The night shadows sway, the moonlight glows brilliantly.
Beautiful.
A gentle breeze drifts through the half-open window, slipping into the room, the faint candlelight flickering, 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, surely dreaming of someone or something delightful.
Tao Yao lets out a soft whimper, rolling over to reveal a smooth, fair, and rounded shoulder, her skin so delicate it seems it could drip water, pure and adorable, tempting one to profane such beauty.
Gu Shenzhi sits upright in a peachwood chair, facing the bed, thoughtfully sipping spiritual tea from a porcelain cup.
Unless necessary, compared to the intoxicating illusions of strong liquor, Gu Shenzhi prefers the clear-headed refreshment of tea, and recalling the day’s events lifts his spirits considerably.
In the duel with the Red Lotus Saintess, aside from expending too much spiritual energy, he revealed not a single trump card.
Sometimes, winning through cunning is far more advantageous than a direct victory.
Though his heavy pupils exerted their power in secret, they were not easily noticed; the supreme self-healing ability of his top-grade wood spiritual root, since he was uninjured, had no chance of being exposed; and the top secret techniques of the Spirit Sword Sect, which he had mastered to perfection, were blended into every move and strike, undetectable in just a few sword strokes.
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, while keeping plenty of cards in reserve for a future departure.
After about half an hour, Tao Yao rubbed her sleepy eyes, gradually waking from her slumber, raising her hands above her head, her fair and slender arms stretching, her soft waist extending.
“Awake?”
Upon opening her eyes, Tao Yao saw Gu Shenzhi’s stern expression, his brows furrowed with deep displeasure.
“Young Master, you seem to be in a bad mood?” Tao Yao murmured 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 Reflection Cliff. Openly defying the Red Lotus Saintess—how many heads do you think we have for her to chop off?”
With a bang, Gu Shenzhi heavily slammed the teacup on the table, continuing, “Acting on impulse, doing whatever you please—I’ve spoiled you too much over the years, indulging all your bad habits!”
Gu Shenzhi let out a sigh, clutching his chest with his right hand, feigning heartbreak and devastation, as if utterly disappointed in Tao Yao.
Seeing her young master so angry, how could Tao Yao dare remain lying on the bed?
She hurriedly ran to Gu Shenzhi, throwing herself into his arms without regard for propriety.
“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 keeping you company is fine too.”
For Tao Yao, being unable to stay by Gu Shenzhi’s side was no different from death.
Despite the girl’s sobs, Gu Shenzhi remained unmoved.
Of course, he couldn’t bear to send Tao Yao away, but she had gone too far this time and needed to reflect deeply.
Her innocent and carefree nature was charming, but in the Moon Shadow Sect, where others held the knife and they were the fish, failing to learn caution and restraint would mean a short life.
Gu Shenzhi didn’t expect Tao Yao to master reading people or adapting to situations—that would be too tragic.
He only hoped his maid could learn to hold her tongue and leave the rest to him, her master.
Seeing Tao Yao crying her eyes out, her eyes red and swollen, Gu Shenzhi finally raised his right hand, gently stroking her cheek.
Though an old trick, it was effective.
Tao Yao gradually stopped crying, her tender cheeks savoring the warmth from his palm.
“Will you dare to speak recklessly again?”
“Absolutely not! Please forgive this servant, Young Master!” Tao Yao slid onto his lap, her slender waist swaying slightly, enchanting and alluring.
“I can forgive you, but you must agree to two conditions.”
“Not just two, I’d agree to twenty thousand conditions for you, Young Master.”
“Good,” Gu Shenzhi said with a sly那么多, revealing a triumphant smile.
“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 me.”
Though reluctant, she knew it made sense and nodded in agreement.
“Second, apologize to Her Excellency the Red Lotus Saintess and reflect deeply on what you did wrong.”
“Why? It’s clearly that awful woman’s fault!” Tao Yao protested vehemently, standing firm on her principles.
“Empty words, no evidence. Besides, you only exchanged a few words with her—how can you judge her to be a bad person?”
“Anything but this, Young Master. Please, any other request!”
But Gu Shenzhi’s mind was made up, and her protests were futile.
Suddenly, he grabbed her delicate ankle, swiftly removing her red-and-white cloth shoes and slowly peeling off her thin silk socks.
The girl’s body trembled slightly, her graceful foot arch tensing, her porcelain-white toes curling tightly.
A charming blush spread across her cheeks, Tao Yao overwhelmed by deep shame, unable to resist yet too shy to fully indulge in such intimate affection.
Gu Shenzhi gave her no respite, his nimble fingers immediately teasing her soft, jade-like foot.
Soon, Tao Yao was drenched in sweat, panting softly, the unprecedented sensation strange yet thrilling.
Her feet were her most sensitive spot, yet under Gu Shenzhi’s bold advances, she felt no resistance, even wishing the moment would last longer.
“How does it feel? Quite unbearable, isn’t it? Agree to my conditions, and I’ll let you off tonight.”
“Mmm, Young Master, please be gentle… this servant… can’t take it…” Tao Yao mumbled, struggling to suppress her emotions.
Far from stopping, Gu Shenzhi intensified his efforts, not sparing an inch from her instep to her ankle.
Unable to endure any longer, fearing she’d lose composure in front of him, Tao Yao pleaded, “This servant will agree to anything, just please have mercy and spare me!”
“You’ll apologize to the Red Lotus Saintess?”
“This servant will obey you, Young Master. I’ll apologize to the Saintess tomorrow.”
Tao Yao felt dizzy, unable to think clearly.
Only then did Gu Shenzhi slowly relent, offering a “gentlemanly” apology, winning both the substance and the face.
In the silent night, the Phoenix Perch Courtyard was not lit by a single candle.
The tiled building at its center, even near midnight, still glowed brightly.
Su Linghuang lay dejectedly by the attic window, gazing at the serene, beautiful night outside, her slender fingers repeatedly tracing the redwood frame, the windowsill polished spotless.
The once-invincible Red Lotus Saintess was plunged into deep confusion and self-doubt.
Hundreds of victories paled against the sting of a single crushing defeat.
The scene was still vivid, etched deep in her mind, unforgettable for a lifetime.
A Spirit-stage cultivator defeated by a Core-formation cultivator—though carelessness played a part, the result was undeniably a humiliating loss!
Neither the oversight of underestimating her opponent nor the shame of defeat was something Su Linghuang could accept.
Moreover, when Gu Shenzhi held his sword to her throat, his breathing steady and his expression calm, he clearly hadn’t used his full strength, hiding who-knows-how-many more trump cards.
Since joining the Moon Shadow Sect, Su Linghuang had never known defeat, winning every duel with absolute dominance, her cultivation far surpassing her peers.
At her age, many hadn’t even reached Foundation Establishment.
Yet Gu Shenzhi had won effortlessly, defeating her as easily as she hadರ
System: defeated other disciples of the Moon Shadow Sect.
The outcome was a crushing defeat, a disgrace!
More importantly, when Gu Shenzhi held his sword to her throat, his breath was steady, his face 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 tasted defeat; every match she had fought, she won with absolute dominance, her cultivation far ahead of her peers, many of whom at her age hadn’t even reached Foundation Establishment.
Yet Gu Shenzhi defeated her with ease, just as she had defeated other disciples of the Moon Shadow Sect.
But what left the deepest impression on the Red Lotus Saintess was not the moment [Evil Phoenix] slipped from her hand, but the whispered words Gu Shenzhi spoke in her ear: “Since Your Excellency the Saintess has won, and I must agree to three things, it’s only fair that I ask the Saintess to grant me three things as well.”
Those gentle words still echoed in her ears.
So noble, so magnanimous—completely unlike the rumors about men she had heard in the sect.
She began to understand why they say emotions are the most fatal poison.
And his appearance was far from ordinary.