Chapter 214: Shenhe and Kitsune Saiguu
The transformation technique had worked surprisingly well. If Yuxie hadn't spoken, Kitsune Saiguu might have genuinely believed Ei was standing right in front of her.
Yuxie lowered his head to look at his hands, finding the sensation rather peculiar.
Although Ei was a warrior, training daily and wielding weapons, her skin was flawlessly smooth, her fingers long and elegant.
Looking down at his transformed body, Yuxie's gaze was obstructed, unable to see his toes.
He quickly looked back up at Kitsune Saiguu.
"Does it look convincing?"
"It seems my transformation technique can easily pass for the real thing," Kitsune Saiguu replied smugly, stepping closer to examine him.
For some reason, Yuxie instinctively took a step back.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just want to get a closer look and make sure there aren't any flaws."
Kitsune Saiguu circled Yuxie, inspecting him carefully. Her gaze wandered up and down, her satisfaction with her own spell evident.
"There doesn't seem to be any issues, but your demeanor still feels a bit off. That's something you'll need to work on yourself."
"Of course." Yuxie smiled, lowering his head again to observe his "new body," deliberately avoiding looking at his chest out of respect for Ei.
"Yuxie, are you really trying not to look there?" Kitsune Saiguu teased, raising an eyebrow with a playful smirk.
"Look where?" Yuxie asked in confusion.
"There," Kitsune Saiguu gestured subtly.
"..."
"It's fine, I get it. Ei is really beautiful. It's only natural to feel that way, so don't be shy," Kitsune Saiguu said with a triumphant grin, clearly enjoying her little joke.
"Just turn me back," Yuxie sighed in defeat.
Kitsune Saiguu chuckled softly, forming a hand seal again. In the next moment, a puff of blue smoke enveloped Yuxie, and he returned to his original form.
"It feels better being in my own body," Yuxie said, flexing his fingers before looking at Kitsune Saiguu. "I'll leave it to you when the time comes."
"And how should you properly ask for a favor?" Kitsune Saiguu's smile became more mischievous.
Yuxie paused, thinking to himself that this playful fox spirit was at it again.
"Well then, what does Lady Saiguu require of me?"
"Stay here with me tonight... no, better yet, stay here for as long as you're in Inazuma," Kitsune Saiguu said after a moment of thought.
Her request took Yuxie by surprise. He had expected another teasing remark, but instead, it was an invitation.
"That might not be appropriate. After all, there's Shenhe. I can't leave her alone at the inn while I stay here," Yuxie replied.
"That's simple—just bring Shenhe here too," Kitsune Saiguu said with a smile. "I can easily provide for both of you."
Night fell.
Unable to refuse Kitsune Saiguu's hospitality, Yuxie eventually agreed to bring Shenhe to her residence.
As the former head priestess's abode, Kitsune Saiguu's estate wasn't as grand as the Tenshukaku, but it was still remarkably impressive.
The only thing that felt odd to Yuxie was the lack of male presence—he seemed to be the only man in the house, making him feel a bit out of place.
After dinner, as the night deepened, Shenhe sat in her room. Kitsune Saiguu had chosen this room specifically for her, its intricate decorations and arrangements giving it an elegant touch.
Yet, amidst such a beautifully arranged space, Shenhe's thoughts were restless.
It wasn't that she was dissatisfied with the room. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of Yuxie.
The distance between herself and Yuxie seemed greater than she had imagined.
Others had known Yuxie for much longer, their connections deeply intertwined. Even though Yuxie had no memories of those past relationships, the impact of those past experiences subtly shaped him.
And her? She had only just recently met Yuxie.
Compared to the years—perhaps centuries—that others had spent with him, her time with him was insignificant.
Even if Yuxie had said they had met long ago, how far back could that possibly have been?
These thoughts swirled endlessly in Shenhe's mind, leaving her unsettled.
To make matters worse, she wasn't sure how she truly felt about Yuxie. This inner turmoil only made things more complicated.
At that moment, soft footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by a gentle knock.
"Miss Shenhe, are you still awake?" Kitsune Saiguu's voice called out.
"I'm awake." Shenhe opened the door. "Is something the matter, Lady Saiguu?"
Kitsune Saiguu smiled warmly, her expression kind. "I sensed you seemed troubled today. If you don't mind, shall we take a walk?"
Shenhe hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."
The two strolled through the quiet courtyard under the moonlight.
The silvery glow illuminated their figures, blending beautifully with the scenery, as if painting a serene and ethereal picture.
"Miss Shenhe, is your troubled heart because of Yuxie?" Kitsune Saiguu asked as they walked.
"Yes," Shenhe admitted, nodding slightly.
"Ah, Yuxie..." Kitsune Saiguu sighed softly with a wry smile. "To be honest, I fell for him the moment we met. Never would I have thought I'd fall for a human much younger than me. And you? You like Yuxie too, don't you?"
Kitsune Saiguu's straightforwardness left Shenhe momentarily stunned. Even after regaining her composure, she still struggled to pinpoint her feelings.
Eventually, she shook her head.
"I don't know... I've lived in the mountains with my master since childhood. I don't understand much about human society or human emotions. When it comes to Yuxie... I'm not sure either."
"What if, starting tomorrow, you could never see Yuxie again? How would you feel?" Kitsune Saiguu suddenly asked.
The question stopped Shenhe in her tracks. Her eyes trembled slightly, and though her expression remained minimal, the faint sorrow and reluctance in her gaze spoke volumes.
Seeing this, Kitsune Saiguu smiled wryly again. "Miss Shenhe, your eyes and expression have already answered for you—you do like him."
"Like..." Shenhe murmured softly, repeating the word. "Do I really like Yuxie?"
Kitsune Saiguu gazed at Shenhe and sighed lightly, "Yuxie, you fool..."
End of chapter
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