When a Yandere Cannon Fodder Meets a Dark, Twisted Villain - Chapter 36

Suddenly, the spiritual energy circulating through her body stagnated. Shu Mo’s frame stiffened, and in the next instant, the world seemed to spin.

She, who was always the dominant and powerful one, was now pressed down onto the couch by another.

“Ning’er, you…”

Shi Yining rose slightly, pressing a slender jade finger against her crimson lips to silence the unfinished words.

“Now is not the time…”

From the moment she learned that Shu Mo was also reborn, her state of mind had been quietly shifting.

She needed more time to slowly accept everything while unraveling the many mysteries of their past and present lives. What she needed to clarify was not just the tangled, inseparable emotions between them, but the karmic ties that spanned two lifetimes.

A series of thumping knocks broke the brief silence in the room.

Shi Yining stood up quickly and used her spiritual power to investigate. Sensing a figure standing outside, she realized the visitor was none other than the master of this grand estate: Sheng Huan.

Stepping slowly toward the door, a creaking sound rang out as the door was pushed open.

Upon seeing the situation inside, Sheng Huan couldn’t help but be taken momentarily aback. She hadn’t expected that someone as cold, aloof, and proud as Shu Mo would appear like this in front of Ning’er.

Observing her expression, Shi Yining knew there had been a misunderstanding. To prevent Shu Mo from taking any further bold actions, she had secretly cast a spell to immobilize her. However, she couldn’t explain this openly now, so she gave a light cough to redirect Sheng Huan’s attention.

“Has Her Highness come with a specific matter to discuss?”

Sheng Huan pulled her thoughts back and said solemnly, “The Empress Mother is pressing us. She has ordered us to depart tomorrow at the hour of the Dragon (7:00 AM–9:00 AM) for the Xuanqing Sect.”

“I see…” Shi Yining nodded slightly, but her gaze drifted involuntarily toward the immobilized figure on the couch.

Whether it was her imagination or not, the woman on the couch currently had flushed corners of her eyes, looking as if she had suffered a great grievance.

Shi Yining’s heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly withdrew her gaze and steadied herself. “Thank you for informing me, Your Highness. I will depart on time tomorrow.”

Sheng Huan hesitated for a moment before asking in a low voice, “Does Ning’er resent me?”

Shi Yining slowly shook her head. “This was not Your Highness’s original intent. Why would I blame you?”

What if… I was actually happy to see it happen?

In the end, Sheng Huan did not voice those words, for she knew the answer would inevitably be one she did not wish to hear.

After Sheng Huan left, Shi Yining gently closed the door and turned back toward the soft couch.

“Does Ning’er truly intend to return to the Xuanqing Sect with her?”

An unidentifiable voice came from the couch. Upon closer listening, it seemed laced with an unspeakable bitterness and grievance.

Shu Mo had broken the immobilization spell at some unknown point. She was now lying on her side watching Shi Yining, her ink-black hair spread across the pillow.

Shi Yining offered a soft comfort: “Returning to the sect to explain the situation to Master is the safest choice right now. If we directly defy the Empress’s decree, the consequences will be unpredictable. Our priority is to leave the Imperial City safely.”

Shu Mo lowered her eyes. “And if Sect Leader Qin agrees to the arrangement, what will Ning’er do then?”

“Master won’t.” Shi Yining’s reply was certain, a gentle smile touching her lips. “Regarding matters of cultivation partnerships, Master has never forced anyone. As long as I do not consent, Master will never agree.”

These words allowed the tension in Shu Mo’s heart to relax slightly. She leaned forward, taking her beloved’s slender hand and tracing her palm with her fingertips. “Nothing is absolute. What if…”

“Mo’er.” Shi Yining gripped her hand back, her tone soft yet firm. “No matter what happens, my feelings will not change.”

A faint sound suddenly came from outside the window. Shi Yining’s vigilance spiked, and she was about to use her divine sense to investigate when she saw Shu Mo had already moved to shield her.

After a few moments, Shi Yining relaxed and said with a smile, “It was just a night owl flying by.”

Shu Mo’s vigilance did not wane. “The Imperial City is filled with hidden dangers. Perhaps Ning’er does not know, but the Sixth Princess’s estate has been ambushed by assassins at night.”

“What? When did this happen?”

“Since I arrived, it has happened twice. Once seven days ago, and again three days ago.”

“Was the culprit found?”

“Yes, it’s still a struggle for power. The Sixth Princess told me that the Empress knows about these matters but never interferes. Years ago, when the Sixth Princess escaped her first assassination attempt and went to complain, the Empress simply said that if she wanted to hold power in the future, she had to be strong. If she couldn’t even handle these assassinations, then she was a complete weakling who deserved to be eliminated.”

Shi Yining’s brows furrowed. While there was logic to those words, they were incredibly cold-blooded.

However, she knew there was a vast difference between an immortal cultivation empire and a sect. Her values didn’t necessarily apply to those of the dynasty, so she didn’t say much more, turning instead to another topic.

“Mo’er hasn’t told me yet—how did you meet the Sixth Princess? And why are you staying in her estate?”

Shu Mo leaned in to embrace her, speaking candidly: “In the past, while the Sixth Princess was traveling, I was out hunting demon cultivators. We both happened to target the same person, and that’s how we met. As for these past days, I came to the Imperial City to collect spiritual herbs to help Ning’er recover her memories. When she learned I was coming, she invited me to stay and offered to help find the herbs. However, there was a condition: I had to help her deal with a troublesome enemy.”

Shi Yining leaned naturally into her embrace. “Has that enemy been dealt with now?”

“The enemy hides deep. They never act personally but instead command pawns. It is extremely difficult to uproot them completely. However, during the assassination three days ago, I eliminated their most capable subordinate and saved the Sixth Princess. It was because of that favor that she agreed to go to the Xuanqing Sect and bring you here.”

At this point, Shu Mo paused slightly. “But now… I do not know if this request was a blessing or a curse. It was my oversight; I never imagined the Empress would harbor such intentions…”

Seeing the lingering worry etched between her brows, Shi Yining couldn’t help but soften her voice. “If Mo’er hadn’t asked the Sixth Princess to bring me to the Imperial City, I fear my memories would still be lost to this day.”

She reached out, her fingertips gently smoothing the other woman’s slightly furrowed brow. “When we return to the sect this time, I will ask Master to lift the ban on you.”

Shu Mo caught the hand that was about to pull away and pressed the warm palm slowly against her cheek. Like a kitten, she nuzzled into it, radiating a sense of complete dependence and attachment.

This gesture caused Shi Yining’s heart to melt. She allowed her hand to be held, making no move to withdraw it.

“When we become cultivation partners in the future, does Ning’er wish to continue living at Xigui Peak, or move to my Jingxin Court?” A tender ripple shimmered in Shu Mo’s eyes, her voice filled with longing. “Or… we could find a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters to build a new home that belongs only to us.”

Shi Yining’s ears grew warm at these words. She gave Shu Mo a half-reproachful look. “It is far too early to speak of such things.”

“It isn’t early at all.” Shu Mo continued to nuzzle against her warm palm. “If I could, I would love to start living that life with Ning’er right now… practicing together at dawn, tasting tea in the afternoon, watching the galaxy together at night… and lingering intimacy at midnight… every moment spent by Ning’er’s side.”

Watching the deep affection flowing in the woman’s eyes, Shi Yining’s expression shifted slightly. “I promise Mo’er: on the day when all the doubts in my heart are finally resolved, I will give you my most heartfelt answer.”

“Good…” The corners of Shu Mo’s lips curved into a visible arc. “No matter how long it takes, I will wait forever.”

Shi Yining avoided that somewhat burning gaze. Looking at the sinking moonlight outside the window, she whispered, “The night is late, and we have a journey ahead tomorrow. It is time to rest.”

Hearing this, Shu Mo responded with a smile and reached out to gently lift her up.

With her feet suddenly off the ground, the abrupt intimacy made Shi Yining’s ears burn even hotter. However, she did not struggle, instinctively wrapping her arms around the other’s slender neck.

After being placed gently onto the soft couch, her ankles were immediately held by long, powerful hands.

The sound of her shoes hitting the floor was very soft, yet exceptionally clear in the quiet room. Her clean, dustless silk socks were peeled away inch by inch, revealing arches as white as jade.

As slender fingers brushed against her skin as if by chance, Shi Yining instinctively curled her pinkish toes and shifted further toward the inner side of the bed.

A familiar fragrance lingered on the brocade quilt. Realizing that Mo’er had been lying in this very spot not long ago, she felt a delayed flush of embarrassment creep across her face.

“Ning’er’s feet are a bit cold,” Shu Mo said softly. She channeled her spiritual power, slowly enveloping the cool jade-like feet in warmth.

Shi Yining turned her face away in shy embarrassment.

The spiritual energy settling on her feet felt like a living thing, traveling bit by bit over her skin. Everywhere it passed, it quickly brought an indescribable heat.

She bit her lip and was just about to speak when the spiritual energy was suddenly withdrawn.

Shu Mo then lay down beside her.

At such close proximity, they could clearly feel each other’s body heat.

Shi Yining quietly moved an inch toward the wall, but the person beside her immediately pressed closer.

She moved again; they pressed even closer…

This game of retreat and pursuit continued for a short while until Shi Yining’s back was almost against the cold wall. Finally, she couldn’t help but turn her head, instantly locking eyes with a pair of deep, dark orbs.

“Is Ning’er hiding from me?” There was a hint of hidden grievance in Shu Mo’s voice.

“No…” Shi Yining looked away awkwardly, searching for a clumsy excuse. “I am just… just used to sleeping alone. I’m not quite accustomed to sharing a bed yet…”

Before she could finish, a pair of long, strong arms gently pulled her into an embrace. “In time, Ning’er will slowly get used to it.”

Sensing the deeper meaning in those words, Shi Yining’s ears turned even redder. “Does Mo’er intend for us to be like this… every day?”

“Does Ning’er not wish to?” Shu Mo lifted her eyes, which were filled with a perfectly timed look of accusation.

Meeting such eyes, the softest part of Shi Yining’s heart was instantly touched.

She stared blankly at the flawless, perfect face so close to her own and instinctively nodded. “Of course I am willing…”

That faint response sounded like the most precious of promises to Shu Mo’s ears.

“Ning’er has promised. You are not allowed to regret it in the future.”

Having regained her senses, Shi Yining suddenly felt a spark of playfulness. She deliberately drawled her words, “And what if… I truly do regret it?”

The embrace around her suddenly tightened. A voice, filled with a paranoid obsession that reached her very bones, whispered in her ear:

“Then I will find a place where no one can ever find us and hide Ning’er away. You will belong entirely to me alone, accompanying me day and night, forever…”

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