Many children, many blessings: Stealing the offspring of powerful figures to cultivate immortality.

"Jiang Yining, do you really think I wouldn't dare do anything to you?"

There were many people coming and going in front of the inn. Fan Chenxin lowered his voice, but he couldn't hide the emotions in his eyes. Jiang Yining looked at his arms holding Wu Bao tightly, first tucking the cloak around the child, before speaking softly.

"I know you wouldn't dare, because if you dare scare April, I'll deal with you first."

Wu Bao was so sleepy in Fan Chen's arms that she could barely open her eyes, but she still tried her best to raise her little hands.

"Uncle Chenxin isn't fierce. Uncle Chenxin will make snake gall soup for Siyue."

Fan Chenxin's Adam's apple bobbed, all the words that were about to come out were swallowed back by the child's words. He carried Wu Bao into the inn and did not speak again until he safely placed the little girl on the soft couch in the outer room and then set up two layers of protective qi around her.

Jiang Yining stood by the door, watching, her expression finally softening.

"She was frightened last night, so don't let her hear any more arguments tonight."

Fan Chenxin closed the outer door, then fastened the inner door latch, and set up three layers of soundproofing. Layer upon layer of dark golden light shielded the inn from the sounds of wind and footsteps on the street.

Jiang Yining leaned against the edge of the table and looked up at him.

"You've locked the door so tightly, are you trying to check for drugs, or do you want to settle old scores with me?"

"I want to know where you place me."

"You already asked that once in the herb garden."

You did not answer.

Fan Chenxin walked up to her, still smelling of blood. He saw the faint red marks on Jiang Yining's collar and thought of the green wood vitality in Lou Xiaotian's body that had merged with her. His chest felt like it was being pressed by a piece of red-hot iron.

"When I was outside killing people and breaking through the formation, I was always afraid that something would happen to you and April. But when I rushed in, I saw you being protected in his arms, and I saw that you were covered in his scent. Even asking you a question would seem like I was being unreasonable."

Jiang Yining remained silent for a moment, then reached out and touched the still-healing wound on his wrist.

"You're not being unreasonable; you're just too afraid of losing. But fear is not a reason to hurt someone."

"Then what should I do? Should I smile and wish you a happy union with him?"

"I have not formed a pact with anyone, nor have I excluded you."

Fan Chenxin looked at her, and a crack finally appeared in the coldness in his eyes.

"Are you saying this to comfort me again?"

"If I only wanted to appease you, I wouldn't have said such harsh things."

Jiang Yining walked to the bathtub and turned on the warm water switch. Hot water dripped along the spiritual patterns, creating a thin layer of white steam. She turned to look at Fan Chenxin, her tone still calm.

"I'm still covered in the poisonous mist of the Azure Phosphorus and the ash of the Earth Fire. Check me to see if there are any remaining traces of poison. After you're done, go back to the outer room and keep April company."

Fan Chen's heart remained unmoved.

"You know perfectly well that I can't act like nothing's wrong right now."

"Then you should learn to do it first."

"Ning'er, I am no longer the Buddhist disciple who only chanted scriptures."

"I know, that's why I've always kept you by my side."

These words were like a dull knife, gently cutting through the burning jealousy in his heart. Fan Chenxin stood there for a long time before finally walking to the bathtub. He didn't touch Jiang Yining, but instead soaked a clean, soft cloth in the warm water and used his own blood and energy to probe the spiritual patterns on the edge of the tub.

"There's no poison in the water. You go in first, I'll guard the door."

Seeing his forced restraint, Jiang Yining sighed.

"Fan Chenxin, are you trying to make me feel sorry for you, or are you trying to make me angry, by pushing yourself to this point?"

"I don't want you to feel sorry for me, I just don't know what else I can do."

Jiang Yining remained silent for a moment, then took off her dusty outer robe and stepped into the water. The warm water washed over her shoulders, and she leaned against the tub wall, closing her eyes briefly. The azure energy in her meridians still felt faintly hot.

Fan Chenxin stood outside the tub, her fingertips clenching the soft handkerchief, her eyes gradually reddening.

"You have a strong aura of green wood on you. The essence that Lou Xiaotian gave you won't dissipate so easily."

"That's life-saving vital energy, not something dirty."

"I know, but when I smell it, I still want to cover up all traces of it."

"If you dare to treat me like anyone's property, get out of this room today."

Fan Chenxin's hand froze in mid-air, but her tears fell into the rim of the bucket first, creating tiny splashes.

"I never treated you like an object; I just wanted to be the one who could protect you."

"You already are."

"But you have Gu Qinghan, Feng Liuyun, Yu Luofeng, and Lou Xiaotian by your side. Every time, I feel like if I'm even one step too late, I'll have nothing left."

Jiang Yining looked up at him and suddenly reached out to pull him closer. Fan Chen was caught off guard, his knees hitting the edge of the bathtub, and his breathing became erratic.

"If you only focus on the marks others have left on me, you will never see what you have done yourself."

"What have I done?"

"You shattered the Buddha's bones for April, shielded me from the poisonous chains, stayed with me through the cold nights in the Abyss of No Spirits, and fought your way through the assassins outside the herb garden. Do you think I'll forget all of this?"

Fan Chenxin gazed at her, his fingertips trembling as they touched her wet hair, but he didn't go any further.

"Then why won't you give me a definite answer?"

"Because I can't just say a few words to appease you and make you think that you can decide everything for me from now on."

"I don't want to decide for you; I just want to know if I'm needed by you."

Jiang Yining took his hand and pressed it against her heart.

"I need you, but you have to learn to trust me first."

Fan Chen could no longer hold back his tears. He leaned down and pressed his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling through the mist of tears, but stopped at the last moment.

"If I cross the line again, will you really leave me?"

"If you dare to hurt yourself and the people around you, I will drive you away."

"If all I want to do is hold you."

"Then wash the blood off your hands first."

Fan Chenxin finally chuckled softly, his laughter filled with exhaustion. He rolled up his sleeves, carefully washing away the bloodstains from his palms, then used a soft handkerchief dampened with warm water to wipe away the ashes from Jiang Yining's neck and shoulders.

With each spot where the scent of green wood lingered, his breathing quickened, but he no longer lost control. He stubbornly channeled his Buddhist energy into the water, allowing the dark golden light to gradually entwine her meridians, washing away the chilling residue left by the phosphorescent poison mist.

Jiang Yining realized that he hadn't hurt her, so she didn't stop him. She raised her hand and wrapped it around his neck, pulling him closer.

"This time you're the one healing my wounds, so you're not allowed to compete with Lou Xiaotian again about who leaves a deeper mark."

"I don't care about the mark; I only care that you call me first whenever you need something."

"Then you must promise me that no matter what you see, you will not hurt Lou Xiaotian."

Fan Chenxin closed his eyes and remained silent for a long time before speaking in a low voice.

"I promise I won't hurt him, but if he bothers you again about the betrothal, I might not be able to give him a good look."

"You can give me a cold shoulder, but if you dare to use a knife, I'll make you wash fruit for April."

"I'd rather wash fruit for the rest of my life than see you get into trouble again."

As the hot water gradually cooled down, the remaining toxins in Jiang Yining's body were also eliminated by the Buddhist energy. She leaned against the tub, and drowsiness finally crept over her. Fan Chenxin then brought her clean robes and turned his back to let her change.

He stood guard by the inner room door until he was sure she was sound asleep on the bed before removing one layer of the soundproofing. In the outer room, Wu Bao turned over, clutching the fruit, and mumbled, "Mother."

Jiang Yining was about to get up and go over, but Fan Chenxin covered her with a thin blanket first.

"I'll go watch over April, you can sleep a little longer."

"You should rest today too, and you're not allowed to stand at the door all night."

"I will sit in the outer room and will not let anyone in."

As dawn approached, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the inn. Lou Xiaotian stood at the door, holding a white jade soup bowl. His robes still smelled of dew from the herb garden, indicating that he had not had a proper rest all night.

"Miss Jiang, I've brewed a jade marrow tonic soup. Have someone open the door, and I'll personally deliver it in."

The inner door was pulled open from the inside, and Fan Chenxin stood at the door wearing only a clean single garment, with several fresh, thin bloodstains on the side of her neck.

Lou Xiaotian's gaze fell on those marks, and the soup bowl in his hand trembled slightly.

"She has just gone to bed and is not in a position to receive guests. Young Master, you can simply leave your things here."

"I cooked it myself for three hours, why should I hand it over to an outsider like you?"

"She's still recovering from the poisoning last night and needs some peace and quiet. Take your Qingmu soup back with you."

Lou Xiaotian took half a step forward, lowered his voice, and stared at Fan Chenxin.

"You stinking monk, if you dare to force her to do something she doesn't want to do while she's weak, I'll tear this inn down."

Fan Chenxin stood in front of the door, her expression indifferent, but she did not move aside.

Whether she is willing or not is never for you to guess, nor for me to answer for her.

Lou Xiaotian stared at the thin, clearly fresh scratches on Fan Chenxin's collarbone, then crushed the white jade soup bowl in his hand with a "crack": "You stinking monk, what exactly did you do to her?!"