AUOF - 42

Sang Li’s palms pressed tightly against the dungeon door, her entire body—from her head to her spine and down through her limbs—stiff and frozen.

The two were extremely close.

Close enough that she could smell the faint, bitter scent of green leaves wafting from his cuffs, dispersing the dampness of the dungeon and enveloping her completely in its subtle embrace.

Ji Hengyu leaned closer, strands of his raven-black hair cascading like silk over his temples, some brushing teasingly against her chest, causing an irritating tickle.

Every flutter of her lashes brushed against Ji Hengyu’s fingers.

Unsure of his intentions, Sang Li’s muffled voice called out: “Lord Ji…”

“You’re making such a racket,” he said, his gaze tracing the tip of her nose before settling on her lips, which were covered by his palm. “Do you want everyone to see your fox tail?”

Sang Li paled dramatically.

F-Fox tail?

What did he mean? So Ji Hengyu really knew she had a fox tail!!!

No, no—that would be strange if he didn’t know.

After escaping the illusion last time, he had deliberately helped conceal it, meaning he must have discovered her identity. Knowing about her fox tail was one thing, but if he found out she was from the Ling Clan…

Sang Li shuddered involuntarily, too afraid to think further. She bit down hard on her lower lip.

Then, she saw a small cut open on Ji Hengyu’s lower lip, blood seeping out, making his already cold and striking features even more haunting.

Ji Hengyu chuckled softly, wiping away the blood with his fingertip before releasing her.

“I won’t say anything else…” Sang Li muttered quietly, extending her finger to gently push at his chest, signaling him to back off a little.

Her heart raced wildly. In her panic, she decided to confess: “Lord Ji, I admit I’m a little fox spirit saved by the Demon Lord, but my cultivation is shallow, and I pose no threat to the Heavens. Please… don’t betray me.”

She guiltily touched her abdomen, silently praying that the spell placed there by the Yanjing Tower would work, hoping it would forever deceive Ji Hengyu and prevent him from discovering her true identity as part of the Ling Clan.

Ji Hengyu tilted his head slightly, amused by how her face alternated between red and pale, and suddenly felt the urge to tease her.

“A fox spirit?” Ji Hengyu feigned surprise, pressing his brow lightly. “I was merely warning you to be careful, yet you confessed without any prompting.”

Sang Li froze.

“Deception is a grave offense in Gui Xu Palace. Naturally, I can’t let you off easily.”

As Ji Hengyu spoke slowly, he leaned closer, but just then, the bell outside rang. “Lord Ji, are you finished?”

Ji Hengyu’s eyes flickered as he naturally stepped back, opening the dungeon door.

Qi stood outside.

Looking at his lord’s serene, lotus-like demeanor and the cut on his lips, Qi was momentarily stunned. Then, noticing Sang Li’s awkward expression beside him, his grotesque face under the mask flushed completely red.

He hadn’t expected Lord Ji… to be so creative.

But—

As a disciple, Qi felt he couldn’t ignore this.

He cleared his throat softly, tactfully reminding: “Lord Ji, perhaps next time choose a different place. This… isn’t very clean.”

With that, Qi bolted away, leaving Sang Li standing there, wide-eyed.

What did he mean by “next time”?

Was he thinking of something he shouldn’t have been?!

Sang Li’s expression twisted. Looking at Ji Hengyu again, she saw the clear amusement in his eyes.

She wasn’t truly foolish and realized she’d been played by Ji Hengyu once more.

Though relieved, she couldn’t help but grumble: “Lord Ji, you didn’t even explain. You just enjoy teasing me.”

Ji Hengyu tapped his fan lightly: “Qi has always been taciturn. Explaining to him would be futile.” He strode forward.

Terrified of the environment, Sang Li hurried after him, sticking closely to his side.

This path was long and narrow, oppressive.

On either side were unbroken rows of water dungeons, while overhead floated an array. The transparent barrier allowed them to clearly see the dark, flowing seawater above, occasionally with massive creatures swimming past. Occasionally, patrolling ghost immortals flashed by above their heads.

Ji Hengyu walked quickly, and the screams echoing around them added to the pressure. Sang Li gradually shifted from following behind him to walking right beside him, until she was nearly clinging to him entirely.

Ji Hengyu glanced sideways at her: “You weren’t afraid inside earlier, but now you are?”

Sang Li dared not tell him that earlier, he hadn’t given her a chance to be afraid.

“Lord Ji, my fox tail is in your hands now. Please don’t tell anyone,” she repeated anxiously. “I don’t want to be locked up here.”

Ji Hengyu couldn’t help but smile faintly. “Relax.” He stopped, bending down to meet her wide, black-and-white eyes. “My fox tail is also in your possession.”

The jade-bone fan lightly tapped her chest, but before Sang Li could process the sensation, he swiftly moved away, striding forward purposefully.

Coming to her senses, Sang Li scrambled after him in a panic.

Once they boarded the clam carriage, she finally caught her breath.

Her chest still felt warm where his fan had touched it. Unconsciously, she reached to touch it, cautiously observing his expression. “Lord Ji, when you said earlier that I should return to the Demon Realm alone, were you serious?”

Ji Hengyu flipped through the scrolls in his hand, giving a perfunctory hum.

Sang Li furrowed her brows, thinking of the worm in her heart: “Then aren’t you worried the Demon Lord will discover our secret and use it to threaten you?”

Without looking up, he replied: “If you don’t tell him, he won’t know.”

The reason the Wu Luo Clan was despised by all sects was precisely because this worm was undetectable, blending seamlessly like a drop of rain into water. No matter how sharp your eyes, it was nearly impossible to notice.

Ji Hengyu raised his eyelids to glance at her, as if guessing her thoughts. His fingers turned the page of the scroll as he said: “You promised.”

Sang Li fell silent.

Ji Hengyu continued: “You said that no matter what, you wouldn’t tell the Yanjing Tower about this.”

Sang Li: “…”

Yes, she had said those words.

But no—how could Ji Hengyu truly trust her based on just one sentence?

Sang Li stared at him intently.

All along, she had thought Ji Hengyu was a man of contradictions—aloof and difficult to approach. On one hand, he was naturally suspicious; on the other, he seemed to place an unusual amount of trust in her. Or perhaps it wasn’t trust at all, but rather the belief that a weak, cowardly little fox spirit like her posed no real threat to him.

Thinking about it this way, everything made sense.

________________________________________

Upon returning to the surface, two disciples, Shen Zheyou, and Situ were waiting by the roadside.

Shen Zheyou stood close to Yue Zhuqing, while Li Ningxi leaned against Situ. The atmosphere among the four was undeniably strange.

Sang Li felt as if she were facing an impending disaster. Before the clam boat had even come to a full stop, she hastily jumped down.

The sea was constantly buffeted by waves, and with one sudden jolt, Sang Li wobbled on her feet, nearly falling headfirst into the water.

Ji Hengyu, who had been following behind, frowned slightly, about to intervene when an arm shot out in front of him, steadying Sang Li before he could act.

“Be careful, miss.”

Sang Li froze for a moment, her guard immediately rising as she struggled to pull her arm free.

Shen Zheyou’s expression remained cold. Once she was steady on her feet, he withdrew his hand without a word.

Ji Hengyu observed silently, his face betraying nothing as his fingers beneath his sleeve clenched into a fist once more.

Sang Li paid no heed to either of them. She hurried over to Yue Zhuqing, affectionately linking arms with her. “Big Sister~”

Yue Zhuqing smiled and pinched her cheek lightly. “Were you scared?”

Sang Li shook her head. “No.”

Their warm interaction made Situ feel uneasy. Pouting exaggeratedly, she complained, “I’ve been waiting for you for ages, and here you are only talking to her and not me!”

Sang Li smacked her forehead, realizing her mistake, and quickly apologized. “It’s my fault, it’s my fault. Divine Lady, please don’t be angry.”

“Hmph.” Situ crossed her arms, giving Sang Li a once-over. “What were you doing going to the Abyss Prison? It’s horribly damp down there, and staying too long can harm your cultivation.”

As she spoke, she shot another disdainful glance at Ji Hengyu.

Sang Li replied, “It was regarding the selection competition. It’s already over, so Divine Lady doesn’t need to worry.”

“Who’s worried about you?” Situ rolled her eyes but couldn’t help sneaking glances at Sang Li, visibly relieved when she confirmed that Sang Li was unharmed.

Ji Hengyu had already disembarked. Shen Zheyou bowed respectfully to him and addressed the matter at hand: “The escape of Fu Tianhou has alarmed the divine realm. The Dao Lord has ordered me to assist you, Lord Ji, in apprehending Fu Tianhou and bringing him back to Gui Xu.”

Ji Hengyu’s fingertips twitched faintly as his gaze remained fixed on Shen Zheyou’s hands.

Contrary to his outward appearance, Shen Zheyou’s knuckles were large, his palms calloused and scarred from years of wielding a sword—a remnant of his training in the mortal realm, which he had retained even after ascending.

Perhaps Ji Hengyu’s gaze was too direct, for Shen Zheyou raised his eyebrows suspiciously.

Ji Hengyu withdrew his gaze, his tone returning to its usual detached warmth. “Since the Dao Lord has spoken, I will not refuse.” He then gestured for Li Ningxi to come forward. “My young disciple will accompany Immortal Shen. He has the dossier and movements of Fu Tianhou.”

Li Ningxi complied, bowing slightly and extending a polite gesture. “This way, Immortal Shen.”

Sang Li glanced between Ji Hengyu and Shen Zheyou, certain that Ji Hengyu was pulling a fast one.

Just moments ago on the ship, she had clearly seen the real dossier of Fu Tianhou in Ji Hengyu’s hands. How could Li Ningxi possibly have it?

That sly dog couldn’t tell the truth to save his life.

She pursed her lips and followed along.

________________________________________

The next morning, Sang Li received her assignment scroll and the badge of an apprentice disciple.

[Location: Huashan City.

Mission: Eliminate more than a hundred low-level demons or monsters ranked Grade C or higher.

Duration: Six months.]

Six months—plenty of time for her.

Sang Li tucked away the scroll and badge, preparing to return to Huansha Garden to pack some things and inform Shaoyao of her departure.

However, just as she stepped out of the Gongyi Hall, she ran into several Demon-Subduing Guards.

Han Mang was among them, being nudged along by two others who kept whispering something into his ear.

Sang Li watched quietly for a moment before calling out, “Han Mang.”

Han Mang broke free from the grip of his companions, shyly scratching his head as he shuffled over to her. His skin was dark, but even the deepest complexion couldn’t hide the flush burning his ears.

His gaze wandered, avoiding hers as he coughed awkwardly. “I-I wanted to ask how your injuries are healing?”

“They’re fine,” Sang Li replied with a smile. “And you?”

“I-I’m fine too,” Han Mang stammered, nearly biting his tongue. Hearing the snickers from behind him, he turned and glared at his companions angrily.

After standing awkwardly for a while, just as he was about to say something, Yue Zhuqing appeared in the distance. “Sang Li, Lord Ji has asked me to bring you over.”

“Oh, I’ll be right there!” Sang Li waved at Han Mang. “I’ll take my leave now. Han Mang, take care of yourself, and thank you for looking after me during the Illusion Forest mission.”

With that, she skipped off to Yue Zhuqing’s side.

Watching their retreating figures, Han Mang’s expression shifted from embarrassment to melancholy.

“What’s wrong with you, Han Mang? Did you give her the gift or not?” One of his buddies clapped him on the shoulder, asking teasingly.

Han Mang squeezed the brocade pouch in his hand, which contained a hairpin he had specially purchased.

He glanced over again, but Sang Li was already far away, her pale green robes fluttering in the distance like a vibrant green sprout swaying in the morning light.

—Graceful and lively, radiating vivid vitality.

He sighed, covering his eyes as he shook his head. “Forget it.”

“Huh?” His friends were baffled. “What do you mean, forget it?”

He turned around, saying simply, “I’m not worthy.”

Han Mang knew his own worth.

Once shallow-minded, he had only seen the surface. Now, looking again, Sang Li’s physical appearance was the least significant thing about her. From her temperament to her magnanimity, he fell short in every way.

He was just a lowly Demon-Subduing Guard, unsure of when he might perish. If he lacked the ability to protect such feelings, then there was no point in voicing them.

Speaking them aloud would only add to his troubles.

Taking a deep breath, Han Mang lifted his head, his expression suddenly brightening.

Throwing his arms around his brothers, he laughed heartily. “Sorry to trouble you all with this. To make up for it, I’ll treat everyone today!”

Hearing this, the others burst into laughter. “Haha, alright! Tomorrow, we’ll be on another mission, and who knows if we’ll come back alive. Let’s drink our fill tonight!”