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A warm sensation came from my shoulders and neck.

hot.

The temperature was almost scalding hot.

Jiang Huali couldn't see Xuan Qing's face clearly, so she could only push him away with her hand.

Xuanqing regained consciousness briefly, then obediently let Jiang Huali push him away. His golden eyes stared at her without blinking, his expression surprisingly pitiful.

Jiang Huali licked her dry lips and tried to help Xuan Qing to the bed first.

Spiritual energy surged within him, causing Xuan Qing's head to throb with pain. A battle raged between his bloodlust and his remaining rationality. His pupils dilated to extremely narrow angles, his heart pounded violently, and he was gradually pulled closer to the abyss of desire and loss of control. Only one thought remained in his mind—

Eat her.

A chill suddenly ran down Jiang Huali's back. She involuntarily released her grip on Xuan Qing's arm and took a step back, but failed.

She was caught, and the next second, a sharp pain came from her neck as Xuanqing bit her neck.

The other person's teeth seemed to have changed as well, becoming sharp and easily biting through her skin.

The feeling of being bitten on the neck was unpleasant; the teeth were grinding against her skin little by little, making her feel uneasy.

it hurts.

"Hmm..."

A struggling sound escaped her lips; Jiang Huali was in so much pain that tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to fall but not actually falling.

Although Xuanqing had bitten her neck, he only placed his palm on her back and pressed down on one of her shoulders with his other hand, binding her in place. Her hands could still move with difficulty.

The man was now relentlessly grinding his teeth against her skin, sucking her blood. Jiang Huali endured the pain, cursing under her breath, while her hands rummaged through her storage bag.

Finally, she found what she wanted.

A small, sharp dagger.

While Xuan Qing was still focused on sucking her blood, Jiang Huali raised her dagger and stabbed it hard from behind Xuan Qing's shoulder.

Fresh blood gushed out suddenly. Jiang Huali couldn't see it, but she could feel the warmth of the blood on her hand. It must have hurt quite a bit.

But why isn't this person reacting at all?

Xuan Qing ignored the extra wound on his shoulder and didn't even fluctuate the frequency of his blood-sucking. Jiang Huali had hoped that he would feel the pain and let go of her, but obviously, she failed.

This small wound was like an ant bite to Xuan Qing, and given the excruciating pain all over his body, the pain from the dagger seemed insignificant.

Jiang Huali felt she was about to bleed to death. Her mind was already simulating the scene tomorrow when the innkeeper opened the door, only to find two people embracing and bleeding to death inside—no—

Perhaps she was the only one who would die, after all, she was now a mortal. Thinking of this, under the influence of the pain, she became even angrier, and the tears that had been hanging in the corners of her eyes finally fell and landed on the back of Xuanqing's neck.

Just as he was about to stab Xuanqing a few more times, he suddenly stopped.

Not only did he stop, but he also released her from his grasp and took a step back.

Because it was so sudden, Jiang Huali's hand was still holding the dagger behind Xuan Qing's shoulder. His retreat caused the dagger to pierce his flesh.

Jiang Huali: "..."

She swore to God that this time it really wasn't her choice.

Xuan Qing still hadn't regained his senses. His golden eyes were shrouded in a coldness. He tilted his head, showing no reaction to the new wound on his back, and just stared at Jiang Huali, seemingly deep in thought.

Jiang Huali didn't know how to react. The dagger was still stuck in the other person's back, so she could only let go first.

She felt a little uneasy under Xuan Qing's gaze, and just as she was about to say something, Xuan Qing suddenly lowered his head, bent down, and got close to her.

A damp, warm sensation came from the corners of her eyes and cheeks; Xuan Qing was gently licking away her tears.

Jiang Huali was somewhat stunned as she was enveloped in shadow.

What is he doing?

After licking away all the tears on Jiang Huali's face, Xuan Qing seemed finally satisfied. Then, attracted by the scent of blood, he moved his head closer to her neck.

Jiang Huali reacted quickly and pushed Xuan Qing.

Xuan Qing seemed to have been caught off guard by Jiang Huali's sudden movement, which allowed her to push him away with ease.

Xuanqing was suddenly pushed backward and fell to the ground by the force. By sheer coincidence, his head hit the table leg with a dull thud.

At the same time, the dagger still embedded in his back went further, making a sickening sound.

With a heavy blow to the head, two stabs from the dagger, and perhaps the added effect of his current abnormal state, Xuan Qing finally passed out.

Jiang Huali's eyelids twitched a few times, her heart pounded, she gasped for breath, and remained silent for a moment.

What kind of murder scene is this?

With a persistent, sharp pain in her neck, Jiang Huali finally managed to move Xuanqing onto the bed after a great deal of effort.

Before the dagger was even pulled out, Jiang Huali had him lie on his side.

Jiang Huali took out the medicine, touched her neck, and planned to treat her wound first.

Her hands were covered in blood. The scene had been so chaotic that Xuanqing's blood and her own blood had mixed together and stuck to her hands.

When Jiang Huali took the medicine out of her storage bag, some of the blood from her hand accidentally stained the jade pendant at her waist.

The jade pendant emitted a faint light and flickered a few times the instant it came into contact with the blood.

But Jiang Huali was busy treating her wounds and didn't notice this strange occurrence.

After carefully applying medicine and bandaging her wounds, Jiang Huali turned her gaze to Xuan Qing, who was unconscious to the side.

Looking at the other person's pale face, Jiang Huali felt a little guilty: Had she stabbed him to death?

It's unlikely.

Jiang Huali still had some blood on her hands, which she maliciously smeared all over Xuan Qing's face. During this time, her fingers accidentally touched the other's burning lips.

Jiang Huali curled her fingers, shook off the thoughts in her mind, took out a pair of scissors, cut open Xuan Qing's clothes, and stripped his upper body naked.

Jiang Huali paused, her eyes narrowed slightly, and her fingers involuntarily traced the area above the other person's collarbone.

Jiang Huali's eyes widened as she felt a slightly hard touch under her hand.

What's this!

Upon closer inspection, tiny black scales appeared on Xuanqing's collarbone, spreading upwards to his neck, appearing and disappearing intermittently.

Seeing that Xuanqing was bleeding more and more, Jiang Huali decided to treat his wounds first.

Jiang Huali pulled the dagger from Xuan Qing's back, looked at the two bloody holes, and roughly applied medicine and bandaged his wounds.

Since this person possessed cultivation, Jiang Huali wasn't too worried that Xuan Qing would die.

After putting everything back into the storage bag, Jiang Huali's gaze couldn't help but fall on Xuan Qing's abdomen.

The smooth lines and the muscles brimming with vitality... well, none of that was what attracted her most at that moment.

The question is, why are scales starting to grow on my abdomen too?

Jiang Huali hesitated for a moment, but still started doing it.

After touching him for a while, Xuanqing, who was still unconscious, showed no reaction.

Instead, some of the still-wet bloodstains on Jiang Huali's hands smeared onto the man's abs.

These bloodstains were from treating her wounds; some were her own, and some were Xuanqing's.

Jiang Huali stared at Xuan Qing's eyelids for a long time, but ultimately regretfully gave up the idea of ​​prying open his eyelids to see if his eyes were still golden.

Excessive blood loss and the pain temporarily suppressed by medication left Jiang Huali feeling extremely tired.

Then, she lay there by the bed, her breathing gradually calming down, and slowly fell asleep.

The windows in the room weren't completely closed, letting in the night breeze and flickering candlelight. The jade pendant on her waist was flashing light intermittently.

These rays of light gradually gathered into small points of light, passed over Jiang Huali, and surged into Xuanqing's forehead.

Some of the light spots fell halfway down and landed on Jiang Huali's brow.

...

As the sun sets and the water flows gently, Jiang Huali washes her sword by the river.

The blood on the sword disappeared before her eyes as the water flowed away. She took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped the sword.

The aroma of food wafted from the side.

Jiang Huali glanced to the side and saw that the person was grilling the fish she had just caught from the river.

Seemingly sensing her gaze, the person looked up, his face covered by a half-black mask.

"Is Miss Jiang hungry?" The man smiled slightly at Jiang Huali. His eyes were clear and bright on the half of his face that was intact. Anyone who saw him would have to praise him as a handsome young man.

If the mask were removed, perhaps a word of "what a pity" would be added, for the other half of the face resembles a demon, terrifying beyond measure.

Jiang Huali looked away, remaining as quiet and reserved as ever.

The man wasn't annoyed by her indifference; he just smiled and focused on baking the food in his hands.

After dinner, it was already dark.

Jiang Huali leaned against the tree, closing her eyes and pretending to sleep.

Suddenly, the person's voice came from the side.

"Miss Jiang."

Jiang Huali opened her eyes and stared at him expressionlessly.

"I have a favor to ask of you, young lady. I wonder if you would be willing?"

The man smiled shyly.

"What is it?"

"The girl said earlier that I have no name and can only live in the shadow of others, which is truly pathetic."

He smiled gently, but his expression held a hint of melancholy.

"I have been imprisoned in the Shen family's secret dungeon since I was a child. No one named me, and I am illiterate. Could you please give me a name, young lady?"

Jiang Huali refused, saying, "I am not a close relative of your parents."

The man then said, "Miss Jiang rescued me from the secret prison, so she is like my closest relative."

"Do you consider everyone who saved you to be your closest family?"

Upon hearing this, the man's expression darkened. "Only Miss Jiang has ever saved me."

Jiang Huali pursed her lips and said softly, "When I was young, my mother once told me a story. In the Northern Sea, there is a mythical beast that looks like a fish, called Kun. It has powerful wings and a huge body that can reach the clouds and pierce the deep sea." [1]

"If you really want a name, then call yourself Changxiao."

"Changxiao..."

"I really like this name."

Whether it was the bright campfire nearby or the reflection of the bright moon in the sky, it seemed as if stars had fallen into Changxiao's eyes, shining with an astonishing brightness.

Jiang Huali closed her eyes somewhat uncomfortably: "Don't bother me."

After a while of silence, Jiang Huali wondered if she had been too cold-hearted. As she hesitated whether to open her eyes, her hand, which was resting on her knee, was suddenly shoved into something cool.

She opened her eyes and was startled.

A sky-blue jade pendant was quietly held in her hand.

...

The sky was bright.

Jiang Huali slowly woke up.

She vaguely remembered having a dream.

What was in my dream...?

"You're awake?"

A cold voice came from inside, and if you listened carefully, you could sense a hint of unease in it.

Jiang Huali's train of thought was interrupted. She shuddered and slowly raised her head.

They met a pair of jet-black eyes.

Well... why isn't this person wearing clothes?

Jiang Huali swallowed hard after being subjected to such a visual shock so early in the morning.

At the same time, a thought rose in her mind—it's all over.

As her memories returned, Jiang Huali recalled that after she touched Xuan Qing's abs last night, she didn't seem to have dressed him.

Even though her clothes were torn, she didn't even cover him with a blanket.

The situation suddenly became somewhat awkward.

Jiang Huali's gaze couldn't help but fall on...

Where are you looking?

A sound of clenched teeth brought Jiang Huali back to her senses.

She quickly waved her hands, trying to defend herself: "I didn't mean to look, it's just..."

On a whim, his mouth darted out before his heart could even register: "Yeah, it's pretty red..."

...

A deathly silence.

Realizing what she had said, Jiang Huali chuckled awkwardly, then her expression turned serious, and she decided to strike first: "You have the nerve to question me?"

She pointed to her neck: "Look at what you did last night."

Xuan Qing's gaze followed Jiang Huali's fingers and landed on the side of her neck.

To give him a better view, Jiang Huali loosened the gauze bandage around the wound a little.

The wound was covered in bruises and looked horribly gruesome, clearly indicating that the perpetrator had used considerable force.

Combining the taste of blood in his mouth, Xuanqing quickly understood what had happened.

"I'm sorry, I lost control last night. I didn't mean to hurt you."

He raised his hand and placed it on Jiang Huali's neck, his pure spiritual energy flowing into her wound.

Before long, Jiang Huali felt much more relaxed.

The wound doesn't hurt as much anymore.

After finishing all this, Xuan Qing lowered his hand. The consumption of spiritual energy made his face slightly pale. He raised his hand to rub his temples, which aggravated the wound on his back.

He paused slightly, looked at Jiang Huali who was kneeling by the bedside, re-bandaging her wounds, and asked with some confusion:

"And what happened to the knife wounds on my body?"

If I'm not mistaken, he also seemed to have a slight pain in the back of his head.