Gui Yutongs palace on Gui Deluns peak was a prim affair in white and pink, feminine without being overly so. Everything had its place, and every piece of dcor sat perfectly where it ought to be.
Gui Yutong! A young man jumped up at the gates of her palace, eager as a puppy.
Hui blinked. Who is this?
Wait, no. I know. Its her incestuous brother, Fan Fan sothing.
Sectgoer rolled his eyes. Wu Fanyun.
Yes, yes, thats it. Incestuous half-brother Wu Fanyun. Hui nodded to himself, ignoring the puppy at the door.
Wu Fanyun scowled at Hui. He reached out to Gui Yutong, but she dodged his grip and went past, ignoring him the sa as Hui. Hurt, he stared after her, his puppy eyes dripping with tears.
Bai Jingwen looked at him, then gave him a good kick. With a yelp, Wu Fanyun went rolling through the yard.
Well, thats what you get for touching the lotus beasts wife. Hui shook his head at the tumbling man and walked on.
Im so sorry about that. I had no idea Father would do that. And Liu Guang hes always been a bit Gui Yutong said, trailing off.
Mmm, its fine. In any case, Elder Sister, how does it go? Hui asked, glancing at her stomach. There was still no sign of child.
It grows every day. Its quite awful, at tis. The sickness in the morning she trailed off. Thats nothing you want to hear about.
Hui nodded. Its certainly not my domain. Well, if Elder Sister ever needs healing, you can always turn to . Ill do my best!
She nodded. Walking on a few paces, she paused and looked back. I wont restrict you any more than Father already has. If you want to invite a friend over theres a guest house, past the pond. Treat it as yours.
Hui bowed. Many thanks, Elder Sister. A pond? Hmm
--
A Month Later
Exhausted, Lao Ning wobbled back toward the disciples barracks, barely able to stay on his feet. All around him, other disciples panted and limped along, wiping sweat from their brows.
Beside him, Shen Aiguo shook her head, taking a mont to suck in a breath. Does that even count as practice? Its just torture!
Lao Ning waved his hand. Its for our own good. Master says so.
Master doesnt even watch us anymore. Were practically just guinea pigs for Liu Guang, Shen Aiguo argued.
Shooting her a glance, Lao Ning shut his mouth and shook his head.
What? Do you believe that rumor that the mouthy ones get taken as Liu Guangs actual guinea pigs? Shen Aiguo asked, shaking her head.
Lao Ning shrugged. Lets just get back ho and rest.
Oi, Lao Ning. Answer Shen Aiguo stopped dead.
Turning back, Lao Ning sighed. What?
An immortal paradise she murmured, her eyes wide.
Scoffing, Lao Ning glanced in the direction of her gaze. Shen Aiguo, stop talking nonsense
A group of beautiful, androgynous beings giggled and frolicked, dancing in the air and darting around the top of a low wall. Lotuses scattered around an idyllic, clear pond, the blossoms thick and plump, perfect petals spilling over the aqua water. Rainbows danced in the air where the beings kicked up the water, and illusory beasts and figures danced in the air around them. The aura of enlightennt surrounded the whole scene.
In the back of the pond, an exquisitely handso man sat beneath the shade of a wide blue parasol. Unaware of the exhausted disciples now all staring at him, he gently flicked through the pages of a manual. He snatched up a chilled spirit fruit from a platter at his side and popped it into his mouth, chewing with obvious delight. As he turned another page, he reached out and took a sip of a cool blue elixir.
Shen Aiguo licked her lips and swallowed.
Lao Ning stared as well, entranced by the delicate elixir, then shook his head. He grabbed Shen Aiguo by the collar. Co on. We cant trouble a guest.
He doesnt look very troubled, Shen Aiguo argued.
At the sound of their voices, the exquisitely handso man sat up. Setting down his glass, he stood and walked over to sit on the wall. Good afternoon.
Good afternoon, Lao Ning returned, bowing stiffly.
The handso man tilted his head. You all look exhausted. Why dont you co up here and take a rest?
We couldnt trouble Senior, Lao Ning insisted.
Shen Aiguo stepped forward. Could we
Lao Ning clasped a hand over her mouth. We appreciate Seniors offer, but ultimately we have to turn you down.
Ah are you sure? You there, you look injured, the man said, pointing out one of the disciples limping the worst. Im a healer. Please, at least let treat your injuries.
Shen Aiguo twisted free of Lao Nings hand. She raised her arm, showing a scrape on her forearm. Im injured, too!
Shen Aiguo Lao Ning hissed.
How horrible! Co here, co here. Ill fix you up, the handso man said, nodding.
You go on alone. Leave this to ! Shen Aiguo responded, flying up to the wall.
Shen Aiguo, get back here! Lao Ning shouted.
Glancing amongst each other, the other disciples ca to a snap decision. Shen Aiguo! Shen Aiguo, Ill get you! Wait for usI an, stop!
Hui smiled, watching the tired and injured disciples flow into his back yard. Yes, yes, excellent, excellent! Co on in. This small Hui has a few tricks for you.
Ah, thank goodness I know so many handso cultivators. I was able to use the snakeskin technique to tweak my face and make myself even more handso. Plus, the lotus beasts always look adorable.
It would have been even better if I could have had a beautiful female cultivator as well, but Gui Yutong is busy, and Bai Jingwen would sooner bite than cooperate.
I might be trapped in this yard, but it doesnt an I cant be a corrupting influence.
Smiling, Hui greeted the cultivators. Co on in! Take a seat, take a seat. Would anyone like spirit fruits? Or maybe a bit of elixir? Rest, rest. Take a load off.
Shen Aiguo marched up to Hui. She bowed. Shen Aiguo, fourth stage, I have seven thousand spirit stones and Id make a great wife.
Hui blinked. Er yes?
A hand closed around Shen Aiguos collar. Laughing awkwardly, Lao Ning drew her away from Hui. Haha! Please dont take Junior Martial Sisters jokes too seriously. Shen Aiguo, you
I an every word I said, Shen Aiguo said, breaking free of his grip with practiced ease. She ran up and grabbed Huis hand. Senior, youre the first man to et my high standards. Please marry .
What high standards, Lao Ning said, rolling his eyes. You propose to every handso man you et.
Yes, but most of them are scum. I can tell Senior isnt scum. Truly, were fated. Whats your birthdate and ti? Shen Aiguo asked.
Lao Ning shook his head at her. You an, you can tell Senior is rich. Senior, please excuse my Junior Martial Sister. Shes a real prankster, haha.
Hui laughed lightly. Its quite fine, Elder Brother. In any case, this small cultivator is taken. He gestured over his shoulder at the main house.
Lao Nings eyes went wide. He backed away. Shen Aiguo
What? You didnt realize it was Gui Yutongs back gardens? Im fine being a second wife, by the way. Even a mistress, she said, winking at Hui.
This gold digger Shell be sorely disappointed when she finds out Im deeply in debt. Hui smiled stiffly. Why dont you let see your wound?
So bold, Shen Aiguo said, suddenly blushing. She clutched her face and let out a breathy sigh. Asking to see my bare forearms before the first date
Asking to seeyou showed it to seconds ago! Hui raged in his head. Suddenly understanding Lao Nings troubles, he shot the man a sympathetic look. Ah though I think she and Ying Lin would get along swimmingly
He gestured her over. She swooned over to him, all but sprawling in his arms. My poor aching arm
Yeah, yeah, whatever. Hui drew out a bit of life qi and pressed it into her scrape. In the seconds before it healed, he quickly assessed the situation of her body.
Huis eyes widened. He leaned in, pressing in a bit more qi to examine her body more thoroughly. His brows knitted, and he looked at Shen Aiguo.
Whwhat? she asked, all flirtatiousness suddenly gone.
Hui shook his head. Elder Sister how are you still alive?
Reviews
All reviews (0)