The originally peaceful atmosphere turned faintly chilled.
Lin Fuqing stood, his eyes filled with mixed emotions as he looked at the seated Fang Zhiyuan. “I thought you had stopped blaming me.”
“How could I blame you?…I never blamed you.”
Fang Zhiyuan’s eyes trembled slightly. “I was the one who struck last. You stabbed me back then, too. We were even.”
Lin Fuqing said nothing, his eyes wandering as he thought to himself: He said he doesn’t blame me, but his tone says differently.
This person clearly wasn’t comfortable letting him out. Fang Zhiyuan had been well behaved all winter, but now that he was about to leave, within a few hours of boarding the boat, he started to get anxious and his temper grew worse.
Fang Zhiyuan glanced at home with suspicion. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten? … You can’t really have forgotten!?”
Look, there it was.
Lin Fuqing quietly walked around behind Fang Zhiyuan, bending down and hooking his arms loosely around his neck. Then he turned his face and kissed the corner of Fang Zhiyuan’s mouth.
The Demon Lord’s eyes were lidded, his voice soft and low as he said, “No, no…I would never dare forget.”
The corners of Fang Zhiyuan’s lips twitched slightly, and he said with a forced nonchalance, “Are you trying to please me?”
Lin Fuqing admitted frankly, “Yes.”
In fact, pleasing was not accurate. He just wanted to comfort and distract the other.
Fang Zhiyuan visibly gritted his teeth. “Alright, let’s talk business.”
Lin Fuqing got what he wanted.
They chatted for a while, including how to enter the two small fantasy realms without being noticed.
If Lin Fuqing asked Lu Kuifu, the Thunder Sky Immortal Sovereign would definitely say “Your Majesty, please feel free to enter as many small fantasy realms as you’d like.” However, they were too embarrassed to blatantly violate the fair rules of the Golden Osmanthus Palace that had existed for thousands of years.
It was best to be a thief in secrecy.
After the lights were turned off, Fang Zhiyian became restless again. He dragged Lin Fuqing directly to bed and tossed him around, not falling asleep until much later, with his arms around him.
Exhausted, Lin Fuqing followed him into slumber.
Unexpectedly, while Fang Zhiyuan slept securely holding someone in his arms, Lin Fuqing was plagued by fragmented dreams in the middle of the night. These fragments were like bright white sunlight scattered on a lake, jumping, twisting, and blurring, far too dazzling.
He dreamed of his hands bound in chains.
He dreamed of a cliff covered in lingering snow. He hugged a familiar figure tightly, then suddenly ran in the opposite direction, his blade unsheathed.
“You… forced me to stab you.”
Two cold swords crossed, and two splashes of blood merged into one. The pitch-black blade pierced his flesh and embedded itself in his ribs. He stumbled, stepping purposely off the dangerous cliff, and fell backward.
Down he fell.
The dark cliffs quickly swallowed the sky, and light disappeared from view.
Down he fell.
Huge waves splashed around him as he sank into the deep, dark water, the chill sweeping over his entire consciousness. He dreamed he woke up at the edge of the abyss and sat quietly in the silent water for eighteen days and nights, until red lotuses ignited like fire all around him.
Perhaps because of the old dream, Lin Fuqing felt tired when he woke in the early morning. He simply nestled in Fang Zhiyuan’s arms and slipped back into sleep.
By the time he woke again, the millet boat had already reached Liuhua Continent.
When they said goodbye to Fifth Song and stepped onto land with Shentu Linchun, they realized the atmosphere was very different than before. Lin Fuqing rubbed his brows and looked around helplessly. “I’ve truly committed a sin.”
After the Golden Osmanthus Challenge last year, Ji Na had suddenly announced that a disaster was imminent and immediately summoned the cultivation sects from every direction, causing an uproar in the immortal realm.
At that time, Lin Fuqing had still been leisurely pinching the wings of the purple luan in the Xuyun Sect, recalling the tragic scenes of the immortal disaster in his previous life and issuing various commands in an orderly manner.
Those orders were transmitted to the various continents of the immortal realm through the Holy Son puppet he controlled.
Now that autumn and winter had passed, even a walk down the busiest street revealed a subtle tension in the expressions and tones of every cultivator. Thinking about how leisurely he had lived over the past few months, Lin Fuqing couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty seeing how fearful and tense everyone else was.
In response, Shentu Linchun smiled nonchalantly. “What’s the big deal? In this life, Your Majesty has always planned to live with the Con…” He hit his tongue and swallowed the rest of his words. “Ahem, to retreat to seclusion with the Immortal Sovereign Huangyang? So let it be.”
The three of them didn’t delay and went straight to the Golden Osmanthus Palace.
The osmanthus season had passed, yet the faint sweet fragrances continued to linger refreshingly.
Lu Kuifu was too busy to greet them personally and sent a golden-robed monk to lead the way instead. However, Fang Zhiyuan easily dismissed him and led Lin Fuqing and Shentu Linchun down a secluded path into the underground level.
The underground palace was beautifully constructed, devoid of any gloom. The long path was paved with a layer of broken gold, and luminous pearls the size of a baby’s fist were inlaid in the carved railings, emitting a soft white light that made the underground as bright as day.
Their footsteps followed one after another.
Lin Fuqing glanced at Shentu Linchun and secretly sent a message to Fang Zhiyuan: “Zhiyuan, when we enter the small fantasy realm later, do you have a way to help me get rid of Shentu?”
Still looking ahead with an unchanged expression, Fang Zhiyuan asked, “Why?”
With a smile, Lin Fuqing said, “Fantasy realms are dangerous. Shentu will definitely want to stay by my side to protect me. But I already have someone to protect me, right?”
Hearing the last sentence, Fang Zhiyuan’s eyes lit up and the corners of his mouth lifted. “Sure.”
Knowing he had succeeded, Lin Fuqing secretly shook his head, feeling a mixture of amusement and helplessness. This person was far too easy to coax.
Unexpectedly, the first person they met was a plain-looking scholar. When the man saw them, he looked surprised and bowed silently in salute.
“Master Yuan, how are you?” Smiling, Lin Fuqing returned the greeting. “And how is the Vice Dean’s injury?”
“Your sect’s medicine is truly different from what circulates among other practitioners; it is incredibly effective,” Yuan Ziyi said shyly. “I will never forget the kindness of the Xuyun Sect. Dean Yan and Vice Dean Chen have long wanted to visit personally to express their gratitude, but due to unforeseen circumstances, they haven’t had the time. I am truly sorry.”
Conversing as they went, they continued until the path ended. A massive door with dark gold patterns stood before them, exuding a majestic aura. Underneath the door was a complicated formation painted with stone powder. A crowd had already gathered in front of it.
Fang Zhiyuan whispered to Lin Fuqing, “Once the door opens, it will be time to select a fantasy realm. Follow me closely.”
It appeared all the other candidates had already gathered. Fang Zhilong, Mu Qingxue, and Gu Wenbo, the eldest son of the Gu family, were present. Others included Xia Tanglan from Furong Pavilion, Xuanyuan Yi from Sword Valley, Yuan Ziyi from Shisong Academy, and Shentu Linchun from Senluo Stone Palace. Finally, there were three independent cultivators: two men and one woman.
Overall, the lineup was as expected.
Lin Fuqing frowned. The atmosphere among the group seemed off. Logically, everyone should have been seizing the moment to center themselves before entering. Even the little demon child had stopped messing around and was sitting down to tune his pipa.
Yet, among these young talents, there was a feeling of a string being pulled taut. This tension was particularly apparent among the individuals from aristocratic families. Their expressions were cold and gloomy.
Yuan Ziyi coughed awkwardly and whispered, “Just before you arrived, there was… something of a dispute among them. I’m not good at mediating, so I hid away for a bit.”
“A dispute?” Fang Zhiyuan glanced faintly at Fang Zhilong, his fingers subconsciously stroking the hilt of Zaiya.
Lin Fuqing took out Tunan to wear on his waist and said with a smile, “Master Yuan, can you tell us about it?”
Yuan Ziyi’s embarrassment deepened. He looked at Fang Zhiyuan awkwardly and stammered, “To be honest, it’s like this. It is customary for aristocratic families to marry into one another. Fairy Mu had been engaged to Fang Chiqi since childhood, but Fang Chiqi… cough.”
Fang Zhiyuan immediately understood. Raising his eyebrows in surprise, he laughed. “But Fang Chiqi was abolished by me? Leaving the Snow Phoenix a widow?”
Yuan Ziyi’s face flushed red. “Oh, Immortal Lord Fang! Be careful with your words…”
The honest scholar was so anxious that sweat broke out on his forehead. He knew Mu Qingxue was proud and aloof, and he feared Fang Zhiyuan’s impudence would cause more trouble.
Unexpectedly, Fang Zhilong was the only one whose face distorted in anger. Mu Qingxue silently looked up, and when she met Fang Zhiyuan’s straightforward gaze, she quickly looked back down.
Yuan Ziyi whispered dryly, “The Fang family wanted to replace the engagement with Fang Zhilong. Unexpectedly, Fairy Mu came out of retreat today and heard the news. She was furious and drew her sword to fight him…”
The scholar stopped abruptly because Mu Qingxue had suddenly turned and begun walking toward them.
Fang Zhilong stood behind her, his face filled with resentment. “Fairy Mu! Think carefully! Our families have been friends for generations… Aren’t you afraid Patriarch Mu will blame you for humiliating the Fang family today?”
“Blame me?” Mu Qingxue sneered. She had been in seclusion for several months, and though her cheeks had thinned, her beauty remained intact. “Second Young Master Fang, do you really think my father would let me marry a worthless person? Between you two brothers, how can you even remotely resemble descendants of the Vermillion Qilin? Marrying you would taint my White Phoenix bloodline for nothing!”
Lin Fuqing watched the show with great interest.
Unexpectedly, Mu Qingxue then cast her gaze toward him and said coldly, “I’m only going to marry the real Vermillion Qilin! Besides you two useless brothers, doesn’t the Fang family have another son?”
The air froze.
Even Lin Fuqing stopped smiling.
Fang Zhilong’s furious face comically stalled in a half-twisted expression. With a dry laugh, he pointed in disbelief at Fang Zhiyuan. “Him? The Fairy speaks of him? Hahaha. Fairy Mu mustn’t joke like this.”
Even Shentu Linchun was stunned, so much so that when his pipa hit the ground with a bang, he didn’t even pause to feel sorry for it.
What the hell?! That was their Consort! How could a beautiful fairy publicly promise to marry him?!
Similarly, Xuanyuan Yi and several other sect elites turned their heads in astonishment, looking as if they’d seen a ghost. As for the independent cultivators, their jaws dropped.
Fairy Mu actually said she wanted to marry… the star of calamity? The second disciple of the Xuyun Sect, who had been expelled from his family and whose notoriety had spread throughout the realm?
However, more surprises were to come.
In terms of background, appearance, talent, character… no matter how one looked at it, Mu Qingxue was recognized as the number one fairy in the immortal realm.
To be confessed to in person by such a woman would soften even a heart of stone. The independent cultivators wondered: Would Fang Zhiyuan be filled with tears of gratitude? Would he blush? Or would he simply faint from excitement?
Instead, Fang Zhiyuan’s expression turned cold. His first reaction was to shoot a quick, panicked glance at his senior brother’s face.
Lin Fuqing, still confused by the sudden turn of events, had to suppress a chuckle when he met those fearful eyes.
The three independent cultivators wanted to stamp their feet in frustration: Brother! The fairy is confessing to you! Why are you looking at your senior brother?!
Before the roar in their hearts could die down, “Ancestor Fang” suddenly gripped the hilt of his sword. He said with a sinister smile, “Mu Qingxue, you’re courting death.”
Then, he began walking toward her with murderous intent.
“……”
Lin Fuqing nearly lost his breath.
What was this person doing? The small fantasy realm is about to open, and he wanted to fight first, as if he was afraid that he wouldn’t tire himself out?
The Demon Lord quickly took two steps forward and, amidst the increasingly subtle gazes of the crowd, forcefully dragged the man back. “Forget it, forget it, Zhiyuan, A’Yuan, forget it…”
He lowered his voice and glared fiercely, “If you want to fight, wait until you get out!”
Dark clouds seemed to gather between Mu Qingxue’s brows. She frowned at Lin Fuqing and Fang Zhiyuan’s intimate actions, and her expression worsened.
Since her rebirth, this was the second time she had come face-to-face with the Immortal Sovereign she had followed in her previous life. This time, without her father present, she had so much to say to the Lord, if only the Demon Lord hadn’t interfered!
Mu Qingxue gnashed her teeth, thinking: What is wrong with Lin Fuqing?
She had shamelessly announced her intention to marry the Sovereign, and this person wasn’t even jealous. Instead, when the Sovereign became furious, he even thoughtfully stepped in to mediate?!
He was indeed a cold-hearted demon. To be so infatuated with this kind of person, how could the Sovereign have a good end?
Just as everyone’s thoughts reached a boiling point, the formation under their feet flashed. With a loud rumble, the earth shook, and the thick dark golden door slowly opened.
Yuan Ziyi exclaimed, “The fantasy realm has opened!”
The eldest son of the Gu family laughed loudly and said, “Take care of yourselves. I’ll go first.”
Saying so, he immediately strode forward and was the first to step through the door.
Xuanyuan Yi and Xia Tinglan soon followed. They seemed to have reached a cooperation and disappeared into the door together.
In the face of such an opportunity, the others no longer thought of anything else and entered one by one.
Mu Qingxue didn’t move; she stood in front of Fang Zhiyuan with her lips pursed, clearly wanting to speak in private.
The latter’s expression became increasingly cold, but he did not leave.
Fang Zhilong looked at the two of them resentfully, then turned and entered the golden door.
Lin Fuqing winked at the little demon boy, telling him to leave first. As expected, the little demon boy shook his head, his eyes showing: I want to follow you, Lord.
Fang Zhiyuan and Mu Qingxue stared at each other in silence.
Suddenly, a voice reached Lin Fuqing’s ears, “Shi-ge, aren’t you going to find a way to get rid of him? The space inside this golden door is distorted. If you kick him through, he won’t be able to get out and won’t be able to find you.”
“I understand. Thank you.” Lin Fuqing smiled.
In the blink of an eye, the Demon Lord flicked his sleeve and swung the sheathed Tunan sword toward the little demon boy’s backside. Shentu Linchun only had time to scream before he sailed through the door and disappeared.
Finally, only three people remained.
“Snow Phoenix Mu.” Fang Zhiyuan lowered his eyes and weighed Zaiya. “If you have something to say, just say it.”
Mu Qingxue pursed her lips tighter, her eyes turning slightly red.
“In the previous life… since we parted,” she choked out, “Snow Phoenix has yet to formally pay her respects to the Lord.”
As she spoke, she lifted the corners of her dress and knelt in a deep, formal salute. Lin Fuqing watched silently, thinking that while Mu Qingxue might be a little foolish, she was certainly faithful.
Unfortunately, Fang Zhiyuan showed no mercy. He used the tip of his shoe to gently nudge her shoulder and said coldly, “Stop talking nonsense.”
Mu Qingxue: “…Yes.”
Fang Zhiyuan asked bluntly, “Do you want to marry me?”
Lin Fuqing’s eyebrows jumped, and he thought with a serious face: The fact that Mu Qingxue would be so loyal to such a bad-tempered Immortal Sovereign, could it be because she was…too stupid?
“Father told me…” Mu Qingxue’s gaze shifted away, and with flushed cheeks, she whispered, “What I said just now was what Father wanted.”
Fang Zhiyuan’s face darkened slightly. “Mu Hong? He asked you to marry me?”
Mu Qingxue hesitated for a moment, her voice lowering. “Father wanted me to seduce you first, and then…marry you. But I know the Lord doesn’t like me, so…”
Hearing this, Lin Fuqing felt a tinge of pain in his heart, wishing he could bang his head on the ground.
Fairy Mu was the eldest daughter of the prominent Mu family, yet she could actually say in such a serious tone words like, “My father told me to seduce you, then marry you after.”
Fang Zhiyun saw nothing wrong with the explanation. He said, “Yes, I don’t like you. It’s good that you’ve become more self-aware.”
Mu Qingxue’s cheeks paled, and her lips trampled. “…Thank you, thank you for the compliment, Lord.”
Fang Zhiyuan said, “Stand up. You don’t have to bow anymore, and you don’t have to call me ‘Lord’.”
Still yet to recover from the first remark, Mu Qingxue looked up in surprise and hurriedly asked, “Your Excellency, why is that?”
“Because it’s all in the past.”
Narrowing his eyes, Fang Zhiyuan raised his black sword and tapped the girl’s shoulder twice with the scabbard.
“I owed you a favor in our previous lives, and I had paid it back…Snow Phoenix Mu, I owed you my life, and all these years, I had repaid all of it back. In this life…”
“No!” Mu Qingxue said anxiously, “I will follow the Lord for the rest of my life.”
Fang Zhiyuan sneered. “Unfortunately, I will not be the head of the immortals in this life. If you want to follow me, come to Xuyun and be a sweeping maid.”
Mu Qingxue’s face paled at his words.
Fang Zhiyuan shook his head again. “The four peaks of Xuyun all belong to Lin Fuqing. If you want to come and sweep the floor, it depends on whether my shi-ge is willing to take you in.”
He turned and walked to Lin Fuqing’s side, saying in a low voice, “Did you hear that? She said she doesn’t want to marry me, shi-ge.”
Mu Qingxue trembled: “…….”
Lin Fuqing held his forehead for a long time, not knowing what expression to make. He momentarily wondered if Fang Zhiyuan was deliberately bullying Mu Qingxue.
But on second thought, remembering about how this person had once anxiously asked him whether he was only attracted to his looks, and how he had once told him so painfully and tenderly, “Dual cultivation is fine, but entering the harem is not allowed.”
Maybe this person’s brain was just different from other people’s. After all, Zhiyuan really wasn’t intentionally trying to make him so angry that he wanted to vomit blood everyday.
“…Except for me, Zhiyuan,” Demon Lord Lin finally sighed, covering his face with his hands. “No one else in this world can tolerate you.”
