“So, you actually used that kind of method to let Chi Lian win the match?” Zhu Siyao’s beautiful eyes squinted as she crossed her arms over her chest, her tone bashful.
In the courtyard where it was like spring all year round, a gentle breeze carrying the fragrance of flowers and grass blew past.
The Spiritual Spring tinkled, and rare flowers and grasses competed in beauty.
Jiang Huai was sitting peacefully at a stone table in the center of the courtyard, holding a cup of clear tea.
Hearing this, he just nodded slowly and said frankly, “Mm, I suppose so.”
This warm environment made him feel comfortable, but doubt lingered in his heart.
He hadn’t seen White Dew’s figure for several days.
Yesterday, only a girl from the White Dragon Clan came to pass a message, saying that Clan Leader White Dew ordered:
Xiao Jianjia needed to rest for a while in the White Dragon Clan’s unique Cold Pool, using the essence of the Cold Pool to nourish her Dragon Body, solidify her Root Foundation, and temper her Meridians. During this period, she should not be disturbed, so Young Lord Jiang was requested not to visit for the time being.
And then, there was no more.
There was no explanation and no other instructions, as if it were just a routine matter.
This truly left Jiang Huai somewhat bewildered, and a murmur rose in his heart: This woman has been a bit too cold to him lately, as if she were intentionally avoiding him.
No, in a couple of days, he must find an opportunity to go see her, at least to get a clear answer.
“Hmph, if Chihuang knew the truth, she would probably be fuming,” Siming curled her lip and muttered in a low voice.
To the side, Chi Lian held the teapot with her slender hand, gently pouring freshly brewed tea into the empty cup in front of Jiang Huai.
The stream was slow, the tea fragrance overflowed, and her voice was gentle: “It’s all thanks to the help of Husband Lord, otherwise I would have truly found it difficult to surpass the Young Lady.” As she spoke, her eyelashes lowered, and her posture was submissive.
Mentioning this, Jiang Zhun put down his teacup and reached out to gently pinch Chi Lian’s ear, which was close at hand.
The ear was fair and soft, and it felt warm and smooth to the touch.
He frowned, his tone carrying a bit of reproach: “You still have the nerve to mention it? I originally thought your Lingli quality far surpassed Chihuang’s. Even if your Swordsmanship was unfamiliar, fighting to a draw shouldn’t have been difficult.”
“But look at your Swordsmanship on the field yesterday, that Gongfa operation—it was sluggish, clumsy, and full of flaws. Didn’t Sister Su teach you well?”
Since Qingqiu and Zhuxin ascended one after another, the guidance for Chi Lian and Zhaoxue’s Gongfa and Swordsmanship in Nine Heavens Palace had mostly fallen on Sister Su.
Siming had a complete set of Inheritance left by Zhuxin, so she didn’t need much worry.
Jiang Huai originally thought that with Sister Su’s knowledge and methods, teaching Chi Lian would be more than enough, but he didn’t expect Chi Lian’s progress to be so slow. Yesterday, she could only rely on brute Lingli to hold on.
If the opponent were replaced by him, even if he suppressed himself to the same Realm, Chi Lian would have zero chance of winning even with that “hidden energy” accompanying her.
When he pinched her ear, Chi Lian didn’t dodge. Instead, following that slight force, she leaned her delicate body more submissively toward Jiang Huai.
Her hands lightly rested on Jiang Huai’s thigh, and she looked up, her eyes glistening with moisture, low-browed and submissive: “It is this concubine’s dullness. My Swordsmanship practice was poor; Husband Lord is right to lecture me.”
“From now on, I will definitely be more diligent and follow Sister Su to practice Swordsmanship and Gongfa with my heart. I will never lose face for Husband Lord again.”
She was always like this, admitting her mistakes very easily.
Her posture of bowing her head and admitting guilt was handled just right.
That appearance of being pitiful and at his disposal made even Siming on the side feel a bit soft-hearted.
She couldn’t help but push Jiang Huai’s arm and scolded: “Alright, just saying a few words is enough. Why do you have to pinch her ear?”
Jiang Huai was momentarily speechless.
Siming didn’t know how terrifying Chi Lian was at night, slapping her own buttocks hard and insisting it was the Yuq Period acting up.
Chi Lian lifted her eyes slightly, quickly glancing at Siming, a flash of narrow mischief passing through her eyes, but it vanished in an instant. When she lowered her eyelids again, she returned to that pitiful, submissive, and soft state.
It was as if she had suffered a great grievance but was willing to take it.
She even slightly adjusted her posture, making her body curves look even more gentle and submissive as she leaned over, her voice becoming even softer: “It’s all right, younger sister Siming.”
“It’s because I’m not good enough. Husband Lord should punish me however he wants, it’s just…”
“Just what?” Seeing her like this, Jiang Huai’s tone couldn’t help but soften.
Chi Lian bit her lower lip, seemingly finding it difficult to speak.
She whispered: “It’s just that sometimes when Sister Su teaches the principles of the sword and the essentials of the Gongfa, I always feel a bit confused. Many key points are only half-understood.”
“Perhaps Sister Su’s style is somewhat different from my Dragon Race origin, and my aptitude is dull, so I understand things especially slowly.”
She finally told the truth.
Sister Su came from the Huanhuan Sect, and her style was quite different from the Red Dragon Clan.
Zhaoxue was already a Divine Transformation Cultivator and could understand things through analogy, so she naturally had no obstacles.
But for Chi Lian, whose Root Foundation was still shallow and who was used to the Red Dragon Clan’s Cultivation methods, it was indeed a bit difficult.
“In that case, why didn’t you say so earlier?” Jiang Huai let go of her hand and asked in confusion.
Chi Lian raised her hand to gently rub the slightly reddened tip of her ear, her voice even lower: “I didn’t want Husband Lord to think I was too useless, even needing to be picky about basic guidance.”
“I thought that as long as I put in more effort, I would eventually understand.”
“I see.” Jiang Huai rubbed his brow, feeling a bit of a headache.
If Qingqiu were here, it would be fine. She was a Dragon herself, making her the most suitable to guide Chi Lian.
If Zhaohua were here, she was a Sword Immortal of the Human Race and could also guide Chi Lian in Swordsmanship.
Even if it were Zhuxin, guiding Chi Lian in the fire-attribute dragon methods would be appropriate.
But now, these three were not by his side. The only high-end combat power Nine Heavens Palace could offer at the moment seemed to be Sister Su alone.
“Tasting tea and enjoying the scenery, how pleasant.”
A charming and mature voice suddenly came from the moon gate of the courtyard.
Chi Lian’s delicate body trembled, and she immediately straightened up from Jiang Huai’s side, hurriedly tidying her dress.
Chi Hong was standing elegantly under the porch, unsure of how long she had been there.
Today, she wasn’t wearing her formal robes but a beautifully cut crimson long dress. The fabric was soft and flowing, wrapping around her plump and graceful figure with its beautiful curves just right.
The hem of the skirt swayed slightly with her light steps, like flowing fire.
She wore a composed and kind smile on her face.
Between her flowing eyes, there was both the graceful bearing of someone in a high position and a unique charm of a mature woman that made one’s heart sway.
Her gaze fell with a smile on the three people in the courtyard.
“Clan Leader…” Chi Lian hastily bowed in greeting, her hands unconsciously gripping the sides of her skirt, her expression nervous.
She knew the Clan Leader’s affection for Chihuang and feared the other was here to stand up for Chihuang and find trouble with Jiang Huai.
Jiang Huai’s brow twitched. He stood up and shielded the slightly flustered Chi Lian behind him, cupping his hands and smiling: “Chilong Hall Master’s presence is a great honor. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner.”
“I wonder what instructions you have for coming here?”
Chi Hong walked into the courtyard.
Hearing this, she smiled and waved her slender hand.
A Red Jade Bracelet on her wrist shimmered with a warm luster as she moved: “Oh, why so formal, Young Lord Jiang?” Her eyes flickered over Jiang Huai’s face, her smile deepening.
Her gaze swept across the courtyard and finally landed back on Jiang Huai as she said naturally: “Are you free right now, Young Lord Jiang? I would like to invite you out for a walk. I have some things I want to discuss with you alone.”
Chi Lian’s heart instantly leaped into her throat.
Siming’s expression also became quite strange, her eyes looking at Chi Hong filled with unconcealed wariness and vigilance.
She wasn’t afraid of this Chilong Hall Master.
She immediately stepped forward and spoke directly, neither humble nor arrogant: “Chilong Hall Master, is there anything that cannot be said here? Why must you go out alone?”
She didn’t believe the other party just wanted to chat. Who knew what plans this charming and mature Clan Leader had in her heart?
Chi Hong wasn’t angry at Siming’s somewhat sharp attitude.
Her face still wore a composed smile as she turned her gaze toward her with a bit of appreciation: “This must be Rongxin’s daughter, Siming, right? As expected, she’s born beautiful. Her eyes and temperament are exactly like her mother’s when she was young.”
After a word of praise, she looked back at Jiang Huai, her tone becoming a bit more formal:
“White Dew mentioned that the Five Great Dragon Clans will follow the Yin-Yang Body in the future, just like the Ancient Covenant. That is, you, Young Lord Jiang. We will follow your orders and protect you all the way until you reach the Great Ascension.”
“This matter concerns the future of each clan. My Red Dragon Clan naturally has some specific matters to discuss with you.”
“Besides, there are also some private matters that are inconvenient for outsiders, which I wish to communicate with Young Lord Jiang.”
Hearing this, Chi Lian’s pretty face turned slightly pale.
She couldn’t help but take another step forward, blocking Jiang Huai, her tone urgent: “Chilong Hall Master! The matter of challenging the Saintess was entirely my fault and has nothing to do with Husband Lord!”
“If you have any dissatisfaction, just punish me. Please do not make things difficult for him!”
She was afraid Chi Hong would take out her anger because of the Chihuang incident or make some excessive demands of Jiang Huai.
Chi Hong was startled at first, then laughed out loud. Her smile was like spring flowers blooming, bright and radiant.
She walked with elegant steps to Chi Lian, stretched out a slender jade finger, and intimately pinched Chi Lian’s cheek, smiling: “Silly child, look at what kind of narrow-minded person you think I am?”
“To see you achieve what you have today, with your Cultivation progressing and becoming a Saintess of Nine Heavens Palace, I couldn’t be happier for you.”
“You now have a different identity; you should be more confident.”
Her gaze swept over Jiang Huai, her smile deepening: “As for your Husband Lord, how could I bear to make things difficult for him? He is the Hope of our Five Provinces.”
These words were sincere and calmed Chi Lian’s anxious heart.
“The Chilong Hall Master is so kind.”
Chi Hong smiled and patted her head, her posture intimate and natural, then she turned to Jiang Huai, her eyes shimmering: “So, Young Lord Jiang, shall we go now? Let’s find a place of Tranquility to talk properly.”
Deep within the Secret Realm of the White Dragon Clan, inside the Clan Leader’s living quarters.
It still maintained the unique coldness and purity of the ice plains.
White Dew was sitting cross-legged on a huge cold jade bed in the middle of the room.
She was only wearing a thin, pure white silk nightgown with the belt loosely tied. Her exquisite and graceful figure, slender like a young girl’s, was faintly visible under the thin fabric.
A pair of fair and delicate bare feet were exposed, ankles slender, arches beautiful, with toenails of a healthy light pink, cross-legged casually on the cold jade bed.
She wasn’t alone; she was holding the already sleeping Xiao Jianjia in her arms.
The baby girl was wrapped in swaddling clothes, revealing only a small, perfectly carved face, breathing evenly.
White Dew looked down at her daughter’s quiet sleeping face, the ice and snow in her ice-blue eyes melting, leaving only tenderness.
One of her hands extremely gently and rhythmically patted the swaddle.
Her mind didn’t seem to be entirely on her daughter.
After a moment, she looked up, a trace of confusion and irritation flashing across her cold face.
“I’ve been so cold to him. He must be angry, right?”
She paused, as if imagining Jiang Huai’s annoyed look.
On that originally cold-as-snow face, a blush slowly and uncontrollably surged up, spreading all the way to her ears and neck, adding an infinite charm to her.
White Dew bit her lower lip and continued to whisper, her voice carrying anticipation and shyness: “If he’s angry, he should have taken the initiative to come find me. Then, I would be…”
Before she could finish, she seemed startled by the thought flashing through her mind and shook her head vigorously to dispel the imagination that made her face hot and her heart flustered.
“How did I become like this?” she sighed softly.
There wasn’t much regret, but rather a helpless acceptance of fate.
“It’s all the fault of the Dragon Race’s Yuq Period.”
‘White Dew is White Dew, the Dragon Race is the Dragon Race,’ White Dew comforted herself in her heart.