A Delicate Proposition and Lingering Shadows

Wha…what did he mean…

Wen Zhi pondered Xia Niansheng’s words.

To unilaterally sever a bond that only the two of them could sustain…

Was this his way of showing deep concern or reluctance?

Though these thoughts had indeed crossed Wen Zhi’s mind, her reluctance had always prevented her from acting on them; only now, having fully come to terms with it, could she speak of it with a smile.

Did Xia Niansheng, too, feel such reluctance to part with her?

Before Wen Zhi could delve deeper into her thoughts, the very next moment, Xia Niansheng’s hand cupped her chin.

He…what was he trying to do?!

Though Wen Zhi was still a young maiden, unbetrothed and innocent, she knew from certain storybooks and tales that such a gesture was reserved only for… for ‘those’ moments.

She felt a subconscious fear, yet, deeper within her heart, a burgeoning anticipation took root.

Her heightened senses informed Wen Zhi that something was slowly drawing closer to her face.

“Senior Sister, I’ve found a way to cure you.”

“Having the ability to resist is the greatest happiness.”

“I believe such a pair of eyes absolutely does not suit Wen Zhi…”

Xia Niansheng’s voice echoed in her memory.

Wen Zhi knew that after becoming a cripple, worse off than even an ordinary person, the only things of value she possessed were her physical appearance and the body that came with it.

She also understood that a significant number of people coveted these very things, and initially, some had even feigned warm concern.

The sincerity of their intentions was discernible at a glance, and even in her vulnerability, Wen Zhi had never allowed herself to be deluded.

However…

After so many years of companionship, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she had been a burden to him.

If it were Xia Niansheng, if it were only Xia Niansheng…

As she felt his breath drawing nearer, a tremor ran through Wen Zhi’s lips.

She would give him everything, absolutely everything.

The instant his touch met her lips.

To her own surprise, Wen Zhi instinctively parted her lips, revealing their soft, moist allure.

Only…

The sensation was all wrong.

Then, from a slightly higher position, she heard Xia Niansheng’s voice, laced with an amused, helpless chuckle.

“Is Senior Sister truly planning to bite me?”

“…” Feeling his finger at the corner of her mouth, Wen Zhi remained silent for a few seconds. “I’ll bite you to death.”

“Hiss…”

****

Xia Niansheng’s current medicine for Wen Zhi was primarily for conditioning her body; the actual treatment would commence later.

Wen Zhi sat beside Xia Niansheng, feeling a touch of sullenness, her lips sealed.

Beside her, Xia Niansheng let out a soft, amused laugh.

Noticing the small pouch tucked into Wen Zhi’s waist, he deftly changed the subject.

“What is inside this?”

Wen Zhi pouted, initially intending to ignore Xia Niansheng. However, after a moment of internal debate, she grumbled, “Seeds.”

Xia Niansheng paused for a moment, a flicker of surprise on his face, before comprehension dawned.

In his past life, Wen Zhi had naturally attempted to plant flowers and plants in the courtyard, and she had never wanted anyone to interfere.

Yet, the final outcome had been utterly dismal; for a blind person to tend to flowers, nurturing them from seed to bloom, proved to be an insurmountable challenge.

He recalled her lingering in a profound state of despondency for quite some time afterward.

And so, he reached out and took the cloth pouch from her waist.

‘Senior Aunt Xue, truly… knowing that Wen Zhi currently needed some indirect confidence, she still hadn’t thought to secretly help her when she was planting flowers.’

‘However, that habitually straightforward and rigid female cultivator likely wouldn’t consider such a subtle point.’

Sensing the disappearance of the pouch, Wen Zhi instinctively reached out, grasping Xia Niansheng’s arm.

“You, what are you doing?”

“Let’s make a deal, Senior Sister.”

“Wh-what do you mean?”

“I’ll help Senior Sister accomplish certain things she wishes to do, such as planting seeds and tending to them.”

“Wouldn’t that essentially mean *you* planted them?”

“My idea of help involves accomplishing it *with* Senior Sister, and in return, Senior Sister would need to grant me certain requests.”

“…What requests?”

‘If it meant accomplishing it alongside Xia Niansheng, it wouldn’t be so bad; besides, his assistance would be something she had earned.’

Xia Niansheng offered a soft smile, his gaze falling upon Wen Zhi’s slender, fair hands, her knuckles delicately defined.

He knew her touch was still soft and tender.

‘If Wen Zhi were to use these hands to…’

“Will Senior Sister play a tune for me?”

“A tune?”

“Yes, the pipa. I recall Senior Sister can play it. How about this: for every time I help you, you play one tune for me?”

Wen Zhi was visibly flustered. She did know a little about the pipa, though she was far from proficient, and since her injury, she had never once touched the instrument.

While Wen Zhi was still hesitating, Xia Niansheng suddenly leaned closer.

‘For him, with his radiant aura, to suddenly lean in while making a request… it felt utterly unfair.’

“Can you, Senior Sister?”

After several seconds of silence, Wen Zhi finally nodded.

****

The task of helping Wen Zhi plant flowers could be postponed for a few days. After they agreed that he would help her plant flowers in exchange for her playing the zither, Xia Niansheng departed.

The Sect Grand Competition was scheduled for tomorrow.

The Sect Grand Competition would span several days, and according to the rules, the top ten contenders from previous years were not required to attend the initial stages.

He was in no hurry, though securing first place in the Grand Competition was imperative to fully enact his plans.

Yet, even facing White Snow Jade at her peak, Xia Niansheng felt no pressure whatsoever.

He first returned to Blood Sword Mountain.

‘If possible, he desired to find more opportunities to directly “discipline” White Snow Jade.’

‘After all, with both words and actions, he could conquer both her body and her heart.’

‘Furthermore, the contract between s*ave and master necessitated certain “special” methods to strengthen their connection…’

‘However, as the Saintess and the Sect Master’s direct disciple, her daily life—her food, clothing, housing, and travel—was always shared with Qiu Yan.’

‘Before becoming the Saint Son, Xia Niansheng found scant opportunities to interact with White Snow Jade alone, let alone discipline her.’

‘He was confident White Snow Jade wouldn’t dare reveal anything to Qiu Yan, but if that meticulous woman, Qiu Yan, were to discover any hint of their arrangement, all his efforts would still be for naught.’

‘The s*ave contract allowed him a general sense of his s*ave’s current state—that she was alone in her room.’

‘A little remote control play would suffice for now.’

Xia Niansheng sat at his desk, extending a finger, and a round pearl placed on his bedside table began to glow.

This was a sphere Duan Xi Shen had specifically provided for convenience in summoning him.

‘However, Xia Niansheng harbored no concerns about this device being used for surveillance or eavesdropping; firstly, he had already tested it, and secondly, Duan Xi Shen truly had no reason to “guard against” him in such a manner.’

‘Nevertheless, his plans for remote control playtime would definitely have to be postponed.’

Xia Niansheng could roughly surmise the reason for the summons. He rose, straightened his attire, and headed towards Duan Xi Shen’s residence.

****

“Master, I’m entering.”

‘Er… that felt strange.’

However, since she had already summoned him, Xia Niansheng directly pushed the door open upon reaching the entrance.

Duan Xi Shen sat cross-legged on a chair behind the door, propping her temple with a hand as she watched him.

Her posture was languid, yet her expression lacked any trace of leisure.

On the contrary, it held a distinct air of solemnity.

Gazing at Xia Niansheng before her, she slowly narrowed her eyes and tilted her head back.

“What did you say when you met Qiu Yan?”