Chapter 71: Master, Can You Guess Who I Am?

The sky was beginning to brighten with the first light of dawn.

On Qinggu Peak, outside the Qingxin Hall…

A hundred jade-white stone steps led down to a spacious forecourt where sweet osmanthus trees grew.

The courtyard was made entirely of top-grade pear-blossom celestial wood—floors, walls, roof, and corridors alike—which kept the place warm in winter and cool in summer.

The faint fragrance of its spiritual energy permeated the air, nurturing the meridians of anyone nearby, making it an ideal place for cultivation.

Wen Shili sat at a stone table, dressed in white with a golden crown, as cold and still as a spring.

He held a small medicine bottle, lost in thought.

A familiar scent drifted closer. Wen Shili’s fingers paused on the bottle, but he pretended not to notice.

Two hands covered his eyes.

“Master! Guess who I am!”

Wen Shili gently brushed the hands aside, stood up, and looked down.

“Have you learned the new sword technique?”

Jiang Ziyou scratched his nose, embarrassed.

“Heh, heh… I came here because I haven’t learned it yet. Master, could you demonstrate it once more?”

Wen Shili gave a faint smile, though his eyes held no warmth.

“Hmm, so you wouldn’t come to me if you had learned it.”

Jiang Ziyou clasped his arms around Wen Shili’s neck like antennae and whispered near his ear, “How could that be? Even if I learned it, I’d still come see you, Master.”

“Fine. Release me, and I’ll demonstrate it once more. Watch carefully,” Wen Shili replied calmly.

“You’re the best, Master!” Jiang Ziyou cheered, stepping back a few paces and focusing with all his attention.

Wen Shili swiftly drew his sword.

His long hair swayed with each graceful movement, exuding an air of cool detachment as he demonstrated the technique with sharp precision, creating a scene so mesmerizing that even the onlookers couldn’t help but stare in awe.

When the demonstration ended, Wen Shili sheathed his sword and turned around, only to find his disciple gaping, eyes wide and unblinking, utterly entranced.

Wen Shili’s face remained impassive, but a slight smile touched his eyes.

“Why are you staring at me like that? Did you remember the moves?”

“Yes, yes!”

Jiang Ziyou hurriedly nodded, drawing his sword and practicing each move with earnest focus.

After performing the final move, he put the sword away with a precise flourish.

He quickly ran up to Wen Shili, pretending to wag an imaginary tail, and asked, “Master, did I do well?”

“It was acceptable.”

Jiang Ziyou cheered, flailing with joy.

“Master praised me! I’m one step closer to becoming a great Sword Master admired by all!”

“Pride will lead to failure,” Wen Shili said, patting his head.

He handed him the medicine bottle.

“The seals on the demonic beast sealing cave around the mountain have weakened. I’m going down to reinforce them and will return in three days. Take your medicine on time, practice diligently, and do not be careless.”

Wen Shili’s calm, low voice was reassuring.

“Yes, Master. I’ll be waiting obediently for your return.”

Jiang Ziyou thought nothing of it—his master often left for a few days each month to either retrieve precious artifacts, subdue demons, or reinforce seals…

After all, his master was busy, busy guarding the world.

As Wen Shili prepared to leave, a fleeting thought crossed his mind—words spoken by the Demon Lord during his escape—and a sense of unease arose.

When cultivators feel unsettled, it often portends matters of personal consequence.

Turning back, he conjured a white cloud-and-crane bracelet and placed it on Jiang Ziyou’s wrist.

“Master, this is…?”

“It contains some of my spiritual energy and aura for your protection.”

“Besides protection, does it do anything else? Like summoning mythical beasts or teleporting?”

Wen Shili paused briefly before answering sternly, “I said, protection.”

“Oh… If I wear it, will I become as tall as you? Or invisible?”

Wen Shili: “…”

…

At that moment, inside a room on Qinggu Peak…

Jiang Niannian was still asleep, while Yin Buqi lay beside her, gazing at her face.

The thin blanket had slipped, revealing his fair chest.

Due to experiences in his youth, he was often pale, seeming frail.

But each night, when he clung to Jiang Niannian with unrelenting intensity, there was a fierce resolve within him, one that defied any sign of weakness.

One hand encircled her waist while the other toyed with her hair.

Jiang Niannian always carried a faint floral scent, which had only grown stronger as her cultivation improved.

Her soft black hair flowed through his fingers, its silky texture stirring a deep, ticklish ache in his heart.

As if bewitched, he closed his eyes, burying his face in her hair, lightly brushing it with kisses.

Half-asleep, Jiang Niannian sensed a flickering light and the cool touch of something against her face.

“Don’t move, that tickles…”

she murmured, reaching out to push him away, only for her wrist to be caught and pinned above her head.

The ticklish sensation grew more intense.

Jiang Niannian furrowed her brow and opened her eyes.

A pair of red eyes stared down at her, his loose robe barely concealing his broad chest.

Remembering last night, she felt a pang of fear.

She forced a smile.

“Good morning, Buqi. It’s time to get up.”

He said nothing; his red lips pressed tighter.

He scanned her face, lingering on her slightly swollen eyes from crying the night before, and then moved down to her delicate nose, stopping at her soft, cherry-red lips.

His breathing grew heavier.

Danger! Danger! Danger!

They locked eyes for three seconds before Jiang Niannian seized the moment.

She sprang up, hoping to escape from what would surely become the scene of a crime, but he pressed her back down, wrapping her in the blanket like a cocoon.

Yin Buqi’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke in a low, husky voice.

“Niannian, are you going to abandon me after just one night?”

Jiang Niannian blinked.

Who was it that took advantage of the night?!

“Niannian, can we stay just a little longer?”

Yin Buqi hugged her tightly, nuzzling against her neck.

Jiang Niannian tried to push his hands away, but he held her firmly, his warm breath grazing her neck, both ticklish and comforting.

“Can you let me go?”

“No. I can’t.”

Yin Buqi’s voice softened, almost pleading, as he raised his head.

His damp red eyes stared into hers, making her heart tremble.

Outwardly, Jiang Niannian: “….”

Inwardly, Jiang Niannian thought: Buqi knows how to be coquettish; Niannian’s soul will float away!

It’s over! This unfilial cub has mastered the ultimate trick of acting like a spoiled child!

She’s absolutely no match for him!

“Alright…just a little while, no more…” Jiang Niannian turned her head away, her face a little red.

“You’re the best, Niannian,” Yin Buqi whispered, looking at her with eyes full of innocent anticipation.

Yet his hands didn’t match his outward obedience.

Her rational mind: Run! Please, just put on some pants, Ms. Jiang Niannian!

Jiang Niannian: Fu*k it! How could anyone say no to a captivating devil who only has eyes for you!!!

Yin Buqi narrowed his eyes with a dangerous smile and whispered seductively, “Today, I want to kiss every inch of you, Niannian…”

Jiang Niannian: !!! Wait, can I still run now?!