“Whether you believe it or not, what I’m saying is the truth. And just as promised three thousand years ago, you’ve arrived here—which at least proves we’re fated to meet.”
Su Mo took a step back, wary. “Just tell me what you want. I don’t believe you waited this long just for a promise.”
“What a clever girl,” the undead emperor praised.
But Su Mo didn’t let her guard down. Even if she had been this man’s sworn brother in a past life, it meant nothing now. She was Su Mo, living in Ye Qingyi’s body.
“I need your blood to help me rebuild my physical form.”
Su Mo frowned. “What kind of twisted remedy requires human blood to reconstruct a body?”
“You misunderstand. Your blood is only a catalyst—I don’t need much,” he explained.
“But I’m not him anymore. The blood in my veins isn’t his. You know that,” Su Mo argued, exasperated.
“No need to worry. As long as the Yin Fire exists within you, the bloodline remains, and your blood will work.” His patience was thinning. “Hurry up. It’s just a drop of blood—you won’t die. Must women always be so difficult?”
With that, he tossed over a rust-covered “Tetanus Blade.” The sheer weight of the weapon made Su Mo stumble, nearly losing her balance.
Damn, this thing is heavy!
The blade was about five feet long, resembling an ancient Chinese zhanmadao—except its edge was straight. She had no idea what metal it was made of, but it was absurdly heavy. Even with her current strength, she could barely grip it properly.
Must weigh several hundred pounds.
Hah, what a treasure. Su Mo couldn’t help but admire it.
Still, using it for a bloodletting ritual seemed reckless. Not only was there a risk of cutting too deep, but the rust was a real concern.
Seeing her hesitation, the undead emperor finally lost patience and moved to do it himself.
Su Mo quickly took matters into her own hands, making a small incision on her wrist. Blood flowed freely.
The emperor collected roughly 500 milliliters before finally sealing the wound with a surge of spiritual energy.
Losing that much blood in a short time wasn’t pleasant, but Su Mo’s physique was exceptional—this was nothing to her.
“You took so much of my blood. Shouldn’t you compensate me?” she ventured.
“What do you want?”
Su Mo’s gaze drifted toward the Tetanus Blade in her hands.
The emperor immediately caught on. “This is extortion.”
“Surely a new body is worth more than some rusty old blade, no?” Su Mo shrugged, making one last attempt.
Truthfully, she was just pushing her luck—she never expected he’d actually give it to her. Despite the rust, it was still a rare treasure. Why would he hand it over?
But then, a miracle happened.
Instead of refusing outright, the emperor fell silent for a moment before nodding. “This blade was always yours. Consider it returned. I have no use for it now anyway.”
Su Mo was ecstatic, examining the weapon with reverence.
Though her white jade ring held plenty of fine blades, none compared to this one.
“Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.” Better to leave quickly—what if he changed his mind?
“Go. But if I find out you tampered with the blood… don’t blame me for what happens next.” His voice was icy.
Su Mo didn’t waste another second—she bolted.
Now, her biggest concern was whether Ye Qingyi’s blood would even work for the emperor’s ritual. If it didn’t, what if he came after her?
And if it did work… a fully restored emperor would be terrifyingly strong. What if he broke free?
Neither scenario was appealing. The only solution was to inform Yang Jie and let the North Star Division handle it.
She stashed the Tetanus Blade away and sprinted down the stone steps.
Yang Jie stood up as soon as he spotted her, along with an unfamiliar gray-haired middle-aged man.
Ye Qingyi ran up to meet her, waiting at the edge of the steps.
“We need to leave. Staying here too long isn’t good for the body.” Su Mo grabbed Ye Qingyi’s hand, and the two dashed downward.
Maybe it was the blood loss followed by intense movement, but Su Mo suddenly felt dizzy. Ye Qingyi steadied her.
“Qingyi, are you alright? You look pale,” Li Wenhui asked, stepping forward with a frown.
“Thank you for your concern, Uncle Li. I’m fine—just a little tired.” On the way down, Ye Qingyi had briefed Su Mo about Li Wenhui.
Li Wenhui, a B-rank cultivator, was the third elder of the Red Leaf Pavilion and a longtime friend of Ye Zhongwen. Having no daughter of his own, he doted on Ye Qingyi like one.
In fact, Ye Zhongwen had also joined the Red Leaf Pavilion as an honorary elder.
“If you’re tired, you should rest.” He gestured to his subordinates, who promptly brought food and water.
Su Mo didn’t hesitate—she was starving. “Thanks, Uncle Li.”
Watching her eat heartily, Li Wenhui smiled warmly—until his eyes landed on the boy behind her. His expression darkened.
Strange. A moment ago, I didn’t care, but now… I can’t stand the sight of him.
“Greetings, Elder Li. I’m Qingyi’s friend,” Ye Qingyi said politely, forcing Li Wenhui to suppress his irritation.
Li Wenhui’s mood soured further. The imposing aura of a high-ranking cultivator pressed down on Ye Qingyi, but since “you don’t slap a smiling face,” he kept his tone civil.
“Just a friend?”
Ye Qingyi knew exactly what he was thinking. After years of doting on his niece, seeing some kid by her side was bound to raise alarms.
“Yes. Just a friend.” Her tone was firm, though inwardly, she found the whole situation amusing.
Su Mo stepped in to defuse the tension. “Uncle Li, don’t scare my friend. She helped me a lot in the ruins.”
“In that case, I should thank you.” His gaze swept over Ye Qingyi.
Ye Qingyi played along. “That’s what friends do—help each other.”
Hmph. At least this kid knows his place.
Somewhat mollified, Li Wenhui turned to Yang Jie. “I’m taking her with me.”
“Protocol requires completing the necessary paperwork first.”
“Rules are rigid, but people aren’t. Can’t you make an exception? Besides, Qingyi should’ve been with the Red Leaf Pavilion from the start. You just swooped in first—how is that not the pinnacle of shamelessness?”
“Whether it’s North Star or Red Leaf, we’re both official organizations serving the country. Why draw lines?” Yang Jie replied calmly.
“Easy for you to say. Your division always gets first pick of everything. I can’t even enter my own country’s ruins without approval from your council. Where’s the justice in that?” Li Wenhui’s anger flared, his subordinates wisely staying silent.
In the end, it was Su Mo—speaking as Ye Qingyi—who mediated. Li Wenhui reluctantly agreed to follow procedure at North Star before taking her home.