"Shang Miaoyan, I want to know—what's in it for you? You're hardly the type of woman who helps people out of the goodness of her heart."
Pei Yuhang steadied himself, refusing to let Shang Miaoyan completely lead him on. Instead, he voiced the question that was weighing on his mind.
'Well now~ Of course, it's because I want Xiaohan to know that Miaoyan can be a true partner who supports you on your path of the Dao. The help I can offer you is far, far greater than anything Ye Liyuan can provide.'
'Whatever Ye Liyuan can give you, I can give you too. And what she can't, I, Shang Miaoyan, can.'
'It doesn't even matter if you use the Yang Replenishing Yin Dual Cultivation thod to help Ye Liyuan recover her Cultivation, Xiaohan. By then, Miaoyan is confident you won't be able to leave my side~'
'What an arrogant woman. Telling to my face that she'll make leave Liyuan for her... Her arrogance hasn't changed one bit from how she used to be.'
But...
Then again, Shang Miaoyan had the resources to back up her arrogance. She perfectly leveraged her vast network, anticipating Pei Yuhang's every need... And that was precisely why he felt so angry, yet so powerless.
Pei Yuhang didn't even have a reason to hate her.
After all, in a way, the recent improvent in the Cold Palace Sword Mansion's situation was all thanks to Shang Miaoyan's help.
'The only price is just a few nights of passion with that woman...'
'That's right. Just a few nights of passion.'
'Without those few nights...'
'The Fountain of Youth, the Divine Sword Pavilion... On his own, Pei Yuhang could never have given his Dao Companion and disciples opportunities of that caliber.'
'To gain the power to change his circumstances for such a small price... It didn't seem like such a big deal, did it?'
'It was just a matter of closing his eyes and lying back...'
"I'll co see you."
Pei Yuhang's voice was hoarse.
'Hm? What did you say, Xiaohan?'
"I said, I'll co see you."
'Who wants to see ?'
Her silky, flirtatious voice adopted an exaggerated tone in a clear display of wicked, playful teasing.
'Pei Yuhang didn't have to guess. That woman, Shang Miaoyan, must be gloating right now, right?'
'Teasing him so shalessly... She must have wanted to do this for a long ti!'
"Pei Yuhang will co to see you."
After saying this, the White-clothed Sword Immortal felt his body go limp, as if all his strength had drained away.
'Mhm~ Miaoyan will be waiting for you.'
A delighted laugh ca from the Transmission Token, like a fisherman who had just landed a huge catch, radiating the joy of a bountiful harvest.
...
As Pei Yuhang left the Cold Palace Sword Mansion, he caught the attention of two young won practicing their swords in the swirling snow.
Unlike Qing Yueqiu, who wanted to know where her master was going but hesitated to ask, afraid she might be overstepping.
Yu Xiaoyan, however, had no such reservations. She spoke up directly, her clear voice ringing out, "Master, are you heading out?"
"Yes... A friend has invited out for a drink."
'A drink? A friend?'
'Master keeps to himself and has always been a bit of a loner. Since when did he have any close friends?'
Yu Xiaoyan's eyes narrowed, as if she'd already caught the scent of infidelity.
"Master, can you take Xiaoxiao with you? I'm tired from sword practice and want to get out for a bit."
Hearing this, Pei Yuhang's heart clenched.
'How could he possibly take his disciple to see that vile woman, Shang Miaoyan?'
Just as Pei Yuhang was about to refuse, Qing Yueqiu, seeming to sense his predicant, stepped in to help him out.
"Junior Sister, Master has important matters to discuss with other seniors. How could you possibly tag along?"
Hearing this, Pei Yuhang gave Qing Yueqiu a ntal thumbs-up.
'They say a daughter is a father's greatest comfort, and it seems an eldest disciple is a master's greatest comfort, too!'
'It seems crafting that moon for Yueqiu last night paid off!'
"Ahem. Xiaoxiao, your Senior Sister is right. I have official business this ti, so I really can't take you with . I'll definitely take you next ti."
Pei Yuhang gently tapped Yu Xiaoyan's pouting lips, promising her, "Next ti for sure."
Yu Xiaoyan watched her master step onto his Flying Sword and shoot through the sky. Then, she turned to glare resentfully at her senior sister.
'Damn it... If it wasn't for this stupid cow!'
"Senior Sister, you don't actually believe Master is just going out for a drink, do you?"
"Haven't you considered that Master might be off to see so Fairy who can't stand being lonely...?"
VMMMM—
Qing Yueqiu flicked out a bolt of Sword Qi, clearing a large patch of snow in front of her.
"Junior Sister, don't say things like that again. Master would never do sothing so improper."
Her crimson eyes shone as she said softly, "Master would never betray his Dao Companion."
"Hmph. How can you be so sure, Senior Sister? Do you think you know everything about Master?"
"Every month in the Dao Sect, the number of Dao Companions who split up over infidelity is in the triple digits. Many of them were once seen as perfect, enviable couples."
"After all, the path to immortality is a long one. For Cultivators, it can be hundreds of years before they even think about growing old with their lover. Isn't it common to get bored with a partner over such a long ti and want to seek out new thrills and passion?"
Yu Xiaoyan was not intimidated by the bolt of Sword Qi and continued her argunt, her thoughts clear.
"Master... isn't that kind of person."
Qing Yueqiu's response was reflexive, but she fell silent afterward.
Because just as Yu Xiaoyan had said, she couldn't claim to know everything about her master.
For example, she had always wanted to know his story from before he ca to the Xuanyuan Dao Sect, how he had first set foot on the path of Cultivation.
But Master always avoided the topic.
'It seed... she didn't really know her master at all.'
...
"Young Master Pei. You're here."
Fan Ya, dressed in a tight, form-fitting purple qipao, stood elegantly at the entrance to the estate. It was as if she had tid his arrival perfectly and was waiting here specifically to welco him.
Pei Yuhang gave Fan Ya a curt nod, his expression cold.
Years ago, Fan Xuan had a chance to escape the Yin Yang Sacred Land with him.
Pei Yuhang had spent a long ti trying to convince her. He finally got Fan Xuan to agree to leave that Demon Cave with her sister, Fan Ya, after seeing him off safely.
But instead, Fan Ya had turned around and sent her own sister to the execution block...
To Pei Yuhang, Fan Xuan was a benefactor. He had been wracked with guilt ever since learning of her death.
He would never forgive Fan Ya.
In the face of Pei Yuhang's cold expression, however, Fan Ya maintained a perfectly polite smile.
"Co with , Young Master Pei. The Saintess is waiting for you inside."
Swaying her graceful figure, Fan Ya led the way, soon bringing Pei Yuhang before a massive gate constructed entirely of Golden Silk White Jade.
Feeling the hot, steamy air wafting from the crack in the doors, Pei Yuhang knew it was most likely a hot spring bath on the other side.
'And Shang Miaoyan hadn't invited him to a place like this just to burn so incense and take a bath.'
CREAK—
As the great doors swung open, Shang Miaoyan's voice drifted out from within.
"Fan Ya, you may leave. And... don't let anyone near."
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