The next day, as dawn barely broke, Li Ye, now sober, tidied up briefly and set off once more for the City's Judicial Bureau. The demon beast from the previous day was just one of many challenging cases awaiting him. Numerous other beasts wreaking havoc in the region demanded his attention, leaving no room for delay.
Feeling the abundant immortal energy within him, Li Ye let out a sharp exhale and silently recited an incantation, channeling the energy through specific meridians. Immortal energy leaked from his feet, swiftly coalescing into wheel-like formations beneath them. The wheels whirred fiercely, stirring up gusts of wind that churned the ground beneath.
As someone with profound insight into sword techniques, Li Ye could have summoned his innate immortal artifact, the Heaven Profound Sword. Riding the sword would allow him to travel a thousand miles in a day, saving time and offering convenience—truly an essential tool for hunting demon beasts.
However, the Bureau Chief had explicitly instructed that cultivators should not draw excessive attention in the city to avoid public scrutiny. This reminder led Li Ye to abandon the idea of sword flight and rely on his own two feet instead.
Since the Li family's old residence was quite far from the city center and the sky was still dark, with most ordinary citizens fast asleep at home, Li Ye felt secure in using his immortal energy to form the energy wheels and hasten his journey. Even if someone happened to spot him along the way, he had ample time to retract the energy back into his body.
Confidently, he propelled the energy wheels beneath his feet, striding over the morning dew as he headed toward the Judicial Bureau.
"Oh my, which handsome young master is this? Having achieved a great feat yesterday, shouldn't you be at home enjoying the spring night with your wife? What brings you here so early?"
Just hearing that mellifluous, bone-melting voice, Li Ye knew it was the Bureau Chief's wife.
After all, aside from her, he couldn't think of anyone else in the Judicial Bureau bold enough to openly tease him in broad daylight.
"You flatter me, Madam. As the saying goes, the slow must start early. I'm new here and still lack seniority in the Bureau. If I don't work hard, I'm afraid I'll become a laughingstock."
Li Ye's tone was respectful, his words filled with humility.
Others might not know, but he had witnessed this woman's prowess firsthand. With a single glance, she could identify a shape-shifted demon beast among ordinary people and, relying solely on her own strength, capture and imprison it in the Bureau's underground cells.
When Li Ye heard about this, he was so astonished his jaw nearly dropped. Most shape-shifted demon beasts had already broken through the Yin-Yang Convergence realm—could this woman's strength truly be so terrifying?!
No, that couldn't be.
Although he was taken aback to learn that Ruan Ruan was actually the most mysterious First Shadow Blade in the Judicial Bureau, based on his observations, her cultivation level at most reached the Peak of Immortal Energy Converging to Origin. While she was only a step away from advancing to the next realm, that step was as vast as a chasm, barring countless cultivators from progress for half their lives.
So how had she managed to defeat a demon beast equivalent to the Yin-Yang Convergence realm? Could she be hiding her true strength?!
Beyond his shock, Li Ye was mostly puzzled.
Later, he happened to learn from Xu Zhengfeng that the demon beast had merely consumed a Shape-Shifting Grass by chance, lucking into its human form. Its actual strength was only equivalent to a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment and Qi Condensation stage, making it no challenge for Ruan Ruan to capture.
Shape-Shifting Grass, huh...
During his cultivation at the Tian Shi Mansion, Li Ye had come across information about this herb in ancient texts. It didn't require reaching a certain cultivation level—ordinary demonic beasts could gain the ability to transform into human form after consuming it, allowing them to switch freely between their true form and human appearance with ease.
It was this very ability that the little demonic beast had used to wreak havoc repeatedly in human towns. Once detected, it could shapeshift into human form, seamlessly blending in among ordinary people and causing quite a headache for those trying to catch it.
Yet Ruan Ruan had seen through the little demonic beast's tricks at a glance—truly a testament to her skill.
From then on, Li Ye treated Ruan Ruan with greater respect. While part of it was due to her status as the wife of the department head, most of it stemmed from genuine recognition of her abilities.
However, Ruan Ruan had a rather peculiar temperament. She often openly teased the Shadow Blades in public, and even when the Director saw it, she didn't seem to mind in the slightest.
"Ying ying, Young Master Li is truly humble and courteous. No wonder my girl thinks of you all the time..." Ruan Ruan's bright, enchanting eyes were full of admiration as she occasionally glanced up and down at Li Ye.
"What did you say?"
Since Ruan Ruan had deliberately lowered her voice, Li Ye didn't catch the latter part of her words.
"I said, Young Master Li woke up so early. Could it be... could it be that you missed me so much and wanted to see me sooner, which is why you came so early?"
With that, Ruan Ruan suddenly leaned in closer. Her tall figure was slightly taller than the average woman, and the tip of her nose just brushed against Li Ye's chin. Her delicate fingers, painted in a seductive red, traced circles on his chest, while her other hand gripped the collar of his robe, leaving him with no escape.
Li Ye felt a fragrant breeze envelop him, rushing through his nostrils and into his mind, making him dizzy.
The tingling sensation on his chest stirred his heart, and Li Ye, who had never been teased by a woman like this before, quickly succumbed. A blush spread across his handsome face, and his restless hands could only obediently clasp behind his back, revealing his awkward innocence.
"Ying ying, why can't the young master even speak? Could it be that I'm not worthy of your attention?"
Seeing his earnest demeanor, Ruan Ruan found him utterly adorable and, on a whim, thought teasing Li Ye would be a delightful way to pass the time.
She pretended to be wronged, on the verge of tears, while secretly activating her seductive voice, which became even more enchanting than before, sending shivers down one's spine.
Li Ye had never been subjected to the stimulation of seductive arts before. A buzzing filled his mind, his breathing grew rapid, and in his dazed state, a wicked fire ignited in his lower abdomen. It felt as if thousands of ants were nibbling at him from within, and he was seized by a demonic urge to seek intimacy with the opposite sex. The thing between his legs stirred uncontrollably.
In his haze, he seemed to catch a glimpse of a smug smile at the corner of Ruan Ruan's lips. Realizing something was amiss, he silently channeled his immortal energy and recited the Heart-Cleansing Mantra under his breath, struggling to maintain his clarity of mind.
After reciting the Heart-Cleansing Mantra several times, he finally managed to suppress the wicked fire within him, and the lust in his eyes completely faded.
However, seeing that Ruan Ruan still seemed immersed in the joy of teasing him, Li Ye couldn't be bothered to expose her. Instead, he decided to play along, continuing to feign infatuation as he gazed at her.
It had to be said that time had left no trace on Ruan Ruan. On the contrary, it had endowed her with a unique charm, making her radiate an intoxicating aura of mature femininity from head to toe.
Her dark red velvet dress clung to her curvaceous figure, and the plunging neckline revealed a vast expanse of snow-white skin. Around her smooth, slender swan-like neck hung a specially crafted black necklace, adorned with a sapphire pendant so clear and natural it seemed heaven-sent, shimmering with a mesmerizing glow under the sunlight.
The necklace was neither too long nor too short, hanging perfectly between her collarbones and accentuating her alluring charm.
The V-shaped neckline plunged downward, exposing most of her undulating, voluptuous bosom. Tightly wrapped in the dress, her breasts appeared even more formidable and exceptionally full, like two great beasts trapped in a cage, clamoring to break free.
Li Ye inwardly clicked his tongue—this pair of "weapons" was far too formidable compared to Chu Qingyi's; an ordinary man would likely be unable to tame them.
Huh?
Why did Ruan Ruan seem... not to be wearing undergarments?
Typically, after coming of age, women would be taught by their mothers to sew undergarments tailored to their own figures, used to cover their breasts—a private, intimate possession for women.
Adult women, in particular, would use uniquely styled undergarments as a way to express affection, seeking their husband's tenderness and deepening marital bonds.
But Ruan Ruan at this moment...
Between the fullness of her chest, two distinct protrusions stood out, like polished pearls, perking pertly and strikingly evident beneath the confines of her dress.
Between her legs, the fabric of her dress outlined a distinct triangular area, rising like a small hill. Upon closer inspection, one could even notice that the hill was dampened by some unknown moisture, its hue darker than the surrounding fabric.
Observing her current state, the usually meticulously styled cascade of hair now fell loosely and somewhat dishevelly, draping down to her waist.
Her enchanting, fox-like face was tinged with two suspicious blushes, as if the flush of spring passion had yet to fade. Even her beautiful eyes shimmered like rippling waves, brimming with amorous intent, her entire body exuding an indescribable, languid allure.
Though Li Ye had never been intimate with a woman, it wasn't hard for him to guess what Ruan Ruan had just experienced, given her current demeanor.
Recalling how he had been teased repeatedly by this little enchantress over the past few days, a plan suddenly formed in his mind.
"Mmm... Madam, I really... really want to devour you..."
Feigning a mind clouded by her seductive charm, Li Ye gazed at her with dazed, infatuated eyes, murmuring softly.
Unaware of the ruse, Ruan Ruan thought her seductive arts had ascended to a new level. Preening with self-satisfaction, she prepared to snap Li Ye out of it, lest the young man truly commit some act of irreverence toward her.
Even though she often idled away her time by teasing the young men in the bureau for amusement, she always knew where to draw the line and never entertained any real thoughts about them.
Besides, if she truly harbored ill intentions, the one at home would surely not let her off easily.
So, each time she saw these half-grown youths blushing crimson with embarrassment, her mischievous desires satisfied, she would promptly withdraw her seductive arts and restore their clarity.
"I've heard that there have been frequent cases of male deaths at the Cuixian Pavilion recently. The coroners from the magistrate's office found no fatal wounds upon examining the bodies, and the causes of death remain highly suspicious. It's very likely the work of a demonic beast. Currently, all other Shadow Blades are occupied with tasks, so I'm assigning this case to you."
As usual, once Ruan Ruan achieved her goal, she ceased employing her seductive arts, her tone returning to normal and the coquettishness in her expression diminishing. She succinctly laid out the mission.
Normally, as the bureau chief, Xu Zhengfeng not only handled all manner of internal affairs but also attended various meetings as a representative. Thus, the responsibility of assigning tasks fell to Ruan Ruan, who would distribute cases to available Shadow Blades upon receiving reports.
With that, Ruan Ruan didn't linger any longer and turned to head back inside.
But before she could take more than a few steps, a strong, youthful hand pulled her back abruptly.
The incident was entirely unexpected. Caught off guard, Ruan Ruan had no time to react before she was yanked back. Combined with the momentum of her movement, her entire body stumbled backward.
Before Ruan Ruan could grasp the situation in her dazed state, she collided right into Li Ye behind her.
"My lady... you are truly beautiful..."
A magnetic voice murmured by her ear, warm breaths gently brushing against her earlobe. Unconsciously, she closed her eyes, her entire body trembling as if tiny electric currents were coursing through her, making every hair stand on end.
Her inherently sensitive body reacted instantly—a surge of warmth flowed from the honeyed depths between her legs.
At thirty, insatiable as a wolf; at forty, fierce as a tiger. Ruan Ruan's body was naturally sensitive, and ever since her first taste of intimacy, her desires had only grown. Compounded by her practice of seductive arts, she had become utterly captivated by the pleasures between men and women. Were it not for Xu Zhengfeng's exceptional skills in bed, she might truly have sought out other men to quell her loneliness.
This made her already sensitive body even more susceptible to temptation—once stirred by a man, her desires surged like a flood. Moreover, she had already pestered Xu Zhengfeng for several rounds that morning, only for their rising passions to be abruptly doused by news of an urgent case. The couple's fervor was extinguished from head to toe, leaving them cold and frustrated.
Though Ruan Ruan wished to continue, Xu Zhengfeng always prioritized his duties. He left his seductively posturing wife behind and began straightening his clothes to depart. Even her subtle use of seductive arts had no effect, and she had no choice but to reluctantly give up.
Frustrated and unsatisfied, Ruan Ruan, for once, had no desire to linger in bed. She rose early, intending to step out for some fresh air, only to unexpectedly encounter Li Ye on the way—leading to the earlier scene.
"My lady... I want... I want you..."
Li Ye deliberately swallowed audibly by her ear, then parted his thin lips, his neat teeth gently nibbling her delicate earlobe.
How could Ruan Ruan withstand such stimulation? Her gaze grew hazy, desire clouding her eyes, and the floodgates below opened wider. A tingling numbness spread through her honeyed core, reigniting the unsatisfied flames of passion that now burned through every cell of her body.
Noticing her body growing limp and her unconscious lean toward him, Li Ye curled his lips into a triumphant, roguish smile.
Finally, he had made this woman taste what it felt like to be teased.
"Ruan Ruan, you're teasing Young Master Li again. When will you ever change this habit of yours?"
Just as Ruan Ruan was lost in a haze of desire, a stern, authoritative voice abruptly cut through the air like a thunderclap beside her ear.
The newcomer was none other than Xu Zhengfeng, the head of the Disciplinary Office.
He had long heard of—and even witnessed a few times—his wife's habit of idly teasing the young men in the office. Knowing Ruan Ruan's playful nature, he had never taken it seriously and often joked about it with her.
So, upon seeing her in such intimate contact with Li Ye, he assumed it was just another one of Ruan Ruan's new antics. Feeling both helpless and concerned that Li Ye might be too flustered to handle the situation, he spoke up to bring Ruan Ruan to her senses.
"Young Master Li, please don't take it to heart. My wife has always been like this—it's all in good fun."
Fearing that her peculiar habit might offend others, Xu Zhengfeng hurriedly apologized to Li Ye, signaling that he should not take it seriously.
"Master Xu, you jest. I wouldn't dare mind. To be teased by a lady like her is truly an honor for me."
With a cupped-hand salute toward Xu Zhengfeng, a smiling Li Ye showed no trace of the lust-clouded man from moments before—he was perfectly composed.
Ruan Ruan immediately realized that this rascal had been pretending all along—he hadn't been affected by her charm technique at all!
Understanding the truth, Ruan Ruan shot him a resentful glare, though there was a hint of playful reproach in her eyes.
"Husband, I was merely testing whether my charm technique had improved on Young Master Li out of boredom. It's not as serious as you make it out to be," Ruan Ruan said as she gracefully approached Xu Zhengfeng, her every step exuding allure. "Besides, Young Master Li is so broad-minded. I'm sure he wouldn't hold a grudge against a mere woman like me. Isn't that right, Young Master Li?"
Noticing the threatening look Ruan Ruan cast his way, Li Ye felt both amused and exasperated. He had no choice but to nod repeatedly in agreement.
He wasn't foolish enough to reveal everything that had just happened. If Xu Zhengfeng found out that his wife had tried to seduce someone only to end up being taken advantage of by a junior, he would surely feel as though a lush green prairie had sprouted atop his head. In a fit of rage, he might even expel Li Ye from the Judiciary Bureau.
"You, you… Even if Young Master Li doesn't mind, you still need to fix this bad habit of yours. Otherwise, you'll scare everyone away from my Judiciary Bureau sooner or later."
Xu Zhengfeng was the epitome of a doting husband. Though his words were stern, the overflowing affection in his eyes said it all.
"Look at you! I may not be a young maiden, but I still have my charms. How come you make me sound like some terrifying old hag?" Ruan Ruan pouted coquettishly upon hearing this, her angry expression reminiscent of a young girl newly in love.
The couple continued their affectionate banter as if no one else were present, completely ignoring Li Ye's existence.
Sensible enough not to play the third wheel, Li Ye cupped his hands in salute to Xu Zhengfeng and took his leave.
The sight of the couple's intimacy involuntarily brought Chu Qingyi's image to his mind—her smiling face, her tender gaze fixed upon him.
At this thought, a blissful smile spread across Li Ye's face, and his steps grew noticeably lighter.
"The Jade Immortal Pavilion… What a remarkable place that was…"