Chapter 12: The Phoenix's Call—There Is No Cure

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Ji Ci grew anxious, the green light in her hand shimmering as waves of verdant vitality flowed into Dongfang Zhibai’s body. Yet the life force was devoured utterly by the Phoenix’s venom, vanishing like a stone sinking into the sea. Dongfang Zhibai’s burning lips grazed her neck, sending a shiver down her spine.

[Master, the Phoenix venom cannot be cured, cough cough, he is currently in his mating phase. Master, prepare yourself for hardship.]

Ji Ci’s face darkened; she hurried swiftly towards the General’s Mansion. Bai Yi, searching for Dongfang Zhibai at the Princess’s residence, saw Ji Ci carrying him away and quickly followed.

Inside the General’s Mansion, Ji Ci was utterly exhausted, like a worn-out dog, gulping down water twice from her flask. Dongfang Zhibai finally tore through his last shred of reason, clutching Ji Ci’s body and nibbling lightly at her neck.

Ji Ci rolled her eyes, grabbed his collar, and poured a full flask of water down his throat. Dongfang Zhibai frowned, knocking the flask aside, then cradled Ji Ci’s body on his lap and slowly kissed her lips.

Ji Ci’s mind buzzed as if electrified, screaming internally.

“System, help! Save me!”

[Master, your mission failed. No rewards. Mission penalty: assist the male lead in detoxification.]

“I can’t do it! My abilities aren’t responding.” Ji Ci’s hand pressed against Dongfang Zhibai’s back, frantically pouring green energy into him.

The system logged off without further explanation.

Having survived the apocalypse daily through blade and frost, Ji Ci’s heart had never blossomed with romance—each day was a struggle to survive, with no room for love or lust.

When Bai Yi caught up, he saw Ji Ci straddling the general, her clothes disheveled, and Dongfang Zhibai’s state visibly abnormal.

“Master,” Bai Yi approached.

Ji Ci looked at Bai Yi as if he were a savior. “Hurry, Bai Yi, help him detox! He’s been poisoned by the Phoenix venom; if not treated soon, he won’t survive.”

Bai Yi’s lips stiffened. Helping his master detox might mean he wouldn’t live to see tomorrow. Catching the fading clarity in his master’s bloodshot eyes, he quietly stepped back three paces.

His mind raced. “Miss Ji, please take care of the master. I will immediately find a doctor.”

“Okay, please be quick,” Ji Ci replied earnestly.

After Bai Yi left, he withdrew the nearby covert guards and kept watch at a distance outside Dongfang Zhibai’s room.

The Phoenix venom had no antidote; the only cure was… copulation.

The princess was truly venomous—knowing the general’s aversion to women, yet still laying such a heavy poison. This was almost a death sentence!

Inside the room, Ji Ci felt her body grow warm. Dongfang Zhibai was restless, constantly wandering hands that Ji Ci had to slap away repeatedly, nearly smothering him to death.

But Dongfang Zhibai continued his touch.

“Dongfang Zhibai, hold on, the doctor will be here soon,” Ji Ci pleaded.

Before she finished, Dongfang Zhibai lifted her up and threw her onto the bed.

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“What are you doing?” Ji Ci’s eyes flew open, fists clenched.

“I can’t hold back, A’Ci,” Dongfang Zhibai pressed down on her.

Ji Ci struggled beneath him.

Outside, Bai Yi heard Ji Ci’s screams and silently turned away.

His master was rather ruthless—why couldn’t he cherish a woman’s tenderness?

“Dongfang Zhibai! Are you out of your mind—”

Ji Ci’s curses suddenly shifted tone, her fingertips clawing red marks into the man’s back.

The Phoenix venom’s toxin passed into her through their union, igniting a strange warmth along her meridians.

Ji Ci’s voice continued for an hour, until the scarlet in Dongfang Zhibai’s eyes faded.

Dongfang Zhibai regained consciousness, surveying the ruined bed with torn brocade sheets. His body trembled slightly as he looked at the disheveled figure on the bed. His hand shook as he reached to her nose.

Her breath was faint but present.

“Ji Ci?” Dongfang Zhibai gently nudged her.

Ji Ci mumbled a few words, rolled over, and in the next moment, a crimson glow enveloped her. She transformed into a red fox, curling up with her tail pitifully covering her head, drifting into a heavy sleep.

Dongfang Zhibai called out, “Bai Yi, prepare water.”

Bai Yi immediately ordered servants to bring a bathing tub into the room, having prepared everything in advance, waiting only for Dongfang Zhibai’s command.

Dongfang Zhibai glanced deeply at Bai Yi. “Among the princess’s little favorites, kill one at random.”

“Yes, master.” Bai Yi waved the servants out.

“Bring someone to change all the sheets,” Dongfang Zhibai said as he approached the bed and cradled the little fox.

The crimson stains on the bed stung his eyes.

With a wave, he pulled the sheets out, folded them, and placed them in a box.

After washing the little fox clean, Dongfang Zhibai curled around her and fell into a deep sleep.

Ji Ci slept for a full day and night.

When she awoke, she found herself still a fox—thankfully, or she wouldn’t know how to face Dongfang Zhibai.

He was at his desk managing affairs; Ji Ci stumbled clumsily toward him.

She hadn’t taken two steps before collapsing heavily onto the floor.

“It hurts so much, my whole body aches!” Ji Ci sobbed softly, unconsciously licking her paws.

Dongfang Zhibai rose, scooped her into his arms, and gently rubbed her tiny paws.

“Hungry? I’ll take you out to eat later. Anything you want,” he coaxed.

Ji Ci squawked wildly in his embrace.

“Eat, eat, eat! All you care about is food! Do you know I was just used by you? Damn it! You dog of a man!”

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Ji Ci bit into Dongfang Zhibai’s arm.

Bai Yi frowned. “Master, the little fox is biting you.”

“No problem,” Dongfang Zhibai smiled. He put his hand into the fox’s mouth, carefully inspecting her teeth. “Does your tooth hurt?”

Ji Ci froze. This man was off—very off! He wasn’t angry after being bitten!

That was illogical!

Dongfang Zhibai picked Ji Ci up and took her out of the mansion to the city’s largest tavern, the Fragrant Tower.

Inside, Dongfang Zhibai led Ji Ci to a private room.

Ji Ci was placed on the menu. Dongfang Zhibai smiled, “Order whatever you want.”

Drooling over the menu, Ji Ci pointed with her paw.

“That looks delicious, and these pastries, and this fish too. What’s this? Vegetables? No, no.” She sat firmly on the vegetable section with her bottom.

“Eat some vegetables,” Dongfang Zhibai ordered two vegetable dishes.

“No, I won’t eat,” Ji Ci shook her head, pressing her bottom down on the greens.

“I love vegetables.”

Ji Ci ordered sixteen dishes. Content, she sat by the window watching the bustling street outside.

“Ice sugar hawthorn~” Hearing the call, Ji Ci’s eyes lit up.

“Bai Yi, go buy a skewer of candied hawthorn. It’s been so long since I had some.”

Bai Yi looked at Dongfang Zhibai suspiciously. “You’ve never eaten that before!”

He quickly bought the skewers and handed them to Dongfang Zhibai, who offered them to Ji Ci. “Eat.”

Her eyes sparkled. “For me?”

She bit into the skewer.

Chew, chew, chew.

The candied hawthorn was quite good, though a bit sticky.

The fur around Ji Ci’s mouth was coated in sugary syrup, and her paws sticky as well.

Ji Ci sat on the table, carefully licking her paws.

“I feel like I’m becoming more and more like a dog,” she complained.

[Urgent mission: Intercept the imperial messenger before the decree is announced. Reward: 100 points. Transformation progress: 25/1000.]

Clutching the hawthorn, she froze like a statue as thin silver threads of sugar stretched out.