Calamity Messenger

Chapter 352 - 287: Embracing

Yan Qing was stunned.

Is it true that I made Pharmacist’s Wish cry? For a moment, he couldn’t figure out whether slapping Ying Le or making Pharmacist’s Wish cry was more worth bragging about.

But seeing the sadness in Pharmacist’s Wish’s eyes, Yan Qing vaguely guessed something, and quickly moved away from her. Pharmacist’s Wish slowly sat up, staring at the ground, letting the warm blood slide down her cheeks.

A torn piece of cloth was handed over from nearby.

"Wipe the blood." Yan Qing said.

Pharmacist’s Wish looked at the somewhat clean white cloth in her hand, her vision suddenly blurred. She wiped the water marks off her face, and with a hoarse voice said, "Sorry."

"Did venting make you feel better?"

When he didn’t hear a response for a long time, Yan Qing didn’t mind, thinking that the other person wanted to quietly lick her wounds. Pharmacist’s Wish is that kind of person, swallowing all her bitterness herself, refusing to reveal her weakness even if it kills her. Even the Rabbit Heroine only received her care; she resolutely refused to depend on anyone.

"Shidong isn’t afraid of Locking Dragon Bodhisattva," Pharmacist’s Wish suddenly said, "She’s afraid of me."

Yan Qing was taken aback, "Why?"

"She’s afraid she might suffer this torture again because of me." Pharmacist’s Wish covered her eyes with the white cloth and took a deep breath, "It’s because I can’t protect her."

Last night, Pharmacist’s Wish watched Shidong curled up in the corner, trembling and terrified. Every time she took a step closer, Shidong trembled more. They used to be close as sisters, talking about everything, often sleeping together as mistress and servant. But now, just a touch from Pharmacist’s Wish scared Shidong like a snail trying hard to hide away.

Though generally a mistress and her maids prosper or suffer together, though without her, Wuqiu and Shidong would’ve died long ago, though... Pharmacist’s Wish couldn’t deceive herself; she did implicate the maid. If it weren’t for her rescuing the Rabbit Heroine, Wuqiu and Shidong wouldn’t have been interrogated.

Judging rationally, Pharmacist’s Wish knew she had done her best. The Rabbit Heroine was saved, and the True Man of Locking Dragon was kept in the dark. Only Wuqiu and Shidong got hurt, but they could recover. She could rest assured. However, what Pharmacist’s Wish lacked most was rationality; otherwise, she wouldn’t have brought two maids up Shu Dao Mountain. If not for the Rabbit Heroine appearing, they might’ve been lost along the way.

She was no longer persistent about the Ba River Pharmacist, but she lived for dignity her whole life... And so, she was very sad.

She should’ve been able to control her emotions. She was Duke Jin, the Third-Turn Messenger, the Patriarch of Ba River Pharmacist Family. She must remain calm and composed; any weakness would only invite contempt. However, Yan Qing instantly saw through her strong facade and firmly said, ’I need you,’ causing her heart to stir, and her emotions to break out like a breached dam.

"I won’t leave, and neither will they." Pharmacist’s Wish wiped her eyes with the back of her hand repeatedly, "They’re different from me... They can’t adapt to a life of wandering."

"Besides, in Zhou Kingdom, I’m Duke Jin," she turned to Yan Qing, her dirty face breaking into a smile, "If I go with you, at least give me some status, won’t you?"

"Ha, it seems my small temple can’t accommodate a big Buddha like you." Yan Qing conjured a bell in his hand, "Take it."

"What is it?"

"The bell of Jun Yan, a protective talisman." Yan Qing said, "Since you refuse to come, take it as a protection. It can restore your Spiritual Power, very suitable for your Dragon and Snake Seven Kills."

Among this group of people, Pharmacist’s Wish was the most lacking in Spiritual Power. Firstly, her fighting style was high consumption and high output; secondly, she wielded double weapons and couldn’t absorb Spiritual Jade with empty hands. The [Bell of Jun Yan] was most suitable for messengers with area attack skills, and Pharmacist’s Wish’s Dragon and Snake Seven Kills had regular area attack skills.

Pharmacist’s Wish carefully examined the bell and suddenly chuckled.

"Why are you laughing?"

"I was thinking, maybe if I go easy and let you win once, you’d give me gifts."

"What do you mean go easy!" Yan Qing widened his eyes, "I clearly defeated you at your peak! A flawless victory!"

"If you say so." Pharmacist’s Wish put away the bell, "But if that’s not the reason, then why do you care about me so much?"

Meeting Pharmacist’s Wish’s direct gaze, Yan Qing’s mind turned, coming up with a perfect reply, "Just like the reason why you care why I’m not dead."

"I care about you because you’re my leader."

"I care about you also because I’m your leader!"

"So you’re saying you won’t drive me out of the organization anymore?" Pharmacist’s Wish immediately leaned closer, "You better not break your word; otherwise, I’ll lose it."

Yan Qing didn’t expect to bind himself with this, thinking it over and over but could only helplessly glance at her sideways.

"I won’t drive you out anymore."

"Then, in the future, we can’t casually add people to our organization. New members must be unanimously recognized by everyone before joining!" Pharmacist’s Wish said.

Well, immediately lock the door after getting in, huh.

"And also,"

Pharmacist’s Wish opened her arms and hugged his neck... It was no longer a quick touch, no longer cautious... She pressed tightly against Yan Qing, her full figure unabashedly fitting into Yan Qing’s embrace... As if unburdening herself of a heavy load.

"Don’t die."

Yan Qing was a bit at a loss but still gently stroked her hair, though his movements were somewhat stiff. He suddenly understood why Pharmacist’s Wish was so delighted to see him appear today... Because there were only a few people important to her in this life, the Rabbit Heroine couldn’t reunite, Wuqiu and Shidong encountered misfortune, and he hadn’t been around the past few days. So seeing him safe gave her immense comfort... Initially, in Pharmacist’s Wish’s heart, he was already someone important.

The sound of the door opening came from beside them, and Yan Qing froze. Yet, Pharmacist’s Wish didn’t loosen her grip; instead, she held him even tighter, taking a deep breath and teasing, "You’re drenched in sweat, smell sweaty."

"You’re no different!"

"Do I have a smell?"

Instinctively, Yan Qing inhaled the large Black Wolf pressing against him, having experienced a fierce ground battle and rested for a while. Pharmacist’s Wish now had warmth steaming from every pore, her cheeks flushed as if burning, her scent mixed with the strong fragrance of a girl, rushing straight to the lungs, but not unpleasant, like basking in the shade on a warm afternoon, both cozy and refreshing.

"Not unpleasant, right?"

Pharmacist’s Wish’s eyes seemed a bit smug, with a hint of enchantment.

She stood up, looking at Shang Xinlei holding new clothes, then quickly shifted her gaze, brushed the clinging hair from her face behind her ear, and said, acting nonchalant, "I’m heading back now."

Returning to her room and closing the door, Pharmacist’s Wish leaned against it, slowly sliding down, hugging her legs as she took shallow breaths, her heart pounding, wishing she could hide her flushed face.

She didn’t even know why she did it. When Shang Xinlei returned, she should’ve let go. But sensing Yan Qing’s hesitation, for some reason, a strong sense of competitiveness surged within her, insisting on lingering a bit longer.

Sobered up, Pharmacist’s Wish realized how direct she had been, practically marking her territory like a wolf to scare away other invaders. She still clutched the torn cloth Yan Qing gave her, now stained with blood, sweat, and tears after being used to wipe her face.

Staring at the dirty cloth in her hand, Pharmacist’s Wish’s restless mood gradually calmed. She held the cloth to her nose and took a deep breath, the scent inside containing not just hers but also another’s... Smelling like the aroma of strong liquor, sharp yet intoxicating.