Transmigrated Into The Arms Of The Heroine Of A Sadistic Novel - Chapter 81

Hearing the sigh from the cat in her arms, the darkened version of ChangXin lowered her gaze at it. After a moment of silence, she suddenly asked,

“You want most to see how I killed ‘Blood Leopard,’ don’t you?”

Lin Yanyu had been curious at first but now, she no longer wanted to see it.

In truth, she had always known: whether ChangXin regained her past memories or not didn’t matter much. Since Xiao Xianyi had already used the Starfall Sword to reclaim the memories of his previous life, he certainly wouldn’t repeat his past mistakes. Whether it was the original text of the novel she once read, or the fragments of memory within the white jade, none of it had reference value anymore.

What truly mattered were the many spells and battle strategies left behind by Feng Funing they were the real key to turning the tide.

So, she shook her head, tugged lightly at the dark ChangXin’s sleeve with her claws, and looked up at her, signaling that she wished to leave.

She didn’t know how many days this dream had lasted but it was time to return to the real Chang Xin’s side.

Meeting her glowing green eyes, the dark ChangXin’s gaze flickered with a trace of disappointment. She gently stroked the cat’s back, reluctant to let go.

“Very well, you should go back,” she murmured softly. “You know what should be told and what should not.”

Lin Yanyu nodded.

“Are Yang Hengyu and Ye Yaozhi still alive?”

When the cat nodded again, the dark Chang Xin said coolly,

“Keep an eye on both of them. They are of the same path. Until their master servant blood pact is dissolved, do not trust Ye Yaozhi again.”

Lin Yanyu had faintly suspected as much, but hearing her say it herself made her take it seriously. She wanted to tell her that she’d already asked the Island Lord of Que Ling to watch that foolish wolf closely but when she opened her mouth, what came out was:

“Meow- ow- mi-”

Lin Yanyu: “……”

Right. She’d forgotten she was still under the “speech ban” spell.

The dark ChangXin suddenly laughed a bright, almost unhinged laugh, as if some strange switch had been turned on. She hugged the cat and laughed nonstop, her shoulders trembling.

Listening to her laughter, Lin Yanyu suddenly felt a pang of sadness for her. She reached out a paw to touch the woman’s cheek lightly, trying to nuzzle into her arms as she would with the real ChangXin but a hand pressed against her forehead, stopping her.

“Go back,” the dark ChangXin said softly. “And… thank you.”

She was a reserved person; even her gratitude was concise.

As light gathered in her hand, Lin Yanyu gave a final “meow” of farewell. Then a blinding white light flared before her eyes, forcing them shut.

When she opened them again

She saw Tan ChangXin sitting by the bed, worry written all over her face.

“How long was I asleep?” was Lin Yanyu’s first question.

“Exactly one day,” Tan ChangXin answered. “Why did you come out so soon?”

Lin Yanyu remembered the dark ChangXin’s warning and mixed truth with falsehood as she replied:

“Actually, there weren’t that many battle related memories in that jade tablet. So the other you only showed me the useful ones.”

Tan ChangXin trusted her completely. She looked surprised, then carefully asked:

“If that’s so… why were you crying?”

“Crying?”

Lin Yanyu blinked and raised her hand indeed, her fingers came away wet. The tears were still fresh.

She had never imagined that she would cry over someone else’s past life memories.

The isolation barrier in the room was still up. Lin Yanyu sat up, sorting through what she’d seen in the illusion, then suddenly asked:

“You haven’t gone out, have you?”

When Tan Chang Xin shook her head, an unease stirred in Lin Yanyu’s chest.

“The other you told me to keep a close eye on Ye Yaozhi,” Lin Yanyu said, leaping off the bed to put on her shoes. “Let’s go check on her!”

The banyan tree dwellings of the Feather Clan were already heavily guarded and after Lin Yanyu and Tan Chang Xin had asked the Island Lord for help, an extra patrol had been assigned.

Before leaving, Lin Yanyu glanced at the night sky. It was around one or two in the morning the patrol’s most relaxed hour.

Que Ling Island wasn’t like the demon realm; it didn’t have a complete barrier preventing entry or exit. If Ye Yaozhi wanted to sneak away now, while they stayed in, it wasn’t impossible.

They went first to Ye Yaozhi’s quarters. They knocked several times, but no one answered. Lin Yanyu sent out her spiritual energy no signs of life.

“She’s not here.”

Lin Yanyu sniffed the air, then turned abruptly. “She’s just left the scent’s still fresh. She never bothers to mask it. I can find her.”

Tan Chang Xin exhaled in relief and followed her down the vine ladder beneath the banyan dwellings.

“Where would she run to?”

“Not sure yet,” Lin Yanyu replied. “We need to figure out her motive first. But she probably wouldn’t go back to Yang Hengyu unless she’s been faking her amnesia.”

Tan Chang Xin nodded and stayed silent, quickening her pace.

The night deepened as they neared the edge of the island. Under the moonlight, they could faintly see the poisonous mist hovering above the waters.

The heavy damp air interfered with Lin Yanyu’s sense of smell, but she could still tell Ye Yaozhi was nearby. She spread her spiritual energy wide, sweeping the area in a net-like search.

Before long, a thread of energy came back carrying Ye Yaozhi’s aura. Lin Yanyu brightened but before she could take two steps, she heard the sound of something heavy plunging into the water.

“She fell in! Save the wolf!!”

Her ears perked sharply, and she lunged forward but Tan Chang Xin was already ahead of her, darting toward the sound.

When they pulled Ye Yaozhi from the water, her face was deathly pale, and she coughed up water laced with blood.

They carried her away from the mist. Tan Chang Xin fed her an antidote pill, while Lin Yanyu used fire magic to dry her soaked clothes.

“What couldn’t be said properly that you had to jump into the water?” Lin Yanyu sighed.

Ye Yaozhi sat slumped beneath a tree root, drooping ears and a wet tail clutched in her arms, saying nothing.

“You feared that once ‘Blood Leopard’ reappeared, he’d seize control of you again through the blood pact and that you’d bring harm to us, didn’t you?” Tan ChangXin asked gently. “Because your servant pact with Yang Hengyu isn’t yet dissolved.”

“…Yes.”

After a long silence, Ye Yaozhi finally spoke. “I’m sorry… I was reckless to ever form a pact with such a human…”

“You needn’t blame yourself. Even without amnesia, it was because of Yang Hengyu’s mother’s venom that you made that blood contract,” Lin Yanyu comforted. “Enough let’s go back, take a hot bath, sleep, and stop overthinking.”

Ye Yaozhi didn’t answer. She buried her face deep into her tail.

“I’m sorry, my lady…” she murmured. “The truth is… I’m not as loyal as you think. Keeping me by your side… will only hurt you one day…”

Lin Yanyu patted her shoulder seriously.

“You’ve been feeling confused lately, haven’t you? Like you can’t tell right from wrong, and sometimes you just want to hurt others and even… enjoy being hurt yourself?”

Ye Yaozhi’s ears shot up. She looked at Lin Yanyu in shock.

“Your mind’s been poisoned,” Lin Yanyu said with certainty. “You’re sick, that’s all. If you’re willing, we can find an exorcist skilled in mental arts to implant a gentle suggestion help you heal slowly. Would that be okay?”

But Ye Yaozhi’s eyes went vacant. She suddenly clutched her head, burying her face against her knees, and sobbed.

“Her shadow… Yang Hengyu’s shadow is still in my memories…” she cried. “Even though it’s faded, I still dream of the blood pact mark it keeps reminding me of her. I can’t remember her clearly, but I know… I miss her. I want to see her. But she’s your enemy, so I must be her enemy too…”

Lin Yanyu hadn’t expected that. She stared blankly at Tan Chang Xin, then asked uncertainly,

“So… this is what you meant by ‘not loyal’?”

Ye Yaozhi didn’t dare look up. She only nodded and whispered another “I’m sorry.”

“Yang Hengyu has been captured she’s being held by the Feng clan and won’t be executed soon,” Tan Chang Xin said. “If you truly wish to see her…”

“I don’t!” Ye Yaozhi interrupted. “I can’t betray my lady again! Please you must have a way to erase all my memories, right? Please.”

“But even if the blood pact isn’t dissolved, you’ll still sense ‘her shadow,’” Lin Yanyu said softly and then realization struck. She sighed, eyes softening. “So you wanted to die… to free yourself?”

She’d never experienced such torment, but she could understand what it meant to live on burdened with guilt, always near the person you’d failed.

Ye Yaozhi nodded weakly and curled in on herself again.

“Why must you insist on keeping me alive?” she murmured. “A sinner like me should die to end all danger…”

“Pah! Who’s the lady here, you or me?” Lin Yanyu snapped. “Sinner or not, as long as you haven’t done anything unforgivable, if you’re truly repentant and want to change, why must death be the only answer? Stop imagining things I’d never do, and stop running off to die on your own that’s what causes me trouble. Understand?”

“If you want to see Yang Hengyu, that’s not betrayal not really. But for now, we have to go to Lianzhou first, deal with ‘Blood Leopard,’ and then take you to see her.”

Ye Yaozhi’s eyes brightened slightly at that, so Lin Yanyu continued,

“While we’re gone, you’ll stay here on Que Ling Island, under the Island Lord’s protection. Even if you dream of Yang Hengyu, it’s fine. If you miss her, you can even write it down your dreams, your thoughts. If you don’t have enough blank spirit paper, I’ll give you some…”

“Yanyu,” Tan Chang Xin suddenly interrupted, “let’s head back first. It’s cold at night, and she’s just fallen into the water. Your fire can’t dry what’s underneath anyway.”

“……”

Lin Yanyu immediately understood what “underneath” meant, blushing furiously. She dispelled the flames and stood up.

“Right… then let’s listen to my wife and go back first. You can take a bath and change too.”

But no sooner had she spoken than she felt a sharp tug on her tail.

“Oh? Since when am I your ‘wife’?” Tan ChangXin’s voice came low and teasing by her ear.