Chapter 5: The Beloved Who Returned from Death to Shield Me (Part Four)

[Host, say that again—who do you want to beat up?]

“I want to beat up the male lead,” Tu Shanxi replied as she turned and entered the dispensary. “Isn’t he the one behind all of this? The original host had already died, yet he insisted on resurrecting her, filling her with all those unrealistic hopes. The only reason the original host dared to provoke the female lead like that was because he spoiled her, wasn’t it?”

Arriving at the dispensary, Tu Shanxi deftly collected the medicines she needed and continued chatting with the system. “Later, the female lead was driven to flee to the Demon Realm by the original host’s actions. Only then did the male lead have his epiphany, realizing all the suffering the female lead had endured, and in turn threw the original host into the Den of Ten Thousand Demons. But when you get down to it, all of this is because the male lead failed to handle things properly. Don’t you think he deserves a beating?”

[That... Host, your reasoning seems sound.]

The system, swayed by her logic, began to reflect on just how much blame the male lead bore.

“And besides, before her death, the original host was a miracle-working physician dedicated to saving lives. How could she possibly accept that her resurrection came at the cost of another’s life? Of course she’d want to have a proper talk with the male lead. In fact, I’m just maintaining the original host’s character.”

Completely won over by Tu Shanxi’s reasoning, the little orb nodded blankly. [Host, you make a good point. But have you considered one thing?]

“What is it?”

[Can you actually defeat the male lead? His cultivation is already at the Supreme level, which in your small world is above the divine rank. You haven’t even survived the Divine Tribulation yet. And the original host specialized in alchemy and healing arts—she’s no match for a swordsmanship genius like the male lead.]

Hearing this, Tu Shanxi fell silent for the first time. After a long pause, she replied, “You’re right. But hasn’t the male lead spent most of his cultivation? Maybe, just maybe, if I give it my all... who knows?”

With that, she stood quietly outside the bedroom door for a moment. Hearing nothing inside, she carefully pushed it open, making not a sound.

On the bed, Xiyun had once again fallen into a faint, tear tracks still visible on her cheeks. Even in sleep, her brows were furrowed, her fists clenched, as if gripped by fear.

Tu Shanxi shook her head, tucked the blanket tenderly around Xiyun, and turned to see the empty medicine bowl. Her heart lifted in relief.

The fact that she had obediently taken her medicine showed that she still wanted to live. As long as the will to live remained, there was hope; if she had truly given up, not even the finest doctor could save her.

As this thought crossed her mind, a gentle humming began to echo softly through the room.

In the soothing melody, Xiyun’s anxious features gradually eased; her brows unfurled, her body relaxed.

…………………………

In the neighboring cave dwelling, Tu Shanxi had just reached the entrance when she saw an old yellow dog lazily open its eyes to size her up, then give a dismissive snort before preparing to lie back down.

Tu Shanxi seemed impervious to the dog’s disdain. She stepped forward, folding her hands in a respectful greeting.

“Senior, forgive my unannounced visit today. I hope you won’t take offense.”

At her courteous words, a flicker of surprise crossed the old dog’s eyes. It padded forward a few steps.

As wisps of cloud drifted away, the old yellow dog vanished, replaced by an elderly man before her. “You’re a polite young lass.”

“You flatter me, Senior. It’s only what’s expected of me.”

“You are Tu Shanxi, aren’t you?”

Tu Shanxi nodded, slightly startled that this elder already knew her name.

But he left her no chance to explain. “Qingyuan is in the study. Go straight ahead for three hundred meters and you’ll find him.”

With that, he transformed back into the old yellow dog and returned to his sunlit spot.

The elder’s every action was strange, but Tu Shanxi dared not ask further. She bowed gratefully and followed his directions.

[Host, aren’t you afraid he might be deceiving you?]

“Deceive me?” Tu Shanxi laughed. “And what would he gain from that? For now, Qingyuan still values me. As long as he needs Qingyuan’s help, he won’t make things difficult for me openly.”

As they spoke, the three hundred meters quickly passed.

Standing before the tightly closed study door, Tu Shanxi composed herself and knocked.

A wary voice sounded from within. “Who’s there?”

“It’s me, Qingyuan. May I come in?”

A moment later, the door opened to reveal Qingyuan’s face, a mix of surprise, delight, and a faint trace of grievance.

“Senior Sister, you finally came to see me. I thought you’d forgotten all about me.”

Tu Shanxi smiled as she entered. “How could I? The moment Xiyun woke up and I was sure she was alright, I came to see you at once.”

At the mention of Xiyun’s name, a flash of awkwardness crossed Qingyuan’s eyes, but he quickly regained composure.

“So if she hadn’t woken up, would you have left me waiting forever?”

Once the door was closed, Tu Shanxi’s expression turned cold. “Qingyuan.”

Qingyuan instantly sensed the shift in atmosphere, a chill running through him. Could it be she had discovered the truth about her resurrection? Yet he kept his composure.

“Senior Sister, what’s wrong? Why so serious all of a sudden? Is something troubling you?”

“Qingyuan, tell me the truth—have you been hiding something from me?”

“No, what could I possibly be hiding from you, Senior Sister?”

“Stop lying!” Tu Shanxi’s voice rose sharply. “I already know everything. How long did you plan to keep deceiving me?”

Qingyuan’s face showed no fear, his lips still curled in a faint smile. “Senior Sister, what are you talking about? I really don’t understand.”

“Don’t understand? Fine. Then tell me—how exactly was I resurrected?”

At the word “resurrected,” Qingyuan’s already tense heart went cold, his mind racing.

Who leaked the secret?

“Senior Sister, didn’t I tell you? I found an ancient ritual array—”

Before he could finish, Tu Shanxi cut him off. Seeing him still so unrepentant, her eyes filled with disappointment.

“Qingyuan, how could you become like this? Trading another’s life for mine—how could you do such a thing? Xiyun is the last nine-tailed fox in the world, my last kin! Could you not even spare my only remaining clanswoman?”

Tu Shanxi grew more agitated with every word, tears glimmering in her eyes. “That was a living, breathing life.”

Hearing this, Qingyuan dropped all pretense. “I don’t care. I only wanted you alive, Senior Sister!”

“You don’t care? You speak of a life as if it were nothing?”

“Senior Sister! Haven’t we seen enough death? In just the war eight hundred years ago, how many seniors perished? And besides, when you saved me, wasn’t it a life for a life? Since you could do it, why couldn’t she?”

“I saved you willingly. Xiyun was forced—those are two entirely different things.”

Tu Shanxi wiped her tears away. “And back then, I chose to save you because, as a healer, I was less useful in battle than you, a sword genius. That’s why I decided one life for another. Do you understand?”