Chapter Ten: Bowing in Submission (Part Two)

Perhaps it was his final shouts that made a difference, for at that moment, Shi Jun finally stirred and slowly awoke. As his consciousness returned, Motuo felt the weight on his body lighten, and he collapsed onto the floor, panting heavily.

Once his mind regained clarity, he returned to his usual self. Seeing Shi Jun open his eyes, he jabbed a finger at his nose and cursed, “Old Shi, what were you doing? How could you not tell friend from foe? If it weren’t for my unmatched skills and extraordinary cultivation, you would have killed me just now!”

But Liu Qing was not as fortunate as Motuo. Her ghostly age was still shallow, and she had never cultivated. Under the irradiation of Shi Jun’s psychic light, her spiritual energy had been almost entirely drained. Though Shi Jun awoke in time to prevent her soul from dissipating completely, her life hung by a thread. At this moment, she lay on the ground like Chi Shang, her spirit body flickering, as if she might fade into nothingness at any moment.

Shi Jun had barely regained consciousness when Motuo began scolding him. Still disoriented, Shi Jun glanced around the chaotic room, sensing that something momentous had occurred. Seeing Chi Shang and Liu Qing barely breathing, he suddenly guessed that he had caused a disaster. Anxious, he leaped down and rushed to Liu Qing’s side, calling loudly, “Big Sister Liu! Big Sister Liu!”

But no matter how he cried out, Liu Qing did not respond. Her spirit body was slowly dispersing, her eyes gradually closing. Shi Jun, overwhelmed with regret and panic, felt his mind go blank. In desperation, he struck himself and looked to Motuo for help, hoping he might have some solution.

Motuo, seeing Shi Jun’s distress, knew that none of this had been intentional. After a brief thought, he produced a few crimson fruits from his robe as if by magic, holding them in his palm and saying, “What kind of spell did you use? It’s too bizarre. Fortunately, I still have a few Scarlet Essence Fruits here. Otherwise, she would truly be beyond saving!”

Shi Jun looked closely and realized Motuo had brought out the very spirit fruits that Chiyang had used to entertain them at Su Feng Courtyard. Elated, he recalled that Rakshasa had once said these fruits were extremely beneficial to people of the Netherworld; even ordinary spirit ghosts could gain years’ worth of cultivation from eating just one. It was perfect for healing Liu Qing now. Yet he couldn’t help but wonder—didn’t Lan Po eat all the Scarlet Essence Fruits last time? How did Motuo still have some? But this was not the time to ask questions. He thanked Motuo profusely and urged, “Quick! Give it to Big Sister Liu!”

Motuo, however, was troubled. His understanding of Netherworld beings was limited, and Liu Qing had no physical form; her spirit body was nearly dissolved. He had the fruit, but how could he get her to consume it?

As he hesitated, Chi Shang, who lay in the corner, weakly spoke, “Her spirit body has dispersed. You must let me use my spiritual power to dissolve the fruit first; only then can it save her life!”

Motuo was suspicious and protested, “Don’t play tricks! If you eat the fruit and regain your strength, what will happen to us?” He looked to Shi Jun, waiting for his decision.

Shi Jun was uncertain, but Chi Shang spoke again, “You have reason not to trust me, but I have no need to deceive you now. If you wait any longer, she will die, and even ten or eight Scarlet Essence Fruits will be useless then.”

Knowing there was no other way, Shi Jun handed the spirit fruit to Chi Shang. Motuo was alarmed, crying, “You really gave him the fruit? What if he changes his mind?” Yet he always regarded Shi Jun as the leader of their group, so though he was dissatisfied, he did not truly intervene.

Shi Jun said nothing, watching Chi Shang closely. Chi Shang took the fruit without hesitation and tossed it into his mouth, then sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to meditate.

Motuo, seeing Chi Shang eat all the fruit rather than saving Liu Qing first, was furious, lamenting, “Now all the Scarlet Essence Fruits are gone. How will we save her?” Unable to restrain himself, he rushed forward, ready to act.

Shi Jun quickly pulled Motuo back and whispered, “Don’t be hasty; let’s wait and see.” He even drew Motuo away a few steps to show he meant no harm.

Chi Shang observed all this and sighed inwardly—he had opposed Shi Jun several times, even attempted to attack him while he rested, yet at this crucial moment, Shi Jun still trusted him completely. Such magnanimity was truly admirable. If he played any tricks now, he would be nothing but a shameless villain.

Chi Shang was not a bad person by nature. After the recent events, Shi Jun had unintentionally placed a lifelong prohibition on him. Awed by Shi Jun’s power and moved by his sincerity, Chi Shang felt genuine respect and resolved to act. He activated his spiritual technique and sprayed a cloud of red mist from his mouth, directing it at Liu Qing. The mist penetrated her body upon contact, its color gradually fading to match her own, until the mist was completely absorbed and Liu Qing’s form gradually reappeared.

Taking advantage of the moment, Chi Shang also sat to regulate his own breathing. Before long, his nearly transparent body regained its original appearance alongside Liu Qing.

Motuo, unaware of Chi Shang’s inner thoughts, remained vigilant. Seeing Chi Shang use the Scarlet Essence Fruit to heal Liu Qing—and restore some of his own vitality—Motuo grew anxious. Though Chi Shang still seemed weak, he was powerful enough to escape if he wished, and Motuo knew he would be powerless to stop him. If that happened, all their efforts would have been wasted. So Motuo watched Chi Shang warily, ready to alert Shi Jun and attack at the first sign of trouble.

Soon, Chi Shang transformed back into the guise of the black-robed man. He sprang lightly to his feet, shook his head, stretched his limbs, and, seeing Motuo’s menacing glare, laughed, “What, still want to fight?”

“You seem quite formidable!” Motuo, though still hostile, couldn’t help but admire Chi Shang’s ability to recover so quickly from Shi Jun’s curse.

“Of course,” Chi Shang replied, unabashed, walking straight to the bedside and sitting down with a mischievous grin.

Motuo was startled—Hu Hai was still lying there! Was Chi Shang planning to take a hostage? He quickly drew his short sword and blocked the way, shouting, “What are you doing?”

“Relax, I won’t fight you.” Chi Shang, without looking up, brushed aside Motuo’s sword. With a sharp hiss, the high-temperature blade released a puff of steam as if dunked in cold water. Chi Shang smiled calmly, “Now I’m just like you.”

Motuo was confused. “What do you mean ‘just like you’? How are you like me?”

“You signed a Heart Pact with him, didn’t you? Don’t play dumb!” Chi Shang pointed at Shi Jun, grinning, and then shoved Hu Hai further onto the bed, muttering, “Move over, don’t take up so much space.” Ignoring Hu Hai’s furious glare, Chi Shang lay down beside him, closed his eyes, and adopted a posture of resigned acceptance.

Shi Jun was broad-minded by nature, but he guessed that the recent events were mostly connected to Chi Shang. With lines between friend and foe still blurred, handing over the spirit fruit to Chi Shang had been an act of necessity. Now, seeing Chi Shang’s sudden shift in attitude, Shi Jun felt puzzled and asked, “What Heart Pact? What happened just now? This Motuo is my friend—he never signed a Heart Pact with me.”

“Friend? He didn’t sign a Heart Pact with you? You really don’t know what happened just now?” Chi Shang had assumed Shi Jun at least knew something about his pact, which explained why he’d entrusted the spirit fruit to him. But to his surprise, Shi Jun had acted without any knowledge, yet still showed such trust. Chi Shang sat up, stunned for a moment, then sighed deeply. “Your magnanimity is truly admirable! It’s a long story…” With that, he began to recount everything that had transpired in detail.