The voice inside Ace’s head purred, sulky yet undeniably seductive.
— That girl’s mind is too sharp I couldn’t stay for long… but then again, she is the Divine Garden’s chosen spirit.
Back when Shan Yifeng had called for him when he was inside the system space, the voice had shared an unexpected proposal.
— I think I can leave your head and stay inside that girl.
When he heard that Ace didn’t hesitate–he immediately left the system space with her, grabbing her by the arm.
Once they left the space, the ghost lady left his body and went over to Lily.
And for a brief moment, she had possesed Lily completely, moving her body with eerie ease.
It was also through this possession that she had effortlessly listed down the herbs they needed, her voice unnervingly steady as she spoke.
Now, currently Lily lay on the bed, pale and dazed.
"Master… I feel dizzy," she murmured weakly.
Ace sat beside her, watching as she breathed in and out with a heavy rhythm.
The ghost had already retreated back into his body after Lily fell unconscious.
The voice spoke again.
— Young man, can you find me a vessel to possess?
He muttered absentmindedly, "Not yet… but I’ll try to find you one."
His gaze remained fixed on Lily, reaching out his hands as he grabbed hers.
Lily, despite her exhaustion, managed a small, reassuring smile seeing her master’s gesture.
""Don’t worry, Lily. You’ll be fine," Ace whispered to her.
She nodded weakly. "Un. I believe you, Master."
Stupid, Ace muttered inside his head.
— Human, you’re greedy, the voice teased, giggling.
Ace narrowed his eyes. ’I know what you’re thinking.’
"Master, what are you thinking?"
Lily’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. She was watching him, concern flickering across her face.
"Hmm? What happened?" Ace asked, setting aside the issue at hand.
"It’s not because you took me out that I got a headache, Master," Lily said with a smile. "It was a ghost! Hehe, a ghost haunted me—but I’m alright now!"
Ace stared at her, expression unreadable. This girl… she doesn’t even realize I nearly killed her just to be free. How carefree…
— Well, we didn’t know it was going to result in this.
The voice in his mind chimed in.
"Whatever the case, I didn’t consider her when I agreed to your proposal."
Ace’s voice within his mind calm and measured.
— You’re quite composed. If she meant that much to you, why not get even a bit angry?
What use is anger? Ace responded back inside his head.. Will getting angry heal her?
He then turned to Lily.
"Lily, stay here for a while. I’ll get Liu Hong to check on you, alright?"
"Hehe, thank you, Master." She smiled as she lay on the bed.
Her smile felt like nails piercing his heart.
Yet, despite everything, Ace found it amusing.
— You’re going insane, human, the voice in his head sounded genuinely concerned.
"Oh, don’t worry," Ace replied mentally. "I think I finally understand what I gained after integrating a hundred years of wisdom."
Ace walked out of the room, mentally making a few calculations along the path.
On his way, he spotted Liu Hong scattering feed for her chickens.
"Aunt Hong, are those spirit chickens too?" he asked.
Liu Hong looked up, pausing for a moment. "Oh, it’s you, Xiao Zhi. Spirit chickens are a rarity. These are just ordinary ones," she said with a smile, tossing more feed onto the ground. "But they taste just as good as the ones you bring."
So not everything gets a ’spirit’ name tag, Ace mused. Well, I already knew that.
"Aunt Hong, can you look after Lily for me? She’s feeling unwell, and I need to go pick up Liu Mei."
"Ah, okay, okay, go on. I want to see my daughter already!" Liu Hong waved him off eagerly.
Ace chuckled. "Hahaha, you’ll be surprised," he said as he headed out of the house.
_______
— Meanwhile —
Zhao Mei and Liu Mei were seated at the golden hall, a dining area for the flying sword sect, both enjoying a lavish feast. The table was filled with delicious dishes, their rich aroma filling the air.
Liu Mei picked up a piece of crab meat with her chopsticks and eagerly held it out.
"Sister Zhao, eat this! It’s really tasty!" she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Zhao Mei chuckled and took a bite. "Mmm, it is good," she agreed with a nod.
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Liu Mei giggled, swinging her legs under the table. "Hehe, we both have ’Mei’ in our names! Does that mean you’re me, and I’m you?" she asked, tilting her head.
Zhao Mei smirked, tapping her chin as if deep in thought. "Hmm… what do you think?" she asked.
Liu Mei’s eyes widened as she gasped dramatically. "Does that mean if you eat more, I get full too?!"
Zhao Mei laughed, ruffling Liu Mei’s hair. ""Nice try, but I don’t think it works that way. And if anything, I’d say you’ve gotten fatter."
"Hey! Don’t slander me, Sister Zhao!" Liu Mei pouted, puffing up her cheeks in protest.
Zhao Mei giggled, covering her mouth. Over the past few days, she and Liu Mei had grown much closer.
"Master is really coming today?" Liu Mei asked, tugging at Zhao Mei’s sleeve with wide, hopeful eyes.
"Yes, he is," Zhao Mei reassured her with a gentle smile.
Liu Mei hesitated, fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. "Are you really sure?"
"Yes, Mei’er, I’m very sure."
Liu Mei lowered her head, her fingers twisting together nervously. "Umm… then… will Master recognize me?" she asked in a soft, uncertain voice, peeking up at Zhao Mei.
Just then, a voice interrupted them.
"Why are you here?"
Liu Mei looked up, her wide-eyed innocence vanishing in an instant. Her lips curled into a mischievous smirk.
"Ah, it’s the monkey," she said, her tone dripping with mockery.
Zhao Mei blinked in surprise at the sudden shift in demeanor, while Icehart’s expression darkened, his fists clenching at his sides.
Liu Mei clasped her hands behind her back, rocking on her heels as if she hadn’t just thrown a verbal jab. "It’s been a while," she continued, tilting her head. "Brought daddy along?"
A dangerous silence followed.
Icehart’s glare burned into her, his anger almost tangible in the air.