Chapter 150: Jin Hai

"You..."

Xu Xu Qinghuan bit her lip, the crimson hue of her lips pressed pale by her teeth; her almond-shaped, alluring eyes flashed at him, yet she obediently retracted her hand.

She lowered her eyelids, her lashes trembling slightly like butterfly wings fluttering.

That old thing.

So many tricks.

She muttered inwardly, yet the longing in her eyes grew even stronger, impossible to suppress.

Inside the reception hall, cups clinked and laughter rang out.

Jin Hai sat upright in the main seat, his brow brimming with pride and vigor.

Tomorrow was his wedding day; the entire Jin Chen Peak was adorned with lanterns and red decorations, the entire Tianqing Sect was abuzz with talk of his marriage, and even the Sect Master would come in person.

He, Jin Hai, was the brightest star among the younger generation of the Tianqing Sect.

Yet at this moment of triumph, his chest suddenly tightened without cause, as if an invisible hand had seized his heart and twisted it hard.

A vague, indescribable unease surged from his heart, like dark clouds pressing down, heavy and suffocating in his chest.

His charcoal-black complexion shifted slightly, a flicker of ferocity crossing his brow.

"What's wrong, Xiao Hai?"

A middle-aged man with dark skin and a shadow of malice in his brow noticed Jin Hai's change in expression, set down his cup, and asked in a low tone.

He was Jin Hai's father, Jin Mo.

Jin Hai took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the inexplicable unease, and shook his head slightly:

"Nothing. Probably from over-cultivating—my mind's been unsettled lately."

Since a certain night three months ago,

he had occasionally felt this inexplicable unease.

He had even gone to Qingmu Peak to consult Sun Zhanglao, who was skilled in medicine.

But Sun Zhanglao of Qingmu Peak said his body showed no abnormalities...

After that, he had relaxed.

Yet this time, the unease felt especially intense...

But he simply could not find the cause—what could possibly trouble him?

Hearing this, Jin Hai's mother immediately exhaled in relief, patting his hand gently:

"You're just too diligent in your cultivation. Sometimes you need to relax a bit."

"Tomorrow is your big day."

"Rest well tonight. Don't dwell on nonsense."

Those in the reception hall began speaking, offering flattery:

"Jin Zheng Zhichuan has extraordinary talent and tireless diligence—no wonder he's achieved such cultivation so young."

"After tomorrow's wedding night, your true yin will be purified, and your strength will rise another level."

"The Jin family has such a son—truly a blessing from ancestors..."

A chorus of sycophantic praise echoed through the hall.

Jin Hai raised his cup and drained it, swallowing the unease along with the fiery liquor.

Then, Xu Xu Qinghuan's face flashed unbidden in his mind.

His gaze pierced through layers of courtyards, landing on the bridal chamber, its door pasted with giant red double happiness characters.

There, his bride awaited.

A faint smile curled his lips; the shadows in his eyes slowly faded.

Once tomorrow night passed, and he obtained the true yin, his strength would surge—he, Jin Hai, would be the undisputed number one of the Tianqing Sect's younger generation.

Then, the Hua sisters of Xianshui Peak would be trampled beneath his feet.

About an hour later, dusk deepened.

The last streak of twilight vanished into night; lanterns on Jin Chen Peak flickered to life one by one, bathing the entire mountain in crimson light.

The banquet in the reception hall was nearing its end; plates and cups lay scattered, the air thick with alcohol, guests' laughter growing sparse, replaced by the drowsy languor of intoxication.

Jin Hai set down his cup, stood, and bowed to the guests, his voice loud: "Please enjoy your drinks—I'll retire now. Tomorrow I must rise early, so I can't linger."

"Good, good! The groom should rest well—tomorrow's busy enough!"

Everyone rose to see him off, laughter ringing out; someone teased, "Jin Zheng Zhichuan, tonight you must conserve your energy—don't exhaust yourself on your wedding night!"

More laughter erupted.

Jin Hai's lips twitched slightly in response, saying nothing more.

He strode out of the reception hall; the night wind met him, cool, carrying away some of the alcohol's stench.

He inhaled deeply, drawing all his pride and anticipation into his lungs, and walked steadily toward his room.

But after a few steps, his pace slowed.

The unease he had forced down with liquor sprouted like weeds in his heart, growing thicker, denser, choking him.

Xu Xu Qinghuan's face surfaced unbidden in his mind.

Could she be the source of his unrest...?

Jin Hai frowned and immediately turned toward Xu Xu Qinghuan's room.

His steps quickened, eager—but the closer he drew to the room plastered with red double happiness characters, the stronger his unease grew, as if an invisible hand were gripping his heart, tightening with each beat.

He deliberately muffled his footsteps, slipping silently to Xu Xu Qinghuan's door.

A dim yellow candlelight glowed through the crack; faint shadows moved inside...

He did not knock. Instead, he summoned a surge of force and pushed the door open with lightning speed—soundless, ghostlike.

In the next instant, Jin Hai's pupils shrank slightly.

Inside the room, Xu Xu Qinghuan wore a phoenix crown and a crimson bridal robe, leaning slightly against the wall, poised and graceful.

The red wedding attire shimmered in the candlelight; the jade and pearls of her crown trembled gently, reflecting off her pale, exquisite face.

Her cheeks glowed with a deep flush—not from rouge, but from within, like peach blossoms in March, lush and intoxicating.

At first glance, she was breathtakingly beautiful; even Jin Hai paused, momentarily stunned.

Xu Xu Qinghuan seemed startled by his sudden appearance; her alluring eyes half-lidded, glancing languidly, her voice lowered: "What is it, Hai-ge? I'm just trying on my dress."

Her voice was soft, languid, as if she had just been woken from sleep.

Jin Hai's gaze swept like a hawk over the empty room.

The bed was smooth, quilts neatly folded; chairs and tables were in place, everything orderly.

The windows were shut tight; only the candle flame flickered gently.

He studied Xu Xu Qinghuan closely, confirmed no anomalies on her person, then spoke in a low tone:

"Nothing. Just came to check. Tomorrow's your big day—rest early."

As he spoke, he stared at the alluring flush on her cheeks, a flicker of confusion in his eyes:

"Why are you so flushed?"

That flush wasn't rouge, nor was it shyness—it was more like...

He couldn't quite name it.

Xu Xu Qinghuan's heart jolted violently, nearly leaping into her throat.

Yet her expression didn't change; not even her lashes trembled.

She spoke softly, her tone naturally languid:

"I talked with Jin Yu for a long time. She went on and on about Jin family customs—I got a headache. Then I felt drowsy and took a short nap... I just woke up, so my face is still flushed."

As she spoke, she touched her cheek, feigning surprise at her own condition.

Hearing this, Jin Hai nodded thoughtfully.

He knew his sister's nature well.

Jin Yu never stopped talking once she started.

But if Xu Xu Qinghuan was truly fine... then why did his unease grow even heavier?

That unease, like dark clouds, pressed heavily on his chest, refusing to lift.

Jin Hai stared at Xu Xu Qinghuan for a long while, as if searching for a crack in her facade.

Xu Xu Qinghuan felt his gaze prickling her skin, yet she maintained her languid, natural demeanor—even yawned slightly, her eyes glistening with a misty sheen, convincingly like someone just awakened.

After a moment, Jin Hai withdrew his gaze and said lowly: "I feel chest-tight. Come walk with me."

Xu Xu Qinghuan paused slightly, then replied softly:

"All right. Let me change into everyday clothes first. Wearing this bridal robe outside won't be convenient."

Her tone was natural, as if responding to a routine request.

"Mm. I'll wait outside."

Jin Hai nodded slightly, turned, and stepped out, closing the door behind him.

"Ah..."

The moment the door shut, Xu Xu Qinghuan nearly broke.

She collapsed as if her bones had been pulled out, legs trembling, sliding down the wall until she nearly slumped to the floor.

Her chest heaved violently; she gasped for air as if pulled from water, beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead.

"I'm going to die..."

She turned her head slightly, her half-closed eyes fixed dazedly on the shadowed corner of the room.

She took several deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down, then stood up with effort, fumbling to change into a fresh set of everyday clothes—a pale green dress that, though less ornate than a bridal gown, suited her figure better.

She tidied her hairpin before the bronze mirror, patted her cheeks to make their flush appear more natural, then stepped out the door.

Outside, moonlight flowed like water.

Jin Hai stood with his hands behind his back, facing away from her.

Beside him stood another bulky figure—Jin Yu was there too.

"Sister-in-law, I just ate too much and was about to take a walk."

Jin Yu turned to Xu Xu Qinghuan and spoke bluntly, "Good thing my brother said he wanted to stroll—I tagged along. You don't mind, do you?"

"That… sounds fine…"

Xu Xu Qinghuan cast Jin Yu a complex glance and sighed inwardly.

How could someone willingly walk into death?

She shook her head slightly, suppressing that absurd thought, then forced a faint smile. "More people, more fun. Let's go."

Jin Hai walked ahead, his steps steady and silent.

Jin Yu followed behind, muttering incessantly—always about the Jin family's rules, treating Xu Xu Qinghuan as if she were someone to be casually manipulated.

Xu Xu Qinghuan brought up the rear, her gaze occasionally sweeping the shadows beside the path, her heart tightening slightly.

"Let's go for a walk by Tianqing Lake in the back mountains."

Jin Hai's voice came from ahead, calm and low. "The wind there is strong—it might blow away my inner vexation."

Tianqing Lake lay just beyond the back of Jincheng Peak; a tea's time along the mountain path would bring them there.

The lake's surface was broad as a mirror, its waters clear to the bottom, surrounded by green hills—a famous scenic spot of the Tianqing Sect.

Normally, many disciples from Xuanshui Peak came there to nurture water energy, but now, deep into the night, it would surely be empty.

…

After their figures vanished into the night, a withered shadow slowly emerged from the darkness inside Xu Xu Qinghuan's room.

It was Jiang Ye.

He stood with his hands behind his back before the window, through the lattice barely catching the fading silhouettes of the three.

His expression was as calm as still water, yet his aged eyes glowed with cold, lethal intent.

He had planned to strike in the dead of night, when Jin Hai was drunk and asleep, eliminating everything silently.

But he'd insisted on going out for a stroll… then let him meet his end sooner.

A faint, icy smile curled at Jiang Ye's lips; his form blurred, dissolving into the night like smoke, slipping soundlessly from the room.

…

Tianqing Lake lived up to its reputation as a famed site of the Tianqing Sect.

The lake's surface was vast, shimmering with ripples; moonlight scattered across it like scattered silver coins.

Several pavilions lined the mountain slope beside the lake, their upturned eaves and carved beams painted in vivid hues; standing within, one could overlook the glittering waters below—breathtaking scenery.

Jin Hai stood in the pavilion, hands resting on the railing, eyes closed as the night wind from the lake brushed his face.

The breeze carried moisture, cool and damp, stirring his robes and caressing his cheeks.

He drew a deep breath; his inner vexation seemed to ease slightly, as if blown away by the night wind.

Jin Yu stood beside him, stretching lazily, her bulky frame appearing even heavier in the moonlight.

She yawned, gazing listlessly around—her eyes swept from the lake to the mountain slope, then to the horizon.

The next instant.

"Huh?!"

Jin Yu let out a sharp, piercing cry that cut sharply through the silent night.

Her eyes widened; she pointed at the lake's surface, face filled with disbelief. "There's… someone walking on the lake…"

Her finger trembled as she pointed toward the lake's center.

There, moonlight danced upon the water, rippling in glittering patterns.

And amid those shimmering ripples, a blurred figure walked steadily toward them, stepping upon the water's surface.

The figure moved with calm ease, as if strolling through a courtyard—each step sent a ripple across the water, yet never sank.