Do you want a hug?

Pfft—

Caught in the pincer attack, Su Wanqing instantly spat a mouthful of blood.

The injury wasn’t life-threatening, but it wasn’t light either; especially with the secondary damage from the thunder talisman.

Even without the paralysis, she couldn’t fully block Hu Mei’s strike.

Now she was hit by both.

Same realm, but in pure physical strength, humans lost hard to demons.

She had prepared to get hurt.

But who expected the girl behind her to land a critical hit?

Spell damage hurt way more than physical.

And it was a Grade-5 Thunder Talisman she’d given her.

Even for someone with Nascent Soul-level durability like Hu Mei, it would’ve done serious damage.

No wonder; self-made talismans pack a punch.

She was experiencing it firsthand.

Good thing the girl had no spiritual energy.

If she’d activated it, Su Wanqing would’ve been flayed alive, if not dead.

At least she hadn’t given her the Blazing Yang talisman.

Otherwise, there’d be a hole in her lower back right now.

Hu Mei’s strike hit her right shoulder: bone cracked, organs shaken.

Add the lingering electric shocks; she was in agony.

But at least Ning Yuer was safe.

Her bone wasn’t broken; just cracked.

Otherwise, that arm would be useless for three months, maybe with lasting damage.

She glanced at the red cord on her wrist.

Thanks to this thing.

No wonder it was the envy of so many; truly a natal treasure.

Without the Marriage and Mourning Cord, it wouldn’t just be a crack.

Shen Xianyue wasn’t wrong; it really could protect her.

First time she learned it had defensive functions beyond its special uses.

And it protected people otherthan the owner.

Of course, Su Wanqing didn’t know: when Shen Xianyue split her natal treasure and bound half to her wrist, she became its second master.

That was acknowledgment.

Acknowledgment that Su Wanqing was her fated one.

“Get out of my way.”

Hu Mei’s attack blocked, she raked claws across Su Wanqing’s arm.

Seeing Li Ziyue closing in, she seized the moment and used an escape art.

“Don’t run!”

But by the time Li Ziyue arrived, the spell was active.

Su Wanqing, injured and paralyzed by lingering shocks, couldn’t stop her.

“Elder Su, are you okay?”

Li Ziyue didn’t chase.

She rushed to Su Wanqing’s side, checking her wounds.

She looked rough; weak, leaning on her scabbard for support after dropping her soft sword.

No choice; a soft sword can’t prop you up.

“I’m… fine…”

Her voice was faint, trembling from pain.

“You call this fine?”

Li Ziyue looked at the mess.

Su Wanqing was filthy, but it didn’t diminish her beauty.

Her white-and-gold embroidered robes were soaked red at the shoulder, speckled elsewhere like tiny red lotuses on snow.

Her expression now carried a fragile, pitiful softness; heartbreaking.

It made you want to protect her.

“Go after her, or my injury’s for nothing.”

“You sure?”

“Treat yourself first?”

“…”

Su Wanqing didn’t answer.

Just gave a firm look.

Li Ziyue didn’t push.

She turned and chased.

“Take care. Contact me if anything happens.”

“Heh~”

As Li Ziyue left, Su Wanqing smirked in satisfaction.

Joke’s on you.

Meat delivered to her mouth; no way she’d let the cooked duck fly.

She got hurt for the Red Embroidery Sect’s reward; she was getting paid.

“I…”

With Li Ziyue gone, only the heavily injured Su Wanqing and the still-dazed Ning Yuer remained on the forest path.

Ning Yuer cautiously approached, eyes teary, voice full of guilt:

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to…”

She knew she messed up.

Tears welled as she fought not to cry.

This immortal sister was hurt so badly because of her.

If not for saving her…

If she hadn’t blindly used the talisman…

Hm?

Lost in self-blame, she suddenly felt a hand on her head.

She looked up.

Su Wanqing, still smiling gently.

No blame in her eyes; only warmth.

Like a mother; well, the mother she *used* to have.

For the first time since being called a calamity, someone treated her with kindness.

The gray in her eyes brightened a little.

“You’re safe. That’s what matters.”

“Want… a hug?”

As the paralysis faded, Su Wanqing endured the pain and opened her arms.

She couldn’t think of any other way to comfort the girl.

Ning Yuer, tense this whole time, suddenly hugged her; almost on instinct.

Feeling the warmth, her tears finally broke free.

Was it guilt over Su Wanqing’s wounds?

The long-lost gentleness?

Or months of pent-up stress finally releasing?

She couldn’t stop.

The scent of blood was strong, but she etched that special fragrance into her heart.

“I’m sorry—”

“I told you, you’re safe.”

“What’s your name, kid?”

Seeing her calm, Su Wanqing started the pitch to send her to Red Embroidery Sect.

At first she thought the crying was guilt.

But no; the kid was just bottled up.

Crying it out, the gloom around her visibly lifted.

She felt bad, but no way was she keeping her.

Not just to derail the plot.

Because of Chen Xueli.

If these two archenemies ended up together, her Qiongxiao Peak would be flattened.

And most importantly: she was terrified of raising another Chen Xueli.

That first look Ning Yuer gave her; something off.

At first, familiar.

Now she realized: exactly like Chen Xueli’s first look at her.

No matter what, this girl was going to Red Embroidery Sect.

Anyway, favorability farming: mission accomplished.

Not from the fancy outfit (wasted silk stockings and shame), but the **injury play** worked way better.

Su Wanqing was now etched into the heroine’s heart forever.

“Ning Yuer.”

“Mm, beautiful name.”

“Yuer, ever thought about culti—”

She didn’t finish.

Ning Yuer felt the hug tighten.

But it wasn’t a hug; it was protection.

“You’re back?”

“Haha, bet that old hag Li Ziyue is still chasing my decoy.”

Hu Mei?

She hadn’t fled.

She used a body double to fool them.

Once Li Ziyue was gone, she strolled back.

“Little beauty, with your looks, draining your essence will skyrocket my charm arts.”

“Then refining your skin? My path will be smooth sailing~”

She stayed because Su Wanqing’s potential was worth the risk.

“…”

Seeing Hu Mei return, Su Wanqing’s heart sank.

She was injured; no chance.

Even at full strength, she couldn’t win.

Hu Mei was already stripping, preparing to dual-cultivate and drain her.

No options.

Just as she reached for her jade token to call for help;

A coolly dressed figure blocked her path.

Shen Xianyue?

Su Wanqing never expected her to show up here.

She knew she’d appear, but wasn’t she supposed to wait deeper in the forest?

“Hey! You ugly hag, aren’t you going too far?!”

Shen Xianyue grabbed the injured Hu Mei by the throat bare-handed.

This was the true face of the demonic saintess; ruthless.

Su Wanqing’s injury happened too fast; she didn’t react in time.

By the time she could act, Hu Mei was gone.

And with that Red Embroidery elder there, she couldn’t show herself.

The woman knew her identity.

Revealing herself would cause trouble for Su Wanqing.

So she stayed hidden, watching.

If Hu Mei hadn’t come back, she’d protect from the shadows.

But now? No old hag around.

How could she let this ugly fox hurt her beautiful sister again?

And dual-cultivate? Refine her skin?

Unforgivable!

Shen Xianyue never let herself lose.

She had the chance now; no way she’d miss it.

Originally, she planned to kill the fox in secret.

No need now.

“Shen Xianyue, why are you here?”

Su Wanqing asked, confused.

“I was gonna ask you the same, beautiful sister.”

“Why are *you* here?”

“Wait till I choke this hag out, stop your bleeding, then we’ll talk.”

Chatting casually, her grip tightened.

Su Wanqing was stunned.

Things twisted and turned, but at least she was saved;

If that fox had taken her and turned her into a skin suit, Su Wanqing would’ve been legendary.

“…”

Holding the trembling Ning Yuer; scared again by Hu Mei’s return; Su Wanqing suddenly remembered something she’d overlooked.

She was holding the heroine, right?

Protagonist halo and all.

Was she saved by this girl’s plot armor?

That was the only explanation that made sense…