Chapter 12 It's only natural "You can't treat me like this anymore..."
From the time Shen Zhou met Hua Deng until now, she has been sleeping every day without fail. It's hard to imagine that a Foundation Establishment cultivator would need so much sleep.
Moreover, she always slept more soundly than most people, and even in her dreams, the corners of her mouth were turned up in a smile.
Today, however, is an exception.
His two thin eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and the corners of his mouth were pursed down, making him look very unhappy.
Is it because of what happened during the day?
Shen Zhou thought without expression, then naturally raised his left hand, and a drop of bright red blood flew from his fingertip, flowing into Hua Deng's brow.
He manipulated the drop of blood essence, drawing a complex pattern on Hua Deng's forehead at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye.
The pattern was layered on top of each other, and it took a full incense stick's time to complete it.
This is a long-lost forbidden technique called the Counterattack Curse.
The inventor of the spell was a wicked demonic cultivator, yet one day he fell in love with a mortal woman. His demonic cultivation was deeply ingrained and irreversible, so the deeper his love, the more violent his magical power became.
In order not to harm the woman, the demonic cultivator invented a counter-killing spell. Generally speaking, when one person casts a spell on another, the one who casts the spell usually benefits.
However, the counter-curse is the opposite. It requires that the curse caster must not harm the cursed person, otherwise they will suffer double or even ten times the backlash.
The outcome was predictable: the moment the demonic cultivator completely lost control, he died from his own magic.
Now, relying on his own understanding, Shen Zhou has reproduced the forbidden spell recorded in the ancient book.
Ancient books say that once a counter-kill curse is cast, it forms a mark on the soul, which cannot be removed for lifetimes. But there is no spell in this world that Shen Zhou cannot break, and the counter-kill curse is no exception.
Even so, the curse was enough for Hua Deng; he didn't think he would lose control to the point of losing his mind.
Just as he withdrew his hand, the communication talisman on his waist lit up.
A young man's anxious voice came from inside: "Where are you now? How are you feeling? I still have a bottle of Heavenly Essence Pills, you—"
"It's nothing," Shen Zhou said.
The young man was stunned for a moment, but his anxiety had not diminished at all: "The plan really can't be postponed anymore. I was almost scared to death when you suddenly lost control yesterday!"
"There are still more than two months left." Shen Zhou said calmly, "I don't want to repeat myself a third time."
There was a moment of silence on the other end. Shen Zhou cut off the communication, put his hands behind his back, and left the room.
The door clicked shut, and the room returned to darkness and silence. About fifteen minutes later, the streetlights slowly began to illuminate the room.
The sky was just beginning to lighten, and the room was still dimly lit. She stared blankly for a while, still half-asleep, when she suddenly remembered what had happened yesterday. She jumped up and searched for Chen Zhou's figure.
There was no one in bed. Her heart skipped a beat, but she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
It would be quite difficult for her to face Shen Zhou all at once.
She moved her arms and legs to make sure she was alright, then asked in her mind, "System, he didn't do anything to me last night, did he?"
The system said, "Your physical data is all normal, but you have an extra Heavenly Rank spell. According to preliminary speculation, it should be the Reverse Kill Curse that has been lost for thousands of years."
The "counter-kill curse" doesn't sound like a good thing.
Hua Deng gasped, "He really wants to kill me?!"
System: "That shouldn't be it."
It retrieved information about the Counter-Kill Curse, which was more detailed than existing records in the cultivation world, and Hua Deng read it word by word.
“So…” Hua Deng’s breath caught in her throat, she swallowed unconsciously, and said, “This isn’t meant to kill me, but…”
It was used to protect her.
"Yes, host," the system replied affirmatively, "this is the only function of the Counterattack Curse."
Even the bright lights cannot be trusted.
"This is really unlike Shen Zhou's style," she murmured.
But then she thought again that staying up all night wasn't her usual style.
That makes them even, right?
Hua Deng's lips curled up slightly, but when she realized it, she reached out and forcefully suppressed it.
She straightened her clothes in front of the mirror, took a few deep breaths, and then turned around and opened the door as if nothing had happened.
This time, Shen Zhou didn't leave. He stood by the stone table in the courtyard, polishing the rusty sword sheath.
Hua Deng dawdled for a few steps, feeling even more embarrassed as he recalled what happened last night. He had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "I accidentally fell asleep there yesterday."
Shen Zhou kept his head down and didn't say a word.
Hua Deng took two steps closer and emphasized, "The storybook was so captivating, I couldn't resist."
Shen Zhou stroked the scabbard beneath his hand and said slowly, "There are many ways to kill a Foundation Establishment cultivator. If it were me, you could die hundreds of times in the blink of an eye."
He looked up, his eyes devoid of warmth: "Have you ever considered that a so-called 'accident' might mean you won't see the sun rise today?"
Hua Deng retorted, "Can you please not be so rude? I didn't see the sun today, but I know better than you that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west!"
Shen Zhou glanced at her, raised his hand and cast a spell, darkening the sky and causing the sun to rise in the west and set in the east.
Hua Deng: "..."
The combined period is amazing!
"Then I think the sun will rise in the east and set in the west tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and the day after that ...
Shen Zhou said, "As long as I leave the magic here, the sun of Yaoqing Sect will rise in the west and set in the east every day."
He frowned suddenly as soon as he finished speaking.
What is he saying?
It seems like it's always like this; she always manages to steer a serious topic off-topic with just a few words.
He dismissed the pointless spell, pressed his brow, and said coldly, "Let me remind you, even if we sign the contract, it doesn't mean I really won't kill you."
Hua Deng couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Shen Zhou: "?"
Hua Deng quickly straightened up and said sternly, "Continue."
Seeing his silence and gloomy expression, she let out a soft breath and laughed, "Alright, you've said so much. If you really wanted to kill me, why did you set up a counter-killing spell for me?"
A rare hint of surprise appeared on Shen Zhou's face: "You found out?"
Hua Deng felt that his gaze was more like: How could someone as incompetent as you notice?
She raised an eyebrow and said smugly, "You have your secrets, and of course I have mine. What, are you looking down on me?"
Shen Zhou said, "Hmm."
Hua Deng: "???"
"Speak properly to me!" she gritted her teeth and threatened. "Don't think you can bribe me with a counter-kill spell. I'm your employer, your boss. You'd better treat me better from now on, understand?"
Shen Zhou remained indifferent: "Employer or boss, I can eliminate anyone in the world if I want to. Do you think I can't break the counter-killing curse?"
Okay.
Hua Deng nodded dismissively, indicating that he understood.
Shen Zhou stared at her and continued, "Even if I don't kill you, if you die by the roadside one day, I won't even glance at you."
The streetlights twinkled like chicks pecking at rice: "Mmm-hmm."
"..." Shen Zhou was left only breathing.
Hua Deng said, "I know. I didn't expect you to meddle in my business. My life and death are my own destiny, and I won't blame you no matter what happens. Besides, I'm so rich, if something happens, a bunch of people will rush to my rescue."
She smiled and patted the air above Chen Zhou's shoulder: "So, you can stay here without worry. Although many people want to kill you, I won't betray you. If you get injured in the future, you can come back here to recuperate in peace, and the expenses will be deducted from your salary."
Shen Zhou paused for a moment, then asked, "How much was deducted last night?"
The lantern blinked, revealing a capitalist's smile: "Thirty thousand spirit stones, fair and reasonable."
Shen Zhou calmly said, "I don't think there's any place that needs that much money."
"Labor costs," Hua Deng said innocently, spreading her hands. "My compensation for emotional distress, the medical expenses for the injuries you caused, and the caregiver fees for taking care of you overnight—all of these cost money."
Shen Zhou nodded: "No wonder all the medical clinics of Yaoqing Sect have closed down."
Hua Deng: "...That's because I wasn't here before. Once I acquire all these clinics, I'll definitely make them thrive!"
Shen Zhou said sarcastically, "I hope these 30,000 spirit stones will help you make a losing deal."
What a blind fool!
Hua Deng snorted and glared at him, saying, "I haven't forgiven you yet."
Shen Zhou's expression remained unchanged: "Forgive me for what?"
Hua Deng leaned her left cheek closer to show him: "See this wound? How deep is it? I'll deduct three days' wages from your pay."
Shen Zhou examined it carefully and said, "So my sword energy can also cause internal injuries."
"That's right." Hua Deng put his hands on his hips triumphantly. "These are all evidence of your crimes."
Shen Zhou scoffed: "According to the laws of the Immortal Alliance, what evidence is there?"
"According to the evidence under the Hua Deng Law."
He then fell silent.
Hua Deng's voice trailed off: "Anyway..."
She kicked her toes, interlaced her fingers, and quickly glanced at Chen Zhou.
"Anyway, you can't be so mean to me anymore."
She spoke with a pitiful expression, and Chen Zhou couldn't help but fall into recollection: "Fierce?"
He would beat and verbally abuse Jin Ze, breaking his bones several times. Even then, Jin Ze would lie on the ground and yell, "Chen Zhou, you stupid idiot, if you've got the guts, kill me! Kill me!!"
...Was he very fierce yesterday? Hua Deng pouted: "That's the kind of expression he had, he really was fierce."
Shen Zhou relaxed his brow, his face expressionless.
Hua Deng: "That's fierce too."
Shen Zhou curled the corners of his mouth.
Hua Deng: "Ominous!"
Shen Zhou said, "Then you'll just have to bear with it."
The lanterns shook their heads and laughed loudly.
After she finished laughing, the last bit of pent-up anger in her chest dissipated, and she asked curiously, "Are there many people who want to kill you? Why?"
Shen Zhou didn't explain, but said calmly, "Those who know my identity will become my enemies."
Upon hearing this, Hua Deng pointed to himself and said with a smile, "Except for me, right?"
Shen Zhou raised an eyebrow as she continued, "Just like anyone who knows my true constitution, there's no one who wouldn't want to use me. Except you."
He remained noncommittal, and Hua Deng, with her hands behind her back, lightly hopped a few steps on her toes and brushed past him.
"See? It's only natural for us to be Daoist partners."
As the breeze from the ends of her hair brushed against his cheek, the girl spoke these words.
As dawn broke, the sunlight shone precisely on her, outlining her hair and her smiling face along with the morning breeze.
When he was three years old, on an ordinary morning, Shen Zhou saw his father raise a sword for the first time. In the years that followed, he deliberately forgot what his father looked like, but he could never forget that sword.
It basks in the light in the same way, and shines just as brightly.
His image was clearly reflected in the girl's dark, grape-like eyes.
Only at this moment, with her soft and gentle gaze, did her face, which resembled her parents and sister, seem less repulsive.
He calmly looked at the streetlights, and the streetlights were quietly observing him in return.
Those words were just spoken on a whim, and I found them funny afterward. Shen Zhou would definitely scoff at them with a cold expression.
Strangely, she found that Shen Zhou was not there, and not only was he not there, but it also gave her the illusion that he was in a good mood.
Visibly, the corner of his mouth relaxed by two pixels.
Hua Deng seized the opportunity to move closer, her tone incredibly sincere: "So, our contract can definitely be renewed for a few more years."
She had wanted to say this for a long time, and if she could, she would even be willing to get a raise.
Shen Zhou's gaze fell elsewhere, his tone as usual: "I will leave in two months."
"Alright." Hua Deng temporarily put the topic aside. A qualified boss should make promises to employees in the form of concrete actions.
...
When she got back to her room, Hua Deng looked at herself in the mirror for a long time.
"Where's the counter-kill spell?" she wondered. "Does such a spell really exist? I can't sense it at all, and I can't see it either."
"Host, your cultivation level is too low right now. This is a Heaven-rank spell, so it's normal that you can't sense it."
Hua Deng let out a soft "oh," and turned her gaze to the letter on the table.
She picked it up, looked at it, and then with a flick of her finger, the paper turned to ashes in the flames.
Rather than relying on hearsay, she still believed more in seeing things for herself and in her own judgment.
As she swept away the ashes, she activated the communication device and sent a message—
"Tonight, my room, yours, understand?"
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