Chapter 46

If anyone else had said this, it might have sounded conceited.

But when it came from Liuyu of Yinshan, it was hard to find it ridiculous.

There were countless beauties in Xiandu, so many that one could not count them on both hands. Moreover, when someone is beautiful to a certain extent, it’s hard to rank them, and there’s no universally acknowledged top beauty in Xiandu.

Although Liuyu was often mentioned, she knew in her heart that if she didn’t carry the Yinshan name and the title of Lingyong Leader, she wouldn’t have such a reputation.

Take Tan Ning, for example, who spent half an hour every day painting her eyebrows and applying makeup just to receive a few more compliments from others.

But—

At least to Mo Lin, Liuyu had no doubt. Just by looking at his current expression, she knew she was undoubtedly the most beautiful in his eyes.

She was right.

Within the tent, the red shadows swayed, and a subtle fragrance lingered. The rosy flush from the bath lingered on her snowy skin, reminiscent of the poetic lines, “Her beauty intoxicates in the morning, her heavenly fragrance dyes the clothes at night.”

Unfortunately, Mo Lin wasn’t literate enough to think of such precise words to describe it.

When he met Liuyu’s proud and confident eyes, his breathing quickened, as if he were submerged in a warm current, giving him the illusion of drowning.

“…Why?”

Liuyu blinked, seemingly not understanding his question.

But Mo Lin was serious, his rough palm pressed against her waist, eyes intense:

“I know why you married into Jiuyou willingly, and I understand you have enemies in Dachao you want to deal with, so you sought to ally with the demons of Jiuyou to fight them. For that purpose, you’ve killed the Jade-Faced Spider and united the people of Jiuyou—your actions have been enough to secure our cooperation. So why say such things?”

She could clearly sense his turmoil, yet she also saw the tense line of his jaw and the muscles taut beneath his skin.

The hand gripping her waist was like a beast gathering strength before a hunt, filled with a tension ready to snap at any moment.

Liuyu suddenly recalled an incident from her childhood.

When she was ten, her third uncle brought home a civet cat.

The civet cat was jet-black, sleek, and beautiful, but it had scratched a noble boy who tried to pet it. In retaliation, the boy used his qi to immobilize the cat and broke its bones.

Yinshan Qi pitied the cat, stopped the boy, and brought the cat home, carefully nursing it for months.

However, once healed, the civet cat showed no gratitude to Yinshan Qi. It would lash out at anyone who tried to touch it with goodwill, but if someone approached it with feigned aggression, it would become surprisingly docile.

Liuyu, unconvinced, tried and almost got scratched. Annoyed, she cursed the ungrateful cat.

Yinshan Qi, almost disfigured by the scratches, laughed and said—

“Even humans who have been bitten by a snake once will fear ropes for ten years. How can you blame a little, ignorant civet cat? Creatures that have suffered usually remember the pain, not the kindness.”

The tall man before her, large enough to almost completely cover her, seemed no different from that pitiful yet infuriating civet cat.

“Don’t like hearing that?”

Liuyu lifted her chin slightly, casually diverting her gaze.

“Then I won’t say it next time.”

Through his slightly open sleepwear, his firm chest was revealed, heaving intensely, and she could hear his somewhat irritated breathing.

“…No.”

Liuyu’s lips curved slightly, and she pretended not to hear him clearly, asking again:

“No what?”

The other person fell silent for a long time.

Just when Liuyu thought he might not answer, he squeezed out a few words through his teeth.

“No, I don’t dislike hearing it.”

That was no small feat.

Liuyu turned back to look at him. When their eyes met, filled with a sense of shame, she suddenly leaned in and kissed him.

The soft, moist touch of her lips made Moli’s mind go blank for a moment.

All those tangled, messy thoughts in his head vanished with that kiss.

She kissed too briefly, like a dragonfly touching water, and Moli instinctively cupped the back of her head, wanting to deepen the kiss.

But Liuyu’s hand, pressed against his chest, stopped him.

Though slender, her hand wasn’t as delicate as that of an ordinary woman. If she didn’t put her full strength into it, Moli found it hard to get any closer.

Her eyes were full of mirth as she blinked and asked:

“Then why did you plant Golden Thread Jade?”

…She was being really mean.

Yet this deliberate, probing difficulty made her even more endearing to him.

His breathing grew heavier, and he replied in a hoarse voice:

“I want to give you what he can give you too.”

Liuyu was stunned, and the hand against his chest suddenly lost its strength.

Seeing the opportunity, Moli grabbed her wrist and pinned her to the bed.

As he pressed his lips against hers, his other hand circled her waist, lifting her gently and trapping her arms so she had no choice but to cling to his chest.

If she were an ordinary woman without any cultivation, Moli’s grip might have been enough to break her ribs.

Liuyu had intended to push him away, but perhaps softened by his words, her resistance turned into an embrace.

She held Moli even tighter.

As if to make up for the cold, distant years of her past life.

The fierce kiss suddenly stopped.

Moli felt her grip on his back, and the heart that had been sinking in darkness seemed to be lifted by her hands.

He still couldn’t find a reasonable explanation for Liuyu’s sudden change in attitude towards him.

He hadn’t done anything for her.

Or rather, he hadn’t had the chance to do anything for her before she had sentenced him to death.

But overnight, everything changed.

He wanted to find the answer; he had to find the answer. Otherwise, even if she slept peacefully in his arms, Moli would still fear that one day, she might revert to her old self.

At this moment.

He revealed his vulnerability to her, something that shouldn’t be exposed to anyone, and she neither mocked him nor offered empty words of comfort, responding only with silence and an embrace.

Such a light embrace.

It wasn’t enough.

Not nearly enough.

Moli tightened his arms, pulling her into his lap, wishing he could merge her into his body.

Liuyu heard something slick and soft moving within the curtains, making a faint rustling sound. She lifted her head slightly, gazing at the phoenix and dragon embroidery on the curtain, and said:

“I’m sleepy.”

There were many things to deal with tomorrow.

The tendril that had been reaching out for the pill box halted.

The demon ghost nestled in her disheveled clothes lifted his eyes.

“Do you know what Granny Mu told me that day on Jade Mountain?”

His lips and tongue teased her as he spoke slowly, savoring her subtle tremors:

“She told me to care for your health, to not waste precious time in bed, to abstain and practice moderation… What do you think?”

Liuyu clutched his sleepwear.

“I think she’s absolutely right. Honestly, I suspect Granny Mu’s origins might be more complex than they seem. Not only can she deconstruct such intricate demonic language for outsiders to learn, but she also knows a great deal about the Jiufang family. She could certainly serve as a valuable advisor, and we should heed her advice, even in these matters.”

Listening to her earnest agreement, even though it lacked rhythm, Moli’s face broke into a meaningful smile.

He didn’t often smile, so when he did, it was strikingly beautiful.

“I think so too. Since that’s the case, she said coupling once a week is enough, so I guess I’ll reluctantly agree.”

Liuyu’s eyes widened slightly.

This demon ghost had learned to be cunning!

The next morning, Moli rose early.

Since he and Liuyu planned to go beyond the Demon Ghost Great Wall to investigate the Xiangli clan’s activities in Taiping City, Moli needed to handle some affairs in Jiuyou before their departure.

Liuyu, however, found it hard to keep her eyes open.

Human energy is indeed limited.

At home, she had never lingered in bed, but in Jiuyou, with so many things to think about and having to deal with Moli, who clung to her like a love-struck ghost at night, it was almost dawn by the time she reluctantly got up.

Practicing swordsmanship was the quickest way to wake up, so Liuyu called on Chaoyuan, who had just switched shifts with the maidservant, and found a secluded spot in Jiyue Palace to practice.

“—Miss, it seems you’ve made a lot of progress suddenly.”

After only twenty moves, Chaoyuan’s forehead was covered in a thin layer of sweat.

But Liuyu was still at ease.

The practice sword she used was of low quality, and soon her jade sword ran out of energy and shattered. A maidservant brought a box of new hairpins.

“Well, it might be because I’ve had some insights recently.”

Having insights from once being at the peak of the ninth realm, sparring with Chaoyuan, who had just entered the seventh realm, was indeed a bit unfair.

Liuyu looked back at Chaoyuan, her eyes bright:

“Why don’t you both come at me together?”

After entering summer, the central region of Zhongzhou became abundant with rainfall, leaving the air in the Divine Capital city infused with the moist scent of soil.

As the first light of dawn emerged, it shone upon the muddy path leading to the Shen’gao Palace. Carriages adorned with various family emblems traveled through the royal street, heading in the direction of the Purple Gold Gate amidst the shouts of the carriage servants.

Today was the day of the regular court assembly.

It was only on this day that the Divine Capital, which had long been replaced by the Southern Land Immortal Capital as the center of the kingdom, could welcome so many immortal family clans.

By the time Nangong Jing descended from her palanquin, many courtiers dressed in formal attire had already gathered outside the Taichu Hall, surrounding and flattering a tall, jade-like figure.

This young man exuded an aura of cold elegance, his smiling eyes possessing a jade-like gentle glow. The official robes draped over his slender figure only enhanced his otherworldly appearance and clear spirit.

Suddenly, Jiufang Zhanghua sensed something and looked in Nangong Jing’s direction, bowing to greet her:

“Greetings, Chancellor.”

Only then did the courtiers turn their heads.

The woman they saw was not particularly striking. Disliking the hot weather, she didn’t even wear her official hat. Her long hair was tied in the simplest of buns, with every strand neatly in place. She wore only a translucent jade hairpin in her black hair, with no other adornments.

In an era where even men loved to powder their faces and shape their eyebrows, Nangong Jing’s appearance was somewhat unconventional.

But she was Nangong Jing.

Even if she walked into the Shen’gao Palace in rough cloth shoes, no one would dare utter a word.

“Greetings, Chancellor—”

The courtiers’ voices boomed in unison, almost causing Yin Shanzanzhi, who had just alighted from his carriage, to stumble.

Once supported to stand firmly by a servant, Yin Shanzanzhi looked at the scene before him and couldn’t help but feel a deeper sense of awe for his aunt.

No wonder it was said that the Yinshan clan was only half a step away from the throne.

His aunt’s courtly presence was nearly on par with that of the emperor.

Nangong Jing lowered her eyes, offering a polite but perfunctory bow to her colleagues, and only exchanged a glance with Jiufang Zhanghua. The courtiers then dispersed and proceeded towards the Taichu Hall.

Jiufang Zhanghua glanced at Yin Shanzanzhi, who was following behind, and nodded kindly, which was a form of greeting.

Since entering the Shen’gao Palace, Yin Shanzanzhi had been quite nervous. Seeing a familiar face, his youthful eyes brightened, though he refrained from rushing over to chat.

Unfortunately, Jiufang Zhanghua quickly turned back to Nangong Jing and said while walking:

“I heard that this time, Madam Master arranged for Zanzhi to be an official in the Immortal Bureau, which oversees the household registries of the world. Although important, it doesn’t benefit the Yinshan family. Given Zanzhi’s talents, it seems somewhat wasted.”

Liuyu’s appearance didn’t resemble Nangong Jing much, except for her eyes, which bore a similar spirit.

Nangong Jing smiled faintly, her gaze bright:

“Zanzhi is young and timid. If he were to take on important duties immediately upon entering office, I would be worried—are you attending court on behalf of your father this time?”

“Yes, my father…” Jiufang Zhanghua paused, “My father is ill and cannot endure the journey.”

Nangong Jing’s smile deepened as she walked ahead with her hands behind her back:

“Your father, at the peak of the Ninth Realm, what illness could possibly bring him down? There’s no need to hide it from me; he’s just afraid. In broad daylight, in the central region of Zhongzhou, with me only being at the Third Realm, I wonder what he’s so afraid of?”

Yin Shanzanzhi, following behind with his head bowed, noticed Guangluxun Nangong Yao standing guard outside the hall and quickly greeted him.

Nangong Yao was Nangong Jing’s younger brother and Liuyu’s uncle.

A Ninth Realm cultivator, he was a palace guard and head of the Shen’gao Palace gates, ranked among the Nine Ministers.

Yin Shanzanzhi wiped his sweat, thinking that in the central region of Zhongzhou, apart from the Murong family, it was their Yinshan clan that held dominant power. The Jiufang family wouldn’t dare come to court here with even ten times the courage.

He glanced up at Jiufang Zhanghua ahead.

Of course, Zhanghua was an exception.

Though the eldest son of the Jiufang family, he had been taken in by their Yinshan clan since childhood.

When the two families were on good terms, it was acceptable, but now with signs of estrangement, Zhanghua was in an awkward position, caught between the two houses.

Even if something happened to him, it wouldn’t affect the Jiufang family much.

Yin Shanzanzhi thought of his cousin, who had married far away to Jiuyou.

He heard that recently there had been unrest in Jiuyou, and he wondered what kind of hardships his noble cousin was enduring there.

If only his cousin hadn’t married to Jiuyou, and instead had Zhanghua join their family, wouldn’t that have been the best of both worlds?

“I heard that a few days ago, your father confined you to the family prison. Have your injuries healed? I brought some medicinal herbs. Take them back with you later.”

Jiufang Zhanghua’s eyelashes trembled slightly.

Even within the Jiufang family, few knew about his confinement.

Nangong Jing had spies in the Jiufang family.

But it was expected. The major families were intricately connected, each having spies within the others.

“Thank you, Madam Master.”

“No need to thank me,” Nangong Jing said nonchalantly, “After all, you were punished for helping Liuyu.”

The scars under his official robe burned, and his mind flashed back to the hand order he had clutched but never delivered on that day.

Mo Lin glanced at her:

“You better only say that to me.”

Demons are particularly sensitive about two things: one is being ridiculed for their ugly demon forms, and the other is mentioning their days of being enslaved by Da Zhao, working tirelessly.

Liuyu just smiled, “Of course, I only say it to you, I’m not stupid.”

Her tone was sweet, making it hard for anyone to get angry even if she was scolding them.

“…Actually, it’s fine to say it to others too.”

Mo Lin added:

“Compared to the Jade-Faced Spider, you’re even more generous, arranging for them to have shifts of three days on, one day off—it’s fortunate we’re only building a small fort. If it were any larger, no amount of money would be enough for you.”

Liuyu tossed him a set of ordinary clothes to change into.

They had already left the Demon Ghost Great Wall, so they couldn’t wear their lord and queen attire anymore.

“It’s already running low.” Liuyu turned her back to untie her clothes, “Fortunately, when I left Taiping City, I used the pretext of escaping with a servant to take my third uncle’s stash. Otherwise, relying only on my dowry, we’d be really tight on money.”

The belt was tied rather tightly, and Liuyu was never good at handling such intricate attire.

A hand reached around from behind, skillfully untying it for her.

“What about the wealth seized from Yushan?”

His chin rested on her shoulder, his fingers deftly unfastening layer after layer of her robe.

Though he was seriously helping her change clothes, the confined space of the carriage made it seem rather intimate.

“That’s separate,” Liuyu said, “This is for my family’s affairs, so I can’t use your money. But don’t worry, I’ll need your Nine Nether people eventually.”

“You can use them now.”

As he reached her inner clothing, Liuyu grabbed his wrist and threw his hand aside.

“First, we need to understand the internal situation of the Xiangli family. The aristocratic families are tightly knit, and since they are secretly involved in the Boundless Sea business, they must be hiding very well—”

Liuyu pushed him to turn around so she could change her clothes, continuing:

“But Fang Fuzang has already investigated under my orders. After the Xiangli family took over Taiping City, the first thing they did was recruit people on a large scale, likely for growing the spiritual plants needed for Boundless Sea. We can start from there.”

First, check out the fort built by the Jimo family in Longque City.

Then find a way to infiltrate the Xiangli family in Taiping City.

It sounded like there was an endless list of things to do, but none were what he wanted to do.

Mo Lin looked down and slowly tied his belt.

“So, we’re pretending to be ordinary civilians? I’m fine with that, but you might have a hard time pulling it off.”

Liuyu also tied her belt, her long, silky black hair falling like a satin ribbon, a sign of a well-off background. But since they were first heading to Longque City, there was no need to disguise themselves completely yet.

“Who says I can’t pull it off?”

Liuyu thought, after all, she had lived rough for ten years, and had managed to evade the pursuit of aristocratic families, proving she had some skills.

But as soon as she turned her head and tied up her hair, she saw the young man in common clothes.

Normally, although Mo Lin’s green robe was old, it was made of fine silk, and his good looks gave him a quietly brooding elegance that could occasionally make him look like a melancholic young master from an aristocratic family.

But now, in these fitted, short-sleeved clothes, with his hair tied high, his fierce and murderous aura was fully exposed.

Without the wide sleeves to hide it, his toned waist and back were revealed.

Broad shoulders, narrow waist, long limbs.

He was all about the aggressive masculinity of a young man, far from the genteel elegance of an aristocratic young master.

He looked at Liuyu, seeing her radiant beauty even in plain clothes, and raised his eyebrows slightly:

“What do you look like? Like a young lady taken by a bandit chief while fleeing a disaster?”

Liuyu, not wanting to be outdone, pursed her lips and retorted:

“And you indeed look the part… just a bit too well, like a rough man who can plow three acres of land for a basket of buns.”