If Xu Sheng could hear Zhu Yuexi’s inner thoughts, he would definitely curse her for being narrow-minded.
What ‘it’s over,’ what nonsense…
Your dream should be over now.
It must be understood that everything Xu Sheng was doing now was for the sake of allowing these two pitiful people to wake up from their vegetative states in reality.
It was just that during this process of waking them up, he had added a little, just a little bit of his own agenda.
Having figured this out, Xu Sheng no longer planned to go easy on Zhu Yuexi.
This woman’s personality, even with Mo Ruxue’s restraint in this world of cultivation, was still arrogant, domineering, and prone to evil deeds in places where she couldn’t be seen.
If she were allowed to return to the modern world, relying on her status as a young lady, who knows how many ordinary people she would harm again…
Having her receive more punishment in this cultivation world was a good thing.
…
Li Qingqing led the way once more.
This time, Xu Sheng had prepared a secret chamber for Zhu Yuexi, specifically for her ‘treatment.’
The first session’s arrangement, with Mo Ruxue listening from behind the screen, was to make Mo Ruxue let her guard down and incidentally add a bit of a stimulating atmosphere.
But after all, even Xu Sheng couldn’t guarantee that Mo Ruxue would curb her curiosity every time, nor that Zhu Yuexi could control her volume every time.
The subsequent ‘treatments’ would only become more intense.
So, after reassuring Mo Ruxue, Xu Sheng indeed needed to take Zhu Yuexi to a more secure environment.
Arriving at the secret chamber’s entrance, Mo Ruxue was still somewhat worried.
This was only natural. After all, Zhu Yuexi was of utmost importance to Mo Ruxue. The latter had even been willing to sacrifice her own most important chastity for a chance for Zhu Yuexi to live.
Xu Sheng understood the expectation in Mo Ruxue’s eyes and spoke in a comforting tone:
“Rest assured. Even if only for the sake of our cooperation, I absolutely would not do anything out of line. Moreover, Immortal Maiden Mo’s sincerity has exceeded my expectations.”
As he spoke, Xu Sheng’s gaze intentionally or unintentionally drifted towards the red mark on her neck.
Mo Ruxue, understanding Xu Sheng’s implication, flushed red and could only turn her head away.
What did he mean by that… that their cooperation was more important to him than desires and the like?
But wasn’t desire the very reason he started cooperating with her in the first place?
Or was there another reason?
And what did he mean by her being more sincere than he imagined?
Was he talking about this red mark?
Mo Ruxue’s heart held an expectation for the so-called ‘reward,’ but the important matter of the day was only Zhu Yuexi’s treatment. As for her cooperation with Xu Sheng… that would have to wait until night.
Deep down, Mo Ruxue even began to wish time would pass a little faster.
Zhu Yuexi always felt the atmosphere was a bit off at this moment. She wanted to urge Xu Sheng, but knowing she was about to face unavoidable torment, the words wouldn’t come out.
However, before her urging could be voiced, Mo Ruxue spoke first:
“Hurry and take her in for treatment… today’s session, finish it as soon as possible.”
Zhu Yuexi’s eyes widened. Master, even though I have to jump into this fire pit one way or another, how could you push me in?
“Immortal Maiden Mo is so eager to end today’s treatment…”
Hearing the first part of Xu Sheng’s sentence, Mo Ruxue’s breath almost stopped. She could still hear the hint in Xu Sheng’s words.
“…That truly shows how protective you are of your disciple.”
Saying this, Xu Sheng reached out as if to pat Zhu Yuexi’s shoulder, but his hand hovered in mid-air, seeming to remember something and stopping.
He glanced at Mo Ruxue, withdrew his hand, then turned to look at Zhu Yuexi.
“Since that’s the case, let’s go in first.”
…
Outside the secret chamber.
Mo Ruxue prepared to wait quietly by the door when Li Qingqing, standing to the side, suddenly spoke:
“Lord Xu’s treatment this time will likely take around two hours. Immortal Maiden Mo should wait in the meditation chamber next door.”
Mo Ruxue looked at Li Qingqing. The red mark on Li Qingqing’s neck was still prominent, identical to the one on her own.
Earlier, Mo Ruxue had felt a slight gratitude in her heart for Li Qingqing’s ‘intervention.’
However, Mo Ruxue also understood that since Li Qingqing was Xu Sheng’s servant, everything she did was probably ordered by Xu Sheng.
So the so-called intervention was also Xu Sheng’s intention.
Now, looking again at the red mark on Li Qingqing’s neck, Mo Ruxue suddenly recalled the scene from yesterday when Xu Sheng leaned close and kissed her neck.
Which then led her to imagine… the scene of Xu Sheng kissing Li Qingqing’s neck.
A stifling, sour ache in her chest, unlike anything she had ever felt before.
Mo Ruxue had always been a person who could keep her composure, but facing this unprecedented feeling, she actually lost her bearings. She subconsciously asked Li Qingqing:
“That red mark on your neck…”
Li Qingqing was originally a rather talented disciple of the Linxian Sect, later discovered to be a spy sent by the Demon Cult.
Under normal circumstances, as the Sect Master of the Linxian Sect, Mo Ruxue should have purged the traitor.
But at this moment, Li Qingqing showed not a trace of fear in facing Mo Ruxue. On this topic, it could even be said Li Qingqing’s aura held the upper hand.
“This red mark… was bestowed by Valley Lord Xu.”
With only the two of them present, Li Qingqing naturally referred to Xu Sheng as Valley Lord.
Although she had already guessed and had the answer in her heart, hearing these words, the sour ache that already existed in Mo Ruxue’s heart intensified, leaving an indescribable taste in her own mouth.
A flash of triumph, extremely difficult to detect, passed through Li Qingqing’s eyes, unnoticed even by Mo Ruxue.
“Please follow me to the meditation chamber, Immortal Maiden Mo.”
…
Last night.
“Li Qingqing, come here.”
Xu Sheng returned to his room. A sliver of dawn light was already showing in the sky.
Li Qingqing, as Xu Sheng’s maidservant, naturally waited quietly in Xu Sheng’s room.
Xu Sheng sat on the bed. In the dimly lit room, though his features weren’t perfectly clear, his handsome profile was still discernible.
Seeing Xu Sheng sitting on the bed beckoning to her… Li Qingqing’s heart pounded fiercely.
But her facial expression showed no change. She was less like a maidservant and more like a death guard stationed by Xu Sheng’s side.
She slowly approached Xu Sheng until only a step remained between them.
“Come closer.”
Li Qingqing’s heartbeat accelerated.
Xu Sheng reached out. His cool fingertips touched Li Qingqing’s neck. Li Qingqing even felt her legs go a bit weak, but she still bent down following Xu Sheng’s motion.
Even though she could smell a fragrance not belonging to Xu Sheng, one she despised, it couldn’t mask her excitement.
What was Xu Sheng going to do?
Was he going to…
She had waited for this day for too long.
Xu Sheng slightly tilted his head up, as if wanting to kiss her neck. Li Qingqing could even imagine the scene of Xu Sheng kissing her.
Choking her neck… leaving his mark on her.
Please…
I beg you…
But Xu Sheng’s movement stopped again. His expression seemed hesitant. Finally, he rubbed his nose.
“I’ll use a technique to leave a mark on your neck. Tomorrow, do as I say.”
…