The next day, sunlight filtered through the window seams, and the summer wind rustled the leaves. Ye Ziling was woken by the chirping of cicadas.
Her head felt hazy. She looked around and found herself lying on a bed in the inn. The window was open, the curtains billowed, and a scent of green bamboo wafted in.
She only remembered having a few drinks last night and then losing consciousness.
Glancing at her clothes, she found them intact, though her neck felt a bit sore.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She got up, tidied herself, and opened the door.
Mu Heng stood outside, his forehead glistening with sweat, clearly having waited for her for a long time.
Without a word, he hurriedly handed her the letter in his hand and said seriously, "Xuan Lang sent a letter. King Jing Mo of the Demon Realm wants to see you. If not, he'll refuse to leave Jiu Ling Palace. Should we return to the palace or not?"
Ye Ziling's expression darkened. She walked into the room and sat down, her gaze deep. "Can Jiu Ling Palace tolerate his arrogance? Is Xuan Lang dead?"
Jing Mo, the King of the Demon Capital, had once joined forces with her to attack the Heavenly Palace over a decade ago. His whereabouts had been unknown since. His reappearance now, and his knowledge of her identity at Jiu Ling Palace, might cause trouble.
If she remembered correctly, Jing Mo was ambitious, and his goals were not limited to the Heavenly Realm. What scheme was he up to this time?
"Let's meet him for now. We'll depart in five days," Ye Ziling handed the letter back and noticed Mu Heng's gaze lingering on the back of her neck. When their eyes met, he quickly looked away, acting shy and fidgety.
"Is there something on my face?"
"N-no," Mu Heng still didn't look at her, his ears blushing. He continued, "There's something on the back of your neck."
He then picked up a bronze mirror and handed it to her.
"Y-you look yourself. I'll go back and pack first." Mu Heng covered his face with one hand and scurried out the door.
Ye Ziling gave him a look of disdain before picking up the mirror to examine herself. On her fair neck, there was a red mark the size of a grape, making it hard not to misinterpret.
Without a second thought, she went directly to Ling Xi's room. Ignoring the inn attendant's obstruction, she walked straight towards his bed.
"Where is Ling Xi?" Ye Ziling suppressed her rising anger and asked the attendant.
"Young Master Ling... is downstairs."
Without hesitation, Ye Ziling walked downstairs. She saw Ling Xi, dressed in white, sitting elegantly with Shen Yueru, sipping tea.
Ling Xi, seeing Ye Ziling's angry demeanor, remained seated leisurely, as if guessing her intention.
"Miss Ye," the man's complexion was excellent, his lips rosy and teeth white. Holding a folding fan, he had the air of a noble young master. "Miss Ye, are you looking for me about last night?"
The immortal candidates eating nearby seemed to have heard something significant. They stopped eating in unison, their laughter ceasing abruptly, and their gazes inadvertently converged on the two.
Shen Yueru frowned, observing their confrontation. She put down her teacup, feeling a slight sense of foreboding. Could something have really happened between them?
"It's not convenient to talk here. Come with me." Ye Ziling's face was gloomy, her tone unfriendly. Seeing his nonchalant expression only fueled her anger.
"Is Miss Ye worried that the matter from last night will be spread and cause embarrassment?" Ling Xi's gaze was intense, his tone deeply meaningful. The onlookers, hearing this, became even more convinced that something had happened between them last night, their minds inevitably conjuring vivid images of the handsome man and beautiful woman.
"Say one more word, and do you believe I'll poison your tongue?" Ye Ziling was so angry she almost laughed.
"Miss Ye has nothing to be shy about. Besides, I'm not asking you to take responsibility. It was just a small favor." Ling Xi smiled faintly in front of everyone, meeting her gaze and provocatively raising an eyebrow.
Seeing the man's smug expression, Ye Ziling roughly guessed the absurd thing she might have done while drunk. But she usually had a high alcohol tolerance; how could she get so drunk after just a few cups?
She wondered why those two pots of peach blossom wine had made her feel so dizzy.
"Yes, it was indeed a small favor, and it only took a moment. Nothing to worry about." Ye Ziling mimicked his expression, raising her eyebrows slightly. As if not satisfied, she added, "And you're too weak, I don't like it."
The surrounding chatter grew louder.
"I can't believe a man of eight feet is so weak."
"Alas, such a face on such a body is a real waste."
...
Before Ye Ziling could say anything, the young woman sitting beside them could no longer maintain her composure. She slammed her palm on the table, glaring at Ye Ziling, her small face contorted with rage. "You..."
Shen Yueru could not tolerate someone publicly insulting her senior brother. Even if Senior Brother Ling had feelings for a certain woman, he would never take advantage of the situation and force himself on her!
Ye Ziling glanced indifferently at Shen Yueru. As soon as the young woman met those cold eyes, she forcibly swallowed the words in her mouth, glared at Ye Ziling, and stormed out of the inn.
Ling Xi hadn't expected Shen Yueru to react so strongly, but he didn't chase after her. He knew she would come back on her own.
"I was talking about Miss Ye getting drunk last night. What are you talking about?"
Ling Xi remained seated, observing her mixed expressions. Amidst the murmurs, he calmly took a sip of tea, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Last night, Miss Ye passed out after six cups. I carried you back to your room. It was just a small favor, no need to thank me."
"And then? That's it?" Ye Ziling found it strange. Her clothes were perfectly neat, yet there was a red mark on the back of her neck. Could she have twisted her head around and bitten herself?
The man continued to smile playfully, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes. "Then you started talking in your sleep, saying you'd marry me for life."
The man was speaking utter nonsense with a serious face.
Ye Ziling couldn't take it anymore. She grabbed his collar and retorted with a smile, "Keep talking."
"I advise you to tell the truth." Ye Ziling lowered her voice and warned him.
"I didn't agree, and then you almost beat me. After sending you back to your room, you accidentally bumped into the corner of the cabinet, tsk," the man deliberately glanced at the back of her neck, feigning concern and knitting his brows. "Miss Ye, are you alright?"
Hearing the satisfactory answer, Ye Ziling breathed a sigh of relief. She was fine, except her lungs were about to explode from anger.
Ye Ziling found the man's smug expression unbearable. Did he intend to humiliate her in public? Today would be his end.
Ye Ziling pulled a silver hairpin from her hair, transforming it into a dagger, and lunged fiercely at the man. However, her attack was easily blocked by his folding fan.
Seeing the two about to fight, the crowd, fearing collateral damage, fled out of the inn.
Ling Xi didn't retaliate. He leaped from his seat, intending to snatch the dagger from her hand, but she tripped him with a kick, sending him crashing onto the table. The dagger grazed his forehead's stray hairs and stuck into the wooden table.
Ling Xi closed his eyes and chuckled, "Miss Ye probably can't bear to."
With that, he grabbed her wrist, and in a dizzying turn of events, they switched positions.
This time, Ye Ziling was pinned to the table. She wished she could tear Ling Xi to pieces, but before she could make another move, his face, close enough to feel his breath, stared directly into her eyes. He twirled a strand of her hair and smiled.
Ling Xi remembered that her cultivation was not ordinary. Why did she become weaker every time she fought him? Was she playing hard to get?
Ye Ziling broke free from his grip, picked up the dagger again, and transformed it into a silken net that lunged at him. However, he sliced it in two with his folding fan.
Without a word, she raised her other hand to strike the man, but he was already prepared. He grabbed her wrist, immobilizing both her hands, and pulled her close to him, his hot breath spraying in her ear. "Miss Ye is fierce when dealing with demonic beasts, but goes easy on me?"
Ling Xi had wanted to spar with her and experience the moves from a great immortal sect. He hadn't expected to subdue her with just one move, which was somewhat surprising.
Ye Ziling kicked at him, but the man, without releasing her hands, easily dodged and pulled her into his embrace.
A coolness brushed her forehead, and Ye Ziling froze for a moment before regaining her senses, trying to break free from his embrace.
Ling Xi saw the unprecedented panic in her eyes. A faint gleam flashed in his eyes, and a wicked smile curved his lips. He repeatedly rubbed the red mole on her wrist and whispered, "This cinnabar mole on your hand is giving me a headache."
He wished he hadn't let go of that hard-won opportunity last night and had removed this cinnabar mole on her hand instead of just being satisfied with kissing the back of her neck.
"Ling Xi, do you think your life is too long?"
Ye Ziling's patience snapped. When had she ever been so shamelessly teased by someone like him?
Just then, Mu Heng rushed in. Upon seeing their intimate pose, he quickly turned his head.
"Crazy... crazy girl, there's a letter for you."
Ling Xi, seeing her burning with anger, reluctantly released her hand.
Ye Ziling stood up, her eyes radiating a coldness that could freeze someone to death. She tidied her disheveled hair, took the letter from Mu Heng, cast a cold glance at Ling Xi, and flicked her sleeves as she left.
She'd settle this score later.
Watching her retreating figure, the smile in Ling Xi's eyes deepened.