Nearby, Zheng Yongshou of Supreme Harmony Sect, Lai Lerong of Wandering Sword Pavilion, Song Miaoling of Cloud Mountain Song Clan, and the others felt a slight heaviness in their hearts.
Since emerging from seclusion, Liu Qiao’e had released friendly signals, expressing willingness to align with the righteous path. But her attitude was sharp, and her style unyielding.
Yet no one dared to criticize.
With her Seven Realms cultivation, every move she made could influence the situation in the Eastern Florescence Realm.
At this juncture with the Demonic Sect on the rise, one more ally was better than one more enemy.
The only point worth criticizing was her relationship with Mu Daoying.
But who said she could not sleep with an Immortal Alliance wanted criminal?
Everyone was clearly unaccustomed to such a scene, their faces varied, at a loss for words.
Zhao Yange angrily pounded the table.
To make matters worse, Liu Qiao’e smiled again, the amusement slowly spreading on her lips. “Ning Xia, why haven’t you entertained the honored guests yet? Offer them toasts.”
–
Zhao Yange was so furious he crushed his wine cup.
The younger Jade Clarity Temple disciples looked at Mu Daoying in disbelief.
They waited for Mu Daoying’s refusal, just like the lofty senior brother they once knew.
But Mu Daoying was destined to disappoint them. He truly lowered his gaze, picked up the wine pot, and poured for the guests present—as if he were one of the entertainers or performers that noble families often kept at home to serve guests.
This was the role Mu Daoying played now.
A younger Jade Clarity disciple, both angry and anxious, reddened her eyes: “Senior Brother Mu! How dare she—”
How dare she treat Ning Xia like this!
Though Mu Daoying’s seniority was not high, everyone present knew the name “Jade Sword True Heart”—the champion of the previous Spring Terrace Dao Inquiry, a favored son of heaven.
To think he had fallen to serving with his body like a caged canary. Some watched coldly from the sidelines, some gloated, others sighed in regret.
As Mu Daoying went around offering toasts, some who disapproved of his self-debasement treated him with contempt: “No need to trouble yourself, Immortal. I will pour it myself.”
Mu Daoying truly stood calmly to the side with hands in sleeves.
“Song Elder.”
When it was Song Miaoling’s turn, she looked at this youth with striking elegance and could not help revealing sympathy in her eyes. She nodded faintly to comfort him.
Though this youth had fallen into the mud, he remained unshaken by honor or disgrace, possessing considerable composure and tranquility.
The crowd’s gazes were like knives, each one cutting bitterly to the bone. Mu Daoying was young and vigorous after all—how could he truly remain untouched? Grateful for her respect, he gave an almost imperceptible bow in thanks.
Zhao Yange stared blankly at Mu Daoying, watching as he finally reached the Jade Clarity Temple’s table.
Mu Daoying clearly recognized him as well.
Zhao Yange moved his lips. Seeing his friend reduced to this state, he stammered uncertainly: “Ning Xia…”
Qu Yating said dispiritedly: “Ning Xia, I… I have let down your master…”
“Don’t say it like that,” Mu Daoying bowed deeply with clasped hands, said earnestly, “Ying knows of the Elder’s difficulties. For the Elder to speak up for Ying today, Ying is endlessly grateful.”
Qu Yating sighed and wiped his face.
The few questions he had raised for Mu Daoying moments ago stemmed purely from his personal convictions. They did not represent the entirety of the Jade Clarity Temple.
The current sect master of the Jade Clarity Temple was True Person Qingxu. Regardless of whether there was truly any rift between Qingxu and Ling Yuan, Qingxu surely did not wish to see Mu Daoying return to the Jade Clarity Temple.
Before Qu Yating had arrived, Qingxu’s stance had been one of eagerness to foster good relations with the Immaculate Old Mother.
Thus, Qu Yating could only go this far. He could not disregard his role as an envoy and drag his entire sect into the fray for Mu Daoying’s sake.
“Ning Xia…” Zhao Yange finally could not hold back and blurted out, “Are you all right?”
Mu Daoying did not want Zhao Yange or his fellow disciples to worry, so he nodded. “I’m fine. No need to worry about me.”
“The Joyous Union Palace is no dragon’s lair or tiger’s den…”
He hesitated for a moment, then added words of reassurance. “The Old Mother handles matters with fairness and clarity. Staying here poses no threat to my life.”
With that, he set down his wine cup and withdrew to one side.
Yet in the ears of those paying close attention, his words rang with profound forbearance and helplessness. The fellow disciples from the Jade Clarity Temple felt a pang in their hearts, their eyes reddening.
…Serving others with one’s beauty, forced to speak well of this female demon head—what was good about her!
“Ning Xia!” Grief surged in Zhao Yange’s heart, and he could not help roaring lowly at Mu Daoying’s retreating back. “Wait for me. I will save you! I still have A-Yin. We will definitely find a way to get you out!”
After finishing his toasts, Mu Daoying had retreated to Liu Qiao’e’s side. It was unclear if he had heard.
For all his youthful renown, Mu Daoying was merely a brief interlude at this banquet.
The elders from the various sects had other matters at hand and soon cast the episode aside.
After three rounds of drinks, Liu Qiao’e duly raised the matter with eager anticipation, expressing her desire to participate in the Spring Terrace Dao Inquiry.
The elders from the Jade Clarity Temple, Supreme Harmony, and Wandering Sword Pavilion exchanged glances. In the end, Zheng Yongshou stepped forward to speak on behalf of the Immortal Alliance.
“The Old Mother honors us with her presence, and the Immortal Alliance naturally welcomes her. However, the Spring Terrace Dao Inquiry has always drawn participants from numerous sects. It is not a matter decided solely by the three great houses of the Immortal Alliance…”
The so-called Immortal Alliance was a righteous organization led by the Jade Clarity Temple, Supreme Harmony, and Wandering Sword Pavilion as its three pillar sects, surrounded by countless smaller sects like stars orbiting the moon.
The three great houses held firm control over the Immortal Alliance. Even the alliance leader was selected exclusively from among their disciples.
The current alliance leader, Qin Xiandu, hailed from the Wandering Sword Pavilion.
Unlike the puppet leaders of previous terms, Qin Xiandu appeared mild-mannered but harbored a ruthless heart. Ambitious and enterprising, he commanded significant influence within the Immortal Alliance, to the point that even the three great houses had to mind his countenance.
Before their arrival, Qin Xiandu had already convened the three great houses for discussions.
Each harbored their own designs, and the eventual consensus was this:
There was no issue with Liu Qiao’e wishing for the Joyous Union Sect to join the Spring Terrace Dao Inquiry.
But the prerequisite was that she obtain the Soul-Returning Lamp.
Ling Yuan had fled with the lamp, his whereabouts unknown. It would be better to pin this unresolved case on Liu Qiao’e’s head.
Meanwhile, Luo Naji, sect master of the Evil Karma Sect among the Eight Demonic Sects, was also hunting for the Soul-Returning Lamp.
Relying solely on Liu Qiao’e’s word, who could confirm she had not colluded with the Demonic Sects? Obtaining the lamp would serve as her pledge of allegiance.
With her cultivation now so advanced, no one could easily move against her. Better to let her contend with the Demonic Sects like the snipe and the clam.
Zheng Yongshou continued, “But the Immortal Alliance is no fiefdom of the three great houses alone. If the Old Mother wishes to participate in the Spring Terrace Dao Inquiry, she must demonstrate sincerity convincing enough for all the sects below.”
Pah. Liu Qiao’e spat inwardly at the shamelessness of these three great houses. On the surface, she remained unhurried and smiled. “Elder Zheng speaks so assuredly—surely you already have something in mind.”
Zheng Yongshou nodded coldly. “Indeed. The Immortal Alliance hopes the Old Mother can retrieve the Soul-Returning Lamp.”
Mu Daoying raised his head.
Zheng Yongshou elaborated, “If she obtains the Soul-Returning Lamp, it will prove that the Joyous Union Palace has not colluded with the Demonic Sects. Then the various sects below will have no cause for doubt.”
This was somewhat within Liu Qiao’e’s expectations, but she had no intention of footing the bill and doing all the work alone!
“This Seat can retrieve the Soul-Returning Lamp, but as everyone knows, the Eight Demonic Sects are also pursuing its whereabouts. The Immortal Alliance cannot expect the Joyous Union Sect to face all eight sects alone, with This Seat laboring like an ox or horse while that Qin Xiandu cowers in the rear, can it?”
Zheng Yongshou had clearly anticipated this and nodded calmly. “The three great houses will dispatch personnel to accompany the Old Mother.”
At this point, the matter was essentially settled.
Liu Qiao’e did not agree on the spot. Instead, she put on a show of needing to consider it upon her return.
In truth, everyone knew the deal was all but done. From the start, the Joyous Union Sect had privately reached an understanding with the Immortal Alliance; the banquet proposal was mere formality.
With that segment concluded, the waterside pavilion resumed its endless revelry of feasting, song, and dance.
Liu Qiao’e’s tolerance for alcohol was poor; it went straight to her face. With century-old fine wine served at the banquet, she feared losing face and dared not drink much in front of the crowd. After a few cups, she made an excuse to leave the table. No one dared voice any displeasure.
She summoned Mu Daoying to escort her back to her hall.
Mu Daoying lowered his gaze, obediently supporting her feverish arm. She was petite, so he had to bend low.
Suddenly, a weight settled on his neck as Liu Qiao’e hooked her arm around it.
Mu Daoying leaned in involuntarily and heard the drunken Liu Qiao’e murmur into his ear.
Her breath carried a thick scent of wine, hot waves assaulting his ear and leaving it red and itchy.
“You performed quite well today.”
Mu Daoying gently disentangled himself, scooped her up in a horizontal carry, and settled her onto the couch.
But Liu Qiao’e remained restless. She propped herself up halfway and grinned at him. “Your old flame Shen didn’t show. Aren’t you disappointed?”
They were very close.
In her drunken haze, Liu Qiao’e’s mind wandered, her usual domineering air shed. Her brows and eyes carried a tipsy flush, her small lips and delicate features softened.
Only then could Mu Daoying openly, brazenly gaze upon Liu Qiao’e.
Petite as she was, she looked even more delicate seated on the bed—like a young girl. The candlelight flickered, casting his tall, slender shadow across the bed, enough to engulf her entirely.
The stubborn outer disciple Liu Qiao’e of the Joyous Union Sect.
The majestic, power-wielding Joyous Union Old Ancestor of today.
And now, this befuddled, drunken woman.
Which was the real her?
He peered into her almond eyes and calmly pressed her back into the pillow and quilt.
“You must be very worried about your master, right? How about I fetch the Soul-Returning Lamp and bring you along?” Liu Qiao’e’s head popped up again.
Mu Daoying’s heart skipped a beat. He dared not let Liu Qiao’e detect any flicker of emotion, lest she take offense and stir trouble. Suppressing his agitation, he patiently pressed her down once more, tucked in the quilt corners, and said calmly,
“Old Mother, you’re drunk.”