AUOF - 46

When Sang Li woke up, she felt groggy and unwell.

She rubbed her stiff neck and dragged her weary body downstairs for breakfast.

“Sang Li, over here.”

Situ had already secured a spot and waved to her enthusiastically.

It wasn’t early by this time, and there were hardly any empty seats left downstairs. Sang Li took her place and poured herself a cup of hot tea to clear her mind.

“Why do you look so listless? Didn’t you sleep well?”

“Maybe I’m just too tired. It’s nothing.”

“Oh.” Situ didn’t press further and turned her attention to the bustling crowd outside. “Cloud Heaven City falls under the jurisdiction of the Benevolent God. For a thousand years, it has rarely seen trouble. We probably won’t find many monsters here.”

Sang Li listened absentmindedly while casually picking up a steamed bun to eat.

Situ asked, “Are you planning to go directly to Huashan City or stop somewhere else first?”

After thinking for a moment, Sang Li replied decisively, “I want to make a detour to the Wuding Sect in Beinan Mountain.”

Situ was puzzled. “Isn’t that a cultivation sect? What are you going there for?”

Sang Li didn’t answer, chewing on her bun instead.

She had been constantly thinking about Lin Xiang’er. The last letter Lin Xiang’er had written was still tucked away in her storage pouch. Regardless of anything else, if it hadn’t been for Lin Xiang’er’s guidance, she and Ji Hengyu wouldn’t have escaped Wanshui Prefecture so smoothly. So, Sang Li decided that after leaving the mountain, she would definitely visit the Wuding Sect, find Lu Heqing, and tell him that Lin Xiang’er had never betrayed him.

Sang Li’s eyes darted around until they suddenly froze on one spot.

Descending the stairs was none other than the purple-clad woman she had encountered the day before!

This time, the woman wasn’t wearing a veil. She was accompanied by her maid and a tall, burly man wearing a mask.

The woman clearly noticed her too, as her steps paused momentarily.

“Miss, it’s that rude person from last night,” Chunling whispered softly to remind her mistress.

The woman said nothing and continued down the stairs.

As she drew closer, her features became clearer, causing Sang Li to gasp in shock.

Plop.

The meat bun in her hand fell back onto the plate.

Situ looked at her. “What’s wrong?”

Sang Li couldn’t speak.

—Cui Wanning.

The female protagonist of the original story.

Although she was the main character, she didn’t possess any extraordinary qualities.

If anything set her apart, it was the special celestial artifact called Fan Sha Hua sealed within her body. Though Cui Wanning was mortal, this treasure granted her longevity surpassing even immortals, and her blood and flesh possessed healing properties, making her the object of countless covetous gazes.

In the later parts of the original story, Ji Hengyu killed Cui Wanning to treat his karmic affliction and claimed the Fan Sha Hua from her body.

However, these were all plot details her friend had recounted to her.

Her mind also held memories left behind by the little fox spirit: when Yan Jinglou was thirteen, he was constantly bullied and beaten, once nearly dying from severe injuries. Fortunately, a young girl found him and cared for him day and night, saving his life.

Later, things changed, and the girl died of illness in the prime of her youth. In the same year, Yan Jinglou was abandoned with broken limbs on Rakshasa Mountain.

Their childhood bond was severed forever.

Yan Jinglou never forgot this kindness, cherishing her memory as the “white moonlight” in his heart for centuries, never giving up his search for her.

Finally, when the little fox spirit turned three hundred, Yan Jinglou brought back a human woman—Cui Wanning.

Only then did the fox spirit learn that Cui Wanning was the reincarnation of the girl who had saved him.

He bestowed upon her the title “Lady Ningyue,” keeping her by his side. He treated her with meticulous care and affection, showering her with everything the fox spirit had never received.

Sealed within Cui Wanning’s body was the Fan Sha Hua.

The Fan Sha Hua was an enigmatic and rare treasure, but being human, she couldn’t compare to those with immortal or demonic lineage. Even with such a powerful artifact, and despite her blood and flesh possessing healing abilities, Cui Wanning never reaped any benefits. Her body remained perpetually frail, highly sensitive to the cold. To help her, Yan Jinglou even sent the fox spirit to retrieve the Ten Directions Fire Lotus from Mount Tianhuo to warm her.

Though the fire lotus was retrieved, the fox spirit nearly lost her life in the process.

These memories were etched deeply into her mind. As Sang Li recalled them, her heart ached painfully.

These weren’t her emotions—they were remnants left behind by the original owner.

Clearly, this experience had wounded her deeply.

Whether it was an illusion or not, Sang Li detected a flicker of unmistakable surprise in Cui Wanning’s eyes.

A blink later, her gaze returned to its usual gentle demeanor.

“There are no available seats nearby. May we share this table with the two of you?”

Cui Wanning approached them, slightly bowing to ask politely.

Before Sang Li could respond, Chunling shamelessly moved a chair over.

Cui Wanning nodded courteously, about to sit down, when a pair of feet suddenly stomped heavily onto the chair’s surface.

Cui Wanning’s expression shifted slightly.

Situ leaned back in her chair, legs crossed, her foot resting on the chair and swinging back and forth lazily.

With a languid lift of her eyelids, she drawled, “Did I say you could sit here?”

Cui Wanning’s face flushed with embarrassment.

Chunling immediately grew indignant, stepping forward to defend her mistress. “This isn’t your restaurant. Our Miss doesn’t need your permission to sit here. It’s only because she’s polite that she even asked. Are you deliberately causing trouble with such arrogance?”

“Arrogance? Trouble?” Situ raised an eyebrow. “Neither applies. I just simply dislike the sight of you and your master, and I’m in the mood to make you uncomfortable.”

Furious, Chunling charged forward. “You…”

“Last night, you screeched like rats. Now you’re at it again in broad daylight. What, are you trying to make sure everyone knows how loud your voice can be?”

So Situ had heard everything from last night.

Sang Li’s thoughts were tangled as her peripheral vision caught the silent masked man standing behind them.

He wore a black robe, his presence completely concealed, making him easily overlooked by those around him.

For some reason, Sang Li sensed an oddly familiar aura from him, which made her feel slightly uneasy.

Sang Li tugged at Situ, her voice barely above a whisper. “Let’s go, Atu.”

Situ had been preparing to lecture the two of them, but hearing Sang Li call her “Atu” instantly brightened her mood.

She lowered her foot, straightened her back proudly, and casually tossed a few silver coins onto the table.

“What did you just call me?” As soon as they turned around, Situ’s demeanor changed. She set aside her earlier arrogance and leaned closer to Sang Li with a hint of joy, whispering in her ear.

“Atu.” Sang Li whispered back. “Did this name offend you?”

“Not at all.” Situ’s eyes curved into crescents. “When I was still in my mother’s belly, she always called me that. After she passed away, no one ever called me by my nickname again.”

The Supreme Dao Lord sometimes called her “Tu’er,” but Situ always found it nauseating.

This was the first time someone had called her “Atu.”

Just as she was feeling pleased, her expression suddenly shifted. She quickly pulled Sang Li to the side.

A flash of light streaked through the air as a demonic blade pierced past them and struck the building across the street. A loud explosion followed, igniting a roaring fire in the opposite shop. Screams erupted everywhere as people scrambled to extinguish the flames.

“Looking for death!”

Situ’s gaze sharpened as she cast a spirit seal toward the maid’s chest. With such meager cultivation, the maid couldn’t dodge in time. Her body flew backward several meters, smashing through chairs consecutively before crashing into the wall, spewing a mouthful of black blood.

“Chunling!” Cui Wanning cried out in concern. Before she could rush over to help, Situ whipped out her long lash and swung it toward her.

The masked man who had remained silent until now suddenly moved. Sensing danger, Sang Li stepped in front of Situ and erected a barrier, barely managing to block the incoming attack.

His eyes beneath the mask were dark and cold.

The chill in them flickered like ghostly flames in the darkness, mingled with emotions that Sang Li couldn’t quite decipher.

Her heart skipped a beat. Sang Li dispelled the barrier and pulled Situ back.

By now, most of the tavern’s patrons had fled in panic, leaving only the few of them behind.

Sang Li had already recognized the masked man, but his unfamiliar aura left her uncertain.

Situ still wanted to argue with them, but Sang Li held her tightly, preventing her from moving.

Sang Li stood protectively in front of Situ and said respectfully, “It’s just a misunderstanding. Please calm down.”

“Chunling, how are you?” Cui Wanning helped up the maid, whose body convulsed violently. Blood poured from her seven orifices as she lost consciousness.

Sang Li sighed helplessly. “I will help find a pharmacist to treat this girl’s injuries. In return, please ask this…” She paused, “...young master to stand down. There is a divine well here; any commotion will only embarrass all of us.”

Hearing this, Situ frowned, unwilling to let it go. “Why should we? They...”

Sang Li gripped her wrist tightly, lowering her voice. “Cloud Heaven City is under the jurisdiction of the Benevolent God. Their moves are extraordinary, and they likely have powerful clans backing them. If the sounds of our fight reach the upper realms through the divine well, it will only bring trouble upon you. You injured their side, while we remain unscathed. We’ve already won this round. She’s just a lowly maid, not worth causing a big fuss over. Now we’re paying to avoid disaster. If they’re smart, they won’t press the matter further.”

Situ’s eyes flickered. She had been so focused on venting her anger that she hadn’t considered this point.

Thinking about it, Sang Li was right.

The maid had been beaten nearly to death. Even if she recovered, it would take months.

Situ relaxed her furrowed brows, feeling much better, and stopped arguing.

Sang Li breathed a small sigh of relief.

What she had said earlier was part of the reason, but there was another: the masked man was likely Yan Jinglou. The dual-life curse within her had yet to be lifted, and offending Cui Wanning now might provoke Yan Jinglou to torture her later.

Moreover…

If he truly was Yan Jinglou, Sang Li planned to extract his blood here.

With her plan in mind, Sang Li slowly approached and called out to the stunned shopkeeper, “Excuse me, please prepare a guest room.”

“Ah... yes, yes, honored guests, please follow me.”

Sang Li bent down to pick up Chunling and headed upstairs.

Seeing this, Situ reluctantly followed.

She placed Chunling on the bed and said to Cui Wanning, “I’ll go find a pharmacist.”

“No need for a pharmacist,” Cui Wanning replied. “Human pharmacists can’t cure Chunling.”

Upon hearing this, Situ sneered and shot her a disdainful glance.

Cui Wanning retrieved paper and pen, writing down the names of several herbs before handing the list to Sang Li. Her gaze toward Sang Li was distant, as if regarding a stranger, her act convincingly genuine.

“Please, Miss, fetch these herbs for me.”

Sang Li gave the list a quick glance.

The herbs listed were rare items that grew in deep mountain cliffs or ghostly abysses—extremely difficult to obtain.

She couldn’t help but suspect that Cui Wanning was deliberately making things difficult for her. However, according to the little fox spirit’s memories, Lady Ningyue had always been a mild-mannered person who never sought conflict. Whenever the fox spirit was mistreated by Yan Jinglou, she would intercede on her behalf.

—Perhaps she was overthinking it.

Sang Li tucked the list away, unwilling to leave Situ alone here, and invited her to come along.

Thanks to her divine water qilin mount, it took only two incense sticks’ worth of time to travel from Cloud Heaven City to Ghost Cliff Mountain.

Once the qilin landed, looking around at the desolate wilderness and the seemingly bottomless cliffs, Situ’s temper flared again. “Do you think that woman intentionally set you up? What kind of herbs do we need to come all the way here for?”

As Sang Li searched for the herbs, she replied, “If harming her maid was part of the scheme, it would be too great a loss for her.”

Situ snorted, crossing her arms as she moved behind Sang Li. Seizing the opportunity, she kicked her squarely in the rear.

Caught off guard by the sudden kick, Sang Li clutched her backside, looking utterly wronged. “What was that for, Divine One? Why are you angry?”

“You idiot!” Situ exploded. “I thought you were smart, but you’re still a fool! Everyone knows that dogs rely on their masters’ power. If a dog stays quiet and doesn’t cause trouble, it means its master is weak. But if the dog bites everyone in sight, its master must be someone formidable. Think about it—how dare a mere maid act so arrogantly unless her master authorized it?”

Sang Li fell silent, realizing there was some truth to her words.

“But... her master seemed nice.”

Her friend hadn’t mentioned much about the female protagonist’s storyline. In the few memories related to Cui Wanning, she always appeared as a gentle and elegant figure. On the rare occasions when their paths crossed, it was usually because the little fox spirit got injured while gathering medicine for her.

Wait!

Sang Li’s eyes widened, her previously frozen mind suddenly becoming sharp again. So... every time the little fox spirit got hurt, it was because of Cui Wanning? Whether it was gathering herbs or being punished, it was all for Cui Wanning!

Sang Li began to question everything. Could it be… that Cui Wanning wasn’t as virtuous as she seemed on the surface??

But why would she harm her? She was merely a pawn in Yan Jinglou’s game, far from threatening the “white moonlight” position in his heart. If jealousy were the motive, that also didn’t make sense—Yan Jinglou doted on her deeply, and even the entire demon clan treated her with utmost respect out of deference to him. Why would she feel jealous of a powerless pawn? There was no reason for her to harm her.

“It’s not entirely that,” Situ said. “When you came down earlier, I smelled something strange on you—like poison.”

Sang Li was taken aback. “Poison?”

“Mm-hmm.” Situ nodded. “That master-servant pair also carried a similar scent when they approached you. So I suspected they might still harbor resentment over last night’s incident and tried to poison you in the middle of the night. But...”

Situ gave Sang Li a once-over. Aside from looking a bit pale, she didn’t seem like someone who had been poisoned.

Unable to figure it out, Situ shook her head helplessly. “Never mind. Maybe I’m overthinking it.”

Poison?

Could it really be possible??

Sang Li was dumbfounded. She leaned down and sniffed herself hard, but after a long while, she couldn’t detect any unusual smell.

As she was lost in thought, a gust of wind swept past her face, accompanied by a whisper-like cold voice: “Get rid of her.”

In an instant, a chill ran down her spine.

Sang Li’s expression stiffened, and she awkwardly took two steps back. “Let’s not think about this for now. We should hurry and gather the herbs. Atu, let’s split up to make it faster.”

“Alright, then I’ll go collect the herbs at the bottom of the cliff.” Without hesitation, Situ jumped into the Ghost Cliff to help gather the herbs.

Once Sang Li confirmed that she wouldn’t come back up anytime soon, she turned and ran further away.

She had originally planned to find a more secluded spot, but before she could get far, she was blocked by a figure in front of her.

Amidst the desolate wilderness, the man’s broad back exuded a dense aura of killing intent.

Sang Li immediately knelt on one knee. “Your subordinate pays respects, Lord.”

The man turned around.

Sang Li didn’t dare to lift her head, her palms tightly gripping her knees.

Yan Jinglou looked down at her, the mask on his face slowly melting away in the wind, revealing a cold and aloof visage.

“Raise your head.”

Sang Li swallowed hard and slowly lifted her head.

This was the first time she had seen Yan Jinglou’s true appearance since coming to this world.

He appeared younger than in her memories, more handsome, and even colder.

Even though he deliberately used magic to conceal his crimson demonic eyes, the murderous aura still seeped through the corners of his eyes.

Yan Jinglou looked at her as if she were worthless trash.

He took two steps forward and suddenly grabbed her chin with his thumb and forefinger.

Sang Li let out a pained whimper.

“I ordered you to assassinate Ji Hengyu, yet you’ve gone and allied yourself with the Divine Maiden instead.” Yan Jinglou tightened his grip, and the suffocating sensation hit her like a wave. Her chin felt trapped as if clamped by iron, on the verge of breaking apart.

Yan Jinglou sneered coldly. “What an opportune moment. Perhaps I’ll conveniently take care of her myself.”

Hearing this, Sang Li panicked and hastily grabbed his hand.

Yan Jinglou stared at her fingertips for two seconds, then released her and stepped back, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the fingers that had touched her face.

“If something were to happen to the Divine Maiden, divine retribution would follow. My lord, please do not take such risks.” Her voice was hoarse as she lowered her gaze and pleaded.

This was how the rules of this world worked.

Those with divine bones and immortal marrow were the favored children of heaven. If anything happened to them, divine punishment would descend, and the entire continent would suffer alongside them. Sang Li didn’t believe he would be so arrogant as to disregard this, but given his erratic personality, it was hard to say…

Yan Jinglou chuckled darkly, neither confirming nor denying her words.

He noticed the badge pinned to Sang Li’s waist, lifted his palm to hook it closer, and narrowed his eyes to examine it. Smirking, he said, “Hmph, impressive. You’ve actually entered the Demon Suppressing Palace. What, are you planning to suppress me?”

As his words fell, pressure crashed down on her like an invisible tidal wave.

Her abdomen tightened, and Sang Li froze momentarily before realizing that Yan Jinglou was using the dual-life curse to apply pressure on her.

Though she couldn’t feel pain, she pretended to, clutching her stomach and writhing on the ground. “Mercy, my lord. It was during the last incident in Streamwater Town… Ji Hengyu’s junior disciple recognized my contribution in breaking through the formation and recommended me to join the Demon Suppressing Palace…”

Afraid her act wasn’t convincing enough, Sang Li pinched her thigh hard.

After tears welled up from the pain, she grabbed the hem of Yan Jinglou’s robe and tilted her head to draw his attention to her reddened eyes. “That bastard Ji Hengyu is too cautious. Your subordinate hasn’t been able to get close to him. So I thought… I’d start by infiltrating the Demon Suppressing Palace. The palace is the throat of Gui Xu, vital to its operations. I plan to stir trouble from within, lure Ji Hengyu out, and seize the opportunity to strike.”

Her explanation was flawless.

Yan Jinglou’s eyes flickered, and he suddenly crouched down in front of her. “I’ve felt for some time now that you’re different.”

Sang Li’s entire body stiffened.

Yan Jinglou lifted her chin, admiring her trembling lashes born of fear, and smiled. “You used to be quiet, even with me, mostly remaining silent. Yet after not seeing you for a while, you’ve become quite eloquent…”

His fingertip grazed her lower lip, eventually turning into a rougher, more forceful rub.

Sang Li’s lips throbbed with pain, and in her heart, she cursed him eight hundred times. But with her weakness in his hands, she didn’t dare to make any rash moves.

Finally, Yan Jinglou released her.

“For now, I’ll believe you.” He straightened up. “Later, head toward Huashan City. I’ll have something for you to do once you arrive.”

“Yes.” Sang Li respectfully saw him off. “My lord, please take care.”

Yan Jinglou snorted and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Leaves fluttered down in front of her, and she remained frozen in her previous position, not daring to move.

Snap.

The sound of a branch breaking echoed behind her.

Sang Li gritted her teeth. She knew that bastard Yan Jinglou wouldn’t leave so easily.

Sang Li cursed inwardly as she shifted her weight, still not daring to raise her head. To prove her loyalty, she began weaving a web of flattery: “My lord, why have you returned? Please rest assured, my devotion to you is as clear as the heavens and earth. Believe me, sooner or later, I will bring you the dragon’s head of that scoundrel Ji Hengyu. If that doesn’t satisfy your anger, I’ll make his skull into a football for you to kick around.”

There was silence above her for a long moment.

Sang Li wrinkled her nose and cautiously lifted her eyelids.

She first saw the silver-white hem of a robe, its edges embroidered with double-layered patterns in silver thread. Higher up, there was a jade pendant shaped like a coiled dragon hanging from the waist. By now, Sang Li had already guessed who it might be, but she clung to a sliver of hope and continued to force herself to look up further.

Suddenly, her gaze met the man’s lowered eyes.

Sang Li collapsed onto the ground, utterly despairing.

“My... my lord...”

“Hmm?” Ji Hengyu crouched before her, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Why did you stop talking?”

Sang Li was on the verge of tears. “My lord, spare me. My sincerity toward you is truly as clear as the heavens and earth. All that earlier was just an act...”

As she spoke, her voice trailed off. She noticed Ji Hengyu’s gaze shift behind her.

Her heart immediately tightened, and she quickly turned her head to look.

—No one was there.

Still trembling with fear, her heart pounding, she heard a soft, amused chuckle near her ear.

Half of Ji Hengyu’s face was hidden behind a jade-bone fan. Even though she couldn’t see his smiling lips, the slight curve of his eyes betrayed his good mood at the moment.

Once again, she had been toyed with.

Sang Li didn’t dare to lose her temper. Silently, she brushed the dust off her clothes and trudged off to gather herbs with a sullen expression.

Ji Hengyu followed leisurely. “Are you angry?”

She ignored him, only quickening her pace.

Ji Hengyu tapped his fan lightly, rhythmically. “Not bad, your courage. You even dare to vent your anger at me now.”

Sang Li huffed indignantly. “My lord, you jest. Both of you are above me. As a lowly little fox spirit, I don’t even dare to feel anger, let alone vent it.”

Ji Hengyu didn’t hear anything else; he only caught the phrase, “Both of you are above me.”

But... last time, she had been the one on top.

Ji Hengyu glanced over. She was squatting by the roadside, gathering herbs. Her slender waist curved gracefully, and the nape of her neck, exposed as she bent her head, was pale and delicate.

This made Ji Hengyu momentarily dazed, and he involuntarily recalled that dream.

Unable to resist, he leaned closer and touched her skin with his fingertip.

The sudden coldness startled Sang Li, making her jump up. She clutched her neck tightly with both hands, glaring at Ji Hengyu with obvious wariness. “My lord, are you... planning to kill me again?”

The fear in her eyes was so palpable that Ji Hengyu’s expression flickered, and he turned his head away. “No,” he said softly. “I won’t kill you.”

Sang Li didn’t believe a word of it.

It was because of the silken worm curse. If the curse were ever lifted, he would undoubtedly kill her without hesitation.

Sang Li scrutinized Ji Hengyu carefully, suddenly realizing something. “Wait, my lord. Shouldn’t you be busy in Gui Xu? Why are you here?”

Ji Hengyu’s grip on the fan subtly tightened.