Pei Shulan intended to go through the back gate. Jiang Zhaoxue cooperated with her and additionally used an invisibility technique to ensure no one saw them enter the Li Residence.

All along the way, Pei Shulan kept introducing the situation here to Jiang Zhaoxue.

Da Yong Royal Court controlled the Western Region. This was Cang City, a major city of the Da Yong Royal Court.

“Not far from here is a snowy mountain called Xuecang Mountain.”

Pei Shulan pointed to the distant mountain range, leading Jiang Zhaoxue and her companions through the entrance as she introduced, “The snowmelt from Xuecang Mountain is the water source for all surrounding cities. The two main nearby cities, Xue City and Cang City, were named for this reason.”

“Mother!”

“Mother!”

As she spoke, two children came running from the corridor. Jiang Zhaoxue looked up to see a boy and a girl, both in their youth.

The older boy appeared thirteen or fourteen, while the younger daughter looked only eleven or twelve.

The daughter was clearly more lively, rushing up to embrace Pei Shulan. Pei Shulan hugged her daughter, then stood to make introductions.

“My husband is traveling far away recently, so I’m hosting alone. Please forgive any shortcomings. These are the two children Guizhen and I had later—the older is called Sixiu, and the younger is Nianxiu.”

With that, Pei Shulan spoke a few words to the two children. After instructing servants to take good care of them and lead them away, she led Jiang Zhaoxue and her companions further inside.

As they walked, she said, “Back then, my husband and I took Xiuji to Jiang Zhou, thinking we could live well there. But… life didn’t go smoothly. When Xiuji was three, our family truly couldn’t make it anymore, so we had no choice but to…”

Pei Shulan didn’t finish, but Jiang Zhaoxue already understood. Pei Shulan smiled bitterly before continuing, “At that time, you and Young Daoist Lord Pei sent a message. I cried all night. I wanted to bring him home too, but his father said if he came back, the whole family couldn’t survive. So we had to let it go. Fortunately, I later had Sixiu and Nianxiu. Ever since he left, everything in the family has been smooth. His father had some talent for business. Our family prospered through the spice trade and accumulated some savings. After the new emperor of Great Xia ascended and things became too chaotic, plus due to business connections, our family moved to Da Yong Royal Court.”

As she spoke, Pei Shulan ushered them into the dining hall.

She had sent word ahead before returning home, so servants had already prepared the meal. Pei Shulan had everyone sit together.

“These years, people everywhere believe in this Eternal Bliss and Longevity Cult. In business, we can’t be too different. Today I followed an official’s wife to attend the sacrificial worship, and unexpectedly encountered the immortal master.”

Speaking of the sacrifice, Pei Shulan’s scholarly eyes flashed with some displeasure.

She clearly didn’t much like the Eternal Bliss and Longevity Cult’s sacrificial methods, not seeming like someone who truly believed in this sect.

Jiang Zhaoxue observed her expression and smiled. “Madam Pei, I haven’t left the mountain in many years. To be able to meet again is unexpected. Let me first toast you with this substitute wine.”

Seeing her toast, Pei Shulan was somewhat delighted and quickly said, “Immortal Master is too polite. Back then when you spoke up for Xiuji, my husband and I have always kept it in our hearts. Now meeting again, if there’s anything we can help with, please speak up.”

“It’s nothing really.”

Jiang Zhaoxue smiled and began inquiring, “I just want to ask—what kind of sect is this Eternal Bliss and Longevity Cult? I’ve never heard of it before.”

“It suddenly appeared these past five years.” Hearing Jiang Zhaoxue mention it, Pei Shulan sighed. “Starting thirteen years ago, when the former crown prince and the Third Prince lost the succession struggle, though Great Xia installed a new monarch, supposedly… he lacks the true dragon mandate. Since then, Great Xia has fallen into calamity—natural disasters and man-made catastrophes, the people suffering terribly.”

Pei Shulan smiled bitterly. “The common people suffer. Five years ago, some people suddenly appeared saying that as long as you believed in their Eternal Bliss and Longevity Emperor, you could drink sacred water while living and enter the Ghost Dao after death. Their so-called Ghost Dao supposedly means not entering reincarnation, not suffering mortal hardships—using one’s soul body to exist eternally in the world, entering an immortal, indestructible, painless, disaster-free world with only happiness—the world of eternal bliss.”

“What is this sacred water?”

Jiang Zhaoxue found it strange. Pei Shulan frowned. “I’m not very clear either, but I know the sacred water is distributed after each sacrifice. Supposedly, those who drink it can eliminate illness and pain and briefly experience what the world of eternal bliss is like. All who drink the sacred water believe in them without doubt. And to enter the Ghost Dao after death, one must undergo baptism in the Sacred Pool while living.”

“Sacred Pool?”

“This was also told to me by a friend.” Pei Shulan sighed. “She deeply believes in this cult and is in very deep. The Sacred Pool is the Eternal Bliss and Longevity Cult’s most secret place, what all followers most yearn for. This religion has strict hierarchies. Newly converted followers are called Dust-Forgetting Disciples, overseen by Dust-Forgetting Priests who conduct sacrifices in public places like what you saw today. Now throughout the land there are believers everywhere, especially in the Western Region. Many high officials and monarchs are their followers, so every year they supply large numbers of criminals and slaves for sacrifice.”

“It developed this quickly?” Mu Jinyue couldn’t believe it.

But everyone present knew Mu Jinyue was right. To develop this quickly in five years—this was definitely not an ordinary sect.

Pei Shulan nodded, her expression grave. “This cult receives support from many cultivators. To expand, they even directly intervene to replace monarchs.”

Cultivators cannot interfere in mortal struggles. Those who interfere bear karmic consequences and cannot ascend.

For cultivators to directly instigate regime change—this was no different from the evil path.

Jiang Zhaoxue frowned and inquired, “What comes after? What’s the next level?”

“After Dust-Forgetting Disciples come Longevity Envoys, managed by Longevity Priests.” Pei Shulan responded. “They’re more secretive and require identity verification to participate in sacrifices. After that come Sacred Pool Seeds, managed by Sacred Pool High Priests. Sacred Pool Seeds are brought into the Eternal Bliss Underground Palace, undergo selection and cultivation, and finally enter the Sacred Pool to become Formless Venerables and meet the Longevity Emperor. After my friend became a Sacred Pool Seed, she bid me farewell and I never saw her again.”

Pei Shulan’s expression was full of worry. “I fear…”

Pei Shulan didn’t continue, but everyone present knew that with this type of evil cult, becoming a Sacred Pool Seed or Formless Venerable likely meant being completely drained, not even bones remaining.

Listening, Jiang Zhaoxue learned more from Pei Shulan about the current situation in this time-space.

Then, arranged by Pei Shulan, they returned to the guest rooms.

Li Guizhen and Pei Shulan had clearly done well these years. Though in the Western Region, they still built a residence similar to those in the Central Plains.

The Li Residence was quite spacious. Pei Shulan arranged a small courtyard for their group. Upon reaching the courtyard, Jiang Zhaoxue had the servants withdraw, set up a barrier, and was first to step into the room.

She entered the house, but the other three all stood at the doorway without moving.

Mu Jinyue stood in the middle looking anxious. Pei Zichen and Shen Yuqing stood on either side with cold expressions, saying nothing. The three looked like a row of students being punished. Seeing this, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but laugh. She sat by the round table, poured tea to drink, and first looked at Shen Yuqing. “Why don’t you bring them in? What are you standing at the door for?”

Hearing this, Mu Jinyue was first to react.

She took a deep breath, stepped forward first, and knelt before Jiang Zhaoxue, her face full of guilt. “This disciple is guilty!”

“Guilty of what?”

Jiang Zhaoxue picked up her teacup, smiling as she looked at the person kneeling on the ground.

Mu Jinyue bit her lip and said respectfully, “Today in the spatial-temporal gap, this disciple failed to hold onto Master’s wife. In my panic, I grabbed Master seeking survival, causing Master to let go and putting Master’s wife in danger. Today’s fault lies entirely with this disciple. Please punish me, Master’s wife!”

With that, Mu Jinyue hurriedly kowtowed.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked down at her, her expression unchanging, asking with a smile, “Saying it this way, how can I punish you?”

Mu Jinyue’s movements froze. Thinking about today’s events, Jiang Zhaoxue continued, “Today the spiritual power fluctuation in the gap was clearly someone’s doing. If I’m not mistaken, someone with this ability is most likely Song Wulan. He’s a Fate Master who can match me—how could you compete with him in magic?”

Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue speak for her, Mu Jinyue looked up somewhat surprised to see Jiang Zhaoxue watching her, though her eyes held no hint of smile. “Your cultivation is inadequate. You could barely take care of yourself then—failing to hold onto me is entirely normal. In panic, instinctively grabbing someone you trust to survive is human nature. If I punished you for this, wouldn’t I be too harsh?”

“But… after all, it was because of this disciple’s fault…”

“So you kneel here, putting me in a difficult position—what exactly do you want to do?”

Mu Jinyue froze at these words. Realizing Jiang Zhaoxue wasn’t speaking for her but holding her accountable, she quickly explained, “Master’s wife, this disciple didn’t mean to make things difficult. I truly am seeking punishment…”

“I’m too lazy to haggle with you over such petty schemes. Giving you a few slaps would be meaningless.” Jiang Zhaoxue interrupted her, not wanting to hear explanations, only saying, “Just remember one thing—if I’m endangered because of you again, then I’ll consider you harboring ill intentions toward me.” Jiang Zhaoxue lifted her eyelids slightly. “Then you should die.”

“This disciple wouldn’t dare!” Hearing this, Mu Jinyue hurriedly kowtowed. “Such accidents will absolutely not happen again. This disciple…”

“Get up. I still have important matters.”

Jiang Zhaoxue interrupted her, looking up at Pei Zichen and Shen Yuqing. “You two stop standing at the door like posts. Come in.”

Hearing Jiang Zhaoxue’s words, only then did Shen Yuqing step inside, with Pei Zichen following.

Both carried the scent of alcohol. Shen Yuqing sat directly in a distant chair across from her without speaking. Pei Zichen came to stand before her respectfully. “Master’s wife.”

Jiang Zhaoxue clearly sensed the atmosphere between them was wrong. She pretended not to notice and only extended her hand to Pei Zichen. “Give me the Su Guangji.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen took out the Su Guangji fragment from his sleeve and handed it to Jiang Zhaoxue.

Seeing the fragment, Jiang Zhaoxue frowned.

This fragment was dull and lightless, seeming to have no reaction whatsoever.

She couldn’t help but look at Mu Jinyue beside her. “Jinyue, can your Xunshi Mirror sense the Zhanshen Sword?”

Mu Jinyue froze, seemingly sensing for a moment before shaking her head. “Master’s wife, I can’t sense it.”

Jiang Zhaoxue felt uneasy and immediately asked Pei Zichen, “Zichen, can you…”

“No.”

Pei Zichen knew what Jiang Zhaoxue wanted to ask. Seeming to have already tried, he said definitively, “The Su Guangji, Yuan Luogong, and Lingxu Fan—none can sense the Zhanshen Sword’s existence.”

These words left Jiang Zhaoxue silent.

Their original plan was to come to five years later and rely on the divine artifacts’ guidance to find the Zhanshen Sword. Now not a single artifact was responding. In such a vast world, where would they search?

“That’s not right.”

Jiang Zhaoxue tapped the table, thinking aloud. “The Su Guangji doesn’t transport randomly. Each time we arrive at a location, it’s exactly near a divine artifact. How could it not sense anything?”

No one present answered. Jiang Zhaoxue glanced sideways at Pei Zichen beside her.

She hadn’t noticed at dinner when they were far apart, but now with him standing beside her, she caught a faint scent of blood from him.

Realizing he was injured, Jiang Zhaoxue stopped keeping people and only said, “We just arrived today. Let’s not discuss this now. Rest first.”

With her words, Mu Jinyue and Pei Zichen successively took their leave. After both walked out the door, Jiang Zhaoxue noticed Shen Yuqing still hadn’t moved.

Thinking he’d drunk too much, she decided to give him the room. But just as she took a step, he suddenly spoke hoarsely, “Yaoyao.”

This call startled Jiang Zhaoxue into turning around sharply. She saw Shen Yuqing only sitting with his head lowered in the chair.

He seemed somewhat weary. Jiang Zhaoxue asked uncertainly, “What is it?”

Shen Yuqing remained silent.

After a long while, he finally said softly, “I’m sorry.”

Jiang Zhaoxue froze before realizing what he was apologizing for.

But this matter had already been discussed, and the three red marks on her hand hadn’t disappeared—clearly today wasn’t Shen Yuqing’s active choice. She simply nodded. “I know. Sleep now.”

“You sleep here.”

Shen Yuqing stood up. Without saying more, he stepped toward the door. His gait was somewhat unsteady—clearly something was wrong.

Pei Zichen had been standing outside the door all along. After Shen Yuqing left, he looked up at Jiang Zhaoxue who was still watching Shen Yuqing leave. He forced himself not to look more, not to think more—only bowing silently before closing the door and turning to leave.

Only after the room held just Jiang Zhaoxue did she belatedly react, unable to help hugging herself. “Too terrifying.”

With that, she couldn’t help asking A’Nan, “Do you think he drank too much or has a mental problem?”

“You should ask what happened between him and Pei Zichen.” A’Nan said directly. “Those two’s situation isn’t right.”

“Do you need to tell me that?”

Just thinking about the atmosphere between them tonight gave Jiang Zhaoxue a headache. Something must have happened while she wasn’t there.

But she didn’t want to care about it either. She only thought about the Zhanshen Sword matter and quickly contacted Ye Tianjiao and Qian Sisi first.

Five years ago she had told them to wait. These five years they’d been collecting information. Now when she contacted them, both were extremely happy.

Ye Tianjiao had already become one of the twelve stewards of the Tianji Academy, though at the very bottom, he was still the youngest steward.

His older brother Ye Wenzhi had risen steadily in the court and now appeared destined to become a cabinet elder.

“Though my brother and others along with the Tianji Academy tried hard to suppress the Eternal Bliss and Longevity Cult, the common people have suffered too much these years,” Ye Tianjiao sighed to Jiang Zhaoxue. “That sacred water of theirs contains the Guiyuan Curse and Bliss Powder that creates hallucinations. The Guiyuan Curse absorbs lifespan seeking only a moment of brilliance. We think it’s evil heresy, but many commoners are willing to live just those one or two years. Now the court has no way to deal with them and can only turn a blind eye. Even the Tianji Academy may have the heart to eliminate them.”

“Do you know who founded this Eternal Bliss and Longevity Cult?”

“Someone from the Tianji Academy once entered their Sacred Pool and sent back intelligence before dying,” Ye Tianjiao said gravely. “He saw the so-called Eternal Bliss and Longevity Emperor—his face was identical to the former crown prince’s.”

“What exactly is the Sacred Pool?”

Hearing someone had entered the Sacred Pool, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately paid attention.

“The informant couldn’t say clearly, but before entering the Sacred Pool, his final message said that judging from the mountain range alignment, that place seemed to be a ‘Heavenly Abyss.'”

A Heavenly Abyss was an absolutely isolated place created using mountain terrain plus array formations.

If the Zhanshen Sword was in such a place, even the Su Guangji and other divine artifacts couldn’t sense it.

Connecting everything, Jiang Zhaoxue roughly understood the situation.

Song Wulan had indeed referenced Song Wuya’s method of obtaining the Lingxu Fan, planning to replicate it on a larger scale, establishing the Eternal Bliss and Longevity Cult for this purpose.

Then he must have found the Zhanshen Sword’s location. Either he built the sword’s location into a Heavenly Abyss, or the location itself was already one.

And that so-called Sacred Pool was probably the blood spring Song Wulan used to cultivate Xinluoyi with human lives.

Back then, Consort Zhao had fed Xinluoyi this way in the palace. Now Song Wulan feeding the Zhanshen Sword this way was normal enough.

The urgent priority was finding the Sacred Pool.

“Do you know how to get to the Sacred Pool?”

“No one knows.” Ye Tianjiao said gravely. “The Tianji Academy sent so many people and only one succeeded. He went through layers of assessments and finally became a Sacred Pool Seed before entering. If you want to go, first find the local Dust-Forgetting Disciples’ altar…”

“I destroyed it.”

At Jiang Zhaoxue’s words, Ye Tianjiao fell silent for a moment.

After a while, Ye Tianjiao said quite seriously, “Well done! Then you can wait for them to seek revenge. When the entire Eternal Bliss and Longevity Cult comes out in force, you’ll definitely see Song Wulan.”

“Five years have passed and your joking skills have grown considerably.”

Hearing his joke, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help speaking.

Ye Tianjiao sighed. “Those elders at the Tianji Academy don’t speak human language. I could only be forced to grow up.”

“Are there any other methods?”

“If you can’t find Dust-Forgetting Disciples, then you can only try to find Longevity Envoys during major festivals each year. Today is the fifth day of the seventh month… perfect timing. The day after tomorrow is the seventh day of the seventh month—Longevity Envoys usually hold sacrifices then.”

After calculating, Ye Tianjiao told Jiang Zhaoxue, “Find a way to locate where the Longevity Envoys are sacrificing and get yourself qualified as a Sacred Pool Seed.”

“How do you get Sacred Pool Seed qualification?”

“It all depends on aptitude,” Ye Tianjiao spoke quite easily. “Someone will come test your spiritual roots. Those with spiritual roots will automatically be recommended by Longevity Envoys to become Sacred Pool Seeds, receiving documentation with a Longevity Priest’s recommendation. Then arriving at a designated location, someone will guide you into the Eternal Bliss Underground Palace, and after selection, you enter the Sacred Pool.”

Ye Tianjiao was quite familiar with the process before entering the Sacred Pool, emphasizing, “But your difficulty is finding where the Longevity Envoys are sacrificing.”

“Understood.”

Jiang Zhaoxue thought it over and chatted with Ye Tianjiao a while longer. When they reached the end of their conversation, Ye Tianjiao fell silent.

Seeing him silent, Jiang Zhaoxue found it somewhat strange. “Why aren’t you speaking?”

“Sister…” Ye Tianjiao’s voice was somewhat hoarse. “It’s been seventeen years.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue froze, then heard Ye Tianjiao laugh. “Tell me—will there be a day when you suddenly come looking for me again and I’m already an old man?”

“So you need to cultivate well.”

Jiang Zhaoxue said seriously, “A cultivator’s appearance is their own choice. You should always choose to stay between twenty and twenty-four—that’s a man’s best years. After twenty-five, you’re not worth much anymore.”

This made Ye Tianjiao laugh.

After chatting casually for a bit, Jiang Zhaoxue was concerned with important matters and stopped talking with him, instead contacting Qian Sisi.

Qian Sisi’s information wasn’t much different from Ye Tianjiao’s, but her side had a much stronger martial world flavor.

“I have a few friends on your end too. I’ll ask around and see if I can get you into this sacrifice.”

As Qian Sisi spoke, the two briefly discussed their plans.

Then Qian Sisi shouted that she was drinking with someone and actively cut off the transmission.

Hearing about Qian Sisi’s carefree life, Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat jealous.

After taking a simple bath, she lay on the bed, preparing to close her eyes and end the day.

But after closing them for a while, she heard A’Nan leisurely say, “Can’t sleep, can you?”

Jiang Zhaoxue: “…”

“Still worried about something, aren’t you?” A’Nan knew her thoughts like the back of her hand.

Jiang Zhaoxue stared at the bed canopy. A’Nan sighed. “Tell me—did Pei Zichen bully Shen Yuqing today, or did Shen Yuqing bully Pei Zichen?”

“It has nothing to do with me.”

“When exactly did Pei Zichen get injured?” A’Nan continued. “Can he bandage his own wounds now? He’s at Nascent Soul—a wound that can injure him enough for you to smell blood is no simple matter.”

Jiang Zhaoxue continued staring at the bed canopy without speaking.

A’Nan thought about it, her tone becoming serious. “Pei Zichen carries divine artifacts after all—he’s the most crucial person. His every move concerns the bigger picture. If you sneak over to check on him now, it’s for the bigger picture!”

Listening, Jiang Zhaoxue knew A’Nan was giving her an excuse.

But after thinking it over, she still sat up and said seriously, “You’re right! It’s for the bigger picture. He’s injured—I need to go check!”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue grabbed an outer robe to drape over herself. Using her divine sense to scan and confirm Pei Zichen’s room, she picked up a medicine box and tiptoed to his room.

These days, Pei Zichen and Mu Jinyue took turns keeping night watch. Tonight happened to be Mu Jinyue’s turn, so Jiang Zhaoxue bypassed her and went straight to Pei Zichen’s room.

The four of them each had their own hidden agendas, so each person’s room had separate barriers.

But Pei Zichen’s barrier had always been open to Jiang Zhaoxue. She entered his room soundlessly.

Upon entering, the scent of blood hit her face-on. Jiang Zhaoxue first sent a sleep spell inside, then walked forward holding the medicine box, frowning as she couldn’t help saying, “Why is the smell of blood so strong?”

“Seems the wound isn’t small.” A’Nan was somewhat nervous.

Jiang Zhaoxue walked with A’Nan to the bedside. She reached out to lift the bed curtain, but just as her hand entered, someone grabbed it.

An ice-cold hand with sword calluses gripped her smooth wrist. Jiang Zhaoxue’s entire body instantly froze.

This hand had touched her countless times in the illusion. Her body was familiar with the position of each of his calluses.

She didn’t know why she would think of these things at this moment. Though he was only gripping her wrist through the bed curtain, clearly doing nothing, her thoughts ran wild.

Her heartbeat quickened slightly as she hurriedly suppressed it. Then she heard a hoarse voice from within the bed curtain. “Is that Master’s wife?”

“Ah…”

Being asked such a question at this moment, Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat embarrassed. But to avoid more embarrassment, she simply said openly, “I smelled blood on you earlier and was worried you were injured, so I came to check.”

“Master’s wife still worries about me?”

Pei Zichen’s voice came from within the bed curtain. He didn’t release her hand.

A’Nan gasped, unable to help saying, “Such heavy resentment! Feed him to Xinluoyi and it would definitely grow stronger!”

Hearing such a hellish joke at a time like this made Jiang Zhaoxue slightly less nervous.

She coughed lightly, pretending not to hear the complaint in his words, and smiled. “I watched you grow up—how could I not worry about you? Is it convenient now? If not, I’ll leave.”

The fingers gripping her wrist pressed harder. After a moment of silence, Pei Zichen finally said, “Please wait, Master’s wife.”

With that, he released her wrist. Jiang Zhaoxue heard rustling sounds of dressing and walked to the side holding the medicine box, thinking as she went, “He’s not… undressed, is he?”

As soon as Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, images naturally surfaced in her mind. She hurriedly stopped such absurd thoughts and sat properly in a chair.

Pei Zichen quickly rolled up the bed curtain. Jiang Zhaoxue looked up to find he wasn’t undressed, but indeed wore only a single robe.

He seemed to have arranged his clothing—his clothes showed not a hint of wrinkles from sleep, completely lacking any signs of just waking. He walked before Jiang Zhaoxue and bowed respectfully. “Master’s wife.”

“It’s just us—no need for formalities. Sit down.”

Jiang Zhaoxue had him sit across from her, asking urgently, “Where are you hurt? Let me see.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen obediently rolled up his sleeve and presented the wound.

Seeing the wound, Jiang Zhaoxue gasped.

The wound pierced his entire arm, with a curse gnawing at the injury.

“How did it get so severe?” Looking at the wound, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately pulled his arm over and raised her hand to form a seal, beginning to dispel the curse on the wound as she frowned. “Who injured you?”

“A youth in his teens.”

Pei Zichen felt her spiritual power flow into his body. He couldn’t help raising his eyes to look at the person across from him, full of concern.

Her features were extraordinarily clear in the night. Her hair hung down, falling on his arm, bringing subtle itching.

Hearing “youth,” Jiang Zhaoxue immediately understood. “The one with the mask?”

“Mm.” Hearing she recognized this person, Pei Zichen feigned casualness and asked lightly, “Does Master’s wife know him?”

“Yes, he was the one who took me to the altar. I always felt he was somewhat familiar.” With that, Jiang Zhaoxue found it strange. “He could injure you?”

Aside from that priest, everyone present was clearly an ordinary person without spiritual roots.

An ordinary person could injure Pei Zichen?

“I couldn’t sense his aura.” Suppressing his bitterness, Pei Zichen explained, “His movements were very fast. When I pushed him back, he cut my hand.”

“He’s quite capable.”

“Those Master’s wife looks favorably upon are all capable people.”

These words came quickly. Jiang Zhaoxue paused and looked up at him.

Pei Zichen also knew he’d misspoken. Controlling himself, he turned his eyes away. “This disciple means that Master’s wife is always lenient with young people. Today you must have felt that youth went astray and found it quite regrettable.”

“Naturally.”

Knowing his temperament, Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t want to discuss such topics with him at length. She only lowered her head to pick out rotten flesh, lecturing, “Worry less about others and more about yourself. Look at this wound—this kind of curse isn’t easy to remove. You should have called me from the start.”

Knowing she was deliberately changing the subject and didn’t even explain her thoughts about that youth, Pei Zichen’s heart felt even worse.

In the illusion she would explain. If Shen Yuqing misunderstood, perhaps she would also explain. But him?

Why should she explain to him?

His heart churned with bitterness. He didn’t know if it was the alcohol or long-suppressed inability to restrain himself, or because of her danger today, or even just because she came to find him tonight… In any case, at this moment, all his emotions completely erupted. He couldn’t help saying, “I should have looked for you, but Master’s wife…”

Pei Zichen raised his eyes, reminding her, “You didn’t light the lamp.”

Jiang Zhaoxue’s movements froze. She instantly understood his meaning.

She came over secretly and didn’t even dare light a lamp now. How could he openly ask her to heal his wounds?

Pei Zichen watched her, as if waiting for some command or answer.

Her heart panicked slightly as she said quietly, “You could find your master. I could also help you find him.”

“What relationship do I have with Master—don’t you know?”

These words provoked Pei Zichen into curling his fingers as he said directly, “If not for you, he and I would already be enemies.”

“How could that be?” Jiang Zhaoxue looked up with a kind smile. “You’re so magnanimous…”

“I’m not magnanimous.” Pei Zichen interrupted her without hesitation.

He only stared at the woman carefully bandaging his wound in the night, repeating, “I’ve never been magnanimous.”

“That’s because you’ve grown up.” Finishing picking out the rotten flesh, Jiang Zhaoxue began cleaning the wound. “You didn’t hate him when you fell off the cliff.”

“But I hate him now.”

Hate that he met her first.

Hate that he possesses her.

Hate that he clearly possesses the world’s treasure yet doesn’t treat her well.

Every source of hatred drilled into his heart, making him even begin to feel some resentment toward the person before him—resenting how she insisted on staying by that person’s side, resenting how she just happened to not love him.

Intense love and hate churned in his heart, yet his face remained as calm as ever.

He spoke too directly. Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart raced, but her face remained as if unrelated as she smiled helplessly. “You still have a child’s temperament—love and hate come too easily.” With that, she lowered her head and forcefully changed the subject. “Did you quarrel with your master today?”

“We did.” Seeing she was unwilling to talk deeply, Pei Zichen couldn’t force it and only answered sullenly.

Jiang Zhaoxue had guessed as much. “With your temper, you could quarrel with him?”

“When he let go, in my panic, I called Master’s wife by her childhood name.”

Pei Zichen answered truthfully.

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue paused. Only then did she react—no wonder Shen Yuqing went crazy calling her Yaoyao.

Childhood name…

All these years, Shen Yuqing would only call her that when not clearheaded, and back before they married, in private extremely intimate moments.

But she knew the key wasn’t Shen Yuqing—it was the person before her. By saying this, he was testing her again.

She feigned confusion and looked up. “How do you know my childhood name?”

“In the Lingxu illusion, you told me.”

Pei Zichen looked up at her, his calm tone carrying barely detectable provocation. “I called you that for four years.”

“No wonder.” Jiang Zhaoxue cursed inwardly but smiled easily on her face. “Your master must have been very angry?”

“Won’t you ask why you would tell me your childhood name in the illusion?”

“I don’t even remember—how do I know you’re not deceiving me?” Jiang Zhaoxue smiled, then said seriously, “What happened in the illusion is forgotten. No need to trace it back. But don’t call me that carelessly in the future.”

Jiang Zhaoxue applied medicine to his wound, her fingertips touching it—both painful and itchy.

She spoke softly and gently, “When you were young, I was unreliable and taught you badly. Now that your master and junior sister are here, and we’ll return to the True Immortal Realm in the future, though you and I can face our consciences, we still need to observe some propriety. Even if your master’s wife stopped caring about reputation long ago,” Jiang Zhaoxue piled on one label after another, “you must think about your future prospects. Your master told me that once you obtain the divine artifacts, he still wants to cultivate you as the next pavilion master.”

She spoke these words lightly and slowly, seeming truly only an elder thinking of his welfare.

But each word was like a steel blade scraping over his wound and heart, hurting so much it gave rise to wild desires.

He wished he could press this person onto the chair, onto the table, lock her on the bed, before the bronze mirror, by the window, in every corner of the room—just as he’d done countless times before, asking her amidst her soft weeping whether they faced their consciences with clear hearts, what propriety there was between them.

But he absolutely couldn’t blame her.

Nothing could be blamed on her. She simply forgot, simply didn’t like him. How could he blame her? She’d been good enough to him.

He should be content.

Pei Zichen remained silent, emotions churning in darkness.

Jiang Zhaoxue knew he was suppressing anger now. Not daring to stay long, she quickly finished bandaging and stood up, preparing to pass through the wall. “Alright, the wound is treated. I’m leaving.”

“Master’s wife.”

As they passed each other, Pei Zichen grabbed her wrist.

Jiang Zhaoxue’s steps halted. She turned to look back and saw Pei Zichen sitting in the chair.

He looked down at the floor, saying hoarsely, “What’s so good about him?”

Jiang Zhaoxue immediately knew who he was asking about.

His question stumped her. She didn’t know how to answer for a moment, but she also couldn’t let Pei Zichen and Shen Yuqing remain at odds like this.

After thinking briefly, she naturally brushed away the hand pulling her and turned to walk toward the front wall, saying as she went, “My matters with your master have nothing to do with you. This marriage was forced by me to begin with. I also hope everyone receives their karmic due and ends well. Zichen,” she paused, stopping before the wall, and finally spoke, “you’re young and should have more friends. Now that your junior sister is here, why don’t you look after her more…”

“I won’t look after anyone except you!”

Pei Zichen interrupted decisively. Jiang Zhaoxue paused.

Pei Zichen took a deep breath. Thinking of the moment she slipped away from him today, he couldn’t help saying, “I won’t listen to you or Master anymore. I’m your Fate Servant. My duty is only to you. Today’s incident cannot happen again.”

“Today was an accident…”

“If I had been holding you, there would have been no accident!”

Pei Zichen’s tone was rarely so firm. Jiang Zhaoxue sensed he was truly agitated but also understood the source of his anger.

She couldn’t bear to scold him. Seeing her silence, Pei Zichen also regretted being too excited—he shouldn’t speak to her in such a tone.

He stood up and walked behind her. His breath came clearly through his thin robe. He raised his hand past her side, as if embracing her in his arms, gently placing his hand on the wall.

Spiritual power rippled on the wall. He opened a door for her to pass through, his tone softening as he yielded. “Master’s wife, I can call you Master’s wife.”

Jiang Zhaoxue’s hands holding the box couldn’t help tightening.

Pei Zichen felt the person in his embrace—completely untouched yet extraordinarily intimate—as waves of pain spread through his heart.

He wanted so badly to embrace her, yet didn’t dare offend her.

He could only restrain himself with all his might, saying softly, “I can remain silent. I can guard you for life. As long as you’re happy, I can yield everything, but the prerequisite is that you truly live well. Your safety is my bottom line.” Pei Zichen’s voice was unusually solemn. “If Master dares put you in danger again—”

The wall before them became transparent. Jiang Zhaoxue could leave at any time.

Pei Zichen didn’t finish. Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t dare ask.

They stood quietly. After a moment, Pei Zichen lowered the hand against the wall and stood behind Jiang Zhaoxue, using a respectful voice yet looking down at her. “Thank you for your concern tonight, Master’s wife.”

“Mm, it was nothing.”

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded with feigned composure, raising her hand. “Rest early.”

With that, she hurriedly stepped away.

Pei Zichen listened to the sounds of her leaving. After a long while, he returned to bed.

The bed curtain fell again. The Yuan Luogong finally couldn’t help speaking. “That master, if Shen Yuqing does this kind of thing again, what do you plan to do?”

“I’ll wear mourning for him,” Pei Zichen lay on the bed and closed his eyes, “inherit the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, and take good care of Master’s wife for life.”