Chapter 81 Part 1

Qixue added the medicinal powder to the teapot, thinking Dao Qing would leave right away. Unexpectedly, Dao Qing turned and entered the adjacent bedroom.

The bedroom was also filled with incense, allowing Qixue to make out the outlines of objects. Curious, he followed Dao Qing and watched as Dao Qing retrieved a small pill furnace from his Sleeve Universe and placed it on the floor.

The pill furnace had been shrunk with a spell and now restored to its original size, over a person’s height. Qixue leaned in close until he could discern that the furnace body was ochre-colored, intricately carved with coiling dragon patterns.

Dao Qing lit the furnace flame and tossed in several spiritual herbs. Soon, a faint, refreshing fragrance rose in the room. Puzzled, Qixue asked, “Are you planning to refine pills?”

“Yes,” Dao Qing replied. “The pills will take five days to refine. The sooner we start, the sooner they’ll be ready for use.”

Qixue grew even more confused. “What kind of pills are you planning to make? If it takes five days, setting up the pill furnace here won’t be convenient. This isn’t even your house.”

Dao Qing shook his head slightly, not answering directly. “You’ll know soon enough.”

“So mysterious, keeping me in suspense. As if I even care to know,” Qixue huffed lightly.

After Dao Qing left the courtyard, Qixue tucked Sang Chi’s incense burner into his embrace and stepped out the door. The burner was small enough to fit perfectly in his arms, allowing him to continuously smell the incense and barely make out the things in the courtyard.

He headed to the side room to find the cow demoness Hua Nu. She emerged quickly, asking flirtatiously, “Young master, you’re looking for me again?”

Qixue leaned close to her face to make out her features. Sure enough, she was a seductive and glamorous beauty, and Qixue was quite satisfied with her looks.

But he didn’t realize his own beauty was even more striking. As he suddenly drew near, even the worldly Hua Nu blushed and stammered, “Y-Young… young master…”

She nearly thought he meant to kiss her and was about to close her eyes when Qixue stepped back a few paces and nodded. “Sang Chi has plenty of flaws, but his taste is spot on. I’ll have to trouble you to entertain my guest in a bit.”

“Yes…”

Hua Nu felt a twinge of disappointment but quickly plastered on a smile. “Rest assured, young master. This servant will make sure the esteemed guest is thoroughly satisfied. Do you know the guest’s preferences?”

Qixue shook his head. “I’m not sure about his tastes, but he’s a very powerful Daoist. If he shows any sign of disliking you, leave immediately. Don’t anger him.”

“What? A Daoist?”

Hua Nu paled in terror, instantly wanting to back out. “Young master, can you guarantee the guest will accept service from demons? What if he kills me the moment I enter?”

“He probably won’t. He keeps quite a few demons himself.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Qixue reassured her. “How about this: I’ll test his attitude toward demons myself first. If he doesn’t mind them, I’ll bring you in. What do you think?”

He sprouted a pair of rabbit ears, revealing his identity. Hua Nu stared at them intently for a moment, resisting the urge to touch, then obediently agreed. “Then I’ll leave it to you, young master.”

If even the employer was willing to take the risk, how could she, the one being paid, object?

Qixue told her to wait in the side room while he stood at the entrance with the incense burner, ready to receive Xie Shu.

As the sun set and night fell, a jade carriage pulled by demonic beasts descended from the sky and stopped at the gate. The driving attendant opened the door, and a tall, upright figure appeared before Qixue.

“Greetings, State Preceptor Xie.”

Qixue knew it was Xie Shu and bowed his head politely.

In truth, he was still quite annoyed. The thought of Xie Shu forcing a kiss on him at their first meeting made him want to slap the man hard. But since he needed something from Xie Shu, he had to swallow his anger.

Just you wait. Once His Majesty recovered, he’d deal with this sanctimonious old bastard.

Clop clop clop…

The jade carriage departed the courtyard. Qixue courteously invited Xie Shu into the main hall. “Please, have a seat, State Preceptor.”

He set down the incense burner, fetched hot water, poured it into the teapot, and shook it gently to dissolve the powder fully.

The aphrodisiac powder dissolved colorless and odorless, perfect for underhanded schemes. Unable to see it clearly, Qixue figured it was mixed well enough and served Xie Shu a full cup of hot tea on a tray. “Please, have some tea.”

He bent slightly at the waist, his soft rabbit ears slipping down from his head. He hadn’t retracted them since Hua Nu returned to her room, precisely to test Xie Shu’s attitude toward demons.

Clearly, this dog of a man wasn’t picky. He didn’t even ask about the rabbit ears, remaining utterly calm. But Qixue could tell Xie Shu was staring at them—probably already fantasizing about toying with the pair…

Bah, what a beast in fine clothes!

Qixue cursed inwardly, but at least Xie Shu didn’t reject demons. Once he drank the tea, Qixue could bring in Hua Nu.

He lowered his gaze, hands obediently clasped in front, looking soft and compliant while secretly watching Xie Shu, waiting for him to drink.

Contrary to his expectations, Xie Shu eyed the tea without touching it and asked, “What do you need from me?”

His voice was low and cool, but Qixue, tense and focused on the tea, didn’t notice how familiar it sounded. He replied offhandedly, “I’m here to apologize to you, State Preceptor.”

Xie Shu’s tone was indifferent. “Apologize?”

“Yes…” Qixue endured the humiliation. “When I visited you during the day, I accidentally injured you. I feel deeply guilty and must apologize.”

“No harm done,” Xie Shu said. “I forgive you.”

Hearing this only fueled Qixue’s anger. How dare he speak of forgiveness? He was the one who forced a kiss first, prompting my bite.

He took a deep breath, forcing a smile. “Since you’re not angry, please drink this tea. I prepared it specially for you. It won’t taste good once it’s cold.”

Xie Shu gazed at him steadily, then lifted the cup. “You want me to drink this tea?”

Qixue nodded. “Yes. If you’re willing to forgive my mistake, please drink the tea I prepared for you.”

“Very well.”

Xie Shu removed the lid, blew on the steam, took a sip, then downed the full cup once it cooled a bit. “Good tea. My thanks.”

“I’m glad you like it, State Preceptor.”

With the plot succeeding, Qixue relaxed and smiled brightly. “As long as you like it, my efforts weren’t wasted.”

Xie Shu stared straight at him. “I like it very much.”

Those four words stunned Qixue momentarily. Now relaxed, he realized Xie Shu’s voice sounded just like Dao Qing’s—not just similar, but identical. Why were their voices so alike?

Moreover, under the candlelight, Xie Shu’s hair gleamed brightly, seemingly light-colored—like Dao Qing’s silver hair…

Qixue found it odd but didn’t suspect they were the same person. The original story never mentioned Xie Shu being a demon, and his deep-rooted belief that Xie Shu was human was unshakable.

The suspicion flashed through his mind, but Qixue didn’t dwell on it. He feigned realization with an “Oh no!” “How forgetful of me—I forgot to bring out the refreshments. Please wait a moment, State Preceptor. I’ll fetch them right away.”

Xie Shu said nothing, merely watching him quietly. He picked up the teapot and poured himself another cup, drinking it dry.

Qixue inwardly rejoiced and dashed out of the main hall with the incense burner, thinking that the more intense Xie Shu got later, the better. Once he was pleased, he’d cure His Majesty. After His Majesty recovered and Xie Shu was no longer needed, Qixue would expose all his scandals. Tonight’s demons would be living witnesses, letting the world see Xie Shu’s true face.

He summoned all the demons from the side room and told Hua Nu, “You go in first to serve the guest. Once the moment’s right, the rest of you join in.”

“Yes, young master.”

The demons chorused their assent. Hua Nu swayed her hips, pulling her collar lower to reveal creamy skin, and smiled at Qixue. “Don’t worry, young master. Leave it to this servant—no problems.”

Qixue nodded and led Hua Nu toward the main hall. But after a few steps, she hesitated, stammering, “Y-Young master, do you feel it?”

“??” Qixue blinked. “Feel what?”

“That room… There’s something terrifying in there. Its aura is so frightening… What is that?”

Hua Nu pointed shakily at the main hall, her heart pounding, her beautiful face drained of color. “You said your guest was a Daoist, but that aura… It’s definitely a powerful, bloodthirsty demon inside…”

Qixue paused and sensed in the direction she indicated but felt nothing. “There’s no demon in there—it’s definitely a Daoist. I don’t sense anything scary. Are you just so afraid of Daoists that you’re imagining things?”

“N-No, impossible… Don’t lie to me…”

Overwhelmed by the brutal aura, Hua Nu clutched a corridor pillar, legs trembling. “Young master, I don’t want to doubt you, but are you really not feeding me to that demon? I can’t go in—I’ll die!”

Hearing this, Qixue grew annoyed too. “But I truly sense nothing. You’re doubting me, and now I’m doubting you. Where’s this scary aura coming from?”

His expression was utterly sincere, no deception. Hua Nu sensed he wasn’t lying but couldn’t explain. “Please let me go. I’ll return the deposit. I beg you…”

She looked on the verge of tears. Qixue was stunned. “You really feel danger inside?”

Hua Nu nodded frantically. Qixue was troubled. “Fine, go back then. No need to return the money. I’ll find someone else…”

But when they returned to the side room, they were shocked to find all the other demons had fled—vanished without a trace, save for Hua Nu. Clearly, they’d been scared off by the aura too.

Qixue’s heart sank. He truly sensed no anomaly and couldn’t fathom the demons’ terror. He only knew his plan might fail. If he couldn’t please Xie Shu, why would Xie Shu cure His Majesty? Was he to watch His Majesty die?

His face darkened. Seeing this, Hua Nu felt pity and, after hesitating, said, “Maybe I should go in with you anyway, young master. Perhaps there’s no real danger—you didn’t feel anything, after all.”

“…Thank you.”

Qixue’s heart warmed, and he smiled at her. “If there is danger, run immediately. Don’t worry about me—I have ways to protect myself.”

“Got it!”

Hua Nu nodded and shifted to her true form—a sturdy, massive cow, unlike her human shape. The beast form gave her some security, and four legs would let her flee faster than two.

The closer they got to the main hall, the more her legs shook. Qixue remained oblivious, leading the cow up the steps and pushing open the door.

Whoosh…

A sweltering demonic wind blasted out, carrying an intensely thick aura that surged into Qixue’s body.

It was a scent Qixue knew intimately—the aroused fragrance of the Dragon Clan. During those three days and nights, this potent smell had entangled him constantly. Just one breath made his body heat up, his waist soften, and his cheeks flush.

Dao Qing… Has Dao Qing come?

Qixue panted softly, leaning weakly against the doorpost. A pair of scorching hands reached out, gripped his slender waist, and dragged him inside.

At the same time, a pair of dark golden vertical pupils swept over, glancing at the mother cow. It was like a golden storm filled with twisted and brutal killing intent, scaring the mother cow into letting out a “moo” as her cow tail frantically whipped around while she fled.