AUOF - 50

Sang Li and Ji Hengyu stayed beneath the Hai Mu divine tree until late into the night.

She didn’t know when she had fallen asleep, but when she woke up again, it was already early morning.

After a quick wash, Sang Li left the inn with Situ.

The daytime in Huashan City wasn’t much different from the night. This place was close to the demon realm, beyond the jurisdiction of the immortal lands—it was a forsaken land abandoned even by the golden crows.

The red lanterns above swayed blindingly.

Situ stopped in front of a small stall, fiddling with the various masks on display. Just as Sang Li thought about going over to take a look, her shoulder suddenly stung with pain.

She turned around and saw someone in the corner gesturing to her.

Sang Li’s thoughts settled, and she walked over to Situ. “I saw some snacks being sold over there. Let me go buy some for us to try.”

Situ was still engrossed in picking out trinkets and nodded absentmindedly. “Go ahead, but be careful.”

“Got it.”

Sang Li turned and ran into the alley.

The person wore a mask, and on their cuffs was embroidered the emblem of a demonic face with fangs—a unique mark of Yan Jinglou’s hidden guards.

“The Lord wants to see you.”

He formed a seal with his fingers, conjuring a deep purple teleportation array, then stood aside, waiting for Sang Li to step in first.

Sang Li clenched her fists tightly and stepped into the array.

The glow of the array faded, gradually revealing the surrounding scenery—everywhere were curtains and bead screens. It seemed to be one of the pleasure quarters in the city.

From the music halls and dance pavilions came the sounds of revelry and soft melodies, mingled with the scent of musk, wine, and meat wafting through the air.

The guide led the way diligently.

They passed through corridors and long alleys, finally arriving at an intricately carved door. The noise behind them gradually faded.

“My lord, the person has been brought.”

He announced and gestured for Sang Li to enter.

She walked in.

The room was tidy and quiet.

On the low table by the window sat an exquisitely crafted crane-shaped incense burner, from which wisps of smoke rose, emitting a faint, elegant fragrance.

Soon, a tall figure emerged from behind the screen.

His long hair was tied back, dressed in luxurious indigo robes that softened the harshness in his eyes. However, his imposing presence still set him apart from the demons, immortals, and revelers wandering Huashan City.

At first glance, he appeared human enough.

But after seeing the unparalleled beauty of Ji Hengyu every day, Sang Li had grown numb to such appearances. Even though Yan Jinglou seemed to have deliberately dressed up, she showed no particular reaction—not even sparing him a second glance—and simply went through the motions of bowing.

“Greetings, my lord.”

Her indifferent attitude immediately caused Yan Jinglou’s brows to furrow.

Though he wasn’t someone who cared much about appearances, whether Sang Li had feigned madness or foolishness last night, it had irked him nonetheless.

He had lit incense, bathed, and even worn clothes in colors he had never donned before.

Yet Sang Li hadn’t raised her head once.

He brooded for a while, gave up, and called out unhappily, “Chunling.”

Sang Li looked over in surprise.

Chunling emerged, first bowing to Yan Jinglou, then giving Sang Li a large, disdainful glare.

Sang Li retaliated with an equally large glare.

Her bigger eyes delivered an even more exaggerated roll.

Chunling grew visibly angry. “My lord, Lady Cui is alone...”

“Help her dress and groom,” Yan Jinglou said lazily as he reclined on the couch, crossing one long leg over the other. “Do it in the manner of Lady Ningyue.”

Although Chunling wasn’t pleased, she understood that everything was ultimately for Cui Wanning.

She swallowed her resentment and forced a smile. “Miss, please follow me.”

Sang Li asked, “Can’t I just stay like this? Why go through all this trouble?”

Yan Jinglou lifted his eyelids slightly. “Everyone in the ten halls of Yin Prefecture knows how important Lady Ningyue is to me. Even if you can’t emulate her inner qualities, at least match her outward appearance.”

So, this was a jab at her not measuring up to Cui Wanning.

What a despicable man—his mouth was as foul as his eyes were blind.

After saying this, Yan Jinglou continued observing Sang Li, catching sight of her slight signs of irritation and impatience.

Her emotions were laid bare before him, causing his heart to tighten momentarily.

Yan Jinglou had always been aware.

Sang Li harbored feelings of admiration for him. No matter how well she concealed it, every time he spent time alone with Lady Ningyue or mentioned her name in front of Sang Li, she couldn’t help but betray hints of disappointment.

Yan Jinglou exploited her affection, training her to become his most obedient pawn.

He saw nothing wrong with this.

As the leader of all demons, he was meant to command the clouds and grasp the mists. If he truly had any sense of shame, he wouldn’t have reached this position.

And yet...

She seemed different now.

Different… almost like a stranger.

Yan Jinglou’s probing gaze made Sang Li’s skin crawl involuntarily.

She shrank her neck slightly and quickly followed Chunling into the inner chamber.

Hanging on the clothing rack was an outfit that looked extremely expensive at first glance.

Unable to resist, Sang Li reached out to touch the fabric—it felt like running her hand through water: smooth, cool, and delicately refined. Upon closer inspection, the embroidery on the garment shifted with the light.

Sang Li had never seen such a fantastical piece of clothing and curiously asked, “Is this your lady’s attire?”

At this, Chunling grew irritated. “This is the Liu Ying Xue Hua robe specially woven for Lady Cui by the best weavers summoned by the Demon Lord over thirty days. Not only does it use the rarest jade silk threads, but it also incorporates powdered star snow.”

“Powdered snow?” Sang Li seized on the key point. “What kind of pastry is it?”

Chunling choked on her words, hopping with anger. “It’s Dian Xing Xue —not pastry snow!” She emphasized each word. “Dian Xing Xue is the celestial snow from atop the Unmelting Mountain. The Unmelting Mountain only sees this snow once every five thousand years. Once it leaves the mountain, it never melts. However, within the mountain’s boundaries, it rapidly vanishes. To obtain such a rare snow, one must expend vast amounts of manpower and resources—it’s extremely precious. Are you really so uncultured that you don’t even know this?”

“Yes, yes, I’m uncultured,” Sang Li said dismissively, not bothering to argue with her. “But if it’s so valuable, why are your lady and the Demon Lord so generous as to give it to me?”

Chunling snorted. “The Demon Lord has already spread false information, claiming tonight is our lady’s birthday. You’ll wear this outfit to attend the birthday banquet in her place. If my guess is correct, the Demon Lord’s enemies will make their move during the banquet. He plans to use this opportunity to eliminate all the treacherous roots harboring ill intentions.”

“Oh.” Sang Li suddenly understood. “So the Demon Lord wants me to be both a scapegoat and bait. How cunning of him—truly fitting.”

“...”

Her words sounded like praise but also didn’t.

Chunling wanted to retort but found no point in arguing. After pondering for three breaths, she gave up and began dressing Sang Li.

Outside, Yan Jinglou heard every word clearly while sitting there.

He was gripping his teacup so tightly it nearly shattered. After a moment, he laughed bitterly.

Last night she had complained about his old-man smell and foot odor, and today she called him cunning.

After just one year away, her boldness had grown more than tenfold.

Yan Jinglou closed his eyes and couldn’t help but reflect on what Sang Li used to be like.

She had been nothing but a beautiful shell, her personality as bland as lukewarm water. Her missions were carried out meticulously, and she was obedient, like a wooden post—poke her, and she’d squeak.

Yan Jinglou rested his cheek on one hand, feigning sleep, growing impatient. His fingertips tapped lightly on his knee.

After a while, there was movement behind the screen.

“Demon Lord, she’s ready.”

He lazily lifted his lashes. The moment he looked over, he was momentarily stunned.

Her hair was styled in an elegant coiffure, adorned with stars and moons.

Her radiant beauty dazzled the entire room, surpassing even the splendor of the Liu Ying Xue Hua robe.

Oddly enough, what first caught Yan Jinglou’s attention wasn’t the shimmering gown or her stunning face—it was her eyes.

They transported him back to his youth, before he became a demon or an immortal.

That year, he was thirteen, his bones broken, lying by the roadside fighting dogs for scraps of food.

It was springtime.

She walked across the bridge over the lake, holding a plum blossom umbrella. She was shorter than the maid behind her, dressed in a green robe that shimmered faintly, like budding willow shoots by the lakeside.

At that time… she had looked at him with those same eyes.

—Pure.

Like pearls washed in spring rain.

Through countless cycles of reincarnation, he had found her—but perhaps not truly found her.

Her body bore everything he had given her; yet, she lacked the purity of their first meeting.

“Demon Lord?”

Chunling called him several times.

Yan Jinglou snapped back to reality, inwardly mocking himself for his absurd thoughts.

Lady Ningyue was right beside him.

The Fan Sha Flower within her body had evolved from the Soul-Capturing Pearl he had stolen for her. Only through daily nourishment of her soul and countless cycles of reincarnation could that pearl transform into the Fan Sha Flower , granting her eternal life and protecting her spirit.

There was no mistake.

Once, he had wanted her to get better, to not die. Hoping for a chance to walk alongside her in some future life, Yan Jinglou clung to this faint possibility and risked everything to infiltrate Gui Xu, stealing the Soul-Capturing Pearl right under Ji Hengyu’s nose.

Though the cost had been severe, he had succeeded.

Yan Jinglou clenched his fists tightly, convincing himself as he looked at Sang Li’s eyes once more.

She had bewitching fox-like pupils, yet her gaze remained clear.

If her personality hadn’t changed, then perhaps... her soul had been replaced?

Considering this possibility, a hint of cold sharpness crept beneath Yan Jinglou’s otherwise calm expression.

“Chunling, leave.”

“Yes.”

Chunling bowed and retreated.

In an instant, the temperature around them dropped.

Sang Li glanced at Yan Jinglou’s expression and noticed him rising to approach her.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively took two steps back.

“Sang Li.”

When he called her by her full name, it surely meant trouble!

Sang Li tensed up.

His expression revealed nothing, and because of the silken worm curse, she couldn’t feel pain, leaving her unsure whether Yan Jinglou was controlling her with a spell.

Just as she was considering whether to fake pain, Yan Jinglou suddenly said, “Show me your spirit form.”

Sang Li froze. “Ah... ah?”

Spirit... spirit form??

What was this now?!

Seeing her reaction, Yan Jinglou sneered. “Don’t tell me you don’t know what this is.”

Sang Li swallowed hard, racking her brain for a while before finally understanding what a spirit form was.

It was essentially the appearance of one’s soul.

Whether they were spirits or demons, any being who had cultivated from plants or animals could freely reveal their spirit form—it was their original shape. For instance, the Revealing Mirror was crafted based on this principle.

But...

Why did Yan Jinglou suddenly want to see her spirit form?

Could it be that he had noticed the change in her soul?!

This possibility was even worse than him discovering she was a double agent.

Sang Li’s palms were sweaty with panic, and she opened her mouth to say, “My lord...”

But her voice cut off abruptly.

His arm transformed into a blade, pressing mercilessly against her neck.

“One...”

Sang Li’s pupils quaked. The despicable man had started counting.