Chapter 461: High-Level Acting Skills

Ah Jiu’s expression remained unchanged, and her acting was flawless as always, showing no trace of Abbess Jiunan. She appeared to be seriously considering Ye Wenxin’s suggestion before responding, “Won’t you get a little jealous, Miss Wenxin?”

She smiled seductively, displaying the full charm of a courtesan. However, such an attempt was far too weak for Ye Wenxin. After all, Liu Churan was the most seductive woman Ye Wenxin had ever encountered, and even she couldn’t shake Ye Wenxin’s heart. How could an ordinary woman like Ah Jiu succeed?

Moreover, Ye Wenxin recently had Jin Xiaoqin and the Ying-Yang ghosts to satisfy her, so she didn’t need anyone else. Just like with meals, if you ate too much, you’d get sick.

Ye Wenxin replied to Ah Jiu’s teasing, “You went to the Southern Dipper Temple last time in search of your perfect match, Miss Ah Jiu. How could I ever dare to think of laying claim when I’m not a suitable partner?”

Ye Wenxin smiled, and Ah Jiu giggled in return. The sound of her laughter was so familiar that it finally dawned on Ye Wenxin just how little she had noticed this stunning beauty back then.

For one, Ah Jiu had only been a teenager at the time, so her features hadn’t fully developed yet. Secondly, Ah Jiu had intentionally disguised herself as unattractive to escape from the palace, and avoid being forced into becoming a nun.

Most importantly, Ye Wenxin had been solely focused on figuring out how to escape her own situation, and never paid attention to the people or events around her. Rather than relying on anyone else, Ye Wenxin had always believed she could change her fate on her own.

While wandering through the mountains, she had stumbled upon the Flower Burial Method. However, the lack of proper guidance in her early cultivation period caused side effects, making her prone to Qi Deviation.

It was like building a house on shaky foundations—though Ye Wenxin appeared to be the most powerful in the world, in reality, her unparalleled cultivation was unstable and more form than function.

If she hadn’t received Fairy Fengya’s palm strike, which reforged her foundation, Ye Wenxin would still be drinking spirit wine day and night.

Thinking of that wine made her feel a bit thirsty. Ever since she gave her last bottle of spirit wine to Fairy Fengya, she hadn’t tasted its flavor for a long time, and now found herself missing it.

Although she had been frequently encountering Liu Churan lately, Ye Wenxin kept her other self hidden. If she wanted to drink some spirit wine again, she’d have to make a trip to the Wind and Moon Palace herself.

While she was silently pondering when to execute this grand plan, she suddenly heard Ah Jiu let out a disgruntled huff. Ye Wenxin looked over in confusion, not understanding what she had done to provoke that reaction.

“Why the sudden anger, Miss Ah Jiu?”

“I am just a woman of the red-light district; how could I ever talk of a perfect match?” Ah Jiu responded with dissatisfaction, as if she were subtly encouraging Ye Wenxin to be more forward. However, Ye Wenxin had no such intentions and could only offer a wry smile.

“But I’m a cultivator, and you’re just a mortal. By the time I’ve cultivated for a few hundred years, you’d already be gone.”

Cultivators seldom chose mortals as partners, not only because it was difficult for them to pass on their bloodlines, but also because death would inevitably separate them, and cause unbearable pain.

Ah Jiu paused for a moment, then laughed softly. “I didn’t expect you to be so gentle, Miss Ye. If our first meeting hadn’t gone the way it did, perhaps I would have had a better impression of you.”

Ye Wenxin smiled bitterly. She had known full well that Ah Jiu was actually Abbess Jiunan, and thought that Abbess Jiunan was trying to dupe her, so she duped the abbess back. Unexpectedly, she had triggered a weird attribute in Abbess Jiunan.

After this reflection, Ye Wenxin instinctively reached out, intending to place her hand on Ah Jiu’s back. But then, she thought it would be too obvious, so her hand landed on Ah Jiu’s stomach instead. With a concerned tone, she asked, “Are you feeling better now?”

A faint blush bloomed across Ah Jiu’s cheeks, and in a timid, wispy voice, she slowly said, “I’m feeling a little better, but I think it’s almost that time of the month. Since I ran into you today, I wonder if you could examine me again.”

Ah Jiu’s face turned red all the way to her ears. It was hard to tell if she truly felt embarrassed for making the request, or was simply holding in her excitement. Regardless, her intentions were clear. Ye Wenxin knew she shouldn’t let this continue, but Ah Jiu’s bashful expression stirred a wicked impulse in her that she couldn’t suppress.

“Once my strength returns, I’ll give you another round of treatment. But for now, I’ll have to trouble you to take me back to the camp first, Miss Ah Jiu.” Ye Wenxin subtly probed whether Ah Jiu would follow her back or refuse the offer.

Surprisingly, Ah Jiu didn’t hesitate at all, and readily agreed. “Sure, I was just wondering what I would do tonight anyway.”

She leaned closer to Ye Wenxin, using all her charm to seduce her. Ye Wenxin smiled playfully, wondering how Ah Jiu would handle playing both Ah Jiu and Abbess Jiunan once they returned to camp.

With this in mind, the two continued to stroll through the forest. Ah Jiu spun a story that blurred the line between truth and fiction. While the events seemed plausible, it was clear the story took place decades ago. As Ye Wenxin listened to the familiar narrative, she suddenly realized that Abbess Jiunan was likely about the same age as her.

Ah Jiu’s storytelling was captivating, particularly when she focused on recounting love stories.

“Then, how do you make a living while traveling, Miss Ah Jiu?” Ye Wenxin noticed a major flaw. No matter the story setting, such travels required money.

Ah Jiu laughed, then whispered in Ye Wenxin’s ear, “What do you think?”

Ah Jiu’s intentions became even more obvious, but Ye Wenxin remained unfazed, and even found it somewhat amusing. Ah Jiu was still far too inexperienced in seduction.

“Ye Wenxin! Where have you ran off to this time!?” As soon as Ye Wenxin returned to camp, Jin Xiaoqin’s angry outburst greeted her. She forced a smile and quickly fabricated a dramatic tale of a damsel saving another damsel in distress.

“So, you’re telling me you had an epic battle with some… Ultraman, and then saved this lady?” Jin Xiaoqin’s eyes were sharp, and every word she spoke seemed filled with frustration.

She couldn’t make sense of whatever Ye Wenxin was saying, but the sight of her being so close to this woman named Ah Jiu only fueled her annoyance.

Ye Wenxin wore a look of complete sincerity, let go of Ah Jiu, and staggered slightly toward Jin Xiaoqin. Startled, Jin Xiaoqin quickly reached out to catch her and immediately checked her pulse.

“You’re really weak. I’ll carry you back to rest. Xiangsi, arrange a place to stay for this lady and ask who she is.”

Jin Xiaoqin lifted Ye Wenxin in a princess carry, and whisked her away without giving her a chance to protest.

Gu Xiangsi stood there, stunned. Lately, Jin Xiaoqin had grown overly close to Ye Wenxin, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint what felt so intimate between them.

She glanced over at Ah Jiu, who stood there, looking expectantly at her. Left with no choice, Gu Xiangsi awkwardly struck up a conversation with her, leading her to an available tent where she could rest for a while before discussing anything further…