AVL Chapter 44

The two stared at each other.

 

“Uh…” Xi Jianlan reacted quickly, turning the tables to accuse: “You actually got on my bed without changing clothes? So unkempt. I have a cleanliness obsession, so I kindly helped you change clothes. No need to thank me, you’re welcome.”

 

Sheng Jiao: “……”

 

Sheng Jiao looked down expressionlessly at the inner robe that was just one sleeve away from being completely removed.

 

Xi Jianlan silently cursed his bad luck. His hand on Sheng Jiao’s shoulder suddenly exerted force, using all his strength to push Sheng Jiao down onto the messy bed.

 

The hanging bed curtains fluttered randomly in a light breeze.

 

Xi Jianlan straddled Sheng Jiao’s waist, raised his hand to tuck his scattered black hair behind his ear, leaned down to gently cover and kiss his lips, using his tongue tip to pry open Sheng Jiao’s tightly closed lips while forcefully pulling off the bloodstained inner robe.

 

Sheng Jiao’s large hand gripped the back of Xi Jianlan’s neck, instinctively wanting to push him away.

 

Xi Jianlan mumbled reluctantly.

 

Sheng Jiao frowned deeply.

 

When Xi Jianlan showed unexpected kindness, he was definitely up to no good. Without even interrogating him, Sheng Jiao already knew this person must have done something bad while he was in meditation.

 

—And it probably wasn’t small, since he was so guilty even before being exposed.

 

Even his tongue was trembling.

 

Sheng Jiao forcibly turned his head away, avoiding Xi Jianlan’s kiss, saying coldly: “Did something bad?”

 

“Sheng Wuzhuo…” Xi Jianlan gasped, threading his slender fingers through Sheng Jiao’s scattered black hair, forcibly making him turn back, his eyes tinged with a blush, voice hoarse as he cursed softly: “You’re just an unromantic blockhead.”

 

Blockhead Sheng: “……”

 

Before Sheng Jiao could say anything more disappointing, Xi Jianlan leaned down again to capture his lips, his full head of black hair cascading down. The hair tips swept across Sheng Jiao’s chest as if falling directly into his heart, spreading an itch throughout his limbs.

 

Sheng Jiao’s thoughts were in turmoil, his interrogating thoughts instantly scattered.

 

While seducing him, Xi Jianlan worked hard to remove the bloodstained inner robe before Sheng Jiao noticed, hastily bundling it up and kicking it into a corner with his foot.

 

He was only focused on dealing with the clothing, moving and rubbing against Sheng Jiao, completely unaware that Sheng Jiao’s pupils were contracting violently.

 

Having temporarily “destroyed the evidence,” Xi Jianlan’s guilt instantly disappeared. He propped himself up on Sheng Jiao’s bare chest, struggling to sit upright, and glared at him.

 

Without spiritual power and with destroyed meridians, his breathing was terribly weak. After just this brief exertion, he couldn’t help but cough until his eyes reddened, slightly parting his lips to gasp for a long time before recovering.

 

Now Sheng Jiao was completely certain.

 

The panic when guilty, to the current righteousness…

 

It proved that whatever bad thing he’d done had probably been hidden away, otherwise this little liar wouldn’t have the guts to be so arrogant.

 

Sheng Jiao suddenly raised his hand expressionlessly, and the bundled clothing in the corner instantly flew into his hand.

 

Xi Jianlan was startled and quickly tried to pounce and snatch it away.

 

—Truly worthy of someone who had stayed in “Wuyin City” for so long.

 

For someone of Sheng Jiao’s cultivation level, a simple divine sense probe could detect any irregularities. Xi Jianlan stumbled and missed, silently cursing.

 

He’d let him take advantage for nothing!

 

Xi Jianlan quickly changed tactics, pretending to be calm: “It seems that Void Return realm cultivator was really formidable. Your internal organs were injured, and you vomited a lot of blood while meditating last night…”

 

Sheng Jiao stared at him coldly.

 

Continue making things up.

 

Meeting Sheng Jiao’s all-seeing gaze, Xi Jianlan’s heart, which had been in his throat, finally settled. He gave up completely, kicked him, and spoke righteously.

 

“You knew I wanted to kill you, yet you dared to meditate carelessly in front of me? Your negligence and misplaced trust is your fault, it has nothing to do with me. Reflect on yourself.”

 

Sheng Jiao: “……”

 

Sheng Jiao lightly touched the Tianyan pearls, probably also wanting him to “reflect.”

 

Xi Jianlan reacted quickly: “—Winter Snow!”

 

Winter Snow was summoned in confusion again, striking its master’s forehead with a sword.

 

Winter Snow: “……”

 

Who did I offend this time?

 

Sheng Jiao frowned.

 

Xi Jianlan seemed extremely wary of the Tianyan pearls. As soon as Sheng Jiao’s hand touched those beads, his hair would stand on end, thinking he was about to be killed.

 

What exactly had Rang Chen told him back then?

 

Xi Jianlan was flexible. After striking and seeing it wouldn’t work, he immediately and skillfully threw the awakened Winter Snow aside, hastily grabbed an outer robe, and ran away.

 

Sheng Jiao looked down.

 

The Tianyan pearls on his wrist had regained their dark patterns. Ten beads flashing crimson “Execute” marks had already detached themselves, neatly stringing together and circling around Sheng Jiao’s wrist with clicking sounds.

 

Very intimidating.

 

Winter Snow silently transformed into human form and landed, handing Sheng Jiao a set of plain black clothes.

 

Sheng Jiao got out of bed and dressed without showing emotion. While tying his sash, he seemed to sense something and gently pressed his warm palm to his neck.

 

Winter Snow crouched there looking at those ten Tianyan pearls, asking with confusion: “Master, if the Xi family massacre really is related to the Young Immortal Lord, would you really kill him?”

 

Sheng Jiao’s hand paused while tying his sash.

 

Winter Snow was about to say more when Xi Jianlan returned, carefully peeking his head around the door and beckoning to Winter Snow, whispering: “Winter Snow, Winter Snow, come here.”

 

Winter Snow looked at Sheng Jiao.

 

Sheng Jiao continued dressing with his back turned, as if he hadn’t heard.

 

Winter Snow said “oh” and ran out cheerfully.

 

Though he’d just used Winter Snow to strike his master, Xi Jianlan acted as if nothing had happened, putting his arm around Winter Snow’s shoulder and running to the corridor outside the riverboat, whispering: “Have you seen Spring Rain these years?”

 

Winter Snow shook his head: “No.”

 

Xi Jianlan said: “Can’t you connect through divine sense? Quickly ask where he is now.”

 

Using Winter Snow to strike Sheng Jiao every time was inconvenient—his own sword was more comfortable to use.

 

Winter Snow looked troubled: “Spring Rain doesn’t like to respond to me. Out of ten times I try to connect, he doesn’t respond nine and a half times. Young Immortal Lord, you should…”

 

Before he could finish, Xi Jianlan said quietly: “Do you think he likes responding to me?”

 

Winter Snow: “……”

 

Isn’t he your sword?

 

Spring Rain’s temperament was completely opposite to Winter Snow’s. Even if Xi Jianlan chattered in his ear, he might not say a word for ten days or half a month. Sometimes he’d even find Xi Jianlan annoying and hide in the sword, playing dead.

 

As one person and one sword were chattering, the riverboat had silently entered Nine Heavens City.

 

Above the sea of clouds was a city in the sky, with pavilions nestled among green mountains and white clouds. Waterfalls even fell from the snow-mountain-like cloud clusters—truly a fairyland on earth.

 

Lezheng Jiu walked over yawning, slightly stunned when he saw Nine Heavens City in the clouds.

 

He’d only heard of the Southern Territory’s most famous Nine Heavens City in the clouds from rhino horn lamps and books. This was his first time seeing it after all these years.

 

Xi Jianlan beckoned to him: “Jiu’er, do you know where Spring Rain is?”

 

“Spring Rain?” Though Lezheng Jiu didn’t like going out, he was very enthusiastic about beautiful scenery. He slowly walked over, trying to create an air of “hmph, nothing special,” but his eyes kept drifting toward Nine Heavens City.

 

He said carelessly: “Probably at the Sword Sect.”

 

“In Chang Xing’s hands?” Xi Jianlan asked.

 

Lezheng Jiu finally withdrew his gaze, pulled up his wide hood, and said casually: “Should be. When the Qu family wanted to break Spring Rain, Liu Tiaotiao almost cried and wanted to die with them. In the end, his master had to come personally before letting him take Spring Rain away… Hiss, why is your mouth bleeding?”

 

Xi Jianlan frowned and touched his lips, only then discovering his lower lip was bitten.

 

Xi Jianlan avoided answering and continued the Spring Rain topic: “After we get the ‘Yinhua Rao,’ can we make a detour to the Sword Sect to get my Spring Rain?”

 

Lezheng Jiu nodded: “Sure—so what really happened to your mouth?”

 

Xi Jianlan: “……”

 

If you can’t make conversation, just shut up.

 

But after asking, Lezheng Jiu realized what had happened. His face under the hood turned green, and after holding it in for a long time, he said through gritted teeth: “No wonder Bushu said you two were doing improper things in broad daylight? The Emotionless Path? Bah! Sheng Wuzhuo looks decent but is actually a lustful person driven by desire! Not one person in the thirteen provinces has successfully cultivated the Emotionless Path!”

 

Xi Jianlan: “……”

 

One thing he’d always admired about Lezheng Jiu was that no matter what happened, he could mercilessly knock down a whole boat of people with one pole, his scolding sweeping across almost the entire thirteen provinces.

 

He’d scold whoever was there, and even find ways to insert criticism when no one was around.

 

Xi Jianlan’s lips twitched: “You believe everything Feng Yu says?”

 

Lezheng Jiu not only believed it but also worried unnecessarily like Heng Yudu: “When we were at the academy, the headmaster taught that the path of cultivation requires disciplined conduct, sealing the heart and locking away love, and most taboo is indulging in romantic love and losing vital essence. If you two keep fooling around like this, will Sheng Jiao still cultivate his path? And you…”

 

“Heaven above,” Xi Jianlan said painfully. “Are you all possessed by old mother Heng? Your mouths are too chatty. Please shut up. You might as well just scold me instead.”

 

Lezheng Jiu: “……”

 

He’d never seen someone actively seeking to be scolded.

 

Lezheng Jiu considerately scolded him a few times, then asked: “So is your vital essence still intact?”

 

Xi Jianlan: “…………”

 

Lezheng Jiu was good at medicine and didn’t think there was anything wrong with this question.

 

Xi Jianlan said seriously: “Gege, do you think it’s really appropriate for us to discuss such lewd topics in public? If any young lady heard us, she’d definitely beat us perverted fellows out of Nine Heavens City with a big stick.”

 

Lezheng Jiu said disdainfully: “Nine Heavens City rose to fame because of Pleasure House Street. How would saying ‘vital essence’ get me expelled? Besides, do you think everyone who comes to Nine Heavens City is an upright and pure righteous cultivator? I’m telling you, the people on this road look decent, but not one is good—they’re all lustful fellows like Sheng Jiao, every single one.”

 

Xi Jianlan: “……”

 

Great, he was starting his indiscriminate attacks again.

 

After about an hour, the riverboat entered Nine Heavens City’s riverboat pavilion, gracefully stopping on a cloud.

 

Feng Yu had been to Nine Heavens City many times, but each visit he was still like an excited puppy, happily about to jump down.

 

Lezheng Jiu grabbed him, frowning: “What’s the rush? We’re here in Nine Heavens City to do two things. To save time, let’s split up.”

 

The sooner they finished, the sooner they could return to the Medicine Sect to hide.

 

Feng Yu leaned on the railing and raised his hand: “I need to go to the pleasure house.”

 

“What pleasure house?” Lezheng Jiu grabbed him. “You come with me to Youdan to find Yinhua Rao. Ajue, you go to the pleasure house to find that whatever-her-name-is.”

 

Feng Yu was immediately disappointed: “Ah?!”

 

Xi Jianlan bristled at the mention of the pleasure house and quickly said: “I, I, I’ll go to Youdan too.”

 

Ying Zhuo and Sheng Jiao both frowned.

 

Xi Jianlan had come for Xi Minghuai’s lover in the first place. No matter how much he struggled, it was useless. In the end, he could only watch helplessly as Lezheng Jiu dragged the reluctant Feng Yu off the riverboat.

 

Seeing Xi Jianlan’s pale face, Ying Zhuo said gently: “If shixiong doesn’t want to go to the pleasure house, you can rest on the riverboat. I’ll go alone.”

 

He spoke gently and considerately, yet gave the impression of a peacock spreading its feathers, his big tail nearly sweeping Sheng Jiao aside.

 

Xi Jianlan shook his head, asking as he got off the riverboat: “What’s Xi Minghuai’s lover’s name?”

 

Ying Zhuo quickly followed to walk alongside Xi Jianlan: “Xun Niang. I heard she’s incomparably beautiful and will also participate in today’s courtesan selection.”

 

Xi Jianlan had stayed at Hongchen Shijun Tower for quite a while but hadn’t heard of any girl surnamed Xun.

 

The vast Nine Heavens City wasn’t one complete cloud island but twelve cloud seas joined together. Each cloud island was connected by long chain bridges, with clouds and mist drifting from high altitude.

 

The black iron bridges were tied with countless wooden plaques and jade tokens with red cloth that rustled in the wind.

 

Looking closely, the red cloth was densely written with names and prayers, as if seeking romantic fate.

 

The Xu character cloud island was entirely pleasure houses.

 

Hongchen Shijun Tower was the red-tiled pavilion at the highest point, very easy to identify.

 

Xi Jianlan’s face was gloomy—he just wanted to quickly find Xun Niang and leave as soon as possible.

 

Today was the grand courtesan selection. The roads were densely packed with lit cloud lanterns, and many vendors were selling unlit cloud lanterns. When night fell and the courtesan selection began, whichever beauty received the most cloud lanterns would become Hongchen Shijun Tower’s courtesan.

 

Xi Jianlan was walking forward with his head down, but before he could get close to Hongchen Shijun Tower, several vendors caught up with him, smiling as they sold cloud lanterns.

 

“You three young masters look unfamiliar—is this your first time in Nine Heavens City?”

 

“Oh my, you’ve come at such a good time! Today is Hongchen Shijun Tower’s grand courtesan competition. Would you like to buy some cloud lanterns to present to the beauties?”

 

“Very affordable—one spirit stone for ten lanterns, and if the wicks break, we guarantee exchanges.”

 

Xi Jianlan walked forward with a cold face, saying nothing.

 

Sheng Jiao certainly wouldn’t buy such things.

 

Ying Zhuo had wanted to buy a few to join the fun, but seeing his shixiong remain silent, he could only continue walking.

 

The three were dressed as either wealthy or noble. If they took a fancy to some beauty and spent lavishly on a pile of cloud lanterns, that would be a huge profit.

 

The vendor’s eyes lit up as he cheerfully chased after them to continue selling, speaking eloquently. Seeing the three still expressionless after his long speech, his eyes suddenly rolled as he quickly said: “Surely you three have heard of that courtesan who shocked the thirteen provinces three years ago?”

 

Xi Jianlan: “…………”

 

Xi Jianlan’s face instantly turned green.

 

He instinctively wanted to cast a silence spell, but when he formed the hand seal, he realized he had no spiritual power.

 

The vendor enthusiastically deceived the out-of-towners: “…That courtesan lord will definitely participate in this year’s competition too. I was fortunate enough to see her once—truly a stunning beauty like a fairy from Gushe, absolutely captivating.”

 

He quickly wrote a few characters on a cloud lantern and eagerly offered it: “Young masters, please buy a few for Fairy Lan.”

 

Xi Jianlan: “…………”

 

Sheng Jiao casually glanced at the cloud lantern practically shoved in his face and suddenly froze.

 

Three crooked characters were written on the cloud-like little lantern:

 

—Lan Jiaojiao.

 

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 (advanced chapters available on kofi)