Chapter 82: Tempering for Strength
Wen Nanxi’s expression shifted slightly. He hadn’t expected her to know.
She was truly intelligent. Just because she didn’t ask didn’t mean she was oblivious.
Wen Nanxi couldn’t bear to lie to her. He whispered, “Yes.”
“They were assassins sent from the Beast Emperor City. I knew, so I dealt with them secretly.”
In truth, he had used himself as bait to lure them out and kill them. He hadn’t expected there to be stragglers.
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”
“If I had found these people earlier and dealt with them, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Hearing this, Su Muyao was moved. Though Wen Nanxi spoke simply, she understood the danger. He had been quietly eliminating threats for her. Beneath his gentle exterior lay a sharp mind and strategic foresight. He had spared no effort in protecting her.
Realizing this, the distance in Su Muyao’s eyes faded. Her expression softened. “Wen Nanxi, you used yourself as bait to kill them, didn’t you?”
“The people behind this know that killing me isn’t easy with you around. They know you will protect me, so they targeted you first.”
“They thought if they got rid of you, killing me would be easy.”
She had guessed some of the truth from the assassins’ words earlier. In her memories, Wen Nanxi had been cold to her predecessor, but he had always protected herāapparently due to a promise made to her father.
Wen Nanxi felt guilty and self-reproachful, shrouded in a depressed gloom. He didn’t explain, only said, “It was my dereliction of duty!”
The process didn’t matter; the result was that he hadn’t protected her. When she vanished, he had nearly gone mad.
Su Muyao suddenly sensed Wen Nanxi’s aura becoming chaotic. If this continued, his spirit would collapse into a rampage.
She reached out and gently stroked his snake body, transmitting a bit of wood elemental energy. This power could easily soothe his emotions.
Wen Nanxi’s massive body shuddered violently. For some reason, a tingling numbness surged through him. It reminded him of the kiss they had shared. She had been breathtakingly beautiful then.
Wen Nanxiās breathing became ragged. His snake form was more sensitive to touch. As she stroked him, he felt himself losing control.
Su Muyao was stunned. She was using her ability to soothe him, so why was his spiritual aura becoming even more chaotic?
She paused for a moment, then said, “Wen Nanxi, calm down.”
“I know you have been doing your best to protect me.”
“I know that.”
“Don’t punish yourself for the mistakes of others.”
“The enemy wants to see you lose control and go into a rampage so you can’t protect me.”
“So you must stay calm.”
If Wen Nanxiās spiritual sea went berserk now, she might not be able to soothe him. Her energy was nearly depleted from the fight.
Wen Nanxi realized his heart was in chaos, his breathing erratic, causing her to misunderstand. He quickly suppressed his emotions and composed himself.
“Wife Master need not worry, I am fine.”
“Wife Master does not blame us because you are kind and forgiving, but I cannot forgive myself.”
This was the truth. This incident was a shadow etched into his heart.
Su Muyao felt that the husband her father had chosen for her was indeed reliable; his sense of responsibility was incredibly strong. Seeing his persistence, she knew words were useless. Time would have to heal it.
She didn’t blame them; she only blamed her own weakness. Today had taught her that her safety had to be in her own hands.
Hua Linye and Xiao Jihan followed silently, ears and tails drooping listlessly. They looked at Su Muyao, envying Wen Nanxi for being able to carry her and speak with her.
Hua Linyeās fire poison, which had been partially suppressed by the medicine, threatened to flare up again due to his guilt and pain. He had nearly lost her. The thought brought a sharp pain to his heart.
Xiao Jihanās aura was even colder, like shards of ice. His killing intent intensified, his clear, icy eyes flashing with a mysterious, bloody light.
…
When they arrived home, Wen Nanxi wanted Su Muyao to rest.
But she refused. “I’ll make some lunch. Let’s eat first.”
“Wife Master, go rest. We will cook!”
After what happened, how could they have the face to eat food she prepared?
Su Muyao didn’t refuse. Over the past few days, they had learned some culinary skills by watching and helping her. They were smart, talented, and meticulous. Cooking was within their capabilities.
While they cooked, Su Muyao went to her room to prepare medicine. The kiss with Wen Nanxi earlier had triggered a reward from the dimensionāa batch of herbs, including the basic ones she needed.
The Space System watched her, alarmed. “Host, are you planning to use a medicinal bath to temper your body?”
“That method is defying the natural order! The pain will be unbearable.”
“The initial steps are okay, but later on, the medicine becomes stronger. It will feel like every bone in your body is breaking.”
“Normal people can’t handle it. If you give up halfway, your body will be weakened. In severe cases, you could die.”
“Host, if you just sleep with your beastmen husbands, you won’t need to do this! It hurts too much!”
The system was heartbroken seeing Su Muyao work without pause. Even in the apocalypse, she hadn’t resorted to this.
“And according to my big data, no one succeeds at this. Host, please reconsider.”
“There is a shortcut! Wen Nanxi and Hua Linye would definitely be willing to be your real husbands.”
“Host, don’t die on me! If you die, what will I do? Wuwu…”
The system began to mimic the sound of crying, trying to throw a tantrum to make her stop.
Su Muyao said sternly, “You saw what happened today. My predecessor’s enemies in the Beast Emperor City are numerous.”
“People want to kill me constantly. Before this, who knows how many waves of assassins came?”
“Wen Nanxi killed an unknown number. Hua Linye nearly died in the beast tide, which was obviously manipulated.”
“Today, they separated us just to kill me.”
“I must become strong. Only by being strong can I control my own fate.”
“I can endure the pain of the tempering process.”
“Don’t worry. You won’t lose your host.”
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