Playboy: Medical and Martial Master

The red snake’s skull was extremely hard, like steel. Sun Zhe infused True Qi into his dagger and, cursing under his breath, finally managed to split it open after a great struggle. At last, he retrieved the Inner Core he sought.

Though he had never seen the Inner Core of a Jiao Beast before, Sun Zhe recognized it instantly. The object glowed, radiating a dense True Qi. It was clearly the genuine article, an unmistakable treasure that shimmered like a dream in his hand.

”This should be it.”

Looking at the glowing, ping-pong-ball-sized sphere, Sun Zhe flashed a wry, ”honest” smile. He quickly stashed it away and walked over to Yao Rao.

”Sect Leader Yao, did you get the Blood Essence?”

Hearing him, Yao Rao turned. As she saw Sun Zhe approaching, she froze for a moment, a rare smile breaking across her icy, beautiful face as if she had seen something amusing. The slight upturn of her pink lips was utterly captivating and mesmerizing.

Seeing her smile, Sun Zhe was momentarily stunned, feeling that single smile outshone all the beauty in the world.

”What are you smiling at?”

”I’m not smiling.”

Yao Rao instantly reverted to her cool demeanor, though she couldn’t resist sneaking another glance at Sun Zhe’s face. His once-handsome features were now smeared with blood, making him look like a pitiful, comical stray cat.

Sun Zhe was completely bewildered and grew more curious about her smile. He muttered to himself, ”Did she see a handsome guy and just couldn’t help herself?”

Yao Rao couldn’t help but roll her eyes. This guy is ridiculously vain and shameless.

She stepped aside, pointing with her sword to a large gash she had cut in the snake’s belly. ”The Blood Essence is in there.”

”Then go get it!” Sun Zhe urged. ”Hurry up! I still need to get the snake’s gallbladder, and I’ll dig out those two eyeballs, too. I’ll take them back, find some ginseng, and soak them in liquor. Might as well cut off a few pieces of snake meat for a midnight snack while I’m at it.”

Hearing his plans, Yao Rao shot him a look one might give a country bumpkin. This kid really hasn’t seen the world. Does he really need to dig out the eyeballs to soak in liquor? It’s only a serpent with five hundred years of cultivation.

When he saw she wasn’t moving, Sun Zhe urged her again. ”Hurry up and get it!”

A troubled expression appeared on Yao Rao’s face. She pursed her lips, hesitating for a long while before steeling herself and whispering, ”Could you... help me retrieve it?”

She had never had to ask anyone for anything in her entire life; whatever she wanted, she got. To suddenly have to ask for help was, for her, incredibly difficult.

”Huh? You want me to get it for you?”

”If you retrieve it, I’ll give you half,” Yao Rao said seriously. ”I can’t use that much anyway.”

Sun Zhe scrutinized the cold fairy before him, his expression shifting to one of sudden understanding.

”You’re afraid of getting dirty, aren’t you?”

Yao Rao said nothing, simply turning her face away.

Taking her silence as a yes, Sun Zhe stared at her and said, ”Alright, let’s get this straight. If I do it, you give me half! You said so yourself!”

Although he didn’t know what the Blood Essence did, seeing how much Yao Rao valued it meant it was definitely the real deal.

”Rest assured,” Yao Rao stated coolly. ”I am not one to go back on my word.”

Sun Zhe took a deep breath, stepped forward, and pried open the gash on the snake’s belly. As he peered inside, a putrid stench assaulted him, so foul it nearly made him pass out on the spot.

”UGH—!”

”COUGH, COUGH, COUGH... GAG, GAG...”

”Damn it... What’s that foul smell!”

”Damn it, I want to go home!”

”No wonder you didn’t want to get it! You were just waiting for me to do your dirty work!”

By now, Yao Rao had retreated several meters. She covered her mouth and nose with her sleeve, watching Sun Zhe’s miserable state. It was unclear if she was stifling her laughter or just blocking out the stench.

”Sect Leader Yao, I really can’t do this... unless you offer some hazard pay!”

”How much do you want?” Yao Rao asked. ”I’ll have Xinyue give it to you later.”

Sun Zhe’s gaze fell on her hand. He gave a meaningful smile. ”Talking about money is so vulgar. How about that ring instead?”

Yao Rao’s expression darkened. ”You’re dreaming.”

”Then how about adding five scales of the Torch Dragon?” Sun Zhe asked tentatively.

Yao Rao remained expressionless and simply chose to ignore him. I wonder what’s going on in his head. He wants a Storage Treasure for just those things? The young people of this era are truly delusional!

Sun Zhe sighed, realizing it was a lost cause. He said no more, steeled himself, held his breath, and plunged into the large opening.

A moment later, he found a blood-red, glowing bead about the same size as the Inner Core amidst a pile of disgusting organs and filth. The bead felt somewhat elastic, like a rubber ball, not hard at all.

”Is this the Blood Essence?”

Yao Rao nodded gently. She walked forward, took the Blood Essence, and sliced it in half with her dagger. ”The Blood Essence must be consumed immediately after being cut, or it will lose its effect.”

After giving half to Sun Zhe, she walked to a clean spot under a tree and sat down cross-legged.

Meanwhile, Sun Zhe also found a clean spot to sit and asked, ”What exactly does this stuff do?”

Yao Rao popped her half of the Blood Essence into her mouth, swallowed, and explained, ”It can strengthen your physique, consolidate your foundation, and reinforce the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. It will be beneficial for your future breakthroughs. Furthermore, this Blood Essence can suppress the rampaging Ice and Fire True Qi in your body to a certain extent.”

Hearing that, Sun Zhe didn’t hesitate. Damn, this is some seriously good stuff, he thought, immediately stuffing the Blood Essence into his mouth.

To his surprise, it had no foul, bloody taste. Instead, it was faintly sweet and melted instantly, with a texture like soft tofu. As the Blood Essence dissolved and flowed into his stomach, Sun Zhe felt a warm current spreading through his body. The pain from his injuries began to subside, and a feeling of profound comfort washed over him.

”Calm your mind,” Yao Rao instructed. ”First, guide the energy to your Dantian, then circulate it through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.”

...

Time flowed by.

After an unknown period, Sun Zhe groggily opened his eyes. He had completely absorbed the energy contained within the Blood Essence, but now his entire body felt intensely hot, as if it were about to burst into flames. The discomfort was so extreme that he hastily ripped off his shirt. At the same time, the Yang Qi within him began to churn violently.

The Blood Essence was inherently a Yang-attribute item. For someone with the Pure Yang Holy Body, consuming it was like pouring oil on a fire.

”Damn, this Blood Essence really packs a punch.”

Sun Zhe gritted his teeth, desperately trying to rein in his burgeoning desires.

”Mmm...”

A soft, captivating moan suddenly resonated from nearby, almost imperceptible.

Sun Zhe whipped his head around, his eyes widening in shock. Yao Rao had collapsed on the ground, her alluring body writhing like a water snake.

”Sect Leader Yao, what’s wrong? Are you poisoned?”

Sun Zhe switched on his high-powered flashlight and hurried over to her. He knelt and grabbed her wrist to check her pulse. But in the next instant, Yao Rao abruptly sat up, threw her arms around his neck, and pressed her body against his sweat-drenched chest. She hugged him tighter and tighter, as if trying to merge with him completely.

”Sect Leader Yao...”

Sun Zhe tried to push her away but found she wouldn’t budge. Her seemingly delicate frame now possessed incredible strength.

As he felt the exceptional softness of her breasts pressing against his chest through the thin fabric, Sun Zhe’s mind began to race, and he felt himself on the verge of losing his rationality.

”Sect Leader Yao, don’t be like this... I’m a decent man!”

Gritting his teeth, Sun Zhe forcefully pushed her away. He wasn’t exactly a gentleman; he just hadn’t lost his mind completely. He knew he couldn’t touch this woman lightly. If he took advantage of her vulnerability now, she would undoubtedly try to kill him tomorrow!