The Sickly Beauty and Her Guide Leopard - Chapter 3

Jian Li clutched her sore, fluffy rear, tears welling in her eyes as she meowed pitifully, “Miao~ Miao~ Miao~”

Her cries were utterly tragic and heartrending.

She glanced around and saw that the cultivators who had been about to attack her had already sheathed their weapons and were now standing aside, leisurely watching the spectacle.

Each of them pressed their lips together, suppressing laughter. If their clan leader hadn’t been present, they would have swarmed around to tease this seemingly harmless little creature.

After all, no one could resist fluffiness.

For the first time, Jian Li felt an overwhelming urge to grind her teeth and bite someone.

Treating someone else’s suffering as a joke?

She wanted to bite every single one of them.

Zhao Yu strode forward, gathering warm spiritual energy in her palm. With a decisive move, she pried open Yan Qingshuang’s mouth and forced a hemostatic pill inside.

Jian Li silently crawled to Yan Qingshuang’s side, not uttering a sound.

Zhao Yu rolled up her sleeves, her fingertips resting on Yan Qingshuang’s wrist. Spiritual energy flowed along the meridians, coursing through her limbs and bones.

“Her breathing is erratic, her meridians are unstable, and her Dantian… is empty.”

Upon hearing this, Jian Li immediately grew anxious. “I’m worried.”

She couldn’t shake the feeling that the more severely Yan Qingshuang was injured, the more time, effort, and Spirit Stones she would have to expend in the future.

Zhao Yu glanced at Jian Li, noticing the little creature’s worried expression. It almost seems sentient, she thought, and asked, “What’s your relationship with her?”

“Master-servant,” Jian Li replied, though she knew Zhao Yu wouldn’t understand meow-speak.

“Meow, meow, meow. I don’t understand.”

Then why did you ask?!

Jian Li’s tail twitched in frustration. She secretly appealed to the System: “Do you have any items that would let me speak human language temporarily?”

“Yes, Host, but you can’t afford them.”

In the System’s shop, the “24-Hour Language Talisman” was priced at 100 Spirit Stones.

Highway robbery.

Left with no other option, Jian Li desperately tried to figure out which meow sound would convey her meaning.

Zhao Yu ordered her attendants to carry Yan Qingshuang into the inner chamber.

Yan Qingshuang’s consciousness flickered. She barely managed to pry her eyelids open a sliver, the setting sun casting its golden rays across her deathly pale, almost translucent face.

Enduring the excruciating pain, she used secret voice transmission to whisper a few words.

Zhao Yu’s movements froze. Her gaze darkened as she slowly wiped the bl00d from her hands.

This child has grown up. On the verge of death, she had come seeking help, using her last reserves of spiritual energy just to say, “Thank you, Aunt Zhao.”

Years ago, Zhao Yu and Yan Qingshuang’s mother had both been disciples of Wending Peak in the Tianyan Sect.

The old friend was gone, and now her child’s fate hung in the balance.

Zhao Yu had treated patients with shattered Dantians before. The usual procedure involved marrow cleansing and bone regeneration to remove residual medicinal toxins and lingering spiritual energy fragments.

Yan Qingshuang’s case was unique. She possessed the rare Sword Bone Physique, a condition that made her increasingly susceptible to bloodline rejection as her cultivation level rose.

Even if she could resume cultivation, she would require Spiritual Energy of extreme purity—traditional Spiritual Energy would be insufficient.

At best, it could only keep her alive.

As Zhao Yu pondered this, something suddenly bumped against her leg.

Seeing Yan Qingshuang being carried away, Jian Li’s neck tensed with anxiety. Without a second thought, she rammed her head into Zhao Yu.

“Meow!” Big sister, what are you spacing out for?! Are you going to save her or not?!

Zhao Yu’s voice turned icy. “You’re not her Contracted Spiritual Beast. Her Golden Core was extracted, yet you remain unharmed?”

Her gaze sharpened as she suddenly seized Jian Li by the tail, her voice harsh. “Who exactly are you?!”

Jian Li was immediately hoisted upside down, her bells jingling wildly as she howled in terror.

This Zhao Yu, despite her delicate appearance, had lived for centuries and disciplined others with a severity that made school principals seem mild in comparison.

Nightmare come to life, huh?!

Jian Li wailed inwardly: Even if I wanted to reveal my identity, would you even understand?!

Seeing the genuine tears in Jian Li’s eyes, Zhao Yu loosened her grip and set her down.

Jian Li collapsed onto the ground with a thud, her tail throbbing with numbness.

“Come,” Zhao Yu said. “Let’s go see her.”

Jian Li remained silent, crouching low and growling softly.

An apology? Just because I’m an animal, I don’t deserve respect?

This truly is a world where the strong prey on the weak… Jian Li lowered her tail and silently followed Zhao Yu, muttering under her breath to the retreating figure, “Just you wait. The Little Leopard never forgets a grudge. Even if it takes ten years, I’ll make you taste this bitterness one day!”

As they approached the main hall, Jian Li’s anxiety surged again, her mind consumed by Yan Qingshuang’s injuries. Her entire fortune—a hundred million spirit stones—hinged on the woman’s fate.

In the spacious hall, cultivators lined up for consultations and medicine, the air thick with the lingering fragrance of medicinal herbs. Jian Li twitched her small nose, drawing curious glances. A bit socially awkward, she felt strangely embarrassed by the sudden attention.

Stealing glances from the corner of her eye, she realized they wanted to pet her. If that’s the case, then go ahead and look! I’m so adorable, everyone loves me. Jian Li lifted her chin, deliberately slowing her pace to feign composure.

Amidst the clamor of voices, she precisely caught the name “Yan Qingshuang.”

“Yesterday, Young Mistress Meng declared that Yan Qingshuang had harmed both herself and others. Yuheng Palace will no longer support the Tianyan Sect’s bid to lead the Immortal Alliance.”

Another cultivator chimed in, his tone accusatory, “Serves her right for such wicked deeds! Her greed was insatiable, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. She deserved to have her core extracted by a Monster Beast!”

“Truly, you can’t judge a book by its cover. She appeared pure and virtuous, but her heart is as black as night.”

“However, Yuheng Palace plans to choose a new consort for Young Mistress Meng.”

Young Mistress Meng, Meng Ruoyi, was none other than Yan Qingshuang’s current fiancée.

Jian Li listened intently, her ears drooping slightly as a strange sense of melancholy washed over her.

She knew that the villain would eventually return to the righteous path and become a good person.

Yet hearing the future “good person” Yan Qingshuang being gossiped about like this gave her the unsettling feeling that her mission had failed.

Suddenly, a crash of shattering porcelain erupted!

Jian Li snapped back to attention.

A masked cultivator demanded of the trio, “Is what you’re saying true?!”

“Y-yes, it’s true…”

The masked cultivator threw back his head and laughed wildly before sweeping his sleeve and hurrying away.

“Hey! You broke a medicine bottle! You have to pay for that!” the apothecary’s assistant called after him.

Jian Li lowered her head dejectedly, shuffling her paws slowly.

Zhao Yu beckoned the shopkeeper over and said coldly, “Tell those three that we treat injuries and illnesses here, but we can’t cure foul mouths. We refuse to serve them.”

“Add them to the blacklist.”

Jian Li lifted her head in surprise.

Zhao Yu, despite not knowing the full story, was willing to defend Yan Qingshuang. Was he actually a decent person?

The next moment, Zhao Yu clicked his tongue impatiently. “Short legs, keep up.”

“What a jerk!” Jian Li thought, letting out an angry, helpless meow.

The inner chamber was silent and well-soundproofed.

Zhao Yu, finding Jian Li’s bloodstained fur inauspicious, casually cast a Cleansing Spell on her. She then bluntly informed her that people weren’t looking at her because they found her cute, but because they feared a Monster Beast had infiltrated the medical hall.

Jian Li lowered her head and smirked.

No matter. This little leopard can endure—I’m the Ninja God Leopard!

She perched by the bedside, her large eyes fixed unblinkingly on Yan Qingshuang.

Zhao Yu continuously channeled spiritual energy into her, inserting silver needles one after another into her acupoints.

Jian Li noticed that the back wound Yan Qingshuang had sustained while protecting her was slowly healing.

Fine beads of sweat dotted Zhao Yu’s forehead.

After what felt like an eternity, Yan Qingshuang’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she awoke.

Zhao Yu withdrew her hand, saying nothing.

Yan Qingshuang’s lips parted slightly, but she remained silent as well.

An awkward silence hung in the air for a moment. Jian Li, reluctant to disturb the patient, knew she had to speak up to fulfill her mission:

“How are you feeling? Are you alive?”

“Mm, alive.”

Zhao Yu frowned. “Who are you talking to?”

“The Little Snow Leopard.”

“Your Dantian is damaged, and your Golden Core is missing. Who did this to you?”

“I don’t know.”

Zhao Yu was silent for a moment. This child was still the same as when she was young, never bothering others unless absolutely necessary.

She didn’t press the matter, simply saying, “Rest well. If you need anything, just instruct the servants.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Their exchange resembled more of a human-machine Q&A session than a genuine conversation.

Zhao Yu reached the door, then turned back, frowning. “With your spiritual energy completely depleted and your sight gone, this Spiritual Beast might be able to serve as your guide.”

After she left, Jian Li leaped onto the bed and nestled beside Yan Qingshuang, purring slowly, “I’m warm. Let me help you warm up.”

She had long noticed that Yan Qingshuang’s face was cold, and her body felt colder than normal.

“Do as you please.”

“Don’t you like talking?”

“No.”

“Then why don’t you chat more?”

A faint flush finally colored Yan Qingshuang’s lips. “Fear.”

“What a coincidence!” Jian Li leaned closer. “I’m scared too! I can’t talk to strangers. I have social anxiety—I get all uncomfortable in crowded places.”

Yan Qingshuang felt a tickle on her face but lacked the strength to push her away. She could only whisper, “Get away from me.”

Jian Li, puzzled, lifted a corner of the blanket with her paw and said with clear eyes, “It’s okay. You’re very clean. I don’t dislike you.”

A flicker of emotion crossed Yan Qingshuang’s eyes before her expression quickly returned to its usual indifference.

“You mean my clothes.”

“Exactly! The servants changed them for you. You must feel much more comfortable now, right?”

“Yes.”

Jian Li pursed her lips. Well, she’s a patient. It’s normal for her to speak and move less.

But you’re the ultimate villain! Your durability and health bar must be off the charts!

She began stretching, tilting her chin slightly upward and extending her paws forward, “accidentally” brushing against Yan Qingshuang’s hand.

“Ah, sorry! I didn’t mean to.”

Yan Qingshuang’s fingers twitched slightly. “It’s fine.”

“Oh, you’re so kind,” Jian Li said insincerely, suddenly remembering something. “What did you mean earlier when you said, ‘You’re back’?”

“Your scent… it’s somewhat similar to hers.”

“To whom?”

Yan Qingshuang fell silent, seemingly unwilling to discuss her fiancée further.

Jian Li asked the question knowing the answer, still puzzled by how this snow leopard’s scent could resemble Meng Ruoyi’s.

She reasoned optimistically: Maybe this snow leopard met Meng Ruoyi before I transmigrated.

Strangely, the moment Zhao Yu left, the tightness around Jian Li’s neck vanished.

As expected, anger truly is the root of all ills.

Jian Li opened her large, lake-blue eyes, brimming with friendly curiosity. “Are you and Zhao Yu very close?”

“We’re acquainted.”

“No wonder she treats you specially. Oh, you still haven’t told me your name!”

“Yan Qingshuang. Can you read?”

Jian Li eagerly answered, “Not only can I read, but I can even write a poem about your name! Listen: ‘Yan, serene beyond a thousand peaks, Qingshuang, your heart like morning frost.’ What do you think? Doesn’t it sound beautiful?”

Yan Qingshuang paused for a moment before speaking, her voice softening slightly. “Quite erudite.”

“Not really, just a smattering of knowledge.”

Jian Li curled into a ball, awkwardly glancing around.

I shouldn’t have shown off.

In the game, Yan Qingshuang’s biography included this very poem. Jian Li had found it both poetic and memorable, and it had inexplicably stuck in her mind.

She gently brushed her tail against Yan Qingshuang’s fingertips. “Thank you for saving me. That Monster Beast was truly terrifying.”

“It was my leaking Spiritual Energy that attracted the creature, causing you to be frightened.”

“But you were amazing too! Brave little Frost, unafraid of any challenge!”

Jian Li wanted to give a thumbs-up, but could only raise her round, fleshy paw.

Yan Qingshuang lowered her gaze, a faint warmth creeping into the tips of her ears.

Jian Li: Praise the ultimate villainess until she loses herself. [Three-Flowered Cat Head]