Chapter 96: Obsession (Requesting Moon Tickets)

After finishing the affairs at the Golden Tower, night was deep, and the group returned to the Prince’s Mansion.

The Danwang Heir won a large sum of silver and wouldn’t go home until he’d spent it all; after filing his complaint at court, he vanished somewhere, but before leaving, he still remembered to give Xie Jin his share.

Xie Jin received the silver and felt considerably better; back in his guest room, he saw Yang Dabiao had already moved the plaque reading “Upright Gentleman” inside.

The four bold, swirling characters left Meiqiu baffled—she wondered whether any of them had even a shred of connection to Ah Huan.

But Linghu Qingmo thought the title suited him perfectly; she stood with her sword in hand, carefully admiring it, and asked:

“When we return to Danyang, where do you plan to hang this plaque?”

Xie Jin poured water into the bathtub and teased:

“Who in their right mind hangs this thing in their room? If you like it, take it back and hang it in your boudoir—it’s my gift to you.”

Linghu Qingmo couldn’t possibly accept such a title, yet if Xie Jin didn’t want it, she truly wished to keep it as a memento.

Decades from now, when Xie Jin becomes the patriarch of the orthodox sects, and she meditates alone on Mount Zihui, gazing at this plaque, it would surely bring her fond memories…

Turning back, she noticed Xie Jin fussing beside the bathtub and asked:

“You’re going to bathe?”

“Mm.”

Xie Jin stirred the water; seeing Qingmo wasn’t leaving, he ventured:

“Are you bathing too?”

“?”

Even if I bathe, can I bathe with you?

Linghu Qingmo found the question absurd, but after thinking, she shut the door and pulled the screen to shield the tub.

Xie Jin froze, unexpectedly touched:

“Really? Together? Then let me help you…”

Slap!

Linghu Qingmo swatted away his hand trying to unfasten her skirt, her gaze darkening:

What are you imagining? You're being hunted by the Cult of the God of Death and other enemies—I'm guarding you. Bathe slowly. I won't look.

Xie Jin was deeply disappointed, yet moved by Qingmo’s thoughtful protection; he pulled her sleeve and sat beside her on the tea couch.

Linghu Qingmo thought he meant to forcibly bathe with her; she tensed, sword raised in warning:

“W-what are you planning?!”

Xie Jin shook his head, picked up the teapot, and poured tea:

“Qingmo, tell me honestly—what exactly did you see today?”

?

Linghu Qingmo’s icy expression stiffened; her chest lifted slightly, yet her demeanor remained that of a frosty, steadfast Daoist girl:

“I saw nothing! Even if I did, it was just an illusion affecting my mind—nothing real.”

Before Xie Jin could guess further, the Ghost Bride slipped out again, sitting behind Qingmo, left hand raised, palm revealing a crystal orb.

With her cultivation, seeing Qingmo’s illusion was easy.

Inside the orb replayed Qingmo’s first-person view—just as when they first met in Qingquan Alley, he was bare-chested, radiating righteous qi, left hand behind his back, right hand extended forward, still speaking…

Linghu Qingmo noticed the cold-faced young lord staring at her ear, then reaching up to touch it; she was about to ask when Xie Jin suddenly stood, stepping right before her, left hand behind his back, right hand extended toward her, gaze tender and profound:

“The Dao is long, immortality uncertain; walking ten thousand li alone brings unbearable loneliness. Miss Qingmo, will you become my Dao companion, and journey together to refine the wondrous art and ascend to the Jade Terrace?”

Huh?!

Linghu Qingmo trembled, staring at the man who’d just confessed, her face visibly flushing crimson to her neck!

Thump-thump~

Though no echo drum was present, the room echoed with the faint sound of a heartbeat.

Seeing Qingmo’s silence, Xie Jin extended his hand further:

“May I find one true heart, and grow old together, never apart—never apart—never apart~”

Zzzt~

Qingmo snapped back, seized his wrist, yanked him close, and pinned him onto the tea couch, her right hand crackling with blue-white lightning:

“What nonsense are you spouting?! You… you say ‘Don’t be angry’ right now!”

Her gaze was icy as frozen ice, as if she’d electrocute him to tears if he didn’t comply.

But Xie Jin, already struck by lightning, wouldn’t waste the chance; he tilted his head innocently:

“Wasn’t this what you saw this afternoon? I’m just reenacting it.”

“I…”

Linghu Qingmo’s face turned blood-red; she wanted to deny it, but then froze again:

“How do you know what I saw?”

Xie Jin fabricated with solemn gravity:

“I’m a disciple of the Hidden Immortal Sect—I can see through illusions. Otherwise, how else did I defeat Taishu Dan? And why my reaction today was different? Because I saw Wei Lu… damn it!”

Linghu Qingmo noticed Xie Jin suddenly shuddering, staring past her as if he’d seen something horrifying; she turned to look too, utterly confused:

“What are you looking at?”

Through the crystal orb, Xie Jin saw seven or eight women half-naked, seductively posing; even floating text inside the orb labeled each woman’s identity…

The scene was utterly blasphemous!

Trapped beneath Qingmo, he couldn’t stare at the screen; he turned his gaze back:

“I just remembered the illusion Wei Lu saw—it was… well, utterly inappropriate for children. You mustn’t spread this—Wei Lu would hang himself if he found out.”

Linghu Qingmo grew genuinely curious, leaning closer:

“What exactly did he see? Don’t worry—I won’t tell anyone.”

“Sigh. A gentleman judges deeds, not intentions. Wei Lu saw his own inner desires; what followed was his action. I used secret methods to peer—no matter what I saw, I must not misinterpret Wei Lu, nor reveal it to outsiders.”

Linghu Qingmo blinked, nodding quickly:

“Right, illusions aren’t real—I broke free myself. You can’t misinterpret me either! Hmm… you can see through illusions, so you cheated today! If you’d truly been affected, you’d have seen all sorts of nonsense too…”

Xie Jin didn’t believe a word, ready to argue—when he realized the Ghost Bride truly loved to meddle!

Before he could speak, a dizziness flooded his mind, and his vision shifted:

Sixteen-foot wife, gorgeous spectacled beauty, icy yet captivating Qingmo, peaceful little princess, pure and lively little medicine girl…

Even more absurdly, there was a silhouette of the Nangong Sword Immortal!

And his plump, white father, clad in dark blue official robes, frowned and spat:

“How many now? Still want ten more mischievous sons and fat daughters? I earn fifteen taels a month—still have to buy you books, pay tuition, buy elixirs—do you want me to retire at a hundred?!”

…

Linghu Qingmo waited for a reply, but Xie Jin suddenly went vacant, staring blankly ahead, as if seeing something, reaching out—then pulling his hand back.

Linghu Qingmo turned, puzzled:

“Xie Jin?”

“Hm?”

Xie Jin snapped awake, sat up, and smiled:

“I was probing my own heart. If I’d been caught in an illusion, I’d have reacted just like that. As for what I saw… well, I’m a huge lecher. No need to mention it.”

Linghu Qingmo felt Xie Jin’s reaction wasn’t merely lecherous—it resembled Zhang Huaiyu’s state after the incident.

Indeed, everyone harbors inner demons and obsessions—even Xie Jin, the true gentleman, couldn’t escape…

Linghu Qingmo pondered briefly, guessing it might stem from his troubled family, and wanted to comfort him.

But this white-robed libertine was too good at seizing the moment; sensing her pity, he leaned in with tender eyes.

?!

Linghu Qingmo trembled, instantly covering her mouth with her hand, her face turning crimson, glaring:

“You lecher! You’re… you say ‘Don’t be angry’ right now!”

Xie Jin thought this might work; he said earnestly:

“Don’t be angry! A gentleman’s word is binding—cultivators keep their promises. If you’re angry, it won’t count!”

“?”

Linghu Qingmo’s robe swelled with suppressed rage; she wanted to glare, but had to honor her word, so she forced a soft tone:

“I can’t let you kiss… Wu ~!”

Before she finished, Xie Jin smoothly slipped past her arm and sealed her lips with his own.

Zzzt—

Linghu Qingmo’s hands erupted in lightning, killing intent surging!

Yet bound by her own vow, she refused to press her hands against his shoulders; after the kiss, she scrambled up in panic:

“Stop!”

Xie Jin thought Qingmo was adorable—she’d already kissed him, then said the safe word. What a waste! He nodded seriously:

“Fine, I’ve stopped! You mustn’t be angry—you must forgive me, or it doesn’t count!”

Huh?!

Linghu Qingmo drew a deep breath, glaring at Xie Jin; though her brows furrowed, she had to keep her promise, forcing a calm tone:

“I am a disciple of Zihui Mountain—how could I be as fickle as you? You… you only have two chances left!”

“Mm. I truly stopped from the heart—you must truly not be angry, even back in your room, or it still won’t count!”

Linghu Qingmo’s eyelashes trembled slightly; he wanted to punch Xie Jinhuan but couldn’t break the agreement, so he turned away and strode out the door, snatching up Meiqiu on his way—no one knew if he meant to “pay off his debt with a bird”!

Xie Jinhuan kissed Meiqiu, feeling his mood lifted after being spoiled by Master Hou; he still had to go to Wanyi’s house to study the Divine Martial Scripture, so he began packing up…

——

Haha, caught off guard, right? Actually, it’s eleven updates!

Just kidding—there’s not a drop left; I’ll need a few days off, please forgive me, seniors! or2

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(End of chapter)