The Villainess Always Tries to Seduce Me - Chapter 9

“Afraid,” Yun Chuanzhi answered.

The girl’s unwavering gaze pierced Bai Fenghuo’s eyes, her frankness leaving her speechless.

“Oh? I can’t see it,” Bai Fenghuo paused, then smiled, her lips curving into a crescent moon shape, stained with a vivid crimson. “Lying to this venerable one will cost you your life.”

I forgot to act, Yun Chuanzhi thought guiltily, lowering her gaze. Cui Ergou, a naive Immortal Servant who had never seen such bloodshed, should have screamed at the sight.

But Bai Fenghuo already knew she wasn’t Cui Ergou. Pretending now would be futile; this question was likely just an attempt to intimidate her.

What a cruel person, Yun Chuanzhi thought, pressing her lips together.

“This humble servant isn’t lying,” Yun Chuanzhi shook her head. Though she wasn’t trembling with fear, she still felt a flutter of panic at the prospect of death.

Suddenly remembering something, she reached up and moved Bai Fenghuo’s hand from her neck, pressing it instead against her chest.

“See? My heart is racing.”

Bai Fenghuo hadn’t expected this. Only when she felt the frantic, relentless thumping beneath her palm did she realize something was amiss.

It wasn’t as if no one had ever tried to seduce her before. Despite her infamous reputation, Bai Fenghuo was still the sect leader. Many bold, beautiful Immortal Servants had dared to seek her favor, offering themselves in all shapes and sizes, their skin like warm jade, their bodies fragrant and soft.

Compared to those others, the girl’s body felt uninteresting, even withered to the touch. Only the palm of her hand retained a hint of softness.

Yet, for some reason, Bai Fenghuo’s palm began to burn from that single soft spot, perhaps because the girl’s small heart was beating with such vibrant life, or perhaps because the girl had pressed her hand down with such unwavering confidence, her gaze devoid of any flirtation or flattery.

The more indifferent the girl seemed, the more uncomfortable Bai Fenghuo became. The heat surged from her palm to her cheeks, and she abruptly yanked her hand back.

Her swirling sleeve transformed into a whip, leaving a red welt across Yun Chuanzhi’s hand. Yun Chuanzhi yelped, wincing in pain.

“From now on, you are forbidden to touch me without my permission,” Bai Fenghuo snapped, turning her back swiftly to conceal her anger.

Yet she ultimately refrained from further tormenting Yun Chuanzhi. Instead, she raised her hand, clearing the scattered rocks and bloodstains from the ground. In a flash of violet light, the chaotic cave was restored to its original emptiness.

The wounds on her own body vanished as well. Her disheveled hair was gathered behind her head with a jade hairpin, leaving only three strands to drift freely in the wind, lending her a rare air of immortal grace.

“It’s late. Return to your quarters,” Bai Fenghuo said, turning to leave. But when she glanced back and saw Yun Chuanzhi standing forlornly in the corner, her mouth opened slightly.

Bai Fenghuo had feigned a relapse of her old illness today to test this little slave, wanting to see if she would take advantage of her unconsciousness. She never expected to stumble upon an assassination attempt, let alone that this slave would actually intervene to protect him.

However, the sincerity of her actions remained uncertain. If she was truly cunning, she might have sensed her test and deliberately staged this performance.

Even if it was just an act for her benefit, it meant she posed no immediate threat. She decided to keep her around for now, confident that her true colors would eventually surface with time.

“Here, yours,” Bai Fenghuo said, tossing several dull, lifeless spirit stones to Yun Chuanzhi. After Yun Chuanzhi caught them, Bai Fenghuo tapped one with her fingertip.

A brilliant purple light erupted from within the stone, and the previously inert stones began to pulse, transforming into animated stone figurines that hopped and danced.

“As my personal Immortal Servant, you must possess some self-defense capabilities,” Bai Fenghuo said coolly. “From now on, these puppets will be imbued with spiritual energy, offering you some protection.”

Yun Chuanzhi’s face lit up with joy. Just as she was about to thank him, the woman turned and stepped into the void. The air rippled like water, and when the ripples subsided, she had vanished without a trace.

Yun Chuanzhi’s words caught in her throat, finally escaping as an exasperated sigh.

It’s almost midnight! Could you at least give me a ride back?!

Exhausted from her half-night ordeal, Yun Chuanzhi finally returned to Spring Encounter Pavilion as dawn began to break.

Ignoring her injuries and grime, she collapsed into bed in the dark, sleeping soundly until the world seemed to spin. When she awoke, her body felt like it had been disassembled, every muscle aching and weak.

A cool breeze drifted through the window, carrying the scent of unknown blossoms. Outside, the sun blazed high in the sky, and the trees, which had only sprouted tender buds the night before, now stood lush and verdant, their vibrant green almost blinding.

Yun Chuanzhi lay sprawled on the couch, staring out the window for a long while before finally leaping up.

Weren’t we supposed to be waiting outside Bai Fenghuo’s door by dawn? What time is it now?!

She hopped on one foot as she slipped on her shoes, then poked her head out the window. Petals fluttered down like rain as she saw the sun already hanging directly overhead.

It’s noon already! I’ve missed serving Bai Fenghuo’s morning routine. I wonder how he’ll react.

Yun Chuanzhi squinted in the sunlight for a moment before staggering back to the couch, stretching her aching body into a wide-armed sprawl.

Ah, I’m so tired.

A knock sounded at the door. Ling Shui, dressed in white, entered, her clear, water-like eyes sweeping over Yun Chuanzhi with a complex expression.

“Time to eat,” Ling Shui said, setting down the food box she carried. She then retrieved a smooth porcelain bottle from her sleeve and placed it on the table. “The Sect Leader instructed me to prepare this.”

“She said you’ll likely be injured often in the future, so she’s arranged for you to receive a bottle of healing Bl00d Pills from the Medical Immortal at the beginning of each month. This way, you won’t have to keep asking her for them.”

Yun Chuanzhi sat up, still wearing the tattered clothes from yesterday. The fabric tore further with the movement, slipping off her shoulder to reveal the shoulder beneath, now covered in bruises.

Ling Shui lowered her head and coughed softly, as if trying to hide something.

With a flick of her wrist, a set of brand-new clothes appeared beside Yun Chuanzhi. “These are your Immortal Servant attire. Change into them after taking the pill.”

“Don’t wander around the sect looking like this. It’ll only invite gossip.”

Her tone was awkward, but Yun Chuanzhi didn’t pick up on the underlying meaning. She simply assumed that cultivators valued propriety and disliked slovenly appearances. Smiling, she thanked Ling Shui.

Yun Chuanzhi climbed out of bed, picked up a Bl00d Pill, and placed it in her mouth. The pill dissolved instantly into a cool, slightly bitter liquid that filled her mouth before she swallowed it.

Even the most ordinary items from the Qianyuan Realm were treasures. The wounds on Yun Chuanzhi’s body visibly began to heal.

Perhaps due to taking medicinal pills for several consecutive days, as her wounds healed, Yun Chuanzhi’s originally rough skin gradually became smoother and more delicate, appearing quite fair in the sunlight.

Unaccustomed to avoiding others, she began changing her clothes directly in front of Ling Shui, asking as she did so, “I couldn’t get up today. Did the Sect Leader not blame me?”

“He was angry at first,” Ling Shui replied, standing rigidly upright, her posture as taut as the pine tree outside the window. “He even smashed a set of teacups. But her anger didn’t last long.”

“The Sect Leader said you’re young and frail, and you were genuinely exhausted last night. Even if you haven’t earned merit, you’ve certainly endured hardship.”

Ling Shui’s gaze fell on Yun Chuanzhi, who had already half-removed her inner robe, exposing her slender collarbones and waist to the gentle breeze. Though the medicinal pills had smoothed over most of her wounds, faint red marks still lingered, their indistinctness only adding to their secretive allure.

Ling Shui’s face flushed crimson. She quickly averted her eyes, turning to gaze out the window, cleared her throat, and spoke softly.

“You won’t be punished today. But if you ever slack off again, I’ll torment you until you beg her for mercy in tears.”