Chapter 22 Why don't you sleep in the same bed?
The old ancestor was determined to die.
"The north room isn't as warm as yours."
After a long pause, he spoke softly, casually reminding everyone of the temperature difference between the north and south rooms.
While a hot water bottle may be warm, it's not as comfortable as having two living creatures snuggling together.
He said, "You always say you're much older than me, by a whole generation, and you used to stay overnight at my place all the time. Why are you acting like we're different genders now?"
Emperor Jiang was usually a man of few words, and when he spoke long passages like this, he would always pause briefly.
This pause serves two purposes: it gives him time to fabricate stories and make wild arguments, and it gives Duan Jiuyou time to consume his content.
Moreover, he even learned to "use his face," probably knowing that he was attractive, and insisted on turning back into "himself" to say these words to her.
The candlelight in the room was dim, and when it shone on him, even his facial features seemed warmer than usual.
His thin frame and oversized cloak made you feel that he was really suffering, like a young emperor burdened by life who had no choice but to rule the world, revealing his vulnerability in front of you.
But actually, he just wanted to find a warm place to sleep.
Duan Jiuyou cursed him in his heart, but was not swayed by him.
She said, "Don't be so shameless. I've only slept with you twice. When have I ever spent the night at your place?"
"Since we've already slept together twice, why bother about a third time? You and I are both high-ranking deities, we should no longer care about the differences between men and women, the distinction between male and female, or the difference between the sexes. Appearances are nothing but illusions, in reality we are just a turtle and a lion, two divine beasts, is it necessary to care whether we sleep in the same nest? Unless you have some ill intentions towards me."
He moved further in on his own, glancing at Duan Jiuyou's reaction out of the corner of his eye. Seeing that she didn't react much, he pushed the blanket further in, and then further in, finally placing the pillow next to hers. He then reached out and pulled the two hot water bottles back to his own side.
When have I ever had ill intentions towards you?
Duan Jiuyou twisted his head and realized that he was framing someone.
"Since there's no problem, isn't it peaceful for both of us?" Di Jiang lay down, his voice tinged with laughter, his expression relaxed. "My health isn't good. If I sleep far away, what if I have a relapse during the night? Wouldn't you be worried too? Now that I'm lying next to you, whether it's good or bad, it's all in your eyes."
He knows how to seduce people. Perhaps it's not intentional, but just because he's so good-looking, he can easily make people's hearts flutter with a little effort.
Duan Jiuyou was unaware that Di Jiang's efforts went far beyond just a little. He was practically sacrificing all his dignity just to have a warm bed to sleep in at night. He had never spoken softly or ingratiatingly to anyone before; this was already his limit.
Normally, I would have turned around and left, but I don't know why I'm being lazy tonight. Since I've already said all that, if I leave now, I'll be the one who suffers.
Di Jiang lay sprawled on his pillow, saying with a sigh that sounded both sighing and satisfied, "Jiuyou, go to sleep."
Jiuyou glared at him, then obediently lay down and reached out to tuck his blanket in.
The two slept soundly and comfortably. They had already gone to bed late, and when the sun came out, someone, finding it too bright, waved and drew the curtains, plunging the room into darkness, making it even darker for both of them.
Their failure to wake up caused great anxiety for one person.
Having struggled alone all night, Tian Shichu was afraid that the deal would fall through. Seeing that there was still no news by noon, he couldn't wait any longer. With dark circles under his eyes, he ran over carrying two food boxes full of food.
Before coming here, Liu Tianshi had a reason in mind.
For example, the food on Qing Le Street is certainly not to the liking of the two deities, so I, Little Stone, specially cooked six dishes and a soup for them, which means good luck and a smooth journey.
For example: Yesterday, I, Little Stone, was reckless and failed to consider the safety of the venerable deity. This time, I have another plan to offer, which is even better than yesterday's...
As a result, all these roundabout strategies, after going through countless twists and turns, turned into ashes after hitting God's face, drifting away in who knows which direction.
Logically speaking, any of the celestial immortals that can transform into any form would be quite beautiful.
Take, for example, the Taoist priest surnamed Zhao whom Liu Tianshi followed. He was a cheerful and refined person. His younger brother, Zhao Fengchen, was even more outstanding. He had an exceptionally handsome appearance and was known as the most beautiful man in the Heavenly Palace. The other immortals were all handsome in their own way.
But this kind of beauty is also too common, uniformly untouched by worldly affairs, uniformly unblemished by the dust of the mundane world. They float upwards, like the sky, like clouds, like birds; looking at them for too long will become tasteless.
Di Jiang was different from them. He had the naivety of youth and the aura of someone who kept strangers at bay. He was both human and demonic, almost possessing a unique quality of being severing ties with the gods and immortals of the celestial realm. He was capable of pulling people down—humans, gods, immortals, demons…
Liu Tianshi was still piling up words there.
Di Jiang looked up from the open book, startled, and hurriedly looked for a place to "put her eyes out".
He had been awake for a while, but the bed was too warm to move, so he pulled out his copy of "The Book of Food by Chance" and started reading. When Liu Tianshi came in, he was leaning against the headboard, turning the pages. Duan Jiuyou was lying on the inside, his arms and hands outstretched from under the covers, in a relaxed but not very elegant position.
Di Jiang knew that Duan Jiuyou had woken up, but he was too lazy to open his eyes.
As for Liu Tianshi, she was still surprised by the aura of Duan Jiuyou, her "new immortal partner." She still couldn't guess his identity, and could only sigh that his calm gaze had such a commanding presence.
He felt as if the sky above his head would soon be beneath his feet, and the world's mountains and rivers were all in his grasp, depending on whether he wanted them or not.
These unspoken words were finally uttered by Liu Tianshi long afterward, seizing an opportunity. By then, she already knew Di Jiang's identity and marveled, as if seeking credit, at how she had noticed his extraordinary monarchical aura even during his "incognito visit."
Emperor Jiang responded with only three words: "Are you sick?"
He used her to praise him?
Leaving aside those later events, let's just talk about the present. Duan Jiuyou's eyes were darting around in his eyelids, almost as if he were writing the word "annoyed" on his face.
Di Jiang guessed correctly; she had already woken up, but felt lazy and didn't want to get out of bed. She wasn't exactly a diligent person; back in the Earthly Rest Palace, it was common for her to sleep for three days straight.
However, this sleep cannot be disturbed. No one can just walk in while she is sleeping, and no one can stare blankly at her "pillowmate" like a complete idiot.
Duan Jiuyou woke up as soon as Liu Tianshi entered the room. The man surnamed Liu didn't leave and didn't say anything. She was getting annoyed and too lazy to open her eyes. After waiting for a long time, Liu Tianshi still didn't speak. Duan Jiuyou took a deep breath and suddenly opened her eyes. This meant he was about to lose his temper!
"Entering the house without knocking, is this the rule Zhao Fengli taught you?"
With a loud shout, Old Ancestor Duan sat up from behind Emperor Jiang, his eyebrows furrowed.
Liu Tianshi was startled by her. He patted his chest to calm himself down for a while, and then put his courage back in.
Old Master Duan didn't look intimidating at all. He had small features, a high-pitched voice, and a chubby face that still looked childish. If you looked closely, you could see creases on his left cheek from being pressed down by a blanket.
Even if she's fierce, would you be afraid of someone like that?
Most importantly, Liu Tianshi can now withstand Duan Jiuyou's beatings, so even though he knows that this Nine Dynasties God Official has the aura to destroy all great divine mountains, he still doesn't find him scary.
Liu Tianshi glanced at the blankets on the bed and asked the question he had wanted to ask as soon as he entered the room.
"Isn't it just a coincidence that you two don't sleep in the same bed?"
Duan Jiuyou didn't give her a friendly look.
"Is it any of your business? What brings you here? Speak up!"
Liu Tianshi pouted at her fierceness.
"How come you're so old and still so quick to anger? No wonder Zhao Fengchen always complains to us immortals about your bad temper."
"He said I have a bad personality?" Duan Jiuyou pointed to the door with an absurd look on his face. "If you don't have anything important to do, get out! I haven't had enough sleep yet."
Liu Tianshi knew he was disliked, but unfortunately he was quick-tongued and didn't know any manners of speaking. Seeing that Duan Jiuyou was treating him with disdain, he had no choice but to suppress his curiosity and sadly pull up a chair to sit down opposite them.
She said, “I was afraid you wouldn’t go. I thought about it all night and finally came up with a solution. I kept saying that crossing the river would be difficult, but I forgot that there was a path after crossing the river. This river is backed by a Four Seasons Ridge. Coming down from this ridge, you will find the other side where the Heart Lotus grows.”
"If you want to cross this ridge, you'll have to go through Zhaozhao City, right?" Duan Jiuyou gathered his messy hair, took off his red rattan cane, and haphazardly twisted his hair into a bun again.
That road is very long. It is said that a great demon lives in the ridge. No one knows how powerful it is, but it is known that Du Heng once had the idea of swallowing up Four Seasons Ridge, but he has not yet succeeded. It can be said that it is a tough nut to crack. Duan Jiuyou said with sarcasm, "In the end, it is a matter of life and death. If we don't come, who else will you go to?"
"You just happened to arrive, which shows that this is our destiny, as well as my destiny with Ling Tianbai Ren and the Heart-Gathering Lotus on the shore."
Liu Tianshi's words were cleverly chosen to remind Duan Jiuyou that she hadn't made them come for nothing; it was all an equal exchange from beginning to end. Although the Heart-Gathering Lotus was difficult to obtain, she was the only one left in the Three Realms capable of repairing the Sky-Piercing White Blade.
Duan Jiuyou lowered his head and put on his clothes.
She was wearing them before going to bed yesterday, but when she got warm, she unconsciously tore them off. When she woke up, one foot was wearing a sock and the other was bare. She knew she was a bad sleeping person, but thankfully, Di Jiang didn't mind.
Have you ever heard of the great demon of the mountains?
She inquired with Liu Tianshi about the great demon in the ridge and learned that compared to crossing the river, the route over the Four Seasons Ridge must be easier.
Liu Tianshi said, "Actually, he doesn't have much ability. After Du Heng swallowed the Molten River, he developed a fear of heat. Unfortunately, that great demon is also known as the Scorching Beast. Once you get close, it's like being roasted by fire. Du Heng can't get close and has to give up. Instead, it left behind a powerful rumor that even the city lord can't afford to offend that demon."
"Averse to heat."
Duan Jiuyou glanced at the imperial territory and thought to himself that he wasn't afraid.
Di Jiang is afraid of the cold and can stay in even the hottest places. When he fell ill before, the healers burned five whole basins of hot charcoal, but he didn't even break a sweat. It seems that his cold symptoms are about to flare up again these past two days, so maybe going to Four Seasons Ridge will provide some relief.
As for Duan Jiuyou himself?
She has thick skin and can withstand both hot and cold. At worst, she can wear less clothing and walk faster. It should be no problem to travel back and forth across Four Seasons Ridge in about half an hour.
Seeing an opening, Liu Tianshi became even more eager, saying, "I actually wanted to go with you, but as you know, our kind of divine artifacts, once registered, cannot be separated from Zhaozhao City. Any action would alert Du Heng. Oh dear, look, we've been so busy talking that the food is almost cold. I made six side dishes, four meat and two vegetable, especially to give you a farewell dinner..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com