Chapter 25

◎The Illusion Ends◎

Yes, he eventually succumbed to worldly desires and greed, projecting emotions he had never experienced in these past few lifetimes onto the female demon in his present life.

He not only wanted to convert this female demon, but also to personally accompany her and become her Daoist partner.

Jiang Qiye helped his father-in-law finish the last bit of work during the busy wheat harvest, and this time-consuming and laborious farming season finally came to an end.

The newly harvested wheat is stored in the granary. Whenever we need to make noodles, we can simply take it out and grind it. The family's food supply for the whole year is finally secured.

When he returned, it was already completely dark.

Pei Xueyan had already asked her neighbor for some cured meat and dug up the sweet potatoes left over from last year in the cellar, and cooked a simple hot meal.

He ate very well when he came back.

"My husband, am I tired?"

"Not tired." He was still chewing food, and his words were a little muffled: "I still have some energy."

Pei Xueyan couldn't help but smile.

This man seemed quite different from the Taoist priest; he exuded a simple and honest charm.

People are indeed prone to change in the realities of everyday life.

Just like now, she simply couldn't connect the energetic, family-oriented, filial, and gentle husband in front of her with the Taoist priest who had tried to kill her back then.

People are easily misled by their immediate feelings.

She even felt that even if she had all her memories now, she was no longer the female disciple of Ye Xiuluo who grew up in the manor.

When her master was still at the manor when she was a child, he always taught her and her senior sister, "Play with all the men in the world. If they don't obey, play with them and then kill them."

At that time, I only felt that my master had sharp features. It wasn't until after I went down the mountain that I realized that everyone else thought she was beautiful.

In her youth, she had no idea what a woman's appearance meant.

Two months ago, when she came down from the mountain, she was dressed in women's clothing, and some lecherous men would stare at her with lustful eyes, their mouths practically watering.

So she disguised herself as a man, which helped a little, as the men started touching her face directly.

She was beautiful, her master said so when she was twelve or thirteen.

At that moment, her master stroked her head and said with a smile, "Yan'er is born with the looks of a vixen. She will surely be able to make men fall head over heels for her in the future. I, Ye Xiuluo, finally have a successor!"

The master said this in the hope that she would one day be like him, able to manipulate men at will and kill them if they displeased her.

Killing men is what my master loves to do most.

But at that time, Pei Xueyan was clueless and didn't understand her master's deeper meaning at all.

As she grew up, she went down the mountain several times, and many men did look at her, but the man in front of her was determined to kill her.

He lived through three lifetimes, yet remained indifferent to her, repeatedly tempting her to fall in love with him.

She now finds some enjoyment in this quiet, secluded rural life.

After dinner, the two of them gathered up and covered the dried wheat husks in the yard by the moonlight.

The two of them went to take a shower one after the other without prior agreement.

When Jiang Qiye returned to the room, he saw that Pei Xueyan was already sleeping on the inside of the bed, with her back to him, and she was not moving.

He lay down quietly, his eyes open, his body stiff as usual, not daring to even breathe.

He dared not move.

If I make a move, wouldn't it make it seem like I have improper thoughts about her?

The consummation of our marriage a few days ago was forced upon us; we had no choice but to do it. We can't do it willingly now.

Even though his body reacted involuntarily, the reaction shocked and repressed him.

So, his heart pounded as soon as Pei Xueyan turned over slightly.

I'm worried she'll back down, worried she'll kiss and touch me again like before.

Unfortunately, this woman did nothing.

Jiang Qiye thought to herself that she was probably worried that he was too tired.

The next night, after he lay down, his wife remained with her back to him, motionless.

On the third day, the same thing happened.

During the day, however, she did not show any anger or discord. Sometimes she would hold his hand and weave bamboo baskets together, looking very affectionate.

On the fourth day, Jiang Qiye finished his shower early and lay in bed. Pei Xueyan came over and sat down, gently reminding him, "It's going to rain tonight, so don't kick off the covers."

Pei Xueyan had just washed her face, her cheeks still damp, and replied softly, "I know."

Are you afraid of thunder?

She shook her head: "I'm not afraid."

"Where is lightning?"

"I'm not afraid."

Jiang Qiye said calmly, "Oh, there might be thunder and rain tonight. I'm glad you're not afraid. I might have to go out to check on the fields."

Pei Xueyan looked at the thatched hut and thought, "What if it gets blown away by the wind and rain?"

She whispered, "I'm a little scared. There's nothing urgent in the fields, why do you have to go at night, sir?"

Jiang Qiye immediately agreed: "Then I won't go. I'll stay with you tonight, so don't be afraid."

Pei Xueyan looked up at him. If this man wasn't such a good actor, he would be an outstanding husband.

The two lay flat on the bed together, but neither of them took the initiative or made any move. Neither of them would take the initiative.

Just as Pei Xueyan was about to turn her back, she accidentally touched his palm as she moved.

It ignited him instantly.

Jiang Qiye suddenly reached out and hugged her waist, pulling her into his arms. He asked breathlessly, "A-Zheng...A-Zheng, are you feeling unwell?"

I haven't noticed her menstruating for the past few days.

Once a person has experienced the pleasures of love, they often think a lot in the quiet of the night while they are busy these days. Now that he is ignoring them, they are even more concerned about gains and losses.

Pei Xueyan felt the man's heavy breath for the first time, and his breath was misty as he spoke.

The warmth captivated her.

When he lowered his head to kiss her, she didn't pull away, whether out of reluctance or genuine acceptance.

She felt really uncomfortable when he was pressing down on her; something as hard as an iron rod was against her.

This is completely different from the first time we had sex.

As he lifted her up by the waist, she inadvertently caught a glimpse of that horrifying object, and was so frightened that she tried to break free instantly, tears welling up in her eyes.

Damn you, Taoist priest, did you do this on purpose, trying to kill her?!

"What is this horrible thing? How—how could it be so frightening!" she cried out, her voice trembling with sobs.

Jiang Qiye hurriedly covered her eyes with one hand, his voice tight: "You, you don't have to look."

That appearance was indeed astonishing.

This time, his reaction was natural, and it was much stronger than the last time.

She was not under any spell at this moment, and her perception was no different from the first time, or even deeper; she was simply shocked.

Outside, thunder and rain raged, and the sound of the rain grew increasingly heavy.

They seemed to have forgotten all their past entanglements, forgotten the reality they would face upon waking, and even forgotten whether their master would agree to their desire to become Daoist partners.

They indulged themselves, treating each other as a real couple.

The village lights had long been out, and the summer rain came in a fierce and torrential downpour.

Even so, the woman's cries could still be heard from inside the courtyard.

At first, she was hitting and resisting with a sobbing voice, constantly saying, "It's so scary, I'm so afraid, it's going to kill me."

Gradually, it transformed into a melodious and pleasant murmur.

Thunderstorms come in bursts.

The commotion inside the house continued until the early hours of the morning, when both of them were completely exhausted before it finally stopped.

This time, there was no awkwardness lying flat on her back. Pei Xueyan tilted her head against his chest and said, "You're so naughty, so naughty..."

Her voice was delicate and soft, quite pleasant to hear.

These days, she has truly come to understand him.

I also came to understand myself.

They probably all want to spend decades in this small village, living as a loving, unconventional couple.

They have nothing to do with the righteous path or the demons in the world.

As expected, after this affair, Pei Xueyan's Core Formation was completely completed.

The only remaining question is when Jiang Qiye will kill her.

Despite being deeply immersed in this warmth, he remained clear-headed.

Such illusory days will inevitably shatter sooner or later; no matter how long it drags on, there will eventually be an end.

Fake is fake.

He is not someone who is so engrossed in a fantasy that he cannot leave it.

Killing her is easier said than done.

Day after day, it dragged on, and I couldn't bring myself to do it.

When Jiang Qiye went to town earlier, she made a special detour to the silk shop and picked out a narrow red ribbon. The ribbon was long enough to wrap around her hair several times, making her hair look more lively.

Upon returning, he personally tied the hairband in Pei Xueyan's hair and then handed her the bronze mirror.

The girl in the mirror had curved eyebrows and eyes, and the red ribbon reflected on her fair cheeks, making her look charming and lovely.

Pei Xueyan put down her needlework, reached out and took his hand, smiling brightly: "Husband, there's a temple fair at Wei Temple the day after tomorrow. It's always very lively every year. Shall we go and have a look together?"

Jiang Qiye couldn't wait until the day after tomorrow.

These past few days he's been thinking that rather than enjoying a moment of peace and potentially being discovered by his master, it would be better to end it as soon as possible.

If you leave the dream and still like her and are still attracted to her, then do what you originally planned.

To give an explanation to my master, to protect her, and to stay with her.

He remembered that she liked sweet treats with red bean paste filling, and thought that at the last moment, he must go and buy some of her favorite pastries.

Remembering that she preferred pink and white clothes, he secretly used his spiritual power to weave a silk skirt.

Only such soft fabric could match her outstanding appearance.

The weather was exceptionally good that day; the sun was dazzlingly bright, and the sky was a clear blue without a single cloud.

Under a tree in the small courtyard, fruits and pastries were laid out.

Pei Xueyan brought some rice and flour to her father. When she returned and opened the courtyard gate, she saw a man dressed in white sitting by the stone table.

For a moment, I thought I saw my third uncle.

On the stone table sat a pot of wine and several plates of delicate pastries, all of which were her favorites.

Pei Xueyan was immersed in happiness, still holding the sausage her father had given her.

It's spicy.

I'm planning to make pancakes for lunch today, and have a bowl of egg drop soup too. It'll be delicious.

She wore a light green ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) today. The fabric was thin and light, and it fluttered gently in the wind. It was really comfortable in such a hot summer.

"Husband, weren't you going to the market? You're back so early? I was just about to make some pancakes, and you're back just in time to eat them." As she spoke, she looked him up and down, her eyes sparkling. "You look so elegant today! You look so handsome in all white. Wear this to the temple fair tomorrow, and everyone will think you're some rich young master!"

Jiang Qiye looked at her unguarded smile and listened to her calling him "husband" repeatedly.

It's hard to describe whether it's sour, astringent, or some other flavor.

"Okay, whatever you say."

His answer was ambiguous, and Pei Xueyan tilted her head to look at him: "What do you mean by 'listen to me'? Are we having pancakes and stir-fried sausages for lunch today? I'll make the pancakes, and you can cook the vegetables, okay?"

"Hmm," he responded softly.

She sat down on the stone bench, picked up a piece of pastry, and finished it in a few bites.

Although the shade of the tree blocked the scorching sun, it was still a bit stuffy, but she ate with great joy.

Pei Xueyan didn't know why her husband kept his head down and remained silent.

Perhaps she has something on her mind.

After finishing the pastries, she stood up to prepare to knead the dough.

"Ah Zheng!"

Pei Xueyan was stunned, not understanding why he suddenly called her by this unfamiliar name. She had just turned around to meet his gaze, and before she could react, the cold-gleaming sword was already piercing straight into her chest.

Pei Xueyan couldn't support herself and knelt down with a thud.

Jiang Qiye didn't dare to look at her, and knelt down as well, stiffly holding her without moving.

That familiar, excruciating pain struck instantly; Pei Xueyan's chin hit his shoulder, and her mouth was covered in blood.

She swayed as she straightened up, using her last strength to meet his gaze.

She knew he must have feelings for her, and could only try to gain some pity for herself while she still had a few breaths left.

Pei Xueyan reached out and touched Jiang Qiye's face: "Husband, it hurts so much... Can you please take the sword away? It hurts so much, it hurts so much..."

Jiang Qiye kept his eyes downcast, not daring to meet her gaze.

"I know... you've been lying to me all along... You don't love me, you don't like me, you even hate me... But these past few days with you, I've been so happy." She deliberately pulled his hand to her stomach, her breath weak and filled with deliberate anticipation, "Husband, I'm pregnant with our child, are you happy? But I'm going to die, I'm going to die..."

With her last ounce of strength, she looked into his eyes and said, word by word, "Jiang Qiye, I hate you—but I also love...you very much."

As soon as she finished speaking, her head tilted limply to one side, and she breathed her last.

Jiang Qiye felt excruciating pain all over his body, and his vision went completely black.

He slowly opened his eyes after an unknown amount of time.

As the sun sets, the summer evening, which should be sweltering, is strangely chilly.

Pei Xueyan's body was already cold.

The illusion will not be destroyed until he takes the Heart Elixir, and he will not be able to return to reality.

There was a lot of blood on the ground, and after a long time, it had congealed into a dark color.

He reached out with trembling hands, explored her chest, channeled his spiritual power, and slowly extracted the heart-shaped elixir that contained the emotions of her past lives.