A Dangerous Truth and Unsettled Hearts

Jinjiang Exclusive First Release 9.

“Don’t be afraid.” As he spoke, Wen Xiaoran lifted his fingers and gently wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes.

But not being afraid was impossible.

Yan Yi felt flustered, completely uncertain.

The system had never told her about vital essence. This so-called cheat item felt more like a ticking bomb—something that might cause trouble at any moment beyond helping her complete her mission.

After hesitating for a while, she finally stepped toward Bu Shu.

Bu Shu had always been patient with juniors. Only when Yan Yi came closer did he raise his hand, placing two fingers lightly against her forehead.

Though he had expected it, when he truly confirmed that Yan Yi’s vital essence was absent, he was still greatly shocked.

“Xiao Yi’s vital essence is indeed not within her body.”

The last bit of hope shattered.

Yan Yi staggered back two steps, her back hitting the edge of the table as cold sweat broke out. “Master… does that mean I might not be an ordinary human?”

Bu Shu explained patiently, “Xiao Yi, you are indeed an ordinary human—just lacking vital essence.”

Her mind buzzed. She felt as if her brain had stopped working, her legs heavy as lead.

Wen Xiaoran lowered his gaze, studying her. After a long pause, he asked carefully, “Uncle Bu, will the absence of vital essence harm her body?”

Bu Shu stroked his white beard and shook his head slowly. “For now, her body shows no harm. But—”

Yan Yi’s heart leapt to her throat. She held her breath, staring at him without blinking.

“I do not know the cause of this condition.”

Her fingers loosened slightly from gripping the table. The tension in her chest eased, though her fingertips throbbed with pain. She subconsciously shook her hand.

Wen Xiaoran caught both her hands. Seeing her pale fingertips flushed red, he frowned slightly and quietly covered them with his own.

A cool sensation spread instantly. Yan Yi moved her fingers and realized he was treating her.

Bu Shu, who had lived for over a thousand years, had seen everything—but even he looked slightly uncomfortable at their intimate behavior. He coughed lightly. “Your Excellency… forgive my intrusion.”

Only then did Yan Yi realize someone else was present. She quickly withdrew her hands, lowering her head in silence.

Bu Shu continued, “Xiao Yi, regarding your vital essence, it would be best to write to your family. Only by understanding it clearly can you avoid constant worry.”

He was right.

If this wasn’t resolved, she would never sleep peacefully again.

Yan Yi nodded repeatedly.

After a few more instructions, Bu Shu prepared to leave.

Just as he stepped out, he seemed to remember something and turned back. “Your Excellency, Lu Qin has been my disciple since childhood. Though she has erred, I cannot bear to see her end like this. Please allow me to check her injuries.”

Wen Xiaoran did not respond immediately. Instead, he looked at Yan Yi, as if seeking her opinion.

Realizing this, Yan Yi felt uneasy and quickly waved her hands. “Your Excellency, Lu Qin is seriously injured. My medical skills are limited. It’s best for Master to go.”

With permission granted, Bu Shu hurried toward the dungeon.

Yan Yi stood there, watching his departing figure, lost in thought.

Wen Xiaoran observed her quietly. “Your parents are traveling. Do you know how to contact them?”

Yan Yi forced herself to respond, “My cousin should know. I’ll write to him and ask about the heirloom.”

Wen Xiaoran’s expression darkened slightly, though he said nothing.

Sensing something off, Yan Yi tested him. “Your Excellency… you don’t want me to contact my cousin, do you?”

He paused, then said, “I am not narrow-minded. You may write to him.”

Her heart sank.

She had actually hoped he would forbid it.

The red crystal came from the system—how could the original character’s family possibly explain it?

This was practically asking for trouble.

Her body stiffened, as if a blade hung over her neck.

“What are you waiting for?” Wen Xiaoran tapped the table lightly.

Yan Yi sat down at the desk, letting out a breath. “I’m thinking…”

“Thinking about what?”

She forced a smile. “Thinking about how to phrase it…”

Wen Xiaoran frowned. “Afraid your cousin will suspect something?”

“Yes. He might think I’m in danger… or that I lost the heirloom…”

“He is a cultivator. He understands vital essence better than you. There’s no need to hide it.”

With no way out, Yan Yi reluctantly picked up the brush—but didn’t write for a long time.

“Your Excellency, you’re not allowed to look.” She glanced at him, noticing his gaze fixed on her hand.

Wen Xiaoran looked away. “I have no habit of prying into others’ privacy. Write.”

Yan Yi, desperate to avoid writing to the male lead, began causing trouble.

“Your Excellency, you were clearly staring at my hand. Don’t deny it!”

Wen Xiaoran choked slightly, barely holding back his emotions. “I was looking at your hand, not your letter.”

Yan Yi blinked, then suddenly raised both hands in front of him with a smile. “Your Excellency, are my fingers pretty?”

He ignored her and tapped the table again. “Are you writing or not?”

“I am! I am!” She hurriedly lowered her hands and started writing.

After a long while, she finally managed to write a few lines.

At that moment, the little fox jumped onto the desk and raised a paw. “Meow—”

Yan Yi immediately understood, but instinctively glanced at Wen Xiaoran, feeling guilty.

Previously, she had relied on the fox to cheat while writing letters. He knew that—and had even been tricked into helping once.

“Little fox, just leave a paw print. No using demonic power,” she said loudly.

Seeing her exaggerated behavior, Wen Xiaoran smirked. “Are you putting on a show for me?”

Yan Yi quickly denied it. “No, Your Excellency. I just don’t want it forming bad habits.”

“Enough. I’m not blaming you.”

He saw through her tricks but chose not to pursue it.

Yan Yi lowered her head, feeling frustrated.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door.

“Ying Yue, you’re here!”

Seeing the twins outside, Yan Yi felt immense relief—as if saved.

She couldn’t handle Wen Xiaoran any longer.

Bu Ying Yue peeked inside and smiled when she saw him.

“Xiao Yi, Father said you were frightened recently, so we came to visit.” She then added playfully, “But since His Excellency is here, perhaps you don’t need us…”

Yan Yi quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her inside. “Your Excellency has urgent matters and is about to leave. Stay with me!”

The twins greeted Wen Xiaoran respectfully. Soon after, he left.

Once he was gone, Yan Yi let out a long breath and sat down.

“Ying Yue, how is your mother?”

Bu Ying Yue sighed. “After returning home recently, her health hasn’t been good. She’s in seclusion recovering.”

Yan Yi grew concerned.

Meng Sui’an had once been an ordinary human, but after certain events, she transformed into a demon.

Hearing this, Yan Yi asked carefully, “Did something happen during your trip?”

Bu Ying Xue replied, “Yes… we encountered rogue cultivators who tried to harm us.”

They explained everything—how Meng Sui’an was nearly attacked and had her essence drained.

Yan Yi gasped.

She had heard before that rogue cultivators sought such methods to increase power.

Now that it had happened to someone close, it felt far more real.

Even cultivators could fall into such darkness.

Thinking of this, Yan Yi grew worried.

“When will your mother come out? I want to visit her.”

Bu Ying Yue reassured her. “She’ll recover soon. Don’t worry.”

Yan Yi nodded reluctantly.

Later, they talked about Lu Qin.

“She was talented… but too stubborn,” Ying Yue sighed.

Yan Yi nodded. “At least Master is treating her.”

By evening, the twins left.

Exhausted, Yan Yi lay back in the chair.

Lu Qin’s matter was over—but a bigger problem remained.

What would Su Can think when he received the letter?

That night, she tossed and turned, plagued by nightmares.

At dawn, she was awakened by the fox’s soft meowing.

It was facing the door. Someone was outside.

After washing up, she opened the door.

Wen Xiaoran stood there, holding a delicate food box.

“Your Excellency—” Yan Yi covered a yawn halfway and glanced at the box.

“You came… to bring me breakfast?”