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--- Chapter 19 ---
The coachman in the front of the carriage trembled in fear. Although he knew that Liu Erlong was a dangerous customer, he decided to bite the bullet and escort her to the nearest Soul Hunting Town for a sum of money.
However, who would have thought she would be mad so abruptly?
His body soaked in cold sweat as he felt one step away from hell.
"Haha, sorry, sir. Senior Liu was in a bad mood earlier." Suddenly, the coachman saw the masked boy Liu Erlong picked earlier.
"Just continue the carriage to the Wind Prairie Town. She said she will pay you extra later."
The coachman sighed in relief, "Really? Thanks, boy."
...
...
I stared at Liu Erlong and said, "Do you really want to do this? You must know my remedy might have a side effect on you."
"Give me the medicine." Liu Erlong steeled her belief. "I don't want to be a cold-blooded murderer because I can't control my anger."
At this moment, Liu Erlong buried her longing and feelings for Yu Xiaogang and focused on resolving her Martial Soul's problem. What she didn't know was that my spiritual power influenced her subtly.
Yes, like hypnosis.
I reinforced my control over her emotions without altering her personality, creating this keen, rational woman who doesn't want to be a cold-blooded monster. Love won't affect her anymore for a good period, but her "Fire Dragon" sure does.
Of course, I tried my best not to touch "important" places in her mind so I wouldn't trigger her "love" again. So, I will try not to mention Yu Xiaogang or his name near her.
"Eat this pill, summon your martial soul, and clear your mind," I ordered while giving her a bottle of recovery pill that can cleanse and heal one's body.
Liu Erlong swallowed the green-colored pill, summoned a chibi-version of her Fire Dragon, and cleared her mind from distracting thoughts.
"Sister, please protect us," I said to Han Yue.
Han Yue gave Liu Erlong a puzzled look. 'This woman was weird, at one point angry and another point hopeless like a kitten.'
'Anyway, it's not that important. Since Xiao Yuan can handle her, I will only watch from the side.'
I placed my left palm on Liu Erlong's head and purified her body, mind, and spirit. The chibi fire dragon on her shoulder writhed in pain because the purification of Sky Poison Pearl dug the bloodline in Liu Erlong's body, making it evolve.
Liu Erlong gritted her teeth, ignoring the pain and enjoying the newfound sensation in her mind and body. It was soothing, making her moan in joy unconsciously.
Han Yue blushed, 'How indecent, in front of Xiao Yuan! How can an adult make such a lewd sound!'
As I used two purification chances on Liu Erlong, I also placed a half-assed spiritual mark on her "weak" mind and prevented her from doing unfavorable things to me.
Of course, I'm not enslaving Liu Erlong.
I'm only making sure she doesn't harm me and my sister, indirectly or directly.
After a while, Liu Erlong's body trembled as "dark and sticky" grime came out of her skin. Looking at how many impurities she has gathered, I can say she's lucky to have reached the Spirit Saint Realm.
I used Eyes of Truth on Liu Erlong, learning that her spirit rank rose by a level and her "Fire Dragon" martial soul became a Scarlet Dragon with a hotter flame but a calmer nature.
Well, calling it evolution is not too accurate.
Liu Erlong's Martial Soul was originally the Scarlet Dragon. However, due to mutation, poor choices in spirit rings, and encounters, it degraded into a fire dragon with a bad temper.
Aih, I discovered another marvel of Martial Soul.
I saw Liu Erlong slowly opening her eyes and said, "Go clean yourself."
Liu Erlong was stunned but hurriedly nodded. We stopped by a river, and she cleaned herself there, wearing a new black-blue dress and white stockings that made her look calmer and more enchanting.
She climbed back into the carriage and lowered her head to me, "Thank you. I will remember this favor my whole life."
Liu Erlong was very grateful.
She was grateful that I could solve her problem.
"You knew there is no such thing as a free meal in this world, right?" I said calmly.
Liu Erlong nodded, "Yes, you're right."
"I will do anything to repay you, as long as it doesn't step over my borderline."
"If you want money, I can..."
"No, I don't want your money," I chuckled. The Merchant Union gave him enough money to spend for years.
"I want you to pay me back with your body-!"
"WHAT?!" Liu Erlong and Han Yue were shocked.
"Xiao Yuan, bad! How could you say that!" Han Yue pouted at me.
I coughed, "I mean... I wanted her to work for me. I wanted Senior Liu to be our bodyguard for a few years until we could stand for ourselves on this continent."
Liu Erlong's ears reddened as my request was too shocking. Yet she also felt disappointed because I didn't really mean it that way. She felt weird because she didn't know why she felt this way.
She shook her head, ignoring these newfound feelings, and replied righteously, "Very well."
"I will be your bodyguard for a few years."
"I will do everything to ensure you're safe."
"Because..."
"Because you're my savior!" Liu Erlong organized her words.
"Huh?" Han Yue narrowed her eyes at Liu Erlong. Her brocon sense felt a threat from this woman. Then, again, Han Yue knew Liu Erlong was an "old" woman, and her brother was only six years old.
Hmph! Han Yue would use her power to protect her brother if this old cow dared to eat the young grass.
"Please take care of me well, Senior." I smiled at Liu Erlong and stretched my hand.
"Likewise." Liu Erlong firmly shook my hand. Unknowingly, my mere hand caused her to feel wonder.
'What was that warm sensation?'
'This boy's hand is so comfortable...'
I didn't know what Liu Erlong had in mind. Well, I don't care much.
Anyway, I got a beautiful bodyguard.
What an achievement, hahaha~!
We continued our journey to Wind Prairie Town and were 'immediately' welcomed by a bustling town of spirit masters and merchants who wanted to earn extra money.
"Wow!" Huan Yue's eyes lit up. She didn't expect this Soul Hunting Town to be this big and crowded.
After all, the Soul Hunting Forest near the Free Leaf City was too small, and not many Spirit Masters operated around.
Not to mention, this place was close to Star Dou Forest. So, the scale of hunting is significantly bigger, meaning more materials and work to do.
"Let's search for an inn to rest," I gave Liu Erlong my idea.
"Mm." Liu Erlong agreed with me, paid the coachman with a pouch of golden coins, and escorted us into the town.
The coachman left happily.
We walked for a few minutes before finding a decent-looking inn with a sheep-shaped logo on the entrance.
"Dreamy Sheep Inn? Interesting." I entered the inn and asked the owner for two rooms for a few days. After handing over the deposits, we finally have a place to rest tonight.
Liu Erlong leaned on our room's door and asked, "So, I assume you want to hunt Spirit Beast by coming to this town, right?"
"Yes." I didn't bother to lie as this woman couldn't harm me and my sister anymore. "So, we need Senior's help to hunt this spirit beast."
"That is easy! I will show you the strength of the Power Attack-type Spirit Saint!" Liu Erlong declared confidently. She probably thought my target was just a 1,000-year-old spirit beast. Well, I will give her some surprises later.
I smiled faintly and remarked, "Well, I'm excited to see your strength, Senior. Before that, we must visit the Merchant Union and get our information."
Han Yue rolled her eyes at me, 'Xiao Yuan, you must be planning a bad thing again. Hehe, but naughty Xiao Yuan has some charm, too.'