It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Chapter 177: The Empress is Fishing for a Big One

“Brother Mu, what are you doing?”

As expected of someone with an Innate Spiritual Body, Ye Lingxuan’s awareness was top-notch.

The moment a bold thought crossed his mind, she sensed his intentions, her eyes widening in alarm as she met his gaze.

She’s too alert… He chuckled. “Nothing. Can’t I even look at you?”

She frowned. “I have a feeling you’re up to something.”

He sighed dramatically. “Lingxuan, do you still think I’m a bad person?”

“You were a bad person back in Tianxuan City,” she replied, her voice flat.

“I’ve never done anything bad. Why do you think I’m a bad person?” he argued, trying to lower her guard.

“That’s what you say, but you used sweet words to deceive innocent girls,” she countered.

“I’ve never deceived anyone,” he insisted, taking her hand in his, his gaze softening as he admired her beautiful profile. “And you’re not an innocent girl, are you, Lingxuan?”

She raised her chin proudly. “Of course not.”

She wasn’t like those naive girls. After all, she had seen through his facade from the beginning. That was why she had tried so hard to keep him away from Qian’er.

“Then there’s nothing to worry about. You’re not naive. You don’t have to fear me,” he said.

She glanced at him, a playful smile gracing her lips. “But what if you force yourself on me?”

“You’re at the Core Formation Realm now, Brother Mu. I can’t defeat you.”

She bit her lip, her eyes flickering with mock fear. “You wouldn’t, would you?”

“Heh heh heh, Qian’er isn’t here. How will you resist me?” he chuckled, playing along.

He wrapped his arm around her slender waist, pulling her closer.

He then gently tilted her chin up with his finger, his gaze captivated by her beauty.

She had clearly just bathed and was preparing for bed, clad in a white nightgown, her hair slightly disheveled, her lips a delicate pink in the moonlight.

Though he knew she was beautiful, seeing her up close tonight… he couldn’t help but marvel at her beauty.

How could Ye Yu have ignored such a beauty, choosing to focus solely on his cultivation?

The moonlit courtyard, the young master holding her chin, the girl blushing and averting her eyes…

It looked like a scene from a romance novel.

If they hadn’t been close, she would have slapped him, regardless of his cultivation level.

But now, instead of anger, she felt a strange mixture of shyness and anticipation.

She knew about his philandering ways, yet she was drawn to him… She couldn’t explain why.

She felt his warm breath on her face and looked up at him, her heart pounding as he leaned closer. She knew what he wanted, but she couldn’t bring herself to push him away. She closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment.

He placed his hands on her shoulders, her back pressing against a stone pillar as he captured her lips with his.

He savored the softness of her lips, the delicate fragrance that clung to her after her bath.

After a long moment, he released her, and she gasped softly, her eyes hazy with desire.

“Lingxuan, let me stay with you tonight,” he whispered.

She stared at him, her eyes unfocused, then she shook her head, averting her gaze.

“Not now.”

Does that mean later…? He took her hand in his. “I’ll just meditate with you. I won’t do anything bad.”

She glanced at him, her voice laced with playful suspicion. “Do you even believe that, Brother Mu?”

“I always keep my promises,” he insisted, his expression sincere.

“Do you dare swear to heaven?”

That’s not fair. If I swear, I can’t do anything… He sighed inwardly, surprised by her vigilance.

She placed her hand on his, her voice soft. “Maintaining my purity will benefit my inheritance when I return to the Forbidden Zone.”

She paused, then added, “And have you considered how you’ll explain this to my father, Brother Mu?”

If her purity was compromised, her father would surely sense it. And Mu Zhi’an, being the closest to her, would be the prime suspect.

However, once she received the inheritance, there would be no such restrictions.

“So that’s why you wouldn’t let me stay the night…?” he asked, understanding dawning.

If she hadn’t reminded him, he would have acted impulsively.

It made sense. She was returning to the Forbidden Zone in a month to receive her inheritance. If her father discovered that his precious daughter had been… defiled… he wouldn’t be pleased.

It seems I need to postpone the “punishment” for a while… He smiled, gently stroking her hair. “I won’t do anything without your consent, Lingxuan. Don’t worry.”

She pondered his words. “If you’re not going to do anything, then you can stay.”

He cleared his throat. “I have some matters to attend to tonight…”

…

Hmph, men.

She rolled her eyes at her mischievous “brother.” “Perhaps I should just obtain the Rebirth Water for you, Brother Mu.”

“You can wait for me at the Two Polarities Sect.”

She was still worried about the trouble he might encounter in the Forbidden Zone. Zhou Cang and Zhou Hao weren’t the only ones who resented his relationship with her. Many within the Forbidden Zone disliked the idea of any man being with their young mistress.

And if he accompanied her, she wasn’t sure how her father would react.

“Have you considered what would happen if the Jade Empress needed more than just a bottle of Rebirth Water?” he asked.

She frowned. “What do you mean…?”

“What if she needs to bathe in it, like you did as a child…?”

…

She hadn’t considered that possibility. A being like the Jade Empress might indeed require more than just a single bottle.

Even if she didn’t need to bathe in it, obtaining two or three bottles would raise suspicions.

She no longer needed Rebirth Water. Taking so much out of the Forbidden Zone would surely attract attention.

“Then what do you plan to do, Brother Mu? Are you really going to ask my father?”

She knew her father well. He wouldn’t agree easily.

“I’ll handle it. Just focus on receiving your inheritance,” he said, gently stroking her hair. “If you want to help, reach the Nascent Soul Realm quickly.”

She nodded, her expression serious.

She needed to reach the Nascent Soul Realm, both for herself and for him. Only then could she protect those she cared about.

After spending some time with her, he excused himself and left the courtyard.

As he was leaving, he noticed a figure hurrying away, her skirt billowing in the night breeze.

Isn’t Qian’er taking a medicinal bath? What is she doing here…?

He recalled seeing her leave hastily when he had been alone with Lingxuan in her room before…

Once could be a coincidence, but twice… He frowned, suspicion growing.

I need to test her… He thought, then left the residence.

…

Back at the Garden of Heavenly Harmony, instead of returning to his room, he went to the study to check for messages.

He found two folded paper cranes on his desk.

One from Senior Sister, and one from the Sect Master… He sat down and unfolded the letters.

Senior Sister’s letter was formal, as always. She had maintained her aloof demeanor ever since their “online meeting.” She expressed her gratitude for his gift and invited him to Two Polarities Peak for Osmanthus Cake.

The Sect Master’s letter was a response to his invitation to stroll through the Pilgrimage Palace. She hadn’t refused, but she hadn’t accepted either.

He pondered for a moment, then wrote his replies, attaching them to the paper cranes and releasing them.

He then opened his personal interface.

The pink heart-shaped frame next to his name and role was still empty, but the number of titles had increased.

Among them, he noticed a new emerald-colored frame.

The title within was: [Jade Empress’s Inheritance].

Its effect was to grant him access to the Jade Empress’s ultimate technique, the Pure World Azure Lotus.

Though it wasn’t the original technique, it was still a powerful tool.

Innate Spiritual Body belonged to Lingxuan, Sword Immortal Protection belonged to Ruoxi, the Jade Empress’s Inheritance belonged to Ye Qian… but what about this other title?

He noticed another title, a golden frame, next to the Jade Empress’s Inheritance: [Sacred Heavenly Body].

“Whose physique is this…?” he wondered, staring at the title.

It couldn’t be the Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool. Was it one of the Peak Masters? Or Senior Sister Lan?

Or perhaps the Sect Master?

He shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside, and closed his interface.

There was something he needed to confirm tonight.

He left the study and saw Wei Mengrou, clad in her yellow dress, sitting in the pavilion.

“Mengrou, why are you still awake, sitting out here alone?” he asked, approaching her with a smile.

She glanced at him, her voice flat. “I thought you wouldn’t be back tonight.”

“Were you waiting for me, Mengrou?” he asked, touched.

“I was simply enjoying the moonlight and some tea,” she replied coldly, her legs crossed elegantly, showing no deference to her “master.”

“Where’s Ruoxi?”

“She’s meditating in her room. She’s about to break through,” she replied.

She glanced at him, her voice laced with suspicion. “Are you going out again? You’re going to the Forbidden Zone in a month. It’ll be troublesome if you don’t obtain the Rebirth Water.”

“I’m going out to confirm something related to the Rebirth Water,” he said with a smile.

She shifted slightly, as if she wanted to turn and face him, but her pride prevented her. “Where are you going?”

“Simply asking Lingxuan’s father for the Rebirth Water… he wouldn’t agree, even if I’m his future son-in-law.”

He chuckled. “However, everyone likes a compromise.”

“If I ask for the Rebirth Water, he might refuse.”

“But if I tell him that a demon is about to break free from the Pilgrimage Palace and threaten the Eastern Realm, and then ask for the Rebirth Water… he won’t be able to refuse.”

Her eyes widened. “You want to release the demon from the Pilgrimage Palace?”

He nodded.

“But first, I need to confirm something with someone else,” he added, his gaze lingering on her beautiful profile.

She finally turned to face him. “Who?”

That’s more like it. Being cold and distant all the time is boring. It would be even better if she blushed occasionally…

He smiled, his gaze shifting towards Two Polarities Peak.

“The person who’s been manipulating everything since I arrived at the sect.”