"Why are you pacing like a Qi-deviated duck about to be plucked?" Su Xiaobai asked, his voice sharp with irritation. "Did your inner demon escape, or has Old Grandma finally ascended to the underworld?"
Wei Jun's lips curved into a faint smile, his tone unhurried but asured. "Brother, it's—"
"It's what?" Su Xiaobai cut in, his patience already wearing thin. "If you're here to waste my ti with half a sentence, rember: my patience is thinner than spider silk."
Wei Jun raised a hand, his fingers moving with deliberate grace to point at Su Xiaobai's hand. "There's sothing on you. I thought you'd prefer to notice it yourself."
Su Xiaobai frowned and followed his gaze.
A pale, tiny figure was clinging to his finger.
His brow twitched. "What… is this?"
The creature gave no answer, tightening its grip like a starving tick.
Su Xiaobai flicked his hand lightly. No effect. He flicked again, Qi swirling with precision. Still, the thing clung tighter.
It was a doll—small, pale, and unnervingly lifelike. Porcelain skin frad by flowing black hair. Crimson eyes glimred faintly, gazing up with an innocent pout—though its sharp, bloodstained teeth betrayed it.
"Brother," Wei Jun said, his voice calm but watchful, "that's what I've been trying to warn you about. It's been latched on for quite so ti now."
Su Xiaobai's gaze lifted slowly, "And you didn't think to stop it?"
Wei Jun's faint smile didn't waver. "I didn't want to act rashly and escalate the situation. Sotis, caution yields better results."
"Ah, yes," Su Xiaobai said coldly. "A masterstroke of calculated wisdom."
Without further ceremony, he grasped the doll by its hair and pulled it free. Blood beaded on his fingertip as he held the creature aloft.
It dangled limp, its crimson eyes dim, as harmless as a discarded talisman.
Su Xiaobai sneered. "A parasitic treasure? A cursed child's toy? Or so second-rate demonic technique?"
Wei Jun tilted his head thoughtfully. "It might be a rare spiritual artifact… one that recognizes you as its master. Or," he added with a knowing edge, "perhaps sothing more troubleso."
Su Xiaobai humd, turning the doll over. "If that's true, its thod of introduction sucks."
Satisfied, he flicked his wrist to discard it.
BAM!
Suddenly, the doll's crimson eyes reignited, blazing like infernal rubies. Twisting midair, it executed a flawless backflip and latched back onto his finger.
Its teeth bit deeper, Qi swirling faintly as it drank.
For a mont, Su Xiaobai's expression was unreadable. Calm. Cold. Calculating.
Then he exhaled slowly, his voice like a whisper of death. "You little fucker."
Wei Jun raised an eyebrow, his tone betraying faint amusent. "It seems quite determined to stay. Perhaps you should entertain its attachnt… or find a way to leash it."
Su Xiaobai's gaze darkened, Qi flaring as trees swayed violently around them. Golden light wreathed his hand.
He ripped the doll free, holding it up like a captured criminal. "You've drunk enough blood to rebuild a small sect. Let's see if you can handle so backlash."
The doll tilted its head innocently, then grinned—a tiny, rebellious smile.
______
"Ehehe ~"
A soft, bell-like laugh echoed through the forest, sweet yet mocking. The tiny creature Su Xiaobai had tried roasting alive not an hour ago now perched smugly on his shoulder, its fluffy hands swaying in victory. It nibbled on his sleeve as his fingers lazily flicked its gemstone-like ears.
Wei Jun stared, slack-jawed, his fan-like lashes blinking furiously. "Brother Su, weren't you trying to murder that thing just now? With actual murder intent?"
Su Xiaobai's grin sharpened. "What's love without a little hate, Brother Jun?"
Wei Jun froze, his brain grinding to a halt. "...?" What in the four heavens was this guy talking about? Just an hour ago, Su Xiaobai had unleashed fire, lightning, and even a blade glowing with ominous Qi at the creature. And now, it snuggled into his neck like they were long-lost companions.
"You 'let' it suck your blood," Wei Jun muttered, "You're insane."
Su Xiaobai chuckled, his gaze drifting up toward the vast blue sky.
His voice distant, "You know, Brother Jun, n willingly offer far more precious vessels of their vitality to won. Compared to that, letting this little one drink a few drops of blood is practically harmless."
Wei Jun pressed his palm against his face, shaking his head in despair. "By the heavens. If insanity were contagious, I think I've been infected."
Su Xiaobai glanced sidelong at him, the faint smile never leaving his lips.
For the last day, they'd been traveling together—unintentionally, at first.
Wei Jun had claid it was fate, a sentint Su Xiaobai scoffed at until he noticed the cracks in the man's polished facade. Beneath his fan-waving elegance and a girl-like smile that could make flowers bloom in spring, there was a cold, calculating edge—a cunning that reminded Su Xiaobai of himself.
Of course, he wasn't talking about being "girl-like." No, Su Xiaobai ant hiding your true nature behind a mask.
[A/N: Let's call it "Villains' Mutual Recognition Syndro." A term coined just now, by yours truly. Pretty catchy, right?]
_____
The sun hung high, its light piercing the forest like golden blades. Shadows pooled at the gnarled roots, coiling like hungry serpents.
After endless trudging, Su Xiaobai and Wei Jun stumbled upon a shack—or the sad remains of one.
The walls leaned like a drunk, the roof sagged, and the air stank of mildew. The whole place whispered: 'Enter and die, fool.'
Wei Jun rapped on the crooked fra, his delicate face twisting in confusion. "Where's everyone?"
Su Xiaobai shrugged, "Dead. Waiting for you."
Before Wei Jun could retort, the ground quaked. A roar tore through the forest, shaking the leaves like thunder announcing the end of days.
"YOU LITTLE BASTARD!"
A towering figure stord out, his silhouette blotting the sun. Each step cracked the earth, his beard crackling with faint sparks of spiritual energy, like thunderclouds on the verge of fury. His muscles bulged under tattered robes, veins writhing like spirit-snakes beneath his skin. His fiery eyes promised death.
Su Xiaobai moved without haste, stepping aside as his 'Invincible Domain' shimred to life.
Wei Jun, however, lacked such foresight.
THWACK!
The old man's fist smashed the back of his head, planting Wei Jun face-first in the dirt.
BAM!
A crater swallowed him. Dust rose. He groaned. "What the hell?!"
The old man roared, his voice like thunder. "Don't 'what' , you shaless bastard! Spying on that Xiantian Sect girl again, huh?"
Wei Jun paled. "Grandpa, I—"
THWACK!
A casual kick sent him tumbling.
"Didn't I tell you to stay away from her?!"
Though stunned by the series of events, Su Xiaobai leaned against a tree, arms crossed, a smile playing on his lips. "The heavens must truly favor you, Brother Jun. To be graced by such divine attention."
Wei Jun spat dirt, glaring at him. "Divine attention? I'm being fucking murdered!"
The old man cracked his knuckles, each sound like a stone splitting. "Enough excuses!"
THWACK! THWACK! THWACK!
Each blow sent Wei Jun bouncing like a battered doll, his once-pristine robes now ruins of regret.
"Grandpa, wait—"
THWACK!
"It's not what it looks like—"
THWACK!
"I was just passing by—"
THWACK!
The old man's final kick sent Wei Jun crashing into a tree, the trunk groaning as leaves rained down.
"Next ti, I'll bury you myself!" the old man barked, his aura suffocating as he turned.
Wei Jun lay crumpled, limbs akimbo. "...I... think I'm dead..."
Su Xiaobai crouched, peering down with a smirk that could cut jade. His voice, calm and cutting, felt like salt in a wound. "Don't worry, Brother Jun. Death's just a detour."
Wei Jun's glare carried all the hate of a dying man. "Screw you..."
Su Xiaobai stood, brushing off his robes with maddening care. "Didn't he already?"
Wei Jun: "..."
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