Chapter 34: The Petal Mark

“So, you still haven’t answered me. How did you manage to defeat that giant insect so effortlessly?”

“Not to mention someone like you, a beginner disciple, even a cultivator at the Core Formation stage would struggle to take it down alone!”

“He Yimo, who exactly are you?”

After the treatment and a moment of gratitude, Jiang Jinyue couldn’t help but circle back to her curiosity. Her lips were pressed tightly together, her eyes filled with sincerity, devoid of the suspicion and scheming she once carried. It was a stark contrast to her earlier playful and teasing demeanor.

Now, even if He Yimo refused to answer, Jiang Jinyue wouldn’t resort to using illusions to pry the truth from him. She wasn’t foolish enough to make such a mistake.

“It’s actually simple to explain,” He Yimo shrugged casually, knowing that his actions during the battle had already exposed parts of his identity.

The fox demon girl straightened her posture, cupping her face with her hands, ready to listen attentively. But He Yimo’s response was a cryptic smile.

“Jiang Jinyue, do you really believe that a seventh son from the Grand Preceptor’s household could be an uneducated good-for-nothing?”

Just as Jiang Jinyue had once offered a false confession, He Yimo didn’t mind returning the favor with a well-meaning lie. After all, they both had their secrets; no one could blame the other for being cunning.

“That makes sense,” Jiang Jinyue nodded thoughtfully. “The Grand Preceptor’s household is the most powerful force in the Xia Dynasty, second only to the royal family. They oversee politics, finances, and the military…”

“Your family has produced countless talents over the years and is known for its strict discipline. It wouldn’t make sense for them to raise a spoiled and useless son.”

He Yimo merely dangled the bait, and Jiang Jinyue quickly connected the dots, her mind wandering as she pieced things together. However, as He Yimo’s true strength became apparent, Jiang Jinyue couldn’t help but recall the sins she had committed against the Grand Preceptor’s household.

A flicker of unease crossed her enchanting eyes as she glanced at He Yimo cautiously. Even her three fox tails behind her seemed to droop nervously.

But despite their prolonged eye contact, He Yimo showed no reaction.

“What’s wrong?” He Yimo asked innocently, feigning ignorance. Of course, he knew what Jiang Jinyue was worried about—she feared that her illusions had never truly worked on him. If that were the case, she would feel utterly humiliated.

But as long as He Yimo kept his lips sealed, her doubts would eventually dissipate. After all, in her mind, if He Yimo truly knew she had once used illusions to send him to his death, he wouldn’t have risked his life to save her now.

Jiang Jinyue believed in saints but doubted He Yimo was one of them. This was precisely the logical flaw He Yimo relied on. She could never guess his true identity as someone reborn.

As such, Jiang Jinyue could only interpret his actions on a surface level while He Yimo operated from a godlike perspective several steps ahead.

“N-nothing! I just feel like meeting you tonight has been one of the rare blessings in my life…” Jiang Jinyue blinked and hid her guilt behind a sweet smile as she expressed her gratitude in another way.

Seeing the guilt in her eyes, He Yimo smiled knowingly. His cold gaze softened as he spoke gently:

“Since we’ve shared life-and-death experiences now…”

“I’ll be honest with you, Jiang Jinyue—I have indeed hidden my strength. As someone from the Grand Preceptor’s household, I do have my reasons for coming to Wuji Sect.”

“But just like your fox demon identity, my secrecy is also a well-meaning lie. My goals have never involved you or your demon clan.”

“Jiang Jinyue, we can still be friends as before. Our interests don’t conflict, so there’s no need for suspicion between us.”

“When we leave this mountain temple tonight, I’ll still be your junior brother He Yimo, and you’ll still be my senior sister Jiang Jinyue.”

By the end of his speech, He Yimo’s cold demeanor had shifted into a warm smile directed at the nervous fox demon girl.

Jiang Jinyue listened quietly and nodded understandingly. As someone who had roamed the martial world for years, she understood its unspoken rules well: judge actions, not intentions. As long as their positions didn’t clash, living in the present without probing into each other’s pasts was the best way to coexist.

Moreover… He Yimo had exposed his identity to save her life. Given his displayed strength earlier, his willingness to compromise was already generous.

Jiang Jinyue could sense a refined elegance and maturity in He Yimo that belied his sixteen years of age—a rare combination that made him truly exceptional.

“You’re right,” Jiang Jinyue replied seriously, tucking her tails away and toning down her flirtatiousness. She felt compelled to act more mature under He Yimo’s gaze.

Though she no longer intended to use her charms to get closer to him, she couldn’t help but smile sweetly whenever their eyes met. Her peach blossom eyes naturally curved into enchanting crescents.

She thought this must be what genuine friendship felt like—something unfamiliar yet precious to her.

For Jiang Jinyue, “friendship” and “feelings” were foreign concepts. It was ironic—she had boasted about being the fox clan’s chosen one earlier. Yet all those who had been close to her were now buried in the ruins of the Western Abyss.

Since then, she had been alone. Now, after so many years, it seemed she had made a new friend. But even more ironically—this new friend was destined to die according to prophecy.

The thought dampened her earlier joy as she bit her lip and looked at He Yimo. She couldn’t help but wonder how much longer this boy fated to die could live.

“By the way… you’ve been holding my foot for quite a while now…” Jiang Jinyue suddenly broke the silence.

Snapping out of her thoughts, her face flushed as she shyly asked in a small voice: “Um… is the ointment not fully applied yet? My sole feels itchy again… it’s strange…”

Though the treatment had ended earlier, He Yimo hadn’t let go of her foot during their conversation. Her delicate foot had grown increasingly sensitive under his touch—her toes curling involuntarily as her breathing turned soft and rapid.

Hearing this, He Yimo cleared his throat and released her now flushed and warm foot before replying seriously:

“This isn’t playing with your foot; it’s a technique using spiritual energy infusion to help your skin absorb the ointment more effectively. It not only heals old injuries but also accelerates the sealing process.”

“I-is that so… What an amazing technique… No wonder my sole felt ticklish…” Jiang Jinyue exhaled deeply, pulling her foot back and curling up against the wall with her knees hugged close.

Her sensitive sole still tingled faintly as if even touching the ground made it itch slightly—causing her to let out an involuntary “Mm~” sound.

Looking down at her feet, she noticed that aside from their rosy warmth, even the red markings on her ankle and sole seemed more vibrant now.

And…

After He Yimo’s treatment ended, she discovered a small pink petal mark had appeared at the center of the blood-red totem on her right sole.

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