Xiao Chenmu was not someone who easily softened his heart. His character was upright and unwavering, especially on matters of great right and wrong. His stance was always firm, and he would never bend the law or show favoritism for anyone.
He harbored no biased feelings towards this demoness. He simply disliked others interfering with his tasks or disrupting his established procedures for handling matters. Before the Sect Master had even issued an order, someone had deceived their superiors and subordinates, acting out of personal spite to beat the prisoner under his watch to the brink of death.
He had not yet interrogated her about her purpose in coming to the Void Gate, and therefore could not allow her to die like this. However, after he bandaged her wounds, everything began to spiral out of control.
Considering that her one-sided closeness might aid in the interrogation, Xiao Chenmu naturally did not put on a harsh demeanor.
What he did not know was that sometimes, a momentary compromise would only lead to a deeper entanglement later on.
After she stayed, Xiao Chenmu saw no need for him to communicate with a demon. He simply crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, a silent pillar with a breath of life.
But the demoness did not wish to remain quiet with him. She would speak to him. If he had no topic, she would create one for them.
She was tactful. Her conversations never crossed the boundaries of their relationship, staying within the scope of ordinary friends. If she noticed him hesitating or choosing to ignore her, she would skillfully and without awkwardness change the subject.
As a result, although Xiao Chenmu found dealing with another person's chatter somewhat taxing, he did not find conversing with her to be a bothersome or unbearable experience.
The initial interactions between people are maintained through shared values, interests, and conversations. Just as "half a word is too much if the conversation doesn't click," words are a magical tool that can effectively alleviate a sense of strangeness.
For Gu Junshi, making someone develop a favorable impression of her was not difficult. She had mastered the complex negotiation skills used in the business world. By observing subtle expressions and body language, she could easily capture a person's likes and dislikes, then tailor her approach accordingly.
Therefore, when she was willing to lower her guard and cater to someone's preferences, few people could resist her.
Seeing Xiao Chenmu's cold, vigilant expression soften, his tightly drawn lips relax, and the habitual deep lines on his brow smooth out, she sensed that the timing was right and stopped.
Excessive enthusiasm or talking too much at once can create an invisible burden for others.
Knowing when to stop—these four words seem simple but are difficult to put into practice.
"Ahem..." She coughed uncomfortably, and a little blood foam was expelled.
Then, appearing extremely tired and weary, she tilted her head and fainted into a daze.
Xiao Chenmu was initially unaware of her condition. He only noticed when he suddenly heard her cheerful, clear voice fall silent and then heard her cough a few times. He looked over and discovered that she had fainted at some point without his knowledge.
His expression tightened, and he walked over to examine her physical condition.
He channeled spiritual energy into her, only to find that the injuries he had previously healed had relapsed. Although the external wounds were no longer an issue, the injuries stemming from her soul had not improved. When he had captured her, in order to prevent her escape, the seven Sect Masters had dispersed her demonic energy using "corrupt bone nails." She was now weaker than an ordinary mortal.
He did not begrudge her the medicine and took out another "Spring Returning Pill" to feed her.
As he stood up, he inadvertently noticed the skin on her delicate wrist, rubbed raw and swollen from being shackled for so long. He stared silently for a moment, then reached out and unlocked the manacles on her hands, gently leaning her limp, fragile body against the wall.
Now only the demon-subduing shackles on her feet remained, but they allowed her to move within a small radius.
After doing all this, Xiao Chenmu paused.
He didn't understand why he had instinctively wanted to make her situation a little better. She hadn't even requested it; he had done it entirely of his own volition.
Xiao Chenmu took a deep breath and stood up to leave. As the dark room door was about to close, he glanced back. He saw the darkness slowly swallow the last remaining sliver of light inside. When it closed completely, there would be no light left within.
She would be alone, trapped in boundless darkness, experiencing loneliness, pain, and silence.
He thought.
Perhaps next time he came, he could bring her something that emitted light. When he left, at least a trace of light would accompany her.
After Xiao Chenmu left, Gu Junshi opened her eyes. She had not fainted at all; it was all an act. She opened her mouth, and a stream of black energy enveloped a green-patterned pill.
She stored the "Spring Returning Pill" in her consciousness space, to be retrieved by her main body later.
Gu Junshi felt no guilt about deceiving him for medicine. She thought that perhaps next time, she would injure this demon puppet even more severely, and might even be able to scheme for higher-grade spiritual pills from Xiao Chenmu.
–
West Cliff
Gu Junshi's main body received the feedback from the demon puppet and retrieved the "Spring Returning Pill." She had previously cast a sleep spell on her "little pampered husband." He lay on the bed, frowning with discomfort from his old ailments. She fed the "Spring Returning Pill" into his mouth.
Upon entering his mouth, the "Spring Returning Pill" melted instantly. A green spiritual energy enveloped the little pampered husband's body, and a gentle light of fragrant herbs slowly healed his internal injuries.
After the "Spring Returning Pill" had fully exerted its effect, most of his injuries had already healed.
It had to be said that the pills refined by major sects were indeed effective, especially since Xiao Chenmu was the senior disciple of the Void Gate, and the superior resources he obtained were beyond the reach of others.
"A Yi..." The little pampered husband slowly opened his eyes. He felt as if his heavy body had become much lighter. Just as he was about to ask what was happening, Gu Junshi closed her eyes before he could speak. "Husband, rest well and recuperate."
He was "coaxed" back to sleep by Gu Junshi.
With one more pill, he should be able to fully recover and would not be hindered from participating in the "grand competition" of the Rookie Ranking.
Putting the little pampered husband to sleep was not only for his own recovery but also because Gu Junshi needed to go to the East Cliff of Misty City.
Both the East Cliff and West Cliff of Misty City were places where the Void Gate hosted external guests. However, the accommodation conditions of the East Cliff and West Cliff differed. Do not think that the cultivation world lacked hierarchy and assessment; rather, precisely because it was a place where everyone vied for supremacy, it was even more competitive.
Compared to the West Cliff, where guests stayed in a row of simple rooms, the East Cliff allocated a separate courtyard for each person.
Therefore, those arranged to stay at the East Cliff were all disciples of powerful major sects. The top ten predicted disciples of the Rookie Ranking all resided at the East Cliff.
Gu Junshi faintly sensed where the aura of Buddha's light shone, thus knowing the location of Cheng Hong's residence.
She stood calmly outside the door, not knocking or calling out. After a while, the tightly shut courtyard gate was opened, and a person slowly walked out from within.