Translator: CinderTL
Huan Xi'er paused. "But why did you ignore me?"
"I wouldn't stop you from liking anyone. I just wanted you to play with me."
He set Mo Xianxian down, making sure she was seated comfortably, then turned and slowly gathered her disheveled hair behind her.
"Later, for some reason, you started hating me. You forbade me from visiting you and even from speaking to you first. Looking back, it was probably because Senior Brother Feng was about to marry his Dao companion."
"You hated me, so I didn't dare approach you anymore. But why did you have to bully me in so many ways?"
The large earring he wore was one Mo Xianxian had tricked him into wearing.
Huan Xi'er couldn't understand. They had been so close as children, like family. Why did Mo Xianxian despise him so much?
Yes, Huan Xi'er had long considered Mo Xianxian family.
"Because..."
Mo Xianxian's hoarse voice finally broke through the silence. Her gaze slowly shifted to Huan Xi'er, her eyes burning with hatred.
"You are the Dragon-Taming Daoist's only son. My master took me as a disciple with the sole purpose of making me your Daoist partner. Senior Brother Feng and I were deeply in love, but we were forced apart by your parents' power. He married someone he didn't love, and my ultimate fate was to marry you."
"Is that... reason enough?"
Mo Xianxian fell silent after speaking.
"So that's how it is..." Huan Xi'er murmured, dazed. He let out a bitter laugh. "I always saw you as a sister. I never had any intention of marrying you, even if you were as beautiful as a celestial being."
"Don't worry. I'll tell my parents right away that I won't marry you."
"Hahahaha..."
Mo Xianxian burst into wild laughter, as if she had heard something utterly absurd. She laughed until she was gasping for breath, then pointed a finger at Huan Xi'er, her voice dripping with mockery.
"Of course you won't marry me now. Your parents wouldn't allow it either. Having lost my virginity, how could I ever be accepted into your family?"
Huan Xi'er froze, genuinely surprised by her words. He realized he was being misunderstood again, but instead of explaining, he channeled spiritual power into Mo Xianxian's body, gently guiding it through her meridians to heal her injuries.
"Enough with the act," Mo Xianxian spat. "Who are you trying to impress with this pitiful display? You wanted to kill me just moments ago, and now you're suddenly playing the devoted sibling?"
Mo Xianxian refused to accept his help, but she lacked the strength to stop him.
Huan Xi'er ignored her, focusing solely on healing her injuries. Though he had hated her fiercely before, seeing her in such a state stirred memories of her kindness toward him in their childhood.
Humans... they're always so complex and changeable.
Seeing his unwavering focus, Mo Xianxian stopped struggling and slowly lowered her head, a wordless sorrow settling in her heart.
At least I escaped Yuan Manor's control, she thought. And I'm still alive.
She had also gained considerable benefits from her time there. Her storage pouch was still filled with soul crystals and pastries. The only thing she had lost was her virginity.
Xu Sanyan's mind replayed the recent scene, and he had to admit that a beautiful face truly had its uses—at the very least, it could buy you more time.
"Holy Son, are you just letting Mo Xianxian go like that? Won't she come back to cause trouble?" Xiang Tan asked.
Xu Sanyan shook his head with a smile. "Mo Xianxian is the kind of person who wants to be good but harbors evil thoughts, and wants to be bad but is held back by too many considerations. She's not purely evil enough. People like that can never achieve great things. Even if she returns, there's no need to fear her."
Unless some extraordinary event occurs, Mo Xianxian is destined to be left further and further behind by Fang Qingge, Jingyi, and the others.
Lin Fan stood with his head bowed, lost in thought. Seeing this, Xu Sanyan patted his shoulder and said, "Once we return to the sect, feel free to ask for anything you want."
He was highly satisfied with Lin Fan's performance. The world was never short of passionate youths who knew how to repay kindness, and Lin Fan was clearly one of them. It was a pity he had ended up in the demonic sect; he would have been far more suited to a Righteous Path Sect.
After a moment's contemplation, Lin Fan finally made up his mind. He clasped his hands in a respectful bow and said, "Holy Son, after we leave the secret realm, this disciple wishes to venture down the mountain alone for training. I humbly request your permission."
"Train alone? Have I mistreated you?" Xu Sanyan asked.
"No," Lin Fan shook his head. "The Holy Son has treated me exceptionally well. But always remaining under your protective wings will inevitably hinder my growth."
"Very well, do as you wish. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you, Holy Son."
Lin Fan's face was filled with gratitude. Regardless of what others might say about the Holy Son—even if they spoke ill of him—Lin Fan had no right to criticize him, for the Holy Son had never wronged him.
Xu Sanyan glanced at Qin Manyang, who was smiling warmly back at him, her expression ingratiating and tinged with a hint of guilt.
Qin Manyang's behavior surprised Xu Sanyan. Could she truly be so loyal to him?
Xiang Tan's lips twitched, but she refrained from speaking publicly out of consideration for Qin Manyang's dignity. She resolved to tell Senior Brother Feng in private later.
Meanwhile, Fang Qingge, the Luo Family siblings, and many disciples from their sect were cautiously advancing.
The ghost city's chaos was just beginning to manifest. Fierce ghosts had suddenly emerged from unknown origins outside the city walls. Driven by instinct, they slaughtered anyone they encountered—not just humans, but also other ghosts.
Fang Qingge witnessed firsthand how these fierce ghosts tore apart and devoured ghosts dressed as commoners.
Black-robed constables attempted to subdue the rampaging spirits, but they could barely maintain order. The fierce ghosts could materialize from anywhere at any moment.
Fang Qingge gazed at the dimly lit sky above. The ghost city should have been shrouded in darkness at this hour, but the fusion of two secret realms had triggered unforeseen changes, plunging the city into chaos.
"We need to get out of the city. It's too dangerous here," Fang Qingge said.
He surmised that the fierce ghosts would instinctively hunt within the city walls. To them, the city's inhabitants and original residents were like a massive cake they couldn't resist. Leaving the city might offer a safer escape.
"Agreed," the Luo Family siblings replied without hesitation.
The Harmonious Mountain Praying Dao Sect and the Source Worship Sect had joined forces, forming their largest coalition in history—over a hundred strong. They weren't afraid of ordinary fierce ghosts, but they feared being surrounded and overwhelmed.
Though strength lies in numbers, a large group also presents a larger target, making them more likely to attract fierce ghosts.
The group was walking tensely toward the city gates when a clear, resonant copper gong suddenly rang out:
Clang~
"First quarter of Xu Hour, dry weather, beware of fire!"
The voice was loud and clear, seemingly coming from the horizon yet reaching the ears of everyone present.
Fang Qingge pursed his lips and stopped in his tracks.
Luo Changtian sensed something was amiss and instantly drew his longsword.
In this ghostly place, where fierce ghosts roamed freely, how could anyone still be making the rounds as a night watchman?
Clang~
The gong sounded closer, but the voice had vanished.
Clang~
Fang Qingge frowned, his ears twitching slightly. He whirled around to find the sound coming from the very back of the group!
There stood a figure at the rear, his face deathly pale, his bloodless hands gripping the gong mallet, two crimson streaks of blood trailing from the corners of his eyes.
Fang Qingge gasped. "Wang Xinglu?"
If Xu Sanyan were here, he would have recognized this man as the night watchman who had accompanied him on his rounds earlier.
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (HB) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c300.🎉 [+2]
🔑Early Access at $5.
💥Translated (6) Series, (4.6K+) Chapters, (6.7M+) Words.