The shadow of the night drifts, the moonlight glows brightly.
Beautiful.
The gentle breeze blows softly, slipping through the half-open window into the room, the faint candlelight flickers, casting an intermittent glow.
A young maiden lies obediently on the bed, her cheeks flushed, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, revealing a playful smile; whatever person or matter she dreams of must be truly delightful.
Tao Yao softly murmurs, turning over to reveal a smooth, fair, and rounded shoulder, her skin so delicate it seems water could be pinched from it, pure and lovely, tempting others to profane this beauty.
Gu Shenzhi sits upright on a peachwood chair, facing the bed, thoughtfully sipping spiritual tea from a porcelain cup.
Unless necessary, compared to the intoxicating liquor that lures one into a dreamlike haze, Gu Shenzhi prefers the clear tea that keeps his mind refreshed; recalling the events of the day, his mood lightens considerably.
In the sparring match with the Red Lotus Saintess, aside from expending too much spiritual energy, he didn’t reveal a single trump card.
Sometimes, winning through cleverness is far more advantageous than a direct confrontation.
Though his double-pupil eyes exerted power in secret, they were not easily noticed; his top-grade wood spirit root’s exceptional self-healing ability ensured no injuries, leaving no chance of exposure; and as for the top secret techniques of the Spirit Sword Sect, he had mastered them to perfection, blending them into every move and stance, so a mere few sword strikes revealed nothing.
Since the Moon Shadow Sect had no intention of killing him, he might as well display a portion of his worth to gain more attention and resources.
As for leaving in the future, he still had plenty of contingencies.
About half an hour later, Tao Yao rubs her sleepy eyes, gradually waking from her slumber, raising her hands above her head, her slender, snow-white arms stretching as she extends her soft waist.
“Awake?”
As soon as she opens her eyes, Tao Yao sees Gu Shenzhi’s serious expression, his brows furrowed with deep displeasure.
“Young Master, you don’t seem to be in a good mood?” Tao Yao murmurs with her red lips, asking timidly.
“Thanks to you, I’m in a terrible mood, almost as bad as the day I was banished to the Cliff of Reflection. To openly defy the Red Lotus Saintess—how many heads do we have for her to chop off?”
With a bang, Gu Shenzhi heavily slams the teacup on the table and continues, “Acting on impulse, doing whatever you please—these years, I’ve been too lenient with you, spoiling you into a bundle of bad habits!”
Gu Shenzhi sighs deeply, clutching his chest with his right hand, looking utterly heartbroken, as if thoroughly disappointed in Tao Yao.
Seeing her master so angry, how could Tao Yao dare to stay lying on the bed?
She hurriedly runs to Gu Shenzhi, throwing herself into his arms without regard for propriety between men and women.
“This servant knows she was wrong. Please, Young Master, don’t send me away. Let Tao Yao stay to serve you—warming your bed or sleeping beside you, I’m willing to do it all.”
To Tao Yao, being unable to stay by Gu Shenzhi’s side would be no different from death.
Hearing the girl’s sobs, Gu Shenzhi remains unmoved.
Of course, he couldn’t bear to send Tao Yao away, but her actions this time were too much, and she needed to reflect deeply.
A maiden’s innocence and vivacity are naturally charming, but in the Moon Shadow Sect, where they are at the mercy of others, failing to learn caution in words and actions would mean a short life.
Gu Shenzhi doesn’t expect Tao Yao to master reading people or navigating situations—that would be too tragic.
He only hopes his maid can learn to hold her tongue and leave the rest to him, her master.
Seeing Tao Yao reduced to a tearful mess, her eyes red, Gu Shenzhi finally raises his right hand gently, softly caressing her cheek.
Though an old trick, it works well.
Tao Yao gradually stops crying, feeling the warmth of his palm against her tender cheek.
“Will you dare to speak recklessly again?”
“Absolutely not! Please forgive this servant, Young Master!” Tao Yao slides onto his lap, her slender waist twisting slightly, exuding a captivating charm.
“I can forgive you, but you must agree to two conditions.”
“Not just two, even twenty thousand conditions, I’d agree to for you, Young Master.”
“Good,” Gu Shenzhi says with a sly smile, as if his plan has succeeded.
“First, you must join the Moon Shadow Sect. Only when Xiao Yao forms her Golden Core and manifests her true spirit can she better protect herself—and better protect me.”
Though reluctant, the reasoning is sound, so Tao Yao nods in agreement.
“Second, apologize to the Red Lotus Saintess and reflect deeply on what you did wrong.”
“Why? It’s clearly that wicked woman’s fault!” Tao Yao protests vehemently, this being a matter of principle she cannot compromise on.
“Empty words without proof. Besides, you only exchanged a few words with her—how can you judge she’s not a good person?”
“Anything but this, Young Master. Please choose another condition, anything at all.”
But Gu Shenzhi’s mind is made up, and her protests are futile.
Suddenly, he grabs Tao Yao’s delicate ankle, swiftly removing her red-and-white embroidered shoes and slowly peeling off her thin silk socks.
Her body trembles slightly, her graceful foot arch tensing, her porcelain-white toes curling tightly.
A charming blush spreads across her cheeks.
Overwhelmed by deep embarrassment, Tao Yao dares not resist yet feels shy to indulge in this intimate play between man and woman.
Gu Shenzhi gives her no time to catch her breath, his nimble fingers immediately teasing her soft, jade-like foot.
Soon, Tao Yao is drenched in sweat, panting softly.
This unprecedented sensation feels strange—her foot being her most sensitive part—but under Gu Shenzhi’s relentless teasing, she feels no resistance in her heart, even wishing the moment could last longer.
“How does it feel? Quite uncomfortable, isn’t it? Agree to my conditions, and I’ll let you off tonight.”
“Mmm, Young Master, please be gentler… this servant… can’t take it anymore,” Tao Yao mumbles, seemingly trying to suppress something.
Instead of stopping, Gu Shenzhi intensifies his efforts, leaving no part of her foot—from the arch to the ankle—untouched.
Unable to endure further, Tao Yao fears losing composure in front of her master and pleads, “This servant will agree to any condition, please have mercy and spare me.”
“You’ll apologize to the Red Lotus Saintess?”
“I’ll do as you say, Young Master. I’ll apologize to the Saintess tomorrow.”
Tao Yao feels dizzy, unable to think clearly.
Only then does Gu Shenzhi slowly release her, offering a “gentlemanly” apology, winning both the substance and the appearance.
In the silent night, the Phoenix Perch Courtyard isn’t the only place with flickering candlelight.
The green-tiled building at the courtyard’s center remains brightly lit even near midnight.
Su Linghuang lies forlornly by the attic window, gazing at the serene and beautiful night scenery outside, her slender fingers repeatedly tracing the redwood frame, the windowsill polished spotless.
The once-invincible Red Lotus Saintess is now lost in deep confusion and self-doubt.
Hundreds of victories pale compared to the searing pain of a single defeat.
The memory of that moment remains vivid, etched deeply in her mind, unforgettable for a lifetime.
A Spirit Manifestation cultivator defeated by one in the Core Formation stage—though partly due to underestimating her opponent, the result was undeniably a crushing defeat, a humiliation!
Neither the negligence of underestimation nor the shame of defeat is something Su Linghuang can accept.
Moreover, when Gu Shenzhi held his sword to her throat, his breathing steady and expression calm, he clearly hadn’t used his full strength, hiding who-knows-how-many trump cards.
Since joining the Moon Shadow Sect, Su Linghuang had never known defeat, winning every match with absolute dominance, her cultivation far surpassing her peers.
At her age, many hadn’t even reached Foundation Establishment.
Yet Gu Shenzhi defeated her effortlessly, as easily as she defeated other Moon Shadow Sect disciples.
But what left the deepest impression on the Red Lotus Saintess wasn’t the moment her [Evil Phoenix] was disarmed, but the whisper Gu Shenzhi spoke in her ear.
“Since the Saintess has won, as long as I fulfill three requests, how could I dare take any advantage? I only ask that the Saintess also grant me three requests.”
Those gentle words still echo in her ears.
So noble, so magnanimous—completely unlike the rumors about men she’d heard in the sect.
She begins to understand why they say emotions are the most intoxicating and deadly poison.
And his appearance… it’s far from ordinary.
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