Chapter -09
You’re Not Her
Jiang Xi looked at him, confused.
Nakan didn’t understand why the female invited him to bathe but then refused.
Afraid to upset her, he left sadly.
Jiang Xi didn’t think much—she just wanted to bathe.
The hot spring water was flowing. She started in the smallest pool, washing her beast hide first, then herself.
Before long, the water turned black.
She saw the dark lumps on her skin were smaller—maybe because her power had leveled up and expelled toxins.
She changed pools several times, using her healing power while bathing. Each time, the water turned black again.
When she finally washed her hair, it was tangled badly. As she struggled, she suddenly felt someone watching her.
A black-haired, red-eyed young man stood in the woods—bare-chested, with a black snake’s tail.
His face was beautiful but cold, his pale skin like marble, his red pupils sharp and eerie—like a vampire from an ancient castle.
Jiang Xi shivered, realizing who he was. She tried to scream, but before she could finish, the figure flashed over and covered her mouth.
“Don’t shout.”
His cold chest pressed against her back.
It was Duan Si—his voice as icy as his eyes.
Jiang Xi nodded quickly. She sensed he didn’t mean to kill her this time.
He sniffed the air, frowning. Though the water looked dirty, he smelled a faint fragrance.
He released her and backed away, his black tail glinting among the rocks.
Jiang Xi turned to face him, sinking lower in the water. “What do you want?”
He didn’t answer. She hurried to explain,
“As soon as we find the Golden Soul Fruit, I’ll agree to dissolve the marriage contract.”
Duan Si’s red eyes stared at her coldly.
After a pause, he said, “You’re not her.”
Jiang Xi froze. Her heart skipped.
“I don’t understand,” she denied.
He sneered. “I don’t care who you are.
When spring comes, I’ll get the Golden Soul Fruit. You’d better keep your word. Otherwise…”
He didn’t finish—but she understood.
Otherwise, he’d kill her.
Jiang Xi shrank into the water until only her head showed. “Got it. If that’s all, can you leave? I want to bathe.”
Duan Si turned to go. His long black hair slid over his pale back.
Seeing his hair, Jiang Xi suddenly shouted, “Wait! What do you use to wash your hair? Can I borrow some?”
He didn’t reply—just left.
She muttered, lifted her middle finger at his back—
but before she lowered it, several pods flew toward her.
She ducked into the water, then saw the pods floating.
They were natural soap pods.
She used them to wash her hair until it was finally clean and smooth.
After drying her hide and hair on the hot stone, she got dressed, ready to go back to dig potatoes, taro, ginger, and pick mushrooms.
After she left, Duan Si came to the pool, dipped his finger into the dark water—felt a faint burn.
It reminded him of cursed pollution—but weaker, harmless, even purifying.
He frowned. Who exactly are you?
Meanwhile, Jiang Xi returned to the river valley—and froze.
Piles of wild herbs, peppers, and grapes filled the riverbank—so much they could fill bags!
Two young snake-men came up, each holding grapes, not noticing her at first.
When they saw her, their faces turned red.
“Duan Si’s mate—you finished your bath~~”
