What kind of thing was he?

Recalling those beautiful dreams he’d had since his youth, Pei Zichen’s eyelashes trembled as he remained silent.

The Yuan Luogong laughed softly and quieted down.

The three days passed quickly. After everyone ate lunch in the afternoon, they all began preparations.

Qian Sisi directed Ye Tianjiao in putting on Jiang Zhaoxue’s clothes. Ye Tianjiao was indignant and confused: “Why do I have to wear women’s clothing while Pei Zichen doesn’t? We’re both men. Why does he get special treatment?”

“Because you’re pretty!” Qian Sisi applied lipstick on him, comforting him: “And you’re smarter than him.”

“Most importantly,” Jiang Zhaoxue sat doing stretching exercises, loosening her muscles and bones, reminding him: “Shen Yuqing knows him. He’s already interfering with Shen Yuqing. If you two don’t disguise yourselves as me, he won’t even glance at you ants.”

“You make him sound so powerful!” Ye Tianjiao was unconvinced.

“One full-force sword strike from him could destroy your entire Great Xia.” Jiang Zhaoxue bent over, working her muscles and bones, her tone casual, but this only showed more confidence in Shen Yuqing.

Pei Zichen, waiting on the side, looked up and saw Jiang Zhaoxue say casually: “If it weren’t for the laws of the mortal realm suppressing him, and his excessive power usage potentially getting him sent back by the Seeking Time Mirror, how many people in Great Xia do you think could fight him?”

“Master is that strong?” Pei Zichen suddenly asked.

He knew in the past that Shen Yuqing was strong, but when he entered the sect, Shen Yuqing was already an Immortal Venerable. He had never seen Shen Yuqing draw his sword and had almost no concept of how strong Shen Yuqing was.

Knowing he didn’t understand what kind of master he had taken, Jiang Zhaoxue smiled: “Of course. When he was young, he still had times when he lost. But from the moment he stepped into the Integration Stage, I’ve never seen him lose again. Do you think the position of Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s Immortal Alliance Leader just came to him? He fought for it.”

“But…” Ye Tianjiao was unconvinced, “The mortal realm also has several Great Vehicle Stage cultivators!”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it and nodded: “True, there might be a few who can fight.”

Whether they could win was another matter.

After all, even her father might not be able to beat him.

Jiang Zhaoxue’s tone was perfunctory. Ye Tianjiao couldn’t tell and only said: “Exactly! Who knows who will win!”

Pei Zichen listened quietly. He rubbed the sword hilt, seeming to contemplate something.

Seeing he wasn’t speaking, Jiang Zhaoxue leaned forward: “What are you thinking about so seriously?”

“This disciple is wondering,” Pei Zichen lowered his eyes to look at the sword hilt in his hand, “when I will reach Master’s realm.”

“Very quickly.” Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue smiled, but thinking of what he would face after growing, she felt somewhat guilty. Coughing lightly, she said: “It’s fine if you don’t reach it. Let’s handle the business first. Don’t think about all this.”

“There’s no turning back once the bow is drawn.” A’Nan sighed, “Once the Spirit-Locking Formation is activated, it requires everything. Don’t get too invested.”

“I know.”

Jiang Zhaoxue also knew A’Nan was right. She turned around somewhat resentfully and went to the doorway to sunbathe.

Although she couldn’t see, feeling the warm sun falling on her body still felt very comfortable.

After the group prepared, it was already nearly afternoon. Ye Wenzhi, wearing his official robes, hurried back somewhat nervously and said happily: “Success! The formation Immortal Master Jiang gave me, I’ve had someone bring it into the heavenly prison.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately sensed and confirmed the formation was indeed at the prison location. She turned to urge Pei Zichen: “Zichen, go set up the formation.”

With these words, Pei Zichen immediately led the dressed-up Ye Tianjiao and Qian Sisi to the capital outskirts to set up the formation.

After setting up the formation, he didn’t immediately use the Yuan Luogong to open a space. The Seeking Time Mirror could sense divine artifacts—he would only choose the Yuan Luogong at the last moment when escaping.

He stood in the formation and notified Jiang Zhaoxue: “Master’s Wife, I’m ready here.”

“Send a message to Mu Jinyue,” Jiang Zhaoxue immediately said, “Tell her not to inform Shen Yuqing and to come secretly by herself.”

With these words, Pei Zichen took out the communication jade token. When he actually went to send a message to Mu Jinyue, he didn’t know what to transmit.

Actually, he and Mu Jinyue weren’t familiar. In the past they were just ordinary fellow disciples, and because of the difference between men and women, they were quite distant. It was just that Mu Jinyue had indeed always been quite enthusiastic toward him, but he had always thought it was just Mu Jinyue’s personality.

Now suddenly inviting her, he hesitated, weighing the propriety.

Seeing his hesitation, Qian Sisi immediately snatched the communication jade token from Pei Zichen’s hand, found Mu Jinyue’s name, and began writing rapidly: “Junior Sister, currently at the Ten Li Pavilion east of the city, have important matters to discuss, concerning our future destinations. Do not disturb Master. Your loving Senior Brother, Chen.”

“Wait!”

Seeing the last sentence, Pei Zichen hurriedly tried to stop Qian Sisi, but she had already sent the message.

Seeing the message sent, Pei Zichen snatched back the communication jade token and shouted sternly: “How can Miss Qian do this?!”

“If we don’t write it more proactively, will that little girl be willing to come?”

Qian Duoduo glared at Pei Zichen: “Ignorant.”

After speaking, Pei Zichen saw the communication jade token light up with Mu Jinyue’s reply: “Good.”

Seeing this “good” character, Qian Duoduo smiled: “Oh, this little girl is quite aloof.”

However, Pei Zichen didn’t speak. Looking at the “good” character, he frowned, then realized: “This isn’t Junior Sister.”

“Huh?”

Qian Duoduo and Ye Tianjiao both turned back: “Then who is it?”

As they spoke, they felt tremors around them. Pei Zichen’s expression instantly became stern. The long sword in his hand shot out rapidly, instantly using the Yuan Luogong’s power to split open several spaces like mirrors facing each other standing in the formation. At the last moment before Shen Yuqing appeared, he suddenly leaped into a space, warning: “My master, run!”

The moment the words fell, sword energy surged forth. The three people in the formation all leaped into the spaces, then saw the sword energy crash down on the ground with a “boom,” urgently withdrawing its force as it landed.

All three were badly frightened, hiding in the spaces opened by Pei Zichen, not daring to come out. Jiang Zhaoxue’s formation was designed to connect the spaces Pei Zichen opened into a circulating maze within one formation. The three were separated on one side, completely unable to sense which position they were actually in within the entire maze.

They hid in the shadows, watching Shen Yuqing suddenly appear in this formation. Everyone’s heart beat extremely fast.

Shen Yuqing came too urgently. Even though he brought Mu Jinyue, they had no chance at all to touch Mu Jinyue. This meant there was nothing here that could restrain Shen Yuqing—he could break through the formation with a single sword strike at any time.

Although the formation was written by Jiang Zhaoxue, she currently only had Nascent Soul cultivation. It was unknown to what realm Shen Yuqing had been suppressed, but sword cultivators didn’t depend that much on spiritual power. Sword intent was far more important to sword cultivators than spiritual power. Therefore, without Mu Jinyue as a hostage to restrain him, no one could say how far Shen Yuqing could break through the formation.

Everyone was so nervous they didn’t dare breathe. Pei Zichen swept a glance at Shen Yuqing who was surveying the surrounding formation, suppressed his heartbeat, and sent a message to Jiang Zhaoxue: “Master’s Wife, ready.”

The transmission brought spiritual power fluctuations. Almost the instant the message was sent, Shen Yuqing slashed his sword toward the space where Pei Zichen was!

Pei Zichen leaped to the side, simultaneously drawing his sword to break open another space. Ye Tianjiao and Qian Sisi coordinated, leaping from behind Shen Yuqing to the adjacent space. Mu Jinyue cried out in alarm: “Master’s Wife!”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing’s movements paused. Mu Jinyue grabbed Shen Yuqing’s sleeve and urgently said: “Master, this formation can’t be forcibly broken. Master’s Wife is in here!”

With these words, Shen Yuqing’s brows furrowed slightly as he said coldly: “Jiang Zhaoxue, I won’t harm you. Come out.”

The three didn’t dare speak.

Shen Yuqing’s aura grew colder as he surveyed the surrounding spaces, saying calmly: “I know this is the Nine Curves Corridor Formation. Each of your spaces is connected. It’s not easy for me to catch you. But even a cunning rabbit has only three burrows, and burrows have their limit. If I dismantle these spaces of yours one by one, where will you flee?”

Hearing Shen Yuqing’s words, the three people hiding in their own spaces—Qian Sisi clasped her hands together praying frantically, Ye Tianjiao gripped talismans while breathing heavily to force himself calm—all prayed not to be the one he struck.

Only Pei Zichen gripped his long sword, vigilantly watching Shen Yuqing, ready to act at any moment.

Seeing no one respond, the anger in Shen Yuqing’s eyes intensified. He simply turned back and slashed his sword toward one space. The space instantly shattered like a mirror.

Seeing no one inside, Shen Yuqing unhesitatingly swung his sword downward, consecutively shattering three spaces. Just as he was about to slash at Ye Tianjiao, Pei Zichen hurriedly leaped out. Shen Yuqing spun back sharply, shouting sternly: “Young wretch, don’t run!”

At the same time, Qian Sisi leaped from behind Shen Yuqing to another side. Mu Jinyue shouted: “Master’s Wife!”

This distracted Shen Yuqing into turning back for a sweep. Seeing him turn, Ye Tianjiao quickly threw out his talismans, taking the opportunity to leap to another space.

The three worked together in coordination, actually managing to entangle Shen Yuqing. Meanwhile, on the other side, having received the message, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately activated the formation she had prepared long ago.

Making Bi’an close its eyes wasn’t an easy matter. She was currently only at Nascent Soul Stage—wanting to make Bi’an close its eyes was almost impossible. So she specifically sent in four sleep-aid formations. These formations had no harmful effects. Even if Bi’an detected them, it would only think they were ordinary jailers using them for sleep. But when these four formations were placed at the four corners of east, south, west, and north, they would seal Bi’an’s four directions. The sleep-aid formations would quietly activate, and if she gambled with fate again, her chances of success would be much greater.

But as Bi’an was a divine beast, she didn’t dare casually disturb it. Before this, she had cast a divination and only relaxed after confirming it was very auspicious.

She had prepared the altar table early, with a formation drawn beneath her feet. Ye Wenzhi and Chen Zhaoren waited nearby, anxiously watching as the hand seals in Jiang Zhaoxue’s hands turned, saying calmly: “The Heavenly Dao is impermanent, gamble on fate, Supreme Great Fortune, seek the god’s small slumber—go.”

With that, a jade divination stick flew out from the container. The two characters “Supreme Fortune” turned over, and Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart relaxed slightly.

Sensing that Bi’an in the formation had fallen asleep, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately began redrawing the formation.

Seeing this, Ye Wenzhi didn’t know Jiang Zhaoxue’s specific progress and hurriedly asked: “Immortal Master Jiang, how is it now?”

“Bi’an has fallen asleep. I can enter now.”

While drawing the formation, Jiang Zhaoxue said: “But I’m not certain how long Zichen can delay Shen Yuqing. To be safe, I’ll enter the heavenly prison as a soul body. This is the Qingyin Bell.”

Jiang Zhaoxue took out a bell and handed it to Chen Zhao: “Sir Chen, if there’s an accident and I call you to ring the bell, immediately ring it.”

“Understood.”

Chen Zhao immediately nodded. The formation in Jiang Zhaoxue’s hands continued drawing as she shook the Qiankun divination sticks again: “The Heavenly Dao is impermanent, gamble on fate, Supreme Great Fortune, soul travels a thousand miles—go!”

The jade stick flew out. Jiang Zhaoxue saw the two characters “Supreme” and caught it in one grab. After taking it in hand, she turned to look at Ye Wenzhi and Chen Zhao, nodding: “I’m going now. Does Lord Ye have any words to convey?”

Hearing this, Ye Wenzhi paused, hesitating for a moment before gritting his teeth: “Please tell the Third Prince to prioritize preserving his life. As long as there are green hills, we officials will maneuver for him.”

“Good.”

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded, then exerted force with her hands to crush the jade stick. Then her entire body went soft. Ye Wenzhi and Chen Zhao immediately stepped forward to support her. Ye Wenzhi panicked: “Immortal Master Jiang?”

“It’s fine,” Chen Zhao said steadily, “Immortal Master Jiang’s soul has left her body. Help her lie down on the side first.”

They supported Jiang Zhaoxue’s body to lie down. Before Jiang Zhaoxue’s eyes, everything slowly went dark. When she opened her eyes again, she felt herself in another space.

“We’ve arrived.” A’Nan reminded her, “There’s a chair on the left.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue silently sat in the chair on the left.

It was a grand master’s chair. She lazily reclined in the chair, propping up her forehead. With a lift of her finger, the Shanhe Bell silently descended.

Song Wuya had no awareness of her arrival and was still looking up at the high window, sighing with emotion: “I never meant to compete for spring’s favor, letting all flowers be jealous as they please. Fallen into mud and ground to dust, only the fragrance remains. Alas…”

“Third Prince.”

A woman’s smiling voice rang out. Song Wuya was startled and turned to see a woman sitting in his chair.

She wore flowing snow-white robes draped around her body, emanating a faint radiance. Her features were bright and striking. Appearing abruptly in this dim cell, she was like an immortal, like a demon.

Song Wuya froze in place. After a moment, Jiang Zhaoxue smiled and spoke: “Third Prince, don’t you recognize me?”

“Madam Shen?”

Song Wuya suddenly awakened. Jiang Zhaoxue’s expression became somewhat indifferent as she reminded him: “Immortal Master Shen and I have dissolved our Dao companion contract… oh, what the mortal realm calls divorce. So the title Madam Shen isn’t quite appropriate. I am Jiang Zhaoxue, with the honored title Penglai True Martial Primordial Sovereign. If the Third Prince doesn’t mind, you may call me Immortal Master Jiang.”

“Oh.”

Hearing this, Song Wuya reacted, calculating her relationship with Shen Yuqing, and smiled as he sat on the rocking chair beside Jiang Zhaoxue.

Although he was imprisoned, he was still a prince, so his cell wasn’t much different from an ordinary room. The rocking chair creaked as he looked at Jiang Zhaoxue, smiling: “I wonder what brings Immortal Master Jiang here today?”

“Entrusted by someone to save Your Highness from peril.”

Jiang Zhaoxue said directly: “A few days ago, the Third Prince joined forces with the Tianji Academy, wanting to capture the mastermind Crown Prince at the Taotie Feast. Unexpectedly, the Tianji Academy sided with the Crown Prince instead and falsely accused the Third Prince of being the person behind the Taotie Feast. The Tianji Academy’s status in Great Xia is extraordinary. The Tianji Academy recognizing the Crown Prince is equivalent to recognizing his mandate as the true dragon Son of Heaven. With just the Third Prince and a group of officials, I’m afraid there’s little chance of a comeback. After interrogation in a few days, the Third Prince will find it hard to escape the death tribulation.”

“So,” Song Wuya straightened up, leaning close to Jiang Zhaoxue, examining her with a smile: “The Immortal Master plans to save my life?”

“Precisely.”

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded.

Song Wuya laughed softly: “For the Lingxu Fan?”

Not expecting Song Wuya to be so direct, Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment and knew: “Shen Yuqing told you?”

“That’s right,” Song Wuya opened his folding fan, fanning himself leisurely, “He said as long as I give him the Lingxu Fan, he can save me and help me leave. But I didn’t agree.”

“Why?”

“The Lingxu Fan is such a treasure. If I only wanted to escape, I wouldn’t need Immortal Master Shen or Immortal Master Jiang. I wouldn’t even have returned to the capital in the first place. Exchanging the Lingxu Fan to help me escape—the price is too low.”

“So,” hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue tilted her head, “what does Your Highness want?”

Song Wuya didn’t speak. The entire room had only the “creaking” sound of the rocking chair. Jiang Zhaoxue waited for a while, listening as Song Wuya slowly said: “I’ve heard Immortal Master Jiang is a fate reader. They say fate readers aren’t governed by the Book of Fate and have the ability to change heavenly destiny?”

Hearing this, although she couldn’t see, Jiang Zhaoxue still raised her eyes in his direction.

Song Wuya leaned back in the rocking chair, raised his hand to open the folding fan in his hand, and by the light in the cell, looked at the red plum blossoms on the fan. In the creaking sound of the rocking chair, he slowly said: “Noble Consort Zhao plans to interrogate me the day after tomorrow. Three days from now, I plan to ask my ancestors at the altar about the succession, asking with my life,” Song Wuya spoke of his plan, saying calmly, “If Great Xia’s destined heir is protected by ancestors, but if not a true dragon, they will be burned to death by karmic fire on the altar on the spot. If you can change my fate to that of a true dragon,” Song Wuya looked at her, “the Lingxu Fan is yours.”

Hearing his words, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but smile.

After thinking, she spoke: “Can Your Highness allow me to see your eight characters?”

Hearing this, Song Wuya was somewhat surprised but still truthfully gave his eight characters.

Jiang Zhaoxue calculated for a moment and frowned: “This matter… is somewhat difficult.”

Hearing this, Song Wuya’s expression immediately turned cold: “What, as a fate reader, Immortal Master Jiang is only this capable?”

“Changing to the fate of a true dragon involves changes to the world’s entire structure and will cost me at least half my cultivation.”

Jiang Zhaoxue spoke in a grave voice. Hearing there was hope, Song Wuya’s expression eased slightly as he hurriedly said: “I know this isn’t an easy matter, but changing my fate isn’t only for myself. The Crown Prince lacks virtue. If he becomes emperor, Great Xia will surely perish. I am currently the only person who might stop this. No matter the cost, I’m willing.”

“I understand Your Highness’s meaning,” Jiang Zhaoxue considered, seeming to hesitate, “I have witnessed the Crown Prince’s tyranny. Your Highness’s concerns are also my concerns. If there’s a choice, as one who receives the people’s worship, I absolutely won’t leave the common people unheeded. It’s just that changing fate will be too costly for me. After success, I fear I’ll need Your Highness to… agree to a few conditions.”

“What conditions?” Song Wuya immediately pressed.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked pained and sighed: “Needless to say about the Lingxu Fan. After success, Your Highness will give me the Lingxu Fan. This is the purpose of my journey.”

“Understood.” Song Wuya nodded, “What else?”

“Besides the Lingxu Fan, I also hope Your Highness promises me—first, after you ascend the throne, build three hundred temples for me in Great Xia so I can accumulate merit and recover my cultivation as soon as possible.”

“Of course!” Hearing ‘ascend the throne,’ Song Wuya immediately said, “If I can successfully ascend the throne, I will certainly honor Immortal Master Jiang as the national deity and build one temple for you every month!”

“That’s not necessary.” Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat guilty and coughed lightly: “Just build more. It’s the thought that counts. Second, I hope Your Highness in the future will kowtow to my divine image three times daily, promising to offer me half of the fortune you accumulate, so I can recover as soon as possible.”

“Easily done.” Hearing this, Song Wuya felt more and more that Jiang Zhaoxue was reliable.

Changing fate was such a major matter—if the conditions were too few, he’d be afraid instead.

Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it, not daring to go too far, and finally said: “Lastly… as I walk the mortal realm, I still need some worldly gold and silver…”

“Understood.”

Hearing this, Song Wuya immediately knew Jiang Zhaoxue’s meaning. Grasping her hand, he said: “After success, I’ll take you to the national treasury. Take whatever you want.”

“Deal.” Jiang Zhaoxue immediately agreed, “At the altar the day after tomorrow, you can go boldly and confidently. Your fate, I’ll change it for you.”

“Thank you, Immortal Master!”

“Well then, since you’ve agreed with me, the Lingxu Fan cannot be given to anyone else.”

Jiang Zhaoxue smiled and raised her hand, pointing at Song Wuya’s forehead.

A cool spiritual power fell into Song Wuya’s body. Song Wuya couldn’t help but freeze: “What is this?”

“This is the contract between you and me. As long as I help you proclaim your true dragon mandate to the world at the altar, unless I lift the curse, no one else can open the Lingxu Fan.”

Jiang Zhaoxue’s tone carried coldness within its gentleness: “Please, Your Highness, absolutely do not do something like selling the same fan twice.”

“Of course.”

Song Wuya smiled: “How would I dare deceive the Immortal Master by doing such a thing?”

“This is a communication talisman,” Jiang Zhaoxue handed a communication talisman to Song Wuya, “Contact me if there’s anything. I’m leaving now?”

“Respectfully see off the Immortal Master.”

Song Wuya raised his hand in salute. Jiang Zhaoxue closed her eyes and called Chen Zhao: “Chen Zhao.”

Hearing Jiang Zhaoxue’s voice, Chen Zhao immediately rang the Qingyin Bell. Jiang Zhaoxue felt her body sink into another space. A moment later, she immediately felt her body gain substance, having returned to her body.

She sat up and immediately summoned Pei Zichen: “Zichen, come back.”

However, long before Jiang Zhaoxue returned, the three of them had already reached their limit.

Watching Shen Yuqing split open spaces one by one, the formation unable to hold, Pei Zichen unhesitatingly flipped outside the formation, shouting loudly: “Run!”

Hearing this, Qian Sisi and Ye Tianjiao both fled outward simultaneously, splitting into three directions.

Shen Yuqing’s sword energy slashed down toward Pei Zichen. The sword energy was too intense, blasting in all directions.

Qian Sisi managed to leap over the wall and escape, but Ye Tianjiao was caught in the impact. He dove forward in a flying sprawl to the ground, simply rolling on the spot and grabbing a basket from the side to cover his head, playing dead.

Shen Yuqing paid them no mind. His sword chased Pei Zichen. As Pei Zichen leaped to dodge, he simultaneously drew his sword and spun to cut open a space. Shen Yuqing was already prepared and coldly called out: “Jinyue!”

The moment the word fell, Mu Jinyue pulled with both hands. A mirror appeared in her hands, radiating light, shining on Pei Zichen as he fell into the space.

Then the mirror’s light rapidly followed the space’s vibration direction. Shen Yuqing rushed forward urgently, following the mirror’s light to intercept ahead, crashing down with a thunderous sword strike. Pei Zichen felt the space shake violently. Then sword energy followed closely. Pei Zichen raised his sword to block, and Shen Yuqing’s long sword met him head-on.

He didn’t dare receive it directly and quickly retreated.

Shen Yuqing swept a cold glance, and the sword wind became instantly fierce.

Shen Yuqing’s sword was one tempered through two hundred years of countless battles. Each sword strike carried severe killing intent—urgent, swift, and densely woven like silk.

Even though Pei Zichen was a heaven-sent genius, he was only twenty-one years old after all. Under Shen Yuqing’s sword wind, he could only hastily dodge.

But the more he dodged, the faster Shen Yuqing’s sword became. Yet no matter how he dodged, he instinctively maintained a protective posture.

This was a habit carved into his bones. Shen Yuqing understood at a glance. Detecting this habit—after he started bringing Jiang Zhaoxue with him in the past, he had developed this very habit, and his master had scolded him countless times for it. Why did Pei Zichen have such a habit? Thinking of this, Shen Yuqing’s spiritual power instantly surged. He fiercely struck Pei Zichen with a sword, sending him flying backward to crash heavily to the ground. As soon as Pei Zichen raised his head, he saw Shen Yuqing’s sword pointed at his face.

Killing intent poured down overwhelmingly from the sword wind. Pei Zichen panted urgently. Shen Yuqing looked at him coldly: “Is this how the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion taught you to use a sword?”

Pei Zichen didn’t dare speak. He suppressed his somewhat intense breathing from fighting and tension, hearing Shen Yuqing continue to lecture: “When you draw your sword, you need only move forward. There’s no one behind you, and it’s not your turn to protect.”

These words didn’t mention that person at all, but Pei Zichen instantly understood Shen Yuqing’s meaning.

He couldn’t help but grip his sword body tightly, saying nothing.

Humiliation and unease spread. He didn’t even have the ability to refute.

Mu Jinyue watched the master and disciple confrontation from the side. Looking at Pei Zichen with heartache, she couldn’t help but step forward, urgently saying: “Master, if you want to discipline Senior Brother, wait until after we find Master’s Wife?”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing’s movements paused. Pei Zichen’s heart instantly tightened.

He pressed his lips together, feeling Shen Yuqing’s sword slowly calm down after hearing that sentence.

He stared at Pei Zichen. After looking for a long while, he restrained himself and sheathed his sword, saying coldly: “Go back and tell your Master’s Wife that your name has disappeared from the Book of Fate. You are no longer one abandoned by heaven. I won’t kill you anymore.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen froze. Then he heard Shen Yuqing say coldly: “If you’re willing to return, you’re still my first disciple. I can personally teach you, pass on my mantle to you. But you must remember to observe a disciple’s proper place, follow the Pavilion’s rules. These days, the presumptuous acts between you and your Master’s Wife cannot happen again.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen thought of the past in the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, when he needed layer upon layer of notifications just to see Jiang Zhaoxue. For some reason, he felt his blood slowly freezing inch by inch.

Panic spread in his heart, yet he couldn’t speak of it.

Seeing him in a daze, Shen Yuqing assumed he couldn’t react, standing before him, high and mighty as always, easily describing what Pei Zichen had tried his utmost to achieve: “I can let bygones be bygones. I’ll accompany her to get the Su Guangji. I can also obtain divine artifacts for her. Her body is unwell now, her eyes blind. She cannot drift about outside. Let her come back, stop being willful. Tonight I’ll wait for her at the Tianji Academy.”

Thinking of the fire poison on her body, and realizing who had been detoxifying her in his absence, Shen Yuqing couldn’t help but feel killing intent rise toward the disciple before him.

However, this was just a disciple, and it was an extraordinary measure in a life-or-death situation. He couldn’t blame him too much. He could only turn his head: “She can come find me, or I can go find her. Either is fine.”

Pei Zichen understood his meaning and the implications in his words.

Tonight was when Jiang Zhaoxue’s fire poison would flare up. He wanted Jiang Zhaoxue to return to his side.

Jiang Zhaoxue was his wife. The mingling of spiritual power was a private matter between husband and wife. It should naturally be Shen Yuqing who did it.

It had always been this way in the past. He was only incidental.

He gripped his sword tightly, remaining silent.

Seeing he had finished speaking, Shen Yuqing said no more and turned to leave.

After walking a few steps, he heard Pei Zichen’s voice: “What if Master’s Wife refuses?”

Shen Yuqing’s footsteps paused. He said calmly: “She and I have been husband and wife for two hundred years. You deliver the message. Whether she’s willing or not, I know better than you.”

“But Master’s Wife…” Pei Zichen didn’t know what he was struggling with either, saying with difficulty: “Seeing you bring Junior Sister makes her unhappy.”

Shen Yuqing’s aura condensed slightly. Then his surrounding aura slowly softened, and with rare patience he said: “I bring your junior sister because the Seeking Time Mirror has now been inherited by her. If I want to return, she must activate it. Moreover, her spiritual roots aren’t good. Bringing her back also follows our Grand Master’s command to find methods to nourish her spiritual roots. There’s no other meaning. If she still minds,” Shen Yuqing turned back, “she might as well come ask me directly.”

These words made the panic spreading in his heart even worse.

Shen Yuqing asked patiently: “Does she have any other concerns?”

“No more.”

Pei Zichen could find no other reasons, only hoarsely saying: “This disciple will return to deliver the message.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing acknowledged and turned to leave.

He didn’t even have the thought to pursue Jiang Zhaoxue, as if certain that once he went back and told Jiang Zhaoxue these words, she would return.

After he walked far away, Ye Tianjiao, who had been lying and playing dead, leaped up and quickly ran to Pei Zichen’s side, saying excitedly: “Wow, your master is pretty good! I think he cares about Immortal Sister quite a bit.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen propped himself up and started walking.

Ye Tianjiao followed Pei Zichen, completely oblivious to Pei Zichen’s expression, only saying happily: “From your attitudes before, I thought he was so terrible. I didn’t expect him to actually care about Elder Sister quite a bit. Thinking Elder Sister was in the formation, he didn’t forcibly break it. Knowing Elder Sister’s eyes aren’t good, he seemed quite heartbroken too? You originally ran away because he wanted to kill you. Now he won’t kill you anymore. Doesn’t that mean you can go back and reunite as a family?”

Hearing Ye Tianjiao’s words, Pei Zichen felt as if someone was gripping his heart, slowly squeezing it painfully.

The two quickly turned the corner. Ye Tianjiao continued muttering: “Your Lingjian Immortal Pavilion seems quite impressive. You’re his first disciple, inheriting his mantle. Doesn’t that mean you’ll be the Pavilion Master of Lingjian Immortal Pavilion in the future? Amazing!”

“But your sect is so formal. Won’t it be hard for you and Elder Sister to meet in the future? But that’s right. With your master there, if there’s no need, you should have less contact with Elder Sister to avoid gossip. You’re so grown up now. Later find a wife, then go pay respects to Elder Sister and your master. Good!”

Ye Tianjiao crossed his arms, very satisfied: “That’s also a good outcome. You’ve both suffered and come through. I’ll go back now and tell this good news to…”

Before he finished speaking, Pei Zichen’s sword light suddenly turned fierce. Grabbing Ye Tianjiao’s collar, he slammed him hard against the wall.

Ye Tianjiao was startled and saw Pei Zichen’s gaze cold, saying harshly: “If you dare go back and talk nonsense, I’ll kill you!”

Ye Tianjiao froze. Pei Zichen threw him aside and continued forward.

Only then did Ye Tianjiao belatedly react and hurriedly caught up: “Wait, you’re not going to tell her?”

Pei Zichen didn’t respond. Ye Tianjiao grew anxious: “Why? Isn’t it good for you to go back? Look how strong your master is. Wouldn’t it be better for him to help Elder Sister?”

“Master doesn’t treat her well.”

Pei Zichen spoke. Ye Tianjiao found it strange: “Is it your place to say whether he treats her well? That’s their marriage. Your Master’s Wife is willing, your master is happy—it’s between husband and wife. What’s it to you?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen’s sword rang sharply as he suppressed his voice: “I don’t want to be separated from Master’s Wife.”

Ye Tianjiao found this even more baffling: “You’re not separated though? Won’t you both be at the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion?”

“It’s not the same.”

“What’s not the same?” Ye Tianjiao couldn’t understand, “Isn’t it just one more master? When you go back, she’ll be at the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, and so will you. You’re both in the same sect. How is that different from now…”

“But I can’t see her!”

Pei Zichen finally couldn’t hold back and shouted.

Ye Tianjiao was stunned by his outburst, watching him say with panic and anger: “Back at the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, I need layer upon layer of notifications just to see her. I have to kneel at the door to speak with her. I can’t see her, I can’t touch her, I can’t protect her. Even looking at her one more time is improper. How is that the same?!”

He could never again hold her hand and walk openly with her on the street.

Could never again kneel with her at the Yuelao Temple, writing her name on the marriage ribbon.

Could never again ride the immortal crane with her into the night sky, drink wine together, watch the stars together, fall from the sky holding hands, embrace her from behind and let her sense his emotions.

His desire was sin. His feelings were sin. Looking up at her was sin. Even using his spiritual power to detoxify Jiang Zhaoxue, his sword instinctively protecting someone behind him—all were sins.

How could this be the same?

He stared at Ye Tianjiao. Ye Tianjiao looked at his reddened eyes and blankly reacted: “What are you saying?”

Pei Zichen froze.

Ye Tianjiao was bewildered: “She’s your Master’s Wife. You’re her disciple. Isn’t it natural to do these things? How do you want to be with her? Holding her hand every day, accompanying her, sleeping together at night, not allowing any other man to touch her?”

Ye Tianjiao frowned as he spoke: “Pei Zichen, do you know what you’re saying?”

“I…”

Realizing what Ye Tianjiao was saying, Pei Zichen retreated in panic, at a loss: “I…”

“She’s your Master’s Wife.” Ye Tianjiao said, then speculated: “You don’t… like her…”

“No!” Hearing this, Pei Zichen spoke in panic, shouting sternly.

Ye Tianjiao froze. Pei Zichen turned away in confusion, suppressing his fear: “Don’t talk nonsense and insult my Master’s Wife’s reputation. I just think Master isn’t worthy. Don’t talk nonsense anymore. I’ll tell her Master’s words myself today.”

With that, Pei Zichen turned toward the city gate. Ye Tianjiao followed behind him, thinking before saying: “Pei Zichen.”

Pei Zichen turned back and saw Ye Tianjiao, wearing women’s clothing, turn away somewhat unnaturally: “As brothers, I won’t speak of today’s words. But you yourself…”

He lowered his head, saying somewhat unnaturally: “Take care of yourself.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen lowered his eyes. His fingertips trembled as he felt something surge up, saying hoarsely: “Thank you.”

With that, he didn’t dare look at Ye Tianjiao again and turned to leave.

He walked back the entire way, his mind full of Ye Tianjiao’s questions.

“That’s their marriage. Your Master’s Wife is willing, your master is happy—it’s between husband and wife. What’s it to you?”

“She’s your Master’s Wife. You’re her disciple. Isn’t it natural to do these things? How do you want to be with her?”

“She’s your Master’s Wife. You don’t… like her…”

These questions ran through his mind one after another. He couldn’t even respond to Jiang Zhaoxue’s transmissions.

He had imagined Jiang Zhaoxue’s appearance countless times, from the first time she descended from the sky in purple robes with a veil, to her leisurely, lazy appearance before him every day now.

“Have you felt this way seeing other people? Just one look and thinking, wow, this person is so beautiful, muscles tensing and heart racing in an instant, stuttering when speaking, needing to organize yourself to maintain composure. Have you?”

“When I see Master’s Wife, my heart is like this.”

Master’s Wife.

披着夜色走到叶府门口，穿过大门，走进客厅。He walked through the night to the entrance of the Ye Residence, passed through the gate, and entered the reception hall.

With one glance up, he saw Jiang Zhaoxue talking with Ye Wenzhi.

She sat in a chair with her legs crossed, hand resting on her knee, body slightly leaning forward, earnestly listening to Ye Wenzhi’s words.

Her foot beneath her skirt unconsciously swung up and down.

The lamplight seemed especially fond of her, softly suffusing around her. She was elegant and beautiful, her smile vivid as a butterfly. The entire world shone brilliantly because of her.

As if sensing him, she looked up with a smile: “Zichen?”

Hearing her call, something surged in his body.

In that instant, he realized.

His desire, his emotions—they weren’t because of youthful vigor, weren’t because of simple longing for a woman, and weren’t because of lingering instincts from when he had used spiritual power to provoke himself in his youth.

It was because of her.

“She’s your Master’s Wife. You don’t… like her…”

Like.

Seeing her, hearing her call his name in that instant, he finally stopped resisting, surrendered his weapons, and submitted.

He had to admit he had developed such sordid thoughts that shouldn’t exist in this world.

He liked her.

A thousand sins, ten thousand transgressions.

He still liked her.

His Master’s Wife.