Jia Yi glanced at the three brothers from the Dao family who had just returned. “Since everyone’s here, in half an hour, everyone will have to undergo a thorough inspection.”
Zhou Xian didn’t interfere with Jia Yi’s decision. He led his men into the inn.
Jia Yi cast a displeased look at Luo Qiaoqiao, who had fainted, his expression tinged with contempt. Then, he led a few of his men inside as well.
Yu Sanniang clutched the silver note, angry but afraid to speak out. She could only ask the inn staff to prepare lunch.
Chu’he said curiously, “Aren’t Jia Yi and Zhou Xian both from Canghai Continent? Why do they seem to be at odds like sworn enemies?”
“You probably don’t know, miss. Canghai Continent is divided into two factions, always at each other’s throats.”
A flicker passed through Chu’he’s mind, and suddenly a young man in a fitted outfit appeared before her, fanning himself with a graceful air—refined and elegant, like a noble gentleman.
Ninth sat back down beside Chu’he, twirling some noodles with his chopsticks and shoving them into his mouth. His crimson eyes stared fixedly at the young man before him. Silent, he chewed, resembling a wild beast.
Protecting his treasure, ready at any moment to tear apart any despised male intruder.
The atmosphere grew chilly. Heart Knife’s hand trembled, unable to keep shaking his fan. He cautiously stepped back, then glanced once more at Ninth’s expression before wisely retreating two more steps.
Finally, Ninth stopped staring and lowered his gaze, picking up the fried egg from his bowl and placing it into Chu’he’s bowl.
Chu’he said, “I’m full. I can’t eat anymore.”
Ninth glanced at the half-eaten noodles in her bowl. First, he slurped up the noodles in his own bowl until it was clean, then looked at Chu’he. “A He, I’m still hungry.”
Chu’he hesitated. “Well, if you don’t mind, you can have my noodles…”
“I want to eat.”
He snatched the bowl from her hands, bowed his head, and slowly twirled a strand of noodles with his chopsticks, eating them with great care—completely different from the ravenous way he had eaten before.
Chu’he was puzzled. How could noodles from the same pot taste better in her bowl?
But now, something else caught her interest.
“Dao Young Master, what do you mean when you say Canghai Continent is split into two factions?”
Heart Knife had sent his two elder brothers back to the inn to rest and eat. Before the beauty, he couldn’t help but show off a little and spoke frankly.
“The governor of Canghai Continent wasn’t originally Wenren Buxiao, but his predecessor’s wife, Shangguan Huanxi.”
Shangguan Huanxi.
A faint impression formed in Chu’he’s mind. “Is she the Shangguan Huanxi who inherited the Heartless Sword?”
“Exactly,” Heart Knife said. “Five years ago, Wenren Buxiao was just starting out—young and ambitious, wielding a single blade, determined to challenge every master in the world. He truly was a martial prodigy, undefeated. But he was bested by the Shangguan heir on Canghai Continent.”
At that time, the governorship of Canghai Continent had just passed into Shangguan Huanxi’s hands. She was aloof and reserved, rarely leaving her estate. Rumor had it that her Heartless Sword could protect an entire city.
Wenren Buxiao had been defeated by her several times but was never willing to admit defeat. Time and again, he sought her out for rematches.
Somehow, the two ended up looking at each other with something more than rivalry.
The union between these two was met with much opposition. Wenren Buxiao was naturally unruly and free-spirited, while Shangguan Huanxi was nitpicky about everything and held herself in very high regard.
So it was no surprise that rumors of their marital discord surfaced again after four years of marriage.
“Speaking of which, it was the invasion by an evil spirit a year ago that changed Shangguan Huanxi completely,” Heart Knife, who knew a lot about gossip, said without holding back. “The evil spirit took advantage of Wenren Buxiao being away challenging a master. During that time, Shangguan Huanxi was the sole guard at the city gate of Canghai Continent for three days and nights. When Wenren Buxiao finally returned, there was a woman by his side.”
“That woman was none other than Shangguan Huanxi’s maid, now the Lady of the Continent—Luo Qiaoqiao.”
Chu'he’s spirits lifted, sensing the deliciously scandalous story unfolding. “And then?”
“Wenren Buxiao was in danger outside, and Luo Qiaoqiao sacrificed herself to save him. It was quite a romantic tale, but Shangguan Huanxi couldn’t tolerate even a speck of sand in her eyes. First, she tried to kill Luo Qiaoqiao, then plotted to harm the child in Luo Qiaoqiao’s womb, earning her the infamous title of a venomous woman and losing the hearts of many.”
“Her pure and unblemished state of mind shattered, her Heartless Sword technique could no longer be wielded. From a top-tier expert, she fell into the role of a mere ornament. Under mounting accusations, she relinquished her position as the continent’s ruler and withdrew to live in seclusion.”
“The Demon-Slaying Guard led by Jia Yi was originally founded by Shangguan Huanxi’s father. Naturally, they sided with Shangguan Huanxi. But if they were smart enough, they would understand the dangers of losing the right path and allies.”
“This time, everyone knows well that the disappearance and danger of Luo Qiaoqiao and Wenren Yan was orchestrated by Shangguan Huanxi’s faction. A wise bird chooses its tree—if the Demon-Slaying Guard continues to back Shangguan Huanxi, they might not end well.”
Chu'he only remembered that in the original story, Wenren Buxiao’s ex-wife was a jealous woman. Because of her, Luo Qiaoqiao and Wenren Yan were captured by the people of Yunhuang Immortal City, who then used them to threaten Wenren Buxiao.
What followed was the complete downfall of Canghai Continent.
The power of Yunhuang Immortal City expanded further, and the male lead lost Wenren Buxiao, his greatest ally, leading to a tragic ending.
But now that Luo Qiaoqiao and Wenren Yan have been rescued, this must mean the storyline will change, right?
Chu'he was lost in thought, not noticing the young man beside her had been quietly watching her for a long time.
Heart Knife seemed to have completely captured her attention.
The young man lifted his gaze, his eyes shimmering with a seductive red glow.
Heart Knife’s hand, which was fanning, trembled. “After saying so much, I’m thirsty. I’ll go get some water to soothe my throat.”
He circled around Ninth and quickly entered the inn.
Chu'he suddenly felt a weight on her legs. Looking down, she saw the white-haired young man resting his head on her lap.
His eyes shone beautifully—tinged with frustration, grievance, and a hint of displeasure—but he said nothing.
Chu'he snapped back to reality and glanced at the empty bowl. Even the broth was completely gone. She asked him, “You ate so much, aren’t you feeling bloated? Do you still want lunch?”
Ninth noticed she was paying attention to him. His eyes flickered as he twined a strand of her black hair with a strand of his white hair between his fingers, intertwining the two colors inseparably.
“I can still eat more,” he said.
Chu'he looked skeptical and reached out to touch his belly. It was firm and round, but in the next moment, his lower abdomen sucked in tightly, revealing the sculpted lines of his abs—a perfect "mermaid line" that felt surprisingly good under her fingers.
Chu'he stared at him.
Ninth met her gaze openly. "Chu'he, if you hold me while we sleep tonight, I'll let you touch it."
During their close skin-to-skin moments, her eyes would always linger on his abs.
He knew she liked that spot.
After a moment’s thought, his eyes brightened, a gentle smile curling at the corners of his lips. He lifted both hands to cup her face. "If you want to kiss me, that’s not off the table either."
Though inexperienced in matters of intimacy, the boy sometimes had the allure of a temptress, boldly stirring desire like a blazing flame.
But suddenly, Chu'he’s hand slid down from his abdomen and pinched his waist.
He immediately broke character and burst out laughing.
Chu'he didn’t let up, digging both hands into his waist and tickling him mercilessly.
Ninth trembled all over, trying to dodge but unwilling to leave her embrace, he could only struggle weakly.
"Stop… it’s so ticklish… haha… Chu'he…"
The boy’s short, light laughter scattered the noisy cicadas’ song, bringing a breath of fresh life to the sweltering summer like the first bloom of spring.
Chu'he’s hand returned to his belly, and sure enough, the muscles that had lost control, shaped by the food he’d eaten, had become a hard, solid mass.
Ninth caught on, holding his breath and trying to flex his muscles to bring back those smooth lines on his abdomen.
But Chu'he had already ruffled his hair into a messy tangle and said fiercely, "No lunch for you today!"
Ninth pursed his lips, his cheeks puffing out as he turned into a pouty little dumpling.
Inside the inn, Jia Yi sat motionless in his chair, as still as a mountain.
One of his subordinates glanced at the two figures under the shade outside. "Sir, shouldn’t we bring them in for questioning too?"
Jia Yi looked toward the lively pair. Though there were two of them, they were so close it seemed like they had already merged into one.
Pouring himself a cup of tea, Jia Yi cooled his temper. "Let them be."
That Miao man was a wild card; it was better to have someone keeping an eye on him.
