Chapter 144: Jiuer and Qiansheng

“Are you out of your mind? You cut yourself and are still laughing so happily. Do you want me to treat you, or maybe give you some medicine?”

Qian Sheng bit her lip, unable to decide whether to laugh or cry as she looked at Zhang Shouzheng.

A soft spot in her heart was touched. Coming here this time was largely a deal between her and Zhang Shouzheng, yet she had never expected him to draw his own blood to cleanse the demonic aura from the corpse demons. This moved her deeply, elevating her understanding of him to a new level, filling her heart with fondness.

Zhang Shouzheng placed his palm on her wound. Drops of fresh blood fell onto the injury, and the corpse demon aura immediately turned into white smoke upon contact with the pure yang blood, vanishing without a trace. As the aura dissipated, a layer of emerald light enveloped Qian Sheng’s wound, healing it visibly fast. Zhang Shouzheng was stunned, silently marveling.

When his own shoulder had been pierced by a bone spear, Jiang Mingyue had sacrificed her own lifespan and used the power of the Fengshen List to heal him. Although Qian Sheng’s arm wound wasn’t large, it was indeed a wound, and yet she could heal it so swiftly—it was truly incredible. The healing power of these mountain ghosts was no exaggeration.

“Give me your palm.”

Seeing her arm restored to its usual state, free from the torment of the corpse demon aura, Qian Sheng smiled brightly and grasped Zhang Shouzheng’s bloodied palm.

“Creak…”

The door opened. Jiu’er entered with breakfast in hand. She caught sight of the blood on Zhang Shouzheng’s palm and Qian Sheng holding him, which triggered her zombie power, causing her eyes to glow a deep crimson. Strangely, within that red glow was a faint purple light. Her expression shifted, her body swayed as she rushed toward Qian Sheng without a word, clawing fiercely at her head while exclaiming sharply:

“How dare you harm my senior brother! You’ve got some nerve!”

Qian Sheng looked at Jiu’er in bewilderment. The corpse demon aura flared violently from her, fierce and untamed. Calmly, Qian Sheng reached forward, manifesting a large pink blossom in midair. The flower radiated a gentle fragrance, each petal shimmering with faint emerald light. Jiu’er reached out and grabbed it; her entire palm was engulfed by the blossom, which suddenly exerted a powerful suction, holding her hand captive.

With a furious roar, Jiu’er’s fingernails shot out and she clawed fiercely. The giant pink flower shattered into fluttering petals scattered throughout the room.

Qian Sheng’s expression changed. She raised her arm high, and the drifting petals began to spin like tiny blades. As she chanted an incantation, the petals glowed with a sharp light, ready to strike down at Jiu’er.

“Jiu’er, she didn’t hurt me. She cut herself to purge the corpse demon aura within her. That’s why she wounded herself,” Zhang Shouzheng finally realized and quickly stopped Jiu’er. If these two girls fought inside the room, they’d surely tear the place apart.

Jiu’er glanced skeptically at Zhang Shouzheng, then at the bloodstains on the broken sword and the scratches on the palm. She sniffed, glared at Qian Sheng, and suddenly smiled at Zhang Shouzheng, saying, “Senior brother, your blood is a bit wasted…”

“So it’s another zombie. Shouzheng, come here quickly. Your pure yang blood restrains demons and monsters, but for bloodthirsty zombies, it’s actually a great nourishment.”

Qian Sheng noticed the strange light in Jiu’er’s crimson eyes and immediately grasped Zhang Shouzheng’s palm again. Her fingertip gently traced his wound. Her fingers were soft and carried a faint emerald glow. As they passed over, a cool sensation spread over the injury. Flesh began to weave together, rapidly recovering without leaving a scar.

Jiu’er withdrew her zombie power, glared at Qian Sheng, and said bluntly, “No matter how bloodthirsty I am, I’d never harm senior brother. But who are you, and why are you here? Though, you smell quite good—your blood must be sweet.”

“If you want to suck my blood, I doubt you have the ability. We’re deep in the mountains—you can’t do anything to me!”

Qian Sheng brandished her withered wooden staff angrily at Jiu’er, then looked over at Zhang Shouzheng, wondering why this guy was always entangled with zombies.

“Jiu’er, she is Qian Sheng of the mountain ghost clan, granddaughter of the owner of the Three Realms Market. Remember Shao Hua? Shao Hua has turned into a corpse demon and it was Shao Hua who hurt her. The Three Realms Market hasn’t opened yet; when it does, she will return there. For the next three days, she’ll be staying at the hospital.”

“Qian Sheng, this is my junior sister, Jiu’er. She’s actually a good person, don’t misunderstand her; she only acted out of concern for me,” Zhang Shouzheng said, standing between the two and introducing them.

“Senior brother, here’s your breakfast. After eating, you can go to school. Although it’s close, it’s getting late—don’t be late,” Jiu’er said as she placed the food on the nearby desk. She seemed to have no intention of dealing with Qian Sheng anymore. Qian Sheng turned her head away, ignoring Jiu’er in return.

Zhang Shouzheng breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. Then he asked, “Jiu’er, where were you last night? You rarely stay out overnight.”

“I went out to cultivate. I found a corpse demon site in the forest. Training there lets me double my efficiency,” Jiu’er smiled and explained.

After reminding Qian Sheng of some precautions, Zhang Shouzheng headed to school with Jiu’er. They arrived early; the classroom was mostly empty, but the Jiang siblings were already there.

Jiang Mingyue smiled warmly at Zhang Shouzheng as he took his seat and immediately approached, holding out a jade token. “Three Realms Market token.”

Zhang Shouzheng took it and examined the palm-sized token, which was intricately inscribed with silver mud runes, mysterious and extraordinary. He put it away and gratefully said, “Thank you for the token, Mingyue.”

Jiang Mingyue pursed her lips and said, “No need to thank me. But I should warn you, the Three Realms Market is full of all kinds of beings—good and evil are mixed. You mustn’t reveal your treasures; if someone with ill intent targets you, it’ll be trouble. Also, no matter who you trade with, try to keep a low profile. The market is relatively safe, but once you leave, there are those who would covet your treasures.”

Zhang Shouzheng nodded and asked again, “I understand. By the way, has the number of people going to Qingluo Mountain been confirmed? Do you know when we’ll set off?”

Jiang Mingyue’s eyes narrowed slightly. After a moment, she said slowly, “About forty people—ten or so freshmen, ten or so sophomores, and ten or so seniors. All the Taoist disciples from our class will go, including Zhong Zimo. Even those few from the senior Great Strength Sect will join. So we need to be careful. Though the Great Strength Sect seems respectable, there are some subtle rumors. It used to be called the Great Strength Demon Sect. I suspect they changed the name to cleanse their reputation. This sect is very mysterious, located at the border between our Zhongtian Continent and the Miao Wilderness, so few know their true nature. But our Jiang family has gathered some intel suggesting that the Great Strength Sect is likely a demonic sect, just like the Heavenly Demon Sect.”