The Sickly Beauty and Her Guide Leopard - Chapter 17

Jian Li hadn’t returned home all night, and…

 

The room was filled with an unfamiliar medicinal fragrance. Chang Chi’s warm spiritual power flowed through Jian Li’s meridians, converging at her Upper Dantian between her eyes.

 

The sensation was so soothing that even the tension in Jian Li’s neck began to ease.

 

She didn’t even realize when she had fallen asleep.

 

When she awoke again, she got up to relieve herself. The surroundings were eerily silent.

 

Standing in the courtyard, Jian Li was bathed in a thin moonlight, her shadow stretching long across the night-darkened ground.

 

She lifted her gaze to admire the moon—a jade-like disc hanging in the sky. Jian Li couldn’t help but marvel at how much clearer the air was here compared to modern society, free from light pollution.

 

The moon was round and full, almost like the giant glutinous rice ball she had eaten earlier that evening—sweet, chewy, and utterly delicious.

 

The thought of food instantly jolted Jian Li awake. She had promised Yan Qingshuang they would have dinner together.

 

Oh no, oh no, oh no!

 

Jian Li spun around anxiously in place.

 

I can’t have dinner with her now! All that food will go to waste, and I’ll be standing her up! Will she be angry?

 

The mere thought of the consequences sent the tension in her neck surging back.

 

Any lingering drowsiness vanished completely. She tried activating her Teleportation Watch, but no matter how many times she pressed the button, it remained unresponsive.

 

Remembering she hadn’t read the manual, Jian Li quickly opened it.

 

Usage: Limited to two uses per day. Recharge with a Spirit Stone after each use. Resets daily.

 

“What a money-guzzling watch!”

 

She immediately went to find Chang Chi.

 

Chang Chi was sound asleep when Jian Li slapped her awake.

 

Still disoriented, Chang Chi didn’t understand what was happening until Jian Li shoved the Spirit Mirror in her face.

 

Yan is Angry

 

Chang Chi rubbed her disheveled hair. “It’s fine. Just sleep through the night. I’ll explain tomorrow.”

 

Jian Li lowered her head and her claws danced rapidly.

 

Go Back!!!

 

Chang Chi clicked her tongue softly. “You really care about her, don’t you?”

 

How could she not care? Yan Qing Shuang was her ultimate mission objective—something Chang Chi could never understand.

 

Jian Li unleashed a flurry of Shadowless Kicks, nearly disfiguring Chang Chi’s face.

 

Chang Chi frantically covered her face, blocking the blows. “Stop, stop, stop! I’ll take you back! I’ll take you back! Just don’t kill me!”

 

Jian Li lowered her head again. Chang Chi, curious, asked, “What else do you want to say?”

 

Reward

 

Chang Chi sighed. “Alright, alright, I remember. You’re such a little money-grubber for a young Spiritual Beast.”

 

Only after Chang Chi’s promise did Jian Li finally relax.

 

Chang Chi wasn’t a special public servant and couldn’t freely fly on a sword. She summoned a Celestial Crane to escort Jian Li. When the crane greeted her, Jian Li was startled.

 

“Don’t you remember me?” the Celestial Crane asked. “You came to ask about Yan Qingshuang’s whereabouts just two days ago.”

 

Jian Li racked her brain, finally recalling vaguely. “Ah, right, right! What’s your name again?”

 

“Xiao He,” the crane replied, “like the lotus flower.”

 

“What a lovely name,” Jian Li said. “‘A lotus bud just peeking through the water.’ The crimson crest on your head perfectly complements it—so beautiful.”

 

Everyone loves flattery, even Spiritual Beasts. Xiao He let out a proud cry.

 

Her beak pecked at Jian Li. “You promised me candy! Where’s the candy, candy, candy?”

 

Ah? Candy? Where would I even get candy? Fortunately, Jian Li was quick-witted. She opened her Storage Pouch, her tiny, furry paw reaching into the crowded space, rummaging through it.

 

In no time, Jian Li pulled out three tempting Large Red Fruits. “These are super sweet!”

 

Xiao He stared at the fruits, then tucked her long wings around them, securing her prize.

 

When Chang Chi tried to pay, Xiao He waved her off. “We’re friends now,” she said, switching between Beast Speech and human language. “I don’t take money from friends.”

 

True enough, money can ruin friendships.

 

“Thank you, Xiao He,” Jian Li said. “How much would the fare have been normally?”

 

Xiao He quoted a price.

 

Jian Li clicked her tongue. It wasn’t this expensive during the day. So, calling a Celestial Crane at midnight costs double?

 

Xiao He shook her wings, signaling them to climb aboard.

 

Chang Chi scooped up Jian Li, who clung to her robes. The clear moonlight bathed the pair in its silvery glow.

 

Their communication was remarkably inefficient, but fortunately, they had agreed on a price of 2,500 Spirit Stones for 300 Jade Spirit Orchids before going to bed.

 

Jian Li was crafting Beauty Pills, using Jade Spirit Orchids as the primary ingredient and hibiscus flowers as a secondary component.

 

These pills were useless to mid-to-high-level cultivators, but they were popular among pre-Core Formation cultivators and mortals who cared about their appearance.

 

A single Beauty Pill, dissolved in water and consumed, could maintain a relatively youthful complexion.

 

They were highly sought after in both the Cultivation World and the Mortal World.

 

Jian Li had posted the task at a price of 1,000 Spirit Stones for 100 orchids.

 

After all, this wasn’t charity work, so Chang Chi’s deduction of some Spirit Stones was perfectly reasonable.

 

Both the task and the corresponding Spirit Stones had to be registered at the Deacon Hall, so Jian Li could only receive 1,500 Spirit Stones for now.

 

The remaining 1,000 Spirit Stones would be paid upon delivery of the orchids to the Disciplinary Hall.

 

Chang Chi sat across from Jian Li, noticing how meager her Storage Pouch looked.

 

It could barely hold the 300 Jade Spirit Orchids, and adding 1,500 Spirit Stones would strain the small pouch beyond its capacity.

 

Chang Chi replaced it with an exquisite Storage Pouch, three times larger than the previous one.

 

The Little Snow Leopard now wore the Storage Pouch around its neck, bracelets on two paws, and a Teleportation Watch resembling a red string on another.

 

It looked utterly adorable and lively.

 

“This suits you perfectly,” Chang Chi said. “Now you can wear it around your neck without embarrassing yourself in front of other Spiritual Beasts.”

 

Jian Li happily accepted the gift, not giving it much thought.

 

The patched-up pouch was also placed in the new Storage Pouch, and Jian Li’s spirits lifted slightly on the return journey.

 

Chang Chi, thinking she was appealing to Jian Li’s interests, cut straight to the chase. “Do you like Yan Qingshuang?”

 

Huh?

 

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Jian Li didn’t know how to respond.

 

She neither liked nor disliked Yan Qingshuang, so she simply pretended not to hear.

 

Chang Chi waited until Jian Li had dismounted from the Celestial Crane, but still received no answer. She naturally assumed the question had upset Jian Li.

 

Jian Li waved goodbye to Chang Chi and the Celestial Crane, treating it as a farewell.

 

The Celestial Crane soared away, vanishing into the night sky. During their journey, they had exchanged Spirit Mirror Imprints, promising to meet for meals in the future.

 

Only Chang Chi remained, stubbornly blind to Jian Li’s attempts to dismiss her.

 

She clung to Jian Li’s side, showing no intention of leaving. Jian Li was baffled.

 

With each step Jian Li took, she turned her head back.

 

Why is Chang Chi still here?

 

By the time they reached the door, Jian Li glared at Chang Chi, utterly exasperated by her suspicious behavior.

 

Jian Li retrieved her Spirit Mirror and slowly typed out a question mark: ?

 

Chang Chi brazenly replied, “Might as well see you all the way home. Plus, I need to remind Senior Sister Yan to take her medicine on time.”

 

Who would barge in at midnight to supervise a patient’s medication?

 

Yet Jian Li couldn’t refuse Chang Chi’s excuse. After all, she was Yan Qingshuang’s attending physician.

 

Jian Li stepped inside, cautiously calling out, “Little Shuang, I’m back.”

 

No reply echoed through the lifeless room.

 

Jian Li panicked and rushed to the kitchen. Several plates of chicken, duck, and fish sat on the table, their sauces already congealed. The food had lost its original freshness, a regrettable sight.

 

Yan Qingshuang emerged from her room, her eyes still covered by a white silk blindfold. She leaned against the doorframe, sweat beading on her forehead.

 

“Xiao Li?” she asked tentatively.

 

Jian Li hurried forward. “It’s me! I’m so sorry! It’s all Chang Chi’s fault for insisting I stay the night.”

 

Chang Chi immediately denied it. “You were sleeping like a little pig! Don’t blame me!”

 

Yan Qingshuang paused, her tone distant as her knuckles whitened against the doorframe. “Why?” she asked.

 

“Uh… because…”

 

Jian Li, about to tell the truth, remembered Yan Qingshuang’s disapproval of her acting alone. Besides, the money had been spent on Great Tonic Pills from the marketplace, making a straightforward explanation difficult.

 

Unaware of the strange note in Yan Qingshuang’s voice, Jian Li assumed she was simply grumpy from being woken up.

 

“Because I ran into Sister Chang on my way out,” she lied. “She was worried about my safety and insisted on escorting me.”

 

Yan Qingshuang remained silent for a moment, then parted her lips, their bl00d-red hue unnaturally vivid. “Mm,” she murmured. “Thank you, Physician Chang.”

 

With that, Yan Qingshuang turned her back to them and slammed the door shut with a resounding thud.

 

Jian Li was completely bewildered, exchanging confused glances with Chang Chi.

 

She activated her Spirit Mirror: Yan is Angry

 

As a Medical Cultivator, Chang Chi understood the situation better than Jian Li. She scratched her head and said, “I noticed earlier that her physical condition wasn’t good. Perhaps an old ailment has resurfaced, or she’s so angry it’s affecting her heart. Her complexion was terrible.”

 

Jian Li: Medicine

 

Chang Chi immediately began her sales pitch: “Profound-Tier High-Grade Pill, 99 Spirit Stones per pill. Guaranteed to cure any illness!”

 

This was blatant profiteering.

 

Jian Li had her own solution. She lowered her head and pulled three Large Red Fruits from her Storage Pouch as payment. “Meow~”

 

Standing on her hind legs, her tiny paws were completely covered by the fruits, making her look like a festive Spiritual Beast celebrating the New Year.

 

Chang Chi had long been curious about these fruits. Anything accepted by the Celestial Crane couldn’t be of poor quality.

 

“Alright, fruits for goods,” Chang Chi agreed, taking the fruits and examining them closely. Crimson threads seemed to flow within their translucent flesh. “They look quite beautiful.”

 

Of course they’re beautiful! And delicious too! These are the best fruits I’ve ever tasted!

 

After hastily swatting the person out the door with her tail, Jian Li immediately knocked on the door.

 

When Yan Qingshuang ignored her, Jian Li pleaded, “I’m sorry, Little Shuang. I shouldn’t have run off to play without permission.”

 

She pressed her belly against the door, scratching incessantly with her claws, the wooden panels creaking and groaning.

 

“Please, let me in! I brought you medicine. Sister Chang said this cures everything.”

 

Hearing footsteps, Jian Li lowered her head and waited for the door to open.

 

Yan Qingshuang opened the door without looking at Jian Li and lay back down on the bed.

 

Feeling inexplicably snubbed, Jian Li climbed onto the bed and poked Yan Qingshuang’s frail back. “Take your medicine first.”

 

“Mm.”

 

Jian Li straddled Yan Qingshuang, placed the medicine in her slightly parted mouth, and watched her swallow it whole, her brow furrowed.

 

Observing further, Jian Li noticed Yan Qingshuang’s face didn’t flush with color. Instead, she curled up, clutching her arms and trembling violently. The entire bed frame shook with her convulsions.

 

Terrified, Jian Li retreated to the corner of the bed, asking fearfully, “Little Shuang, what’s wrong?”

 

Yan Qingshuang bit her lower lip, reopening the fresh, unhealed wound, causing it to bleed anew. She endured the pain with a choked voice, “It… hurts a little.”

 

Jian Li panicked, pacing anxiously. “Where does it hurt? Where? I’ll rub it for you.”

 

“No, it’ll pass in a moment…”

 

Yan Qingshuang groaned softly, burying her head deeper into the pillow. Sweat soaked through her inner garment, causing it to cling to her outer robe, leaving a large, dark stain across her back.

 

Trembling uncontrollably, Jian Li felt utterly helpless, her eyes wide with terror as she huddled at the very edge of the bed, a small, frightened ball.