Volume One, Chapter Nine: Taking Him as an Apprentice

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Bai Zhi clenched her brows tightly, wincing in pain as she looked at the man before her, his eyes bloodshot and blazing with fury. How could his anger have surged so violently that his meridians reversed their flow? That shouldn’t be possible—none of her previous lives had ever shown such an occurrence.

“Bai Zhi… how dare you betray me…” His cold, murderous gaze made her heart tighten. In her past lives, before she died, this was the look she always saw.

“Snap out of it!” Ignoring the sword piercing her shoulder, Bai Zhi suddenly surged forward and pressed a finger against Yuan Lingqing’s forehead. A powerful spiritual force poured in instantly, suppressing the violent, rebellious energy within him.

The effort caused Bai Zhi unbearable pain, her head splitting as if it would burst. But she couldn’t let him fall. If he were to succumb to demonic influence so early, the Demon Emperor’s power would only grow stronger. She didn’t want to be dragged into that fate this time around. Until she was strong enough, these fools shouldn’t dare unleash the Demon Emperor.

“I… Bai Zhi, you…” Yuan Lingqing’s gaze gradually cleared. Bai Zhi, pale as death, finally released him. Seeing the blood on her hands and the sword still lodged in her shoulder, panic flared visibly in Yuan Lingqing’s eyes.

Bai Zhi’s face remained cold and expressionless as she looked down on him. “Clear-headed now?” She took out a pill and swallowed it, wincing as she painfully pulled the sword from her shoulder. “If you’re awake, then get lost quickly. Stop embarrassing yourself.”

“Ah Zhi…” Hearing that familiar nickname, Bai Zhi’s steps faltered. When they were young, he had always called her that, accompanied by a gentle smile. But after that, he never spoke to her so tenderly again. For some reason, her nose tingled slightly.

“Anything else?”

“Are you… alright?”

“I’m fine.” Pinching her nose, Bai Zhi turned her back coldly. “I have things to do. If you’re fine, don’t bother me.”

Only after Bai Zhi’s figure vanished from sight did Yuan Lingqing remain rooted, unable to gather his thoughts.

“Ah Zhi! Wait! I have something to ask you!”

“Speak.”

“Is he really that important to you? Enough for you to betray me?”

“Betray?” Bai Zhi sneered coldly. “Say whatever you want.”

“You…”

Before he could finish, Bai Zhi had already disappeared into the darkness.

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Watching Bai Zhi’s resolute back, Yuan Lingqing’s brows furrowed deeply, a shadow of gloom clouding his eyes.

…

Inside the cave, Jiu Ze slowly circulated the demonic energy within him, the unpleasant fatigue ebbing away like receding tides.

“Mother, I… I’m better now!” Jiu Ze smiled brightly and stood up, his tail and ears slipping out from behind him, wagging excitedly.

“You’re better, but hide that tail properly!” The Demon Queen feigned anger with tearful eyes, yet her gaze was gentle as she looked at him. “This time, it’s all thanks to Bai Zhenren.”

At the mention of Bai Zhi, Jiu Ze’s expression darkened and he snorted coldly.

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