Shen Cangsheng's schemes and Xiang Mantang's hunting were completely unknown to Mu Jinyu at this time.
After he killed the Charming Daoist Nun with one palm strike, he took a small porcelain bottle containing medicine powder out of his pocket.
Then, removing the stopper, he gently poured its contents onto the bloodstain at the corner of the Daoist nun's mouth.
Soon, the medicine powder contacting the bloodstain at the nun's mouth sizzled audibly.
Subsequently, the nun's mortal shell dissolved into a puddle of yellow fluid at a visible rate, melting away before him and Mei Yinxue.
"This..."
Mei Yinxue, seeing this scene, involuntarily narrowed her pupils slightly before turning to Mu Jinyu to ask, "Is this, by any chance, the legendary Corpse-Dissolving Powder?"
"Yes," Mu Jinyu nodded with a touch of pride in his voice. "This is something I concocted myself out of boredom on Yinlong Mountain. It's made from various snake venoms, insect poisons, and medicinal herbs. It does not harm intact skin, but upon contact with blood, it will corrode the body into blood-stained yellow fluid."
"It could be said to be an essential medicine for home travel and getting rid of bodies."
Of course, Mu Jinyu's last remark was a joke; normally, he wouldn't carry such medicine around when out for fun. This trip to the Capital City was an exception, specifically brought in case Shen Cangsheng became troublesome, intending to send him off with it.
However, Shen Cangsheng had been quite obedient yesterday, and after lying down in the coffin, he did not cause any more trouble, so Mu Jinyu did not need to poison him after all.
"This thing is really not bad; can you give me some?" Mei Yinxue, hearing Mu Jinyu's explanation, brightened up and then tentatively asked.
Mu Jinyu hesitated, saying, "If you don't use it for unforgivable, conscience-violating deeds ... giving you some wouldn't be a problem... but you must promise!"
Mei Yinxue, upon hearing Mu Jinyu's words, gave him a severe glare and complained, "You mean to say you began avoiding me like a viper from the moment we first met, thinking I was a black widow?"
Speaking this, Mei Yinxue's tone grew heavier as she said solemnly, "Although I, Mei Yinxue, have killed people, they all deserved it. I always act in good conscience and never have innocent blood on my hands!"
"Hmm, I believe you, don't snap at me."
Mu Jinyu, seeing Mei Yinxue like this, gave a wry smile and hurriedly stuffed the porcelain bottle into her hands, embraced her slender waist reassuringly, and said.
"I wasn't snapping!" Mei Yinxue's tone softened considerably, albeit still a bit stiff, "I'm just a little hurt. After being with you for so long, you still treat me as if I were a thief."
"I wasn't guarding against you, just reminding you to be careful. Don't think too much about it." Mu Jinyu felt somewhat headache-prone.
Even a mature and composed woman like Mei Yinxue, who wouldn't fight or compete with others in everyday situations, could sometimes become somewhat quarrelsome and irrational.
It wasn't without reason though; sometimes she felt slighted, other times she might use it as an opportunity to seek affection, as her usual demeanor seldom permitted such chances. This was the time to make the most of the situation to side with her.
Mu Jinyu gently coaxed Mei Yinxue for a long time until she finally ceased her petulant mood.
Seeing this, Mu Jinyu breathed a sigh of relief and wiped off his sweat.
He felt that Mei Yinxue, who was usually calm and quiet, was much fiercer when she did throw a tantrum than Gu Xiyan, who frequently quarreled with him.
"Alright, let's go back."
Mu Jinyu glanced at the still slightly damp yellow soil on the ground and smiled at Mei Yinxue.
"Okay." Mei Yinxue nodded lightly, then handed the small porcelain bottle back to Mu Jinyu and said, "Here, take it back."
Mu Jinyu made a bitter face and asked, "What's wrong now?"
Mei Yinxue said indifferently, "I just wanted to play with it at first, but since you're so worried about me, I'll give it back to you."
Mu Jinyu sighed deeply and raised his hand to his forehead.
He truly regretted it.
If he had known that a single word could make Mei Yinxue so distressed, he wouldn't have said it just now, no, he should never have taken out the corpse-dissolving powder in the first place!
Mei Yinxue's tone remained calm as she spoke, "Don't worry, I'm not being petty, and I'm not the type who likes to hold grudges. To be honest, I did feel quite upset just now and might have lost my composure, but you shouldn't take it to heart."
"I've thought it over again and I really have no use for this corpse-dissolving powder. There's no need to make a fuss over it and let it upset our relationship, so please take it back."
Mei Yinxue's tone remained calm and candid, she chose not to keep it bottled up, avoiding planting a thorn in both of their hearts.
She certainly wasn't going to act like a little girl, constantly fussing and using it as an opportunity to extensively exploit her boyfriend by striking various unequal deals. An occasional incident like this was innocuous, but continuously acting this way would tire anyone out.
She had no intention of leaving Mu Jinyu, naturally, she wouldn't do such a foolish thing.
Today, Mu Jinyu came to realize that she too could lose her temper; having discussed it openly was enough.
Mu Jinyu stared at the calm expression on Mei Yinxue's face, extremely worried that she might be testing him. He carefully asked, "Really?"
"Really," Mei Yinxue nodded.
"You're not lying to me?" Mu Jinyu asked with a wary look, tentatively reaching for the little porcelain bottle of corpse-dissolving powder in Mei Yinxue's hand.
Seeing Mu Jinyu's cautious facial expression and actions, Mei Yinxue felt somewhat caught between laughter and tears. The calm expression on her face finally disappeared with a slight rise of her lips, like the thawing of winter plum blossoms.
"I'm not lying to you."
Mu Jinyu touched Mei Yinxue's delicate hand and obtained the small porcelain bottle from her. Seeing her smile, the weight in his heart also lifted. He did not let go of her hand and smilingly said, "Pinky promise?"
Mei Yinxue glanced at the gesture of Mu Jinyu's hand, rolling her eyes with a bit of irritation, initially wanting to say something like Are you being childish?
But then she reconsidered, realizing that Mu Jinyu was only eighteen years old after all. How could she expect him to be more mature?
She relented with a smile and said, "Promise."
The two made a pinky promise that if Mei Yinxue were to lose her temper again, she couldn't use this incident to blame him.
Listening to Mu Jinyu's words, Mei Yinxue felt somewhat amused inside.
If she hadn't been upset over this minor matter today with Mu Jinyu, perhaps his attitude would never have changed, and he wouldn't have realized that she, too, was a little woman with a temper.
Thus treating her merely as a convenience, coming and going as he pleased.
Perhaps when Mei Yinxue initially decided to be with Mu Jinyu, it was merely out of utilitarian motives, but as they spent more time together and got to know each other better, feelings developed beyond utilitarian purposes, and she naturally got a bit greedy.
Not willing to remain invisible and be constantly marginalized by Mu Jinyu, letting him devote most of his time to Gu Xiyan and the others.
After all, Wen Rou and Gu Xiyan got along very well. Why couldn't she?
It seems, being a coquettish woman… really is the best life.