In the bedchamber, candlelight cast warm halos near the bed. Half of Luo Yu Heng’s face was bathed in a gentle orange glow, while shadows veiled the other half—a fitting reflection of her current state, caught between mortal desire and immortal bearing.
To Xu Qi An, she possessed an irresistible allure.
Luo Yu Heng was both furious and panicked. She knew how tempting Xu Qi An’s presence would be at this moment. While struggling against the Karmic Fire, she lacked the strength to send this youth flying away on her sword. It wasn’t that she couldn’t do it, but such an action would inevitably cause her to lose control over the Karmic Fire…
Without someone to dual cultivate with, that would be a death sentence.
Through gritted teeth, Luo Yu Heng demanded, “Xu Qi An, do you intend to force yourself on me?”
*What kind of accusation is that? Starting with such allegations—I’ll be beaten to death…* Xu Qi An closed the door and approached the bed, stopping when he noticed her tense, vigilant gaze.
“Imperial Mentor, I want to ask: if we don’t dual cultivate tonight, you’ll have to do it with me tomorrow anyway to resist the Karmic Fire, correct?”
Luo Yu Heng stared at him coldly, offering no response.
“Tomorrow, which of the Seven Emotions will it be?” Xu Qi An asked.
“The Seven Emotions appear without pattern.”
Luo Yu Heng glanced at him, her gaze unconsciously trailing from his handsome face down to his chest and abdomen… She quickly averted her eyes, forcing herself not to look.
Xu Qi An nodded, sitting on the bed’s edge with a serious tone: “In that case, how can you be sure your next personality will be willing to dual cultivate with me? What if she refuses stubbornly?”
Luo Yu Heng’s long, straight eyebrows furrowed slightly. After a moment, she responded coldly, “Between life and death, I will make the right choice.”
Xu Qi An suddenly placed his hand on her thigh. “Then why won’t you dual cultivate with me now?”
Luo Yu Heng’s body trembled. They were so close that Xu Qi An could see goosebumps rising on her neck.
“I’d rather die than dual cultivate with you,” she declared, her eyebrows arching in anger.
“See, that’s exactly my point!” Xu Qi An accused. “How can you be sure other personalities won’t be just like you, refusing to dual cultivate even at the cost of death?”
“…Get out,” Luo Yu Heng snapped, unable to counter his logic.
The next morning at dawn.
By the bedside, scattered on the floor were the silk dress, white undergarments, the white lotus-embroidered dudou, and sashes…
Xu Qi An felt something soft and moist repeatedly brushing against his face, making it impossible to continue sleeping. Opening his eyes groggily, he found Luo Yu Heng’s stunning face inches away. Her eyes filled with affection as she tenderly kissed his cheeks, neck, and lips.
? A huge question mark flashed through Xu Qi An’s mind as he uncertainly called out, “Imperial Mentor?”
Is this the Imperial Mentor I know?
Is this the same celestial-like, cold, and unyielding Imperial Mentor?
Recalling Luo Yu Heng’s usual demeanor, Xu Qi An found it impossible to equate this woman consumed by passion with the Imperial Mentor of Great Feng.
Luo Yu Heng pressed her lips together, smiling softly: “Weren’t you enjoying the kisses last night? Mmm, it did feel quite nice.”
“…”
Xu Qi An lay there stiffly, not daring to move.
Luo Yu Heng’s snow-white arms emerged from under the covers, wrapping around his neck as she cooed:
“You were quite diligent last night, but not enough. I want more.”
*The ‘Lust’ personality?* Xu Qi An’s mind stirred with realization.
Or perhaps it’s different—there’s also a ‘Joy’ personality among the Seven Emotions, which is also a positive emotion… he pondered.
Of course, Xu Qi An wouldn’t refuse the advances of such a peerless beauty. He rolled over, pinning her beneath him, and the quilts began to move rhythmically.
“I want more.”
“Alright.”
“I want more.”
This was the ‘Lust’ personality.
“Alright.”
“I want more.”
Two full hours later, Xu Qi An suggested:
“Imperial Mentor, shall we have lunch first?”
“With our cultivation levels, we no longer need to eat.”
“No, I still need to eat. I’m a martial artist, remember?”
“Are you unable to continue?” Luo Yu Heng asked angrily.
“Heh, you underestimate a martial artist’s prowess.”
…
“I want more.”
“Im-Imperial Mentor, it’s dusk already…”
“I don’t care! Are you unable to perform?”
“Hmph, you’re underestimating a martial artist’s stamina.”
…
“Imperial Mentor, it’s dark. Let me eat something.”
“One last time.”
“…Alright.”
“Imperial Mentor, aren’t you tired?”
“Stop talking. You’re not allowed to leave the bed today.”
…
“Imperial Mentor, dawn is breaking…”
At one point, he poked his head out from under the covers and saw daylight outside the window.
At that moment, Xu Qi An wept with joy.
After dawn, the personality would change, and the ‘Lust’ personality would leave. He could finally escape this den of passion.
From midnight yesterday, through two nights and a day, he truly hadn’t left the bed once.
Finally, it’s over. No one can keep me here today, not even Jesus… Xu Qi An thought fiercely.
The desire in Luo Yu Heng’s eyes gradually dissipated, signaling a personality change.
She sat up, clutching the quilt, looking at the disheveled bed with reddened cheeks and shy eyes.
“Imperial Mentor, I have matters to attend to. If you’re tired, please rest a while longer.”
Xu Qi An endured his aching waist and lifted the covers to get up, about to bend down to collect his scattered clothes.
“Wait.”
Luo Yu Heng suddenly grabbed his hand.
Xu Qi An turned back with a stiff expression, seeing fear in the beautiful Imperial Mentor’s eyes as she said anxiously:
“The Karmic Fire still plagues me, and I could die from its burning at any moment. Let’s dual cultivate once more, I’m afraid—”
Xu Qi An’s heart sank as he forced a smile: “But we’ve been dual cultivating for a day and two nights. You’ll be fine.”
Luo Yu Heng shook her head slightly, pressing her lips together with a pitiful expression: “But there’s still a chance the Karmic Fire could go out of control. Unless I’m certain, I won’t feel at ease.”
My Imperial Mentor is truly too cautious… Xu Qi An’s expression showed slight distortion.
The bed curtains swayed gently, continuing endlessly.
…
By noon, Xu Qi An arrived at an empty room and summoned the Pagoda of Nirvana, ascending straight to the third floor.
Mu Nan Zhi thought this detestable man had come to coax her, and quickly put on a cold face, clasping her hands in prayer, assuming the posture of one who had renounced the world.
Unexpectedly, Xu Qi An didn’t even look at her. He walked straight to the Pagoda Spirit, the old monk, sat cross-legged on the ground, and said solemnly:
“Master, I have achieved enlightenment.”
The Pagoda Spirit was startled, quite pleased: “What have you realized?”
Xu Qi An’s face showed neither joy nor sorrow: “Form is emptiness.”
The Pagoda Spirit became increasingly surprised, nodding with a smile: “Excellent!”
Mu Nan Zhi stared with wide eyes, incredulous.
…
In Yong Province, at the Six Tiles Gambling House.
Miao You Fang strolled in with a candied haw stick in his mouth. He was ordinary-looking with dark skin and bright eyes, giving off an impression of being lean and shrewd.
Yet he lacked the slick manner of street hustlers, carrying instead a sharp aura and proper bearing.
After looking around, Miao You Fang walked toward the dice table.
He had two purposes in coming to the gambling house: First, to meet the owner, Liu Lang. Second, his money was running low, and he needed to earn some traveling expenses.
The dice dealer shouted, “Place your bets!”
Gamblers around the table placed their bets, their eager eyes following the dice cup as they excitedly shouted “Big” or “Small.”
Miao You Fang’s ears twitched slightly as he detected that the dice in the cup had been tampered with.
This was common in gambling houses—they couldn’t rely purely on luck when running a business. They all employed some tricks.
But it didn’t matter. No matter how the house cheated, he wouldn’t lose.
This was experience gained from many previous occasions.
About a month ago, Miao You Fang discovered his luck had suddenly improved.
Wherever he went, he encountered good fortune. At first, even the daughter of a wealthy family in his hometown inexplicably fell for him.
But Miao You Fang was a young man with ideals. He resolutely rejected the wealthy maiden’s affections and continued his journey to experience the jianghu.
During his travels, he occasionally befriended martial heroes, met honest mentors who guided him and was favored by various immortal maidens.
During one occasion of merrymaking with fellow young heroes, he carelessly lost his virginity to a courtesan. Miao You Fang was mortified—he had been saving his chastity for his future wife.
He vowed never to drink again.
Then, the next day, he tumbled in bed with the courtesan again…
The good times didn’t last long. While traveling in Qing Province, Miao You Fang encountered a group of experts. Unlike previous encounters where he could befriend skilled individuals, this group was peculiar in temperament and would fight at the slightest provocation.
Fortunately, several of his friends happened to pass by and came to his aid. Combined with his skills and techniques, he managed to escape by the skin of his teeth.
Afterward, through various coincidences and strokes of luck, he successfully evaded their pursuit and arrived in Yong Province.
After spending just two incense sticks’ worth of time in the gambling house, he had won four hundred taels of silver, piled high before him.
When his winnings reached six hundred taels, a muscular bouncer from the gambling house approached and said gravely: “Brother, our boss wants to see you.”
Here it comes… Miao You Fang glanced at him, expressionlessly nodded, gathered the loose silver and ingots before him, picked up his bulging money bag, and said:
“Lead the way!”