Chapter 224: Sister Mu, what are you doing?

The next afternoon, Ruizhou City.

Xie Jinhuan ran back inside the pass, his heart finally easing somewhat; but fearing pursuit, he dared not let his guard down, slipping quietly into the city to find an inn, where he rented two rooms, while Lu Wu carried the Immortal Step Lady silently upstairs.

After a string of brutal battles, all three were covered in wounds; Xie Jinhuan set down his belongings and fetched several buckets of water:

“Would you like to wash first?”

Nangong Ye laid the demoness down on the bed.

“You go first—I’ll tend to her.”

Xie Jinhuan truly wanted to wash with Lu Wu, but the Immortal Step Lady couldn’t be left unattended; he stepped into the adjacent room instead.

Splash splash~

Soon, the sound of water came from next door.

Nangong Ye sat on the edge of the bed, her tightly wound nerves gradually relaxing, silently pondering whether Xie Jinhuan was pretending not to see through her, or truly believed the Qixia True Person had taught her these things…

With this boy’s wit, he couldn’t possibly fail to connect some astonishing truths.

But she was Mo Mo’s master—if he’d realized her identity, he should’ve been shocked, unable to accept it, filled with regret—how could he act so calmly, as if nothing were amiss…

Lost in such thoughts, Nangong Ye felt restless; seeing the demoness collapse into sleep, a nameless fire flared in her chest!

After all, last year when they descended into the Vermilion Bird Tomb, this demoness didn’t do her duty—she slipped out early and stole the Phoenix Feather Grass.

As a result, she spent the whole year running from place to place, only to end up completely consumed by this brat—she didn’t even know how to face him afterward.

And yet this demoness? She hoarded the Phoenix Feather Grass at home, then wandered freely across Daqian, befriended her own master, and forged a karmic bond with Xie Jinhuan.

Now she’s gained nothing yet, just trailing behind Xie Jinhuan and the Yin-Yang Ruler, and she snatched the Lingguang Divine Gift, swallowed the Break-Soul Pill, and successfully ascended to Supergrade.

The Break-Soul Pill was taken by Xie Jinhuan through his own skill at Sanjiangkou; the Phoenix Feather Grass was rightfully hers to begin with, yet they both helped him find the Tiger Bone Vine afterward.

All this back and forth—hasn’t this demoness simply stolen a massive advantage?

The whole affair started because of you, I’ve ended up in this state, yet you’re feasting and taking everything, so delightfully carefree…

If I can’t repay this in kind…

But now that it’s come to this, how can I possibly repay it in kind…

The more Nangong Ye thought, the more her Dao heart wavered; she decided to avoid the sight entirely and walked to the table where her personal items lay, sorting through them.

As she rummaged, she discovered among the medicine pouches Xie Jinhuan’s treasured “Zisu Divine Gift.”

“Smile Always Powder,” “Fall Into Ice Cavern Pill,” “Stick Together Powder”…

Nangong Ye’s gaze shifted; she impulsively picked up the “Fall Into Ice Cavern Pill” and glanced at the sleeping demoness.

The demoness’s vital energy was inherently extreme yin; within the Vermilion Bird Tomb, her body would have been slightly scorched by yang fire—taking the “Fall Into Ice Cavern Pill” would cleanse impurities, a legitimate healing remedy…

As for side effects—what demoness of the Gu sect couldn’t withstand the potency of this medicine…

If she truly couldn’t endure it, that’s her own weak will—I’m properly treating her injury…

Perhaps Nangong Ye had been too long in fear and dread; once the stray thought arose, she could no longer suppress it. She glanced sideways at the next room—Xie Jinhuan was bathing—and crept quietly to the bedside, holding the pill, staring at the red lips, intending to lean in, yet hesitating.

After all, she was still of the orthodox path—poisoning was the trick of the witch cult!

Even under the guise of healing, wasn’t this still drugging a woman? If Bu Yuehua lost her purity because of this, even if she drowned herself, she’d become the villain, stained forever…

…

Splash splash~

Meanwhile, next door.

Xie Jinhuan leaned back in the tub, washing away the grime with cold water, feeling as if he’d been reborn.

Ye Hongshang leaned against the opposite side as usual, a large white mound floating on the water’s surface, two legs longer than her life stretched along Xie Jinhuan’s sides; her attention fixed on the next room, eager to watch Lu Wu force-feed the rival “Instant Crush Joy Pills,” then enjoy the show!

But sadly, Lu Wu still lacked the ruthlessness to act—she pondered for ages but dared not move.

Ye Hongshang silently shook her head, deciding this big sister needed a lesson; she turned to Xie Jinhuan:

“Oh my~ Lu Wu is feeding Hua Shijie the ‘Fall Into Ice Cavern Pill’—you’ll probably enjoy double the joy later…”

“Hm?”

Xie Jinhuan froze—he knew the power of the “Fall Into Ice Cavern Pill.” If Bu Xianzi took it by mistake, the aftermath would be unthinkable; he spun around at once:

“Mu Nüxia?”

Nangong Ye, clutching the pill in hesitation, jumped at the sound and quickly hid it behind her back:

“W-what’s wrong?”

“Why are you holding the ‘Fall Into Ice Cavern Pill’? It won’t heal Hua Shijie’s wound—don’t give it to her by mistake.”

“?!”

Nangong Ye was struck like lightning; though she didn’t understand how Xie Jinhuan had seen, she reacted swiftly—swallowed the pill whole:

“Who said I’m giving it to her? I was tainted by yang fire underground—this pill completely purges it, so I’m taking it myself.”

“Uh…?”

Xie Jinhuan opened his mouth, finding Lu Wu oddly endearing.

Knock knock knock~

As expected, shortly after he spoke, urgent footsteps and the sound of a door opening and closing came from next door.

Click—

The door burst open; the stunning sword immortal in black robes stormed in, slamming the door shut, her face still like a frozen mountain, yet her phoenix eyes blazing with possessive intensity. Halfway across the room, she unfastened her sash…

Splash~

The black robe slipped away, revealing black silk garters, sheer undergarments, and a magnificent gourd-shaped figure; as she walked, her waist and hips swayed with overwhelming allure—her presence alone radiated at least three and a half meters of pressure…

Ye Hongshang raised an eyebrow and shifted slightly aside.

Xie Jinhuan was stunned, staring at the sensual lingerie-clad “dream bride” approaching him, instinctively opening his arms.

Then the lush, tall figure crashed into his lap, splashing water everywhere.

Splash~~

Nangong Ye was utterly dominant, straddling Xie Jinhuan’s waist, gripping his cheeks and kissing him fiercely.

Mwah mwah mwah~

Xie Jinhuan had been terrified these past two days, and discovering Lu Wu wasn’t just any female hero had stirred him too—he wrapped his arms around her waist in return, the scene truly like thunder meeting fire.

Since this was an inn, not Fengyi River, others were nearby, and Lu Wu was especially eager—he had to keep her mouth covered to muffle strange sounds…

Splash splash…

…

Night fell.

On the second floor of the inn, aside from faint splashes, only Meiqiu’s “gugujiji…” echoed outside the window.

Bu Yuehua lay on the pillow, her spiritual sense slowly returning to her mind; a bone-deep chill surged through her heart, making her instinctively want to pull the blanket tighter.

The Deficient Moon Technique had flaws—its yin energy was too heavy; on the night of the new moon, her entire body turned icy.

Though the purple-gold hairpin had lessened this effect, the reaction still remained; now at the end of the ninth month, waves of cold surged through her lungs and organs, compounded by her unstable spirit, leaving her mind hazy.

Bu Yuehua opened her heavy eyelids, intending to see where she was.

But the moment she moved her neck, her entire body froze; her peach-blossom eyes slowly widened.

Slap slap slap… splash~

“Huh… hmm…”

…

Strange, muffled sounds echoed from the next room.

Bu Yuehua’s body was saturated with yin energy; the man’s hot, ragged breaths were like a steaming meal before a starving man—seeing it, her taste buds involuntarily reacted, salivating…

But clearly, what reacted in her wasn’t her taste buds…

?!

What are these two doing?!

Bu Yuehua stared in disbelief, thinking:

Are these really orthodox cultivators?

Xie Jinhuan, fine—he’s just a young boy, full of vigor. But you, an icy Daoist nun? The danger hasn’t passed, I’m right here beside you, and you still dare to sneak off and steal his body? Don’t you treat me as an outsider?

Wait—hasn’t your identity been exposed yet?

If it has, and you still dare to steal… are you planning to accept this now that it’s too late?

Bu Yuehua lay perfectly still on the pillow, her serene face filled with utter disbelief; she considered pretending she hadn’t noticed.

But the icy yin energy raged through her organs, already unbearable—and next door, they were putting on a live spring palace drama. How could she pretend not to see? Listening, listening, her breath grew uneven…

Bu Yuehua frowned; remembering they’d fought together for the treasure, she considered giving this Daoist nun three points of face—just endure it.

But this hairless, lewd Daoist nun was utterly insane—halfway through, she even started talking:

“Why aren’t you moving? Already out of strength?”

“No, it’s just… Hua Shijie…”

“She’s sleeping like a pig—ignore her…”

Splash splash…

Sounded like she was wriggling her waist…

!!

Bu Yuehua took a quiet breath; she decided Lu Wu had gone too far—if she kept pretending to be deaf and blind, she’d become the abused Wanyi!

This is my disciple’s man—you steal him right before my eyes, and you dare insult me, his master? If I don’t speak up…

Bu Yuehua fell silent for a moment, then finally could bear it no longer. She rose soundlessly, moving like a cat stalking a snake, using her witch sect’s stealth arts to slip quietly open the door and enter the next room.

And Xie Jinhuan was indeed alert, slapping his buttocks as a warning:

“Hey hey~ Hua Shijie… Wuwu ?!”

Splash splash—

The noise was so loud it felt like the floorboards were shaking!

???

Bu Yuehua’s eyes widened in shock; she hesitated to push the door open, but the more she thought about it, the angrier she became—until finally, she shoved the door open with force, feigning astonishment as she peered inside:

“What are you two doing?!”

But the sight that met her eyes nearly shamed her to death…

In the bathtub tucked in the corner of the guest room, a handsome man leaned back against the tub, his expression bewildered, his mouth covered.

Beside him, the tall, voluptuous ice-maiden Daoist priestess, her long hair cascading down, moved her waist like rippling water, causing her front to undulate rhythmically, her expression dazed…

Realizing the door had been pushed open, the woman froze mid-motion, letting out a startled cry:

“Ah—?!”

She ducked down into the tub, her earlier bliss instantly replaced by terror.

Xie Jinhuan felt the ice-block’s sudden tension—like a vise clamping shut—and instantly shot upward; he raised his hand, unsure what he was doing.

Bu Yuehua, afraid of going blind from the sight, dared not look closely. She rushed into the room, slammed the door shut, and assumed the stern demeanor of a senior sister, standing with one hand behind her back, facing away from them:

“Mu Shimei, what are you doing?!”

“...”

Nan Gongye came to his senses, but was utterly stunned. He wanted to blame this brat for not warning him—but then remembered he’d forced himself upon her…

Seeing the demoness standing rigidly in the room while he himself was still receiving her dew, Nan Gongye wished he could die right then and there. Hiding beside Xie Jinhuan’s head, his face flushed crimson, he remained silent for a long while.

Seeing Bu Xianzi now angry and playing the role of senior sister to catch them in the act, Xie Jinhuan had no choice but to play along:

“Hua Shijie, Yunhong and I truly love each other…”

Huh~

Bu Yuehua’s composure cracked slightly, but she hadn’t forgiven Nan Gongye for his earlier insults—she spoke coldly:

“You’re both unmarried; I won’t interfere in your private affairs. But Qingming Sword Manor is a ‘righteous sect’—everything must follow proper rites: three matchmakers, six betrothal ceremonies. How old is Xie Jinhuan? He’s just a child. How could you, Mu Shimei, possibly…”

Her identity was fake, but her words were true.

Nan Gongye wished this were all a nightmare—but even nightmares weren’t this humiliating.

She wanted to stand her ground and retort, but how could she be defiant in this situation? The demoness held her by the throat—she’d be trapped by this forever!

Why had she ever been so foolish as to think of drugging the demoness? She hadn’t had the heart to force it down, and now she’d been caught red-handed herself…

Wasn’t this just lifting a stone to smash her own foot?

Nan Gongye feared the demoness wouldn’t cooperate, so she dared not even breathe loudly. She clenched her teeth and said:

“I know I’m wrong, Shijie, don’t be angry.”

“Hmph~”

Bu Yuehua was satisfied. She gave a light hum and turned to leave:

“This is your private matter—you handle it. Out of fellow-disciple sentiment, I’ll keep it secret from the sect.”

“Thank you, Shijie.”

Nan Gongye nearly ground her silver teeth to dust to utter those words.

Click.

The door shut quickly.

Xie Jinhuan, pinned beneath her, raised his hand and patted her snowy back:

“It’s fine, it’s fine—better to speak openly…”

Splash~

Nan Gongye could no longer face anyone. She leapt up at once, staggered, then pounded Xie Jinhuan’s chest with tiny fists.

Thud thud…

Then she flipped out of the tub, frantically searching the room for her discarded silk stockings, undergarments, and dress—quickly pulling them on, grabbing her sword to go slash the demoness in the next room—but that was clearly impossible. So she whirled around, silent and fuming, and leapt out the window, covering her face as she fled!

Whoosh~

Xie Jinhuan hurriedly dressed himself, then walked to the window:

“Where are you going? Don’t run off…”

“I’m returning to the sect to beg forgiveness. Don’t follow me!”

“Huh?”

In the space of a single sentence, the black-robed female swordsman vanished above the rooftops.

Xie Jinhuan prepared to follow, when a voice came from the next room:

“She’s got a sharp tongue but a soft heart. You’re injured, your cultivation’s too low—how could she abandon you? She just wants to hide nearby and calm down. The more you chase, the farther she’ll run.”

Xie Jinhuan thought this made sense. For now, he could only survey the labyrinthine buildings and let the ice-block cool off alone…

—

Just finished, sorry or2

(End of Chapter)