“Why are you here…?”
Xu Qi’an promptly stood up, speaking with uncharacteristic caution.
Mu Nanzhi glanced at him and sneered, “I’ll say, so that’s why you’ve been so secretive, neither returning to the inn nor letting me see you. Turns out you’ve been secretly getting involved with Luo Yuheng.”
Fuck… how did she find out about my relationship with the National Teacher? This can’t be right… Xu Qi’an’s mind was full of swear words, but he maintained a calm expression:
“You misunderstand, it’s nothing like that.”
He tried to dismiss Mu Nanzhi with smooth talk, still refusing to believe that the Flower Goddess’s reincarnation could possibly know about his dual cultivation with Luo Yuheng.
Why do I feel so guilty, as if I’ve been caught cheating… he muttered inwardly.
Mu Nanzhi ignored him, turning to Luo Yuheng and saying with a fake smile:
“Back then, I advised you to dual cultivate with Emperor Yuanjing and you refused. So you went and found someone younger instead? Well, you’re almost a forty year old cow, fancying tender grass?
“Hmph, each month you go through seven days of torment from the karmic fire, I know your schedule perfectly well. Not long ago, he mentioned to me that you’ve been coming to see him often. I knew something was dodgy.
“I tested him a bit at the time, but he didn’t say anything… today, I had the little white fox track Li Lingsu’s scent, and look, finding you here proved I was right.”
So she already suspected something and kept probing me back then. No wonder it’s said women are born actresses… Xu Qi’an glanced expressionlessly at the little white fox squatting at the door.
The little fox instinctively shrank its neck, realising it might have done something wrong.
N- No, it wasn’t my fault… it argued silently in its heart.
Right now, Li Lingsu was filled only with the words “impossible, impossible, impossible.”
What does she mean by ‘an old cow eating tender grass’? Lady Xu is clearly implying there’s something going on between Xu Qian and Luo Yuheng…
Li Lingsu’s heart turned cold, if this was true, what a dark and unfair world it would be.
How could Xu Qian have a close relationship with Luo Yuheng? It’s impossible; how could the Daoist Leader of the Human Sect fall for a married man… Daoist Leader, please say something!
Li Lingsu shouted inwardly. When nobody spoke for a while, he cautiously said, “Madam Xu, I think there’s been a misunderstanding.”
He had wanted to say, Our Daoist Leader would never take a fancy to your husband, but thought it too insulting, and he dared not offend Xu Qian.
“What’s it to you? Get lost,” Mu Nanzhi snapped, her willow-leaf eyebrows raised.
With that temper and average looks, if Luo Yuheng really fancied your man, would you have any chance at all? All this rage is just helpless frustration, disguised as fury, isn’t it…? Li Lingsu silently grumbled.
At this moment, Second Senior Brother Sun Xuanji had already quietly slipped away from this scene of trouble.
Luo Yuheng finally spoke, narrowing her long eyes, “You’re very protective. Mu Nanzhi, what right do you have to interfere in my business? Or in his?”
She was certain that with Mu Nanzhi’s pride, she would still refuse to admit her feelings for Xu Qi’an even now.
Xu Qi’an quickly looked at the princess consort, hope filling his eyes.
…Mu Nanzhi choked, catching Xu Qi’an looking at her, and immediately glared, “Feeling very pleased with yourself, are you?”
Eh? Where did that come from… Xu Qi’an froze for a second before realising she was trying to change the subject.
For a moment, he felt troubled, unsure how to calm things down.
He’d experienced similar situations before, with Lin’an and Huaiqing falling out over him. But Lin’an was easy to comfort, and Huaiqing, being clever, knew where to draw the line.
Besides, at that time, he’d simply been caught between two sisters, essentially just a tool for their rivalry.
This was different.
Thankfully, Luo Yuheng drew the attention to herself, saying dismissively, “I gave you a chance before, but you said you wouldn’t wander the jianghu with him.”
This was half explanation, half threat.
She didn’t say the latter half, trusting Mu Nanzhi understood.
But Mu Nanzhi was undaunted, sneering, “Go on, let’s see if he’s willing.”
Then she turned and glared at Xu Qi’an. “She wants to sell me to a brothel.”
“It wouldn’t come to that…” Xu Qi’an waved his hand repeatedly.
Madam Xu, with your looks, not even the clientele in a brothel would take notice… Li Lingsu grumbled inwardly, shooting Xu Qian a glance, both schadenfreude and jealousy in his eyes.
By now, the Holy Son had figured it out, Madam Xu was right; Luo Yuheng and Xu Qian’s relationship really was out of the ordinary.
It reminded him of how Madam Xu used to mock Xu Qian. So it hadn’t been a joke, he really did have a stunning, peerless beauty as a confidante.
But in light of Madam Xu’s plain looks, Li Lingsu felt much better.
After all, his own confidantes were all breathtaking beauties. In that respect, Xu Qian could never compare.
The tie between Xu Qian and Luo Yuheng probably stems from his cultivation, not his personal charm. That’s an exception. Normally, women like Madam Xu are a better match for someone like Xu Qian… The Holy Son hummed a little tune to himself inside.
Luo Yuheng calmly sipped her tea and said blandly, “Send her away.”
Mu Nanzhi retorted, “You’re the one who should piss off.”
While the Holy Son was gleefully enjoying the scene, he suddenly heard Xu Qian’s voice in his head, “What should I do in this situation?”
He’s asking me for help? Ha, Xu Qian, you old fool… Li Lingsu’s lips twitched. In a teacherly tone, he replied mentally:
“It’s simple, base your choice on their personalities and how important they are to you. For example, if the Dongfang sisters and Wenren Qianrou quarrelled, I’d side with the Dongfang sisters and find a way to make Wenren Qianrou leave.
“Because she’s no match for the Dongfang sisters, and they’re ruthless with their rivals in love. It’s for Qianrou’s own good. If it were Chai Xing’er versus the Dongfang sisters, though, I’d side with Xing’er.
“Because Xing’er is fragile and sensitive, hard to comfort, whereas the Dongfang sisters are easier to pacify.
“Between Luo Yuheng and Madam Xu, I suggest siding with Luo Yuheng, she’s clearly more temperamental and aloof, while Madam Xu is your first wife; she’s not going anywhere. Besides, the Daoist Leader is stunning, far above Madam Xu.”
The Holy Son pontificated, sharing his experience, then immediately regretted it. Why was he helping Xu Qian?
He should hurry up and fall out with the National Teacher!
Not helpful… Xu Qi’an spoke through voice transmission, “There are some things you don’t understand. Mu Nanzhi is different from other women.”
How is she different… Li Lingsu did not care.
Thinking about it, with Madam Xu’s looks, could she still face Luo Yuheng with such confidence. Did she not feel ashamed in front of such a celestial beauty?
Logically, any woman with a sense of shame, upon seeing such a goddess-like rival, would feel somewhat inferior no matter how angry she was.
But he noticed that Madam Xu’s gaze was piercing, as if it spelled out: “You rubbish!”
Luo Yuheng set down her teacup, turned her head to Xu Qi’an and, with a slightly colder tone, said:
“Who leaves, you decide for yourself.”
Ah, this… maybe we could all stay… Xu Qi’an was caught in a dilemma.
The little white fox seemed timid, looked at Luo Yuheng, then scampered to Mu Nanzhi’s feet and whispered:
“Auntie, let’s go. She’s so pretty…”
And her aura was overwhelming, clearly not someone to mess with. The little white fox had a keen instinct for the strong.
Auntie wasn’t pretty and had no cultivation, so she definitely could not overcome this woman.
Hearing this, Mu Nanzhi sneered, raised her right wrist, her sleeve slid down to reveal her slender, snow-white wrist, and that string of Buddha beads.
She gave Luo Yuheng a provocative look and slowly took off the Buddha beads.
In an instant, her appearance and bearing underwent an earth-shaking transformation. Her eyes became round and enchanting, like a shallow lake drenched in brilliant jewels, sparkling and captivating.
Her lips were full and red, the corners exquisitely shaped, like the most tempting cherry, enticing any man to taste her fragrance.
She carried herself like a queen, with an air of dominance over all, yet no one would think her arrogant, for her beauty deserved to tower above others.
Her beauty was indeed unrivalled, but her bearing and poise were even more extraordinary, like an immortal lady from a painting.
“Xu, who’s leaving?” Mu Nanzhi raised her chin in a proud, coquettish gesture.
… Li Lingsu felt like a statue, his soul shaken to its core. When he saw Luo Yuheng, he thought he had met the most enchanting woman in the world.
Now, he felt he had met the most beautiful woman in the world.
There could never be anyone more beautiful than her… This thought arose uncontrollably in the Heaven Sect Holy Son’s heart.
Xu and Xu sounded very similar, and Li Lingsu being completely lost in Mu Nanzhi’s beauty and did not notice this detail.1
So this is her real appearance? Is this Madam Xu’s true face? Yes, Xu Qian can disguise himself, so why did I assume her plain looks were her real face?
I was a fool, really, such a stunning beauty beside me, but I never once gave her a proper look…
Worst of all, she turned out to be Xu Qian’s wife.
At this moment, Li Lingsu began to doubt his own charm. The confidence he once had, built on Madam Xu’s plain looks, vanished entirely.
I actually used to think Madam Xu was particularly fond of me, and I reluctantly tolerated it with helpless dissatisfaction… The Holy Son’s face burned hot with embarrassment, and he suddenly realised, the clown was actually himself.
Xu Qi’an stared for a few seconds, then, mustering enormous willpower, averted his gaze, seized Mu Nanzhi’s wrist, and quickly put the Buddha bead bracelet back on her.
“Stop fooling around, there’s a great enemy outside. Doing this is dangerous for you,” he said gravely.
Although the Qi-watching technique had limited range, and could not see the princess consort’s dazzling fortune if she was not nearby, the bracelet must be worn just in case.
As soon as the bracelet was put back on, Luo Yuheng sighed in relief.
Mu Nanzhi huffed, “Then tell her to leave.”
She was like a little mother cat guarding her food.
Xu Qi’an was about to speak, but then saw the reclusive Heaven Sect Holy Son turn and walk away, his back desolate, like a child abandoned by the whole world.
Li Lingsu’s proposal had given him quite an inspiration.
Although my dual cultivation with Luo Yuheng is nominally a deal, from what I understand, the National Teacher takes it very seriously. Once deciding to dual cultivate, she’s aiming to develop things into a Daoist partnership.
If she had no feelings for me, she would never dual cultivate with me. But it still falls short of love. If, at this point, I do not take her side, I would probably wear away the goodwill she did have.
The same, of course, goes for Mu Nanzhi.
But I don’t actually need to make a choice between the two. I can use her personality here.
“The National Teacher’s tribulation is imminent. Last time, she helped me fend off the Human Sect Daoist Leader, and because she bought me time, I managed to kill Yuanjing. But she was then affected by the Human Sect’s corrupt evil, and has not been able to suppress it since.”
Xu Qi’an said gravely, “She’s running out of time.”
Sure enough, the inherently kind Mu Nanzhi was at a loss for words, her face alternating between pale and flushed. On one hand, she could not bear her best friend dying to heavenly tribulation, but on the other, she did not want Xu Qi’an and her best friend to engage in dual cultivation.
Her eyes welled up with tears, and she gritted her teeth. “You only ever bully me.”
At that moment, Luo Yuheng looked at Xu Qi’an and said lightly, “You go out. Let me have a word with her.”
Xu Qi’an looked to Mu Nanzhi and, seeing that she did not object, quietly left the tea room.
Outside, the cold wind cut fiercely. At a glance, he saw Li Lingsu standing beneath the eaves, facing the biting wind, gazing into the distance in silence.
For no reason, a lyric flashed through Xu Qi’an’s mind:
“I cry alone, after all, nobody cares. If all my tears were shed, maybe I’d feel better…”
He walked over in no hurry and sighed, “Ah, I really envy you. You always keep harmony among women.”
Li Lingsu slowly turned his head, forcing an awkward smile. “Senior, did you use to laugh at me?”
“How could I?” Xu Qi’an shook his head.
Li Lingsu had just begun to feel better, but Xu Qi’an added, “I never considered your level worth my attention.”
Go fuck yourself, you bastard! Li Lingsu’s face stiffened. Taking a deep breath, he asked the question that had been gnawing at him:
“What is Madam Xu’s true identity…?”
He could not believe such a peerless beauty could be an unknown nobody.
Xu Qi’an did not mince words. “Have you heard of the most beautiful woman in the Great Feng?”
Li Lingsu’s whole body jolted, his complexion seeming to pale a shade. “She, could she be…”
“She is.” Xu Qi’an confirmed.
Li Lingsu swayed, feeling as if the world was grey and colourless.
Luo Yuheng belonged to Xu Qian. The most beautiful woman in the Great Feng also belonged to Xu Qian. Was there any point in going to the capital now?
If it was such a heart-breaking place, better not to go!
She is, after all, the princess consort, a married woman. I want to shut you rotten pair in a pig cage, no, just you in the pig cage… Li Lingsu was consumed with bitterness. The most enchanting woman in the world was Xu Qian’s confidante, the most beautiful woman in the Great Feng, Xu Qian’s wife.
If men like this were not killed, should they be kept around for the Spring Sacrifice?
After a while, he forced a smile that was even more unpleasant than crying: “What Madam Xu said before… Was it true that you had many female confidants like her?”
Xu Qi’an waved his hands repeatedly.
Phew… I thought so. With these two peerless beauties, could he possibly want more? Besides, they wouldn’t let Xu Qian flirt with other women!
Li Lingsu felt a lot better inside.
“There are a few more in the capital, but not as many as you,” Xu Qi’an said.
*Go fuck yourself!! Li Lingsu forced a smile: “Senior, I, I suddenly feel like I’ve gained some insight into the Supreme Forgetting of Emotion. I’ll go back to cultivate first…”
Serves you right for showing off… Xu Qi’an waved with a beaming smile: “Take care.”
After Li Lingsu left, Xu Qi’an let out a long breath and waited silently for a quarter of an hour.
“Come in!”
Luo Yuheng’s voice came.
He immediately entered the tea room and saw Mu Nanzhi sitting by the desk, holding the little white fox in her arms. She did not look at him, and said coldly, “I want to return to the capital.”
The little white fox looked up in surprise and said sweetly, “Oh? Weren’t we going into the pagoda?”
Mu Nanzhi flicked her hard on the head.
The little white fox held its head in its paws and whimpered miserably.
Xu Qi’an wanted to say something, but felt it would be unwise to upset her right now, so he sighed, summoned the Stupa tower, and put Mu Nanzhi and the little white fox inside.
“How did you persuade her?” Xu Qi’an tried his best to appear calm.
“I told her that it was just a transaction between you and me,” Luo Yuheng replied.
This remark gives both sides a way out, just a stalling tactic… Xu Qi’an said in a low voice, “Just a transaction?”
Luo Yuheng shot him a slight glare.
In an instant, the icy celestial beauty seemed to come alive, full of allure.
With the troublesome one gone, no one would disturb them anymore, but because they both knew what would happen next, the atmosphere became stifling.
Luo Yuheng appeared cool and detached, as if she did not care about what was to come, but her frequent sips of tea betrayed her inner unrest.
Xu Qi’an felt as if he had returned to his first love, just as awkward, nervous, and slightly embarrassed as when he had first discussed life with his girlfriend.
This shouldn’t be… I’m an old hand at this. All those years, all the oiran I slept with at the Jiaofangsi, was it all wasted…?
Xu Qi’an took a deep breath and said: “Is the karmic fire tonight?”
Luo Yuheng paused and replied, “Midnight tonight!”
Another spell of silence.
“Have you recovered some of your cultivation?” Luo Yuheng asked.
“Yes, managed to pull out two nails,” Xu Qi’an answered.
Then, silence fell again.
Time trickled by. The sun set, the last rays outside blood-red.
Suddenly, Luo Yuheng rose, her skirt fluttering. She said lightly, “There’s a pool in the back garden. I’m going for a bath.”
Xu Qi’an swallowed, “Alright, alright.”
Luo Yuheng shot him a sidelong glance with no visible expression, and left the tea room.
Xu Qi’an quickly poured himself a cup of tea, but did not drink it. When the scalding tea had gone cold, he got up in silence and left the tea room, heading for the back garden.
He had a clear goal in mind: to go to the hot spring and bathe with the National Teacher.
Walking through corridors and gardens for half a quarter of an hour, he finally came to an area wreathed in steam, as if shrouded in dense fog.
Xu Qi’an plunged straight in, but after walking a few steps, the view suddenly opened up, and he realised he was back outside.
She’s even set up an array of illusions, honestly, we’re about to dual cultivate anyway, what’s a bath in comparison… he grumbled to himself, leaving tactfully, and instructed the maids in Qingxing Garden to prepare hot water.
By the time he finished his bath, night had fallen.
Luo Yuheng had finished bathing as well. She was clearly preoccupied, having even forgotten to cast a spell to dry her hair. Her beautiful hair hung wet, and her face was flushed from the hot spring water, unable to hide her charming allure.
“I need to meditate in seclusion. Do not disturb me.”
She did not look at Xu Qi’an. With those words, she entered the bedroom, leaving him alone in the outer chamber.
Her steps were hurried, as if she did not want to linger with him.
Is she shy? Surely not… Xu Qi’an instinctively murmured, “Oh”, and watched her leave, the bedroom door closing behind her.
The room was large, split into an inner bedroom and an outer chamber. The outer chamber was for the maids so they could get up at any time during the night to serve their mistress.
Xu Qi’an glanced at the water clock, there were still four hours till midnight, still early.
So, he reviewed the events of the day.
I knew the Buddhist Sect would target me in Yongzhou, but didn’t expect it so soon. I’d only just arrived when Du’nan ambushed me.
The teleportation artefact in Du’nan’s hand was crafted by an arcanist. This means the Buddhist Sect really has allied with that unfilial bastard, but today it was only Du’nan, and none of Xu Pingfeng’s men.
Du’nan acted alone, planning to capture me before anybody else? Hah, that fool gave everything away too soon. Still, using a Dragon Qi host to bait me was a clever and inescapable tactic.
Even knowing it was a trap, I had no choice but to jump in. But I could still choose my own approach. If it was just me as a pure martial artist, I could only confront him head-on.
But now that I have the Sevenfold Gu, my options have increased greatly…
Time slipped by during his reflections, and soon it was midnight.
At that very moment, Xu Qi’an heard a woman’s laboured breathing from the bedroom, as if she was enduring something with all her might.
The voice was husky and sweet, enough to stir up desire.
Xu Qi’an took a deep breath, got up from the small couch, put on his shoes, and slowly approached the bedroom door.
Xu 许 (3rd tone), Xu Qi’an’s real surname, vs Xu 徐 (2nd tone), his fake name. ↩
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