The Sickly Beauty and Her Guide Leopard - Chapter 28

Yan Qingshuang carried Jian Li out, noticing she felt heavier than usual. “Not angry anymore? I’ll help you bathe.”

Jian Li handed over a plain wooden box. “What’s inside this?”

Yan Qingshuang took the box and placed it back where it belonged. “Just an old thing. I’ll brew some herbal medicine for you later. It’ll be a bit bitter.”

Knowing she’d have to take medicine, Jian Li’s heart sank. “I don’t want to take medicine,” she groaned. “And don’t give me that ‘bitter medicine is good for you’ nonsense. It doesn’t work on me.”

Yan Qingshuang: “Alright, no medicine.”

Being held in Yan Qingshuang’s arms, Jian Li’s anger began to dissipate. “Have you washed your hands? You were touching everything when you were looking for me, and the ground was covered in dust.”

Yan Qingshuang wiped Jian Li’s body. “I used a Cleansing Spell.”

Jian Li sensed something was off with Yan Qingshuang. After finding her, Yan Qingshuang seemed unusually subdued.

No way… Does she think I’m taking advantage of her blindness? Jian Li asked softly, “I’m not angry anymore. I’ll give you a chance to explain your relationship with Wu Yun.”

Yan Qingshuang replied calmly, “We were just friends. That’s all there was to it when we were kids.”

Jian Li: “Then… you shared underwear?”

Yan Qingshuang’s lips curved into a smile. “Only you would believe that.”

Jian Li waved her paw in front of Yan Qingshuang’s face. “You’re not happy, are you, Little Shuang?”

“I’m fine,” Yan Qingshuang replied, taking Jian Li’s paw and tucking it against her chest. She meticulously cleaned the entire leopard, leaving her own clothes soaking wet in the process.

“It’s such a shame to get such a beautiful outfit wet,” Jian Li remarked.

“It’s just clothes,” Yan Qingshuang said dismissively.

Jian Li’s body felt comfortable, but her heart was troubled. She frowned. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you suddenly acting so moody?”

Yan Qingshuang gently rubbed her ear. “I’m sorry. I was just thinking about things I shouldn’t have.”

Seeing Yan Qingshuang wasn’t going to elaborate, Jian Li didn’t press further. However, she remained adamant about refusing the medicine. It was too bitter and would make her faint.

Yan Qingshuang made her intentions clear. She removed her outer robe and pulled Jian Li onto the bed, embracing her.

The sudden, soft, and irresistible kiss, combined with the familiar, subtle fragrance that pierced Jian Li’s heart, sent her bl00d rushing to her head. Her eyes widened.

Already weakened by illness and exhausted from their earlier tussle, Jian Li’s eyelids were heavy, longing to sleep until the world ended.

But now, her vision was filled with the sight of snow-capped mountains and crimson plum blossoms. Her drowsiness vanished, her heart pounding at an absurd rate. Her tongue twisted into knots as she stammered, “T-too… too close, don’t you think?”

Yan Qingshuang hummed. “Mmm, it’s warm.”

Jian Li: “Huh? You’re just doing this to keep yourself warm?”

Yan Qingshuang ruffled her hair and pulled her closer. “What are you saying? You have a cold right now. If you don’t stay warm, what if you develop a fever?”

Why is she so soft…? Jian Li’s mind swam in confusion, as disoriented as if she had a fever.

Even with Yan Qingshuang’s explanation, Jian Li’s heart continued to hammer against her chest, each beat a painful reminder.

Terrified Yan Qingshuang might hear it, she struggled to pull herself away from the fragrant, comforting embrace.

Under Yan Qingshuang’s puzzled gaze, Jian Li burrowed under the covers, not even her head showing. Her muffled voice emerged from beneath the blanket: “I’m warm enough like this. Don’t hug me in bed anymore.”

Yan Qingshuang paused. “Why not?”

Jian Li: “It’s just… uncomfortable. You’re… you’re too big. It’s suffocating.”

Yan Qingshuang lowered her eyes and reached out to feel around. “And this isn’t suffocating?”

Knowing she was in the wrong, Jian Li curled into a ball under the covers. At least her heart was no longer being tortured. Through the layers of blankets, she mumbled, “Stop asking about the Little Snow Leopard.”

Yan Qingshuang: “Come out. I won’t touch you.”

Jian Li muttered, “Really?”

Yan Qingshuang patted her. “My word is my bond.”

With Yan Qingshuang’s promise, Jian Li lifted a corner of the blanket and looked up at her. “Have you activated your Spiritual Sense?”

Yan Qingshuang: “No.”

That means she can’t see me, Jian Li thought, letting out a silent sigh of relief. Otherwise, Yan Qingshuang would surely tease her about her violently twitching ears.

Jian Li voluntarily placed her paw pad in Yan Qingshuang’s hand and suggested, “We could hold hands while we sleep.”

Yan Qingshuang gently squeezed her paw pad. “Alright.”

The night was indeed quite cold. Deep autumn was approaching, and winter wouldn’t be far behind.

Jian Li relaxed completely, her mind wandering aimlessly from one thought to another. Eventually, she drifted off to sleep with the unexpected idea of earning 2,000 Spirit Stones.

When she woke again, the scent of medicinal herbs filled the air. Herbs?

Fully alert, she opened her eyes, though her vision remained blurry. Her head felt heavier than a stone, too heavy to lift. Dazed, she asked, “Where’s Little Shuang?”

Yan Qingshuang leaned closer. “Hmm?”

Jian Li: “What happened to me?”

Yan Qingshuang: “You had a fever last night. I brought you here to Junior Sister Chang for a check-up.”

Jian Li frowned in disgust. “I don’t want to take medicine.”

Chang Chi, who was preparing to inject Spiritual Power to heal Jian Li, asked, “What did she say?”

Yan Qingshuang translated, “She doesn’t want to take medicine.”

Chang Chi grinned mischievously. “Aiyo, that’s perfect! I love sick beasts who hate medicine.”

What’s she implying? Jian Li wondered, unable to immediately grasp the hidden meaning.

Chang Chi exchanged a glance with Yan Qingshuang, who then placed Jian Li on her lap, positioning her face down.

“Huh?” Jian Li exclaimed.

Before she could react, a needle pierced her buttock, causing her to yowl in pain.

“You bastard! You actually stabbed me with a needle! Little Shuang, how could you betray me like this?”

Yan Qingshuang said apologetically, “I’m sorry, Xiao Li. I was just worried about you. Next time, we won’t use medicine or needles.”

This wasn’t like modern medicine, where a single penicillin shot could cure a fever or cold. Here, multiple silver needles were inserted into the flesh, supplemented by Spiritual Power therapy.

Jian Li’s sharp tongue lashed out. “Chang Chi, your medical skills are pathetic! You don’t even know gentler treatments! Quack! With your incompetence, you’ll never become a Medical Saint! It hurts! It hurts so much!”

Chang Chi’s ears rang with Jian Li’s increasingly loud yowls. Sensing the criticism, she remembered the Red Fruits and asked, “I’d like to buy ten more of those fruits from you.”

Ten? At a thousand Spirit Stones each, ten would cost ten thousand! There wasn’t even time to consider whether Yan Qingshuang needed the Red Fruits.

Jian Li instantly felt no pain. Bathed in the warmth of ten thousand Spirit Stones, her little mouth dripped with honeyed words.

“Little Shuang! Tell her! She’s the most beautiful physician in the world, with nimble hands and a kind heart. I have nothing but these Red Fruits—take as many as you need!”

Yan Qingshuang truthfully conveyed Jian Li’s words. Chang Chi couldn’t believe she was seen as so perfect in Jian Li’s eyes.

At least the ear-splitting meows had transformed into gentle, flattering purrs.

With Jian Li’s full cooperation, the treatment was completed.

Jian Li showered Chang Chi with praise for her peerless medical skills, then swiftly typed into her Spirit Mirror:

10000

Chang Chi finally understood. “Ah, so you were waiting for me here.”

She paid promptly, and Jian Li handed over the last ten fruits.

Jian Li now possessed 12,645 Spirit Stones, nearly overwhelmed by the sheer joy of it all.

But the question still needed asking:

What are Red Fruits used for?

Chang Chi’s face flushed crimson, thinking of the person she had shared intimacy with in her dream. Feeling guilty, she stammered, “Why are you asking so many questions, kid? They’re for Pill Refining! Pill Refining!”

Jian Li tilted her head, puzzled. “Pill Refining is Pill Refining. Why is your face as red as a monkey’s butt?”

“I’m not sure either, Junior Sister Chang,” Yan Qingshuang replied, “but there’s definitely something different about your face.”

The person in Chang Chi’s dreams still hadn’t revealed their name. The fruit Jian Li had given her only lasted until dawn, so the two spent most of their time cultivating together.

Chang Chi was tormented by this secret, having no one to confide in. Jian Li was too young to understand, and Senior Sister Yan was known for her discretion.

After much hesitation, she finally spoke, “Senior Sister Yan, it’s like this… I have a friend who’s been dreaming about a cultivator for the past two nights, and they’ve been doing… well, some rather embarrassing things.”

Here we go again, the “I have a friend” routine, Jian Li thought, her ears perking up as she sensed gossip in the air. She nestled against Yan Qingshuang’s lap, listening intently.

Yan Qingshuang stroked Jian Li’s back. “It’s only natural to dream about what you think about during the day.”

Chang Chi hesitated. “It’s not quite that simple. My friend doesn’t know the person in her dreams, and they’ve even… uh… cultivated together.”

Yan Qingshuang fell silent, her lips pressed into a thin line. The white silk veil hid her expression from Chang Chi’s view.

Jian Li suddenly felt Yan Qingshuang’s fingers tighten around her neck. “My neck! My neck!” she yelped.

Yan Qingshuang released her grip, cradling Jian Li against her abdomen. “Has your friend’s cultivation improved?”

Chang Chi shook her head in frustration. “That’s the problem. My friend said the man sought dual cultivation to restore his cultivation, but dual cultivation should benefit both parties. In the dream, the man’s complexion clearly improved after each session, while my friend grew increasingly listless.”

Yan Qingshuang: “Excessive energy extraction. She’s being used as a cultivation furnace.”

Chang Chi pondered for a moment. “But the man in the dream seemed quite gentle, and his cultivation didn’t change much.”

Yan Qingshuang rose, picked up her Bamboo Staff, and headed for the door. “Junior Sister, if you discover where this dream man is, come find me. Remember to practice moderation in matters of intimacy.”

Jian Li followed, meowing her farewell.

“Alright, take care on your way,” Chang Chi called out, waving. Her hand froze mid-air as she shouted after their retreating figures, “I told you, she’s my friend!”

Jian Li grinned at Yan Qingshuang. “I have a whole series of ‘friends.’ Did you finally realize your friend is herself?”

Yan Qingshuang replied coolly, “Mm.”

Jian Li disliked her perpetually serious expression. She pressed her two paw pads against Yan Qingshuang’s lips, tugging the corners upward. “Why are you so hot and cold? Are you jealous because I gave all the fruit to others and none to you?”

Yan Qingshuang paused, then leaned close to Jian Li’s neck, inhaling deeply. “You’re still too young to understand.”

Too young? Jian Li tilted her head, pressing her nose against Yan Qingshuang’s, and stubbornly nudged forward. “You’re the one who’s young! Your whole family is young!”

Yan Qingshuang: “Mm, I’m the only one in my family.”

Her response was so decisive that Jian Li couldn’t detect the fleeting moment of distraction in Yan Qingshuang’s eyes, assuming she was perfectly content living alone.

After returning home from Wending Peak on a Celestial Crane, Jian Li insisted on exploring the courtyard late into the night. Yan Qingshuang carried her over.

Jian Li’s little head swiveled this way and that, but she couldn’t find what she was looking for. “Little Shuang, where’s the peach tree?”

Yan Qingshuang pointed to a spot blending into the darkness. “Over there.”

Following the direction, Jian Li strained her eyes. She saw a crooked-necked tree, its bare branches rustling forlornly in the wind.

Jian Li approached for a closer look. “Why is the peach tree so dark? It doesn’t have a single leaf.”

Yan Qingshuang crouched beside her, tilting her head back to gaze at the tree with her. She explained slowly, “Peach trees live for a maximum of thirty years. This one withered and died long ago. It can’t be revived.”