“Two Magic Cultivators?”
Lin Yin’s eyes reddened.
That Sword Energy, even if it was just an ordinary strike, was beyond what they could withstand.
In the blink of an eye, at the moment the Sword Energy met the barrier the two had erected, the overwhelming Sword Intent wrapped in dense killing intent tore through their defenses like paper.
Feng Yaqin and Meng Lao both felt an irresistible force crash into their chests, causing Meng Lao to be sent flying backward.
Feng Yaqin crashed directly against a tree trunk behind her, smashing it in half.
The pain blackened her vision, and a bitter sweetness filled her throat as blood uncontrollably spurted out.
This lightning-fast turn of events left Jiang Che, who had been sitting on the ground nearby, completely blank.
Although he could not see, the terrifying collision of power and the familiar whistling Sword Energy were extremely clear through his hearing and touch.
He hurriedly stood up and crawled toward Feng Yaqin’s side, gathering her into his arms.
“Hey! Are you alright? If you could move, why didn’t you run?”
Jiang Che understood very well that Feng Yaqin was no ordinary wandering cultivator; her strength should be considerable.
Moreover, since his Master’s attention was mostly on him, if Feng Yaqin had tried to escape, Lin Yin wouldn’t have pursued her so relentlessly.
Feng Yaqin coughed a few times, a smile forming on her face. Although Jiang Che couldn’t see it, she still smiled—a genuine smile from the heart.
“I’m fine. You know the way to the village, right? Just run straight there. That madwoman probably won’t touch the village.
You should hide there. You don’t have any cultivation, so if you blend in with the crowd, she won’t be able to find you.”
Feng Yaqin said, gently stroking Jiang Che’s face.
She was about to suggest borrowing some money from Meng Lao—maybe they could open a shop together.
That sounded nice after all; being with someone you like and doing what you want without end.
Jiang Che was silent.
Feng Yaqin didn’t need to do these things for him; he understood clearly that Lin Yin was here for him.
As for why, he didn’t want to think about it.
But Lin Yin today was indeed different from usual.
Footsteps approached from afar as Lin Yin, sword in hand, walked closer.
The black aura around her intensified; she seemed completely unaware that her state was being affected by the Heart Demon.
“Lin…”
Jiang Che exhaled a single word, paused, then lifted his face toward Lin Yin’s direction.
“Master, are you really going to kill your disciple again?”
Feng Yaqin’s expression instantly turned to one of surprise at the word “Master.”
Master?
She had originally thought Jiang Che was just a disabled orphan, yet he actually had a Master.
However, given the current situation, her desire to probe Jiang Che’s past was immediately suppressed as she turned her gaze to Lin Yin.
Lin Yin’s clothes were soaked by the rain, thin fabric clinging tightly to her delicate curves.
Raindrops streamed down her jet-black hair, and her pale face looked somewhat disheveled.
At the moment Jiang Che spoke, it was like thunder exploding in her mind.
Her advancing steps abruptly halted, her body swaying slightly.
Suddenly, the memory of Lin Yin’s sword severing Jiang Che’s Linggen was evoked.
The sword in her hand clattered to the ground.
Rainwater washed over her fair, slender fingers, but in her vision, those hands were clearly stained with thick, dark blood.
She panicked, lifting her head sharply; her gaze pierced through the cold rain and landed on Jiang Che holding Feng Yaqin.
Her heart felt as if it was being cut by a thousand blades.
She deeply regretted what she had done to Jiang Che, spending over a year going door to door searching for any clue about him.
“It’s not… Che’er, Master never meant to hurt you. Master only…”
However, her words of defense were never finished.
The excruciating pain from the Heart Demon backlash hit her heart and veins like an invisible hammer.
A metallic, bloody taste instantly surged to her throat as Lin Yin’s body bent forward violently.
“Pft—!”
A mouthful of fresh blood sprayed out, misting in the rain.
Her body felt like all her bones had been drained, collapsing weakly forward, falling heavily into the cold mud—silent and motionless.
……
Three days later.
Jiang Che continued his usual life, although things had started to feel different.
After Lin Yin fell unconscious, Jiang Che had brought her back to the Ruined Temple.
According to Feng Yaqin, Lin Yin’s Heart Demon had spiraled out of control, causing severe internal injuries from qi and blood reversal.
She would recover after a few days of unconsciousness.
But Feng Yaqin had also sustained significant injuries: a broken left arm and severe internal trauma, with several ribs fractured.
These injuries were beyond what Jiang Che could handle alone, so he stayed up all night to find Hu Jingzhong to treat both of them.
However, one person was missing—Meng Lao.
Although Meng Lao hadn’t said anything at the time, Jiang Che had keenly noticed that someone had helped Feng Yaqin resist Lin Yin’s attack.
When he asked Feng Yaqin, she didn’t beat around the bush but still skirted the topic, saying the other party was fine and had already left, refusing to reveal any information about their identity.
As for Hu Jingzhong, he was somewhat stunned when he saw Jiang Che with two stunningly beautiful women.
But the injuries came first; he didn’t ask much, and Jiang Che only briefly explained that he had found these two people.
Hu Jingzhong just stroked his chin, analyzing Jiang Che’s recent odd behavior.
He wondered why Jiang Che hadn’t stayed at his place for meals lately—apparently, he was hiding a beauty in his “golden chamber.” But just how long had he been hiding her?
“Sigh.”
Jiang Che leaned on his crutch, walking through the forest.
Life was hard; even the head of the household sighed.
Though Hu Jingzhong didn’t charge for medicine, Jiang Che wasn’t the type to take advantage.
He didn’t want to owe anyone, especially Hu Jingzhong, who treated him like a disciple.
After all, one day they might truly become family, and if he owed too much now, he wouldn’t know how to repay it later.
Jiang Che walked slowly, wandering alone along the forest path.
Both injured in the temple needed nutrition, and the meager food he gathered by collecting herbs was barely enough.
He stopped under a tree and pulled out a small package wrapped in oiled paper from his pocket.
Inside were several leaves emitting a strong, spicy fragrance.
Hu Jingzhong had once told him about this wild aromatic plant; after simple processing, its scent intensified, attracting nearby herbivorous animals.
After setting the trap, Jiang Che quietly sat under the tree, motionless like a statue.
He only needed to wait for the right moment.
After about fifteen minutes, just as Jiang Che was about to fall asleep, rustling sounds came from the nearby grass.
A small, white Wild Rabbit poked its head out.
At first, the little white rabbit was extremely cautious, lifting its nose toward where Jiang Che sat.
It seemed to be sniffing Jiang Che for any signs of danger.
But Jiang Che sat like a statue, and judging by the sounds, it was a tiny creature.
Still very wary.
Luckily, this kind of leaf didn’t attract large carnivores—otherwise, it was anyone’s guess who would become prey.
Finally, the adorable Wild Rabbit relaxed its guard.
Tempted by the scent, it hopped over to the tree.
As soon as it bit into a leaf, it chewed twice.
The sweet, rich aroma and flavor immediately lit up its eyes, and it eagerly continued chewing.
It paid no attention to the shadow behind it or the crutch Jiang Che raised high.
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