The Yingshan Sect had been bustling with activity lately.
Xiang Wuxue had just returned to his courtyard with a bundle of firewood from the back mountain when he spotted a certain little troublemaker lounging on his bamboo daybed, one leg casually crossed over the other.
Upon seeing Xiang Wuxue, Yu Zhiling's eyes lit up, and she waved enthusiastically. "Hello, Third Senior Brother!"
Xiang Wuxue, ever good-natured, smiled and walked over. "Why have you been sticking around the Yingshan Sect so much lately? Not planning to go down the mountain?" He sat beside her on the daybed and ruffled her hair. "Are you hungry?"
Yu Zhiling cheerfully held up a qiankun pouch. "Second Senior Sister gave me some snacks!"
Xiang Wuxue hesitated for a moment before asking tentatively, "Have you and Mo Zhu been fighting?"
Yu Zhiling scoffed. "How dare he argue with me?"
Xiang Wuxue chuckled softly. "You two used to be inseparable. Why did you come back to the Yingshan Sect alone this time? Where’s Mo Zhu?"
Yu Zhiling stammered, "He has his own things to attend to. We’re adults now—does he have to cling to me all the time?" Though her words were bold, her ears turned red, betraying her guilt. She fanned herself with a folding fan, feigning nonchalance. "It’s so hot, Senior Brother. Cast a cooling spell for me, won’t you?"
Thinking she was genuinely overheated, Xiang Wuxue quickly wove a spell to ward off the heat around her. Just as he turned to ask another question, Yu Zhiling nudged his shoulder.
"Third Senior Brother, go take care of your own business. I want to be alone for a bit. It’s been a while since I’ve spent time with you all, so I came back specifically to see everyone."
Xiang Wuxue nodded. "Alright. Call me if you need anything—I’ll be in the backyard."
Once he was gone, Yu Zhiling flopped onto her back on the daybed, expressionlessly popping a fruit into her mouth.
That snake of hers had become utterly unrestrained after their marriage. They had agreed to stay together for just a few days, but nearly twenty days had passed without them leaving the house. Seeing no end to his antics, Yu Zhiling had no choice but to make an excuse to escape, explicitly forbidding Mo Zhu from following.
It had been ten days since she returned, and Mo Zhu had obediently stayed away, busying himself with his own affairs instead.
Yu Zhiling had no idea what he was up to, but he never failed to contact her daily through a jade communication token.
Just then, the token glowed. She blinked, swallowed the fruit in her mouth, and fished it out, immediately recognizing the caller.
"Master?"
Mo Zhu’s voice came through the token.
Yu Zhiling took another bite of fruit and mumbled, "What is it?"
Mo Zhu: "I’m back within Yingshan’s borders. Are you coming home today?"
Yu Zhiling paused mid-chew and sat up. "Where exactly have you been?"
Mo Zhu laughed, his voice crisp and clear. "Exterminating evil spirits. And I brought you a gift."
At the mention of a gift, Yu Zhiling couldn’t suppress her grin. "What kind of gift? Something tasty?"
Mo Zhu replied warmly, "All sorts of things—many, many gifts. Come home, won’t you? I’ve missed you, Master."
Yu Zhiling immediately leapt off the daybed. "Wait for me—your master is on her way!"
She ended the call, slipped on her shoes, and called out, "Third Senior Brother, I’m heading down the mountain! I’ll be back tomorrow!"
Without waiting for a response, she was already gone in a flash.
Though she would never admit it aloud, ten days apart from Mo Zhu had left her aching to see him. Their calls always dragged on, but as a proud master, she would never be the first to confess her longing—she always waited for her disciple to say it first.
Yu Zhiling dashed down from Xiang Wuxue’s residence, and from the higher vantage point, she spotted the black-clad youth standing at the sect’s entrance from afar. He was impossible to miss—his tall, upright posture made him stand out instantly.
Yan Shanqing stood opposite him, the two seemingly engaged in conversation.
Yu Zhiling brightened. "Mo Zhu! First Senior Brother!"
She had assumed Mo Zhu would be at their new home, but here he was at the sect’s gates—he must have arrived while calling her.
Yan Shanqing and Mo Zhu turned in unison, watching as a green blur zipped toward them in the blink of an eye.
Mo Zhu’s expression softened instantly. "Master."
Yu Zhiling straightened up and cleared her throat theatrically. "You’re back so soon? I was planning to stay with my senior brothers and sisters a few more days."
Yan Shanqing rolled his eyes. "You’ve been missing him for ages, and now you’re putting on an act?"
Yu Zhiling scowled at her senior brother’s bluntness. "Nonsense! He’s the one who missed me!" She grabbed Mo Zhu’s arm and demanded, "Isn’t that right?"
Mo Zhu, who always indulged her, nodded. "Yes. I missed you terribly, Master."
Seeing the way the young man’s gaze never left his master, Yan Shanqing feigned disgust, though his heart had long melted. Age and status meant nothing—Mo Zhu’s devotion was something no one else could match.
Yan Shanqing waved them off. "Go on, it’s almost dark. Hurry back."
Now alone with her disciple—aside from the gatekeepers, who had all tactfully turned away—Yu Zhiling tugged Mo Zhu down the mountain path, where they wouldn’t be disturbed.
Once they were out of sight, she stopped, stood on her tiptoes, and prepared to steal a kiss.
Mo Zhu chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist and claiming her lips first.
He had been holding back for too long—he had wanted this for days.
When they parted, Yu Zhiling caught the dark intensity in his gaze and pinched his cheeks. "Do you miss me, or do you miss… other things?"
"I missed you. I missed my master." Mo Zhu pecked her lips repeatedly, like a chick pecking grain. "I just wanted to see you, to talk to you."
He meant it—he could forgo everything else, but he had to see her.
Yu Zhiling understood, and her heart swelled with secret delight. Around those closest to her, she often regressed into childishness. She wrapped her arms around Mo Zhu’s neck. "Fine, I missed you too."
"What did you miss about me?"
"Shut up."
After a bit more playful bickering, Mo Zhu took her hand. "Let’s go. We should get back before dark."
Yu Zhiling was still eager to see his gifts.
They arrived home just as night fell. The moment the door closed, she whirled around and held out her hands. "Where’s my gift?"
Mo Zhu shook the qiankun pouch. "Right here."
Yu Zhiling opened it, but instead of the expected treats, her eyes landed on a sandalwood box placed conspicuously in the center.
She shot him a teasing look. "A necklace?"
Mo Zhu shrugged. "Open it and see, Master."
Smirking, Yu Zhiling carefully lifted the lid—only to freeze.
Inside were not necklaces, but a pair of jade rings.
Exquisitely crafted, translucent, and delicate, they shimmered faintly with an inner glow.
For a moment, she was speechless. She hadn’t expected Mo Zhu to give her this. In their world, men usually gifted women tokens of affection like jade pendants, hairpins, or necklaces.
Mo Zhu took the wooden box and retrieved the delicate jade ring inside. Gently lifting Yu Zhiling’s hand, he said, "Back when we eradicated the demonic spirits on Lingyou Path, I promised I’d give you a ring someday." At the time, he only had a storage ring on him, but now he had one specially crafted just for her.
Yu Zhiling pressed her lips together, her gaze falling on the jade ring now adorning her right ring finger. The ring was far from ordinary—its band was slender yet intricately carved with lifelike patterns.
Mo Zhu cupped her face and kissed her lightly. "I drew the design, Miss Liu chose the jade, and she crafted it herself."
Yu Zhiling’s eyes curved into crescents as she rose onto her toes, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You’ve gotten quite good at sweet-talking. I love it."
"Glad you do." Mo Zhu gripped her waist and lifted her effortlessly, settling her onto the table. Bracing his arms on either side of her, he leaned in closer. "There’s also some food. Want to try it?"
Yu Zhiling pouted. "Not now. I’ve eaten enough today." She paused, her crimson lips curving as she studied Mo Zhu’s handsome face. Her fingers idly traced circles along his neck.
"Where did you go to exterminate evil spirits? And who did you help?"
Mo Zhu’s Adam’s apple bobbed as one hand slid to her waist. "A minor sect under the Blade Sect—the Joyous Union Sect."
Yu Zhiling arched a brow. "Did you learn anything good from them?"
Of course he had. Mo Zhu had gone there specifically for that purpose.
He kissed her earlobe, nipping at the dangling pearl earring, his voice laced with temptation. "Learned a secret technique. Care to try it, Master?"
Yu Zhiling had grown accustomed to his affection, and after ten days apart, she’d missed him—so much so that she’d completely forgotten she’d fled to Yingshan to escape this insatiable little serpent.
As his kisses grew more insistent, heat pooled low in her belly. Unconsciously, her legs wound around his waist. "Bathe first."
"Alright."
Mo Zhu hoisted her up by the hips, carrying her as he continued to kiss her, making his way to the mountain retreat. Once inside the secluded cave dwelling, he wasted no time stripping her bare before joining her in the hot spring.
Yu Zhiling still had some sense left. "Don’t you dare shift into your demon form!"
Mo Zhu obediently agreed. "Fine."
After days apart, his impatience showed in the rough urgency of his touches. Yu Zhiling didn’t mind—until Mo Zhu cast a spell over them both.
"What are you doing?"
Mo Zhu brushed back his disheveled hair, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "The secret technique. Just trying it out."
Yu Zhiling frowned. "What kind of technique?"
Mo Zhu coaxed her. "A good one. Master, kiss me."
Skeptical but willing, Yu Zhiling tilted her head up, pressing her lips to his Adam’s apple. She licked and nibbled, feeling his body tense beneath her, listening to the ragged breaths he couldn’t suppress.
They’d done this countless times before, and Yu Zhiling had taken the lead before—but tonight was different.
Even though she was the one kissing him, even though her hands roamed freely over his body, a tingling numbness spread through her limbs. Her legs weakened, her movements slowed, and soft, involuntary moans escaped her lips.
The more she kissed Mo Zhu, the more aroused he became—and so did she.
When her fingers brushed against a forbidden spot, Mo Zhu let out a deep, muffled groan. At the same time, Yu Zhiling’s body went completely limp, nearly slipping underwater before Mo Zhu caught her.
Yu Zhiling realized something was wrong. "What—what did you do?"
Why could she feel… his pleasure?
Mo Zhu didn’t answer. The rims of his eyes were flushed red, his pupils slitted—a sign of his growing desire.
"You’ll understand soon. Let’s keep going."
With that, he pressed her down. Yu Zhiling’s brows furrowed instantly, her nails digging into his shoulders with enough force to draw blood.
The physical ecstasy was far more intense than before—waves of pleasure, rising from the depths of her soul, made her cries louder, more unrestrained. The heavy panting in her ear was more ragged than ever. It was still him, the same movements, the same rhythm she was used to, yet the same techniques that had once driven her to tears now threatened to shatter her completely. She wanted to push him away but lacked the strength.
Mo Zhu’s voice was bolder too. Scattered scales emerged along his neck and shoulders—his control over his human form slipping as pleasure overwhelmed him. The defined muscles of his back tensed, two slits forming as his hidden serpentine wings stirred restlessly.
Yu Zhiling’s voice was broken. "You—you’re not… allowed to shift!"
But it was too late.
He wouldn’t fully transform—that would hurt her. But his half-demon form heightened every sensation, each thrust more overwhelming than the last.
Especially since he’d used the Joyous Union Sect’s secret technique.
Shared sensation.
Their pleasure intertwined—doubled.
