98 - Confession (Ying Cheng)

Chapter 98: The Bookshop Yen Jue: “……” She wasn’t quite sure if it was just her imagination, but Yen Jue felt that Qi Xian Qing had deliberately crushed the cup, perhaps to scare off that young man. The youth’s gaze was fixed on the shattered tea cup pieces on the ground. At that moment, he was overwhelmed by the intense aura of intimidation radiating from Qi Xian Qing. Instinctively, he took a step back, “Oh, so this lady is already spoken for...” In this world, close bonds between women were quite normal. In an era where spiritual compatibility surpassed everything, it wasn’t unusual for two women to choose dual cultivation together. Moreover, the youth hadn’t sensed any aggressive spiritual energy from the girl in the lotus-colored pleated skirt, suggesting that her spiritual root likely wasn’t of a yang nature. Contrastingly, the woman shielding her possessed an unmistakably pure yang sword intent. Such a person, if in bed, would likely be the sort who wouldn't tire even after a whole night with several companions. This youth had no plans to provoke her. Qi Xian Qing emitted an icy killing intent that made it easy to believe she might draw her sword at any moment. Yen Jue, feeling uneasy, quickly tugged on Qi Xian Qing’s sleeve, “Sister... let’s sit over there.” When traveling, it’s best to keep a low profile. Calling her “sister” instead of “senior sister” to avoid raising suspicions was wise. Yen Jue’s voice was soft and gentle, and those words tugged painfully yet warmly at Qi Xian Qing’s heart, making her ears itch and burn slightly. Qi Xian Qing cast another glance at the young man before joining Yen Jue at a table nearby. Seated, Qi Xian Qing held her posture rigid and sipped her tea gracefully. Yen Jue quietly drank her tea too, finding reassurance in the woman’s presence. The proprietress approached with more tea, apologetically saying, “Please pardon him, ladies. He’s a regular at the brothel... always like this.” The youth was well-known for his chatter, and the brothel girls knew all about his wealthy family background. After exchanging a few words with the proprietress, Yen Jue learned that despite his young age, this boy was a wealthy merchant owning several properties in the City of All Things. His family’s wealth had permitted him to venture out to build a fortune at the City of All Things. He made a hefty profit by buying cheap properties when he first arrived. After all, the City of All Things was rife with opportunities... After just one round of tea, the Springfull House began to fill. Eyes filled with curiosity and affection began to linger on Qi Xian Qing and Yen Jue. Qi Xian Qing set down her tea cup with a deliberate thud. Peeping onlookers quickly withdrew their sights. “……” Qi Xian Qing remarked, “Our teacher just sent word. She’ll be delayed a while longer, suggesting we should stroll around.” “I’ve been wanting to leave,” Yen Jue admitted cheerfully. The sky above the City of All Things was perpetually dim, a deep shade of purple. This made the crimson lanterns along the riverbanks seem enchantingly mysterious. Vessels moved along the river, with a massive floating pavilion visible in the distance. The serene river surface contrasted with the bustling shores. The reds of the surroundings clashed vividly against the deep purples and blacks of the night sky. Qi Xian Qing and Yen Jue hired a small boat. At the bow, Qi Xian Qing formed a hand seal, and the boat glided forward as if carried by an unseen wind. Being outside felt much more peaceful. Yen Jue was admiring the scenery when Qi Xian Qing tossed something to her. Startled, Yen Jue caught it—a concealment cloak. Frequently out on missions together, Yen Jue felt as though her supplies and Qi Xian Qing’s had become almost indistinguishable. Her own cloak had been refurbished after returning from the mountains, thanks to Qi Xian Qing. “Put it on,” Qi Xian Qing instructed softly. Obediently, Yen Jue donned the cloak. Their faces would always draw unwanted attention when they were out. The boat drifted slowly along the river. They stopped in front of a shop hung with red lanterns. Startled, Yen Jue asked, “What is this place?” Qi Xian Qing, evidently familiar with it, looked at the shop in front. “It’s a bookshop.” Yen Jue’s interest was piqued. In the Five Dragons Sect, she loved visiting the library to read, but had gone through nearly every book she was permitted to read. With the City of All Things so bustling, she wondered about the collection here. The two entered the bookshop one after the other. Compared to the hubbub of other shops, the bookshop was quiet. A square-faced man sat at the counter, absorbed in a book. When he noticed Yen Jue and Qi Xian Qing enter, he glanced up briefly before continuing his reading. Yen Jue browsed around, searching for interesting reads. Qi Xian Qing, watching Yen Jue drifting away, stopped before a shelf and tilted her head to observe the variety of... Picture books. With Yen Jue around, Qi Xian Qing was particularly cautious, taking her time to choose one until her selection was made. She pulled a picture book from the shelf, hiding it within the cover of a thunder-based cultivation manual. In the dim light, the title of the picture book was clearly marked: “Tales of My Adventures with a Fox Spirit Companion.” Qi Xian Qing realized she knew too little about fox spirits. Among them, aside from the exceptionally cunning ones, were there good fox spirits? But she didn’t want to read conventional texts, with only their cold words. Picture books seemed like the only way for her to know more about foxes. Fox spirits. Qi Xian Qing opened the first page of the picture book. It described how amorous foxes could be, depending heavily on yang energy, and how feeling deprived pushed them to target potential partners. Why did some men, even though they were utterly unremarkable, still have fox spirits loyally beside them? It was a symbiotic trade, with men gaining companions and fox spirits absorbing yang energy. As the short introduction ended, Qi Xian Qing turned to the second page with a seriousness. The book told of a fox spirit encountering a pure yang sword cultivator, embarking on a string of secretive events. The fox spirit was a swordswoman, adept in martial arts. During an intense period of neediness, she believed she experienced her life’s greatest torment. From books, she learned that fox spirits could turn to those embodying pure yang to weather these times. Thus, she infiltrated an academy, assuming it would have many eligible men. Instead of finding men, she spotted a sword instructor, radiating pure yang that ensnared the fox spirit. Using some trickery, she absorbed the woman’s pure yang, planning a quiet escape when the swordswoman, already deeply curious about her, intervened. First time... led to a second... ...... As Qi Xian Qing read, her brows knitted, utterly absorbed and oblivious to her surroundings. Then, unexpectedly, she noticed Yen Jue standing before her, watching her with wide eyes. Qi Xian Qing instinctively tightened her grip. Yen Jue was stunned. My goodness, Qi Xian Qing was reading a... cultivation manual. Upon entering, Yen Jue had been drawn to the animated picture books, flipping through several, only to turn and see Qi Xian Qing studying a cultivation manual. In such a lively, vibrant setting like the City of All Things, why was Qi Xian Qing focused on learning? Suddenly, Yen Jue was filled with admiration for Qi Xian Qing... Clutching her picture book, Yen Jue disappeared. Qi Xian Qing: “……” --- After leaving Qi Xian Qing, Yen Jue intended to search for some cultivations skills herself. But this wasn’t the Five Dragons Mountain anymore; she lacked the patience Qi Xian Qing had. Idly, she stood by a window with yet another picture book. The City of All Things, being a melting pot of wonders, offered daring literature. Yen Jue found herself reading a tale of a snake spirit and a human love. Maybe it was her recent conversation with Qi Xian Qing about serpent spirits back at the Frozen Peach Grotto that sparked curiosity. All her attention turned towards the snake spirit in the narratives. On the pages, an alluring snake woman entwined herself around the shoulders of a young girl. The snake’s tongue flicked out, delicately licking the girl’s ear. Its tongue was... forked? The maiden blushed, sweat beading her forehead. Yen Jue’s eyes felt seared, yet perhaps due to her current phase, the imagery awakened an unusual feeling in her heart. Unbidden, her mind drifted to Qi Xian Qing, imagining curling up affectionately to her like a small fox. Yen Jue quickly set the book aside, silently chanting calming mantras. Suddenly, a strange noise broke her thoughts. “Whoosh—” Her pupils contracted sharply as Yen Jue spun around instantly. A silver miniature sword shot through the window, narrowly missing Yen Jue's shoulder and embedding itself silently into the bookshelf behind her. Attached to the sword was a note. Who could it be? Using such a method to deliver a message. Yen Jue looked around, seeing no one else nearby. Certain the message was for her, she was both intrigued and puzzled. Since her transmigration into this world, she’d mostly stayed within the confines of Five Dragons Mountain. It didn’t make sense for anyone outside to know her. Yen Jue opened the note, revealing elegant and decisive handwriting saying: “To the Princess, please meet at Nian Yun Villa at the hour of Xu in two days.” She was taken aback. Princess. What could this mean? Flipping the note over, she discovered a red fox paw print adorning the back. ... It was kind of cute. A fox paw... Could this have come from the Fox Clan? The City of All Things isn’t governed by the Heavens. Both humans and demons could reside here. The original Yen did have the title of a princess with the Ghost Court and Fox Clan. With this thought, Yen Jue furrowed her brows slightly. --- After loitering a bit in the bookshop, Yen Jue and Qi Xian Qing each pondered their own thoughts before heading back to their temporary inn lodging. Cloud Zen was generous, having reserved a lavish suite for them in the inn, the décor opulent. Yen Jue returned to her room and had just begun to settle in when there was a knock at the door. She opened it to find Zhu He’s bewildered face staring back at her. Zhu He’s features were well-defined, with bold brows and fair skin, giving her a strong, youthful appearance. Despite this, there was always a sense of naivety in her eyes. Yen Jue asked, "What's up?" “Weren't we going to sleep in our own rooms tonight?” Zhu He huffed, “I didn’t bring a nightgown.” Speechless, Yen Jue remarked, “You little pig, who needs a nightgown? Just transform back into your true form and sleep.” Zhu He was displeased, huffing indignantly as she stared at her. Though she spoke, she preferred expressing herself through gestures. Reluctantly, Yen Jue rummaged through her storage pouch. She had recently purchased a new nightgown, which she could lend to the little boar. She handed her own nightgown to Zhu He. Zhu He hugged it joyfully, looking up at her, “I don't know how to wear it.” Yen Jue sighed, “It’s simple to wear a nightgown. How can you not even do that? Go over there and figure it out yourself.” Zhu He pouted, clutching the nightgown as she darted into a cabinet. Seated on her bed, Yen Jue listened to the rustling sounds and became lost in thought. She retrieved the earlier letter from her sleeve, reading the handwriting repeatedly. First, Yen Jue didn’t know where Nian Yun Villa was, nor who had sent the letter. Being cautious was essential when outside familiar territory. Secondly, the meeting was set for the day after tomorrow during the Xu Hour, so there was no rush. She marveled at how even monsters had such refined handwriting these days. Suddenly, her door was knocked again. A bit surprised, Yen Jue ran to open it. Qi Xian Qing, having shed the thick, cloying smell of the brothel’s cosmetics, was freshly washed and changed into a clean cerulean cross-collared dress. Her hair was still damp from the bath, a light blush adorned her fair cheeks, and her gentle black eyes gazed softly at Yen Jue. Yen Jue asked, “Is there something you need?” Qi Xian Qing blinked softly, “Care to go for another walk?” Her voice was low, slightly husky from the bath. Perhaps it was the stillness of the room, or maybe the sweet fragrance of the rare celestial scent she naturally carried, but Qi Xian Qing’s gentle request sent a shiver down one’s spine. Staying in such fine accommodations with Yen Jue was rare, and beneath her outward composure, Qi Xian Qing felt a quiet joy. With their master away on business, the room belonged solely to them. Now she could proceed with her plans confidently. Yen Jue felt that having traveled so far from the Five Dragons Gate, they ought to explore. Gazing into Qi Xian Qing’s eyes, Yen Jue smiled, “Sure—” Before she could finish, Zhu He, the little boar, came running out, clutching Yen Jue’s nightgown and baring her chest, “Sister, I can’t figure it out!” Qi Xian Qing: “......”!