After Being Certified by the Immortal Lord on the Path of Ruthlessness - Chapter 50

The sudden touch left Jiang Mianhao utterly flustered.

Her breath caught, her heart beating wildly as warmth rushed to her face.

She could still taste a trace of bitterness from the medicine she had drunk, yet it was quickly replaced by a sweetness she couldn’t name.

 

A dozen emotions rose within her — confusion, shyness, disbelief — all swirling together until her heart felt impossibly full.

 

Realizing that Feng Mingyi and his wife were still nearby, she startled and tried to pull back.

But before she could move, Ye Qingge tightened her hold slightly, their foreheads brushing.

 

“Focus,” Ye Qingge whispered, half teasing, half serious.

 

Her tone alone was enough to make Jiang Mianhao’s thoughts scatter again.

 

The kiss lasted a long time. So long that Jiang Mianhao lost all strength and buried her face in Ye Qingge’s chest in embarrassment.

 

No matter how Ye Qingge coaxed her, she refused to lift her head.

 

Seeing her crimson ears, Ye Qingge couldn’t help but smile and gently nibbled on them with her teeth.

 

“It hurts,” Jiang Mianhao murmured too shy to look up her voice soft and coquettish.

 

Ye Qingge released her teeth and soothed the spot with another kiss. “This is your punishment for being distracted.”

 

The person in her arms fell silent burying her head deeper and refusing to lift it again.

 

Ye Qingge felt mischievous.

 

She pretended to be angry neither kissing nor teasing her anymore.

 

After the two returned to the room, Jiang Mianhao put on her shoes.

 

The blush on her face refused to fade. She sat on the edge of the bed swinging her legs back and forth.

 

“Lu Jiu, can I see the wounds on your body?” Jiang Mianhao was still worried. “Have you applied any medicine? Sister Jiang said you went to the mountains to dig for herbs as soon as you woke up.”

 

Ye Qingge showed no intention of humoring her. After escorting her back to bed, she turned and walked out without a word.

 

Watching her leave so abruptly, Jiang Mianhao was bewildered.

 

She thought her request had been too presumptuous. Once Lu Jiu was out of sight, Jiang Mianhao lightly slapped her own mouth and scolded herself, “What a foolish question. How could you ask someone to show you their wounds? Would seeing them make them heal any faster? Lu Jiu went to gather herbs for you before her own injuries had even recovered, and all you can do is ask questions.”

 

Putting on her shoes, she got out of bed and hurried outside.

 

But Lu Jiu had walked too fast, and there was no trace of her in the corridor.

 

Jiang Yuanjuan was nowhere to be seen in the courtyard either. Staring at the unfamiliar surroundings, Jiang Mianhao suddenly felt a pang of unease.

 

Yet her worry eventually overcame her timidity, and she began searching slowly along the row of guest rooms.

 

There were many sects on Mount Hua.

 

The most famous and largest among them was undoubtedly the Fengming Manor.

 

Jiang Mianhao had underestimated the size of the manor. She circled the area around her own residence for quite some time, nearly losing her way back.

 

Faced with the unfamiliar surroundings, she could only press on with determination.

 

At last, outside one of the guest rooms, she heard a familiar voice.

 

Tiptoeing closer, Jiang Mianhao looked up and saw someone reclining lazily on a daybed.

 

“Gently, gently,” Jiang Yuanjuan clicked her tongue. “I told you, you’re not as good at this as I am.”

 

Feng Mingyi chuckled. “Oh, come on, let me learn slowly.”

 

Jiang Mianhao called softly, “Sister Jiang.”

 

It was Feng Mingyi kneeling beside the daybed and massaging Jiang Yuanjuan’s legs who looked up first. “What’s the matter? Looking for your friend again?”

 

Jiang Yuanjuan clicked her tongue and gave the talkative man a light kick.

 

Jiang Mianhao shook her head and said quietly, “I have something I’d like to ask Sister Jiang.”

“Hmm?” Jiang Yuanjuan retracted her legs and sat up straight. “What’s wrong?”

 

Jiang Mianhao lowered her voice. “I wanted to ask if Sister Jiang knows how to make medicinal cuisine. I’m still very worried about Lu Jiu. She isn’t used to eating, but her spiritual energy consumption must be enormous. I’m really concerned about her.”

 

Jiang Yuanjuan adjusted her robes and stood up proudly. “Of course I do! Your Sister Jiang is absolutely exceptional at cooking.”

 

Feng Mingyi, still crouched nearby, twitched her lips and silently mourned for Lu Jiu.

 

“You! Go fetch the premium medicinal herbs from the storage,” Jiang Yuanjuan said, nudging Feng Mingyi lightly with her foot.

 

Feng Mingyi blinked up at her. “Madam, perhaps I should be the one to cook.”

 

Jiang Yuanjuan didn’t answer. She merely narrowed her eyes at her.

 

“Alright! I’ll go find the herbs for Madam right away!” Feng Mingyi sprang to her feet, inwardly sighing; it’s not that I don’t want to save you, Lu Jiu, but I truly can’t help you.

 

Watching Feng Mingyi scamper off, Jiang Mianhao felt a little embarrassed.

 

“Thank you, Sister Jiang,” Jiang Mianhao said softly. “I heard from Sect Leader Feng that you… have a body? What does that mean?”

 

Jiang Yuanjuan looked at the innocent young girl before her and silently cursed Feng Mingyi in her heart.

 

She beckoned the girl closer and asked gently, “Did your mother never teach you about these things?”

 

Jiang Mianhao shook her head. “I don’t have a mother.”

 

Realizing she had asked the wrong question, Jiang Yuanjuan immediately felt a pang of guilt. She took Jiang Mianhao’s hand and said, “I’m sorry, I said something wrong.”

 

But Jiang Mianhao shook her head and replied obediently, “Sister didn’t say anything wrong. Is it because I ask too many questions?”

 

“Of course not,” Jiang Yuanjuan said with a smile. She guided the girl’s hand to her lower abdomen. “There’s a little child sleeping in here.”

 

Jiang Yuanjuan had only recently become pregnant less than three months so her belly was still flat.

 

Feeling the place where her palm rested, Jiang Mianhao couldn’t sense anything at all. She looked up at Jiang Yuanjuan in confusion.

 

Jiang Yuanjuan took her hand and slowly traced a character on her palm.

 

Her warm fingertip moved deliberately, each stroke slow and precise.

 

Jiang Mianhao couldn’t read, but as she felt the motion of that fingertip, she said softly, “This character feels a bit plump like a figure facing left with a big belly.”

 

“This character is mother,” Jiang Yuanjuan explained gently. “Before a child is born, they share a body with their mother. When a new life forms in your belly, it means you have a body.”

 

“In the future, when you’re with someone you love, you’ll also have your own child,” Jiang Yuanjuan continued, her tone warm and patient. “That’s what it means to have a body. It signifies that a tiny new body has come to live within you.”

 

Having never heard such things before, Jiang Mianhao found it fascinating. She blinked and asked curiously, “What happens when that little body grows up?”

 

“After ten months, the little body comes into this world and no longer shares a body with the mother,” Jiang Yuanjuan said, taking her hand and leading her forward. “Come, I’ll teach you how to make medicinal cuisine while I tell you more.”

 

Meanwhile, Ye Qingge who had just emerged from the room concealed her presence and began searching around Mount Hua.

 

The traces of Siji and Wuli had already been thoroughly erased.

The Ao Bird clan had suffered heavy losses the previous night. If they pursued their victory now, the chances of completely eradicating the demon realm were high.

 

However, the Ao Birds and snakes were cunning. Who knew where they had fled this time?

 

While searching for traces of the soaring bird, Ye Qingge also sensed subtle changes in the spiritual energy within her body.

 

Because of that kiss earlier, the spiritual energy that had backfired the previous night had miraculously begun to recover.

 

Ye Qingge had initially kissed Jiang Mianhao merely to test whether there would be any change, but she hadn’t expected the effect to be so remarkable.

 

Even though deepening the kiss afterward hadn’t been part of the plan.

 

Yet, Ye Qingge didn’t dislike kissing Jiang Mianhao. She couldn’t quite understand why.

 

She had always felt disgusted by the thought of anyone drawing close to her. So why was Jiang Mianhao different?

 

Thinking back, it was probably because of the trial of love.

 

The trial of love.

 

Ye Qingge could sense the faint fluctuations in her emotions. Jiang Mianhao, at this moment, didn’t seem to be doing anything in particular but she was clearly in a very good mood.

 

The feelings stirring within her were lively and bright.

 

It seemed that Ye Qingge’s earlier feigned anger hadn’t affected her at all.

 

But then again, how could a low-level grass spirit possibly understand love?

 

After searching the mountain, Ye Qingge found nothing unusual.

 

Far from Phoenix Cry Manor, she finally dispelled her invisibility and began walking slowly toward the mountain path.

 

A sharp sound of a sword cutting through the air suddenly reached her ears.

 

Following the source, Ye Qingge soon spotted Ling Lan practicing her swordsmanship.

 

The young girl’s hair was tied in a high ponytail, her bright yellow dress vivid against the lush green of the forest.

 

The sword in her hand moved as though alive, every motion in perfect harmony with its wielder. The very same sequence Ye Qingge had taught her last time.

 

Only then did Ye Qingge notice that Ling Lan was no longer using the wooden sword.

 

The hilt shone a vivid yellow, and the blade itself gleamed with a cold, silvery light.

 

It was the sword spirit that had flashed beneath the fireworks that night.

 

So, what had taken place last night had been far more eventful than she’d imagined.

 

Ye Qingge quietly withdrew her gaze and continued walking forward.

 

The priority now was to locate the remnants of Wuli and the Deathly Stillness.

 

Those snake-birds reproduced at an alarming rate. If they weren’t eradicated soon, the conflict would only drag on again.

 

When she returned to the manor, there was still no sign of Jiang Mianhao.

 

From the direction of the back mountain came the faint, rhythmic sounds of swords being drawn and struck training in progress.

After searching around to no avail, Ye Qingge gave up the search.

 

The emotions transmitted through the Heart-Link Knot told her that the other person was in good spirits.

 

Returning to her room, Ye Qingge sat on the couch, steadying her breath and calming her mind.

 

Meanwhile, after quite some effort in the small kitchen, the two finally managed to produce a pot of medicinal cuisine that looked surprisingly decent.

 

Hands on her hips, Jiang Yuanjuan admired her work and exclaimed, “As expected of me! Truly, a culinary god descended to earth!”

 

“As expected of Sister Jiang!” Jiang Mianhao chimed in brightly. “You know everything from astronomy to geography, and you’re just as capable in the kitchen as you are in the hall!”

 

Flattered and lightheaded from the praise, Jiang Yuanjuan waved her hand and laughed. “Oh, I can’t take it anymore. I need to rest for a bit.”

 

Jiang Mianhao nodded quickly. “Let me walk you back.”

 

“No need, I’m not that fragile!” Jiang Yuanjuan said with a grand wave of her hand. “Go on! Hurry and take this to your friend!”

 

With that, Jiang Yuanjuan strode out of the kitchen.

 

Jiang Mianhao watched until her figure disappeared from view before lowering her head to tend carefully to the medicinal cuisine they had just finished.

 

She ladled out a bowl, leaving the rest to simmer over a low flame.

 

Ling Lan was still practicing swordplay in the back mountain. By the time she returned, the soup would still be warm.

 

After cleaning the stove, Jiang Mianhao washed her hands, picked up the tray, and stepped outside.

 

When she pushed the door open, Lu Jiu was seated at the desk, quietly reading a book.

 

Jiang Mianhao set down the bowl of soup and said softly, “Lu Jiu, I made you some medicinal cuisine.”

 

But the woman at the desk remained motionless, not even sparing her a glance.

 

The warmth in the room seemed to fade in an instant.

 

Sensing something was wrong, Jiang Mianhao froze, realization dawning a heartbeat too late.

Was Lu Jiu angry?

 

Why, though?

 

Jiang Mianhao hooked her pinky around the other’s and gave it a small shake. “Good Lu Jiu, don’t be mad.”

 

It was her usual way of yielding—soft, coaxing, a silent plea for forgiveness.

 

Yet Ye Qingge didn’t respond. She calmly withdrew her hand, even putting a little more distance between them.

 

Panic fluttered in Jiang Mianhao’s chest. She leaned forward again and tried once more to hook Lu Jiu’s pinky.

 

“Sorry, Lu Jiu,” she murmured. “I know I was wrong.”

 

Ye Qingge raised an eyebrow but said nothing, her gaze dark and unreadable.

 

Seeing at least a flicker of response, Jiang Mianhao hurried to add, “I shouldn’t have asked to see your wounds. I should’ve asked if you were hurting anywhere else. I made some medicinal soup for you. Would you like to try a little?”

 

This apology took Ye Qingge by surprise. She remained silent, her eyes still fixed intently on her.

Jiang Mianhao grew more nervous under that steady gaze and hurried to explain, “Even though I’m not very good at cooking and it might taste a little off, Sister Jiang guided me through it. It’s safe to eat, I promise.”

 

“No need,” Ye Qingge replied flatly. “Is there anything else?”

 

The question caught Jiang Mianhao off guard. “What?” she mumbled, bewildered.

 

“If there’s nothing else, go play on your own,” Ye Qingge said. “Lily of the Valley asked me to teach her sword practice.”

 

The bowl of medicinal soup sat untouched, its steam curling faintly before fading away.

 

A dull ache settled in Jiang Mianhao’s chest. Still, she held on to Ye Qingge’s pinky and refused to let go. “But I can’t think of anything else I did wrong.”

 

Ye Qingge remained silent, her gaze unconsciously dropping to Jiang Mianhao’s lips.

 

Her teeth were gently biting down on them, the soft pink gradually deepening to red.

 

For no reason she could name, the urge to kiss her returned—sharp, insistent.

 

Ye Qingge cleared her throat lightly and turned her eyes aside.

 

Running through everything that had just happened, Jiang Mianhao finally pieced it together.

 

Her voice came out small and uncertain as she ventured, “Is it because of what happened earlier at the door?”