Chapter 6

Lian Xuehe propped himself up and stared expressionlessly at that bowl of medicinal blood.

Reason told him that as long as he drank it, all the pain tormenting him would disappear. Yin Cai, villain, whatever—he could deal with all of that later.

Yin Cai said, “Master?”

Lian Xuehe reached out.

Yin Cai smiled.

Lian Xuehe’s fingertips brushed over the rim of the medicine bowl. He was clearly in so much pain that tears shimmered at the corners of his eyes, on the verge of falling, yet the weak force of his hand was still firm and allowed no refusal as he pushed it forward.

“No need. Take it away.”

Yin Cai’s eyes changed slightly.

This man’s voice was trembling from pain, his shoulders as thin as paper quivering, and even the veins at his neck were faintly bulging from the agony. Yet he still had the strength to resist desire?

Yin Cai did not believe there could be anyone in this world who could resist the desire for spiritual blood, especially when Lian Xingsong had taken ​bailiantales.com​his blood continuously for an entire month. The dependence formed from that was not something that could be resisted by willpower alone.

Yin Cai held the medicine and did not leave. His voice became even gentler, carrying a bewitching coaxing that made one feel safe and obedient.

“Master, that medicinal human is in our hands. You may take as much blood as you want for medicine. Drink it, and you’ll be able to sleep.”

Cold sweat drenched Lian Xuehe as he met Yin Cai’s gaze with empty eyes.

Yin Cai could see his will collapsing inch by inch in the stalemate, gradually surrendering to the sweetness of the medicinal blood.

At last, Lian Xuehe gasped and reached out to take the medicine bowl from Yin Cai’s hands.

Yin Cai stared at him.

That was how it should be.

Lian Xuehe was no different from those villains of the Nine Wild Realms, greedy and ugly.

But in the next instant, he saw Lian Xuehe’s trembling wrist tilt lightly, pouring half the bowl of medicinal blood onto the ground. Its sweet, rich fragrance instantly filled the entire bedroom.

Yin Cai’s expression stiffened slightly. At last, he stopped smiling.

He reached out and stopped Lian Xuehe’s hand from pouring away the blood. “What is Master doing?”

“Tao Xiao said…” Lian Xuehe barely had any strength to speak. Panting, he murmured, “The false soul inside the medicine attendant puppet represents the desires deep in my heart.”

Perhaps there were longings in his heart that even he himself had not discovered, but they would be exposed by the false soul.

At first, Lian Xuehe did not believe it.

He did not believe that someone as rule-abiding as him secretly longed for wild, chest-baring clothes, nor did he believe that being forced by others was a survival method he yearned for.

Until now, when he sensed his own consciousness hysterically craving the medicinal blood, and the medicine attendant puppet had truly brought him Yin Cai’s blood without any order from its master.

Cold sweat poured from Lian Xuehe. He was so frail he seemed as though a single gust of wind could shatter him into pieces, yet his long, narrow eyes carried an unbreakable chill as he stared at the scarlet medicinal blood splashed across the ground.

“You bringing me medicine proves that my subconscious still wants to take the medicine to avoid pain. That proves I’m cowardly and incompetent, that my will is weak.”

The puppet’s gemstone-inlaid pupils suddenly focused toward the center.

After a long while, Yin Cai said in a low voice, “That is what people are like. Instinctively Read on BaiLianTales avoiding pain is something no one can escape.”

Lian Xuehe lay against the edge of the bed, panting. He no longer had the strength to speak, and only shook his head faintly.

If he only sought momentary relief and surrendered to the pain and desire of his body, then when he first fell ill, he should have already leapt from a tall building and ended everything by smashing himself to death.

Thinking this, he forced himself to stay awake in the fragrance like someone torturing himself. Afraid the smell was not strong enough, he poured out another small half bowl, filling the entire bedroom with that thick scent.

Yin Cai frowned and looked at the false soul.

Lian Xuehe might be able to say one thing and mean another, but the false soul would not lie.

However, the false soul that had just been clamoring, “Want to drink! Want to drink so badly I could die!” had changed. It was now curled up and squatting by the edge of the bed, its misty body forming a finger that poked at the blood on the ground while it muttered, “If you want to die, then go drink it. Don’t die, don’t die.”

Yin Cai: “…”

Yin Cai’s blood had probably failed against a mortal for the first time in its life. Even its owner suffered a rare defeat along with it. He stood stunned for a long while before finally coming back to himself.

Yin Cai silently sneered, his gaze falling on Lian Xuehe’s thin back.

With such a frail body, and not even the body of a cultivator that could resist with spiritual power, read the original at bailiantales.comhe was nothing more than a mere mortal. No matter how beautifully he spoke, he would not be able to resist the temptation of medicinal blood.

Yin Cai placed the remaining half bowl of medicine on the small table by the bed and watched coldly from the side.

He did not believe that, under the temptation of such a rich medicinal fragrance, Lian Xuehe’s will could truly be strong enough to last an entire night without touching that bowl of medicine.

---

Thunder rumbled in waves, and the summer rain poured all night.

Tao Xiao arrived outside the bedroom with medicine in hand and waited. Usually, His Highness would wake naturally around seven to nine in the morning, yet today, even as it neared late morning, there was still no movement from the bedroom.

He was just wondering whether he should go in and take a look when the medicine attendant puppet suddenly walked out with a dark expression.

Tao Xiao was puzzled. “Has His Highness woken?”

Yin Cai said coldly, “He’s dead.”

Tao Xiao had His Highness’s life tablet on him and did not believe this at all. Seeing the puppet stride outward with obvious resentment, he hurriedly called after it, “What are you going to do? His Highness hasn’t taken his medicine yet.”

Hearing the words “take medicine,” Yin Cai’s expression grew even uglier. Without looking back, he snatched open the door and left.

Tao Xiao did not understand what illness it [bailiantales.com]was having now. Muttering to himself, he carried the medicine inside.

Lian Xuehe had not fully shaken off his sleepiness yet. His robes were already worn properly, and he was sitting on the couch, staring blankly into the void.

The entire bed looked as though it had been used to pickle vegetables. The brocade quilt and sheets had been rolled into wrinkles everywhere, and several holes had been torn into the center, looking as if they had been ripped open by fingers. Faint traces of blood could be seen.

Tao Xiao was startled and quickly set down the medicine to check on him.

There were still a few dried bloodstains on Lian Xuehe’s lips, looking as if he had bitten them himself, and his complexion was terribly poor.

“Your Highness!”

Lian Xuehe dazedly came back to himself and said sickly, “What time is it?”

“Three quarters past si hour.”

Tao Xiao reached out to touch his forehead, but Lian Xuehe dodged away. “It’s nothing serious. Don’t worry blindly.”

Tao Xiao could only answer yes.

Only then did he belatedly notice the blood spilled underfoot. His gaze swept around, Read on BaiLianTales and he also saw a bowl of medicinal blood on the small table by the bed that had already congealed. The rim of the bowl was completely clean and had not been touched.

Tao Xiao tilted his head in confusion.

Where had this medicinal blood come from?

Lian Xuehe was sickly and weak. He touched the black flower on his wrist thoughtfully. In a day and a night, the Ziwei aura had been consumed rapidly, and the “flower bud” of Flowers Born from Bone was slowly blooming.

023 also worried for him. 【Ge Yu is ruthless. He’s not easy to deal with like that idiot Ge Ci. He won’t easily return the Ziwei aura he stole. What do you plan to do?】

Lian Xuehe took the water and rinsed his mouth, skillfully pretending to be inscrutable. “At midnight today, I’ll make Ge Yu kneel and beg me to accept the Ziwei aura.”

023: 【Wow. Let’s set aside whether or not you’re bragging. That really did sound impressive.】

“Do you feel uncomfortable if you go a whole day without being cursed at?”

023: 【Hehe, I feel great now.】

Lian Xuehe: “…”

Lian Xuehe had been tortured so badly last night that he had barely slept. For a moment, he actually could not find the right words to stolen contentcurse it, so he mercifully granted amnesty to the world and signaled for it to hurry up and withdraw.

Tao Xiao handed the medicine over.

Lian Xuehe was too lazy and unmotivated, so he signaled for Tao Xiao to withdraw as well.

Tao Xiao originally wanted to give in like before, but then he seemed to think of something. His hand holding the medicine tightened slightly. He stared at the back of His Highness’s neck, his fingers itching to move.

Lian Xuehe’s eyelid twitched. He said coldly, “Tao Xiao, if you dare do it, today’s Heavenly Dao Festival banquet will have an extra dish called Tao Xiao tofu pudding.”

Tao Xiao’s hand trembled, and he immediately stopped moving.

Just then, the medicine attendant puppet walked in.

Yin Cai slapped away the false soul that was pressed against his face muttering, “Disgusting! I want to die!” and looked at Lian Xuehe. His gaze was no longer pure hatred, but now carried a few more complicated layers.

Lian Xuehe did not notice the fan-shaped distribution chart in its eyes. He silently sat up straight, picked up the medicine bowl, and drank it all in one swift motion.

Tao Xiao: “?”

A divine doctor indeed. This was the first time he had seen His Highness drink medicine so quickly.

The false soul darted out and circled Yin Cai. “Bitter, bitter!”

Without changing expression, Lian Xuehe finished drinking the medicine and casually tossed the bowl aside. Arrogantly lifting his chin, he issued an order. “Go.”

Tao Xiao pushed the wheelchair, about to leave.

The false soul was still shouting. Yin Cai frowned, as if annoyed beyond endurance, and stepped forward to press down on the armrest.

Lian Xuehe was not a good-tempered person. This medicine attendant puppet had made him lose a great deal of face, and had even taken Yin Cai’s blood without orders. New hatred and old grudges were settled together as he stretched out a leg in annoyance and lightly kicked Yin Cai’s knee. “Good dogs don’t block the road.”

The medicine attendant puppet once again stretched out its hand, five fingers pressing down on the back of his neck.

Lian Xuehe: “?”

023: 【Oh~~~~~~~】

Tao Xiao hurriedly widened his eyes, preparing to secretly learn.

Lian Xuehe’s heart skipped. Inwardly, he cursed, “Again?!”

He forced himself not to struggle and resist as embarrassingly as yesterday. The corners of his lips curved up, and he raised his head arrogantly to meet Yin Cai’s eyes. “What, addicted to force-feeding me? I’ll count to three. Remove your paw, or I don’t mind dismantling you into eighteen pieces and hanging you from—mm.”

Yin Cai’s fingers lightly brushed over Lian Xuehe’s soft lips, and with impatience, he pushed something hard inside.

Afraid this idiot was feeding him something random, Lian Xuehe immediately used the tip of his tongue to push it out.

With just a light lick, the fingers that had not yet had time to withdraw stiffened slightly. The bitter scent of Kunlun wood flashed by and vanished. Immediately after, a sweet, cloying sugar fragrance spread between his lips.

Lian Xuehe froze.

…The medicine attendant had fed him a small piece of white malt candy.

---

In Legend of Changfeng, there were two great medical sects: Shuncheng Manor and Yuning Manor, both equally renowned for their extraordinary medical skills.

Yuning Manor appeared immortal and righteous on the outside, practicing medicine to save the world. Inside, however, the family was in chaos, relatives turning against one another. Over hundreds of years, the Manor Lord had changed again and again, each one a sinister, vicious, eccentric, ruthless person or lunatic.

The current Manor Lord was surnamed Yu and was even a Buddhist lay practitioner.

Shuncheng Manor was different. The previous Manor Lord was surnamed Ling and had held the position for one hundred and thirty years. His ability to bring the dying back from the brink was widely praised and admired.

Unfortunately, cultivators were not undying either. Ten years ago, a natural disaster descended upon Shuncheng Manor. Manor Lord Ling sacrificed himself to save the city’s people, leaving behind only a pair of underage children.

Shuncheng Manor’s Deputy Lord, Ge Yu, was entrusted with authority in that crisis and took control of Shuncheng Manor. Today’s Heavenly Dao Festival was hosted by him.

Zhiji Tower was not far from Shuncheng Manor’s estate. In less than half a quarter hour, they arrived at the tall sacrificial tower.

The tower used for the Heavenly Dao Festival was called Butian Tower. Its nineteen floors were draped in red and decorated with festive banners. Because the sacrifice was held once every ten years, all the prominent families, sects, and clans from the thirteen cities under Shuncheng Manor’s jurisdiction had come to celebrate. It was extremely lively.

The sacrifice was busy, and Ge Yu did not personally come out to receive him.

That was one thing. But the six steps in front of the tower had not been fitted with wooden planks, so a wheelchair could not pass smoothly.

The servant at the door seemed to have received instructions. He trotted over and apologized. “Please forgive us, Your Third Highness. The Heavenly Dao Festival has been busy, and the Manor Lord forgot to instruct us to lay wooden planks for you. We must trouble Your Highness to enter the tower through the back door.”

Tao Xiao’s expression instantly darkened.

Yin Cai stood behind them, lowering his head to look at his fingertips, lost in thought.

Lian Xuehe had that piece of candy in his mouth, puffing up one cheek into a small curve. Afraid others would notice, he even pulled bailiantales.com down a strand of hair to block his cheek.

He was in a very good mood and did not notice this was meant to intimidate him. “The Heavenly Dao sacrifice is important. Manor Lord Ge should attend to his own work. There is no need to look after me.”

The servant lowered his head and praised his magnanimity, but inwardly thought, As expected.

Nineteen years ago, the lofty and untouchable Third Highness was now despised by everyone. He could only live under someone else’s roof in Shuncheng Manor. His pride and backbone had been worn away completely. He had actually endured such humiliation. Useless enough for anyone to knead and pinch at will.

The servant was just about to lead him into the tower through the back door when he saw Lian Xuehe slightly raise the hand wearing the lotus-patterned golden bracelet and point at the plaque overhead that read “Obeying Heaven, Fulfilling Its Will.”

Rumble.

Purple-gold true essence transformed into a swimming dragon and drilled out from the golden bracelet, smashing the golden plaque straight down. It happened to land upright over the six steps, laying itself across them like a ramp.

The servant’s hair and robes were blown wildly by the gust created as the plaque crashed down. He stared, dumbfounded.

Lian Xuehe said considerately, “Since Ge Yu is this busy, I’ll enter on my own. Tao Xiao, go.”

Tao Xiao said, “Yes.”

The wheelchair rolled over the plaque bearing the Saint’s inscription, “Obeying Heaven, Fulfilling [stolen content]Its Will.” With a rumble, it left two obvious marks on the red lacquer, as if rolling straight over Shuncheng Manor’s face.

The servant stood there in a daze.

That was… an inscription by the Saint!

Lian Xuehe did not care about the writing of his cheap father. Just as the wheelchair went up the steps, he saw someone wearing a jade crown, white robes fluttering as he hurried over.

This person’s face bore some resemblance to Ge Ci’s, but he did not have that unique, clear stupidity and irritable energy of Ge Ci’s. The corners of his eyes drooped, making him look extremely kind.

This was the Manor Lord of Shuncheng Manor, Ge Yu.

Ge Yu coughed dully a few times, then saluted in a refined manner. “Greetings, Your Third Highness.”

Lian Xuehe waited for him to perform.

Sure enough, after Ge Yu straightened, he scolded the servant standing to the side. “His Highness personally came to attend the banquet, yet you did not even lay wooden planks. So negligent. How exactly do you people do your jobs?”

The servant hurriedly apologized over and over.

Ge Yu sighed. “Please calm your anger, Your Highness. It was my lack of consideration.”

Lian Xuehe smiled. “This plaque was very useful. Much more convenient than wooden planks.”

Ge Yu: “…”

Ge Yu was more composed than Ge Ci. With a bitter smile, he said, “Your Highness, it is that plaque’s honor to pave your way. It is just that ‘Obeying Heaven, Fulfilling Its Will’ was personally inscribed by the Saint and stamped with the Crown Prince’s seal. If this matter spreads back to Hongpan, Your Third Highness’s situation may become even more difficult.”

Lian Xuehe naturally had no good impression of relatives. He comforted him considerately. “Manor Lord, there is no need to worry. It’s only a signboard. The Saint can hardly execute my nine generations over it. Mm, although I don’t really mind either.”

Ge Yu: “…………”

Ge Yu’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Lian Xuehe sensed a faint breeze circling him twice and said with a smile, “What is the Manor Lord doing?”

Ge Yu abruptly withdrew his spiritual power and lowered his head. “Nothing. Your Highness, please.”

The wheelchair moved forward a few steps and was once again blocked by a threshold.

This time, Ge Yu did not dare cause trouble again. He reached out and summoned two servants [stolen content]to lift the chair for him.

“There is no need to trouble the Manor Lord.” Lian Xuehe had just pulled off a big act and no longer made things difficult for him. Maintaining his confident, everything-under-control air, he raised his hand and made a gesture to the puppet, signaling it to lift the chair.

Yin Cai glanced at him, and the corner of his lips suddenly lifted.

Lian Xuehe leaned against the back of the chair, his left hand supporting his forehead. Sunlight poured down over half his face, making his beautiful pupils seem like glazed beads overflowing with shifting light.

Lian Xuehe was in the middle of pretending to be profound when a hand reached over from the side. The scent of Kunlun wood wrapped tightly around him. Before he could see clearly, a sense of weightlessness struck him instantly, and he subconsciously reached out to grab the nearest convenient thing in front of him.

When Lian Xuehe focused, his body suddenly stiffened.

The medicine attendant puppet had actually lifted him single-handedly in public without even greeting him. Worse, Yin Cai was tall and slender. Standing there, half the street had to look up at him.

Lian Xuehe: “…………”

Ge Yu: “?”

Lian Xuehe had probably never lost so much face before. His palm pressed against Yin Cai’s shoulder, his body slightly stiff, and he squeezed a few words out through gritted teeth. “Put. Me. Down. That’s an order! An order!”

Yin Cai said lazily, “Yes, Master. I’ll put you down right away.”

…Under Lian Xuehe’s glare, the puppet’s words and actions did not match at all. With its other free hand, it picked up the heavy wheelchair, then leisurely carried him across the threshold under everyone’s watchful eyes.

Tao Xiao: “Hiss—”

023 pinched its voice: 【Oh~~~~~~~~~】

Its tone rose and fell with such exaggerated cadence that it had quite the talent for becoming a eunuch.

Lian Xuehe: “…………”