Chapter 068: I Want Blood, the Blood of the Heart

It was clear—this was a girl with a story. Having read countless melodramatic novels, Yan Shu could easily imagine at least ten scenes of love, hate, and enmity playing out. The woman, however, did not seem hostile, and Yan Shu’s curiosity was piqued; she asked with some interest, “Pretty sister, what do you intend to do?”

The woman smiled gracefully at her. “You certainly have a sweet tongue, and courage as well.”

Not at all, Yan Shu thought inwardly. She was timid by nature—afraid of snakes, ghosts, death, and anything soft and limbless. But after being transported into a book and surviving several brushes with death, she had simply grown a little more unflappable. Besides, in the face of overwhelming power, what use was fear?

She offered a winning smile. “Sister, you’re truly beautiful—I’m only speaking the truth.”

The woman arched an amused brow, clearly aware of the flattery but nonetheless pleased. “No one has complimented me so honestly in a long time. For that, I won’t kill you. In fact, I’ll help you test the sincerity of your men’s affections.”

Thank you, but she hardly needed that.

Yet it wasn’t up to her whether to accept or refuse. Before Yan Shu could even protest, the woman flicked her slender hand, and the scenery before them split in two in an instant.

To the left was Yu Wenche; to the right, Xiao Jihan.

They seemed to have been separated, with only themselves for company in each scene.

Yan Shu, resigned, offered a lackluster compliment, “Pretty sister, you’re amazing. Is this an illusion?”

The woman let out a light snort. “Just as I found you interesting, you start imitating those sanctimonious hypocrites. This illusion is called ‘Inquiry of the Heart.’ It’s my unique secret technique. Now, pay attention and see if these two men have true feelings for you!”

“Isn’t this unnecessary?” Yan Shu was puzzled. Pointing to Yu Wenche on the left, she said, “He likes me—I know that without a test. As for my disciple, he cultivates the Path of Detachment. He must be indifferent.”

The woman gave a disdainful chuckle. “Little sister, you’re still too young, too naive about the complexities of the heart. Sometimes, affection is not what it seems, and indifference isn’t always true. Sit and watch with me.”

Yan Shu thought to herself that this woman must have studied philosophy—her dialectics were impeccable.

With nothing better to do and powerless to resist, she simply sat down, treating it like a movie.

Yu Wenche and Xiao Jihan had been searching for Yan Shu in a cave—an eerie place, uncomfortably hot with no discernible source. Logically, being within a mountain, it should have been pitch black, yet there was enough light to see their surroundings. But neither could find the source of the illumination.

The cave was vast, with many branching paths, and neither of them suggested splitting up. Both understood that in such a sprawling, labyrinthine place, their communication blocked, if they separated, it might take a miracle to meet again.

Without a word, they walked one after the other. After a while, Yu Wenche suddenly sensed the space behind him empty out. Looking back, he found Xiao Jihan gone.

He was about to call out when he heard a faint, urgent gasp.

Yu Wenche frowned, striding swiftly toward the sound. Rounding a corner, he saw ‘Yan Shu’ lying on the ground, cheeks flushed, clothing disheveled, her collar loose and exposing her undergarment, rosy patches blooming on her snowy skin.

The moment she saw Yu Wenche, her dewy, alluring eyes brightened. Gasping softly, she called, “Senior Brother Yu Wen.”

Yu Wenche was startled and rushed to support her, lowering his voice in concern, “Shu’er, what’s wrong? Are you unwell?”

‘Yan Shu’ bit her lip and leaned helplessly into his arms, looking up at him with grievance and vulnerability. “I... I don’t know. After I was transported here, I just started feeling so hot, and my body is weak—I can’t even stand.”

As she spoke, she burrowed into his embrace. “Senior Brother Yu Wen, please help me. I feel so hot.”

Damn it!

Watching this, Yan Shu’s mind was about to explode. Was this really what ‘Inquiry of the Heart’ entailed? What was there to test? Even a stranger with the faintest desire would hardly be able to resist, let alone Yu Wenche, who had feelings for her. With ‘herself’ in this state, what man wouldn’t succumb?

This wasn’t a test of affection—it was laying out the temptation and asking if he’d take the bait!

The woman seemed to sense Yan Shu’s thoughts and snorted softly. “What do you know? If that man truly loves you, he’ll cherish you. Unless absolutely necessary, he’d never have you in such a crude environment, when you’re delirious and could be discovered at any moment.”

“Besides, you’re clearly poisoned with an aphrodisiac. If his intentions are pure, there are many ways to help you detoxify. Moreover, I’ve given him another choice.”

Yan Shu could only concede—her argument was irrefutable.

The woman cast her a cool glance. “Don’t be impatient. Let’s see what your Senior Brother Yu Wen will do.”

Yan Shu turned back to the vision of Yu Wenche. He was an upright man—surely nothing untoward would happen.

Within the illusion, Yu Wenche quickly realized that ‘Yan Shu’ might have been drugged.

His grip tightened around her, and his voice grew husky. “Shu’er, you may have been poisoned with an aphrodisiac. Hold on, let me see if I can force the toxin out.”

But ‘Yan Shu’ was clearly no longer lucid. She clutched at her clothes, writhing in discomfort, then wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him. “Senior Brother Yu Wen, please help me.”

Faced with her exposed, blushing skin, Yu Wenche’s face flushed crimson. He hurriedly averted his gaze and said hoarsely, “Shu’er, don’t do this. I don’t want you to regret it. Sit tight and let me drive out the poison.”

But ‘Yan Shu’ had lost all reason, burrowing into his arms and tugging at his clothes, mumbling, “Senior Brother Yu Wen, help me.”

Sweat beaded on Yu Wenche’s brow. He sat frozen, unmoving, until ‘Yan Shu’ tried to untie his belt. Only then did he come to his senses. Looking deeply at the person in his arms, he murmured, “Forgive me.”

He swiftly pried her arms away, moved behind her, and pressed several points on her body to immobilize her. Then he sat cross-legged behind and began transferring spiritual energy, trying to expel the aphrodisiac.

It had no effect.

Not only was it useless, but ‘Yan Shu’ became even more feverish. A peculiar fragrance began to fill the air. Alarmed, Yu Wenche immediately withdrew his hands.

As soon as he stopped, ‘Yan Shu’ collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony. “Give... give me... I want blood, heart’s blood...”

Hearing this, Yan Shu—who had been prepared to watch the drama unfold—suddenly stiffened, turning in disbelief to look at Xiao Jihan on the right.

At that moment, Xiao Jihan was encountering his own version of ‘Yan Shu,’ similarly poisoned.