585. Love

Led by the inn attendant, they ascended the stairs and entered a guest room on the second floor.

Luo Yuheng waved her hand, controlling Arhat Duqing to land in the corner, then took off her embroidered cloud-pattern shoes and sat cross-legged on the bed.

Next, she shook out a large pile of bottles, jars, and small wooden boxes from her sleeve.

Is this Doraemon’s pocket?

Xu Qi’an watched in considerable surprise. He had seen many storage artifacts: embroidered pouches, mirrors, porcelain bottles, and so on, but never one that was a sleeve.

Suddenly, he understood why Luo Yuheng never changed her robe. She often changed her dudou and underwear, which Xu Qi’an could testify to, but as for her outer robe, he had rarely seen her change it.

So the robe was an enchanted artifact.

Luo Yuheng uncorked each bottle one by one, and a gentle medicinal aroma filled the room.

I’ve almost forgotten, she’s a wealthy lady, with all sorts of rare elixirs and medicines on her. In comparison, Daoist Orange Cat is pitifully poor… Xu Qi’an quietly breathed a sigh of relief, finally letting go of the anxiety he had been carrying.

He had been worried that Luo Yuheng’s injuries were too severe and would affect her ability to control the karmic fire.

Now, seeing her with this extravagant display, he felt much more at ease.

Xu Qi’an then sat cross-legged by the bed, meditating alongside Luo Yuheng.

He also needed to nurse his own disordered meridians properly.

Running his vital energy for an extended period had caused several of the Sealing Nails to be impacted, resulting in agonising pain at the nail sites, a relapse of old injuries, in effect.

The damage caused by the backlash of “Broken Jade,” in contrast, had already begun to heal slowly.

The Sevenfold Gu seems about to evolve… no, it’s entering the next stage…

After so long nurturing it painstakingly, the Sevenfold Gu had finally reached a critical moment of transformation. In fact, after his dual cultivation with Luo Yuheng, he had finally satisfied the needs of the Sevenfold Gu.

The poor suppressed Desire Gu had been given blissful relief.

And because he had yielded his body to a second rank Peak female cultivator, the Desire Gu had reaped enormous benefits.

Back then, he had sensed that the Desire Gu was on the verge of initial maturity. Then during the battle just then, when he consumed that strange poisonous insect swarm summoned by Qihuan Danxiang, the Poison Gu also advanced to a new level.

It’s almost there, as if there’s just a thin membrane left…

Xu Qi’an focused his mind, sensing the Sevenfold Gu.

Time flew by as he meditated. He did not know how long had passed when Luo Yuheng gently pushed him awake.

Opening his eyes to look out the window, he saw it was already dark outside. Arhat Duqing sat quietly in the corner of the room.

“National Teacher, are your injuries healed?

“What about him?” Xu Qi’an asked, pointing. “Can he be awakened?”

“He has been temporarily sealed by me, in a state neither alive nor dead, unable to perceive the outside world.”

Now, Luo Yuheng was no longer so aloof, no longer so sharp. She seemed more like a poetically melancholy lady raised within the deep boudoirs of a noble house.

“If you want him to help you remove the Sealing Nails, you’ll have to return to the capital.”

Seeing him frown, Luo Yuheng explained, “I can seal him, but can’t kill him, much less compel him to remove the Sealing Nails. Worse, you might give him the chance to perish together, and he’ll kill you instead.”

Xu Qi’an understood and mused, “So, we need the Jianzheng to act as an intermediary.”

Being able to defeat the Arhat did not mean he could command him.

Especially since he could not kill the other party.

The Arhat might even brainwash him and send him over to the Buddhists.

Returning to the capital was no bad thing, he could consult the Jianzheng about the situation in Yunzhou, get a sense of recent developments among the major powers across Jiuzhou…

And see the “fish” in his pond while he was at it.

As soon as he thought this, he heard Luo Yuheng glare at him and say:

“You’re not allowed to see those women.”

Xu Qi’an replied with an obedient “Mm, mm, my heart is only for the National Teacher.”

Oddly, Luo Yuheng grew a little bashful.

“National Teacher, is that sword a peerless divine weapon?”

Xu Qi’an pointed at the iron sword half-embedded in the Arhat’s head, half-protruding outside.

Luo Yuheng nodded, then shook her head. “It was originally a magic treasure, but its spirit was erased by its master.”

“Hm?”

Xu Qi’an voiced his doubt in a nasal tone.

“It was the peerless divine weapon of a Human Sect Daoist Leader more than seven hundred years ago. That ancestor’s swordsmanship was unrivalled, renowned across Jiuzhou for his killing prowess. Gradually, the artifact spirit grew ever more violent and bloodthirsty.

“While that ancestor lived, he kept it in check. But after he died to heavenly tribulation, the spirit lost control, causing a great slaughter. It was later subdued by the next Human Sect Daoist Leader and its consciousness erased.

“Since then, the sword has served as a vessel for the Daoist Leaders of successive generations to store sword energy and intent.”

Luo Yuheng explained gently.

Xu Pingfeng is also a peak second rank. I wonder if the National Teacher could defeat him… No, arcanists and Daoists are separate systems, each with their own strengths, and strength cannot be compared so simply… Xu Qi’an then asked,

“How can a peerless divine weapon be made to grow quickly? In today’s battle, I noticed a flaw in the peerless divine weapon.”

He explained to Luo Yuheng how the Taiping Sabre, this not-so-bright child, had been affected by the Heart Gu.

“That likely has to do with the character of a peerless divine weapon. Your sabre is not a particularly vicious weapon. Put simply, it isn’t unruly enough.” Luo Yuheng considered a moment, then added,

“Besides, it only just gained its consciousness, barely even half a year ago.”

Taiping is still too young… Xu Qi’an thought helplessly.

“I may have an idea.”

Xu Qi’an’s eyes brightened. “Pray tell, National Teacher.”

“You now carry two strands of Dragon Qi. Rather than leaving them idle, why not use them to nurture your Taiping Sabre?” Seeing Xu Qi’an did not immediately understand, Luo Yuheng offered a hint:

“The Sovereign Sword!”

Xu Qi’an’s eyes widened at once. “You mean, make the Taiping Sabre into a magic treasure like the Sovereign Sword? Is that truly possible?”

Luo Yuheng nodded:

“The Sovereign Sword itself was a peerless divine weapon, transformed into a magic treasure after absorbing the fortune of the nation for six hundred years. But that was a passive process, exceedingly slow. You, however, can actively use Dragon Qi to cultivate your sabre.

“Although it cannot reach the level of the Sovereign Sword in a short space of time, it may become a weapon above ordinary divine weapons but below a true magic treasure.

“By then, it should be able to resist the influence of the Heart Gu.”

That’s completely doable!

Xu Qi’an grew excited at once. Dragon Qi was a form of fortune, so he really could recreate the Sovereign Sword’s path.

No one knew the strength and terror of the Sovereign Sword better than he.

It was a nightmare for top-ranked experts.

If Taiping Sabre could become a second Sovereign Sword, no, even just gain some similar properties, in that earlier fight, he could have broken Jingyuan’s Vajra Divine Art in a single blow.

In the future, even when facing a third rank Vajra, he would be able to threaten them.

“National Teacher, you truly are as clever as ice and snow. I’d never have thought to use the Dragon Qi in this way.” Xu Qi’an lavished her with praise.

Luo Yuheng maintained an outward calm and poise, but her eyes showed a hint of joy.

So easy to please. If only she was always in this mood… Xu Qi’an thought to himself.

Without further delay, he immersed his consciousness into the jade mirror. Inside, the Taiping Sabre and the golden dragon shadow were sleeping soundly, along with some banknotes, gold, silver, jade, porcelain, and antiques.

Sensing its master’s presence, the Taiping Sabre awoke, conveying a sense of happiness and eager flattery.

Xu Qi’an ignored its attempts to please and sent it into the Dragon Qi.

The Taiping Sabre “soaked” in the shadow of the golden dragon, and a broken stream of thoughts emerged:

Ah, this feels so good, I’m dying, dying…

Whose temperament had this silly thing inherited? Xu Qi’an frowned and withdrew his consciousness, displeased.

“It works, just as expected.”

Xu Qi’an said.

Luo Yuheng nodded, then continued,

“I still have internal injuries. Although the Daoist dharma body is famed as imperishable, its recovery is far inferior to that of a martial artist.”

“What can be done about that?” Xu Qi’an frowned.

Luo Yuheng, a little reserved, said,

“Dual cultivation can also heal.”

…

Inside the room, the candlelight flickered.

A screen separated a small space, and Luo Yuheng was soaking in the bath barrel, her eyes half-closed.

Xu Qi’an lay on the bed, his upper body bare, his chest wrapped in thick gauze.

Arhat Duqing sat cross-legged in a corner, facing the wall, placed there by Xu Qi’an.

Even though Luo Yuheng said that the old monk had fallen into a state between life and death and could not perceive anything of the outside world.

After a long while, Luo Yuheng finished bathing. She came out from behind the screen, draped in a long feathered robe, the front of her chest loosely open, revealing a patch of fair skin.

Xu Qi’an glanced at the dudou and undergarments hanging on the screen and could not help but laugh.

Luo Yuheng felt his laughter was extremely lewd and frowned slightly.

She strolled over to the bedside, first slid her long legs under the covers, then lay down in her clothes.

This personality was an amplification of Luo Yuheng’s affection for Xu Qi’an, and she had even said many shameful things. Therefore, she was perfectly willing to dual cultivate with Xu Qi’an.

However, she was also the most affected, with her brows furrowed slightly and her hands clutching her robe tightly, protecting her chest.

The anger personality, any touch from you would make me furious.

The desire personality, I want, I want more, never satisfied.

The fear personality, Ninety-eight percent means certain death; best not to get out of bed today.

The sorrow personality, I long to fall in love but am frightened of being had.

Xu Qi’an pulled up the covers over them both, pressed down, propping himself with his hands on the bed, his eyes burning as he stared at her.

Luo Yuheng met his gaze for a few seconds, then turned her face away, cheeks flush. Even her pearl-like ears tinged crimson, making for a most alluring sight.

He finally lowered his head and kissed her cheek, then, kissing lower, he lingered at her neck for a moment before moving further down, his head disappearing beneath the quilt.

From the bulge in the quilt, his head was at Luo Yuheng’s smooth chest.

“Mm~”

Luo Yuheng gently furrowed her brows, a sweet, sticky sound escaping her red lips.

She then bit her lips in embarrassment, making no further sound, but as her cheeks grew redder and her breathing heavier, it was clear that Xu Qi’an’s oral skills had reached perfection.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the “bulge” under the quilt began to move lower, and lower still…

Then it stopped moving.

The Daoist Leader already had eyes full of mist, gazing dreamily at the ceiling.

Luo Yuheng suddenly opened her beautiful eyes wide, a short, sharp scream escaping her throat.

…

The dual cultivation process was rather uneventful: for example, Luo Yuheng sprawled lazily on the bed, guiding the energy in her body.

Or, for instance, she sat at her dressing table, leaning back, hands propped on the windowsill, the window open with cold wind sweeping over her flawless pale back as she guided the energy within.

Or, yet again, her long legs rested on Xu Qi’an’s shoulders as the two of them coordinated in guiding their qi.

By deep night, Xu Qi’an’s injuries had healed, his breathing long and steady, his mind clear and refreshed.

But deep inside, he felt a lingering worry:

Having done her like this, once the seven days are over, will she hack me to pieces?

These days, Xu Qi’an had not slept with the normal Luo Yuheng, but with one of her amplified personalities. It was hard to imagine how the cold, aloof National Teacher, when she recovered her usual self and remembered what had happened these days, would react.

What would she do?

At that time, I must slip away in advance, or there will not even be a place for my corpse.

Xu Qi’an made a secret decision.

“Xu Lang, what are you thinking about?”

Luo Yuheng snuggled in his arms, hair in disarray, cheeks flushed, eyes dazed.

National Teacher, in three days, when you remember the words “Xu Lang,” you’ll probably fly into a shameful rage and chase me down with your sword… Xu Qi’an grumbled to himself.

…

At dawn.

Within Yongzhou’s borders, on the official road.

Three riders galloped along, the one in the centre an energetic, beautiful young girl; on the left, a swordsman in blue whose hair bore a streak of white at the forehead; on the right, a tall and sturdy middle-aged bald man.

“Faster, faster, while my master hasn’t caught up!” Li Miaozhen shouted.

“Amitabha, Fellow Daoist Li, is it really right for you and Sir Xu to do this?” Hengyuan said sombrely.

After he and Chu Yuanzhen entered Yongzhou city, they had laid low, then, while Bingyi Yuanjun and Daoist Xuancheng were fighting outside, quietly spirited Li Miaozhen away.

The two Yang Spirits of the Heaven Sect had unwittingly been reduced to mere pawns, and the Holy Maiden had been “abducted”.

Hengyuan felt that what Sir Xu and Li Miaozhen had done was truly improper.

“No worries!”

Chu Yuanzhen smiled: “It is just making the seniors spend a little more time among mortals.”

Scholar Chu thought that the usual contests between master and disciple added much interest and did not cause either party any real harm.

“My master must be quite annoyed now—oh rather—she won’t be angry, but next time she meets Xu Qi’an, she will most likely draw her sabre and strike immediately.”

Li Miaozhen gave a cheeky laugh:

“They’d never suspect that someone who appeared so dignified could actually be so shameless.”

Hengyuan shook his head helplessly: “To toy with your elders in such a way is really not right.”

“Number Six, what do you know? Xu Qi’an’s actions are sensible.”

Li Miaozhen huffed:

“My master and senior uncle cannot be persuaded, no matter what you say. Force will not work either. Luo Yuheng might have succeeded, but if she interfered in the Heaven Sect’s affairs, the Heavenly Venerable would step in, and that would bring forward the struggle between Heaven and Man.

“Since neither hard nor soft methods will work, only wit remains. Come, let’s reach Xu Qi’an before dawn.”

…

While her three companions hurried beneath the stars, Xu Qi’an was lying in a warm bed, holding Luo Yuheng’s soft, smooth body.

Suddenly, he was startled awake by a familiar lurch in his heart and knew the Earth Book was sending a message.

He raised his hand and beckoned lightly; the Earth Book flew out from among the clothes scattered on the floor and landed itself into Xu Qi’an’s hand.

【TWO: Xu Qi’an, we have arrived. Which inn are you in?】

Seeing this, Xu Qi’an jolted awake, all sleep gone.

So fast?

Was it really worth it to rush through the night?

He hurriedly threw off the covers and sat up, only one thought in his mind: book another room.

He must not let Li Miaozhen see him and Luo Yuheng sharing a bed.

Luo Yuheng opened her eyes, hugged his waist, and said with a girlish laugh:

“Xu Lang, where are you going?”

Xu Qi’an clearly sensed her tone and manner had changed from the day before.

Studying Luo Yuheng carefully, he saw affection in her gaze and a sweet smile on her lips, and immediately had a guess.

Love?

Shit!

585. Love

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