Her blood was indeed powerful. The moment it entered her throat, it turned into pure and gentle energy, healing all the internal injuries left by the Heavenly Demon Halberd on her body. Even the “threads” that she had no way of dealing with loosened, and the nearly exhausted soul jade marrow immediately regained its strength.
A treasure of the human world, indeed. No matter how many spiritual pills and miraculous medicines there were in the world, none could compare to this blood.
But what made her unwilling and disappointed was that Tang Muxi truly treated her own blood as a “spiritual medicine.”
Jiang Yin suppressed her anger, looking at Bai Ling’s rolling throat, the bloodthirsty thoughts of the Imprisoning Demon Sword, and Tang Muxi’s silly smile, unaware of the abnormality. A sense of powerlessness seeped into her soul.
Compared to the threads binding her soul, this invisible yet very real “restraint” was even more disheartening.
“You two, leave first,” Jiang Yin said to Bai Ling and the Imprisoning Demon Blade.
Bai Ling seemed to have many questions but didn’t ask much, only showing a bit of concern before turning to leave. The Imprisoning Demon Sword, on the other hand, was bold, unable to resist the temptation of the blood, walking away slowly. Jiang Yin glared at it, and it quickly scurried off.
Once the fox and the blade left, it suddenly became quiet. Tang Muxi, probably not used to such a situation, instinctively wanted to leave too. She withdrew her hand and said, “Then I won’t disturb your healing…”
However, just as her hand retracted an inch, Jiang Yin grabbed it forcefully.
Tang Muxi’s body trembled, looking timidly at the Demon Lord. She swallowed and changed her words, “I guess I’ll stay a bit longer…” Her tone was as reluctant as could be.
She didn’t know why she was so scared. Clearly, she had just saved Jiang Yin’s life and should be feeling justified. However, as soon as her gaze met the deep and dark eyes of the Demon Lord, all her momentum vanished.
Oh well, oh well, after all, she is the Demon Lord, having some majesty is normal.
Tang Muxi comforted herself in her heart.
At this moment, she had already withdrawn the spiritual power from her wound, and the knife scar had healed perfectly, with no trace visible on her white wrist. Only a few drops of blood left on it made her skin look even paler.
Jiang Yin’s fingertips pressed down just right, not too light nor too heavy, even kneading carefully. The pressure was a bit much, quickly leaving a red mark.
Combined with her expressionless face and inscrutable gaze, it gave off an overwhelming sense of oppression.
Tang Muxi didn’t dare to resist, only weakly complaining, “It hurts…” Jiang Yin coldly looked up, and almost instantly, Tang Muxi cowered, changing her tune with a pained expression, “It… it doesn’t hurt, it feels great. Senior Sister’s skills are really good…” It felt so good that tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.
Fortunately, Jiang Yin didn’t knead for too long and soon let go.
Tang Muxi quickly retracted her wrist, which had been subjected to such torment, blowing on it and gently massaging it. She deliberately took a step back while doing this to avoid falling victim to Jiang Yin’s hands again.
“Senior Sister, are you feeling better?” By now, the effects of the blood were evident to both of them, so there was no need to hide it anymore. Saying she wasn’t afraid would be a lie, but if given the chance, Tang Muxi wouldn’t regret it. She feared Jiang Yin dying in front of her more than having her blood coveted.
Jiang Yin looked up at her, still pale, her breath chaotic, and her body weak.
“If I’m not well, what will you do?”
“Then… I’ll give more?” Tang Muxi looked troubled, “But it seems like my blood can’t get rid of those threads.”
Her blood mainly had healing and repairing properties, capable of healing wounds and affecting the soul. But those threads weren’t injuries; they were more like a curse on the soul, and removing them wouldn’t be easy.
The Imprisoning Demon Sword was also a divine artifact which might be able to forcibly cut them, but it could harm the soul. Using a blade on the soul was truly insane. If it failed, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Hearing this, Jiang Yin’s face turned cold again, clearly worried, but her words were mocking, “You really like being treated as medicine. Why not just jump into a pot and stew yourself, flesh and bones, for me to drink? Maybe that would work?”
Tang Muxi’s face turned pale, and she clenched her fingers, stepping back half a step in fear, “That… that might not be appropriate…” She was so scared she stuttered.
“Not appropriate? I think it’s quite good. Didn’t you see how Bai Ling and the Imprisoning Demon Sword were also enthralled by your blood? If you were stewed into soup and shared with them, they’d be grateful, and I’d be pleased. Aren’t you the kindest?”
Tang Muxi didn’t dare look at Jiang Yin’s eyes. Already weak, she now turned completely pale with fear, trembling like a leaf.
Jiang Yin found her reaction amusing, but seeing her goal achieved, she didn’t want to scare her too much. Just as she was about to speak, she heard Tang Muxi mumble softly.
“I… believe in Senior Sister.”
“What?” Jiang Yin asked incredulously, reflexively.
It seemed like she had convinced herself. Though still scared, Tang Muxi spoke again with newfound determination in her eyes, “I believe Senior Sister wouldn’t do that.”
Because Jiang Yin was willing to abandon her plan and take a risk to protect her, it showed that Jiang Yin wasn’t bad and still had kindness in her heart. So she was willing to trust her.
Hearing her response, Jiang Yin knew her efforts were in vain.
“You say you believe in me?” Jiang Yin’s voice rose, sounding like a scolding, with a hint of self-mockery, “But I don’t believe in myself!”
Jiang Yin stepped forward, forcing Tang Muxi to meet her gaze, her voice urgent and fast, “If one day, I am about to die! And you are the ‘medicine’ that can save my life, I will not hesitate to tear you apart and consume you! Even if it means biting through your neck, like a beast, eating you raw, I will do it!”
“Do you understand?”
Tang Muxi was terrified, but she stubbornly shook her head, “You won’t.”
Jiang Yin smirked and suddenly reached out to grip Tang Muxi’s neck.
Her neck was indeed slender and fragile, easily breakable with just one hand.
“You have no idea what ‘demon’ truly means.”
Not only that, you don’t understand human nature, because sometimes people can be more terrifying than demons.
Tang Muxi found it hard to breathe, her head spinning, but at this moment, she suddenly understood the reason behind Jiang Yin’s fierce demeanor.
Was it to scold her for being foolish, for not knowing how to protect herself? The hand on her neck still gripped tightly, but she was surprisingly not as scared anymore, because she realized Jiang Yin wouldn’t actually kill her.
If Jiang Yin wanted to kill her, she would have already turned her into a medicinal ingredient and swallowed her, as she had said. There was no need to threaten her like this.
The one who was confused should be Jiang Yin.
Tang Muxi coughed, struggling to breathe, and the hand on her neck immediately loosened. She covered her throat and smiled. Once she caught her breath, she looked up at Jiang Yin’s angry face.
“Senior Sister is right, I don’t understand ‘demons.’ But I don’t need to. You are a demon, yet you protect me everywhere. Those disciples of Tianji Sect who follow the Demon Emperor are not demons, but they tried to kill me. Who is the real ‘demon’? I can’t tell.”
“Senior Sister fears I am foolish and might reveal the secret of my blood, bringing disaster upon myself. But Senior Sister is the truly foolish one. Many in Tianji Sect have died or been injured because of the Demon Emperor, but have you ever seen me give away even a drop of my blood?” Tang Muxi saw Jiang Yin’s anger gradually dissipate and couldn’t help but smile. “I am very afraid of death and cherish my life. Except for Senior Sister, I won’t give my blood to anyone. If one day Senior Sister is truly about to die, I will still save you. But if it’s someone else, even if Bai Ling covets my blood, I will run as far as I can.”
“Senior Sister, please don’t be angry, okay?” Tang Muxi boldly tried to hug Jiang Yin’s arm. When she was dodged, she shamelessly hugged her whole body.
Jiang Yin’s body was really soft and cool, very comfortable to hug in this scorching summer. It felt like moonlight mixed with crushed ice, making one want to melt it into their bones.
“I’m… not angry.”
Hearing her speak, Tang Muxi thought she was about to be scolded again, but it turned out to be such an awkward sentence that she couldn’t help but laugh.
“Alright, alright, Senior Sister is not angry, just worried and concerned about her junior sister.”
This time, Jiang Yin turned her face away and said nothing. But Tang Muxi knew she was embarrassed and angry, her ears turning red, her breathing heavy, and her face darkening as if it could drip water.
Not good, she was on the verge of getting really angry. At times like this, she needed to be soothed quickly, not confronted.
After spending these days together, Tang Muxi had come to understand the temper of this great demon.
“I’m very stupid and can’t see through anyone, so I can only rely on Senior Sister. If someone wants to drink my blood or eat my flesh in the future, can Senior Sister drive them all away?” After a while, the person in her arms gradually calmed down. Tang Muxi let out a deep breath, knowing she had succeeded.
But before she could celebrate, she was mercilessly grabbed by the scruff of her neck, her eyes widening in shock and fear.
“You’re quite bold, daring to fool even me.” A warm breath brushed against Tang Muxi’s ear, making her hair stand on end and giving her goosebumps.
“Not at all, not at all. I wouldn’t dare.”
Jiang Yin remained silent, only releasing Tang Muxi’s nape after a long while.
“They wouldn’t dare.”
“What?”
“They wouldn’t dare covet you. If they have any such thoughts, I will skin them alive, tear them apart, and crush them to dust.”
