Chapter 7: Tough

The jiaoren's attack had used up all of his strength. He was now hanging there motionless while the lightning kept striking him. Everyone was focused on Lin Haoqing and his injury right now, no one seemed to care that the lightning mechanism was still turned on.

"Young valley master, this place is dangerous. The bricks and stones keep falling... Let's get out of here?" Lin Haoqing concentrated his powers on self healing, then raised his head and stared gloomily at the rag-like demon in the cage.

"Have someone come and repair the cell," he gave an order then turned to leave. While walking out, his eyes fell on Ji Yunhe who was still sitting on the side, steady and calm like a mountain.

"Master Warden is not leaving?"

"I'll stay a little longer and watch him, in case he makes another move." Ji Yunhe finally moved her eyes away from the jiaoren and looked back at Lin Haoqing.

"Young valley master was injured by the golden arrow. The enchantment on it is powerful, please go and treat it quickly before it gets worse."

"Master Warden, please be careful as well." Lin Haoqing looked at the two assistants beside him. "You two stay here to protect her. If this demon dares to move again, report it to me at once."

The two who were appointed hesitated a bit. Obviously they did not want to stay any longer, but due to the order, they could only lower their heads and answer "yes."

Finally, Ling Haoqing left the dungeon surrounded by his eager assistants. Ji Yunhe brushed the dust off of her body, stood up and walked to the lightning control. The two guards left by Lin Haoqing watched in horror as she put her hand on the wooden lever and pulled down.

Click! The lightning disappeared.

"Master Warden!" one of the assistants called out. "I'm afraid that is not wise..."

"What's the problem?" Ji Yunhe barely acknowledged their existence.

"The young valley master has his methods in taming demons, and I have mine," she said as she shifted her focus into the cell, no longer paying any attention to them. She started chanting the incantation to open the cell door.

Most of the onlookers outside had left by now. A remaining few saw what she was about to do and shouted out in distress, "Master Warden, no!"

Ling Haoqing's two assistants rushed toward Ji Yunhe to put a stop to her chanting. But before they could reach her, a sword swiped down and pierced into the ground before their feet, sending chills down their spine.

"Have the young valley master's men forgotten the rules?" Snow March stood beside them with an intimidating face.

"Are the Master Warden's actions part of your jurisdiction now?" Snow March's capabilities were not unknown here in the Demon Valley. With Lin Haoqing gone, the remaining minions were no match whatsoever against her.

The two assistants could only beg helplessly, "Master Warden! The prison door must not open! If the demon escapes..."

But Ji Yunhe already pulled the cell door open and stepped inside. She did not rush to close it. Instead, she turned around and pushed it open a little wider.

The people standing outside the dungeon immediately trotted off. The two guards left here by order did not run, but their legs began shaking and their faces turned pale.

This jiaoren had really given them quite a scare. Ji Yunhe chuckled, then slowly closed the door.

Clang!

The sound isolated them from the world outside. She approached the jiaoren. Being up close and without bars and lightning flashes in between made his injuries look even more horrific.

Such a critical condition, how was he supposed to escape? Ji Yunhe stood in front of the huge tail that was supposed to be stunningly beautiful. It was now completely powerless and limp, hanging down lifelessly. Looking up, she saw his pale face, silver hair tangled with blood and dust, and eyes that remained half-open by pure defiance.

The ice blue pupils were now gray with no focus and no spirit, as if he were dead. Ji Yunhe knew he had used up all of his remaining power and strength for that strike. Just to hurt Lin Haoqing, someone who had humiliated him...

She sighed softly. Tough demons always had to endure more suffering. The tougher they were, the more difficult their days were. People were the same way. Ji Yunhe looked down at his tail.

The iron chain was still embedded inside him, though now hanging by just a small piece of skin. She took out a dagger and swiftly sliced through the last bit of connecting tissue. The chain fell to the ground with a thud.

Even though the tail was torn, at least now he no longer had to bear all that extra weight. It should lighten the burden on his arms. Ji Yunhe looked up at him again. He was too weak to feel her dagger, but the sudden ease of the body brought some consciousness back into him. The blue eyes moved and finally focused on her face below.

Ji Yunhe knew he was looking at her. She opened her mouth and silently said with just the movements of her lips, "Why bother?" The jiaoren's eyes quivered slightly. He understood her. No more interaction beyond that.

He probably did not have the strength to talk even if he wanted to. Lin Haoqing was really too anxious this time and had acted quite irrationally. Ji Yunhe gave an order, "Pull that lever and bring him down for me."

Lin Haoqing's two assistants shook their heads vigorously. Snow March gave a cold snort. Without saying anything, she picked up a stone and flicked it at a lever by the edge of the cell.

Gears turned and the jiaoren was slowly lowered to the ground. Ji Yunhe watched him closely. When he came within reach, she wrapped her hands around his waist and pulled him into her arms. His waist was where scales met skin. The scales here were soft, shimmery, and cool to the touch.

They felt wonderful… but she did not dare to touch more because there was nowhere on his body without wounds. She gently laid him down on the ground.

"Bring me some medicine."

The two assistants looked at each other.

"Master Warden... you want to treat the injuries of this demon...?"

"Who else?" These two were really starting to get on her nerves.

"Beat you up then give you treatment?"

The two of them let out a gasp. Ji Yunhe did not establish her rank by being lazy and bedridden all these years. They looked at each other for a while and nudged themselves in the arms, finally deciding on one to go get some medicine. Ji Yunhe examined the injuries on the jiaoren's body.

From his eyebrows to his chest, from his waist to the tip of his fish tail, she looked over every inch. He was still awake, though barely. He stared at her at first, but after realizing what she was doing, this tough guy demon who did not react to any beating and cruelty, suddenly blinked twice and somewhat stiffly twisted his head in another direction.

Ji Yunhe felt the slight movement of his body, and glanced at him with amusement. Hmm? As it seemed, he might be tough on the outside, on the inside he was surprisingly shy.

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