I looked at my finger, where a green liquid, like blood, pulsed with a slight warmth.
“What is this?” I asked, confused.
Green blood, on my forehead?
The red-skinned fire ghost? Impossible. Ghosts have no corporeal blood; even if they bled, it would only be a manifestation of negative energy, dissipating upon contact. This green blood looked like a demon's. A demon's, on my forehead? Could it be Granny Fox? I recalled that a few days ago, when Granny Fox was in Blackwater City, she had touched my forehead.
Old Mo, Uncle-Shi, and Xiao Mei all turned to look. Xiao Mei spoke calmly, "That is my grandmother's true blood, used to preserve your vitality. It has now lost its efficacy."
True blood? I had read about it in the books left by my master. Demons, upon reaching a certain cultivation realm, would develop true blood within them. This true blood could help them undergo a transformation. It was measured in drops, with each drop being as precious as a thousand-year-old lingzhi mushroom.
I was stunned, remembering when I was in Black Demon Palace. Granny Fox, seeing me drowsy and unable to stand, had touched my forehead with a green light that merged into me. I had initially thought it was a 'fox qi' and considered it a type of spell. But now, it seemed it wasn't a spell at all. It was Granny Fox, Hu San Tainai, expending a drop of her true blood to preserve my spirit and energy for two days.
Understanding this, I felt immensely moved and grateful. Granny Fox had been willing to part with a drop of her true blood to protect my spirit and energy. What an incredible kindness! By all accounts, she had already repaid the favor of my seeking her official recognition. Yet, she still offered a drop of true blood to save my life.
"True blood? What is true blood?" Old Mo asked, clearly uninformed.
Uncle-Shi took a deep breath, a hint of emotion in his voice. "True blood is a demon's life source, seeping from their core after reaching an extremely peak state of cultivation. It is incredibly precious. Each drop might take a great demon hundreds of years to condense. Hu San Tainai gave you a drop to protect your life and spirit. You must remember this kindness!"
Old Mo listened, wide-eyed. "A single drop takes over a hundred years to condense?"
I nodded solemnly. "I understand, Uncle-Shi. If Granny Fox ever needs me, I will wholeheartedly assist her."
Xiao Mei glanced at me but said nothing. Uncle-Shi nodded slightly, a soft "Mm" escaping his lips. He then continued forward, carrying his broadsword and the fire-controlling fan.
The second factory remained dilapidated and dim, though it felt less eerie than when we arrived. Soon, we emerged from the factory. On the road, it was just the four of us.
Old Mo looked at the fire-controlling fan in Uncle-Shi's hand and asked, "Master, if you could borrow Old Bai's fan, why didn't you invite him here? If the corpse burners wield this fan, its power would surely be greater. It would likely have been much simpler than dealing with the red-skinned fire ghost."
Hearing Old Mo speak, I too felt a spark of curiosity. Yes! Old Bai was willing to lend the fan; why wouldn't he come help? After all, they were all part of the Yin gate, earning their living in the underworld. Of course, he wasn't obligated to help me. Perhaps he felt the red-skinned fire ghost was too formidable… Lending the artifact was already a great favor. I was merely curious, just thinking aloud.
But Uncle-Shi replied, "It wasn't that he wouldn't come. Old Bai is very old. He broke his leg a few days ago and couldn't travel. Bai Ye also went out of town. None of his other disciples could wield this fan, so they could only give it to me. Unfortunately, I don't know their specific techniques. So, whenever I use the fire-controlling fan, I have to use my own spirit to activate it, which is a significant drain on my own energy. I had prepared myself for a considerable reduction in my cultivation, or even a shortening of my lifespan, tonight. But who would have thought that your sudden intervention, Xiao Qin, would yield such a miraculous effect. I only sustained some internal injuries. With a period of recovery, I'll be fine. But speaking of which, you, Xiao Qin, are truly audacious. You gambled your life against the red-skinned fire ghost for a chance. Although the odds were nine deaths to one, it was incredibly dangerous. You scared me to death. But tonight, it truly paid off. In the future, try to avoid such methods if possible; they are too risky. But you, young man, certainly possess courage. Honestly, your Uncle-Shi and your late master, at your age, certainly didn't have such boldness or decisiveness. Hahaha…"
As Uncle-Shi spoke, he recounted his day's efforts. He was in a good mood now, having had some wine, and felt talkative. After listening, we finally understood the whole story. Uncle-Shi had spent the entire day learning the basic operations of the fire-controlling fan, only returning in the evening.
Hearing Uncle-Shi speak so casually, so relieved that he had only suffered minor internal injuries and not lost years from his life or drastically diminished his cultivation, a pang of sadness tightened in my chest. I wasn't his son, yet he treated me like his own. It was truly wonderful. For my sake, he had been prepared to sacrifice his lifespan and cultivation. My own gamble against the red-skinned fire ghost seemed insignificant compared to what Uncle-Shi had done for me. Overwhelmed with emotion, I choked up slightly.
"U-Uncle-Shi…" I couldn't find the words, my eyes welling up as I looked at him.
Seeing my eyes redden and my voice tremble, Uncle-Shi took his small wine gourd, patted my shoulder, and smiled. "Xiao Qin, if you want to thank your Uncle-Shi, bring me some good wine someday. Preferably from the Netherworld Sect. I've heard the wines brewed by those evil cult demons are delicious. Your Uncle-Shi can never have too much."
I remained silent, nodding repeatedly in agreement, imprinting his words deeply in my heart.
Uncle-Shi was a cheerful and generous man. Seeing my firm nod, he laughed heartily again. In the dim street, aside from Uncle-Shi's clear, resonant laughter, only the long shadows of the three people and one fox stretched out…