The lingering heat from last night’s debauchery had not yet faded.
As soon as Chu Mo stepped out of the cave, she carefully concealed the residual spiritual power at the entrance.
After confirming no one was around, she slipped back into her usual cold, dignified “Senior Sister Chu” persona.
She had not gone far when her transmission jade slip received a message.
The spirit boat from Red Sun Phoenix Heaven Sect would arrive soon.
Calculating the time, it had been nearly two years since she last saw Yan Qingge.
Chu Mo was overjoyed and hurried over immediately.
Just as she arrived, the spirit boat came to a steady stop.
A bright, striking figure jumped down from the boat and ran toward her.
Yan Qingge had fiery red hair and golden eyes. She wore a red robe.
Although she was slightly shorter than Chu Mo, the bold curves beneath that red clothing were full of wild, unrestrained allure.
If Chu Mo’s beauty made people feel cold and unapproachable, then Yan Qingge’s beauty was highly aggressive.
She looked like a playful, mischievous older sister, or like a crimson female leopard dozing in the shade.
“Qingge!”
The moment the two met, they shared a big hug.
As best friends who had grown up together, everything was understood without words.
“Come on, Qingge. Let’s go to my Lingxiao Peak. I’ll throw a welcome feast to wash away the dust of your journey.”
…
At Lingxiao Peak, perhaps because she had eaten two meals with Bai Qingran there, Chu Mo chose to hold the welcome banquet for Yan Qingge in the courtyard this time as well.
Chu Mo’s courtyard was very refined, with lake stones, clear water, spiritual plants, and rare birds.
It was elegant and refined.
Before long, various dishes were served.
Chu Mo took out a bottle of three-hundred-year-old Drunken Immortal from her storage ring.
She first poured a cup for Yan Qingge, then filled her own.
“Qingge, this cup is for you. Yunqing’s safe return was all thanks to you risking your life to help.”
“There’s no need to be so formal between us. I know this past year has been hard on you. As your friend, it was the least I could do.”
The two exchanged a smile and drained the first cup.
Chu Mo set down her wine cup and looked at the slightly thicker outline under Yan Qingge’s red sleeve.
Noticing her gaze, Yan Qingge gave a helpless smile and casually rolled up her sleeve.
Her jade-like forearm was wrapped in white cloth, from which wafted a faint medicinal fragrance.
“I let my guard down. Otherwise, that thing couldn’t have injured me. But it’s fine. I have Phoenix Flame protecting my body, so the toxin isn’t as effective on me.”
Seeing the guilt on Chu Mo’s face, Yan Qingge changed the subject.
“I never knew your Yunqing knew medical arts. Were you deliberately hiding it, afraid others would covet your precious Yunqing?”
As she spoke, Yan Qingge raised an eyebrow, her expression full of teasing.
Chu Mo smiled and waved her hand.
“How could that be? I only found out this time as well.”
Yan Qingge didn’t respond.
She simply stared straight at Chu Mo.
The smile on her face grew bigger and bigger, her eyes filled with the incredulous look of someone who had discovered new land.
Being stared at like this made Chu Mo’s scalp tingle.
A chill ran down her back.
“Qingge, why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?”
Yan Qingge let out a meaningful soft laugh. She deliberately lowered her voice mysteriously.
“There’s quite a lot on you. Your Yunqing really has some skills, managing to melt this ten-thousand-year-old iceberg of yours. Since you’ve just tasted meat, take it easy. Don’t be too rough and wear the poor guy out.”
Hearing this absurd remark, Chu Mo choked on the wine she had just drunk.
She placed the cup on the table, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and her face turned red with embarrassment and annoyance.
“Qingge! What nonsense are you saying?! Don’t talk rubbish. Yunqing and I are completely innocent.”
Yan Qingge curved her lips in amusement.
Her slender fingertip pointed vaguely at her own neck.
Chu Mo hurriedly looked down and realized that because she had moved too vigorously while drinking earlier, her usually neat collar had shifted, revealing a suggestive red mark on her snow-white neck. It was particularly eye-catching.
Tsk.
Chu Mo clicked her tongue inwardly.
The trembling, forced soft cries from last night seemed to echo in her ears.
That little fox really was… a fatal temptress.
Seeing Chu Mo’s reaction, Yan Qingge rolled her eyes.
“I’ve walked through a sea of flowers without getting a single leaf on me. Did you really think you could hide it from me?”
Yan Qingge was famous for loving to play around—but only with girls.
She had once said something shocking that rocked the cultivation world: “Powerful women should fuck women!”
Of course, physical contact was limited to holding hands.
“Ahem, it’s not… it’s not what you think. This is… I had a small issue while cultivating. My spiritual power went a bit out of control.”
Liar! It was obvious that after being separated for a year and finally reuniting, the dry wood met raging fire with a bang, and something unspeakable had happened.
But her friend was too thin-skinned and would rather die than admit it in front of her.
“Fine, fine. Let’s not talk about that. Ever since I saw you this time, I keep smelling a unique fragrance on you. It’s really distinctive. I’ve never smelled such a wonderful floral scent anywhere else. Did your Yunqing make you a scent sachet or something?”
As if struck at a vital point, Chu Mo nodded stiffly. What scent sachet?
This was clearly Bai Qingran’s natural body scent. That little fox was truly detestable.
It was right to keep him locked up.
If he got out, who knew what would happen?
Seeing Chu Mo nod and admit it was a sachet, Yan Qingge extended her hand.
But Chu Mo didn’t react for a long time, as if she hadn’t seen it.
Yan Qingge grew impatient.
“No way, Chu Mo. It’s just a sachet. Even if it was made by your Yunqing, you don’t have to be like this. Tsk tsk tsk. You’ve got a man and forgotten your best friend.”
“No, no. I’ll ask Yunqing to make another one for you. A new one.”
Chu Mo’s scalp went numb as she hastily agreed.
“That’s more like it. Given our relationship… Oh right, tell Yunqing to teach me how to make it too. I’ll show my little sisters later. They’ll definitely love it.”
The welcome banquet continued while Chu Mo remained inwardly anxious.
***
When Bai Qingran woke up, it was already mid-afternoon.
He lay sprawled on the bed for a long time, not wanting to move—and unable to move even if he wanted to.
He had truly been angry yesterday.
If Pei Yunqing made you unhappy, go curse him out! Why are you taking it out on me, you useless piece of trash! Coward who can only vent on me!
And also…
Bai Qingran closed his eyes, remembering how Chu Mo had made him say he loved her yesterday.
Love? Bai Qingran felt a wave of physical nausea.
He really didn’t know where this beast got the face to say such a thing.
She had imprisoned him without reason, tortured and abused him for a year, and even dug out his Demon Core, severing his hope of cultivation.
Now that she got frustrated with Pei Yunqing, she wanted to find “love” from him?
Bai Qingran’s chest heaved violently. His silver teeth ground together with a creak.
His red pupils flickered with unwillingness and raging fury.
He had to escape. He had to make this beast pay the price.
He got off the bed, made himself something simple to eat, and then began exploring the cave again.
After carefully checking many times, Bai Qingran was absolutely certain there was only one exit, but it was sealed by an invisible barrier.
He couldn’t get out.
He grabbed a kitchen knife and some stones.
As if venting the anger in his heart, he smashed them at the barrier.
Of course, the barrier remained completely unaffected.
When he grew tired of smashing, Bai Qingran leaned against the stone wall.
Fine cold sweat covered his forehead.
He took small, even breaths, his eyes narrowing slightly.
What should he do now?
Bai Qingran silently reviewed his current situation.
Chu Mo’s desire for him had not decreased—in fact, she was now demanding love—and she was not on good terms with Pei Yunqing… This seemed like something he could use.
Then… he would be “good” to Chu Mo. But this goodness would be built upon his apparent surrender to reality and despair.
He would indirectly admit that all her actions toward him were effective.
That he had given up struggling and could no longer leave her.
He would play the role of a patient suffering from Stockholm syndrome.
This would become a slow, simmering fire that would gradually cook Chu Mo.
Once she became intoxicated by the fantasy of his obedience, gentleness, and sensible nature, he could start making requests—such as asking if someone could come keep him company.
People were the biggest variable in most situations. The more variables there were, the less predictable the final outcome would be.
Having made up his mind, Bai Qingran thought of the first step: he needed to capture this beast through her stomach.
Right. Last time that beast had asked if he could make mung bean cakes.
She probably wanted to eat them.
Hmm… it had been a long time since he last made them.
Since this concerned his great escape plan, he couldn’t be careless.
He would practice making them a few times first until he was skilled, then make them for her.
He had a plan now, but the thought of having to please Chu Mo made Bai Qingran feel genuinely sick.
His eyes darkened as he gently stroked the scar where his Demon Core had been dug out.
The sorrow in his eyes was indescribable.
Even if he managed to escape, the path of cultivation would likely be closed to him forever.
Fortunately, his father had taught him many skills.
Whether it was practicing medicine or opening a small restaurant, he would have no problem supporting himself.
But… he had once dreamed of traveling the world with a sword in hand.
Shaking off the negative emotions with a shake of his head, Bai Qingran staggered toward the kitchen.
Now that he had a plan, it was time to put it into action.
“Sigh… This body is too weak right now. After I get out, I’ll need to follow the medical books my father left me and properly recuperate for some time…”
Inside the cave, a voice filled with hope echoed softly.