Transforming into a stunningly beautiful fox spirit, leaving a scar on the heart of a prodigy.

Mud and water splashed everywhere.

Bai Yin knelt on the ground, a slight, dull pain shooting up his knees and up to the top of his head.

The pain felt so real.

It was so real that it made his blood freeze instantly, and then boil over in the next instant, making his blood vessels feel like they were about to burst.

Not a dream.

It really isn't a dream.

The Su Xiaojiu who would take him to see the stars under the moon, who would force him to eat vermilion fruit in the cave, and who would push him away to die herself at the critical moment of life and death, has really returned.

Bai Yin's swollen cheek twitched.

He wanted to laugh, to put on a nice expression, but the muscles in his face were too stiff to obey him. His lips twitched for a long time, but in the end, they turned into a distorted expression that was even uglier than crying.

next moment.

The Asura who had just been so murderous, tearing the wolf demon leader apart with his bare hands, suddenly crawled forward two steps using both his hands and feet.

He lacked any of the demeanor of a master.

There is no dignity of the strong.

He pounced on her without a second thought, wrapping his arms tightly around Su Xiaojiu's waist and burying his head deep into her abdomen.

"Wow--!"

A heart-wrenching wail exploded across the empty waters of Yunmengze.

There was no repression, no forbearance.

It's like a child who has suffered all sorts of injustices outside, whose bones have been broken but who never uttered a sound, finally returning home to see the person who can stand up for him.

All the strength, all the tyranny, all the pretense, collapsed at this moment.

He was crying so hard he was trembling all over.

Tears mixed with blood and grime on her face, splashing all over Su Xiaojiu's non-existent "clothes" (actually an illusion).

Su Xiaojiu's body stiffened.

She had been holding back, ready to wait for the silly tiger to kneel down and express his gratitude, or perhaps to deliver a heartfelt reunion confession.

As a result, this guy treated her like a pillar for mourning.

"Feed... Little White."

Su Xiaojiu was about to speak.

The force in my waist suddenly tightened.

Bai Yin hugged too tightly.

Those hands, covered in calluses and scars, were clenched tightly together, making Su Xiaojiu's back bones crack.

He wished he could meld Su Xiaojiu into his own body.

"Don't go...please...don't go..."

Bai Yin's voice was hoarse and broken, each word sounding like a blood clot being forcefully vomited from his throat.

"I'll be good... I won't kill anymore... I'll listen to you from now on..."

"Don't leave me... Xiao Jiu... don't leave me again..."

He mumbled incoherently.

A tremendous fear gripped him.

The joy of regaining what was lost lasted only a moment; what followed was the panic of losing it again.

He feared this was a beautiful dream that would shatter at the slightest pressure.

He was afraid that if he let go, the warm body in his arms would turn into cold air.

Su Xiaojiu lowered her eyes.

She looked at the head buried in her arms.

Her once smooth black hair was now completely white, tangled and messy, with bits of flesh and dried blood stuck to it.

The strong smell of blood was so pungent it made one's nose sting.

He must have had a tough time these past few years.

Su Xiaojiu's most tender spot was deeply touched.

She sighed and raised her hand.

The movement that was originally intended to push him away took a detour in mid-air and gently landed on his head.

"Silly tiger."

She muttered a curse under her breath.

She ran her fingers through his tangled white hair, gently combing it.

"I'm back now, aren't I?"

"Who told you to make your hair such a mess? It looks awful."

Hearing her voice, Bai Yin cried even harder.

The "Blood Asura Tiger," who was once feared throughout the Western Continent, was now crying like a cub that had lost its mother, its face covered in snot and tears.

"Waaaaah... I thought you were dead... I saw you turn into light..."

"I've been looking for you for so long... You're not here... You're not anywhere..."

"They all say you're dead... I've killed them all... but I still can't find you..."

He spoke while crying, his logic was incoherent and incoherent.

Su Xiaojiu listened patiently.

The hand patted his back repeatedly, a faint white light shining from the palm, helping to calm the restless killing intent within him.

Time passed little by little.

The sun was setting in the west.

The wind in the reeds had stopped.

Only Bai Yin's suppressed sobs continued.

Su Xiaojiu's legs were numb from standing.

Moreover, the smell of blood on this thing was too strong, and with the snot and tears, it made her newly formed body filthy.

That sticky, gooey texture made the germaphobic nine-tailed fox very uncomfortable.

"Alright."

Su Xiaojiu stopped patting her back.

She nudged Bai Yin's shoulder.

"That's enough. If you keep crying, you'll make the water level in Yunmengze rise."

Not moving.

Baek In not only didn't let go, but hugged her even tighter.

He buried his face even deeper, even rubbing it, trying to wipe away his tears.

"I won't let go."

He said it in a muffled voice, with a hint of sullenness.

"Let me go, I won't die."

I don't believe it.

Su Xiaojiu: "..."

Has this silly tiger cried itself crazy?

She took a deep breath, her eyebrows furrowing.

She couldn't keep up that gentle, understanding older sister act anymore.

"Bai Yin".

Su Xiaojiu's voice turned cold, carrying a hint of danger.

I'll count to three.

(Labor and management on the Shu Road!!!)

"If you don't let go, I'm really leaving."

"one."

Bai Yin's body trembled violently.

"two."

Su Xiaojiu's fingers had already gripped the tip of a tail, ready to lash out at anyone at any moment.

"three!"

The last word had just been uttered.

Bai Yin reacted as if he had been burned, instantly letting go of his hand.

But he didn't dare stand up, nor did he dare go too far away.

He knelt in the mud, his hands supporting him on the ground, his head tilted back, his eyes, swollen and red like walnuts, fixed on Su Xiaojiu.

His face was filled with terror.

They were terrified that Su Xiaojiu would disappear into thin air at any moment.

Su Xiaojiu looked down at herself.

His waist and abdomen were covered in bloody handprints, and there was also a large, suspicious puddle of water.

"It's filthy."

She curled her lip in disgust and flicked away non-existent dust.

then.

She lifted her eyelids and looked at the disheveled man in front of her.

Bai Yin shrank his neck.

He looks absolutely pathetic right now.

Half of his face was swollen, his head of white hair was messy, his bare upper body was covered in scars and bloodstains, his eyes were frighteningly red, and his lips were still trembling.

Where is even a trace of the tiger's ferocity?

It looks exactly like a stray cat abandoned in the rain.

As Su Xiaojiu watched, the anger in her heart suddenly dissipated.

She took a step forward.

Bai Yin instinctively wanted to shrink back, feeling that he was too dirty and would offend her with his stench.

But he couldn't bear to retreat, so he could only stand frozen in place, his muscles tense.

Su Xiaojiu squatted down in front of him.

Her line of sight was level with his.

She reached out and hooked her fingertips under Bai Yin's stubble-covered chin.

"What are you hiding from?"

Su Xiaojiu raised an eyebrow.

"You were hugging me so tightly just now, are you embarrassed now?"

Baek In's Adam's apple bobbed.

He dared not look into Su Xiaojiu's eyes; his gaze wandered, finally settling on her mud-splattered toes.

"I...I'm dirty."

His voice was hoarse, carrying a deep sense of inferiority.

"I've killed so many people... I can't wash that away..."

He spread his hands.

Although there was no blood on his hands, in his eyes, they were already stained red with indelible sins.

He doesn't deserve to touch her.

That hug just now was the biggest leap he had ever made in his life.

Su Xiaojiu sighed inwardly as she looked at his cautious demeanor.

That idiot.

Just like before, he treats her like royalty while trampling himself into the mud.

"Give me your hand."

Su Xiaojiu gave the order.

Bai Yin hesitated for a moment, but still obediently extended his hand.

Su Xiaojiu grasped his rough, large hand.

Her hands were small, soft, and cool.

Baek In's hands were large, hard, and frighteningly hot.

Su Xiaojiu didn't mind the calluses and scars on his hands. Instead, she pulled his hand over and pressed it against her cheek.

A warm touch.

Delicate skin.

And there's that faint pulse throbbing under the skin.

Bai Yin's pupils suddenly dilated.

"Can you feel it?"

Su Xiaojiu looked into his eyes, her lips curving upwards into an extremely bright smile.

"It's hot."

"It's alive."

"It's not a dream."

boom.

The taut string in Bai Yin's mind snapped completely.

The warmth from his palm traveled up his arm and burned all the way to his heart, burning away all those dark, damp, and desperate emotions.

His world lit up again at that moment.

The gloomy sky, the murky muddy water, and the pungent smell of blood were all gone.

All I could see was that smiling face.

This smiling face that haunted his dreams, drove him mad, and made him willing to pay any price for it.

Baek In's lips trembled.

He wanted to cry, but he had already cried all his tears.

He wanted to laugh, but his face hurt too much.

At last.

He could only stare blankly at Su Xiaojiu and utter a single syllable.

"Um."

Su Xiaojiu released his hand and stood up.

She stretched, and her nine tails unfurled, shimmering in the sunlight.

I'm hungry.

She touched her flat stomach and turned to look at Bai Yin, who was still kneeling on the ground.

"Didn't you just say you were going to catch fish for me?"

"What are you still standing there for?"

"Are you trying to starve me to death?"

Bai Yin suddenly sprang up from the ground.

The movement was so fast that it created a gust of wind.

"Arrest them! Arrest them now!"

He hurriedly wiped his face, not caring whether there was still blood on it, and turned to rush into the pool.

"What kind of fish do you want to eat? Red? White? Or the kind with long whiskers?"

"I want them both!"

Su Xiaojiu found a clean rock to sit on, swinging her legs like a big landowner overseeing a project.

"I want to eat the biggest one."

"good!"

Bai Yin responded.

puff.

He plunged straight into the water.

He did not use any magic or supernatural powers.

He thrashed about in the water clumsily, like a silly boy who had just learned to swim, chasing after the group of frightened fish.

Water splashed everywhere.

Su Xiaojiu rested her chin on her hand, watching the figure busy in the water.

Sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone on the shimmering water.

It also spilled onto the white-haired man.

Although he was still covered in wounds, and although he was still that ruthless demon saint who killed without hesitation.

But at this moment.

He was just that silly tiger who was willing to go fishing in the river to make his sweetheart happy.

A gentle smile curved the corners of Su Xiaojiu's lips.

"Silly tiger."

She said softly.

The sound was very faint and was instantly dispersed by the wind.

But Bai Yin in the water seemed to have heard something.

He suddenly popped his head out of the water, holding a large, still-wriggling bluefish in his hand, and a silly smile appeared on his face.

"Little Jiu! Gotcha!"

"This one is big!"

Su Xiaojiu curled her lips in disgust.

"It's so ugly."

"But... let's just make do with this."

[Chapter Conclusion: The Tiger's Roar Turns into a Mourning Sound]

The tiger's roar turned into a sob, blood stained the battle robe and tears streamed down.

Don't ask where I go in the netherworld, for a smile has ruined my life.