Chapter 3 (2/2) - The Inedible
The ghost city of An province.
When Jiang Yinghe arrived, this city had already been subsumed by ghostly miasma.
Since ancient times, Yun city has been the playground of ghosts. However, until recently it was still possible for mortals to live apart from those who practiced ghost cultivation. Now it seemed like a dam had been broken and the newly born ghosts were able to cross over and terrorize the living; often in horrifying, violent ways.
Chang Ning Zhenren Yan Caiwei stood by his side, holding a spirit dispelling bell (3) in her hands. When the bell sounded, the surrounding miasma was greatly weakened. She turned to look in Jiang Yinghe’s direction and said, “Jiang-shidi, could you…”
Before she finished, a snow-coloured sword swept through the air in a graceful arc. It cleaved all the resentful ghosts and miasma it came into contact with, leaving behind a purified space.
Yan Caiwei was stunned. She recalled the bell with a blank expression and shook her sleeves out, “Shidi clearly doesn’t need help, so I’ll go tend to the injured.”
With that, the purple-clad Yan Caiwei left to meet up with the righteous cultivators dispatched by the other sects.
Standing inside the ghost city, Jiang Yinghe noticed a suspicious place when recalling Wangchen.
The miasma had yet to disperse in the center of the city, and there was a convulsing, shapeless mass of flesh giving off a sinister aura there. Jiang Yinghe approached it with his sword unsheathed, feeling like he was approaching a BOSS in one of those video games he used to play on Earth.
The meatball spasmed for some time. It was almost surprisingly ugly.
Jiang Yinghe threw a purifying talisman over with no effect. He then proceeded to split the pile of viscera with a single strike. Blood and gore sprayed everywhere, and the meatball gave off a few death rattles before becoming still. Inside was a curled up body.
It appeared to be an unconscious youth. At first glance, Jiang Yinghe thought that this was an unfortunate cultivator who was devoured, so he reached out a hand to pull them out.
The remaining flesh clinging to the body peeled away, and a body that still had some residual warmth fell into his embrace. They seemed to wake up, and suddenly embraced him.
It was like a newborn hugging their mother (4).
Qin Jun had never imagined waking up like this.
The cold darkness had been his sole companion since he was sealed thousands of years ago. But now, he was being held by a fragrant, delicious soul. He reflexively swallowed. A pair of endless eyes slowly opened to a blinding shade of white.
The unspeakable pain of rebuilding his body was slowly ebbing away. The memory of being struck by heavenly lightning still played out on a loop in his mind, but those arms offered him quiet comfort.
So fragrant ah…
Was this top-level soul’s embrace part of the standard reincarnation package?
Qin Jun could feel an itch in his gums. He was very weak right now, and his consciousness was barely there. There was an all-consuming desire to bite the person in front of him, to lick his enticing soul and make him a part of himself…
That’s what he thought, so that’s what he did.
The moment Jiang Yinghe came into contact with the other, the system sent out a notification sound, saying that this unknown man had absolute potential and to accept him as a disciple. He was pleasantly surprised that he’d managed to fish out a target like this. When he took the other’s wrist to estimate his age, he was bitten by this child.
He felt teeth sink into his collar bone and blood spill out.
This miasma-encrusted person, who couldn’t be more than twenty, had quite the jaw.
Jiang Yinghe hissed softly, but he continued to hold the person in his arms and even began patting him on his back, saying, “Don’t be afraid, I came to rescue you. Those malicious spirits have already been purified.”
The person stiffened, as if Jiang Yinghe had said something inconceivable to him.
Jiang Yinghe thought that he was frightened. He decided, in light of this being the second sprout approved by the system, to patiently continue to comfort him.
“You will be safe by my side.”
Qin Jun froze. He was covered head to toe in miasma and rotting wounds, and yet this person was still kind enough to try and pacify him.
This was an unprecedented situation for Qin Jun. He was stunned, and his thoughts became fractured.
He bit this person only to be rewarded with warmth and security, where was the logic in this? Qin Mo continued to lap at the bite mark as he pondered.
After being licked several more times, Jiang Yinghe asked, “Are...you hungry?”
Qin Jun rested his head on his shoulder, his voice delayed for a second. “Mm.”
The taste was divine plus the man was a saint. He just made the people around him want to gobble him up until there was nothing left.
Jiang Yinghe believed that anyone who had experienced that kind of situation would be timid and afraid, so his straightforward audacity was astounding. He placed a hand on his injured collarbone and healed the slightly red teeth marks with spiritual energy.
Qin Jun continued to lie in his lap and stare at his long fingers with a hidden, appraising and somewhat covetous gaze. Then the steel gray eyes quickly closed with restraint.
He couldn’t eat him...for now.
Author’s Note:
Qin Jun: Shizun smells so nice I’m so hungry.
Translator Notes:
(3) 荡魂铃 - lit. 'Dispelling soul bell'
(4) 初生感的拥抱 - Yes I know that newborns don't have the motor capacity to hug anyone, but it felt fitting
I’ve got to say I like Qin Jun already. He plays off the serious Jiang Yinghe so well. Can’t wait to see Li Huanhan drink vinegar once they all meet up again.
*insert the iCarly meme of Spencer holding a smoothie and an ostrich*
ReplyDeleteLH: Master...what do you have there?
JY with QJ following behind him: A smoothie.
Ch4 = https://www.novelupdates.com/extnu/3906550/
ReplyDeleteMore like. . . thirsty xD
ReplyDeleteOh dear....... right after he said the ONLY word this is going to be fun~
ReplyDeleteMy same thoughts 😂😂
Delete