Chapter 6: If I Can’t Have You, Then…

Just thinking that before long, Li Huaixian would belong to her made her both nervous and excited!

It seemed like the two of them had planned this for a while already.

After a brief exchange, neither of them responded to Li Muxian again.

***

The next day.

Having just broken through to the peak of the Dao Palace stage, Li Huaixian spent the entire night stabilizing and familiarizing himself with the surging power within him.

At dawn, the soft gray morning light had just started to shine through the window.

Despite staying up all night, Li Huaixian didn’t look the least bit tired.

On the contrary, he looked even more ethereal and refined—like a celestial immortal descending to the mortal world.

After a quick wash, he changed into a light moon-white robe.

Tall and handsome, he stood like a jade statue.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

“Who is it?”

“Huaixian, it’s your cousin. I couldn’t stop worrying after yesterday, so I came early this morning to check on you.”

Standing outside the door was Li Muxian, holding a small tray of vibrant green pastries.

With her free hand, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

Then she put on an overly demure and bashful expression.

When Li Huaixian heard it was Li Muxian—the difficult one—his brows lifted slightly.

Li Muxian never did anything without personal gain.

The fact that she came this early meant…

‘A storm is brewing.’

“I’m coming.”

After a brief moment of thought, he still chose to answer and opened the door.

“Huaixian, look! I brought you some pastries. Let’s eat together.”

Li Muxian was overjoyed when he opened the door.

Her eyes practically glued themselves to his face and body, studying every inch.

Li Huaixian was immediately speechless.

‘The way she’s looking at me… it doesn’t seem like she wants to eat the pastries—she wants to eat me.’

“Alright.”

Although he thought that to himself, he still stepped aside.

He wanted to see what she was really after, coming so early.

Li Muxian walked in like she owned the place and sat down at the sandalwood table.

When she saw that Li Huaixian was just staring at her without any intention of pouring tea, she picked up the teapot and poured two cups herself.

She placed a piece of pastry in front of him.

“Huaixian, try this.”

“Yesterday was really frightening for your cousin. You left so quickly, I didn’t even get the chance to express my concern.”

“Are you alright? You didn’t get hurt yesterday, did you?”

Li Huaixian’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“Cousin, I’m a man. Since I didn’t lose an arm or a leg, it’s safe to say I didn’t suffer any real losses.”

“Right, right.”

Li Muxian laughed awkwardly.

‘This cousin of mine may be ridiculously good-looking, but he really doesn’t talk much. Once I have him, I’ll definitely need to train that out of him…’

She made a mental note and then steeled herself to continue with her real purpose for coming.

“Huaixian, to be honest, I didn’t just come to bring you pastries. I’m truly concerned about your safety.”

“You were lucky this time. But if you encounter a similar situation again, you might not be so fortunate.”

“You really should consider having someone around to protect you. If you don’t already, how about I arrange for a few people to guard you in secret?”

“Cousin.”

“These matters are my own to handle. You don’t need to worry yourself over them. Everything in this world has its own rhythm and order. To act within bounds and know your place is the foundation of doing things properly.”

“Do you understand, Cousin?”

Li Huaixian’s gaze was crystal clear, like that of a boy untouched by the world—yet hidden within that clarity was a wisdom far too deep to read.

Li Muxian was momentarily stunned by his words.

She mulled over what he said, but didn’t dwell on it too much.

She simply assumed he thought she was being overly nagging and long-winded.

Though her visit was originally meant to investigate whether there were hidden guards around Li Huaixian, that goal had ultimately failed.

But now that he had spoken so firmly, she couldn’t continue pressing him without arousing suspicion.

Besides, when she considered the strength of her side—with not only the Qianji Pavilion’s forces but also external reinforcements—she was confident they were more than enough to deal with Li Huaixian.

Her visit had only been a precaution.

Since it yielded no result, there was no need to force anything.

“Why, Huaixian, you’re still so young, and yet you’re already lecturing your cousin?” she teased. “Since you don’t want me asking questions, then I won’t. Here, eat more—you’re still looking a little too thin.”

Having made up her mind, Li Muxian cheerfully pushed a pastry from the plate into Li Huaixian’s hand, and then added another piece to his plate.

Though he remained distant, just being able to share breakfast with him made her heart leap with joy.

It only strengthened her resolve to win him over.

***

After finishing the pastries, Li Muxian didn’t linger as she usually did.

She had other arrangements to take care of, so she quickly gathered her things to leave.

Just as she reached the door, the usually quiet Li Huaixian suddenly called out.

“Cousin, did you understand what I said earlier?”

Li Muxian paused, caught off guard.

“Oh, I understood.”

She replied offhandedly, then turned and walked out.

As she rounded the corner, she looked down at the dessert plate in her hands and muttered with growing determination,

“I understood… If I don’t make Li Huaixian mine in this lifetime, I’ll never be at peace!”

With that, she strode away.

***

Night fell.

Li Huaixian was still familiarizing himself with the circulation of Nirvana Cycle: First Rotation.

Suddenly, his ears twitched.

A soft, rustling noise outside the door caught his attention.

He withdrew from his cultivation state, a faint smirk playing on his refined features.

Moments later, a mist began to seep into the room.

He calmly lay back on the bed, pretending to be asleep.

He was curious to see what the intruders were after.

Soon, the door opened quietly.

A petite figure in black slipped inside.

When one of her subordinates tried to lift Li Huaixian, she rushed forward and shoved him aside.

“Get lost! I’ll do it myself!”

With that, she reached out and picked Li Huaixian up herself.

The group traveled for a while before arriving at a secluded estate.

Inside, hundreds of people were already waiting.

The moment the leader saw Li Muxian carrying someone in her arms, his eyes gleamed sharply.

“Success!”

“Miss Muxian, you truly are impressive! You’ve handled this matter flawlessly!”

“Hmph, I know Huaixian’s schedule better than anyone. Striking while he was asleep made things much easier.”

“Still, I didn’t expect that there wouldn’t be a single hidden guard around him.”

Her heart was filled with doubt.

‘Was that guard I saw last time just a coincidence?’

After she finished speaking, the leader burst into loud laughter.

“If only we’d known Li Huaixian was this vulnerable, we wouldn’t have needed to mobilize all of Qianji Pavilion’s forces, or bring in help from outside. We could’ve just snatched him right away!”

“But now that he’s in our hands, the rest of Qianji Pavilion’s remnants can be easily dealt with.”

“As for Li Huaixian—there’s already been an order from above. He’s yours now, Miss Muxian!”

Li Muxian let out a cold snort and didn’t bother replying.

She had no interest in cooperating with them.

Everything she had done was for Li Huaixian alone.

Now that he was finally within her grasp, the lives of others no longer mattered to her.

She gently placed Li Huaixian on the bed.

The feelings she had suppressed for so many years burst forth like a flood.

Ignoring the fact that they were surrounded by people, she tenderly brushed aside a lock of his hair and brought it close to her nose, inhaling softly.

“Huaixian… you’re finally mine.”