Chapter 157

Jiang Sishui glanced past Fairy Jilumu and asked, "Where's Daoist Qing Song?"

"I beat him till he coughed up a few mouthfuls of blood, and he ran off." Fairy Jilumu replied casually.

Jiang Sishui nodded, not surprised by this outcome.

Though Fairy Jilumu looked young and beautiful, her true age was likely even greater than Daoist Qing Song's.

It was only because she cultivated the "Rejuvenation Immortality Art," skilled at preserving her looks, that her true age didn't show.

Add to that talent, resources, and diligence — none of which she lacked — it was perfectly normal that she surpassed Daoist Qing Song!

Glancing at the Heavenly Sword in Ah Zhu's hand, Jiang Sishui said, "The Heavenly Sword stays with me for now; I'll return it to you before nightfall. I think you need some time too."

Fairy Jilumu considered briefly, then agreed: "Fine! When the sun sets, we'll meet right here."

Fairy Jilumu did indeed need time — after all, who idly carries around a manual of everything they've learned?

Therefore, no matter how reluctant she felt inside, she could only endure for now.

Watching Fairy Jilumu depart with the Flower Fairy, Jiang Sishui and Ah Zhu walked to a secluded spot, then summoned the "Hegemon's Imperial Map" and returned together to Mantuo Shanzhuang.

The women were all very curious about the Heavenly Sword; now that it was in hand, naturally they wanted to bring it back and show them.

So a moment later, the calm of Taihu was broken once more — streaks of sword-light flashed, casting the lake surface a brilliant blue.

Not until the Golden Crow slanted westward did the women, having had their fill of fun, finally return the Heavenly Sword to Jiang Sishui.

Women were mostly visual creatures; for a Heavenly Sword of unremarkable appearance, their interest was mostly just curiosity.

After testing its feel and power, the "three-minute heat" faded, and they lost interest.

As for Jiang Sishui's deal with Fairy Jilumu, no one objected.

Because they knew Jiang Sishui was currently lacking a spiritual secret art, and the "Soul-Capturing Great Art" perfectly filled that gap.

Seeing the sky darkening, Jiang Sishui returned alone to Mount Huangshan.

Upon arriving at the agreed spot, Fairy Jilumu was already waiting there.

Seeing Jiang Sishui arrive as promised, Fairy Jilumu, who had been teasing the Flower Fairy, brightened.

Without a word, she directly tossed out a secret manual she had just finished writing.

Jiang Sishui caught it and tossed the Heavenly Sword over in return.

The Flower Fairy glanced at Fairy Jilumu, then took up the Lingxu Sword and walked toward Jiang Sishui, standing behind him.

The exchange between the two sides was clean and decisive.

With the Heavenly Sword in hand, Fairy Jilumu felt relieved and asked in surprise, "Aren't you afraid I'll give you a fake manual?"

Jiang Sishui shook his head.

"Why?"

"First, if the Palace Master deceives me today, I will personally come calling in the future."

Fairy Jilumu said with a half-smile, "You're only a Grandmaster."

"Yes, I'm only a Grandmaster. Then why does the Palace Master not simply seize it by force, but instead pay such a great price to trade with this Grandmaster of mine?" Jiang Sishui countered.

Earlier, Daoist Qing Song had broken Fairy Jilumu's formation, forcing her out into the open.

It was obvious she had been hiding there all along — the protective light barrier Jiang Sishui activated when attacked by his inner demon must have been seen by her.

In Jiang Sishui's view, this was the main reason Fairy Jilumu was willing to negotiate politely with him.

Fairy Jilumu neither confirmed nor denied, and asked again: "And the second?"

"The second... I want to ask the Palace Master a question first."

"What?"

"If I refuse the exchange, what would you do to Miss Hua?"

Fairy Jilumu's expression shifted — she hadn't expected Jiang Sishui to ask such a question.

The Flower Fairy couldn't help but turn her head to glance at him too.

"The Flower Fairy is the Holy Maiden of the Immortal Water Palace; naturally I will treat her well."

"Is that so."

Jiang Sishui agreed casually, but in his heart he didn't believe it.

Being willing to trade away one's own Holy Maiden showed the two of them weren't exactly close.

And once this exchange began, whether it succeeded or failed, the Flower Fairy would inevitably harbor resentment toward Fairy Jilumu.

Unless her real personality was the complete opposite of her role in the drama.

But Jiang Sishui observed that the Flower Fairy carried a hidden pride — she was no submissive pushover.

Then how would Fairy Jilumu treat someone who hated her?

Jiang Sishui had never thought of her as someone with a good temper.

Fairy Jilumu read his expression and knew he didn't believe her, and said with a smile: "I'd also like to ask Young Master Jiang a question."

"Please, Palace Master."

"If I don't give you this 'Soul-Capturing Great Art,' would Young Master Jiang still agree to the exchange?"

174 I'm just after your body — isn't that obvious enough?

Eyes met, and sparks flew between their smiles.

This woman truly wouldn't suffer the slightest loss — she immediately turned the tables on him.

After all, she was a woman — petty and narrow-minded.

Thinking that the dignified Palace Master of the Immortal Water Palace also had a petty, calculating feminine side, Jiang Sishui couldn't help but laugh.

Unhurried, he said: "The Palace Master asks well — that is precisely the second reason I'm not afraid the Palace Master will hand over a fake manual."

Fairy Jilumu's smile stiffened, and she forced a smile: "So then, even if I refuse the third condition, Young Master Jiang would still agree?"

"Correct."

"So that's how it is. Young Master Najiang is truly generous. It seems my little sister has followed the right person and found a good home. This elder sister's heart can finally be at ease."

Hearing this, Flower Fairy rolled her eyes repeatedly at Immortal Concubine Green Mother.

Immortal Concubine Green Mother pretended not to notice and said, "Spending time with Young Master Jiang is truly pleasant, but I still have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first. Another day when we drink the wedding wine, I'll come pay a visit."

Having obtained the Heavenly Sword, Immortal Concubine Green Mother only wanted to destroy the sword and take the core as quickly as possible; she no longer had the mind to trade barbs with Jiang Sishui.

Jiang Sishui cupped his fist and said, "I accept the Palace Master's kindness—please!"

Immortal Concubine Green Mother smiled gracefully, and a black whirlwind swept up around her, vanishing in an instant.

Jiang Sishui gazed in the direction she had disappeared, his eyes shining brightly: "Immortal Concubine Green Mother…"

Just then, a soft snort reached his ears.

Jiang Sishui turned his head and saw Flower Fairy staring at him with a stern, pretty face.

Once Immortal Concubine Green Mother left, she seemed to have no Gu Ji left, and was no longer that obedient little wife; instead, she became tsundere.

Flower Fairy shoved the Lingxu Sword into Jiang Sishui's arms and said coolly, "You said that even if the Palace Master didn't give you the 'Soul-Capturing Great Art,' you would still agree to the deal. Is that true?"

Jiang Sishui nodded without hesitation: "Of course it's true."

Flower Fairy carefully observed every one of his expressions, finding no sign of lying, and her tone softened slightly: "Fine, I'll take your word for it, then…"

"What?"

"Since you're so good to me, promise me one thing."

"Miss, please speak."

"Will you let me go?"

"…"

Seeing Jiang Sishui fall silent, Flower Fairy turned her face away and gave a cold snort through her nose: "I knew you wouldn't agree!"

Jiang Sishui was speechless.

Did he really look like a sucker?

Seeing Flower Fairy looking unhappy, Jiang Sishui countered, "Miss and I, are we meeting for the first time today?"

Flower Fairy said irritably, "So what if we are?"

"Since we're just meeting, why would Miss think I'd be good to you?"

"Because… because…"

"Because Miss is pretty, I took a liking to you at first sight and wanted to take you home as my wife. But Miss is asking me to let you go—if I agreed, wouldn't I end up with nothing at all?"

Hearing Jiang Sishui's such blunt words, Flower Fairy couldn't help but stare in astonishment: "You… you…"

Jiang Sishui, however, remained calm and composed, saying evenly, "When a man is good to a woman upon first meeting, isn't it just for that one thing? I don't think I look like the sort of good person who expects nothing in return."

Seeing Jiang Sishui so "frank," Flower Fairy couldn't help but purse her lips, took two deep breaths, and calmed herself down.

Jiang Sishui's bluntness did catch her somewhat off guard, but the answer wasn't really beyond her expectations.