Chapter 420: Mutual Performance (2^nd Update)

Xiao Zhang chuckled, seemingly about to share a little secret she knew. However, seeing that everyone else was curiously watching, she could only say mysteriously, “Her Highness feels differently about you.”

Ye Wenxin naturally knew the reason for this ‘difference’, but hearing Xiao Zhang speak so ambiguously, she couldn’t help but get goosebumps. She rolled up her sleeve, pointed to her arm, and said, “Don’t make it sound so suggestive. See? I’ve got goosebumps all over.”

Seeing the anxious expression on Ye Wenxin’s face, Xiao Zhang looked even more puzzled. “Her Highness is not only the Eldest Princess but also one of the most beautiful women in this world. It is truly a blessing to have her favor.”

Xiao Zhang was utterly loyal to Long Qingyue and would never speak ill of her under any circumstances. In fact, if it were up to her, she might actually deliver Ye Wenxin straight to Long Qingyue’s bed in the name of loyalty. Hearing Xiao Zhang’s remarks now, Ye Wenxin couldn’t help but glance at Long Qingyue in the distance, catching a fleeting look of amusement in her eyes.

“I’d still rather not. Being friends with Her Highness is one thing, but anything further than that is unsettling to even dream of.” Thinking about how Long Qingyue had acted to read her memories a few days ago, made Ye Wenxin feel even more uncomfortable.

In the past, she had no secrets, so she was indifferent to Long Qingyue’s probing, but things were different now. Ye Wenxin had many secrets, and she wasn’t willing to reveal any of them to Long Qingyue.

Xiao Zhang looked a bit displeased. Ye Wenxin, wanting to convey her honest thoughts, continued, “How should I put it? Her Highness seems like the type who wants to control everyone’s lives…” Before she could finish, Xiao Zhang interrupted her. Xiao Zhang’s expression was not one of anger but of concern. She lowered her voice and warned Ye Wenxin.

“You’d better not speak of such things. It’s fine if it’s just between us, but the other Secret Guards might confront you if they hear.”

Xiao Zhang spoke seriously, with evident fear in her eyes. Ye Wenxin smiled but didn’t say what she had really wanted to. She recalled Long Qingyue’s domineering declaration:

[If you’re devoted to me, I will cherish you; if you betray me, I will kill you.]

Unfortunately, Long Qingyue’s view of love only allowed wholehearted devotion from her partner. Ye Wenxin in her current situation had already been completely removed from Long Qingyue’s list of potential candidates.

Ye Wenxin didn’t make the comment to vent her frustrations to Xiao Zhang, but rather to remind Long Qingyue not to let her controlling tendencies go too far, as it might have the opposite effect.

Ye Wenxin was also curious about Long Qingyue’s history with the Jiangshi King. Seeing Xiao Zhang getting busy again, Ye Wenxin leaned closer to Long Qingyue and asked, “Lord Mo, could you tell me about your story with the Jiangshi King?”

Long Qingyue showed a hint of surprise at the question, as if she didn’t expect Ye Wenxin to be interested in her past. Smiling, she responded, “This is a long story. If Miss Wenxin is interested, I can tell it slowly.”

She remained as courteous as ever. Just as Ye Wenxin was about to nod in agreement, the Mo Clan leaders gathered around again, leaving only the Second, Mo Rou, watching Long Qingyue from a distance.

Mo Rou’s gaze was gentle, like a young lady admiring her hero. Compared to the others, her look was more pure, prompting Ye Wenxin to go and tease the girl again.

Ye Wenxin walked quietly, but Mo Rou still noticed her approach. Just as she tried to flee, Ye Wenxin caught her. Mo Rou’s face turned red up to her ears, yet she couldn’t break free.

“Miss Wenxin, it’s uncomfortable when you hold me like this.” Mo Rou struggled harder, but to no avail. She had no choice but to plead with Ye Wenxin.

On the contrary, Ye Wenxin hugged her tighter. For some reason, Ye Wenxin took particular delight in seeing Mo Rou in this state and teased her, “What’s the matter? Don’t you want to go chat with the real big brother?”

“Just watching from a distance is enough.”

Mo Rou replied softly, her voice so faint that it required complete silence to hear. She seemed like a maiden who had just awakened to love, too shy to face the person she admired.

Compared to the other bold ones, Mo Rou appeared much more reserved, though her affection was even stronger. Ye Wenxin was curious about Mo Rou’s feelings and was just about to investigate her aura when she heard Xiao Zhang’s voice.

“Wenxin, you’re already playing the Demon Lord. Please pay attention to your demeanor.” Xiao Zhang’s voice came again, gently reminding Ye Wenxin to maintain the image of Demon Lord Gu Qingcheng.

Ye Wenxin finally let go and noticed that, in the distance, Long Qingyue was smiling at her again. The smile left her uneasy, but she was really just playfully teasing Mo Rou, so she couldn’t understand the deeper meaning behind that smile. Reluctantly, she released Mo Rou’s small hand and said, “Understood. I will make sure to maintain the Demon Lord’s appearance.”

Ye Wenxin wiped the smile from her face and followed Xiao Zhang to learn more. Even though Xiao Zhang was teaching incorrect details, for a role that wasn’t widely understood, the outward appearance alone was sufficient…

Time flew by quickly, and as noon approached, the Secret Guard reinforcements arrived. Among them were five cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage, and ten cultivators at the Golden Core stage.

“Where is Her Highness? Wasn’t she supposed to come along as well?” Xiao Zhang, who had been nervously attentive, was puzzled when she saw the accompanying Secret Guards but not Long Qingyue. The lead Secret Guard immediately responded, “Her Highness had to leave midway for another matter and will arrive later.”

Xiao Zhang nodded without any doubt or concern, as she was aware of Long Qingyue’s capabilities. Ye Wenxin caught someone snickering, and noticed that Long Qingyue was also smiling, as if bragging about her superb disguise skills.

To extricate herself from her Long Qingyue identity, Long Qingyue had used some tricks to cover her tracks. Originally, she intended to deceive her best friend, but little did she know that Ye Wenxin was already aware. Both were now performing their roles with mutual knowledge of the other’s identity.

The busy work resumed. The Mo Clan bandits began procuring materials to set traps against the jiangshi, while Ye Wenxin, along with Long Qingyue, handled various idle tasks.

In the bustling market of Mo Clan Village, the two of them maintained a certain distance from each other, looking nothing like lovers, but only a little bit better than ordinary acquaintances.

Unable to bear the sight, Xiao Zhang disguised herself as an old woman selling flowers. She approached to remind them that their interactions were too stiff and wouldn’t provoke the Jiangshi King’s murderous intent.