Chapter 36: Temptation

Chen Zhao's expression turned peculiar.

After divining, he confirmed the other's actions held no malice.

This matter is indeed significant, worth investigating.

"Young brother, you've come?"

Thin gauze curtains fluttered as a sweet, soft female voice emerged—Su Muqing lay upon the bed.

Between her toes, she clutched a long whip Dharma Treasure, seemingly custom-made for her by Chen Qingmeng.

A month ago, she had no interest in Chen Zhao, viewing him merely as a pawn in Li Zhiwei's hands.

Only after Zhang Sifan reached a deal with him and they conversed warmly did she begin to take notice of Chen Zhao.

"Senior Sister Mu Qing, you summoned me so late at night—I wonder..."

"Don't rush, first try my Green Jade Spirit Fruit."

On the stone table lay several strings of Spirit Fruit; Su Muqing picked one up and, without hesitation, placed it in her mouth to chew.

After careful inspection, Chen Zhao also ate one.

He swallowed the Deliverting Pill hidden beneath his tongue to counter any unknown poison.

The Spirit Fruit entered his belly, a faint surge of Spirit Qi spreading through his limbs and organs, refreshing and soothing.

Seeing this, Su Muqing smiled lightly, picked up another fruit, and rolled it between her fingers, her voice sweet and sultry:

"This fruit is equivalent to a First-grade Mid-tier Spirit Medicine—Senior Sister Li also ate one. I worked hard to get it from her and have kept it ever since."

This remark was meant to reassure Chen Zhao, using Li Zhiwei to draw closer.

She then probed repeatedly into his cultivation status, nodding and praising him from time to time.

Yet her seductive eyes never left Chen Zhao, fixed upon him without pause.

Chen Zhao saw clearly.

Though she exuded charm, a thread of coldness lingered in her eyes—if he dared act improperly, she would turn on him instantly.

Not long after.

Perhaps she had eaten too many Spirit Fruits; her Spirit Qi had not yet digested.

Su Muqing's face flushed faintly red, her gaze hazy.

She propped herself up on the stone table, her warm breath now puffing against Chen Zhao's face, and pulled something from her Storage Bag at her waist.

"Young Brother Chen, do you wish to ascend to Outer Disciple immediately?"

"What is this...?"

Chen Zhao stared closely.

A luminous white pill rested in her palm—but the next instant, she hid it behind her back.

"A Pojing Pill for Qi Refining mid-stage? Mu Ling Pill?"

Chen Zhao raised an eyebrow—he hadn't expected Su Muqing to offer him such a treasure.

Of course, no gift comes without expectation; she likely intended to lure him over.

"Good young brother, we've had many misunderstandings, forcing you to choose my younger sister,"

Su Muqing swayed her waist, barefoot save for silk stockings, and sat upon the stone table,

"But aside from her greater assets, what does she have that I don't? Skill, cultivation, resources—would she ever give you a Mu Ling Pill?"

Her slender, exquisite feet slowly lifted, spirit wine dripping onto them, soaking the silk stockings and revealing pink, tender toes.

"Young brother, drink this wine, pledge yourself to me, and you may still visit Juxian Pavilion."

She offered him the cup, confident he could not resist such temptation.

Of course.

Any Qi Refining mid-stage cultivator would be unable to resist the Mu Ling Pill.

This pill is precious—even if Chen Zhao had rendered great service to Su Wanyao, he might still not receive such a treasure.

And his bond with Su Wanyao is shallow; their alliance exists merely for mutual warmth against a common enemy.

If he joined Su Muqing, Chen Zhao could safely break through.

But.

Whether he would be purged afterward, Chen Zhao could not guarantee.

He had been undecided—until Su Muqing's two assassination attempts forced him into opposition.

"I'm sorry to disappoint Senior Sister Mu Qing, but I hold a key post at Juxian Pavilion—I cannot betray others from behind."

Chen Zhao stepped back slightly, declining.

Su Muqing's foot stiffened slightly.

Had Chen Zhao not possessed minor talent, held a key position, and offered intelligence—had he not been capable of turning against Su Wanyao at a critical moment—

She would never have bothered with this foul man.

She hadn't expected to cast her charms at a blind man.

Yet her mind spun rapidly, and she sneered:

"Chief? You only like Xin Tong—you deliberately chose a room opposite hers?"

"Join me, and when I seize full control of the Su Family, I'll give her and Su Wanyao to you as servants. If that's not enough, I'll even make you my male concubine."

Su Muqing kicked her foot, growing more excited with every word.

She believed she had fully understood men's hearts.

Aside from Fang Zijing and Chen Liu, which man had not fallen at her feet?

Like the He Family Brothers.

Even when she stepped on their heads to humiliate them, they still took it as a reward.

"Mu Qing senior sister, you'd better leave that position of male favorite to Fang Zijing—I'm afraid I must decline. Goodbye!"

Chen Zhao's expression darkened, and he turned to leave.

Without a single glance at Su Muqing's icy gaze.

He stepped out of the Cave Abode.

Chen Zhao took seven steps east, moved three feet north, formed a hand seal, and leapt directly into a Concealment Array.

Inside.

Liu Chen, Su Wanyao, and Duan Bo were all there.

Also Xin Tong, her face flushed, muttering incessantly.

"So bold—pouring wine on your feet and then drinking it..."

As she spoke, not a single stutter.

Chen Zhao sighed.

These were all the backup plans he'd left behind—if things turned bad, they'd storm the Cave Abode.

Also,

to guard against Su Muqing's post-event scheming or false accusations.

And all of them believed he wasn't acting—after all, if Chen Zhao wanted to kill them, he had no need to wait until now.

"Thanks, brother—for choosing to stand with us."

Liu Chen stepped forward and embraced him tightly.

He asked himself—if he were in Chen Zhao's place, with only a year left before his promotion, would he have resisted the temptation of the Soul-Nourishing Pill?

But Chen Zhao's outright refusal made him feel a pang of shame.

"Xiao Chenzi is right—I'm truly glad I went to Fulong Mountain to save you all."

Su Wanyao felt this most deeply.

She had once harbored murderous intent toward Chen Zhao, but after sharing hardship, her heart grew ever more ashamed.

She pulled out a Su Family Token.

Unlike the one she'd obtained earlier, this Token was carved from white jade—the mark of a Su Family guest minister.

"I humbly ask, younger brother, to accept this. With it, you become a Su Family guest minister—no duties required, but you'll receive a stipend."

Only Xin Tong, her face flushed, remained silent.

Whether stunned or too shy to speak, she didn't say.

She merely tugged gently at Chen Zhao's sleeve, without raising her head.

Chen Zhao returned to Juxian Pavilion.

He couldn't help but reflect.

Since his arrival in this world, most things had begun with profit—few had ever begun with emotion.

Back then, Su Wanyao and the others had wanted to kill him, fearing exposure of their kin-slaying.

And recruiting him served their purpose in the Su family rivalry.

Later, allying with him served their purpose in confronting a great enemy.

Only now did the word "emotion" appear.

Only with the Evil Cultivator incident did they begin to trust one another—and now, "emotion" had truly taken root; Liu Chen called him brother.

A week passed in a flash; Liu Chen grew increasingly reliant on Chen Zhao, letting him review many Spirit Pill Prescriptions.

And Xin Tong often dropped by, claiming she came to engrave Arrays for him.

With his orders completed, Chen Zhao found himself with spare time.

Aside from cultivation, he simply chatted with the He Family Brothers.

"Younger Brother Chen, your promotion is imminent—now's the time to seize the chance, when else?"

He Chengdao sighed softly, then leaned close to Chen Zhao's ear and whispered:

"I heard there's a hidden cache in the middle layer of Fulong Mountain—Soul-Nourishing Pills have surfaced. Want to go with your senior brother?"

Again, the Soul-Nourishing Pill?

Could Su Muqing's have come from the same place?

Chen Zhao's gaze sharpened.

Remembering this man's shifting loyalties, he immediately grew suspicious.

But the pill was undeniably tempting—Chen Zhao could only cast a divination.

He silently recited.

He asked whether entering the middle layer of Fulong Mountain would grant him the Soul-Dust Pill.

The answer came:

Auspicious.

He hadn't lied to me?

Chen Zhao raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.