Chapter 49: Jealousy
"...What nonsense are you talking about?"
Sang Ying looked up at the sky, completely bewildered. "What happened? Why are they fighting?"
The speaker cleared his throat twice and became serious: "Young Miss, do you know that the Sword Lord is the Crown Prince of the Demon Realm?"
Sang Ying was still confused. "But it shouldn't have come to the point of a fight, right?"
He simply concealed his identity while becoming a disciple at Minghua Mountain. They are all fellow disciples, so it's best to clarify. Or is it that he has a grudge against the Demon Emperor?
Seeing that she still didn't understand, the loudspeaker approached her, covered his mouth with his hand and whispered, "Second Senior Brother is angry. If Sword Lord had revealed his identity three years ago, with the power of the Demon Realm Crown Prince, you wouldn't have been forced into marriage, Miss."
The junior sister of the demon prince—people in the cultivation world should think twice before even considering their own ambitions, and weigh whether they can contend with the entire demon realm.
Sang Ying was taken aback, then her face turned slightly red.
This wicked dragon is quite cunning; he'll stop at nothing to marry her. No wonder he stubbornly prevented the dragon ancestors from attending the wedding banquet.
Seeing her blushing face, the speaker said in a deep voice, "Miss, I understand you're angry after learning the truth. Sigh, Sword Master, really, if you like someone, why don't you just ask for their hand instead of using this coercive method..."
Sang Ying: "..."
Yes, she should be angry.
Sang Ying couldn't help but want to cover her face. Had she become abnormal because she had been spending too much time with Xie Lingyu?
The loudspeaker was still comforting her: "Miss, don't be too angry. Second Senior Brother came this time to take you back. We'll go back and stay for a while, and then you can think carefully about whether you want to divorce Sword Lord."
Sang Ying stiffened: "Isn't that unnecessary? Actually, I..."
"Don't worry, I heard that Sword Lord was seriously injured and his cultivation level dropped. Second Senior Brother brought some Gu poison made by the Southern Demon King, and Sword Lord has already been poisoned. He won't be able to do anything for long..."
Before the loudspeaker could finish speaking, the girl turned and ran towards the center.
Xiao Lingzhou was locked in combat with the young man in front of him, feeling an indescribable anger rising within him. He had long known that this junior brother was not as virtuous as he appeared, but since Sang Ying liked him, he had tolerated it.
The rumors about his "white moonlight" were dispelled some time ago, and he learned that the two were together. He originally wanted to give his blessings, but then he learned this news: he actually used this method to make his junior sister marry him.
Once suspicion begins, many things become gloomy.
At the succession meeting in Yaochi, he was the only one present; his junior sister did not appear. For the past month, she had not contacted anyone outside the family, and there had been no news of her whatsoever; no one had seen her.
There was also a junior sister who clearly said she was coming to pick him up, but when she arrived, she was nowhere to be found.
He couldn't help but think that his junior sister had summoned him under the guise of the branch association, perhaps because she was being controlled by this person and couldn't leave the Cloud Spirit Realm.
The young man in front of him was already moving slowly. He had indeed been seriously injured and his cultivation level had dropped drastically. Now even he could fight him to a draw.
Xiao Lingzhou's expression was cold and stern. Just as his sword was about to pierce the young man's shoulder, a petite figure suddenly ran up to him and blocked Xie Lingyu's path.
"Second Senior Brother, stop!"
Upon recognizing Sang Ying, Xiao Lingzhou abruptly withdrew his sword, tucked it behind his back, and hurriedly looked at her, asking, "Junior Sister, are you alright?"
The girl in front of him suddenly turned around and checked Xie Lingyu's condition, her small face tense, "Xie Lingyu, where are you hurt?"
Xiao Lingzhou was stunned.
Xie Lingyu lowered her eyes to look at her, "It's nothing."
After checking that there were no obvious wounds on his body, Sang Ying breathed a slight sigh of relief. Staring at his increasingly pale face, she remembered the Gu poison and reached out to Xiao Lingzhou: "Give me the antidote."
Xiao Lingzhou pursed his lips, "Junior Sister, if he bullies you, you can tell him. Don't be afraid."
Sang Ying had a bit of a headache.
She spent much more time with her senior brothers than Xie Lingyu did, having grown up together since childhood. Her second senior brother usually seemed carefree and always liked to tease her, but when she was in real trouble as a child, he was always the first to stand in front of her and protect her.
She understood why her second senior brother did this; he thought she had been wronged and wanted to stand up for her.
Sang Ying pulled Xiao Lingzhou aside and whispered, "Second Senior Brother, you've misunderstood. Xie Lingyu didn't bully me."
Xiao Lingzhou looked at her pale face and said, "Junior sister, don't lie to me. You look so weak. He must have abused you."
Sang Ying: "..."
"Tell your senior brother the truth, did he force you to be with him?"
"this……"
Sang Ying's face scrunched up. To be honest, Xie Lingyu did seem to have done just that, and even locked her in a dark room.
Seeing her stammering, Xiao Lingzhou understood immediately. He turned around, gripped his sword, and prepared to strike again.
Sang Ying quickly grabbed his hand and held it tightly, "Second Senior Brother, the situation is not what you think."
Xiao Lingzhou turned to look at her: "What does it look like?"
Sang Ying said anxiously, "When he confessed to me before, he did lock me up. I know he's a pervert with a dark side, and his previous behavior was all an act, but..."
Xiao Lingzhou's anger intensified, "That bastard actually did something like this!"
"But, but..." The girl's ears turned slightly red, and her voice became even softer, "I don't actually hate it when he does this."
Xiao Lingzhou: ?
Sang Ying tugged at her fingers, fidgeting, her voice almost inaudible: "Well, knowing that he likes me and has such a strong possessive streak, I'm actually quite happy."
Xiao Lingzhou: ?
Sang Ying's ears turned slightly red: "Second Senior Brother, you don't know, he actually started to have a crush on me a long time ago. He secretly paid attention to me, and he remembers everything I like and dislike."
“You said I looked pale, but it’s actually because of my menstrual period. I’m prone to stomach aches and feeling cold. For the three years after we got married, he would sneak over at night while I was asleep to hold me and warm my stomach during my period.”
Xiao Lingzhou: "..."
What's the difference between this and being a pervert?
"And before that..."
He watched as the girl before him, her ears bright red, chattered on and on, clearly enjoying herself. After a long silence, he finally spoke, "Junior Sister, you..."
Sang Ying raised her clear, bright eyes, her gaze as clear as the moon. "Hmm?"
Xiao Lingzhou was stunned for a moment, his heart trembling as he was scalded by the bright affection overflowing in her eyes.
"..."
Since she likes it, then it seems there's nothing wrong with it.
Xiao Lingzhou looked at her, then suddenly noticed something, his eyes widening, "Junior Sister, you've reached Foundation Establishment?"
He quickly reached out and grabbed her wrist, examining it carefully. It was indeed Foundation Establishment. The last time he saw her, she was still in Qi Refining stage. In just one month, she had already reached the eighth level of Foundation Establishment.
Not far away, the young man in white standing to one side looked like he was being ignored.
His gaze fell on the two people chatting familiarly, then fixed on the girl's wrist, which was being held captive, and his expression darkened.
Sang Ying recounted what had happened in the Yaochi Secret Realm to Xiao Lingzhou.
Xiao Lingzhou's previously delighted expression froze. After a long while, she sighed softly, "Junior Sister, you've worked hard."
"So his injury was also because of this?"
Sang Ying nodded, a little puzzled. "By the way, Second Senior Brother, how did you know he was injured?"
They came directly to the Cloud Spirit Realm after leaving Yaochi. The only people who knew he was injured were the dragons of the Dragon Clan, and those ancestors would definitely not tell outsiders.
Xiao Lingzhou glanced around with a cold expression, then stepped closer to her, about to whisper in her ear, when the girl suddenly ran away, calling out, "Xie Lingyu!"
He turned around and saw that the young man in white was pale and blood was trickling from the corner of his lips. The girl ran over and supported him, anxiously calling out, "Second Senior Brother, quickly take out the antidote."
Xiao Lingzhou quickly went over and gave her the antidote.
Admittedly, Xie Lingyu's personality is indeed terrible, but judging from what she said, the fact that she was able to search for her for a hundred years under such circumstances shows that her feelings for her are genuine.
Sang Ying helped him sit down against the tree, poured the antidote into her palm, and brought it to his lips. "Xie Lingyu, eat it quickly."
The young man glanced at her with his dark eyes, his tone indifferent, "So, junior sister still remembers that I was poisoned... um."
"What are you doing talking nonsense at a time like this?" Sang Ying directly inserted the antidote, smoothed it out for him, and waited a while. "Are you feeling better?"
Xiao Lingzhou stood to the side with his arms crossed, saying, "That medicine was only meant to suppress cultivation, what could possibly happen?"
So that's how it is. Sang Ying breathed a slight sigh of relief and was about to continue speaking when she felt a weight on her shoulder. The young man leaned weakly into her arms, his face pale.
Xiao Lingzhou: ?
If he remembers correctly, he didn't seem to have touched him during the fight, right?
He clicked his tongue coldly, "What are you pretending for? Your junior sister stopped your sword before it even hit you."
The young man lowered his eyelashes and leaned against Sang Ying's chest. He coughed weakly a few times, his lips were bloodless, and looked pale and broken.
He managed to stay awake and said, "I'm fine, I just need to regulate my breathing."
He doesn't look like he's alright at all.
Sang Ying pulled him into her arms again, letting him lean against her, and looked at Xiao Lingzhou with some reproach, "Second Senior Brother, you know he was injured before, yet you still hit him so hard."
Xiao Lingzhou's gaze fell on her waist, where the young man's arms were wrapped around her, his head resting on her shoulder, completely embracing her in a possessive manner.
Xiao Lingzhou: "..."
He'd bet you, this kid's just faking it!
Xiao Lingzhou gritted his teeth. Only his junior sister was so naive that she could be fooled by him.
With a quick thought, he said, "Since his injuries are so serious, let my subordinates take him back to see a doctor."
Sang Ying nodded and looked around. A group of demons had gathered in the distance to watch the commotion. Just as she was about to call someone over, she suddenly saw four small green pillars on a patch of grass.
"..."
After a moment of silence, Sang Ying spoke up: "Come out, Rongrong's mother, I see your horns."
The atmosphere in the bushes froze for a moment, then a man and a woman emerged from within.
Xie Yucang scratched the back of his head and chuckled, "Well, Xiaoying, what a coincidence, your mother and I were just passing by while shopping."
Rong Xueman nodded slightly. "That's right. I just bought some snowflake crisps, they taste good, little Ying, would you like to try some?"
Xiao Lingzhou: "...These two are the Demon Emperor and Demon Empress?"
Sang Ying couldn't help but facepalm. The dignified Demon Emperor was squatting in the bushes watching the commotion, and it was his own son who was watching it.
With outsiders present, the couple finally behaved themselves a bit, brushing the grass off their clothes and walking over.
Rong Xueman asked gently, "Xiao Ying, who is this?"
Sang Ying introduced him: "This is my second senior brother, Xiao Lingzhou, who is the one I told you about before, who helped set up the new branch here."
Rong Xueman nodded and smiled: "I heard that a human cultivator came to the demon realm in the past two years. He travels around the four realms and has a good relationship with demon kings in various places. It turns out he is Xiaoying's senior brother."
Xiao Lingzhou bowed to the two men and said, "I apologize for the misunderstanding that caused me to argue with your sons as soon as I arrived."
Xie Yucang waved his hand: "It's alright. You were originally fellow disciples, so it's normal for you to spar and fight. We elders shouldn't interfere in these matters. You can resolve them yourselves."
Rong Xue smiled and said, "Xiao Yu has always had a bad temper, so it's been hard for you senior brothers to take care of her."
After chatting politely for a while, Xiao Lingzhou mentioned that he needed to take care of some matters related to the branch. Sang Ying nodded and said, "Okay, let's go."
Sang Ying released Xie Lingyu and was about to get up when he gently grabbed her wrist. "I'm more familiar with that area. I'll go with my junior sister."
Sang Ying firmly objected, "No, you're so badly injured right now. Since Rongrong's mother is here, please take him back to rest."
Rong Xueman replied, "No problem."
"..."
Xie Lingyu looked up and saw Xiao Lingzhou with his arms crossed, staring at him with a teasing smile. "Let's go, junior sister. It's been a long time since we last met, let's catch up. By the way, how's senior brother?"
"The last time I saw him, my senior brother..."
The two met up with the loudspeaker, and the three of them quickly disappeared into the clouds, leaving only Xie Lingyu and her family of three behind.
Rong Xueman spoke slowly, "This second senior brother seems to have a rather unusual relationship with Xiao Ying?"
Xie Yucang massaged his wife's back and added fuel to the fire: "It seems that Xiaoying and he have a good relationship. It is said that the two have lived together since childhood and are true childhood sweethearts."
Xie Lingyu stood up, her expression indifferent, her tone cold: "Have you finished shopping?"
Rong Xueman smiled and said, "Jealous? Our little Ying is so cute, it's only natural that she's popular."
Xie Yucang fueled the fire: "Let's fight! Let's fight!"
Xie Lingyu turned and left.
Before I had taken two steps, a faint sound came from behind me.
"Xiaoyu, you like her and don't want her to get close to her second senior brother. How will she know if you don't tell her?"
Xie Lingyu paused, pursed her lips, and said, "It's no use me saying anything."
Her two senior brothers were her closest relatives. They had grown up together since childhood. She had already lost her parents, and these two senior brothers were her only remaining family.
He had long noticed that Xiao Lingzhou liked her and had been on guard, but she was oblivious, innocent and naive. Just moments ago, she had been talking to him so closely, her bright eyes looking up at him, and her ears had turned red, though he didn't know what they were talking about.
He dared not expose Xiao Lingzhou's feelings for her. What if she found out and, realizing it herself, also fell in love with Xiao Lingzhou?
Xie Yucang sighed and patted his shoulder. "Of course, it won't work if you just say it so coldly. Come here, let me teach you the ultimate secret to coaxing female cultivators."
...
For several days in a row, Sang Ying worked with Xiao Lingzhou on the Chamber of Commerce branch: site selection, construction, securing distribution channels, delivering the first batch of goods, officially cutting the ribbon, and starting sales.
The demons here live a simple life and have never seen the high technology of the cultivation world, such as fully automatic alchemy furnaces, household sweeping talismans, and all kinds of fashionable and beautiful clothes, jewelry, and weapons.
However, the most popular item was the glass mirror, which sold out in less than 15 minutes, with everyone owning one.
To celebrate the grand opening, the members of the Chamber of Commerce gathered that evening for a banquet and drinks.
While the burlap ate and drank heartily, Xiao Lingzhou was also pulled in to drink with them, while Sang Ying slowly sipped her juice on the side.
Now that she finally had some free time, Sang Ying suddenly missed Xie Lingyu and wondered how he had been these past few days.
Rongrong's mother came by and asked about Xie Lingyu's injuries. She said that Xie Lingyu had fully recovered and was fine.
But since nothing's wrong, why doesn't he come looking for her?
Wasn't he always very clingy to her before?
Sang Ying felt agitated and put down her cup, then went out to clear her head.
The Chamber of Commerce building is very beautiful, incorporating the unique architectural style of Yunling Realm, and there is a local spirit flower nursery in the courtyard.
Sang Ying sat on the steps by the corridor, resting her chin on her hand and lost in thought.
After enjoying the breeze for a while, Sang Ying picked up the glass mirror and opened the chat box with Xie Lingyu.
The two's chat history was still at the time when they went to Yaochi. At that time, she saw Xie Lingyu seriously injured and hugging Shen Ying. So she rushed to Yaochi Secret Realm in a hurry. Only after arriving did she learn from Shen Ying that these memories were implanted by her and were all made up.
Sang Ying suddenly paused, Xie Lingyu was injured, and they were hugging each other...
So, Xie Lingyu was indeed seriously injured in this secret realm, and when he collapsed from his injuries, they did indeed hug each other.
Could it be a coincidence?
Unable to figure it out, Sang Ying put it aside for the time being, staring blankly at his name on the glass mirror. After hesitating for a while, she typed a few words.
[Xie Lingyu, are you healed?]
The glass mirror suddenly vibrated, startling Sang Ying before she realized that he had replied to her message.
Is my junior sister concerned about me?
You replied so quickly.
I glanced at the time; it was already very late, and he still wasn't asleep.
Sang Ying stared at the sentence, as if she could imagine his tone of voice, his dark eyes looking at her slowly and deliberately, the last syllable of his voice slightly teasing, like a feather tickling her ear.
Sang Ying's ears turned red instantly, and she typed furiously: 【Who cares about you? I just wanted to see if you were logged off.】
After it was sent, the glass mirror fell silent.
Sang Ying counted down the seconds one by one, and when she reached the tenth count, a reply popped up in the message box.
[Turning back.]
Sang Ying was stunned for a moment, then realized the meaning of those words, and suddenly became nervous, slowly turning her head away.
Through the space under the corridor, I saw a white figure sitting on the opposite corridor, one knee propped up, leaning lazily against the pillar, looking serene and aloof in the moonlight. I wondered how long he had been sitting there.
He slowly raised his eyelashes, his dark eyes meeting hers, calm and composed.
Sang Ying's heart skipped a beat. "Why are you here?"
The young man stood up and slowly walked across the courtyard. "Junior sister, didn't you want to see if I was still alive? Here I am."
"Don't be ridiculous. The Dragon Palace is thousands of miles away. How could we possibly arrive in just ten counts?"
Sang Ying glanced at him and said, "You just secretly followed me here."
Xie Lingyu gave a soft "hmm".
"Yes, I came because I missed my junior sister."
Sang Ying was taken aback. She hadn't expected him to admit it so readily and say so frankly that he missed her. She felt a little embarrassed.
The person she had just been thinking about suddenly appeared in front of her. She was so nervous that she tugged at her sleeve and looked around erratically. Suddenly, she caught sight of his sword, where the hilt was empty.
Sang Ying looked up abruptly, a little annoyed: "You said you liked me, but you don't even wear the things I gave you."
"I'm wearing it."
Sang Ying laughed angrily, pointing to the empty sword hilt, "Xie Lingyu, do you think my eyes are bad? It's obvious you weren't wearing it. Losing it is fine, I know it's a little ugly, but isn't lying to me like this a bit..."
The young man raised his hand, slipped it into his clothes, and took out the sword tassel from close to his heart. The long tassels swayed as they fell from his fingers.
Sang Ying was taken aback and remained silent for two seconds: "Xie Lingyu, this thing is called a sword tassel."
The young man replied calmly, "I know."
Sang Ying was even more puzzled: "Then why don't you wear it?"
The young man glanced at her lightly with his dark eyes: "If you gave it to me, it's mine."
Sang Ying: ?
Sang Ying finally understood what he meant, and was both angry and amused. How could anyone be jealous of their own sword?
Besides that, there was another feeling in her heart, an itchy feeling, like being tickled by a small feather. Sang Ying couldn't help but tremble her eyelashes. This naughty dragon.
She took the sword tassel from his hand, bent down and tied it to the Luo Qing sword. "This is for wearing on the sword. It's inconvenient to always carry it like this. If you really want it, I'll give you another one next time."
The young man looked down at her, "Junior Sister, are you serious?"
Seeing that he cherished and kept the gift so carefully, without any disdain or carelessness, Sang Ying, the one who gave the gift, was quite happy.
She was in a good mood at the moment and snorted, "It's just a gift, what's there to lie about? Tie it up."
Sang Ying let go, admired it for a while, and thought it looked good and matched well.
"Xie Lingyu, take a look..."
She had just raised her eyes when her voice was suddenly swallowed up.
The moonlight was hazy under the eaves, and the pale blue flowers in the courtyard swayed in the breeze.
The young man's cool, slender fingers cupped her cheek, and he lowered his head to gently kiss her, a tender, suppressed kiss. Caught off guard, Sang Ying looked at the face so close to hers, her eyelashes trembling.
She was silent for two seconds, then didn't push him away.
She gently closed her eyes, her slender fingers clutching his sleeve, silently enduring the pain.
...
Before I knew it, the girl drinking juice in the corner had vanished.
Xiao Lingzhou put down his wine cup and went out to look for someone. As he turned a corner, he saw the two people under the eaves.
The moonlight cast the girl's shadow on the floor, which, as soon as it fell before his eyes, was ethereal and indistinct.
She was so close to him, within arm's reach, yet she could never touch him.
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