Chapter 28: Hold the ankle.

Upon seeing this sentence, Sang Ying recalled what had happened yesterday, and all those blushing and heart-pounding memories immediately flooded back.

Including his long, beautiful hands and the dragon's tail, even though I only ate a little, I could feel it very clearly. It was a different kind of touch from my fingers; it was warm.

Yesterday, the bed curtains were drawn and it was very dark around her. She was also dizzy and confused from being kissed, so she didn't see anything and didn't know what the dragon's tail looked like.

Thinking of this, Sang Ying suddenly covered her burning face. What nonsense was she thinking? She had really been corrupted by this lecherous dragon.

She was still feeling a bit uncomfortable. She was too shy when she applied the medicine yesterday, so she just applied it casually, which was no different from not applying any medicine at all.

But Sang Ying would never answer him about such a thing. Just as she was hesitating about what to say to change the subject, another message came from the other end.

[The Jade Pool Secret Realm is sealed off; communication is cut off. I will return in a few days.]

[If the injury hasn't healed yet, I left some medicine in the study. On the way, I passed by Jinling Wufangzhai and bought some pastries that my junior sister often eats, as well as some new ones. I wonder how they taste. I should arrive in about fifteen minutes.]

Sang Ying's earlobes were slightly red. Jinling and Yaochi were clearly not in the same direction, so why was she just passing by? Besides, Wufangzhai was a famous shop in the cultivation world, with long queues every day.

She gave a vague reply and asked, "What are you going to the Jade Pool Secret Realm for?"

[Get some things.]

Sang Ying didn't pay much attention to it and was about to reply that he should go when she suddenly felt a pain in her head. The memories she had awakened in the Water Moon Mirror Flower suddenly surfaced in her mind.

Previously, she had only seen past experiences, and her understanding of what would happen in the future was vague, like looking at flowers through a fog. But now, the fog has been cleared and the future is presented to Sang Ying.

She saw...

Xie Lingyu seemed to have been injured in the secret realm, with wounds on his body, and the person who bandaged him was... Shen Ying?

After bandaging the wound, the two looked at each other, and Xie Lingyu reached out and pulled Shen Ying into his arms. The two embraced, their affection palpable.

Sang Ying nearly crushed the glass mirror.

That bastard Xie Lingyu! He said yesterday he only liked her, but after entering the secret realm he's fallen for someone else?

Sang Ying typed rapidly: 【Who's been to the secret realm?】

Outside the Yaochi Secret Realm, countless cultivators waited in the waiting area for the secret realm to open. Xie Lingyu stood in a corner and was stunned when she saw this message.

In the past, Sang Ying never asked about his whereabouts when he went out, only responding indifferently. This was the first time she had inquired about his situation while he was away.

He glanced around and gave a brief overview of the situation.

[There are many. The secret realms are mainly for training, and include young descendants of the four major families, as well as disciples from various sects and factions.]

Sang Ying persisted: [What exactly?]

Xie Lingyu frowned, thought carefully, and sent over the names of the people she still remembered.

"We're almost at the border. Fellow Daoist Xie keeps glancing at the glass mirror. Is something urgent?"

A gentle male voice sounded beside her. Xie Lingyu frowned in displeasure upon hearing the voice and glanced over. Sure enough, it was Xu Baishen.

Just like that rabbit demon last time, he tried to pester his junior sister, which was really annoying.

A female cultivator in pink was following behind him; he didn't recognize her.

Xie Lingyu's tone was indifferent, "It's nothing. It's just that my Daoist companions at home were worried about me while I was away on a long trip. They asked me a few more questions. She's always like that; she's never at ease."

Xu Baishen paused for a moment: "..."

His gaze fell on the young man's neck, where the clear bite mark caught his eye and was particularly glaring.

He lowered his eyelashes and clenched his fists.

Xu Xuan, who was standing behind Xu Baishen, had heard about Bai Yueguang's situation these past few days. She was a little down about Xie Lingyu having someone he liked, but she quickly cheered up. Since Senior Brother Xie liked Shen Ying, she would find a way to help them get together.

However, before she could even offer any help, Xie Lingyu clarified the rumors today and appeared to be in a very good relationship with her husband.

Xu Xuan was stunned by Xie Lingyu's words. She was somewhat surprised that Sang Ying, who was always sickly, was so clingy.

Hmm, she glanced at the marks on the young man's neck. He seemed like a pretty proper person, but she was unexpectedly so unrestrained.

Xu Xuan coughed and said, "Thank you, Sword Master. Has Sang Ying's injury from last time fully healed? According to the people of Yaochi, the spiritual energy in the secret realm has been abundant in recent years, giving rise to many immortal hot springs. Why don't you bring her here to soak in them, Sword Master? It would be good for her health."

Xie Lingyu already knew about this. One of the purposes of her trip was to bring a hot spring back home, and seeing that the weather was getting colder, she wanted her to soak in the hot spring more often at home.

Remembering this, he thought that hot springs surrounded by different spiritual energies have different effects, so he looked down at the glass mirror and decided to ask her which one she preferred.

Xu Baishen spoke up: "Thank you, Fellow Daoist. Junior Sister Sang doesn't seem to be like this. Has something happened?"

Xie Lingyu glanced at him indifferently with his dark eyes: "You know my wife very well?"

Xu Baishen smiled gently: "I just find it a bit strange. After all, during the last trip to the demon realm, I saw Junior Sister Sang politely address Fellow Daoist Xie as Senior Brother, maintaining proper decorum, and her behavior was quite different from what Fellow Daoist Xie described."

A fierce glint rose in Xie Lingyu's eyes. Just as she was about to speak, the glass mirror in her hand suddenly trembled, and she immediately looked down.

Sang Ying sent a message.

[Xie Lingyu, I suddenly have some urgent business and need to go to the Yaochi Secret Realm!]

After a few moments of silence, Xie Lingyu raised her eyes and smiled softly.

“Your suspicions are indeed valid. Coincidentally, my wife is very worried about me and is also coming over. Why don’t you see for yourself?”

...

Sang Ying, on the other side of the glass mirror, almost poked the bowl to pieces with her spoon. She looked at the list of people Xie Lingyu sent several times. Even Erdan from the next village was on the list, but Shen Ying was not.

Who are you kidding? She's the new Holy Maiden of Yaochi, how could she not be here?

Thinking of the scenes between him and Shen Ying in her memory, and then of the words he said to her yesterday when he held her and said that he only loved her, Sang Ying's mind was in a mess. She sent a message to Xie Lingyu, got up and pushed open the door to leave.

After their conversation last night, she felt uncomfortable while sleeping, so Xie Lingyu removed the gold chain, which allowed her to move around without any hindrance.

As soon as I pushed open the door, flower petals rushed towards me.

Two boys stood at the door scattering flowers at her. One of them, dressed in all black with a cold face, was carrying a basket and scattering flowers expressionlessly.

A handsome face was full of smiles, a bright and sunny smile, and he started talking non-stop.

"Good morning, Miss! Congratulations on your marriage! Hehe, I heard the news and came all the way from the branch. How are things going between you and Sword Master, Miss? What's the progress, Miss... Miss..."

The man, as his name suggests, is a person of integrity.

Jingxi, carrying the food box from Wufangzhai, smiled gently and said, "I was just about to take it to the room when the young mistress came out on her own."

Sang Ying calmly affixed a talisman to the mouth of the megaphone, took the food box and put it into her storage ring, "Cold Noodles, take me to the Jade Pool Secret Realm."

Lengmian didn't ask any questions. He summoned his sword, and Sang Ying was about to step on it when the loudspeaker behind her made a hurried "uh-uh" sound. He pulled out a somewhat worn book from his pocket, which looked quite old.

Sang Ying unveiled the talisman.

The speaker sighed, "Miss, I recently found this at the trading house. It looks like it's the same book as yours. Take a look."

Sang Ying took it, slightly taken aback. It was the Zhi Qu Lu, an heirloom left by her mother. According to her father, the book was written by her mother herself.

She opened it and saw that the handwriting was the same; it was indeed written by her mother. She had thought it was a unique copy, never expecting that a copy still existed in the world.

Sang Ying was somewhat moved and thanked the loudspeaker.

The speaker scratched the back of his head and grinned. "It's no big deal, Miss. By the way, are you going to the Jade Pool Secret Realm to find the Sword Lord? What's the point of just bringing Lengmian along? He can't talk anyway. Why not bring me along and tell you all the way... mmm mmm."

Sang Ying coldly stuck the talisman back on.

Lengmian flew extremely fast on his sword, but by the time Sang Ying arrived, the Yaochi Secret Realm was already about to close.

Sang Ying hurriedly jumped down, but before she could even stand properly, a hand suddenly supported her. Sang Ying looked up and saw Xie Lingyu.

She paused, then asked, "You haven't gone in yet?"

The Jade Pool Secret Realm has been open for quite some time, and the waiting area is empty. The treasures and inheritances of the secret realm are given on a first-come, first-served basis, and the other disciples have already gone in.

"I heard that my junior sister was coming, so I waited here."

Xie Lingyu glanced at Lengmian behind her. Lengmian was a sensible person and turned to leave without hesitation, carrying his sword.

The young man steadied her as she landed, then took her hand and led her toward the Jade Pool Fairy who was stationed there, to collect her jade token.

The Jade Pool Secret Realm is managed by the Jade Pool. Everyone entering the secret realm must register their identity and be given a jade token. This way, even if something happens in the secret realm or someone fails to come out, their identity can be quickly identified.

The fairy in charge smiled as she looked at the two holding hands and handed the jade token to Xie Lingyu: "Oh my, Sword Lord and his wife are so loving."

Sang Ying's ears turned red. In the past, when Xie Lingyu held her hand, he would hold her wrist. She didn't even realize it when he held her hand just now... He held her hand way too naturally!

Feeling awkward as outsiders watched, she tried to pull her hand away, but it was held tightly.

The young man beside him said calmly, "Thank you."

Then he took the jade token and led her away. Sang Ying tried to break free, but the young man lowered his head slightly and whispered in her ear, "Xu Baishen is waiting for us at the entrance of the secret realm."

Sang Ying was a little confused: "Why is he waiting for us?"

Xie Lingyu calmly replied, "Because of recent rumors, he suspects we're not really husband and wife and wants to find out the truth. Once he finds evidence, he'll probably take the opportunity to attack you in order to seize the position of sect leader."

Sang Ying gritted her teeth: "Insidious!"

No wonder he wanted to visit her when she was recovering from her injuries in the demon realm last time; it turns out he was thinking about this and had this idea in mind.

Sang Ying understood Xie Lingyu's meaning: they had to pretend to be a real couple in front of Xu Baishen.

Wait a minute... they seem to be a real couple now.

Sang Ying pondered for a long time about how a real couple could pretend to be a real couple. When she came to her senses again, she had already arrived at the entrance to the secret realm.

Sure enough, two people were standing at the door: Xu Baishen and Xu Xuan.

When Sang Ying saw Xu Xuan, she immediately thought of the sword tassel incident. However, she had used a transformation talisman at the time, and Xu Xuan did not know that the onlookers at the time were her.

Seeing them approach, Xu Xuan said, "I didn't expect you to actually come."

Xu Xuan found it somewhat amusing to think about it. This sickly little person, who used to be so domineering, was now a clingy little thing, wanting to go wherever her husband went.

Xu Baishen stared at their clasped hands, a dark light flashing in his eyes. He paused, then spoke gently, "Has Junior Sister Sang recovered?"

Sang Ying was on guard; they had indeed come to spy on the enemy. She gave a faint "hmm," and said, "Much better, thank you for your concern."

After a two-second pause, she stiffly grabbed Xie Lingyu's arm and said in a soft voice, "Husband, let's go inside."

The three people present were stunned for a moment.

The young man beside her, in particular, had been about to speak but forgot and stared at her with his dark eyes.

Sang Ying was so embarrassed that she didn't notice that her face was burning hot. She pulled Xie Lingyu and quickly entered the secret realm.

A flash of white light, and she was teleported into the secret realm. She hurriedly let go of her hand, pretending to be an ostrich, "Xie Lingyu, wasn't my acting pretty good just now!"

After a few seconds of silence, Xie Lingyu hummed in agreement: "If we ignore my junior sister's stiff body and the way she gripped my arm tightly."

Sang Ying muttered, "I've already tried my best, okay?"

Seeing Xie Lingyu take her hand again and walk forward, Sang Ying asked curiously, "Do we still need to act now? They shouldn't teleport to the same location as us, right?"

"When did I ever say that holding hands was acting?"

The young man naturally tightened his grip on her fingers, his tone indifferent, "I just wanted to hold your hand."

Sang Ying was stunned, her ears burning. Just as she was about to say something, the young man spoke again: "Danger may appear at any time in the secret realm. Junior sister, do not leave my side by more than three steps."

Sang Ying swallowed back the words "Who gave you permission to hold my hand?" and obediently followed him.

"Junior sister said it's urgent, what is it?"

Sang Ying quickly brainstormed, then suddenly remembered something and blurted out, "Doesn't the Yaochi Secret Realm give rise to many fairy hot springs? I'll give it a try."

"...Is this urgent?"

Sang Ying said seriously with a straight face, "Yes, it's urgent. What if all the hot springs are taken if you don't hurry up?"

Xie Lingyu glanced at her, but didn't ask any more questions, and continued to lead her away.

After walking for a while, Sang Ying's steps became somewhat sluggish. It was because her injury hadn't healed yet, and walking for so long had made it ache.

Xie Lingyu quickly noticed that her gait was abnormal and stopped. "Junior Sister, are your injuries still not healed?"

Sang Ying stubbornly replied, "How could that be? I'm just tired."

Before she could finish speaking, she was suddenly lifted up and carried horizontally. Afraid of falling, Sang Ying instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. "Xie Lingyu, what are you doing!"

As the scene before her flashed by, Sang Ying fixed her gaze and saw a celestial hot spring under the moonlight of the dark night. Vines and flowers intertwined, and fire elements in the spiritual energy rose from the bubbles, drifting around the hot spring.

After setting up a barrier, Xie Lingyu carried her over and placed her on a large rock by the hot spring.

Sang Ying raised her eyes and met the young man's dark eyes. Dissatisfaction was clearly floating in his dark eyes, and his thin lips were pursed in displeasure.

Just looking into those eyes was terrifying; they were incredibly oppressive, sending chills down my spine.

He lowered his eyes, his voice sounding devoid of emotion.

"Junior sister doesn't even know her own physical condition, so it seems I should examine her."

It was only then that Sang Ying belatedly realized that Xie Lingyu was no longer the Xie Lingyu who always indulged her and let her bully her.

But as soon as he put on the mask of that good senior brother and acted gently and indulgently towards her, she, who had long been used to this way of getting along, forgot that he was now a psychologically dark, perverted, and controlling maniac. Even though he promised to take responsibility, his nature would not change.

Just yesterday, he locked her up and kissed her so hard she couldn't breathe.

Just as his cool fingers slowly released her wrist, before he could do anything else, Sang Ying recalled yesterday's memories, feeling dizzy and her heart racing.

It was accompanied by a strange sense of pleasure.

It was his fingers that brought it, but that feeling abruptly ended just as she wanted more.

Her ears involuntarily turned red, and she quickly shook off these chaotic thoughts, but the next second, the young man's actions made her gasp.

The young man knelt on one knee in front of her, his jade-like fingers hooking around her ankle before separating them.

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Some references to applying medicine, and hot spring play [shy emoji]