Chapter 46: Phoenix Tail Flower (XVI)

“Sui Ning!”

As soon as he saw Sui Ning, Ah Yan rushed over and hugged her, lifting her round and tender little face to look at her with some anger.

“Sui Ning, what have you been doing in the house these past few days? Why haven’t I seen you and the master?”

She rubbed Ah Yan’s chubby little face, her voice a little guilty: “I was…in seclusion practicing.”

Sui Ning felt a little embarrassed, wondering if Xie Changzhou had personally come to catch her. She had promised to seclude herself for a few days and not see him or Ah Yan, but he had caught her sneaking out to listen to storytelling and play.

Sui Ning looked up at Xie Changzhou, who was still standing there calmly and gently, with an air of spring breeze that made people feel comfortable.

Xie Changzhou’s gaze fell on the hand hanging by her side, which was full of pastries and melon seeds, and the other hand holding the novel.

He wanted to laugh a little, his eyebrows and eyes softening, until he saw her, and his slightly panicked heart finally calmed down completely.

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She looked up at Xie Changzhou and asked, “Why did the Jianzun come to Gu Su?”

Xie Changzhou calmly replied, “Ah Yan missed you, so I brought it here. I can sense the direction of the Spirit Pearl.”

Although he seemed indifferent, the hands hidden behind his wide sleeves tightened, and his throat rolled with a dry lump.

Ah Yan’s black eyes widened in surprise.

Xie Changzhou looked at him with a clear expression, his gaze inscrutable. Ah Yan shivered with fear.

After following Xie Changzhou for over a hundred years, Ah Yan knew better than to underestimate him. He grinned and said, “Sui Ning, I miss you. Can you make me some barbecue?”

Sui Ning chuckled and agreed.

She breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at Xie Changzhou, whose expression remained unchanged. Her heart sank slightly.

At least he wasn’t here to capture her.

The commotion behind them continued as people threw things and cursed.

“You filthy liar, spit out your grandfather’s money!”

“Refund, you son of a bitch!”

The common people’s language was coarse and vulgar, and Sui Ning felt embarrassed listening to it. Her face blushed, and she wanted to mute them manually.

She had heard even dirtier language before, and it hadn’t bothered her as much.

But now that Ah Yan, a young cub, was with her, she covered his ears and said, “Don’t listen; it’s not something you should learn.”

Ah Yan asked curiously, “Why not?”

Sui Ning remained silent. Because if you learn bad things, your master might punish not only you but me too!

She glanced over at Xie Changzhou, who stood at the entrance in his white clothes, tall and slender with handsome features and gentle eyes. As their eyes met, the smile on his lips deepened.

The argument on stage was still intense. Seeing them getting more and more aggressive, Sui Ning quickly put on a smile and said, “Jianzun, please go ahead.”

Xie Changzhou nodded gently and said, “Okay.”

Sui Ning led Ah Yan in front, while Xie Changzhou followed slowly. People on the street occasionally looked at them.

“Sui Ning, do you like listening to books?” Xie Changzhou’s clear voice came from behind.

Sui Ning turned around, and Xie Changzhou’s lips curled with a warm smile.

“I like it. It depends on what kind of books. There are official histories and gossips.” She smiled, mischievously winking at him. “But I only like to listen to gossip.”

Xie Changzhou was stunned, and a blank expression appeared on his pale face. “What is gossip?”

Ah Yan also raised his head to look at her, learning from his master, “What is gossip?”

The two looked at her in unison, with surprisingly similar expressions. Suddenly, Sui Ning burst into laughter.

“Gossip is the secret of the martial arts sects. Which sect leader has an illegitimate child with a mistress outside? Which main wife causes trouble for a third party? Who is homosexual, who is impotent, and so on?”

Xie Changzhou’s indifferent expression became somewhat subtle.

Sui Ning pretended to be mysterious, her clear eyes filled with laughter. “Do you know what kind of books are popular now?”

Xie Changzhou shook his head. “What kind?”

She lowered her voice. “For example, ‘One-night Stand and the Son of He Yuan Sect’s Young Master,’ ‘Give You 30,000 Spirit Stones and Give Birth to My Child,’ ‘Help! The Buddhist monk of Jingchan Sect is so paranoid,’ and…”

Sui Ning paused, leaning closer to Xie Changzhou, her bright eyes staring at him as she continued, “‘The Things That I Have to Say with Jianzun.'”

Her voice was soft, and her tone was elongated, as if scratching an itch in his heart. A tingle spread through his chest, which he tried to suppress. The ambiguous feelings that he had been trying to suppress emerged quietly, and his heart rate suddenly increased.

Ah Yan’s childish voice sounded ferocious: “They dare to arrange my master. They have a lot of nerve!”

Although his voice was childish, his volume was loud, which drew the attention of the people passing by.

Sui Ning quickly pressed him down: “The leaders of these big martial arts sects have all been arranged more or less, let alone your master, who is so attractive to female cultivators. It proves that Jianzun has great charm.”

Ah Yan was brainwashed instantly. He nodded his head and said, “That’s right. My master has the best cultivation, extraordinary looks, and many female cultivators like him.”

He raised his head to look at Sui Ning with an expression of pride and arrogance.

Sui Ning nodded: “I agree.”

“Sui Ning…” Xie Changzhou looked at her, wanting to say something but hesitating.

Sui Ning asked, confused, “Hmm, what’s wrong?”

Xie Changzhou’s lips moved a few times, wanting to speak, but in the end, he swallowed the words upon meeting Sui Ning’s straightforward gaze.

“It’s nothing. Let’s go; it’s getting dark.” Xie Changzhou’s expression was indifferent, and there was no hint of his emotions from earlier.

Sui Ning nodded hesitantly.

Xie Changzhou seemed… a little sad?

As the cool fragrance brushed past her side, Sui Ning hadn’t figured out how to ask him about it yet, and Xie Changzhou had already left her side.

She sighed inwardly and could only resign herself to holding Ah Yan’s hand and following behind.

***

Everything was silent, and the moonlight was like silver.

Upon returning to the Limitless Sword Sect, Xie Changzhou was called by his disciples to the Mingjing Hall, seemingly to discuss something important.

Sui Ning was grilling meat for Ah Yan piece by piece, and Ah Yan had transformed into a human form and sat obediently by her side.

“Ah Yan, how long have you been with Jianzun?” Sui Ning asked absent-mindedly while brushing the meat with sauce.

Ah Yan’s voice was clear: “One hundred and thirty-five years.”

Sui Ning nodded understandingly. It seemed that the lifespan of the Tiger Clan was indeed very long, as Ah Yan still looked like a cub even though he was over a hundred years old.

She chuckled lightly: “You and Jianzun have a deep relationship, like father and son.”

Ah Yan raised his chin proudly, his tone confident, and nodded without hesitation: “Of course, my master raised me with his own hands!”

Thinking of something, Ah Yan’s raised little head drooped suddenly, and his mood became a bit low.

Sui Ning stopped her actions and bent down to look at him: “Ah Yan, what’s wrong?”

Ah Yan buried his head down, his voice somewhat dull: “When I was still young, someone was always chasing after me and my mother. My mother took me and hid everywhere until one day we were both caught.”

“Those people forced my mother to mate with those lowly spirit beasts and wanted her to give birth to their offspring. When my mother refused, they would beat me, and my mother would obey.”

“Afterwards, my mother died…” Ah Yan lowered his head, and water stains bloomed on the green bricks in front of him.

“Ah Yan…” Sui Ning felt a bit heartbroken and gently stroked his furry head.

Ah Yan wiped away his tears with his small, pale hand and choked out a tender voice, “Then the master came, rescued me, and brought me to live with him at the Wenjian Peak. No one ever chased after me again.”

Sui Ning embraced him and gently patted Ah Yan’s back, speaking softly, “Let’s not talk about it anymore. It’s all in the past.”

Sui Ning understood everything Ah Yan had said.

The tiger clan of the divine beasts was on the brink of extinction, with only Ah Yan and his mother left. People who coveted the divine beast bloodline had been chasing them.

Making Ah Yan’s mother mate with those spirit beasts was not necessarily a disgrace; it was just to breed a spiritual beast that was closest to the tiger bloodline.

Ultimately, it was greed at work.

Ah Yan buried his head in Sui Ning’s arms, feeling depressed and unhappy.

Sui Ning was helpless and gently patted him, saying, “Ah Yan, let’s eat some grilled meat and not think about these things.”

She pulled Ah Yan’s little head out of her arms and saw his long, black eyelashes covered in glistening tears, his round eyes red, and his face covered in tear streaks.

Sui Ning wiped away his tears and whispered, “Ah Yan, you’re already at the Limitless Sword Sect. Your mother would be very happy. Look how well Jianzun has taken care of you.”

Ah Yan had experienced such painful torture and had witnessed his mother sacrificing herself to protect him. Yet he still had this innocent and kind-hearted, childlike demeanor, playful and lively.

Xie Changzhou must have put in a lot of effort to help him overcome those shadows and memories.

He had taught Ah Yan well.

“Okay.” Ah Yan nodded and buried his head in Suining’s neck, saying in a muffled voice, “Sui Ning, I’m hungry.”

Sui Ning smiled and said, “Okay.”

She took out a brush and continued to brush the sauce onto the meat, her beautiful face shining white under the moonlight. She was focused and gentle, and Ah Yan nestled obediently in her arms.

Ah Yan was just a child, after all, and he soon forgot what had just happened. He ate the grilled meat that Sui Ning handed him, one bite at a time.

It was almost midnight, and after eating and drinking his fill, Ah Yan transformed back into his original form and curled up in Sui Ning’s arms, snoring lightly.

Sui Ning lazily moved her lounge chair, and her long jade fingers absentmindedly stroked Ah Yan on her knee.

She leaned back in the chair and took out the wine that Tang Tang had given her from her bag.

The crystal-clear jade bottle was filled with pale red wine, which was sweet on the palate and had a refreshing aftertaste, reminding her of the c*cktails from her era.

Sui Ning even covered herself with a thin blanket, took out some snacks she bought during the day, and lazily gazed at the starry sky above her head.

“This is the life I yearn for,” Sui Ning sighed.

No need to go to school or work; no pressure from mortgages or car loans; no pressure from elders to get married; no need to give birth or raise children. Apart from not having the internet, it was simply the petite bourgeoisie life she had dreamed of.

The system was excited: “[You can stay here, host. Do you remember what I said before? If you want to stay here, you can, but if you decide to leave, you can never come back. There’s only one chance.]”

Sui Ning frowned, somewhat puzzled, and asked, “But didn’t you say they wouldn’t remember me after the mission was completed?”

[That’s when you decide to return to your original world. At that time, you won’t be part of this world anymore, and everything related to you will be erased. But if you decide to stay here, I’ll help you find a way to deceive the heavens.]

Sui Ning fell silent, took small sips of wine, and had an indifferent expression on her face.

[Host…what do you think?]

Sui Ning smiled lightly, having just finished drinking alcohol. Her voice was a bit hoarse as she said, “But why should I stay here? Didn’t you say that Xie Changzhou would ascend soon and sever all ties with the mortal world? What will I do then?”

The system choked up for a while before stuttering, “[You can cultivate to ascend too-]”

It stopped abruptly, realizing something.

Sui Ning sighed softly, gently rubbing Ah Yan on her knee with a tender and peaceful expression.

She whispered, “System, you’ve thought of it too. Once I cross the tribulation, the Heavenly Dao will sense me. I am only at the nascent Soul stage right now. After entering the Mahayana stage, I will have to go through a thunder tribulation each time I advance, meaning I still have seven tribulations left before ascending.”

“System, it’s hard for me to survive and ascend under the Heavenly Dao’s watchful eye.”

The system fell silent, knowing that Sui Ning was right. The Heavenly Dao wouldn’t tolerate her, and it was impossible for her to survive seven thunder tribulations under its watchful gaze.

Ah Yan made a slight snoring sound on her knee, and Sui Ning stroked its warm and soft fur. She had unconsciously drunk most of the alcohol in her hand.

The system couldn’t help but ask, “[Host, what do you think?]”

Sui Ning lazily replied, “What do I think about what?”

“[About Xie Changzhou, your task also includes making him feel love. Now that you both like each other, this task is easily completed!]” The system was a bit puzzled. “[So why are you hesitating?]”

Having drunk a bit too much, even though the alcohol wasn’t strong, Sui Ning’s tolerance wasn’t good, and she began to feel a burning and churning sensation in her stomach.

Her head was dizzy, and she felt a bit confused. Her fair and delicate face was slightly flushed.

Suining’s voice was a bit weak as she said, “But I don’t want this to be just a task.”

The night was cool and calm, and the small courtyard was quiet and still, with only Ah Yan’s soft snoring occasionally heard.

Sui Ning spoke softly: “I like him.”

The system remained silent for so long that Sui Ning was almost asleep when the mechanical voice sounded again.

“[Host, even two people in love may not have a happy ending. Many of them separate halfway, but what’s important is to have no regrets, isn’t it?]”

The system paused for a moment before continuing, “[If you’re worried that you won’t be able to move on after leaving, I can request the system agency to erase your memories for you.]”

Although it believed that its host would not agree.

“[Host, no matter what decision you make, I will support you and do my best to help you.]”

Sui Ning was taken aback and became slightly more alert. She suddenly burst into laughter.

“[Host?]”

Sui Ning was laughing so hard that her chest was shaking. She muffled her laughter to avoid waking Ah Yan, who was sitting on her knee. Her eyes and eyebrows were curved.

“System, who taught you to speak like this? It’s like poison chicken soup.”

The system felt embarrassed and responded in a low voice, “[My predecessor…]”

It turned out that the system had been consulting its predecessor during its long disappearance earlier.

Sui Ning felt warm in her heart. She became a drama queen and was moved to tears, saying, “System brother, you’re so good to me…”

As she spoke, the alcohol rushed to her head, and she burped quietly.

The alcohol finally hit her brain, and Sui Ning’s consciousness became completely chaotic. Her eyes narrowed, and she said, “Thank you, system. I drank this poisonous chicken soup! Thank you for taking care of me and keeping me company for so long. Although you can be really… sarcastic sometimes, I still like you…”

The system responded, “[…You’re really good at talking.]”

Sui Ning smiled softly and said in a gentle voice, “I owe my gift of gab entirely to my parents. They gave me this talent for nonsense… burp…”

The system said, “[Host, you’re drunk… Stop it. Xie Changzhou–]”

Sui Ning interrupted before the system could finish. She was too drunk to understand what the system was saying.

Sui Ning yelled out, “System brother, I wish you happiness every day. May you be as blessed as the East Sea and live longer than the South Mountain. Happy New Year!”

System: [How is it already Chinese New Year?]

[Host, Xie Changzhou — ]

Sui Ning vaguely heard the three words “Xie Changzhou,” and her chaotic brain suddenly remembered the previous events – her wet clothes, ambiguous kiss, and heavy breathing.

She quickly covered her mouth, and her phoenix eyes widened.

“Brother System, Xie Changzhou kissed me!”

System: [Please stop talking. Xie Changzhou is here — ]

Sui Ning sobbed: “He kissed me, he actually kissed me!”

[Xie Changzhou is here; stop talking!]

Drunk and irrational, Sui Ning covered her face, her exposed ears turning red.

Her voice was already soft, and now, after drinking, it had a bit of a tipsy tone, making her sound even more charming, like the whimpering of a little cat.

“But Xie Changzhou has such a good figure… He looks so good, he’s too tempting to resist.”

System: […just let me be destroyed.]

Her face was flushed from the alcohol, and Sui Ning moved her hand away from her cheek, her half-closed eyes watery.

A tall figure stood in front of her, wearing a white robe, but she couldn’t see his face clearly.

Sui Ning tried to prop up her tired body and move closer to him, but she was too weak and fell back down.

“Sui Ning!”

A familiar voice came, a little hoarse and dry. Then, a warm and cool hand touched her cheek gently and quickly left.

“Sui Ning, your face is hot. Your body can’t handle the alcohol. You must never drink so much in the future. I’ll help you get rid of the alcohol.”

The warm and pure spiritual energy flowed through her meridians, and Sui Ning closed her eyes comfortably, two dimples appearing on her cheeks.

She recognized it now—Xie Changzhou had arrived.

Sui Ning held his hand, and the scent of his refreshing pine fragrance filled her nostrils.

She squinted at him, her voice languid and soft. “Jianzun, do you like me?”

Xie Changzhou’s face suddenly became hot, his throat dry and rolling, his eyes filled with astonishment, and his cold white hands clenched tightly, his heart pounding like thunder in his chest.

“I’m very popular, you know…since I was young, many people have liked me. I’m pretty and smart. If you don’t hold onto me tighter, I might just leave with someone else.”

There was no response, and she was a little unhappy. She lightly kicked her foot on the blanket and asked, “Why aren’t you talking? Do you like me?”

Xie Changzhou pursed his lips, his brow furrowed, his eyes fixed on Sui Ning lying in front of him, and he spoke slowly: “I like you.”

He repeated it with emphasis: “I like you.”

“I love you, admire you, and want to be with you. I want to marry you.”

He half-knelt in front of her, leaning closer and meeting her gaze, his glassy eyes full of tenderness and a faint smile on his lips.

He asked her one word at a time: “And you?”

“Sui Ning, do you like me?”

A gust of wind blew by, carrying Xie Changzhou’s light pine fragrance, and Sui Ning could only hear her own heartbeat.

Beat by beat.

Especially intense.

Sui Ning chuckled; her eyes curved and her pupils were bright.

“I like you.”

The sweet scent drew near, and the softness covering his lips and the fluttering eyelashes before his eyes made Xie Changzhou’s breath suddenly become chaotic.