Chapter 68 A Hesitant Refusal
No matter how suspicious Jing Qianheng was, he couldn't just leave the person in front of him alone.
He took the bowl of soup and took a few sips.
Jiang Zhishui smiled and sat for a moment before getting up and pressing down on Jing Qianheng's hand holding the wine glass, saying softly, "It's late, you should rest."
Jing Qianheng looked up at her. This time, he didn't shake off her hand and let her help him to the bedside.
As they approached the bedside, "Jiang Zhishui" deliberately pretended to be unsteady on her feet and dragged the other person down onto the bed. Jing Qianheng propped himself up and looked down at the person beneath him.
Jiang Zhishui blushed shyly, knowing that she had made a mistake by being too proactive before. So this time she came prepared, learning to refuse in a coy way, and got up to leave.
Jing Qianheng grabbed her wrist and pinned her to the bed. "Jiang Zhishui" twisted and struggled intentionally or unintentionally, her expression showing some reluctance, and her tone was soft and coquettish: "Let me go."
Jing Qianheng's Adam's apple bobbed, his breathing grew increasingly hot. He tugged at his collar uncomfortably, leaning down, but stopped for a moment, his expression one of struggle.
Jiang Zhishui tilted her head back to meet his gaze, revealing her slender, fair neck. With an almost restrained allure, she softly called out, "Qianheng..."
Jing Qianheng suddenly opened his eyes, grabbed her sash with one hand, and leaned close to her lips. "Jiang Zhishui" couldn't help but close her eyes. The candle went out at that moment, and the room was plunged into darkness.
Ziyang Immortal Abode, Sishui Cave.
Jiang Zhishui pretended to be depressed these past few days, and behind Ying Xue's back, she found the spirit talisman book that Elder Bai Cang had secretly hidden in the stone cave when he was imprisoned.
When Elder Bai Cang was young, she disobeyed the strict rules of the sect and refused to change her ways despite repeated admonitions. It was common for her to be confined by her master. At that time, she was locked up in Sishui Cave. Not only did she not repent, she also created a talisman to seal the barrier. While everyone thought she was reflecting on her mistakes, she had already used the talisman to sneak out of the cave and disappeared to who knows where.
The sealing talismans created by the elders today are far more refined and modified than the talismans that Bai Zang could easily imitate back then. Jiang Zhishui tried to follow the instructions left by her master, but she was unable to break the barrier.
Elder Bai Zang wrote in the booklet: "All methods remain unchanged in their essence. It's just a matter of altering the method by going with the flow, going against the flow, adding a stroke, or subtracting a stroke. Just try it a few more times."
The booklet was left in the cave by the master, who was always eager to create chaos and wanted to leave some way out for the disciples who would be confined later, as well as to encourage the younger disciples to challenge the authority.
As Jiang Zhishui flipped through the book of spirit talismans, she couldn't help but sigh in her heart. Her master must have been a real headache when he was young, no wonder the sect leader cared so much about her.
After several attempts, Jiang Zhishui finally succeeded in opening the barrier. However, she had made hundreds of talismans in the past few days, which had greatly depleted her spiritual energy. In addition, the toxins from the Yin Emperor Gu that had controlled her spiritual veins were still spreading in her body. After descending the mountain, she had to find a secluded cave to meditate and concentrate, and adjust her internal energy first.
A squirrel peeked out from outside the cave, then suddenly looked warily to its left and scurried away in a panic. Jiang Zhishui's forehead was covered in sweat, her face was pale, and she was feeling uncomfortable from the chaotic internal energy coursing through her body. A metallic taste rose in her throat, and she suddenly vomited a mouthful of blood.
Jiang Zhishui raised her hand to wipe the bloodstains from the corner of her mouth, looked straight ahead, and frowned, saying, "Your Excellency standing there silently is quite frightening, you know?"
Dressed in all black, Pei Jing leaned against the wall with his arms crossed and said politely, "Miss is healing herself, so I shouldn't disturb you."
"Such a good opportunity to strike, and you just stood by and watched." Jiang Zhishui picked up her sword, her expression wary.
In his first life, Pei Jing also wore an eye patch, and his appearance was similar to when they first met in their second life. However, in the first life, Jiang Zhishui did not know him.
Pei Jing didn't take it to heart: "I have no grudge against you, why would I want to harm you?"
“You don’t look like a good person.” Jiang Zhishui turned and walked out of the cave. “And you’re full of demonic energy.”
Pei Jing followed behind her and introduced himself, "I am Pei Jing. Where is Miss Jiang headed?"
Jiang Zhishui paused for a moment, gripped her sword, and continued walking forward. This person knew who she was; he had probably been observing her in secret for some time.
Pei Jing stepped forward. "Miss Jiang, aren't you curious why I'm here?"
"I've heard a bit about the deeds of Pei Jing, the young master of the Demon Clan," Jiang Zhishui said. "Have you been keeping an eye on me since Taoyang City?"
Pei Jing walked backwards, looking at her as he retreated. "Miss Jiang is indeed clever, but do you know what I saw in Taoyang City? There was also a woman who looked very much like Miss Jiang by the side of Emperor Qingyu. Guess which one is the real Jiang Zhishui?"
"I don't know." Jiang Zhishui stopped and turned around, saying impatiently, "What are you following me for? If you want to fight, then fight. Stop talking nonsense."
Pei Jing watched her walk away, then calmly followed her, asking in a gentle tone, "Are you angry with me, or with the Jade Emperor for mistaking someone else?"
Jiang Zhishui kept her head down and walked forward, quickening her pace.
Jiang Zhishui wanted to get to Qianjing Peak as soon as possible, but she couldn't shake off Pei Jing no matter what she did, and he kept trying to delay her journey.
If she were to make a move, Jiang Zhishui wasn't entirely confident she could defeat him. The toxins in her body hadn't been cleared, and her spiritual energy was difficult to circulate. If she were to really fight him, she probably wouldn't gain any advantage.
Therefore, Jiang Zhishui could only try to get rid of him first.
As a result, not only could she not get rid of Pei Jing, but she also had another person to entangle her with.
She stayed at an inn that night when a dark figure sneaked in. She drew her sword and pointed it at the figure's throat. The figure was short and raised his hands in surrender, crying out in a clear voice, "Sister, spare me! Sister, spare me!"
After lighting the candle, Jiang Zhishui was able to see the dark figure's face clearly.
It turned out to be Pei Jing's younger brother, Pei Yan.
She sheathed her sword, looked around, and saw that Pei Jing hadn't come along this time.
Pei Yan stepped forward and reached out to grab Jiang Zhishui's hand, but Jiang Zhishui raised her hand to avoid it and asked in confusion, "What are you doing? Stand there and don't touch me."
The boy's eyes were bright and he chuckled. He obediently took two steps back. Seeing Jiang Zhishui warily scanning her surroundings, he said, "Sister, don't be afraid. I've already managed to trap my brother. He won't bother you anymore."
Jiang Zhishui asked, "Why...why did you help me?"
Pei Yan looked up, his expression solemn, his gaze towards Jiang Zhishui devout and full of reverence. "I've told my brother this many times, but he always says I'm dreaming and refuses to believe me. But... I'm confident that you, sister, will understand what I'm saying. For a time, this world was in a state of stagnation, until you came, sister, and it began to turn again..."
Seeing her sudden change in expression, Pei Yan stepped forward and grabbed her hand, her face beaming with joy. "I knew you understood what I was saying, sister... Do you know how terrified I was during that time, facing a completely still world all by myself? I don't know what happened, no matter where I ran, it was always the same. There was nothing else in the world that could move, only me... only I could move, could jump. Sister... sister, I don't want to live in that kind of world anymore..."
Jiang Zhishui was stunned. "You mean... you were conscious at the time?"
"Several times I thought I was dreaming, and I slapped myself countless times." Pei Yan hugged Jiang Zhishui tightly around the waist, his voice trembling, "But every time I wake up, I see the same thing. Even slapping myself until my face is swollen is no use. It's terrifying..."
Jiang Zhishui pushed him away and asked, "Why do you think it's me?"
"Sister isn't from this world, is she..." Pei Yan honestly said, "I've seen your body. You should have been dead already."
Pei Yan looked at her, "You were the wife of the Azure Jade Emperor, who died three years ago after accidentally entering a lightning formation. That demon impersonating you, I don't know where it came from..."
Jiang Zhishui keenly caught the key information, "You've been inside the temple?"
Pei Yan lowered his head guiltily and walked away silently. Jiang Zhishui noticed his expression was off, grabbed his shoulder, turned him towards her, squatted down, and asked again, "Have you been inside the temple?"
"I...I went in." Pei Yan didn't dare look Jiang Zhishui in the eye, stammering, "I know I shouldn't touch the dead person's things, but at the time I thought I was the only person in the world. I didn't know what that golden feather was for, I just thought it was pretty and took it. But...I had nothing better to do, so I made several more in the shape of that feather. I put a fake one in the corpse's hand, and nobody noticed..."
Jiang Zhishui was speechless, and unconsciously tightened her grip.
Pei Yan struggled to move, frowning as she said, "Sister, you're hurting me."
Jiang Zhishui quickly let go of him. She knew Pei Yan was a child who couldn't keep secrets, and pressed him for details, "Then...where did you put that real golden feather?"
Pei Yan looked down at her, her face still showing signs of childishness, but the coldness in her eyes suddenly deepened. "Sister wants it?"
Jiang Zhishui's eyes lit up, and she nodded. "Yes, would you be willing to give it to me?"
"Does my sister know that I've been watching you secretly... for how long?" Pei Yan's lips curled into a cold smile. "Even my sister's husband wouldn't give you this, so why would I?"
Jiang Zhishui asked in surprise, "You...."
Jiang Zhishui stood up, looked at him with suspicion, and sighed, "You used to be much cuter than you are now. You've even learned to play tricks on people."
"Isn't this the first time you've met me, sister?" Pei Yan stared at her without blinking. "Sister is indeed an extraordinary person."
Jiang Zhishui sat down, and Pei Yan poured her tea with a flattering look, saying with a smile, "Sister, don't worry. I've already inquired about Qianjing Peak for you. Emperor Qingyu isn't stupid; he wasn't fooled by that imposter."
Inside the temple, her robes loosened, "Jiang Zhishui's" face flushed. She parted her lips slightly, reaching out to meet his, but Jing Qianheng deliberately veered away, avoiding contact. His voice was low and seductive: "Now...you're much better than her..."
Jiang Zhishui was stunned.
Jing Qianheng reached out and gently stroked her hair, saying tenderly, "At least you won't make me angry... unlike her... who only thinks about leaving me."
Jiang Zhishui's eyes flickered slightly, feeling panicked that her weakness had been discovered. But then she thought that his current state was due to the medication, and she couldn't help but feel a little smug. She reached out and hooked her arm around his neck, her eyes fixed on his lips. Her voice was soft: "Your Majesty, you should have seen it sooner. No matter how you look at it, I am the one who is more suitable to be Your Majesty's wife."
As Jing Qianheng was pulled down by her, their lips almost touching, he asked in a low voice, "Was it her... who asked you to help her get away?"
Jiang Zhishui's eyes were filled with only desire to possess Jing Qianheng, her face radiating determination, and even her voice became somewhat hurried: "Does Your Majesty think I could have done this without her consent? The puppet strings and her blood were all her idea. She really wanted to escape from Your Majesty's side, so why does Your Majesty keep thinking about her? Look at me, how am I any different from her..."
Jing Qianheng never looked at her directly. "Jiang Zhishui" was anxious to kiss him forcefully, but in the next moment her consciousness wavered, and her hands fell limply to her sides. She watched helplessly as Jing Qianheng got up and left, and her vision gradually faded into darkness.
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