Don't mess with that Miao boy, he's sickly and perverted.

Jiang Zhiyu rushed into the building, anxiously searching everywhere, wondering if the boy was safe and sound.

This was the first powerful demon he had encountered since leaving Lingyu Prefecture.

The creatures we encountered on the road before were nothing more than minor monsters that could harm people but not kill them.

Gazing at the rotting bones and putrid fluids scattered everywhere, the stench of decay filling the air, his voice trembled slightly. This was the first time he had ever witnessed such a scene. Thinking about how he had failed to stop the boy, a wave of regret washed over him.

"Brother—"

"Brother!"

"What are you yelling for, trying to summon my soul!" Song Yueyao flicked him on the back of the head. "Dealing with that banana spirit is the priority!"

Jiang Zhiyu winced in pain, then looked at the hunched and rugged human-shaped vine not far away, and a surge of anger welled up in his heart.

"You fiend, you have committed countless evils! Today, I will risk my life to uphold justice on behalf of Heaven!"

If it weren't for this monster, Yao Yao wouldn't have been forced to marry into this place, and those brides and that young man wouldn't have died innocently.

Jiang Zhiyu moved swiftly, sword energy following his body, drawing a magic array in mid-air and slashing towards the banana spirit.

What was expected to be a fierce battle turned into a nightmare when the sword struck. The monster rolled three times on the ground, howled a few times, and then begged for mercy, barely clinging to life.

Jiang Zhiyu and Song Yueyao were both taken aback.

This great demon... is it really that vulnerable?

Jiang Zhiyu looked down at the feather sword in his hand, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Could it be that my swordsmanship has improved to this extent? I must report this to my father when I get back."

"No...don't kill me..." Basho's breath was barely a whisper. "I have my reasons..."

"I forced myself to cultivate only to protect my descendants. I am guilty, but they are innocent... If I die, they will have no one to rely on..."

As the words faded, the banana spirit closed its eyes. A faintly glowing demon core slowly rose from the underground veins, hovering in mid-air.

At the same time, many small fruits sprouted from among the vines, and each fruit had a pair of eyes on it, a pair of clear and pitiful eyes, all looking towards Jiang Zhiyu.

Jiang Zhiyu paused, raising his sword, and took the demon core into his palm. A look of surprise flashed in his eyes. The demon core was actually somewhat broken. No wonder it was so weak just now and fell down with a single blow.

"What are you waiting for? Destroy the demon core quickly!" Song Yueyao urged.

Upon hearing this, the little fruits immediately began to sob softly, their cries blending together into a continuous chorus.

Jiang Zhiyu looked reluctant: "Yaoyao, I really can't bring myself to do it in front of these children."

Song Yueyao: "Then turn your back."

Jiang Zhiyu turned around as instructed, gathering his strength in his hands, about to destroy the demon core, when suddenly a few faint female sneezes came from afar.

He and Song Yueyao exchanged a glance, and then stopped moving.

Well, I just can't bring myself to do it. I'll take this demon core back and have my master purify it.

He put the demon core into his Qiankun bag, and the two of them followed the sound to search the dark place.

*

Chai Xiaomi was fast asleep when she felt a tickling sensation on the tip of her nose, as if something was gently brushing against her.

"Achoo—Achoo—"

She sneezed several times in a row, and opened her eyes groggily, her eyes still glistening with tears.

What came into view was Wu Li's face with its red lips and white teeth. At this moment, the corners of his mouth were slightly raised, and for some reason, there was a hint of interest in it.

"Wow, she can really sleep."

Huh? How did I fall asleep?

Chai Xiaomi lowered her eyes, the itch on the tip of her nose had not yet subsided, and she subconsciously raised her hand to rub it.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Wu Li quietly slipped a few foxtail grasses, which were twirling between his fingers, into the girl's fluffy hair. The fuzzy grass spikes swayed gently as she rubbed her nose and shook her head, and his smile deepened.

"What are you laughing at? What's making you so happy?" Chai Xiaomi muttered softly, looking around. She found herself leaning against the wall with a round dog hole next to her.

"Ah! We escaped?"

At that moment, the faint sound of footsteps approached from afar.

"Brother!" Jiang Zhiyu spotted the boy crouching outside the Drum Tower from afar, and his heart leaped with joy. "Thank goodness you're alright! I was worried we wouldn't make it in time..."

"If we were waiting for you to come and save us," Wu Li said calmly, his voice devoid of emotion, "we would probably be nothing but bones by now."

Jiang Zhiyu was taken aback and then noticed that he had said "we". He turned his gaze and saw a slender figure curled up in the haystack by the wall.

The girl sat in the corner with her knees drawn up, her small figure almost hidden in the dim light, no wonder he didn't notice her at first glance.

"Hey, Xiaomi?!" Jiang Zhiyu was a little surprised. "What are you doing here?"

At this moment, Song Yueyao, who had caught up, also let out a soft "Ah!", her eyes showing the same surprise: "When did you get here?"

She had just retrieved the Rainbow Stone and was in a hurry to save people, so she didn't notice that someone was following her.

Chai Xiaomi lowered her head and looked somewhat embarrassed. "I heard you say that there was danger here, so I followed you without permission."

"Do you know martial arts? Or do you understand some magic?" Song Yueyao asked.

Chai Xiaomi shook her head: "I don't know any of them."

"Since you have no means of protection, why did you come here so rashly knowing the danger?" Song Yueyao frowned unconsciously.

Strangely enough, she always felt an inexplicable sense of closeness to this girl, especially when she learned that the girl had acted so recklessly and put herself in danger, she couldn't help but want to blame her.

"Aren't you afraid something will happen?"

Chai Xiaomi was speechless for a moment, staring blankly at Song Yueyao's solemn and tense expression.

"Of course she's not afraid."

Suddenly, Wu Li spoke up quietly from the side, answering for her.

"Some people are tired of living, rushing to wherever there's danger, like they're in a hurry to be reborn." He raised an eyebrow, his voice cool and laced with casual mockery. "Next time you want to die, remember to come early."

After his sarcastic remark, he turned his head and looked at her with a smile: "Okay?"

His voice was magnetic and clear, carrying the youthful vigor and spirit, with a rising tone at the end, making it inexplicably tender.

But Chai Xiaomi understood. Wu Li was settling scores after the fact. He had specifically told her to go back to her room when he left, but she hadn't listened.

"Okay." Chai Xiaomi looked at him quietly for a while and replied softly.

In a daze, the person before her overlapped with the small, wounded figure in the illusion. She looked at him and said earnestly, word by word:

"I'm sorry, Wu Li, I'm late."

If I could have transmigrated into this book sooner, at least I could have shielded that tiny body from the whip...

Wu Li was surprised by her answer. Her lips were slightly downturned, and her eyes were red and moist, as if she was about to shed tears at any moment.

A sudden tightness gripped my heart, as if something soft was blocking it, leaving a dull, indescribable feeling.

What he just said...did he go too far?

Jiang Zhiyu quickly stepped forward to smooth things over: "It's good that she's safe! A real man doesn't hold grudges against his wife. Xiaomi is pregnant, you should take her home and rest as soon as possible."

Song Yueyao, who was standing to the side, slightly widened her eyes and her gaze quietly shifted back and forth between the two of them.

It turned out they were a young couple who even had a child.