As soon as the two heard Three Bean mention this matter, they quickly pressed for details.
“City Lord Zhuo is really affectionate. He kept speaking to her, but she seemed truly ill—lying on the bed. I don’t know if she was unconscious or just asleep, but she never responded to him. Later, when he left for a moment, I slipped inside for a look. There were many protective arrays around her, so I didn’t dare get too close—just looked from afar. I thought that anyone who could make City Lord Zhuo so deeply devoted must be a great beauty, but she was just a plain, delicate-looking young girl. She seemed much younger than the City Lord, about the same age as that lass Ji Chuling. But her breathing was very weak, her face completely bloodless and pale, as if she could die at any moment.” Three Bean spoke with some regret.
“You didn’t sense any demonic aura?” Mo Xuanli asked.
Three Bean shook his head. “No, she’s just human.”
From Three Bean’s description, the City Lord’s wife should indeed be human, which meant Zhuo Ling had nothing improper about him?
Were their suspicions truly unfounded? The two discussed it for a while longer.
“If everything is fine tomorrow morning, then that will be the end of it,” Li Xiuran said.
Mo Xuanli nodded. Though he still had many doubts, they weren’t saints who had to meddle in everything. They had already done all they could.
“Go rest,” Li Xiuran said, then turned back to his room—only to be greeted by Ji Chuling’s displeased face.
“What’s wrong?”
“Clearly we’re acting together, so why do you keep discussing things behind my back?” Ji Chuling demanded. “Do you have secrets you’re hiding from me?”
Li Xiuran was momentarily tongue-tied. “They were Brother Xuanli’s private matters…”
At once Ji Chuling’s brows knitted, and she muttered, “If it’s his private matter, why come to you? Doesn’t he have an elder brother?”
“What did you say?” Her voice was too soft; Li Xiuran didn’t hear clearly.
“Nothing… can we rest now?” Ji Chuling asked.
“Mm. Oh right, just now the spirit beast came back with some news…” Li Xiuran relayed what he had heard about the City Lord’s wife.
Ji Chuling immediately brightened. “See? I knew it—since they’re so affectionate, there must be nothing wrong.”
Li Xiuran neither agreed nor disagreed, but said seriously, “I’ll need to trouble you with something.”
“What is it?”
“Your intuition about demons has always been sharp, hasn’t it?” Li Xiuran asked with a faint smile.
Ji Chuling froze, her expression awkward. “Not anymore. When I first met Young Master Mo, I felt very uncomfortable around him—an indescribable unease. At first I thought he was tainted with demonic aura or had come into contact with demons, maybe even on the verge of demonization. But since he’s your friend and also Gu Baiqing’s disciple, once I got to know him I realized he was actually very kind, so I knew I must have been wrong. I can’t trust my instincts anymore.”
Li Xiuran was stunned. “Brother Xuanli is outstanding in character and striking in appearance, and that was your first impression of him?”
“Mm.” Ji Chuling looked embarrassed. “I meant no harm—it’s just the truth.”
Li Xiuran said, “Maybe it’s related to the time he suffered an attack from a high-level succubus demon in the secret realm. But if there really was demonic aura, after half a year it should have dissipated by now.”
“Perhaps it’s just that my skills aren’t good enough.” Ji Chuling brushed it off. “Forget intuition—other than some wandering spirits here, I haven’t sensed any demonic aura.”
Wandering spirits were everywhere; that wasn’t unusual.
“I know. That’s why I’d like you to use your clan’s secret art to investigate. If there are demons, they won’t be able to hide.” Li Xiuran added, “I haven’t told anyone about your clan’s secret method, so don’t worry about revealing it. If nothing’s wrong, then fine. But if something is, we’ll think of an excuse tomorrow to let the others know.”
Ji Chuling was surprised. “Is it really necessary to go that far?”
“I know it’ll be hard on you, but I fear that if demons are truly behind this, then the fact we’ve been invited here means we’re being watched. Even when we go to the spirit vein tomorrow, there could be danger at any moment. Your ability should be able to detect the entire City Lord’s manor.”
Li Xiuran knew Mo Xuanli likely had the same worries, but they were helpless. Only here, on their side, did they have the means. They had to make sure.
“Fine, since you insist. Then stand guard for me.”
…
Moonlight poured over the courtyard.
Zhuo Ling stepped through the gate. Beneath the blazing-red maple tree stood a slender woman.
She wore a veil, but her gown was sheer scarlet, like a wedding dress, yet more seductive and alluring than bridal attire. Entirely unlike the fairy-like, graceful figure she had once been.
Zhuo Ling frowned slightly. “You told me to invite them in. I thought it was something important. So it was just for his disciple? You’re not thinking of targeting his disciple, are you?”
The woman didn’t answer. Her jade-like fingers toyed with a maple leaf as she tilted her head, gazing dreamily.
Zhuo Ling’s patience thinned. “Among them is even a disciple of Tianzhao Sect—they’re no ordinary people. I went to great lengths to use formations to conceal the demonic aura covering this manor. If you make a move, it’ll cause trouble. I don’t want our real business delayed.”
The woman turned her gaze to Zhuo Ling. “Weren’t you always so good to me before, listening to my every word? What is it—have you truly found new love and forgotten the old?”
“You were never my old love. It was only youthful infatuation. My one true love is Sisi—she is my wife. If not for her, do you think I would ever have consorted with a fallen cultivator who joined the demons like you?”
“Pretty words. But in the end, aren’t you still using the demons to harm the innocent for your wife’s sake? What difference is there between us?”
“Ruiyao!”
“Why are you shouting so loudly? Afraid to admit what you’ve done? I think you’ll turn into a demon sooner or later too.” Ruiyao sneered.
“What exactly do you want?” Zhuo Ling asked uneasily.
“I just want to confirm one thing.” Flames slowly rose from Ruiyao’s palm, scorching a maple leaf bit by bit. “Was it him? Since when could he get so close to others? It shouldn’t be him, right…”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Whatever you’re planning, don’t interfere with my matters. Since they’ve already slain the demon beast, they’ll leave quietly. Don’t let your guard down though—among their group, that little girl is rather strange.”
“Oh right… I was just about to say—if we take that girl’s soul… maybe everything could be solved once and for all.”
“Really?”
“You felt it too, didn’t you? Such a pure soul—there’s hardly another like it in this world.”
“But I can’t lay hands on those outside the city. That’s my rule…”
“Then it depends on whether your wife can hold on until then. If you’re going to act, I want that girl’s body. She’s so beautiful, even I’d have to admit defeat.”
“…Madwoman. Even if you change your face, he’ll never like a fallen cultivator like you.”
Ruiyao’s gaze shifted in an instant, sharp as blades, murderous intent pouring out, but Zhuo Ling was not afraid in the slightest.
Suddenly, a blue-and-white umbrella flew through the air, aiming to block Ruiyao’s way, but she smacked it aside with one strike.
Ruiyao frowned impatiently.
Zhuo Ling’s expression also darkened.
“She came for you. Don’t let her cause trouble.” Zhuo Ling said this, then turned and left.
Just as he stepped out of the courtyard and headed toward his main residence, he suddenly felt someone following him and halted.
“Come out, Deputy City Lord Lin.”
Lin Ningshuang emerged from the shadows. “Where did you just go? Why is it that all these years, you’re always so secretive—what are you really doing?”
Zhuo Ling turned his head toward her. “What am I doing? Don’t you already know? If you don’t, you can go ask your father.”
Lin Ningshuang’s face changed instantly. Seeing Zhuo Ling about to leave, she suddenly lunged forward and embraced him from behind.
“Zhuo Ling, don’t speak to me like that. I know the pressure on you is heavy, but I’m worried about you too.”
“Let go. I still have things to do.”
Lin Ningshuang grew agitated at once. “There’s no need for you to spend every night over at her place, is there? Zhuo Ling, let’s get married. Let’s wed in secret—I don’t want to wait anymore.”
“We will not marry.” Zhuo Ling said coldly. “I already have a wife.”
Lin Ningshuang, usually a strong woman, couldn’t hold back tears at those words. “I am your fiancée. The position of City Lord’s wife should be mine… Why is Heaven so unfair to us, Zhuo Ling? Even if we cannot marry, at least don’t reject me, please? Even if I have no name, no status, let me be your woman, even if only to carry on the Zhuo family line.”
Zhuo Ling pushed her away directly. “Don’t speak such words—they’re taboo. Haven’t enough people died already?”
“Didn’t they just take care of that demon beast? Maybe it will work.”
“Do you think I haven’t slain demons before? You should know—the bride’s curse hasn’t ceased.”
“But this time, with the spiritual vein opening and so many cultivators gathered, we could ask them for help. Otherwise, must you keep sacrificing yourself?”
“You want the whole world to know?” Zhuo Ling asked coldly.
Lin Ningshuang froze under his icy gaze.
“Don’t forget—we all carry guilt.” Zhuo Ling finished, lifted his foot, and walked away, leaving Lin Ningshuang sobbing bitterly at the moon.
That night, thanks to the Zhuo family’s inheritance formation, no demons were exposed.
Yet Mo Xuanli, wholly unguarded, passed the night sleepless.
He could hardly imagine what his master would be like after drinking: first dizzy and clinging in his sleep, then suddenly waking in the middle of the night.
So when Mo Xuanli returned with Three Bean and saw Gu Baiqing sitting on the bedside, his face went pale. He had finally convinced himself that his master had only been drunk, but seeing this, he thought his master had been pretending all along, waiting to confront him. After all, what he had just done was utterly rebellious—there was no excuse.
But the next instant, Mo Xuanli realized he was overthinking.
“Disciple, where did you go?” Gu Baiqing tilted his head, looking at him in puzzlement.
“Mas… Master?”
Heavens, why was his master speaking in such a spoiled, wheedling tone?
“Ah, there it is again. Xuanli, don’t panic—this is his normal state after drinking. He’ll fall asleep again later. And he won’t remember a thing when he wakes. You don’t even need to bother with him.” Three Bean explained.
Mo Xuanli took a deep breath, trying to adjust. “You knew beforehand—why didn’t you say anything?”
Three Bean looked innocent. “Isn’t this too embarrassing to talk about? After all, he’s my master.”
For serious matters, Three Bean would tell Mo Xuanli. But private, shameful little things—how could he reveal them?
Mo Xuanli rubbed his forehead in exasperation. From the bed, Gu Baiqing grumbled, “Disciple, come here.”
Even though he wasn’t his usual stern master, Mo Xuanli still obediently walked over.
“Master…” Seeing his master beckon, Mo Xuanli couldn’t just stand there, so he crouched down before him. “Master, you should rest. You—”
Before he could finish, Gu Baiqing raised a hand and stroked his hair.
Mo Xuanli froze, lifting his head in confusion. Gu Baiqing was smiling, swaying slightly as he said casually, “Good boy. Be obedient.”
Three Bean came over to watch the fun and immediately scoffed, “Do you think your disciple is a dog?”
Perhaps stung by those words, Gu Baiqing suddenly perked up, lowered his hand, and held it out in front of Mo Xuanli. “Hand.”
Mo Xuanli froze, but still cooperated, raising his hand to place it there.
“Both.”
Mo Xuanli lifted his other hand as well.
Gu Baiqing patted his head as a reward. “So obedient.” He even scratched under Mo Xuanli’s chin.
Mo Xuanli’s jawline was strikingly sharp, almost like a beam of moonlight under the moon’s glow. But Gu Baiqing, with his muddled drunken mind, wasn’t in any state to admire it.
Instead, he lowered his head, fumbling for something.
“Master? What are you looking for? I’ll help you.” Facing his master like this, Mo Xuanli’s voice unconsciously softened, coaxing him patiently.
“Ah, found it.” Gu Baiqing fished out Morning Snow from beside his pillow—disguised under an illusion—and before Mo Xuanli could react, Gu Baiqing hurled it off into the distance.
“Disciple, fetch!”
Was this… for him to catch? Mo Xuanli blanked for a moment, then quickly rushed after it.
Wait, did he mean… with his mouth?
“Xuanli! Don’t play along with him!” Three Bean, watching Mo Xuanli being treated like a dog, was thoroughly displeased. He felt there was no need to indulge this—after all, Gu Baiqing would forget everything by morning. Even beating him up would be fine, but why play such childish games?
Mo Xuanli ignored him and still went after it—but he didn’t catch it. Not because he was slow—
—but because the celestial sword Morning Snow could not bear such humiliation. Furious, it flew back on its own, whistling like a dart past Gu Baiqing’s face, nearly driving itself into the wall behind the bed. The blade sank three inches deep into the stone, as if to vent its rage. Yet just as it was about to pierce through, Gu Baiqing snatched it cleanly out of the air, cutting off Morning Snow’s protest.
“Why’d it fly back?” Gu Baiqing looked puzzled, ready to throw it again.
Seeing Morning Snow trembling violently in his hand, Mo Xuanli quickly stepped forward to intervene. “Master… throw this one instead.”
He removed God Nine Transformations and placed it into Gu Baiqing’s hand, taking Morning Snow away. After all, Morning Snow was a spirit sword that had followed his master for many years, one that had fought across the immortal-demon battlefields—far too proud to be treated like a dog toy.
As for God Nine Transformations… In Gu Baiqing’s hand, it immediately transformed into a red cord and tried to twine around his wrist. Mo Xuanli, displeased, pried it off. “Cooperate.”
The red cord wilted and retracted.
Gu Baiqing tested the weight in his hand, seemingly satisfied, his face lighting up with simple joy. Then, delighted, he pulled Mo Xuanli close and pressed his forehead against him.
“Disciple is so obedient.” He even rubbed his head against him.
That cold plum fragrance laced with sweetness struck Mo Xuanli like a blow, leaving him stunned. His expression was hard to describe—certainly not happy. He quickly pulled his master’s arms away.
Tonight’s close contact was proving impossible to avoid.
After that, God Nine Transformations was tossed back and forth several times, Mo Xuanli leaping around the room to retrieve it each time.
Three Bean was speechless watching the scene. Finally, he gave up and went to sleep.
When Mo Xuanli retrieved God Nine Transformations again, the man on the bed had already collapsed.
Mo Xuanli went over to check carefully, then prepared a warm towel to wipe his master’s face and hands, adjusted his position, and tucked him in.
When everything was done, he saw his master curl the quilt tightly around himself, hugging it. Mo Xuanli let out a long sigh and returned to his own couch.
The couch wasn’t far from the bed; turning his head, he could see his master. Even without looking, he could hear his breathing, the occasional sound of him turning over. How could one sleep on such a night?
But Gu Baiqing slept soundly.
When he woke, he glanced at the table where Three Bean was dozing noisily. There was no other figure in sight. His face filled with confusion. Thinking back on last night, he remembered four people speaking, and then…
Wait—did he drink? Did he get drunk? He wasn’t entirely clear about his own state after drinking, but he had heard it said he was the obedient type. Though, those who had told him so had always finished with a strange smile. At least he wasn’t the rowdy, drunken kind.
Now he worried whether he had let something slip—said something he shouldn’t have. That would be disastrous. Still, since the system hadn’t forced him awake to intervene, whatever happened shouldn’t be too serious.
Just then, Three Bean stirred, stretching and yawning. The moment he opened his eyes, Gu Baiqing’s face was suddenly close, startling him.
“Meow! What are you doing?!”
“Three Bean, tell me—did I get drunk last night? Did I do anything? Say anything? And where’s Mo Xuanli?” Gu Baiqing asked, his eyes full of tension.
“Xuanli woke early, went out. You didn’t do or say anything last night. I dug up some information, was going to gather everyone to talk, but you looked asleep, so I didn’t wake you. By the time I came back, you were completely out.” Three Bean repeated the explanation Mo Xuanli had instructed.
Gu Baiqing let out a sigh of relief. Even if something had happened, it seemed they hadn’t been around to see.
“So last night… Mo Xuanli slept on the couch?” Gu Baiqing probed. He had noticed some fluctuations in spiritual energy values but couldn’t recall if they were from accidents in the illusion realm. Still, he felt sure his disciple had slept on the couch. Mo Xuanli wouldn’t dare be so close to him.
Three Bean nodded.
Gu Baiqing finally relaxed for real—just as the door opened. Mo Xuanli entered, carrying breakfast.
“Brother, will you have breakfast? I tried making some of the famous Star-Stepping City morning dishes. Please try them.”
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