"Good night, Xueqi~"
Ji Changfeng stepped out of the room, tossing a playful smile back at Lu Xueqi inside.
Lu Xueqi's lips pressed together lightly in response. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink as she gave a shy nod.
Swish—
A gentle breeze swept through the corridor, teasing her hair and lifting the hem of her white dress. The cool, aloof girl in white seemed like a fairy bathed in moonlight, the faint blush on her face a breathtaking sight, unforgettable as the most stunning scenery in the world…
"Rest early," Ji Changfeng said, waving casually.
Lu Xueqi dipped her head slightly. After a moment's hesitation, she murmured, "You too… rest early. Good night…"
With that, she hurriedly shut the door, as if fleeing.
Ji Changfeng chuckled softly at the sight.
So cute, my little Xueqi.
He turned to head back to his own room, but something caught his eye. At the end of the corridor, in the courtyard beyond, a lone figure stood.
The figure wore a flowing, jade-green dress, vivid against the night's darkness.
Ji Changfeng paused, then strode toward the courtyard.
Tap—
His crisp footsteps echoed in the quiet corridor.
Bi Yao didn't turn. She stood silently under the moonlight, gazing up at the starry sky. The night breeze stirred her jade-green skirt and sent her hair dancing.
Her heart felt adrift, lost in a haze. Memories of her childhood flickered through her mind, each one a sharp pang of pain…
Sometimes, she thought, I wonder if it'd be better to just die and be done with it. No more pain, no more wretched troubles.
She let out a soft sigh.
Her gaze drifted downward, landing on a cluster of flowers nearby. A delicate pink-and-white blossom caught her eye, trembling lightly in the breeze, adorned with glistening dewdrops that sparkled like tiny jewels.
Bi Yao reached out.
Snap—
Without hesitation, she plucked the flower.
"What?!" A startled voice broke the silence.
Bi Yao turned to see a somewhat awkward-looking boy glaring at her, his tone indignant. "Hey! That flower was perfectly fine. Why'd you pluck it?"
Bi Yao ignored him. Her attention shifted to another figure standing nearby—a young man in white, his face strikingly handsome yet impassive. His deep, piercing eyes held a trace of arrogance, and two long swords hung at his waist, marking him as someone extraordinary…
Bi Yao's gaze lingered on Ji Changfeng warily before sliding back to Zhang Xiaofan.
"Hmph," she scoffed. "First, I'm not 'hey.' Second, plucking this flower is its honor. What do you know?"
She lifted her sharp chin, her eyes glinting with pride, as if "killing" the flower was a blessing it had earned through nine lifetimes of fortune.
"You…" Zhang Xiaofan frowned, his voice tinged with sadness. "You plucked it, and now it's dead. How could it be happy? Look at those dewdrops—they might be its tears!"
Bi Yao burst out laughing. "You're something else! A grown man comparing dewdrops to a flower's tears? That's a first!"
Her laughter grew, until she was doubled over, clutching her stomach.
"What's so funny? Who said you could laugh?" Zhang Xiaofan snapped, his face reddening with embarrassment.
Being mocked out of nowhere by a girl stung his pride.
Bi Yao's laughter faded, her expression turning cold. "Oh? Do I need your permission to laugh?"
Raised in the Ghost King Sect, she was no saintly maiden. No one had ever dared to contradict her, let alone order her around.
"You…" Zhang Xiaofan faltered, startled by her sudden shift. How does she change so fast?
Tap—
Footsteps echoed from another corridor.
A woman approached, clad in black with a veil concealing her face. Her eyes, visible through the veil, were deep and carried a hint of danger…
As the saying goes, the more mysterious a woman, the more perilous she is. Even the legendary Wan Jianyi once paid the price of an arm just to glimpse such a woman's true face.
"You…" Zhang Xiaofan began, but Ji Changfeng gently patted his shoulder.
"Xiaofan, go rest," Ji Changfeng said calmly.
"Huh?" Zhang Xiaofan blinked, then nodded obediently. "Yes, Senior Brother Seven."
He turned and headed back to his room without question. Ji Changfeng's words were law to him—not just because of the years of guidance in cultivation and life, but because Ji Changfeng held a place of reverence in his heart, second only to Master and Shi Niang.
Swish~
The night breeze whispered through the courtyard, leaving only Ji Changfeng, Bi Yao, and the veiled woman.
Bi Yao shot Ji Changfeng a cautious glance but quickly plastered on a smile. "And what might this young hero's name be?"
Ji Changfeng spared her a brief look but said nothing.
Bi Yao's brow furrowed, irritation flaring. All these years, and someone dares ignore me?
"Hey! I'm talking to you! Didn't you hear me?" she pressed, her voice sharp.
Ji Changfeng still ignored her. His gaze settled on the veiled woman, a spark of curiosity in his eyes. "Why hide your face behind a veil? Something to conceal?"
The words hung in the air. Before the veiled woman could respond, Bi Yao's temper flared.
What's that supposed to mean? You ignore me but chat up my Aunt You? Do you think I'm beneath you?
"What's wrong with wearing a veil? Did she eat your rice or something? You're quite the charmer, aren't you?" Bi Yao snapped, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Ji Changfeng finally turned to her, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Why so eager, miss? Wait your turn. I'll speak with you after I'm done with your elder."
"?!"
What, am I some concubine waiting for the emperor's favor?
"Aunt You, let's go. Ignore this lecher!" Bi Yao grabbed the veiled woman's hand, ready to storm off.
"Yao'er," Youji said softly, gently holding her back. Her enigmatic eyes fixed on Ji Changfeng, her tone even. "Are you a disciple of Qingyun Sect?"
Ji Changfeng nodded. "And you, a high-ranking figure from the Demonic Sect? Veiled in black… could you be Zhuque, one of the Ghost King Sect's Four Holy Envoys?"
The air grew tense.
Bi Yao's eyes widened in shock. He saw through our identities?
Youji's gaze flickered, her stare locking onto Ji Changfeng. A faint, chilling intent laced her cool voice. "Since when did Qingyun Sect produce an Upper Purity expert like you?"
"Upper Purity expert?!" Bi Yao's heart jolted. She studied Ji Changfeng, stunned. He looks barely older than me, yet he's an Upper Purity master?
"Tch." Ji Changfeng shook his head, saying nothing.
He studied Youji for a long moment before speaking again, his voice teasing yet sharp. "What a striking beauty in black—pity she's a thief. I wonder what splendor hides beneath that veil?"
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