Hearing this, Pei Zichen studied the youth but didn’t move.

Seeing this, the youth wasn’t worried. He seemed to understand Pei Zichen very well and continued negotiating with him: “The cultivation method you practice probably isn’t tolerated by your master and master’s wife. Today you temporarily shattered my internal organs because you were afraid I’d say something, right? But rest assured, as long as you teach me your cultivation method, I won’t say a single word to anyone else.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen figured out the youth’s background and had no more interest in probing. He only asked, “What’s your name?”

The youth’s eyes flickered slightly, his face feigning composure: “Ming.”

“How old are you?”

“Fif…teen.”

“Have you studied?”

“I can read.”

“Reading is enough.”

Pei Zichen nodded and walked forward, taking out a scroll from his sleeve and placing it before Ming: “First memorize this.”

With that, Pei Zichen stood and walked away.

Ming immediately opened the scroll, only to find it was the Treatise on Response and Retribution.

Seeing these scriptures advising people toward goodness, Ming knew this absolutely wasn’t Pei Zichen’s cultivation method. His aura instantly stiffened, then he spoke coldly, “What are you giving me this for?”

Pei Zichen ignored him and continued inward. Ming couldn’t help but raise his voice: “You think just by giving me a few books about being good, you’re a gentleman, a good person?!”

“I’m not.” Pei Zichen stopped. Though covered in blood, his temperament remained gentle and peaceful. His hands tucked in his sleeves, wide sleeves hanging at his sides, his solitary shadow falling in the night like a beautiful sharp sword—clear and quiet standing in the darkness. He said flatly, “My desires cannot be stopped, my delusions cannot be eliminated. Attachment without attainment breeds evil desires. But this is me. If I do evil, what does it have to do with you being good?”

These words stunned Ming. He immediately said coldly, “Then aren’t you afraid…”

Before he finished speaking, Pei Zichen raised his hand and gripped the air. Ming immediately felt someone violently clutching his throat, lifting his entire body up and suspending him in mid-air.

The tremendous force made breathing difficult as he struggled desperately.

Pei Zichen looked down at the ground, still maintaining his previous peaceful and gentle appearance, his tone carrying not a ripple of emotion: “I’ve planted a Truth-Speaking Curse in your body. If you mention seeing me last night, you’ll immediately die. I’m not as kindhearted as you think. Don’t seek death yourself.”

With that, Pei Zichen’s fingers relaxed. Ming’s entire body crashed to the ground. Finally getting room to breathe, he immediately gasped for air.

“Sleep.”

Pei Zichen waved his hand and remotely retrieved a blanket, letting it fall over Ming’s body.

Ming struggled to get up, about to speak, when he felt his mind go dark and his whole person lost consciousness.

The room finally quieted. Pei Zichen walked into the inner chamber, lay on the bed, and quietly stared at the bed canopy.

After a night of turmoil, his emotions gradually calmed down.

Seeing him lie down, Lingxu Fan, as if knowing his thoughts, said softly, “Master, do you still need us two to open a space tonight for solitary cultivation?”

“No need.” Pei Zichen closed his eyes and murmured, “I’m tired.”

Hearing this, Lingxu Fan and Yuan Luogong exchanged glances in the sea of consciousness. Yuan Luogong wanted to say something but didn’t know how to speak. Lingxu Fan tapped his folding fan against his palm, sensing the magma surging in Pei Zichen’s sea of consciousness, and said carefully, “Is Master thinking about how to kill Sect Leader Shen?”

Hearing this, Yuan Luogong became excited and quickly said, “Killing him would be great! All the suffering the Female Master endures comes from him. Such a person deserves death!”

“I don’t want to kill him.”

Pei Zichen kept his eyes closed, his tone weary with a hint of guilt: “Lingjian Immortal Pavilion raised me. I’ve also been sheltered under his name for many years. Coveting the Female Sovereign is already my mistake. By calculation, I owe him a debt and shouldn’t harbor such treasonous thoughts.”

“Uh…” Hearing this, Yuan Luogong hesitated, “Then what do you plan to do?”

Pei Zichen was someone with his own ideas—Yuan Luogong had known this years ago.

Morality existed, but whenever it involved Jiang Zhaoxue, that morality only served a demonstrative function, not a normative one.

Apologizing while doing the deed—he looked respectful and deferential, but not one thing was left undone when it came to defying his master and marrying his master’s wife.

Now hearing him speak so nicely, Yuan Luogong didn’t believe him one bit.

Pei Zichen didn’t answer. The sea of consciousness fell quiet.

Yuan Luogong felt somewhat awkward and glanced at Lingxu Fan beside him, who had been contemplating something. Lingxu Fan smiled knowingly. After thinking for a moment, he looked at Pei Zichen with amusement and said, “Though you say so, Female Sovereign Jiang’s heart belongs to Sect Leader Shen. She’s been injured repeatedly because of him. How can Master bear to sit by and do nothing?”

Hearing his question, Pei Zichen opened his eyes in the sea of consciousness and raised his gaze.

Knowing he was teasing him, Pei Zichen said directly, “Then what do you think I should do?”

“Master asks what I think you should do—that depends on what Master wants to do.” Lingxu Fan gently tapped his folding fan against his palm, probing, “Does Master simply want Female Sovereign Jiang to be well and that’s enough, or… do you have other thoughts?”

These words made Pei Zichen’s heart tremble. Restraining his emotions, he said in a low voice, “If I only want her to be well, what then?”

“Then let go.” Lingxu Fan smiled and said, “Though Shen Yuqing is currently rotten wood, you should also see that he’s not without feelings for Female Sovereign Jiang. And Female Sovereign Jiang toward him only avoids love because of hurt. The rift between them stems from Shen Yuqing’s incompetence in matters of love and being dragged down by Mu Jinyue. If you’re willing to teach him how to treat Female Sovereign Jiang well and help him look after Mu Jinyue, then with his abilities, he’ll surely be able to protect Female Sovereign Jiang safely and even have a chance to grow old together.”

The four words “grow old together” struck like steel needles into his heart.

Pei Zichen unconsciously clenched his fingers, lowered his eyes to conceal his surging emotions, and demanded, “What if I harbor other thoughts?”

“Then you must compete.” Lingxu Fan seemed to have anticipated this. He snapped his fan shut and said seriously, “Compete by any means necessary. First seduce, then sow discord. Worry about what Female Sovereign worries, trouble over what Female Sovereign troubles over. Use every method available. If you still can’t succeed, then plot to kill!”

Pei Zichen didn’t speak. His face showed no joy or anger, but the magma beside him rolled and surged violently. Only after a long while did he say with difficulty, “What does Female Sovereign worry about?”

“Marital affection and Penglai’s reputation.” Lingxu Fan looked at him, knowing Pei Zichen was asking despite knowing the answer. Yet he stood up and used his own mouth to analyze for him: “Female Sovereign Jiang and Immortal Master Shen have been married for two hundred years and are connected to two sects. Even ordinary mortal couples wouldn’t easily divorce at the slightest wavering, let alone them. The difficulty of severing marital affection is Female Sovereign’s first worry.”

“What’s the second worry?” Yuan Luogong asked innocently.

“Second, Master and her have sensitive identities. Even if she divorces, as long as she’s with Master, it will invite criticism. Where will Penglai’s face be then? How will Lingjian Immortal Pavilion let this rest?”

“True.” Yuan Luogong nodded, thinking, “Female Master values Penglai above everything else.”

“Each matter is difficult,” Lingxu Fan summarized as he returned to his position, saying seriously, “If you cannot remove these obstacles, the tighter you press, the faster Female Sovereign will likely run. If Master harbors other thoughts, you must first retreat then compete.”

“How to retreat?”

“Give up status and let Female Sovereign feel at ease, then secretly cultivate affection.”

“How to compete?”

Hearing this, Lingxu Fan smiled and said leisurely, “Whatever Mu Jinyue does, you do the same.”

These words stunned Pei Zichen. Lingxu Fan waved his fan, suppressing his laughter as he said, “Between you and Shen Yuqing, it’s a relationship of ‘when the enemy advances, I retreat.’ Whenever you draw closer by one measure, he’ll either retreat or compete. If Shen Yuqing retreats, nothing could be better. If Shen Yuqing doesn’t retreat, given his temperament, he’ll surely become angry. If he can strike to kill Master, then he and Female Sovereign Jiang will have reached their end.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen didn’t refute but didn’t speak either.

Lingxu Fan was somewhat puzzled: “Master?”

“Why do you think,” Pei Zichen’s voice was slightly hoarse, “I have this much weight?”

This question stunned both Lingxu Fan and Yuan Luogong.

Then they understood—if Jiang Zhaoxue had no memory of those four years, Pei Zichen could at least comfort himself that he had those four years, that Jiang Zhaoxue had liked him.

But now she remembered yet pretended amnesia—that was silent rejection.

It also meant that those four years might truly have only been a false show to escape the illusion realm for Jiang Zhaoxue.

All fake.

“But…” Lingxu Fan understood Pei Zichen’s concern, yet said, “Female Sovereign Jiang kept the marriage thread, didn’t she?”

At these words, Pei Zichen paused.

The magma produced fine, dense small bubbles, boiling one after another.

Pei Zichen’s face remained impassive as he slowly raised his eyes to look at Lingxu Fan opposite him.

He had clearly already understood, yet still asked in return, “So what?”

“If she truly had no feelings for you, why would she pretend everything is fine today instead of being direct and breaking the marriage thread with you?”

Lingxu Fan’s smile carried some understanding: “Or does Master think that even if it were another disciple today, Female Sovereign Jiang would also…”

“Silence!”

Pei Zichen shouted sternly. Lingxu Fan lowered his head and chuckled.

Pei Zichen’s expression looked somewhat unpleasant. Lingxu Fan thought for a moment and said leisurely, “If Master truly finds it difficult to decide, why not go ask Female Sovereign?”

“Ask her?” Pei Zichen frowned. “How to ask?”

Today they’d already asked to this extent. To ask further would only lead to mutual destruction with no way back.

Moreover, if he asked, could he get the truth?

“Tongues can lie,” Lingxu Fan understood Pei Zichen’s meaning and reminded, “But dreams cannot.”

Pei Zichen paused, understanding Lingxu Fan’s meaning. Lingxu Fan’s expression became more serious as he raised his hand respectfully: “This subordinate has some knowledge of spirits and souls and can quietly guide Master into dreams. Does Master wish to try?”

Pei Zichen didn’t respond. Entering another’s dreams without permission was commonly an act of ghosts and demons to bewitch people.

He shouldn’t do such things.

However, he didn’t refuse either. He only looked down at the magma flowing like a small stream not far away, watching it bubble up then “pop” and dissipate.

Observing him, Lingxu Fan knew his intention and smiled, “Then shall this subordinate begin?”

Pei Zichen didn’t speak. Lingxu Fan formed hand seals. As the seals flipped, black qi slowly surged up around them.

Lingxu Fan’s voice rang out, speaking slowly: “Walk forward. Ahead is Female Sovereign Jiang’s dream. After entering Female Sovereign’s dream, you cannot let Female Sovereign notice you’re an outsider. You need to provide a reasonable explanation for your arrival based on Female Sovereign’s dream environment. Do not ask questions when Female Sovereign is wary or averse, as it’s easy to make Female Sovereign alert and wake up…”

Hearing Lingxu Fan’s voice, he changed into the daytime blue wide-sleeved robe with silver crown, carrying a palace lantern, and quietly walked forward.

After walking for a while, he heard the noisy sounds of crowds around him, seeming like a long street.

The further he walked, the more distant the voices became. Finally, he saw a wooden door ahead.

“We’ve arrived.”

Lingxu Fan’s voice rang out with a smile: “Master, sweet dreams tonight, but also remember—only dreams done halfway will make one think about them during the day.”

“Stop talking.”

Pei Zichen lightly chided. Lingxu Fan chuckled softly, his voice growing more distant: “This subordinate withdraws.”

With that, the surroundings completely quieted.

Pei Zichen stood at the door. He couldn’t hear any sound from inside, only felt his heart pounding like a drum.

He didn’t dare push the door, didn’t know what he would see. He was afraid that after opening the door, if he saw a scene of Shen Yuqing together with her, he wouldn’t be able to help but flee in panic.

However calm he appeared before Lingxu Fan and Yuan Luogong, toward her, he always kept a portion of anxiety and panic.

Yet having already stood here, he couldn’t possibly go back. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to push open the wooden door.

With just a “creak,” light appeared before his eyes.

Pei Zichen suppressed his heartbeat and raised his eyes, then froze in place.

Before him was an utterly ordinary inn room, exactly the same as the room where he and Jiang Zhaoxue had treated injuries tonight.

Jiang Zhaoxue wore today’s lake-blue wide-sleeved long dress, sitting leisurely in a rocking chair by the window, gently waving her fan, watching the spirit bird Magpie Bridge outside the window.

Flowing light and magnificent colors filled the sky outside, falling on her clear and beautiful face. The small fan lightly brushed away fireflies, the rocking chair creaking.

Pei Zichen quietly watched this scene, his fingertips trembling lightly, sourness and bitterness surging in his heart. In an instant, he knew he need not ask anymore.

The person before his eyes—he couldn’t let go.

What self-respect and self-restraint, what ethics and moral principles—she quietly sat in this room in her dream, and like a spark starting a prairie fire, it burned away all the rules and human relations he had learned over more than ten years.

He stepped forward and casually set down the palace lantern. Hearing the sound, Jiang Zhaoxue turned her head and saw the young man entering covered in clear frost.

Like an enchanting beautiful dream, quietly pulling her, completing what she had wanted to finish but hadn’t during the day.

Spirit birds cried loudly, phoenix feathers spread urgently.

Gauze curtains danced wildly in the wind, stars scattered across the sky.

She unfolded in rapid breaths. When reaching the final moment, the young man seemed to suddenly remember something, his movements pausing slightly.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked up in confusion and saw him with hands on both ends of the rocking chair armrests, desire surging in his eyes, yet still restraining himself as he gently pulled up her clothing and said hoarsely, “Let’s leave it at this.”

These words stunned Jiang Zhaoxue. She couldn’t help but say, “What?”

Seeing her shocked eyes, Pei Zichen’s eyes carried a smile. He bent slightly, leaning close to her ear, hinting, “Remember to miss me.”

“Wait…”

Before Jiang Zhaoxue finished speaking, her entire person sank into darkness. After the world spun for a moment, she suddenly opened her eyes and sat up, gasping for breath in shock as she looked around.

Day had already broken. Sunlight leaked through the window into the room. The room was quiet. A’Nan sensed her movement and groggily opened his eyes: “What’s wrong?”

Speaking, A’Nan kicked the blanket with one foot. Feeling it was somewhat small, he couldn’t help but say, “This blanket is a bit small. Tell Pei Zichen to make me a bigger one. Also, I want big red flowers. I don’t like small floral patterns!”

Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t speak. Her mind was full of only one thing.

It was over.

She had had a spring dream.

She had actually used Pei Zichen for half a spring dream!!

This feeling of being lifted up but not brought down was somewhat painful, but even more painful was that after rejecting Pei Zichen, she actually fantasized about him in her dreams.

This person just lacked propriety, not morality.

Having decided to devour and wipe him clean later, yet still coveting his beauty now—this was truly a bit too excessive!

Feeling herself running further and further down the path of a male-oriented novel’s female villain, Jiang Zhaoxue urgently stopped herself. It took her a long while of meditation to calm her emotions.

After calming down, she got up, called servants in to attend to her washing and grooming, then gathered her courage to go to the main hall to check today’s situation.

Today would be a fierce battle.

Yesterday Pei Zichen hadn’t heard her admit to those four years—today he definitely wouldn’t let it rest. Yesterday Shen Yuqing had also sensed she might have something with Pei Zichen—he also wouldn’t give up. She had to watch Mu Jinyue, had to interrogate that youth…

Jiang Zhaoxue calculated all the way, her mind spinning rapidly. When she arrived at the main hall, Jiang Zhaoxue looked up and saw that everyone was already waiting properly in the hall.

Shen Yuqing sat in the high seat, Pei Zichen stood behind him, Mu Jinyue stood at the door, and yesterday’s black-clothed youth knelt on the ground.

They looked like harmonious master and disciples, without any abnormality.

Seeing her arrive, Mu Jinyue reacted first and quickly bowed: “Master’s Wife.”

Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart was uneasy. She nodded and hesitantly stepped forward.

Shen Yuqing sat in his position drinking tea, his face impassive. Pei Zichen stood behind him, his aura gentle, respectfully saying, “Master’s Wife.”

Jiang Zhaoxue was greatly alarmed but didn’t dare show any special reaction. She only nodded and sat down.

Her gaze couldn’t help glancing toward Pei Zichen. Realizing what she was doing, she was startled and quickly withdrew her gaze, turning to look at the youth on the ground.

The youth knelt properly on the ground, his complexion even and smooth. His injuries appeared to have already healed.

This youth had been tampered with by Pei Zichen. She had given Pei Zichen a night to clearly instruct him on what should and shouldn’t be said. Repairing a mortal’s body wasn’t difficult for Pei Zichen.

Seeing the youth, Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart settled slightly. She turned her eyes to look at Shen Yuqing and asked, “Have you questioned him?”

“Waiting for you.” Shen Yuqing answered honestly. Jiang Zhaoxue nodded with satisfaction.

Then she turned to look at the youth and asked first, “What’s your name?”

“Ming.” The youth answered without hesitation. This cooperation was somewhat unexpected for Jiang Zhaoxue.

She raised her hand and placed it on the armrest, leaning sideways in the chair, smiling as she pressed further, “What do you do?”

“Priest Guardian.”

“Specific duties? Usually a guard, when necessary a killer.”

His voice all came from his abdomen. Jiang Zhaoxue sensed him and detected there should be a “Voice Assistance Talisman” on his body that helped people speak.

She didn’t expose this and nodded before continuing, “Why were you in that mountain last night?”

“I received notice to wait there and ambush someone.”

Ming seemed to know everything and say everything. When Jiang Zhaoxue asked, he answered, even supplementing, “The people above said this person was an immortal master who wouldn’t kill us, telling us to act with confidence.”

Jiang Zhaoxue paused, not daring to probe deeper, and shifted the topic: “Who are your superiors?”

“The Holy Pool Priest.”

These words surprised Jiang Zhaoxue. She hadn’t expected this youth’s identity to be quite high.

She couldn’t help but say, “Since you’re the Holy Pool Priest’s guardian, why would you appear at the lowest-level altar to meet me?”

“The Holy Pool values this Qixi ceremony very much, so they specifically sent Holy Pool Priest Saguang to preach. I escorted him here, not expecting you to kill him.”

Ming’s tone carried no emotion as he narrated: “I failed to protect the priest. By the rules, I should be executed, but because the Qixi ceremony was short-staffed, they had me guard the mountain road. If I could stop the person the cult leader wanted stopped, I could atone for my failure and no longer be punished for my dereliction of duty.”

“So…” Jiang Zhaoxue understood. She lightly tapped the armrest and said slowly, “You know how to get to the Holy Pool?”

“I know the way there.”

“Your status is so high, you know so much,” Jiang Zhaoxue tilted her head, “and you tell me everything I ask?”

“If I don’t answer, can’t you make me talk?”

Ming looked up at her. Jiang Zhaoxue raised an eyebrow.

These cultivators had plenty of methods to make mortals talk.

Ming seemed extremely familiar with cultivators’ methods and said calmly, “My life is like an ant’s. I know the way to the Holy Pool. I also know you want to go. I can guide you, but I have one requirement.”

“What?”

“I want to live.”

Ming stared at Jiang Zhaoxue and said calmly, “You must guarantee I’ll survive. Otherwise, my worthless life—”

As soon as he finished speaking, the youth’s hand moved like a swift wind. In less than an instant, he pressed a broken chopstick against his own throat.

“I don’t know—what methods do you distinguished people have for dead men?”