182 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

Chapter 182 Does a kiss mean affection? This question left Jiu Ying deeply puzzled. Even now, she still wasn't certain about her feelings toward Fu Ling. The only thing she knew for sure was that she would never refuse Fu Ling's requests. As their kiss ended, both of them were left a bit breathless. Fu Ling's cheeks were flushed, her body still trembling slightly. But this time, it wasn't from pain, but from embarrassment. Such an intimate kiss was more intense than any she had imagined in her dreams. At that moment when their lips intertwined, she not only caught a whiff of the refreshing scent of cold plum but also tasted its flavor distinctly. The mere thought of it made her lips involuntarily let out a soft moan. Biting her lip, she felt ashamed of her sensitive reaction. Her eyes remained covered, blocking the light but also giving her a moment's respite to catch her breath. In her shyness, a hand silently landed on her chest, gently pressing against her heart through her clothing. "Does it hurt?" For some unknown reason, the woman's voice was lower and huskier, carrying a particular allure. Those simple two words made the blush on Fu Ling's cheeks deepen. Now that her desires were fulfilled, she didn't have to rely on fantasies to satisfy her urges, and the insect within her would naturally calm down. She shook her head, taking a gentle breath. Despite wanting to speak, her throat was too parched. Her soft lips opened and closed for a while, yet she couldn't utter a single word. Jiu Ying watched her embarrassed demeanor with a softened heart, her lips curling into a gentle smile. At that moment, she chose not to obsess over whether she liked Fu Ling or not, because the ability to make Fu Ling happy was, in itself, her reason for being in this world. What she failed to achieve in her past life, she would ensure Fu Ling would have it in this one. Everything else was unimportant. Since Fu Ling had been unconscious for a full three days, their group remained on the island for an additional three days, and by the counting of days, today was supposed to be the day they returned to the mainland. The Si family held such a high standing among the righteous due to Si Ding Yun, a venerated demon slayer of considerable fear, whose demise would surely stir a bloody storm among humans. Even though Si Xiao's death had made Si Yi Guang resentful towards Si Ding Yun, he wouldn't be indifferent to his death and he was determined to investigate. This realization made all the demons and monsters anxious. With the current survivors on the island having all crossed paths with Si Ding Yun, any accountability would implicate them all. Jiu Ying was engrossed in discussing how to handle this with the others, unaware that someone was secretly watching her from not far away. Fu Ling, naturally shy, couldn't dismiss the memory of that passionate kiss even after several hours, and her face remained red. Surrounded by delicate branches and green leaves, the woman’s cold yet beautiful face peeked through the gaps in the foliage. While the view was unclear, Fu Ling couldn't bring herself to look away. As a breeze rustled by, Fu Ling saw the woman's lips move slightly, and her heart skipped a beat. No one knew that what filled her heart was an endless labyrinth of infatuation and love. “What excuse do you have, young lady? With Si Ding Yun's unfathomable strength simply dropping dead, I fear the Si family won't let us off easily,” voiced the oldest demon present, his words steeped in concern. Though he held a decent status among the demons, as the conflict between humans and demons had yet to erupt, he didn't want to embroil his kind in confrontation with the Si family because of this matter. Jiu Ying pursed her lips, well aware of the demons’ predicament. After pondering for a moment, she finally came up with a viable solution. "Si Ding Yun, driven by greed, intended to monopolize the entire Kun beast by relying on his profound skills. When the bone ship anchored, you and I hadn't even set foot on the isle before he trapped us on board due to our power disparity. By the time we broke free and reached the island, all we found was his corpse drifting in the Nether Sea." “Perhaps he accidentally fell into the Nether Sea." This explanation sounded far too simple, and upon closer thought, there were many aspects worthy of suspicion. Even Yu Ping couldn't restrain herself from asking. “Will the Si family believe such a tale?” Jiu Ying shook her head, responding firmly without hesitation. “Of course not. Given Si Ding Yun's top-tier skills, even if he fell into the Nether Sea, he would have means to escape. But if the Si family is unwilling to probe into his death further, then this explanation suffices.” Losing an expert of the fairy rank was an undeniable blow to the Si family, and for whatever reason, they had cause to uncover the true reasons behind his demise. Not just Yu Ping, even others failed to grasp the true implications of Jiu Ying's words. “What do you mean, young lady? Forgive Yu Qiu's ignorance for not discerning the true intent behind your words, but would you kindly explain?” asked the demon youth whose finger had been severed by Si Ding Yun's demon restraining wire. After days of healing, his injury had mostly recovered, although his severed finger could never be reattached. Speaking with utmost respect and humility, it was clear that he had already discerned that Fu Ling, though the one rescuing them, was not the true leader; it was indeed the cold, reserved woman before him. “Si Ding Yun was immensely skilled and highly honored, yet remained single all these years because of his love for a woman he should not have—his sister-in-law Han Yan. His voyage to the Nether Sea was at her behest, to procure Kun meat to extend her son Si Qi's life. Such matters were unknown even to his brother, Si Yi Guang. Once you leave, gossip this around, and Si Yi Guang will become more concerned with Si Ding Yun's relationship with Han Yan and Si Qi than with the true cause of Si Ding Yun's demise. After all, Si Xiao, who had the greatest chance of inheriting the Si family's estate, died at Si Ding Yun’s hands. If Si Qi turned out to be Si Ding Yun’s flesh and blood, then killing other heirs to secure his son's ascension would seem reasonable, wouldn’t it?” “Moreover, Si Yi Guang had long suspected Si Qi might not be his own child.” Indeed, it was a masterful ploy of turning the tables. As for convincing Si Yi Guang, the pivotal question was— “Are Si Yi Guang and Si Qi truly father and son?” Yu Qiu couldn't help but frown, his expression heavy as he pondered, before finally voicing his doubts. Jiu Ying raised her brows at his question, and after a brief pause, she shook her head, providing her answer. "They're not." Upon hearing this response, the demons collectively exhaled a sigh of relief. As long as Si Yi Guang and Si Qi were not true father and son, they could redirect the Si family's attention from Si Ding Yun’s death to Si Qi's parentage. Whether Si Ding Yun was truly Han Yan's lover, that would be for Si Yi Guang to investigate. With a plan in place, preparations for their return could commence. Remembering that Yu Ping and Qing Tong could no longer return to the demon world, Jiu Ying had the five demons declare that the two were ruthlessly murdered by Si Ding Yun on their journey. Should the demon race pursue the matter, they would hold the Si family accountable. In comparison to their life-saving grace, this was a trifling request, easily met with unhesitating assurances from the demons to protect the duo's secret of survival. Just as everyone was about to depart, Jiu Ying suddenly recalled something, calling Yu Qiu back. “Is there anything else, young lady?” Jiu Ying pressed her lips together, waiting until the surroundings were clear of others, before speaking softly. “A while back, rumors spread of a dramatic expulsion of demon energy from the No-Return Gorge, linking the fall of a demoness with four eyes from the demon realm. Is this true?” Though Ming Yue had deceived Feng Yuan Qing, she remained the one he loved. Contemplating, Jiu Ying couldn’t help but inquire for the sake of her friend. If Ming Yue had indeed perished, she could inform Feng Yuan Qing to move on. The demoness held a unique position, acknowledged as the most powerful in the demon realm. Such words from another might seem disrespectful. Yu Qiu understood Jiu Ying wasn't the type to pry for gossip. Her inquiry surely had its reason. After pondering, he sighed and revealed what he knew. “The demoness has been unwell since childhood. That night, when the demon energy erupted, we thought she was nearing death, yet Dream Empress’s exceptional medical skills saved her. Though her life was spared, her powers waned, including the disappearance of her innate divine eyes. This matter remains secret, and I trust you to keep it so.” So, Ming Yue was alive after all— Jiu Ying’s face showed surprise, pausing before she responded. “You have my word; I won’t disclose this information.” Yu Qiu felt relieved hearing her promise, expressing his gratitude with a nod. After he departed, Jiu Ying’s brows remained furrowed. She had hoped Ming Yue's death would sever her ill-fated tie with Feng Yuan Qing entirely, but it seemed their paths would remain entangled. Someday, she feared Ming Yue would seek Feng Yuan Qing again. Matters of the heart were indeed a tangled web, impossible to sever or understand. As everyone else boarded the bone ship, only Fu Ling remained perched atop the tree. Jiu Ying waited under the tree for a moment, but when Fu Ling didn't appear, she finally spoke up. "Aren't you coming down?" She was evidently more composed about the kiss. Fu Ling leaned against the tree trunk, her small head slightly bowed. Amid the dappled shadows, only the delicate profile of her face was visible. She was still filled with shyness, feeling as if her hidden feelings and desires had been discovered by the one she loved. At times, she wondered if Jiu Ying kissed her out of pity. No matter how she thought about it, she felt embarrassed to face Jiu Ying. Upon hearing Jiu Ying's gentle call, not only did she not jump down, but she even pulled back further into her nook. Jiu Ying tilted her head slightly, observing every bit of Fu Ling's evasive little actions. She couldn't help but feel both helpless and amused. "If you don't want to come with me, then I'll head back to the boat and wait for you." Of course, she had no intention of actually returning to the boat. Her words were merely meant to coax Fu Ling down from the tree. Sure enough, as soon as she started to turn away, the girl who had been hiding among the branches immediately leaped down to the ground. "Senior sister!" Seeing the white-clad figure about to walk away, Fu Ling finally couldn't hold back and called out loudly. When Jiu Ying turned around, she was met with a slightly pouty face. Its owner stood there twisting her hands, looking utterly pitiful and aggrieved.