Chapter 132: Twining Finger Softness

At that moment, the man before me made me feel unfamiliar.

He bore the demeanor of a monk deep in meditation, his temperament completely unlike the Liu Junyan I remembered.

My sudden appearance interrupted his cultivation.

When he turned his head to look at me, I instinctively wanted to dodge.

I felt like I was about to go mad at this moment—what on earth has happened to us?

I turned and ran.

I ran back to my room in one breath, locked the door, leaned my back against it, and my emotions would not settle for a long time.

Until Li Qingying came to knock on the door, shouting outside: "Xiao Jiu, what happened? What's been making noise in your room for so long? Is something on fire?"

Only then did I come to my senses; the hair dryer was still on.

It had been on too long, and a burnt smell was already drifting out.

I hurried over to turn off the hair dryer, then opened the door to let Li Qingying in, gave a few evasive replies, saw her off, climbed onto the bed, buried myself under the covers, and recited the Pure Heart Technique that Yu Nian had given me several times.

After I finally calmed down, I suddenly realized: could this be the omen that Yu Nian's divination had foretold?

She said this omen arose from our obsessions and karma, and that I should use my Twining Finger Softness to dispel our mutual inner demons.

Yu Nian told me all that, but the most important point was to first steady my own heart, save myself, then save others.

Only by saving oneself can one reach the far shore.

Just then, the door was pushed open with a soft creak, and my body instantly tensed.

Soon, the bedside sank under his weight, the familiar scent of sandalwood mixed with a faint incense wrapped around me, and Liu Junyan reached in, pulling my whole body into his embrace.

This is his favorite way to hold me, and it's also my favorite.

In this pose, I am sunk into his chest, feeling his strong heartbeat, which gives me a sense of security.

But today, that sense of security seemed mixed with something else.

"Xiao Jiu, don't be afraid of me, okay?" Liu Junyan whispered in my ear, "I'm not a monster; I'm still the same me."

He held me very tightly.

I turned my body to face him and sank into his embrace again.

At this moment I didn't know what to say or what to ask.

Liu Junyan's kisses fell thick and fast.

The curtains in the room weren't drawn; outside it seemed to be raining, pattering against the windows, reminding me of our wedding night, when it had also rained.

Liu Junyan's deep affection, carried on the damp rain, surged over me.

"Cool… Liu Junyan, cool…"

I couldn't say exactly what had changed, but something definitely had.

Even in bed, some aspects seemed to have changed a lot.

"Don't be afraid, Xiao Jiu; get used to me."

The rain grew heavier, pattering on the window; Liu Junyan's prayer beads on his wrist pressed against my right cheek, rubbing the 'slave' mark that becomes starkly visible when heated.

I closed my eyes, buried my face in his palm, cleared my mind of all distractions, and gradually sank.

The sudden rain ceased.

Liu Junyan held me as we went to shower, then returned to bed; curled in his arms, my spirit and energy were better than before.

This is the benefit of dual cultivation.

Even now I am still a passive participant in dual cultivation.

My hand idly scratched his broad chest; after pondering a while, I finally asked directly: "You… made a deal with the Copper Coin Person, right?"

"It's not a deal," Liu Junyan said. "Strictly speaking, it's an awakening."

Awakening?

What is that?

Liu Junyan seemed unable to explain it either, merely repeating: "Xiao Jiu, I'm still the same me; don't fear me, and don't push me away because of this, okay?"

"I won't," I promised. "Unless you let me confirm you're no longer yourself, I will never push you away with my own hands."

I then asked: "After your awakening, will you be free from heavenly punishment and able to walk beyond the pawnshop?"

Liu Junyan nodded: "Yes, Xiao Jiu, from today onward I am free."

I was genuinely happy for him about this.

"From now on, I need to cultivate," Liu Junyan said. "So my behavior may seem a bit strange."

I replied softly: "It's fine; I'll learn to adapt to your pace and catch up quickly."

I trust Yu Nian, and I trust the divination she gave me.

Twining Finger Softness has always been my ultimate technique.

Liu Junyan kissed the top of my head, grabbed my hand that was fidgeting on his chest, his breath a little unsteady: "I've spent a hundred years in Wufu Town Pawnshop, never figuring out this matter—this battle has let me finally understand it completely."

I've already had Xiaoye spread the word; starting today, Wufu Town Pawnshop opens its doors wide to both yin and yang realms—Xiao Jiu, you'll be busy.

I stared up at Liu Junyan in surprise: "What's the purpose?"

"Xiao Jiu, I want you to help me retrieve all the Golden Scales lost back then," Liu Junyan said. "Don't fear causing trouble, Xiao Jiu—you'll always have my backing."

I'm not afraid of causing trouble; I just inexplicably worry about him: "So you want to quickly gather all the Golden Scales, return to the sword formation in the Linghai Forbidden Ground, and reclaim your natal magic item, right?"

Liu Junyan gratifiedly said: "Xiao Jiu understands me."

Before, Xiaoye had advised him, even struck him, yet he refused to take this risky step.

Today, why did he suddenly figure it out?

Is it because of… the Copper Coin Person?

Just what is the origin of this Copper Coin Person, and why does his influence on Liu Junyan loom so large?

Thinking of this, I kept pressing for details: "In the west room's wall‑mounted shrine, dozens of big and small figures had once been enshrined… I guess they count as the Immortal Clan, doesn't it seem strange to you that there are so many offerings?"

Among them, I even saw Bai Xian'er's memorial tablet plainly listed.

"The few on the main seat will return." Liu Junyan said firmly, "The others I will clear away one by one; Bai Xian'er's tablet will soon no longer appear on the shrine's slots."

I fell silent, my heart full of curiosity, yet I also felt that all of this was understandable.

After a while, I ventured to ask: "Then… the Immortal Clan enshrined in the Buddhist shrine, will they all need my offerings in the future, right?"

I felt that I now resembled a spirit‑medium disciple.

I bear the weight of eight beams and four pillars, with an endless supply of incense to offer.

Liu Junyan's answer left me somewhat despairing: "Yes."

My heart instantly wailed.

"But it won't be without reward for your offerings." Liu Junyan said, "At present, among the shrine's slots, only the one on the main god's seat requires your sincere offerings; the others—when they will all return to their places—remains unknown."

When they return to their places and have received your offerings, they will wholeheartedly serve you; you can even treat them as your troops.