Mei Man turned around and saw Qiu Heyang walking over from not far away.
She changed direction and hurried toward him. “Have you finished your closed-door cultivation?”
“Yes. I was just about to deliver these talismans to my master.” Qiu Heyang pulled a stack of talismans from his robes and gave them a wave.
Golden characters shimmered across the talismans, and the paper was coated in a faint radiance, flowing like the light of the sun and moon. Their excellent quality was plain to see.
Under normal circumstances, Mei Man would have been so envious her teeth ached. But she had no time to care about that now.
Her eyes darted around as she asked, “Can I—can I stay at your place for a while?”
Qiu Heyang had been wearing a bright, easy smile. At her words, he looked her over carefully. Seeing how nervous she was, he immediately understood. “Little Mei, what trouble have you gotten yourself into this time? Did you damage your elder brother’s spirit artifact again, accidentally lose Yan Xue’s medicine, or perhaps offend your master?”
Those were all troubles she had caused in the past. Even now, he still thought she had done them unintentionally. In truth, most of them had happened because she simply couldn’t resist deliberately stirring things up.
Mei Man said, “I offended the eldest young master. He may try to kill me.”
“Kill you?” Qiu Heyang laughed, clearly not believing her. “Little Mei, Little Mei, you really are muddleheaded. How could my brother be so narrow-minded? He wouldn’t start killing people over some small matter. He’d have to be insane.”
“No! This time is different.”
His interest was piqued. “Different? How is it different?”
Mei Man fell silent, lowering her head.
How was she supposed to say it?
Not only had she bitten and kissed his brother, she had also humiliated him with her words, degrading him in every possible way. She had even toyed with him as though he were a plaything, poking and prodding him with the scabbard of her sword.
As she thought about it, she remembered what Qiu Yingling had looked like just moments ago.
He had been reclining limply, all the tension of unfulfilled desire gathered between his brows. It had seemed as though he wanted to take her hand, to hold her—but she had slapped his hand away.
The more she thought about it, the more horrified she became. At the time, she had been bold enough, but now her fear was every bit as real.
Her silence and obvious evasion did not concern Qiu Heyang in the slightest. He thought that no matter how much trouble she caused, she couldn’t possibly have created any serious disaster. Most likely, she was simply worrying over nothing.
So he said, “What are you afraid of? My brother definitely won’t go too far. At most, he’ll scold you a little. And if he dares lay a hand on you, you still have me. But if you’re worried, you can stay at my place for a couple of days.”
“Are we going now?”
“Give me a moment. I’ll deliver these talismans to my master first.”
“But he’s still in seclusion.”
“By the reckoning of the days, he should be coming out today.”
“Oh—ah?!”
Mei Man suddenly remembered the dragon-binding chain. When she had left, the chain had still been fastened around the white wolf’s neck. If Shen Shushi woke up, then wouldn’t that mean—
She didn’t dare think any further. Cold sweat broke out over her body in waves.
Well done, Mei Man. You really have made something of yourself.
You haven’t even begun cultivating immortality, and you’ve already made enemies—and not just any enemies, either. You’ve gone straight for the most powerful ones.
Keeping her head lowered, she said, “Then you go ahead. I won’t. If you see the Immortal Master and he asks about me, you absolutely mustn’t tell him you saw me, and don’t tell him where I am.”
Qiu Heyang asked jokingly, “Why are you hiding it from your master too? Little Mei, surely you didn’t cause trouble for him as well?”
The cold sweat came faster. Even though she had never cultivated immortality, Mei Man knew that under ordinary circumstances, no disciple would use a chain to bind their master.
Naturally, she couldn’t tell him that, so she casually made up a story. “If he finds out I went to your place, what if he sells me out when Senior Brother Qiu comes asking?”
“Tch. You’re not afraid that I’ll sell you out?”
Mei Man lowered her head even further. “If you sell me out, I’ll accept it. After all, you’re the only one I can trust.”
Qiu Heyang paused. His heart seemed to swell as though someone had blown air into it.
He suddenly stepped forward, cupped her face in both hands, and smiled at her. “Of course. We’re friends, after all. Little Mei, you must trust me most of all, understand?”
Mei Man thought, That won’t do. The reason I’ve survived this long is that I know how to read the wind and adjust my sails. I absolutely can’t afford to lose that survival skill.
But outwardly, she nodded. “I understand.”
“Go to my cave dwelling first. The immortal servant guarding the entrance knows you.”
Mei Man agreed, eager to fly there immediately.
At first, she was still able to keep up appearances, walking along one steady step at a time. But once Qiu Heyang disappeared at the end of the road, she began pumping her legs as hard as she could, running so quickly she seemed almost ready to take flight.
Fortunately, she didn’t run into anyone along the way, nor did she see Qiu Yingling.
Before long, Qiu Heyang returned to his cave dwelling. It was only after hearing him speak that Mei Man learned Shen Shushi really had asked where she was.
“That old bastard actually cares about you.” With no one else around, Qiu Heyang reverted to his true nature and gave a cold snort. “Usually, he never bothers asking after any of his disciples. Even if that useless Yu Guiya died out there, the old man would probably only say, ‘His cultivation was inadequate.’ How strange. Today he’s suddenly pretending to be human.”
Mei Man didn’t echo him. She was entirely absorbed in flipping through a book on alchemy.
She felt that Shen Shushi wasn’t as rigid as Qiu Heyang made him out to be. In fact, he was a very good person.
But he and she were not of the same kind.
His thoughts were too pure. He looked stern, but was actually exceptionally kindhearted. If he ever discovered her true nature, he would certainly withdraw all the warmth he showed her now. He might even personally punish her.
At that thought, her hand stilled. Her expression did not change, but her heart turned cold and hard.
She understood better than anyone that a relationship born from lies could never end well.
That day would come sooner or later. She did not regret it, however. She also understood that what she needed to do now was make sure she survived until then.
Mei Man closed the book she had finished reading and looked toward Qiu Heyang, who was practicing hand seals.
She asked, “Do you know of any pill or talisman that can make someone lose their memory?”
Qiu Heyang lowered his hands, and a thread of spiritual energy dissipated into the air without a trace.
He raised an eyebrow. “Little Mei, what exactly did you do to my brother? You’re already thinking about ways to make him forget? Why not just hit him once and knock him out for a few days? Maybe the matter will blow over on its own.”
From his tone, Mei Man could tell that he really hadn’t taken her seriously at all.
After hesitating for a long while, she finally chose her words carefully. “I…”
“What?”
“I poked him several times with the scabbard.”
Although the places she had struck were difficult to mention.
“Good for you!” Qiu Heyang said with a beaming smile. “I’ve always thought you were far too restrained around my brother. It’s not as though he eats people. If he tries to settle accounts with you over that, then he really deserves a beating. You’ve done well.”
Mei Man said, “I also pulled his arm.”
Though technically, she had pulled his arm while guiding his hand to teach him how to touch her.
“What’s the big deal? You didn’t pull it off. Little Mei, you’ve really made great progress today. Looks like we should have found a way to get you into this immortal estate sooner.”
Qiu Heyang was positively delighted. The tips of his sharp little canine teeth even showed, making it clear just how good his mood was.
“You think so too?” Encouraged by his praise, Mei Man suddenly found her courage and began speaking without restraint. “I also cursed him a few times. I don’t know whether he remembers. If he does, that’s bad. He might try to kill me.”
“Curse him more. He won’t lose any flesh over it. But now I’m curious—what did you call him?”
“I called him a lecher—”
She hurriedly changed course.
“—someone who doesn’t even know how to use a broom.”
Qiu Heyang laughed. “Little Mei, that hardly counts as cursing. You should’ve called him a pretentious, shameless bastard. The way you put it, you probably only gave him a few token smacks. Don’t worry—he certainly won’t come looking for trouble. He’ll forget all about it in the time it takes to catch his breath.”
Mei Man felt somewhat unwilling to lose, as though she had to determine who was superior. “That’s not all I called him. Besides, I even bit him a few times. My mouth is still swollen.”
Qiu Heyang’s smile vanished in an instant. His lips flattened, and his star-bright eyes narrowed slightly, taking on a hint of coldness.
Only at times like this did he cease to look as innocent and cheerful as usual. Instead, he revealed the vicious, ruthless air he deliberately kept hidden.
He asked, “Little Mei, what did you say?”
Mei Man sobered at once.
Mei Man, oh, Mei Man. Had she really decided to achieve such greatness today that smoke would rise from her ancestors’ graves? How could she say just anything that came to mind?
Qiu Heyang was always saying that she was his friend, his very best friend—but how could he possibly tolerate someone bullying his own elder brother?
Cold sweat sprang rapidly across her back. Only when her eyes met Qiu Heyang’s did she realize that the murderous intent described in storybooks was not an exaggeration. A person’s killing intent really could shine straight out of his eyes.
Fortunately, her mind had always worked quickly. She said, “I mean, I bit his arm. I bit down too hard, and now my mouth is swollen.”
Almost in the same instant, Qiu Heyang’s expression changed. He returned to his usual look, appearing broad-minded and carefree.
“So that’s what you meant. I thought…”
“Thought what?”
“Nothing. Little Mei, cursing him is one thing, hitting him is another, but why did you have to bite him? How filthy.” Qiu Heyang stepped forward and bent over to cup her face in his hands. “Let me have a look. Where’s the swelling? Ah, there is a little. Does it hurt?”
As he spoke, his fingertip brushed over her lips and gently rubbed them.
The motion stirred up a tingling, numb sensation. Mei Man couldn’t help pursing her lips before shaking her head.
Qiu Heyang casually formed a hand seal, and the swelling disappeared.
Mei Man had been certain that Qiu Yingling would come after her to settle the score, and she had guessed that he would track her down here. She simply hadn’t expected him to arrive so quickly.
Night was already falling. Just as Qiu Heyang was asking her what had happened between her and Qiu Yingling, an immortal attendant came to report that Immortal Master Qiu had arrived.
Qiu Heyang had no intention of seeing him. But before he could say anything, the attendant, panting for breath, added, “Immortal Master Qiu came straight in. We couldn’t stop him, so I hurried here to inform you.”
“What kind of bandit-like behavior is that? Where did he get a weasel’s pelt to wear? Does he think my place is some scenic spot, where he can come whenever he pleases and barge in whenever he wants?” Qiu Heyang gave a faint, cold laugh before turning to Mei Man. “Go hide inside for now. There’s a ward in there; he won’t be able to detect your presence.”
Mei Man had been waiting for him to say exactly that. She turned and left at once.
The moment she had hidden herself, Qiu Yingling arrived in an unhurried manner.
“Heyang, I thought you were cultivating. It’s rare to see you staying in your study.”
Qiu Heyang burst out laughing. “Brother, that’s a rather insulting thing to say. I’m not some illiterate brute. I simply happened to remember something—so what’s wrong with reading? Bring the tea.”
“No need.” Without revealing his intentions, Qiu Yingling released his spiritual sense and swept his gaze around the room. “I have something to ask you. Once I’ve asked, I’ll leave.”
“Go ahead.”
“Is Mei Man here with you?”
“Little Mei? No, she isn’t. Why are you looking for her?” As he spoke, Qiu Heyang studied him in return. Qiu Yingling’s expression was perfectly normal, and there wasn’t any sign of injury on him.
Qiu Heyang thought to himself that Mei Man had done a good job of keeping things hidden. She even knew enough not to leave her wounds exposed.
The thought actually filled him with some satisfaction.
Qiu Yingling said, “It’s something I need to discuss with her. Since she isn’t here, I’ll be leaving.”
“I won’t see you out.”
Qiu Yingling took a few steps, then suddenly turned back.
“Is she truly not here?” he asked again.
Qiu Heyang gave an amused smile. “What reason would I have to lie to you? Am I so bored that I have nothing better to do?”
Qiu Yingling studied him, only to see the corners of his eyes raised and a smile playing across his face.
He sat down again and said to the immortal attendant, “I’m a little thirsty after walking all this way.”
The attendant immediately turned to pour him some tea.
Qiu Yingling said, “Actually, I’m looking for her because there’s something I need to discuss.”
Hidden behind them, Mei Man heard every word and felt her heart tighten.
She had originally thought that such matters would be difficult to say aloud, and that Qiu Yingling would surely keep them to himself. But then she remembered that shameless, flirtatious rogue of a man and suddenly found herself uncertain.
