So it turns out I'm the demon!

Chapter 139 But, it shouldn't be this strange.

The next morning, the sky appeared gloomy and gray.

Low-hanging clouds pressed down overhead, like a thick, water-soaked felt blanket, heavy and poised to fall, ready to unleash a downpour at any moment.

Jiang Mu pushed open the door and found that Shui Miaozheng had already gotten up.

A slight noise and a faint aroma of food came from the direction of the kitchen.

He followed the sound and saw Shui Miaozheng wearing a plain apron, busy in front of the stove.

"Little Jiang, wake up."

Hearing the noise, Shui Miaozheng turned around and smiled gently, "I've prepared your wash water, salt, and willow branches and put them on the shelf by the door. Go wash up first, breakfast will be ready soon."

"Okay, thank you for your hard work, Aunt Shui."

Jiang Mu responded and walked to the shelf by the door, picking up a willow branch to brush her teeth.

The awkwardness of last night seemed to fade away with the night.

Neither of them mentioned it again, and everything seemed natural and ordinary.

After washing up, Jiang Mu returned to the kitchen doorway, leaned against the doorframe, and asked, "Aunt Shui, do you need any help? Should I start the fire or help prepare the vegetables?"

Shui Miaozheng was bending over to check the porridge in the pot when she heard this. She straightened up, tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, gave Jiang Mu a reproachful look, and shook her head with a smile:

"No need, no need. The kitchen is full of smoke and fire; how can we let a grown man go into the kitchen? People will laugh at us. Just sit in the living room and wait for your food; don't make a mess here."

After saying that, she turned around and bent down to lift the pot lid.

As she bent over, her originally loose dress was stretched taut, creating a bulging curve below her waist.

The skirt fabric was stretched taut.

Like meat that's about to be fried into a pouch full of glistening oil.

Jiang Mu's gaze inadvertently swept over it, her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked away.

He rolled up his sleeves and walked over:

"Let me help you. It'll be faster if two people work together. We still need to clear out the demons and complete our mission later."

Shui Miaozheng was about to refuse when she saw the man deftly take over the task of chopping vegetables. She shook her head helplessly and had no choice but to give up, but a smile played on her lips as she teased him:

"Alright, then I'll make you, the head of the hall, condescend to do this once. If outsiders knew that the infamous Jiang the Killer of Huzhou could also slice pickled vegetables, they'd be utterly astonished."

"Food is the most important thing for people, and there's nothing shameful about cooking."

Jiang Mu replied with a smile, and with a swift movement, the sound of her chopping vegetables was light and rhythmic.

The two worked together in the cramped kitchen, one chopping vegetables and the other cooking.

"Make the fire a little bigger."

"Okay."

"Pass me that salt shaker... Ouch, it's hot."

The small kitchen felt a bit crowded with the addition of two people. Each had their own tasks, but their cooperation was surprisingly seamless.

During this time, we chatted about some trivial matters.

The atmosphere was relaxed and natural as they talked about the weather and their experiences in Yancheng.

However, the kitchen was cramped to begin with, and when the two turned around to pass things to each other, some physical contact was inevitable.

Jiang Mu didn't pay much attention, but the woman occasionally blushed, as if she wanted to say something, but seeing the man's focused profile, she swallowed her words. The roaring fire in the stove made the kitchen even more stuffy and hot.

Fine beads of sweat gradually appeared on Shui Miaozheng's forehead.

The warm, lingering fragrance emanating from her body, intensified by the steam, became even thicker, like a spoonful of refined lard mixed with the sweet scent of gardenias, cloyingly filling one's nostrils.

Jiang Mu, who had been focused, couldn't help but feel a little reserved in this environment.

His gaze would occasionally wander.

As they glanced at each other, their eyes met, they gave each other an awkward smile, pretended to chat for a few more minutes, and then continued cooking.

Fortunately, breakfast was simple and was prepared quickly.

A simple bowl of congee and side dishes, along with a plate of freshly made scallion pancakes, are placed on a small table in the living room, exuding the warmth of home.

The two sat facing each other, eating quietly.

Jiang Mu took a couple of sips of porridge and asked, "Aunt Shui, what's the schedule for us today? What tasks do we need to do?"

Shui Miaozheng put down her chopsticks, thought for a moment, and said:

"You come with me for now. In this area we're responsible for, there are still a few scattered demon nests that need to be cleared out. In addition, we need to set up some early warning and lethal talisman traps at several key passes to prevent demon scouts from infiltrating. The task isn't too heavy, but we need to be careful."

Jiang Mu nodded, and then said:

"I have some personal matters to attend to this morning, and I should be back to meet you around noon."

"Personal matters?"

A hint of concern flashed in Shui Miaozheng's eyes. "This area isn't safe. Is there any danger? Should I come with you? Anyway, we can leave the trap-setting to Cui Cui and the others first."

"No need, there's no danger, I'm just going to see a friend."

Jiang Mu shook her head and refused.

Shui Miaozheng knew his abilities, and seeing his confident expression, she didn't press him further, only gently advising him:

"Then be careful and come back soon."

"Um."

After breakfast, Jiang Mu left the camp alone and headed towards the wilderness where Mei Ruo Temple was located.

Arriving at familiar territory, he sensed that no one was around, so he raised his arm and gently made a gesture in the air.

As the magical energy flowed from his fingertips, a crack appeared in the space, like a piece of cloth being torn open.

Jiang Mu stepped inside.

The scene before me changed, and I returned to that familiar temple.

Unlike its previous dilapidated and gloomy state, Meiruo Temple, though still desolate, had clearly been cleaned and tidied up. The broken walls and ruins had been gathered up, and the weeds had been removed, making it look much neater.

The damaged doors and windows were also repaired.

Yu Xiaoqian was holding a broom and, together with several other female ghost companions, was carefully sweeping the courtyard.

"Bookworm..."

Yu Xiaoqian caught a glimpse of the suddenly appearing figure out of the corner of her eye. She was stunned at first, then her face lit up with surprise.

But this surprise lasted only a moment. As if remembering something, her eyes dimmed, her lips pursed slightly, carrying a hint of obvious resentment, and she stepped forward to give a proper curtsy.

"Xiaoqian greets Master."

The other female ghosts also stopped what they were doing and bowed respectfully.

Jiang Mu looked at the girl's aggrieved expression and wanted to laugh, but he held it back and asked, "Where's your grandmother?" Yu Xiaoqian whispered:

"Grandma went out early this morning, saying she was going to find some materials needed to set up an array and stabilize the space. Oh, right... before she left, Grandma instructed that we should not call her Grandma anymore, but 'Lady Siru'."

Lady Siru?

Jiang Mu's lips twitched.

This woman gets into character really fast. She's already chosen the title of the deity before even starting to create a god.

He curled his lip, waved for the other female ghosts to continue working, and then beckoned to Yu Xiaoqian:

"Xiaoqian, come with me."

The two of them, one in front of the other, arrived at a relatively intact side room behind the temple.

After closing the door, Jiang Mu took out the modified ghost pill from his pocket, held it in his palm, and handed it to Yu Xiaoqian:

"This is your Ghost Pill. You little brat, you just gave it to me like that, without even thinking about taking it back? Aren't you afraid your soul will be scattered in three days?" Yu Xiaoqian looked at the Ghost Pill, bit her lower lip, and whispered:

"Xiaoqian's life was saved by Master. The Ghost Pill was given to Master, so it belongs to Master. If Master has any use for it, then keep it. If you think it's useless... then throw it away. Xiaoqian... dares not ask for it back."

Hehe.

Is this girl trying to be sarcastic or sarcastic towards me?

Jiang Mu raised an eyebrow, but seeing the other person's resentful and resigned look, she couldn't bear to tease her anymore.

He shoved the ghost pill directly into her hand and said seriously:

"Alright, stop wallowing in self-pity. I've re-refined this Ghost Pill for you; it'll be very beneficial. Take it first." Yu Xiaoqian then raised her head, glanced at Jiang Mu with some surprise, and then obediently took the Ghost Pill and put it in her mouth.

But the next moment.

Her delicate brows furrowed tightly, her small face scrunched up, and she spat out the ghost pill again, clutching it in her hand, looking at Jiang Mu with a pitiful expression: "Master... what did you do with this ghost pill? It's so bitter... so bitter it's made my tongue numb."

bitter?

Jiang Mu was taken aback.

He took the ghost pill, smelled it, and even stuck out the tip of his tongue to lick it.

It doesn't taste like anything?

It has a faint coolness, where does the bitterness come from?

"It's very bitter, extremely bitter!"

Yu Xiaoqian insisted, sticking out her little tongue as if the lingering pain hadn't subsided.

"Stop fooling around."

Jiang Mu thought the girl was being coquettish, so he grabbed her chin and forced the ghost pill into her mouth. "Don't worry about whether it's bitter or smelly, just swallow it. I went through a lot of trouble to make this, don't waste it."

"Um...the shop..."

Forced into a corner, Yu Xiaoqian could only try to swallow.

No matter how hard she tried, the ghost pill seemed to have its own consciousness. As soon as it slid down her throat, it generated a strong repulsive force and was forced out again.

After repeating this several times, the girl was so choked up that tears were about to come out.

Jiang Mu frowned as he looked at the distressed girl.

What happened?

Could it be that he overused demonic energy to modify it, causing the properties of this ghost pill to mutate and become incompatible with the little female ghost's soul? He pondered for a moment, then picked up the wet ghost pill and put it in his mouth.

Before he could even swallow, the ghost pill, like a fledgling returning to its nest, slid down his throat and into his abdomen, settling peacefully within his dantian. It not only showed no resistance but also emitted an intimate wave of energy.

OK OK.

As expected, it was corrupted by my demonic energy and became mine.

Jiang Mu was utterly speechless.

Since this thing has already recognized him as its master, it has become his natal object. If Yu Xiaoqian wants to merge back into it, it would be tantamount to forcibly plundering his things, and naturally it would be rejected.

He tried to circulate his spiritual power and mobilize his demonic energy to stimulate the ghost pill in his abdomen.

But Gui Dan was like a stubborn rock, quietly sitting there.

It neither absorbs any energy nor produces any changes, seemingly just an insignificant decoration.

This is troublesome.

If she can't fuse with the Ghost Pill, this girl will still be annihilated.

Looking at the beautiful girl before him, her face blank and streaked with tears, Jiang Mu suddenly asked, "Xiao Qian, did you ever love anyone in your life? Were you ever engaged? Or did you have a man you admired?"

Yu Xiao was taken aback by his abrupt question, not understanding why he would suddenly ask this, and shook her head blankly: "No." "Are you sure? After all, in your case, you may have lost a lot of your memory."

Jiang Mu stared into her eyes.

Yu Xiaoqian said with certainty:

"Really, no. I just don't quite remember how I died, or where my home is, but I haven't forgotten anything else. I didn't have anyone I liked when I was alive... no, I did."

She suddenly changed her mind halfway through her sentence.

"Does it exist or not?"

Jiang Mu frowned.

Yu Xiaoqian lowered her head, twisting the hem of her clothes with both hands, and whispered, "It didn't exist before... but later, it did."

Jiang Mu understood the subtext in her words and fell silent, unsure of what to say.

A moment later, he suddenly stepped forward.

He stretched out his arm and embraced the girl's slender waist, pulling her into his arms.

"Hmm!"

Caught off guard, Yu Xiaoqian let out a short gasp.

I was completely bewildered, as if I were adrift in a fog.

"There are two ways to return the Ghost Pill to you."

Jiang Mu looked intently into the girl's clear eyes and said, "One method is more complicated and time-consuming."

Another one... is simpler and more direct.

Since you had no lover to hold you back in life, let's keep it simple. Compared to your life, this little thing is nothing." The girl hadn't fully grasped the meaning of his words, only feeling the strong, powerful arm around her waist, and the man's aura emanating from him.

The next moment, her lips were sealed by warmth.

At the same time, Jiang Mu's hand slid down her waist and gently covered her lower abdomen, dantian.

The wind outside the window stopped, and the light and shadow inside the room seemed to freeze at that moment.

"Hmm!"

The girl's eyes widened, and her whole body stiffened.

My mind went blank, and all my senses seemed to be focused on my lips and the palms pressed against my abdomen.

She was completely unaware of when the ghost pill was put back into her mouth, how it went down her throat, and how it returned to her dantian.

He just stared blankly with his eyes wide open.

Gazing at the man's silhouette so close to her, she forgot to breathe, forgot to think.

Jiang Mu's hand, which was pressed against her abdomen, quietly released demonic energy.

The modified Ghost Pill was welded and fixed to the core of her dantian to ensure that it would no longer be rejected.

At the same time, the aura he infused contained the pure yang energy of a living person, which slowly intertwined and harmonized with the yin energy naturally present in Yu Xiaoqian's ghost body, forming a gentle buffer.

To prevent violent conflicts that might arise from the sudden fusion of the ghost pill and the ghost body.

The room was completely silent.

Only faint breathing.

After a long while, Jiang Mu finally stepped back and loosened her arms.

Although Yu Xiaoqian was a ghost cultivator, she possessed a true form condensed from incense offerings and prayers. Apart from the slightly cool touch of her skin, she was no different from a real young girl. A wisp of silver hair, in the dim light, resembled the red thread of fate.

It was stretched out.

It eventually broke apart and dissipated into the air.

"you……"

Yu Xiaoqian finally came to her senses.

He staggered back half a step.

She looked at Jiang Mu, stammering, unsure of what to say.

Compared to his occasional awkwardness when facing Shui Miaozheng, Jiang Mu now regained his usual assertiveness and composure in front of the innocent and naive girl. He patted Yu Xiaoqian's shoulder and explained calmly:

"First of all, let me clarify that I did not mean to harass or insult you just now. I am very law-abiding, and this action was only to save your life, return the Ghost Pill to you, and stabilize it within your body."

The method may be unconventional, but it works.

Of course, if you harbor any resentment or have any other thoughts about this in the future, we can talk about it again.

Now, take a good look at the Ghost Pill and try cultivating it. It should be different from before. I'll come see you again in a few days.

He paused, looking at the girl's still flushed cheeks, and added:

"By the way, you don't need to call me 'Master' anymore. Didn't you used to call me 'Bookworm'? Call me whatever you like." With that, Jiang Mu turned and left without lingering.

Stepping out of the spatial rift and back into the wilderness, Jiang Mu raised his hand to rub his temples and muttered to himself:

"Damn it, my first kiss after transmigrating is gone just like that. I never expected it to be with a little ghost girl."

"What kind of mess is this...?"

"Bai Xiang, Bai Xiang, your master is not clean anymore."

Jiang Mu shook her head, shaking off that inexplicable emotion, and strode quickly toward the base.

Inside the room, Yu Xiaoqian remained standing there, dazed.

After a long while, his scattered gaze gradually focused, and his wandering soul seemed to return to its place.

The Ghost Pill circulated steadily within the dantian.

It brought an unprecedented sense of warmth and fulfillment; it truly felt different.

"But……"

The girl blinked her clear yet confused eyes and murmured to herself.

"If it's a Ghost-Returning Pill... why... is it sticking out its tongue? How strange..."