After Being Certified by the Immortal Lord on the Path of Ruthlessness - Chapter 44

Jiang Mianhao remained unaware of the shifting emotions in the person before her, feeling only concern for her well-being.

 

“A one-day delay won’t matter,” Ling Lan said calmly, averting her gaze as she clenched her fist at her side.

 

They stood in the corridor, the railing muffling the clamor from below. Occasionally, a guest or two would pass by, led by an attendant to their rooms.

 

Listening to their repeated reassurances, Ye Qingge found the noise grating.

 

Her spiritual power had been steadily declining. All because her trial of love remained unresolved.

 

Now, both the serpent and the soaring bird had grown elusive, showing signs of fleeing to Mount Hua.

 

The sword techniques of Mount Hua were unparalleled in the mortal realm, second only to those of the immortal world.

 

But why would the soaring bird clan go to Mount Hua?

 

“Lu Jiu?” Jiang Mianhao waited quietly for a moment before softly reminding her, “If you’re truly unwell, don’t push yourself. We’re not in a hurry for just one day.”

Ye Qingge snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head. “It’s fine, let’s go.”

 

With that, she pushed away the arm around her waist and headed straight downstairs.

 

“Hey!” Jiang Mianhao called out, her heart leaping as she turned to say, “Lanlan, go call Xiu Xiu. I’ll follow Lu Jiu.”

 

Ling Lan nodded and turned toward Mi Xiu’s room.

 

Jiang Mianhao chased after Ye Qingge all the way downstairs, quickening her pace until she managed to grasp the hand of the person ahead.

 

“Don’t walk so fast,” Jiang Mianhao panted softly, swinging their joined hands. “Wait for me.”

 

Forced to stop, Ye Qingge lowered her gaze to the hand holding hers and tried to pull away, though it was futile.

 

Jiang Mianhao held on tightly, showing no intention of letting go. A faint trickle of spiritual energy flowed from her palm into Ye Qingge’s.

 

Sensing the surge of energy, Ye Qingge froze in surprise.

 

This little blade of grass whose cultivation was so low she couldn’t even defeat a mortal was transferring spiritual energy to her.

That tiny bit of energy was like a raindrop falling into the ocean. Unable to stir even a ripple.

 

Yet Jiang Mianhao showed no sign of stopping. She continued until her own strength began to wane before finally releasing her grip.

 

“Do you feel better now?” Jiang Mianhao asked, still holding Lu Jiu’s hand, her concern plain in her eyes.

 

Ye Qingge nodded. Though it made no real difference, she replied softly, “A little better.”

 

Ling Lan, having finished checking the room, hurried over and shook her head at the two waiting below.

 

“Mi Xiu isn’t in her room,” Ling Lan said. “She must have already left.”

 

Jiang Mianhao gasped softly. “It’s dangerous here. What if something happens to Xiu Xiu alone?”

 

“It won’t,” Ling Lan reassured her. “Mi Xiu’s martial arts are formidable. Don’t forget, she’s cultivated for three thousand years.”

 

Just as Jiang Mianhao was about to say more, the hand she held slipped free.

 

“If we don’t leave now, we won’t reach the foot of Mount Hua before sunset,” Ye Qingge declared, flicking her sleeve as she strode forward.

 

In the next moment, two spheres of spiritual energy enveloped the pair who still stood together.

 

Mount Hua was not as lush as Mount Taibai, but it was a hundred times more bustling.

 

Though situated on a plain, Mount Hua was renowned for its sword cultivation, attracting countless aspiring cultivators.

 

The spheres of spiritual energy floated through the air for half a day, lulling their occupants nearly to sleep before finally coming to a stop.

 

Ye Qingge glanced downward. They had already passed the bustling market district and now hovered at the foot of Mount Hua.

 

Numerous figures could be seen attempting the ascent.

 

Mount Hua was tall and steep, with only a narrow path carved out for people to tread.

 

But most of those who came here were cultivators, walking was unnecessary.

 

However.

A hidden arrow shot straight up toward them.

 

Ye Qingge sensed it instantly and flicked an ice blade from between her fingers, intercepting the sharp weapon mid-air.

 

The more cultivators there were, the more bandits seemed to appear.

 

With a wave of her hand, two spheres of spiritual energy descended steadily to the ground.

 

They found themselves in a dense forest. It was high noon, and the sun blazed fiercely overhead.

 

The leaves couldn’t fully block the light, and faint, dappled halos filtered through the canopy.

 

Jiang Mianhao stretched lazily and sighed in contentment. “Have we arrived already?”

 

Ling Lan, who had landed beside her, glanced around and replied, “It was Lu Jiu who set us down. We must be here.”

 

“Where’s Lu Jiu?” Jiang Mianhao asked. “Why can’t I see her?”

 

Just then, a rustling came from the grass behind her and someone tumbled out, rolling head over heels.

Ye Qingge stood right behind the fallen figure.

 

“Lu Jiu!” Jiang Mianhao hurried over. “Who is this?”

 

“He’s the one who shot the arrow at us just now,” Ling Lan said coldly, casting a wary glance at him. Her expression was tense and alert.

 

Ye Qingge surveyed their surroundings, a faint sense of strangeness prickling at the edge of her senses.

 

Jiang Mianhao crouched down beside the man. “Is he a bandit?” she asked, picking up a stick and poking at him.

 

Lu Jiu had bound him with a rope. So tightly that the man was trussed up like a crab, completely immobilized.

 

As soon as Jiang Mianhao flipped him over, her face drained of color. She dropped the stick, screamed, and scrambled to her feet.

 

“What’s wrong?” Ling Lan demanded, following her gaze—only to pale as well.

 

The captive’s body had been bound so tightly that his true form had emerged: a furry face with two twitching antennae.

 

This man’s true form was a caterpillar. One of the natural enemies of plant spirits.

Jiang Mianhao was so frightened that goosebumps covered her skin. She quickly retreated to Lu Jiu’s side, clutching her arm tightly.

 

Even the usually brave Ling Lan had turned pale.

 

Ye Qingge clicked her tongue in annoyance and raised her hand, sending an ice blade flying forward.

 

The caterpillar, bound by the immortal-binding rope, was struck right between the brows and died without even struggling.

 

In the next instant, it reverted completely to its true form—a small, black caterpillar.

 

Only then did Ling Lan realize that this wasn’t a spirit who had successfully taken human form, but one that had been forcibly shaped into human guise through illusion magic.

 

With another flick of her wrist, Ye Qingge sent the ice blade. Still skewering the caterpillar shooting into the nearby grass.

 

“Ah!” someone hiding in the undergrowth screamed and stumbled out in fright.

 

Startled, Jiang Mianhao shrank even closer to Lu Jiu, terrified that another caterpillar might crawl out next.

 

“Lu Jiu, you’re amazing,” Jiang Mianhao stammered, her voice trembling as she praised her.

 

Even though she was scared to the point of shaking, she still found the strength to compliment her.

 

Ye Qingge couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle.

 

The person who had tumbled out was a burly man with upturned eyes and a sinister glare. His gaze flicked around before he suddenly raised a hand and blew a whistle.

 

In an instant, figures hidden in the surrounding grass swarmed out in unison.

 

“Lanlan!” Jiang Mianhao cried, peeking out from behind. “Come here, quick!”

 

Ling Lan, who had been standing off to the side, dashed forward in three swift steps, positioning herself beside Ye Qingge and shielding Jiang Mianhao firmly behind her.

 

The three stood back to back, their gazes cold as they watched the encroaching group.

 

With a wave of her hand, Ye Qingge unsheathed the sword at her waist.

 

The men who burst out were all burly, middle-aged fellows, their cold gazes fixed on the three young women before them.

 

After exchanging glances, one of them a man with a scarred face jerked his chin toward Ye Qingge and said, “You. You look like you can fight. Go scout the path for us.”

 

The group had them surrounded tightly, their intent unmistakable.

 

The three quickly understood the situation: these men wanted to ascend Mount Hua but lacked the skill to do so legitimately. Instead, they resorted to underhanded methods using enchanted caterpillars to block the way and ambush those with stronger cultivation.

 

Relying on their numbers, they forced capable travelers to clear the path ahead, only to swarm and kill them once treasures were found, seizing the spoils. The earlier arrow had been their signal to begin the ambush.

 

Ye Qingge raised her sword slightly, the cold gleam along its edge reflecting the truth before her: these were no spirits or demons, but ordinary men; flesh and blood.

 

Noticing her momentary silence, the scarred man barked, “Did you hear me? I said go!”

 

“I don’t kill people,” Ye Qingge replied coolly, sheathing her sword. “Back off while you still can.”

 

Seeing her defiance, the scarred man rolled up his sleeves and sneered, “I don’t hit women. So be smart either hand over your spiritual power or go scout the path.”

 

“Who do you think you are to order people around?”

 

Jiang Mianhao couldn’t hold back any longer and pushed forward from behind. “Don’t you have hands and feet of your own? Is your mouth only good for bossing others?”

 

The scarred man, who had been so assertive moments before, was left speechless by the sudden outburst. His mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.

 

“Look around,” a burly man interjected, his thick neck stiffening as the flesh on his face and body wobbled. “She’s the strongest fighter here. Isn’t it common sense for the strong to protect the weak?”

 

When brute force failed, they turned to manipulation.

 

Unfazed by the man’s hulking frame, Jiang Mianhao shot back, “Pah! How dare you say that? So, what if she’s the strongest? She has no obligation to protect a pig like you. Is all that meat just for show?”

 

The man was left dumbfounded, staring in disbelief at the petite girl before him.

 

Even Ling Lan, standing beside them, looked at Jiang Mianhao in astonishment, never expecting her to defend Lu Jiu so fiercely.

Even Ye Qingge was taken aback, wondering if her ears were deceiving her.

This gentle, kind-hearted girl who was terrified even of caterpillars now stood with her hands on her hips, boldly confronting and arguing with a group of grown men.

 

Humiliated under the weight of the others’ stares, the burly man’s anger flared anew. He raised a massive fist and threatened the slender girl, “Looks like you’re asking for death!”

 

Jiang Mianhao showed no fear, glaring defiantly at the man’s raised hand.

 

But before he could finish, his words turned into a howl of agony.

The once-raised fist now hung limp, blood streaming uncontrollably from his arm. The burly man crumpled like a shrimp, writhing and rolling on the ground.

 

Ye Qingge coldly averted her gaze and pulled the young woman back to safety.

As her hand brushed against the girl’s skin, the stabbing pain in her own body subsided, and the turbulence in her spiritual energy calmed noticeably. She decided not to pull her hand away.

 

“I don’t kill people,” she said icily, her gaze sweeping over the group. “But if you choose to live as humans and act like beasts, don’t blame me for what happens next.”

 

Seeing that she meant it, someone in the crowd quickly stepped aside, clearing a path.

 

Ye Qingge took Jiang Mianhao’s hand and strode forward.

Ling Lan didn’t hesitate to follow.

 

Walking was naturally slower than traveling within a spirit orb.

 

The three of them walked until dusk began to fall before finally catching sight of an inn.

 

Inside, people of all kinds were gathered. Some burly and broad-shouldered men, others sharp-eyed and capable-looking women.

 

A few sat in small groups, chatting in low tones, while others sat alone with their swords resting against the table or wall.

 

The innkeeper here was not as warm as those in the bustling market districts. After accepting the gold Ye Qingge handed over, he simply said, “Your meals will be brought up to you shortly.”

 

“One room each,” he added as he handed them the keys. “Rest well tonight. Strange things often happen here after dark, so please be careful, honored guests.”

 

The three young women parted ways along the corridor and went to their respective rooms.

 

“Mianhao, are you asleep?” Ling Lan stood outside Jiang Mianhao’s door, hesitating.

Inside the room, calming incense burned quietly. Jiang Mianhao, having just finished bathing and draped in her clothes, was about to open the door.

 

Suddenly, the candlelight on the table flickered, and a figure appeared before her.

 

“Lu Jiu?” Jiang Mianhao’s clothes weren’t fully fastened, and her skin, still flushed from the hot bath, carried a faint pink hue.

 

At that same moment, Ye Qingge who had just returned to her own room and sat down felt her spiritual energy surge into chaos once more.

 

As soon as she closed her eyes, the image of that fierce person shielding her surfaced again.

 

Even though that person had clearly been terrified, they had still stretched out their arms to protect her.

 

Whether from distraction or lingering thoughts of Jiang Mianhao, Ye Qingge soon felt her turbulent energy settle bit by bit.

 

She glanced around. The room was similar to the high-class lodgings at the foot of Mount Taibai, and yet it felt inexplicably empty.

 

By the time she regained her senses, she had already arrived in Jiang Mianhao’s room.

 

“Lu Jiu, why did you come so suddenly?” Jiang Mianhao asked, startled. Then, hearing the knock outside, she looked up and called, “Ah, I’m not asleep yet!”

 

Relieved by the response, Ling Lan continued, “Can you open the door? I have something to tell you.”

 

Jiang Mianhao glanced at the silent Lu Jiu, then at the door. Tightening her clothes, she started forward to open it.

 

But just as she lifted her foot, someone caught her wrist.

 

Ye Qingge shook her head slightly, signaling her not to go.

 

Perplexed, Jiang Mianhao froze. Her loosely fastened robe slipped open again, and she quickly pulled it tighter before saying, “I just finished bathing, Lanlan. Can you tell me from outside the door instead?”

 

As she spoke, she tilted her head slightly. The loose bun at the back of her head was still damp, her hair slightly disheveled from the bath.

 

Ye Qingge, pleased by her obedience, reached out on a whim and removed the hairpin from her hair.

 

A cascade of black silk tumbled down, contrasting beautifully against her fair skin.

 

The damp ends of her hair rested against her chest, droplets of water tracing the curve of her slender, pale neck before soaking into her collar.

 

Her white undergarment clung lightly to her skin, outlining the young woman’s delicate form.

 

Unnoticed, the girl before her had quietly grown.

 

Jiang Mianhao, feeling a touch of shyness, lifted her gaze toward the person standing before her.

 

Ye Qingge’s breath faltered beneath that look.

 

Those jade-green eyes were as clear as a spring lake, and beads of water slid down her flushed cheeks. Her pale pink lips, still parted from speaking moments ago, trembled slightly.

 

Outside the door, unaware of the scene within, Ling Lan swallowed nervously.

 

“Mianhao, it’s like this… I wanted to say.” she stammered, wringing her hands. “Once we ascend Mount Hua, and I begin to seriously practice swordsmanship, y-you—”

 

Her words broke off. Ling Lan swallowed again, unable to continue.

 

Ye Qingge understood the girl’s vague meaning, her mind briefly flashing back to the warmth of skin pressed against hers earlier that day.

 

Whether it was Ling Lan’s words that stirred her or something else entirely, she couldn’t tell.

 

Stepping forward, Ye Qingge raised a hand to cup the young woman’s chin.

 

With her other hand, she slipped an arm around the girl’s slender waist, gently drawing her closer.

 

“She’s asking you a question,” Ye Qingge murmured, her thumb brushing against the soft pink lips before pressing down lightly.

 

The touch was neither harsh nor tender. Just enough to make the lips flush a deeper red.

 

Jiang Mianhao’s heartbeat had long since fallen into chaos; now even her breath came unevenly. She swallowed, allowing that thumb to linger against her mouth.

 

Outside, Ling Lan let out a shaky breath and finally blurted, eyes shut tight, “What I mean is, are you willing… are you willing to come with me?”

 

Silence.

 

By the time Ling Lan realized it, Jiang Mianhao still hadn’t spoken a word.

Worried, Ling Lan stepped forward and knocked on the door, “Mianhao, did you hear me?”

 

Still, silence was the only reply.

 

Unbeknownst to Ling Lan just beyond the door, Jiang Mianhao had lost the ability to answer her.

 

When exactly their lips met, Jiang Mianhao herself couldn’t say.

 

She only remembered that before she could even react to Ling Lan’s question, her chin was lifted.

 

The faint elusive fragrance she had only ever caught whiffs of now filled her mouth entirely.

 

Jiang Mianhao was held tightly around the waist and the question she had curiously pondered under the sunlight that day was now answered.

 

Lu Jiu’s lips were even softer than she had imagined. If the movements were just a bit gentler, it would truly be exactly as she had envisioned.

 

A nimble tongue pried open her mouth, arrogantly claiming its territory.

 

What had started as mere curiosity had spiraled into something uncontrollable.

From the moment their lips met, the pain in her body vanished completely.

 

Her usually rational mind snapped with a sharp crack.

 

Ye Qingge tightened her arms, pulling the girl in her embrace even closer.

 

Even though their chests were already pressed together, she felt it wasn’t enough.

 

After waiting for what felt like an eternity, Ling Lan patiently asked again, “What I mean is, leave Lu Jiu behind. Come with me, just the two of us. Let’s go and fulfill the promise we made before descending the mountain, alright?”

 

Breath growing thin, Jiang Mianhao could only tilt her head back, forced to accept the kiss.

 

It was impossible to tell whose breath or whose heartbeat belonged to whom anymore.

 

When their lips finally parted, Jiang Mianhao gasped for air feeling as though her heart were about to leap out of her chest.

 

Lu Jiu had asked her.

 

Right after Ling Lan posed that question, a kiss that could only be described as brutal had ruthlessly stolen all her breath.

Her hair still dripped with water and her soaked inner garments were completely pushed aside.

 

Ye Qingge looked at the dazed Jiang Mianhao and whispered into her ear, “She’s asking you a question. Answer her quickly.”

 

Jiang Mianhao opened her mouth, her pupils widening abruptly.

 

A gentle teasing friction made her breath hitch as if paused and her heart began to race wildly.

 

“Why aren’t you answering her?” Ye Qingge’s fingers stilled as she let out a soft chuckle. “What’s this? The droplets from your hair are falling so fast, they’ve even landed here.”

 

Jiang Mianhao felt her heart pounding wildly against her ribs. Outside the door, the waiting Lily of the Valley knocked once more.

 

“Answer her,” Ye Qingge murmured, pressing a kiss to those jade-green eyes. “Do you want to go with her?”