Chapter 42: Taking Responsibility for You Part 1

Huo Zhi froze as if her acupoints had been sealed, her face flushing crimson.

How utterly shameful!

Linlang observed Huo Zhi’s state. She took out the clothes and bent down to help Huo Zhi put them on.

When her hand touched Huo Zhi’s skin, Huo Zhi shuddered and finally snapped back from those indescribable images.

“I, I’ll do it myself!” Huo Zhi said hurriedly, hastily circulating her cultivation technique.

Now that the Black Tortoise Ren Water had been drawn away, Huo Zhi’s technique circulated more smoothly. She retracted her tail and ears, and her mind instantly cleared considerably.

As Huo Zhi wanted to dress herself, Linlang turned aside, keeping watch on their surroundings.

Huo Zhi stood up to put on her clothes. She hadn’t expected her legs to feel as though they didn’t belong to her. They went weak, and failing to stand properly, she pitched forward, only to be caught and steadied by Linlang.

“Careful,” Linlang said. Thinking of something, she took out a talisman and activated it. It was a Rejuvenation Talisman, capable of restoring physical strength and Spiritual Qi.

As Huo Zhi felt some relief in her aching, weak body, her face flushed even redder. Remembering the earlier situation, with her legs this sore, the woman before her had still stood with a remarkably straight back—unbroken.

At this thought, Huo Zhi shook her head rapidly, casting away those terrifying thoughts.

Who would have thought that one day she would be in heat for a woman, so utterly shameless…

She dared not think further. One more thought and she wished she could vanish completely from this world.

Huo Zhi accelerated her cultivation technique, forcing herself to calm down, and hurriedly put on the set of clothes.

The clothes Linlang gave Huo Zhi were a cold-resistant, warming Talisman Robe prepared by Wenren Sumian. White with light blue patterns, it perfectly matched Huo Zhi’s face, which had regained its cool, otherworldly elegance. Her whole person exuded a somewhat cold, proud aura, as if she were beyond worldly concerns.

Seeing Huo Zhi’s current appearance, Linlang couldn’t help but recall the image of her just moments ago, lifting her neck in soft moans and quiet sobs.

“We don’t know what’s happening outside. Let’s leave this ice cave first,” Linlang said, handing Huo Zhi her Immortal Talisman Sect token. She then grasped Huo Zhi’s arm and supported her out of the ice cave.

Huo Zhi didn’t want Linlang to support her, but her legs were still somewhat weak.

Outside was still a World of Ice and Snow. The ground beneath their feet was still trembling, yet no Demon Beasts were attacking nearby. They didn’t know what was happening.

Linlang activated a Teleportation Talisman and moved Huo Zhi to another location. As soon as they arrived, she sensed something was wrong: there were several Cultivators present.

The newcomers immediately became alert upon seeing Linlang and Huo Zhi.

“This territory belongs to the Shentu Family. Unauthorized persons withdraw immediately!” one of the Cultivators declared.

Linlang glanced around at the surrounding Cultivators. They were uniformly dressed and appeared to be well-trained family servants. There were likely many more reinforcements nearby. With Huo Zhi still not fully recovered, engaging in battle would be inconvenient. Without a word, Linlang directly activated a Teleportation Talisman to leave once more. This time, the two arrived at an ice mountain and stopped to rest in a sheltered spot.

Linlang said nothing, silently taking out another Rejuvenation Talisman to continue treating Huo Zhi.

“Well… thank you for what happened earlier. I’m truly sorry. That wasn’t my intention,” Huo Zhi said feeling somewhat awkward. She still had to speak, categorizing the incident as an accident and expressing her gratitude.

This Bounty Hunter was cool and aloof, but she had her principles. She hadn’t gone all the way and had helped her dispel the Flower Moon Talisman’s effects.

It was all her own fault, constantly clinging to the other woman. It was simply too shameful.

“There’s no need for apologies. It was an accident. I also didn’t know how to handle what just happened. Although we didn’t truly Dual Cultivate, I have already engaged in very intimate acts with you, fairy. Please rest assured, I will take responsibility for you. If you don’t find me unworthy, I am willing to become your Dao Companion,” Linlang said with great seriousness.

“No, no, no, that’s not necessary!” Huo Zhi was shocked by the proposal of becoming Dao Companions and quickly waved her hands. Her original intention was to smooth over what had happened, to treat it like a one-night stand—an adult matter. She hadn’t expected the other party to want marriage!

“Does the fairy perhaps have someone she likes? I heard you mention a name earlier—Linlang. Is she your lover?” Seeing Huo Zhi waving her hands repeatedly, Linlang considered the matter and asked.

“No, it’s not like that! She is my Disciple. It is absolutely impossible for us to be lovers. Please don’t misunderstand,” Huo Zhi hurriedly explained.

Linlang fell silent. It seemed Huo Zhi truly did not like her in her identity as her Disciple, Linlang. It was fortunate she had the identity of a Bounty Hunter and hadn’t revealed her name.

“…Then why is the fairy unwilling to become my Dao Companion? Is it because what happened earlier didn’t go all the way, and you feel it’s unnecessary?” Linlang continued asking. If that were the case, Linlang somewhat regretted not continuing then, even at the risk of developing a Heart Devil.

“It’s not that. Even if it had gone all the way, that wouldn’t be a reason to become Dao Companions. What happened was caused by the Flower Moon Talisman, not an act of mutual affection. There’s no need to become Dao Companions, and you don’t need to take responsibility for me. Let’s just pretend nothing happened, alright? If you feel you’ve been wronged, I can compensate you with Spirit Stones,” Huo Zhi said, momentarily at a loss for words. As soon as she finished speaking, she saw the other woman’s expression darken.

“…” Linlang looked at Huo Zhi, silent for a moment. For some reason, Huo Zhi’s words reminded her of an irresponsible scoundrel—had her fun, didn’t want to commit, and was even offering Spirit Stones?

“I didn’t mean anything else by it. I just mean what happened was an accident, and neither of us needs to dwell on it. Thank you for saving me. You’re a Bounty Hunter on a Bounty Mission. It’s perfectly normal to receive Spirit Stones for saving someone. If you don’t accept them, I will feel very bad about it,” Huo Zhi quickly tried to amend her statement.

Listening to Huo Zhi, Linlang realized she was vehemently denying the intimacy they had just shared.

If she insisted further, what would be the result?

“Very well. One hundred thousand Spirit Stones!” Linlang paused, then said flatly.

“…Uh, I don’t have them on me right now. I’ll give them to you when we return to the Immortal Talisman Sect. I am a person of credibility. If you don’t believe me, we can make a Blood Oath,” Huo Zhi said, sighing in relief when Linlang asked for Spirit Stones.

“I believe you. From now on, you will be staying here for a month. If you wish to hire a Protector, it’s ten thousand Spirit Stones per day. Although my cultivation level is low, I am well-stocked with Talismans and Talisman Artifacts,” Linlang stated expressionlessly.

“…Fine, I hire you.” Huo Zhi agreed to Linlang’s terms. Huo Zhi currently had pitifully few Talismans, not even Talisman Materials. Recalling the Walrus Demons and those ill-intentioned Human Cultivators she had encountered, Linlang was relatively much more reliable.

“Also, regarding your Heavenly Fox Physique, I will keep it confidential. That requires a confidentiality fee: one hundred thousand Spirit Stones,” Linlang continued.

“…Uh, okay. Thank you very much.” The corner of Huo Zhi’s mouth twitched. Heavens, she had just spent five hundred thousand Spirit Stones in this short conversation!

Truly a person who would even forgo entering the Immortal Talisman Sect for a bounty!

“Good. For the next month, your safety is entrusted to me,” Linlang said.

“Thank you for your trouble!” Huo Zhi thanked her very formally, covering up the awkwardness and shame deep inside her.

Linlang glanced at Huo Zhi. After she had piled on the compensation demands, Huo Zhi’s expression had actually relaxed somewhat. This woman was truly unfathomable!

It was just as well, they now had a transactional protective relationship, and they could continue traveling together.

Just as the two finished their negotiation, the surroundings began to shake again, accompanied by the roars of beasts.

Hearing these beast roars, Huo Zhi felt a sense of familiarity and an inexplicable sadness welled up in her heart, though she didn’t know why.

“From the Storage Bag of one of those men just now, I found a map. It seems the Immortal Talisman Sect discovered some significant treasure in this location. Do you want to go observe the excitement, or continue searching for a safe place?” Linlang produced a map and asked Huo Zhi.

“Let’s find a safe place,” Huo Zhi said. Huo Zhi had a general understanding of the Extreme North Region. Those who came here were generally of high cultivation and certainly well-prepared. Unlike them, she had been forcibly teleported here. If she could just survive the month and return safely, that would be enough. She didn’t have the ability to compete with others for any treasures anyway.

Those beast roars were probably Cultivators hunting Demon Beasts.

As long as the Demon Beasts didn’t bother her, Huo Zhi had no desire to hunt them deliberately.

“Alright.” Linlang nodded, about to activate the Teleportation Talisman Artifact to leave again, when Huo Zhi suddenly grabbed her arm.

“Wait, I think I found a little something,” Huo Zhi said.

“What?” Linlang looked around, discovering nothing.

Huo Zhi took a few steps forward, moved a chunk of broken ice, and revealed a pure white Little Snow Fox, only the size of a palm. Its eyes were heterochromatic—one brown, one ice-blue—exceedingly beautiful. Its front half was pierced by an arrow. The blood had already dried, and its life force aura was extremely faint, almost imperceptible.

Seeing Huo Zhi and Linlang, the Little Snow Fox couldn’t even make a sound. It wanted to flee but no longer had the strength, its eyes clearly filled with a kind of despair.

Seeing the Little Snow Fox, Huo Zhi’s heart clenched.

Huo Zhi herself was a Half-Demon with a Snow Fox Bloodline.

“How pitiful. Don’t be afraid. Do you have a Healing Talisman?” Huo Zhi wanted to pick up the Little Snow Fox but didn’t dare to move it. She turned and asked Linlang.

“Yes.” Linlang produced a Healing Talisman, activated it, and applied it to the Snow Fox.

Huo Zhi wanted to break off both ends of the arrow piercing the Snow Fox. When she reached her hand toward it, the Snow Fox struggled. The Healing Talisman had made it slightly better, but this struggle caused fresh blood to layer over the already clotted wound.

“Can you understand what I’m saying? Don’t be afraid, I mean you no harm. I need to treat your wound now. This arrow has to be removed. If it’s not removed, your wound won’t heal…” Huo Zhi said in a very soft, gentle voice.

The Little Snow Fox still wouldn’t let Huo Zhi touch it.

It was far too weak. Any more struggling and its blood would run dry.

Huo Zhi dared not move it further.

“Do you have a veiled hat?” Huo Zhi asked Linlang.

“Yes.” Linlang gave Huo Zhi a veiled hat.

After putting it on, Huo Zhi shifted her bloodline to that of a Fox Demon. Her outward appearance remained unchanged now, but beneath the veil, her unaltered features had slightly transformed.

Huo Zhi also wore the bracelet Moyi Guihua had given her, which could mask her aura. However, some things were instinctual for Demon Beasts. Even if the aura was isolated, the bloodline could be sensed by fellow Demon Beasts of the same lineage.

As Huo Zhi switched her bloodline, the Little Snow Fox’s expression gradually changed.

“Can I treat your wound now? Don’t move, be good,” Huo Zhi said softly, reaching out again to deal with the arrow in the Little Snow Fox. This time, the Little Snow Fox did not struggle.

Huo Zhi wanted to snap off the arrowhead, but found it was extremely sturdy, almost impossible to break by hand.

“This seems to be some kind of metal, likely generated by a Metal-Type Talisman. I wonder how long it’s been here, yet it hasn’t dissipated due to Spiritual Qi decay,” Huo Zhi said to Linlang.

“Not good. Look at the arrowhead’s mark—the seal script characters for ‘Shentu.’ It’s the Shentu Family. If you don’t want any conflict with them, it’s better not to interfere,” Linlang said.

Linlang’s understanding of Huo Zhi was limited to Huo Zhi’s attitude toward herself. Now, seeing Huo Zhi so kind to a Snow Fox, she inexplicably projected herself onto the Snow Fox.

If before her had been an injured Cinnabar Bird, just like when they first met, Huo Zhi would have helped her too, right?

“What enmity could a little Snow Fox who hasn’t even matured have? It’s a member of my own clan. I can’t not save it,” Huo Zhi said.

“Mhm. You’re my employer, so you have the final say. Let me do it,” Linlang said. She reached over and snapped off the arrowhead. Then, with an extremely swift motion, she pulled out the arrow shaft. With the Healing Talisman in effect, the bleeding quickly stopped.