Chapter 37: Because You Are You

Chapter 37: Because You Are You

Seeing me take a few steps back, Li Fan smiled.

Then he covered his eyes with his hand. When he removed it, those eyes returned to their beautiful, clear light chestnut hue.

"I usually don't lose my senses," Li Fan waved at me, assuring, "That was just the influence of the Netherworld Rose. Don't worry, it's fine now."

I hesitated for a moment before striding over to him in two steps.

Li Fan looked at me and laughed, reaching up to remove a leaf from my head. "Suddenly, I feel like I'm constantly apologizing to you. 'Sorry' is the most common word I say."

I retorted indignantly, "That's because you have plenty of reasons to apologize to me! If I made a mistake, I'd be saying sorry to you every day!"

The corners of Li Fan's eyes lifted into a charming curve. Already strikingly handsome, when he smiled, he was breathtakingly beautiful.

"By the way, when you came back last time, you bit my shoulder," I asked worriedly, averting my gaze, "Were you out of control then?"

Li Fan nodded, his voice tinged with remorse. "Yes, I was already delirious. Being able to make it home was the limit of my strength. I didn't expect that I still couldn't control myself in the end..."

With a guilt-ridden look, he gazed at me while gently caressing my shoulder, where the scar still remained. "I have to apologize again. I'm sorry for scaring you."

"I see, so my blood can suppress your demonic nature?" I interrupted his apologies, looking at him solemnly.

By now, I had pieced together the story.

The reason Li Fan dared to casually break his vow was that he had already fallen into demonic possession. Hence, he wasn't afraid of it happening again.

Actually, ever since the Ghost Child emerged and Li Fan summoned the lightning, his state had seemed off.

Back then, the aura he emitted was ruthlessly seizing life force. I even heard Lin Yu mention that the descending lightning was a Demon Extermination Lightning.

Though I didn't understand these matters, the literal meaning of Demon Extermination Lightning was clear enough.

But usually, when spirits fall into demonic possession, they lose their sanity. So why could Li Fan maintain his consciousness?

I couldn't figure it out, and Li Fan didn't seem inclined to elaborate. For now, I'd attribute it to his exceptional prowess.

Placing his hand on my shoulder, faint glow emerged from his touch, and the scar on my shoulder visibly faded before our eyes.

"Indeed, it can. This is the greatest use of your blood. It can instantly suppress my demonic nature when I lose control," Li Fan said.

"But it's very dangerous. In a demonic state, my consciousness is blurred, and I might unintentionally hurt you. So if anything unexpected happens to me in the future, you must stay far away, do you understand?"

I pondered for a moment before asking, "But... Didn't you come looking for me because my blood is useful? Now you're telling me to keep my distance..."

Li Fan was truly peculiar. He'd gone through so much trouble to obtain something he didn't seem keen on using.

I couldn't quite grasp what was going on in his mind. His thoughts were even more unpredictable than lottery numbers.

He stroked my hair, a hint of tenderness in his eyes. "Your blood was one reason I sought you out, but the main reason is that you are Bai Ci."

"Because you are you, not someone else, that's why I came looking for you. Do you understand?"

I blinked, suddenly sensing that the atmosphere had shifted.

Li Fan's words sounded like a confession.

Before I could overthink it, my cheeks flushed, and I froze for a moment. Hastily, I turned around to cover my face, trying to cool down my heated complexion.

Not to criticize you, Bai Ci, but just because Li Fan said a couple of words, your face is already flushed? Do you have any self-respect?

It's not like no one has confessed their feelings to you before. Why are you acting so bashful now?

"Are you blushing?" Li Fan's voice, tinged with amusement, sounded from behind me. "Has anyone ever told you that your bashful look is particularly endearing?"

"No!" I replied loudly, yet still too timid to turn around.

"Well then, let me tell you," Li Fan whispered, gently wrapping his arms around me from behind. "The way you look right now is utterly enchanting to me."

I feel my heart pounding fiercely, thumping wildly, truly, I've never felt such an intense attraction before.

So taken by surprise, I even wondered if Li Fan had cast a charm on me again, with this flushed face and racing heart, it indeed feels a bit too cheap!

Li Fan chuckled softly and waved his hand, summoning a gentle breeze. The wind carried away the warmth from my face, leaving me feeling less flushed.

"Alright, let's focus on what needs to be done." Li Fan patted my shoulder. "There's a cave down there. I need to retrieve my sword. Do you want to wait here or come with me?"

"I'll go with you. I don't dare to stay alone, I'm really quite scared." I shrunk my neck, almost wearing the word 'coward' on my face.

Though the cave didn't seem particularly secure, Li Fan's presence was reassuring.

Ever since some unknown point in time, I felt an overwhelming sense of safety whenever Li Fan was by my side.

Li Fan chuckled and shook his head before taking my hand, "Still so timid, it seems you haven't grown at all. Come on."

With that, he pulled me along and we flew downward.

The cave at the bottom of the cliff was well-concealed and obscured by withered vines. However, once we entered, we discovered that the interior was surprisingly spacious.

Despite its size, the cave was devoid of any light source, leaving us in pitch darkness.

Li Fan snapped his fingers, and a blue-white flame resembling foxfire ignited on his fingertip, instantly illuminating our surroundings.

"Impatiently setting fire to the mountain, you'll end up spending your life in jail," I tugged at his sleeve playfully.

Li Fan laughed at my joke, "Alright, I'll be more cautious, won't let you rot in jail."

With Li Fan's foxfire providing light, the surroundings became much brighter.

The path within the cave was treacherous, littered with loose gravel, causing me to stumble twice with every three steps.

Moreover, the deeper we ventured, the more fearful I became. Perhaps it was due to my timid nature, but my heart raced wildly.

"Are you cold?" Li Fan glanced at my trembling hands and legs.

I shot back a question with a serious tone, "Which hand do you usually use for fighting?"

"Uh...my right hand, I suppose."

I acknowledged his answer and moved to his left side. With my left hand, I firmly grasped his left hand, while my right arm instinctively wrapped around his bicep, practically leaning half of my body against Li Fan.

After sizing things up, I nodded in approval. "Perfect, this feels much safer. Let's go."

Li Fan laughed, amused by my actions. "Safer like this?"

I nodded vigorously. This position was the result of days of careful consideration.

Not only did it provide me a sense of security, but it also allowed me to duck behind Li Fan instantly during crucial moments, minimizing any hindrance to our team's main combatant.

Truly worthy of myself, even cowardice is displayed with such propriety.

I praised myself inwardly without reservation, feeling a newfound lightness in my steps.

The path ahead widened, revealing an immense space that made it hard not to wonder if the entire mountain had been hollowed out for this cave.

Shivering, I felt my heart pounding fiercely, even though I was so close to Li Fan. I couldn't fathom why I was so nervous.

After a few more strides, we finally reached the end. Directly in front of me, I saw a stone altar with a long, rectangular object resting on it.

Before I could rejoice, my heart began to throb painfully.

I nearly lost consciousness from the pain, and simultaneously, an indescribable terror gripped my soul, spreading rapidly through my being.