Chapter 33

Liuyu’s eyes widened slightly.

“You really are…”

Adaptable, aren’t you?

Clearly, she had treated Mo Lin with such a bad attitude before, causing him so much trouble.

Now, speaking such nonsense like “if we can grow old together, he will be at ease,” with such a strong ulterior motive.

“Don’t pay attention to him. When he asked my mother for money to build the Garden of Ten Thousand Beasts, he had the same expression.”

Liuyu warned the green-clad demon ghost beside her.

“Don’t forget how he tricked you out of your money. Absolutely—absolutely do not soften your heart.”

Liuyu had previously explained to Mo Lin the reasons for restraining Yinshan Qi.

The rise of the Yinshan clan, from its humble beginnings to its current status, had taken almost a century.

But there is no endless uphill path in the world; prosperity inevitably leads to decline. Great families that thrive for too long will start to decay from within.

Those branches and offshoots of the family were beyond Liuyu’s reach now, but at least within her jurisdiction, the Yinshan clan members could not be allowed to idle away their days and exhaust their resources.

Think of danger in times of peace.

The young masters and mistresses born in the lap of luxury of the Yinshan clan did not understand this principle.

But Liuyu would always remember the bloody lesson from her previous life.

Seeing the solemn and serious expression on Liuyu’s face, Mo Lin nodded slightly.

“I understand.”

In fact, he had always been puzzled about where Liuyu’s strong sense of crisis came from.

Even though Wuse City had been burned down by his own hands, the Yinshan clan’s greatest pillar had never been Wuse City itself.

When the plan to build Wuse City was proposed, Nangong Jing personally went to various places to persuade the families of the immortal world one by one, securing their consent to operate unimpeded throughout Da Chao.

While the Yinshan clan dispatched numerous cultivators to hunt demons and ghosts, they also established shops all over Da Chao.

—This was the true foundation of the Yinshan clan’s wealth.

As for the income generated by Wuse City, it had always been evenly divided among the five great families: Xiangli, Jiufang, Zhongli, Murong, and Yinshan.

Therefore, after Mo Lin burned down Wuse City, the four great families, apart from the Yinshan clan, were severely affected and had to negotiate with Jiuyou, while the Yinshan clan’s financial resources were hardly impacted.

So, what exactly was she preparing for?

Not only did Mo Lin not understand, but even Yinshan Qi, her own family member, didn’t understand.

He clearly saw that the gaze of the Lord of Demons and Ghosts towards him had softened significantly, but with Liuyu’s single remark, he was back to square one.

“And also—”

Liuyu stepped forward, squinting at Yinshan Qi:

“Don’t compare him with Jiufang Zhanghua.”

There was no comparison between them.

Both Yinshan Qi and Mo Lin were stunned.

“…Don’t overthink it.”

Watching Liuyu walk towards Ajang and the others, Yinshan Qi patted the Lord of Demons and Ghosts’ shoulder sympathetically.

Yinshan Qi thought Liuyu’s remark meant that Mo Lin was inferior to Jiufang Zhanghua.

After all, Liuyu had grown up with Zhanghua, sharing a deep bond that could not be compared to the one-month marriage with Mo Lin.

He consoled:

“No matter what place you hold in Liuyu’s heart, to me, you’re already my nephew-in-law.”

Of course, if there were to be a second or third nephew-in-law in the future, that would be another matter.

Yinshan Qi sighed as he fanned his green robe’s wide sleeves.

Mo Lin, silent for a moment, took out a bag of something from his sleeve and tossed it into Yinshan Qi’s arms.

“It’s not money.”

Yinshan Qi’s joy was immediately doused by Mo Lin’s cold words.

“The ghost overseeing the carriages in Jiye Palace has killed more than a dozen guhuo birds. I’ve heard that Third Uncle is skilled in raising spirit beasts. Jiye Palace is in need of a Sima officer, with a monthly salary of ten gold coins. Of course, if Third Uncle feels it’s beneath him…”

“You’ve found the right person. I guarantee, there’s no one better than me at raising spirit beasts in all of Jiuyou.”

Yinshan Qi weighed the seal in his hand, vowing earnestly.

What face?

This wasn’t Da Chao.

Luckily, he had never liked going to Wuse City before, so the chances of these ghosts and demons recognizing him were extremely low.

That black-hearted little brat Liuyu was indeed determined not to give him money. If he didn’t take up the position of Sima officer, would he really have to live off those small earnings?

Survival!

Damn it, he, the third young master of the Yinshan clan, had to work two jobs and think about survival!

Yinshan Qi’s long sighs and laments fell into Mo Lin’s eyes.

He looked towards Liuyu in the distance, and the persistent doubts in his heart resurfaced.

Yinshan Qi suddenly agreed to lower himself to work two jobs because Liuyu had confiscated his money and servants.

What about Liuyu?

What had caused this former high-born young lady, who once lived far from the mortal world, to suddenly bow her head and see the suffering of those beneath her?

Liuyu did not notice the deep gaze from afar.

Here, Chaoming and a few maidservants were preparing paper and brushes for Ajang.

Today, Yinshan Qi’s lesson for the demons and ghosts of the Ghost Dao Academy was to learn how to write their own names. The demons and ghosts in the academy, having been instructed by Yinshan Qi, were now drawing characters based on his model.

Ajang didn’t know how to write her name. Chaoming wanted to help but remembered that her own calligraphy was unrefined and not presentable.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, she said to Liuyu:

“—Miss, you should write. Your calligraphy is first-rate in Lingyong, even Palace Chief Ji Yu praises it.”

The maidservants leaning by the window said:

“What isn’t first-rate about Miss?”

“Even the father of that former fourth young lady of the Zhongli family, a great contemporary calligrapher, was overshadowed by our Miss when she entered Lingyong.”

The woman, as white as frost and snow, sat upright at a low table in the back row of the academy, attentively listening to the maidservants’ chatter.

Lingyong Academy.

Palace Chief.

Unfamiliar noble family names, and a great contemporary calligrapher.

These terms were all distant from Ajang. Before coming here, the words she had heard most often were the vulgar curses of the crude demons in Yushan.

This was also a place where demons and ghosts gathered.

But compared to Yushan, this place seemed like a different world.

Ajang smelled a faint, indistinct fragrance wrapping around her from behind.

“—Zhongli Lingzhao simply did not specialize in this field; her second sister’s calligraphy is better than mine.”

Silky black hair draped over Ajang’s snowy white robe.

In the next moment, Ajang felt a slender, jade-like hand covering the back of her hand.

“Just to confirm, the ‘Jiang’ in your name refers to the crimson color, right?”

Ah Jiang glanced at the handsome features of the person standing so close to her. She was stunned for a moment before nodding and looking at the hand holding hers.

This noblewoman from the Yinshan clan had touched her hand.

Didn’t she know her background?

Wouldn’t she think it’s dirty to touch someone like her?

Before she could come to any conclusion, Liuyu was already holding her hand and writing on the paper.

Her handwriting was like her person.

Elegant and flowing, as smooth as a river’s current, yet with sharpness hidden between the strokes, like iron lines drawn on silver.

Ah Jiang had never known that her simple and humble name could be written so beautifully and gracefully.

She held the pen, stunned and entranced, as though her soul was unfolding with each stroke of the two characters.

“Ah.”

Liuyu noticed a drop of ink fall from the tip of the pen onto the white hem of the woman’s gown and promptly reminded her:

“Your dress is stained with ink. You should change into a different one.”

After thinking for a moment, she realized that all the items Ah Jiang had on her person had already been destroyed when she was searched.

Liuyu turned to the maidservant:

“Get a set of clothes I haven’t worn. Though, she’s too thin, so my clothes might need some alteration.”

Liuyu noticed a change in Ah Jiang’s expression and tilted her head to look at her. She found that Ah Jiang’s eyes were glistening with tears.

“…Why are you crying?”

Liuyu couldn’t understand.

Ah Jiang looked up at Liuyu, and only then did Liuyu realize that, though a tear had fallen, her expression was not one of sadness.

“It’s the first time someone wants to give me clothes. I’m very happy.”

Liuyu was even more confused.

She wore jade that was worth a fortune at her waist. Why would she be so happy and cry over receiving a piece of clothing?

“Miss Liuyu.”

Ah Jiang imitated the maidservants’ way of addressing and reached out to hold Liuyu’s hand.

The maidservants chatting nearby and Chaoming looked over.

From a distance, Mo Lin furrowed his brow.

The snow-like beautiful woman gazed at the noblewoman in front of her and spoke in a voice as soft as falling snow:

“If Miss requires… please, feel free to ask me at any time.”

At that moment, the entire study hall fell into silence.

The stack of books Chaoming was holding dropped to the floor with a clatter, and all the demons and spirits looked toward Mo Lin.

Even Ah Jiang, who was somewhat slow to react, sensed that something was wrong.

Breathing—

The pressure from the Demon Lord was so intense that it was hard to breathe.

“How long are you going to keep laughing?”

On the way to the Red Land Ghost Dao Academy, the Demon Lord, with his arms crossed, cast a cold glance at the girl who hadn’t stopped laughing the entire way.

After a while, Liuyu finally stopped laughing.

“It wasn’t that funny.”

She leaned on the low table inside the carriage and examined his cold, solemn face. A smile involuntarily appeared at the corner of her lips.

“But you got angry because of her words. It’s really hard not to laugh.”

Mo Lin tugged at the corner of his lips.

“You think she was joking?”

He didn’t think so.

The woman named Ah Jiang didn’t have a false expression at all. She clearly seemed as though she wanted to join them.

Moreover, this was her task from the start.

…Which was why he said, she shouldn’t have been kept around from the beginning.

Upon hearing this, Liuyu’s smile faded somewhat.

“I know she wasn’t joking.”

Outside the carriage, the crescent moon hung high. The Ye City Ghost Dao Academy had already gotten on track, and before the Ghost Drama Immortal Festival, Liuyu planned to inspect every Ghost Dao Academy in the Nine Hells and Thirteen Cities.

As the wheels rolled, Liuyu gazed out the window at the moonlight and spoke softly:

“I also know, she’s used to repaying others in this way.”

Turning back, the girl with half her face illuminated by the moonlight looked at him.

“Have I ever told you about my family?”

Mo Lin lowered his eyes and noticed a strand of her hair stuck to her lips. He reached out to brush it away.

“No,” he replied softly.

Though he wasn’t completely unaware.

He had always hoped that Liuyu would introduce him to her family in person.

Liuyu didn’t know what he was thinking. The space inside the carriage was quite large, and the maidservants had already set up the bedding for them. Liuyu gestured for Mo Lin to move the low table between them aside.

She lay on her side next to him and said slowly:

“When I was eight, the fourth son of the Xiangli family, Xiangli Ruluo, rebelled and led troops straight for the royal capital. The main force that quelled the rebellion was my family—this, you know, right?”

Mo Lin’s gaze rested on the side of the girl’s face, and he nodded.

This was well-known throughout Dazhao.

The Yinshan clan rose to power, in part because they established the Colorless City and, in part, because they quelled the Xiangli Ruluo rebellion.

“In this battle, many of the Yinshan clan’s retainers sacrificed their lives. The one who made the greatest contribution—my father took in the only surviving daughter of his, along with her mother, and raised them in our household. The little girl’s name was Tan Ning, and her mother, who came from a brothel, was named Liu Niang.”

Inside the carriage, the candlelight flickered dimly as she spoke, twirling a strand of Mo Lin’s long hair around her finger.

“I knew that Tan Ning was the daughter of a loyal minister, and my father was someone who really liked children. So even though my father treated Tan Ning very well, I didn’t think much of it—until I was ten, when Liu Niang drugged my father.”

Liuyu looked into Mo Lin’s eyes.

“It was the worst kind of spring drug from the brothel. Liu Niang was beautiful, but she lacked any real cunning—she might as well have had her evil deeds written on her face, so my father easily caught onto it.”

Mo Lin lowered his head and asked, “And then?”

Then—

The household was thrown into chaos for a while.

Of course, it was mainly Ah Jiang who caused the chaos. Both Yinshan Ze and Nangong Jing reacted calmly.

Only Liuyu insisted on throwing Liu Niang out of the house.

But she heard Nangong Jing apologize to Liu Niang:

“It’s my fault.”

“Tan Ning can go to the Xian Dao Academy to practice, but because of my negligence, you can only stay at home and brood. Liu Niang, I didn’t call you here to question you, but to tell you that even if you don’t serve anyone, you can still stay in the Yinshan family, and your daughter can still practice at the Yinshan family’s Xian Dao Academy.”

“And if you are willing, you can also stay by my side and learn some things—don’t worry about your origins, I only ask you, do you want to or not?”

The ten-year-old Liuyu didn’t understand why her mother forgave Liu Niang.

She also didn’t understand why Liu Niang at that time looked at her mother with longing eyes.

It wasn’t until many years later, after going through so much, and after Liuyu had grown to the age of Nangong Jing, that she could examine such a woman from her mother’s perspective—a woman who, apart from selling her body, didn’t know any other way to survive.

Because she had become accustomed to such transactions, even when receiving goodwill from others without expecting anything in return, all she could think of was reciprocating in this way.

Even humans were like this.

At the same time, as both a demon and a concubine of the Yushan family, what kind of life had Ajiang led in the past?

“This world is not easy for them to live in.”

Liuyu sighed lightly, but then quickly shifted the topic, her words now filled with murderous intent:

“Therefore, the Jade-faced Spider must die.”

Even though he ruled only a small Yushan, one could still see the face of Yushan in Ajiang.

These demons had finally escaped the oppression of the immortal clans, only to find themselves becoming another immortal clan, trampling on the weak while flaunting their power.

Such absurdity.

Cool fingers gently landed on Liuyu’s eyelids.

What followed was a brief kiss, which parted almost immediately.

Liuyu chuckled:

“Are you listening to me?”

“I am listening,” the dark hair like ink enveloped Liuyu’s vision. “You can’t see it, but when you say these things, your eyes look really nice.”

Molin thought, if those young masters from the scholarly clans were here, perhaps they could use more ornate words to describe it.

But when he looked at Liuyu now, all he could think of was the mysterious goddess of the temple.

The flickering moonlight reflected in her eyes.

It seemed to be shrouded in a layer of compassionate, gentle divinity.

When his kiss landed on her eyelashes, he felt no desire, only a deep wish to kneel before her feet, just like any devout believer before a goddess.

“Your mother thinking this way is not surprising. She came from a humble background and must have seen much human suffering—but why do you have such sentiments? Before, you couldn’t even tolerate the vulgarity of demons.”

She was born with good fortune, the greatest hardship probably being marrying him.

Although he was glad she understood demons like this—it couldn’t be called happiness, but he felt as if every part of his body wanted to touch her, to crave her, to an obsessive extent.

But he still had reason.

This kind of understanding couldn’t come for free.

Many pains, unless experienced, could never truly be understood.

Molin’s finger gently traced her temple, his eyes filled with deep thought.

—What had she experienced when he wasn’t by her side that would make her have such insights?

Liuyu met his eyes, which seemed to peer into one’s heart, surprised by his sharpness.

She avoided his gaze and retorted:

“I still want to ask why you know so much about my mother. Haven’t you heard about our family? How do you know that my mother came from a humble background?”

The Nangong family was at least an aristocratic family. Now, with the support of the Yinshan family, they had even mixed into the second-tier aristocratic families.

The humble origins were a thing of the past—how did he know this?

The gaze opposite shifted slightly, lacking confidence.

Molin: “I just heard about it.”

Liuyu: “Oh, then I was just casually reminiscing.”

The two, each holding their own secrets, exchanged glances before deciding to stop questioning.

There were many things to do tomorrow, and it was nearly time for bed.

Liuyu blew out the candle.

It was no surprise that Liuyu soon felt the increasingly intrusive tendrils wrap around her ankle and creep upwards.

However, since they were on a journey tonight, Molin didn’t plan to do anything. Just staying close to her like this already made every inch of him sigh with comfort.

“I want to ask you something.”

Liuyu couldn’t help but speak:

“I’ve always wondered… did you already meet me before?”

In the darkness, Molin’s eyes, dark as phosphorus, opened slightly.

In an instant, the spring flowers of Yujing, the lights of Wuse City, and the fluttering poetry scrolls on the branches passed through his mind, finally settling under the falling cherry blossoms.

—Except for me, no one in the world could surpass this man. Only then was he worthy of me, Yinshan Liuyu.

The girl who said these words back then was bright and proud.

She was the most talented of Lingyong, a noblewoman from a family of generations of officials.

While he was nameless.

A slave whom anyone could trample upon.

“…No.”

His voice was heavy with inexplicable emotion as he roughly tugged the blanket and tucked it tightly at the back of her neck.

“Being a slave is quite busy. I didn’t have time to pay attention to the young lady.”