Ji Liantan pinned Shen Ying against the wall, the oppressive heat of his fury crashing over her in an instant.
Yet he still retained enough rationality to hold back his spiritual pressure, knowing Ye Qingchen was just next door.
But without that intimidation, why would Shen Ying cower?
She feigned sudden realization. "Oh, so this is what Senior Brother likes?"
"Had you said so earlier, I’d have obliged. It’s not like there aren’t plenty of juniors in our sect who’ve pursued me."
Ji Liantan let out a cold laugh. "Seems your courage has grown since leaving. Even now, face-to-face with me, you dare provoke me?"
He leaned in closer, as if intending to press his entire weight against her. "Didn’t you summon me here?"
"Well, I’m here."
Shen Ying remained utterly unfazed. "And here you are, empty-handed."
"Xuanji Sect has its merits, but the food is too bland. I’ve been craving the spirit peppers grown back at the sect."
"Did you bring any? Hand them over—I need to make chili paste. I’m practically drooling."
For a moment, Ji Liantan’s mind went blank. Then his expression darkened like ink. "You’re still thinking about food? Do you truly believe I traveled thousands of miles just to entertain you?"
Shen Ying waved a hand. "I know, I know. You doubted whether the mission was going smoothly and came to supervise in person."
"But now you’ve seen it yourself—does Ye Qingchen look like he can escape my grasp? He’s your elder brother; you know his temperament."
"Is he the type to lack conviction and indulge others’ whims? Yet here we are—at my word, he even accompanied me to a pleasure house. This is the proof I’m showing you."
"Surely now you can’t question my skills anymore?"
"Frankly, I think you owe me a proper apology. Your dismissive attitude was downright insulting. But since you’re my dear senior brother, I’ll let it slide."
"So tell me, what right do you have to be angry?"
Her rapid-fire words nearly tangled Ji Liantan in her logic.
Fortunately, he still remembered why he was furious. His voice turned icy. "Even so, who gave you the audacity to provoke me?"
Shen Ying blinked. "Senior Brother Ye, of course."
Ji Liantan frowned. "What?"
Shen Ying sighed as if explaining the obvious. "From the moment we met, Senior Brother Ye has been utterly accommodating—gentle, considerate, indulging my every whim."
"Naturally, I’ve grown a bit spoiled. That attitude might’ve slipped out when speaking to you."
"Don’t take it personally, Senior Brother. I’ve merely committed the same mistake most people do when infatuated."
Ji Liantan’s face twisted. "Spoiled? By him?"
"That cold, unfeeling man? Do you think I don’t know him? What could you possibly have that would make him treat you differently?"
"Or have you been fooled by his act, deluding yourself into thinking you’re special?"
Shen Ying’s smile faded. "Senior Brother, must you keep saying such things?"
"I’m not an idiot. I can tell genuine affection from pretense. You’ve witnessed firsthand how Senior Brother Ye dotes on me—why deny it?"
"Just because you don’t fancy someone like me doesn’t mean your brother must share your tastes to seem refined. With my looks and charm, why wouldn’t I be worthy?"
Her gaze swept over Ji Liantan, lingering with unspoken implication.
The look in her eyes was like oil splashing onto his rage.
He nearly lost control but forced himself to grit out, "What’s that expression supposed to mean?"
Shen Ying hesitated. "It’s… hard to say."
Ji Liantan’s voice sharpened. "Say it!"
Reluctantly, Shen Ying adopted a cautious tone. "Well, Senior Brother… I’ve noticed something. Despite being the younger brother, you’re the more domineering and unreasonable one in your relationship."
Ji Liantan bared his teeth. "What did you say?"
Their family had shattered early, but before that, he’d been the "obedient, well-behaved" younger brother.
This was part of why Ji Liantan firmly saw himself as the victim.
Ye Qingchen, on the other hand, had been far more unruly in their youth, nothing like an elder brother should be.
That was why being cast aside in favor of Ye Qingchen had been so unbearable.
And now, Shen Ying had the gall to claim he was the unreasonable one.
Ji Liantan’s earlier fury crystallized into something colder as he stared at his junior sister.
Shen Ying noticed but pressed on.
"See, Senior Brother? You’ve imposed your own dislikes onto your brother’s standards."
"You find it inconceivable—beneath him—to favor something you despise. So much so that you’ve started questioning his judgment, unable to accept reality."
"In your mind, his preferences don’t deserve respect. Don’t you think that’s rather unfair?"
"Though, honestly, the one most offended here is me."
"And yet I’m not even angry. Senior Brother, really—enough is enough."
Her tone painted her as the magnanimous one, tolerating his tantrums with saintly patience, while he came off as nothing but a petulant child.
The realization made Ji Liantan’s vision darken with rage. He raised a hand, poised to strike her head.
Shen Ying quickly interjected, "Ah-ah! No need for tantrums. I know you’ve got plenty of ways to make me suffer, but I haven’t been idle these past days."
She produced a defensive jade pendant gifted by her new master. "You recognize this, don’t you? It blocks all harm. Even if I stand here doing nothing, you won’t be able to touch me anytime soon."
"Besides, if the commotion draws Senior Brother Ye’s attention, all your scheming will be for nothing."
"Unless, of course, you never cared whether I succeeded."
As the son of a Demon Sovereign, Ji Liantan had seen his share of treasures. The sight of the jade made his pupils contract.
Though orthodox and demonic cultivation differed, the foundational principles of artifacts remained similar.
He recognized it instantly—an exceptionally rare, top-grade protective talisman.
The jade’s material alone wasn’t extraordinary; what made it priceless was the sustained refinement through a powerful cultivator’s own spiritual energy.
A true labor of devotion.
His father could craft something comparable but would never waste the effort—nor allow him such comfort.
Yet here was his junior sister, barely away from the sect, already in possession of such a treasure.
For a moment, Ji Liantan forgot about disciplining her. "Where did you get this?"
Shen Ying grinned. "Ah, right—I forgot to tell you. I’ve become a disciple of Elder Lian Ying from Xuanji Sect."
"Master dotes on me especially. Not only did he make me the head disciple of Lian Rou Peak, but he’s also showered me with gifts."
Ji Liantan’s disbelief was palpable. "You became Lian Ying’s disciple?"
There was no point lying about something so easily verified. And given the tangible benefits she’d gained, her claims clearly held weight.
How on earth did she manage it? In such a short time.
Ji Liantan felt an inexplicable unease creeping into his heart.
It was as if his long-standing comfort zone had been shattered. He had always trusted this junior sister of his completely.
He firmly believed she would never betray him or leave his side—after all, he was her only pillar of support.
But now, as he looked at Shen Ying, a wave of overwhelming unease engulfed him.
His junior sister seemed to thrive even outside the Hehuan Sect, even without him by her side.
Ji Liantan forced a smile, though it came out strained. "How did you do it?"
Shen Ying’s tone suddenly turned meaningful. "Didn’t I tell you? It’s just that Senior Brother never noticed my worth."
"Out there, your junior sister has always been treated with favor."
Ji Liantan stared at her deeply. No matter how furious or unwilling to believe he was,
he had to face one undeniable truth—perhaps Ye Qingchen had truly, as she claimed, fallen into her sweet trap.
His voice was laced with irritation, the first time he had ever conceded in a conversation with his junior sister.
Yet his tone remained haughty. "Fine. Then tell me how you managed to win over Ye Qingchen."
To his surprise, Shen Ying—who had been so articulate about everything else—hesitated at this question.
"Ah, that’s… hard to explain. Matters between men and women… Senior Brother entrusted me with the task, so just wait for the results. Why dig into the details?"
Ji Liantan raised a brow. Initially, he had only meant to divert the topic, but seeing her evasion, his curiosity only grew.
"Speak. Don’t make me lose my temper."
Shen Ying: "I can’t put it into words. These things… you just have to experience them to understand."
Ji Liantan scoffed. "If you can’t say it, then show me."
His intention was to extract the memory from her mind. With that, he leaned forward, intending to press his forehead against hers and see for himself.
But Shen Ying—whether genuinely misunderstanding or pretending to—took his movement the wrong way.
With a sigh, she said, "Fine. Since Senior Brother wants to see, I’ll recreate the scene for you."
In one fluid motion, she hooked an arm around his neck, pulling him closer,
and pressed her lips against his.
Shen Ying, a woman of vast experience, was so skilled that even a single kiss could be an art form.
How could Ji Liantan—who, despite belonging to the Hehuan Sect, had only theoretical knowledge, no real experience, and hadn’t even noticed his junior sister’s unspoken feelings—possibly withstand it?
Instantly, Ji Liantan froze as if struck by lightning, his entire being swept into a whirlwind of sensation.
His body swayed unsteadily, as if battered by crashing waves.
At the same time, the door next to them creaked open. Ye Qingchen, seemingly concerned about his junior sister’s prolonged absence,
stepped out of his room and scanned the hall and surroundings. Not spotting her,
he sent a voice transmission—audible only to those with cultivation—calling out, "Junior Sister Shen, where are you? Are you alright?"
The voice reached both Shen Ying and Ji Liantan.
The realization that the woman who had ensnared Ye Qingchen’s heart was now intimately entangled with him sent a jolt through Ji Liantan’s entire body.
An indescribable thrill and delight surged through him.
