Minglong

Chapter 182 Butterfly Loves Flowers

There was no one in the bluestone alley, except for the lanterns of the Yang family, which swayed gently in the night breeze.

Linghu Qingmo drew his sword and walked into the familiar alleyway, scanning the white walls on both sides. A sense of 'things have changed' welled up in his heart, but as he approached courtyard number six, he suddenly heard a faint noise. Hmm…

The sound of swatting a mosquito?

Linghu Qingmo assumed that Ling'er had left a maid to watch over the courtyard before she left. After a moment's consideration, he leaped over the wall.
The yard was spotless, indicating that someone was cleaning it regularly, but then the noise in the backyard suddenly stopped.

Linghu Qingmo looked slightly puzzled as he passed through the moon gate and looked into the brightly lit bedroom.

Logically speaking, even if a maid were kept to clean, she wouldn't be allowed to live in the master's bedroom...

Seeing that the person didn't seem to be asleep, Linghu Qingmo called out:

"anyone there?"

wow~
A hurried sound of someone getting up came from inside the room, followed by a familiar, clear voice:

"MoMo?!"

His tone was full of shock, mixed with a hint of nervousness.

Linghu Qingmo was also startled. He looked around to make sure he was in Danyang before walking towards the door.
"Xie Jinhuan?! What are you doing here too?"

"Uh... I was slaying demons in Songhe Bay tonight when I was ambushed and killed. I escaped and am recuperating here. Well..."

"is it?"

Linghu Qingmo ran quickly, pushed open the door, and went straight to the bedroom door to look inside.

The room was spotless, with a small lamp lit by the bedside and two weapons resting nearby.

Xie Jinhuan sat on the bed, covered in sweat with reddened skin. There was a clear wound on his left arm and a hole in his soft armor. His expression was somewhat complicated.

"Xie Jinhuan?!"

Seeing this, Linghu Qingmo's heart nearly broke. He quickly went to the bedside to check on the injuries:
"How did you get injured like this? Your soft armor is shattered. Who did this?"

Xie Jinhuan looked quite embarrassed.
"Uh... I don't know either. Anyway, he's a top-tier expert who was afraid of being ambushed when he returned to the capital, so he came here to hide and recuperate. What brings you here?"

Linghu Qingmo sat down beside him and carefully examined the injured arm:

"I came back to ask about the Golden Dew for you, and I just wanted to check on you. I didn't expect to find you here. You're unbelievable! You were fine this morning, and now you're covered in injuries. Hey? Why are you sweating so much?"

Xie Jinhuan had been taking "fire-adding oil pills" (a traditional Chinese medicine for internal heat), so it was normal for him to be sweating profusely. He explained:
"I was just healing myself with internal energy, and I'm fine now."

Linghu Qingmo truly did not expect to run into Xie Jinhuan, who was in a disheveled state, here. Seeing that her upper body was relatively intact, she pulled Qiu up to check if her waist and legs were injured, but the blanket was pressed down on her.

Linghu Qingmo noticed Xie Jinhuan's hesitation and was startled:
"Your leg isn't broken, is it?"

"Not yet, she's not wearing any clothes..."

"let me see!"

Linghu Qingmo wasn't unfamiliar with such things, and upon seeing this, he forcefully pulled back the autumn quilt, only to discover...

In good condition.

?

The room fell silent for a moment.

Linghu Qingmo quickly looked away and pressed Qiu down with the blanket:

"What happened to you? You've been hiding here trying to recover... I'll go to the Prince's mansion and call a doctor over..."

Xie Jinhuan quickly raised her hand: "No need, there might be spies in the Prince's mansion. I'm fine, I just need to rest for a while. Hmm... I'm all sweaty, I'll go take a shower."

Linghu Qingmo couldn't bear to let the battered Xie Jinhuan get up, so he pressed his shoulders down:

"You just rest well, I'll go get you some water."

He got up and quickly went out the door.

Xie Jinhuan was a little confused, but after Momo left, she quickly got up and opened the wardrobe.

squeak~
Several robes were hanging in the wardrobe.

The ice-covered figure, dressed in a black dress, had already pressed down the hem of her skirt, hugging her knees and shrinking into the lower level. She was holding her shoes, sword, and veil in her hands, her eyes filled with terror, and her icy face was completely bloodless.

Xie Jinhuan knew Bing Tuozi was terrified, and whispered to comfort him:

"It's alright, she's my confidante, family. Why don't you get ready and let's meet?"

Do you think I'm not dying fast enough?

Nangong Ye's eyes were filled with murderous intent and panic, and he wished he could throw the little thief in front of him to the ground on the spot!

But there was clearly no chance at the moment, so she first carefully checked the window, and then crawled out:

"We have nothing to do with each other, so we can't let people misunderstand! The detoxification just now was a mutual assistance effort. Now I'm basically fine, so let's call it even. If you dare to hold a grudge about what happened earlier, this is what will happen to you!"

Click~
As he spoke, Nangong Ye pinched the cabinet shelf with two fingers. With just a little force, the finger-thick shelf was crushed and chipped into dust!

Xie Jinhuan secretly gasped, wishing he could spank his spendthrift wife:

"Why are you touching the cabinet? This is the landlady's furniture..."

Nangong Ye was so frightened he was half-dead, and had no time to care about anything else. After giving his icy warning, he urged him with his eyes:
"Go and stop her so I can leave. Also, wash yourself clean and don't touch any girls!"

His eyes swept her up and down, full of disdain...

Xie Jinhuan picked up his robe and draped it over himself, also issuing a warning:

"You're not allowed to run around! And you're not allowed to go missing! Otherwise, you'll face the consequences... Ouch~"

Nangong Ye gripped Xie Jinhuan's lower back with one hand and twisted it twice to clear his mind of distractions.

"We're even now! To prevent any ambush by the high-ranking officials, I'll send you back to the capital. I won't hold what happened earlier against your will, but you're not allowed to come to Fengyi River again unless absolutely necessary, or else..."

Click~
Then I pinched a small notch in the partition.

Oh my god...

Xie Jinhuan was heartbroken and raised her hand:

"Alright, alright! Don't ruin the furniture. No one lives in the left and right yards either. You can rest here for the night."

As they spoke, he even tried to lean in for a goodbye kiss.

?

Nangong Ye was so frightened that his Dao heart almost collapsed. He was no longer soft-hearted and grabbed the shoulder, pushing him directly to the door.

wow~
Linghu Qingmo was looking for a basin in the bathroom when she caught Xie Jinhuan rushing out out of the corner of her eye, and quickly put down what she was looking for.
"Why did you come out? Didn't I tell you to lie down?"

Xie Jinhuan was simply thrown out by the enormous cart, and at this moment he gave a slightly embarrassed laugh:
"I'm afraid you'll be scared alone at night, so I'll do it."

"You're injured, go back and lie down!"

Linghu Qingmo's eyes flashed slightly fiercely as he tried to escort Xie Jinhuan back. However, he was pulled into the bathroom and pinned against the wall as soon as he reached her. His face paled in surprise, and he clutched his chest with his hands.

"You're injured, yet you still resort to violence?"

"Sigh, I'll just take a look..."

"Get out of the way!"

……

Amidst their flirting, Nangong Ye, wearing a veil and carrying embroidered shoes, cautiously peeked out, only to find he couldn't be seen. He then leaped into the neighboring courtyard like the wind.

Xie Jinhuan was covered in sweat, so it was indeed difficult for him to hug Momo. He could only pin her against the wall like a domineering CEO.

"You were just asking me about the Vajra Dew, why did you come all this way?"

Seeing the wounds on his body, Linghu Qingmo couldn't be fierce anymore. He took a towel and helped wipe the sweat from his forehead.
“I asked my fellow disciples in the capital, and they said this matter would be difficult to handle, so I went back to Danyang to take a look. It's not far.”

Xie Jinhuan had only asked casually that morning, never expecting that Mo Mo would travel all the way from the capital back to Danyang for him. The emotion in his eyes was genuine.

"Who says it's not far? There's a lot of turmoil going on in Jingzhao Prefecture right now, with one thing after another happening. Remember to be careful about your safety. If you need to go on a long trip in the future, either take someone with you or call me along. Don't go off on your own..."

"You still dare to talk back to me? I've seen you nine times out of ten and I'm hurt..."

"I accidentally stumbled into the lair of the demons today. This will not happen again."

As Xie Jinhuan spoke, he took water from the cloud pool and poured it directly over his head to wash away the sweat and other substances.

Linghu Qingmo was taken aback upon seeing this, and quickly stepped forward to help him untie his robe:

"Why are you taking a bath with your clothes on? Be careful of your wound..."

Xie Jinhuan poured a bucket of cold water on him, which calmed his anger. He smiled and said:
"I'll do it myself. You rest inside for a while, so I don't do anything reckless later."

"Have you been acting recklessly enough?"

With the mindset of 'I can also give you gentle care,' Linghu Qingmo suppressed her shyness, took a towel to help wipe her back, and avoided looking around:
"Stand still! I'll bandage you up in a bit."

Chachacha~
It was quite forceful, like brushing a horse.

Xie Jinhuan felt a little ashamed to have asked Momo for help, and after thinking about it:
"Are you going to wash it? I'll help you dry it too."

?

Linghu Qingmo paused, his eyes turning slightly cold, the meaning probably being—I'm just washing, can I join you?

Xie Jinhuan didn't insist, "Then you can owe me for now. I'll help you bathe later. I saw there's a big bathtub in the new house..." "Hmph~ Ling'er always knows how to give you all that nonsense. We cultivators are supposed to take it upon ourselves to slay demons and monsters..."

"Isn't this what you call taking it upon yourself to slay demons and monsters?"

"Hmm...you definitely count. But you must also adhere to the right path and not let yourself be seduced by certain women who only know how to sneak around and sleep, losing your fighting spirit. The gentle embrace is a hero's grave..."

"Ha ha……"

……

Meanwhile, in the neighboring house.

Nangong Ye stood in the empty room, quietly washing himself with water. Hearing the words coming from next door, his icy face showed a hint of sorrow, and he wished he could just plunge into a well and end it all.

But what's done is done, there's no going back.

This child used all sorts of tricks and coercion, and now that the poison has been mostly neutralized and the virginity mark is still there, let's just pretend nothing happened and completely sever ties from now on.

How could a righteous young hero like him...

Nangong Ye didn't dare to recall what had just happened in the room. He just silently recited a calming mantra, trying to clear his mind of distractions.

It turned out that this boy was not only unruly in front of her, but also in front of Qingmo!
……

Shortly after, in the bedroom.

Xie Jinhuan, completely clean, leaned against the headboard, examining the Ice Soul Armor in his right hand, his eyes filled with heartache.

Linghu Qingmo sat sideways on the edge of the bed, using a cotton ball soaked in wound medicine to carefully wipe the scabbed wound on his left arm, and then wrapped it with a bandage:
"It's just a broken piece in his chest; Xu Hunli can repair it, but it might be a bit pricey..."

Xie Jinhuan knew Xu Hunli's worth; this punch would cost him at least five thousand taels of silver, and that was a favor!
If he doesn't pay tenfold in blood, he'll probably never have peace of mind again!

Thinking of what the ghost wife had said about being a Buddhist deity, Xie Jinhuan asked:

"What has the abbot of Fanyun Temple been up to lately?"

Linghu Qingmo recalled briefly: "Did you know about Master Li secretly keeping a mistress while patrolling Huzhou to investigate demons and evil spirits? It seems that this matter was arranged by Monk Jinghai..."

Xie Jinhuan had naturally heard about it, and after a moment's thought:
According to the records in "The Prodigal Lu Wuzhen", it seems that Sect Leader Lu also had several marriages...

Linghu Qingmo quickly shook his head: "Although the sect leader has had two wives, they were remarried after the death of the previous one. The path to immortality is long and arduous. If there is a difference in talent, the lifespan can vary greatly. It is said that the sect leader's current wife was found with the help of the previous one before his death. I'm afraid that Sect Leader Lu is pursuing immortality alone and doesn't even have anyone by his side..."

Xie Jinhuan nodded slightly, and upon hearing the topic of 'Daoist partners and immortality,' he couldn't help but grasp Mo Mo's hand:

“I’m different. If I ever achieve immortality, I’ll definitely take you with me to the Jade Terrace.”

?

Linghu Qingmo was initially touched, but upon closer reflection:
"You think I lack talent and can't improve on my own?"

"no!"

Xie Jinhuan said earnestly, "With me here, you'll get up faster."

"Hmph~ Smooth talker."

Linghu Qingmo finished bandaging his arm, thought for a moment, and said:
"By the way, I just asked my martial uncle, and he came up with an idea to help you get the Vajra Dew. I don't agree with it, but I still want to discuss it with you..."

"What's the idea?"

"It's basically a contest with bets..."

Linghu Qingmo explained the method of "losing one's temper for a beauty":
"If you go to challenge Fanyun Temple under the guise of standing up for me, you can certainly get the Vajra Dew if you win, but then... things will become ambiguous between us! And if you lose... eh?"

Xie Jinhuan reached out and pulled Momo over, letting her lean against his shoulder:
"Our relationship is ambiguous to begin with, everyone in the capital and Danyang knows that, right? It's only right that I stand up for you and settle things."

Linghu Qingmo blushed and tried to get up:

"That's because you were secretly writing me love letters here, and you even touched me inappropriately. I... I never agreed to that..."

"Last time we came back from Ironthorn Ridge, you..."

"That's just a misunderstanding, don't take it seriously!"

Linghu Qingmo's gaze was serious, as if he had completely forgotten about the matter of 'taking what was said at the time as the standard'.

Xie Jinhuan looked at the hairpin inserted in her hair, then at the white jade bracelet, and nodded:

"Then I will confess my feelings now. The path to immortality is long and uncertain, and I wonder if Miss Mo Mo would be willing to become my Daoist partner, to study the wondrous methods together and ascend to the Jade Terrace together?"

"..."

Linghu Qingmo hesitated to speak, and after a long pause, he finally stammered a reply:

"I cannot disobey my master's orders. I will listen to him. Asking me is useless..."

Xie Jinhuan nodded: "Okay. I'll go and destroy Fanyun Temple in the next day or two, as a stepping stone for Sect Leader Nangong."

Linghu Qingmo tried to get up, but was taken aback by what he heard:
"Tomorrow or the day after? You were just injured, you should prepare for at least half a month..."

Xie Jinhuan had to participate in the martial arts tournament in eight days and also needed to check with the abbot of Fanyun Temple to see if the person who attacked him was indeed a high-ranking official. This matter was best handled as soon as possible, so he earnestly said:

"The Zen School excels at defense, but their offensive techniques are not particularly strong. Moreover, the eldest disciple of Fanyun Temple is definitely not at the peak of the first rank. I am confident. Leave these to me."

Linghu Qingmo's eyes flickered; he couldn't very well disagree with Xie Jinhuan's decision, and then he thought of getting up:

"It's getting late, you should get some rest. I'll go sleep at the Princess's residence... Eh?"

Xie Jinhuan pulled the people back, lifted the autumn quilt and covered their laps, speaking earnestly:
"The situation is still uncertain, so don't wander around. Just rest here, and we'll go back together tomorrow."

Linghu Qingmo knew that the "vase sister" slept with her all day, but she had never slept with her. Her eyes flashed slightly fiercely.
"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. I'm not sleeping here."

"Didn't you have a chance to stop? If you feel something is wrong, just tell me to stop, and I will definitely keep my word."

"..."

Linghu Qingmo thought about it and agreed, then considered it briefly:

"I'll stand guard for you, but you have to give me one more chance to stop!"

?

Xie Jinhuan had never imagined that this thing could be used as a bargaining chip. He then carefully examined the intelligent and clever Da Momo:

"Row."

Having had two opportunities to step in, Linghu Qingmo grew bolder and turned to blow out the lamp:
"Go to sleep, I'll keep watch over you... Waaah~?"

Their lips met.

A lone man and woman leaned against the headboard, flirting and teasing each other, their love occasionally sparking...

Stab~
……

In the neighboring courtyard, Nangong Ye stood neatly dressed by the wall, his icy expression revealing a complex mix of emotions.

She looked like both a cold, aloof female CEO who had caught a blond-haired man flirting with other women and a conservative elder who had caught a junior cheating.

If he knew he should call Huang Mao "Junior Uncle," things would probably be even more complicated...

Noticing something amiss in the room, Nangong Ye knew he shouldn't intervene, but he was also afraid that Qingmo would be bullied so easily. After a moment's thought, he flew up and plucked a leaf, which landed on the balcony of Princess Changning's boudoir.

"Beep~ Waaah..."

Su Baiyu's Butterfly Loves Flowers...

Xie Jinhuan discovered that Bing Tuozi was eavesdropping and playing a tune. Fearing that he might provoke Bing Tuozi into coming in and attacking him, he toned it down a bit.

Linghu Qingmo, however, was not paying attention to what was happening outside the window. He noticed Xie Jinhuan had suddenly become quiet and looked slightly puzzled—"I haven't told you to stop yet..."

"what happened to you?"

"It's nothing, just get some rest and recharge."

"..."

Linghu Qingmo was very surprised and pondered the meaning for a moment:
"If you feel I'm disturbing your rest, I'll go to the Princess's residence..."

"how come!"

Xie Jinhuan, fearing that Mo Mo would be disheartened, turned and launched a sneak attack, and the two started fighting again...

Stab la la——

"Duwuwu~..."

Nangong Ye played a tune for a long time, but when he found Xie Jinhuan still flirting, his phoenix eyes grew colder and colder.

But she had no choice but to stay here to prevent anyone from assassinating her, and she couldn't be jealous, since it would be unjustifiable for her to be jealous!

I, the dignified head of Ziwei Mountain, have actually become so pathetic, sitting on the balcony like a tiger...

Is this what happens when you reap what you sow...?

If I ever let this brat get close to me again, I'm not Nangong Ye...

Witch, all of this is thanks to you. Sooner or later you'll be standing outside like this too...

This is really difficult. No matter how much trouble the demoness causes, she couldn't possibly end up in this situation...

Thinking of this, a hint of sorrow appeared in Nangong Ye's icy, beautiful eyes. He went into Ling'er's room to meditate, trying to ignore what he had seen...

……

(End of this chapter)