Chapter 49: Vampirism and the Evil God’s Possession

When Meng Linna woke, she was on the return carriage.

She stirred.

Na Naya reacted.

“You’re awake? How do you feel?”

“Got water? I’m thirsty.”

“Here.”

Ji Jige handed over a cup of water.

Na Naya instinctively took it to feed Meng Linna but caught herself, passing it over.

Meng Linna didn’t notice, gulping it down.

Ji Jige saw but didn’t care.

She knew the two had lingering tensions.

“You’re lucky. That rock hit you, but your heat suit absorbed most of the impact. Minor injuries. I used a potion from your pouch. You don’t mind, right?”

Meng Linna checked her belt.

One potion was gone.

“Of course not. It was for me. Thanks…”

She glanced at Ji Jige.

“So, mission’s over?”

Ji Jige nodded.

“We took down the Flame Giant and the evil god. Time to head back. I’ll report your stellar performance to the church.”

Meng Linna waved it off.

“I didn’t do much. No need to report.”

Ji Jige just smiled silently.

She’d thought Meng Linna was just a pretty nun.

But this trip was surprising.

Meng Linna knew the Fire Seekers worshipped Flame Giants before arriving.

She understood their secrets.

Ji Jige’s village findings confirmed Meng Linna’s approach was right.

Plus, her water cannon dealt massive damage to the evil god.

Despite attribute advantages, Ji Jige had to admit her strength.

This one needs watching.

As Ji Jige planned to monitor her, Meng Linna coughed violently.

“Cough…”

Her controlled coughs turned rapid.

A sweet taste hit her mouth.

Blood splattered her hand.

Ji Jige stayed calm.

“Looks like that rock hit your organs. No big deal. Stay still, I’ll heal you.”

“Okay.”

Meng Linna nodded, sitting still.

“Even the smallest vortex craves the vast…”

Ji Jige shook her holy seal.

Meng Linna felt warmth, her discomfort fading.

“Seems fine now. Thanks.”

She looked at the blood on her hand.

So dirty.

Had to clean it.

She licked her hand.

The warm blood tasted sweet, not rusty.

Was her taste off?

Noticing Ji Jige’s and Na Naya’s shocked stares, she explained.

“Just cleaning the blood…”

“Licking?”

Ji Jige handed her a tissue.

“Normal people wipe it. I’m not that stingy.”

Meng Linna had already licked her hand clean.

Na Naya saw clearly.

Meng Linna’s fangs weren’t human-length.

Ji Jige caught Na Naya’s reaction.

Something was up.

She pulled Meng Linna’s hand from her mouth.

“Let me see.”

One look confirmed it.

“You’re a vampire?”

Meng Linna shook her head.

“No way! Don’t talk nonsense!”

Na Naya frowned.

“But your fangs…”

“My fangs?”

Meng Linna touched them.

She’d been bitten by a vampire before.

No signs until now.

The injury likely triggered her vampiric regeneration.

“Definitely vampire traits.”

Ji Jige nodded.

“No idea how this happened.”

“It’s early-stage. Find the vampire who bit you, and you might cure it. Or, if you’re lazy, staying a vampire’s fine.”

The church didn’t discriminate against vampires.

They weren’t fazed by her condition.

“No way! I’m not staying a vampire!”

Meng Linna waved her hands.

While they focused on her fangs, a mark flashed on Na Naya’s skin, hidden by her robe.

An eye surrounded by red hair appeared.

Its pupil held nine burning flames, like the evil god’s eye.

It vanished quickly.

Na Naya felt heat but saw nothing when she checked.

*

Though the Fire Seeker investigation was Ji Jige’s task, the reward list included Na Naya and Meng Linna.

Thanks to Ji Jige’s report, Meng Linna’s standout performance was recognized.

The church cleared her record and promoted her from apprentice to full nun.

Meng Linna didn’t care.

The church’s lack of material rewards annoyed her more.

—

**Translation Notes:**
– **Censorship**: No curse words appeared, so no censorship was needed.
– **Cultural Terms**:
– “Flame Giant” and “evil fire god” (Chapter 47) tie to the mission’s resolution.
– “Crystal Saint Bell” (Chapter 31) reinforces Meng Linna’s combat role.
– “Fire Seekers” (Chapter 45) are eradicated, ending the threat.
– **Narrative Perspective**: Primarily Meng Linna’s perspective, with her vampirism reveal driving the scene. Ji Jige’s and Na Naya’s reactions are filtered through her lens, avoiding an omniscient tone.
– **Clarifications**:
– The [Yuri Flavor] tag is subtle, with Na Naya’s brief caregiving moment hinting at lingering care.
– Meng Linna’s vampirism (Chapter 37) emerges, complicating her cure goal.
– The evil god’s mark on Na Naya foreshadows new issues.
– Ji Jige’s report (Chapter 43) clears Meng Linna’s record, advancing her status.
– **Memory Integration**:
– From the August 17, 2025, conversation about a saintess hiding her identity, Meng Linna’s vampirism and mission performance align with hiding her bishop-level skills.

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