Chapter 48: An Uncontrollable Change

Often, a person’s mental state cannot be determined by willpower alone.

Many psychoactive drugs can influence an individual’s mental state.

The main reason they can do this is that they have a huge impact on the secretion of hormones in the human body.

To a large extent, Soul Essence is equivalent to a type of informational hormone, exerting various influences on cellular function, which in turn affects one’s mental state.

During the previous chase and battle, countless bits of Soul Essence had quietly integrated into Su Xuan’s cells.

This, combined with the stimulation of a life-and-death experience and the joy of reuniting with a loved one, had a significant effect.

Under the influence of these numerous factors, Su Xuan’s mental state had deviated far from normal, becoming unpredictable.

Even if Su Xuan’s subconscious felt that what he was doing was wrong, he simply couldn’t control himself.

This state might last a few hours before returning to normal, but for now, that was clearly not the case.

“Hmph~ Really. Brother isn’t cute at all~”

Su Xuan adjusted his pants and clothes, his cherry-red lips pouting as he muttered.

His face seemed to show a hint of dissatisfaction with Su Chen, as if he was unhappy about his brother’s suspicion of his gender.

Su Xuan didn’t know why he had suddenly acted this way or said something so feminine, but a magical force was compelling him.

This feeling of letting himself go was something Su Xuan couldn’t control.

Noticing that Su Xuan had stopped undressing, Su Chen turned back, rather helplessly, and carefully studied his face.

Even though he was ninety percent sure this was his little brother, right now, Su Chen felt he was more like his little sister.

In Su Chen’s eyes, whether in terms of temperament or appearance, Su Xuan was a genuine girl—the kind of pure, natural girl without a hint of artificiality.

The coy mannerisms of a little girl were perfectly embodied in him.

Even Su Chen, known as the “Special Iron Straight Man,” couldn’t handle such a charming temptress.

This demure, bird-like posture was a stark contrast to the confident, proud, and elegant young man in his memory.

What had caused his brother to become like this?

Even without a single word, every subtle movement of Su Xuan seemed to be alluring others.

An unintentional raise of an eyebrow, a blink, a bite of the lip.

His temperament also became multifaceted—sometimes melancholic, sometimes pitifully lovely, sometimes enchantingly seductive, or purely moving.

Even just standing there, he seemed to be able to fulfill the fantasies of any type of man.

“Brother, what are you thinking about?”

The ethereal voice gradually became clearer.

Su Chen shivered, suddenly realizing he had unknowingly fallen into a fantasy—a fantasy about his own little brother.

Clearly, Su Xuan had done nothing, but his exquisitely beautiful face, a perfect blend of many contradictions, always led Su Chen’s thoughts astray.

“It’s nothing. Let’s go.”

Meeting Su Xuan’s curious gaze, Su Chen tried his best to answer calmly, but his fidgeting hands betrayed his composure.

“Okay~”

Su Xuan looked through the window and saw that the fighting outside had become sparse, seeming to be nearing its end.

Moreover, his older brother seemed exceptionally powerful, able to instantly kill Dark Abominations with a casual move.

Su Chen walked in front, with Su Xuan following behind.

Suddenly, Su Chen felt a touch on his fingertips.

He turned to look and saw his little brother shyly holding his hand, while also biting his own finger, looking at the dark surroundings with a fearful expression.

Feeling the softness in his palm, Su Chen’s body trembled slightly, then he continued walking forward without a trace of hesitation.

Su Chen suddenly remembered a long time ago, when his mother was pregnant.

She had asked him if he wanted a little brother or a little sister.

Su Chen had said either was fine.

After the first hospital check-up, his mother told him he would soon have a cute little sister.

Su Chen was overjoyed for a long time that day.

But a few months later, the baby in her womb was being boisterous.

After another check-up, his mother came back and said the little sister had turned into a little brother.

Although Su Chen didn’t show it, he was indeed a little disappointed that day.

Compared to a little brother, he would have preferred a little sister.

But the different results of the two check-ups no longer mattered to Su Chen; after all, a little brother was born in the end.

And now, the little brother beside him, exuding a faint scent of sweet milk mixed with lily fragrance, seemed more like a little sister.

He relied on him like a little sister who hadn’t grown up, holding his hand out of fear of monsters suddenly appearing in the dark.

In a daze, Su Chen felt that his brother turning into a sister might be a good change.

At least compared to the extremely rational Su Xuan from before, this demure Su Xuan was much cuter.

As for the factors that caused his brother’s change, Su Chen couldn’t be bothered to ask.

If Su Xuan wanted to say, he would naturally say it.

For a rational young man to become like this, his own will must be involved; it couldn’t have been forced by others.

So, he could only guess that his brother had been exposed to certain elements in the past few years and had awakened some strange ideas.

Su Xuan held Su Chen’s hand tightly.

For some reason, this hand, as cold as a block of iron, gave him an indescribable feeling, sending his mind into a trance.

The cool hand conveyed gentleness and protection, soothing his frantic nerves.

The current Su Xuan was no longer the confident, courageous Su Xuan of before.

Under the influence of numerous factors, he had become weak.

The memory of the terrifying Dark Abominations made him unable to walk alone in the dark.

Only by tightly holding that hand could he walk steadily through this darkness.

Although he knew this was very wrong of him, he just couldn’t stop himself from being afraid of the dark, afraid that a monster would suddenly rush out and tear him to pieces.

And that hand, radiating safety and calmness, became Su Xuan’s only support.

The battle outside was entering its final stages.

Many of the cultist thugs were killed on the spot.

The thugs retreated towards the villa, preparing to make a last stand in this area.

Su Chen held his golden-red long blade.

The onrushing thugs were all cut down by his blade, blood raining down like water.

“Someone is fighting their way out from inside… What do we do!”

“It’s just one person, don’t be afraid everyone…”

With one slash, they all fell.

The panicked cultist thugs knew that this man leading a girl was not to be trifled with.

But to them, the sea of Investigation Bureau warriors outside was even more terrifying.

The only entrance, the only way into the villa, and Su Chen stood there with his blade.

Within a ten-meter radius, the ground was covered with fallen cultist thugs.

“One person… can be this strong?”

“It’s over, we’re all done for!”

The thugs who were still alive looked at the figure standing like an army of one, suddenly feeling that the pursuit of a thousand warriors behind them was nothing in comparison.

In despair, they dropped their swords, hoping only to live a few more days.

Su Xuan watched from behind, stunned, his mouth wide open.

He recalled how he had to rely on flaunting his looks to lure enemies and launch a surprise attack just to kill two of them.

Now, the people outside were being cut down like leeks, wave after wave.

“…So strong!”

Su Xuan looked at that stalwart back, his eyes sparkling with starlight, his cheeks slightly flushed.

Wasn’t this the powerful existence he yearned to become?