Chapter 183

It was September, and Mount Zihui was awash in autumn gold.

Linghu Qingmo walked down the steps outside the Book and Sword Pavilion, holding her sword, while Little Sister Acai tugged at the hem of her horse-face skirt, her eyes sparkling with envy.

Zhang Guan, clad in a Daoist robe, walked ahead, his expression tinged with melancholy:

"Daughters grow up and leave home. I remember when you were about Acai's age, climbing all over the Book and Sword Pavilion every day—now look, you're nearly betrothed."

Linghu Qingmo's expression turned solemn, but her eyes clearly betrayed embarrassment:

"Master Zhang, what are you talking about? Xie Jinhuan and I are just working together at the Princess's mansion…"

Acai tugged her skirt and muttered under her breath:

"Hmph~ Young Master Xie needs rare herbs and treasures, and Sister just silently rushes back from Luojing to the mountain, pester Master Zhang until he gives in, and still isn't happy when he doesn't—hmm… she's got her loyalties all wrong!"

Linghu Qingmo secretly pinched her little sister's cheek:

"Xie Jinhuan cultivates his Dao through alchemy to slay demons and purge evil, and he's not taking them for free—he'll return them soon enough."

Zhang Guan stroked his beard and sighed: "Your Master and Xie Jinhuan have fought demons together—we'd gladly lend you any treasure from our sect even if you didn't ask. But the Jin Gang Dew comes from the Bodhi Ancestor Tree, and only the Buddhist sects have it. You know the current situation: Dao and Buddhist sects are at each other's throats—I simply can't bring myself to beg the Buddhists for anything and owe them a favor…"

Linghu Qingmo had promised to help her boyfriend inquire about it; when she found nothing in Jingcheng, she returned to Mount Zihui to plead with Master Zhang herself. Seeing her sect's dilemma, she now changed the subject:

"The Fan Yun Temple says it plans to establish a branch in Danyang—how's the situation now?"

"This…"

As Vice Abbot, Zhang Guan carried a hundred burdens, but he couldn't reveal them to a junior.

The cultivation path speaks through strength. To settle Fan Yun Temple, either the Abbot must go challenge their Head Abbot in Dao debate, or a disciple must face their senior disciple in combat—the loser yields.

But the Abbot's strength hasn't yet recovered, and our disciple is slightly weaker than Fan Yun Temple's senior disciple—so we can't respond at all, and can only remain silent.

Hearing Qingmo ask, Zhang Guan paused, then said:

"Qingmo, have you and Xie Jinhuan considered becoming Dao companions?"

?

Linghu Qingmo blinked, her gaze slightly odd:

"So Master Zhang's hinting at giving Xie Jinhuan a chance—to handle this matter… as a bride price?"

Zhang Guan wasn't giving Xie Jinhuan a chance—he was asking him to be an outside ally to defuse the crisis before the sect's reputation got crushed by the Buddhists!

"Hmm… it's up to you young ones. Xie Jinhuan is full of knightly spirit, willing to risk his life defending the righteous path—even if he did nothing, our elders greatly admire him. But if he could help Mount Zihui out, earn some renown in the Jianghu, it would benefit both Mount Zihui and him."

Linghu Qingmo understood—the sect was using Xie Jinhuan as a test stone for their major matter: if he won, they'd approve the marriage; he'd prove his worth to the Jianghu, Mount Zihui would show its favor for him, and they'd slap Fan Yun Temple in the face—all at once.

This was perfectly proper—after all, a son-in-law is part of the sect's foundation. If he won, he was half their son; if he didn't help Mount Zihui settle this, he'd be criticized.

But equally, if Xie Jinhuan won, she'd become known to all as his betrothed—she'd have no choice but to marry him, and he could touch and kiss her openly from then on!

Even now she let him touch and kiss her—but she could pretend to be angry…

Linghu Qingmo, being a girl, felt a little shy discussing this. After thinking, she said:

"Fan Yun Temple's senior disciple isn't simple—what if Xie Jinhuan loses?"

If Xie Jinhuan lost, he couldn't propose; Mount Zihui would have no moral ground to block Fan Yun Temple's settlement.

Zhang Guan felt the risk was high. After thinking, he said:

"I'll discuss further with several senior uncles. You can ask too—see if Xie Jinhuan has confidence. As for the Jin Gang Dew, it's simple: if we settle this with a contest, we can put up stakes. For example, Mount Zihui offers three White Lotus Flowers, Fan Yun Temple offers thirty-six drops of Jin Gang Dew—the winner takes all."

The White Lotus Flowers were blooms from the Jiazi Lotus, one every twelve years, roughly equal in value to the Jin Gang Dew.

Linghu Qingmo thought this method—winner takes all, loser loses everything—was too risky. She said no more, finished speaking with Master Zhang, and prepared to return to Jingcheng that very night to speak with Xie Jinhuan.

As she walked down the mountain path, she glanced back at Danyang City beyond.

Night was deep; lanterns in Danyang City glimmered faintly, but the Danwang Pavilion was unmistakable—just nearby stood the Princess's mansion and Qingquan Alley.

Linghu Qingmo saw Wu Wei Pavilion and couldn't help recalling their first meeting behind the courtyard wall—the chest grab, the forced sweeping, the spanking…

She once thought those weren't good memories—but now, they felt like fate…

Xie Jinhuan has a grand house in Jingcheng—he may never live here again…

I even cleaned his place spotless last time—now it's probably piled high with leaves again…

…

Lost in such thoughts, Linghu Qingmo headed down the mountain, originally toward the river dock.

But perhaps fate had its own design—she found herself, without reason, turning toward the city, wanting to see once more the place of their first meeting…

—

Night was deep. Qingquan Alley.

The back bedroom glowed with lantern light, silent inside; three weapons leaned against the bedhead.

Xie Jinhuan lay on the inner side, five blood wounds on his left arm already scabbed; a thin quilt covered him to the waist as he stared at the ice lump before him.

Nangong Ye lay on her side facing the lantern light beyond the curtain, offering her companion only the back of her head, an autumn quilt draped over her waist, her black dress still unfastened, her icy face still masked, appearing like a frozen lump in unconsciousness.

But occasionally she bit her red lip, her breathing uneven, her expression betraying a faint, almost imperceptible hint of disdain…

Xie Jinhuan, sensing the Yang Poison had receded, sighed in relief and asked:

"Are you feeling better?"

Nangong Ye had already absorbed the Yin-Cold Qi; the Yang Poison was suppressed, her meridians stabilized. Her lips moved slightly, feigning just waking:

"I'm fine. I don't know what you did just now, and I don't want to know."

"I didn't do anything."

Xie Jinhuan sighed helplessly: "I saw you were delirious, so I just checked your leg."

Nangong Ye hadn't truly fainted—she knew it wasn't just a leg check—but at least she'd survived, and Xie Jinhuan hadn't suffered…

Nangong Ye put on a cold, distant expression and tried to rise:

"Let go. I'll pretend it never happened."

"Hey."

Xie Jinhuan pressed down on her shoulder: "Just now the Yang poison was battering your mind, your head wasn't clear. You're clear-headed now, right?"

"?" Nangong Ye was now perfectly clear-headed, and lying here for that reason felt like sitting on a bed of needles:

"What do you mean?"

Xie Jinhuan said with deep sincerity:

"When I saw you suffering from the Yang poison earlier, I didn't want to waste time. You're fine now, so I need to ask you a few questions."

Nangong Ye, eyes covered, frowned tightly: "Ask what?"

Xie Jinhuan said seriously: "I flirted with you fair and square, and you weren't all that resistant. We're all adults here—tell me, why can't you be more frank? Dare to love, dare to hate?"

Because you're just a kid…

Nangong Ye was silent for a long while before responding:

"It's just not going to happen. The physical contact between us was a matter of necessity. In my heart toward you, it's clear as water—nothing but friends of the jianghu."

Xie Jinhuan nodded thoughtfully:

"So you mean only the body, not the feelings?"

?

Nangong Ye felt the words were a bit odd, but she could only nod:

"Right. And the physical contact was for a reason—neither of us should take it to heart…"

Xie Jinhuan felt Bing Tuozi's tough tone was a bit unreasonable, but the attitude was rather amusing, so his hand immediately began rustling under the bedding.

Nangong Ye sensed something was off, tilted her head slightly, her profile carrying the aggrieved indignation of an ice-mountain female CEO being bullied by a punk:

"Xie Jinhuan, don't let me down! I already told you the contact between us was unavoidable. Now there's nothing wrong with either of us—if you still want to… what are you doing?!"

Xie Jinhuan fished out a 'Adding Oil to the Fire Pill' and tossed it into his mouth:

"Who said nothing's wrong? Right now my qi sea is empty, and you just have the Yang poison suppressed and can't fight. What if someone comes to kill us? Let me see if I can help you purge the poison. The Adding Oil to the Fire Pill detoxifies once every quarter-hour. Finish a whole bottle, and you'll recover at least ninety percent of your cultivation. Hiss~haa…"

?

Nangong Ye, eyes covered, hadn't noticed, but discovered that as Xie Jinhuan spoke, his breath grew restless and his limbs turned scalding. She quickly pulled down her blindfold, her phoenix eyes slightly fierce:

"Why do you never listen? Earlier I told you not to take poison, gave you free rein, and after you finished you took it again—so didn't I get… for nothing?"

Xie Jinhuan raised his hand slightly:

"A real man must be decisive. I really can take it—you just rest. Of course, if you feel for me and want to help ease the pain, I have no objections either."

Nangong Ye's willow brows shot up, feeling this kid was simply 'bullying the gentleman with his own rules,' having read her perfectly—her guilty conscience wouldn't let her leave it be.

But the fact was, neither of them could fight right now. This rascal was covered in wounds, and now his body was like a burning coal. She was genuinely worried:

"You…"

"No detox means no combat power. It's just a quarter-hour thing—rest, don't worry about me."

How could I possibly not worry?

Nangong Ye gritted her teeth. Seeing Xie Jinhuan was too stubborn, she finally leaned back into his embrace, thinking to help the kid ease the pain a little.

But this kid really had principles—when his mind was dazed, at most he'd touch and look without going too far; when she was lucid, he was truly wicked!

……

Nangong Ye discovered the hem of her skirt under the autumn quilt had been lifted again. She'd originally forced herself to ignore it, but soon her face flushed crimson. With a hint of bewilderment, she twisted her waist:

"What are you doing?!"

"Don't move—what else could I be doing?"

"How could you…"

Nangong Ye's eyes were incredulous. She'd meant to teach him a lesson, but seeing Xie Jinhuan drenched in sweat, his eyes nearly glazed by the fever, her heart softened against her will. She grit her teeth, turned her face away, closed her eyes, and thought:

Outrageous…

He must be delirious from the fever, that's why he strayed…

Earlier was already excessive; now it's just adding fuel to the fire—at least he didn't break the virginity seal.

Nangong Ye's face gradually turned fiery red. Unable to help herself, she lightly elbowed Xie Jinhuan and said coldly:

"Go ahead and be smug. You helped me detox, so consider those misdeeds your payment. From now on, let's pretend we never met. No matter what you say, I won't stay."

Xie Jinhuan felt Bing Tuozi truly lived up to her title as the 'Jianbing Shenjun' in charge of stern punishment—her expression management was really impressive. He replied:

"If you dare to leave, I'll post notices everywhere looking for you."

"You… you shameless thing!"

"Hehe~ Heroine Mu, just accept your fate. You can't run…"

Nangong Ye elbowed him again, cutting off his words. Eyes tightly shut, a hint of disdain at the corner of her lips, she strove not to give any positive feedback.

But that was clearly a bit difficult. After the shame became unbearable, she still bit down on the autumn quilt, her face red as blood:

"Mm…"

Xie Jinhuan found the little display quite amusing, but didn't forget the detox. Every quarter-hour he'd kindle the extreme Yang fire, channel qi over, then take the antidote to detox, then take the pill again and continue.

Repeating this cycle, after more than half a shichen, the effect was remarkable.

The Yang poison in Nangong Ye's body, from its peak, had continuously weakened until less than half a tenth remained. It no longer affected daily activities, and if she held back in combat, it wouldn't flare up again for at least half a year; however, to completely eradicate it would require gambling on luck.

Seeing Xie Jinhuan could endure it, Nangong Ye didn't want to deal with this smug kid anymore. She just bit the autumn quilt, pretending to be an ice lump with absolutely no feeling.

Originally this situation would have lasted until dawn.

But halfway through, Xie Jinhuan suddenly frowned and turned to look at the window.

Nangong Ye appeared steady as an ice mountain, but was actually nearly dazed. Noticing the movement had stopped, she opened her beautiful phoenix eyes.

Hush~

A barely audible sound of breaking wind rose from the front courtyard…

(End of chapter)