Chapter 974: This Cheat is So Good

‘What did Her Highness talk about with Wenxin?’

‘They seem quite close. Does Her Highness prefer those under twenty?’

Xiao Zhang’s feelings began to lean toward Long Qingyue, her mind filled with thoughts of her. Even if they were false, Long Qingyue made it all seem real.

Ye Wenxin brushed off her concern with a few casual words. Xiao Zhang wordlessly pulled out a blanket from her bag of holding, seemingly worried Ye Wenxin might catch a chill.

The Golden Age Dynasty had a sharp temperature difference between day and night, with cold dampness due to the recent supernatural incidents.

Ye Wenxin ignored Xiao Zhang’s thoughtful gesture, cutting off lingering thoughts.

……

They soon arrived at the Fang residence. Upon stepping out of the carriage, Ye Wenxin saw Sister Hong anxiously waiting, along with a reluctant-looking Young Master Lü.

“Celestial Master Ye, you’re finally back!”

‘Thank goodness, Celestial Master Ye is safe. She looks much better now, too.’

Sister Hong’s words matched her thoughts closely, but Ye Wenxin pretended not to notice and curiously asked, “Did something happen?”

Sister Hong hurriedly waved her hands. “No, you were just out late, so my brother got worried, that’s all.”

‘Seriously, it’s good that she’s back. Almost scared me to death.’

Her words and thoughts were at odds, which outlined both the pros and cons of mind-reading.

A kind person could warm the heart, but a deceitful one would only leave discomfort. With Long Qingyue caught in the complexities of the royal family, Ye Wenxin felt even more deeply how hard her life must be.

The experience of inhabiting Long Qingyue’s body allowed Ye Wenxin to understand her better. She would’ve liked using her body even more if it weren’t for the tenfold sensitivity.

Sister Hong pinched Young Master Lü, who had been staring at Xiao Zhang. He looked away immediately and awkwardly replied, “Yes, we were all so worried about you, Celestial Master Ye.”

Xiao Zhang gave Ye Wenxin a soft smile. “This lowly one shall be taking leave.”

She got back onto the carriage. Young Master Lü gazed longingly at the carriage as it quickly disappeared from view. Curious, Ye Wenxin listened in on his thoughts.

She nearly exploded with anger.

‘If I can’t win over Miss Yue, Steward Zhang isn’t a bad option.’

Ye Wenxin kicked him in the leg, making Young Master Lü fall flat on his face.

“One must be loyal,” she said with a stern frown. “You may not be good enough for Miss Yue, but don’t go eyeing others while still thinking about her.”

Still dazed, Young Master Lü’s expression shifted from shocked to ashamed. Sister Hong looked puzzled. Seeing Ye Wenxin stomping off into the house, she hurried after her.

“Celestial Master Ye, what’s wrong?”

Sister Hong looked anxious, thinking her brother had done something to upset Ye Wenxin.

Ye Wenxin held up a hand to stop her. “It’s nothing. Let me be alone for a while,” she said before slowly closing the door.

Mind-reading gave her mixed feelings. It provided security but made her see through the ugliness of humanity. If Long Qingyue could fall in love with someone even after understanding as much, that would be more difficult than reaching the heavens.

Ye Wenxin sighed, suddenly understanding why Long Qingyue had chosen her.

They knew each other inside and out. More than that, however, Long Qingyue could no longer read her thoughts, which marked her as a unique existence. They would never have reached this point if not for that.

Ye Wenxin lifted the control technique and collapsed onto the bed, exhaustion sweeping over her. One could imagine how draining it was.

After only one day living as Long Qingyue, she discovered her twisted nature had its reasons. But recalling what Long Qingyue said about liking her, she couldn’t help but worry.

Ye Wenxin drowsily entered the world of dreams. She slept until a sudden chill at her side jolted her awake. That chill pierced like knives with her sensitivity now tenfold.

The other person’s thoughts entered her mind before she could open her eyes.

‘Why does she feel different now?’

‘I’ve killed her would-be Dao partner and left her in such despair. What should I do? I can’t exactly give her a new one.’

Han Shanxue was lost in self-blame. Without mind-reading, Ye Wenxin would never have known this ice-cold beauty harbored such a complex inner world. Han Shanxue’s sharp senses seemed to pick up something unusual about her body despite the Bone-shrinking Technique.

But because Ye Wenxin now had mind-reading, she planned to build a friendlier relationship with Han Shanxue. They shared a goal: kill Immortal Lord Taohua. She just needed to reveal her intentions to make this female lead blessed with qilin luck a powerful ally on her road to success.

The only problem was how to word it subtly enough so that Han Shanxue wouldn’t suspect her of having ulterior motives. As Ye Wenxin pondered this, her mind worked much faster, likely due to using Long Qingyue’s brain. She could recall at will every detail of the day’s events.

Although weak as a chicken, Long Qingyue’s body was honestly too advantageous.

Given she now had a genius mind, Ye Wenxin refocused on how to come clean and form an alliance with Han Shanxue.

‘Yes, that’s it. I can do that. As long as—’

As Han Shanxue’s thoughts suddenly grew louder, Ye Wenxin felt a cold touch on her body. She nearly cried out in pain.

But she had to act normal and look helplessly at Han Shanxue.

“M-Miss Han, why are you here?” Ye Wenxin silently cursed Han Shanxue’s master. The two were equally insufferable.

“Miss Ye, I must tell you something,” Han Shanxue’s tone was as cold as ever, yet her thoughts were tense.

“Please go ahead, Miss Han.” Ye Wenxin feigned cluelessness despite already knowing what she would say.

Han Shanxue took her hand and in that icy tone, continued, “It was I who killed Miss Gu Youchou.”

“……”

Ye Wenxin didn’t know what expression to make. Han Shanxue was too frank. While others would try to cover up a murder, she came right out with it.

“I killed her because of a mistaken assumption. But she’s dead now, and all the blame is mine.” This was the longest thing Han Shanxue had ever said, but it left Ye Wenxin somewhat bemused.