Chang Sheng’s gaze lingered for a moment on the corner of her full, crimson lips. After a pause, he seemed to snap back to reality, asking, “Why aren’t you changing your clothes yet?”
Shen Yue clutched the clean clothes, her lips moving slightly. “Might I trouble the Immortal Doctor to withdraw for a moment?”
Chang Sheng couldn’t quite understand. “You and I are both men. What you have, I have too. Why the need to withdraw?”
Shen Yue was momentarily speechless by the forthright answer. Then, a sudden quiet fell upon her, her ear tips turning a subtle red, giving her a strangely pitiable air.
It was like a rabbit being pinched by the ear.
This analogy amused Chang Sheng, and he no longer teased the shy Shen Yue. He obligingly went outside and closed the door.
Leaning against the door, the rain outside continued to fall. This was the first time he had ever been so kind as to personally bring someone into his house, and even into his room.
Perhaps it was her eyes, too pure and serene, or perhaps it was the cool, tranquil aura she exuded that felt unlike that of an evildoer. It was this that had led him, in a moment of infatuation, to bring her back.
Afterwards, Shen Yue was allowed to stay in the house. Chang Sheng even tidied up a room for her; though simple, it was clean and orderly.
The happiest of all was Yao’er. She always followed Shen Yue with her short legs, tugging at her clothes, and calling her “Immortal” in her milky, childish voice.
And Shen Yue did not bring up the matter of the medicine again.
Chang Sheng went up the mountain to gather herbs at regular intervals, returning only at sunset.
This time, Chang Sheng went up the mountain with his basket as usual, but when sunset arrived, there was still no sign of him.
This greatly worried Yao’er. “Usually, Chang Sheng would have returned by this time. Why haven’t we seen him yet?”
Fengfu Valley was fraught with danger everywhere, and the mountains were home to wild beasts. Shen Yue was also a little worried. She told Yao’er to wait obediently at home while she went out to look for him.
Yao’er, with teary eyes, held onto Shen Yue’s clothes. “Immortal, you must come back soon.”
Shen Yue patted her head and agreed.
Although her magic power was restricted, Shen Yue’s cultivation was at the Mahayana stage. She could use a small amount of spiritual energy, but it would result in double the backlash. However, there was no other choice now; finding Chang Sheng was the most important thing.
Thus, Shen Yue could not afford to be so careful. She used her spiritual energy to locate Chang Sheng’s current position and found him after a short while.
When Shen Yue arrived, she heard the roar of a tiger.
Chang Sheng had not expected to be so unlucky today. On his way back down the mountain, he encountered a fierce and hungry tiger.
The fierce tiger, its maw agape, ravenously and viciously lunged at him. It was both hungry and thirsty. With a slight press of its front paws on the ground, its entire body sprang upwards.
Chang Sheng was strong and healthy, and he had encountered such fierce beasts before, always escaping unscathed. However, the tiger before him had clearly been starved for a long time, and its strength seemed boundless.
His arm was scratched by its sharp claws. The moment he felt the pain, the tiger seized the opportunity and lunged at him again, its maw gaping. Just as Chang Sheng picked up a nearby stone to smash its head, he saw a stick as thick as a baby’s arm pierce through the tiger’s body.
In immense pain, the tiger twisted its body and swiped at the person behind it with its claws before collapsing onto the ground, unable to get up. Soon after, it was lifeless.
Shen Yue: [Quick, quickly help me block the pain.]
The system, engrossed in a melodramatic television drama, casually enabled her pain blockage without a single word of concern, which was particularly chilling to her.
Chang Sheng looked towards the white figure. “You…”
Shen Yue’s face was very pale, but she still walked over and helped him up first. “Let’s go back. Yao’er is still waiting for you to come home.”
Chang Sheng opened his mouth, about to say something, but then he saw blood dripping from the hem of her plain robe. His heart tightened. He quickly turned Shen Yue’s shoulders and saw very deep claw marks on her back.
Earlier, seeing how relaxed Shen Yue had looked, he had thought the tiger hadn’t injured her at all. He hadn’t expected that she had been enduring it silently.
His face darkened. “Why didn’t you say you were injured?!”
Shen Yue shook her head as if nothing was wrong. “Just a minor injury.”
Chang Sheng’s face turned ashen. For the first time, he couldn’t maintain his gentle and refined expression. He gripped Shen Yue’s shoulders fiercely.
“What do you consider a major injury? Death?”
Shen Yue seemed not to understand why he was so angry. She moved her lips hesitably and eventually said nothing.
She was carried back by Chang Sheng. He could hear the rapid beating of Chang Sheng’s heart; he seemed very anxious.
Shen Yue took off her clothes, shedding the layer of silk that covered her skin, revealing only her back. She exposed no other part.
Her back was thinner and more slender than Chang Sheng had imagined. Three deep claw marks marred her snow-white skin, resembling the intricate web of cracks on a fine white porcelain vase.
Chang Sheng was truly angry. The wounds were so deep, yet she calmly stated they were only minor injuries.
This person simply did not value her own life or her body at all.
Just cleaning the flowing blood required several basins of clean water. The three hideous scars were particularly unsightly against her skin, as delicate and fair as white snow, and recovery would not be easy.
Shen Yue did not utter a sound or cry out in pain. Only her slightly trembling shoulders revealed that she was indeed afraid of pain.
Her face was pale and weak, her expression calm as she listened to Chang Sheng describe how deep her wounds were, mentioning that they might even leave scars.
Chang Sheng truly detested Shen Yue’s indifferent attitude towards her own body. Harboring a hidden desire for revenge, he deliberately described the wounds in a gruesome and terrifying manner.
He said her wounds were very deep, requiring several stitches, and that the rotten flesh would need to be cut away before applying ointment. The ointment was potent; once applied, it would feel like a hundred insects gnawing at her bones, making her pain unbearable.
Shen Yue stated she was not afraid at all, as she couldn’t feel it anyway.
Seeing her still indifferent, Chang Sheng became even angrier. Though his words were fierce, the force of his hands grew lighter.
“Aren’t you afraid?”
Shen Yue finally understood Chang Sheng’s intention. She said softly, “I am afraid, so please be gentle.”
Chang Sheng had initially wanted her to be afraid. Only when she was afraid and in pain would she be less foolish next time and wouldn’t rush forward so recklessly.
But now that Shen Yue had said the word “afraid” as he wished, he felt immense discomfort because, paradoxically, he didn’t want her to be afraid anymore.
Chang Sheng sighed softly by her ear, his hands growing lighter. Even knowing it was likely futile, he simply wanted her to feel less pain.
He said softly, “Don’t be afraid, I’ll be gentle.”