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Transmigrated as The Cannon Fodder Bride of The Villainess

transmigrated as the cannon fodder bride of the villainess By Oct 27, 2024 1 Comment
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Chapter 31: So Soft

Luo Jinxiao discreetly reached out with her spiritual sense. The girlโ€™s energy was pure, a clear human aura with no trace of anything malevolent. She didnโ€™t seem possessed at all.

Before Luo Jinxiao could react, the desperate girl suddenly lunged forward and hugged her legs tightly. Caught off guard, Luo Jinxiao stumbled back a few steps to regain her balance and stared down at the girl in surprise.

The girlโ€™s eyes were filled with tears, her braid a mess, a few strands of hair clinging to her shoulders. She opened and closed her mouth repeatedly, desperate to communicate but unable to utter a sound.

โ€œWatch out! Sheโ€™ll hurt you! Xiuโ€™er, get back here!โ€ The innkeeper lunged for the girl again. She clung to Luo Jinxiaoโ€™s legs with all her might, refusing to let go. Caught in the middle of this tug-of-war, Luo Jinxiao held up a hand to stop them.

โ€œWait, innkeeper, please! Letโ€™s talk about this calmly. Is this really your daughter?โ€ she asked, placing herself protectively in front of the girl.

The innkeeper, chest heaving, straightened up and placed his hands on his hips. โ€œYou donโ€™t understand! This girlโ€ฆ she was born deaf and mute. No one would marry her, so she helps me run the inn. She used to be normal, but a year ago, she wandered off on her own and disappeared for days. We searched everywhere, but she was gone. When she finally came backโ€ฆ she wasnโ€™t the same. Sheโ€™s been acting strangely ever since, always trying to run away, always heading for the mountains.โ€

โ€œThe mountains?โ€ Luo Jinxiao echoed.

โ€œYes, the mountains behind the town. I followed her once. It was the middle of the night, pitch black. She was sitting alone on the mountaintop, talking to a tree. Iโ€™ve never been so terrified in my life.โ€

The innkeeperโ€™s voice dropped to a whisper. โ€œI tried to bring her back, but as I took a step towards her, I tripped and fell. When I looked upโ€ฆ she was gone. I searched everywhere, but there was no sign of her. I rushed back to the inn, and when I opened the doorโ€ฆ there she was, sitting right on the doorstep, as if nothing had happened.โ€

His words sent chills down Luo Jinxiaoโ€™s spine. She couldnโ€™t help but glance back at Qu Weiyin, who was frowning, deep in thought.

โ€œLook, you seem like good people. Iโ€™m just warning you. Donโ€™t get involved. Rest up for the night and be on your way,โ€ the innkeeper said in low voice. Then, before Luo Jinxiao could react, he grabbed the girl and dragged her away, disappearing into one of the rooms.

Luo Jinxiao made to follow, but Qu Weiyin stopped her.

โ€œJunior Shishu, I checked. Thereโ€™s nothing wrong with her. Sheโ€™s not possessed,โ€ Luo Jinxiao insisted, shaking her head.

โ€œI know,โ€ Qu Weiyin said calmly, her eyes unreadable. โ€œBut they are father and daughter. Itโ€™s not our place to interfere.โ€

They sat in silence for a while longer before retiring to their rooms. The others were sound asleep, and Luo Jinxiao was exhausted herself. She drifted off almost immediately, sinking into the soft bedding.

She wasnโ€™t sure how much time had passed when a sudden gust of wind jolted her awake. She sat up abruptly and looked out the window. It was the middle of the night, the sky a suffocating black void, devoid of even a sliver of moonlight.

Something about the oppressive darkness felt wrong. Luo Jinxiao got out of bed and walked over to the window. The street was deserted, the wind whipping tattered cloth and leaves across the ground with an eerie rustling sound. Other than that, there was an unsettling silence. No children crying, no dogs barking, no crickets chirping. It was as if the entire town had fallen deathly still.

Luo Jinxiao closed the window and went to check on Luo Ning. She knocked softly on the door, but there was no response.

Worry gnawed at Luo Jinxiao. She was about to push the door open when a hand suddenly grasped her shoulder. She spun around, only to have a soft hand clamp over her mouth.

โ€œShh, donโ€™t wake them,โ€ Qu Weiyin whispered in her ear, her grip on Luo Jinxiaoโ€™s shoulder surprisingly firm.

A faint floral fragrance filled the air. Luo Jinxiao lowered her gaze, looking into Qu Weiyinโ€™s eyes, and nodded slowly.

Qu Weiyin released her and, without a hint of gentleness, pulled her by the collar into the room. It was pitch black inside, and Luo Jinxiao narrowly avoided tripping over the table several times.

โ€œSomethingโ€™s not right in this town. At night, itโ€™s blanketed by demonic energy. Itโ€™s affecting everyone, making them sleep so deeply they canโ€™t be woken,โ€ Qu Weiyin explained, pulling Luo Jinxiao towards the window. In the faint light filtering through the cracks in the shutters, Luo Jinxiao could finally make out her expression.

It was a mixture of her usual indifference and a newfound seriousness.

โ€œSpeaking of which, why are you awake?โ€ Qu Weiyin asked, her gaze sweeping over Luo Jinxiao with suspicion. โ€œMy cultivation is strong enough to resist the effects, but youโ€ฆโ€

โ€œI, uhโ€ฆ I had a bit of an upset stomach. Couldnโ€™t sleep,โ€ Luo Jinxiao blurted out, hoping she sounded convincing.

Qu Weiyin scrutinized her for a moment longer before continuing. โ€œIt seems the innkeeper was telling the truth. Thereโ€™s definitely a demon causing trouble in this town.โ€

โ€œCould it be related to that girl, Xiuโ€™er?โ€ Luo Jinxiao asked, recalling the young girl from earlier.

Qu Weiyin shook her head. โ€œIโ€™m not sure. But the entire town is saturated with demonic energy. Whatever it is, it seems to be feeding on the life force of the townspeople.โ€

โ€œSo, we shouldโ€ฆโ€

โ€œYouโ€™re staying here,โ€ Qu Weiyin interrupted. โ€œDonโ€™t move an inch until I return.โ€

Before Luo Jinxiao could protest, Qu Weiyin was gone, her slender silhouette swallowed by the darkness. Luo Jinxiao tried to follow, but a golden barrier slammed into her, throwing her back.

โ€œA barrier? Seriously?โ€ Luo Jinxiao grumbled, rubbing her forehead.

She raised her hand to dispel it but hesitated. Qu Weiyin had given her a direct order. Besides, with her level of cultivation, those demons wouldnโ€™t stand a chance against her.

Luo Jinxiao peered out the window again. The darkness remained unchanged, offering no clues. She sat down on the bed, a wave of helplessness washing over her.

Suddenly, a deafening roar ripped through the night, like a storm battering against the walls. Luo Jinxiao leapt to her feet and hurried to the window. A flash of golden light streaked across the sky, parting the oppressive darkness. In its wake, the moonlight poured down like a waterfall, bathing the town in a silvery glow.

The full moon, now a brilliant silver disc in the sky, banished the shadows that had gripped Pingxi Town.

A moment later, a figure appeared outside her window. It was Qu Weiyin. But her usually straight posture was gone, replaced by a weary slump. She stumbled towards the window, collapsing into Luo Jinxiaoโ€™s arms.

For a moment, Luo Jinxiaoโ€™s heart skipped a beat, quickly replaced by worry.

Qu Weiyinโ€™s eyes were closed, her body alarmingly limp. Something was terribly wrong. Luo Jinxiao gently guided her to the bed.

โ€œJunior Shishu, are you hurt?โ€ she asked, kneeling beside her. She reached out with one hand to steady Qu Weiyin while her other hand probed gently with spiritual energy. Qu Weiyinโ€™s spiritual pathways were a chaotic mess, her energy surging dangerously.

The chaotic energy didnโ€™t feel like an external injury. It was self-inflicted.

โ€œIs it the Gu in your body? Did it flare up?โ€ Luo Jinxiao asked.

Gone was Qu Weiyinโ€™s usual coldness and hostility. Her eyes were tightly shut, her face unusually pale and vulnerable. Her lips were pressed together in a tight line. She nodded slightly in response to Luo Jinxiaoโ€™s question.

Luo Jinxiao let out a small sigh. She sat up on the bed, and Qu Weiyin, unable to support herself, slumped against her, her cheek resting on Luo Jinxiaoโ€™s shoulder. Her breath, hot and ragged, brushed against Luo Jinxiaoโ€™s skin.

Luo Jinxiao felt a strange warmth spread through her. She bit her lip, pushing aside any stray thoughts. Focus on saving her.

She gently took Qu Weiyinโ€™s hand in hers, slowly channeling her own spiritual energy to soothe the turmoil within her and purge the lingering demonic energy.

It seems she was alone when the Gu flared up, and she tried to suppress it herself, Luo Jinxiao realized. No wonder her spiritual pathways are so damaged.

But why? Why push herself so hard to protect this town, even in her condition? Luo Jinxiao recalled the brilliant golden light that had ripped through the sky earlier. It was Qu Weiyinโ€™s power, a display of terrifying strength. But now, she seemed soโ€ฆfragile.

Sheโ€™s supposed to be evil. But most of the time, sheโ€™s so kind, even righteous cultivators pale in comparison. How can someone embody such contradictory traits? Luo Jinxiao couldnโ€™t understand.

The hand of a former Demon Lord, yet it felt so delicate and soft in hers. Luo Jinxiao stared at their intertwined hands, her thoughts a jumbled mess.

Qu Weiyinโ€™s hand fit perfectly in hers. Luo Jinxiao gave it a gentle squeeze.

As Qu Weiyinโ€™s erratic spiritual energy gradually calmed, Luo Jinxiao relaxed slightly. She continued channeling her healing energy, but her free hand started toying with Qu Weiyinโ€™s, shaping it into a lotus flower, then a fist, unable to resist the urge to play.

โ€œHaving fun?โ€ a quiet voice asked.

Luo Jinxiao was about to reply, a cheerful โ€œYes, veryโ€”โ€ on her lips, when she froze.

โ€œSoโ€ฆsoftโ€ฆโ€ she blurted out.

A faint blush colored Qu Weiyinโ€™s cheeks. She pulled her hand away and slowly sat up, leaning against the headboard for support. Her face was pale, her lips a delicate shade of pink against her skin.

โ€œHow improper,โ€ she chided, her voice hoarse, her gaze fixed on anything but Luo Jinxiao.

โ€œJunior Shishu, how are you feeling?โ€ Luo Jinxiao asked softly, her gaze fixed on Qu Weiyinโ€™s face. โ€œYou knew the Gu was acting up. You could have come back for me to help. Why push yourself so hard to deal with those demons?โ€

โ€œThey donโ€™t just feed on yang energy. They devour people whole. Every night, a few more villagers vanish. I was already hereโ€ฆ might as well do something,โ€ Qu Weiyin replied, shaking her head. โ€œThank you.โ€

โ€œItโ€™s nothing,โ€ Luo Jinxiao said with a grin. โ€œBut will that demonโ€ฆ thingโ€ฆ come back?โ€

โ€œI wasnโ€™t strong enough to kill it, only to drive it away. Itโ€™ll probably return tomorrow. Itโ€™s an old one, powerful. I couldnโ€™t tell what kind of demon it was,โ€ Qu Weiyin said, her voice weak. Luo Jinxiao worried she might faint again.

โ€œYou need to rest,โ€ Luo Jinxiao insisted. โ€œShould we continue our journey tomorrow, or stay another night?โ€

โ€œNo need. Even the strongest demon is no match for me. Tonight wasโ€ฆ an anomaly. You leave with the others tomorrow. Iโ€™ll deal with the demon and catch up later,โ€ Qu Weiyin said, shaking her head again. She lay back down, swatting away Luo Jinxiaoโ€™s hand when she tried to help her.

โ€œGo back to your room,โ€ Qu Weiyin said, her brow furrowed. She turned away from Luo Jinxiao, her back stiff. She discreetly rubbed her hand, still warm from Luo Jinxiaoโ€™s touch, then brought it to her chest, as if trying to soothe a racing heart.

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XII
XII
10 days ago

Thanks for the chapter… I really like this novel