Chapter 92 - The Harem Rescue Project

Upon displaying the full details of the mission, the character affinity interface flashed briefly before Xiao Lanle's eyes and then disappeared. Dappled sunlight trickled through the trembling leaves of the swaying branches, casting patches on Xiao Lanle's delicate, fair face. Her pupils appeared a light chestnut brown in the refracted light; her eyes, as clear as mirrors, seemed to reflect hidden places within her heart. Lin Qianshuang emerged from the sealed memories of Xiao Lanle, aware that the Buddhist temple's glazed tile had protected Xiao Lanle by sealing and altering her memories. Perhaps knowing nothing was best for her. Looking at Xiao Lanle, Lin Qianshuang felt a pang of sympathy for her frailty and pitiful appearance. At this moment, the distance between them was rather intimate. Despite it not being their first time being so close, Lin Qianshuang inexplicably felt awkward, especially knowing now that Xiao Lanle harbored feelings for her. Subconsciously, Lin Qianshuang tilted her neck back, awkwardly touching the trunk behind her head and said to Xiao Lanle, “Junior sister, I just followed the city lord's method and used the zither melody to enter your dream. It seems your inner demons have been resolved. Try channeling your energy again to see if you feel any better.” “My inner demons are indeed gone. It turns out I owe it all to you, senior sister.” Xiao Lanle seemed unsurprised, as if she had known all along. Her lively eyes shifted, and suddenly she kissed Lin Qianshuang's left cheek, daintily settling into Lin Qianshuang's arms. Seeing Lin Qianshuang uncomfortable and about to push her away, Xiao Lanle clung to her arm, giggling as she wrapped both arms around Lin Qianshuang’s back. The soft, fragrant feeling and the light scent of a young woman wafted near Lin Qianshuang's lips. Her body stiffened, her face flushed red. Xiao Lanle was not doing anything inappropriate—just an ordinary gesture among sisters. If Lin Qianshuang pushed her away, she would seem overly dramatic. "Senior sister, you're the best. You're the best sister in the world, and I really like you," Xiao Lanle declared as she kissed Lin Qianshuang's right cheek. When Lin Qianshuang didn't resist, she kissed the corner of her lips too. Her eyes became crescent moons, and she playfully settled into a comfortable position, pressing her weight onto Lin Qianshuang as if to push her into the tree. Startled, Lin Qianshuang found herself under assault from the seemingly innocent Xiao Lanle—kissing her neck and chin, taking in her scent. Lin Qianshuang was pressed against the tree trunk, the dry leaves trembling and falling with the tree's movements. "Stop! You're tickling me too much, hahaha," Lin Qianshuang laughed uncontrollably as Xiao Lanle brushed a foxtail grass along her neck. The tickling had her laughing so hard tears came to her eyes, while Xiao Lanle mischievously patted her back and complained, “Senior sister, you're too sensitive. I haven’t even done much, and you're already…. Well, moist.” The words made Lin Qianshuang uncomfortable. Realizing her dignity was at stake, she snatched the foxtail grass from Xiao Lanle and jabbed her cheek with it, face flushed and protesting, "Let yourself get teased by foxtail grass and see who’s moist!" Xiao Lanle looked at her seriously with a poised and elegant face, unlike before, observing her intently. Even though she was over twenty years older than her junior sister in the setting, and a mature adult in reality, she still acted like a child, playfully bickering. Calmed down, Lin Qianshuang suddenly found her behavior childish. Embarrassed, she lowered her hand, discarded the foxtail grass, brushed off her clothes, and stood up. "Senior sister, don't be angry." Seeing Lin Qianshuang stand up and turn to leave, Xiao Lanle quickly clung to her back, wrapping her arms around her waist to stop her from leaving. In her ear, she softly whispered, "I like everything about you, even when your blushing cheeks make you look adorable. Qianshuang, if you're embarrassed, take it out on me. Let me make you soak tonight, how about it?" Lin Qianshuang froze, as if she had misheard, her expression stiff, "Did you...what nonsense are you talking about?" Realizing she had misspoken, Xiao Lanle silently chided herself for poor timing, worried about scaring Lin Qianshuang away. Even though the person was emotionally oblivious, she wasn’t foolish. If she discovered Xiao Lanle's intentions and kept her at a distance, that would be bad. Through her interactions with Lin Qianshuang, Xiao Lanle had come to understand deeply that although Lin Qianshuang was shy and awkward, she wouldn’t easily admit liking someone, especially not to Xiao Lanle. If Xiao Lanle didn’t take initiative, she wouldn't even get a taste of the soup. What’s more, she dearly remembered that entangled night with her senior sister. Although she took the lead alone, the wonderful feeling of indulging on her senior sister was unforgettable. Her senior sister’s skin was so fair and soft, smooth and pleasing to touch. Kissing her left a faint fragrance, both subtle and elegant. Even when Xiao Lanle hurt her a little, while she still slept soundly, she made alluring sounds, and delicate beads of sweat would form on her nape, tasting sweet like honey. Xiao Lanle’s gaze lingered on the snow-white nape, her lips subconsciously recalling the taste, but she managed to disguise her words with a vague, bitter tone, saying, "Senior sister, I just remembered that night again. It hurt so much, but knowing it was you made me endure it." Lin Qianshuang’s mind blanked momentarily, her face turning pale. Hearing this from Xiao Lanle's mouth was far more shocking than learning it from the system. "Senior sister, you made me hurt, while you were there enjoying it all." Xiao Lanle leaned against Lin Qianshuang’s back, her graceful and elegant face crinkled with grievance. "You seemed to be having a great time earlier, but my arms got so sore and tired; it’s not fair at all. Every night when it grows late, I feel like I’m near you. My body seems to know it’ll get overly excited upon your touch. Now when I look at men, they just seem filthy and unappealing. Am I doomed to never get married?" "Senior sister, it’s your fault. You’re so bad. I think I might not like men anymore…" Lin Qianshuang was rattled by Xiao Lanle’s words: "you hurt me" and "I might not like men anymore." She couldn’t discern if Xiao Lanle was teasing or genuinely upset; hastily, she pried Xiao Lanle’s hands off and fled in a disarray, her mind in turmoil. Oh no, oh no. She had assumed Xiao Lanle’s confession of liking her was just a momentary confusion. Now it seemed her own actions had inadvertently swayed her. How improper to flirt if she doesn't intend to commit! She had no clue how she managed to make Xiao Lanle like her, especially considering how antagonistic their exchanges had been. Was she to burden another's heart besides her master? Lin Qianshuang rued the fact that the system was under maintenance. Otherwise, she'd genuinely want to ask how to guide a girl who had been led astray straight again. Did she really have to be the one to make Xiao Lanle give up altogether? "Where are you rushing off to, big apprentice?" Lin Qianshuang's wavering gaze settled ahead. The Jinghua Fairy approached gracefully, riding her sword. Seeing her distressed and absent-minded, Jinghua Fairy tapped Lin Qianshuang gently on her forehead’s spiritual aperture, calming her restlessness instantly. "Thank you, Master," Lin Qianshuang said gratefully, her face regaining some composure. Jinghua Fairy examined Lin Qianshuang's weary appearance, frowning slightly. "Disciple, your cultivation level is unstable; you mustn't expend your spiritual energy like this. You should retreat and cultivate properly. I've heard a bit about how demonic cultivators practice. If you don't want to increase your cultivation by force, finding a demonic cultivator partner could help you stabilize." The mere mention of a partner made Lin Qianshuang's head spin. Her weakness was partly Xiao Lanle’s doing, probably due to some pilfering of energy. Forcefully, she smiled and replied, "Master, there's no need for that." Jinghua Fairy placed a porcelain bottle in Lin Qianshuang’s palm and closed her hand around it, saying, "Big apprentice, since you’re here, I feel relieved. As your second brother has caused trouble, I must atone to the headmaster at Penglai Immortal Palace. Although your junior brother has committed grave errors, your bond with him has always been strong. You should take good care of him; his days are numbered." The male lead was initially just expelled but wasn’t supposed to be doomed to die... Stunned, Lin Qianshuang asked, holding the bottle, "His days are numbered? Master, why do you say that? What crime warrants death for my junior disciple?" Jinghua Fairy sighed, "Your junior has disgraced his family and committed the grave sin of releasing demons from restricted areas. Nephew Xiao suffered a broken engagement, too. The world is sneering at Penglai. The headmaster cannot rest easy and has already arranged with the Liang family head to send him back. If he returns, only death awaits for his atonement." Lin Qianshuang grimaced. What could the male lead face anyway? Presumably, on the way back, he’d manage to seduce a few ladies, stumble upon adventures, and eventually acquire a legendary artifact. After all this, dealing with him would be even tougher, so why not secretly let him escape? Sending Liang Jingxuan off as a fugitive would make him even more scorned. Secondly, using Xiao Lanle’s name might make the male lead grateful towards her. The opportunities afforded to a child of fate like Liang Jingxuan were unfathomable. Lin Qianshuang considered her current lack of strength; it’d be better to earn Liang Jingxuan’s gratitude. The questioning cave was damp and cold, surrounding the water prison with a ring of crocodile-infested waters. Those who had committed severe sins fell into the jaws of the beasts. Lin Qianshuang landed on a stone pillar above the blood river in the cave and carefully walked along the chains linking the pillars. In the seemingly calm river below, driftwood was plentiful; yet upon closer inspection, large crocodile tails lined with scales surfaced, amber eyes watching eagerly for flesh to enter their hungry mouths.