Chapter 45

A Zhu laughed: "Bi's singing has always been a marvel of Taihu—now it's settled, no one will dare listen to Bi sing again."

Bi hurried to correct: "That's not it! As long as you're not my target, listening to my singing won't hurt you."

A Zhu knew this well—she was just teasing her on purpose.

She was deeply curious about the "Jade Dragon Scale," extending a finger to touch it, only to be repelled by an invisible force.

"It seems the Dragon Scale has recognized its master—only Bi can use it," Wang Yuyan and A Zhu understood at once.

As Bi thought of it, the "Jade Dragon Scale" sank into her brow and vanished from sight.

048 Tonight's divination: destined for romantic entanglements

【Heavenly Sword Drawing Technique (Heavenly Art): Beginner (3100/**

After adding 500 Martial Arts experience, Jiang Sishui closed his diary and prepared to sleep.

Just as he was half-asleep, drowsy and half-conscious, he suddenly heard noisy voices outside.

Jiang Sishui instantly woke up, rose, and went out to investigate.

But as he reached the central courtyard, he ran straight into Zhao Qiying.

Jiang Sishui stepped forward and took her hand, the motion natural: "Qiying, what's happening up front?"

Zhao Qiying did not resist, smiling: "I was just coming to tell you. A group of travelers passed through and came in to stay—Father has already gone to negotiate with them. Nothing serious, don't worry."

Hearing this, Jiang Sishui nodded, relieved.

Zhao Tianhao was an old hand—he knew how to handle situations with discretion; no need for a Mao Touxiaozi like him to meddle.

With the moon bright and stars sparse, tree shadows lay on the ground, moonlight illuminating Zhao Qiying's jade features with radiant purity, utterly ethereal—Jiang Sishui's heart stirred.

And now, it was just the two of them…

He pulled Zhao Qiying into his arms, voice soft yet brimming with emotion: "Qiying…"

Feeling Jiang Sishui's rising body heat and slightly labored breath, Zhao Qiying understood his intent at once—her heart grew chaotic.

Just as she hesitated whether to push him away, a voice drew near: "Big sister? Big sister?"

"It's Mengjiao!"

Zhao Qiying snapped back to awareness, shoved Jiang Sishui away, and said: "Go rest now—there'll be plenty of time later."

Without waiting for his reply, she turned and hurried off.

Jiang Sishui's face darkened as he stood rooted: "Zhao Mengjiao, why are you always everywhere?! Once I take Qiying away from the Central Plains Escort Bureau, I'll never see you again, you freak!"

In truth, even if Zhao Mengjiao hadn't shown up, Zhao Qiying likely wouldn't have agreed to take the final step—Jiang Sishui knew this well.

But having his good fortune spoiled before it even began, he was still furious.

Carrying a belly full of irritation, Jiang Sishui turned back to his room.

As he reached the back courtyard, nearing the door, a faint moan, like a dreamer's sigh, drifted to him—he froze, eyes flashing with wariness and disbelief.

He turned toward the sound, listening closely.

Though weak and suppressed, the sound was no illusion.

Jiang Sishui hesitated, gripped his sword hilt, sword intent held but not released, and stepped forward slowly.

Around the corner, he saw a figure lying on the grass.

A fair, delicate white-robed girl, her hair like flowing clouds.

Under the moonlight, Jiang Sishui clearly saw her exquisite face—no less stunning than Wang Yuyan—and his heart trembled.

"Who is this? Bai Feifei? Ning Xiang? Or Shui Shui Furong?"

Gazing at the familiar face, three names flashed instantly in Jiang Sishui's mind.

He couldn't tell which one, but her condition was clearly wrong.

Her black tresses were disheveled, her skin flushed, sweat beaded on her brow, her lips panted softly—she seemed feverish, agonized, yet desperately suppressing something.

This look… it felt oddly familiar…

As he thought, Jiang Sishui's mind exploded—like a thunderclap in clear sky.

Fuck, she didn't get hit by a love poison, did she?!

Isn't this a classic novel trope?

What virtue have I earned to stumble upon such a stroke of insane luck?

Could it be—tonight I'm destined for romantic entanglements?!

Jiang Sishui's heart began pounding uncontrollably.

Especially seeing the white-robed girl suffering, pitiful and fragile, his feet moved forward involuntarily.

At this moment, Jiang Sishui's mind was torn in battle.

Should he call for help, ask them for an antidote?

Or should he become the antidote himself?

Emotionally and instinctively, as a normal man—and a lustful one—he naturally wanted option two!

But a sliver of reason remained—he knew this would look like taking advantage of her vulnerability.

In this era, many women prized chastity above all; once lost, they might kill themselves.

Yet to give up… Jiang Sishui truly couldn't bear it.

"Damn it, Heaven offers, don't refuse—or you'll suffer the consequence! When fortune comes knocking, why let it go?"

"Beast or less than a beast? When did I turn into such a righteous fool? What the hell am I doing playing Liu Xiaohui?!"

"Jiang Sishui, Jiang Sishui—when fate hands you an opening, don't be useless! Afterward, spoil her, cherish her, treat her like gold!"

A little voice inside screamed endlessly; his hand trembled, yet refused to fall.

In truth, this was his first time in two lifetimes—he was terrified, and his upbringing had instilled discipline, so though he wanted it desperately, he couldn't bring himself to act.

Just as Jiang Sishui's throat dried and he wavered, the white-robed girl, sensing the strong male presence beside her, could no longer endure.

Like dry tinder meeting fierce flame, repressed emotions burst forth like a dammed flood!

The white-robed maiden summoned strength she didn't know she had, rising up and throwing herself into Jiang Sishui's arms.

Soft jade and warm fragrance filled his arms; a delicate head rubbed incessantly against his chest, and Jiang Sishui's fraying moral defenses collapsed completely.

This time he did not hesitate—he lifted the white-robed maiden by the waist and rushed into the room.

The door shut, hiding the room's intoxicating warmth and beauty.

……

It felt like a long, madly beautiful dream, one you'd hate to wake from, wishing to drown in it forever.

The next day, Jiang Sishui was woken by Zhao Qiying.

When he opened his eyes, the side beside him was empty.

Gazing at the empty room, Jiang Sishui's mind gradually cleared, his eyes slightly dazed, unable to distinguish reality from dream.

Suddenly, his gaze sharpened—he reached down and picked up two pale green maple leaves on the bedding.

Jiang Sishui stared at them for a long while, then carefully tucked them against his body.

As he rose to tidy the bedding, he suddenly noticed a damp spot.

A thought stirred in Jiang Sishui's mind—he recalled fragments of memory, and a tender smile crossed his face as he folded and put away the bedding.

When he stepped outside and saw Zhao Qiying, he felt a pang of guilt.

Zhao Qiying wasn't his greatest love, but she was his first love; their feelings were still burning hot, yet last night he had lain with another woman…

Yet he did not dwell on it—after all, such things were bound to happen; his heart had never been locked to just one person.

But women are naturally sensitive, especially clever ones.

After breakfast, Zhao Qiying subtly felt that Jiang Sishui seemed kinder to her today—utterly attentive and tender.

But since it was a good thing, she didn't think too much about it.

The group that had arrived and lodged in the middle of the night had left just as dawn broke, so Jiang Sishui never saw them.

According to Zhao Qiying, that group of unknown origin were all women, and their demeanor suggested they were searching for someone.

"Searching for someone?" Jiang Sishui frowned, a sense of unease stirring in his heart.

Yet the woman was gone, her trail vanished; he had neither leads nor any cultivation to speak of, and could do nothing.

All he could do was silently pray for her.

This was the eighth day Jiang Sishui had been keeping his diary.

After a week of long travel, Lianxing finally arrived in Shuzhou.