After My Death, the Immortal Venerable Became a Demon for My Sake - Chapter 16

Following Tan Yiqing’s lead, the two arrived at a notably quiet area of Guanqi City. At this hour, only a few people lingered on the streets. Recognizing the Young City Lord, the passing commoners bowed respectfully, naturally assuming that Jiang Cishuang and Song Wangxiao were her esteemed friends.

Tan Yiqing led them to a grand residence where the red glow of lanterns illuminated the four characters for “Young City Lord’s Manor,” confirming her identity.

Servants standing at the entrance respectfully opened the gates. Tan Yiqing turned to the two behind her. “Fellow Daoists, this is my manor. I live here alone, so it is quite peaceful.”

Song Wangxiao and Jiang Cishuang did not forget their manners, offering their thanks before crossing the threshold.

“The western wing is currently unoccupied and situated in a more secluded corner. Very few people pass through there, so I thought it would be the best place for you to stay,” Tan Yiqing said, considerately selecting the most private quarters for them.

Song Wangxiao naturally had no objections. “Thank you, Young City Lord.”

“By the way, I still don’t know how to address you properly. I can’t keep calling you ‘Fellow Daoist’ forever.” Seeing them about to follow the lead servant, Tan Yiqing called out. Although she addressed both, her gaze lingered almost entirely on Song Wangxiao.

Song Wangxiao turned and replied without hesitation, “You can call me A-Xiao, and she is Yin Xiao.”

“Very well, Miss A-Xiao. Please go and rest. I hope to have your help tomorrow in evading my mother’s arranged meeting.” Having learned their names, Tan Yiqing did not delay them further, instructing a servant to retrieve their belongings from the inn later.

“That won’t be necessary, Young City Lord,” Song Wangxiao interjected, remembering the Xiyi Sect disciples. “The inn is far and we have many things. It’s late and likely inconvenient. We will go ourselves tomorrow.”

Tan Yiqing’s expression faltered for a moment before she forced a smile. “As you wish. I was being inconsiderate. Go rest, and I will have someone bring you fresh bedding.”

She watched the two figures disappear into the night one in black, one in white. The girl in black lightly held the white-robed woman’s arm, their proximity so intimate that any outsider would take them for a pair of devoted cultivation partners. A trace of melancholy flickered in Tan Yiqing’s eyes.

A servant carrying a lantern led them to the West Courtyard. Handing over the lantern, she said, “Immortal masters, this is the West Courtyard. I shall fetch your bedding now.”

She departed, leaving Song Wangxiao and Jiang Cishuang alone in the silent darkness, standing close enough to feel the air between them hum.

Song Wangxiao felt her arm go numb where it touched Jiang Cishuang, a sensation that spread until half her body felt stiff. She could hear a vigorous heartbeat—though she wasn’t sure if it was hers or the other woman’s.

The flickering lantern light cast their overlapping shadows against the dark ground.

“Um…” Song Wangxiao finally broke the silence, releasing Jiang Cishuang’s arm. Her palms were slightly damp, and her eyes darted toward the courtyard ahead. “It’s cold out. Let’s go inside.”

Jiang Cishuang watched her shadow. “Alright.”

Inside, candles had already been lit, likely by the servants earlier. Song Wangxiao blew out the lantern and stepped into the room.

The room was clean and well-arranged. As Song Wangxiao circled the space, she noticed mist rising from behind a decorative screen, accompanied by the scent of damp, warm air.

Startled, she walked behind the screen to find a large wooden tub big enough for two filled with steaming hot water.

Song Wangxiao reached out, her fingers brushing the mist. She scooped up a handful of water but pulled back instantly as if burned. Though it was her hand that touched the water, it was the tips of her ears that turned crimson.

Tan Yiqing’s arrangements are… a bit too thorough, Song Wangxiao thought.

Just then, the door pushed open. Steady, unhurried footsteps approached the screen. Song Wangxiao turned and found herself making eye contact with Jiang Cishuang.

Song Wangxiao looked at Jiang Cishuang, then down at the tub which was indeed large enough for two people and felt an inexplicable wave of awkwardness. The warm, humid air made her ears flush even deeper. She ducked her head like a shy quail, only to hear a soft chuckle from Jiang Cishuang.

“Would you like to wash up first?” Jiang Cishuang asked.

“Young City Lord Tan is quite… attentive,” Song Wangxiao stammered, giving a completely non-sequitur response.

“It has been a long journey today. You must be exhausted. You go first.” Jiang Cishuang looked at the bundle Song Wangxiao was still carrying. “Give me the pack for now.”

Song Wangxiao handed it over dazed. It wasn’t until the sound of the door closing echoed that she snapped back to reality.

Sitting in the warm, soothing water, Song Wangxiao felt her entire body relax. The temperature was perfect, melting away her fatigue. She thought back to her panic when she first arrived in this world, her desperate struggle to survive, and then, at her most isolated moment, meeting Yin Xiao.

A smile touched her lips. Yin Xiao was the great “variable” in her life. They had stayed together in that ruined temple, traveled to Guanqi City, and remained inseparable—almost like a pair of lifelong companions.

Song Wangxiao knew she loved Yin Xiao. But did Yin Xiao love her back? She tried to analyze her heart’s desire and felt that, surely, Yin Xiao felt the same.

But then the thought of her impending death hit her like a violent tide. Her chest felt constricted, making it hard to breathe. The weight of it left her weak, as if she were sinking into an abyss.

Song Wangxiao snapped her eyes open, realizing she had accidentally slipped beneath the water. She sat up abruptly, water splashing over the side of the tub. Gasping for air, her eyes were red from the water.

Once she calmed down and used a Water-Cleansing Charm to dry herself, she felt better. She reached for the clothes she had placed on the screen, only to find her hands meeting empty air.

Her mind went blank. She suddenly remembered she hadn’t taken her change of clothes out of the bundle. That bundle was with Jiang Cishuang. All she had here were the dirty clothes she had just taken off.

She mentally cursed her own stupidity.

As she debated between wearing dirty clothes or staying in the tub forever, a knock at the door settled the matter.

“A-Xiao? It has been an hour. Are you still in there?” Jiang Cishuang’s concerned voice drifted through the door.

In her flustered state, Song Wangxiao didn’t even notice the change in how Jiang Cishuang addressed her. She looked at her bare body in panic.

“I-I’m done!” Song Wangxiao grabbed her dirty clothes to cover herself, planning to bolt for the bed covers, but Jiang Cishuang’s next words stopped her cold.

“I have your change of clothes here. I’ll bring them in for you.”

Song Wangxiao froze, dropped the dirty clothes, and ducked back into the tub.

“Okay,” she muffled into her knees, her face burning.

The door opened, and Jiang Cishuang stepped inside. Her gaze lingered on the splashed water by the screen for only a second before moving away.

“I’ll leave the clothes on the screen. Rest once you’ve changed.”

Sitting in the water, Song Wangxiao couldn’t help but smile at the care in Jiang Cishuang’s voice. She dressed quickly, used a charm to dry off, and stepped out from behind the screen only to find Jiang Cishuang still standing in the room.

She hadn’t left!

Song Wangxiao’s face exploded in red. She felt paralyzed, her mind racing with thoughts of how much Jiang Cishuang might have seen through the thin screen. She lowered her eyes, not daring to look up.

Jiang Cishuang, the culprit, seemed to find nothing wrong. She walked over to Song Wangxiao. Seeing damp hair still clinging to the girl’s forehead, she reached out and gently tucked it behind her ear, revealing her smooth, beautiful face.

“I’m going to the courtyard. You should sleep.” She lightly smoothed Song Wangxiao’s robes and turned to leave.

Song Wangxiao touched the ear Jiang Cishuang had just brushed; it was burning hot.

After a few minutes of trying to calm down, she found herself opening the door and sitting down beside Jiang Cishuang at the table outside.

Jiang Cishuang looked up. “I thought you were going to rest? Why come out to watch the moon with me?”

“I wasn’t sleepy,” Song Wangxiao said. “I wanted to find you.”

Hoping to distract herself from her embarrassment, she blurted out the question that had been weighing on her all day. “At the assembly today… did you find your sect?” This was her greatest fear that if Yin Xiao found her people, she would leave.

Jiang Cishuang turned to her. Her eyes, usually as brilliant as gems, seemed to dim.

Song Wangxiao understood immediately. A complex wave of both joy and sadness washed over her. She wanted to comfort Yin Xiao, but her own selfish desire to keep her close prevented her from using empty words.

However, Jiang Cishuang spoke first. “Were you hurt today?”

“What?” Song Wangxiao blinked.

“Those people… did they harm you?” Jiang Cishuang looked at her, the wind blowing strands of hair across her brow, yet unable to hide the deep concern in her eyes.

Song Wangxiao’s heart hammered against her ribs. She stared at the woman and whispered, “I’m fine. I saw them before they saw me, so I left the inn early. They didn’t find me.”

Hearing this, Jiang Cishuang’s icy features softened into a slight smile. She reached out and gently cupped Song Wangxiao’s cheek.

The warmth of her touch, mingled with the cool night breeze and her faint, elegant fragrance, felt like warm water flowing through Song Wangxiao’s heart, softening all her weariness.

After a long silence, a voice as light as silk drifted on the wind, yet echoed in Song Wangxiao’s heart like a temple bell.

“It is good that you are safe.”

The touch on her cheek vanished, replaced by the cool scent and the feeling of a soft body enveloping her in a hug.

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