Chapter Twenty-Two: I Will Protect You

Under the moonlight, the two huddled together in a corner.

"San'er," Nian Xianyi suddenly called out.

"Hmm," Zisan responded lazily.

"Can you promise me something?" Nian Xianyi asked.

Zisan glanced at him. She had felt all day that there was something different about him, but she couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was. He seemed unfamiliar, yet not quite.

"What is it?" she asked, studying his profile. His eyes were fixed ahead, clear and untainted like a pure youth untouched by the world. They sparkled like the stars and the sea, his long and thick eyelashes casting shadows over his eyes. His features were so exquisite, it was as if they were meticulously carved from white jade. His hair was neatly tied up, making him look like an ethereal being untouched by mortal dust.

Right, she had almost forgotten. He was, after all, a disciple of Lingxuan Emperor. One day, he would ascend to immortality. But she was just a demon. Demons and immortals could not be together, could they?

Thinking of this, Zisan shook her head unconsciously, chiding herself. "Zisan, what nonsense are you thinking? Of course demons and immortals cannot be together." Then, she thought, "Not that I want to be with him anyway. My sole purpose now is to find Liyu Prefecture, to bring my father's demon soul there so he can be with my mother."

Suddenly, she felt a surge of heat. Even though it was autumn and the night was chilly, she had wrapped herself in a robe when she came out. But now, instead of feeling cold, she felt a scorching heat, as if her blood was boiling.

"Zisan," Nian Xianyi called her again, bringing her back to reality.

"Can you stop killing people?" he asked.

So that's what this was about, she thought with a chuckle. Not killing people? How could that be possible?

"If I don't kill, people will come to kill me," she replied.

Nian Xianyi immediately countered, "Anyone who dares to harm you, I will not spare them. But there are other ways to deal with people besides killing them."

She looked into his eyes and smiled. She knew he wasn't lying. She knew that if anyone hurt her, he would undoubtedly take ruthless revenge on her behalf. She understood everything.

"Alright, I…" The searing pain attacked her heart suddenly, a burning sensation pressing around her chest, making it hard to breathe. Nian Xianyi noticed her change and saw a blood mark appear on her forehead.

"Blood Seal Curse!" he exclaimed.

The Blood Seal Curse was used by the immortal clan to punish great evildoers. Even in the celestial realm, there were those with improper intentions. The immortals disliked killing, but they could not allow such individuals to act recklessly, so they created this curse. If someone cursed by the Blood Seal committed a deed against the celestial way, they would suffer excruciating pain.

Nian Xianyi cast a spell to suppress the Blood Seal, alleviating Zisan's pain. She curled up in his arms, reminding him of the time in Fusang. Back then, she was in her fox form, injured and quiet, lying in his arms. He used to stroke her head to lull her to sleep.

As he thought about this, his hand instinctively started to stroke her head. "The Blood Seal Curse was cast by my master, wasn't it?" Zisan's face was pressed against his chest. She didn't respond, just lay there quietly.

Nian Xianyi continued, "Why didn't you tell me at the time? If you kill while under the Blood Seal, you will suffer excruciating pain. The curse is set with your blood and bones as the medium, and it can't be undone. It will only disappear when you die."

He calmly explained the curse's power while gently pushing the sweat-soaked hair away from her face. "I know, I won't do it again," she murmured, her voice soft but clear enough for him to hear.

Nian Xianyi held her tighter, his head leaning closer, whispering in her ear, "From now on, if you want revenge, I will be your sword. If anyone tries to harm you, I will be your shield."

Zisan furrowed her brows slightly and then turned her head abruptly. Nian Xianyi, who was very close, found their faces just inches apart, their lips almost touching.

The next morning, Zisan went to find Wuchen to ask when they would depart. He told her they had found someone who knew the way to Liyu Prefecture. They only needed to find that person, and everything would go smoothly. However, Wuchen said she needed more time to recover, and there was no rush now that everything was in place. Zisan thought he made sense and agreed.

Recently, Nian Xianyi had been busy taking care of Yufu and hadn't visited Zisan much. She knew it was because Yufu clung to him and wouldn't let him leave. He ended up going shopping with her for clothes. What was supposed to be a quick trip turned into Yufu wandering around everywhere, buying unnecessary things while Nian Xianyi carried everything.

She was now attracted to hairpins on a street vendor's stand, looking at each one. Unable to choose, she decided to buy them all. When she turned back, Nian Xianyi was gone. She found him at a stall selling sugar figurines, holding a rabbit-shaped one. Yufu snatched it from his hand and started eating.

"How did you know I liked sweets? It's delicious," she said with a mouthful of the sugar figurine. Nian Xianyi's hand, still in mid-air, hadn't had a chance to retract.

"As long as you like it," he replied. In truth, he had bought it for Zisan. He had promised to get her one last time but had broken that promise. He had hoped to make it up to her today, but it seemed he would have to break his promise again.

On the way back, Yufu suddenly complained of foot pain, so Nian Xianyi knelt down to massage her foot. "Nian Xianyi, do you really not remember me?" she asked.

He was taken aback, thinking, "Of course I remember. How could I forget?" Though he didn't know what she was referring to, he decided to play along to avoid her making a scene.

"You really remember?" Yufu asked excitedly. Nian Xianyi was confused but responded, "Of course, you're the one who trapped me in the forest, aren't you?"

"That's not what I meant. Don't you remember you saved a peacock when you were little?"

Recalling her words, he seemed to remember something from his childhood, though it was hazy. She said she had snuck out to play and was caught by a demon hunter. Though she escaped, she was injured, and he had helped bandage her wounds and given her food. After that day, she searched for him but only heard that he had gone to Fusang. Being an immortal territory, she couldn't enter. She waited at the foot of the mountain but never saw him, only to be taken back by her father.

Since that day, she had never seen him until they met again by chance. She loved him and would not let go now that she had found him again.