I never expected that the cheerful atmosphere in the basement, originally brought by Baobao and Jinjin, would be instantly shattered by Si Jiangchen's actions.
He seemed to have used some kind of spell, preventing me from approaching the entrance of the secret chamber at all.
Lu Xiyu had already grabbed my arm. "Mr. Si must be in trouble, which is why he doesn't want you to get close."
Of course I knew Si Jiangchen was in trouble. Did I look like someone who was afraid of trouble?
I wanted us to face the trouble together!
There used to be countless talismans in that secret chamber, all the supreme gods invited by Sheng Shixun.
I thought there wouldn't be any great danger inside because not only me but also Gu Nian and Tong Yunfang could come out safely...
But I never thought that our safety was all thanks to Si Jiangchen's efforts!
That small secret chamber might look ordinary, but it was actually more dangerous than a dragon's den or a tiger's lair for us!
A wave of intense remorse welled up from the bottom of my heart.
"Si Jiangchen, come out. I'm not afraid of you!"
Thinking of the miserable state of Gu Nian and the others in the secret chamber before, I suddenly understood Si Jiangchen's current situation. He was a zombie, maintaining his human form with his own Taoist magic and will. All the talismans of the gods in the secret chamber were meant to restrain Gu Nian and Tong Yunfang, the reanimated corpses. Naturally, they also had an innate restraining effect on me and Si Jiangchen.
The only reason I didn't feel anything strange was that Si Jiangchen was using all his strength to create a protective shield for us...
"Don't worry! My... my blood can save them, and it can surely save you too!"
Since Gu Nian and the others could have their rotting bodies restored to normal after being stained with my blood, Si Jiangchen should be no exception!
"..."
There was a moment of silence inside. Si Jiangchen simply waved his hand and spoke to the Gu Fancheng couple. "Please take care of Xiaohe for me. I... I'm afraid I have some trouble to deal with."
"…Ah, no problem!"
Lu Xiyu frowned and tightly held my arm. "Mr. Si, do you... do you need our help with your trouble?"
"Thanks, but no."
Si Jiangchen's voice came out faintly, cold and distant. Although he usually wore a kind and amiable smile, deep down he was cold and unwelcoming. I still remembered the terrifying aura that almost devoured my soul when I first met him!
Lu Xiyu wasn't the kind of indecisive person. Hearing Si Jiangchen's refusal, she immediately dragged me towards the steps of the basement.
"Hehe..."
Sheng Shixun, who was in the basket, opened his eyes at some point. He tilted his head and stared at me with a sinister sneer. "Two living dead who don't belong in this world will surely show their true colors!"
"What are you talking nonsense about?!"
Gu Baobao widened her eyes and slapped Sheng Shixun across the face. "How dare you speak ill of my great-aunt? You really deserve a beating!"
Despite her little girl appearance, Gu Baobao had great strength. The slap was so loud that it even knocked Sheng Shixun's glasses off.
"You little goblin, your end is near. How dare you be so arrogant in front of this great immortal?!"
Sheng Shixun still wanted to maintain his belief and keep up the pretense of being a "god." However, his swollen face and split lips made his insistence look both embarrassing and ridiculous.
Gu Jinjin leaned over and squinted. "You still dare to call yourself a 'great immortal' like this?"
"Of course!"
Sheng Shixun raised his hand to wipe the blood from his mouth. "This great immortal can invite all the gods and Buddhas to subdue you demons and ghosts. That secret chamber was originally your burial place... It's just a pity that Si Jiangchen ruined my plan!"
"Your plan?!"
I was being dragged by Lu Xiyu. Sheng Shixun's words suddenly broke into my muddled mind, waking me up instantly. I desperately broke free from Lu Xiyu's grasp, rushed in front of Sheng Shixun, and grabbed his collar. "What's your plan? Why can't Si Jiangchen come out of that secret chamber? Tell me! What did you do in there?!"
"This is the secret art of my immortal family. How could you living corpses and demons ever understand it?"
Sheng Shixun's magical image had been shattered, and he had long lost his confidence when facing me. However, he still wanted to hold onto his dignity.
"I don't understand any of your so - called gods, but I can make you experience what it's like to be a zombie!!"
With that, I opened my mouth and bit down hard on Sheng Shixun's arm!
"No, Xiaohe!!"
Lu Xiyu beside me was shocked and quickly tried to separate me from Sheng Shixun. But my mind was dominated by the fear for Si Jiangchen's safety. How could I care about what was okay and what wasn't?!!
"Xixi, Mr. Gu, don't come over!!"
Amid Sheng Shixun's terrified screams, I finally let go of his arm. I looked up at the Gu couple and said, "I'm a zombie, and I'm about to lose my mind. You'd better stay away from me!!"
My words were not an exaggeration because... my mind was like boiling magma, starting to feel hazy.
This was the first time I had ever bitten someone. The strong fishy smell almost made me lose my sanity.
The words to Lu Xiyu and the others were barely spoken as I desperately tried to control my blood - thirsty desire.
I didn't know what I looked like at that moment, but judging from the expressions on Lu Xiyu, Jinjin, and Baobao's faces, I could probably guess...
I was probably no longer my former self!!
"Monster!! Let go of me!!"
Sheng Shixun's face was as white as a sheet. I didn't know if it was because of the pain from my bite or because he was scared by my identity as a zombie.
"Why should I let you go?!"
I suddenly grinned sinisterly. "Didn't you always claim to be a god? Now, aren't you afraid of turning into a mindless zombie and causing harm to the world?"
Sheng Shixun struggled and cursed in my hands, but I felt my strength increasing. I slowly lifted this living man up!
I squinted and looked up at the panicked Sheng Shixun. Suddenly, I found this feeling quite good!
Thinking of this, I couldn't help but want to open my mouth again...
"Du Xinghe!!"
A thunder - like growl rang in my ear, instantly waking up my chaotic soul. I quickly turned my head and saw Gu Fancheng had shielded Lu Xiyu behind him. He frowned and stared at me seriously. "Do you want to die?"
"..."
Gu Fancheng's eyes were a dark purple - tinged black, reflecting a monster with blood - red eyes and blood oozing from the corners of its lips!!
Was... was this me?
I felt a pang of panic in my heart. So, sucking blood really would make me lose control and turn into the kind of monster that could bring calamity to all living beings, just like Sheng Shixun had said!!