Chapter 34: Jealous of Oneself

As Sang Ying spoke these words, the young man before her visibly furrowed his brows and coldly tossed out four words.

“Utter nonsense.”

Sang Ying wasn’t angered by his cold attitude; instead, she grew even more curious, leaning closer to stare at him. “If it wasn’t jealousy, then why did you pull me away?”

“Wasn’t it because you saw Xu Baishen about to carry me on his back, and it made you uncomfortable?”

The girl’s words laid bare the feelings he had just experienced. When Xie Lingyu heard Xu Baishen was about to carry her, an inexplicable irritation had surged in his heart.

And this irritation had peaked when he saw her about to wrap her arms around Xu Baishen. Before he even realized what he was doing, he had already walked over and pulled her away.

Seeing him remain silent, Sang Ying stood on her tiptoes, leaning even closer, her clear eyes fixed unblinkingly on him. “And didn’t you just say it was impossible? Why are you acknowledging the identity of a lover now?”

As she drew near, that annoying fragrance from the girl wafted over again.

Mentally, he was repulsed and didn’t want her to get close, but his body, as before, tensed uncontrollably, his blood surging, even his Dragon Tail threatening to emerge.

Realizing his Dragon Tail wanted to coil around her, Xie Lingyu’s brows furrowed even tighter. How could he have such thoughts?

His gaze fell on the kiss marks on her neck. Could it be that what she said was true? Was he really her lover?

Seeing the young man remain unresponsive, Sang Ying grew a bit impatient and stepped back. “Are you going to carry me or not? If not, let go of my hand. I’m going to find Junior Brother Xu.”

Xie Lingyu glanced at her and released her hand.

Sang Ying was taken aback. He actually let go?

She watched his retreating figure, about to leave in a huff, when the young man suddenly crouched down in front of her.

Sang Ying snorted lightly, acting reluctant. “You’re the one who wants to carry me. I didn’t force you.”

The young man only tossed out two cold words. “Get on.”

Though annoyed by his attitude, Sang Ying wasn’t about to make things difficult for herself.

She deftly threw herself onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning against him. As he stood up, she naturally draped her slender legs around his waist.

Watching her perform this familiar routine, Xie Lingyu paused.

…How many people had she done this with?

Sang Ying’s legs around his waist soon lost strength, and she began to slip. She quickly called out, “Xie Lingyu, what are you spacing out for? I’m about to fall. Hold my legs!”

Before he could even process her words, Xie Lingyu instinctively moved, his hands skillfully grasping her legs and hoisting her higher on his back. He even bent his spine slightly to adjust his posture, making it easier for her to sleep.

Xie Lingyu: “…”

He lowered his gaze. The way he was carrying her felt strangely familiar, as if he had done it many times before.

“Have I carried you like this before?” he asked softly.

Sang Ying hummed in affirmation, patting his shoulder like a boss. “Junior Brother, you used to be my little follower back in the sect. You carried me every day.”

Xie Lingyu glanced at her cultivation base, which hadn’t even reached Foundation Establishment, and doubted her words. However, it seemed likely that he had often carried her in the past.

“You said I’m your lover. Then who is your husband?”

Sang Ying was startled by the question, fearing he had remembered. She glanced at his calm profile and felt slightly reassured.

If he had truly recalled, he would surely be settling scores with her now—how could he remain so composed?

Clearing her throat, Sang Ying spoke without hesitation, “Well, you know this person too—he’s my senior martial brother.”

The young man’s gaze swept over her. “Two martial brothers in love with the same person?”

Sang Ying lifted her small face defiantly. “Is it so strange that I’m charming?”

After being stared down by his dark eyes for several breaths, Sang Ying grew uneasy. She turned her face away and muttered, “Fine, I’m the only female cultivator in the entire sect. You all just haven’t seen much of the world, alright?”

The young man withdrew his gaze.

Sang Ying huffed in annoyance, resting her head on his shoulder and grumbling softly, “You said you liked me before, but now you’ve forgotten everything. What a bad man.”

The girl on his back was light and soft, clinging to him as if boneless, her slender arms loosely encircling his neck. With her this close, the scent he disliked grew even stronger, permeating even his breath.

She leaned against his shoulder, her warm exhales brushing his neck like a feather’s tickle.

Xie Lingyu’s tone was stiff. “Speak if you must, but don’t cling so close.”

Hearing this, Sang Ying grew even more irritated.

Wasn’t he the one clinging to her in the hot springs? And now he’s looking down on her?

Instead of pulling away, she tightened her arms around his neck, pressing her softness against him. Though it hurt a little, she refused to let go, determined to make him uncomfortable.

Sang Ying snorted heavily. “If you don’t want to carry me, just say so. I’ll find someone else.”

“…”

Xie Lingyu felt her spoiled demeanor toward him was too natural to be an act—like a pampered young lady issuing commands, as familiar and effortless as a proud, beautiful cat scratching its claws.

His disgust deepened, yet his body acted on its own, lifting her slightly higher for fear she might squirm and fall.

After a long silence from the young man, Sang Ying grew tired and dozed off on his shoulder. Just as she was about to fall asleep, she suddenly heard him ask.

“How did we meet?”

Sang Ying, drowsy and muddled, mumbled, “Mmm… when I went down the mountain… you were unconscious… I picked you up and brought you back to the mountain as a follower…”

As the girl spoke, Xie Lingyu’s Divine Sense throbbed with pain, and a few fragmented images flashed through his mind.

【Bodies lay scattered on the ground. He stood in the center, covered in blood and weakened, his true form revealed—his Dragon Tail scales shattered and broken.

A rustle came from the grass behind him. Thinking it an ambush, he whirled around. A small hand parted the grass, and a girl’s head popped out, revealing a face no larger than a palm, her clear, bright eyes gazing at him curiously.】

【Pain and jostling. He slowly opened his eyes in the darkness and saw himself ascending steps. In the distance, a crimson mountain gate stood quietly under the moonlight.

His gaze shifted slowly, settling on the girl’s slender, fragile neck exposed before him, glistening with sweat. Her small frame struggled to carry him, half-dragging, half-carrying him up the steps, one step at a time.】

Xie Lingyu suddenly tightened his grip.

Sang Ying felt a slight pain in her leg and stirred awake, her voice thick with sleep. “Xie Lingyu… what’s wrong?”

Xie Lingyu paused briefly, softening his tone. “It’s nothing. Sleep.”

Sang Ying paid it no mind, tilting her head to find a comfortable position before drifting back to sleep. Her small face rested against him, her breaths light and even.

Xie Lingyu lowered his eyes, recalling the final scene he had just witnessed.

【Amidst the clamor of gongs and drums, red silk paved the way. The bridal sedan chair, escorted along the procession, slowly came to a halt as a young attendant lifted the curtain.

The bride, veiled beneath a red veil, sat quietly inside the sedan. A gentle breeze swept through, and through the gap in the veil, he caught a glimpse of the maiden’s crimson lips and her snow-like, delicate face.】

Compared to now, she looked younger back then.

She hadn’t lied—she truly had married someone else three years ago.

Xie Lingyu’s long lashes drooped slightly.

At last, he understood the intense, chest-piercing hatred that had surged within him the moment he saw her.

It turned out he didn’t hate her.

What he hated… was not being able to have her.

…

When Sang Ying awoke again, the secret realm had shifted from day to night. She had been dozing on the young man’s back for a while when she suddenly remembered her purpose and snapped to alertness.

Wasn’t she here to find a way to get close to Xie Lingyu, absorb fire element spiritual power, and cultivate a Fire Spirit Root? How could she have just fallen asleep like that!

Sensing her movement, the young man spoke, “Finally awake?”

Hearing the displeasure in his tone, Sang Ying thought he was angry. After all, making someone carry her and then falling asleep on their back—especially when it was Xie Lingyu, who had lost his memories and already disliked her—was bound to annoy him.

She cleared her throat softly. “I have the strength to walk on my own now. You can put me down.”

But the young man didn’t release her. His expression remained cold as he said calmly, “This forest is filled with poisonous miasma and toxic plants. If you wander off on your own and get poisoned, who will save you?”

Xu Baishen, who was walking alongside them, sliced through a venomous vine with his sword and glanced over. “Brother Xie is right. This place is far too dangerous.”

Only then did Sang Ying notice the strangeness of the forest. Under the cover of night, it was pitch-black and deep, obscuring their surroundings. A damp, gloomy aura permeated the air, carrying a spine-chilling sense of peril.

She asked quietly, “Will there be poisonous insects?”

Xu Baishen pondered. “That’s hard to say. We haven’t seen any since entering the forest.”

Xie Lingyu glanced at her and replied coolly, “Dark, damp places are most prone to insects and snakes. What do you think?”

Sang Ying immediately tightened her arms around the young man’s neck, her face stern. “I absolutely refuse to get down.”

The three of them walked deeper into the dark forest, and sure enough, they soon encountered numerous insects and snakes hanging from the trees. Xu Baishen used his sword energy to drive them away.

Suddenly, Sang Ying poked the young man’s shoulder, looking earnest. “Xie Lingyu, I think carrying me like this is really inconvenient for you. You can’t even draw your sword. Why don’t you just hold me instead? That way, you’ll still have one hand free.”

Xie Lingyu gave her a faint glance. “Senior Sister is worried about insects falling on you, aren’t you?”

Exposed, Sang Ying stiffened and stammered, “Haha, how could that be? I was just thinking of you, Junior Brother…”

Before she could finish, the young man hooked an arm around her and lifted her into a one-armed embrace in front of him.

Sitting on his arm, Sang Ying was momentarily stunned. As she looked at his sharply defined, pale profile, her ears suddenly grew slightly warm, and she silently swallowed the word “only” she had been about to add.

For no reason, she felt a little shy and averted her gaze. She hadn’t expected him to actually hold her like this—earlier, he had acted like a chaste, unyielding man who wouldn’t even let her touch him.

“Lower your head.”

Hearing his sudden command, Sang Ying didn’t understand why but complied, bowing her head.

Behind her, the sword light suddenly flickered. The young man wielded his sword, slicing through the venomous silk spat toward her, then with another strike, cleaved the enormous spider on the web in two.

“Was that a Demon Beast?”

Sang Ying snapped back to reality at the sound of the corpse falling and was about to turn her head to look when a hand suddenly covered her eyes. Warm, slender fingers, calloused with a thin layer of roughness, completely obscured her vision.

His voice was indifferent. “Afraid, yet still looking?”

Sang Ying realized that what he had just slain must have been some kind of insect. She felt a bit dazed, her heart thumping along with the thought.

Even with his memory lost, he still remembered she was afraid of bugs… Wait, no—he probably deduced it from her earlier reaction. She had been quite obvious about it.

But what did he mean by covering her eyes?

…He was concerned about her!

Sang Ying pulled his hand down, beaming, and deliberately drew out her words in an exaggerated, affected tone: “Junior Brother cares so much about me~~?”

The young man merely glanced at her lightly, his expression still cold and detached, offering no response.

Sang Ying hadn’t forgotten her goal: to get close to him as much as possible before they found a way out. She wrapped both arms around his neck.

Then, taking him by surprise, she quickly leaned in and planted a loud kiss on his cool, pale cheek. “Thank you for your concern, Junior Brother.”

Sang Ying had never actively kissed him while fully conscious before. Even though it was just a peck on the cheek, her heart raced, and her eyelashes fluttered uncontrollably.

She could only tell herself that this was all for the sake of cultivating her spiritual root and stopping that foolish dragon’s insane behavior, trying her best to calm down.

Once she calmed down, she checked her fire element spiritual power, only to find it hadn’t increased at all. Sang Ying furrowed her brows. Could it be because the kiss was too quick?

Very likely.

Thinking this, Sang Ying lifted her gaze, about to try again, when the young man stared at her with indifferent eyes, seemingly seeing through her thoughts. “Is Senior Sister’s gratitude endless?”

Sang Ying faltered for a moment, then straightened up with righteous indignation. “You’re my lover. Can’t I kiss you if I want to?”

Xie Lingyu: “…”

Casually slashing down a few venomous snakes, he lifted his eyelids to look at her. “So, Senior Sister doesn’t mind being watched by others either?”

Only then did Sang Ying remember that Xu Baishen was still nearby. She glanced over and saw the young man watching them with an awkward expression.

Sang Ying’s ears instantly flushed red. With nothing left to lose, she snapped, “What are you looking at? Haven’t you ever seen an affair before?!”

Xu Baishen: “…”

He rubbed his temples. “Senior Sister Sang, what you’re doing is wrong. It goes against moral principles and human decency. If word gets out, you’ll be condemned.”

“None of your business. It’s not like I’m having an affair with you.”

Sang Ying buried her face in the young man’s neck, her voice muffled, grumbling inwardly. So annoying. If only he could just go away.

But that was just wishful thinking. Given Xu Baishen’s cautious nature, he definitely wouldn’t leave easily.

Moreover, if she insisted on ditching Xu Baishen, Xie Lingyu might grow suspicious, wondering why she was so determined to be alone with him and whether she had some ulterior motive.

…Thinking about it only made her more frustrated.

As Sang Ying’s mind wandered chaotically, she suddenly heard a cracking sound. Looking up, she saw trees collapsing.

“Boom—!”

The ground beneath their feet suddenly shook and caved in. Trees fell in clusters, and insects and beasts scattered in panic throughout the forest.

It seemed the restricted zone of the secret realm was affected by a Restrictive Barrier, preventing sword flight and even ordinary flight.

“Hold on tight.”

Hearing the young man’s words, Sang Ying tightened her arms around his neck. Xie Lingyu swiftly carried her through the forest, dodging the collapsing ground.

Before long, they left the forest and arrived at a clear, small stream. The pool’s reflection was deep and serene, the moonlight bright and clear.

She glanced back and saw that the forest where she had just stood had transformed into a bottomless abyss.

She looked carefully—no one was behind her.

“Xu Baishen doesn’t seem to have followed?”

Xie Lingyu looked at her calmly. “Didn’t Senior Sister not want to be with him?”

Sang Ying was taken aback. “How did you know?”

“Though we are both junior brothers, Senior Sister’s attitude toward us is worlds apart. Your tone toward him, though steady, carries impatience. Earlier, when you suggested splitting up, it was likely for this reason.”

Sang Ying peered behind her again. “He really didn’t follow?”

“Just now, I deliberately chose the opposite path from him. He’s now on the other side of the abyss and won’t be able to find us for a while.” Xie Lingyu looked at her. “Can you speak now?”

Sang Ying breathed a sigh of relief. “He’s not my junior brother at all. Though we’re from the same sect, he’s not from our same branch.”

She briefly explained her relationship with Xu Baishen, her tone indignant. “He talks so righteously, preaching about morality and propriety, yet he didn’t lift a finger when his sister gave my husband a sword tassel. Now he’s pretending to be the good guy?”

Hearing those two words, the young man lowered his long lashes, veiling the unclear emotions in his eyes.

Sang Ying vented fiercely about her longtime rival Xu Baishen until her mouth felt dry. Without thinking, she patted his shoulder. “Xie Lingyu, I need water.”

Before Xie Lingyu could even process her words, his fingertips already glowed with flowing magic. Spiritual Power wrapped and condensed into a palm-sized water ball. He then took out a jade straw, inserted it, and handed it to her.

“…”

Watching the girl naturally hold the water ball and drink through the straw, Xie Lingyu fell silent.

It seemed she had done this kind of thing quite often before.

Sang Ying took a big gulp and exhaled. Turning her gaze to the young man, she remembered the matter of getting close again. With Xu Baishen absent, it was the perfect opportunity.

She stared at him for a moment, then leaned in as before, pressing her lips to his cheek. This time, she was smarter, staying close for a little longer.

“…What is Senior Sister doing?”

Sang Ying held his face as she kissed, her attention focused on the surrounding elemental spiritual power. Hearing his question, her voice was muffled. “Sneaking around, isn’t it obvious?”

Darn it, was Shen Ying lying to her? Why wasn’t there any elemental spiritual power at all? Or was she doing something wrong?

Suddenly, her chin was gripped by long fingers, pulling her away. Sang Ying’s cheeks puffed out from the pinch as she met Xie Lingyu’s cold, dark eyes.

His voice was faint. “Senior Sister calls this sneaking around? All I see is Senior Sister covering my face in saliva.”

Sang Ying felt mocked and flushed with embarrassment. “What do you know? This is called kissing! There’s a lot of nuance to it, okay!”

The young man suddenly set her down, her back resting against a tree.

…Why did he put her down?

Sang Ying looked up, confused. Before she could clearly see what was in front of her, a pair of beautiful, black-glazed eyes suddenly magnified before her.

The young man raised her chin with his long fingers, pressed her against the tree, and kissed her without warning.

The bright moonlight above filtered through the leaves, and the clear stream nearby gurgled softly.

Sang Ying suddenly couldn’t hear the wind or the water anymore—only the thumping of her heart. Her watery eyes stared blankly at his lowered lashes, thick, dark, and long.

Xie Lingyu, who had lost his memory… had kissed her.

The sensation on her lips was warm, cool, and soft. He slowly kissed her lips, his movements clearly a bit clumsy yet earnest, as if trying to confirm some feeling.

Hmm… Sang Ying thought to herself.

Did losing his memory mean he forgot how to kiss too?

Wait, is now really the time to think about that?!

Sang Ying quickly pulled her attention back to observing the elemental spiritual power. To her frustration, there was still none.

Sang Ying felt Shen Ying’s words weren’t entirely reliable. Perhaps she didn’t know the details either. After some thought, she decided to try following the successful case from the hot spring.

Back then, Xie Lingyu had taken the initiative. She remembered it was a kiss like this…

Sang Ying actively extended her small tongue, licking his lips. The young man clearly froze, his kissing motion halting.

Sang Ying paid no mind and continued her grand endeavor. Her tongue traced the outline of his lips, then slowly ventured inside. Her small tongue mimicked how he had kissed her earlier, skillfully parting his lips and pressing against his teeth.

Xie Lingyu lifted his eyelids, watching the girl kiss him actively, yet the ferocity in his eyes grew deeper. Complex, sour emotions intertwined and melted within his pitch-black pupils, faintly revealing the vertical slits of his demonic form.

Such a skilled kiss—she must have kissed her husband like this many times before.

Yes, they had been married for three years, over a thousand days and nights. How many intimate acts like this had they already shared?

Sang Ying had no idea what he was thinking. While kissing without emotion, she wondered inwardly why it still wasn’t working.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck her—she remembered a crucial condition: he had to channel water attribute spiritual power!

She almost wanted to smack her own head. With that thought, she began to pull back. “Xie Lingyu, you… mmm!”

The young man cupped the back of her head, chasing her lips the moment she tried to retreat. This kiss was completely different from the gentle one earlier—it was fierce, even bruising her lips a little. She wasn’t sure if they were bleeding.

Just as Sang Ying thought to lick her own lips, the young man pried open her teeth and ventured inside, fiercely tangling his tongue with hers.

She winced in pain, letting out a soft whimper.

Why had he suddenly become so fierce? He was fine just a moment ago.

“Mmm…”

Sang Ying pushed against his shoulders with both hands but couldn’t budge him. Pinned firmly against the tree, she was soon kissed into a daze. Only in one sudden moment did she snap back to awareness.

“Xie Lingyu… mmm… stop…” With no other options left, she bit down hard on the tip of his tongue.

The young man finally stopped, pulling back slightly. A silvery strand of saliva glistened between their lips under the moonlight.

He wiped it away with his hand, his voice low, hoarse, and gloomy as he lifted his eyelids.

“What’s wrong, Senior Sister? Didn’t you want to have an affair with me?”

Sang Ying gasped for breath. When she looked up, she saw a pair of molten golden vertical pupils, like the eyes of a snake—sinister and terrifying. She was instantly startled.

Noticing her frightened gaze, the young man suddenly smiled. “So Senior Sister has never seen them before.”

So this was what the eyes of the dragon clan looked like—similar to a snake’s, yet not entirely the same, carrying an added sense of sacredness that made one afraid to meet his gaze.

Xie Lingyu had never shown her this before. She had always thought his eyes were black.

After the initial shock, Sang Ying became completely captivated. Her amber eyes stared unblinkingly at him, and she even wanted to reach out and touch them.

Before she could make contact, her hand was caught.

He looked at her calmly. “Senior Sister isn’t afraid anymore?”

Sang Ying snapped back to reality, quickly withdrawing her hand, a bit embarrassed as she lifted her small face high. “Who do you think you’re looking down on? It’s just eyes. How could I possibly be afraid?”

The young man stared at her for a moment, not dwelling on the issue, and instead asked, “Why did you stop?”