Chapter 13: Chen Yi's Ambition

Chapter 13: Chen Yi’s Ambition

By the time Chen Yi returned, night had already fallen.

In a rare moment of pressure, Yu Xian took some time to cultivate with Yulan, resolutely adding a bit of cultivation on his status panel.

Cultivation is like this—accumulating bit by bit, only to burst forth in a final climax.

Under the osmanthus tree.

The branches and leaves severed by Ding Le’s sword qi had already been cleaned away by the servants of the manor. Lanterns were lit around the courtyard, casting a hazy beauty over the night.

Yu Xian sat beneath the tree, the yellow-skinned wine gourd in his hand gleaming softly. He poured himself a cup; the amber liquid flowed smoothly.

This wine was continuously refined by Master Huang according to his needs.

For example, using pricier aged wine to steep the herbs, adding or subtracting one or two ingredients—almost every gourd of wine had a subtly different flavor.

He savored it slowly by himself.

Yulan had been sent off to meditate and sense the spiritual energy.

Though Yulan had spoken so resolutely in front of him before, after more than a month of grueling training without any feedback or progress, she had unconsciously relaxed inside, thinking herself utterly inadequate, destined to be a mere maid for life.

In such a situation, external intervention is necessary to rekindle her motivation to continue striving.

Chen Yi walked in and saw the solitary figure drinking quietly beneath the tree. Her heart stirred slightly.

This man was like a mist, hiding stories beyond ordinary reach, enticing one to delve deeper.

Curiosity flickered in her eyes but was quickly suppressed.

She knew clearly what she wanted.

Now that the chance to become an immortal cultivator was right before her, she no longer needed to compete with Yulan for favor or treat herself as a mere appendage to a man.

Though this man possessed her and gave her the pleasures of being a woman, she would not linger on that alone.

She sought power, she sought freedom.

Thinking of what Chen Xiao had told her about the cultivation world—that was where she truly belonged. Everything now was just a facade.

Yes, that was it.

Chen Yi forcibly suppressed the fluttering in her heart and approached Yu Xian.

“Have you found anything out?”

Yu Xian handed the wine cup to Chen Yi. Ding Le’s sudden arrival was inexplicable, and there must be a reason behind it. He had no choice but to use Chen Yi to investigate.

She was a person of the Duke of Fu; the manor’s intelligence network couldn’t go unused.

Chen Yi didn’t mind that Yu Xian had just drunk from the cup; she emptied it in one gulp. Warmth rose from her belly, quickly dispelling the night’s chill.

“His name is Ding Le, the second elder of the Chang Le Sword Sect, same sect as the second attendant of the manor who died earlier. This time he entered the manor to replace his junior brother’s position.

The Chang Le Sword Sect is the leading martial sect in this county, with three grandmasters in total—now two remain.

Also, I found out that the sect was originally unwilling to send anyone here because negotiations over the second attendant’s death and compensation with the manor were not settled.

But somehow, they suddenly agreed.

Ding Le’s visit to you was not ordered by the duke. He probably just wanted to use you to establish his authority.

Also, according to your wishes, I revealed your breakthrough to mid-stage innate cultivation. The duke was very surprised; his reward will be issued tomorrow, and your monthly salary will increase to five hundred taels from now on.”

“Where there’s abnormality, there must be something fishy. Can you find out why he agreed so suddenly?”

Yu Xian instinctively felt something was amiss.

But his social circle was too narrow, and he spent most days nestling in comfort, so information was scarce.

Yet he was unwilling to bother managing relationships.

After all, he came here to retire and enjoy life; engaging in petty scheming would defeat the purpose of being in the mortal world.

Fortunately, strength was the true nature of this world.

Once he broke through to late-stage Qi Refining, even if surprises arose, he believed he could handle them with ease.

It was time to look for a substitute for his magical artifacts.

Yu Xian pondered silently.

“It’s worth a try. The duke is also investigating this matter, but he might not tell me everything.”

Chen Yi’s expression was unreadable, even somewhat stern, much like when she faced the Duke of Fu.

Since that day they floated on the river, she had known her identity was compromised, but since Yu Xian didn’t mention it, they tacitly understood each other.

“It doesn’t matter if you can’t find anything,” Yu Xian said, grasping the cool little hand on the table with a gentle smile. “Thank you for your hard work.”

Chen Yi’s body stiffened, trying to pull her hand away.

But after trying, she found she couldn’t.

She could only let him toy with her small hand.

“I’m not tired.”

Compared to the days she once endured strict training, her current life was a paradise.

In her spare time cultivating, she had thought—if Yu Xian had never agreed to let her cultivate, she might have been content with this life.

But there was no ‘if.’

“Hey, don’t always keep such a stern face. Smile a little. Constantly frowning will give you wrinkles, and wrinkles don’t look good.”

Yu Xian stood up, locking eyes with Chen Yi. His fingers brushed over her brow, as if trying to sweep away her sorrow.

Chen Yi knew well that the man before her was acting; his tenderness was no more genuine than hers.

Yet her heart still fluttered.

She closed her eyes, afraid to meet his gaze, but her heartbeat quickened.

“You like the way I used to be. I can change back.”

“I don’t want your fake tenderness. I want to see you truly happy—like the day you sensed the spiritual energy. Your smile was beautiful; it almost made my heart stir.

I thought maybe we finally had some feelings for each other.”

Chen Yi felt Yu Xian’s low voice was like a cat’s claw, gently scratching at her heart, making her whole body tremble.

Precisely because she knew the gap between them, she could not resist this tenderness.

It was like an ordinary boy hearing the goddess say she liked boys who were good cooks.

So he trained hard in cooking for two months, spending two months’ salary to prepare a five-star luxury meal to confess.

But the goddess only took a polite bite and said thanks, giving no chance.

Yet the same woman, when fed burnt egg fried rice made by a billionaire boss herself, would be moved to tears, saying it was the best fried rice she’d ever eaten.

Is it really about the fried rice?

No, it’s about status.

She would think, if he’s willing to cook fried rice for me himself, then maybe he likes me a little?

Chen Yi was just the same.

He was willing to perform tenderness before her—did that mean he truly felt a spark for her?

After all, she was already his possession; there was nothing more to scheme for.

Chen Yi wavered.

She opened her eyes and met those tender, night-deep eyes that seemed to draw her soul away.

She pressed close.

Twelve seconds later.

Chen Yi resolutely pushed Yu Xian away, wiped her mouth, and said firmly:

“That’s all there is to it!”

She staggered and ran toward her room.

Yu Xian licked his bitten lip and shook his head with a smile.

“So easily moved—how will you survive in the cultivation world?”

He followed her and found the door coincidentally unlocked, so he swaggered inside.

Soon, Chen Yi’s shy, annoyed, and suppressed voice came from within.

“What do you want?”

“I want to.”

“That’s not what I mean, don’t come closer.”

“Oh? Then I’ll go find Yulan.”

“Don’t... If you want to come, come. I’m already used to it.”

“Hmm? Seems a bit bigger than before...”

...

Upstairs.

Yulan sat meditating for a long time but could not calm her mind. She opened her eyes irritably, staring at the Chang Chun Gong book she had nearly worn out from flipping through, feeling extremely troubled.

Why couldn’t she find a shortcut?

She wasn’t greedy—just wanted to enter the door of cultivation so she could marry the duke.

Suddenly, Yulan’s ears twitched. From downstairs came the creaking sounds and muffled moans held back with effort.

Her face flushed red, and she quickly understood what was happening.

Her mood became even more chaotic.

What if the duke had also promised Sister Chen Yi that once she entered cultivation, he would marry her? Then she, who came first, wouldn’t even be a junior maid.

No, that absolutely could not happen!

Yulan closed her eyes abruptly, holding her breath. Under the intense pressure, her consciousness suddenly emptied, her spirit condensing to a point as all sounds and distractions faded bit by bit.

Under such unusual competitive pressure, after so long, Yulan finally entered a deep state of meditation for the first time.

(End of chapter)