The moonlight streamed in like water, filtering through the dilapidated window lattices and casting a pale glow on the dusty floor. Inside the prison cell, the snake demon leaned weakly against the wall, its body entangled in chains that glinted coldly in the moonlight.
Shen Cuiyu stepped forward ahead of the others, a seemingly ordinary talisman paper pinched between her fingers.
The yellow paper was marked with vermilion patterns, imbued with spiritual power. At first glance, it was indistinguishable from an ordinary talisman.
However, when the snake demon channeled a wisp of pure demonic energy into the talisman, the yellow paper fluttered on its own, the vermilion patterns on its surface lighting up one by one. Suddenly, several streaks of light flashed across it, and when it landed, it transformed into a puppet that was an exact replica of the snake demon, down to the folds of its robe!
"The appearance is right," Dongfang Xiao crossed his arms and scrutinized the motionless puppet, commenting seriously, "but the eyes are vacant and the movements are stiff. It just seems to lack a bit of vitality."
"Don't be hasty."
Shen Cuiyu picked up a vermilion brush and, with a flourish of her hand, tapped lightly on the puppet's forehead and chest. As the last stroke fell, the puppet's eyes suddenly sparkled, and even the slight curve of its lips was identical to that of the snake demon. When it stood side by side with the snake demon, even someone as sharp - eyed as Zhong Shengwan had a hard time telling them apart!
Lu Chun was stunned, her eyes filled with amazement and admiration. She had never seen such a sophisticated spell before and momentarily forgot where she was.
Zhong Shengwan explained for her: "This is a puppet talisman, which can create an exact copy of the original. But usually, its effect only lasts for a short time. With the support of the great demon's primordial demonic energy, it should be able to deceive Wang Jingxuan for a while."
A glimmer of hope appeared on the snake demon's pale face, but it frowned as it looked at the chains binding it: "But these chains..."
"What's so difficult about that?"
Dongfang Xiao let out a hearty laugh and stepped forward briskly.
He rolled up his sleeves, revealing his strong forearms. He grabbed the chains with both hands and exerted sudden force.
The veins on his arms bulged, and spiritual power circulated around his body. The chains made of black iron groaned under his grip.
With a sharp "clang," the seemingly indestructible chains snapped!
The snake demon felt a sudden lightness in its body, and relief was evident on its face. It tried to move its wrists, which had been confined for so long, and a faint flush finally appeared on its pale face.
Zhong Shengwan's gaze fell on the snake demon again, with a scrutinizing look: "You still need to answer me. Why did you deliberately reveal your demonic form and scare us before?"
The snake demon blinked innocently, breathing a bit heavily: "I... I just wanted to attract you all to rescue me. But my demonic energy was unstable, and I lost control for a moment, which startled you all. I'm really sorry..." After saying that, it coughed a few times.
Zhong Shengwan gave a soft snort. Although he didn't fully believe it, he didn't pursue the matter further.
"There's one more thing," he then asked, "Wang Jingxuan has been entangled with you for so long. Why doesn't he have a trace of demonic aura on him?"
A flicker of pain crossed the snake demon's eyes as it said in a low voice: "When he imprisoned me, he was extremely cruel, and his body was once covered in my blood. Later, to avoid suspicion, he specifically went to get a talisman that could dispel demonic aura, so he could completely hide the traces."
It paused for a moment, then looked at Lu Chun, its voice softening: "My demonic energy hasn't fully recovered yet, so it's difficult for me to maintain my human form for a long time. How about... I transform into an accessory and stay with Xiaochun for a while?"
Lu Chun hesitated for a moment. Meeting the snake demon's earnest gaze, she finally nodded.
In the next instant, the snake demon's figure blurred, turning into a stream of inky light that gently coiled around her wrist.
Lu Chun only felt a slight heaviness on her wrist. When she looked down, a warm - textured, jet - black jade bracelet had quietly appeared there.
"This matter had nothing to do with you, yet you were dragged into it... I apologize to you on Wang Jingxuan's behalf." Lu Chun gently stroked the jade bracelet, her eyes filled with bitterness and struggle. "As for the relationship between me and him... I need some time to think."
The others quietly exited the room, leaving only the puppet inside to feign weakness. Before leaving, Shen Cuiyu specifically pasted a concealment talisman on the door to ensure that Wang Jingxuan wouldn't notice anything amiss.
It had been a day full of ups and downs, and Lu Chun felt physically and mentally exhausted. By the time she returned to her bedroom, the night was already deep. With the help of Shen Cuiyu's soothing incense, Wang Jingxuan was still sound asleep, completely unaware of what had happened that night.
Lu Chun sat alone on the edge of the couch, gazing at this once - familiar face in the hazy moonlight.
There was a time when she was familiar with every curve of his eyebrows and eyes, but now he seemed so strange.
She remembered the early days of their marriage. They lived in a shabby courtyard in the west of the city. Whenever it rained, the roof would leak. Wang Jingxuan would always catch the water with a wooden basin while smiling at her and saying, "Xiaochun, when I pass the imperial examinations in the future, I'll surely buy you a big mansion. No more rain will ever wet your clothes."
During those poor days, they yearned for a wealthy life like people longing for plums to quench their thirst. Although they had nothing but each other, their hearts were always filled with each other.
But now, before they could buy a mansion, the man who had promised to never let her suffer any grievances had already made her taste the pain of a broken heart.
It seemed that they could only share hardships but not prosperity.
The snake demon said that Wang Jingxuan was vigorously pursuing the county princess, but she didn't know the princess's attitude. If the princess also liked Wang Jingxuan, what should she do?
Lu Chun slowly lay down, turning her back to the person beside her, and stared out at the dark night sky.
She was just an ordinary civilian. How could she compete with the noble county princess? Moreover, even if she could, it wasn't in her nature.
A broken mirror could hardly be restored to its former state. Since there was a rift in her heart, how could she return to the days when she had trusted him completely?
"Wang Jingxuan is too ambitious. He's not a good match for you." A gentle voice suddenly sounded in her mind. Lu Chun was slightly startled before realizing that it was the jade bracelet on her wrist transmitting the sound.
She forced a smile and gently stroked the ink - black jade bracelet but didn't respond.
Lu Chun thought she would lie awake all night, but a faint fragrance wafted over, gradually relaxing her mind. Eventually, she fell into a deep sleep...
When Lu Chun's breathing became even and long, a faint light suddenly flashed, and the snake demon transformed back into a human form, sitting quietly on the edge of the couch.
He stared at Lu Chun's sleeping profile, his gaze complex and hard to describe, a mixture of pity and apology.
His slender fingers gently brushed over the glaring white hair by her temple. A surge of demonic energy, and the white hair gradually turned black again.
After doing all this, the snake demon's figure swayed slightly, his breath a bit weak. Then he transformed back into a jade bracelet and quietly circled around Lu Chun's wrist.
The next morning, when Lu Chun woke up, Wang Jingxuan had already gotten up and was looking thoughtfully at the ink - black jade bracelet on her wrist.
Seeing her wake up, he asked with a smile: "Xiaochun, this bracelet is quite unique. I've never seen you wear it before. Where did you get it?"
Lu Chun's heart skipped a beat, but she pretended to be relaxed: "It was a gift from my brother a few days ago."
Wang Jingxuan nodded upon hearing this and didn't suspect anything further. The jade bracelet was of excellent quality. Given Lu Chun's frugal nature, she would never have bought it herself. But if it was a gift from her brother Lu Yu, it made perfect sense.
After breakfast, Wang Jingxuan disappeared. Everyone knew in their hearts that he must have gone to the prison cell again to "visit" his obedient "snake demon".
Shen Cuiyu and Pei Yu exchanged a look, understanding each other without a word. This play had just begun.