Volume 1, Chapter 13: Let Me Take a Few More Bites Next Time

Lu Yanci had already formulated a plan in his mind. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "The outside world currently believes I am as good as dead. Have your people spread the word today that I have been brought back to life with the help of a miraculous mystic from beyond the mortal realm. The more mystical you make the story sound, the better. In two days, send out invitations one by one, requesting those people to attend Xinxin’s birthday banquet."

A mystic? Who? Was this brat talking about her?

Xie Wangning gazed at Lu Yanci, her eyes carrying a dangerous, icy glint. This kid better not be referring to her!

A hint of worry flickered in Lu Boshang’s eyes. "A-Yan, are you intending to step into the trap yourself to find the person behind this?"

"Father, do not worry." Lu Yanci took note of his father’s apprehension. He lowered his gaze, cast a brief glance at Xie Wangning, and continued, "She said that the 'Death Curse' and the Buddha statue nourished by death energy were not things cultivated overnight."

"The person behind this must have wanted to get rid of me for a long time. Furthermore, if I recall correctly, there has been no shortage of mysterious deaths in Nancheng in recent years." As he spoke, a dark glint flashed in Lu Yanci’s deep eyes. "I lay in a hospital bed for three years, yet now I have awakened. The one who cast the curse will certainly come to see if it is true."

Lu Boshang’s expression sharpened; he understood Lu Yanci’s intent. "When the time comes, you will be standing in the public eye, and the culprit behind this will inevitably show their true colors. It is just that, even then, we might not immediately be able to identify who exactly the murderer is."

"Do not worry."

Xie Wangning, who had been silent until now, spoke up. With her eyelids lowered, she looked at the vermilion brush in her hand, which was beginning to dry out, and said with calm composure, "Those who practice the Death Curse will inevitably be tainted by foul energy. As soon as he appears, I will be able to spot him at a single glance."

"Truly?" Lu Boshang looked at Xie Wangning, his gaze trembling slightly with a mix of hope and nervousness.

"Naturally." Xie Wangning’s fingertips moved slightly, causing the brush to spin nimbly between them.

"That is wonderful!" Upon receiving her confirmation, the tension on Lu Boshang’s face finally gave way to a smile, and his entire demeanor relaxed. He had not expected that within a few short days, not only would his son and wife be cured, but the culprit who had harmed his son would also be found.

For the past three years, Lu Boshang had felt as though his heart were caught in a tempest of thunder and lightning. Darkness, lightning, and giant waves had acted like a demonic claw, sweeping over him and drowning him, leaving him gasping for air. Suddenly, the clouds had parted, the rain had stopped, and the waves had receded; he felt as though he had come back to life.

The emotions in his heart were difficult to settle. His lips were dry and trembling, and the hatred and murderous intent buried deep within him began to leak out. "I will go make the arrangements now."

With that, he turned and left immediately. The moment he turned, the murderous intent in his eyes was no longer hidden; he resembled a long-dormant king of beasts, ready to strike.

Watching his retreating figure, Xie Wangning’s eyes flickered. He, too, harbored murderous intent! If not checked, it would likely lead to a bloodbath, just as it had in her previous life.

For a time, only Xie Wangning and Lu Yanci remained in the room, and even the air fell silent. Xie Wangning did not notice that Lu Yanci’s gaze remained fixed on the brush at her fingertips, his eyes clouded with a subtle pain, as if he were recalling some heavy memory.

She tucked away her emotions, her face returning to its usual expression, and said to Lu Yanci, "I am a person who dislikes owing others. You saved my life, and I have saved your entire Lu family; we are now even. Those three conditions of yours should also be voided."

"...Very well." Lu Yanci retracted his gaze and nodded slowly.

"Good, you’re reasonable." Xie Wangning looked at him with satisfaction and added, "Now, I will help you find the one who cast the curse, and on the day of the banquet, you will help me bring Lin Wanyin here."

"Lin Wanyin avoids me as much as she can; how could she possibly come to the Lu residence for a banquet?"

"That is precisely why I need your help."

"What are you planning to do?"

At these words, the brush in Xie Wangning’s hand spun lightly, and a cold glint flashed across her indifferent eyes. "I have some private matters to settle. Rest assured, it will not implicate anyone else."

Lu Yanci: "..."

The way she looked, it felt as if she wanted to kill someone. Recalling that rainy night and the two figures hiding behind the tree who had hesitated to show themselves, Lu Yanci said slowly, "Do not worry, they will all come."

Having received a satisfactory answer, Xie Wangning returned her attention to the Buddha statue. The death energy within it resembled a beast lurking in the dark night, its eyes flickering with a sinister light, glaring at her viciously. The gaze was like that of a long-starved predator, poised and ready to swallow her whole.

"Eating whatever you find will only lead to your own choking."

Xie Wangning’s brush danced across the yellow paper, and with a fluid motion, she completed the spiritual talisman in one go. Once it was finished, she flicked her hand toward Lu Yanci, a faint smile appearing in her eyes as she said gently, "Come here."

"?"

Lu Yanci frowned, a hint of irritation in his eyes. Why did this woman beckon to him as if calling a dog? Especially her smile—though it hung on her lips, it did not seem to reach her eyes, carrying an indescribable depth that made her difficult to read.

"What for?" he asked coldly, his tone defensive. This time, he would absolutely not listen to her as he had before, as if under a spell.

"Stop dawdling."

The smile on Xie Wangning’s face vanished instantly, as if the spring breeze had suddenly ceased and been replaced by a chill. With lightning speed, she grabbed Lu Yanci by the collar and pulled him sharply toward her, until their noses were almost touching. Then, she rose on her tiptoes, parted her lips, and like a thirsty vampire, bared her fangs and lunged to bite at his neck.

"Ugh..."

Lu Yanci’s pupils dilated in utter shock and disbelief. His body went rigid as a string, his fists clenched tight, and he felt as if even the dust in the air were trembling. He was frozen in place, unable to move. In that instant, it was so quiet that he could clearly hear his own chaotic heartbeat. His mind went blank, and for that moment, he forgot how to react to anything.

After drawing a large breath of purple energy, Xie Wangning pulled away, satisfied. Her fingertips danced through a seal, and a purple light erupted from the talisman, swift and dazzling like a shooting star in the dark night.

"Talisman Spirit—Seal!"

In an instant, the arrogant and overbearing death energy seemed to encounter a god of slaughter; it immediately retracted its sharpness, and after a brief struggle, it fell silent.

Xie Wangning curled her lips into a faint smile, her brows arched with a touch of pride. "I hate these arrogant, unpunished evil spirits the most."

Lu Yanci: "...?"

If she had relied solely on the power of the talisman, sealing this death energy would have cost her significant effort, and her current frail body would not have been able to withstand it. But with the reinforcement of Lu Yanci’s purple energy, her soul-suppressing talisman could unleash thirty percent of its power. Unfortunately, Lu Yanci’s Death Curse remained unbroken, and his innate imperial purple energy was being suppressed.

"It is done. The evil has been suppressed; this hospital is safe now."

After speaking, Xie Wangning lowered her head and began to brush the dust off herself with meticulous care. She was shaking off the bad luck she had just picked up. She had no desire to be unlucky.

Immediately after, she turned to face Lu Yanci, who was still standing there frozen, a teasing light in her cold eyes. "You don't need to thank me too much. Just let me take a few more bites next time."

Lu Yanci: "???"

What did she just say?

After Xie Wangning left, only Lu Yanci remained in the room, his expression gloomy. He remained silent, his gaze fixed with complexity upon her retreating back. He always felt that Xie Wangning’s purpose in approaching him was definitely not simple!

Hmph, he would like to see exactly what she was up to.

Lu Yanci raised his hand and wiped fiercely at the spot where Xie Wangning had bitten him.