Bleed Enough and It Won't Be Awkward (Continued)

"The tea from Qingce Village and the flower cakes from Liyue Harbor should suit the tastes of you Liyue people, please~~"

What is a Descendant?

"According to your definition, beings that come from beyond the heavens and whose size is equal to that of an entire world are called Adventists."

"Equivalent to, an entire world?"

Shenhe didn't even realize how she had ended up sitting down and drinking tea. But listening to the description of the mysterious being before her, she couldn't help but furrow her brows slightly.

What does "equal world" mean?

Immortals certainly don't qualify. But even the Vago Rock King, the ancestor of all immortals, would find it difficult to be described in such a way.

Was it just a hoax, or did she really encounter some incredible monster?

Anqi spoke with a very friendly smile:

"Huh, you're very calm. That's not normal."

"I am bound by Red Rope, hence my indifference to emotions."

"Oh, the Red Rope, is this it?"

Anqi shook the Red Rope that had been wrapped around Shenhe's body, which she had taken away at some point, and casually brought it to her nose, taking a gentle sniff. Hmm, a wonderful, youthful fragrance, mixed with the scent of mountain herbs—truly captivating.

Shenhe was startled and quickly touched his shoulder and hair. Sure enough, the Red Rope that he had carried with him for more than ten years was gone.

"You... uh!"

As soon as the Red Rope was released, the suppressed murderous aura and malevolent energy surged forth like a violent storm. Shenhe's originally indifferent and aloof blue eyes were suddenly stained with a bloodthirsty red light.

Anqi remained calm and composed. She raised her hand and gently touched Shenhe's forehead with her fair, jade-like fingertips.

"Quiet."

A calm and unhurried shout rang out.

The malevolent aura emanating from Shenhe seemed to be transformed from the resentment of evil spirits that had failed to be channeled through the Ley Line. To mortals, this was both a powerful force and a source of evil that could tempt them to succumb to demonic possession.

However, Anqi's sword heart cultivation was inherited from Fu Hua, a state of mind powerful enough to cause a Herrscher Consciousness to unconsciously develop a mistaken perception. A mere bit of fierce energy was nothing to cause any real trouble.

Sure enough, the moment Anqi touched his finger and finished speaking, the red light in Shenhe's eyes faded.

Shenhe felt a sense of peace, but it was a completely different feeling from when he was tied with the Red Rope.

If the Red Rope was an iron gate, keeping the overwhelming resentment outside, then Anqi's finger had brought Shenhe to a mirror-like lake. She could clearly see the malevolent energy churning beneath the surface—or rather, it was wrapped around Shenhe's body. Yet, she simply watched with clear and rational eyes, completely unaffected.

"What's this?"

"How does it feel to share my feelings with you?"

"It feels very comfortable. This is the first time I've known that malevolent energy looks like this."

Shenhe's eyes were filled with emotion and surprise.

The removal of the Red Rope not only liberated the evil spirits but also her mind.

That ethereal, otherworldly beauty suddenly gained a touch of vibrancy and radiance. At the very least, she resembled a young maiden more.

Anqi picked up her teacup and looked at it with a smile.

"If you like it, enjoy it a little longer. I have plenty of time now and I'm happy to have someone with me."

"Why? You should know that I am burdened with the Lone Star Calamity, and anyone who gets close to me will be in danger."

"Then why don't you leave your master?"

"Master is an immortal, she can't be hurt... Oh, right, then she probably can't be hurt either."

Shenhe seemed to understand something. She didn't know the term "Descendant," but just by looking at this finger that could neutralize the influence of evil energy, she knew Anqi's strength.

At the same time, she also gained a little insight into how to engage with the world—since contact with ordinary people would harm the innocent, why not find those who wouldn't be hurt, like the one in front of her?

Shenhe decided to write this idea down first.

"You are an outsider. Why did you come to Liyue and Mount Aozang?"

"Because I just happened to land here, and I just happened to not want to move."

Will you wreak havoc in Liyue?

"That depends on how you define 'evil'."

A series of questions, a series of riddles answered.

Well, Anqi has finally become the kind of riddle-teller she hates the most.

However, being the riddle teller yourself is a completely different feeling from listening to others do it.

'Wow, that feels so good! (倃?ˊ?ˋ?)~~'

[Aww, this feels so good! (?ˊ?ˋ?)~~]×N

As a behind-the-scenes villain, this affected air of profundity is perfectly in line with her identity.

After a barrage of questions, Shenhe obtained almost no information. However, the earlier finger strike was both a deterrent and a gesture of gratitude that allowed Shenhe to glimpse the true nature of the malevolent energy. Shenhe couldn't afford to be impolite.

The straightforward and innocent girl could only gaze sincerely at Anqi with her beautiful, turquoise eyes.

Tell me, please tell me. It's okay if you don't tell me, I won't make things difficult for you, I'm very polite. But please tell me. —That's what those eyes seemed to be saying.

Anqi avoided eye contact.

"... drink tea and eat pastries."

"Good."

Shenhe nodded. Overall, she hadn't sensed any hostility so far, and the other person seemed unfathomable. Reason told her to let things take their course for now.

For the next two days, Cloud Retainer did not return to his cave, and no one knew what he was busy with.

"Chew~ Burp~"

Shenhe maintained his daily routine of meditation and then visiting that special location to see the unfamiliar being. However, upon returning today, he found that he had eaten too many snacks and Qingxin couldn't eat anymore.

"Too much worldly food is not good for ascetic practice in the mountains. The True Lords are right."

Shenhe touched his belly button, feeling a little distressed by the slight feeling of fullness.

Each time she went there, that mysterious being would offer her a lot of food, which was hard to refuse.

But she couldn't not go. Now that her master was away, she was the guardian of Mount Aozang, and it was her responsibility to find out as much as possible about the mysterious man's origins, purpose, and strength before her master returned.

After only two or three days together, aside from the self-proclaimed title of "Fifth Descendant" and the incomprehensibly high level of strength, Shenhe realized he knew nothing else. His only two gains were experiencing the strange state of being fully conscious without the Red Rope tied to his neck a few times, and the feeling of being completely full each time he returned.

"Shenhe, your master has returned..."

"Master, why do you look like this..."

Burned to ashes? Unable to bear the humiliation? Despairing of life? In a daze?

Shenhe was unsure how to describe the sudden appearance of the Cloud Retainer.

This was the first time she had seen the human form of the Cloud Retainer.

However, after spending many years together, Shenhe had discovered that beneath her aloof exterior lay a genuine love and respect for her master, making her a truly filial disciple. She wouldn't mistake this bespectacled woman, who looked lost, listless, and like a corrupted innocent girl, for her master.

So Shenhe quickly went over to support Cloud Retainer's limp body and helped her to sit down at the stone table.

"Well..."

Cloud Retainer sighed deeply, looked at Shenhe with a dazed expression, and said:

"Shenhe, your master..."

There was no follow-up, Cloud Retainer paused.

"Um?"

Shenhe tilted her head in confusion. She had prepared herself for a long lecture, but she hadn't expected that Cloud Retainer would pause while telling "interesting stories."

Cloud Retainer, and after a moment, he said dejectedly:

"Never mind, it's nothing. Just pretend I didn't say anything."

That was indeed a unique and interesting story.

But in the end, the funny incident also dragged her into it, making her one of the main characters as well.

Cloud Retainer, experienced for the first time what it was like to be the protagonist of an "interesting story".

The threat Guizhong death couldn't Cloud Retainer's mouth. But the fact that he himself had become the protagonist silenced that bird-like mouth.

Cloud Retainer trembled as he picked up the teacup and moistened his lips—what a brilliant little Dust King! You are truly a master strategist. Was this also part of your plan?