“No,” Jiang Zhaoxue heard these words and felt somewhat bewildered, tentatively asking A’Nan, “Has he accepted the power of the Yuan Luogong?”

Although she didn’t sense any demonic energy from Pei Zichen at this moment, that power just now…

If it wasn’t him, then who?!

This was over twelve hundred years ago, the Jiuyou Realm hadn’t even appeared yet. Besides Pei Zichen, who else would cultivate this thing?

Moreover—

“How did you get here?”

Jiang Zhaoxue blurted out.

The instant the words left her mouth, spiritual power suddenly exploded outside. Pei Zichen rushed forward and swept Jiang Zhaoxue into his arms, rolling on the ground before leaping out with her in his embrace!

The two plummeted straight down from the high building. Feeling the weightless sensation completely beyond her control, Jiang Zhaoxue instinctively tightened her hold on him. As Pei Zichen’s toes touched the ground, he immediately wrapped his outer robe around her, scooped her up horizontally, and carried her as he rushed outward through the bombardment of spiritual power sparks.

“Shen Yuqing is here?!”

Jiang Zhaoxue instantly realized, and Pei Zichen pressed his lips together without speaking, only holding her tighter: “This disciple will protect you well.”

Within the Taotie Tower’s range, no messages could be transmitted and no spaces could be opened. He had to first carry Jiang Zhaoxue out of the Taotie Tower’s suppression range before they could leave.

And Shen Yuqing was in the sky, with all of Taotie Tower’s main forces surrounding him. That wave of spiritual power just now was clearly the result of Shen Yuqing drawing his sword.

Pei Zichen feared alerting him and completely dared not use any spells. He only protected Jiang Zhaoxue under his garments and swiftly fled outward.

Sensing Pei Zichen’s direction, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately realized and hurriedly said: “No, there’s still the Lingxu Fan and Qian Sisi…”

“I’m here!!”

Just as she spoke, Qian Sisi’s loud shout came. She leaped out from the explosion with a hemp sack on her shoulder, chasing after Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen with large, quick strides, shouting loudly: “Run quickly!!”

“Sisi?”

Hearing the voice, Jiang Zhaoxue felt delighted: “Where’s Song Wuya?”

“On—my—shoulder—!”

Hugging the hemp sack, Qian Sisi rolled to dodge the spiritual fire crashing down, then swung the sack onto her shoulder with both hands, hoisting the struggling hemp sack onto her shoulder. She caught up to Pei Zichen while running and cursing in explanation: “He loves you too much and walked into the trap himself, so I just bagged him and took him away!”

“Well done!”

Hearing that the objective was achieved, Jiang Zhaoxue raised her hand and a talisman disappeared into the sack. She immediately said: “Zichen, open the formation, let’s go!”

Hearing this, and seeing they were at the edge of the Taotie Tower’s spiritual power suppression, Pei Zichen drew his sword and slashed heavily forward. The instant the sword light burst forth, Shen Yuqing sensed the spiritual power fluctuation, turned around in shock, and caught sight of two people fleeing among the dense crowd below.

The water-element sword light exploded thunderously as Shen Yuqing raised his sword and rushed down rapidly.

Jiang Zhaoxue pressed down on Pei Zichen who was about to turn back to meet the sword, traced her fingertip, and simultaneously activated the formation she had prepared long ago: “The Heavenly Dao is impermanent, gamble on fate, Supreme Great Fortune, Five Thunders Strike, go!”

The Qiankun divination sign flew out and collided with Shen Yuqing with a “boom,” the “Supreme” falling into Shen Yuqing’s eyes as thunder descended from heaven. The entire Taotie Tower was instantly engulfed by thunder. Shen Yuqing dodged the thunder while urgently pursuing forward, reaching out to grab her fluttering sash. Pei Zichen simultaneously turned back with a slash and kicked toward the wound, receiving Shen Yuqing’s palm strike. In that instant, he borrowed the force to flip backward and fell with Jiang Zhaoxue into the space he had already split open.

Jiang Zhaoxue was frightened by his movements and grabbed his back tightly. Then realizing they were safe, she quickly poked her head out from Pei Zichen’s embrace and gave Shen Yuqing a provocative smile, waving her hand: “Won’t see you off, Immortal Master Shen!”

She had applied heavy makeup today, her features bright and striking. Although most of her body was concealed by Pei Zichen’s garments, her exposed bare feet with ankle bells and her hands, painted with vermillion nail polish, clinging to Pei Zichen’s back still glowed with a shocking whiteness in the moonlight, enchanting and heart-trembling.

This smile stunned Shen Yuqing. In that moment of daze, the space completely closed, and Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen vanished before his eyes once more.

After they left, he finally reacted, his pupils dilating in shock. A sword strike instantly rumbled continuously across the entire mountain forest as he roared in anger: “Jiang Zhaoxue, you’re too insolent!”

His words followed the sword energy spreading across the entire mountain forest. Pei Zichen, Jiang Zhaoxue, Qian Sisi and the others had just landed when they felt spiritual energy attacking. Everyone was forced forward by the sword energy and crashed to the ground together.

After the sword energy passed through and the surroundings became calm, Jiang Zhaoxue raised her head with lingering fear from under Pei Zichen’s arm and couldn’t help saying: “How come after not seeing him for four years, his temper is so bad? Can’t even Mu Jinyue comfort him?”

“My god, where did this heaven-defying thing come from?” Qian Sisi raised her face while spitting out dirt, turned to look at Jiang Zhaoxue, and couldn’t help asking, “Jiang Xue, tell me straight, are you really Jiang Zhaoxue?”

“Cut the nonsense,” Jiang Zhaoxue quickly got up, pulling Pei Zichen along, using his eyes to look around, urging Qian Sisi, “Let’s hurry.”

Hearing this, Qian Sisi hoisted the hemp sack onto her shoulder and followed Jiang Zhaoxue.

Knowing that Pei Zichen must have arrangements, Jiang Zhaoxue turned to ask: “Where to?”

“Second Brother Ye is waiting for us.”

Pei Zichen immediately said: “Follow me.”

With that, the three stepped quickly down the mountain over grave mounds. Qian Sisi, carrying Song Wuya, followed Jiang Zhaoxue: “Look at you, causing so much trouble without telling me early? If I’d known your background involved big daddy and little daddy fighting endlessly, I wouldn’t have mixed with you.”

“Zichen, help her carry the person.”

Jiang Zhaoxue immediately ordered, and Pei Zichen decisively took Song Wuya from Qian Sisi’s shoulder and hoisted him onto his own.

Feeling lighter, Qian Sisi immediately started praising: “This little one is pretty good.”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t waste words with her, only using the Yuan Luogong’s concealment to quickly follow Pei Zichen to find Ye Tianjiao.

Ye Tianjiao’s carriage wasn’t far. The three jumped onto it, startling Ye Tianjiao. In his panic, he looked over Pei Zichen and Jiang Zhaoxue, then his gaze fell on Qian Sisi’s face as he turned to ask: “Who is this?”

“Hurry and go.”

Jiang Zhaoxue urged.

Ye Tianjiao didn’t dare ask more questions, only turning to urge the coachman, anxiously saying: “Go, go, go, quickly!”

The carriage moved, and everyone’s tense nerves finally relaxed. Qian Sisi plopped down on the ground as Jiang Zhaoxue turned to ask Pei Zichen: “How did you find the Taotie Tower? Did you come with the Tianji Academy?”

“You’ve got it backwards!” Ye Tianjiao immediately spoke up, “The Tianji Academy followed him.”

“Ah?”

Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat surprised. As Ye Tianjiao spoke, he brought tea to Jiang Zhaoxue, obsequiously saying: “Elder Sister, have some tea.”

Pei Zichen reached out and steadily received the tea, handing it to Jiang Zhaoxue.

Ye Tianjiao glared at him but said nothing more, opening his mouth to explain: “Elder Sister, you don’t know, this batch from Tianji Academy is useless. After all these years, they couldn’t even find the location of the Taotie Feast. It all depended on our Zichen. This afternoon, in two hours, he investigated all the small demon residence locations in the entire capital, figured out the directions of these little demons, then had me prepare over a hundred spirit-seeking formations to find you. Finding you meant finding the Taotie Feast, right? We broke the formations in front, Tianji Academy set up ambushes behind, all the credit went to them! But now he’s famous throughout the city. One person investigated over eight hundred demons in one day, doing work that would take Tianji Academy a month. Tomorrow, Tianji Academy will surely know his great name!”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat surprised.

Qian Sisi next to her cast an admiring gaze at Pei Zichen and couldn’t help saying: “Didn’t see this coming, Little Pei. You’re so honest and dutiful in front of your Female Sovereign, a decent young man, but you’re so ruthless when doing things? Over eight hundred? Your ancestral graves must have been cursed to pieces today, huh?”

“Then…” Jiang Zhaoxue slowly came to her senses, realizing the core problem, “Tianji Academy, we definitely can’t return there now. Where do we go?”

With Pei Zichen being so conspicuous, Shen Yuqing would surely notice. They could no longer stay at Tianji Academy.

As she asked, Ye Tianjiao immediately said: “My home! Elder Sister, my brother and I have been missing you so much. My brother has already entered the Hanlin Academy. Everyone says he’ll enter the cabinet in the future with unlimited prospects. Hearing you’ve returned, he’s been wanting to see you.”

“Oh,” Jiang Zhaoxue thought of Ye Wenzhi, and thinking of those seven lifetimes of merit, her smile immediately overflowed, her tone becoming much gentler, “I miss Young Master Ye very much too. I should treat him to a meal.”

“I’ll arrange it, I’ll arrange a family banquet tonight!”

Hearing this, Ye Tianjiao became happy. Qian Sisi next to him felt somewhat strange: “Are you family?”

“No.”

“Yes!”

Pei Zichen and Ye Tianjiao spoke simultaneously, leaving Qian Sisi somewhat confused. Ye Tianjiao quickly added: “The Immortal Sister has done great kindness to the Ye Family, and my eldest brother hasn’t married yet…”

“What nonsense are you talking?” Pei Zichen spoke sternly, “Ye Tianjiao, don’t go too far.”

Only then did Ye Tianjiao realize: “Oh, I know the Immortal Sister hasn’t divorced yet, but what I mean is, my brother can wait, and so can I!”

“You…”

“Alright, alright,” seeing Pei Zichen truly angered, Jiang Zhaoxue quickly held down both of them, somewhat exasperated: “How can you still be quarreling at this age?”

As she spoke, the carriage slowly arrived at the city gate. The gate was clearly under martial law. Ye Tianjiao rolled up the curtain to look and felt somewhat worried: “It’s over, Tianji Academy people are checking the city gate.”

“How about we don’t enter the city?” Qian Sisi was somewhat uneasy. Pei Zichen immediately refused: “No.”

Hearing the voice, Jiang Zhaoxue looked over. Pei Zichen’s tone became gentler as he patiently explained: “According to Tianji Academy’s style, right now they must be strictly checking all transportation hubs and hidden mountain forests outside the capital. The capital is actually the safest place. As long as we get through the city gate and past midnight tonight, there will be no major problems.”

Pei Zichen had rich experience in escaping. Jiang Zhaoxue trusted him.

Ye Tianjiao also understood and decisively said: “Alright, then I’ll force my way through. But…”

Ye Tianjiao swept a glance at the people in the carriage: “If they insist on checking the carriage…”

“Then we’ll show them something shocking!”

Qian Sisi immediately picked up the thread, already decisively loosening her hair and clothes.

Jiang Zhaoxue understood Qian Sisi’s meaning and nodded: “Good idea.”

Ye Tianjiao and Pei Zichen were somewhat bewildered. Ye Tianjiao asked doubtfully: “What are you planning to do?”

“Don’t worry,” Qian Sisi reassured him, “Later just act fierce and say you’re playing with friends and it’s inconvenient to look inside the carriage.”

“That’s right,” Jiang Zhaoxue said, putting on Pei Zichen’s outer coat, comforting them: “Leave the rest to us.”

Ye Tianjiao heard this in confusion, and Pei Zichen couldn’t help but look at Jiang Zhaoxue, but since both women were so confident, they relaxed. After the group prepared, they lined up and came to the city gate.

The Ye Family was a great clan, and Ye Tianjiao was habitually domineering. As soon as they reached the gate and were stopped, he said arrogantly: “What’s this about? Move aside.”

“Second Young Master Ye,” the Tianji Academy people bowed to Ye Tianjiao respectfully, “There’s important business tonight. Tianji Academy needs to check people, we hope for your understanding.”

“I’m playing with friends, it’s inconvenient.” Ye Tianjiao spoke impatiently, “Do you want to die?”

Hearing this, the two Tianji Academy people exchanged glances. One of the disciples raised his whisk toward the carriage. In that instant, Jiang Zhaoxue and Qian Sisi simultaneously threw themselves at Pei Zichen and Ye Tianjiao!

Jiang Zhaoxue directly straddled Pei Zichen, pulled his hand to wrap around her waist, pressed her other hand on the back of his head as if kissing him. Pei Zichen’s pupils contracted sharply, his breathing instantly chaotic.

Qian Sisi buried her face in Ye Tianjiao’s middle, startling Ye Tianjiao into a sharp cry: “Ah!!”

This scene scared the Tianji Academy disciple so much he nearly dropped his whisk. He hastily lowered the curtain and apologized urgently: “I’m sorry!”

“Get lost!!”

Ye Tianjiao pushed at Qian Sisi, kicking repeatedly at the hemp sack they’d all buried on the ground, almost crying: “Hurry up and get lost!!”

Hearing Ye Tianjiao’s nearly collapsing voice, everyone at the city gate quickly retreated and hurried to let them pass.

Sitting on Pei Zichen, Jiang Zhaoxue felt his entire body tense, his breathing intertwining with hers.

As the carriage moved, she didn’t dare relax her vigilance, so she only pulled back some distance while still sitting on Pei Zichen, listening to Qian Sisi softly comfort Ye Tianjiao: “Don’t be nervous, just a moment, just a moment!”

The four maintained this stalemate. As the carriage slowly passed through the city gate and entered the city safely, Ye Tianjiao unhesitatingly kicked toward Qian Sisi!

Qian Sisi was prepared and quickly dodged, watching Ye Tianjiao instantly hide in a corner, furiously saying: “You… you female hooligan, don’t come near me!”

“Cough,” Qian Sisi also felt somewhat embarrassed, sitting in the farthest spot to smooth her hair, smiling awkwardly: “This… Second Young Master Ye is quite pure-hearted.”

“Who are you?” Ye Tianjiao looked angrily at Pei Zichen, “Who exactly is she?!”

“She’s my friend.”

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Jiang Zhaoxue pretended nothing had happened, climbed down from Pei Zichen, and introduced: “Her name is Qian Sisi. She’s an assassin. What happened just now was unavoidable. I hope Second Young Master will forgive us.”

Hearing Jiang Zhaoxue speak so gently, Ye Tianjiao looked at Jiang Zhaoxue’s face, gritted his teeth, and finally endured it: “For the sake of Immortal Elder Sister… forget it!”

As Ye Tianjiao quieted down, the carriage finally stabilized. Four people with one sack soon arrived at the Ye Residence. Ye Tianjiao led them directly to the back courtyard. After settling the three people, Jiang Zhaoxue used the Shanhe Bell to open a barrier and finally let Qian Sisi open the sack.

The moment the sack opened, everyone froze. They saw a shark-person covered in wounds lying quietly on the ground.

Ye Tianjiao was somewhat bewildered: “After all that trouble, why did you bring a shark-person to my home?”

“No…” Qian Sisi was also somewhat surprised, “I clearly tied up Song Wuya…”

“Remote substitution, this is a function of the Lingxu Fan.” Following the Yuan Luogong’s prompts, Pei Zichen informed everyone: “Just now while we were escaping, he probably used the Lingxu Fan to swap himself with someone nearby.”

“So I carried this all the way for nothing?!”

Qian Sisi was instantly furious, but Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak. She only sensed for a while before confirming with her: “When you met up with us, was it definitely Song Wuya in the sack?”

“Definitely, he even talked to me.” Qian Sisi immediately said, “Only he would call me ugly woman!”

“Then that’s fine.”

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded, thinking: “Don’t worry about it for now. Just arrange to send this shark-person away.”

“Eh?”

Qian Sisi was somewhat surprised. Jiang Zhaoxue seemed somewhat tired and waved at everyone: “You all go rest. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”

“Alright.”

Ye Tianjiao stood up and bid farewell to Jiang Zhaoxue. Seeing this, Qian Sisi also got up.

Then the three went first to deal with the shark-person. Jiang Zhaoxue called out to Pei Zichen: “Zichen, leave the Yuan Luogong with me.”

Pei Zichen paused, momentarily hesitant.

Jiang Zhaoxue reminded him: “When you’re not here, I’m afraid. Leave the Yuan Luogong with me.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen finally reacted and hurriedly placed the Yuan Luogong beside Jiang Zhaoxue, bowing: “Master’s Wife, I’ll return very soon.”

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded. Hearing the sounds of the three people carrying the shark-person and cleaning the room, the room soon quieted down. Jiang Zhaoxue sat in her original position and calmly inquired: “What’s going on?”

“Are you asking me?”

The Yuan Luogong spoke. Jiang Zhaoxue’s divine soul instantly transformed into threads that tightly strangled the Yuan Luogong’s artifact spirit. Yuan Luo was greatly alarmed and panicked: “What are you doing?!”

“Did Pei Zichen accept your power?”

Jiang Zhaoxue asked coldly. Yuan Luo reacted and happily said: “Yes!”

“Why?”

He had always resisted before, so why did he suddenly accept today?

Hearing this, Yuan Luo immediately said: “Of course it was to save you!”

Jiang Zhaoxue froze, then heard Yuan Luo continue: “You don’t know how much effort I wasted persuading him, but this kid is stubborn as hell. He was taught stupid by the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion and absolutely refused to accept my power. But weren’t you trapped inside? He panicked. In the end, I had you help call out to him. When he heard you calling him, he thought you were calling for help. He didn’t care about anything else and immediately accepted me.”

“Because I called him…” Jiang Zhaoxue hesitated, “So he accepted you?”

“Yes.” Yuan Luo laughed, “He was afraid something would happen to you. You don’t know, four years ago when you disappeared, he almost shattered me. I was scared to death. Fortunately, I told him you wouldn’t be in much danger, that I was still useful and could wait with him for you, and only then did he calm down. So when you disappeared today, he completely broke down. I seized his weakness and struck while the iron was hot, and that’s how it worked! This kid is ridiculously particular. He took my power but still acts like he’s in terrible pain. It’s simply being blessed without knowing it!”

Listening, Jiang Zhaoxue’s eyelashes trembled slightly. She only asked back: “He’s very pained?”

“Yes,” Yuan Luo wasn’t very happy, “He keeps fixating on returning to the True Immortal Realm, as if your True Immortal Realm doesn’t allow my cultivation method? Now he can never go back, so it’s normal for him to be sad. But no matter, he’ll soon know that power is the most important thing. Whether righteous path or evil path, they’re all the Dao!”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak.

Footsteps sounded outside. Yuan Luo hurriedly said: “However, he seems unwilling for you to discover this matter. Just pretend you don’t know, and definitely don’t say I told you.”

With that, Pei Zichen’s voice came: “Master’s Wife.”

“Oh.” Jiang Zhaoxue came back to herself and immediately withdrew her divine soul from the Yuan Luogong, reacting: “Come in.”

With permission, Pei Zichen pushed open the door and stood at the entrance to report: “Master’s Wife, the shark-person has been settled in the guest room. Second Young Master Ye will help dispose of it tomorrow. I’ve also arranged for Xiuji. He’s currently in my room and has already gone to sleep.”

“Mm.” Jiang Zhaoxue nodded. After thinking, she raised her eyes to look and called: “Come in and talk.”

Pei Zichen’s movements froze slightly. When Jiang Zhaoxue was conscious, he never entered her room alone after nightfall.

He stood at the threshold. The lantern swayed gently, its shadow flickering on him, alternating between bright and dim.

Jiang Zhaoxue knew his concerns and comforted him: “Tonight is special. You have much to tell me. Enter. You and I are no longer at the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion. You need not abide by these rules.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen thought for a moment, then finally took a breath and said softly: “This disciple presumes.”

With that, he stepped into the room. Walking inside, he sat in the first position below and to the side of Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand, remaining silent.

Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment and first asked about business: “Do you know what happened tonight? Why did so many people from Tianji Academy come? And why did Shen Yuqing chase after us?”

“If this disciple hasn’t guessed wrong, tonight Song Wuya was an undercover agent for Tianji Academy, embedded in the Taotie Feast, wanting to capture all the organizers in one net.”

“What’s a prince doing this for?”

Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t understand. Pei Zichen explained clearly: “Because the Third Prince wants to bring down the Crown Prince.”

Jiang Zhaoxue keenly raised her eyes and heard Pei Zichen continue: “The Third Prince’s mother was originally the Empress. By rights, he is the legitimate son born to the principal wife. Four years ago, His Majesty was about to establish the Third Prince as heir. It’s said the edict for establishing the heir had already begun to be drafted. Then one day, he suddenly changed temperament drastically and began staying day and night in the palace of the current Crown Prince Song Zhen’an’s mother, Consort Zhao. Afterward, he changed the edict establishing the heir into an imperial decree sending the Third Prince to guard the border.”

Jiang Zhaoxue froze, instinctively sensing something wrong. She tapped the armrest and calmly said: “Continue.”

“After the Third Prince went to the border, the Empress soon died of illness in the central palace. Consort Zhao was smoothly made Empress, and Song Zhen’an also became Crown Prince. After the Third Prince went to the border, it’s said he had an extremely difficult time, nearly dying on the battlefield several times. Fortunately, the Third Prince had great fortune and not only didn’t die but repeatedly distinguished himself in battle. The Emperor worried he would command troops at the border and rebel, so he urgently summoned him back. But the former Empress was virtuous, and the Third Prince also had a reputation for virtue. The court was still divided into two forces, supporting the Crown Prince and the Third Prince respectively. Some time ago, His Majesty fell critically ill. Naturally, both princes became anxious, hoping that before His Majesty departed, everything would be settled.”

“So, the person behind the Taotie Feast is the Crown Prince?” Jiang Zhaoxue understood. If Song Wuya wasn’t certain of this matter, he wouldn’t risk himself.

“Seeing Song Wuya enter alone, the Crown Prince wanted to kill him at the Taotie Feast, so he let him in. Song Wuya also knew the Crown Prince would definitely let him into the Taotie Feast, so he used himself as bait, contacting Tianji Academy and entering the Taotie Tower. If such an unconscionable matter as the Taotie Feast was confirmed to be organized by the Crown Prince, he would absolutely have no possibility of being supported.”

Jiang Zhaoxue sorted through everything: “And Song Wuya is on good terms with Shen Yuqing. Shen Yuqing should have shown him my portrait, so the instant he saw me, he promptly notified Shen Yuqing. And you—”

Jiang Zhaoxue raised her eyes: “Knowing the stakes involved, you feared something would happen to me, so you never wanted me to participate, is that right?”

“Succession struggles are when true dragons of the mortal realm clash,” Pei Zichen said softly, eyes lowered, “Master’s Wife is a fate reader, most constrained by karmic fortune. Naturally I was worried.”

“When did you learn about these matters?” Jiang Zhaoxue was curious, “You don’t seem like someone who cares much about these things?”

“All matters related to Master’s Wife, I will investigate thoroughly.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue paused while gripping her tea.

The two fell into silence for a moment. After a long while, Pei Zichen said softly: “Today we can confirm that the Lingxu Fan should belong to the Third Prince. It has already recognized him as its master, which is why the Third Prince can use it. If Master’s Wife wants it, you must forcibly take it from the Third Prince. Master’s Wife should have placed a tracking curse on the Third Prince. Tomorrow, this disciple will go investigate the Third Prince’s movements again, and then make arrangements.”

With that, Pei Zichen stood up and bowed: “It’s already late. If there’s nothing else, this disciple will take his leave first.”

Hearing Pei Zichen’s departing footsteps, Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly spoke: “Pei Zichen.”

Pei Zichen stopped in his tracks. Jiang Zhaoxue raised her eyes to look at him, asking hesitantly: “You… these four years… have you been well?”

This question came too late. The moment Pei Zichen heard it, he froze in place.

Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat nervous for a moment, saying awkwardly: “Originally I thought that with or without me, things would be the same. I thought you were just casually waiting for me. But then I felt it seemed different… you…”

“It wasn’t casual waiting.”

Pei Zichen stood with his back to her, his fingertips trembling slightly. His voice was slightly hoarse as he said: “I was only waiting for you, always waiting for you.”

Jiang Zhaoxue froze, then heard him turn around, feeling him look at her seriously: “Every single day I wondered whether you were deceiving me, whether you would truly appear in the future, whether I could actually wait for you. Day after day, night after night… I dreamed every day, constantly remembering that moment when you were torn from my hands, when I watched you disappear yet was powerless to do anything. I will never forget that moment—”

Pei Zichen’s voice stopped. He seemed to be struggling with all his might to control himself before he could speak again, his seemingly calm voice carrying turbulent tremors: “Every day I’ve been remembering, every day I’ve been repenting. I recited your name, carved it into my bones. I repent that I harmed you. I hate my own incompetence. As time went on, Master’s Wife, only you remained. I can wait for you four years, forty years, four hundred years, thousands and tens of thousands of years. I can keep waiting. But I cannot lose and regain, only to face another four years! So I beg you—”

Pei Zichen took a deep breath and turned his head away: “Don’t risk yourself. If you must do something, I won’t stop you, but take me with you.”

If there was to be another parting, let him die before her.

He rarely spoke so much. Jiang Zhaoxue listened without making a sound.

Pei Zichen seemed to feel he had lost his composure. His hand gripped tightly on the sword hilt. After a long while, he finally said: “I’m sorry, Master’s Wife, I…”

“You speak of such sadness,” Jiang Zhaoxue listened and tilted her head to think, “So these four years, have you been unhappy all along?”

Pei Zichen was somewhat surprised by this. He hadn’t expected Jiang Zhaoxue to ask this.

But Jiang Zhaoxue understood: “I see. Since we fell from that cliff, I’ve never taken you out to have fun. You’re not that old either, at just the age when you like to play. Every day you’ve been working tirelessly with me like an ox or horse. How could you experience any joy? I was too careless.”

“Mas… Master’s Wife?” Pei Zichen was somewhat bewildered, then hurriedly said, “This disciple’s meaning is, please in the future…”

“Do you want to go out with me to relax right now?”

Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly raised her head, smiling as she looked at him.

Pei Zichen froze. He looked at the woman sitting in the chair, busily raising her hand toward him. She beckoned to him: “I know you’re unhappy. Are you coming or not?”

Coming or not?

Hearing these words, Pei Zichen clearly knew that Shen Yuqing should be searching for them, and knew it wasn’t safe.

But looking at her outstretched hand, he still couldn’t control himself. As if possessed, he walked forward, hesitant yet afraid, slowly reaching out his hand toward her.

The instant she sensed Pei Zichen’s hand reaching over, Jiang Zhaoxue grabbed it and laughed: “I knew you wanted to go out and have fun! Then I’ll take you.”

“Master’s Wife…”

Pei Zichen spoke softly, wanting to dissuade her, yet somehow couldn’t bring himself to speak.

Jiang Zhaoxue paid him no mind, pulling him out the door. She first went to place a barrier on Li Xiuji, performed a divination, and after confirming great fortune, summoned her immortal crane and pulled Pei Zichen onto it.

Pei Zichen had just barely sat stable when Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly pulled the crane into a sharp vertical ascent!

Caught completely off guard, Pei Zichen could only wrap his arms around her waist. Then, realizing what he was doing, he hastily withdrew his hands.

“Don’t let go!” Jiang Zhaoxue sensed what he was doing and pressed down on his hands, shouting loudly: “Hold on, or the fall won’t kill you!”

Pressed firmly by her hands, Pei Zichen couldn’t move for a moment. He only felt his heart rate wildly accelerating upward along with Jiang Zhaoxue’s ascent.

Seeing him stiffen, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately laughed, then said: “Get ready!”

Before Pei Zichen could react to what was about to happen, the immortal crane suddenly paused, then suddenly abandoned all force and plummeted straight down.

The wild wind howled past. His entire body pressed against hers due to gravity. Jiang Zhaoxue thought he was afraid and shouted loudly: “Don’t be afraid! Just follow my lead completely!”

Pei Zichen didn’t make a sound. He was already accustomed to sword flight. Although being controlled by someone else was another kind of feeling, in any case, such rises and falls weren’t particularly thrilling or exciting for him.

But he held this person. He looked at her elegant face in the moonlight, her smile forever bright as the sun.

His heartbeat leaped madly. He couldn’t distinguish what exactly this stemmed from, and dared not respond.

Seeing he didn’t speak, Jiang Zhaoxue thought he was frightened. After rushing through a few circles, she quickly pulled back to mid-air, letting the crane become smooth, slowly flying among the clouds. She smiled and asked the person behind her: “This feeling of not being in control yourself, isn’t it very thrilling?”

“This disciple can adapt.”

Pei Zichen politely released her, speaking honestly.

But Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t believe it, raising an eyebrow: “Don’t lie. I heard your heartbeat, it’s very fast.”

Pei Zichen dared not speak, only quietly gazing at her.

Jiang Zhaoxue sat in front, turned back and tossed him a bottle of wine, took one herself, drank a mouthful, and said with a smile: “In the past when I was troubled in Penglai, I liked to do this. Later when I went to the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, they prohibited alcohol and didn’t allow riding immortal cranes like this. They prohibited being too noisy, preferring stillness over movement, so I stopped doing this. Now two hundred years have passed, I thought I wouldn’t be this happy, but unexpectedly I’m still very joyful.”

“Does Master’s Wife think I’m unhappy and want to comfort me?” Pei Zichen understood her words and asked gently.

“Yes!” Jiang Zhaoxue said without hesitation, turning back to look at him, “To make up for the four years I wasn’t here. Is that okay?”

Pei Zichen froze.

She was too close to him. He looked at his own reflection in her eyes. In that instant, he realized he seemed to have always remained at seventeen years old.

He was forever stopped at that age, never having left.

He stared at the person before him, his throat moving slightly, finally speaking hoarsely: “Master’s Wife returning is already very good.”

“What’s good about it?” Jiang Zhaoxue said directly, “I left for two days, but you’ve been trapped four years ago. Four years have passed without any progress. Didn’t I tell you before? I saved you because I hope you’ll do well, that you’ll do things that make you happy, that you’ll enjoy everything life gives you. Go drink delicious wine, eat delicious food, look at beautiful girls, make happy friends. But in the end, you did none of these things. I’m so disappointed!”

“This disciple feels ashamed…”

“What do you have to feel ashamed about?”

Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment, then said mysteriously: “Let me confess something to you.”

“Hm?”

“Actually, I didn’t lose all five senses.”

As Jiang Zhaoxue said this, she felt a bit guilty. Pei Zichen froze. Jiang Zhaoxue coughed lightly and continued: “I… I knew from the beginning that at most I would only be blind. I deliberately wanted you to feel guilty, to make you think you harmed me terribly, wanting you to give more to me because of guilt.”

Pei Zichen stared blankly at Jiang Zhaoxue. Jiang Zhaoxue pretended to be self-righteous: “You see, this is the kind of person I am. What I want, I deceive for it myself, fight for it myself, snatch it myself. So don’t feel guilty so easily, and don’t easily entrust your life to others. Value yourself more. You’re alive for yourself, because you want to live. Find some things that make you happy and do them when you’re sad. When you’re unhappy, say it. Keep happiness for yourself and thoroughly harm others!”

“Isn’t Master’s Wife afraid?”

Pei Zichen listened and asked calmly.

Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat bewildered, then heard Pei Zichen explain: “I am one abandoned by heaven. Those abandoned by heaven are those who may bring calamity in the future, causing disasters to the mortal realm. If I act as I please, wanting to become strong without choosing my means; wanting something and desperately fighting for it—won’t Master’s Wife be afraid?”

Jiang Zhaoxue paused, clearly thinking of something as she stiffened.

Seeing this, Pei Zichen understood Jiang Zhaoxue’s meaning. He laughed softly, about to speak, when he heard Jiang Zhaoxue speak: “I’m afraid.”

Pei Zichen’s eyes lifted slightly, and he saw Jiang Zhaoxue making an effort to face him, as if bravely confronting a giant beast, saying seriously: “But that is my tribulation. I’m afraid, so I become stronger. If one day you truly become a calamity to the mortal realm, I will personally execute you, and you must do the same.”

The night wind brushed through her hair as she said softly: “All people in this world live for themselves. Shen Yuqing kills you to kill one person and guarantee the absolute safety of millions. I save you, and I have my reasons too. Since all beings act for themselves, you too should strive for your own wellbeing. Don’t violate your principles for anyone, and don’t make choices against your heart for anyone. Everything you do is for yourself. This way, I owe you nothing. If one day I must kill you, it will be nothing more than a contest between us, each using our own methods to determine who becomes king and who is defeated.”

“Master’s Wife would kill me?”

For some reason, hearing Jiang Zhaoxue’s words, Pei Zichen didn’t feel sorrow. Instead, he felt something boiling and surging in his blood. He gazed at her tenderly, asking softly.

“Yes.” Jiang Zhaoxue smiled, averting her gaze and concealing her feelings: “I might kill you, might love you, might hate you, might resent you. Life is so long, there will always be changes. Who knows?”

“Then has it changed now?” Pei Zichen pursued.

Jiang Zhaoxue asked doubtfully: “What?”

“If at first it was to fulfill Master’s Wife’s duty as an elder, to correct and compensate for Master’s mistakes by saving me, because I was Master’s most excellent disciple—then now, why does Master’s Wife still save me?”

Hearing so many twists and turns, Jiang Zhaoxue blinked, somewhat unable to understand.

Pei Zichen couldn’t help but lean closer to her, staring into her eyes, pressing his question: “Saving me now, staying by my side—is it for Pei Zichen, or for Shen Yuqing?”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue froze.

A moment later, realizing what he was saying, she laughed softly and turned her head away, not answering.

Seeing this, Pei Zichen asked doubtfully: “Master’s Wife?”

“At such a young age, with so many schemes.” She didn’t answer directly, only raised the wine bottle: “Drink your wine.”

“Master’s Wife, why?”

He seemed extremely concerned and continued pressing.

Jiang Zhaoxue turned back to glance at his unmoving wine bottle, thought for a moment, and made it difficult for him: “Drink half the jug, and I’ll tell you.”

With these words, Pei Zichen gripped the wine jug without moving, seemingly somewhat troubled. Jiang Zhaoxue suppressed a laugh and turned back: “I knew you couldn’t drink it. Let’s go back…”

Before she finished speaking, Jiang Zhaoxue heard the person behind her raise the jug and gulp it down.

Jiang Zhaoxue was startled and hurriedly pressed down on him, urgently saying: “This is from the True Immortal Realm. You can’t drink it like this!”

“For whom?” Pei Zichen was held down by her but had already drunk most of it. His throat burned painfully, but he still didn’t forget to raise his head and ask, a pair of eyes burning bright as stars, extraordinarily persistent.

Jiang Zhaoxue froze, then was amused by his antics: “I’m impressed by you.”

“For whom?” Pei Zichen stared at her, stubbornly pursuing.

Jiang Zhaoxue was made to laugh by his questioning. Knowing his temperament, and that he probably wouldn’t give up without getting an answer, she could only say helplessly: “For you.”

The answer he had been waiting for seemed to finally arrive. Pei Zichen’s blood boiled. He stared at the person before him, confirming again: “For me?”

“That’s right,” Jiang Zhaoxue had no choice with him. She turned back, closed her eyes to feel the night wind, and spoke honestly: “No matter what the very first reason was for coming, at this moment, for you.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen lowered his head and laughed softly.

Jiang Zhaoxue pursed her lips, turned back unhappily, and took a drink: “Look how happy you are. Knowing someone in this world cares about you, are you happy now?”

“Will Master’s Wife continue to care about me in the future?”

“I will.”

Jiang Zhaoxue drew out her tone, secretly rolling her eyes.

My Tianji Lingyu, my divine artifact butler—who wouldn’t care?

“Will Master’s Wife always stay with me?”

“I will.” Jiang Zhaoxue resigned herself and didn’t argue, saying lazily: “If I don’t stay with you and let you get killed by Shen Yuqing, Master’s Wife would feel heartbroken.”

Listening, Pei Zichen felt his chest cavity filled by the spring river waters of April.

The long-absent sense of vitality nourished his life. He felt like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, looking up at the sun, slowly spreading its wings.

“Master’s Wife.”

From behind her, he tentatively embraced her, gripping her hand that held the reins.

Jiang Zhaoxue’s body stiffened, feeling his breath against her ear as he said softly: “Can you teach me to see what this world is like?”

Jiang Zhaoxue remained frozen. Pei Zichen gradually tightened his grip on her hand, giving her what his eyes saw, giving her complete control of his body, saying softly: “I can only see Master’s Wife, so I want to use Master’s Wife’s eyes to see this world.”

Let her become his guide, pushing open the door from darkness to see all the beauty of this world.

Let him, from this night, take root and sprout, from her vision, fall in love with this world anew.

Hearing his words, Jiang Zhaoxue understood his meaning.

She thought for a moment and spoke slowly: “Pei Zichen, are you very afraid of the day you fell from the cliff?”

Pei Zichen froze. In that instant, Jiang Zhaoxue gripped him tightly and suddenly leaped downward!

Pei Zichen followed her as they tumbled down from the crane’s back. He instinctively wanted to control his sword, but Jiang Zhaoxue pulled him and shouted: “Don’t move!”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue pulled him to flip facing the sky, gripping his hand tightly, controlling his eyes, looking up at the starry sky, crying out: “Pei Zichen, look—”

In that instant, the stars rotated, the vast starry sky reflected in his eyes. He widened his eyes, seeing this world from her perspective, his life and death placed in her hands.

He saw the bright moon in the sky, the vast firmament, thousands and myriads of stars shining brilliantly, the immortal crane spreading its wings with a long cry.

For the first time, he felt that one moon, several clouds, and countless stars surpassed the myriad beautiful scenes of a floating life.

He gripped her tightly, completely giving up control of his body. As his heartbeat approached its limit, at the last instant before landing, the white crane spread its wings and descended, letting the two crash heavily into its soft back feathers.

Pei Zichen struck the immortal crane, looking up blankly at the starry sky. Jiang Zhaoxue’s voice sounded beside him: “You see, even when falling from a cliff, you can still see very beautiful scenery.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen turned to look over, meeting Jiang Zhaoxue’s face.

He knew.

Looking at this person’s smile before him, he felt something melting in his heart.

He couldn’t help but smile, unconsciously gripping her tighter.

He had never felt that the moment of falling from the cliff was particularly frightening or despairing.

On the contrary, it was in that instant of falling that he saw the most beautiful scenery of this mortal realm.

But he couldn’t speak of it. He only looked at this person, feeling his heart flutter.

If in the past, when he saw her, what arose was the desire to live, carnal desire, his own selfish desire like a venomous snake wanting to tightly coil around this piece of driftwood—in that moment, finally at his twenty-first year, love quietly began to grow.

He just didn’t understand what this was. He only followed his instincts, bewilderedly grasping her hand.

“Master’s Wife…” He looked at her, murmuring: “Can I always be like this, together with you?”

“Sure.” Jiang Zhaoxue smiled, turning to look at the sky: “We still have a long time to be together, so when we’re together, let’s be happy.”

“I’m very happy.” Pei Zichen listened to her words, turning to look at her.

He didn’t know if it was because of the alcohol, or because of the illusion created on the immortal crane that only the two of them existed in the world.

He looked at the person before him and couldn’t help but lean forward, pressing his forehead against hers, using his divine soul to transmit his emotions to her.

The instant the emotions transmitted, Jiang Zhaoxue’s entire body trembled. Then she saw the young man before her press his divine soul against her forehead, close his eyes, his hands lightly brushing over her suddenly extraordinarily sensitive shoulders.

Her breathing became slightly chaotic, feeling the wine-scented breath exhaled by the young man before her, intertwining with her breathing, neither welcoming nor unwelcoming, neither speaking nor remaining silent, only unconsciously lightly rubbing against her forehead, saying tenderly: “I’m truly, very happy.”