Chapter Five: Falling into the Water

Bai Shengyun waited for a long time, until a hint of impatience crept into his brows, yet Xie Yingying still gave no response, and he found himself thoroughly bored.

“Heh, I never realized you had such a stubborn nature.”

He had never personally experienced the agony inflicted by the Power of Origin, but he’d heard enough to know that it was a torment worse than death—a pain to carve itself into the soul.

Xie Yingying, tortured to the point of utter wretchedness, looked as though she’d just been fished out of water, but her lips remained sealed.

Watching her grit her teeth and endure, Bai Shengyun only felt more disinterested. With a flicker of thought, he withdrew the torment.

Xie Yingying suddenly drew a desperate breath, coughing violently as tears streamed down her face, but at last, the agony that had made her wish for death dissipated. That soul-searing pain left her trembling in its wake.

“Cough, cough…”

“Your tongue is far more stubborn than you are, but even the hardest tongue can be forced open,” Bai Shengyun remarked, glancing at her disheveled state, his penetrating eyes filled with curiosity.

Xie Yingying, her pain fading, snapped back, “Then by all means, try. I’m not capable of much, but I could never bring myself to flatter someone I despise, nor do I care to waste any affection.”

Those who had truly fallen for Bai Shengyun rarely met a good end. She’d have to be mad to waste her time on a man who kept an open harem.

There were plenty of handsome men and beautiful women in the world—who among them was not superior to the man before her?

Given her current state, what virtue or ability could possibly compel her to hang herself on Bai Shengyun’s tree, unless her mind had turned to mush like those fools outside?

Bai Shengyun let out a cold laugh, his gaze shifting with the intensity of being provoked. “You’d better get used to it. If you’re still like this after we’re wed, I’ll have quite the headache.”

The barrier enclosing the carriage vanished instantly. The sounds of the wheels turning became crystal clear to those inside.

Sitting outside the carriage, Ning Qingqing had been paying close attention to what transpired within. The moment the barrier fell, she cast a probing glance inside.

At that moment, Xie Yingying lay nestled in Bai Shengyun’s arms, her clothing in disarray—a scene that left little to the imagination about what had occurred inside.

Ning Qingqing was no exception; her face darkened at once, and she nearly lost her composure.

The murderous look she shot Xie Yingying sent a chill down her spine, yet some part of her couldn’t help but pity Ning Qingqing.

Poor Ning Qingqing, after all her devotion, only to have her prize snatched away.

But this was not what Xie Yingying wanted. If not for that wretched Power of Origin, she would have long since escaped to a life of freedom, instead of being forced to live under someone else’s roof, forever worrying about her own safety.

With this thought, Xie Yingying shifted languidly, seeking a more comfortable spot and resigned herself, slumping in Bai Shengyun’s embrace.

She kept telling herself, after all this suffering, she might as well take some interest in advance. There was no changing her situation for now.

Bai Shengyun noticed her nestling willingly into his arms, an indecipherable smile flashing briefly in his eyes. He allowed her to do as she pleased.

Ning Qingqing, watching the scene unfold, was consumed with jealousy, nearly grinding her teeth to dust.

“Immortal Lord, this demoness, she…” She couldn’t finish her sentence.

Anyone with eyes could discern the ripples that had just stirred inside the carriage. For Ning Qingqing to press the issue now was the very definition of willful ignorance.

Bai Shengyun shifted, his voice cold. “Where are we?”

Ning Qingqing regained her composure and replied respectfully, “Ahead lies the river crossing. Shall we cross at once, Immortal Lord, or rest for a while?”

Yet her gaze never strayed from Xie Yingying. If looks could kill, Xie Yingying would have perished a thousand times over.

Xie Yingying had little interest in their conversation. Once she’d regained her strength, she sat up and carelessly straightened her clothes and hair.

When she was done, she finally spared Ning Qingqing a glance, utterly unfazed by the other woman’s glare. “Since we’ve reached the river, why not rest for a while? It’s not as if we’re rushing home to a funeral.”

Bai Shengyun did nothing to stop Ning Qingqing’s glare, and found his mind drifting back to Xie Yingying’s words.

He watched her, now lively again, and seemed lost in thought.

The three traveled on, each with their own thoughts, until they reached the riverbank without incident.

Ning Qingqing searched for some time but could not find a boatman, so they had no choice but to rest by the river.

The sunlight danced across the water, dazzling Xie Yingying’s eyes. Bored, she reached for her flask, found it empty, and decided to fetch water lest she die of thirst halfway through their journey.

Bai Shengyun, feigning sleep nearby, opened his eyes. “Where are you going?”

Xie Yingying replied without looking back, “Fetching water. Or did you hope I’d die of thirst? What grudge do you hold?”

Bai Shengyun arched a brow, chuckling softly, and tossed her an object from his sleeve. “Fill it.”

Fortunately, Xie Yingying was alert enough not to be struck by the flask he’d thrown. She shot a glare back into the carriage, muttering under her breath, “Too lazy to deal with you.”

But since her life was in his hands, she dared not push her luck, unwilling to endure that excruciating pain again.

What she didn’t know was that Bai Shengyun heard her clearly; the smile at his lips deepened before it faded away.

Ning Qingqing’s jealousy grew, and she ventured, “Immortal Lord, that demoness is so insolent—if she tampers with the water, won’t you suffer for it?”

Her lovely face was now filled with worry, her ability to switch expressions truly remarkable.

“She wouldn’t dare,” Bai Shengyun snorted coldly, unfazed as he resumed his meditative pose, the very image of immortal detachment.

“But everyone says evil cultivators are eccentric and cruel, their methods vile. One can never be too cautious,” Ning Qingqing replied earnestly, though in her heart she despised Xie Yingying.

“You seem to have a lot of opinions about the master you’re about to serve.” Bai Shengyun suddenly opened his eyes, which were now cold and deep as a wintry pool.

A bucket of icy water seemed to drench Ning Qingqing from head to toe. She scrambled for an excuse. “I’ll go fetch water.”

She nearly fled, and as she walked, she deliberately drew closer to Xie Yingying, a few pebbles appearing in her hand when no one noticed.

Xie Yingying’s senses were sharp, and she recognized Ning Qingqing’s footsteps, choosing to move aside rather than engage.

This river was wide enough for both of them; there was no need to crowd together to fetch water.

Yet just as she prepared her tools, a sudden sharp pain pierced the hollow of her knee, and her balance was lost in an instant.

“Ah!”

With a startled cry, she plunged headlong into the icy river, sending up a great splash.