Chapter - 277 - It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Mu Zhian stood silently, gazing contemplatively at Wei Mengrou. Her hands cradled a cup of hot tea, and upon sensing the look of plea in his eyes, a small, amused smile played on her lips. The maid merely wished to be a bystander, content to observe. However, her mind involuntarily flickered to the memory of the kiss she shared with Mu Zhian earlier, his face so close to hers, and then to the moment not long ago when she had taken the initiative to kiss him. When her eyes met his again, Wei Mengrou recoiled as if she had been shocked, lowering her gaze to the teacup in her hand. The surface reflected a cold, stunningly beautiful face, and as a gust of cold wind swept through, ripples disturbed the tea, unveiling the image of a mysterious beauty. This figure wore a long black robe, the hood covering most of her face, her pallor giving her a sickly appearance that only heightened her fragile charm. The mysterious woman appeared to sense she was being watched, slightly lifting her head, her gentle, captivating eyes peering out from under the hood to meet Wei Mengrou's gaze. Startled, Wei Mengrou's fingers trembled, causing her to release the teacup inadvertently. Crash! The teacup shattered on the floor, tea splashing everywhere as shards scattered, striking the stone pillar of the pavilion. Mu Zhian instinctively glanced over at Wei Mengrou, only to witness the proud maid, akin to a swan, staring down at the spilled tea with a puzzled gleam in her eyes. "Mengrou, what's wrong?" Mu Zhian asked with concern, his tone gentle. Snapping back to reality from her previous thoughts, Wei Mengrou shook her head slowly, "Nothing… I might just be a bit tired. I think I need to rest for a while." She raised her hand, gathering the fragments of the teacup, then buried them in the ground before standing up to leave the pavilion. Mu Zhian watched her departure, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. Subsequently, his gaze unintentionally drifted to the woman in the raven-black gown beside him, and after a brief hesitation, he resolved to take a gamble. He summoned his courage to telepathically communicate, "Palace Master, regarding what you mentioned earlier, I promise to give you an answer later. But right now, I have other matters to attend to, so I need to leave for a while..." Gong Lianyue gazed at him affectionately, a smile in her eyes, "Why hide such words in whispers? Are you afraid to say them aloud to me?" If I said it out loud, Yao Meng would probably tear me apart tonight... Mu Zhian replied telepathically, "The fairy has done me a favor in the past, and you have also given great aid to me and Ruoxi. If possible, I genuinely hope for harmony between all of you." "All you need to do for harmony is ensure she keeps her distance from you," Gong Lianyue replied calmly. Mu Zhian gave a helpless smile, "Palace Master, you know well that my relationship with the fairy is complicated, not something easily untangled in a short period..." "I'll give you one more month," Gong Lianyue warned. "If next time I awaken and find you still entangled with her, I'll step in to sever your ties and take you back to the Sword Palace to train in peace." Mu Zhian felt slightly relieved. He intended to talk to Yao Meng, but upon glancing over, he found her evaluating him with a playful, enigmatic gaze, as if mockingly saying: You’ve got quite the nerve, communicating right in front of me? A chill calm voice cut into his thoughts. "Wait for me in your room tonight." Yao Meng slightly turned her head toward him. Though aloof like a celestial goddess, there was a hint of allure in her eyes. "I have some matters to slowly discuss with you tonight." ... Wei Mengrou settled on the soft couch, closing her eyes slowly to meditate and enter a state of spiritual cultivation. Abruptly, sensing something amiss, she said coldly, "Why have you come? Not afraid of being caught and reprimanded?" She opened her eyes, looking toward the window. Mu Zhian climbed through the window, smiling under Wei Mengrou's icy gaze. "I spoke with Yao Meng and the others, saying I wanted to check on you first." Wei Mengrou arched a delicate eyebrow, a slight smirk of derision on her lips. "They agreed?" It was quite surprising they hadn’t locked him in a small dark room. Mu Zhian struggled to maintain his smile. This maid had a knack for hitting sore spots, always rubbing salt in his wounds. "I took a risk to communicate with them separately, promising an explanation later," he sighed. The main reason Gong Lianyue awakened was due to the primordials being disturbed, and her consciousness wasn't able to possess Bai Ruoxi's body for long. If Bai Ruoxi could harness a bit of Dao rhythm and ascend to a higher realm, Gong Lianyue wouldn’t have such limitations. If it had happened today, things might not have ended so peacefully. Even as things stood, it took a lot of negotiation. He still had to personally ease the fairy... "So, why did you come to see me?" Wei Mengrou asked, looking up at her young master. "I just noticed you seemed a bit unwell, so I came to check on you," Mu Zhian smiled and sat on the couch, uninvited. "Did you feel anything when the Primordial Witch's will took hold of you?" Mu Zhian queried. Wei Mengrou hesitated briefly before shaking her head lightly, "I didn't feel anything. I don't remember much of what I did then, just faint impressions... It felt like being in a dream." Recalling the mysterious figure she thought she saw in the tea earlier, her hands instinctively clasped together. She cast Mu Zhian a sidelong glance, hesitated, and muttered softly, "Sorry for all the trouble." Mu Zhian, likely to be tormented by two female emperors today, had her involvement to thank. After all, Gong Lianyue was awoken by the Primordial Witch’s aura, which in turn was stirred by Wei Mengrou. "If kissing counts as a hassle, then next time, please make it count," Mu Zhian said earnestly. Wei Mengrou side-eyed him. Staring at the young man on the couch, seeing the concern in his eyes, she reluctantly looked away. "That’s very unlike you—" Before she could finish, she noticed his hand on hers and silently stared at him. "What's this about?" Wei Mengrou questioned. "Just trying to comfort you," Mu Zhian replied. "Oh," Wei Mengrou responded, then glanced at the door and suddenly uttered, "Elder Qingdi, what brings you here?" "Mengrou, though we seem like a master and servant, our bond is like siblings. This isn’t appropriate," Mu Zhian retracted his hand and casually glanced around. “…” The doorway was empty, not a soul in sight. Wei Mengrou gave him a disdainful look, her voice cold, "If it’s purely comfort, why worry about being seen?" Mu Zhian sighed, "Mengrou, we should have some trust among people." "My trust in you is plenty, but now, I need to focus on cultivation," Wei Mengrou stated. Mu Zhian nodded slightly, "I won’t disturb you, Mengrou." Wei Mengrou closed her eyes, and after a while, feeling those black-and-white eyes on her again, she pointed quietly at the door. Mu Zhian glanced at the open door, suddenly understanding, "You want me to close the door?" "But it's almost night, staying in the same room might not be proper..." "Get out." ... That night. Mu Zhian returned to his room with the mysterious black box, placing it into his storage before intending to begin cultivation. He was at the peak of the Fourth Grade of Spiritual Refinement, just shy of the Fifth, a bottleneck he could break through at any moment. Yet Mu Zhian was not eager to break through. After his last death, he used two Eighth Grade pills to enhance his body, making him much stronger than others his age. During the upcoming journey to the Martial World, there might be those who look upon him unfavorably or villains who launch stealth attacks, and the thunder tribulation from the fourth to fifth grade could be a significant trump card. No one wanted to be caught in a tribulation unprepared and risk severe injury, as that could cost them the Ascension Tournament. But Mu Zhian was different. He was now robust, his constitution powerful, making it feasible to use the tribulation strategically during the Martial World journey. If he were to run into Ye Lingxuan and others along the way, navigating the Martial World would be all the more manageable. Removing his coat, Mu Zhian was about to retreat to his bed for focused meditation. At that moment, Mu Zhian glimpsed a graceful silhouette behind the drapes. His heart skipped a beat as he wondered what awaited him. Walking forward quietly, he drew the curtains aside. There, Yao Meng sat cross-legged on the bed, encased in a delicate green dress that accentuated her shapely figure. Her dainty feet were wrapped in soft white socks, while her flowing hair cascaded like a waterfall, a few strands resting on her alabaster thighs. She lifted her gaze, offering Mu Zhian a serene smile, "You're back?" Something feels off, this doesn't seem like she just wants to chat... Mu Zhian swallowed nervously, nodding slightly, "I'm back." His eyes then caught on the green vine peeking from Yao Meng's sleeve, the realization hit him—this wasn't a conversation, it was an interrogation! Reacting swiftly, he turned to leave. But just then, a blue lotus blossomed silently before him. In an instant, he found his energy completely sealed. The vine coiled around him without a sound, wrapping from foot to hand, gently pulling Mu Zhian onto the bed. The drapes swayed lightly, obscuring everything within. Yao Meng's lips curled into a faint smile, her slender fingers traced along Mu Zhian's neck, resting on his face. Her crystalline blue eyes stared down at him, brimming with amusement. "I told you, didn't I? I have some things I want to discuss with you tonight." --- The next morning. Mu Zhian gingerly supported his aching back as he slowly opened his eyes, staring absentmindedly at the high beams of the ceiling, contemplating life. He then glanced at the blue vine wrapped around his wrist, before turning with a resigned expression to look at Yao Meng, who lay curled up under the covers beside him. Beneath the soft blanket lay her bare shoulder, her eyes were gently closed, Her enticing, shapely lips, paired with her exquisite, blush-tinted face and elegant neckline, made for a breathtaking sight. Even though last night's ‘enforcement’ by Yao Meng had been intense, Mu Zhian couldn't help but marvel at the fairy's charm as she slept. Despite being manipulated by Yao Meng’s vines and interrogated, Mu Zhian still found himself deeply fond of the true mistress of the Heavenly Pond Sanctuary. In this world, looks do matter after all. He rubbed his waist, feeling the emptiness of his innate energy, and silently sighed once more. The Qing Emperor indeed lived up to her name. She possessed not only vast experience but also remarkable ‘interrogation’ methods that left Mu Zhian wondering if Yao Meng had also perused a certain guide on being a husband. He attempted to discreetly channel his spiritual energy to unravel the vines holding him, only to find that the Pure World Blue Lotus was still gently rotating in the room, effectively preventing any movement of his energy. “Give up. Unless I willingly retract the Pure World Blue Lotus, you cannot break the seal.” Yao Meng’s voice suddenly filled the room, her emerald eyes gleaming with amusement as she observed him. Under Mu Zhian’s gaze, Yao Meng propped herself up, a hand pressing the quilt against her ample chest. Though fairy-like, her eyes at the moment carried a bewitched allure, seductive and enchanting. The transformation from her usual celestial demeanor to one of captivating allure caused Mu Zhian’s heart to race involuntarily. He couldn't resist stealing a few more glances at her, almost entranced once more. Suppressing his inner turmoil, he shook his head, "I never intended to escape the vines, merely curious about their seals." “Do you not resent me for how I treated you last night?" Yao Meng's blue eyes twinkled with a hint of teasing. “It was my fault," Mu Zhian admitted. "No matter what happened, I remain devoted to you, fairy sister.” He placed a hand on Yao Meng's smooth white back, gazing deeply into her eyes. Yao Meng let out a small laugh, "I suppose you say the same to Gong Lianyue, don’t you?" She probably isn't upset about my closeness with other women, just displeased with Gong Lianyue’s arrogance... Understanding, Mu Zhian replied earnestly, "I swear, I’ve only said this to you, fairy." Yao Meng examined him with a slight smile, her lips curving invitingly as she asked again, "You won't hold it against me for last night, will you?" "Being able to contribute to the prosperity of the Eastern Continent is an honor," Mu Zhian paused, gazing at Yao Meng's brilliant eyes, speaking softly, "Besides, it was my choice." It was indeed honest truth. Though yesterday Mu Zhian was like ketchup endlessly squeezed until the last drop… his affection for Yao Meng remained steadfast. Firstly, her beauty was truly unforgettable; secondly, despite her interrogation, she was careful not to be too extreme… For Mu Zhian, it wasn’t excessive. His innate energy merely needed replenishing, not a significant issue, given his robust physique and rapid recovery.