Mei Yige didn’t answer right away. She simply held Shi Ren’s earlobe between her lips, making no other move.

Shi Ren, embraced from behind, could only feel the warmth of that hold—and the even warmer, slightly hurried breaths against her neck.

Heat washed over her ear in steady, flustered pulses with every intimate exhale.

"Want to devour me, Sister Shi?"

It wasn’t her usual clear, playful teasing. This murmur was hazy, like a swallow’s whisper—laced with allure yet devoid of any magical trace.

Blood Demons sensed bloodflow with uncanny precision. At this closeness, Shi Ren heard the *thump-thump* of Mei Yige’s quickening heartbeat. She felt the restless demonic energy swirling in her blood.

The girl holding her was waiting. She needed a real answer. Even though Shi Ren still didn’t fully understand who Mei Yige truly was.

"Mm."

That soft hum was all Shi Ren could manage—a reply to the invitation tangled in her own flustered heart.

She’d been preparing herself… only to be caught completely off guard.

That her mind hadn’t gone utterly blank was already her best effort at control.

For an Eternal Being, emotions were a luxury—often unnecessary. Yet this violet-haired girl with golden eyes had unraveled centuries of calm with effortless ease.

This wasn’t normal.

No…

From the moment her heart first stirred, treating Mei Yige "normally" had become impossible.

"Mm… Good. If you want to devour me, you can."

"*Hss—*"

"Does it hurt?"

Mei Yige released her earlobe. Instead, she bit down gently on the bare shoulder exposed by Shi Ren’s nightgown.

"Sister Shi… when you devour *me*, will you bite this hard? Or… rougher?"

"I—I—"

"How *will* you do it? If you want to devour me… why haven’t you acted in this whole month? Am I too unappetizing? Or…" Mei Yige’s voice dipped, trembling slightly. "Am I just… different from the roommates you’ve eaten before?"

Low spirits could yield unexpected courage.

News of the Hero threatened to shatter Mei Yige’s peaceful life. The looming, urgent change had unsettled her.

This town held many she cared for. But Shi Ren… Shi Ren mattered most.

*A bloodthirsty Demonic Being?*

No. She was the caring landlord who’d shown her kindness. A Goddess’s last mercy to a lost soul.

If she had to slip away quietly… Mei Yige selfishly wanted to leave Shi Ren with unforgettable memories.

Even if it was irresponsible.

Her teeth pressed deeper into Shi Ren’s shoulder.

"Bite me back, Sister Shi. If you want to devour me… let me feel your teeth on me. Please…"

"Yige… don’t."

This wasn’t human behavior. Even for a Blood Demon, craving another’s bite was dangerously intimate. The emotion behind it defied simple words.

Shi Ren’s throat tightened. Yet Mei Yige’s arms only tightened around her, urgent now.

Mei Yige had closed her eyes.

"I’m special to you, right? Tell me I’m special."

Her voice still echoed in Shi Ren’s ear.

Clear thought was impossible.

"Can… can you let go first? Yige… I’m afraid I might—"

"Whatever makes you comfortable, Sister Shi—I’ll do anything. Call me anything."

"*Mmph—*"

Shi Ren’s protest died in her throat.

Forced to turn, she met Mei Yige’s golden eyes.

Clear. Flawless. Blazing with resolve.

The moment Shi Ren saw them, Mei Yige brushed a kiss on her nose. Then, lightly, on her lips.

Just as she’d asked, Mei Yige finally released her.

"This was a tenant’s selfishness… and overstepping. Sister Shi… I won’t be back for a few days."

The words landed softly. Shi Ren’s heart stuttered—a pebble dropped into stagnant water.

All she heard was the echo.

Mei Yige left.

Shi Ren didn’t rise to stop her. She watched, numb, as the girl pushed open the door and vanished into the night.

Golden hair spilled loose, freed from its ribbon.

In the dim living room, the Great Lord Blood Demon finally stirred. She stared at her own hands.

Mei Yige’s slender fingers had gripped them tightly from behind.

Now, warmth still lingered on her skin.

*She’s gone…*

*Just… gone?*

*How dare she leave like this!*

After whispering nonsense, biting her, leaving her too stunned to react—

Shi Ren’s fists clenched. The suppressed storm inside her erupted.

"Mei Yige! Get back here!"

Exposure no longer mattered.

This unforgivable act? Shi Ren would never let her off the hook.

Silver-white instantly flooded her long golden hair. Her true form blazed forth—unseen by any mortal eye.

She burst through the door.

Moonlight bathed Tata Town. The night wind carried no trace of Mei Yige’s scent.

The one who’d invaded her life… had truly disappeared.

"Liz. Find her."

Perched atop the mansion, Shi Ren’s icy gaze swept the sleeping town. Finding no clue, she summoned her Blood Servant through their bond.

Unaware her fury meant nothing to Mei Yige.

The Void Witch, already packing her bag to settle old scores, saw their exchange as a simple farewell.

*"I’ll confess when I return. Was I bold enough? She didn’t seem to hate it today…"*

*Hate it?* Shi Ren now genuinely wanted to devour the girl who’d teased and fled.

But Mei Yige’s mood lifted at Shi Ren’s lack of resistance. Her voice turned light as she spotted a figure in a black trench coat approaching.

"Leya. Ready?"

"Teacher… are we really taking on the Hero?"

The hood fell back, revealing Leya’s face. Her voice trembled—but her eyes sparkled with pure excitement.

"For the town’s peace. We must keep them away from Tata Town. I won’t let those fanatics go mad when the Hero arrives."

Mei Yige’s playful tone vanished. Her gaze turned cold.

Aviva’s group lingering here meant only one thing:

They planned to use their authority to wait for the Hero *in* Tata Town.

As a guardian of this harmonious little town? Mei Yige would never allow it.