Seeing Qin Wanwan faint, Jian Xingzhi was stunned for a moment. Then he shoved the trophy into Xie Gutang’s arms and hurriedly infused spiritual power into Qin Wanwan.

Qin Wanwan still didn’t wake. Nanfeng crawled over, panting heavily. “Daojun, she… she’s probably just too tired.”

“Then what do we do?”

Jian Xingzhi looked up anxiously. Xie Gutang was also somewhat exhausted. “Let’s go back and rest.”

Having received these words, Jian Xingzhi hurriedly carried her up and returned to the Ning Manor. Xie Gutang glanced at Yan Wushuang being scolded by Golden Sword Boy nearby and patted Nanfeng’s shoulder. “You follow Yan Wushuang and continue gathering information.”

Everyone left separately. No one noticed Jun Shu in the water.

He drifted along with the current in the water, his entire body without breath. Vaguely someone asked him, “Do you want to live?”

Yes…

He didn’t want to die…

“Good.” That person chuckled softly. “Then live.”

As soon as the words fell, green light bloomed from Jun Shu’s body. He suddenly opened his eyes, choked on a mouthful of water, then swam frantically toward the shore.

******

When Qin Wanwan was sent back to the Ning Manor, everyone rushed over. Cuilu glanced at her and frowned. “What happened?”

Jian Xingzhi briefly explained the situation, quite regretful. “If I’d known she wanted the trophy, I would have blocked Yan Wushuang’s boat for her so she wouldn’t have to work so hard.”

After hearing Jian Xingzhi’s words, Cuilu’s face showed shock. She looked at Qin Wanwan, then at Jian Xingzhi. After thinking for a long time, she finally spoke. “She’s had it pretty tough.”

Jian Xingzhi sighed. “Yes.”

“Let her rest well,” Cuilu advised Jian Xingzhi. “You… you should read more books. Before coming to Desolate City, didn’t you buy many romance books?”

“Yes.” Jian Xingzhi was confused. “What about it?”

“Read more,” Cuilu patted his shoulder. “Understand them, comprehend them thoroughly, empathize more, and also think about how they apply to yourself.”

Jian Xingzhi frowned. Cuilu waved her hand. “I’m going to have tea with Ning Buyan. You keep watch.”

Jian Xingzhi nodded without saying more.

He watched over Qin Wanwan while also moving out those romance books to sit beside her and study diligently.

Qin Wanwan slept for a day and a night. The next day at sunset, she groggily opened her eyes to see Jian Xingzhi keeping watch beside her.

Jian Xingzhi immediately noticed she had woken and rushed to the bedside. “Wanwan, how do you feel?”

Qin Wanwan’s gaze fell on the book he was holding, “Love’s Thirty-Six Stratagems.” Jian Xingzhi instinctively felt somewhat embarrassed and put the book behind him. “Do you want to eat something?”

“I want water.”

As soon as the words fell, water appeared before her. After Jian Xingzhi skillfully pinched her mouth and poured it in, Qin Wanwan became much more alert. She felt her stomach was somewhat empty and said again, “I want porridge.”

“Right away.”

With that, Jian Xingzhi immediately left the room. Before leaving, he retraced his steps and looked at Qin Wanwan, completely serious. “I put the trophy on the table. I didn’t take it on purpose.”

Qin Wanwan’s fist instantly clenched. She forced out a smile. “Get lost.”

Jian Xingzhi quickly ran off. Once he left, Nanfeng, who had been waiting at the door for a long time, immediately entered. “Master.”

“Nanfeng?” Qin Wanwan was confused, then she immediately realized. “How long did I sleep?”

“A day and a night.”

“What about Yan Wushuang?”

Qin Wanwan threw off the blanket and began putting on her shoes. Nanfeng was already prepared. “He didn’t win any prize money yesterday and was severely scolded by everyone in his sect. Today he went to set up a small stall at the night market.”

“Set up a small stall…”

Qin Wanwan thought about it. Nanfeng knew what she was thinking and immediately pulled out a map. “Selling things at the night market in the city requires prior approval. These are the stall locations he got approved for—a total of forty-three. As far as I know, everyone from Mighty Sword Manor is going out to set up stalls tonight. As the eldest senior brother, he should go around checking on them. As long as he walks on the side streets, that’s our opportunity.”

“Nanfeng!”

Not expecting Nanfeng to have thought things through so thoroughly, Qin Wanwan was extremely moved. She patted Nanfeng’s shoulder. “Having you as my spirit beast, I’m so touched.”

“I hope Master ascends soon,” Nanfeng, having been praised, immediately offered blessings. “Then I can follow Master—when one person attains the Dao, even chickens and dogs ascend to heaven! But it’s getting late now.” Nanfeng glanced at the door outside. “Xie Daojun is already prepared. Shall we leave now?”

“Alright.”

Qin Wanwan nodded, took out paper and brush, and immediately wrote a note for Jian Xingzhi:

Master, I’ve gone to stroll the night market. I’ll be back later.

With that, Qin Wanwan left with Nanfeng, pulling Xie Gutang along as they rushed to the night market.

When the three went out, Jun Shu was just returning on crutches. Seeing the three in a hurry, Jun Shu thought for a moment and quickly went back to report.

Jian Xingzhi was immersed in the happiness of cooking porridge, completely unaware of Qin Wanwan’s departure. He cut vegetables by himself, humming a tune, thinking about the moment when his little disciple would be amazed by his cooking skills, completely satisfied.

The vegetables chopped with clanging sounds, and suddenly his mind went “ding-ling.” 666 tremblingly congratulated him—another 5 points had been credited.

The kitchen knife paused in midair. Jian Xingzhi clenched and released his grip, released and clenched again. He consoled himself—it was fine. It must be that Qin Wanwan’s relationship had progressed, points were credited, it was a good thing.

But everything collapsed the instant Jun Shu suddenly popped up.

“Daojun,” Jun Shu, topped with water plants, poked his head out from the window. “I just saw Xie Gutang and Miss Qin holding hands going to the Matchmaker Temple!”

His heart seized up.

In that instant, the romance strategies he’d read last night flooded his mind. When a couple’s relationship reached a certain point, they would go to the Matchmaker Temple, beneath flowers and moonlight, to pledge themselves for life.

For cultivators like them, any promise was karmic cause and effect, extremely important. The Matchmaker Temple…

Jian Xingzhi gripped the kitchen knife. His body moved faster than his brain, instantly rushing out of the Ning Manor.

He opened his divine sense wide, searching all of Desolate City. He quickly found Qin Wanwan and Xie Gutang’s location. Gripping the kitchen knife, he charged over with imposing momentum, thinking all along the way about his reasons for going.

Shouldn’t they not abandon him?

But the romance guide said lovers spending time alone was essential.

Then why did they bring Nanfeng?

Oh, Nanfeng should be a servant and wouldn’t affect romance.

Actually, he shouldn’t go.

But he couldn’t control himself!

He raced all the way to Qin Wanwan. The moment before seeing Qin Wanwan and Xie Gutang’s backs, he urgently braked.

Qin Wanwan and Xie Gutang leisurely strolled the bustling long street. Nanfeng walked beside them carrying things for them. Lanterns illuminated them—the talented scholar and beautiful lady, handsome man and gorgeous woman, a match made in heaven.

Countless words flashed through his mind. He suddenly hated himself for reading so many books. Those seven thousand books were useless, only making him feel sour.

But the power of culture still made him instantly chicken out. He calmed down a bit, thought about it, and turned to leave.

At that very moment, Qin Wanwan’s surprised voice came. “Master?”

Jian Xingzhi’s movements froze. With his back to Qin Wanwan, he was thinking about how to explain when Qin Wanwan had already brought people to walk behind him, circling to his front, curiously looking at him. “Why are you here?”

“Strolling… strolling the streets.”

“Why are you carrying a kitchen knife?”

“Grabbed it by habit.”

With that, Jian Xingzhi felt he couldn’t let Qin Wanwan keep questioning. The best defense is a good offense. “Why didn’t you say anything before coming to stroll the streets?”

“I left a note.”

“Oh.” Jian Xingzhi nodded. “I didn’t see it.”

With that, he waved his hand. “Forget it, I’m going back. You guys have fun. It’s fine if you don’t bring me along.”

He lowered his head, gripping the kitchen knife as he hurriedly headed back.

Qin Wanwan looked at Jian Xingzhi’s back. Vegetable shreds still clung to the kitchen knife. After thinking about it, she understood—he must have run out halfway through cooking.

As for why Jian Xingzhi was cooking, it should be because of that sentence she said at the beginning, “I want porridge.”

Thinking of this, Qin Wanwan’s heart softened. She watched Jian Xingzhi’s figure in the crowd, remembering how in the Immortal Realm back then, he also always seemed to be alone like this.

She thought about it and called out loudly to stop him. “Master.”

Jian Xingzhi’s steps halted. He turned back in surprise to see under the lantern light, Xie Gutang and Nanfeng standing behind Qin Wanwan. The young woman beckoned to him, looking at him with a smile. “Let’s stroll the streets together.”

Jian Xingzhi’s eyes suddenly widened. He couldn’t say why, but at that moment, an inexplicable joy surged up.

A moment later, he broke into a smile. “Alright!”

His displeasure swept away entirely. He happily ran over and put the kitchen knife into his storage pouch. Qin Wanwan looked him up and down, only asking, “Are you hungry?”

“Not…”

Before finishing his words, Jian Xingzhi suddenly remembered that Qin Wanwan had wanted porridge earlier. He changed his words. “Hungry. I want to eat.”

“Then let’s go eat.”

With that, Qin Wanwan turned to look at Xie Gutang and Nanfeng beside her. “I’ll take Master to eat. You two go stroll elsewhere for now.”

Xie Gutang and Nanfeng understood Qin Wanwan’s meaning. She would bring Jian Xingzhi along while they went to find out Yan Wushuang’s whereabouts.

The two nodded and left together.

The street suddenly held only Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi. Jian Xingzhi felt somewhat embarrassed. “You… you came out to have fun with Xie Gutang. Am I disturbing you?”

“It’s nothing.” Qin Wanwan turned to walk along the long street. “Bringing you along to stroll won’t cause any problems.”

Yan Wushuang would be setting up his stall all night. There was no rush.

Hearing Qin Wanwan cast off Xie Gutang to accompany him, Jian Xingzhi immediately became happy. He hadn’t been this happy in a long time. He hurried to follow Qin Wanwan.

Qin Wanwan brought him to a sweet dumpling stall and ordered a large bowl of sweet dumplings. Jian Xingzhi looked at the round things in the bowl, examining them without moving. Qin Wanwan scooped up a dumpling. Seeing Jian Xingzhi examining them, she couldn’t help but look up, incredulous. “You’ve never eaten these?”

Jian Xingzhi felt somewhat embarrassed and could only answer, “I’ve seen them.”

“You’ve been in the cultivation world all these years,” Qin Wanwan was incredulous, “and you’ve never eaten sweet dumplings?”

“I… I was born at Golden Core stage,” Jian Xingzhi explained. “So from the time I can remember, I’ve been in a fasting state.”

“Then how do you know how to cook?” Qin Wanwan became curious about Jian Xingzhi’s past. Jian Xingzhi thought about it. “Because spirit beast meat, spirit rice, and spirit tea are beneficial for cultivation, so I can process these things. But mortal grains, I…”

Before he finished speaking, Qin Wanwan stuffed the dumpling from her spoon into Jian Xingzhi’s mouth.

Jian Xingzhi froze. Qin Wanwan smiled. “Eat it.”

Jian Xingzhi stiffly bit into the dumpling. The dumpling had already been cooled on Qin Wanwan’s spoon, so it wasn’t hot. With one bite, sesame filling flowed out, sweet and fragrant, mixing with the rice-scented glutinous rice—a sweet, soft texture that didn’t belong to the cultivation world.

Eroding the will, corrupting the heart and soul.

Jian Xingzhi chewed the dumpling in confusion. After swallowing it, Qin Wanwan asked him, “Is it good?”

“Good.”

Jian Xingzhi was somewhat excited. He picked up the bowl and poured it into his mouth.

After finishing the bowl in a few bites, he called to the owner. “Boss, I want more…”

“There are other things.”

Qin Wanwan hurried to stop him. Jian Xingzhi turned to look at Qin Wanwan. “There are better things?”

“Yes.” Qin Wanwan nodded, placing money on the table. She pulled his wrist. “Come, I’ll take you to eat.”

Jian Xingzhi was pulled up by her and began following her to sweep through the night market.

His whole life had been aimed at cultivation. Before meeting Qin Wanwan, he had never relaxed for even a moment.

Food, clothing, shelter, travel—all related to cultivation. Mortal trivial matters were but passing clouds. He’d seen them, knew of them, but never tried them.

Qin Wanwan led him to eat pastries, cakes, candy, roasted chestnuts. She brought him to guess lantern riddles, throw darts, wear masks, watch street performances.

Finally, they stopped in front of a candied hawthorn stall. She bought him candied hawthorn. Jian Xingzhi’s hands were full, holding snacks, biting candied hawthorn, when he suddenly remembered. “Wanwan, your parents are in the Immortal Realm. Do the candied hawthorn they buy taste the same as this?”

This question stumped Qin Wanwan. She then remembered the lie she had told. She awkwardly nodded. “About the same.”

“Wouldn’t the Immortal Realm’s taste better?”

Jian Xingzhi was curious. Qin Wanwan nodded. “A bit better.”

“Can you make it?”

Qin Wanwan realized what he was going to ask and immediately refused. “No.”

Jian Xingzhi felt quite regretful. He thought about it, thinking of the future. “When we return to the Immortal Realm, I’ll bring your parents to my Dao Palace. From then on, they can occasionally make me a few skewers.”

Listening to Jian Xingzhi’s aspirations, Qin Wanwan felt somewhat moved. She walked at his side with her hands behind her back, smiling. “Alright. If you still acknowledge me as your disciple at that time.”

“Of course I’ll acknowledge you.” Jian Xingzhi was puzzled. “What reason would I have not to acknowledge you?”

Qin Wanwan said nothing. The two walked to the front of the Matchmaker Temple. Qin Wanwan saw Xie Gutang standing at the entrance, giving her a signal—they must have found Yan Wushuang.

She looked at the sky, then at the long street, and stopped.

Jian Xingzhi wondered why Qin Wanwan had stopped. Gripping his candied hawthorn, he turned to look at her.

“What’s wrong?”

“Master,” Qin Wanwan deliberated on how to speak. “Did you have fun tonight?”

“Yes.” Jian Xingzhi nodded. He rarely lied. His feelings were always straightforward.

Qin Wanwan put her hands behind her back. “Then… now that you’ve had enough fun, how about you head back first?”

Jian Xingzhi was confused for an instant. He instinctively glanced to the side and saw Xie Gutang waiting for Qin Wanwan in front of the Matchmaker Temple.

He suddenly became clever, his emotional intelligence unprecedentedly high. He asked hesitantly, “You want to go find Xie Gutang?”

“Mm.”

Qin Wanwan didn’t hide it either. Jian Xingzhi gripped his candied hawthorn, holding the snacks and toys in his arms. He had an impulse not to leave. He knew it was inappropriate but still spoke with difficulty. “Can’t I come along?”

“Master,” Qin Wanwan looked at him. “You need to give me some space. I have things to do. Actually, this boat race—I originally had something I wanted. I worked very hard for it. Because you suddenly appeared, all my plans went awry.”

“Then…” Jian Xingzhi continued struggling. “Whatever you want, just tell me. Wouldn’t it be better if I helped you?”

“Master,” Qin Wanwan sighed. “I don’t have to tell you everything, right?”

Jian Xingzhi didn’t speak. Qin Wanwan continued. “Even if you’re my master, I still have my own life. I don’t want to tell you about this matter. Go back.”

These words were extremely hurtful coming from Qin Wanwan’s mouth. Jian Xingzhi nodded, pretending to be calm. “Mm, I understand. Fine, then you do what you need to do. I’m going back.”

With that, Jian Xingzhi hugged the snacks and toys and turned to leave.

The youth walked along the long street, blue robe and white inner garment, jade crown binding his hair high. The inherent coldness of a sword cultivator enveloped him. It was as if in an instant he had withdrawn from all that bustling prosperity, becoming like the Suiheng Immortal Lord Qin Wanwan had seen years ago—lofty and aloof, isolated from the world.

Qin Wanwan stared blankly at his retreating figure until Xie Gutang came to remind her. “Yan Wushuang was resting in the back courtyard just now. I caught him.”

“That simple?”

Qin Wanwan was somewhat shocked. Then she immediately turned around. “Let’s go interrogate him!”

Xie Gutang led Qin Wanwan to find the captured Yan Wushuang. Jian Xingzhi walked alone on the street in confusion.

The long street that had just been bustling and lively somehow suddenly lost its flavor.

Actually, he had been alone for over a hundred years. He should have gotten used to it long ago. He didn’t know why, but it seemed that having grown accustomed to liveliness, suddenly returning to being alone made him feel strangely cold.

He walked the street in confusion, wanting to make himself happier.

Actually, even without Qin Wanwan saying it, he also knew—she was definitely going to pledge herself for life with Xie Gutang under the Matchmaker Temple.

After pledging for life, maybe they would even pledge for life after life. With Xie Gutang’s talent, ascension was only a matter of time. When they reached the Immortal Realm in the future, they would be an immortal couple.

Jian Xingzhi hugged the little trinkets Qin Wanwan had bought him, in a daze.

A youth saw him from afar and called out loudly. “Sir, would you like a divination reading? Solve life’s perplexities!”

In the past, hearing this, Jian Xingzhi would never pay attention. Calculating heavenly fate—how could these roadside mortals do such a thing?

But at this moment, hearing these words, he instinctively stopped and looked up to see a scholar waving a fan, sitting in his seat with a smile looking at him.

This scholar wore white robes, his peach blossom eyes quite attractive.

Jian Xingzhi hesitated for a moment, then walked to the stall.

The scholar waved his fan. “Character reading or divination—what would you like, sir?”

“I have a question.”

Jian Xingzhi frowned. The scholar raised his hand. “Please speak.”

“It’s like this. I have a friend,” Jian Xingzhi deliberated, then emphasized, “A friend.”

The scholar nodded. “I understand. A friend.”

“He has a female disciple. This female disciple has taken a liking to a male sword cultivator. He also wants to bring them together, but every time the disciple is with the sword cultivator, he feels uncomfortable.”

“What kind of uncomfortable?”

The scholar was curious. Jian Xingzhi pondered, using all his vocabulary to describe. “Just, his heart feels sour, a bit wronged, unhappy, and also a bit angry. Very complicated.”

The scholar nodded. “I understand. Jealousy.”

“Jealousy?” Jian Xingzhi felt this word was very fitting. He nodded. “Indeed, very jealous. He just doesn’t understand how his own disciple is becoming someone else’s. And other people even tell my friend that after the disciple marries, he needs to keep his distance. But he’s her master. Could that person be better than the master? Stronger than the master? More attentive and caring toward her than the master?”

“What if he could be?” The scholar asked in return. Jian Xingzhi was stumped for a moment.

Seeing Jian Xingzhi in a daze, the scholar thought about it. “Let me ask you—does your friend want to spend a lifetime with this female disciple…”

“It’s my friend!”

Jian Xingzhi emphasized. The scholar nodded. “Fine, the disciple. This female disciple—does your friend want to spend a lifetime with her?”

Jian Xingzhi didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

“Then, if there were a man, a perfect man, who wanted to be with your friend forever, accompanying the female disciple together, would your friend be willing?”

Jian Xingzhi fell silent, expressing his resistance. He didn’t even need to think—how could there be a perfect man?

Men were all trash, except him.

The scholar understood. “Then, let me ask you—if one day, your friend’s female disciple actively kissed him, would he be willing?”

Hearing this, Jian Xingzhi’s eyes widened.

In that moment, the sensation of kissing Qin Wanwan’s neck under the cliff flashed through his mind. His entire face flushed red as he stared fixedly at the scholar.

“You… you…”

“Willing or unwilling?”

The scholar interrupted him. “It’s not you anyway. Why are you so nervous?”

“Will… willing.” Jian Xingzhi stammered.

The scholar nodded. “I understand now.”

“What do you understand?”

The scholar pulled out a piece of paper and took out a magnifying glass made of glass, pushing it in front of Jian Xingzhi. “Read the words on it aloud.”

Jian Xingzhi confusedly accepted this paper with only one line of barely visible tiny characters. Using the magnifying glass to look at the small characters, he read them out word by word:

“This. Is. What. Love. Is.”