Chapter 28 I'm going on a mission!
Ning Qi went to the sect's Spirit Healing Hall to see the fellow disciples who had been innocently harmed because of the sachets.
Several people came to change the bandages; they all seemed to be in relatively good condition. Only one person lay on the bed with his legs in a sling, appearing to be in the most serious condition. This was probably the one Yan Chongyan had mentioned being carried back.
"Princess, are you feeling unwell?" a healer asked as he approached.
"Let me check on them," Ning Qi asked. "How did that person get so badly injured? Were both legs bitten by a demonic beast?"
One of the men changing his bandages laughed and said, "Princess, you don't know this, he was so frightened by a level-five monster that he fell into a pit set up by the hunters and broke his leg."
"Shut up!" the person lying down said angrily.
“But this time it was really dangerous.” Another person, with his arm wrapped around his arm, said with lingering fear, “Luckily, Senior Brother Yan covered our retreat, otherwise we really wouldn’t know what would have happened.”
"Yes, I heard that something strange was mixed into Senior Brother Yan's sachet. Luckily, he discovered it early and threw it away."
"Throw it away?" Ning Qi raised an eyebrow. He clearly threw that thing in front of her, so Yan Chongyan even picked it up and scolded her.
As they were talking, the person they were talking about walked in. Yan Chongyan was taken aback when he saw Ning Qi, but then walked past her as usual.
"Ding, infatuation value increased by 5, current score 1755."
"Why did I get extra points again?" Ning Qi asked the system in her mind.
"You probably took the male lead's words to heart and came to visit these people," the system said.
Ning Xi silently complained, "I think the male lead is exaggerating. The one who was most seriously injured was the one who broke his leg. The others were at most slightly injured. It seems that Xiao Sui's injuries were not minor either. I wonder how his whip marks are."
system:……"
"Princess, Princess?" Yan Chongyan called her twice to pull her out of her thoughts. "I have something I want to say to you."
Without waiting for her reply, he strode towards the outside. Ning Qi quickly followed, and the two walked together to a secluded and deserted spot.
"I apologize to you. I was angry a few days ago and said some things that went too far," Yan Chongyan said sincerely.
Ning Qi waved her hand dismissively, "I did make a mistake, but thankfully nothing serious happened to you."
"Hmm." Yan Chongyan nodded and held out his hand. "Could you give me the sachet? My master heard about it and wants to use it for research. Don't worry, I didn't mention that the sachet was related to you."
"..." Ning Qi blinked. "I've already thrown it away."
"Ding, infatuation value reduced by 10."
Is there no justice in this world? He said he didn't want it, but now he wants it again, and he's even going to deduct her points!
A man's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea!
Ning Qi pondered the male lead's psychology. Perhaps he was the one who threw this thing back, but he didn't expect that she really didn't care, so he deducted her infatuation points.
She quickly added, "This thing hurt you, I can't stay here for a moment longer."
"Devotion value increased by 10, current score 1755."
Ning Qi took a breath and said to the system, "Why do I feel like it's getting harder and harder to increase my infatuation value?"
"Of course," the system said coldly. "Doing the same thing the first time might earn you 20 points, but the second time it might only earn you 15 points. The third, fourth, and many more times, the male lead will get used to it and it's very likely that he won't earn any more points. So you need to keep coming up with new ideas to keep stimulating your infatuation value."
"What do you mean by 'fresh and innovative'?" Ning Qi asked.
What is the male protagonist obsessed with all day long?
Ning Qi stroked his chin. "Cultivation? Demon exorcism?"
"You got it right," the system said. "There's no way you can fall behind in cultivation. Find an opportunity to go demon-slaying with the male lead. Focusing your efforts on the areas he likes will increase your infatuation points the most."
Ning Qi's lips twitched twice. "You mean you want me, with my cultivation level that's no different from an ordinary person's, to exorcise demons?!"
"Why don't you just choose an easy task?" the system said casually.
Ning Qi sighed inwardly. Who said this task was easy? It's not easy at all!
She went to the council hall and resignedly glanced at the demon-slaying missions that had recently come from all over the place. They were mostly for level two or higher demon beasts, and the male protagonist had marked 80% of them. He was practically a mission maniac.
Her world collapsed.
But soon a task caught Ning Qi's attention. It turned out to be only a level one demon beast, but the male protagonist still accepted it, and the task was scheduled for six days later.
Pointing to the task, she asked the fellow disciple in charge of registration, "Is this task risky? Why did Brother Yan accept it?"
The fellow disciple glanced at it and said, "Princess, don't worry, this task is very simple. It's just that the location is close to Senior Brother Yan's home, so he might want to go home and visit on the way."
“Okay.” Ning Qi nodded. “I want to participate too. Write my name down.”
Ning Qi's fellow disciples were stunned, knowing that she had never participated in any demon-slaying missions before. "This..."
Ning Qi tapped the table, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Hurry up and write it down for me."
Her fellow disciples dared not refute her and could only write down her name.
Ning Xi returned to her courtyard and asked Qian Yu, "Is Xiao Sui's confinement time up? Let him out."
Qianyu responded and went to the backyard.
Before long, Xiao Sui arrived at her room and was led to her by Qian Yu.
Ning Qi took a closer look and saw that he hadn't lost weight; he seemed to be in good condition.
She hadn't forgotten that she was supposed to play the role of a cold and ruthless master, so she cleared her throat and said, "Kneel down."
Xiao Sui knelt upright before her knees, raised his head, and said, "Princess."
"Have you figured things out these past few days? Do you realize you were wrong?" she asked.
"I know I was wrong, and I will never do it again," he said respectfully.
She really did resemble her servant. Although Ning Qi felt a little uncomfortable, she continued, "If you make another mistake in the future, I will send you to Nanfeng Pavilion for discipline, understand?"
Xiao Sui nodded, but the tips of his ears inexplicably turned red.
Ning Qi didn't notice, crossed her legs, and casually tossed a metal box into his arms, saying, "This jar of healing ointment is about to spoil, you can use it."
Xiao Sui raised his eyebrows, somewhat surprised, but quickly tucked the small iron box into his pocket, looking as if he treasured it. "Thank you, Princess."
Ning Qi couldn't help but wonder if his injury really hadn't healed yet? Otherwise, why would he cherish this ointment so much?
"Let me check it myself," she said in the coldest tone. "Take it off and let me see."
Xiao Sui was stunned for a moment, then obediently unbuckled his belt.
Two layers of clothing fell off his shoulders.
Ning Qi leaned forward, her skirt brushing lightly against his abdomen, but her attention was drawn to the glaring red mark on his chest.
The areas where she had whipped him now bore several more scratch marks, seemingly even more severe than the day she had whipped him.
She frowned. "What's going on?"
“…The wound was a little itchy, so I scratched it myself.” Xiao Sui’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
He lowered his head, his abdomen itching from the movement of the fabric, and he couldn't help but want to get closer.
But his excuse was too clumsy; he was afraid the princess would discover his secret thoughts.
The wounds the princess left on him were so minor that they almost completely disappeared in less than half a day.
He just wanted to delay the effects on himself.
He couldn't fathom the princess's thoughts, wondering if she would still be willing to let him stay in her room in the future, and whether he would be able to get close to her.
He could only keep everything the princess had given him, including the mark of this punishment.
Unfortunately, even if we wanted to preserve them, those whip marks would eventually flatten out from their redness and swelling.
"Go lie down on the chaise lounge," the princess commanded in a clear and pleasant voice.
Xiao Sui obeyed the order and lay down on the chair with his clothes open.
I heard footsteps approaching and then receding, finally stopping beside me.
He held his breath, but the rapid beating of his heart was hard to hide.
After a brief silence, cool fingers gently landed on his wound, spreading the moist ointment evenly.
The ointment caused a slight stinging sensation, but this feeling quickly became subtle. With every tiny touch of skin, the pain seemed to turn into pleasure, and a thrilling sensation spread to every corner of the body.
His heaving chest met the caressing fingertips, and for a moment after they left, he raised his chest slightly, trying to hold them back.
Because it was daytime, the room was much brighter, and Ningqi could see more clearly than before.
The fair skin took on a rosy hue under the oily ointment, like fine mutton fat jade.
But its texture was soft and warm.
The areas that are usually avoided are now bright red and eye-catching, looking rather appetizing.
She swallowed hard, and realizing what she was thinking, she hurriedly looked away.
She tossed the ointment aside and stammered, "Hurry up and put it on. How can you be so disheveled during the day?"
Xiao Sui did not object to her impulsive orders and sat up to fasten his clothes.
"I'm going on a mission in a few days," Ning Qi said, sitting on a chair not far away.
“I will go with you,” Xiao Sui said immediately.
“I want to go with Senior Brother Yan,” Ning Qi said.
Xiao Sui fell silent, his slightly flushed skin quickly returning to its original color. "I..."
He hesitated for a long time before saying with a show of determination, "I won't bother you; I'm just worried about your safety."
“There won’t be any problems. My mission is to deal with a level one demon beast, which even Senior Brother Yan can handle alone,” Ning Qi said. “I will also bring Qian Yu and Ashen with me. You can wait at home and don’t worry about me.”
"But……"
Xiao Sui was about to say something when Ning Qi interrupted him, "No buts. I'm just letting you know, not asking you to come with me."
Xiao Sui bit his lip, and all the color drained from his face.
Ning Qi felt a little reluctant, but she should still let him accept it step by step. She softened her tone and said, "I'll be right back."
"I understand." Xiao Sui stood up in a muffled voice. "I'll go make some dried fish; you can take it with you on the road."
"Mm," Ning Xi responded, watching as he left her room without having to fumble around.
She touched her chest; the beating there had been unusual earlier and had only now calmed down.
It seems that she and Xiao Sui have been separated for a while, and she needs some time to adjust.
That's for the best; they'll have to separate sooner or later anyway.
Six days later, Ning Qi, along with Qian Yu and Ashen, met up with Yan Chongyan's demon-slaying team. Unexpectedly, Xie Xiyue was also there, and Ning Qi greeted her warmly.
There were also two other fellow disciples whom I was not very familiar with.
Yan Chongyan frowned. "It's just a level one demon beast. There's no need for seven people to participate. Princess, you should go back."
Ning Qi pouted, "No way, why don't you let the others go back? Do you look down on me?"
Yan Chongyan's words caught in his throat, and he sighed, "But we must travel there on swords, and your health..."
"No problem!" Ning Qi snuggled up to him and started to act coquettishly, oblivious to everyone else. "Brother Yan, take me flying."
Yan Chongyan stiffened slightly, but did not refuse. He said to the others, "Let's go."
Ning Qi stepped onto the sword and stood behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Ding, infatuation value increased by 5, current score 1760."
The longsword soared into the air, moving away from the ground at an incredible speed. The wind howled in her ears, and Ning Qi almost screamed out, mentally asking the system, "Is flying on a sword really this scary?"
The system ignored her.
Where they had just met, a figure emerged from behind a tree, dressed in black with a black cloth covering his eyes, almost blending into the shadow of the tree.
Xiao Sui raised his head, his expression inscrutable.
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Author's Note: Xiao Sui: Twisted and Deformed
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