Minglong

Chapter 221 If life were just like the first time we met

As dusk fell, the autumn wind swept through the osmanthus trees in the courtyard, blowing away the last few petals from the branches and leaves, which drifted down like yellow snow.

Lin Wanyi lay on the round table, her eyes behind her gold-rimmed glasses reflecting the gently swaying branches outside the window, her mind reminiscing about when the osmanthus flowers had just bloomed.

It was the night of the tenth of August. Zisu had caused trouble at the academy again. After finishing her work at the clinic, she took a carriage to pick up someone. On her way back, two strong and powerful horses somehow lost control and plunged into the river.

She dared not reveal the secrets of the witchcraft cult, and unable to rein in the maddened horse, she could only pull Zisu and jump off the carriage. But halfway there, her vision began to spin, just like the osmanthus blossoms outside the window swirling in the autumn wind...

The first time she saw those eyes, she felt they were like a cold spring and a cold moon, lacking warmth, yet possessing the gentleness of water and the brilliance of the moon.

I never imagined then that those eyes would be by my side day and night, from when we first met to when we embraced, and from when we embraced to when we fell in love...

Looking back now, I still feel a little embarrassed when I think about how everyone mistook me for their confidante, and how I had to cooperate with their jealousy and rivalry because of the two-headed dragon's scheme. Back then, I would often think about it in the middle of the night:

I, your aunt, am not interested in that boy, am I...?

As it turns out, I did develop feelings for him back then, but I just didn't realize it.

However, after arriving in the capital, there were too many chaotic and evil people, and that big jerk was always busy with official business, so we had less time together. I could only cook a few dishes each day and wait for my sweetheart to come over in the evening...

When Master arrived, to avoid being caught, we no longer had time to be together at night. Now, that big jerk has run off to Sanjiang Estuary, and we haven't seen him for five or six days...

Zisu said there was a woman named Hua Ruyue who was having an affair with a jerk at the confluence of the three rivers...

Isn't Hua Ruyue an alias for Master? Could it be...?

……

With her gaze flickering and her thoughts drifting, she lost track of how much time had passed.

Lin Wanyi sensed that her boyfriend wasn't coming, and a hint of disappointment appeared between her brows. However, she still waited, since her heart was with the man, and how could she settle down if she didn't wait?

Perhaps it was because lying alone was indeed boring, and as her mind wandered, her eyelids grew heavy. In her hazy state, she saw a figure in white enter the room and sit down beside her, watching her.

After a few days, this wasn't the first time she'd had this kind of dream, and she was almost used to it.

But soon, she realized she was being gently lifted up, and her mind returned to reality as she looked at the aloof young man standing close to her:

"Hey? When did you get back?"

"You just got back this afternoon, why are you sleeping here all by yourself? Were you waiting for me?"

"No, I was just lost in thought..."

Lin Wanyi was placed on the bed, and her mind cleared. She sat up to check on her lover's body, only to find that he was covered in hidden injuries from overexertion. Her eyes widened slightly.

"How did you get all injured again?"

Xie Jinhuan sat down in front of him, somewhat helplessly:
"I went to the arena hoping to clear it without taking any damage, but my opponent was really strong. I've already dealt with it, and I'll be fine in a few days."

Lin Wanyi wanted to say something harsh, but deep down she was mostly heartbroken. She stood up and ran to the desk to find the Gu Poison Sect's healing remedies, but before she could reach the hole in the desk, she cautiously glanced back:

"You didn't buy me something again, did you?"

Xie Jinhuan was about to get up, but seeing this, he sat back down, took out a wooden carving from his sleeve, and smiled.
"Since I had nothing to do on the ship when I got back, I had a little ornament carved for you."

?

Lin Wanyi examined the palm-sized wooden carving, then glanced at her lower back, guessing that the big pig trotter was planning to put it there. After a slight hesitation, she warned:
"Sit still properly, and set your things on the dressing table!"

"haha okay."

"Humph……"

After confirming that Xie Jinhuan hadn't made any sudden movements, Lin Wanyi crawled under the table hole, opened the hidden compartment, waited for a moment as usual, and then turned to peek.

It turned out that this big jerk was indeed sitting obediently on the edge of the bed, like a statue of himself...

?

Lin Wanyi was a little unaccustomed to Xie Jinhuan's sudden docility, and even wondered if she hadn't dressed well today. After a moment's thought, she deliberately lowered her waist a little, causing a full moon to rise in the room...

Call ~
The sound of wind cutting through the air followed by a light, resonant crack:

Snapped!
Lin Wanyi shuddered slightly, then her face flushed red:
"You're doing it again! Believe me or not, I'll give you an erection pill later..."

"Don't move, there are mosquitoes."

"It's almost October, where did these mosquitoes come from?"

"Here you are~"

Snapped--

……

Shortly after.

Xie Jinhuan lay on the bed, his white robe removed, revealing his back with some remaining red marks.

Lin Wanyi sat on Xie Jinhuan's lap in a duck-sitting position and slapped him lightly:
Are there any mosquitoes left?

Xie Jinhuan chuckled softly: "Alright, let's talk about something serious."

"Ok?"

Lin Wanyi lay on his back, tilting her head to look him over:

"What's the matter?"

“You’ve been managing the household business at home all year round, and you haven’t had the opportunity to meditate, practice your skills, or go out to gain experience. The Crescent Moon Manor can’t give you any great opportunities either. If this continues, your cultivation will be neglected. Do you know anything that can help your cultivation in witchcraft? I’ll try to get it for you as soon as possible.”

Lin Wanyi blinked: "Why did you suddenly bring this up?"

Xie Jinhuan turned around and let Wanyi lean on his shoulder: "I'm already at the first rank, and it shouldn't be long before I reach the super rank. If you don't find a way to improve your cultivation soon, you'll really only be able to stay at home taking care of the baby in the future. The world is so big, and it would be such a pity if we couldn't go and see it together."

"..."

Lin Wanyi considered herself to be fairly skilled, but Xie Jinhuan was indeed too formidable. Hearing his voice, she felt a bit of pressure. After a moment's hesitation, she muttered to herself:
"There are only a few ways to improve one's cultivation level, and it might be difficult for you to keep up. However, witches of the witch cult have methods to absorb yang energy. The greater the gap in cultivation level, the faster it can be filled, but it is quite taxing. As a result, your cultivation level will decline..."

Xie Jinhuan knew that the dual cultivation methods of Taoism and witchcraft were different. Taoism used the method of the higher to guide the lower until both sides were balanced and grew together; while witchcraft used an ancient method of dual cultivation, commonly known as "replenishing the body through fertility extraction".

With the help of Master Qixia, Mo Mo has the backing of the Great Qian Dynasty, while Wan Yi doesn't have much good fortune. As long as he can find a way to improve his cultivation, it won't be a big problem for him to take on two people at once.

However, Xie Jinhuan was about to go to the Southern Frontier to seize opportunities, and the higher his cultivation level, the better. He considered this carefully.
“I have to go to southern Xinjiang. When I get back, we’ll go to the north and try this method. I’ll also take you to meet someone.”

Hearing that she was about to run out again, Lin Wanyi's eyes glazed over, and she clenched her hands, saying:

"There's no need for you to harm your cultivation to help me. I'll just focus on practicing from now on. I'm the direct disciple of the Manor Lord, and my talent is no less than Miss Linghu's. Hmm... who are you planning to take me to see?"

Xie Jinhuan hadn't seen Lao Deng for a long time and couldn't help but miss him. If they could reunite, the new bride would naturally have to introduce him to everyone. However, for now, she only said:
"Whether I'll be able to travel around the north in the future is still uncertain. We'll see when the time comes."

Lin Wanyi listened to Zisu talking about Xie Lang all day long, and after thinking for a moment, she whispered:
"Is she going to see Empress Dowager Guo? I stole her lover; what if she doesn't like me..."

"?"

Xie Jinhuan was a little speechless, so he raised his hand and patted the bright white moon:

"What are you thinking? How could I, a dignified seven-foot man, possibly be the Empress Dowager's concubine?"

Lin Wanyi gazed at his cold, handsome profile: "Who knows? When I first met you, I thought you were a righteous knight-errant, untouched by worldly affairs. But alas, hmph..."

Xie Jinhuan saw that the big kitten was showing disdain and turned her head away:

"You prefer me to be more upright? Then I'll be on top."

"Eh?"

Before Lin Wanyi could react, she was pressed against the pillow, her face immediately turning red.

"What kind of righteous path is this? You...you're injured!"

"This little injury is nothing, don't move around..."

Boo boo boo…

Lin Wanyi was a little shy, but after a moment, she raised her hand to hook her neck, looked into those eyes filled with deep affection, and gently bit her lower lip, letting herself be manipulated...
-
Fengyi River.

The two-story building was lit up. Nangong Ye sat at a small table, arranging various pills and instruments, with the Yin-Yang Ruler placed on the table.

Bu Yuehua, dressed in a dark blue dress with a black hood, and with a slender waist knife and even throwing knives hanging at her waist, resembled a bespectacled assassin, was now examining the various musical instruments.

"Wouldn't it be too rushed to leave tomorrow morning?"

Nangong Ye, his face as cold as ice, continued with his own tasks.

"The Yin-Yang Ruler is a treasure of the Dan Ding Sect. In the current unstable situation, the sect leader is not at ease without it, and has only given us ten days. We will set off at dawn and travel at full speed. Even if the wind and rain are favorable, there may still be some delays."

Bu Yuehua was also afraid that the easy opportunity of the Phoenix Tomb might go wrong, so she had no objection and sat down opposite him.

"Since we're aiming for a quick victory, we need to discuss how to distribute the spoils. If we only find one share of the Phoenix Tomb's opportunities, it goes to Xie Jinhuan, who led the way; the second share is mine; and the third share is yours. I'll give you the Phoenix Feather Grass afterward. You don't have any objections, do you?"

?

Nangong Ye knew they should discuss how to divide the spoils beforehand and didn't mind Xie Jinhuan taking the first share, but he clearly had a major disagreement about the order in which the two should receive their share:
"The Phoenix Feather Grass is a matter of past grievances. We can discuss it after this is over. The Yin-Yang Ruler was borrowed by me, the information was provided by my master, and the route was led by a junior from Zihui Mountain. You, an outsider, what right do you have to be second?"

Even though Xie Jinhuan is my junior, I also know a secret you can't refuse...

Although Bu Yuehua thought this way, she knew that if she were to speak plainly, she would easily be silenced by this enraged Daoist fairy. Therefore, she simply said:

"I just don't want to waste time arguing with you. As an outsider, I have to face the enemy and take risks with you on this trip. If something goes wrong, I'll have to rely on my influence in the Southern Frontier. If we work for nothing and gain nothing, we'll have to discuss the ownership of the Phoenix Feather Grass with you afterwards. How can you expect me to accept that? If you think it's not appropriate, then the first opportunity is for you and Xie Jinhuan, and the second is for me. You have no objections, right?"

Aren't they all the same?
Nangong Ye would never compete with the brat for milk; agreeing to this distribution method would be tantamount to letting the demoness get the first bite.

But the enchantress's words also make sense. They were being used as laborers, but receiving no benefits in return. The enchantress betraying them was a minor issue; if they were to turn against them outright and be caught off guard by a backstab after they were found, she and Xie Jinhuan couldn't bear that...

"Let's go look for them first. If we don't encounter any opponents, the second one is yours. If we do encounter opponents, we'll be lucky to get out alive, so let's not think about anything else."

"With your words, this trip will definitely go smoothly."

"Don't be careless. There may be more than just us in the world who are thinking about striking first."

Nangong Ye instructed, "I directly exchanged the Tiger Bone Vine obtained from the Sanjiang Estuary for a Demon-Breaking Pill from the Imperial Observatory. Try to exchange the Phoenix Feather Grass for a Breakthrough Pill as well. If something unexpected happens, we will have a better chance of winning."

Tiger bone vine and phoenix feather grass, among others, can only be used to refine breakthrough pills. Bu Yuehua nodded slightly.
"I finished refining the pills last year, but we haven't decided on who will take them yet, so I haven't taken them."

Seeing this, Nangong Ye didn't say anything more and gestured for the guest to leave.

"Find your own place to stay; there are no guest rooms here."

Knowing that Xie Jinhuan might come to stay the night, Bu Yuehua didn't want to disturb her sister Nangong's tryst. She stood up, gave a graceful bow, and said meaningfully:

"Sleep well tonight."

"..."

Nangong Ye felt uneasy under the enchantress's gaze, but he didn't dare to ask if she meant anything by it. He remained expressionless until Bu Yuehua left, then turned his gaze to the ocarina on the table. After a moment of silence, he got up and went to the bedroom, where he found a framed painting.

The scene depicts a lone man and woman sitting on a tree branch atop a mountain, the man gazing tenderly at the woman in black beside him.

After gazing at it for a long time, Nangong Ye sat on the bed, turned to look at the autumn moon outside the window. His icy face remained otherworldly, but there was a hint of worldly thoughts in his phoenix eyes...

　I recommend a book called "This Villain is Too Popular".

(End of this chapter)