Even someone as domineering and forceful as Liu Qiao’e felt utterly disheartened by Mu Daoying’s rejection this time. She became like an eggplant battered by frost, all wilted, and felt too ashamed to face him again.
Yet Mu Daoying turned out to be utterly clueless. She did not want to see him, but he acted as if nothing had happened. The next day, as usual, he appeared outside her bedroom. He called her name calmly, awaiting her instructions. “Old Mother.”
Liu Qiao’e frowned.
Everyone in the room looked up.
Song Miaoling said, “Is that Young Friend Mu?”
Lai Yongle laughed. “Young Friend Mu truly serves the Old Mother with utmost dedication. Old Mother, do not disappoint his sincere intentions. Treat him better on a regular basis.”
Liu Qiao’e’s face darkened. “I will go take a look.”
To avoid Mu Daoying, she had summoned these people early in the morning to discuss matters in her room.
She had not expected Mu Daoying to come straight to her door.
Did he really think this was some kind of daily roll call at work?!
With an unpleasant expression, she pushed open the door.
Mu Daoying stood there diligently, hands at his sides, his fair face serene and composed.
He did not look at her, but Liu Qiao’e believed his gaze held nothing unusual compared to usual. “Does Old Mother have any instructions for today?”
The moment Liu Qiao’e saw him, she recalled yesterday’s tragic scene, and her face flushed red. In humiliated anger, she said, “The elders are discussing matters in my room. Go prepare some tea.”
Mu Daoying acknowledged and withdrew respectfully.
This flying palace had been built with extravagant splendor, and its facilities were fully equipped.
As soon as Mu Daoying entered the dining hall, he ran into Zhao Yange, Shen Chengyin, and the others.
They crossed paths on a narrow road, and everyone froze for a moment.
Shen Chengyin said, “Ning Xia?”
Mu Daoying replied, “Junior Brother Zhao, Fairy Shen.” He stepped aside half a pace to let them pass first.
His attitude was neither cold nor warm—polite, but lacking intimacy.
Shen Chengyin and Zhao Yange suddenly felt as if a lump of cotton was stuck in their throats.
“With Old Mother absent, Ning Xia, why must you…” Zhao Yange’s heart ached. “Why bow low and act small like this?”
Mu Daoying paused for half a second before replying, “I am no longer a disciple of the Jade Clarity Temple. Etiquette must not be neglected.”
Zhao Yange was speechless. When Mu Daoying had joined the Jade Clarity Temple, he had still been young. He, Shen Chengyin, and Mu Daoying had essentially grown up together.
Ning Xia was excellent in every way, except his personality was overly stubborn. Perhaps it stemmed from his family’s strict upbringing, or from reading those classics and histories too rigidly from a young age.
This man pursued everything to the extreme, meticulous to the point of being single-minded and taking the sword on a biased path. Ling Yuanzi had even joked about him before, saying that being so rigid and by-the-book might lead him astray into the demonic path one day.
Shen Chengyin felt no less moved than Zhao Yange. Yesterday, Liu Qiao’e had hurriedly taken Mu Daoying away, and in the haste, she had not examined him closely.
The young man before her had a pale complexion, faint dark circles under his eyes, a slimmer waist, and thinner back, giving him a somewhat frail appearance.
Shen Chengyin said softly, “…Are you alright?”
Mu Daoying felt no particular emotions. Alright? It was neither particularly good nor particularly bad.
He understood his friends’ concerns. After a pause, he said softly, “With no threat to my life, it is naturally alright.”
These words stirred even more complex emotions in Zhao Yange and Shen Chengyin.
Mu Daoying thought things through clearly. Once decided, he committed fully.
The Ling Yuan case was full of suspicious points. He did not believe his master would collude with the Demonic Sect… During the time he had been imprisoned by the Immortal Alliance, quite a few people had come—hooded and masked, probing indirectly, even some attempting to silence him through murder.
Mu Daoying harbored a deep suspicion that someone within the Immortal Alliance might be colluding with the Demonic Sect.
Staying by Liu Qiao’e’s side was not necessarily a bad thing.
He did not wish to implicate his good friends. Knowing Zhao Yange and Shen Chengyin’s personalities well, he feared they might act impulsively to save him. Thus, even after this long separation and reunion with old friends, he maintained a restrained, distant attitude.
But Zhao Yange did not see it that way.
The moment he saw Shen Chengyin yesterday, he told her about Mu Daoying’s recent situation. Together with the other junior brothers and sisters from the Jade Clarity Temple, they gathered and discussed for half a day.
They could not just watch Mu Daoying be tormented and humiliated by that Immaculate Old Mother.
“Ning Xia.” Zhao Yange glanced around, took a deep breath, and asked solemnly, “Have you ever thought about escaping?”
Mu Daoying froze. He had thought about it… but that was a long time ago.
Now? Mu Daoying was somewhat uncertain.
Aside from Liu Qiao’e’s peculiar intentions toward his body, which brought him some distress, she was actually fairly easy to get along with.
“Ning Xia, now that we are all gathered here.” Zhao Yange said, “Tell us the truth.”
Mu Daoying paused for half a second, then said, “Sorry, I have not considered escaping.”
Zhao Yange grew anxious.
If only Mu Daoying said he wanted to, they would help him no matter what! How could he not want to?! After Old Mother humiliated him like that!
Zhao Yange said, “You—you! At least consider A’yin’s feelings!”
Mu Daoying slowly furrowed his brows in confusion.
He did not understand how this related to Shen Chengyin.
Shen Chengyin hurriedly grabbed Zhao Yange’s arm, stopping him from rambling further.
“Ning Xia, we know your concerns.” Shen Chengyin looked into Mu Daoying’s eyes and said firmly, “Please remember, we are always behind you. If you change your mind, we will help you anytime.”
Mu Daoying felt a slight touch in his heart and nodded gratefully. “Thank you.”
He took some tea and snacks, then turned and left.
Zhao Yange said, “Why did you stop me?! Do you really want to see Ning Xia with that—”
Shen Chengyin slowly released her hand, her expression dim. “Ning Xia is forced into this too.”
When Zhao Yange recalled the scene yesterday of Mu Daoying squatting to put shoes on Liu Qiao’e, his face turned green. “That Immaculate Old Mother is said to be a lust demon who beds ten men a night.”
He was so urgent, wanting to help Mu Daoying escape—not just for his life, but for his immediate chastity!
“With Ning Xia’s looks, how could he remain intact in her hands?”
Shen Chengyin steadied her mind. “We both know him. No one can force him into something he doesn’t want.”
Zhao Yange rolled his eyes inwardly.
Yeah, yeah, you know him, but you don’t understand men. How can forced intimacy be the same?!
He knew Ning Xia’s temperament well—the most arrogant sort. Back when he first came up the mountain, he had been aloof and distant with everyone. Now he was even helping someone put on shoes. From forced to half-willing, how long before it turned from rape to consensual?
If Liu Qiao’e were an ordinary woman, he would naturally be fine with it. But she was the Immaculate Old Mother! With so many male pets under her, and Mu Daoying the type to be devoted once moved—he feared Mu Daoying would end up hurt in the end.
“Sigh, you—” Zhao Yange sighed.
Shen Chengyin watched Mu Daoying’s departing figure, her gaze dimming.
She knew Zhao Yange meant well for her sake.
She liked Mu Daoying.
Zhao Yange knew this. The disciples of the Wandering Sword Pavilion who were close to her knew, the Jade Clarity Temple disciples knew, even Elders Lai Yongle and the others knew—everyone except Mu Daoying.
Liu Qiao’e spent a day quickly sorting out her emotions.
Perhaps to retaliate for Mu Daoying’s refusal that day, or perhaps due to the sense of crisis sparked by seeing Shen Chengyin, Liu Qiao’e began frequently bringing Mu Daoying out in public.
She could tell Shen Chengyin liked Mu Daoying.
Only that fool Mu Daoying could not see it!
After flying for several days, just before reaching Everpeace City, Song Miaoling invited Liu Qiao’e, Lai Yongle, Di Chong, Zhao Yange, and others to the main hall for discussions.
As soon as they left the side hall, Liu Qiao’e ran into Shen Chengyin and her group on a narrow path.
Shen Chengyin froze, then obediently saluted. “Old Mother.”
Even if Zhao Yange and the others were unwilling, they had to lower their heads respectfully. “Old Mother.”
Liu Qiao’e said nothing.
Shen Chengyin straightened up and looked toward Mu Daoying behind her. “Ning—”
“I’m tired!” Liu Qiao’e sneered, raising her voice to interrupt Shen Chengyin. “Mu Daoying, carry me.”
The second half of Shen Chengyin’s word caught in her throat, as if struck on the head with a stick.
Mu Daoying lightly furrowed his brow but still bent down, slipped his arm under her knees, and scooped her up in a horizontal carry.
On the way to the main hall.
Mu Daoying gently advised, “A’yin is not a bad person. Why must Old Mother quarrel with a junior like her?”
He was not entirely oblivious and had noticed Liu Qiao’e’s hostility toward Shen Chengyin.
Unfortunately, he only understood half of it.
Liu Qiao’e sneered. “You’re the naive one! I’ve never seen a rabbit speak well of a fox.”
Mu Daoying pursed his lips, utterly puzzled. “…”
A rabbit speaking well of a fox? What did that mean?
In short, whenever they encountered Shen Chengyin, Liu Qiao’e would boss around imperiously, making Mu Daoying attend her closely like a servant.
Mu Daoying complied with most orders without hesitation.
Thus, Liu Qiao’e acted as if her legs were crippled, never entering or exiting without Mu Daoying carrying her.
Even for tea, he had to infuse it with spiritual energy to warm it before she took a few sips.
As for helping her dress and put on shoes, that became an everyday occurrence.
Over time, it drew angry glares from the Jade Clarity Temple juniors. But for Mu Daoying, as long as Liu Qiao’e did not make requests like the previous one that troubled him, caring for her had become second nature.
Every morning, he prepared water for her to wash up. If she refused to get out of bed to dress, he steadied his mind, held her in his arms, and dressed her without distraction.
If she was too lazy to comb her hair, he learned women’s hairstyles and combed it for her, coaxing her softly.
But Liu Qiao’e always complained his skills were too poor.
Zhao Yange watched all this, his heart pounding with unease, sensing something off.
Liu Qiao’e’s attitude toward Mu Daoying carried a degree of intimacy.
This intimacy did not quite resemble how one treated a plaything; it was more like a girl’s dependence on her lover.
Was this normal for handling a male pet?
Before he could figure it out, in the blink of an eye, Everpeace City lay beneath them.
This massive city had been built at the foot of Fogveil Mountain.
Fogveil Mountain stretched for thousands of li, with a huge vein of ore hidden in its belly.
This spirit vein had long been firmly controlled by three great families. They hired people to dig day and night in the mountains, which gave rise to countless related industries, making Everpeace City prosperous.
“But that was decades ago.” A middle-aged man sighed bitterly with a smile.
This man, surnamed Xu, was a guide in Everpeace City who worked for the Immortal Alliance.
Guide Xu walked ahead, explaining to Liu Qiao’e and the others. “These years, the city has been unsettled, with earthquakes and disasters—watch out!”
No sooner had he spoken than a massive fissure cracked open beneath their feet!
The earthquake struck so suddenly. Liu Qiao’e and Mu Daoying happened to be standing right over the rift.
In that instant, Liu Qiao’e instinctively shoved Mu Daoying out of the fissure! But she herself lost footing and plummeted into the abyss below!
Mu Daoying had not expected Liu Qiao’e to protect him at the cost of her life. He staggered, his face changing color. Without thinking, he turned to jump after her.
Of course, Liu Qiao’e did not need his rescue. With a surge of escape light, she halted her fall and rose into the air.
Seeing this, Mu Daoying reached out to support her. But as her feet touched the ground, a shrill whistle came from the fissure. A massive black shadow shot up swiftly from the depths, lunging at her back!
Mu Daoying caught the whole scene. The shadow moved too fast. In that split second, countless thoughts flashed through his mind. As a qualified sword cultivator, he could instantly gauge the gap between enemy and self.
With his injuries unhealed, even if he struck, he could hardly blunt the shadow’s assault.
Without time to think, he leaped forward and blocked the near-fatal strike for Liu Qiao’e!
His back burned hot, followed by excruciating pain as blood poured down!
This blow threw Mu Daoying off balance. He swayed and toppled to the side.
“Mu Daoying!” Liu Qiao’e’s face changed drastically as she hurriedly reached out to catch him.
The black shadow burst out from the ground crack and let out a loud cry before flapping its fleshy wings and flying toward the sky.
“I’m fine.” Mu Daoying gasped. He looked up at the black shadow.
Under the sunlight, the black shadow finally revealed its true appearance.
It was the strange bird they had encountered on the flying palace that day.
However, this one was several times larger than the one they had seen before.
“Still want to run?” Liu Qiao’e gritted her teeth and muttered. A lotus flower flew out from the top of her head. As the lotus opened and closed, it firmly bit down on the strange bird, trapping it within the lotus pistil.
At that moment, attacks from Song Miaoling, Lai Yongle, and the others came killing in from all directions.
Everything that had just happened was too fast. So fast that even Song Miaoling, Lai Yongle, and the rest hadn’t had time to react. When they came back to their senses and saw Mu Daoying covered in blood, they were all shocked:
“Ning Xia!” “Old Mother!” “Senior Brother Mu!” “Are you alright?!”
“I’m fine.” Mu Daoying pursed his lips stubbornly.
“You’re injured like this—how could you be fine?” Lai Yongle hurried forward and tore away the tattered cloth strips from his back.
When he saw the injury on his back, he drew in a sharp breath of cold air.
A bloody claw mark remained on his back. It was clear that the previous grab had torn away most of the flesh from his back, leaving only the stark white bones exposed to everyone’s eyes.
“Quick!” Liu Qiao’e’s expression changed slightly as she scooped Mu Daoying up horizontally.
Mu Daoying was startled and struggled weakly. “No…”
This struggle naturally wasn’t taken seriously by Liu Qiao’e.
Mu Daoying stiffened for a moment. Under everyone’s gazes, he gave in and gently closed his eyes, allowing Liu Qiao’e to carry him away.
—
By the time the group hastily settled Mu Daoying in an inn within the city, dusk was approaching.
Originally, they had planned for Guide Xu to lead them on a tour around the city, but because of the recent earthquake that caused houses to collapse and killed many people, Everpeace City was currently in chaos.
The elders made the decision to let everyone rest for a day. They could visit and investigate the city tomorrow instead.
Mu Daoying was injured, so everyone came to visit him.
Although he had a gentle temperament, he was stubbornly unwilling to show weakness to others.
He couldn’t brush off everyone’s good intentions, but after receiving visitors one after another, Mu Daoying leaned against the bed with a somewhat pale face.
Liu Qiao’e glanced at him and, confirming he was not in mortal danger, was called away by Song Miaoling and Lai Yongle to discuss matters.
Now, with the idle people gone, only Zhao Yange, Shen Chengyin, and a few others remained in the room.
Seeing that Mu Daoying looked unwell yet was still forcing himself to receive guests, Zhao Yange didn’t want to disturb him. After a few words of concern, he hurriedly pulled the worried Shen Chengyin out the door.
“Ning Xia actually—” Shen Chengyin was somewhat dazed and lost in thought.
Zhao Yange’s heart also sank.
Compared to Mu Daoying saving people, what surprised him more was Liu Qiao’e!
The situation had been too urgent earlier, and they hadn’t reacted in time. Only afterward did Zhao Yange realize something was off.
When the ground cracked, Liu Qiao’e had pushed Mu Daoying away and fallen into the fissure herself!
Would someone like the Immaculate Old Mother actually risk her life to save another?
Thinking back to Liu Qiao’e’s intense reaction after Mu Daoying was injured—
The question that had long troubled his mind seemed to finally have an answer.
Did the Immaculate Old Mother… like Ning Xia?
Of course, this “like” was not the affection of a superior for a favored pet, but genuine feelings between a man and a woman.
“I suspect.” Zhao Yange closed the door tightly and pulled Shen Chengyin aside before gravely voicing his guess. “Old Mother likes Ning Xia.”
Shen Chengyin was startled, but only startled.
As a woman who had secretly admired Mu Daoying for a long time, her perception of such things was even sharper than Zhao Yange’s.
“To tell the truth, I’ve had this suspicion too. I was afraid it was just my own overthinking, so I didn’t dare say much.” Shen Chengyin said tactfully.
Zhao Yange sighed. “Subconscious actions don’t lie. If she didn’t like Ning Xia, why would she risk her life to save him!”
Shen Chengyin was silent for a long while before she said faintly, “But Ning Xia saved her too.”
Zhao Yange waved his hand. “That’s different. You and I both know Ning Xia’s personality. Today, no matter who was standing there, he would have saved them! He’s just a soft-hearted fool who helps everyone.”
Shen Chengyin listened quietly and couldn’t help smiling. “Yes, he truly is a good person, a gentleman.”
Zhao Yange said, “That’s exactly what worries me. Old Mother liking Ning Xia has both advantages and disadvantages.”
“When a woman falls in love with a man, she’s most likely to lose her reason.”
Shen Chengyin objected. “Don’t men lose their minds to lust too?”
Zhao Yange said, “That’s not what I mean! What I’m saying is, haven’t we always wanted to help Ning Xia escape the Immaculate Old Mother?”
He lowered his voice, and Shen Chengyin leaned in to listen.
“If we can convince Ning Xia to coax Old Mother a bit, gain her trust, then escaping later will be much easier.”
Shen Chengyin was stunned. She felt it made sense but also instinctively felt it was wrong. “Wouldn’t that be deceiving a woman’s feelings?”
Zhao Yange was a playboy, accustomed to being unrestrained. “Is Old Mother an ordinary woman? Think about how many male pets she has in her palace? Even if she likes Ning Xia, it’s probably just a temporary passion. In three to five years, won’t she toss him aside? But we need to make use of this temporary passion.”
Shen Chengyin shook her head. “You have a point, but would Ning Xia agree? Right now, he won’t even talk much with us.”
Most importantly, gaining the Immaculate Old Mother’s trust—Shen Chengyin wasn’t a saint. Deep down, she felt uncomfortable at the thought. No woman wanted to see the man she loved coaxing another woman.
Zhao Yange sighed. “What you’re worried about is exactly what I’m worried about.” As he spoke, he lost confidence himself. “Sigh, this is just my random musing… Whether it’ll work is anyone’s guess.”