Between Threat and Tremor

“Insolence!”

Wen Xiaoran suddenly barked in anger.

Yan Yiao trembled and instinctively stepped back, putting distance between them.

What had she done now?

Before she could figure it out, he spoke again in a chilling tone.

“You are merely a mortal physician. I keep you because you are somewhat useful. Do not overestimate yourself and seek death.”

What is wrong with him!

Being warned and threatened out of nowhere, Yan Yiao pressed her lips together, inwardly fuming.

As expected of the great villain — utterly unreasonable.

She treated his wound out of kindness, yet he still scolded her fiercely.

She should have pretended ignorance and let his arm fester.

If he became crippled, harvesting his essence later would be much easier.

The thought made her break into a cold sweat.

Had her secret incense preparations been exposed?

“Y-Your Excellency,” she softened her voice and put on an innocent expression.

“Did I do something wrong? Please enlighten me.”

Wen Xiaoran unconsciously rubbed his fingertips together.

It felt as though the warmth of her lips still lingered there.

After the medicine had been applied, his entire arm felt cool, constantly reminding him of what had just occurred.

There had been resistance.

Yet also… enjoyment.

The contradiction unsettled him.

“It’s nothing.”

He spoke magnanimously and turned away without another word.

Yan Yiao clenched her fists, growing angrier the more she thought about it.

She could not help but blame the original author.

Creating such a temperamental villain — the author deserved to be dragged into the book and suffer a tragic ending.

Still, she forced herself to calm down.

He was the villain.

One could not expect moral decency from a villain.

After a full day of mental combat, her bones felt ready to fall apart.

She had been in this book for only two days, yet lived under constant pressure.

Her mind teetered on the brink of collapse.

The night was inky black.

After bathing, the strong scent of medicinal broth faded somewhat.

She changed into clean clothes and fell asleep holding Little Li.

In her dream, she heard a familiar meow by her ear.

She scratched at the itch, touched soft fur, and slowly woke.

Bright daylight streamed in.

It was already noon.

She had slept fifteen hours.

Absurd.

Seeing the messy medicinal herbs scattered about, she jolted upright.

After washing quickly and grabbing food from the kitchen, she began the first step of her essence-harvesting plan — blending incense.

She searched through medical texts and attempted to recreate the formula.

After ninety-nine failures, discouragement crept in.

Either the scent differed greatly from the book’s description, or it was too pungent and obviously suspicious.

What should she do?

After pacing back and forth, she decided to modify the ingredients based on her own knowledge.

Yet several required herbs were missing from storage.

She packed tools into a bamboo basket and headed out with Little Li.

Just as she stepped beyond the courtyard, she ran into the very villain who had threatened her last night.

She tried to retreat.

But Wen Xiaoran had already sensed her presence.

He grasped her slender wrist and pulled her close.

“Why are you hiding?”

His tone was unfriendly.

Startled, she dropped the basket, tools clattering across the ground.

“Your Excellency—”

She quickly made up an excuse.

“I’ve had insomnia recently. I can’t sleep through the night. I need a herb to adjust my sleep.”

He released her and examined her face.

“The herb storehouse is not in this direction.”

Her heart jumped.

“I couldn’t find it there,” she explained carefully.

“I plan to gather fresh rush grass from Mount Fuyu.”

That at least was true.

“What herb?” he asked leisurely.

“Rush grass,” she replied softly, her eyes shimmering as if wronged.

He frowned.

“Why do you look aggrieved?”

She lowered her head.

“You were angry with me last night. I couldn’t figure out why.”

He raised a brow, amused.

“You lost sleep only because of that?”

“Not entirely,” she hurried to add.

“But it made it worse.”

He asked suddenly,

“Why don’t you run?”

She blinked blankly.

“Run where?”

“Why stay peacefully in the Demon Realm instead of seeking escape?”

Because she couldn’t escape.

And because she had a mission.

She forced a smile.

“I am merely a mortal. Escape would only mean death.”

“And as a physician,” she added softly,

“I heal wherever I am.”

He studied her silently.

Fearing he might forbid her departure, she blurted,

“You could place a tracking device on me.”

“What is a tracking device?”

Her heart pounded.

Before she could explain, he suddenly pressed a hand to his temple, as if struck by pain.

“It’s nothing,” he said shortly.

Moments later, his expression returned to normal.

“You may go out. But you will carry a tracking talisman and a protection talisman.”

He did not ask about the “tracking device” again.

Relieved, she agreed eagerly.

At last, she left the Demon Lord’s estate and made her way up Mount Fuyu.

From the summit, she could see Tai Lake to the north.

For a fleeting moment, under the clear sky and cool wind, she felt as though she had returned to the real world.

Not a canary caged by a villain.

But a college student at home with her parents.

The longing to return surged powerfully.

Then she glimpsed a faint blood mist rising from the center of the lake.

Startled, she looked again.

The water was calm, reflecting the sunset peacefully.

Perhaps it was only her imagination.

She gathered several rush grass stalks and began descending.

Yet the farther down she went, the more uneasy she felt.

Little Li growled softly.

The sun had vanished.

A gray gloom filled the sky.

It felt as though something lurked unseen, hissing faintly.

She quickened her pace.

The blood mist seemed to press closer, suffocating her.

In panic, she stumbled and rolled down the slope.

A crooked old tree stopped her fall.

Her lower back burned with pain.

Blood stained her hand when she touched it.

Little Li bristled in silence.

After listening carefully, the strange presence seemed to vanish.

Only wind and birds remained.

She retrieved the scattered rush grass — only one stalk survived.

Never again would she venture out alone so recklessly.

At dusk, she hurried back.

Seeing the Demon Lord’s estate in the distance, she sighed in relief.

But before she could catch her breath, she collided with something warm and solid.

Stars burst before her eyes.

She cried out and turned to run.

After only two steps, someone seized her from behind and covered her mouth.

This was it.

Desperate, she bit down hard on the web between his thumb and forefinger.

The taste of blood filled her mouth.

A low hiss sounded behind her.

The grip loosened.

She spun around, shovel raised.

And froze.

“Your Excellency—”