Chapter 181: Heartfelt Words in the Shade

Three-Lives Heart-Severing Grass—just as its name suggests, the herb grows beside the Three-Lives Stone and therefore requires a special medicinal catalyst.

Yellow Springs Water.

Or something of similar nature.

But he didn’t have such a treasure at hand right now, though he did have a suitable substitute.

Casually picking up the Red Gourd, he opened the lid and poured out a few drops of vivid red liquid.

This was the crystallization formed after the Red Gourd absorbed massive amounts of baleful energy and vengeful spirits.

While this crystal was different from Yellow Springs Water, it possessed similar properties.

It would be sufficient as a catalyst.

Next were several supporting herbs, which he tossed into the cauldron in order.

These auxiliary herbs served to remove the baleful energy from the crystallized bloodwater, leaving only the aura of vengeful spirits, which then could be used as the medicinal guide.

As the baleful energy gradually dissipated, Xu Ping’an finally took out the Three-Lives Heart-Severing Grass.

He had cultivated many such herbs in his medicine garden; all kinds of rare, even unheard-of herbs could be found there.

He retrieved the Three-Lives Heart-Severing Grass from his Qian Kun Bag and tossed it into the cauldron, adding in more auxiliary ingredients.

The whole process took only a few minutes.

Then, he covered the cauldron.

“Mm~ that’s about right. Now it just needs to simmer dry.”

He patted the lid and turned to leave the room.

At this moment, the girls had already filled the table in the living room with their freshly made dishes.

Li Yuer and Li Zhi’er were carrying over the last two plates, setting them down on the table.

“Husband, it’s morning. Time for breakfast.” “Mm, thank you both for your hard work.”

Seeing the light sheen of sweat on the girls’ brows, Xu Ping’an felt a mix of heartache and warmth.

Girls who had never set foot in a kitchen were now willing to bear this toil for his sake.

This alone was enough to make anyone feel grateful.

The three girls exchanged glances and shared a happy smile.

After Xu Ping’an sat down, the three girls took their seats as well.

Only after Xu Ping’an picked up his chopsticks for the first bite did the others begin to eat.

The warm, familial atmosphere spread across the dining table, and the girls’ faces were lit with happiness.

At this moment, a sudden thought arose in Xu Ping’an’s heart.

He… wanted to protect them.

Only by doing so could this peaceful life continue.

In this instant, a sense of responsibility surged within him.

Perhaps… this was what it meant to grow as a man?

“Husband, are you going out today?”

After finishing the meal, as usual, Xiao Jing’er began to clear away the dishes.

Xu Ping’an wanted to help, but was stopped by Li Yuer and Li Zhi’er.

All he could do was helplessly watch as Xiao Jing’er carried the bowls and chopsticks into the kitchen.

“I won’t be going out today. However, Qingxuan will be coming by soon. You should all be careful not to reveal our relationship in front of outsiders.”

Xu Ping’an looked at the three girls and smiled as he spoke.

“Since it’s Qingxuan-jiejie visiting, of course we wouldn’t let anything slip. Husband, don’t worry.” “Mm.”

As they spoke, he found himself gently pushed out of the room and into a lounge chair.

Then Li Yuer and Li Zhi’er hurried off to the kitchen once more.

Lying on the chair, Xu Ping’an looked at the freshly brewed tea placed nearby, dazed for a while, before letting out a wry chuckle.

Ha, “If this keeps up, I really might become completely spoiled.”

Yet his body honestly stayed put, lying back and enjoying the gentle breeze brushing his face as he slowly closed his eyes.

Before he knew it, the sun was high in the sky.

Under the vast shade of a tree, the breeze brushed past his ears, bringing with it a faint, familiar fragrance.

Unable to resist, he opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Pei Qingxuan’s sharp phoenix eyes.

“You’re here.” “Mm.”

Pei Qingxuan nodded slightly, yet glanced cautiously toward the gate of the courtyard.

“Don’t worry, I’ve set up an array around the yard. Outsiders can’t get in.” “Really?”

“Of course.”

Lady threw herself into his arms, pressing her whole body onto him.

Xu Ping’an instinctively reached out to hold Pei Qingxuan’s waist, afraid she might tumble off the lounge chair.

“It’s only been a few hours. Is this really necessary?”

Xu Ping’an smiled bitterly, but the Lady in his arms said nothing—she just kept nuzzling against him, acting just like a little puppy.

“Your clothes are all messed up.” “Mm!”

Lady still said nothing, simply pressed tightly against Xu Ping’an, taking a deep breath as if trying to engrave his scent deep into her memory.

“What is it? Clinging to me so much all of a sudden—do you have something to say?”

Although his Lady was always affectionate, this was unusually clingy.

He guessed something was up.

“Mm~ Husband, I might… need to be away for a while.”

“Where to?”

“To take care of some trouble.”

Taking care of trouble… Don’t tell me she’s planning to destroy those Demonic Sect people?

“You’re going to deal with the Demonic Sect?”

The girl in his arms didn’t reply, just trembled slightly, which was answer enough.

“For my sake?”

Xu Ping’an lowered his gaze to Pei Qingxuan in his arms, asking earnestly.

“Mm… but not just that. The Demonic Sect has been appearing more and more lately. As the Flowing Cloud Sect Master, I have a duty to step in and stop them…”

Most likely, the first reason was her true motivation; the second, just an extra task.

Xu Ping’an was silent for a moment, then gently rested his chin atop Pei Qingxuan’s head, feeling her smooth hair slide against his chin, and spoke softly:

“There’s no need for that. Once you’ve chosen the next Sect Master, we’ll leave this place. Besides, no matter how powerful you are, you can’t wipe out the Demonic Sect completely. Don’t go, all right?”

Pei Qingxuan’s body trembled faintly, then, after a pause, nodded.

“All right. I’ll pick an heir soon.”

“Good. Oh, right—Xiao Yunyuan might be a suitable candidate.”

“Yunyuan? Does that child really have the strength to bear this responsibility?” Pei Qingxuan raised her head in confusion, only to see a mysterious smile tug at Xu Ping’an’s lips.

“As they say, after three days apart, you must see a person with new eyes. In a few days, perhaps he’ll have a fortuitous encounter—who knows?”

Pei Qingxuan blinked her large eyes.

She didn’t really understand the meaning behind Xu Ping’an’s words, but she clearly realized he had something planned.

Out of absolute trust, Pei Qingxuan did not press further. She simply nodded.

“Mm. Since Husband says so, then he probably is capable. Once I’ve passed on the title of Sect Master, we’ll go home?”

“Yes, we’ll go home.”

“Mm~”

Pei Qingxuan nestled softly against his chest, as if savoring this moment’s peace and security.

“Husband… did you know?”

“Mm?”

“Before I met you, I lived like a puppet.”

This was the first time Pei Qingxuan had spoken to him about her past.

As her man, Xu Ping’an naturally had the responsibility to listen.

“In those days, all I knew was cultivation and slaughter. As for the bond between men and women, I only scoffed at it. I never thought there’d come a day when I’d be nestled in someone’s arms like this.”

Hearing this, Xu Ping’an subconsciously tightened his embrace.

Feeling his strength, Pei Qingxuan slowly raised her head. In her wide phoenix eyes shimmered a gentleness unique to women.

“Husband, are you afraid I’ll run away?”

“…Mm.”