Evil Spirit - chapter 13

Chapter 13

Li Jiaojiao had always thought Duan Qinglian was an orphan; otherwise, how could someone with parents turn out the way he did?

But she was even more curious: what kind of person could raise a child to become such a complete madman?

She followed behind little Duan Qinglian, watching him drag his oversized robe as he walked beneath the eaves.

The path under the eaves was paved extremely narrow, and even more absurdly, many dark green vine flowers poked their heads out from the mud below, growing along the handrail under the eaves, their thorn-covered vines spreading over most of the walkway.

Aren’t these the vines of the Saprophytic Flower?

Li Jiaojiao could never forget this terrifying thing in her life, but why did it appear in Duan Qinglian’s childhood memories?

It seemed as if these vine flowers had always been there. Little Duan Qinglian walked calmly along the corridor covered in thorns, holding the little white dog in his arms.

Li Jiaojiao followed behind, watching as the sharp thorns on the vines pierced his shoe soles, tore his clothes, and thin traces of blood seeped through the white fabric.

Didn’t he feel pain?

After passing through the corridor under the eaves, little Duan Qinglian stopped in front of a door.

“You’d better not go in.”

He suddenly spoke, seemingly to the puppy in his arms, but his gaze fell to his side.

The glance from the corner of his eye was soft yet sharp, like a gentle knife stabbing straight into Li Jiaojiao’s heart, making her actually stop in her tracks.

The little white dog was set down, and little Duan Qinglian pushed open the door, his brows arching even more.

Wait, why was she scared by a brat?

Li Jiaojiao was stunned for a moment before she reacted.

Just as she was about to push the door, the little white dog left at her feet suddenly started barking wildly. It bared its teeth, its sharp claws desperately scratching at the door, its previously docile appearance gone without a trace.

At the same time, a faint scent of blood seeped out from the cracks in the door and window. Li Jiaojiao’s heart sank, and she immediately peered through the gap.

Inside was a sticky crimson.

Little Duan Qinglian knelt on the ground, his robe and hair tips soaked in blood, his pale cheeks stained with red blotches. He gasped for breath, his hands limp at his sides, familiar silver Sword Line tangled around his slender fingertips, swaying in the stream formed by the pool of blood.

All this spreading blood belonged to the corpse lying nearby.

The scene before her made Li Jiaojiao’s heart clench. Was he already killing people at such a young age? Wasn’t he here to find his mother?

The little white dog’s barking grew more and more frenzied. Only then did little Duan Qinglian rise from the pool of blood and open the door.

As the door opened, the heavy scent of blood inside rushed out, forcing Li Jiaojiao to step back a few paces.

Little Duan Qinglian bent down to pick up the little white dog, the blood on his fingertips staining its fur red as well. His breathing was still a bit rapid, but his eyes shone with an indescribable excitement, just like when she first saw him strangling those six guards.

“Shh.” He pressed a finger to his lips. “Keep quiet. If you disturb Mother, she’ll make me kill you too.”

But the little white dog barked even more fiercely, even turning to bite his wrist.

“Mm…” Little Duan Qinglian frowned. “Don’t move around. I don’t have much strength to hold you right now.”

He didn’t seem to realize why the little white dog was so agitated, simply hugging it to his chest and sitting on the threshold, the Sword Line slipping from his sleeve, messily tangling in his hair.

“But it’s fine. Mother says I’m still young. When I grow up, killing people won’t be so tiring.”

“Oh, right. Before your master died, he said your name was Xiao Bai, didn’t he?”

He spoke to himself, his eyes reflecting the misty light beyond the courtyard wall, full of strange hope.

Li Jiaojiao didn’t know what season it was in little Duan Qinglian’s memory, only that today the wind was frequent, making the leaves on the dead branches outside the wall rustle. The dense sound pricked at her heart like needles, making it ache.

Did his mother teach him to kill?

For a moment, the image of Duan Qinglian’s mother was trampled underfoot. She really wanted to see what kind of mother could turn her child into a bloodthirsty madman.

At that moment, a soft female voice came from inside the house, and little Duan Qinglian responded sweetly, getting up and walking inside.

Li Jiaojiao looked up and saw a flash of snowy white skirt. Just as its owner was about to appear, the whole courtyard suddenly twisted-the white dog’s barking, the metallic scent inside, and little Qinglian’s murmurs all vanished into nothingness.

*

The carriage wheels creaked over the stone road, the carriage facing the wind, occasionally lifting the curtain and letting the bright sunlight spill in, warming the girl inside.

“Ah Qing…”

The girl in his arms frowned tightly, seemingly not sleeping well, murmuring his name over and over.

This pleased him.

Duan Qinglian lowered his head closer to the girl, the faint fragrance entwined with the sweetness of candy filling his nose. He looked down, his gaze falling on the red pouch at her waist.

Suddenly, those tightly closed apricot eyes opened. In an instant, the bright pupils shrank, reflecting a magnified jade-like face.

Li Jiaojiao was startled, immediately scrambling out of Duan Qinglian’s arms and hiding on the other side of the carriage.

Seeing Li Jiaojiao so quiet, Duan Qinglian’s smile faded a little.

“Why aren’t you afraid?”

Usually, just getting close would make Li Jiaojiao tremble in fear. Why wasn’t she scared now?

“I’m not afraid,” Li Jiaojiao replied perfunctorily, her mind still immersed in Duan Qinglian’s childhood memories.
“Yes, you said you liked me.”

His voice was clear and cool, like a spring flowing over stones, tinged with a hint of disappointment.

Those faint words completely drew Li Jiaojiao back from her wandering thoughts. She sat up straight and looked back at Duan Qinglian, his delicate, gentle features overlapping with the image of the young boy who had once stabbed himself with a dagger for the puppy.

For no reason, a surge of pity welled up inside her.

Suddenly, the wheels of the carriage seemed to roll over a bump, causing Li Jiaojiao to topple to the side, banging against the wall of the carriage and sucking in a sharp breath from the pain.

But it was as if the road was picking a fight with her; before she could steady herself, there was another jolt, and she bumped the same sore spot again.

Li Jiaojiao’s pained expression as she rubbed her head made Duan Qinglian laugh. He sat upright across from her, his eyes curved in a smile.

The feeling of kicking someone when they’re down was obvious.

Li Jiaojiao rolled her eyes inwardly countless times. Why had she pitied him just now?

“I’m dying of pain here, and you’re still laughing!”

Only then did Duan Qinglian stop laughing. “Don’t you like pain?”

His brows lifted slightly, with a touch of surprise, as he asked with utmost sincerity.

“I don’t!” Li Jiaojiao gritted out each word with hatred.

“Maybe you just haven’t experienced the delight in it. I can help you.”

“No, thank you!”

In an instant, the tangled emotions and pity in her heart vanished into thin air. Now that she’d just recovered, she had no energy to deal with his twisted remarks. She turned and lifted the curtain to admire the scenery along the way.

…

Li Jiaojiao had been unconscious for an entire night. She hadn’t eaten much before setting out, and now hunger was making her vision blur.

She endured until nearly the hour of Shen before the carriage finally entered Qingyang City.

The prefect of Qingyang had already sent a letter to the Yin-Yang Department before Shen Yunlan left the capital, asking for assistance. Rumor had it his youngest daughter had fallen under the bewitchment of a Fox Demon, her life hanging by a thread.

Fang Zhiyi found a nearby inn and parked the carriage.

Having burned with fever for a whole day and night, Li Jiaojiao was so weak she could barely stand, clutching Duan Qinglian’s hand as she trembled and prepared to get down from the carriage.

Shen Yunlan had just reached out to offer a hand when Duan Qinglian quietly blocked her.

She froze for a moment, and for some reason, saw a faint hint of hostility in the Evil Spirit’s eyes.

“I’m so hungry. I really want to eat something.”

The weak voice interrupted their silent stare.

“Fang Siwei, you take the young Princess to the inn first.” Shen Yunlan hoisted her sword case onto her back and spoke to Fang Zhiyi.

She couldn’t rest yet. As long as the Fox Demon in the Prefectural Mansion remained, anything could happen at any moment.

Li Jiaojiao knew Fang Zhiyi was bound to be unwilling, so she immediately rejected the idea before he could protest. “No, no, I just want to eat something. Ah Qing can go with me.”

Catching on to people’s words was Duan Qinglian’s innate talent.

And Li Jiaojiao’s final sentence happened to please him.

His mood inexplicably lifted, and his lowered eyes were even brighter than usual.

Shen Yunlan knew Li Jiaojiao had liked Fang Zhiyi since childhood. She also knew Fang Zhiyi’s feelings, but she had no intention of coming between them, and her identity as a Yin-Yang Master had long since made her give up any such thoughts.

“Young Princess, it’s always good to have someone by your side to protect you…”

Before Shen Yunlan could finish, Li Jiaojiao pushed Fang Zhiyi toward her. “Yunlan Sister is right, it’s always good to have someone by your side to protect you. Don’t you think so, Brother Zhiyi?”

One was repressed, the other’s feelings veiled and unclear.

Shen Yunlan and Fang Zhiyi had known each other since childhood, but they had barely any physical contact, and still addressed each other as Miss Shen and Fang Siwei.

Being pushed by Li Jiaojiao like this, Fang Zhiyi hadn’t even reacted before the two of them bumped right into each other.

As expected, their faces instantly turned crimson, as if they could drip red water.

“Yunlan Sister, you two go ahead and get busy. If you need help, just have him do anything you like-Brother Zhiyi is good at running errands.”

With that, Li Jiaojiao hooked her arm around Duan Qinglian’s and quickly turned to leave, not giving them a chance to object.

Shen Yunlan stared blankly at the young girl in her green robe as she walked away.

“Miss Shen, please don’t mind her-Jiaojiao’s personality is just like that, lively and unpredictable.” The young man beside her blushed, scratching his head, his gaze darting as he avoided looking at her.

Though that’s what he said, Fang Zhiyi was full of gratitude toward Li Jiaojiao. This proud, headstrong girl had finally grown up.

“I think the young Princess is wonderful,” Shen Yunlan gave him a sidelong glance, her expression returning to calm and cool.

With that, she turned around, her sword case reflecting the red of her robes, making her even more striking.

Fang Zhiyi stood there in a daze.

After taking a few steps, Shen Yunlan stopped again and looked back over her shoulder. “Didn’t you say you’d help me run errands? What are you waiting for?”

The starlight that had faded in his eyes instantly brightened.

“Coming!”

–

Compared to Shen Yunlan, the great and righteous savior of the world, Li Jiaojiao seemed much more leisurely.

Her body was so weak she could barely walk, leaning all her weight on Duan Qinglian’s arm.

Qingyang was a large city, and the streets were bustling. At first, Li Jiaojiao thought it was because she and Duan Qinglian were too close that they were attracting so many glances from passersby.

But even when she moved away and walked side by side with Duan Qinglian, those heads still kept turning back every few steps.

“Next time, you’d better cover your face when we go out,” Li Jiaojiao said helplessly. Most of the lingering gazes were from women, who stared at Duan Qinglian for ages before scrutinizing her with another searching look.

“Why?” The one attracting all the attention was genuinely confused.

“Haven’t you noticed? Everyone along the way has been staring at you-and at me too. It feels really uncomfortable.”
“Don’t you mind being watched?”

“Of course I do.”

What a silly question-who likes being stared at like this?

“Then just kill them.”

When Duan Qinglian said this, he was still walking gracefully through the crowd, his smile lingering at his lips, his gaze gentle, as if he were merely chatting casually.

It seemed that, in his eyes, the solution to every problem was simply to kill.

“Don’t-That’s too much…” Li Jiaojiao was at a loss for words. “Besides, didn’t you promise me you’d be a good person?”

“Then how about gouging out their eyes?” He suggested another method, his eyes sincere.

“…”

“You don’t like that either? Then chop off their hands and feet so they can’t come out again.”

“…”

“No? So killing them really is best.”

“…”

“Ah Qing, what do you think about having noodles?”

*

Li Jiaojiao pulled Duan Qinglian into a noodle shop.

Yuanxiang was her hometown, and most of the food there was spicy. Qingyang was similar.

Steaming noodles were served, hand-pulled to an even thickness, soaking in chicken broth with a sheen of oil, topped with a handful of bright green scallions. Instantly, Li Jiaojiao’s appetite was whetted.

She opened the jar of chili on the table and scooped several spoonfuls of the shop’s homemade chili oil onto her noodles. Starving, she ate half a bowl in one go.

Across the table, Duan Qinglian was still staring at his noodles in a daze.

“Why aren’t you eating?” Li Jiaojiao asked, biting off a mouthful of noodles. “Don’t tell me you’re full just from smelling it?”

Suddenly she remembered-this person before her was an Evil Spirit.

“What’s this?”

Following Duan Qinglian’s gaze, Li Jiaojiao looked at the red oil floating in her bowl.

“That’s chili oil,” she replied.

Seeing his interest, Li Jiaojiao scooped a spoonful into his bowl. The red oil spread instantly across the shimmering chicken broth.

“Try it.”

Duan Qinglian picked up his chopsticks-rosewood tips twirled a strand of noodles, which he brought to his mouth.

Li Jiaojiao, now full, rested her chin in her hands and watched him.

Duan Qinglian ate with elegant manners, his posture slightly bent, tucking his black hair behind his ear. His long, slender fingers held the chopsticks, and the noodles disappeared bit by bit between his rosy lips, chewed slowly, his brows and eyes calm.

A simple bowl of chicken noodle soup was made to look like a delicacy by him.

Li Jiaojiao was naturally happy to see him eat. She remembered last time, the only thing he ate was a candy she’d forced into his mouth. If he weren’t obediently eating noodles now, she’d have thought he was anorexic.

Li Jiaojiao began to plan what else she could coax Duan Qinglian to eat later.

He was really too thin-whenever she bumped into him, she’d be sore for a while.

But soon, she noticed something was wrong.

She didn’t deny that even lunatics have rights and can have their favorite foods, but the way Duan Qinglian was eating noodles was truly odd.

At first, he ate normally. Seeing that he hadn’t put down his chopsticks, Li Jiaojiao thought he liked the taste and happily asked if he did.

Gradually, something was off.

Steam rose around him, and a fine layer of sweat appeared on his pale forehead. The corners of his eyes and lips were vividly red, and even a shimmer of tears pooled beneath his eyelids.

Damn!

Li Jiaojiao finally realized-this madman was self-torturing again.

Who keeps eating when they’re crying from the spice?

She snatched the chopsticks from his hand and quickly dabbed his lips with a handkerchief. Chili oil instantly stained the white cloth.

Li Jiaojiao looked at her handkerchief with a pang of regret.

“Why are you doing this again?”

Duan Qinglian raised his head, looking at the girl who was once again flustered. His damp lashes blinked, as if he didn’t understand why she was angry.

He always looked innocent and harmless, especially when his eyes were misty.

Li Jiaojiao’s gaze couldn’t leave his lips, now swollen and red from the spice. Duan Qinglian’s lips were always as vivid as if painted with rouge, but now, after all this, they were even brighter-like red silk just dipped from the dye vat.

For a moment, Li Jiaojiao didn’t know whether to feel sorry for him or scold him.

Helpless, she took off the pouch at her waist and pulled out a candy, stuffing it into Duan Qinglian’s mouth.

“Hold this to ease the spice. I’ll see if there’s an ice shop nearby.”

Duan Qinglian didn’t really listen to her words. His gaze stayed on the red pouch in her hand. The silk was smooth, the stitching delicate, and a tiger’s head was embroidered in gold thread at the center, emitting a sweet fragrance.

After Li Jiaojiao left, Duan Qinglian remained seated at the square table.

The chicken noodle soup on the table was still steaming. He reached out, wanting to take another pair of chopsticks from the holder.

But his tongue suddenly touched the glossy candy in his mouth. He pressed his lips together, and the rich, cloying sweetness spread across his taste buds.

He withdrew his hand and sat quietly, waiting.

It was still spring, and ice shops were hard to find.

Li Jiaojiao searched many places, finally spending a good amount of silver at a wealthy merchant’s house to bring back some crushed ice.

But when she returned to the noodle shop, Duan Qinglian was nowhere to be seen.

“Damn it.” Li Jiaojiao cursed, clutching the ice as she plunged back into the bustling crowd on the street.