Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Childhood sweethearts?

Where was he even getting that from!

If simply living in the same town and having some interaction as kids counted as being childhood sweethearts, then half the people my age in this town would be my childhood sweethearts.

I rolled over, intending to explain things to Liu Junyan, but the moment I moved, I heard him hiss as he sucked in a sharp breath of cold air.

I immediately sat up and flicked on the light. I began pulling at his clothes to check his body.

Last time, he had paid some unknown price to take me out to retrieve my Lifebound Artifact. He hadn’t said what it was, but I knew in my heart that his injuries must have been severe.

He had been cultivating inside the Black Coffin lately. His ability to come out tonight was likely thanks to the support of that small three-legged Bronze Tripod.

Liu Junyan hadn’t expected me to be so forward. He tried to cover himself, but I still saw it.

Beneath his neck, his skin was an unnerving shade of pink, looking as though it had just recently grown back after being flayed.

Because it was so tender and hadn’t fully healed, some spots broke and bled at the slightest touch.

While I was still dazed, Liu Junyan had already straightened his clothes. “Xiao Jiu, don’t overthink it. I… I’m just going through a molting period.”

I opened my mouth, wanting to call him out on his lie, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

This ‘molting’ was almost certainly the price he had paid.

As for how much internal damage he had sustained, I had no way of knowing.

I could only try my best to shrink toward the inner side of the bed, avoiding contact with his body as much as possible so I wouldn’t cause him pain.

Liu Junyan, however, reached out and pulled me into his arms. “Xiao Jiu, do you really intend to cooperate with the Bai Family?”

“Yes,” I said. “The Bai Family has already extended an olive branch, and I’ve accepted.”

Liu Junyan asked worriedly, “Aren’t you afraid it’s a trap?”

“I am, but I have no choice. I have to take this step,” I said solemnly. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I’ll make sure I’m fully prepared.”

“Prepared?” Liu Junyan questioned. “Whether it’s the Bai Family, Chen Ping, or Zhao Zixun, none of them are opponents you can easily handle. If they join forces, you won’t stand a chance.”

I shook my head. “When the time comes, I’ll bring the Lingchi Blade and Fu Wan’s letter. Those two things might prove useful at a critical moment.”

I had indeed given this decision a lot of thought.

I understood the danger better than anyone.

But since the Bai Family had their sights set on me, I would eventually fall into their hands no matter how I tried to hide.

It was better to take the initiative.

If the Bai Family truly intended to cooperate in good faith, that would be for the best.

If they tried anything, I would have to use Zhao Zixun as a breakthrough point to pit them against each other. I would find a way to survive in the cracks between them.

The Lingchi Blade belonged to Zhao Zixun, and it was something the Bai Family feared.

As for Fu Wan’s letter, that was my last resort.

Liu Junyan naturally understood my intentions.

He took my hand and slowly traced a pattern on my palm. “This is a Thunder Summoning Talisman I created myself. It is extremely powerful, but the backlash is also severe. I’m teaching it to you now. Practice it well; it might save your life in a moment of crisis.”

I studied it carefully, committing every detail to memory.

Once I had completely mastered the method of drawing it, all that remained was to practice as much as possible over the next few days.

I had learned talisman drawing from my Granny since I was a child, and I knew that the key was to complete the strokes in one continuous motion.

Without the support of internal energy, proficiency was the essence of drawing a successful talisman.

Once Liu Junyan finished teaching me, he placed his large hand against my back, and streams of True Qi began to flow into my body.

I struggled to refuse; his current physical condition didn’t allow for this.

But how could I ever win an argument with Liu Junyan?

In the end, I had no choice but to accept it.
I continued to urge him, “Liu Junyan, this adventure is my own choice. Even if things don’t go well in the end, you are not allowed to defy Heavenly Punishment to save me like you did last time. Do you hear me?”

My tone was more assertive than ever before.

At a time like this, I couldn’t afford to care about anything else.

Liu Junyan didn’t say a word. He simply buried his face in the crook of my shoulder, his entire being radiating a sense of defeat.

I knew it pained him that he couldn’t protect me outside the Pawnshop, but being trapped here wasn’t something he could control.

He had already sacrificed too much to suppress the Dirty Things within these walls.

After holding me for a long while, Liu Junyan finally returned to the Black Coffin.

Two days passed peacefully, and the National Day Holiday officially arrived.

On the first day of the holiday, Tang Tang appeared at the entrance of the Pawnshop.

She stood at the bottom of the steps, her shimmering phoenix eyes scanning everything in sight like a high-tech sensor.

As I went out to greet her, I heard Tang Tang clicking her tongue in amazement. “Incredible! Junior Sister, this estate of yours is absolutely incredible!”

I replied helplessly, “You’re joking, Senior Sister. It’s just a pile of messes.”

Knowing she was coming, I had prepared a meal well in advance.

However, she couldn’t sit still at all. After wolfing down a few bites, she hurried off to the Southern Study. She touched this and poked that, eventually pointing at the Pawned Items I had shown her before and asking if I intended to sell them.

I pointed out a few pieces. She carefully took photos of them and tapped away furiously on her screen. Afterward, she told me, “I’ve already sent them to my professional networking groups. Junior Sister, just sit back and wait for the money to roll in.”

I gave her an enthusiastic thumbs-up like a total sycophant. “I knew you had the best connections, Senior Sister. If I get any more good stuff in the future, I’ll definitely come to you for help.”

Tang Tang raised an eyebrow and patted her chest. “Leave it to me.”

While we were chatting happily, Bai Jingmo arrived.

He was carrying several local specialties, explaining that a friend had sent them and he wanted me to try some.

As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Tang suddenly said excitedly, “Are… are you Dr. Bai Jingmo?”

Only then did Bai Jingmo notice Tang Tang, and he looked pleased as well. “Miss Tang, I hope you have been well.”

“Very well, very well,” Tang Tang said, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled. “I didn’t expect to run into Dr. Bai here at my Junior Sister’s place. What a pleasant surprise.”

Bai Jingmo said, “Xiao Jiu and I grew up together. We’re very close.”

…

Tang Tang seemed to take a particular liking to Bai Jingmo. The two of them stood by the counter and chatted for a long time.

It wasn’t until someone from the Bai Family came to fetch him that Bai Jingmo finally set down the gifts and departed.

Tang Tang chased him past the threshold, waving. “Dr. Bai, I’ll be staying with my Junior Sister for the next few days. Come over and hang out when you have time!”

Bai Jingmo nodded slightly. “I certainly will.”

Watching Tang Tang’s eager display, I wondered how I should subtly warn her about the Bai Family’s background.

But before I could speak, Tang Tang watched Bai Jingmo disappear into the distance, turned around, leaned in close, and whispered, “Junior Sister, are you and Bai Jingmo really that close?”

“Not really,” I said hesitantly. “He helped treat my Granny when I was little, so I feel quite grateful to him.”

Tang Tang immediately replied, “That was years ago. Don’t take it to heart. Junior Sister, you need to be on your guard against this Bai Jingmo.”

Huh?

I asked in surprise, “Then why were you just…”

To put it bluntly, Tang Tang’s eyes had been practically glowing while she looked at him earlier, acting like a total Bai Jingmo fangirl.

How did she flip the script so fast?

Tang Tang answered quite bluntly, “Earlier? I was faking it.”