Chapter 24

Chapter 24

After Xiu Jixin left, Xue Zhao’s mind lingered on the recent kiss.

Having gained 12 HP in one go, he seemed no longer content with small amounts of "food."

But to ask for a kiss… that was truly difficult to voice.

Xue Zhao yawned, slumping onto the sofa, rubbing his eyes as he stared blankly.

The system asked with concern, "Are you bored? Perhaps you’d like to read something?"

He was scheduled to make a demonic potion later, but with the ability to use a save-load item, time was abundant.

Xue Zhao didn’t have many scriptures to copy that morning; two repetitions would suffice.

"It’s fine…" Xue Zhao mumbled in response.

Even if he weren't confined here, he had little to do on days without tasks.

Moreover, staying near Xiu Jixin made acquiring "food" more convenient, so Xue Zhao felt no aversion.

He touched the tail that had brushed against his wrist, drifted off for a moment longer, then rose and went to the table to copy scriptures.

After copying the scriptures twice, Xue Zhao began crafting the demonic potion with the system’s assistance.

He went to the courtyard and gathered many leaves, bringing them back to his small room.

The save-load item remained essential. As the system activated the save point, Xue Zhao rolled up his sleeves and pricked his hand with scissors.

The wound was small; a little blood was enough to draw many runes.

Then, Xue Zhao drew runes on the leaves.

To create a demonic potion potent enough to instantly revive a critically ill person, the number of runes required far exceeded those used when he burned down the storeroom.

Xue Zhao paused to rest periodically until all the gathered leaves were used up.

[System]: Not enough. Go find more.

Xue Zhao couldn't leave the courtyard. Unable to gather fallen leaves, he had no choice but to pick fresh ones directly.

Aside from leaves, there were no other convenient items that wouldn't easily arouse suspicion.

However, Xue Zhao was reluctant to do this. He spent a long time mentally preparing himself before finally entering the courtyard.

He circled the tree multiple times, selecting leaves that were about to fall, gently stroking them before plucking them.

The black cat, perched on the roof, paid little heed to the scene, merely lying down to lick its paws.

With so many runes to draw, Xue Zhao’s HP was steadily declining.

It wasn't until his HP dropped to 9 points that the rune items were finally completed.

[System]: The save-load item is still active. There’s plenty of time; rest a bit more.

Xue Zhao lay on the table, resting his head on his arms. "Hmm."

By noon, Xiu Jixin still hadn't returned.

Xue Zhao waited in the courtyard, basking in the sun, when he saw the black cat descend from the roof, carrying a cloth-wrapped box.

It placed the box before Xue Zhao and wagged its tail. "Meow."

Xue Zhao opened the box to find steaming, neatly arranged meals inside.

A note was tucked within the cloth wrap, reading: "Busy, will be back tonight."

Xiu Jixin had been on leave yesterday, and the backlog of church affairs he had to handle was immense, so his busyness was understandable.

It was only during these few days, with Xue Zhao in the courtyard, that he would return at noon. Previously, he would spend his entire lunch break in the confessional.

[System]: It’s better he doesn’t return. After making so many runes, there might still be some demonic energy lingering.

Xue Zhao returned to his room with his lunch, feeling a bit down. "Hmm."

It had only been one morning… but factoring in the time spent making runes, he felt as though he hadn’t seen Xiu Jixin for an entire day.

His HP was still 9 points, which wasn’t low, but he had lost a significant amount at once, and his craving for "food" was intense.

The system asked again, "Are you going to start making the demonic potion this afternoon?"

Xue Zhao lowered his head to eat, replying, "Yes."

Xiu Jixin was busy, so naturally, he had to prepare the items quickly while he was away.

The lunch brought by the black cat was modest, just enough for Xue Zhao. The re-wrapped box was then carried away by the cat.

Xue Zhao returned to his small room and laid all the leaf runes on the ground.

There were several types of runes, each representing a different "medicine."

A cup, secretly taken by Xue Zhao from the study, also sat on the floor.

Following the system’s instructions, he first placed a few runes into the cup.

[System]: Wait, the save-load item can’t be used?

Simultaneously, a prompt appeared on the panel.

[Virtual time cannot be used while the item is in effect.]

This meant that while a save-load item could be used when drawing runes, it could not be used once the runes began to be utilized or took effect.

It seemed this had always been the case when Xue Zhao performed tasks in the past.

Even when Xue Zhao poisoned the well water, the runes he carved only truly activated after he left the well house.

Xue Zhao asked nervously, "Then what should I do?"

[System]: It’s fine. Xiu Jixin isn’t here anyway; just be careful.

The system maximized its scanning range, constantly monitoring its surroundings.

At this moment, a wisp of thin smoke had already drifted from the runes placed in the cup.

The smoke quickly dissipated, and a few leaves transformed into water, bubbling in the cup.

Xue Zhao quickly continued adding leaves. The water in the cup gradually increased, and its color began to change.

Half of the runes were quickly used up. When the remaining ones were added, the rate of transformation into water slowed significantly.

Xue Zhao felt a little nervous. "Will this be discovered?"

If the item couldn't be used, he couldn't speed up time and dissipate the residual demonic energy before Xiu Jixin returned.

"There should be enough time. The demonic energy isn’t strong, but there might be a slight smell," the system replied. "We need to find a way to cover it up."

The primary material for the runes was plants, and when they dissolved into water, the scent was similar to grass and wood.

So Xue Zhao went to the courtyard again and picked some leaves and two branches, placing them in the corner of the room.

Fortunately, there was no punishment for copying the Bible that afternoon, so Xue Zhao didn't have to be distracted and continued to make the demonic potion little by little.

Time passed minute by minute, and as dusk approached, only one leaf remained.

Xue Zhao carefully folded the leaf and placed it into the cup.

The leaves slowly melted and transformed into tiny bubbles, constantly swirling in the water.

At the same time, the original potion rapidly evaporated, and in a blink of an eye, half of it was gone.

Xue Zhao sat on the ground, holding his breath. "Is it successful?"

[System]: Not sure yet. Wait a bit longer.

Actually, according to the standard procedure for making a demonic potion, more materials would be needed, such as animal carcasses, rotten tree roots, and so on…

Using only runes was the simplest method, and also the most suitable for Xue Zhao.

The system thought to itself, the runes have been drawn for so long; I hope there are no problems…

However, in the next second, the water in the cup completely evaporated, not a single drop left, followed by a crisp "snap," and the cup shattered into several pieces, lying scattered on the ground.

[System]: Failed…

Xue Zhao was startled by the noise, then froze.

It actually… failed?

Xue Zhao had performed similar tasks several times, and each time he drew runes, he was meticulous. Even if it took a long time, he had never failed.

"It’s okay, there’s still a chance," the system comforted him. "Making demonic potions is a bit difficult, and the cup quality probably wasn’t good either."

Xue Zhao looked dazed, still reeling from the frustration of failure, when he received another message from the system.

[System]: Xiu Jixin is back.

Xue Zhao hurriedly got up, picked up the broken pieces of the cup from the floor, and hid them under the bed.

He then picked up a pillow and fanned the air, trying to dissipate the strong smell in the room.

After all this, the bedroom door opened.

Xiu Jixin stood at the doorway, his gaze sweeping around.

The black cat followed him, vaguely catching a scent. It twitched its nose and sniffed, wanting to enter and investigate, but was stopped.

Xiu Jixin closed the door and called, "Xue Zhao?"

Xue Zhao responded, emerging from the small room, trying to conceal his nervousness and panic. "You’re back…"

Xiu Jixin hung up his coat and slowly approached. "What were you doing just now?"

His question made Xue Zhao even more nervous. "Nothing… I accidentally broke a cup."

Although, given the time and distance, Xiu Jixin shouldn't have heard it.

Seeing Xiu Jixin drawing closer, Xue Zhao feared he would enter the small room, so he quickly stepped forward and threw himself into his arms.

Xue Zhao hugged Xiu Jixin tightly and said in a muffled voice, "Why did you just come back…?"

His words sounded a bit aggrieved, and he was indeed very aggrieved.

Xiu Jixin hadn't returned at noon, and with the time spent in the save point, he hadn't seen him for over a day.

After drawing the runes, making the demonic potion had caused Xue Zhao’s HP to drop several points. He was now hungry and tired, and the wound on his arm from drawing blood also hurt.

And to top it all off, the demonic potion had failed…

Xiu Jixin took one of Xue Zhao’s hands and asked in a low voice, "Are you hurt?"

His tone was gentle, and Xue Zhao’s nose felt a little sore. He shook his head and remained silent.

Xiu Jixin looked up and briefly glanced at the door of the small room.

Then, he carried Xue Zhao to the sofa.

On the sofa, Xue Zhao was still being held, sitting on Xiu Jixin’s lap.

He was a little unaccustomed to it and only relaxed after a while.

Xiu Jixin stroked the hair beside Xue Zhao’s cheek and asked again, "The black cat said you brought back a lot of leaves today?"

Black cat?

Could it be that the black cat not only obeyed Xiu Jixin but also "told" him these things…?

Xue Zhao felt guilty and dared not ask more. He lowered his thick eyelashes. "Well, there are no windows in my room, so I put some leaves in."

Fortunately, the system had already considered that the demonic potion would emit a smell, and this reason was thought up by Xue Zhao himself, not adopting the system’s suggestion.

Because if there were no tasks, he might actually do something similar.

"Windows?" Xiu Jixin whispered. "You can come to my side anytime."

Xue Zhao pondered for a moment in confusion. "Even at night?"

Xiu Jixin’s breathing paused slightly. "Yes."

As he spoke, he kept his gaze on Xue Zhao, his eyes fixed on Xue Zhao’s slightly pale, bloodless cheeks.

Xiu Jixin suddenly asked, "You seem to have never eaten. Aren’t you hungry?"

Xue Zhao was stunned for a moment before he reacted.

"I ate at noon…" he replied, feigning ignorance. "Not hungry."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiu Jixin pinched Xue Zhao’s cheek. "You are a demon, not a human."

Seeing that he couldn't fool him, Xue Zhao had to say, "I… I don’t seem to need to eat demon food."

His true race was still hidden from Xiu Jixin, and of course, his food source could not be easily exposed, which was also one of the important ways to subdue demons.

"Don’t need?" Xiu Jixin repeated in a low voice.

Did he not even know himself, or was he unwilling to tell the truth?

Xiu Jixin did not delve deeper, his dim eyes slightly heavy.

Xue Zhao was unaware of this, hugging his neck and leaning securely in the familiar embrace.

The sweet scent of "food" was close at hand. Xue Zhao rubbed against Xiu Jixin’s collar, looked up at him, and hesitated to speak.

Xiu Jixin seemed to know what Xue Zhao was thinking. He leaned closer and coaxed, "Want a kiss?"

Xue Zhao hummed, then heard him ask, "Want to kiss?"

The two were in an intimate posture, very close, and warm breaths brushed against him. Xue Zhao’s cheeks slowly flushed.

He hesitated for a moment, then shyly nodded.

This time, Xue Zhao was no longer unprepared. When Xiu Jixin kissed him, he even felt a little anticipation.

He had also adapted significantly, and being truly hungry, he appeared very docile.

[HP increased by 12 points]

After it ended, Xue Zhao didn't flee like last time, though he still looked timid, trying to regulate his breathing.

Xiu Jixin held him, gently stroking his back with his palm, and whispered, "Were you obedient today?"

"Yes…" Xue Zhao vaguely replied.

He had said nothing since he came back, and he probably… hadn’t discovered anything either.

Xue Zhao buried himself in Xiu Jixin’s arms for a while, finally recovering from the kiss.

A moment later, he looked up and couldn’t help but ask, "When will Aunt Huai be free? I want to see her…"

The demonic potion failed, and the system quickly analyzed the reason.

Before going to Father Yuan Zhu, Xue Zhao had better go out again to find suitable utensils and materials.

Ordinary cups and leaves were still too simple, and trying again would probably also fail.

"She’s already back today," Xiu Jixin said slowly. "Do you want to see her, or do you want to go out?"

"Can’t I have both…? I want to see her tomorrow," Xue Zhao reminded him. "You promised me."

Xiu Jixin looked up. They had just kissed, and Xue Zhao’s cheeks were still flushed.

His complexion looked much better than before, and perhaps he was a bit bolder.

Xiu Jixin pinched the tip of Xue Zhao’s chin and stroked it, half-coaxing, "One more kiss."

One more kiss… and he would agree? Like last time with the tail.

And kissing could increase HP…

Xue Zhao thought for a moment and gently hummed.

So, the two kissed again.

The time interval between the two kisses was very short, but Xue Zhao clearly felt the difference.

Xiu Jixin was not as gentle the second time, with a stronger sense of aggression, and the "food" he fed was richer.

Xue Zhao’s nape was held, preventing him from retreating an inch. His lips hurt a little from the kiss before Xiu Jixin finally released him.

[HP increased by 13 points]

Two kisses, a total increase of 25 HP. The continuous large intake of "food" made Xue Zhao feel a little uncomfortable again.

His cheeks were flushed, his eyelashes were wet, and he was breathing in shallow gasps, subconsciously licking his lips.

Xiu Jixin’s eyes darkened a few shades when he saw this.

At this moment, Xue Zhao’s sleeve twitched.

His tail emerged from the cuff and hooked Xiu Jixin’s fingertip.

Xue Zhao was slow to react and only after a moment did he reach out, wanting to pull his tail back.

However, he was a step too slow, and his tail "swished" forward, wrapping itself around Xiu Jixin’s hand.

Xue Zhao was completely stunned, and then he saw the small tip at the end of his tail, which actively slid into Xiu Jixin’s palm, like a flexible little snake.

Xiu Jixin lowered his eyes, seemingly a little surprised, and gently stroked it with his thumb.

Just as his tail was touched by someone else, Xue Zhao also felt a subtle strangeness, spreading from the location of the demonic mark throughout his body.

"Don’t touch…"

Blushing, he said in a low voice, hastily trying to retrieve his tail, but was stopped by Xiu Jixin.

Xiu Jixin pressed Xue Zhao into his arms and said, "If your tail stays with me, you can go out."