Wanxi Rebirth - Chapter 29

“How are you?!”

When Yue Tingxi arrived in front of Qin Suoliu, she instinctively scanned her from head to toe. Not seeing any blood at first, she sniffed and soon detected the source of the metallic smell.

She immediately helped Qin Suoliu to the empty “Shuiyue Sha” boutique and told Luo Yanzha, “Just borrowing the changing room for a moment,” before hurrying her inside.

“Quickly remove the disguise! I know you’re hurt!” Closing the door of the large ‘Tianzi’ changing room, Yue Tingxi urged, “Is it your abdomen? Any internal organ damage?”

Qin Suoliu hadn’t intended to worry her. After all, she wasn’t skilled in healing techniques, and her physical body couldn’t recover as quickly as it did in the Kaizi Binglun Illusion. She had swallowed pills to stop the bleeding and used her disguise and purification spell to cover the wound, planning to treat it properly at home—but she was discovered anyway.

Covering the wound on her left lower abdomen, she hesitated, asking, “It’s not too serious, the bleeding has stopped. Do you really have to see it, Miss Tingxi?”

“I do have some experience with external injuries,” Yue Tingxi replied. “But if you’re embarrassed, we can head home quickly and let your family’s medical cultivator handle it.”

Suppressing the urge to have Yue Tingxi treat her there, Qin Suoliu said, “Let’s go home first. That pipa musician and your friend aren’t exactly safe at the moment.”

Before dueling the three elders of the Yuqiong Sect to the death, she had secretly left the gray moth to protect Luo Yanzha and the pipa musician; otherwise, even the Tianzi changing room might not have been accessible.

Yue Tingxi’s expression immediately grew serious as she supported Qin Suoliu while sending a sound message: “Could it be that the Yuqiong Sect can’t stand losing and will chase them?”

“It’s not the Yuqiong Sect,” Qin Suoliu shook her head. “Those three elders aren’t important to the sect. They are probably just puppets controlled by someone else.”

Since they were still outside the Qin Mansion, she didn’t elaborate—now wasn’t the time to discuss details.

While in the changing room, Luo Yanzha tried to speak to the pipa musician.

“Where do you plan to go next? Oh, and you still need to redeem yourself from the Red Dust House, right? I can lend you some silver or spirit stones.”

The pipa musician remained silent, staring blankly at the pipa in her hands.

Luo Yanzha assumed she was still recovering from the earlier events—the young Miss of the Qin family truly acted decisively. Before they had even sat down, she had already returned victorious.

Reassuringly, Luo Yanzha said, “Don’t worry. The Miss has already taken care of the people who harmed you! You have a skill you’ve trained in since childhood; earning a living shouldn’t be a problem. If not, you can work at my boutique—I’ll pay you a wage.”

Still silent, the pipa musician continued to avoid responding.

Seeing her lack of reaction, Luo Yanzha wisely fell silent, gently patting her back in comfort.

At that moment, Yue Tingxi and Qin Suoliu came out of the changing room.

“Let’s go back to the Qin Mansion.” Despite reluctance, Qin Suoliu decisively freed herself from Yue Tingxi’s support in front of the others.

She couldn’t let people gossip about Miss Tingxi, especially regarding… her.

If Miss Tingxi also remembered past events like she did, she would likely find the rumors disgusting.

Luo Yanzha, unaware of Qin Suoliu’s thoughts, eagerly brought out a storage pouch: “I have a flying device!”

“No need, you can all ride in my flying carriage,” Qin Suoliu said, heading straight for the teleportation array.

Soon, the luxurious flying carriage rose from the sword platform.

All four seats were taken, but the pipa musician remained silent.

Luo Yanzha worried, glancing at Yue Tingxi: “Do you have any calming pills? I’m really worried about Bailu…”

“Bailu” was the pipa musician’s stage name.

“She does seem unusually quiet,” Yue Tingxi replied uncertainly. “Could she have been drugged or cursed?”

Luo Yanzha preferred not to think that way: “Not necessarily. I think she’s just scared.”

“That’s the Yuqiong Sect’s internal skill, ‘One Day Cold,’” Qin Suoliu explained while meditating. “A normal person can’t endure it. Even a little injected cold energy slows thinking and significantly limits movement and speech.”

“How could this happen?!” Luo Yanzha’s eyes widened, realizing a more important question: “Can it be removed?”

“Either inject fire energy to neutralize it or use water energy as a carrier to carry away the cold. Both methods are extremely painful. Since she’s mortal, improper handling could cause irreversible damage.”

Luo Yanzha went silent again, only occasionally glancing at the Miss with hopeful eyes.

She trusted that Qin Suoliu had a way to save her.

To protect Bailu, she waited until the flying carriage landed at the Qin Mansion and the housekeeper had settled her in a guest room before stopping Yue Tingxi, handing over large rice dumplings and realgar wine: “Here! I knew you’d come, I saved these for you!”

Yue Tingxi hurriedly handed over fruit and mugwort she had prepared.

Watching her old friend eagerly peel and eat the loquats, Yue Tingxi’s tense nerves relaxed, though she remembered how, in the previous life, Luo Yanzha had nearly sacrificed herself to save someone.

“Ah! We should have had a proper drink—well, not realgar wine, just a sip. I also brought better wine. That moment was ruined by scum!” Luo Yanzha sighed. “Next time, when you’re free, we’ll drink and chat properly.”

She hadn’t forgotten that Miss was waiting outside.

“Mm, deal,” Yue Tingxi nodded, following Qin Suoliu out.

“Where to?” she asked. “To remove Bailu’s cold energy?”

“No, first to the library,” Qin Suoliu said. “If Geyun wants revenge, I’ll give her a chance.”

Yue Tingxi recalled how Bailu had been tricked into seeking a master by her friend Geyun, leaving her almost lifeless and at the mercy of He Shen.

If they hadn’t coincidentally run into the elusive Lian Zhaoyao, Geyun would have completely lost her mind, becoming a puppet for He Shen’s whims.

When they brought Bailu to the library, Geyun was practicing the qin with Qin Yingguang.

Since she could attract patrons with her voice, she naturally knew music. But unable to afford a proper instrument or master, she eagerly tried learning with a kind teacher.

Hearing Qin Yingguang exclaim “Sister,” Geyun looked up and instantly saw the woman holding Bailu’s arm.

Geyun’s world suddenly fell silent, her mind buzzing.

When she came to, she realized she had rushed in front of the Miss, her palm tingling and hot, while Bailu’s face bore five marks.

…She had slapped Bailu!

“Miss, spare me!” Geyun instinctively knelt, but before her knees touched the ground, a warm spiritual force lifted her.

“It’s fine. She tricked you and nearly killed you. This is what she deserves,” Qin Suoliu said impassively, placing her before Geyun. “You can handle her, but don’t kill her for now.”

“Sis! Did you… take her out from the Red Dust House?!” Qin Yingguang dropped her qin scores and rushed over, eyes incredulous between Qin Suoliu and Bailu.

Qin Suoliu nodded, letting Geyun cautiously approach Bailu. She explained to her sister: “This person likely colluded with the city official in contact with the Master of the Undead. When interrogated, she’ll be handed to our mother directly.”

The young girl, unfamiliar with such situations, nodded awkwardly.

Remembering how her sister despised the Red Dust House, she also noted Miss’s attitude toward Bailu.

Truthfully, aside from Lian’s wedding night, she had never seen her sister show this expression.

Yue Tingxi noticed the Miss’s slightly rapid breathing but, respecting her strong will, didn’t comment, waiting silently as she turned away.

“…Do you think I’m cold?”

On the way back to the guest room, Qin Suoliu asked softly.

“I’ll explain to Yanzha, and clarify everything with her,” Yue Tingxi replied sincerely. “She saved someone, partly for past business ties, partly because she understands right from wrong as a woman.”

“That’s good…” Qin Suoliu’s knees suddenly buckled.

Hearing her unsteady voice, Yue Tingxi immediately supported her.

“A little cold poison, it’s nothing,” Qin Suoliu coughed lightly, seeming embarrassed. “I didn’t notice it flaring up.”

She had been worrying whether Yue Tingxi would think she was cruel for entrusting the pipa musician to her enemy after nearly risking her life to save her. That mattered more than the poison.

“Shall I help you try my water energy?” Yue Tingxi suggested. “You mentioned it can draw out cold energy. That way, it might hurt for a moment instead of lingering for days.”

“Alright, let’s try,” Qin Suoliu replied without hesitation, sitting up and turning her back.

Since only the two of them were in the room, she wouldn’t refuse her sister’s help.

“Any medicine to numb the pain?” Yue Tingxi asked, concerned.

“No need. Feeling the pain helps me gauge the poison’s expulsion,” Qin Suoliu said. “Don’t worry, I’m prepared.”

Anything related to Miss Tingxi’s care was bearable, even desirable, as a way to purge her sins, even just a little.

—In her past life, she had decided that after leaving the demon realm and avenging Lian Zhaoyao, she would seek Miss Tingxi’s absolution.

The major revenge unfinished, death was not an option—but pain would do.

Yue Tingxi understood her determination and began channeling water energy from behind her back.

Last time, she had been cautious not to harm the Miss while observing her energy, so she hadn’t tried a second time. Now, for expelling cold poison, she was more careful, letting the water energy flow slowly through her meridians without disturbing her fire energy.

The Yuqiong Sect elder’s cold poison concentrated in Qin Suoliu’s left lower abdomen. Even reaching it required effort.

Noticing the chill, Yue Tingxi channeled all nearby water energy to envelop the poison.

“Do you want it expelled through the wound or back the way it came?” she asked.

“Through the wound.”

“That will hurt. Endure it for a bit,” Yue Tingxi warned, guiding the water energy into the already-healed wound.

Qin Suoliu’s breathing grew rapid, and Yue Tingxi slowed the process, letting the energy cut open the wound and carry the poison out through the blood.

The strong smell of blood made her flinch, but Qin Suoliu said, “Don’t worry. I’ll wash up and soak in the spirit pool later.”

Cultivator families and big houses often had spirit pools filled with liquefied spiritual energy. Yue Tingxi had soaked in one during her mountain training and knew its effects. She withdrew her attention from cleaning the blood and focused entirely on drawing out the poison.

Qin Suoliu felt as if she were dying again.

The combination of water energy and fire root made the pain excruciating, like knives slicing through her meridians.

Despite her pride and habit, she remained silent, treating it as a training for her soul.

Eventually, her delicate body could no longer endure. Fainting amidst the painful yet strangely pleasing sensation, she collapsed into Yue Tingxi’s arms.

Yue Tingxi, seeing her fall, had no choice but to stop and stared at her tightly closed eyes.

“…I should’ve given you a numbing pill,” she sighed, retrieving a spirit pill from her pouch. Confirming the label, she gave it to Qin Suoliu.

Expecting resistance—since the past “Azi” hated taking medicine—she was surprised when the fainted Miss swallowed it obediently.

…A bit too obedient.

Yue Tingxi briefly entertained a dangerous thought: if she gave her poison now, would she swallow it too?

Focusing on expelling the poison, she set aside such thoughts and pressed her hand on the wound, lifting layers of purple clothing.

Qin Suoliu vaguely heard voices calling urgently as she fainted.

“Hey! Are you conscious?”

“Save only me…”

She didn’t know if she had said it aloud. When she opened her eyes, her body ached and the dim, damp air smelled strongly of yellow plum rain.

“Finally awake?” A familiar voice called, and a familiar face appeared. “Take this medicine—it neutralizes the poison. Your leg was pricked by poisonous vines.”

It was the Yue Tingxi from twenty years ago. Realizing she was in a past-life dream, she obediently swallowed the pill.

Yue Tingxi mentioned another person—then Lian Zhaoyao—but she didn’t want to hear it, curling up and closing her eyes to signal she wanted to sleep.

Just as she tried to sleep, she felt a cold energy wrap around her.

Not the usual comforting touch, but…

“Qin Suoliu, I will kill you!”

Her bones felt crushed, and opening her eyes, she met Yue Tingxi’s bloodshot, furious gaze.

“You promised! You’d never harm any virtuous demon!”

“I instructed you… after my death, you would kill him!”

“And you did nothing! What are you doing?! What do you take me for?!”

The serpent-like body coiled around her, first crushing her lungs, then her neck.

Qin Suoliu closed her eyes, gritting her teeth, saying nothing—fearing that her words would be heard outside the dream.

—

“…The cold poison spreads so fast. If only I had started earlier—at the boutique!”

Detecting poison reaching her lungs and throat, Yue Tingxi groaned. “Even with the medicine, she’ll feel suffocated!”

Fortunately, she had become skilled at expelling poison. Wherever the poison was, she guided water energy to it, familiarizing herself with surrounding meridians. The fainted Miss was unaware.

Before entering the guest room, Qin Suoliu had told the guards not to disturb them. Yue Tingxi finished purging the poison, looking up at the sunset streaming in.

Qin Suoliu slept quietly, her breathing stabilized, frown relaxed, no longer grinding teeth or sweating.

Seeing her peaceful face, Yue Tingxi absentmindedly touched her hair.

Almost immediately, the Miss’s lashes fluttered, signaling she was waking, so Yue Tingxi withdrew her hand.

Qin Suoliu noticed the touch but feigned sleep, feeling electrified throughout her body.

She waited, but the warm hand never returned.

Knowing Yue Tingxi recognized her as “Azi” but hadn’t revealed it—likely out of caution—she resolved not to confess.

Opening her eyes, she spoke gently and politely: “Sorry, I fell asleep. Thank you, Miss Tingxi, for removing the cold poison.”

“No problem. I was only focused on removing the poison. After you fainted, I gave you pain-relieving pills,” Yue Tingxi said, slightly embarrassed.

Qin Suoliu let out a soft laugh.

“I didn’t spit the pill out, which means my subconscious and body trust you,” she said. “That’s good. As long as Miss Tingxi doesn’t give me poison, I can fight or be seriously injured in the future without worry.”

Yue Tingxi clicked her tongue, deciding not to say, “That’s hardly worry-free.”

After clearing the poison, Qin Suoliu went to bathe and soak in the spirit pool. Yue Tingxi accompanied her but stayed out of the water, fearing she might reveal her serpent tail, sitting cross-legged on the shore instead.

Within a protective barrier, Yue Tingxi asked, “Earlier, why did you say the Yuqiong Sect elders were someone’s puppets?”

“I asked him during our duel using a soundproof barrier. At first he refused, but I gradually broke his spirit and forced him to reveal some information unrelated to anyone,” Qin Suoliu said calmly.

She described it calmly, though the scene had been bloody.

“…What did he reveal?” Yue Tingxi asked nervously.

“Qin family movements drew attention. Fearing discovery and accusations of colluding with the Master of the Undead, they found a suitable pawn to enter the Red Dust House as a ‘guest’ to kill those most connected to He Shen. That unlucky pawn was the three elders—but I personally killed them. The Red Dust House master witnessed it. Anyone remaining in the Qin Mansion related to this won’t be touched by the mastermind.”

Yue Tingxi fell silent, recalling the previous life’s disaster targeting the Qin family.

An undead army capable of wiping out a sect, controlled by a Master of the Undead, surely had more than one person behind it.

“Let’s not mention them. Your friend can stay at the Qin Mansion working in tailoring. If she likes cooking, she can manage the kitchen.”

She heard Qin Suoliu arranging a path for Luo Yanzha: joining the Qin family could offer great prospects, depending on what she wants to do.

Yue Tingxi thought of Luo Yanzha’s words: “I benefitted along with my good sister!”

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