Chapter 49 Jealousy
“…What nonsense are you talking about?”
Sang Ying looked up at the sky, utterly confused. “What happened? Why are they fighting?”
Laba cleared his throat and straightened up. “Young Miss, do you know that Sword Lord is the Demon Realm Crown Prince?”
Sang Ying was still bewildered. “But that shouldn’t lead to a fight, right?”
He just concealed his identity while studying at Minghua Mountain. They’re fellow disciples—explaining it clearly should be enough. Unless he has some grudge against the Demon Emperor?
Seeing she still didn’t understand, Laba leaned closer, shielding his mouth as he whispered, “Second Senior Brother is angry because if Sword Lord had revealed his identity three years ago, with the prestige of the Demon Realm Crown Prince, Young Miss, you wouldn’t have been forced into marriage.”
As the junior sister of the Demon Realm Crown Prince, anyone in the Cultivation World who harbored ill intentions would have to consider whether they could withstand the entire Demon Realm.
Sang Ying was stunned for a moment, then her cheeks flushed slightly.
That cunning dragon is quite scheming, going to such lengths just to marry her. No wonder when the dragon clan ancestors wanted to attend the wedding banquet, he stubbornly refused to let them go.
Seeing her flushed face, Laba said solemnly, “Young Miss, I understand you must be furious too after learning the truth. Sigh, Sword Lord really… If he liked you, why not propose directly instead of resorting to such coercive methods…”
Sang Ying: “…”
Right, she should be angry.
Sang Ying couldn’t help but want to cover her face. Had she spent too much time with Xie Lingyu and become abnormal too?
Laba continued comforting her, “Young Miss, don’t be too angry. Second Senior Brother came this time to take you back. We’ll go back and stay on our own for a while, and you can carefully consider whether to divorce Sword Lord or not.”
Sang Ying stiffened. “That’s not necessary, is it? Actually, I…”
“Don’t worry. I heard Sword Lord was severely injured and his cultivation realm dropped. Second Senior Brother brought Gu Poison refined by the Southern Realm Demon King. Sword Lord has already been poisoned, and soon he’ll…”
Before Laba could finish, the young girl in front of him turned and ran toward the center.
Xiao Lingzhou was locked in combat with the young man before him, filled with an indescribable anger. He had long known this junior brother was not as pure-hearted as he appeared, not the upright gentleman he seemed. But since Sang Ying liked him, he had endured it.
Recently, after the rumor about the “white moonlight” was dispelled, he learned the two were together. He had even considered offering his blessings, but then he discovered this news—that he had used such methods to force his junior sister to marry him.
Once suspicion began, many things turned dark.
At the Yaochi Succession Ceremony, only he was present; his junior sister did not appear. For the past month, his junior sister hadn’t contacted anyone outside, leaving no news, and no one had seen her.
And though his junior sister said she would come to pick him up, she was nowhere to be seen when he arrived.
He couldn’t help but wonder if his junior sister had used the branch meeting as an excuse to call him here precisely because she was being controlled by this man and couldn’t leave Yun Ling Realm.
The young man before him was already moving somewhat sluggishly. He truly was severely injured, his cultivation realm having dropped drastically. Now, even Xiao Lingzhou could fight him to a standstill.
Xiao Lingzhou’s expression turned cold and stern. Just as he was about to thrust his sword toward the young man’s shoulder, a petite figure suddenly ran over and shielded Xie Lingyu.
“Second Senior Brother, stop!”
Xiao Lingzhou saw it was Sang Ying and hurriedly withdrew his sword momentum, hiding it behind his back. He looked at her anxiously. “Junior Sister, are you alright?”
The girl in front of him immediately turned around to check on Xie Lingyu, her small face tense with worry. “Xie Lingyu, where are you hurt?”
Xiao Lingzhou was taken aback.
Xie Lingyu lowered his gaze to look at her. “It’s nothing.”
After confirming there were no visible wounds on him, Sang Ying finally breathed a small sigh of relief. Staring at his increasingly pale face, she remembered the matter of the Gu Poison and extended her hand toward Xiao Lingzhou. “Give me the antidote.”
Xiao Lingzhou pursed his lips. “Little Junior Sister, if he bullied you, you can speak up. Don’t be afraid.”
Sang Ying felt a slight headache coming on.
She had spent much more time with her Eldest Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother than with Xie Lingyu, having grown up with them since childhood. Although Second Senior Brother usually seemed carefree and liked to tease her, whenever she faced real trouble as a child, he was always the first to stand in front of her and protect her.
She understood why Second Senior Brother was acting this way. Given what had happened, 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 examined her pale face. “Don’t lie to me, Junior Sister. You look so weak—he must have mistreated you.”
Sang Ying: “…”
“Tell me the truth. Did he force you to be with him?”
“Well…”
Sang Ying’s small face scrunched up. To be honest, it did seem like Xie Lingyu had done exactly that—he had even locked her in a dark room.
Seeing her hesitation, Xiao Lingzhou immediately understood. He turned around, tightened his grip on his sword, and prepared to attack again.
Sang Ying quickly grabbed his hand, holding on tightly. “Second Senior Brother, it’s not what you think.”
Xiao Lingzhou looked back at her. “Then what is it?”
Sang Ying grew anxious. “When he confessed to me before, he did lock me up. I know he’s a psychologically twisted pervert, and his previous demeanor was all an act, but…”
Xiao Lingzhou’s anger flared even hotter. “That bastard actually did something like that!”
“But… but…” The girl in front of him blushed at the tips of her ears, her voice growing even softer. “I actually don’t dislike what he did.”
Xiao Lingzhou: ?
Sang Ying twisted her fingers nervously, her voice almost inaudible. “It’s just… knowing that he likes me and has such strong possessiveness actually makes me quite happy.”
Xiao Lingzhou: ?
Sang Ying’s ears turned slightly red. “Second Senior Brother, you don’t know, but he’s had a crush on me for a long time. He secretly paid attention to me and remembers everything I like and dislike.”
“You said I look pale, right? Actually, it’s because of my Menstrual Period. I have a cold constitution and get stomach cramps. During the three years after we married, every time I had my Menstrual Period, he would sneak over at night while I was asleep to hold me and warm my stomach.”
Xiao Lingzhou: “…”
How is that any different from being a pervert?
“And before…”
He watched as the girl in front of him, her ears flushed red, chattered on endlessly, clearly enjoying herself. After a long silence, he finally spoke. “Little Junior Sister, you…”
Sang Ying lifted her clear, bright eyes, which shone as brightly as the moon. “Hmm?”
Xiao Lingzhou was momentarily stunned, feeling as though he had been scalded by the unmistakable affection overflowing from her gaze. His heart trembled suddenly.
“…”
If she liked it, then perhaps there was nothing wrong with it.
Xiao Lingzhou looked at her and suddenly noticed something, his eyes widening in surprise. “Junior Sister, you’ve reached Foundation Establishment?”
He quickly reached out to grasp her wrist, carefully checking—it was indeed Foundation Establishment. Last time they met, she was still at Qi Refining, yet in just a month, she had already reached the Eighth Layer of Foundation Establishment.
Not far away, the white-robed youth standing to the side appeared somewhat neglected.
His gaze fixed on the two chatting familiarly, his eyes darkening as he stared at the girl’s captured wrist.
Sang Ying recounted the events that had occurred in the Yaochi Secret Realm to Xiao Lingzhou.
Xiao Lingzhou’s previously delighted expression stiffened. After a moment, he sighed softly, “You’ve been through a lot, little junior sister.”
“And his injuries… are they because of this too?”
Sang Ying nodded, feeling a bit puzzled. “By the way, second senior brother, how did you know he was injured?”
They had come directly to the Yun Ling Realm after leaving Yaochi. The only ones who knew about his injuries were the dragons of the dragon clan, and those ancestors certainly wouldn’t speak of it to outsiders.
Xiao Lingzhou’s expression turned cold as he glanced around. He leaned closer to her, about to whisper into her ear, when the girl suddenly ran off. “Xie Lingyu!”
He turned and saw the white-robed youth looking deathly pale, blood trickling from the corner of his lips. The girl rushed over to support him, calling out anxiously, “Second senior brother, hurry and bring out the antidote!”
Xiao Lingzhou quickly approached and handed her the antidote.
Admittedly, Xie Lingyu’s personality was truly unpleasant, but based on what she had said—that he had searched for her for a hundred years under such circumstances—his feelings for her could not be fake.
Sang Ying helped him sit against a tree, poured the antidote into her palm, and brought it to his lips. “Xie Lingyu, take it quickly.”
The youth glanced at her lightly with his dark eyes, his tone indifferent. “So junior sister still remembers I was poisoned… Mm.”
At a time like this, he was still talking nonsense. Sang Ying directly shoved the antidote into his mouth, patted his back to help him swallow, and waited a moment. “Do you feel better now?”
Xiao Lingzhou stood to the side with his arms crossed. “That medicine was only meant to suppress cultivation base. What could possibly be wrong?”
So that was it. Sang Ying relaxed slightly and was about to continue speaking when a weight settled on her shoulder. The youth weakly leaned into her embrace, his face pale.
Xiao Lingzhou: ?
If he remembered correctly, he hadn’t even touched him during their earlier fight, had he?
He clicked his tongue coldly. “Stop pretending. That sword strike didn’t even hit you before little junior sister intercepted it.”
The youth lowered his lashes, leaning weakly into Sang Ying’s embrace as he coughed a few times. His lips were pale and bloodless, looking fragile and broken.
He struggled to sit up. “I’m fine. I just need to regulate my breathing.”
How could he possibly look fine in this state?
Sang Ying pulled him back into her embrace, letting him lean against her as she looked at Xiao Lingzhou with a hint of reproach. “Second senior brother, you knew he was already injured before. How could you strike so hard?”
Xiao Lingzhou’s gaze fell to her waist, where the youth’s arm was wrapped around her, his head resting on her shoulder in a possessive manner, holding her completely.
Xiao Lingzhou: “…”
He’d bet anything that this kid was faking it!
Xiao Lingzhou gritted his teeth. Only his naive little junior sister would be fooled by him.
A thought crossed his mind, and he spoke up. “Since his injuries are so severe, let the subordinate demons take him back to see a medical cultivator.”
Sang Ying nodded and looked around. A circle of curious demons had gathered in the distance. Just as she was about to call someone over, she suddenly spotted four small green pillars atop a patch of grass.
“…”
After a moment of silence, Sang Ying spoke up, “Come out, Rong Rong Mother, I can see your horns.”
The atmosphere in the grass visibly stiffened, and then a man and a woman emerged from within.
Xie Yu Cang scratched the back of his head, laughing awkwardly, “Well, Little Ying, what a coincidence. Your mother and I were just passing by while shopping.”
Rong Xue Man nodded slightly, “That’s right. I just bought some snowflake crisps, and they taste quite good. Would you like to try some, Little Ying dear?”
Xiao Lingzhou: “…Are these two the Demon Emperor and Demon Empress?”
Sang Ying couldn’t help but facepalm. The esteemed Demon Emperor was crouching in the grass to watch the commotion, and it was his own son’s commotion at that.
With outsiders present, the couple finally composed themselves a bit, brushing off the grass blades from their clothes as they walked over.
Rong Xue Man spoke gently, “Little Ying, who is this?”
Sang Ying introduced him, “This is my second senior brother, Xiao Lingzhou. He’s the one I mentioned before, here to help set up the new branch.”
Rong Xue Man nodded and smiled, “I’ve heard that a human cultivator has been traveling through the Four Realms in the Demon Realm over the past couple of years, getting along well with the local demon kings. So it turns out he’s Little Ying’s senior brother.”
Xiao Lingzhou bowed to the two of them, “Due to some misunderstandings, I ended up in a dispute with your son as soon as I arrived. I sincerely apologize.”
Xie Yu Cang waved his hand, “No need to worry. You’re fellow disciples, after all. Sparring and fighting are perfectly normal. We elders shouldn’t interfere in such matters. It’s best for you to resolve it among yourselves.”
Rong Xue Man smiled, “Little Yu has had a bit of a temper since he was young. We appreciate you senior brothers looking out for him.”
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Xiao Lingzhou mentioned that he needed to attend to the branch matters. Sang Ying nodded, “Alright, let’s go.”
Sang Ying released Xie Lingyu and was about to stand up when he gently grasped her wrist, “I’m more familiar with that area. I’ll go with my junior sister.”
Sang Ying firmly objected, “No, you’re too badly injured right now. Rong Rong Mother, since you’re here, could you please take him back to rest?”
Rong Xue Man agreed, “No problem.”
“…”
Xiao Lingyu looked up and saw Xiao Lingzhou standing with his arms crossed, staring at him with a teasing smile, “Let’s go, junior sister. It’s been a while since we last talked. By the way, how’s our eldest senior brother doing?”
“The last time I saw him, eldest senior brother…”
The two of them met up with Laba, and the three quickly disappeared into the mist, leaving only Xie Lingyu and his family of three behind.
Rong Xue Man spoke leisurely, “This second senior brother seems to have a special interest in Little Ying?”
Xie Yu Cang, massaging his wife’s back, added fuel to the fire, “It looks like Little Ying gets along quite well with him. I heard they’ve lived together since childhood—they’re truly childhood sweethearts.”
Xie Lingyu stood up, his expression indifferent and his tone cold, “Are you two done with your shopping?”
Rong Xue Man smiled brightly, “Feeling jealous? Our dear Little Ying is so adorable; it’s only natural that she’s well-liked.”
Xie Yu Cang stirred the pot, “Fight, fight.”
Xie Lingyu turned and walked away.
He hadn’t taken more than two steps when a voice drifted from behind.
“Little Yu, if you like her and don’t want her to get close to her second senior brother, how will she know if you don’t say it?”
Xie Lingyu paused, pursing his lips, “It wouldn’t make a difference even if I said it.”
Her two senior brothers were the closest people to her. They had grown up together, and having already lost her parents, these two senior brothers were the only family she had left.
He had long noticed Xiao Lingzhou’s affection for her and had been on guard, but she remained unaware, innocent and naive. Just moments ago, she had spoken to him so closely, lifting her small face with clear, bright eyes, her ears turning red as they discussed some topic.
He dared not expose Xiao Lingzhou’s feelings for her. What if, upon learning of them, she became enlightened and also fell for Xiao Lingzhou?
Xie Yu Cang let out a long sigh and patted his shoulder. “Of course, it won’t work if you just speak coldly like that. Come, let me teach you the ultimate art of charming female cultivators.”
…
For several days in a row, Sang Ying had been busy with Xiao Lingzhou on matters related to the Chamber of Commerce branch—selecting a location, constructing the building, securing supply channels, receiving the first batch of goods, holding the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and officially opening for business.
The demons here lived simple lives and had never seen the high-tech wonders of the Cultivation World: Fully Automatic Alchemy Furnaces, Household Sweeping Talisman Servants, and all kinds of trendy, beautiful clothing, accessories, and weapons.
But the most popular item was the Glazed Mirror, which sold out in less than a quarter of an hour, leaving everyone with one in hand.
To celebrate the auspicious opening, the Chamber of Commerce held a banquet in the evening with drinks for everyone.
Laba feasted heartily, and Xiao Lingzhou was also pulled into the drinking. Sang Ying sat to the side, slowly sipping her juice.
Finally having some free time, Sang Ying suddenly missed Xie Lingyu dearly and wondered how he had been these past few days.
Mother Rongrong had visited in the meantime, and when Sang Ying asked about Xie Lingyu’s injuries, she said he had fully recovered and was fine.
But if he was fine, why hadn’t he come to see her?
Hadn’t he always been so clingy before?
Sang Ying grew restless with her thoughts, put down her cup, and pushed the door open to go out for some fresh air.
The Chamber of Commerce Building was beautifully constructed, blending the unique architectural style of the Yun Ling Realm, with a courtyard featuring local spirit flower gardens.
Sang Ying sat on the steps beside the long corridor, resting her chin in her hands as she daydreamed.
After enjoying the breeze for a while, Sang Ying picked up her Glazed Mirror and opened the chat window with Xie Lingyu.
Their chat history still dated back to when they went to Yaochi. At that time, she had seen the scene of Xie Lingyu severely injured and embracing Shen Ying, so in a moment of panic, she rushed to the Yaochi Secret Realm. Only after arriving did she learn from Shen Ying that those memories had been fabricated and implanted.
Sang Ying suddenly paused. Xie Lingyu injured, embracing someone…
Come to think of it, Xie Lingyu had indeed been severely injured during this secret realm, and as for the embrace, he had indeed done so when he collapsed from his injuries.
Could it be a coincidence?
Unable to figure it out, Sang Ying set the thought aside for now. Staring at his name on the Glazed Mirror, she hesitated for a long while before typing a few words.
[Xie Lingyu, are your injuries healed?]
The Glazed Mirror suddenly vibrated, startling Sang Ying before she realized he had replied.
[Is my junior sister concerned about me?]
He replied so quickly.
Glancing at the time, it was already very late, yet he was still awake.
Sang Ying stared at the message, almost able to imagine his tone of voice—his dark eyes looking at her unhurriedly, his words drawn out, the tail end of his tone slightly teasing, like a feather brushing against her ear, tickling her.
Sang Ying’s ears flushed red instantly as she typed forcefully: [Who’s concerned about you? I just wanted to see if you were still alive.]
After sending it, the Glazed Mirror fell silent.
Sang Ying counted the seconds one by one. On the tenth count, she saw a reply pop up in the message box.
[Turn around.]
Sang Ying was momentarily stunned, then grasped the meaning of those words and suddenly grew nervous. She slowly turned her head.
Through the space beneath the corridor, she saw a figure in white sitting on the opposite side, one knee propped up, leaning lazily against a pillar. Under the moonlight, he appeared cool and aloof, and it was unclear how long he had been sitting there.
He leisurely raised his eyelashes, his dark eyes meeting hers—calm and composed.
Sang Ying’s heart skipped a beat. “Why did you come here?”
The young man stood up and walked slowly across the courtyard. “Didn’t you want to see if I was still alive, junior sister? So I came.”
“Don’t give me that. The Dragon Palace is thousands of miles away. How could you possibly arrive in just ten counts?”
Sang Ying shot him a glance. “You secretly followed me here.”
Xie Lingyu let out a soft hum of acknowledgment.
“Yes, I missed you, so I came.”
Sang Ying was taken aback. She hadn’t expected him to admit it so readily, nor to express his longing for her so bluntly. Her cheeks grew warm.
The person she had just been thinking about had suddenly appeared before her eyes, and she was genuinely nervous. Her fingers fidgeted with her sleeve as her gaze wandered, eventually landing on his sword. The hilt was bare.
Sang Ying immediately looked up, somewhat annoyed. “You say you like me, yet you don’t even wear the thing I gave you.”
“I do wear it.”
Sang Ying laughed in exasperation, pointing at the empty hilt. “Xie Lingyu, do you think my eyes are failing me? It’s clearly not there. If you lost it, just say so. I know it’s a bit ugly, but lying to me like this is a bit…”
The young man before her raised his hand, slipped it into his collar, and retrieved the Sword Tassel from a spot pressed close to his heart. The long tassel cascaded from between his fingers, swaying gently.
Sang Ying was stunned and fell silent for a moment. “Xie Lingyu, this thing is called a Sword Tassel.”
The young man’s expression remained indifferent. “I know.”
Sang Ying grew even more puzzled. “Then why aren’t you wearing it?”
The young man glanced at her with his dark eyes. “Once you gave it to me, it became mine.”
Sang Ying: ?
Sang Ying finally understood what he meant. She was both annoyed and amused. How could someone be jealous of their own sword?
Beyond that, there was another feeling in her heart—a faint itch, as if lightly brushed by a feather. Sang Ying couldn’t help but flutter her eyelashes. This bad dragon.
She took the Sword Tassel from his hand and lowered her head to tie it onto the Luo Qing Sword. “This is meant to be worn on the sword. It’s inconvenient to carry it around like this all the time. If you really want something else, I’ll give you something different next time.”
The young man lowered his gaze to look at her. “Are you serious, junior sister?”
Seeing how carefully he had kept the gift she gave him—without disdain or carelessness—Sang Ying, as the giver, felt quite pleased.
In high spirits now, she let out a light hum. “It’s just a gift. Why would I lie about it? It’s tied.”
Sang Ying let go and admired it for a moment, thinking it looked good—a perfect match.
“Xie Lingyu, what do you think—”
Just as she looked up, her voice was abruptly swallowed.
Under the corridor, the moonlight was hazy, and the pale blue spirit flowers in the courtyard swayed in the breeze.
The young man’s cool fingers cupped the side of her face as he leaned down and gently kissed her—lingering, restrained with emotion. Caught completely off guard, Sang Ying fluttered her eyelashes as she gazed at the face so close to hers.
After a moment of stillness, she did not push him away.
She gently closed her eyes, her slender fingers clutching his sleeve, quietly accepting it.
…
Just a moment of inattention, and the figure of the young girl drinking juice in the corner had vanished.
Xiao Lingzhou set down his wine cup and went out to look for her. Turning a corner, he saw the two figures beneath the corridor.
The moonlight cast the girl’s shadow on the floor, just falling before his eyes—ethereal, elusive.
Though so close he could almost reach out and touch it, it remained forever out of grasp.