After My Faked Death Failed, My Ex-Wife Came Chasing After Me - Chapter 21

Unexpectedly, Lu Ting’an actually found herself enjoying this sensation.

Lu Ting’an tapped the Laughing Buddha pendant against the corner of the small table. It produced a crisp echo, confirming that the Life-Sustaining Pill was undoubtedly inside. Unfortunately, this was a protective talisman personally refined by Lu Qingchen; the talismanic patterns were intricate, and it would require a high-quality immortal sword to pry it open.

Scanning her surroundings, Lu Ting’an picked up the still blood-stained Sui Yue  sword and said apologetically to Lin Zheng, “I’m sorry, I need to borrow your sword for a moment.”

With that, Lu Ting’an squatted on the floor and began a frantic series of pounding, hacking, and chopping at the pendant with Sui Yue . Jade shards rustled as they fell away until finally, a crack appeared, revealing a pill as vivid and red as blood.

Lu Ting’an exhaled a long sigh of relief. She picked up the pill, gently brushed away the debris, and poured a cup of lukewarm water from the nearby teapot. Moving to Lin Zheng’s side, she sat in a kneeling position, her gaze falling upon those lips—now turned pale from being pressed tightly together. For a moment, she didn’t know how to proceed.

…Should she just pour it in? What if Lin Zheng choked?

Suddenly, countless scenes from idol dramas flashed through Lu Ting’an’s mind—the male lead forcing open the female lead’s lips and passing the medicine mouth-to-mouth.

Her hand trembled, freezing in mid-air, not daring to move.

Lu Ting’an stole a glance at Lin Zheng. A person who was usually so powerful and cold now looked as quiet as a wounded little animal. Her eyelashes cast soft shadows, and her breathing was so shallow it was almost inaudible; she was clearly in a deep coma.

She doesn’t know anything right now, so… it should be fine, right?

Lu Ting’an took a deep breath and muttered to herself, “Saving a life is what matters. It’s not like I want to take advantage of her anyway, and she won’t remember when she wakes up.”

Having finished hypnotizing herself, Lu Ting’an held the pill between her lips, using the warm water to dissolve it. She then leaned down and gently pressed against Lin Zheng’s two thin lips.

The contact was soft and warm. The medicinal fragrance was rich, carrying a hint of subtle sweetness that was hard to detect.

Lu Ting’an’s heart gave a violent thud. Unexpectedly, she found herself enjoying the feeling. A reckless thought even flashed through her mind: If Lin Zheng were to wake up right now, what expression would she have?

Before she could think further, she felt Lin Zheng’s throat move slightly, as if instinctively resisting or perhaps trying to swallow.

Lu Ting’an panicked slightly. She couldn’t let their efforts go to waste at this critical juncture. She hurriedly deepened her breath, more gently transferring the dissolved medicine from her mouth to the other woman.

The distance was excessively close; their breaths were entangled.

Once the medicine was completely transferred, Lu Ting’an slowly pulled away. She wiped her mouth, her cheeks flushing a deep red.

For some reason, even though she knew she was saving her, her heart was racing inexplicably. She couldn’t tell if it was secret joy, fear, or a faint sense of anticipation.

Lu Ting’an “sprang” up. As if set on fire, she paced around the room in a fluster, touching things here and there, pretending to be busy while having no idea what she was actually doing.

Once she finally managed to calm her emotions and looked back at the couch, she happened to see Lin Zheng’s fingertips twitch slightly.

Overjoyed, Lu Ting’an sat back down by the couch and supported Lin Zheng’s shoulder, calling out in a low, urgent voice: “Lin Zheng? Lin Zheng, wake up.”

Lin Zheng’s eyelids fluttered before opening just a sliver. She looked at her tiredly and spoke with great difficulty, her voice hoarse: “Why is it you?”

Lu Ting’an was stunned for a moment. “What do you mean ‘why is it me’? Of course it’s me. Otherwise, among those heartless people, who else would bother to save you?”

Lin Zheng seemed somewhat skeptical. “Weren’t you…”

Lu Ting’an knew what she was about to say and quickly interrupted her: “I was going to get reinforcements! You didn’t think that I, the eldest miss of the noble Baiyun Luying Sect, would be scared into a headlong flight by a mere snake demon, did you?”

Lin Zheng stared at her silently for two seconds before stiffly turning her head away. She said, “No matter. It is good that you are unharmed.”

Lu Ting’an’s heart suddenly tightened. Although there wasn’t a hint of blame in Lin Zheng’s tone, she always felt that Lin Zheng was somewhat disappointed. Otherwise, the “Blackening Value” wouldn’t have spiked so high.

“Exactly! You brag every day about being the head disciple of the Baiyun Luying Sect, yet you couldn’t even beat a snake demon. And you still tried to be a hero by taking Jin Youdao’s commission.” Lu Ting’an feigned anger, crossing her arms over her chest and huffing.

Lin Zheng sighed softly and said, “It was not about being a hero. My master’s teachings state that it is the duty of immortal sect disciples to slay demons and eliminate evil.”

Lu Ting’an’s mouth twitched. For the umpteenth time, she criticized Lin Zheng’s stubborn “donkey” temper in her head. She said crossly, “Fine, fine, you understand the teachings best. Now that you’re injured like this, what about the rest of the Sect Examination?”

Lin Zheng struggled to prop up her upper body but failed due to the severity of her injuries. She lay silently on the couch for a long while before finally speaking faintly: “I will do my best.”

Lu Ting’an shook her head helplessly. “Stop pushing yourself. Just rest well. Once your injuries are a bit better, we’ll take you back to the Baiyun Luying Sect.”

Lin Zheng didn’t respond. She just stared at her forearm with a strange expression, then frowned at her: “My poison… how was it cured?”

Lu Ting’an’s words came to a sudden halt. She scratched her head guiltily and said as if nonchalantly, “Ah, maybe your cultivation is profound and you neutralized it yourself.”

Lin Zheng looked at her with an expression reserved for idiots. “That snake demon had a thousand years of cultivation. Without a top-grade detoxification pill, how could it possibly be cured?”

With that, her gaze fell upon the flickering candle lamp at the head of the bed, and she paused slightly. “What is this?”

Lu Ting’an’s expression brightened as she quickly said, “Oh, I forgot to mention. This is something that old fellow Jin Youdao brought out to compensate you. It’s called the ‘Tranquil Breath Restoration Lamp.’ Supposedly it’s very effective for recovering from injuries. Perhaps your poison was cured by it.”

Lin Zheng didn’t answer. She just pursed her lips in confusion, but suddenly felt a trace of bitter-sweet medicinal flavor dissolve on the tip of her tongue, accompanied by a faint scent of tea.

She lightly touched the corner of her lips with her fingertip, her expression dazed for an instant. “What did you give me to eat?”

At the mention of this, the tips of Lu Ting’an’s ears instantly turned crimson. She coughed nervously twice and said, “No—nothing! Just some herbs that Jin Youdao helped brew.”

To hide her guilt, she immediately stood up and said, “You’ve just woken up and are at your weakest. I’ll go down and tell Jin Youdao to brew some more soup to bolster your foundation. Just you wait!”

Having said that, Lu Ting’an bolted out of the room as if escaping, slamming the door with a deafening bang.

Lin Zheng stared blankly at her retreating figure, her heart filled with confusion.

Unfortunately, she had not recovered from her heavy injuries. The energy she had managed to summon quickly dissipated. A mist covered her vision, and a surge of sleepiness overcame her. Ultimately unable to hold on, she slowly drifted into a second deep sleep.

After an unknown amount of time.

In a daze, someone seemed to be calling her name softly. Lin Zheng knitted her brows and forced her eyelids open. Once her vision cleared, she saw Jin Youdao standing by the bed holding a steaming bowl of medicinal soup, smiling with an air of sycophancy. “Oh, Immortal Lin, you’re finally awake! I brewed this soup to bolster your foundation myself; I simmered it for a long time! It’s best for healing. Please drink some before you sleep.”

Lin Zheng looked behind him and asked, “Where is Lu Ting’an?”

Jin Youdao paused, then hurriedly said, “Immortal Lu just went out! She should be back soon. Immortal Lin, please drink your medicine first, otherwise Immortal Lu won’t let me hear the end of it when she returns!”

Lin Zheng had a headache from his noise. Unfortunately, she had no strength, so she could only gesture toward the small table with her chin. “Leave it there. Thank you for your trouble.”

“Yes, yes, of course.” Jin Youdao put the medicine down and wiped the sweat from his forehead, finally sighing in relief. He turned to leave, but Lin Zheng suddenly called out to him: “Wait!”

Jin Youdao shivered in fright, thinking he had failed in his service again. He turned back quickly and asked, “Does Immortal Lin have further instructions?”

Lin Zheng pondered for a long while before pointing to the Tranquil Breath Restoration Lamp at the bedside. “Is this object the treasure of your establishment?”

Jin Youdao nodded and said pleasingly, “Precisely. This lamp has the effect of calming the soul, nourishing the spirit, and sustaining one’s Qi. Treating mere external injuries is a simple matter for it. It is perfect for helping Immortal Lin recover.”

Lin Zheng asked, “Can this lamp… cure snake venom?”

Jin Youdao froze, shaking his head hesitantly. “As for that, I am ignorant and have never heard of such a thing. It likely does not possess that specific power.”

Lin Zheng’s expression suddenly stiffened, filled with disbelief.

“…In that case, my thanks to the Hall Master.”