Li Zhexian closed the courtyard gate.
As soon as he turned around, he saw Dugu Yan with her back to him, leaning over the stone table to pour some hangover tea.
That arched waistline—
stretched her tight-fitting green battle outfit to its limit.
Her hips curved round like a full moon.
Li Zhexian froze for a moment,
Then quietly shifted his gaze away.
"Sister Dugu, didn't you say you were sleepy a moment ago?"
"Why are you back again?"
Holding the hangover tea, Dugu Yan walked gracefully closer. "I thought of having to part with you, brother Zhexian, for over a month, so I wanted to spend more time with you. Is there a problem?"
Li Zhexian smiled as he took the teacup and took a small sip. In the soft lamplight, the side of the young man's face was handsome.
Dugu Yan gazed at him and asked softly, "Brother Zhexian, are you returning to Heaven Dou City?"
"Yes," Li Zhexian nodded. "I plan to travel around the surrounding mountains and streams first, then head back to Heaven Dou."
"I knew it..." Dugu Yan pouted. Perhaps she had held it in for too long, or perhaps she was emboldened by the alcohol, but she asked with a hint of jealousy, "Brother Zhexian, why are you so close with Crown Prince Xue Qinghe?"
"Don't try to fool me with brotherhood again!"
Li Zhexian lowered his head to sip his tea and didn't say a word.
"Hmph!"
Dugu Yan let out a soft snort.
She suddenly twisted her body and spun her leg.
Her pant leg clung tightly to her skin, revealing the slender, straight lines of her leg.
The air cracked sharply as her kick swept toward Li Zhexian.
Yet Li Zhexian kept his calm posture, still sipping tea.
His right hand holding the cup did not move.
But his left hand lifted—
catching Duguyan's ankle in midair.
His every move could now be a sword.
Spirit Power spread from his palm,
Carrying a razor-edged sharpness.
With a soft tearing sound, Dugu Yan's pant leg was shredded into a sky full of rags by the sword qi.
They fluttered down like snowflakes,
Scattering across the ground.
Li Zhexian was startled. He tried to pull back his power, but it was too late.
On her beautiful, crystal clear and jade-like leg, a shallow bloody mark was startlingly visible under the dim lamplight.
"Mm…"
Dugu Yan let out a muffled groan.
Li Zhexian quickly let go. "Sister Dugu, I'm sorry, I..." His words cut short. This was because he was shocked to find that the expression on Dugu Yan's charming face was not one of pain, but of enjoyment.
Li Zhexian: "…"
A watery mist covered Dugu Yan's beautiful eyes.
The moment the sword qi touched her skin, it made her involuntarily recall the time Li Zhexian had gripped her neck and forced her to spray her venom. A sudden flutter made her beautiful body tremble slightly.
"Brother Zhexian…"
"We haven't sparred in so long!"
"Take this!"
Dugu Yan cried out softly. That dazzlingly white, beautiful leg struck out at Li Zhexian again like a nimble snake leaving its hole.
Just then—
Tok, tok—
Tok, tok—
A knocking sound came from outside the courtyard. Dugu Yan's body suddenly froze, and a hint of panic flashed across her pretty face as she looked nervously at Li Zhexian.
Li Zhexian's heart also tightened, but he quickly came to his senses. I haven't done anything wrong! What's there to be flustered about?
Li Zhexian calmed himself and asked, "Who is it?""
"It's me, Ye Lingling.
Li Zhexian, could you open the door?"
Hearing the familiar voice outside the door, Dugu Yan's beautiful eyes widened.
She quickly looked around and saw the wine cabinet that the Blue Lightning clan had prepared for Li Zhexian in the courtyard..
"Don't tell her I'm here!" she quickly whispered. She swiftly slipped into the wine cabinet.
Li Zhexian glanced at the scattered rags on the ground.
With a slight thought, sword qi silently swirled on the ground, instantly grinding the fabric into powder that was hard to see with the naked eye.
Only then did he calmly walk toward the courtyard gate.
Creaaak—
The courtyard door swung open.
Ye Lingling, seeing the opening, didn't even wait for Li Zhexian to speak.
Like a startled deer, she slipped quickly inside.
Li Zhexian: "…"
This scene felt so familiar.
"Lingling, weren't you going back to rest?"
"Why are you back again?"
"I... I couldn't sleep." Ye Lingling's voice was as thin as a mosquito's.
Her long, sapphire-blue hair fell down, covering her blushing cheeks. T
his girl, who seemed as cold as frost to others, would only reveal her inner fragility in front of Li Zhexian.
It wasn't that she couldn't sleep—
She simply couldn't bear the thought of parting,
And wanted a little more time with him.
But her courage was not as bold as Dugu Yan's.
Such words, she could not bring herself to say.
Seeing Li Zhexian settle back into his reclining chair,
Ye Lingling glanced around, poured him some hangover tea,
Her voice timid:
"Li Zhexian… you mustn't tell Yan yan that I came to find you. I don't want her to know."
Li Zhexian was full from drinking tea. He nodded and said seriously, "Hmm, I won't say anything."
Inside the wine cabinet—
Dugu Yan bit down on her lip.
"Hmph, Ye Lingling, playing tricks behind a sister's back!"
But as soon as she thought this—
She realized… wasn't she doing the exact same thing?
Whether from the chilling aura of Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphor Serpent Martial Soul,
Or the natural sensitivity of Ye Lingling's Nine-Heart Begonia,
Ye Lingling suddenly felt a shiver run through her.
Goosebumps prickled across her pale skin.
"Li Zhexian… I… I feel a little cold…"
She whispered, cheeks flushed from lingering wine.
She edged closer to his side.
Mustering all her courage—
And even tilted her head slightly,
As if testing to rest it against his shoulder.
But just at that delicate moment—
"Master! Please accept me as your disciple!"
A drunken yell burst out from outside the courtyard.
Ye Lingling's body jolted, her face turning pale.r.
"Li… Li Zhexian…"
Li Zhexian's brow furrowed.
Now what is Yu Tianxin up to??
Bang, bang, bang—!
Yu Tianxin hammered at the gate, voice slurred with drunkenness.
Master… hic…"
"The banquet's over… you all left… why didn't you call me…"
"I… I was still under the table…"
The frantic pounding made Ye Lingling pale further,
Nearly bursting into tears.
"Li… Li Zhexian… I… I…"
Her eyes darted around wildly,
Until they landed on the only hiding place in the courtyard—
The wine cabinet.
Li Zhexian's eyebrow twitched violently.
"Hey—!"
But before he could finish,
Ye Lingling had already darted inside.
Li Zhexian rubbed his temples, exasperated.
Bang—!
The gate burst open.
Yu Tianxin stumbled in, losing his footing, collapsing at Li Zhexian's feet.
"Master… please… accept me as your disciple…"
Looking down at the boy clutching his thigh—
Li Zhexian could only sigh helplessly at the heavens.
"Were you all in this together…?"
Inside the wine cabinet—
The air grew terribly awkward.
Two pairs of bright eyes met,
Neither speaking.
"Hmph!"
Dugu Yan mimicked Ye Lingling's timid tone from moments ago,
Curling her fingers in mock delicacy:
"Li Zhexian, you mustn't tell Yan Yan I came to find you~~
I don't want her to know~~"
Ye Lingling's cheeks burned red. She lowered her head, whispering:
"I'm sorry, Yany Yn… I…"
But halfway through,
Her sapphire eyes blinked,
And suddenly she realized.
Wait a minute!
Something's not right here!
Her head shot up, eyes sharp as they locked on Dugu Yan.
"Yanyan, explain yourself—why are you here?!"