Chapter 87: Transformation of the Corpse

Girls are not immune to the stirrings of spring, and Si Hou was no exception. She had seen Shen Shi many times before, but always as the one offering him her help. She liked him, but there was never any sense of safety. Yet, somehow, that feeling had begun to take root—a sense of security she longed for dearly. When they encountered the bandits, the first person she thought of was Shen Shi. The bandits spared her life, captivated by her beauty.

It was a strange coincidence; she had resigned herself to losing her innocence that night, but he—he appeared. The hero finds it hard to resist a beautiful woman, and the beauty desires to meet her hero. Her heart, once calm, began to flutter anew. She watched him work, and for the first time in her life she felt that a warrior was no less than someone skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting.

The thought made her blush. Embarrassed, she couldn't help but imagine: today she had been so improper. She should take a hot bath, freshen up, dress herself anew, change into a different outfit…

As she entertained these thoughts, she actually changed her clothes. Why had she done so? She did not know, nor did she care to. Yet her blouse felt tighter than before, pinching at her chest, the fabric straining as if it might burst open.

She tried to cover herself, feeling awkward. "Why is it so tight? Will he think I’m too… I shouldn’t have worn this," she sighed inwardly.

Yet despite her reservations, a sense of anticipation bloomed in her heart. Surely, Shen Shi would notice her now, gaze lingering a little longer. Wasn’t this the sort of thing men liked?

Her mind wandered, and her cheeks grew warm, feeling as if she were a woman sneaking off to meet a lover in secret. For the first time, she wondered—could she ever be good enough for him?

Lost in these musings, she failed to notice the changes around her or within herself. When she finally did, she saw that everyone else had vanished. She seemed to be in a house.

Where am I? Why am I here?

She searched carefully, and soon found the person she wanted to see.

"Young Master Shen, what’s wrong? Why are you lying on the ground?"

There was a man on the floor—Shen Shi. He seemed to be beckoning her.

"You want me to lie down with you?"

Si Hou’s eyes brightened in delight. This was a clear signal. A man and a woman lying on the grass—it was romantic, and she liked it.

Her heart leapt with joy, and she prepared to lie down beside him, but as she did, a sharp pain jolted through her body. The grass around her was rough, and its dry blades cut her skin. What kind of grass was this, so sharp?

She felt a trace of doubt.

But seeing Shen Shi wave her down again, she grew anxious. It was only grass—what harm could a little pain do?

"Younger Master Shen, why are you here?" she called out, not yet lying down, her face flushed with shy delight. Her cheeks, once rosy, now turned pale.

Shen Shi said nothing, only smiled and pointed at her lips, then at his own, as if he wished for intimacy.

Si Hou blushed fiercely. "Young Master Shen, how could I? Though my lips have been sampled by many, I am still a courtesan of clean reputation, not as you imagine."

But Shen Shi remained silent, repeating his gesture, impatience creeping into his expression.

Seeing his urgency, Si Hou’s heart softened. She murmured, "Don’t be impatient, Young Master Shen. If you wish it, I shall comply. I never knew you liked my rouge so much."

With that, she leaned closer, half-closing her eyes, her heart pounding, her body flushed with heat. Shy and expectant, she offered him her lips—crimson and alluring.

Yet Shen Shi shook his head.

"What’s wrong, Young Master Shen?" she asked after a long moment, still waiting, her cheeks burning.

He pointed to his lips again, as if unwilling to move, wanting her to initiate everything.

"Can’t you meet me halfway?" she pleaded. She had already offered her lips—how could she be the one to kiss him?

Shen Shi remained silent, only eagerly gesturing to his mouth, as though he could not wait any longer.

"Whatever you wish, I am yours," she said.

If she had to kiss him herself, so be it. Though she was a courtesan, she was no stranger to the ways of love. She was well-acquainted with the pleasures between men and women. To kiss a man—she had long wanted to try.

Her initiative seemed to please Shen Shi; he smiled and leaned in, as if to kiss her.

Si Hou, blushing like a maiden, tilted her face and offered her lips, thinking: he really knows how to tease.

Their lips met, but Si Hou was startled by a foul taste—a fishy stench from Shen Shi’s mouth.

How could it taste like this? She’d heard from her sisters that men were smelly, but she hadn’t expected it to be true.

But the taste soon faded, replaced by a forceful sucking—was this what kissing meant?

"Shen… Young Master Shen." Si Hou was lost in the moment, her face flushed, raising her head to meet his ardor.

As time passed, her body weakened, her strength ebbing away, even breathing became difficult.

"Young Master Shen, let me… let me catch my breath," she murmured, her face pale as paper.

But Shen Shi did not answer, holding her tightly, seeking only closeness.

Gradually, Si Hou’s head spun, as if she might faint from his kiss. Yet she did not resist; it felt pleasant to fall into his embrace.

A cold breeze swept through, and Si Hou’s body swayed.

Then—whoosh!

Suddenly, a whistling sound pierced the air. An arrow shot from afar, striking Shen Shi beside her, pinning him to a dead tree. The force was so great that the feathered tail quivered.

Then she heard: "You stubborn corpse, still trying to become a zombie. Today I’ll scatter your soul!"

Shen Shi’s steady voice rang out. In her haze, Si Hou felt herself being embraced. She looked up—the one holding her was Shen Shi, handsome and clear-eyed.

Wait—why were there two Young Master Shens?

She was too exhausted. Her blood-deprived mind could not think further, and darkness claimed her.

"Damn it! Light the fire now, burn that zombie. Don’t pull out the arrow—burn it along with him," Shen Shi commanded, holding Si Hou.

"Yes, young master."