As Xie Xuechen opened his eyes, he saw Mu Xuanling half-kneeling by his bedside, resting her chin on her hand, smiling at him. “Sect Leader Xie, you called out my name while you were unconscious. It seems you can’t stop thinking about me.”
Xie Xuechen’s body was wracked with pain, leaving him without the strength to resist. His spiritual energy felt completely drained, rendering him weaker than an ordinary mortal, let alone a match for Mu Xuanling.
A strong sense of crisis welled up in Xie Xuechen’s heart as he stared intently into Mu Xuanling’s eyes. In a hoarse voice, he asked, “How did you break the seal?”
When he had sealed her meridians, he had used all his strength. It shouldn’t have been easy to undo unless someone with profound cultivation had assisted. Xie Xuechen was filled with doubt, fearing that the Demon Lord or the Grand Priest might have arrived, and he had fallen into the hands of the demon clan again.
Mu Xuanling smiled, seemingly seeing through his doubts. She reassured him, “The Demon Lord and the Grand Priest are still in seclusion. They haven’t pursued us. Only you and I are here.”
Just as Xie Xuechen was about to breathe a sigh of relief, he heard Mu Xuanling add with a smile, “Even if you shouted until your throat was raw, no one would come.”
Xie Xuechen: “…”
Xie Xuechen’s eyes were as cold as stars as he glared at Mu Xuanling, his gaze inadvertently falling on her lips.
Mu Xuanling was exceptionally beautiful, with small yet full cherry-red lips, as delicate as flower petals, inviting imagination. However, there were now a few teeth marks on those lips, and the culprit was none other than Xie Xuechen himself.
Xie Xuechen immediately recalled the scene that had unfolded in Rongyu.
At that time, his eyes had been sealed, rendering him unable to see, but he had heard the clear sound of bells and smelled the intoxicating fragrance of the girl close to him. Just as he was guessing her identity, he hadn’t expected her to make such a frivolous move, forcefully kissing him and prying open his lips.
Xie Xuechen had cultivated for over twenty years, naturally aloof and rarely showing emotion. Only at that moment was he so shocked that he forgot to resist. It was then that the girl’s soft tongue pushed a pill into his mouth, forcing him to swallow it.
At the time, Xie Xuechen thought it was poison and naturally refused to comply. The bite marks on Mu Xuanling’s lips were left by Xie Xuechen during his resistance.
However, an hour after taking the pill, Xie Xuechen was shocked to find his spiritual power rapidly increasing, returning to its peak. He seized the opportunity to escape from Rongyu.
He had intended to use this chance to storm Zhushen Palace and eliminate the injured Demon Lord and Grand Priest. But in front of Zhushen Palace, he sensed something amiss with his body, his energy rapidly declining. Fearing he couldn’t sustain a battle with the Demon Lord, he decided to capture Mu Xuanling and leave the Demon realm before making further plans.
The reason he didn’t kill her at the time was because he suspected Mu Xuanling had intentionally saved him.
But why would she, the Demon Clan’s Holy Maiden and the Priest’s direct disciple, a half-demon, save him?
Starlight flickered in Xie Xuechen’s phoenix eyes. Mu Xuanling could tell he was suspicious. She rested her chin on her hand and asked with a smile, “Has Sect Leader Xie remembered something?”
Xie Xuechen’s voice was slightly hoarse as he asked, “What did you feed me?”
Mu Xuanling sighed softly, “I thought you were remembering our intimate moment. To save you, I even sacrificed my innocence…”
Hmph, shameless demon girl.
Though Xie Xuechen didn’t speak, his racial prejudice was written all over his face.
“Why must Sect Leader Xie view me as an enemy?” Mu Xuanling sighed. “I thought when you spared my life at Zhushen Palace, taking me hostage to leave the demon realm, it was because we had a connection. It seems I misplaced my deep feelings, wasting a peerless divine pill.”
Mu Xuanling explained gently, “That pill is called ‘Half-Day Fragrance,’ my secret recipe.”
Xie Xuechen frowned, understanding the meaning of “Half-Day.” No wonder his peak state only lasted half a day before reverting.
Mu Xuanling continued, “After taking this pill, one recovers to their prime after an hour, but the effect only lasts half a day. Afterward, you fall into an extremely weak state for seven days. But I thought half a day would be enough for Sect Leader Xie to take a demon hostage, learn about the formations, and escape the demon realm. I didn’t expect Sect Leader Xie to act so boldly, directly attacking Zhushen Palace. At that time, I thought Sect Leader Xie must have fallen for me after our kiss, unable to forget me, wanting to take me along.”
Mu Xuanling’s eyes were filled with affection, her beauty radiant, but Xie Xuechen remained cold and unmoved.
“But I had to be cautious, worried that Sect Leader Xie might be cold-blooded and ungrateful. So before you sealed me, I had already protected my meridians with demon arts. It would only take some time to break the seal myself. I just didn’t expect Sect Leader Xie to be so heartless, actually wanting to kill me.” Mu Xuanling sighed repeatedly.
“Why did you save me? What are your intentions?” Xie Xuechen pressed.
“Naturally, I’m after Sect Leader Xie himself. Though I’m in the demon realm, I’ve admired Sect Leader Xie for a long time, liking you immensely. I’m willing to betray the demon clan for you at all costs.” Mu Xuanling looked at Xie Xuechen with a smile, her gaze burning hot, her words dripping with affection. If it were anyone else, they might have been moved, but Xie Xuechen was no ordinary person. He was like a thousand-year-old block of ice.
Xie Xuechen responded to Mu Xuanling’s affectionate gaze with a cold expression, seemingly scrutinizing the true intentions behind her sweet words.
While talking to Mu Xuanling, he had been constantly trying to access his spirit aperture and mobilize his spiritual power, but his spirit aperture remained silent, without a ripple.
Recalling Mu Xuanling’s words about falling into a seven-day weakness after taking “Half-Day Fragrance,” Xie Xuechen’s heart sank. Escaping from Rongyu
An only to fall into Mu Xuanling’s hands was likely not a good thing. His ordeal was far from over. The only good news was that he had indeed left the demon realm. The demon realm was filled with demonic energy, which was like poison to cultivators, causing great harm. As long as he was in the human realm, he could absorb spiritual energy and slowly recover his cultivation.
“Sect Leader Xie, I’ve already confessed my feelings for you. What do you think of me?” Mu Xuanling cupped her face, a blush rising on her cheeks. “I’ve heard from the Three Demon Gods that women as beautiful as me are extremely rare in the three realms. The Lust Demon Elder wanted to dual cultivate with me, but I prefer immortal gentlemen like Sect Leader Xie. Sect Leader Xie, can I be your Dao companion?”
Xie Xuechen coldly replied, “Our paths differ.”
Humans have the human way, demons have the demon path. Even humans and demons cannot cultivate together, let alone Mu Xuanling, who was a half-demon. Half-demons are the offspring of humans and demons, born with innate cultivation, but lacking both the human spirit aperture and the demon core. Half-demons cannot cultivate and are despised by both humans and demons, holding the lowest status in the three realms. However, hundreds of years ago, a half-demon pioneered a new path, cultivating demon clan techniques, and continuously advanced, with power rivaling human Fashen. He is now the demon clan’s Grand Priest — Sang Qi.
Sang Qi gathered an army of half-demon mages, and with his assistance, the demon clan’s power grew increasingly strong. As Sang Qi’s direct disciple, Mu Xuanling was undoubtedly also a half-demon. Xie Xuechen, having lost all his spiritual power, couldn’t discern Mu Xuanling’s aura, but he had confirmed earlier at Zhushen Palace that Mu Xuanling had demonic energy and used demon arts. Apart from demons, only half-demons could cultivate demon arts.
With such a body that was half-human, half-demon, and half-magic, their races were different, and their cultivation methods opposed each other. How could they possibly dual cultivate?
Mu Xuanling nodded in sudden realization, “I knew Sect Leader Xie rejected me only because our paths differ, not because you don’t like me.”
Xie Xuechen frowned, feeling her words seemed correct, yet somehow off.
“Moreover, we’ve already been intimate. According to human customs, shouldn’t you take responsibility for me?” Seeing Xie Xuechen’s expression turn cold, Mu Xuanling quickly added, “Or I can take responsibility for you.”
Xie Xuechen felt stagnant and oppressed, but with all his spiritual power gone, he couldn’t overpower this demon girl. He could only cover his chest and cough dryly.
After coughing twice, he noticed something unusual — the clothes he was wearing were not his previous attire, but a set of coarse linen garments.
“My injuries…” Xie Xuechen asked hesitantly.
He had been severely injured in Rongyu.
An, his clothes half-destroyed. Now his clothes had been changed, and even his wounds had been treated.
Mu Xuanling rested her chin on her hand, smiling as she said, “Of course, I helped Sect Leader Xie apply medicine and change clothes. Sect Leader Xie is indeed magnificent and exceptionally gifted.”
Xie Xuechen’s breath caught in his throat. In a surge of anger, he instinctively reached out to strike Mu Xuanling. Sword cultivators have unparalleled physical training, and even with his spirit aperture empty and spiritual power exhausted, Xie Xuechen’s hand moved as fast as lightning. Mu Xuanling seemed prepared, and fearing to hurt Xie Xuechen, she didn’t use demon arts. Instead, she countered his moves with bare hands. After more than ten exchanges, the extremely weakened Xie Xuechen was at a disadvantage. Mu Xuanling restrained both his hands, pinning them to his sides.
Mu Xuanling half-knelt beside Xie Xuechen, leaning close. A few strands of her dark hair fell, brushing against Xie Xuechen’s pale cheeks.
Their positions, one above the other, were intimate. As Mu Xuanling drew closer, Xie Xuechen’s heart tightened. He instinctively closed his lips tightly, but the expected forceful kiss didn’t come.
Mu Xuanling looked down at Xie Xuechen, her eyes curved in a smile.
“Sect Leader Xie, knowing you can’t win, yet still attacking. Could it be you’re pretending to resist?”
Xie Xuechen’s eyes were cold as ice, not uttering a word.
Mu Xuanling’s lips curled into a smile as she slowly moved closer to Xie Xuechen’s lips. His breathing became increasingly strained as she approached. With nowhere to retreat or avoid, Xie Xuechen could only watch helplessly as she drew near.
His fists were clenched tight, knuckles white, but he couldn’t break free from Mu Xuanling’s grip.
Just as their noses were about to touch, footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by a gentle knock.
The tense atmosphere was broken by the untimely sound. Mu Xuanling straightened up, releasing her hold on Xie Xuechen. She gave him a light smile before turning away gracefully. Her steps were light and joyful, accompanied by the clear sound of bells. Xie Xuechen’s gaze was involuntarily drawn to Mu Xuanling’s ankles, attracted by the white jade bells.
Those bells were likely demon clan artifacts, their sound capable of bewitching souls, even affecting his spirit.
Xie Xuechen slowly steadied his breathing, following Mu Xuanling’s movement to look outside.
Standing at the door was an elderly woman, hunched over, with a kindly smile on her wrinkled face. She held a tray with two rough pottery bowls of white porridge and some pickled vegetables. “Miss Mu, I heard voices from your room earlier. I thought your husband might have woken up, so I made some porridge for you. It’s just a rural place, we don’t have much to offer you.”
Mu Xuanling took the tray, her voice soft and obedient: “Thank you, Granny. We’re both hungry. My husband has woken up. We’ll leave early tomorrow morning so as not to trouble you further.”
The old woman chuckled, “It’s no trouble. This place is remote, you can recover here without fear of pursuers. I heard from my son that your husband is badly injured. You can stay a few more days until his wounds heal a bit. My son knows some medicine and can help change his dressings.”
Mu Xuanling smiled, “Then we’ll impose on you a bit longer.”
The old woman waved her hand, smiling, “It’s nothing. I’ll go now. If you need anything, just let this old woman know.”
The old woman glanced at Xie Xuechen, thinking this young man was indeed handsome, but too cold, making people afraid to look at him. The young lady was much more likable, obedient, and sweet.
The old woman left, closing the door behind her.
Xie Xuechen glanced at the white porridge, then looked at Mu Xuanling.
Mu Xuanling said, “Alright, I lied earlier. After you fainted, my meridians were sealed again, and I couldn’t move. Luckily, a hunter passed by – the son of this old woman. Their family saved us. I managed to break the seal with great difficulty and told them we were an eloping couple. I said I’m a young lady from a wealthy family, and you’re a down-on-your-luck swordsman. My family disapproves of our marriage and sent people to kill you, so they took us in.” Mu Xuanling admitted her lies without a trace of shame, even winking at Xie Xuechen, smiling, “Darling, do we look like a couple?”
Xie Xuechen ignored her flirtatious look, asking coldly, “The one who treated my wounds was the old woman’s son?”
Having lost all his power, he hadn’t sensed anyone’s presence earlier, realizing he had been fooled again by this demon girl.
“Yes…” Mu Xuanling sighed reluctantly, “I admit I didn’t dress your wounds or see your magnificent body.”
Xie Xuechen sneered, “The demon clan is inherently vicious, and the demon race is best at deception.”
Mu Xuanling said sheepishly, “But one thing I said was true.”
Xie Xuechen asked, “Which one?”
Mu Xuanling’s gaze was intense, “The part about liking you.”
Xie Xuechen: “…”
Don’t get angry, anger breeds demonic thoughts. Don’t get angry, anger breeds demonic thoughts…
Mu Xuanling attentively blew on the porridge to cool it, bringing it to Xie Xuechen’s lips, “Darling, the porridge isn’t hot anymore.”
Xie Xuechen took the bowl and spoon with a wooden expression, saying, “I can use my hands.”
Mu Xuanling looked very disappointed, muttering, “What a pity…”
Xie Xuechen: “…”
Although Xie Xuechen had transcended the need for food, his physical body was now damaged, and his Fashen was impaired, making him no different from an ordinary person. Eating grains would help restore his vitality. After a bowl of hot porridge, he felt some strength return to his body.
Mu Xuanling rested her chin on her hand, watching Xie Xuechen eat with great interest. Even while eating, Xie Xuechen maintained an elegant and composed demeanor.
Seeing Xie Xuechen finish a bowl, Mu Xuanling eagerly took the bowl, asking, “How was it?”
Xie Xuechen nodded politely.
Mu Xuanling smiled charmingly, saying, “I put medicine in the porridge.”
Xie Xuechen suddenly froze, turning to look at Mu Xuanling.
“Don’t look at me so fiercely, it’s just a tonic,” Mu Xuanling blinked innocently, “A good sleep will do your body good.”
Feeling drowsiness overtake him, Xie Xuechen suddenly found it hard to breathe, regretting his carelessness in eating food brought by the demon girl…
When did she add the medicine?
What exactly does she want to do?
Before he could figure it out, he fell into a sweet dream.
Xie Xuechen didn’t know what medicine Mu Xuanling had put in the porridge, but he indeed slept very well. His physical strength and energy had noticeably improved. However, when he woke up, there was something in his arms that shouldn’t have been there — a soft, fragrant body.
In the middle of the night in the mountains, the dew was heavy and frost cold. The icy moonlight filtered through the window lattice, falling on the edge of the bed, faintly outlining a slender, graceful figure. Mu Xuanling, wearing a thin nightgown, lay on her side next to Xie Xuechen. Her hands were wrapped around Xie Xuechen’s arm, her head resting in the crook of his shoulder. Her legs were slightly curled, her right leg lightly draped over him. The thin garment had slipped, revealing a section of her well-proportioned, fair calf. She was in deep sleep, breathing evenly and softly. Her warm breath, accompanied by a strange fragrance, brushed against Xie Xuechen’s neck, like a feather lightly grazing the base of his ear, causing a tingling sensation.
Xie Xuechen woke from his deep sleep, momentarily unable to distinguish if what he saw was real or an illusion. After a moment, as his consciousness cleared, he suddenly jolted, his pupils constricting. He instinctively used all his strength to push Mu Xuanling away.
Caught off guard, Mu Xuanling took Xie Xuechen’s push and rolled off the bed, landing on the floor with a thud, her forehead hitting hard.
“Ouch!” Mu Xuanling cried out in pain, dazedly sitting up from the floor. She raised her hand to cover her bruised forehead, looking up at Xie Xuechen on the bed. Her eyes involuntarily welled up with tears as she complained resentfully, “You hurt me again.”
A vein throbbed at Xie Xuechen’s temple as he clenched his fists, trying hard to calm his agitated mind. He had always maintained a clear and dignified composure, rarely showing excessive emotion in front of others. But whether due to his impaired cultivation, he found himself repeatedly provoked to anger by Mu Xuanling.
Xie Xuechen looked at Mu Xuanling with cold eyes, his voice hoarse as he demanded, “Why are you here?”
Mu Xuanling got up from the floor leisurely, justifying herself, “We’re husband and wife, aren’t we? Shouldn’t married couples sleep in the same bed?”
Xie Xuechen said nothing, only letting out a light breath: “Hm.”
They could be anything to each other, but never husband and wife.
Mu Xuanling climbed onto the bed, ignoring Xie Xuechen’s frost-like expression, and slipped under the covers, leaving only her delicate face visible.
“Sect Leader Xie, let’s sleep,” Mu Xuanling said matter-of-factly.
Xie Xuechen took a deep breath, his voice hoarse, “If you’re here, I’ll go elsewhere.”
He moved to get up.
However, Mu Xuanling grabbed his wrist.
“Sect Leader Xie, be reasonable,” Mu Xuanling yawned, her alluring eyes misty with a mix of sleepiness and amusement. “Can you defeat me now?”
Xie Xuechen’s face stiffened, not answering.
“If I wanted to do something to you, could you stop me?”
Seeing Xie Xuechen speechless, Mu Xuanling smiled slightly, patting the bed, coaxing him indulgently, “Be good, lie down and sleep.”
Xie Xuechen felt his Dao heart wavering.
The way of the sword cultivator is unyielding straightness and unwavering courage. Born extraordinary, he had never been so humiliated. If he complied, his Dao heart would be unstable; if he resisted to the death, he feared losing his chastity.
In the end, he would still be mocked for “pretending to resist”…
Mu Xuanling’s closed eyes opened slightly, seeing the conflict in Xie Xuechen’s eyes in the moonlight. She chuckled softly, moving towards the outer edge of the bed, leaving a large space for Xie Xuechen. She promised solemnly, “I absolutely won’t touch you.”
Xie Xuechen frowned for a moment before slowly lying back down. They shared the same blanket but with half an arm’s length between them.
Mu Xuanling didn’t reach out to touch him again. She slept very sweetly — except for one foot draped over Xie Xuechen’s waist.
Not a single word from a demon girl can be trusted — Xie Xuechen remained sleepless all night.