Chapter 50: The Main Wife

Moonlight filtered through the eaves, casting a half-bright, half-dim glow. A few pale blue spirit flowers stretched out from behind the corridor pillars.

Sang Ying clutched the sleeve of the person before her, her eyelashes trembling. She had just tilted her little face up to kiss him for a while when she suddenly heard clear footsteps approaching from the corridor.

She panicked instantly, hurriedly pushing Xie Lingyu away.

The footsteps paused at the corner, followed by a familiar young man’s voice.

“Ah, so you’re here, Little Junior Sister.”

Sang Ying straightened up, her ears still flushed red. She tried to compose herself, clearing her throat with a hand to her lips. “It was too stuffy inside, so I came out for some fresh air. What did you need, Second Senior Brother?”

Xiao Lingzhou smiled. “You disappeared in the blink of an eye—of course I had to come looking.”

As he spoke, his gaze fell on the white-robed young man beside her. “When did Junior Brother arrive? You didn’t say a word.”

Xie Lingyu glanced at him unhurriedly, then naturally took Sang Ying’s hand. “Second Senior Brother, the celebration banquet is over. I’ve come to take my wife home.”

Sang Ying’s ears burned at the address, her face flushing. What was he calling her in front of Second Senior Brother?

“It’s not over that quickly—it’s only just begun.” Xiao Lingzhou looked at Sang Ying. “Little Junior Sister, this branch has just opened. As the First Boss of the Yunshui Merchant Guild, shouldn’t you say a few words to the people below?”

Sang Ying thought for a moment—that was true. “Xie Lingyu, you go back and rest first. I’ll return once it’s over. Second Senior Brother will escort me—his sword flight is very fast.”

As she spoke, she tried to pull her hand free, but in the next instant, it was gripped tightly. The young man’s tone was indifferent. “Second Senior Brother, you don’t mind if I join the celebration banquet, do you?”

“I don’t mind, but…”

Xiao Lingzhou’s expression was half-smiling. “Little Junior Sister founded this guild under an assumed name. If you just show up holding her hand like this, won’t the whole world know that the First Boss of the Yunshui Merchant Guild is the Dao Companion of the illustrious Qingyu Sword Lord?”

On the surface, he was referring to this matter, but in reality, he was subtly criticizing him for concealing his identity as the Demon Realm Crown Prince and his marriage to Sang Ying.

Sang Ying didn’t catch the underlying meaning, truly lost in thought. Xie Lingyu’s reputation was immense—few in the Cultivation World hadn’t seen him. Showing up like this would indeed be a problem.

After a moment’s consideration, Sang Ying stuck an Illusion Form Talisman on him. “Wouldn’t this work? We can just say he’s a distinguished guest from the Demon Realm. It’s reasonable to invite some demons to the celebration banquet for opening a branch in Yun Ling Realm’s territory.”

“But, Xie Lingyu, haven’t you always refused to attend gatherings like this?”

In the years after their marriage, Xie Lingyu’s fame had only grown, and many factions had tried to invite him to banquets and gatherings. Yet he never attended a single one, staying at home whenever he wasn’t on missions.

Xie Lingyu: “It’s precisely because I’ve never attended before that I’m curious about what it’s like. Is that not allowed?”

Sang Ying blinked. The way he said it made him sound a bit pitiful?

Before entering, Sang Ying broke free from his hand, glancing around like a spy, her little face serious. “Once inside, sit far away and keep your distance.”

The warmth in his palm vanished. Xie Lingyu paused, watching the girl walk into the bustling room filled with clinking cups. Beside him, Xiao Lingzhou also entered, taking a seat familiarly next to her.

The sudden appearance of an outsider at the celebration banquet drew everyone’s attention. Before Sang Ying could speak, Xiao Lingzhou introduced, “This is a distinguished guest from Yun Ling Realm. We owe our ability to open this branch here entirely to him. Everyone, eat, drink, and make sure not to neglect him.”

With that said, everyone naturally raised their wine cups and went over, gathering around to chat with Xie Lingyu.

Separated by a circle of people, Sang Ying still sat in the corner, watching Xie Lingyu surrounded by the crowd. She had initially intended to go rescue him, but Xiao Lingzhou stopped her.

“Junior Sister, he’s never attended a banquet before, let him have some fun.”

That made sense. Sang Ying gave up the idea.

A spirit beast puppy circled at her feet, and she teased it with a chicken leg.

Xiao Lingzhou laughed, “By the way, how’s Xiao Mi doing?”

Sang Ying: “…It’s already taller than me now. Last time I went, I brought a big bag of dried fish, and it wasn’t even enough to fill the gaps between its teeth.”

“Wow, it seems Senior Brother is feeding it well.”

“Great minds think alike.” That’s exactly what she thought too.

“I still remember how you used to be, barely reaching my waist, just that tiny, yet you dared to go into the water to catch fish for Xiao Mi. In the end, it was Xiao Mi who dragged you out.”

Sang Ying looked suspicious: “That’s not right, I remember you telling me you could catch fish and insisted on showing me. I stood by the shore watching for a while, and bubbles started rising from the water. Afraid you might drown, I quickly had Xiao Mi pull you out.”

Xiao Lingzhou stiffened: “Is that how it happened?”

“Of course, I even recorded it. Let me find it for you.” As she spoke, Sang Ying took out her Glazed Mirror and began searching.

“You’re something else, Sang Xiao Ying. I was drowning, and you were recording instead of saving me.”

Sang Ying’s little face was serious: “My dad told me not to touch cold water.”

“And if you really had died, this recording would have been your only remaining image in the world. We could have played it on loop at your funeral—’Ambitious youth tragically dies while trying to catch fish in the water, warning children not to swim recklessly.’ So educational.”

Xiao Lingzhou: “…”

He was both annoyed and amused. “You had quite a lot going on in that little head of yours back then.”

A chill emanated from the surroundings. Xiao Lingzhou glanced at the young man sitting in a dark corner nearby, then picked up a glass of juice and handed it to her. “Junior Sister, this is sea buckthorn juice, a specialty I brought from the Northern Desert Realm. Give it a try.”

Sang Ying took a sip, and her little face immediately scrunched up. “So sour.”

Xiao Lingzhou rested his chin on his hand and smiled. “Yeah, so sour.”

“By the way, Junior Sister,” Xiao Lingzhou suddenly remembered something. “A while ago, I passed through a small town in the Cultivation World. Most of the residents there had fallen ill, with symptoms like fever and dizziness similar to a common cold.”

“But there’s something strange—their vision was impaired to varying degrees. Those with milder symptoms had blurred vision, while the more severe cases had already gone blind.”

Sang Ying frowned. What kind of illness could cause blindness?

“I’m telling you this to remind you not to go to the southwestern region recently. The illness seems to be contagious, and your health isn’t great to begin with, so you’d be more susceptible.”

Sang Ying nodded. “Understood.”

Xiao Lingzhou finished a glass of wine, propped his chin on his hand, and looked at her. After a while, he softly said, “Junior Sister really seems to have grown up.”

Sang Ying blinked and gestured to the top of her head. “Of course, I’ve grown quite a bit taller than three years ago.”

Xiao Lingzhou smiled, reached out to ruffle her hair, and skillfully withdrew his hand before she could react and get upset. “How are things going between you and him?”

Sang Ying covered her head, momentarily stunned. At the mention of Xie Lingyu, her face flushed, and her eyelashes fluttered slightly. “It’s just like that. He said he wants to pursue me, but who knows how his book studies are going.”

“Pfft.”

“…Second Senior Brother, what are you laughing at?”

“You’ve been married for years, and you’re only starting from this step? Isn’t the progress a bit too slow?” Xiao Lingzhou chuckled teasingly. “At this rate, how many years will it take for you to win him over?”

Sang Ying bit her cup, her ears turning red as she whispered, “Actually, we’re already a real couple. It’s just that I said I wanted to… experience dating.”

Xiao Lingzhou’s smile froze at the corner of his lips.

“Ah, let’s not just talk about me. What about you, Second Senior Brother? Have you met any girls you liked during these years away?”

Sang Ying lifted her clear, bright eyes to look at him. “Demon Realm girls are passionate and open-minded. Didn’t you say before that you liked that type?”

Xiao Lingzhou took another sip of wine and let out a long sigh. “Too busy. Who has time for that?”

He lowered his gaze, a self-mocking smile appearing on his face. “I’ve been in the Demon Realm these past few years, originally thinking of connecting with the forces there to help you reclaim the sect. Who would have thought Junior Brother is the Demon Realm Crown Prince? Now there’s no need for it at all.”

“I’m always inferior to him—my swordsmanship isn’t as good, my cultivation base isn’t as high, and I can’t even help my junior sister. I’m practically useless…”

Sang Ying slapped her hand over his face, cutting him off.

She cupped his face with both hands, turning it this way and that, her expression serious as she studied him. “Second Senior Brother, have you been possessed? Weren’t you just boasting yesterday, saying you were an unremarkable yet brilliant business genius?”

Xiao Lingzhou looked at the person before him. Through the Illusion Form Talisman’s altered appearance, he seemed to see the young girl from his childhood who always looked up at him. Though often listless and ill, her eyes were exceptionally clear and bright.

Just like now.

She had never really changed—still as pure and innocent as ever, still treating him as her senior brother. But he was the one who had changed.

His vision blurred slightly. He raised his hand, wanting to grasp hers.

He wanted to tell her that on the night she shyly confessed she might have feelings for Xie Lingyu, he had been prepared to confess his own feelings to her.

If only he had spoken a little earlier, would the outcome have been different?

Just as his fingertips were about to touch the girl’s hand, the cool warmth on his cheek abruptly vanished.

A figure appeared behind Sang Ying. The young man pulled her hand back, wrapping his arm around her waist and firmly holding her in his embrace.

In just a few seconds, everyone in the room turned their gaze toward the trio in the corner, their eyes wide with shock and confusion.

…What was going on?

The honored guest from the Demon Realm they had invited was holding their First Boss? And right in front of her senior brother?

What was the relationship between these three?

Sang Ying was also stunned. The familiar scent of White Sandalwood told her exactly who was behind her. Wasn’t he drinking over there? Why had he suddenly come over?

Wait, didn’t she tell him to keep his distance?

Everyone in the Yunshui Merchant Guild knew she had a husband, and that he was a cultivator from the Cultivation World. His current identity was an honored guest from the Demon Realm. If he suddenly embraced her, what would everyone present think?

Laba, who had been engrossed in gnawing on a goose leg, felt the room suddenly fall silent. Puzzled, he looked up and followed everyone’s gaze, shifting his eyes toward the corner.

There, he saw a strange man holding his young mistress from behind, cradling her in his arms.

Laba flared up in an instant, slamming the table as he stood: “Where did this scoundrel come from? Don’t you know our boss is already married and has a husband? Let go right now, or else—”

Hearing the voice, the man raised his eyes. Laba met those cold, gloomy black pupils and instantly recognized who it was. The words on the tip of his tongue took an urgent turn, and he stiffly said, “Or else… of course, if it’s a lover, then there’s no problem at all.”

Laba’s legs went weak as he sat back down, burying his face in the roast goose, pretending to be dead.

Sang Ying: “…”

You little rascal, you’re really adding fuel to the fire.

Sure enough, after he said that, the already eerie atmosphere in the room grew even more bizarre.

Everyone looked at Xie Lingyu, then at Sang Ying, their faces all wearing expressions of having just discovered a shocking secret.

…Their boss was secretly keeping a little lover!

Then they glanced at Xiao Lingzhou sitting opposite Sang Ying. Recalling how Xiao Lingzhou had been bustling around Sang Ying these past few days, their familiarity—could it be that Xiao Lingzhou was the husband their boss had been hiding all along?

Thinking this way, the current situation became quite clear.

It was the original spouse versus the mistress!

With this thought, everyone’s eyes turned into eager, watchful gazes, waiting for the drama to unfold.

Sang Ying clearly sensed this and immediately felt a headache coming on.

Behind her, the scent of white sandalwood was now heavily tainted with the strong smell of alcohol. She struggled slightly with her hand and whispered, “Xie Lingyu, are you drunk?”

The young man didn’t respond, only holding her tightly. A sharp, stinging pain shot through her neck—he had lowered his head and bitten her neck.

Like a beast that had lost its reason, his cold body clung tightly to her. His sharp teeth couldn’t help but pierce her skin. His voice was low, almost inaudible, each word dripping with a sickly tone.

“…Don’t kiss him.”

Kiss? Kiss who?

Sang Ying was stunned for a moment before her mind caught up. He was sitting behind her, and when she had been observing earlier, she had leaned a bit closer to Second Brother. From his angle, it must have looked like she was about to kiss Xiao Lingzhou.

Sang Ying raised her eyes to look at Xiao Lingzhou, signaling with her gaze for him to clear the room.

Xiao Lingzhou, now much more sober, caught her pleading look, remained silent for a few seconds, then gave a slight nod.

He stood up, found an excuse to usher everyone out of the room. Even Laba, who was buried in his plate, was grabbed by the scruff of his neck and hauled out.

The group moved to another room in the Chamber of Commerce Building, where a few more tables were set up. Xiao Lingzhou told them to eat and drink as they pleased and to forget what had just happened.

Everyone looked at him with expressions of shock and admiration. One young man even gave a gesture of respect: “Is this the magnanimity and composure of the rightful spouse? I’m impressed.”

Xiao Lingzhou slapped the young man on the head. “Rightful spouse, my foot. The First Boss and I are just fellow disciples, nothing more.”

He rubbed his aching forehead.

Though he hated to admit it, that fool inside who couldn’t see Little Sister’s feelings, thought of himself as a lover, and was now jealous and petty—he was the rightful spouse.

…

After everyone left, the door closed, and the room fell silent. The scent of alcohol lingered under the glow of the Spirit Bright Pearl, mingling with the fragrant haze.

“Xie Lingyu, Second Brother and I…”

Sang Ying turned around, intending to explain that he had misseen, when suddenly everything went dark—he reached out and covered her eyes.

Immediately after, her voice was muffled as he kissed her.

A fierce kiss, almost recklessly pressed upon her, frantic, fingers tangled through her hair to clasp the back of her head. When he kissed her, he bumped against the corner of her lips, biting her tongue, the pain making her nose sting.

He must have drunk a lot of wine, the scent of alcohol thick and strong.

By the time Sang Ying realized this, his tongue had already breached her teeth, pressing against the tip of her tongue he had just bitten, soothing it, the taste of wine spreading to the tip of her tongue.

“Mmm…”

Sang Ying couldn’t hold her liquor, her tolerance was terribly low, and even this slight taste of wine made her dizzy. Her hands clutched his clothes, forgetting what she had meant to say.

Though the kiss had started fiercely, it soon turned gentle, as if trying to please her. His lips moved softly, tenderly sucking, his knuckles cradling her small face, kissing her bit by bit.

Sang Ying couldn’t withstand him like this and was soon kissed into a daze.

With her vision dark, her senses grew sharper. Sang Ying clearly felt his lips, his fingers, and that Dragon Tail covered in smooth scales.

The Dragon Tail coiled around her waist, its tip slipping in, the Golden Ring at its end pressing tightly against her skin without any barrier, its coolness making her shiver.

His fingers were cold too, but soon, like the Golden Ring, they warmed with her body’s heat.

Blooms of Water Lotus, formed from Water Elemental Spiritual Power, blossomed in the air, mist spreading, the scent of Lotus Dew mingling with White Sandalwood.

The dense fire element spiritual power, drawn by the water element, was channeled into her body, pouring into her dantian. Her dantian struggled to accept so much spiritual power at once, twitching twice.

Sang Ying’s eyelashes trembled violently as she tightly gripped the hand covering her eyes, her nails digging in until they turned white.

After a while, the side effects of absorbing this spiritual power finally eased a little. Sang Ying blinked her damp lashes, and a faint light suddenly appeared before her eyes.

The young man released the hand covering her eyes. Sang Ying slowly regained her senses, then felt her body suddenly lighten as she was lifted and placed on the table.

Moving from the soft chair to the redwood table, the cool temperature cleared much of Sang Ying’s muddled consciousness. She blinked, only then realizing what had just happened.

Her ears instantly flushed red. She had been subdued by just one hand… She remembered the last time at the hot spring, how skilled he had been then. Back then, there was no other choice—it was truly impossible, so they had resorted to kissing.

Her ankle was seized by slender fingers.

Sang Ying looked down and saw the young man about to kiss her again, panicking instantly.

Wait, this was the Chamber of Commerce Building. Not long ago, everyone had been eating and drinking here. How could they possibly cultivate here?!

“Xie Lingyu, no!”

Sang Ying hurriedly tried to stop him, reaching out to push him away, but her hands were weak and limp from the earlier cultivation. Her hand brushed past his shoulder and ended up slapping his face.

Slap.

The sound echoed clearly in the quiet, empty room.

The young man stopped.

He paused, slowly raising his eyelashes, revealing those dark, deep black eyes hidden in the dim light, their emotions unreadable.

Sang Ying was stunned too. Meeting his gloomy gaze, she felt a flicker of fear and nervously twisted her fingers. “Um, I didn’t mean to…”

She really hadn’t meant it. If anyone was to blame, it was him—he had kissed her until she had no strength left.

Her small face was suddenly gripped by the young man’s knuckles and lifted.

The air around them grew intensely cold. Sang Ying shivered uncontrollably, hearing his low, gloomy voice, “Does my junior sister already wish to preserve her purity for him?”

The cold dragon tail coiled around, tightening, making it almost impossible to breathe.

The Heart-Protecting Scale Pendant at the collarbone burned against the skin, its power gathering and flowing, as the contract mark spread and traced over the heart.

His fingertip gently brushed over it.

“What a pity, little junior sister can only be mine.”