Reborn as a succubus - Chapter 37

That simple gesture finally calmed Chu Yan’s restless heart. He held Xi Che tightly, fighting the darker impulses rising within him. After a long silence, he whispered, “Asha… I believe you.”

Xi Che’s guilt deepened. He hadn’t lied yet—but he soon would.

Then a raspy voice interrupted them: “Are you two done yet?”

Startled, Xi Che pushed Chu Yan away and turned toward the sound. It was an old man standing outside the cell.

Feeling awkward, Xi Che snapped, “You’re old enough to know better than to spy on people!”

The old man coughed. “Me? You’re the ones shamelessly clinging to each other in broad daylight.”

Xi Che retorted, “We’ve got nothing to hide! We can stand in the open for all to see!”

Chu Yan, though annoyed at being interrupted, couldn’t help feeling oddly pleased by his bold words.

The old man snorted. “We’ll see how defiant you sound after a few days here.”

Xi Che realized he must be a prison guard—his white robes marked him as one of Yue Tongqing’s subordinates.

But he wasn’t intimidated; with Chu Yan beside him, he felt safe.

The old man sneered. “You think you can break free? This prison is forged from blood diamonds. Even a god of the Nine Netherworlds couldn’t escape.”

Xi Che touched the cold bars and recognized the same chilling energy once used to bind him long ago.

Chu Yan frowned. “I’ve heard the Gou Tu trade blood diamonds for food. Perhaps they forge weapons and materials first—it would be more efficient that way.”

They exchanged a worried glance. “Could it be true—we can’t escape?” Xi Che murmured.

Chu Yan tried to reassure him. “I’ll use the Taiyi Sword.”

“Don’t,” Xi Che said quickly. “It’s a spiritual sword, not meant for cutting metal—you’ll only damage it.”

Then he turned to the old man, smiling slightly. “You wouldn’t have come here just to talk. What do you want in exchange for letting us go?”

The old man hesitated, then sighed. “You’re smart. I can release you, but you must do something for me.”

“What is it?”

“I overheard you mention Xiaoyao Mountain. My grandson was taken there and never returned. Find him for me, and I’ll let you go.”

Xi Che frowned but agreed. “All right. I’ll look for him.”

The old man produced a photo—a surprisingly modern touch—and handed it over. It showed a young man about seventeen or eighteen, bright-eyed and almost human-looking. Xi Che couldn’t help feeling pity for the old man.

“I’ll do my best,” Xi Che said. “If I find him, I’ll tell him you’re waiting for him to come home.”

“Not good enough,” the old man said. “Take this.”

He held up a yellow talisman. “This is a communication charm. Keep it with you—it will carry my message to him when you meet.”

Xi Che reached for it, but Chu Yan stopped him. “I’ll take it instead.”

The old man snatched his hand back. “No. He’ll take it. He’s the one who sympathizes with my people—I trust him more.”

Xi Che shrugged and reached again. “It’s just a piece of paper. What harm could it do?”

Chu Yan shouted, “Don’t! There’s something wrong with it!”

But before he could stop him, the talisman flashed and shot into Xi Che’s body. Xi Che gasped, clutching his wrist as a chill spread through him.

The old man laughed cruelly. “It’s no use! That’s a Life-Linked Curse. If you don’t bring my grandson back within a year, you’ll die. Return within that time, and I’ll lift it.”

The talisman’s energy burrowed toward Xi Che’s heart, mixing with the lingering cold poison in his body. He turned pale, trembling with the sudden frost inside him.

Furious, Chu Yan seized the him by the throat. “Give me the antidote!” he hissed, voice like ice.

The old man choked but laughed. “Kill me if you want! If I die, he dies too—and you’ll never leave this place!”

Chu Yan’s grip tightened until Xi Che grabbed his arm. “Chu Yan, don’t! I’ll keep my word. He’ll get what he wants, and we’ll get out.”

Reluctantly, Chu Yan released him. The old man collapsed, coughing violently, then finally unlocked the cell door.

Xi Che, pale and sweating, managed a weak smile. “It’s fine. He needs me alive for now. Let’s go—before he changes his mind.”

Chu Yan said nothing, his expression stormy, but followed as they stepped out into the dark corridor beyond.