In this lifetime, Jiang Zhaoxue had heard quite a few confessions, but most were born of physical desire.

When confessing, it was all earth-shattering, known to everyone, even vowing death to prove their feelings. But after turning their heads and feeling sad for a while, they would each marry and wed others.

This was the first time someone’s confession made her feel as if it transcended appearances, facing her soul directly, making a solemn promise.

This overly formal emotion left her at a loss. She instinctively wanted to turn away and avoid it, then suddenly realized—this was an illusion.

Spouting nonsense in an illusion, no matter how genuine it seemed, was still nonsense.

Pei Zichen’s current memories were all fake. Was the object of his confession really her?

She had only been here one day. The object of his confession was that imaginary Jiang Xue. What did it have to do with her—not even a copper coin’s worth of connection?

At most, the name was somewhat similar.

And this name being somewhat similar was perhaps because this identity was one she needed to replace. And she replaced this identity…

Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat confused. Why would she become Jiang Xue?

If the identity each person became was suited to the expectations in their hearts, what about Jiang Xue made her expect it?

Because there was a fiancé like Shen Yuqing who still deeply loved her?

Jiang Zhaoxue was startled by this thought that arose and couldn’t help but ask A’Nan, “Could it be… I’m still unwilling to give up on Shen Yuqing?!”

“First love, after all.” A’Nan was rather indifferent. “It’s normal. But this isn’t important. Whether you’re willing or not, you’ll still have to break up with him and go back to demand money. Hurry up and deal with Pei Zichen!”

Reminded by A’Nan, Jiang Zhaoxue quickly came to her senses. She looked up at Pei Zichen and said seriously, “So your wish is for me to like you?”

Being asked so directly by Jiang Zhaoxue, Pei Zichen felt somewhat embarrassed. He lowered his eyes and answered in a low voice, “Yes.”

“Then what a coincidence!”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately half-crouched down from the bed, raised her hand to hold Pei Zichen’s hand, and gazed at him affectionately. “I’ve always liked you!”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen froze. He raised his eyes to see Jiang Zhaoxue’s passionate expression. “Although I’ve lost my memory, from the first moment I saw you, I knew I was fond of you! Our feelings must be stronger than gold and deeper than the sea. So no matter how many times we meet again, my heart will flutter and my feelings will be irrepressible!”

“Miss Jiang,” Pei Zichen listened to her sweet words, quietly gazing at her eyes. His dark purple eyes were transparent and bright, as if seeing through everything. He only asked softly, “What do you want?”

Jiang Zhaoxue’s movements froze. Pei Zichen knew he had guessed correctly.

He felt somewhat uncomfortable inside. Letting her hold his hand, he said with difficulty, “Whatever you want, just tell me. As long as it’s something I can do, I won’t refuse. This has nothing to do with whether you like me or not. You don’t need to do this.”

“I…”

Being so nakedly exposed by him, Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat embarrassed, but she couldn’t admit it. She could only insist, “I really do like you.”

Listening to this, Pei Zichen thought for a moment, then looked up at her again and said seriously, “Really?”

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded like a pecking chicken, saying earnestly, “Really!”

Pei Zichen stared at her. After a long while, he unconsciously tightened his fingers that she held and probed, “Then… will you still break off our engagement?”

“No, no, I won’t!” Jiang Zhaoxue immediately shook her head. “If you’re willing, we can get married right away!”

Pei Zichen smiled bitterly, looking at the person before him who clearly had ulterior motives. After thinking for a moment, he said patiently, “Let’s discuss this matter after we return. Right now, the Tianji Pavilion has calculated that an evil demon is about to appear. They’ve ordered all immortal sect disciples in Shu to await commands at Emei Ruins to subdue the demon. I must go there.”

“Then I’ll go with you!”

Hearing that an evil demon was appearing and that all disciples in Shu would be there, Jiang Zhaoxue knew this matter absolutely couldn’t be missed. She said seriously, “I cannot tolerate being separated from you for even a moment!”

Pei Zichen was made uncomfortable by these words. For a moment he felt awkward, not knowing how to respond.

A’Nan sighed. “Too exaggerated.”

“Dawn is approaching.” Pei Zichen didn’t dare meet her eyes. He averted his gaze and said softly, “Later in the main hall I’ll explain the situation. Miss Jiang can come. I’ll leave first.”

With that, Pei Zichen withdrew his hand, stood up, and turned toward the main door.

Walking straight to the entrance, he heard sweeping sounds outside. His movements froze slightly. Realizing this was Jiang Zhaoxue’s room and that other disciples had awakened, he quickly said “sorry” in a low voice, turned back to the window, and jumped out.

After he left, Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment and quickly contacted Ye Tianjiao. “Ye Tianjiao, find an opportunity quickly. We need to meet alone.”

After a while, the talisman paper sent back a message that read: “I’m not worthy of you. We shouldn’t contact each other anymore.”

Looking at these words, Jiang Zhaoxue was momentarily speechless.

“Oh,” A’Nan saw her difficult expression, leaned over to look at the message, and said somewhat strangely, “Why would Ye Tianjiao write this? Is it code?”

“This wasn’t written by Ye Tianjiao.”

Jiang Zhaoxue sighed and put away the communication talisman paper, pondering, “He must be controlled by Qian Sisi. I need to find another way to see him.”

After all, the only person she could rely on right now was Ye Tianjiao.

What exactly was Pei Zichen’s wish?

If his true wish really was just for her to like him, how on earth could she make Pei Zichen believe she had fallen for him?!

Jiang Zhaoxue felt despair.

“Should we just give up?” she murmured. “And find the Lingxu Fan ourselves?”

“Let’s still try.” A’Nan encouraged her. “It’s just acting. It depends on your acting skills. Try a bit harder?”

Jiang Zhaoxue felt A’Nan was right and began seriously thinking about how exactly she should try harder.

On the other side, Pei Zichen composed his emotions and returned to his room.

The bed still carried Jiang Zhaoxue’s scent. He walked to the bedside, put down his sword, then turned to look at the messy bedding where Jiang Zhaoxue had slept.

Everything from last night seemed like a dream. For the first time in his life he had been so improper. Guilt and panic surged in his heart, yet he… couldn’t help but be improper.

Pei Zichen recalled Jiang Zhaoxue’s appearance today. His heart felt somewhat heavy.

Jiang Xue wasn’t simply suffering from memory loss.

He knew clearly in his heart that she had not only forgotten him but also had something else she wanted to obtain from him.

Logically, upon learning this, he should be wary, even sad.

But when he realized that he had value to her, that she wanted something from him, he actually…

Felt relieved.

Having something to ask for meant she wouldn’t abandon him.

He knew this way of thinking was absurd. As the eldest disciple of Wenjian Manor, he shouldn’t have such selfish thoughts. But thinking about Jiang Xue leaving, he couldn’t restrain his selfish desires.

This made him clearly realize that he was nothing more than an ordinary person.

But what else could he do?

Since childhood, he had dreamed of her day and night, though they were all fragments. Sometimes she wore purple robes and a silver-white mask standing before him, sometimes she followed him down a cliff like a white phoenix, sometimes he carried her through snowy mountains, sometimes she clutched his collar desperately in the darkness, sometimes there were the four years he spent seeking her by praying to gods and worshipping Buddha…

He had guided the way for her with his sword sheath when she was blind in the long corridor, rode immortal cranes with her to admire the moonlight.

He didn’t know her name or identity, yet he could clearly feel his feelings for her deepening bit by bit in those fragments.

Heart stirring, amazement, attachment, possession, affection…

From youth, he had been infatuated with this person in his dreams until adulthood. Until at age twelve, following his elders to propose marriage, he saw her for the first time.

Although she looked like a child, the moment she spoke, he knew—it was this person, definitely this person.

Jiang Xue.

Jiang Zhaoxue.

This sense of certainty reached its peak at this reunion.

Perhaps it was because she had grown up to look more like that person in his dreams, or perhaps… it was because their relationship had become like in the dreams—she didn’t like him.

No matter how much she said, after losing her memory, she even remembered someone called Ye Tianjiao, but didn’t remember him.

If not for his usefulness to her, she might not have even stayed.

But fortunately…

He thought, better than in the dreams, they were engaged early.

He could, openly and honorably, ask her to stay.

After Pei Zichen calmed himself down and meditated to settle his mind, once everyone had risen, he called everyone over.

Jiang Zhaoxue had already prepared. Earlier she had searched around but couldn’t find Ye Tianjiao. Now with everyone present, this was her most legitimate opportunity to see Ye Tianjiao.

She went early and saw Qian Sisi bringing Ye Tianjiao over. Ye Tianjiao looked listless. When he saw Jiang Zhaoxue across the corridor, his eyes lit up. Just as he was about to speak, he saw all the disciples of Wenjian Manor rush out in a flurry, standing like a screen between Jiang Zhaoxue and Ye Tianjiao, completely blocking him.

Then they followed Jiang Zhaoxue’s footsteps. When Jiang Zhaoxue walked quickly, they walked quickly. When Jiang Zhaoxue stepped back, they stepped back. Finally, when they entered the room, they spontaneously took stools and sat in the middle, completely isolating Jiang Zhaoxue and Ye Tianjiao.

Seeing this formation, even Jiang Zhaoxue fell silent. She looked meaningfully at Zhuang Wen, the leading disciple. Sensing Jiang Zhaoxue’s gaze, Zhuang Wen became somewhat nervous. He immediately sat up straight and said loudly, “According to divination today, we should sit in the middle!”

Hearing about divination, Jiang Zhaoxue turned away in disgust, unable to listen to such an insult to her profession.

After everyone waited for a moment, they saw Pei Zichen walk in. Seeing such a strange seating arrangement, Pei Zichen’s movements paused slightly. He instinctively looked toward Jiang Zhaoxue. Seeing her displeased expression, he thought for a moment, averted his gaze, and said lightly, “Everyone sit back. What does this look like?”

“Senior Brother…” Upon hearing this, Zhuang Wen wanted to argue for a while. He glanced at Ye Tianjiao meaningfully. “There are still outsiders here…”

“Go back.”

Pei Zichen spoke coldly. Everyone looked at each other. Finally, hearing Zhuang Wen sigh as if lamenting failure, he carried his stool back to his seat.

After sitting down, Pei Zichen looked at Ye Tianjiao, raised his hand in greeting, and said, “Yesterday was too hasty. I haven’t properly greeted this fellow Daoist. My manners were lacking. Please forgive me.”

“It’s nothing, nothing.”

Ye Tianjiao quickly stood up and waved his hand. “We’re all acquaintances. No need to be so formal.”

“I heard you’re surnamed Ye, named Tianjiao?”

“Oh, I’m called Ye Tianjiao, courtesy name Qianhe.”

“Brother Qianhe.” Pei Zichen nodded, ran through all the people in the Shu immortal path in his mind, and probed, “Are you the young master of the Yicheng Ye clan?”

At these words, Ye Tianjiao smiled awkwardly and quickly said, “I’ve already severed ties with my family. No need to address me like that.”

The Ye Family was a hereditary assassin organization. He was afraid they had grudges with Wenjian Manor.

Hearing this, Pei Zichen nodded, then asked curiously, “For the young master to abandon darkness for light is a righteous act. But I wonder what the young master plans for the future?”

Hearing this, Ye Tianjiao instinctively looked toward Jiang Zhaoxue. Jiang Zhaoxue looked up puzzled. Pei Zichen’s gaze swept between the two, and he immediately turned around. “Let’s discuss the main matter first.”

With that, Pei Zichen walked to the front. He raised his hand, and a map illusion appeared in the air.

The map showed all of Shu, densely covered with green dots. Pei Zichen said calmly, “These are the areas where evil demons have been acting up recently in Shu. Almost all of Shu is unstable. Every city, every mountain has restless demons, making Shu a complete mess.”

“That’s right.” One disciple raised his hand to rest on the chair back. This was Sun Xin, the most unruly disciple among them. He looked at the map with a frown. “We’ve never had so many demons appear simultaneously before. What’s going on?”

“What’s that pit?”

Qian Sisi asked first. Only then did everyone realize that on this map, although covered densely with green dots, there was one bowl-sized area that was calm and quiet, without a single green dot.

Hearing Qian Sisi’s question, Pei Zichen looked up at her and said seriously, “Emei Ruins.”

Hearing “Emei Ruins,” Jiang Zhaoxue pondered. This was the burial ground for most sword cultivators of the mortal realm in Shu. Every Shu sword cultivator would, upon weapon dissolution, have their sword body carry them back to Emei Ruins to suppress the demon Yin Zhulong that had been sealed beneath Emei Ruins for many years.

“Oh.”

Hearing it was Emei Ruins, Qian Sisi understood. “They don’t dare go there.”

“No.” Pei Zichen denied Qian Sisi’s words and said calmly, “It’s not that they don’t dare go. Rather, that place is the source.”

“What?” Everyone was surprised, not understanding.

Pei Zichen explained, “Yesterday, Tianji Pavilion sent a message to all sects in Shu, saying they detected spiritual power fluctuations near Emei Ruins. Based on these fluctuations, they fear Yin Zhulong is about to awaken.”

“How is that possible?!” Everyone was stunned. “Why would Yin Zhulong suddenly wake up?”

“Yin Zhulong is a demon that desperately wants to become a true dragon. Only when true dragon energy is flourishing will it be suppressed. If it’s about to awaken, it proves that in this mortal realm, dragon energy has weakened and something has gone wrong with the true dragon fate.”

Jiang Zhaoxue answered. Everyone looked at each other.

Listening, Sun Xin couldn’t help but murmur, “If something went wrong with the true dragon fate, then the Great Xia…”

“Affairs in the capital are not our concern.” Pei Zichen interrupted Sun Xin, not letting him discuss further. He only said, “When Yin Zhulong awakens, it’s at its weakest moment. If we wait for it to fully absorb spiritual power and wake up completely, probably no one in all of Great Xia could be its match. So Tianji Pavilion discussed with all the sects and is now dispatching all elite disciples from each sect to Emei Ruins to await Yin Zhulong’s emergence.”

“This…” Hearing this, Zhuang Wen frowned. Thinking of how various sects operated, he couldn’t help but say, “Will they really send their elites?”

“They will.”

Jiang Zhaoxue spoke with a smile. Everyone found it strange.

Jiang Zhaoxue propped up her chin. “When ancient divine beasts emerge, they always come with their own lairs. One ancient divine beast’s lair can support an ordinary sect for tens of thousands of years. If any disciple present can obtain the inheritance from Yin Zhulong’s great tomb, that sect will prosper in the future.”

“There’s even money involved?!” Qian Sisi realized.

Pei Zichen nodded seriously. “Quite a lot.”

“Understood!” Sun Xin immediately sat up straight. All the disciples looked at Pei Zichen in unison and said seriously, “Subduing demons is our duty. Senior Brother, let’s depart—depart immediately!”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen looked up at Ye Tianjiao. “Then, Young Master Ye…”

“I’m going with you!”

Ye Tianjiao understood—this was a major event. What emerged might not be Yin Zhulong, but the Lingxu Fan!

His heart was quite excited, but on the surface he still had to pretend. “Although I used to be an assassin, I’m still a cultivator. In this matter, I cannot shirk my duty!”

“What I meant was,” Pei Zichen looked at him calmly, his tone extraordinarily polite, “Wenjian Manor doesn’t have much traveling money. The Ye Family is wealthy and powerful. Young Master Ye might as well go back and convince your family to fight the enemy together. That would be more useful than you going alone.”

“I…”

“After all, you haven’t reached Core Formation stage,” Pei Zichen spoke gently, yet with a hint of threat, “going alone would be quite dangerous. I won’t have the capacity to protect you.”

“I don’t need your protection.” Upon hearing this, Ye Tianjiao became somewhat anxious. He quickly looked at Jiang Zhaoxue beside him. “Sis can protect me! Right?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen’s movements paused. He turned to look at Jiang Zhaoxue, his eyes conveying a plea for her not to agree.

Jiang Zhaoxue felt Pei Zichen’s warning, looking at Ye Tianjiao’s firm, pleading gaze before her.

If she agreed, Pei Zichen wouldn’t be happy.

If she didn’t agree…

She still had to bring Ye Tianjiao along.

Jiang Zhaoxue struggled and hesitated for a long while. Finally, she forced out a smile and discussed with Pei Zichen, “Um… A Chen, don’t worry. He’s very clever. Nothing will happen to him.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen made no sound.

He only stared at Jiang Zhaoxue. Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t dare look at him and turned her head away. His gaze dimmed inch by inch.

“Senior Brother?”

Everyone waited for Pei Zichen’s response. Hearing the call, Pei Zichen turned away and said while suppressing his emotions, “As Miss Jiang wishes.”

With that, he raised his hand to put away the map and said calmly, “Everyone go back and pack. We’ll depart tomorrow.”

Hearing Pei Zichen’s permission, Ye Tianjiao breathed a sigh of relief.

Since everyone needed to pack, they quickly returned. Jiang Zhaoxue and Ye Tianjiao exchanged glances. As he exited, Ye Tianjiao secretly stuck a talisman paper on the door frame. Jiang Zhaoxue followed past and smoothly took down this newly written communication talisman.

Pei Zichen quietly sensed something. He looked up just in time to see Jiang Zhaoxue pretending to be calm as she walked out after taking the talisman.

Something surged in his chest, making him feel suffocated. He endured for a moment, then turned to leave.

As soon as Jiang Zhaoxue came out with the talisman, she immediately heard Ye Tianjiao’s transmission: “Tonight there’s a bamboo grove in the back courtyard. I’ll take a detour there. Let’s meet there.”

“Good. I have very important information to tell you.”

Communication transmissions caused spiritual power fluctuations. Too many fluctuations were easily discovered. Meeting face-to-face was more convenient.

Jiang Zhaoxue agreed. Returning to wait until evening, she immediately set out from the bamboo grove.

At this time, Ye Tianjiao was also sneaking around, taking another path to circle around.

But just as he left the small courtyard and arrived at a deserted place, preparing to leave, he was suddenly pulled back by a huge force. Then a cold wind struck with a “ding” sound, embedding into the wall. While penetrating the wall, it pressed against his neck!

The icy coldness cut his skin. Cold intent and killing intent mixed together, shocking Ye Tianjiao until all his hair stood on end. He looked in terror at Pei Zichen who had suddenly arrived, so frightened he couldn’t speak, stammering, “You you you…”

“Where is Young Master Ye going?”

Pei Zichen looked at him calmly. Staring at his terrified eyes, he leaned forward slightly and said in a lowered voice, “To see my fiancée?”

“No no no no!”

Ye Tianjiao felt ice and snow had already frozen to his legs. No matter how foolish he was, he knew he couldn’t say anything right now. He said in panic, “I… I’m looking for Qian Sisi! I’m going to find Qian Sisi!”

“That would be best.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen decisively withdrew his sword. His sword body was crimson, obviously from killing too many people.

Ye Tianjiao glanced at it once and didn’t dare look more. Pei Zichen sheathed his sword, then said, “Then I won’t disturb Young Master Ye. I’ll leave first. It’s my great honor to travel together with Young Master Ye on this journey. I hope that along the way, Young Master Ye will observe propriety and not damage the good relations between our two sects.”

With that, Pei Zichen bowed his head slightly, turned, and said, “Farewell.”

After he left, that oppressive feeling of death finally dissipated. Ye Tianjiao let out a heavy breath, then belatedly realized something.

If he just didn’t observe propriety, why would it damage relations between the two sects?

Wouldn’t it only damage relations between the two sects if he died?!

He didn’t dare say more. Then, sensing something, he quickly took out the talisman paper from his chest, only to discover that the talisman paper for contacting Jiang Zhaoxue had long been chewed to pieces.

He hated sword cultivators!

He hated sword cultivators who understood spells even more!!

The matter of going to the bamboo grove came to nothing. Not even a hundred times the courage would make Ye Tianjiao dare to go.

Unable to make contact, he could only let Jiang Zhaoxue wait there by herself.

While Jiang Zhaoxue waited, Pei Zichen hid in the shadows, quietly watching her.

He watched as Jiang Zhaoxue first waited with boredom, then waited patiently, and finally waited irritably. Even when it was nearly the hour of chou, she still hadn’t left.

He watched her quietly. Sourness and pain surged up together as time grew longer. He clearly could immediately step out to stop her, yet he couldn’t help but watch from the shadows, wanting to see how long she could wait.

After watching for a long while, the night became somewhat cold. Seeing her shiver in the night wind, he finally couldn’t bear it anymore. He walked out from the bamboo grove and called out, “Miss Jiang.”

“Huh?!”

Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart jumped, but seeing Pei Zichen, she knew today she really couldn’t wait any longer.

Seeing Pei Zichen, she smiled awkwardly. “What are you doing here?”

Pei Zichen remained silent. He gazed at her quietly. This look made Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart panic. She coughed lightly. “Why are you looking at me like that? It’s as if I did something wrong.”

“It’s nothing. Miss Jiang is never wrong.”

Pei Zichen looked away and turned back. “Miss Jiang, the night is too cold. Please go back and rest.”

Hearing about rest, Jiang Zhaoxue breathed a sigh of relief and quickly caught up with Pei Zichen, asking, “What are you doing here? Will we depart tomorrow and go directly to Emei Ruins? Besides demon disturbances, are there any other major events in Shu?”

Listening, Pei Zichen didn’t speak.

He clearly felt Jiang Zhaoxue walking at his side, felt the fabric rustling, felt their hands brush against each other lightly several times.

In the past, she would have already taken the initiative to grab his hand, laughing lightly and scolding, “Why are you so dull? Don’t you know to hold my hand?”

After grabbing his hand, she would use various excuses and try every method to coax him to bend down so she could kiss him.

But his reflexes were too good—each time she would kiss crookedly. Yet she was also indomitable, always enjoying it tirelessly.

But now she didn’t notice these things at all. Instead, she chattered on, “Um, Ye Tianjiao is a talisman cultivator. Actually, bringing him has benefits. His temper does offend people a bit, but he’s extremely talented at writing talismans. If you all go into battle with his talismans, I’ll feel more at ease…”

“Miss Jiang.” Pei Zichen coldly interrupted her. “I don’t need his talismans.”

“Uh…” Hearing his tone, Jiang Zhaoxue also knew what he was unhappy about. She only said, “He and I are really just friends…”

“Then what difference is there between him and me?”

Pei Zichen asked calmly. Jiang Zhaoxue froze.

He turned to look at her and said seriously, “Miss Jiang says she likes me. Then what difference is there between me, who is liked, and Friend Ye in Miss Jiang’s heart?”

“Uh…” Jiang Zhaoxue said vaguely, “A very big difference.”

“For example?” Pei Zichen stopped and asked. “Can he not hold Miss Jiang’s hand?” Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat guilty.

Seeing her attitude, Pei Zichen’s heart turned sour. He couldn’t restrain himself from continuing, “Can he not embrace Miss Jiang, or stay alone with Miss Jiang in a room late at night? What have I done that he hasn’t done?”

He could. All of it. He had done all of it.

He had even been caught by Pei Zichen in the situation of staying in a room together at night while they were grabbing at each other.

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t know how to answer. Pei Zichen stared at her seriously. “Since he can do all of this, how dare Miss Jiang say she likes me?”

“I…” Jiang Zhaoxue steeled herself. “I really do like you.”

Pei Zichen was speechless. He looked at Jiang Zhaoxue, as if desperately restraining his emotions.

The hand placed behind his back loosened and tightened, tightened and loosened. After enduring for a long while, he finally turned his head. “There’s no need to say such things anymore. Let’s go back first.”

“Wait…”

Jiang Zhaoxue watched Pei Zichen walk away. She clearly felt the person’s emotions before her and said painfully to A’Nan, “It’s over. I seem to be getting further and further from completing the task.”

“You say you like him, yet show not a bit of special treatment. How could he possibly believe you like him?”

“How do I prove it?!” Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat desperate.

A’Nan glanced at her. “Actually, you know the method of proof. You’re just unwilling.”

These words instantly silenced Jiang Zhaoxue.

A’Nan tilted her head. “I advise you to stop struggling. If his wish is for you to like him, sooner or later you’ll have to go through this.”

“But how could his wish be for me to like him?!”

“He has no one around him.”

A’Nan reminded Jiang Zhaoxue, “No family, no friends, no master, no lover. Isn’t it normal for him to want someone to like him? Your identity in the illusion is his dream’s perfect companion. Isn’t it normal for him to want you to like him? He just wants to be loved.”

Listening to this, Jiang Zhaoxue gradually calmed down.

She looked at Pei Zichen’s solitary back walking ahead, feeling that figure slowly carving itself into her eyes.

In this illusion, his master who loved drinking and wandering but cared for his disciples was illusory.

These friendly fellow disciples around him were illusory.

Only she…

Was half real, half false.

She inexplicably felt her heart turn sour. This pitying sourness made her somewhat uncomfortable. She turned her head, not wanting to look at him while thinking about the problem.

How to express affection—she actually knew.

She had once spent two hundred years expressing it so earnestly and ardently to another person.

“It’s all fake anyway.” A’Nan comforted her. “Why are you thinking so much? He’s so good-looking. You’re not at a loss.”

“Enough.”

Jiang Zhaoxue sullenly interrupted it.

She stood in place and steadied herself, finally speaking, “Shen Chen.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen stopped but didn’t dare turn around.

He desperately calmed his emotions, then heard urgent footsteps behind him.

Hearing Jiang Zhaoxue’s footsteps already behind him, he knew he could no longer hide. He could only force himself to turn around.

However, just as he turned, the woman pounced like a butterfly. She actually cupped his face with both hands, pulled him down, and kissed him!

Pei Zichen’s eyes widened instantly. He felt soft lips crash heavily onto his, then quickly withdrew.

Pei Zichen stood frozen in place. Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat embarrassed and turned her head away, pretending to be calm. “This is the difference.”

Listening, Pei Zichen slowly raised his eyes. His pair of eyes seemed to have floating shattered ice, rippling with waves in the bright sun, brilliantly shining.

His gaze was too direct. Jiang Zhaoxue still felt awkward.

After all, this wasn’t the Shen Yuqing of those years.

Pei Zichen wasn’t lucid, but she was clear about their identities.

She turned her head and said in a low voice, “That’s it. I’m leaving.”

With that, she hurried forward. Pei Zichen stood behind her. After a moment, he couldn’t help but smile, quietly following Jiang Zhaoxue with his hand on his sword.

The two walked through the corridor one ahead of the other. Jiang Zhaoxue felt the person behind her had an obviously overly pleased aura, and inexplicably felt somewhat irritated and unwilling to accept it.

She didn’t know what she was competing over either. She walked ahead with her head down. When they reached the room, she hastily pushed the door to enter, but Pei Zichen blocked her with one hand.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked up at him, saying coldly, “What, you still want to come in? It’s the middle of the night. This is my room. Not following your rules anymore?”

“A Xue…”

Listening, Pei Zichen smiled bitterly.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at him indignantly. Pei Zichen gazed at those eyes. His heart always felt as if feathers were tickling it, slightly itchy.

His gaze couldn’t help but fall on her lips. Realizing what he was thinking, he quickly looked away.

But after dodging, he remembered Qian Sisi’s words again. Thinking that she actually had ulterior motives, remembering Ye Tianjiao’s words “sis will protect me,” he knew he couldn’t retreat anymore.

His heart was at war with itself. After Jiang Zhaoxue waited a moment, she said impatiently, “What do you want to do? Speak quickly.”

“I…” Pei Zichen raised his eyes, forcing himself to meet her gaze. His voice trembled slightly. “Can we try once more?”

“Huh?”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t understand for a moment.

She saw Pei Zichen’s hand pressing on the door apply slight force as he leaned into the room.

The moment he pushed the door, Jiang Zhaoxue looked up at him, clearly knowing what he meant by “try once more.”

Actually, this wasn’t anything new to her, but she didn’t know if it was because the person was new—once that initial awkwardness passed, when Pei Zichen’s breath approached, what she first felt wasn’t embarrassment but a long-absent nervousness.

Her heartbeat quickened slightly. Pei Zichen tentatively closed the door. Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t stop him, he stood before her.

He was much taller than her. His entire presence enveloped her. Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t dare look at him and turned her head away, urging, “Why are you just standing there?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen raised his hand and gently covered her eyes.

His hand carried some trembling. For a sword cultivator, this should have been absolutely impossible. Yet when this impossibility occurred, it seemed to resonate with Jiang Zhaoxue as well.

Her body involuntarily tensed. Then she felt him support himself with one hand on the window beside her, lean down slightly, and kiss her with solemnity and tenderness.

Earlier it had been too hasty, and she was nervous, with no time to experience it. Only now did she discover his lips were extraordinarily soft, carrying a coolness of ice and snow different from ordinary people.

He seemed somewhat afraid of frightening her. Initially, he kissed extraordinarily gently. But after kissing for a moment, he couldn’t quite restrain himself. As his breathing grew heavier, he repeatedly ground and crushed with increasing abandon.

Yet he only continued kissing her, as if completely unaware he needed to take the next step.

Jiang Zhaoxue was kissed until her whole body felt somewhat weak, yet also somewhat anxious. Finally, unable to restrain herself, her tongue suddenly crashed against his. A trembling sensation instantly rushed to the crown of her head. Jiang Zhaoxue was so startled she hurriedly retreated.

Pei Zichen was also stunned for a moment, then seemed to suddenly realize something. The instant Jiang Zhaoxue retreated, he gripped her chin and pursued her, entangling with her.

Jiang Zhaoxue’s entire body slid downward. He used his leg to stop her slide while simultaneously tightening his arm around her waist, crazily experiencing that overly intense sensation from just now.

In the past, he had never seriously made a move against her. She had no idea he had such strength. With his entire body pressing on her, she couldn’t move at all and could only let him demand excessively.

Moonlight fell through the window paper onto the floor, outlining their entangled shadows. Pei Zichen controlled her every hand. Every place he touched was so gentle, yet within this gentleness, there was everywhere an almost obsessive invasion and dominance.

He kissed again and again, explored to the deepest places time after time. By the end, Jiang Zhaoxue’s whole body couldn’t help but tremble. Finally unable to bear it, she pushed him, trembling lightly in his embrace, turning her head to rebuke softly, “Enough!”

She didn’t push hard, yet Pei Zichen also stopped. He looked down greedily at the person in his arms, trembling like a pear blossom after rain. He couldn’t help but lean forward, pressing his forehead against hers, gently nuzzling, laughing hoarsely.

He said nothing, yet Jiang Zhaoxue understood from this laugh a sense of humiliation. She couldn’t help feeling somewhat frustrated.

After all, she was two hundred years older. After all, this wasn’t her first time. How could she…

Pei Zichen seemed to sense her emotions. He couldn’t help but laugh while repeatedly kissing her earlobe, saying hoarsely by her ear, “A Xue, it’s not just you.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue knew he had detected her arousal and felt even more embarrassed. She only said, “Still kissing? What do you want to do?”

“Nothing.”

Pei Zichen only laughed, kissing her again and again.

His breath was chaotic, his hair crown slightly loose, his clothing disheveled and messy. His jade pendant had long since fallen to the ground. He had none of his usual proper appearance. Jiang Zhaoxue was kissed until she felt somewhat moved. She couldn’t help but say, “Why don’t we go to the bed…”

“After marriage.”

Pei Zichen held her hand and gently placed it on his chest, panting as he looked up at her. He said seriously, “After marriage, I am A Xue’s.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue almost wanted to hit someone.

If you don’t have the ability to go to bed.

Don’t kiss like this!

She stared hard at Pei Zichen. Seeing her expression, Pei Zichen couldn’t help but soften. After hesitating for a moment, knowing it didn’t conform to propriety, he still said softly, “Is it very uncomfortable?”

Jiang Zhaoxue turned her head without speaking. Pei Zichen pursued her, leaning close to her face. “What can I do? Teach me? Hm?”

“Sleep!”

Jiang Zhaoxue pushed him, her temper rising, somewhat unhappy.

With that little strength of hers, Pei Zichen didn’t budge an inch.

Seeing her unhappy, Pei Zichen instantly became somewhat flustered. After thinking for a long while, he raised his hand to summon water.

Flowing water encircled his hand. Jiang Zhaoxue looked over at the sound.

His hands were extremely beautiful, with slender joints. With flowing water encircling his fingertips, he appeared even more extraordinarily ethereal.

Seeing him clean his hands, Jiang Zhaoxue understood his meaning in an instant. She turned her face away, blushing without speaking.

After a moment, she felt Pei Zichen’s cool fingers lift her skirt hem, slowly caressing up her thigh, saying somewhat nervously, “Is this acceptable?”

Pei Zichen didn’t return until nearly dawn.

Before leaving, he helped Jiang Zhaoxue bathe, packed up everything, and played with her hair, saying softly, “I’ll have everyone depart in the afternoon. Sleep well.”

“There’s no need.”

Jiang Zhaoxue spoke with a hoarse voice. “It’s not like we’re mortals. Just resting a moment is fine.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen smiled. He looked at the person before him with loose hair, flushed complexion, like a blooming gorgeous peony. His Adam’s apple moved slightly.

After a long while, he said reluctantly, “Then I’m leaving?”

“Mm.”

“A Xue…” Pei Zichen spoke softly.

Jiang Zhaoxue was already becoming somewhat impatient. She was nearly dead from exhaustion. She hummed out a sound, “Mm?”

“I’m sorry.”

Pei Zichen spoke with guilt.

Jiang Zhaoxue opened her eyes in confusion and saw Pei Zichen bend down to kiss her forehead.

Then he pulled up the blanket for her, lowered the bed curtains, and quietly left through the window neatly.

Jiang Zhaoxue lay dizzily on the bed, somewhat confused.

Sorry?

Sorry for what?

She really… hadn’t felt this good in two hundred years.

Pei Zichen walked in the night wind, gradually becoming more clear-headed.

Thinking of the absurd events of this night, he didn’t know how it had become like this.

But since it had already happened, he didn’t regret it.

He knew she approached him with ulterior motives, knew she was only greedy for carnal pleasure, but he wanted to keep her.

Pei Zichen stopped walking and looked back toward Jiang Zhaoxue’s direction.

Thinking of the glorious sight he saw tonight.

In this lifetime, no matter what, he didn’t want a second person to see it.

No matter what, he hoped she would become his wife.

Even if it was seduction, even if it was exploitation, he would keep her.