Meng Jin and Nie Yinzhi were both direct disciples under Sang Wumian. They trained together daily, and as the senior disciple, Meng Jin was responsible for guiding Nie Yinzhi's swordsmanship when Sang Wumian was busy with sect affairs.
Logically, after Sang Wumian's demise, he should have been the one who knew Nie Yinzhi best in the Cloud Scripture Sect.
However, all Meng Jin could speak of were superficial things, like Nie Yinzhi's arrogance, how she refused to give up worldly pleasures, and how she would slack off during sword practice.
In spring, she would fly kites with her young maid. When her handmade kite wouldn't fly, she'd draw talismans she'd learned from somewhere onto it. The kite did fly then, but it started a massive fire in the immortal mountain's sky. The fire spread along the spiritual energy, causing the Cloud Scripture Sect's mountain protection formation to screech in agony.
She had caused countless such dramatic incidents. Even after five years since joining, she couldn't shed her mortal attachments, bringing worldly vulgarity into the immortal mountain.
Any inner disciple could tell you these stories.
Yan Yi waved his hand to interrupt. When asked about Nie Yinzhi's preferences and daily interactions, Meng Jin had no answer.
In essence, he only wanted to see what he wished to see in Nie Yinzhi - only her face that resembled Xiao Ling's, only her sword movements that mimicked Xiao Ling's.
He deliberately ignored anything that would highlight Nie Yinzhi's unique characteristics, except for incidents like the mountain protection formation fire that were too widely known to ignore.
Liu Hua let out an ambiguous sneer. Ever since learning that Nie Yinzhi was a promising magical arts practitioner who had been so poorly handled by the Cloud Scripture Sect, she could barely contain her disapproval.
"Even if you raise a cat or dog, after some time you'd know whether it prefers chasing butterflies or digging in the dirt, let alone a person."
The cultivators on the high platform turned to look at Liu Hua with varying expressions. A low voice whispered in her ear, "Senior Sister Liu, your analogy is rather inappropriate."
Liu Hua turned around but saw nothing, only catching sight of the Sunken Sound Pavilion young master Chang Xunchun's awkwardly extended arm, his raised orchid finger seemingly only daring to pinch the edge of Yu Yaoqing's sleeve.
Chang Xunchun was the lowest-ranking person on the high platform. His father was in seclusion, and he had been pushed here by the old master's order to gain experience.
Young Master Chang was suffering inside. Gu Jiang's infamous reputation had spread throughout the cultivation world overnight. If a fight broke out, he might as well gain experience in the underworld. Chang Xunchun seriously suspected whether his parents had secretly had another child with the same parents, otherwise why would they be so eager to kill off their only seedling.
His mother had comforted him this way: "Don't worry, a thousand years ago the cultivation world had countless powerful beings who could kill demons until both righteous and evil paths trembled at their names. If he wants to do it again, even hiding in the Sunken Sound Pavilion won't protect you from him."
How reasonable.
Most people in the Sunken Sound Pavilion were sound cultivators who specialized in refined arts and were not skilled in fighting. They were one of the immortal sects that had already lost their fighting spirit and were waiting to be eliminated, but because they barely ranked among the seven major sects of the cultivation world, they couldn't openly admit it like smaller sects did, trying to maintain face.
After hearing of Nie Yinzhi's past achievements and watching the scenes in the mirror, Chang Xunchun admired her greatly and said, "Miss Nie is truly extraordinary. Seeing her and Gu Jiang so well-matched, if she could reform this demon, it would be a great fortune for the cultivation world."
Everyone recalled the scenes in the mirror with complicated expressions.
Master Yuanming put his palms together, "Amitabha, how wonderful."
The Supreme Elder waved his hand, dismissing Meng Jin.
After bowing respectfully, Meng Jin turned to leave. He glanced toward the rear hall of Bright Sky Peak, but didn't dare extend his spiritual sense, keeping it only around himself.
It was dangerous to casually extend one's spiritual sense to view things, especially on Bright Sky Peak where cultivators from various major sects had gathered, so he didn't dare spread it carelessly.
After recovering from his injuries, he had come to find Xiao Ling, but unfortunately, his senior sister refused to see him.
Meng Jin heard from Senior Uncle Jing that Xiao Ling was unwilling to leave Bright Sky Peak, presumably still attached to her cave dwelling.
There were too many memories here, their past shadows lingered in every scene. Over the past ten years, Meng Jin had entered this place countless times, relying on these familiar scenes to ease his longing.
He was like Sang Wumian, needing this place, so their master had given him permission to enter and exit Bright Sky Peak.
"Gu Jiang!" Nie Yinzhi called out angrily.
On the bed in the room, the quietly sleeping person's body jerked at this shout. Gu Jiang rolled over, his arm falling across Nie Yinzhi, but he didn't wake up.
Nie Yinzhi's spiritual sense fluctuated greatly as she suddenly broke free from the Five-Colored Dew and returned to her body. She opened her eyes and turned her head slightly, seeing Gu Jiang's face close to hers.
The weather had grown warm, with the fierce sun slanting through the window, yet around Gu Jiang there was always a cool breeze. Sunlight filtered through the gauze curtains and fell upon his face, illuminating his jade-like complexion. His meticulously carved features appeared particularly striking—sharp bones and defined features created an exceptionally beautiful visage.
Faced with such beauty, Nie Yinzhi momentarily forgot her anger. Her gaze lingered on Gu Jiang's pale thin lips, belatedly recalling the streaming comments saying that people outside were watching the female supporting character kiss the demon lord.
So, she had succeeded then.
She had kissed him but hadn't felt it—what a waste.
And Nie Yinzhi never liked to waste opportunities.
She grabbed Gu Jiang's arm and carefully turned to face him. Last night's impulsive action was different from now when she had enough time to plot mischief. Before, she hadn't had time to think, just acted.
But now, her heart was practically jumping into her throat.
Nie Yinzhi had to admit she wasn't strong enough yet—getting so flustered over such a small matter. She was supposed to be someone who would command thousands of beauties in her future harem; she needed to strengthen her psychological fortitude.
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and leaned in.
Then, her entire face met his suddenly extended palm. Gu Jiang's fingers curled to pinch her nose. "What are you trying to do now?"
Nie Yinzhi opened her eyes to glare at him, her voice nasally, "You were pretending to sleep? How could you be so devious and cunning?"
Gu Jiang's fingers pinching her nose applied more pressure as his eyes lowered to glance at her chest, "You woke me up, Nie Yinzhi. Your heartbeat is very loud."
Nie Yinzhi tried to pry his fingers away, tears welling in her eyes as she earnestly defended her innocence, "Don't overthink it—it's not beating for you."
Gu Jiang released his hold and gave a lazy laugh.
Nie Yinzhi noticed the beads on her wrist and shook them in surprise, "What are these?" They were quite pretty.
Aliali: 674aecfcc4f3f33ac49acb42
"Five-Colored Dew." Gu Jiang reached out to pinch one of the beads, which felt surprisingly soft and changed shape under his touch. A drop of dark yellow-green dew squeezed out, sliding down Nie Yinzhi's wrist. "It can be taken internally or applied externally. Just squeeze it out like this."
"Where did you get all these from?" Nie Yinzhi asked, though she already knew the answer. Sure enough, Gu Jiang replied, "Killed people and took them."
"You were really bad before." Nie Yinzhi fell silent for a moment, then suddenly thought of something. She propped herself up on the bed, looking at him thoughtfully, "Gu Jiang, don't tell me you laid down your sword and found enlightenment because of some beautiful person who sacrificed themselves for the world's people and redeemed you with love?"
Gu Jiang's eyebrows rose as he turned to the inner side of the bed. His shoulders shook with suppressed laughter before he finally burst out laughing loudly, making the entire bed shake.
Nie Yinzhi: "..." She sat cross-legged, irritably tugging at his black hair spread across the pillow, embarrassed and angry, "That's what all the novels say! The same novels you gave me!"
Her assumption was reasonable.
After finishing his laugh, Gu Jiang wiped the corner of his eye with his fingertip, "You have a point."
Nie Yinzhi's expression suddenly darkened. She pulled his hair to make him face her, "If you're like Sang Wumian and Meng Jin, I'll kill you too."
When she said "kill," her nose stung with emotion. Nie Yinzhi bit her lip, glaring at him fiercely as her eyes immediately reddened.
Gu Jiang froze, half-propping himself up. He patted her head as he usually did and said softly, "There's no such person, Nie Yinzhi. You're the first beautiful person to redeem me."