Chapter 52.1

Xue Ming looked at the gentle and beautiful woman in front of her, and various scenes of wealthy mothers-in-law throwing millions at the delicate female lead and arrogantly asking her to leave their sons flashed through her mind. She realized that Shui Xi had likely kept her here to discuss this matter. Although Shui Xi did not appear imposing or arrogant, Yan Yuhe was her disciple, and she would naturally want to pave the way for him. There was a precedent of someone being demoted from the Ninth Heaven to a lowly earth god for the sake of love, which clearly showed that indulging in worldly affairs posed significant risks, at least to the future of an immortal.

Xue Ming thought: Really? My relationship has just started, and now someone is here to break us up?

Seeing her silence, Shui Xi took a sip of tea, her voice becoming even softer. “Don’t be afraid, we’re just chatting. Feel free to say whatever you want. Why would I make things difficult for a mortal like you?”

Xue Ming honestly replied, “I already know about this.”

Shui Xi asked, “What do you think about it?”

“What do I think?” Xue Ming didn’t know what kind of answer Yan Yuhe’s master wanted to hear from her, and she didn’t bother to guess her thoughts, so she played dumb and said, “Becoming an immortal is certainly a good thing. How many people in the world long for it?”

Shui Xi’s gaze remained gentle as she looked at Xue Ming as if she were looking at a beloved junior, even though it was their first meeting. After a moment, she placed the embroidered flower on her lap onto the table beside her, stood up slowly, and looked out the window, saying, “Look.”

Xue Ming followed her gaze and noticed that Yan Yuhe was standing outside the window, with half of his shadow falling on it. His profile was well-defined, with a high nose, distinct jawline, and downcast eyes, motionless as if deep in thought. Shui Xi smiled and made a gesture, seemingly casting a spell, then said to Xue Ming, “This boy is deliberately standing by the window to remind me that he’s still outside, so I shouldn’t make things difficult for you.”

Xue Ming smiled along, but her feelings were mixed. This kind of care, hidden in the shadows and only discovered quietly, touched the softest part of her heart.

Shui Xi seemed to recall the past and slowly said in a storytelling tone, “He joined the Tai Xu Sect when he was only five years old and had already started practicing with the sword his mother left him. His life has been all about cultivation and traveling to various places to slay demons and eliminate evil, with nothing else on his mind. Chixia was born different, with half-immortal blood, and strongly sensitive to demons and evil. He almost killed the daughter of the Ghost King, who was disguised as an ordinary mortal. After being punished and sent down the mountain, he only took that sword with him and said goodbye to no one.”

“He was born indifferent, and the word ‘love’ seemed irrelevant to him. So when his junior brother predicted that his romantic star was moving, we didn’t believe it. But unexpectedly, he really brought back a girl.” Shui Xi said this and then turned to look at Xue Ming. “A mortal’s lifespan is no more than a hundred years, while immortals live endlessly. Moreover, one day in heaven is a year on earth. Even if he accompanies you through a lifetime in the mortal world after becoming immortal, to him, it would be just a fleeting moment in his long life. After your death, he might forget you, or he might be so attached to this feeling that he seeks your reincarnation. Worse still, he might just be momentarily interested in you now, and once that interest fades, he will return to heaven with his sword to continue his cultivation. Where will you find this heartless man then?”

Xue Ming pondered, feeling increasingly uneasy as she listened. She initially thought Shui Xi was playing the role of a mother-in-law concerned about Yan Yuhe’s future, advising her to leave voluntarily. However, these words stood out from her perspective, even labeling Yan Yuhe as a “heartless man” before he did anything wrong.

Xue Ming couldn’t discern the purpose behind Shui Xi’s words.

Seeing her deep in thought and silent, Shui Xi didn’t rush her but continued speaking to herself, “There is a fundamental difference between humans and immortals. Even though I’ve watched Chixia grow up, I can’t guarantee he is someone you can entrust your life to. You should make plans for yourself as soon as possible. A deep and unforgettable love requires great difficulty, but forgetting takes only a moment. If he ever betrays you in the future, I will teach him a lesson. You can also come to me, and I will erase all memories related to him, so you two will become strangers, never to meet again.”

Xue Ming remained silent, unsure how to respond to these words. Only now did she realize that Shui Xi had sent Yan Yuhe away to say these words to help her, even offering a solution to the problem.

Shui Xi continued, “Feel free to share your thoughts; he can’t hear us.”

Xue Ming nodded slightly in response. She had long known Yan Yuhe might ascend to immortality, so she hadn’t been entirely frivolous in their relationship. She had thought about their future many times. Since meeting him after her transmigration, including the two months of traveling together, it had only been about three months. It was impossible for a deep, life-and-death love to develop in such a short time. Whether Yan Yuhe loved her or not, Xue Ming herself hadn’t reached the point of loving him to death. If she were with Yan Yuhe only to feel liked and cared for, that was also impossible. If she truly craved love, she would have accepted someone’s confession back in high school without hesitation. She could easily use her looks to gain many intense but short-lived “affections” in life.

Xue Ming admitted she liked Yan Yuhe. She liked his cold face, his usual indifference to everything, yet how he would hold her tightly and kiss her face repeatedly; how he kept everyone at a distance yet would hold her hand while walking and not let go for a long time; how his gaze would unintentionally fall on her and linger; and his patience in gently wiping her body with a damp cloth and dressing her while she slept deeply. After attending the earth god’s wedding banquet, Xue Ming got drunk, and Yan Yuhe refused the carriage offer to take them back, carrying her step by step. He didn’t use any travel spells, walking slowly and steadily. Whenever Xue Ming, half awake on his back, called his name, he would either turn his head slightly or respond softly. Even if she said nothing, he would still respond the next time she called.

Xue Ming couldn’t remember what she said on Yan Yuhe’s back, but looking back now, she had only one thought: perhaps Yan Yuhe really liked her.

Liking someone often starts lightly and isn’t very deep, but as days pass, many small affections accumulate, and one day, they might turn into love, gripping the heart tightly and becoming inescapable. That’s why some people feel like they’ve lost a part of themselves when they break up with no cure.

Xue Ming knew better than anyone the difference between mortals and immortals and didn’t believe she had the charm to make someone give up ascension. But she didn’t want to decide their relationship before others and hoped to sit down and talk with Yan Yuhe. She turned to look at Yan Yuhe’s quiet silhouette on the window, then stood up and smiled at Shui Xi, “Thank you for the reminder. I will think carefully about what you said. If it truly becomes impossible to discuss, I will leave on my own. The world is vast; surely there is a place for me.”

Seeing that Xue Ming intended to leave, Shui Xi did not insist on keeping her. She smiled and exchanged a few more words, reminding Xue Ming to feel at ease in the Tai Xu sect and to live comfortably.

Xue Ming again expressed her gratitude, bid farewell to Shui Xi, and stepped out of the room. She turned a corner after leaving and saw Yan Yuhe standing under the window. His long white robe fluttered gently in the wind, and his ink-black hair danced lightly around him. The hair strands on his forehead partially covered his handsome brows and eyes. His gaze was always calm as water, his emotions so stable that no one could make him lose control. Noticing Xue Ming’s arrival, he finally lifted his eyes to look at her.

Xue Ming couldn’t help but recall Yan Yuhe in bed, his face looking particularly beautiful and captivating when his eyes were tinged with a blush like the evening glow. He walked over slowly, not asking much, and as usual, habitually and calmly took her hand, leading her towards the back mountain.

It was Xue Ming’s first time in such a cultivation sect, and she was curious about everything. Her eyes constantly explored the surroundings, even peeking through the curtains. Along the way, they encountered many disciples of the sect, who respectfully greeted Yan Yuhe as “Senior Brother.” Initially, Xue Ming instinctively wanted to withdraw her hand from his whenever they saw someone, but he noticed her intention and held her hand tightly, not allowing her to pull away.

Yan Yuhe always seemed to act independently and was unconcerned with others’ opinions. They leisurely went to the back mountain, where Xue Ming finally saw Yan Yuhe’s residence. The courtyard looked large and well-structured, nestled within a bamboo forest. Upon entering, there was a spacious yard paved with bluestone tiles without any flowers or plants. The sides were not walled high, allowing the breeze to bring the rustling sound of bamboo leaves and the fresh scent of vegetation. The front hall was solemnly furnished. Passing through a corridor, they reached his sleeping quarters, which were connected to the bathhouse and other areas. Further back was the living spring, where Xue Ming had soaked many times.

Yan Yuhe was indeed highly favored in the Tai Xu sect. His residence’s location and structure were top-notch, serene, and quiet, perfect for cultivation. Xue Ming was very familiar with the house, feeling like she was returning home. She entered the bedroom, removed her shoes, and collapsed onto the soft chair.

Although the journey wasn’t particularly tiring, there’s always a sense of relaxation upon returning home. She felt like a lump of clay, not wanting to move at all.

Yan Yuhe took off his outer robe and casually hung it aside. Then he sat at the desk, grinding ink and writing seriously.

Since leaving Shui Xi, Yan Yuhe hadn’t said much. On the way, he responded to the disciples’ greetings with indifference.

Although he was usually silent, Xue Ming sensed that something was off about his mood. After lying down for a while, she got up and walked over to Yan Yuhe, seeing that he had already written half a page. His handwriting was elegant. Curious, Xue Ming asked, “What are you writing?”

Yan Yuhe initially looked quite serious, but when Xue Ming asked that question, he suddenly seized the opportunity. He put down his pen, pulled her over, and made her sit on his lap, cupping her chin and kissing her. His other hand wrapped around Xue Ming’s waist, tightening its grip and bringing her body close to his chest.

Yan Yuhe kissed her passionately, especially cherishing her soft lips and her two small, sharp fangs, tirelessly licking them again and again. Xue Ming quickly became weak all over, lost in the moment. After a while, Yan Yuhe released her, his nose gently brushing against her cheek a couple of times, and only after stepping back did he softly say, “Organize the documents regarding the assassination of the Ghost Emperor’s daughter and the myriad ghosts from the realms of Yin and Yang.”

When Xue Ming heard that he was dealing with serious matters, she slid down from Yan Yuhe’s lap and said thoughtfully, “Then you go ahead. I won’t disturb you.”

Yan Yuhe’s gaze followed her for quite a while before he finally looked away and picked up his brush again. Xue Ming sat by the low table opposite him, casually flipping through a book, but her thoughts drifted far away. He had just returned, and naturally, there were many things to deal with. Although Xue Ming wanted to sit down and have a good chat with him, she felt it was better to wait for the right moment, thinking it best to let him finish his tasks first.

Xue Mingsi thought for a while and finally felt dizzy. She took a shower and climbed into bed. Before sleeping, she noticed Yan Yuhe still sitting at the table, writing with his head down. Halfway through her sleep, she felt some movement on the bed. Someone lying beside her had come into the bed and snuggled up to her, wrapping their arms around her back and waist and turning her over into a position that fit closely with theirs. Due to the gentle force, Xue Ming only stirred slightly before quickly falling back asleep in a warm and snug embrace.

As expected, the next few days were just as Xue Ming had predicted. Yan Yuhe was extremely busy, likely dealing with the aftermath of the previous incident. Additionally, the pouch Xue Ming carried contained treasures that Jiang Ruoming had swindled from various sects, including a small sword wrapped in silk that she had never been able to use, which turned out to be the Tai Xu Sect’s treasure.

Yan Yuhe returned the items one by one and had to host visitors from various sects, making him scarce throughout the day. Xue Ming, being a homebody, didn’t like wandering around much. She often sat in the bamboo forest, enjoying the moonlight or listening to the wind, finding it quite pleasant. However, Yan Yuhe’s younger disciples were lively and curious about Xue Ming. They frequently visited her when Yan Yuhe was not around. Among them, she learned that the junior brother who had previously predicted Yan Yuhe’s romantic fate was named Liu Mengyuan.

Yan Yuhe had sentenced Liu Mengyuan to copy scripture and kneel at the Water Cliff, which had long been a source of amusement. But when Yan Yuhe brought Xue Ming back, everyone was shocked, and Liu Mengyuan’s reputation soared. The disciples all said that if Liu Mengyuan could predict even the senior brother’s romantic fate, there was nothing he couldn’t. As a result, people lined up daily to have their fortunes told by him. He often escaped to the back mountain to avoid the crowd, bringing a few junior sisters to visit Xue Ming.