Chapter 15 Instinct: "Is it fun to take over someone else's nest?"...
It started raining again at night.
In the dark air, Yue Mingxi stood on her flying sword, looking up and asking, "Wu Shanqing, do you think Mei Zishi is alright now?"
Wu Shanqing ignored her and flew towards the palace on his sword.
The slanting raindrops pattered against their barrier, creating tiny ripples.
Yue Mingxi asked in confusion, "Why hasn't the imposter princess been discovered yet? Has no one suspected anything?"
Wu Shanqing said calmly, "It should be a succubus."
"A monster?" Yue Mingxi exclaimed in surprise. "Wouldn't Mei Zi be in even more danger then?"
"It's just a low-level demon; all it can do is change its appearance and seduce people."
"Huh?" Yue Mingxi covered her face and said angrily, "What if she sees me and turns into me? I'm so beautiful, I can't let her have me."
Her face still bore the heavy makeup she had applied during the day, resembling that of a New Year's painting doll. She had used so much cosmetics that Yue Mingxi couldn't bear to waste it.
Wu Shanqing scoffed, "Ugly freak, your wanted poster is flying everywhere, what are you worried about?"
Yue Mingxi's eyes widened. "You're calling me ugly? You've never even seen me, why are you calling me ugly?"
Wu Shanqing sneered, "So stupid, how good could it be?"
Yue Mingxi retorted, "I am very beautiful. Don't judge people by their looks. If you don't believe me, ask someone else."
Wu Shanqing was baffled. "Why should I ask others? I just think you're ugly."
Taking a breath, Yue Mingxi clenched her fists and threw a few punches at the back of Wu Shanqing's head.
After calming down, Yue Mingxi asked in confusion, "The cultivation world can't interfere in the royal family's affairs, but the demon world can?"
The examination book she was carrying stated that cultivators must not interfere in the affairs of the royal family, otherwise the entire sect would be implicated.
So even though Sister Bai was anxious, she couldn't go to the royal palace to save Mei Zi after learning about this in the courtyard.
Wu Shanqing coldly replied, "Even theft is illegal, so why do people still take the risk?"
"So it seems even demons can't interfere," Yue Mingxi blinked and asked, "What consequences would demons face for interfering in the royal family's affairs?"
Wu Shanqing coldly replied, "Of course, just like cultivators, it involves an entire clan."
“That’s right, everyone should be treated equally.” Yue Mingxi nodded vigorously, speaking fairly.
The palace was getting closer and closer to them.
Wu Shanqing stretched out his hand and cast a spell on the two of them.
Yue Mingxi asked curiously, "Wu Shanqing, what did you use?"
Wu Shanqing said calmly, "Invisibility Technique."
"Wow, Wushanqing, you're so kind."
That way, no one will kidnap her to collect the bounty.
After a pause, Yue Mingxi said with a troubled expression, "But how will Mei Zi see us then?"
"Whoever you want to see you, that's who will see you."
"So high-class!" Yue Mingxi exclaimed, both surprised and delighted. "Thank you, Wu Shanqing."
The majestic palace gradually came into view in Yuemingxi's eyes, and slanting raindrops fell on the black tiles and soaked into the red walls.
The rain intensified, pouring down relentlessly.
The two flew on their swords above the entire palace. Wu Shanqing flew westward, and Yue Mingxi whispered to him, "Wu Shanqing, have you found Mei Zishi yet?"
Wu Shanqing ignored her, landed, sheathed his sword, and said coldly, turning his head: "Don't forget what you promised me."
As soon as she landed, raindrops began to patter down on Yuemingxi.
Yue Mingxi's eyes were almost closed, and she couldn't answer him. She grabbed Wu Shanqing's sleeve and pulled him forward.
The two ran in the rain, and a gust of wind blew, scattering a petal.
The palace maids, carrying trays, walked hurriedly along the palace path, heads bowed, going in the opposite direction from them.
Running all the way to the eaves, Wu Shanqing pulled out his sleeve and said coldly, "What's wrong with you now?"
Yue Mingxi took a breath, raindrops streaming down her face, and looked up with a smile, saying, "I won't get wet here."
Suddenly, Yue Mingxi froze, wiping the water droplets from her face. "Wu Shanqing, you weren't wet after all."
Wu Shanqing sneered, "Serves you right for getting soaked."
He had just released the barrier around his sword and was about to cast a rain-avoidance spell on the idiot when the guy dragged him away and ran off like crazy.
He felt extremely uncomfortable and didn't react in time, so he went with her.
Yue Mingxi snorted, "When I go to find Meizi, I won't stoop to your level."
Standing on tiptoe, Yue Mingxi raised her hand and approached Wu Shanqing.
Despite his headache, Wu Shanqing coldly said, "What? You've been using others' power so many times, are you finally standing up for yourself this time?"
The sound of rain pattered softly under the eaves, and the bright moonlight gently brushed away the fallen flowers that had landed on the green peaks of Wushan Mountain.
Retracting her foot and blinking, Yue Mingxi asked in confusion, "What did you say?"
Wu Shanqing paused for a moment, then said coldly, "Don't forget what you promised me."
Yue Mingxi nodded and quietly agreed.
In order to persuade Wu Shanqing to agree to let her rescue Meizi, Yue Mingxi promised Wu Shanqing one thing.
She pestered Wu Shanqing for a long time, but Wu Shanqing refused to tell her.
Yue Mingxi had no choice but to back down, making it clear that she would not commit murder, arson, or theft.
Wu Shanqing said no, and only then did Yue Mingxi agree.
As Yue Mingxi played with the fallen flower that had landed on Wu Shanqing's head, she heard Wu Shanqing say calmly, "Come with me."
Following obediently behind Wu Shanqing, Yue Mingxi noticed that the raindrops had stopped dripping onto her.
Secretly raising the corners of her lips, Yue Mingxi decided to forgive Wu Shanqing for saying she was ugly.
After walking a dozen steps, I stood in front of the thick red wall.
Wu Shanqing cast a spell, throwing Yue Mingxi into the air, and then he also flew in.
Yue Mingxi steadied herself and asked Wu Shanqing in a low voice, "Was Mei Zi here?"
Wu Shanqing said calmly, "He's not here."
"Then what are we doing here?" Yue Mingxi looked around.
Her eyes widened as she saw many stunningly handsome men, around seventeen or eighteen years old, in the hall.
Some were playing the piano, some were playing the flute, some were practicing swordsmanship, some were reading books—there were so many that Yue Mingxi was dazzled by the sight.
"The succubus is here," Wu Shanqing said coldly. "Don't look around, or I'll gouge your eyes out."
"Oh, oh, oh." Yue Mingxi quickly looked away, not daring to look anymore.
She felt that Wu Shanqing was really capable of doing such a thing.
As Yue Mingxi caught up with Wu Shanqing, she whispered in his ear, "Wu Shanqing, none of them are as good-looking as you."
Wu Shanqing ignored her and made a hand seal.
In an instant, the succubus appeared in front of them, and they were so frightened that they immediately knelt on the ground.
Wu Shanqing tilted his head and said, "Ask away."
Seeing the succubus trembling uncontrollably, Yue Mingxi stepped forward and said coldly, "Is it fun to take over someone else's nest?"
The succubus raised her head, her beautiful face filled with terror.
"You...you...how did you find me? Aren't cultivators forbidden from interfering in royal affairs?"
Wu Shanqing remained silent, seemingly handing over the reins of the conversation entirely to her.
Turning her gaze away, Yue Mingxi looked at the succubus again and said coldly, "Even demons are not allowed to interfere, don't you know that?"
The succubus didn't speak, staring intently at Yue Mingxi's face.
The girl's heavy, ridiculous makeup looked even more messy and smudged after being washed away by the rain.
"You painted this awful picture, yet it's still so much more beautiful than the portrait." The succubus's arrogant voice rang out, "I want your face."
As she spoke, Yue Mingxi watched in disbelief as the succubus's face slowly turned toward her.
However, the next second, a white light flashed from Wu Shanqing's hand.
"Your demon king will arrive in half an hour, so behave yourself."
The succubus cried out in pain, revealing her true form.
Turning her head to look at Wushan Qing, Yue Mingxi quietly curled the corners of her lips.
This guy actually remembered what she said on the way.
Taking a step forward, Yue Mingxi picked up the succubus and said, "Stop talking nonsense and take me to see Mei Zishi."
The succubus glanced at Wu Shanqing, who was veiled in white, and trembled with fear. "Okay, okay, I'll take you there right away."
-
Inside the dungeon, Mei Zishi curled up in agony.
She was so close, so very close, to killing her.
Three years ago, she went to the temple to offer incense. On the way, she encountered a succubus who bewitched her guard and transformed into her.
She was disfigured by a succubus, drowned in the river, and barely managed to climb out, surviving by sheer luck.
From then on, she went from being known as Li Shizhi to Mei Zishi, living in seclusion.
To this end, she didn't hesitate to poison her voice, put on a mask to disguise herself as a man, and practice martial arts diligently for three years.
The young lady of the Lu family often went to the palace to play with the succubus. In order to obtain the succubus's schedule, Mei Zishi infiltrated the Lu family for half a year.
She worked diligently, but unexpectedly, one night she overheard the Lu family plotting to assist Prince Xian in a rebellion.
Fearing trouble, Mei Zishi chose a quiet day and fled.
Unexpectedly, she was still discovered. Fortunately, Yue Mingxi happened to save her, otherwise she would have had a hard time surviving.
Thinking of Yuemingxi made Mei Zi feel even more distressed.
She's useless; she was too impatient and had unrealistic ideas, dragging that bright, beautiful, and lovely girl down with her.
Mei Zishi huddled in the dungeon, her body covered in rotten, sour, withered grass.
The soft, fragrant blanket offered by the girl on that rainy day felt like a beautiful dream. With her head pressed against the cold, damp ground, Mei Zishi seemed to hear the sound of the Moonlit Stream.
Was it just her imagination? She felt that Yue Mingxi's voice was getting closer and closer to her.
Mei Zi twitched the corner of her mouth, thinking that she must have been hallucinating because she hadn't slept for too long.
The girl was trapped in the courtyard because of her, so how could she possibly be here?
Moreover, she didn't want to see Yue Mingxi here.
The fact that Yue Mingxi is here most likely means she was captured by the Enchantress's men; she doesn't want her to be here at all.
"Plum season, plum season."
The girl's anxious calls vaguely reached her ears.
Mei Zi was in a daze, feeling cold and hungry, and her consciousness gradually became hazy.
Yue Mingxi's shouts, sometimes near, sometimes far, lingered in Mei Zishi's mind, pulling at her consciousness and preventing her from fainting.
Mei Zi felt pain all over her body, and her eyelids felt increasingly heavy.
She prayed silently, hoping that if God were watching, He would protect Yue Mingxi and prevent her from appearing here.
...
The footsteps drew closer, and Yue Mingxi's voice clearly reached Mei Zishi's ears.
Mei Zi paused, forgetting all reaction.
"Succubus, unlock it quickly."
Standing in front of the dungeon, Yue Mingxi urged anxiously.
"Hurry, hurry, hurry, don't rush, my hands are shaking," the succubus stammered.
Yue Mingxi scoffed lightly, "You were so arrogant before you were exposed for usurping someone else's place, weren't you?"
"I was wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, I... I'll never do it again." The succubus trembled uncontrollably.
If Yue Mingxi hadn't been holding her up, she would have been terrified and knelt on the ground long ago.
Mei Zi's body stiffened, and she endured the excruciating pain to prop herself up.
Separated by heavy, cold iron bars, I stared blankly at Yue Mingxi, who seemed like a goddess descended to earth.
The girl noticed her gaze, her eyes crinkling as she smiled gently at her.
“Mei Zishi, I’m here to save you. Don’t be afraid.”
Mei Zi bit her tongue in disbelief, the pain making her tremble.
She never dared to dream that she would come, but now, she was actually standing in front of her.
It wasn't a hallucination; I wasn't captured by a succubus.
She really came to save her.
Mei Zi instinctively reached out and covered her face, her head hanging low, and her whole body trembling slightly.
The boy's face was cruelly ripped open by the succubus, revealing a scarred and unsightly face underneath.
No one will like this face; she will scare Yue Mingxi, and Yue Mingxi will hate her.
Mei Zi didn't have the courage to look up at all; she was completely stiff.
The elation I felt upon seeing Yue Mingxi descend vanished completely, replaced by an even stronger sense of fear.
With a crisp clang, the dungeon door was opened.
Yue Mingxi rushed in anxiously and called out, "Mei Zishi, are you alright?"
Mei Zi covered her face completely, her voice barely audible, pleading in a trembling tone, "Don't look at me."
A pang of pain shot through Yue Mingxi's heart as she recalled the charming and beautiful face she had seen when she first met the Enchantress.
That was the true face that belonged to Mei Zishi and Li Shizhi.
Kneeling on the ground, Yue Mingxi pulled Mei Zishi into her arms and gently patted her back.
Lowering her voice, Yue Mingxi coaxed softly, "Okay, I won't watch. I'll listen to Zhizhi. I'm sorry I'm late."
She was flustered and at a loss, saying, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to lie to you."
"I know, I know," Yue Mingxi patted her gently. "It's okay, it's alright."
Hearing her gentle voice, Li Shizhi's hot, aggrieved tears fell onto Yue Mingxi's shoulder, one drop after another.
She always broke down with the young girl. Without thinking, she told her that she wanted to assassinate the princess, and for three years she endured all kinds of grievances without shedding a single tear.
Now, just hearing her gentle voice makes her cry uncontrollably.
Yue Mingxi gently patted Li Shizhi's back, silently and tenderly accompanying her, allowing her to cry freely.
After crying her heart out, Li Shizhi could no longer hold on and fainted, clutching Yue Mingxi's clothes tightly.
Yue Mingxi gently placed her in his arms and tenderly wiped away the tears on Li Shizhi's face.
After wiping it clean bit by bit, Yue Mingxi supported Li Shizhi's knees with her other hand and lifted her up with both hands.
Just like that stormy, thunderous day, she ran to Li Shizhi and picked her up.
The girl's slender body pressed against Yue Mingxi's arm, the pressure reaching right into Yue Mingxi's heart.
Reaching the dungeon, Yue Mingxi looked at the succubus trembling before Wu Shanqing and said, word by word, "Succubus, it's time we settled your score."
A cold, imposing voice echoed in the dungeon, resounding with authority.
With a thud, the succubus could no longer bear it and collapsed to the ground.
Looking down at the unconscious succubus, Yue Mingxi gave a smirk.
With a forced smile, he said, "This is nothing. I'm going to make you pay back everything you owe Li Shizhi, big or small, not a penny less."
Standing to the side, Wu Shanqing sensed all of this with surprise and raised an eyebrow.
So this is what it's like when an idiot gets angry.
He thought that this naive and innocent saint didn't even feel angry.
However, the thought that she was angry not because of him made Wu Shanqing's blood run restless.
A splitting headache struck Wu Shanqing, and instinct began to take over his mind.
He thought he would lock the idiot up and make all her emotions revolve around him.
A note from the author:
Note: The two names "Xiao Shi Zhi" are taken from the line "Now is the time to speak, when plums ripen, gardenias are fragrant," a quote from the Ming Dynasty Zen Master Shiwu. [Cathead][Cathead]
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