Chapter 36 Xie Xun's bottom line will be pushed back again and again.

Xie Xun endured the sharp, stinging pain in his leg and carefully rinsed the wound with warm water.

Water tinged with pale red bloodstains and a few grayish-black sticky substances flowed down. Deep within the holes drilled by the resentful hairs remained lingering yin energy, which ordinary cleaning could not remove. First, medicinal powder was used to absorb the yin energy before new medicine was applied.

So when he was in the tea room, he had just finished applying the medicine and then washed off the powder from the wounds.

Before leaving, he applied new medicinal powder, intending to draw out all the remaining yin energy, and then applied ointment.

If not treated in this way, the yin energy will erode the wound from the inside like maggots clinging to the bone, not only making healing extremely slow, but also potentially attracting things that prefer yin and filth.

This process undoubtedly exacerbates the current pain.

The water flowed over the wound, which was no longer protected by the powder, as if several fine needles were piercing deep into the flesh at the same time. Xie Xun groaned in pain and reflexively tensed all the muscles in his body. His knuckles turned white from gripping the edge of the sink tightly.

A sharp pain suddenly shot up to his head, causing his vision to go black.

Physiological tears welled up uncontrollably, making his eyes red and his gaze misty. But he clenched his teeth tightly, his jawline taut, forcing back the painful cry from his throat.

Xie Xun closed his eyes in pain and took a deep breath.

When she opened her eyes again, there was still some moisture in them, but her narrow, fox-like eyes had regained their clarity.

After rinsing himself thoroughly, he turned off the water, his forehead covered in a fine layer of cold sweat.

After a long pause, Xie Xun reached for a clean towel and carefully began to dab the water off his legs.

Just then, a tall shadow loomed over him from behind once again.

Fu Qinghuai had silently appeared behind him without him noticing. Xie Xun frowned, but when he looked up, he met Fu Qinghuai's gaze in the mirror.

In the mirror, the demon was no longer the cynical, playful figure it once was; its gaze was now fixed intently on him.

Watching this person tremble with pain in their fingertips, yet still stubbornly treating their own wounds, a clear complex emotion flashed in their eyes.

Knowing full well that I shouldn't be soft-hearted towards this descendant of the Xie family, and shouldn't feel sorry for him.

But when she met Xie Xun's eyes, which were filled with tears, a subtle, inexplicable pain welled up in her heart.

It turns out, his heart really could ache.

Xie Xun would rather grit his teeth and bear it alone than show him any weakness.

All those previous teasing thoughts now seemed frivolous and laughable. Fu Qinghuai felt a nameless fire rise in his heart, not knowing whether he was angry at Xie Xun's forbearance or at himself for standing by and doing nothing.

"Don't move." He stepped forward and took the blood-stained towel from Xie Xun's hand without saying a word. His voice was low and hoarse, but no longer had the deliberate sweetness of the past.

Xie Xun was slightly taken aback by his sudden approach and change in tone. He looked up at him, his face full of confusion.

Fu Qinghuai was already kneeling on one knee in front of him, his eyes lowered, his movements focused as he gently pressed the moisture around the wound with a towel.

Seeing Xie Xun trembling slightly in pain, Fu Qinghuai looked up at him with a pained expression.

"Searching,"

He spoke earnestly, with a clear hint of seduction, "How about we make a deal? You give me a kiss, just once. And I'll completely heal your wounds, leaving no trace and making sure you don't feel any pain."

He leaned closer, as if whispering a demon, and made an even more outrageous request, "Or... agree to cultivate with me."

Xie Xun's face turned completely cold the moment he uttered the words "dual cultivation," as if covered with a layer of frost. His eyes showed no hesitation, not even a hint of embarrassment, only a disgust that almost solidified into a tangible form.

It was as if I had heard the most disgusting suggestion in the world.

But just as he was about to refuse without a second thought, his gaze swept over the hideous, mottled wounds on his leg, and he fell into a brief moment of contemplation.

He was going to the Ghost Market in three days. The Liu family was opening a path to the underworld and they were going to revive someone. There were many variables, so he had to be in top condition.

For someone with a pure Yin constitution to venture into a place with extremely heavy Yin energy while severely injured is like a child carrying a large bag of gold through a bustling city.

He just kissed that pervert once, without saying what he kissed, where he kissed, or how long he kissed him.

Although it might be a bit disgusting for him, the result is that his wounds heal and he fully recovers, which is entirely beneficial to him.

But looking at Fu Qinghuai's face, although he was handsome, he was still a man, and an old ghost who had been dead for thousands of years.

He really couldn't bring himself to eat it.

Xie Xun took a deep breath and tried to reassure himself.

Treat him like a dog, a cat, or even a snake—just a pet. Don't overthink it.

Fu Qinghuai looked at him in silence, his brows furrowed. He was about to add fuel to the fire when he saw Xie Xun suddenly lower his eyes to look at him. The disgust in Xie Xun's fox-like eyes was gone, replaced by an unfathomable expression.

"good."

One word made Fu Qinghuai freeze in shock.

What followed was even more unexpected: Xie Xun leaned down and grabbed the back of his neck with one hand, the grip not heavy, but very forceful. He felt his breath catch in his throat, his eyes narrowed sharply at the sudden closeness, and his heart skipped a beat.

He could almost smell the cool fragrance and faint medicinal scent emanating from Xie Xun.

Just when he thought Xie Xun would kiss him on the lips, he only heard a light laugh with a hint of mockery.

With a soft "pop," a fleeting kiss landed on his cheek.

Decisive and straightforward, without the slightest hint of tenderness or affection.

"We kissed." He said calmly, "I hope you won't go back on your word."

While Fu Qinghuai was still reeling from being outmaneuvered, Xie Xun quietly formed a hand seal with his hand hanging by his side.

A glint of light flashed at his fingertips, and a force of contract suddenly pierced into Fu Qinghuai's soul core.

Fu Qinghuai's smile froze, his peach blossom eyes narrowed, and his tone became dangerous, "Xie Xun, what are you doing?"

"A little insurance. If you break your promise or the healing effect is not as agreed, this contract will make your internal organs feel uncomfortable and you will not be able to absorb any pure yin energy to nourish yourself."

As Xie Xun spoke, he reached out and pinched Fu Qinghuai's chin, forcing him to tilt his head back. This action caught Fu Qinghuai off guard, and his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

"Of course, if you keep your promise, it will disappear."

Xie Xun looked down at him, his fingertips tightening slightly, and said condescendingly, "Now, you can begin."

Fu Qinghuai's eyes were churning with a turbulent undercurrent, and a certain part of him was even more agitated.

"Searching..."

His voice was terribly hoarse, and he chuckled softly as his chin was being pinched, but his hand had already gripped the other person's ankle, his eyes growing even deeper, "The way you are, I'm even more inclined to break the contract."

Xie Xun sneered and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Sure, it's not my problem if you're uncomfortable. Do as you please."

These words, spoken lightly, suddenly captivated Fu Qinghuai, leaving him feeling restless and uneasy.

The palm of his hand gripping his ankle was burning hot, yet the person was glancing at him with such a nonchalant look.

Fu Qinghuai's breathing quickened, and he suddenly chuckled softly, his chest vibrating and even the yin energy trembling slightly.

"Searching,"

His fingertips slowly moved up his ankle, pausing deliberately when they touched a certain spot. He looked up at him and said, "You know perfectly well that I can't bear to part with you."

"Hurry up, stop talking nonsense."

Fu Qinghuai's excitement intensified, just like when he was slapped by Xie Xun and still managed to laugh, which made Xie Xun furrow his brow in a frenzy.

Then, he raised his hand and activated his ghostly power, and dense yin energy quickly enveloped all of Xie Xun's wounds. The dark wounds rapidly faded, and tender pink new flesh grew, restoring him to his original state in no time.

At the same time, the contract that Xie Xun had just made gradually dissipated.

Xie Xun lifted his leg, and the excruciating pain disappeared. His leg was completely healed, and even some of the wounds on his hands had healed.

He was satisfied. After finishing the spell, he withdrew his leg from Fu Qinghuai's hand, put on his pajamas, got up, and walked out.

He didn't even glance at Fu Qinghuai, who was still squatting on the ground.

The demon watched his departing figure, its smile growing ever deeper.

This is just the first step. Xie Xun's bottom line will gradually recede from the moment he agrees to kiss him, until he is completely captivated by him.

Xie Xun sat down on the edge of the bed and started drying his hair.

Suddenly, Fu Qinghuai's hand covered his hand again, snatched the hair dryer, and blew it on his face, making his long hair messy and exuding a strong yin aura.

Even so, Fu Qinghuai's handsome face remained completely unaffected.

But Xie Xun was amused.

This ghost is pretty stupid, like a big, silly dog.

"Take it back."