Some words for you before you start the chapter:
Hello, my dear readers — first, thank you.
Thank you for reading the book this far and for every small kindness: five collections in each story felt like a little gift after the storm I've been through. I appreciate every one of you more than words can say.
I need to be honest with you, as both a writer and a person: today I received my pre-test exam results, and I didn't do well. I failed all my science subjects. This isn't because I didn't try, nor because I love writing more than studying — it's because I missed some of the basics, and now I have only two months to fix it, or I won't be able to attend SSC.
I'm devastated and ashamed and so very tired. Because of that, I need to pause updates for at least two months — perhaps a little longer... This may feel like the end of a chapter , a pause..but it's not the end of our story . I might publish only this book chapters once or twice a week by now if possible bc I love you all and this world. I can't live without you all . I'm not abandoning you or the worlds we built together. I will find a way back to Candle-Eyed and to all the others we love.
Please don't delete us from your library. Keep us in your heart until I return. Your patience and support are lights for me right now. From the bottom of my heart — thank you. I love you all. ♡
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She felt trapped between life and death, her body a prisoner to a will she couldn't control.
The yokai's words had sent a shiver through her, a cold dread that settled deep in her bones. She was completely at its mercy—without protection, without a talisman, and without a sword to defend herself. The rope-like nails of the yokai dug into her flesh, binding her so tightly she couldn't move an inch. Around her, the corpses hung in silent mockery, their glassy, wide eyes seeming to stare at her, their lips sometimes contorting into what looked like grins. She wondered if she was hallucinating, if this was all a terrible nightmare.
"N-no... I can't..." she whimpered, a gasp escaping her lips as the yokai's grip tightened on her breast. The nails dug deeper, a sharp, searing pain that made her stomach churn. An even more profound terror seized her as the yokai's other hand began to roam over her lower abdomen, teasingly close to her most private parts.
"No! Who are you, and why are you chasing me without reason?! We . Don't even know each other !" Lànhuā cried out, her voice thin and fading with fear and panic. Her eyes darted from the grotesque face of the female yokai back to the chilling surroundings. The yokai simply chuckled, its rough sound right beside her ear, raising goosebumps all over her skin.
"I have reasons… very big reasons..and who said I don't know you ?" it hissed its voice like the scraping of stones. Lànhuā's eyes got widen by the fact that this yokai knows her . It chuckled by her panic and continued " Besides ,only you can fulfill those needs… because I need..only…you."
Lànhuā's body went cold with fear and panic. She felt the chill of the damp cave floor against her bare feet. The yokai had torn her robes, leaving only a tattered piece of her inner garment to cover her lower body. Her hips, thighs, and inner thighs were exposed, the yokai's hand now claiming her lower stomach as its own territory.
A thousand questions and a surge of panic raced through Lànhuā's mind. Where was Mo? Had he abandoned her, leaving her to die because she was a demonic cultivator? The thought was a sharp pang of regret—she never should have returned here. She was just a young girl; how could she possibly survive this?
A wave of shame washed over her as she realized her father hadn't been overprotective; he had been serious, caring. She had disobeyed the one person who had been nothing but kind to her, and the single, devastating thought was eating her alive.
"And… what is it?" she managed to whisper, her voice barely a thread. The yokai answered her not with words, but with a touch—without warning, without hesitation. Its black, gnarled hand slipped beneath her remaining robe and cupped her, casually and possessively. Lànhuā gasped, a sharp intake of breath, a whimper catching in her throat. Her body reacted on its own, a jolt of unwanted sensation that only seemed to excite the yokai. Her hips jerked slightly, and a throbbing began in her core. Her face burned with shame.
"I want that… and I can feel you want it too," the yokai purred, pressing its face against hers. "You're so wet and hot down there, fully prepared for it, my dear mate."
Her throat went dry, her head swam. She was trapped, utterly and completely. She squeezed her eyes shut, biting down on her lower lip as the yokai's finger, sleek with her own wetness, effortlessly entered her. Her body jolted again, and the yokai reveled in the reaction. She could feel herself dripping even more, her muscles contracting around its finger.
"And… you might already know what mates want from each other, right? You're… not too young, human," the yokai added with a smirk.
Lànhuā froze for a moment, then frantically shook her head, her denial desperate. The smirk on the yokai's face slowly faded, replaced by a more possessive, shameless grip. It sighed, squeezing her breast again and teasing her nipple. Lànhuā could only struggle like a weak bird, tears welling in her eyes. Her knees felt like they would give out. Then, the yokai's finger began to pound, thrusting into her with a rhythmic, violating motion.
"N-no… stop… stop embarrassing me," she murmured through her tears, squeezing her legs shut. The yokai's hand was momentarily trapped but continued to move, still claiming her. Lànhuā's body was already in a state of unwanted heat, her lower body making slick, wet sounds with every thrust, as if hungry for more.
"Stop fighting with yourself… just let me in… let me claim you fully… make you a part of me… we'll have babies," it whispered greedily, planting a kiss on her neck. Lànhuā's body felt like ice from fear, yet strangely hot, as if she were in a fever.
She was terrified by the yokai's words, by its open declaration that it wanted her to bear its children. She knew it wasn't alive in the way a human was, but she couldn't comprehend how it could be possible between two females. Yet, as the yokai ground against her, she felt something hard and thick press against her thigh. A terrible realization dawned on her—female special-grade yokai had both parts, just like the males of their kind.
Her own body responded with an unwanted, shameful reaction. She tried to struggle, but her whole body felt like it was shutting down. The yokai pinned her to the ground, pulling its finger out of her, leaving her aching and sore. She whimpered weakly at the loss of the violating pressure.
The yokai grinned, savoring her reaction. It lifted its dripping finger to its nose, smelling it. "You're so sweet… more than honey… I want you right here and right now." It sucked on the finger, tasting her. Lànhuā felt like she was going to gag. She struggled to back away, only to hit the rough wall behind her. Her head spun, a sharp pain blooming at the back of her skull; she could feel a trickle of blood. The sudden, hard impact made her breasts jiggle like jelly.
The yokai chuckled, gripping the back of her head as it gazed at Lànhuā's ruined face—pale skin, tear-streaked cheeks, eyes rolled back, and mouth parted like she couldn't breathe. "I told you not to struggle… just let me in, and you'll get anything you want… and the best part? All responsibilities are mine…" it purred. It finally released her, allowing its own weight to rest on her. Its breasts pressed against Lànhuā's, their buds rubbing with each other. The hard length of its body pressed against Lànhuā's lower body, sending shivers through her.
The yokai kissed her, its lips urgent and demanding. Lànhuā's body followed the rhythm without her will. Their lips moved together as the yokai mimicked the thrusting, pushing its tongue in and out of her mouth. Lànhuā's weak sobs and desperate whimpers filled the cavern, and the hanging corpses seemed to enjoy the show.
"Yes… just like that… don't talk… just feel… my mate… only mine…" the yokai breathed, its voice rough with desire. Lànhuā was dizzy, but a cold, calculating part of her mind knew the real danger was now.
She couldn't, wouldn't, carry this ugly creature's child. She would rather die. The yokai was desperate for a mate, for a way to run its almost-gone lineage, and maybe even for love. Even in this horrific state, she tried to remain cold-headed, to think like her father. She had a single, desperate chance to manipulate this creature, to take advantage of its desperation and need. It was the only way to save her innocence and her life.
"Alright! Alright! I give in!" she rasped, her voice raw and exhausted. The yokai stopped its urgent motions, a wide, victorious grin spreading across its face. It had been pushing her, testing her limits, waiting for her to give in and admit she was its mate.
Really?~ How obedient you are… you'll be a great mate," it cooed, stroking her hair. But a flicker of doubt crossed its face. "Can I really believe my mate has just admitted she's mine, huh?~"
Lànhuā knew it was a huge risk, but she had a small, faint flicker of strength left. "Believe it or not… but I'm… serious. And also thirsty. Mates… don't keep the other mate… thirsty…" she whispered, her lips pale and dry, trying to act as if she had truly given up. The yokai's white eyes blinked, and it tilted its head as if studying a new lesson. It was clear it wanted to believe her but couldn't quite bring itself to do so. Yet, there was a hint of trust and a little spark of excitement.
"Fine… my mate… I'll feed you water… like a good mate…" it purred, turning to walk deeper into the cave.