Luo Yang wore an utterly hopeless expression.
"Usually, this kind of curse doesn't take effect right away, especially since you're still young."
Zhang Huanyun continued to reassure him. "According to the records, this kind of curse takes at least several years to take effect. Besides, once you're strong enough, you might be able to deal with it."
"All right, don't dwell on it. Get some good rest over the next few days. In a few days, your Aunt Eight will personally escort you to the Spirit Pagoda."
With that, he patted Luo Yang on the shoulder.
The other Blood Gods also came forward one after another, offering encouragement or advice. They had plenty to say.
A moment later, everyone left in turn, leaving only Luo Yang and Blood Eight, who had been standing quietly at his side, in the medical room.
"Don't be afraid."
Blood Eight went over to sit by the bed and gently rubbed Luo Yang's head. "They're right. Abyssal creatures can't get out that easily."
"Even if the Black Empress really has gone mad and makes it out at any cost, the plane's laws will suppress most of her power. Once she's on our turf, it's anyone's guess who'll be dealing with whom."
Let's hope so...
Luo Yang sighed inwardly.
If it really came to that, it seemed all he could do was... lie back and let the world laugh at him.
Blood Eight changed the subject, asking as casually as she could, "What do you think of the Black Empress's looks?"
The question came a little out of nowhere.
Luo Yang blinked and thought back to the Black Empress's appearance.
In all fairness, the Black Empress's looks were perfectly in line with human tastes. She was even more stunning than all the influencers and celebrities he'd seen in short videos in his previous life.
It was a beauty that transcended racial boundaries, with a bewitching allure—dangerous, but tempting.
"She's pretty," he answered honestly.
But as soon as the words left his mouth, the temperature in the medical room seemed to drop by two degrees.
Blood Eight said nothing. She only narrowed her eyes slightly, her fingers sliding from Luo Yang's hair to his ear, where she gently pinched his earlobe.
Her touch was gentle, but Luo Yang inexplicably felt a chill shoot up his spine.
"Oh?" Blood Eight still wore a smile as she asked softly, "How pretty? Prettier than me?"
A question that could cost him his life!
Luo Yang's heart skipped a beat, and his instinct for survival sprang into action!
"The Black Empress is pretty, sure, but that kind of beauty is cold as ice, like a sculpture. Aunt Eight is different."
Luo Yang put on an innocent smile. Watching Blood Eight's eyes narrow further, he hurried on.
"Aunt Eight is beautiful in a living, breathing way. You smile, you get angry, you ruffle my hair. Even when your cooking occasionally gets burnt, you put so much care into it. Does the Black Empress do any of that? She's not even human!"
Blood Eight froze.
Luo Yang struck while the iron was hot, his expression growing even more sincere. "And in my heart, Aunt Eight will always be the most special. Fair as a flower, lovely enough to make fish forget to swim and geese forget to fly—those words were made for you."
Silence lingered for three seconds.
Then Blood Eight burst out laughing.
She released his earlobe and flicked him lightly on the forehead instead. "What a smooth talker. Who taught you that?"
But her expression had clearly brightened, and the dangerous aura around her dissipated.
"I taught myself." Luo Yang grinned, secretly letting out a sigh of relief. "I developed this skill especially to make Aunt Eight happy."
"Then you're not such a heartless little brat after all. If you dared say some other woman was prettier than me, then I'd have wasted all these years doting on you."
Blood Eight gave a soft snort.
But the next moment, her expression turned serious again.
She suddenly reached out, cupped Luo Yang's face, and made him look straight at her.
"Luo Yang, listen carefully." Her voice dropped, each word clearly enunciated. "What I'm about to say isn't a joke."
Her sudden seriousness caught Luo Yang off guard.
"If one day, the Black Empress—or some other troublesome woman—really lured you away..."
Blood Eight kept her eyes fixed on him. Her expression was so complicated that Luo Yang couldn't read it. There was worry, reluctance, and a possessiveness bordering on obsession.
"I won't let you get away with it."
She leaned closer, her breath almost brushing his face.
"I'll find a place no one can find and lock you up there. No sunlight, no one else. Just me, coming to see you every day. For a day, a year, a lifetime, until you're so old you can't move anymore."
She spoke slowly, completely seriously.
How did that sound like something a yandere would say? But Luo Yang could tell she really meant it.
The medical room fell silent, save for the occasional beeping of the medical equipment.
Blood Eight stared at him, seemingly waiting for his reaction.
Fear? Terror? Or would he cry and promise that he'd never be tempted by a bad woman?
But Luo Yang only gazed quietly at her for a long time.
Then he shook his head.
"I'm not afraid."
Blood Eight's lovely brows drew together slightly.
"Because if I could spend my whole life with you, Aunt Eight," Luo Yang said softly, each word clear, "I think I'd be really happy."
"..."
Time seemed to stand still.
Blood Eight froze in place.
Her hands were still cupping Luo Yang's face, but the warmth of her fingertips suddenly grew. Then her eyes slowly widened, her pupils contracting slightly, and her lips parted a little without her realizing it.
Spend his whole life with her... be so happy...
Was that a confession?!
Then, at a speed visible to the naked eye, a blush crept up from her neck, spread across her cheeks, and finally turned even the tips of her ears pink.
"I... I was just joking. Don't take it seriously!"
Blood Eight's voice suddenly rose, hurried and flustered. She let go and tried to back away, nearly falling off the edge of the bed.
"You, you still have to get married and have children someday! How could you possibly spend your whole life with me? Unless... unless you want me to have your children..."
She abruptly choked off halfway through.
If...
If she really stayed with him forever...
If...
If they really had children someday...
The child's eyes should look like his, and their nose should look like his, and when they smiled...
Ahhh, Blood Eight, what are you thinking?!
Blood Eight suddenly covered her face and curled up like a boiled shrimp, her skin visible between her fingers so red it looked ready to drip blood.
Luo Yang: "..."
Seriously, he'd only said one thing. Why was she reacting so strongly?
Also, she was clearly so innocent she'd never been in a relationship. If she ever fell in love, the other person would probably have her wrapped around their little finger.
"Um, Aunt Eight?" Luo Yang ventured. "I want to be alone for a while. I haven't fully absorbed the Plane Blessing yet."
"Huh? Oh! R-right!"
Blood Eight practically sprang to her feet. With her back to Luo Yang, she felt like steam was about to come out of her head. She didn't dare meet his eyes.
"You, you focus on your cultivation! Aunt Eight won't disturb you! If you need anything, just, just call us!"
With that, she hurried away as if fleeing, forgetting even to close the door.
Luo Yang looked at the open door. After a long moment, he smiled helplessly.
"What was all that about..."
He shook his head, closed his eyes again, and guided the power of the Plane Blessing within his body.
At the corner of the corridor, Blood Eight leaned against the wall, both hands pressed to her chest.
Her heart was pounding frighteningly fast.