All Brothers

“How about it? Will you taste this beauty, as seen through the eyes of ordinary mortals?”

Desire stood before Gong Ning, having shed every last garment, unashamed and unhidden.

To look or not to look, to move or remain still—this was a difficult choice.

Subjectively, she had once been a man; she shouldn’t look.

Morally, she shouldn’t do anything improper.

But objectively, she was a woman now.

The other party was willing.

And… deep down, there was that flicker of desire.

Desire shook her head, showing regret for the first time.

“Time… it has left too many marks on you.

I can’t see your spirit, your fire.

If you were truly as lifeless as you seem, the Heart-Reflecting Mirror wouldn’t have shown a celestial maiden beyond mortal realm—it would have shown a dying old man.

You’ve buried so much inside.

Things no one knows.

Things you even deceive yourself about.”

She stepped closer again, pressing her body against Gong Ning’s.

“I’ve changed my mind.

I won’t take you away.

Because I can’t change you.

But I will teach you how to find pleasure.”

Gong Ning took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

By the time Jiang Yuyao and the three disciples finally arrived, half an hour had passed.

Guided by the Retro-Wind Chime, they followed the whispers of the wind to this secluded little hut.

There, they found Gong Ning lying on the bed.

A thin, sheer gauze covered only down to her thighs.

Her legs were slightly bent, gently pressed together.

Her arms rested over her chest.

Her lips parted with hot, shallow breaths—short, steady, rhythmic.

Her face was flushed like a ripe peach.

Her eyes glistened with moisture, clouded with something between confusion and longing.

She turned her head toward the four who had just arrived.

“…What are you staring at? Bring my clothes.”

Tao Lingling reacted first, rushing to gather the scattered garments from the bed and floor.

Jiang Yuyao asked, “Where’s the demoness? I’ll go after her.”

Gong Ning sat up.

The gauze slid smoothly off her body with the motion.

But now, she saw no need to cover herself.

“She left long ago. Half a quarter of an hour back.

Do you really think you can find her direction, let alone catch her?”

“If you feel wronged, if you want to vent your anger, I can catch her.”

Gong Ning dressed slowly, meticulously, without haste.

Some were angry.

Some regretful.

Some found it amusing.

But no one dared speak.

“Never mind. It’s not worth it.”

They returned to the inn by midnight.

Perhaps due to what had happened, none of the three disciples dared leave Gong Ning alone.

Tao Lingling especially wanted to stay.

But in the end, Gong Ning chose Jiang Yuyao.

Some things could only be spoken—and understood—between old friends.

She sat before the dressing table, gazing at her reflection.

This world’s mirrors used local materials—no need for ancient bronze like in her past life.

“What? Finally realized you’re beautiful and started admiring yourself?”

“Just… found it strange, that’s all.”

Jiang Yuyao poured a cup of tea and slid it toward her.

Gong Ning took a sip—and found it unbearably bitter.

“What kind of tea is this?”

“Your favorite—Bitter Charm Tea.

Can’t even taste it properly now? Did the demoness ruin your tongue?”

“Only you would tease me when you know I’m not in the mood.”

“Can you even be in a mood?

Spending the night with a beautiful woman—this was clearly a reward for you.

You’re probably secretly thrilled.”

Gong Ning smiled faintly, took another sip—and still found it bitter.

She’d drunk Bitter Charm Tea for nearly a century.

Even in the first days after becoming a woman, when her senses were raw and tender, she still drank this.

The aftertaste was rich, layered.

If one only sensed bitterness, and the bitterness only deepened with each sip—without any other notes—it was the kind young people hated most.

Was something wrong with her heart?

Why couldn’t she calm down? Why couldn’t she taste anything else?

Gong Ning had lived through two great shifts.

The first was when she first arrived in this world—born with a golden spoon in her mouth.

She had burned her youth brightly, lived fully and joyfully.

The second was now.

She thought losing her cultivation meant hitting rock bottom.

But the demoness had dissected her soul, again and again, forcing her to see herself clearly.

The demoness said she couldn’t change her.

Yet Gong Ning vaguely felt something had been planted in her heart.

Jiang Yuyao, seeing her stare at the mirror, asked, “Did you call me here just to make me brew tea?”

“I wanted to talk… but when I think about it, there’s really nothing to say.”

“Left wanting more?”

“A little.”

Jiang Yuyao raised an eyebrow.

In the past, Gong Ning would’ve immediately say something like not really, pretending that was her true feeling.

After pretending enough, for long enough, it became real.

Back when they hadn’t yet drifted apart due to cultivation paths and sects, Gong Ning had always been this open.

Perhaps after living in rigid circles for too long, she’d slowly become stubborn.

An old fool was annoying.

But a clear-minded, learned, intelligent person who was stubborn? That was truly unbearable.

What had made her suddenly reclaim herself?

A wild, brutal pleasure?

Jiang Yuyao pulled a stool over and sat beside her.

“Look at me.”

Gong Ning turned.

But Jiang Yuyao cupped her face and kissed her—sudden, unexpected.

Brief. Sweet. Innocent.

“What was that for?”

Jiang Yuyao licked her lips. She admitted it was unsatisfying.

“I’ve cultivated for a hundred years.

Why not try something I’ve never done before?”

“So you’re just thirsty?”

“Naturally.”

“Can I ask you a really low-EQ question? Why me?”

“Then I’ll give you a really low-EQ answer: because we’re familiar.

You won’t spread this around.”

“A secret?”

“It can be.”

Gong Ning felt a strange release.

Not because of some stupid thought like my old friend wants to sleep with me—that kind of thinking was for idiots.

What she felt was relief.

For a hundred years, their friendship had been on and off, torn apart by duties and sects.

They’d never crossed that final line.

If not for her becoming a woman, and their bond deepening again—perhaps they’d have truly grown apart forever.

“When did you start feeling this?”

“Just now.”

“I thought we’d always had feelings for each other. What a shame.”

“I just felt uneasy seeing you violated. That’s all.”

“I’ll take that as a confession.”

“Stop with the pointless emotional drama.

Do you want to continue or not?”

She was asking first?

If Jiang Yuyao forced her, she wouldn’t have to answer at all.

Jiang Yuyao cupped her face again.

For some reason, Gong Ning noticed—both the demoness and Jiang Yuyao loved doing this.

“Say only yes or no.

Say one more word, and I walk away.”

“Yes.”

We’ve been through a century together. Who has time for nonsense?

Lips met once more.