Calamity Messenger

Chapter 357 - 291: Beyond Cure

In the jungle, the blood-red eyes of Ying Rushi, driven by demonic fury, gradually extinguished, returning to a clear bright dark brown.

She leaned against the tree trunk, took out a slate of black stuff from her pocket, bit forcefully, breaking off a piece. At first, she tasted bitterness, but as she chewed, a spirit-lifting sweetness emerged. Its texture was unique, reminiscent of soft wood, crisp when bitten, yet sticky on the teeth.

This was food from the Third-Turn Secret Realm, its origins unknown, bearing only an ancient name, ’Dark Chocolate’. It had effects of blood recovery and pain relief, though its efficacy was less than a Blood Replenishing Pill. Its taste was odd and its cost high, making it rarely purchased. Yet Ying Rushi loved its bitter-sweet taste, buying plenty to store in her Storage Ring.

Previously, she ate a slate about every three days, but now, in barely two days, she had already eaten three slates. Not only to stave off hunger but because without Dark Chocolate, she wouldn’t last.

She lifted her foot, continuing deeper into the jungle. Behind her lay the bodies of ten Baibao Guards, their blood painting a bloody path through the jungle, a death road, like a new king’s coronation carpet; the pack of wolves following her faithfully were her loyal followers.

Ying Rushi hadn’t walked much before stopping. She leaned against an ancient tree, unwrapping the bandages on her hands. The bandages, soaked in blood, dripped continuously, forcing her to stop. If she continued without stopping the bleeding, it would be like exposing her whereabouts, for Baibao Guard’s hounds could pinpoint her location from a hundred miles away.

The bandages hitting the ground made a heavy sound, akin to a water-soaked towel. Soon, they stained the earth dark red. Ying Rushi raised her hands, examining her newly-acquired wounds.

Though never especially cared for, the Ying Family’s bloodline often produced beauties; her skin, like porcelain, was smooth and spotless. But now her hands bore scars hideous as centipedes, densely packed, riddled with wounds, and newly-formed scabs had torn open again, with blood trickling down her arm.

This was the price against the Baibao Guards. Even though Ying Rushi had the Red Dust Eye to confuse them, nearly standing undefeated, every attack on the guards felt like thrusting her hands into Hell, shredded by thorns.

Even with ample Blood Replenishing Pills to restore her health, scars did not heal quickly. Additionally, she’s been repeatedly injured and healed in a short time, making her hands look terrifyingly frightful... she might become the most monstrous-looking member in Ying Family’s history.

Yet upon viewing these arms as ugly as demons, Ying Rushi bore a joyful smile. Though those hands made her suffer unbearable pain, though each wound was pain akin to flaying, Ying Rushi embraced it willingly, fearlessly.

These scars were her glorious badges, her medals, her firm wall against the insane bloodline’s madness.

Ying Rushi wrapped new bandages, repairing the item’s durability in the process. Although these tasks could be done back at Thief’s House, Ying Rushi would only return there if the location was absolutely safe.

Ying Le knew she could return anytime to Thief’s House. If the Baibao Guards discovered her return point, Ying Le needed only to forge an iron cage there, causing Ying Rushi to lose her freedom completely — either imprisoned within the cage or the jail called Thief’s House.

But Ying Rushi needed to travel far, to kill many. Only ten days remained till the next mission; her time was urgent, not a flicker could be wasted, the Qi Kingdom was vast, she had to always be on the move.

The shrub suddenly rustled, and Ying Rushi gripped the Heaven-Swaying Sword warily, holding her breath.

After a moment, a grimy child emerged from behind a tree, hair short, gender unclear, holding a sickle and carrying a bamboo basket, barefooted, likely a mountain villager’s child out collecting pig herbs.

She looked blankly, sniffling, silent at Ying Rushi. Ying Rushi waved, and she walked over.

Ying Rushi ruffled her hair, dry and coarse as weeds: "Where is your home?"

The child pointed northeast.

"How long till you reach home?"

The child thought, held out five fingers, then retracted two: "Less than half a day."

Though unsure of her unit, Ying Rushi surmised her village wasn’t far, determining she must head northwest to avoid a Baibao Guards passage through the unknown village.

Ying Rushi took out a Spiritual Jade, placing it in her palm, gently clutching her fist: "Take this to your parents, don’t lose it, okay? Once they receive it, you’ll have new clothes and meat to eat."

"Does my sister get new clothes too?"

"How old is your sister?"

The child raised two fingers: "Two!"

"Then she won’t get any, your sister will wear your old clothes." Ying Rushi pinched her cheek, breaking off a bit of Dark Chocolate: "Open wide."

"Ah—" The child chewed a few times, puckering her lips: "So odd, bitter like mud!"

"Haha!" Ying Rushi couldn’t help but laugh, poking her forehead: "Little rascal, clueless about taste. Go home now, don’t come here for pig herbs these two days."

The child eventually vanished into the woods.

Ying Rushi eyed the sinking sunset, nighttime was perfect for travel; her Shadow Spider Boots unmatched for the journey. As long as she spent Spiritual Jade and repair items, she could sprint a thousand miles by night; though it was extravagant, crushing wealth for time... but for her, time was the most short; as for Spiritual Jade and items, unused now meant never.

"She’s here! Right ahead!"

Suddenly, a sharp immature voice echoed in the jungle, Ying Rushi sprang from her seated stance, the Shadow Spider Boots propelled her, leaping tens of steps instantly, spotting the child nearby.

She should have returned home already, yet wasn’t heading northeast, instead searching where Ying Rushi just sat!

Ying Rushi’s eyes reddened, as if a string snapped in her mind, her rage and despair nearly drowning her reason, reflexively clutching her sword hilt, the Shadow Spider Boots taking her near the child.

Before her sword drew, a searing pain from her hands surged, startling her back to control.

The child jolted in alarm at her speed, her legs giving way as she sat, dropping the plum held in her left hand.

Ying Rushi seeing the plum, suddenly understood, kneeling to ask: "Why did you come back?"

The child picked up the plum, handing it to her, "It’s tasty."

She paused: "Better than yours."

Ying Rushi took the plum, soil still on it. She haphazardly wiped it, took a bite; to be honest, it wasn’t great—more sour than sweet. She ruffled the child’s hair: "Thank you. Did you shout out earlier?"

The child looked puzzled, not grasping her query, though by her expression, Ying Rushi had her answer.

She pondered, producing a Blood Replenishing Pill, "Open up."

The child grimaced: "It looks unappetizing."

"Quickly, open your mouth, let it dissolve on your tongue, don’t swallow, wait till it melts."

Ying Rushi indeed couldn’t give her more, but a Spiritual Jade was already a lot for a poor family; anymore would turn to misfortune. A Blood Replenishing Pill eaten there could strengthen the body, taken home would lure greed.

"Don’t return, it’s dangerous here, got it?"

Watching the child vanish from view, Ying Rushi exhaled deeply, easing her taut nerves slightly.

Perhaps, she couldn’t endure till the next mission starts. Each sunrise brought her no warmth, only biting cold, each day lived was a long torment.

Compared to Ying Le, Ying Rushi felt herself so fragile.

But prior to that, there remained tasks she could undertake.

Though the road was rugged, the journey fleeting, she walked the path all people aspired, a road walked without regrets.

Thump!

Her heart thudded suddenly, Qi Blood surged like a tide, her heart resonated like a morning bell!

Ying Rushi glanced back, toward her path. Though there was nothing seen, nothing heard, Ying Rushi plainly knew, she had come.

This was the Divine Martial True Blood’s resonance, the fate of Ying Clan Members, the despair between the Demon Fox!

Ying Le had come to hunt her!