Ye Tianjiao was quickly brought over by Qian Sisi. The instant he saw Jiang Zhaoxue, his eyes lit up immediately, then realizing Pei Zichen was beside her, he hastily restrained himself.

Qian Sisi glanced at Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen, then raised her chin toward Ye Tianjiao: “Brought him here.”

Ye Tianjiao restrained his excited emotions and greeted Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen: “Fellow Daoist Jiang, Fellow Daoist Shen.”

These past few days, under Qian Sisi’s fists, he had fully recognized his position and adjusted his mentality accordingly.

Settling Pei Zichen was something Jiang Zhaoxue would do, not him.

He only needed to follow the plan step by step and wait for Jiang Zhaoxue to handle things and bring him out.

After clarifying his role, he completely lay flat. Now, being called over by Jiang Zhaoxue, he immediately understood.

Pei Zichen had probably been handled.

His eyes swept left and right between Pei Zichen and Jiang Zhaoxue before he quickly lowered his head.

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t waste words. She called Qian Sisi and Ye Tianjiao before her, briefly explained the situation, then said to Ye Tianjiao: “Draw out these runes on the ground and secretly deliver them to every disciple.”

“But this way, we can only ensure the disciples around us don’t have problems.” Qian Sisi frowned. “What about disciples from other sects?”

“We can wait until we reach Emei Ruins…”

“There’s another method.” Ye Tianjiao stared at the runes, thinking aloud. “If according to what you said, every young dragon is split from Yin Zhulong’s soul body and will ultimately be controlled by Yin Zhulong, doesn’t that mean the soul body and these young dragons are always connected? As long as we can secretly place a curse on Yin Zhulong’s soul body, the soul body will transmit the formation to all the young dragons under his control?”

“Capture the ringleader to capture the bandits.” Though Qian Sisi didn’t understand the intricacies of spell cultivation, she understood Ye Tianjiao’s meaning. “But… can this be done?”

With this question, the four exchanged glances.

If they could directly set up a formation on Yin Zhulong’s soul body, that would naturally be simplest, but this would require extremely powerful strength.

Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment, then smiled: “Let’s divine it.”

Everyone was somewhat surprised. Jiang Zhaoxue considered: “Tianjiao will draw the talismans first, then I’ll divine and add blessings. If it works, it works. If not, we’ll go one by one.”

“Alright.” Ye Tianjiao agreed, imprinting the runes Jiang Zhaoxue had drawn into his mind.

After the four discussed, no one spoke further. Jiang Zhaoxue and Ye Tianjiao exchanged a glance. She cleared her throat, thought for a moment, then said: “Um, Fellow Daoist Ye, let me introduce you. This is my fiancé, Shen Chen, Shen Shicang.”

Jiang Zhaoxue’s sudden statement stunned everyone present. Who here didn’t know who? Why would Jiang Zhaoxue need to introduce them separately?

However, after speaking, Jiang Zhaoxue quickly turned to Pei Zichen and said seriously: “May I now speak a few words alone with Fellow Daoist Ye?”

With this statement, everyone finally understood Jiang Zhaoxue’s meaning. Pei Zichen felt somewhat embarrassed. Though harboring reservations, he knew he couldn’t act too excessively, so he feigned composure: “I’ll wait to the side with Sisi.”

With that, he gave Qian Sisi a look and took her aside.

After he left with Qian Sisi, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately set up a barrier. Ye Tianjiao rushed up anxiously: “Sister, what’s going on?”

“I’ve made contact with Yuan Luogong,” Jiang Zhaoxue remained calm, quickly summarizing. “If according to what you said, the fastest way for us to exit the illusion is to find and destroy the Spirit Void Fan inside the illusion, then Yuan Luogong can sense the Spirit Void Fan’s existence. Having Pei Zichen use Yuan Luogong to sense the Spirit Void Fan is the simplest method. But Pei Zichen is currently trapped in the illusion and cannot use Yuan Luogong. Our primary task now is to wake Pei Zichen.”

“Then wake him.” Ye Tianjiao immediately spoke: “How do we wake him?”

“Fulfill his wish,” Jiang Zhaoxue crossed her arms over her chest, thinking. “When his wish is fulfilled, he’ll awaken.”

“There’s such a good deal?!” Ye Tianjiao blurted out, then quickly asked: “Oh, what’s his wish?”

“I’m guessing…” Jiang Zhaoxue looked up at the distant figure, her brow slightly furrowed, somewhat embarrassed: “He hopes I love him.”

This stunned Ye Tianjiao. Jiang Zhaoxue analyzed: “He’s been lonely since childhood. Perhaps he deeply hoped for a family, to have a wife who loves him. Since I’m currently his fiancée, this wish arose.”

Listening, Ye Tianjiao looked at Jiang Zhaoxue, his mouth tightly closed, his face full of unspoken words.

Jiang Zhaoxue continued: “So I plan to first try cooperating with him to see if I can wake him. If he doesn’t wake up, we’ll need to take the second route.”

“What’s the second route?”

Ye Tianjiao probed. Jiang Zhaoxue analyzed: “If Pei Zichen can’t wake up, we’ll have to find the Spirit Void Fan ourselves. According to what you said before, the Spirit Void Fan should currently be wherever it was at this point in reality. Back when it emerged in Shu, it must have caused quite a disturbance. From the looks of it now, Yin Zhulong’s emergence is probably related to the Spirit Void Fan’s emergence. So this time, we’ll do our best to kill Yin Zhulong and obtain his lair. These ancient monster creatures’ nests—ancient tombs or secret realms—the Spirit Void Fan is very likely in his lair.”

“Understood.”

Ye Tianjiao nodded: “We’ll prepare two approaches. I’ll keep an eye on Qian Sisi here,” Ye Tianjiao made up his mind. “She’s so familiar with the Spirit Void Fan, she must have connections with it. If Pei Zichen can’t wake up, keeping an eye on her means we’ll encounter the Spirit Void Fan too.”

“Then we’ll split up,” Jiang Zhaoxue spoke calmly, then added, “However, I need to confirm with you one more time.”

“What?”

“After we get out… we really won’t remember, right?” Jiang Zhaoxue feigned composure.

Ye Tianjiao hesitated for a moment, uncertain: “Song Wuya said so. We shouldn’t remember, right?”

After giving this answer, he also panicked a bit.

Jiang Zhaoxue was losing a lot of face, but so was he!

Thinking about getting out, Ye Tianjiao felt somewhat anxious, but still forced himself to reassure: “But whether we remember or not, we have to do it!”

Hearing this answer, Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat uncertain. She nodded: “I understand. Let’s go.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue withdrew the barrier. The instant it came down, Pei Zichen looked up.

Seeing Pei Zichen’s gaze, Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart trembled.

Thinking they might not necessarily forget after leaving, she suddenly felt somewhat constrained, but still had to carry on. She cleared her throat lightly and walked to Pei Zichen’s side: “Let’s go.”

Pei Zichen glanced at Ye Tianjiao. Ye Tianjiao followed to Qian Sisi’s side as Qian Sisi led him forward openly.

The two groups maintained distance. Pei Zichen followed beside Jiang Zhaoxue without speaking. Seeing his expression, Jiang Zhaoxue knew he wanted to say something, so she said directly: “If you want to ask, just ask. Don’t die holding it in.”

“If you put it that way,” Pei Zichen heard Jiang Zhaoxue’s words and smiled, “then there’s no need.”

Hearing his words, Jiang Zhaoxue looked over somewhat skeptically. Seeing her gaze, Pei Zichen smiled and reached out to hold her hand, only saying: “When you feel you should tell me, tell me. As for the rest, I’ll use my heart.”

Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand was held by him. She felt somewhat guilty, yet didn’t want to waste the past few days’ efforts, so she feigned composure and nodded: “Mm, just wait. I won’t harm you.”

“I know.”

The four walked out of the forest one after another. Jiang Zhaoxue was pulled along by Pei Zichen. As soon as they emerged, the Sword Pavilion disciples immediately stood up, glaring indignantly at Pei Zichen.

Pei Xueyi had obviously just been bandaged. He looked up and saw the two holding hands, his gaze falling on their clasped hands. His eyes focused for a moment before he looked up at Jiang Zhaoxue.

Seeing this, Pei Zichen released Jiang Zhaoxue and stepped forward discreetly, blocking Pei Xueyi’s line of sight. He took a cup of wine, came before Pei Xueyi, cupped his hands respectfully, and said: “Brother Pei, let this cup of water wine pass down your throat. What you said today, I won’t hold against you. I didn’t hold back during our sparring. Please don’t take it to heart either, Brother Pei, so as not to worry the elders of our two sects.”

Hearing this, Pei Xueyi thought for a moment, then only laughed: “So Brother Shen and Fellow Daoist Jiang have a result? I guess I played matchmaker then?”

With that, Pei Xueyi brushed his sleeve and generously took the wine cup, saying lightly: “Then I accept this wine and wish you both well.”

What exactly he wished, Pei Xueyi didn’t say. He simply drained the wine.

Seeing Pei Xueyi finish the wine, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Lei Fang quickly came forward to pacify everyone: “Everyone’s just sparring. Don’t hurt the harmony. Drink up!”

With Thunder Sect people mediating, the matter passed. Pei Zichen nodded his thanks to Pei Xueyi and returned to Jiang Zhaoxue’s side, staying close and openly sitting beside her.

Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at him, muttering: “You learn quite fast.”

Pei Zichen looked up. Jiang Zhaoxue quickly acted as if she hadn’t said anything.

The night’s wine finished. When the next day came, the group began their journey. Pei Zichen came over early. Without saying much, he directly pulled Jiang Zhaoxue onto his sword.

Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at him, instinctively wanting to tease him, but remembering they might remember, she quickly stopped and immediately behaved.

Seeing her silent, Pei Zichen felt somewhat nervous and whispered: “Xue’er, are you… unwilling?”

“It’s fine.”

Jiang Zhaoxue immediately said: “How could that be? Let’s hurry up.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen felt somewhat reassured and didn’t dare release Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand.

Afterward, everyone slayed demons along the way until they reached Emei Ruins. Though Pei Zichen followed her daily, with many people around, he remained proper and didn’t do anything improper.

The day before reaching Emei Ruins, everyone finally entered the city and reunited with the main forces.

Jiang Zhaoxue calculated that Ye Tianjiao should finish writing the talismans today. She secretly observed Pei Xueyi all along the way. Seeing him look at plum blossom cakes a few extra times, she stopped and led Pei Zichen to buy a box.

Pei Zichen didn’t think much of it. He bought the pastries for Jiang Zhaoxue and handed them to her. Jiang Zhaoxue tucked the plum blossom cakes into her sleeve.

Pei Zichen paused, thinking she perhaps wanted to eat them at night, so he didn’t ask.

When night fell, Ye Tianjiao had finished drawing the runes and secretly went to find Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen.

He didn’t have the courage to directly find Jiang Zhaoxue, so he first found Pei Zichen and had him bring him over.

Pei Zichen brought Ye Tianjiao to Jiang Zhaoxue’s room. Seeing the two arrive, Jiang Zhaoxue understood their purpose and said directly: “Give me the talismans.”

Ye Tianjiao handed the talismans to Jiang Zhaoxue. She drew a formation, took out the divination sticks, her hand seals turning. As the divination sticks began to move, Jiang Zhaoxue stared at the talisman, calmly saying: “The Heavenly Dao is inconstant, gambling fortune with Heaven, supreme great fortune, command the talisman to eliminate evil!”

With that, she slapped the table: “Go!”

For Ye Tianjiao’s written talisman to silently lurk in Yin Zhulong’s body and affect him was impossible. She could only take Ye Tianjiao’s talisman and see if she could borrow the power of the Heavenly Dao to elevate this talisman’s power to a degree where it could lurk in Yin Zhulong’s soul body and be used.

The divination stick flew from the holder. Jiang Zhaoxue watched nervously. When it fell on the table, everyone crowded over. Seeing the two characters “Average Luck,” Ye Tianjiao couldn’t help but sigh.

Average Luck meant it couldn’t be used. Jiang Zhaoxue pondered: “Seems… the gap between Tianjiao and this Yin Zhulong is quite large. The talisman itself must be strengthened before it can be used.”

“Then how do we strengthen it?”

Ye Tianjiao frowned, somewhat dejected: “I can’t suddenly break through realms.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak. She looked up at Pei Zichen to the side. Seeing him seemingly deep in thought, he obviously had some plan.

Ye Tianjiao sat dejectedly in the chair and sighed: “Maybe we should forget it. We’ll just break through one by one and save as many people as we can…”

“Shicang.”

Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it and made her decision. Hearing this, Pei Zichen looked over. Jiang Zhaoxue handed the talisman to Pei Zichen, saying seriously: “Take the talisman and wait outside for me. I have something to say to Fellow Daoist Ye.”

Pei Zichen paused slightly. Ye Tianjiao immediately straightened his back nervously.

Pei Zichen hesitated for a moment, then reached out to take the talisman. He actually didn’t stop them and nodded: “Call me when you’re done talking.”

With that, Pei Zichen turned and left.

Seeing Pei Zichen leave so decisively, Ye Tianjiao couldn’t help but say: “He… he left so easily?”

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded and raised her hand to set up a barrier.

Seeing this, Ye Tianjiao quickly asked: “What do you want to say?”

“Nothing.” Jiang Zhaoxue picked up her tea and said lightly, “Just wait.”

“Huh?” Ye Tianjiao didn’t understand. “What are you waiting for?”

Jiang Zhaoxue drank her tea without speaking. A’Nan was also somewhat puzzled and asked in Jiang Zhaoxue’s mind: “Why did you suddenly send him away?”

“He wanted to send me away.” Jiang Zhaoxue took a sip of tea.

A’Nan didn’t understand: “Send you away? Why would he want to send you away?”

“Ye Tianjiao’s talisman can’t pass through Yin Zhulong’s soul body to plant the curse to kill the young dragons on all of them. Now it must be strengthened before it’s possible to change the outcome of gambling with fate. Who among us present do you think has this ability?”

“Pei Zichen?” Though A’Nan knew Jiang Zhaoxue’s meaning, it still didn’t understand. “Why does he have this ability?”

“Don’t you think the way Yin Zhulong controls the young dragons is very similar to how Jiuyou Realm controls paper immortals?”

Jiang Zhaoxue reminded A’Nan. A’Nan instantly reacted: “You think Pei Zichen still remembers Jiuyou Realm’s cultivation methods?!”

“I’m guessing,” Jiang Zhaoxue pondered. “Just now his expression suggested he could solve the problem of strengthening the talisman. If a sword cultivator can solve this, he must not have forgotten Jiuyou Realm’s cultivation methods, and might even remember not to use them in front of me. If that’s the case, naturally I should give him the opportunity.”

“Now he’s taken this opportunity too.”

A’Nan finally understood Jiang Zhaoxue’s train of thought and quickly said: “So he really remembers Jiuyou Realm’s cultivation methods and remembers not to use them in front of you? He sure remembers a lot!”

“Doesn’t he though?”

Jiang Zhaoxue sneered: “The Spirit Void Fan probably took a liking to him. The illusion was brought to us by Qian Sisi. Who it ultimately belongs to is anyone’s guess.”

After drinking for a while, sensing Pei Zichen leaving for a bit then returning, Jiang Zhaoxue knew he should have blessed the talisman. She turned to Ye Tianjiao: “If he asks what we talked about, just say I asked you about details of writing the talisman. Don’t say more.”

Ye Tianjiao quickly nodded. Only then did Jiang Zhaoxue withdraw the barrier and called Pei Zichen: “Come in.”

Getting her words, Pei Zichen entered. His aura was clean. Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at him, pretending to know nothing, only saying: “Give me the talisman. I thought of a solution.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen paused slightly. After hesitating for a moment, he still handed over the talisman.

Then Jiang Zhaoxue grabbed Pei Zichen’s hand. Pei Zichen’s heart jumped slightly. He instinctively wanted to withdraw his hand when he heard Jiang Zhaoxue say: “Give me a drop of blood.”

Pei Zichen paused. Jiang Zhaoxue explained: “Your fortune is excellent. With your blood’s blessing, perhaps there will be another turning point.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen felt relieved and let Jiang Zhaoxue cut his finger, allowing blood to drip onto the talisman paper.

The blood spread across the talisman paper. Jiang Zhaoxue released Pei Zichen and immediately gambled again with divination.

This time, as expected, a Superior Fortune fell out. Looking at the “Superior Fortune” divination, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Jiang Zhaoxue swept the divination text, and light fell into the talisman paper. The talisman immediately transformed into a golden paper, spiritual energy swirling around it, as if written by a great power.

Ye Tianjiao looked at the golden-light flowing talisman and couldn’t help but take it from Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand to admire it for a while. Then he turned back quite excitedly: “Did I write this? This was actually written by me! I’m so excellent!”

“Alright, give me the talisman.”

Jiang Zhaoxue interrupted him, reaching out for it.

Ye Tianjiao obediently handed over the talisman. Jiang Zhaoxue held it, thinking: “Even if it’s just a soul body, Yin Zhulong is extremely perceptive. To plant this talisman in his body unknowingly, the most secure method is to make him eat it.”

“I’ll handle it…”

Pei Zichen immediately spoke, but before he finished, he saw Jiang Zhaoxue had already taken out the plum blossom cakes she bought during the day from her sleeve, gently placing them on the table.

Pei Zichen’s voice stopped. He watched as Jiang Zhaoxue held two fingers together, fusing the talisman into the plum blossom cake. Once the talisman disappeared, Pei Zichen finally reacted, puzzled: “This is?”

“Pei Xueyi likes sweets,” Jiang Zhaoxue explained her observations from the past few days, analyzing to the two: “Today he looked at these plum blossom cakes several times. If I deliver them to him now, you both go back and wait for my news. If I can successfully feed it into his mouth, that’s best. If not, we’ll find another plan.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue turned to look at Pei Zichen. Before he could speak, she warned: “Don’t cause me trouble, or I’ll get angry.”

Pei Zichen’s face showed reluctance, as if he still wanted to say something. Jiang Zhaoxue directly ordered: “Alright, you all go sleep. I’m going to handle business.”

With that, she picked up the plum blossom cakes, turned around, smoothed her hair with her hand, and headed directly to Pei Xueyi’s courtyard.

The inn they were staying at was extremely large, each sect having a separate courtyard. When Jiang Zhaoxue reached Sword Pavilion’s courtyard, based on Pei Xueyi’s status in Sword Pavilion, he must be staying in Heaven Room Number One this time. Jiang Zhaoxue jumped onto the roof, ran to Pei Xueyi’s window, knocked on it, and called softly: “Pei Xueyi? Are you there?”

“Fellow Daoist Jiang?”

Pei Xueyi spoke in surprise. He seemed to be getting dressed. Jiang Zhaoxue heard the sound of dressing inside. A moment later, Pei Xueyi quickly opened the window, asking in surprise: “How is Fellow Daoist Jiang here?”

“To invite you for drinks.”

Jiang Zhaoxue shook the wine bottle in her hand, smiling: “Coming out?”

Pei Xueyi paused, then slowly smiled: “It would be impolite to refuse.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue walked toward the upper part of the roof, leaving space for Pei Xueyi.

Pei Xueyi climbed out the window and followed Jiang Zhaoxue up the roof.

Reaching the highest point, Jiang Zhaoxue sat down and called to Pei Xueyi: “Come sit.”

“What puts Fellow Daoist Jiang in such a mood today?”

Listening, Pei Xueyi sat beside Jiang Zhaoxue, seemingly casual: “I heard Fellow Daoist Jiang will soon marry Fellow Daoist Shen. Yet now you come find me for drinks. Could it be you want me to help with something?”

“Help with what?” Jiang Zhaoxue looked back curiously.

Pei Xueyi thought for a moment, as if joking: “For instance… eloping?”

Jiang Zhaoxue paused, then couldn’t help but laugh: “Pei Xueyi, you truly are audacious.”

“You flatter me.”

Pei Xueyi nodded, taking a bottle of wine from Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand, casually saying: “To snatch someone from Shen Shicang’s hands, I do indeed have some confidence.”

“Can’t even win a fight, yet you have confidence?” Jiang Zhaoxue joked. “Is Sword Pavilion really that impressive?”

“Naturally.” Pei Xueyi glanced at Jiang Zhaoxue, only saying, “I think Fellow Daoist Jiang knows the weight of Sword Pavilion and Wenjian Manor.”

“Fellow Daoist Pei…” Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat puzzled. “We shouldn’t have met much before?”

“But I’ve seen you in dreams.” Pei Xueyi said with a smile. “In my dreams, Miss Jiang even gave me a great gift.”

“What great gift?”

“Mm,” Pei Xueyi pondered, “In the dream, Miss Jiang said she would marry me.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue knew he was lying. What dreams could a Yin Zhulong have with her?

She turned with a light laugh: “Fellow Daoist Pei, if one day you truly tell me what you dreamed, perhaps we can be friends.”

Hearing this, Pei Xueyi took a sip of wine, only saying slowly: “Please tell me your true purpose instead, Fellow Daoist Jiang? Calling me here in the middle of the night, it’s not just to admire the moon?”

“Indeed not. I just wanted to give you a gift.”

“Oh?” Pei Xueyi was casual, saying lightly, “What gift?”

“If I’m not mistaken,” Jiang Zhaoxue took out the plum blossom cakes from her sleeve, handed them to Pei Xueyi, and smiled, “Today is Fellow Daoist Pei’s birthday?”

Hearing this, Pei Xueyi froze. He looked at the plum blossom cakes before him, unable to speak for a moment.

Jiang Zhaoxue pushed it forward: “Open it.”

Pei Xueyi didn’t make a sound. He looked at Jiang Zhaoxue with shock and uncertainty.

Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat anxious, afraid he’d see through something. She smiled: “If you don’t open it, shall I help you?”

The smile on Pei Xueyi’s face slowly disappeared. He looked at the plum blossom cakes before him, revealing some bewilderment and curiosity, with probing and longing, as if some non-human creature facing this thing for the first time.

He tentatively reached out and opened the plum blossom cake box. The instant he saw the cakes, he looked somewhat surprised: “You…”

“Surprised?”

Jiang Zhaoxue smiled as she handed them to him: “Seeing you look at them several times on the road, did you want them? Come,” Jiang Zhaoxue picked up one of the two pieces, showing goodwill, “Let’s eat together.”

Listening, Pei Xueyi raised his eyes.

He stared at Jiang Zhaoxue, as if thinking. After thinking for a moment, he slowly smiled: “Fellow Daoist Jiang.”

“Mm?”

“This is… the first time someone has celebrated my birthday.”

This surprised Jiang Zhaoxue. Given Pei Xueyi’s identity, this shouldn’t be the case. She couldn’t help but find it strange: “First time?”

“Heaven births all things, yet it did not birth me.”

Pei Xueyi smiled and picked up the plum blossom cake. Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart immediately rose.

Pei Xueyi observed the plum blossom cake. After thinking for a long time, he laughed and raised his hand: “Please.”

Getting his words, Jiang Zhaoxue ate the plum blossom cake with Pei Xueyi, secretly glancing at him while eating.

Seeing Pei Xueyi swallow the plum blossom cake, Jiang Zhaoxue finally felt relieved and continued: “What did you mean by what you said earlier?”

“Nothing. It’s late.”

Pei Xueyi stood up, smiling: “Fellow Daoist Jiang, please go back and rest.”

With that, Pei Xueyi reached out to her: “I’ll escort you down.”

“No need.”

Jiang Zhaoxue stood up and leaped down from the height, waving: “Happy birthday.”

“Fellow Daoist Jiang.”

Pei Xueyi stood at the height, calling out to Jiang Zhaoxue: “How did you know today was my birthday?”

“Because Fellow Daoist Pei,” Jiang Zhaoxue looked back at Pei Xueyi, “when you saw someone eating longevity noodles today, you looked twice.”

Hearing this, Pei Xueyi smiled: “I see.”

Jiang Zhaoxue waved: “I’m going.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue stepped out of the courtyard. A’Nan couldn’t help but say: “Really? You observed even that?”

“Made it up.” Jiang Zhaoxue said casually. “Giving him a reason to eat the cake.”

“And he accepted?” A’Nan was surprised. “Is he stupid?”

“You’re the stupid one,” Jiang Zhaoxue said leisurely. “Do you think Ye Tianjiao’s talisman can really do anything to him? He doesn’t care at all. He just wants to stabilize us.”

“Ah…” A’Nan murmured. “Then… then didn’t you feed Ye Tianjiao’s talisman for nothing?”

“He thinks I gave him Ye Tianjiao’s talisman, so he wanted to go along with it. Unfortunately, what I gave wasn’t Ye Tianjiao’s talisman.”

Jiang Zhaoxue curved her lips: “I was betting on Pei Zichen. The demonic power he placed on the talisman is what truly controls Yin Zhulong. Ye Tianjiao’s talisman is merely to conceal Pei Zichen’s power. Just a blind.”

“Brilliant!”

A’Nan flattered her.

Jiang Zhaoxue returned happily. Upon reaching the door, she discovered Pei Zichen still standing at the room entrance.

Jiang Zhaoxue froze, then reacted, instinctively feeling somewhat nervous: “You… you haven’t slept yet.”

“I was waiting for you.”

Pei Zichen also didn’t seem to know what to say, only explaining: “I was afraid he’d harm you. From here I can see you. If there’s danger, I can act immediately.”

“This…”

Jiang Zhaoxue looked along the corridor’s line of sight, couldn’t help but say: “At this distance, can you make it in time?”

“In an instant.”

Pei Zichen’s gaze swept across her face, looking toward the courtyard. His hands behind his back, he was obviously distracted as he explained: “I placed a sword seal on you. The seal can block one strike for you. In that instant, I can arrive.”

“Oh…”

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded, understanding, then smiled: “No problem. Go to sleep.”

With that, she stepped into the room.

Having accomplished her task, she was quite happy, her steps noticeably lighter.

Pei Zichen stood in place with his hands behind his back, unmoving, until the instant Jiang Zhaoxue brushed past him. He suddenly grabbed her elbow!

Before Jiang Zhaoxue could react, she felt herself pulled back by a great force. Pei Zichen protected her head with one hand and pressed her forward, leaning down and pinning her against the corridor’s door and window, lowering his head to kiss her fiercely!

Jiang Zhaoxue’s eyes flew open instantly, her entire body frozen.

She knew this inn was almost filled with the entire Shu immortal path. Though she knew these were all people in the illusion, they… they were still people!!

Especially since this position could see her and Pei Xueyi, Pei Xueyi opening his window could also see them.

And there were Ye Tianjiao and Qian Sisi…

Jiang Zhaoxue’s mind was in chaos, her breathing quickening, her head filled with:

“Will anyone actually see us” and “Will we really remember after getting out”—these two sentences.

When Pei Zichen calmed down slightly, he pulled back distance, breathing lightly as he looked up at the obviously nervous person before him.

Her face was flushed, her eyes misty, leaning against the window lattice looking elsewhere, obviously not daring to look at him.

“This is the corridor…” Jiang Zhaoxue cursed under her breath. “Do you have no sense of propriety?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen smiled. He lowered his head slightly, his voice low: “These are the rules you taught me.”

“When did I…”

“When eating plum blossom cakes outside in the future,” Pei Zichen’s eyes cooled slightly as he raised his hand, his finger wiping across the corner of her mouth, reminding her softly, “remember to wipe your mouth.”

Jiang Zhaoxue froze. But Pei Zichen had already composed himself, straightened up, stepped back half a step, as if nothing had happened, steadying his sword with a light laugh: “Go back and sleep.”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t dare say more. She nodded, feigning composure as she pushed the door open, closed it, then ran all the way to the inner room, pouring herself three cups of tea to calm her nerves.

Only then did she remember to lean over and look at the mirror on the dressing table in the distance, somewhat doubtful: “Did I really have cake on my mouth?”

“Rest assured.” A’Nan laughed. “Whether you did or not, this kiss was inevitable.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue took a deep breath and quickly closed her eyes to pray to the gods and buddhas.

These things must be forgotten.

They must be forgotten!

Watching Jiang Zhaoxue’s eyes go completely blank yet still forcing composure, Pei Zichen couldn’t help but want to laugh a little.

After Jiang Zhaoxue closed the main door, he watched for a moment, confirming she had already decided to sleep, before turning around.

His room was right below Jiang Zhaoxue’s. He could hear any movement.

Just as he moved, he sensed a gaze. Turning to look, he discovered Pei Xueyi had opened his window and was sitting by it, holding the wine bottle Jiang Zhaoxue had given him, his expression cold as he watched him.

Pei Zichen swept a glance at the other and left, steadying his sword.

Black energy swirled around his fingertips, hidden by his sleeve. Pei Zichen sensed it and clearly knew.

It was done.