Chapter 10: Bai Li’s Repentance

The moment the words left his mouth—
Buzz—
Bai Li’s nine tails exploded outward, trembling so fast they hummed like they were cutting through the air!
Her fox ears twitched wildly, snowy fur standing on end, as if electrified with excitement.

Wow, wow, wow! I actually did it? I really charmed the human! I didn’t expect him to be this vulnerable!
Bai Li had gained her innate fox technique, Heavenly Charm Bone, upon reaching six tails.
It passively attracted all sentient beings. As a nine-tailed fox, she could suppress it fully in her fox form.
But in human form, no matter how she tried, it leaked a little.

A little effect wasn’t a big deal—it might just make others fond of her.
But when she reached six tails, the human was already at Void Refining stage, immune to her charm.
This left her clueless about how much charm to use to enchant him.
Since realizing she could exploit his weakened state, she’d gradually increased the Heavenly Charm Bone’s influence.
Judging by his melting gaze, she’d clearly overdone it.

Joking aside, what he just said… so embarrassing!
Each word was normal, but together? So weird! Where did he learn that?

“Ugh…!”
Pure, inexperienced Bai Li had never heard such words. Chu Huaizhou’s passionate confession threw her off, making her feel strange.
She guiltily dialed back the Heavenly Charm Bone’s effect, covering her burning cheeks.
Through her fingers, her skin was flushed red from ear to collarbone, like a steamed peach, sweet and tempting.

“You, you…”
Bai Li stammered, trying to maintain the dignity she’d barely established, but her voice was pathetically soft.
“You said that yourself! I-I didn’t force you!”

Her mouth was defiant, but her tails betrayed her, wrapping around Chu Huaizhou’s waist, her face inching closer.
The atmosphere grew thick with ambiguity.
Her fluffy tail tips brushed his wrists, nudging them toward her face, silently urging:
Kiss me, kiss me, meow!
Could it be? After centuries of secret feelings, was this her moment?

But as Chu Huaizhou leaned forward, his loose collar slipped, revealing a slender neckline and collarbone.
Below, a jagged lightning-shaped scar caught Bai Li’s eye.
Her breath froze.
Her trembling, excited tails stiffened, her uncontrollable emotions calming.

That lightning scar was an indelible mark from when Chu Huaizhou shielded her during her tribulation.
Her sticky gaze cleared halfway.
What am I doing…?
Is this really okay? Isn’t it too despicable?

She leaned back, her tails no longer pulling him closer. Seeing his eyes full of her, guilt surged.
She realized how low she’d stooped.

In a daze, Bai Li recalled past moments.
On stormy nights, terrified of thunder, she’d curl up trembling. Chu Huaizhou would hold her, gently brushing her fur, saying, “With me here, don’t be afraid. No one can hurt you.”
When she caused trouble through her antics, he’d sigh, rubbing his forehead, saying, “I’m done with you this time.”
But he’d always clean up her mess, running around to fix things.
During her tribulation, thunder tore at her body, charring her, nearly reverting her to her true form, her consciousness fading.
When she thought she’d perish, a figure forced his way into the tribulation’s range, shielding her—Chu Huaizhou.

The lightning grew fiercer, each bolt threatening to tear him apart.
Yet he never flinched.
By the final bolt, she became a Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox, but Chu Huaizhou…
At Tribulation Crossing, nearly invincible, he was bloodied, his meridians heavily damaged.
That lightning scar was the eternal mark of the tribulation on his body.

And now… she was using her charm technique to seduce him while he was weak and disoriented.
Memories rippled through her heart, stirring waves of regret. She hated this version of herself.
Hated exploiting his weakened state to fulfill her long-held desires.

As Chu Huaizhou’s face drew closer, nearly touching her lips, Bai Li shoved him back.
Her tails released their pull, her hands flailing before her chest.
“Okay, human, I was just teasing you about the kiss. It was a joke!”
“And you saying you love me… I’m sorry, it’s because I used my charm technique. I’ll make it up to you later!”

She spoke rapidly, her nine tails drooping to the floor, her upright ears flattening.
Bowing slightly, she buried her face in her chest, looking like a child admitting fault, ready for any punishment.
They stayed in that ambiguous pose, neither moving, the room deathly quiet.

After a while, perhaps finding it too awkward, Bai Li peeked up at Chu Huaizhou.
He was still dazed, his mental defenses shattered, fully enchanted.
She’d need to revert to fox form for him to recover and talk normally.
But changing back now…
Just thinking about it made her butt ache, recalling how Chu Huaizhou would spank her for past mistakes.
Though she never learned her lesson.

Ugh, she shouldn’t have taken advantage of his lost cultivation and memories for her own desires.
Really, why did she do something so sneaky? It must be because Leng Qingqiu ticked her off earlier, clouding her judgment.
Yes, it’s all Leng Qingqiu’s fault!
I, the King of Ten Thousand Demons, the only Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox, Heavenly Origin Sword Sect’s Supreme Elder, and (self-appointed) Sect Master’s Guardian, would never stoop to such lows!

But…
She glanced at Chu Huaizhou again, noting his expression clearing. Soon, he’d be mostly awake.
The Heavenly Charm Bone only enchanted—it didn’t twist will or erase memories of being charmed.
In other words, he’d felt some romantic affection for her, right?
Why not seize this chance to spill her heart?
He’d remember everything after she reverted to fox form, and the charm’s effect would even beautify the memory in his mind.

Thinking this, her guilt deepened.
She shook her head, raising a clenched fist, her face indignant.
Forget it—she’d go for it. She’d get a spanking anyway, so why not confess everything?
Let him know her true feelings!

But as she mustered her courage to speak, a chill ran down her neck.
A voice, cold as an iceberg, devoid of emotion, rang out.
“What… are you two doing?”

Bai Li: Meow meow meow?!