Chapter 39: Soul Reaver: I Can Bend and Stretch!

Chapter 39: Soul Reaver: I Can Bend and Stretch!

"Ma Ye! Ghost! Ghost!"

Soul Reaver's hair stood on end in terror, jumping behind Li Fan as if my appearance had triggered his panic button.

Peering out cautiously, he studied me for a while before stammering, "Y-You... You're alive?"

Me: ????

What kind of question is that? Did I die before?

Roughly pulling Soul Reaver out from behind her, Li Fan replied, "Yes, you heard it right. She's alive. Don't overreact like that next time."

Still stunned, Soul Reaver circled around me several times, examining me from left to right with admiration, clicking his tongue in appreciation.

It felt like I was an exhibit being inspected, but just as Soul Reaver was about to voice his thoughts, Li Fan interrupted him.

"Soul Reaver, now that your seal is lifted, here's your first order," Li Fan said, looking down at me.

"From now on, no matter the circumstances or location, your top priority is to protect her. If necessary, you can eliminate anyone, including me."

"Oh, got it..."

"Serious now!"

"I, Soul Vanquisher, accept the order!"

Gazing at Li Fan's profile, a warmth suddenly spread through my heart, leaving a sweet sensation.

I was deeply moved, really. I am easily touched, and this time was no exception.

Li Fan had gone to great lengths to safeguard my life. Despite his youthful and dashing appearance, he worried for me like a concerned father.

"Li Fan, thank you. You're the best little fox I've ever met," I thanked him sincerely.

A hint of amusement flickered in Li Fan's eyes. "Your compliments are getting odder by the day. Have you met any other foxes besides me?"

Well, of course, I had encountered other foxes.

It was just at the zoo, where those gray foxes swooped in to snatch my big chicken leg.

Juehun had overheard our entire conversation and then scoffed, tilting his head disdainfully.

His scoff was like a spark, reigniting the tension that had just slightly subsided.

Li Fan's slightly softened expression quickly turned cold, while Juehun, acting oblivious, leaned against the wall with one leg crossed over the other, his leg trembling like a street punk's.

Seeing them about to engage in another stare-down, I reluctantly played the role of mediator once more.

"Impress him a bit and don't provoke him further," I whispered to Juehun. "You know his character as a fox. Let him apologize this time."

"Apologize?" Juehun tossed his hair. "He would apologize? Don't joke around. His eyes are always stuck up on his forehead. Asking him to apologize is like asking a sow to climb a tree!"

"If he can apologize, I wouldn't mind being used as a kitchen knife by you!"

Juehun's comment left me bewildered.

How could Li Fan not apologize? He did all the time, constantly apologizing to me.

I shot Li Fan a subtle glance, gesturing for him to apologize just to smooth things over.

Li Fan stared at me as I winked and squinted for a while before he couldn't help but ask, "Is there something wrong with your eyes? Did sand get in them?"

Well, there goes our rapport.

"See? See? I told you, 'apology' isn't even in his dictionary!" Juehun grumbled. "One day, I'll get him a new one..."

"Sorry," Li Fan nodded slightly. "It was my fault back then, causing you to be trapped here for so many years. Don't worry, it won't happen again."

To be honest, Li Fan had gotten quite adept at apologizing now; these words flowed naturally from his mouth.

Juehun was stunned. He reached out and tapped his own head, unable to believe what he had just heard.

It wasn't until I poked him that he snapped back to reality, his expression a bit awkward. "Alright then, no more sealing me away... It's really painful."

Li Fan smiled gently and reached out to stroke Juehun's hair, as if petting a big dog.

By the time we emerged from the cave, it was already afternoon.

Soul Extinguisher didn't revert to its sword form but maintained its human appearance as it strolled along the mountain path with us. It was now incredibly curious about the outside world.

The three of us walked in a line, reminiscent of elementary school students on their way home. Li Fan led the way, Soul Extinguisher brought up the rear, and I was sandwiched between them, flanked by masculinity.

Intent on building a good rapport for future cooperation, I initiated conversation with Soul Extinguisher.

"I wonder, Little Sword, how did you come to know Li Fan?"

"Our encounter was rather enchanting," Soul Extinguisher replied without hesitation. After a moment of recollection, it continued, "It was so long ago, in the dead of night, with a violent rainstorm raging outside. As a wild sword, I had just awakened my sentience and found a cave to cultivate in peace. Then!"

Soul Extinguisher's voice suddenly rose in volume, its emotions becoming agitated.

"Li Fan, that sly fox, burst into my home like a mad dog. Without a word, he dragged me out from under the covers. If our genders had been different, I would've thought he intended to molest me!"

"However, what happened next made me wish he had molested me instead!"

With a fierce glare, Soulless fixated his eyes on Li Fan's back. If looks could kill, Li Fan would have been pierced into a sieve.

"He grabbed my collar impolitely and slapped me twice, one on each side of my face. Then he asked if I was willing to follow him. If not, he said he'd kill me."

I lowered my head in silence, scolding myself for being so terrible at conversation. What kind of topic was this? Wasn't it like pouring salt on Soulless's wounds?

"But!" Soulless suddenly raised his head with pride. "Am I, Soulless, a cowardly man who fears death?"

I probed, "Did you resist?"

"No, I submitted right away," he replied.

Me: ????

"A true man knows when to bend and when to stand firm. Besides…" Soulless continued with his confident tone, "You couldn't have imagined how terrifying he looked at that moment. It was as if he was about to devour me. I was scared…"

Oh, I see…

I let out a dry laugh, appreciating Soulless's wisdom in knowing when to yield.

"Don't look at me like that. Our time together was quite enjoyable," said Soul Exterminator. "At least Li Fan was quite skilled with the sword."

I immediately followed up, hoping to keep the conversation going. "In what way?"

"He trained in reverse, practicing with a lower sword instead of an upper one, and switched from iron swords to silver ones. Eventually, he achieved unity with his sword, which we could simply call 'Sword Man'!"

I was left speechless...

It seemed Soul Exterminator had watched quite a few TV dramas; he was on a roll, and I couldn't find a chance to interject.

I suddenly thought of a question and asked out of curiosity, "Who do you think was the most impressive person you've killed?"

"The most impressive...?" Soul Exterminator put a blade of grass between his teeth, pondering for a while before answering me. "Probably the Demon God. She was the strongest."