Chapter 86 - The Harem Rescue Project

The two were of nearly the same height. Lin QianShuang gently embraced Xiao Lanle, who had returned from her journey slimmer than before, naturally drawing her into her arms. She remained watchful of Liang Jingxuan, an array forming imperceptibly under her sleeve. She felt the grip around her waist tighten, the breath near her ear urgent and fervent. Their lips met in a fiery, intimate touch. Xiao Lanle's flawless jade-like face was tinged with crimson, her eyes blurred with a thin mist, and her jet-black irises seemed unfocused and dazed. A tinge of guilt and regret rose in Lin QianShuang’s heart. Perhaps she shouldn't have diverted Xiao Lanle’s attention with a kiss, lowering her guard this way. By being so forward in kissing her younger sister, surely she'd be misunderstood. Although that night had been an accident, they had already shared a physical intimacy. She had done something irrevocable and didn’t want to deceive the already wronged Xiao Lanle, letting her hope for an impossible outcome. How could she compensate Xiao Lanle enough to be forgotten, or perhaps she should find a way to make herself detested again? Caught in this quandary, Lin QianShuang's eyes were nevertheless fixed vigilantly on Liang Jingxuan. Her hands weaved a spell under her sleeves, the well-formed array surreptitiously spreading from the rough stone ground like a dragon towards the iron cage, reinforcing the seals draped over it. No ordinary cultivator could easily break free. By returning Xiao Lanle’s kiss, she subtly informed Liang Jingxuan: their relationship was indeed as extraordinary as her younger sister had suggested. A spirit sword slowly appeared in Lin QianShuang’s hand, a vague unease settling in her heart. Knowing Liang Jingxuan’s nature, he shouldn’t be this composed if not enraged. Her hand was gently twisted, leaving a red mark on her skin. Feeling the sting on her hand, Lin QianShuang withdrew her arms from around Xiao Lanle’s waist. She wiped her lips, moistened for some time, with her thumb, and looked at Xiao Lanle in confusion, asking, “Junior Sister, why did you pinch me?” “Senior Sister, why were you not focused, watching Senior Brother Liang?” Xiao Lanle spoke with a hint of jealousy, her arms slipping gently from Lin QianShuang’s back to drape on her shoulders, her chest pressing against Lin QianShuang’s back, as if intending to take the lead, enveloping her with her presence. Although a slight push could have moved Xiao Lanle away, Lin QianShuang hesitated. She wanted to reject her younger sister’s embrace but also didn’t want her to misunderstand her lingering feelings for Liang Jingxuan. After contemplating, she chose to stand calmly in place, waiting to see what would unfold. Xiao Lanle toyed with the strands of Lin QianShuang's falling hair, lying playfully on her back. In high spirits, she addressed Liang Jingxuan: “I’ve already messaged Brother Chen; Qingyun Zhenren will be here soon. Senior Brother Liang, you've trespassed on forbidden grounds, attempted to harm the guardian dragon, and plot to steal divine fire. These charges stacked together will surely lead to your expulsion from the sect.” “Our Penglai sect doesn’t accept deceitful, lustful, selfish, and greedy individuals like you.” Xiao Lanle emphasized those four words, her face full of ridicule towards Liang Jingxuan. She let go of Lin QianShuang’s shoulder, a playful smile curling as she glanced at her, intertwining fingers, and spoke in a sweet voice, “Senior Sister, don’t you think what I said was fitting?” Lin QianShuang cast an icy look at Liang Jingxuan, feigning a wounded expression, saying, “Sister, you’re right. Such a fickle man, obsessed with power, isn’t worth our affection. He professed undying love before you, but behind your back, he pledged himself to me and secretly consorted with other ladies in the sect. If he genuinely cared for either of us, he wouldn’t act so despicably.” From within the iron cage, Liang Jingxuan looked sharply at Lin QianShuang, tension etched on his face, as he tried to say something, but in the end, no words came out. Xiao Lanle released Lin QianShuang and approached the iron cage. Staring at Liang Jingxuan, with eyes of hidden disgust, she smiled sarcastically, saying, “Senior Brother Liang, you saved me many times; I once felt grateful and admired you, thinking your deep love led you to risk your life. It wasn’t until my recent travels that I learned from townsfolk you orchestrated the dangers. I even visited Panshi Village, Hanshan Temple… Haha, I had never heard of someone harming others while faking rescue before.” Liang Jingxuan gripped the bars, visibly shaken as his exposed lies floundered, his usual composed demeanor shattered, cursing angrily: “Xiao Lanle, you’re nothing. If not for being the Sect Leader's daughter, I would’ve discarded you ages ago. Why bother with the façade, I was tired of you long ago—plenty of beautiful women here. For the sake of a promising future with the likes of Senior Sister Lin, I played nice. You weren’t that charming to begin with, dealing with you felt like a chore.” With a kick to the cage, any trace of gentility vanished. His eyes reddened with fury, filled with envy and hatred, he spat out: “Don't get smug. Once I’m out, you'll regret crossing me—my woman is off-limits. Disgusting pervert—you make me sick.” A crack appeared in the deep blackness of Xiao Lanle’s eyes, her face struggling with an untamable expression, as she laughed coldly, the corner of her mouth twisting with disdain: “Senior Brother Liang, I merely wished for an explanation from you, having once genuinely liked you. When you were hurt, my heart felt stabbed and bled. When you were happy, I was the first to rejoice… each time you practiced your sword skills, I hid behind trees, thinking of ways to gift you treats I made.” As Liang Jingxuan listened, softening with recalled moments, a trace of regret dulled his earlier harshness. Yet, upon catching sight of Lin QianShuang, his gaze towards Xiao Lanle shifted, laced with malice. “Liang Jingxuan, so it was mere ambition all along that drew you to me.” Xiao Lanle’s self-mocking smile turned to Liang Jingxuan, her sleeve whisking in the air, revealing a token from the festival—a jade pendant shared between them. She clenched it until it shattered, spilling dust through her fingers to vanish without a trace. “Dust to dust, earth to earth. No original cause, thus no final effect; eventually returns to nothingness.” Lin QianShuang stood behind Xiao Lanle, only seeing her decisive, carefree actions without viewing her expression. She knew her younger sister's heart was inevitably hurt, no matter how foul Liang Jingxuan’s current animosity. The once cherished affections were profound, and love had driven her to great length for an unworthy person. Today, the truth revealed that she was but a pawn for power in his eyes, shattering her misbelief in a savior’s chivalry. Lin QianShuang took Xiao Lanle’s hand, offering silent comfort, then turned a stony visage towards Liang Jingxuan: “Junior Brother, to think you are such a scheming opportunist—I misjudged you.” Liang Jingxuan’s face turned ashen, fingers clutching the iron bars tight enough to make them shake. He called after Lin QianShuang desperately: “Senior Sister, stay. What you heard isn’t true; Xiao Lanle isn’t as pure as you believe!” Xiao Lanle’s smile widened at Liang Jingxuan’s words, her bright eyes meeting Lin QianShuang’s, pulling her close and stealing a swift kiss before she could refuse, declaring to Liang Jingxuan: “Senior Brother, Senior Sister Lin is mine; she’s already chosen to be with me, save your efforts. Qingyun Zhenren is nearly here, prepare yourself for judgment.” Liang Jingxuan watched Lin QianShuang, anxiousness mixed with an odd urgency: “Senior Sister, do you really… I refuse to believe it’s her influence.” “It's not about influence.” Lin QianShuang cast a glance at Xiao Lanle, her voice steady: “As you can see, I've always loved Junior Sister Xiao. You were deceived by me. She's the one I pursue, and it’s in us that lies the true rivalry. Loving women or men isn’t wrong when love knows no gender. Your deceitful ways to feign affection—deplorable.” Having finally voiced her long-held complaints, Lin QianShuang felt a sense of release. “Senior Sister, I failed you. Even if you denounce me, I accept it.” Liang Jingxuan flickered out of the cage, standing in front of Lin QianShuang, eyes locked onto hers: "But my heart has always had only you in it." Before the two could react, a sudden hurricane whipped up beneath them. In an instant, a spiritual shackle clamped around her ankle, dragging her toward the Nine Cauldrons. Turning her head, Lin QianShuang saw Xiao Lanle ensnared by the shackles, thrown into the gigantic furnace within the Nine Cauldrons and vanishing from sight. A burst of top-grade purple thunderfire erupted from within the cauldron, quickly engulfing it in flames. Lin QianShuang, in a panic, attempted to rush after Xiao Lanle, but felt her motion abruptly halted. Two forces from the chains on her ankles pulled her, suspending her mid-air, the iron chain tautly suspended between the Nine Cauldrons and Liang Jingxuan. Liang Jingxuan had already stepped out of the iron cage, deeply embedding his pink sword of Zixiao into the ground, clutching it with one arm while holding the chain tightly with the other. He looked at Lin QianShuang, restrained in midair, red veins creeping into his eyes. With gritted teeth, he yelled, "Senior Sister, hold on! I’ll pull you back!" Lin QianShuang noticed that Liang Jingxuan had captured the dragon into a bottle-like artifact within seconds. With the array destroyed, the spirits once sealed within the Nine Cauldrons flickered ghostly in the firelight, swirling above the mausoleum halls. "You've activated the Nine Cauldrons and used the purple thunderfire to ignite the furnace, Junior Brother Liang. If you intended to silence me, you needn't be so convoluted." Lin QianShuang glanced at the spirits, recalling a glimmer seen on Xiao Lanle as she was dragged into the furnace. Liang Jingxuan struggled to remain grounded against the winds, saying, "Senior Sister, hang in there. I didn’t expect the Nine Cauldrons would also harm you; it couldn’t heed my command. Things got out of hand." "Sorry, but I'm afraid you'll be disappointed." Peering down at Liang Jingxuan, Lin QianShuang severed the chain he grasped with a single sword stroke. "Senior Sister!" Amidst Liang Jingxuan’s shocked and pained cries, Lin QianShuang was slowly drawn toward the Nine Cauldrons. Just then, Lin QianShuang’s lips curled into a smile, a blue light flashing in her eyes. Liang Jingxuan, caught off guard, was instantly trapped by an enchantment, like falling into a nightmare, unable to move. Several streaks of demonic energy sliced through the chains. Amidst the hurricane, Lin QianShuang’s azure and white robes fluttered as she stabilised in mid-air, descending to bind Liang Jingxuan with a length of mysterious iron chain torn from the ground, fastening him to one of the legs of the Nine Cauldrons. Then she turned her gaze toward the furnace.