Li Xiuji’s questioning was sharp. For a moment, Jiang Zhaoxue found it difficult to discern whether he was standing up for Pei Zichen or probing Ye Tianjiao’s identity.
If it was the former, then the person before her should be Li Xiuji. Since he remembered Pei Zichen and would speak up for him, his attitude toward her shouldn’t be what it was now.
Even if he bore no goodwill, it shouldn’t be this lukewarm demeanor.
If he was probing Ye Tianjiao’s identity…
Jiang Zhaoxue became vigilant in her heart, feeling this was becoming far too complex.
Internal strife in the Jiuyou Realm was intense—otherwise Ye Tianjiao, a Right Envoy, wouldn’t have been driven out. The person before her was either a puppet arranged by Xin Luoyi, or if truly Li Xiuji, judging by today’s attitude, he should be aligned with Xin Luoyi. Ye Tianjiao had tricked her into coming here—her situation was likely several times more dangerous than Ye Tianjiao had described.
She dared not answer carelessly, only deflecting: “Pei Zichen was my former dao companion’s disciple. How could I compete with my dao companion for a disciple? If his talent was exceptional, I would simply help teach and nurture him.”
“What if he wasn’t Shen Yuqing’s disciple?” The person across continued pressing: “If you had the opportunity to take him as your disciple, would you choose Pei Zichen or Ye Chen?”
This question stumped Jiang Zhaoxue. As she hesitated, Pei Zichen watched her calmly.
Actually, they both knew in their hearts that Jiang Zhaoxue had once had the opportunity to take him as her disciple.
Back then, he had desperately climbed the heavenly ladder of the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion. The first “Master” he called out was to Jiang Zhaoxue. But she had never considered taking him as a disciple, easily saying “I am your master’s wife” with one sentence, turning him into Shen Yuqing’s disciple.
Thinking of this matter, Pei Zichen felt his question was pointless. He lowered his eyes, drank a mouthful of wine from his cup, and said softly: “This seat is meddling. Whom Immortal Lord Jiang chooses as disciples is the Immortal Lord’s private matter. This seat asked too much.”
“The Emperor is too kind.”
Jiang Zhaoxue came to her senses and probed: “However, that the Emperor cares so much about Pei Zichen—do you remember past events and wish to speak up for Pei Zichen’s injustice?”
“The Immortal Lord jests,” the young man laughed lightly, only saying: “Old friends from a thousand years ago—remembering them is already difficult enough. Who would care about more than that?”
Saying this, the other party turned his gaze to Ye Tianjiao, saying indifferently: “I’m merely curious what kind of young prodigy this disciple of the Immortal Lord is.”
“He’s not any formidable person,” hearing “prodigy,” Jiang Zhaoxue felt the other party was implying something, and quickly said: “Just an ordinary youth. His origins were somewhat miserable, and he bears some resemblance to Zichen, plus he’s rather clingy, which is why I made an exception to take him as a disciple.”
“Resemblance?”
The other party clearly didn’t believe it, only asking: “In what way do they resemble each other?”
“Uh…”
Jiang Zhaoxue struggled, searching for similarities between Ye Tianjiao and Pei Zichen, desperately organizing her words: “Good-looking? Both have the character ‘Chen’ in their names? Both young?”
Jiang Zhaoxue randomly found a few reasons, then following her previous words, continued making things up: “His family members all just passed away, so I took him in. Now he’s very dependent on me, which is why on this trip to the Jiuyou Realm, even though he only has Golden Core cultivation, I still brought him along.”
“Oh,” the other party nodded, as if seeing through her thoughts, casually saying: “Truly pitiful. So what the Immortal Lord means is?”
“What I mean is, I want to ask how the Emperor has arranged lodging,” Jiang Zhaoxue boldly said. “If it’s convenient, I hope the Emperor could inform those below—could arrangements be made for me and this disciple to share the same courtyard?”
Jiang Zhaoxue spoke politely, bowing her head in salute, displaying full propriety. However, the other party remained silent for a long while.
Jiang Zhaoxue looked up in confusion: “Emperor?”
“This seat hasn’t concerned himself with such matters,” the other party, called by her, seemed to just come to his senses. He turned to watch the song and dance again, drinking another cup before saying: “But since the Immortal Lord has made this request, this seat will inform them shortly.”
Hearing the other party agree, Jiang Zhaoxue was overjoyed and quickly saluted: “Thank you, Emperor.”
The other party said nothing more, as if he hadn’t heard, focusing on watching the song and dance.
Afterward, the two sat quietly behind the curtain, watching the performance arranged by the Jiuyou Realm. “Li Xiuji” was perfectly courteous, occasionally explaining to Jiang Zhaoxue about the customs and culture of the Jiuyou Realm.
Jiang Zhaoxue listened with interest, chatting casually with him. Before she knew it, she had drunk quite a bit.
Seeing that in the second half, Zhou Shan was about to bring people from the Jiuyou Realm up to offer toasts, Jiang Zhaoxue silently thought this was bad. She quickly feigned drunkenness and with a “clang” crashed onto the table.
Zhou Shan was just coming forward to offer a toast when he saw Jiang Zhaoxue collapse directly. In a dilemma, he instinctively looked toward Pei Zichen above, only to see Pei Zichen glance at Jiang Zhaoxue and say indifferently: “The Immortal Lord is drunk. I’ll send her back.”
“Oh.”
Zhou Shan reacted and quickly said: “Then I’ll immediately send someone…”
“She has a curse on her body.”
Jiang Zhaoxue heard “Li Xiuji” speak. Her heart jumped, then she heard the other party say indifferently: “You can’t touch her. I’ll send her there.”
Hearing these words, Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly felt she could still lift her head and drink another round.
However, the other party didn’t give her a chance to back out. He had already stepped forward, scooped her up horizontally, and held her.
Jiang Zhaoxue’s entire body stiffened, then she immediately forced herself not to be rigid, lest “Li Xiuji” notice. With so many people watching now, the best approach was to play dead to the end.
Her act seemed quite successful. “Li Xiuji” was completely unaware, carrying her out of the great hall and instructing those behind him: “Pass word to Zhou Shan—the Immortal Lord wishes to share a courtyard with her disciple. Send her disciple over shortly.”
Hearing these words, Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat reassured, thinking this person was easier to talk to than she had imagined.
She peacefully played dead in the other party’s embrace. Pei Zichen carried this unusually docile person toward his own bedchamber.
He naturally knew she wasn’t drunk. He was clear about her alcohol tolerance—with today’s wine, if she didn’t want to get drunk, no one could force her.
It was just that she wanted to rest, so he went along with her wishes. It also happened to allow him to bring her alone back to his palace, sparing him from thinking up many other reasons.
The only place the Book of Fate couldn’t spy on was the Jiuyou Realm. But the Jiuyou Realm also had many people with mixed intentions. Xin Luoyi’s attitude toward Jiang Zhaoxue was unknown. Placing her in Jingxin Garden made him uneasy. After much thought, only his bedchamber was the safest.
The Jiuyou Realm was created single-handedly by Li Xiuji. His body could sense everywhere in the Jiuyou Realm, and where he resided was a near “domain”-like existence completely under his control—it couldn’t be safer.
If Jiang Zhaoxue went there and obediently stayed until he dealt with the Book of Fate, this was the most secure place.
Calculating in his heart, he lowered his eyes to look at the person in his arms. She was still pretending to sleep, feigning composure. However, the tips of her ears had reddened somewhat, and her heartbeat had quickened a bit.
Pei Zichen couldn’t help but find it amusing, sensing her presence in his embrace while restraining his other impulses.
Carrying her all the way to his bedchamber, as soon as Jiang Zhaoxue entered the gate of Pei Zichen’s palace, she felt something unusual.
The demonic energy here was far too pure and dense, completely different from other places. Her power was entirely suppressed, as if she had entered a “domain”-like existence.
Her heart immediately became vigilant. She felt the person carrying her bring her through the courtyard, up the steps, and finally heard a “creak” as the palace door opened wide. He carried her into an exceptionally spacious room.
Jiang Zhaoxue frowned, realizing this was absolutely not a guest room. She remained vigilant about the other party’s movements, only hearing the sound of gauze curtains being drawn aside. Then she felt the other party gently place her on a soft bed.
The moment she touched the bed, the scent belonging solely to the other party came overwhelmingly. Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but furrow her brow.
This place was filled everywhere with that person’s scent, but he had obviously deliberately concealed it. She could only feel herself enveloped by the other party’s smell but couldn’t distinguish what specific scent it was.
But she could confirm one thing—she didn’t dislike this scent.
Seeing her furrow her brow, the other party seemed to understand her feelings and explained: “This is where I usually reside. Everything has been replaced with new items today, but after living here long, it’s inevitable my scent has permeated. After you stay for a couple of days, you’ll get used to it.”
Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart jumped, momentarily uncertain whether the other party was speaking to her or talking to himself.
The other party clearly didn’t need her response and only continued: “The situation in the Jiuyou Realm is complex. As the Immortal Lord, you are a target of all. Only this place is completely under my protection. Rest here now. I’ll arrange for your people to come over as soon as possible. Rest well for now.”
Having said this, Jiang Zhaoxue felt the other party place a stone beside her. Only then did she realize that just now, this person had been speaking to a recording stone.
She felt relieved and continued playing dead. But after the other party finished speaking, he didn’t leave.
He was watching her.
He gazed at Jiang Zhaoxue lying on his bed. The sheets, brocade quilt, and pillows here had all been replaced by him for her, but they were all backup items prepared for him. Purple-black was the honored color in the Jiuyou Realm, so all these items were purple-black in color.
Jiang Zhaoxue wore the white robe with gold thread she had worn from the True Immortal Realm—a dignified and elegant ceremonial dress with layer upon layer. She was like a wrapped candy, lying on his bed, surrounded and enveloped by his colors.
This scene made it impossible for him to look away. His blood boiled. The sensation of just holding her lingered at his fingertips.
Jiang Zhaoxue felt his gaze as if it had substance. She couldn’t help but grow nervous. However, after just a moment, the other party spoke another sentence left in the recording stone: “If you wake, there are robes in the wardrobe. Remember to change.”
Jiang Zhaoxue: “…”
Good grief, so this was the struggle of a germaphobe.
But that the other party didn’t intend to do anything still made Jiang Zhaoxue breathe a sigh of relief. She only saw the other party, after speaking, rise and leave composedly. After he completely closed the door and departed, Jiang Zhaoxue instantly sat up and looked around.
As she expected, this indeed wasn’t any ordinary guest room—it was clearly the bedchamber style that only the master of this Demon Palace would have.
She quickly got off the bed and walked around. She saw this bedchamber was enormous. Behind it was a hot spring bath pool large enough to swim in, with flower petals scattered in it. To the side, a washroom and a dressing room for changing clothes were all complete.
Even the bed was twice the size of normal ones.
After circling around, Jiang Zhaoxue removed her elaborate outer robe and sat on a small couch to the side, sorting through the current situation.
She had come to the Jiuyou Realm and first encountered a crow-man. This person’s strength far exceeded hers. He attacked her consciousness sea but only placed a prank curse on her that prevented others from touching her—showing this person was mischievous by nature but should be friend rather than foe to her.
Afterward, she met this “Li Xiuji.” His identity couldn’t be completely confirmed, his intentions weren’t entirely clear, but one thing could be determined—he wanted to trap her.
This place appeared to be a bedchamber, but the flow of power was almost no different from a domain. That is, her every move within this area—whether the other party wanted to know or not, he could know at any time. Moreover, within this range, her power would be absolutely suppressed.
Although that person said it was for her safety, if the Jiuyou Realm was so unsafe, why let her come?
After letting her come, why trap her?
Saying he would arrange for her people to come over—she didn’t believe a single word.
Since he could bring her here, it must have been with Li Xiuji’s permission. Her disciple—how could he possibly stay in Li Xiuji’s bedchamber? This showed that at the banquet, that person was full of lies, everything just to stabilize her.
So was he Li Xiuji or not?
What did he want to do?
If he was Li Xiuji…
Jiang Zhaoxue touched the pill box she had prepared long ago in her sleeve—
Should she feed him the medicine or not?
She pondered in her heart. A’Nan beside her found it somewhat strange and tilted his head: “Why not feed it to him?”
“Because…”
Jiang Zhaoxue looked up at her surroundings, thinking: “The flow of power here is the same as that crow-man we met on the boat. This is Li Xiuji’s bedchamber, and that person bore no ill intent toward me—meaning Li Xiuji doesn’t intend to harm me in his heart. Back then I only owed him one divination slip. If he doesn’t harm me…”
Could she harm him?
Back then, she only wanted to survive, wanting to use Pei Zichen to find the divine artifact.
Now, was she going to harm Li Xiuji again for the sake of Pei Zichen?
Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart grew heavy. After thinking for a moment, she became more open-minded: “Forget it, let’s interrogate Ye Tianjiao first.”
“Interrogate Ye Tianjiao?”
Hearing this, A’Nan immediately grew nervous: “This is Li Xiuji’s domain. If you send a voice transmission, it will be discovered immediately!”
“No, it won’t.”
Jiang Zhaoxue was quite confident. A’Nan asked in confusion: “What do you plan to do?”
“Just watch.”
Saying this, Jiang Zhaoxue opened a small domain around herself, raised her hand and swept around. Black energy all rushed into her palm.
Then she headed straight for the bathroom, removed her clothing, and entered the water pool.
This bath was luxurious, comparable to Penglai. After Jiang Zhaoxue settled into the water, she extended her hand.
“What do you want to do?” A’Nan quickly jumped to the pool’s edge, feeling the excitement of doing something bad.
Jiang Zhaoxue looked at it and smiled, patiently explaining: “The reason spiritual power voice transmissions are detected is because the other party discovers the spiritual power. If we use his power for the transmission, naturally he won’t notice.”
“His power? How can you use it?”
A’Nan couldn’t figure it out: “Since it’s his power, even if you use it, you must convert it to yours. Won’t that still be detected?”
“So I’m only forging it.” She gathered all the energy belonging to that person that she had obtained today, slowly saying: “I’ll surround my spiritual power with his power, disguising it as his power, and send it out along the domain. This way, Ye Tianjiao can also identify whether this is really Li Xiuji or not.”
Ye Tianjiao had followed Li Xiuji for many years and should be very familiar with his demonic essence.
Saying this, Jiang Zhaoxue closed her eyes and said softly: “Heaven’s Will summons—condense energy.”
The moment the words fell, A’Nan saw a mass of black energy condense in Jiang Zhaoxue’s palm, identical to the aura of the entire domain!
Then this black energy dispersed. Another golden light emerged from Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand. The black energy wrapped around the golden light. Jiang Zhaoxue raised her hand and sent it forth, manipulating the demonic energy to flow along with the domain’s power circulation direction, flowing outward together with other demonic power in the domain.
She brought two fingers together and placed them at her lips, solemnly saying: “Heaven’s Will summons—voice transmission, Ye Tianjiao.”
As soon as Jiang Zhaoxue opened her mouth, spiritual power instantly shot out. In no time at all, Jiang Zhaoxue heard a confused voice tinged with drunkenness coming through, slurring: “Sis… Sister?!”
“It’s me.”
Jiang Zhaoxue got straight to the point, explaining: “Time is limited. Answer two questions for me. First, is the demonic essence stained on the spiritual power transmitting to you right now Li Xiuji’s?”
“Yes.”
Ye Tianjiao answered without hesitation, then reacted: “What’s wrong?”
This demonic essence contained the essence of today’s masked man, the crow-man, and the palace’s demonic essence all mixed together—almost identical. Since Ye Tianjiao was certain, this pretty much confirmed Li Xiuji’s identity.
“Answer my second question,” Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t engage with him and directly asked: “How do you plan to resurrect Pei Zichen?”
This question stunned Ye Tianjiao. He couldn’t help saying: “At a time like this, you’re still asking about this?”
“You have two choices,” Jiang Zhaoxue’s tone was flat, without any room for negotiation. “Either tell me your bargaining chip right now, or I’ll trade you and Li Xiuji and Xin Luoyi to have them help me resurrect Pei Zichen. You choose.”
“What the—!” Ye Tianjiao finally reacted. “You had me come with you to the Jiuyou Realm just to conveniently threaten me?!”
“You wouldn’t explain things clearly to me but wanted to trick me into coming here to work for you,” Jiang Zhaoxue gave a mocking laugh. “Empty words—do you think I’m stupid? Time is running out. Tell me how you’re going to resurrect Pei Zichen.”
Hearing this, Ye Tianjiao gritted his teeth and could only say: “Pei Zichen is connected to the Jiuyou Realm. His soul is currently trapped in the Jiuyou Realm. You feed the medicine to Li Xiuji, and I’ll tell you where his soul is.”
Listening, Jiang Zhaoxue thought “as expected.” She said coldly: “What exactly is the medicine you gave me?”
“Hey, stop asking,” Ye Tianjiao was getting a headache from her questions and said painfully: “You just need to know: first, Pei Zichen is my brother and I won’t harm him; second, aside from me, no one else knows where he is; third, this medicine only has benefits for Li Xiuji, no harm. Once you feed Li Xiuji the medicine, we’ll have a chance to meet. Fourth, Li Xiuji’s mind isn’t normal—if any accident occurs you must run! Otherwise you’ll really die…”
Before he could finish, Ye Tianjiao’s voice disappeared.
A’Nan was rather regretful: “Oh dear, the demonic essence ran out.”
Jiang Zhaoxue acknowledged. She had sensed it early on, but what needed to be asked had been asked clearly. The rest wasn’t important.
First, this person was indeed Li Xiuji.
Second, Pei Zichen’s soul was in the Jiuyou Realm. Ye Tianjiao clearly knew the location, and possibly he alone knew.
Third, the medicine Ye Tianjiao gave for Li Xiuji only had benefits, no harm.
Should she trust Ye Tianjiao’s words or not?
Jiang Zhaoxue contemplated, rising from the water, casually tying on a simple robe and walking out. She returned to the bed, sat on it, took out the medicine and studied it for a long time, still unable to determine what exactly this medicine was.
The powder of this medicine was glutinous rice flour paste with some added caramel. What made it effective were the runes hidden inside, but she truly couldn’t discern what these runes were meant to do.
A thousand years—no matter how dissolute and unrestrained Ye Tianjiao appeared, he was a grand master of the talismanic arts. The talismans he set, Jiang Zhaoxue indeed couldn’t quite figure out.
After looking for a long time without understanding, Jiang Zhaoxue stopped embarrassing herself and began pondering the truthfulness of Ye Tianjiao’s words.
She had tried to summon Pei Zichen’s soul many times but there had never been any response—either his soul had scattered completely, or as Ye Tianjiao said, his soul was trapped by someone.
That Ye Tianjiao knew where Pei Zichen was trapped and was the only one who knew—she could verify this by casually asking anyone in the Jiuyou Realm. There was no need for Ye Tianjiao to lie about such a thing.
Ye Tianjiao’s condition was for her to drug Li Xiuji. But back then she promised Li Xiuji a way to survive. If this medicine was poison, there was no reason for her to promise someone something then turn around and poison them.
Ye Tianjiao probably thought of this point too, which is why he specifically told her this medicine only had benefits for Li Xiuji, no harm.
But if Ye Tianjiao bore no ill will toward Li Xiuji, what was he hiding from? He could just directly recognize Li Xiuji as family.
So Ye Tianjiao must have some difficulty that prevented him from recognizing Li Xiuji, and only after taking this medicine could he resolve this difficulty…
Jiang Zhaoxue’s mind went through all the information once but couldn’t figure out the thread. She simply put the medicine back in her storage pouch, cleaned up the spiritual traces left by Ye Tianjiao’s transmission, then pulled the quilt over herself.
She lay down and sensed Qingye, Dielan, and Dieqing’s situation, confirming they weren’t injured or in trouble before relaxing.
A’Nan beside her pulled a small quilt over himself. Seeing her eyes open without speaking, he asked curiously: “Do you believe Ye Tianjiao’s words? Are you going to feed Li Xiuji the medicine?”
Jiang Zhaoxue listened but didn’t speak, quietly gazing at A’Nan’s small quilt.
This floral quilt was sewn by Pei Zichen for A’Nan some days ago. When he was sewing this small quilt, she sat beside him, watching him compare floral patterns, cut fabric, select the best cotton, and sew each stitch extremely seriously.
She remembered when Pei Zichen first learned to sew small quilts—back then they were still in Taizhou, and Ye Tianjiao had secretly mocked him, saying he was like a little wife.
Thinking of scenes from when the three were young, Jiang Zhaoxue felt a pang in her heart.
A’Nan also sensed something and comforted her: “Just trust him once. At least he’s a friend, and besides…”
A’Nan murmured, seeming somewhat sleepy: “What else can we do?”
She needed to save Pei Zichen. People have intimacy and distance, matters have urgency and priority. She couldn’t not trust him.
Jiang Zhaoxue took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and said softly: “Tomorrow observe Li Xiuji and see how best to proceed.”
After all, he was also deceiving her—who knows what kind of thing he was.
A’Nan acknowledged, then thought of something else and said vaguely: “Also, is your method reliable? Our plan won’t all be known in advance, will it?”
“Unless he’s very familiar with me, or has some other method I don’t know about, he might possibly discover it,” Jiang Zhaoxue said with eyes closed, casually: “But he definitely can’t know the content.”
The method she used for transmitting messages was encrypted and then encrypted again—only a talismanic genius like Ye Tianjiao could decode it.
Li Xiuji cultivated the ghost path, but his essential inheritance was sword cultivation. He couldn’t possibly have Ye Tianjiao’s kind of ability.
Hearing Jiang Zhaoxue’s explanation, A’Nan finally felt at ease and went to sleep.
Jiang Zhaoxue remained in this empty great hall, silent. After a long while, she still couldn’t quite fall asleep. In a daze, she vaguely recalled “Li Xiuji’s” words at the banquet.
“If there’s someone one wants to see, then it becomes easiest of all.”
Someone she wanted to see…
As soon as this thought emerged, Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly felt the wine’s effects rise up. In a confused daze, not knowing whether she was falling asleep or passing out drunk, she slowly lost consciousness.
Before long, a cool breeze swept through the great hall. With a “creak,” the young man in purple-black robes who had left now returned.
Black boots stepped onto the black marble floor. The hem of his robe embroidered with gold and silver threads flowed like water across the ground. Black energy surged in with his entry, instantly covering the sky and blocking out the sun, obscuring all moonlight and plunging the entire room into darkness.
Jiang Zhaoxue’s brow furrowed slightly. She struggled to raise her eyes but couldn’t quite open them.
She only saw hazily and vaguely through the haze that beyond the bed curtain, someone seemed to have walked in.
The bed curtain blocked the other party’s specific appearance. She could only vaguely make out his form—wide robes and loose hair, a thin figure. As the footsteps drew nearer and nearer, he finally stopped before the bed canopy.
The surrounding mist slowly dispersed. The room’s doors and windows had long been closed. Moonlight filtered through the hollow carved patterns in a dappled display. The young man drew aside the bed curtain. His gaze was almost tangible, sweeping bit by bit across her body.
Jiang Zhaoxue was muddle-headed, as if in a dream. She tried to struggle but felt her entire body weak and powerless.
The other party clearly also noticed she had been completely controlled and couldn’t move. He bent down, lifted her finger to look at it, lowered his head to sniff for a moment, then put it down.
Who?
Jiang Zhaoxue thought in confusion. The other party obviously wouldn’t answer.
She only felt the other party sit on the edge of the bed, looking down at her, murmuring softly: “Didn’t I say I would help you arrange for people to come over? Why so anxious?”
Saying this, from beneath the young man’s sleeves, black energy emerged like vipers, slithering and drilling into her sleeves and dress.
The cold, slippery sensation coiled around her skin, as if someone’s palms were lightly stroking and caressing. Jiang Zhaoxue furrowed her brow tightly, her breathing involuntarily becoming chaotic.
The young man watched her quietly, his voice seeming to come from the horizon. Allowing those serpents transformed from demonic energy to swim across her body, he asked in a low voice: “Unable to separate all night—who were you talking to?”
Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t respond. The serpents patrolled all over her body and began to lick lightly, seemingly tasting and discerning something more carefully. Her breathing grew increasingly rapid. The young man’s eyes grew darker and darker, his tone carrying coldness: “Not leaving even half a trace of spiritual essence—you’ve hidden the person quite well. Come, let me see.”
A serpent coiled around her inner thigh. The young man leaned down, as if examining her, warning warmly: “If I can’t figure out who it is…”
Demonic energy overflowed uncontrollably from the young man’s sleeves, transforming into two serpents that pulled her legs apart. The rest roamed across her body. Sweat dripped from Jiang Zhaoxue’s forehead. The young man stared at the small tongue vaguely revealed between slightly parted lips and teeth, feeling the sensations brought by that demonic energy. He didn’t know if he was comforting himself or declaring to her—he only supported himself on both sides of her body, unable to restrain himself from pressing close to her, pronouncing hoarsely: “Then you’ll have to be punished.”
Having said this, a serpent’s tongue curled. The woman’s entire body arched like a bowstring, crying out in shock.
That sound was like a horn. The demonic energy in his sleeves instantly transformed into countless small snakes surging toward the person on the bed.
The woman’s voice was like jade shattering on Kunshan, mixed with panting sounds, spreading wantonly through the great hall.
Hearing that sound, the young man’s eyes trembled. His eyes were like an ice surface pressing down on magma, staring at her motionlessly, gazing at her, as if wanting to swallow her whole, yet unwilling to touch her even slightly.
He only wanted to watch her sink into pleasure and suffering without fruition, falling into the hell of joy together with him.
“Jiang Zhaoxue,” she vaguely heard someone inform her hoarsely: “I’m not begging you. I’m punishing you. Do you understand?”
She understood.
Though she didn’t know where that voice came from, she understood his meaning.
She was trapped in an extremely bizarre dream.
In the dream, she seemed to be coiled by a giant python. The thick serpent body wrapped around her entire form. Then that giant snake transformed into human shape, supporting himself above her, kissing her chest and continuing downward.
Tormenting her, kissing her, until finally, he tenderly called out: “Yaoyao.”
That familiar voice rang out, as if gently stroking her hair, the voice right by her ear: “Did you miss me?”
“Don’t…”
Jiang Zhaoxue’s entire body trembled. She grabbed onto the young man’s sleeve, almost crying out: “Pei Zichen… don’t…”
At this name, the young man froze. In that instant, Jiang Zhaoxue jolted awake from the extreme and nearly insane stimulation, suddenly sitting up!
Jiang Zhaoxue gasped for breath, looking around in panic.
Everything around her was as before. The entire room was exceptionally quiet, with only moonlight quietly falling.
The aftershocks hadn’t subsided. She felt as if she were still in the dream, her muscles trembling uncontrollably.
Suddenly the night wind swept in. The bed curtain swayed lightly. She suddenly realized—
Something was wrong!
“You’re awake?”
The young man’s voice came from beside her. Jiang Zhaoxue’s defensive formation instantly activated. At the same time, she raised her eyes and saw the other party’s appearance clearly.
The masked young man in wide sleeves sat quietly at the bedside, his eyes clear and cold, looking at her without any improper thoughts.
Jiang Zhaoxue panted uncontrollably, looking at the person before her in shock: “Emperor?”
“You drank too much wine tonight. Your mental state was unstable and attracted evil spirits into your body.”
The young man’s voice was like floating ice, refreshing to the heart. Jiang Zhaoxue slowly calmed down, hearing the young man say: “I specifically came to check on you.”
“The Emperor jests.”
Hearing these words, Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t believe them. She stared intently at the other party’s eyes, retorting coldly: “With the Emperor presiding here, what evil spirit in the world would dare offend this place?”
“You want to hear the truth?” Hearing this, the young man knew she didn’t believe his words.
Reminded by his words, Jiang Zhaoxue finally reacted—the gap in their strength was too great. Her reaction was somewhat excessive. If they truly fought, she wouldn’t gain any advantage.
Seeing her regain some clarity, the young man didn’t let it go. He only looked quietly at her eyes and continued: “If you want to hear it, then the truth is, I just detected that Immortal Lord Jiang contacted an outsider. I thought the Immortal Lord must be dissatisfied with my arrangements, so I specifically came to check who exactly the Immortal Lord was contacting. Unfortunately, the Immortal Lord wiped away the spiritual traces too cleanly—I have no way of knowing the other party’s identity. The only thing I can know…”
Saying this, the young man leaned forward. The instant his breath rushed toward her, Jiang Zhaoxue’s body suddenly stiffened.
The intense aftershocks from the dream just now seemed to instantly ignite again. She sat tensely in place, only feeling the young man sniff at her ear without any intimacy, calmly stating: “A female cultivator’s spiritual essence should be predominantly yin with weak yang, but now it’s mostly nearly balanced between yin and yang…” Saying this, he turned his eyes to look at her, meaningfully: “A man?”
These words were too ambiguous. Jiang Zhaoxue’s pupils contracted sharply.
She knew this was a warning—a warning that the other party had detected her contacting others.
Using such a frivolous tone to warn her, Jiang Zhaoxue was furious in her heart. However, her expression didn’t change on the surface. She said coldly: “The Emperor jests.”
Jiang Zhaoxue secretly gripped the brocade quilt, turning her head to face the other party, warning neither humbly nor arrogantly: “Who I contact is not for the Emperor to investigate.”
Hearing this, the young man’s expression didn’t move. He only gazed at her eyes, like a snake staring at its prey—calm, focused, devouring her entire being in his eyes.
Realizing this, she couldn’t help but think of the frenzied dream just now, involuntarily complaining internally about the current distance.
They were too close, breaths intertwining, gazes merging. If either person leaned forward half an inch, it seemed they could kiss.
Even though the other party’s gaze was as cold as a winter river or deep well, Jiang Zhaoxue’s body still couldn’t help but heat up.
She didn’t know the other party’s intention, nor did she want to be at a disadvantage at this moment. She could only stand her ground without retreating, allowing the other party to examine her.
Only saliva gathered in her mouth, more and more. Finally, she couldn’t help it—her throat moved, swallowing down the accumulated liquid.
Seeing this action, the young man seemed to have achieved his purpose and laughed lightly.
“It’s late.”
He suddenly spoke, rising composedly. The bed curtain fell like water on his shoulders. He nodded lightly, as if he hadn’t heard Jiang Zhaoxue’s warning words at all, saying politely: “This seat won’t disturb the Immortal Lord’s rest. I’ll take my leave first.”
Saying this, the young man drew aside the curtain and left the bed canopy. Jiang Zhaoxue reacted and said coldly: “Emperor.”
The young man halted his steps. Jiang Zhaoxue shifted her eyes to look. Through the gauze curtain, looking at that beauty’s silhouette, she asked coldly: “Does the Emperor’s current intention mean to place me under house arrest here?”
“Why would the Immortal Lord think this?” The other party didn’t turn around, his tone polite but his words exceptionally domineering: “It’s just that guests should follow the host’s customs. I don’t wish the Immortal Lord to see many outsiders. I only want the Immortal Lord to stay here for a few more days.”
“Then how many days does the Emperor plan to keep me?”
Jiang Zhaoxue confirmed the other party’s meaning and spoke icily.
The young man seemed to think seriously for a moment, his tone lightening: “Very soon.”
This meant there was no time limit.
Jiang Zhaoxue understood clearly and immediately said: “Then what about my people?”
“Settled in the guest courtyard, living very well.” The young man answered patiently, then reminded: “You should be able to sense them.”
Ye Tianjiao and the other three had left strands of their souls with her. She could indeed sense they should be safe and sound.
Having asked her questions, the young man politely inquired: “Any other questions?”
Jiang Zhaoxue was annoyed by his neither warm nor cold tone. Clearly the one who came to provoke, yet he had to put on an appearance of gentleness and courtesy. She didn’t want to acknowledge him, but the other party turned around, looking through the gauze curtain at Jiang Zhaoxue’s silhouette on the bed. After thinking, he said softly: “If the Immortal Lord has no questions, then let this seat ask one question.”
Jiang Zhaoxue looked up warily, only to hear the other party use an extremely light voice to inquire: “When the Immortal Lord was dreaming just now, did you dream of Pei Zichen?”
The dream from just now suddenly crashed into her mind. Jiang Zhaoxue’s muscles instantly tensed.
Seeing this, the other party confirmed his answer. A smile appeared on his face. He raised his hand and pointed, making the teacup on the table refill itself with warm tea, sending it toward the person on the bed.
“The Immortal Lord should drink some warm tea,” his tone was concerned, but hearing it felt like he was implying something: “Your voice has become somewhat hoarse.”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue was instantly shocked and angry. Not caring about the big picture or patience, she flipped the teacup with her hand and shouted furiously: “Get out!”
The teacup rolled to the ground. However, when she spoke out, Jiang Zhaoxue truly discovered with embarrassment that her voice was indeed somewhat hoarse.
Her entire body completely froze. The young man standing at the door laughed softly, stepped forward to the broken teacup, bent down to clean up the dirty water and debris on the floor, then poured another cup of tea on the table, patiently advising: “Being angry is one thing, but you still need to drink water. Drink up and sleep well.”
Having said this, he raised his hand and pointed. Purple-black calming scriptures floated down before Jiang Zhaoxue’s bed, transforming into strips of talisman paper, encircling the bed.
The young man turned and walked out, comforting: “The evil spirits won’t come again.”
Better not to say this—once said, Jiang Zhaoxue’s anger rose again, her emotions surging, both ashamed and annoyed.
She wasn’t certain when Li Xiuji had come, nor was she certain whether this dream was related to Li Xiuji, much less certain what Li Xiuji had seen.
But regardless of what happened, Li Xiuji coming to provoke her like this was truly infuriating and humiliating.
Jiang Zhaoxue was extremely angry in her heart. She couldn’t help but pound the bed board several times. Then feeling her throat dry and burning with pain, she still bit her teeth, got up, and went to drink the tea on the table.
The floor was cold and somewhat chilly on her feet. She immediately felt some regret—she should have just drunk that tea earlier and saved herself this trip.
She was going to kill him.
Touching the medicine box Ye Tianjiao had given her, she began to regret her initial bit of kindness and compassion, only wishing in her heart this was some kind of deadly poison.
She definitely had to feed him the medicine.
Her feeble moral sense collapsed with a thunderous crash. Thinking of that person’s provocative manner just now, her brain began to spin frantically.
She absolutely had to stuff this medicine into his mouth, then press him to the ground, smash his mask, and trample him underfoot.
Casting curses on the boat, running rampant in her room in the middle of the night—this person repeatedly toyed with her. If she didn’t teach him a lesson, it would simply be an utter humiliation!
Never mind what demigod Demon Lord—she would definitely make him regret it!
While Jiang Zhaoxue was angry in her room, Pei Zichen closed the door and strolled out.
He didn’t know how, but upon hearing Jiang Zhaoxue call out his name in her dream, the sinful fire that had been darkly suppressed in his heart for days finally dissipated. His steps were light, and he actually felt that teasing Jiang Zhaoxue a bit seemed quite an interesting matter.
Thus before dawn even broke, he couldn’t help but start thinking about seeing her again tomorrow.
Only, passing through the corridor and just preparing to go to his meditation place, after walking a few steps, he heard a woman’s voice ring out: “Master, today you seem to be in quite a good mood?”
Pei Zichen’s steps halted. He looked over coldly and saw Xin Luoyi holding documents standing at the doorway, smiling as she examined him.
Pei Zichen’s expression became reserved, falling coldly on the documents in Xin Luoyi’s arms: “What is it?”
“Today’s secret report from our informant in the True Immortal Realm.”
Xin Luoyi said this as she stepped forward, handing a document to Pei Zichen: “Shen Yuqing departed from the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion today, heading for the Jiuyou Realm.”
Hearing these words, Pei Zichen’s expression turned cold.
The night wind swept sharply through the corridor entrance, bringing a chill.
Xin Luoyi bowed her head respectfully: “You’ve just awakened and are at your weakest. The True Immortal Realm watches like tigers eyeing prey. Shen and Jiang are deeply devoted husband and wife. Immortal Lord Jiang’s purpose on this journey is difficult to fathom. I hope Master,” Xin Luoyi raised her eyes, her words earnest, “will be extremely careful.”
After “Li Xiuji” left, Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t sleep all night.
A’Nan slept groggily through the night. Upon waking, he saw Jiang Zhaoxue sitting cross-legged on the bed, looking haggard and full of fighting spirit.
A’Nan was startled by her appearance and couldn’t help saying: “You… what are you doing?”
“Thinking of a way.”
Jiang Zhaoxue told the truth. A’Nan asked in confusion: “Thinking of what way?”
“We’re trapped here.”
“Trapped here?” A’Nan was bewildered. “What do you mean trapped here?”
“Li Xiuji has placed us under house arrest.”
“House arrest?” A’Nan became more confused the more he listened. “Why would he put us under house arrest? A golden house to hide a beauty?”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak. Last night she was also puzzled, but soon she realized the reason.
“The divine artifact is in my hands.”
She turned the jade divination slip in her hand, seriously analyzing: “Back then they were watching Pei Zichen, perhaps for the divine artifact. If so, now that Pei Zichen is dead and the divine artifact is with me, naturally they won’t let me go either. Ye Tianjiao and Li Xiuji shouldn’t be on the same side, so the urgent matter at hand is we need to find a way to quickly drug him and extract ourselves early. The waters of the Jiuyou Realm run too deep,” Jiang Zhaoxue pressed her lips together, “we can’t stay long.”
“Then… then have you thought of any way?”
Hearing her speak so anxiously, A’Nan felt panicked. Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak.
If she wanted to leave, naturally it would be after drugging Li Xiuji. There was only one pill. She had to ensure the medicine could enter Li Xiuji’s mouth. The only way was to first control Li Xiuji, then use the medicine.
But Li Xiuji had a demigod body—wanting to control him, how easy could that be?
From several exchanges, Li Xiuji’s cultivation far exceeded hers. If she wanted to control him, she still needed to think of some special methods.
Fortunately, when she came, she brought many medicines and divine artifacts from Penglai. One of them specifically targeted spiritual bodies. If she set up a great formation in advance, supplemented by medicine targeting spiritual bodies, and gambled with Heaven, controlling Li Xiuji might not necessarily be difficult.
Jiang Zhaoxue contemplated, going through all the means she had. In her heart, she formed a plan.
A’Nan waited beside her for a long while. When dawn broke, Jiang Zhaoxue made her decision. Only then did she rise, draw aside the bed curtain, get off the bed, and call out: “Someone come.”
As soon as she spoke, the door was pushed open. A group of maid-like figures floated in carrying washing items.
Jiang Zhaoxue recognized these were all paper immortals. She didn’t speak, only following them to wash up. Afterward, she sat by the bronze mirror letting the paper immortals help comb her hair.
Perhaps because they were paper immortals, when they touched her, they actually weren’t affected by the curse’s backlash.
Jiang Zhaoxue let them get the comb and change her clothes. After standing up, she suddenly realized that although this was Li Xiuji’s room, there were many things used by women. Moreover, the preferences mostly matched hers, as if prepared in advance.
Had a woman lived here before?
Jiang Zhaoxue grew curious in her heart. Bringing A’Nan along, she went to the side hall to eat.
The paper immortals couldn’t speak. They silently set out a full table of dishes. For one breakfast, dishes from all over the world were brought up for her.
These dishes overflowed with spiritual energy—they probably weren’t products of the Jiuyou Realm, or perhaps they had been specially treated. Jiang Zhaoxue found it somewhat strange but had no way to ask. After eating silently for a long while and feeling somewhat bored, she raised her eyes toward the paper immortals beside her, raised her hand to write a letter, and handed it to a paper immortal: “Deliver this letter to the Emperor.”
A’Nan was buried in eating. Hearing these words, he looked at her and asked curiously: “What letter?”
“I said I’m bored and told him to find someone to keep me company.”
Jiang Zhaoxue drank a mouthful of soy milk. A’Nan asked curiously: “Will he keep you company?”
“Won’t we know by trying?”
Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at him: “Test his attitude toward me. Know yourself and know your enemy, then we can have the next step.”
“What if he doesn’t keep you company?”
“Then I’ll keep writing letters,” thinking of this worst-case scenario, Jiang Zhaoxue said impatiently: “Annoy him to death.”
Fortunately, Li Xiuji wasn’t as bad as she had imagined. The letter was sent in the morning, and he came in the afternoon.
When he came, Jiang Zhaoxue was at the water pavilion preparing to summon Pei Zichen’s soul.
In the morning she had toured Li Xiuji’s palace. He seemed to have allocated all his activity areas to her—from the bedchamber, dining hall, study to the garden and water pavilion, all were her activity areas. If she looked carefully, she couldn’t finish walking through it all in one day.
Within this area, only paper immortals moved about. She had walked all morning without seeing a single living person.
In the afternoon, under the scorching sun, she went to the lakeside water pavilion to fish.
Although the temperature in the Demon Palace was always suitable, watching the blazing sun, looking at the lake water still put her mind at ease.
She tossed the fishing rod aside and sat on the prepared cushion, beginning to draw a soul-summoning formation. Having drawn just a few strokes, she felt a cool breeze sweep in from behind. Then she heard a young man’s voice abruptly ring out: “What formation are you drawing?”
Jiang Zhaoxue was startled by this voice. Her hand trembled and the lines of the formation were drawn crooked.
She closed her eyes, suppressing the urge to curse, desperately comforting herself—demon cultivators were like this.
These demons, monsters, ghosts, and spirits just liked to use such frightening methods to display their evil charm and arrogance.
She took a deep breath to calm herself, then plucked the qin strings again, not turning her head back: “The Emperor has arrived.”
“Wasn’t it you who told me to come?”
The other party’s tone was flat, and compared to last night, seemed even more cold and distant.
Jiang Zhaoxue was beginning to get used to this person’s mood swings. She said casually: “I told the Emperor to find someone to keep me company, not to have the Emperor personally come. What,” Jiang Zhaoxue turned back with a mocking smile, “does the Jiuyou Realm have no one besides the Emperor…”
Before finishing her words, Jiang Zhaoxue halted.
Today “Li Xiuji” had changed into water-blue silk robes. He wore a silver crown on his head, held a small fan in his hand, and reclined on the water pavilion’s small couch. His long hair flowed down, looking quite leisurely.
Although half his face was covered by the silver-white mask, it had to be said he truly had an excellent frame. Every lie and recline became scenery.
The mocking words were interrupted and momentarily couldn’t continue. The other party raised his eyelid and asked softly: “Besides me, and then?”
“Oh,” Jiang Zhaoxue withdrew her gaze, not wanting to argue with the other party. Li Xiuji coming wasn’t a bad thing either. She was also afraid of driving him away, so she nodded casually: “Nothing. That you could grace me with your presence, this junior is extremely grateful in her heart.”
“Is that so?” The other party clearly didn’t believe it. “If you had a choice—between this seat and your dear disciple, your attendants, or that Pavilion Master Shen from the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, or various others, how would you choose?”
“The Emperor jests,” Jiang Zhaoxue knew he was warning her again about being restless. She ground her teeth, pretending not to know, and flattered: “The Emperor has a demigod body, single-handedly created an entire realm—a great hero. How could he be compared to these ordinary mortals?”
“What if I weren’t a demigod?” Hearing the flattery, the other party showed no improvement in emotion. His tone grew colder as he pressed: “If I hadn’t created a realm, was merely an ordinary cultivator with some talent—if I came today, would you still be happy?”
“Why must the Emperor belittle yourself?” Hearing the other party making things difficult, Jiang Zhaoxue continued flattering: “Even if you couldn’t do anything, you’re still good-looking!”
Hearing this, Pei Zichen knew she was speaking casually, frivolous and dissolute. But he still lost the thought of making things difficult for her, only letting his gaze fall directly on the formation she was drawing, continuing to press: “What formation is this?”
“Soul-summoning formation.”
Jiang Zhaoxue drew the last stroke, opened the incense burner on the table, and after lighting the coiled incense in the burner, casually answered.
Hearing this, Pei Zichen didn’t react for a moment and instinctively said: “Summoning whose…”
Before finishing his words, he suddenly felt a shock in his heart. Then he saw the woman ahead bring two fingers together, chanting softly: “Heaven’s Will summons, Pei Zichen, may your soul return.”
As the words fell, Pei Zichen’s expression changed dramatically. He gripped the folding fan tightly, suppressing the cry of pain that nearly escaped his lips.
Sharp, severe pain drilled into his mind the instant the formation lit up, as if trying to tear his soul apart!
She was summoning his soul!
She had him come over to summon his soul right in front of him!
He understood in an instant. Countless thoughts surged up.
What did she want to do?
What was her purpose?
Did she call him here to verify his identity or to warn him?
Last night’s words from Xin Luoyi churned in his mind. He knew Xin Luoyi’s words must contain provocative elements.
However, that Shen Yuqing had come was true. That she contacted others last night was true. Now she was summoning souls in front of him—what did this mean?
Did she want to confirm whether he was Pei Zichen?
Did she think that after confirming he was Pei Zichen, she could rely on her status to do whatever she wanted, truly toying with him in the palm of her hand?!
Dreaming!
She was dreaming!
Violent energy spread in his heart, but he had no time to think further. Regardless of the reason, he couldn’t let Jiang Zhaoxue see anything unusual.
He suppressed the pain that nearly tore him apart, secretly dissolving pain-relieving medicine in his palm, staring fixedly at Jiang Zhaoxue’s back as she summoned the soul.
The person before him moved elegantly and gently, as if carrying divinity. Only he knew how this woman who seemed like a deity had deceived him, tormented him, sucked him dry to the bone and marrow, then calmly withdrew. In less than three months she could take another disciple and laugh cheerfully with others.
Having done all this, she still pretended to be deeply devoted—did she really think he was a fool who couldn’t understand anything?!
He ached until his muscles trembled uncontrollably, his back covered in cold sweat. Murderous thoughts rolled back and forth in his heart. He wanted nothing more than to pounce forward and tear apart the person before him, yet he never moved.
He didn’t know what he was concerned about. He only sat silently in place, a thought vaguely floating in his mind.
She was summoning his soul.
Since he awakened, he had been in pain every day. It turned out it was because she had been, every day, summoning his soul for him.
This faint thought supported him. After waiting a long while, his entire body felt as if dredged up from drowning, flesh carved from bone, melted into a puddle.
At this time, Jiang Zhaoxue also finished summoning the soul, finally feeling reassured.
Since learning last night that Pei Zichen’s soul was in the Jiuyou Realm, she wanted to test whether distance would affect the soul-summoning effect. Now having confirmed it, she felt at ease. She raised her hand and brushed it. The soul-summoning formation scattered like smoke. Then she took the incense burner, poured out the coiled incense, and only after cleaning it did she turn back to look at Li Xiuji on the small couch.
Li Xiuji lay quietly on the couch. Compared to when he arrived, though the mask blocked view, the exposed complexion was several shades paler, appearing even more ghostly.
Jiang Zhaoxue felt he seemed somewhat weak but couldn’t tell for certain. She could only ask with concern: “Is the Emperor unwell?”
“I detest immortal techniques.”
The other party spoke coldly. Jiang Zhaoxue froze.
The soul-summoning formation consumed considerable spiritual power. Li Xiuji, as the core of the Jiuyou Realm, tolerating her opening such a formation in his domain could indeed be considered lenient.
She felt somewhat embarrassed. She brought water from the side, stepped forward, and saluted apologetically: “I was thoughtless. Let me use tea as wine to offer an apology.”
Hearing this, the other party didn’t speak.
Jiang Zhaoxue froze for a moment, awkwardly raising her eyes: “Emperor?”
“Why summon Pei Zichen’s soul?”
As soon as she opened her mouth, the young man spoke abruptly.
Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat bewildered. Pei Zichen stared at her eyes, his fingers secretly curling in his sleeves as he said coldly: “Is it guilt? Or do you have another purpose?”
“What is the Emperor saying?”
Jiang Zhaoxue was bewildered by his question and asked back matter-of-factly: “He’s my dao companion. Isn’t it natural for me to summon his soul?”
Hearing this, Pei Zichen’s heartbeat involuntarily quickened.
He forcefully suppressed the thoughts he shouldn’t have and continued asking: “Is it responsibility?”
“No.” Jiang Zhaoxue answered without hesitation, calmly: “It’s love.”
As these words emerged, something sharp seemed to slice through Pei Zichen’s heart. His pupils contracted. He couldn’t help but grip tightly the clothing in his sleeves.
Someone was screaming frantically in his mind.
She’s lying to you—
Pei Zichen, she’s long since seen through your identity and is deliberately trying to please you.
Even if she hasn’t seen through your identity, she thinks you’re Li Xiuji, pretending to be devoted to deceive you!
Shen Yuqing has come. She has other schemes. She’s a liar—don’t believe a single word.
All voices were telling him this. Yet he still couldn’t control himself, swept over by that immense joy.
He looked at Jiang Zhaoxue calmly, repeatedly savoring: “Love?”
“Yes,” Jiang Zhaoxue answered openly and honestly. “My heart delights in him. This should be love, shouldn’t it?”
“But he’s your husband’s disciple.”
“But he’s my husband now.”
Jiang Zhaoxue answered without hesitation. The young man said nothing more. He examined her, as if discerning the truth or falsehood in her words.
Jiang Zhaoxue let him look. After waiting a long while, the young man rose from the couch and walked before Jiang Zhaoxue.
She only reached his shoulder. As he drew close, he blocked the light before her. His entire presence came overwhelmingly. Jiang Zhaoxue instantly tensed her muscles. Though her expression didn’t change, she was already on guard.
The other party came from sword cultivation origins and was extremely sensitive to bodily movements. He obviously detected her change and looked down at her.
His gaze fixed on her lips. Jiang Zhaoxue pretended not to know, staring at the cloud pattern on his shoulder, deadlocked with him.
After a long while, the young man abruptly extended his hand. Ice-cold fingers touched her lips. Jiang Zhaoxue was so startled she instinctively wanted to retreat, but was pressed down at the shoulder by his hand.
His movement was very light, yet she instantly couldn’t move. She could only let him methodically press and stroke across her lips as he said in a low voice: “Who applied your lip rouge today? Why is it uneven?”
Jiang Zhaoxue froze, feeling him seemingly gently pressing back and forth on her lips. Then he raised his hand to straighten the creases on her clothing and adjust her crooked waist sash.
As he arranged things, he explained: “Paper immortals aren’t like real people. There will always be things they don’t do well. The Immortal Lord should pay more attention to your own appearance. If there are more flaws tomorrow,” he pulled the waist sash tight. Jiang Zhaoxue’s body moved forward with it, as if about to press against his body. Jiang Zhaoxue pressed her lips together tightly, feeling her heartbeat uncontrollably quicken, only watching the other party speak softly, like a lover’s murmur: “This seat will come personally to add your makeup, hm?”
Good grief, so it was obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Jiang Zhaoxue looked up resentfully, only wanting to separate quickly. Feigning composure, she said: “Understood.”
Saying this, seeing the other party not moving, still tying the knot on her waist sash, she couldn’t help but turn her head away, reminding the other party: “Emperor, men and women should maintain proper distance. You’re too close.”
The young man’s movement paused. He raised his eyelid to glance at her expression but didn’t acknowledge it. He lowered his head to carefully tie the waist sash, then helped her arrange the waist ornaments.
Having finished everything, only then did he step back. After appreciating for a moment, he raised his eyes to look at her, apologizing without sincerity: “Apologies. I couldn’t bear to watch. I’ve offended.”
Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t want to acknowledge him, only staring at the distant rockery without moving.
The young man observed for another moment before saying: “It’s getting late. The Immortal Lord should go eat. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave first. Immortal Lord, rest well.”
Having said this, the young man raised his hand in salute. After completing the courtesies with perfect propriety, he left composedly.
As soon as he left, the restriction on Jiang Zhaoxue dispersed instantly. Jiang Zhaoxue pressed her lips together tightly, so angry even her breathing became rapid. She sat before the incense table, poured herself a cup of water, and quickly gulped down two mouthfuls to calm herself.
Seeing “Li Xiuji” walk far away, A’Nan also quickly rushed forward, cursing loudly several times: “Old pervert! Over a thousand years old and still acting like a pervert toward people! Never seen a woman before!”
Saying this, A’Nan jumped back onto the table, comforting Jiang Zhaoxue: “Master, don’t be too angry. Think of it from another angle—even the Jiuyou Xuanming Emperor has fallen under your pomegranate skirt…”
“Enough,” Jiang Zhaoxue interrupted A’Nan, glancing at him: “Don’t take teasing seriously.”
“Oh.”
Hearing this, A’Nan quickly shrank his neck and restrained himself.
Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at the incense burner beside her. Thinking of the feeling from these several interactions with Li Xiuji, she couldn’t help saying: “A’Nan.”
“Hm?”
“Don’t you think,” Jiang Zhaoxue frowned, “he’s a bit like that senior?”
These words stunned A’Nan, then he reacted: “Oh yeah. But… it’s probably just the physique? That senior seemed to have a much better temper? This Li Xiuji’s moods are so unpredictable…”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t refute.
A’Nan wasn’t wrong either. But that familiar palpitation…
Thinking of this, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately thought of Pei Zichen and suddenly felt these reactions were truly inappropriate. She turned to look at the incense burner on the table, took a deep breath, put away those miscellaneous thoughts, and said flatly: “Forget it. Once the arrow is shot, there’s no turning back.”
She drank the last mouthful of tea: “Move forward.”
On the other side, Pei Zichen returned to his meditation residence. Xin Luoyi had long been waiting there.
Pei Zichen glanced at her, stepped into the center of the meditation formation, sat cross-legged, and said coldly: “Watch Shen Yuqing. Wherever he goes, report daily.”
Hearing this, Xin Luoyi raised her eyes to look at Pei Zichen, probing: “Then Jiang Zhaoxue…”
“That’s my business.”