A Deceptive Truce and a Thunderous Arrival

“Could it not be that I was waiting for you?” Su Mo playfully chided, yet remained perfectly still. She leaned quietly against him, her eyes half-closed, feeling only the gentle breeze and a faint smile gracing her lips. There was a sense of profound peace.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} “Is your spiritual energy depleted?” Xu Qingzhu checked her thoroughly, finding no serious injuries, then lifted his gaze to Xiao Yao.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} Xiao Yao was in constant motion. In mere moments, he had already cast several sword formations, poised for battle. His expression was grim, and behind him, nine ethereal longswords materialized, spinning into a ring. The longswords pointed directly, his arm trembling slightly. Still bewildered by Xu Qingzhu’s previous attack, Xiao Yao exclaimed, “Who exactly are you?!”{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} From the moment Xu Qingzhu had seen through his intricate hidden formations and swiftly located them, Xiao Yao had felt a premonition of ill fortune. Such methods were far beyond what a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator could breach. It had to be at least a Golden Core cultivator, he reasoned. Yet, in that brief exchange, while the sword strike had been peculiar, it remained within the scope of Foundation Establishment. Such astonishing talent could not possibly belong to a mediocrity like Xu Qingzhu.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} “I am merely Su Yao’s unremarkable husband,” Xu Qingzhu calmly stated, gently stroking Su Mo’s back. Beneath her torn clothes, her exposed skin glowed with a healthy flush. He whispered softly, “Would you like to put on a coat?”{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} “I have no strength; I don’t want to move,” Su Mo replied, feeling unconcerned about her exposed back. Moreover, her body felt utterly exhausted. She had possessed the strength to leap away just moments ago, but now she was too languid to even lift a finger.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} “Su Yao?” Xiao Yao seized upon the keyword, momentarily stunned. Possessing immortal techniques from his reincarnation, he could discern bloodline and physique in any person of the opposite s*x through touch, sight, or scent. Identifying someone’s true identity was a trivial matter for him.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} ‘How ridiculous, to actually think Su Mo is Su Yao. If he were truly Xu Qingzhu, he would never acknowledge this woman as his wife.’ Xiao Yao inwardly scoffed, recalling his own scheme. Back then, Xu Qingzhu had regarded the Su family as mortal enemies; that hatred in his eyes had been unmistakable. It was a hatred that went bone-deep, tinged with a touch of madness. Such profound animosity would never permit him to accept Su Mo as his wife.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} “So, you aren’t Xu Qingzhu?” His mind racing with speculation, Xiao Yao tightened his grip on his sword, facing him as if confronting a formidable adversary. ‘Could it be that my foolish junior brother has been ‘possessed’ by an old demon, just as I suspected?’ He had, after all, tricked demonic cultivators into targeting Xu Qingzhu, sending them to relentlessly pursue him and seize non-existent treasures. Coincidentally, he had also arranged for the demonic cultivators to mention the Su family a time or two, causing Xu Qingzhu to misunderstand and further inflame another Su Mo. Eventually, with no other recourse, Su Mo would recall his proposal and willingly throw herself into his embrace. And ultimately, fall in love with him. ‘What a pity that Xu Qingzhu was possessed; otherwise, my plan would have been flawless.’ Xiao Yao’s regret lasted only a fleeting moment before he accepted the new reality. Given the circumstances, he would simply have to forcefully abduct Su Mo and proceed with his plans gradually.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} “Fellow Daoist, I believe this is all a misunderstanding…” Xiao Yao began, deliberately omitting Su Mo’s name, as it held no meaning in this context.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} “A truce? Well, well, how about you dismiss your sword arts?” Xu Qingzhu smiled faintly, observing Xiao Yao with keen interest. In his estimation, this was Xiao Yao’s usual ploy, a prelude to a sneak attack.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} Xiao Yao nodded, then called out across the distance, “Fellow Daoist, let us both cease hostilities and part ways amicably?”{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} Hearing this, Su Mo could no longer contain herself. With a slight return of strength, she pinched Xu Qingzhu’s lower back. She whispered into his ear, “He’s lying to you; don’t trust him.”{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} Xu Qingzhu nodded, then immediately looked up and smiled at Xiao Yao, “Alright!” The word resonated with such force that it made Su Mo’s ears ache. But what pained her more was her heart! Thrashing in his arms, Su Mo gritted her teeth and spat, “Xu Qingzhu, you colossal idiot!”{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} Could the ‘intelligence-reducing halo’ truly be so insurmountable? In her eyes, it was different. Even Xu Qingzhu, who had once seemed to cheat fate, had fallen victim to it. Was this Xiao Yao’s luck? What kind of game was this?! No longer content to stay in his embrace, Su Mo struggled free. Should Xiao Yao truly launch a sneak attack, she would provide cover from the side. Still seething inwardly, Su Mo picked up her Yin Thunder Bow and took a deep breath. She focused intently on Xiao Yao, her fingers gripping the bowstring tightly.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} “*Pat.*” A blue robe landed on her face. Su Mo pushed it away, glaring fiercely at Xu Qingzhu. He merely looked at her indifferently. “My dear wife, just rest. Put on your clothes.”{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} “But it’s just my back exposed…” Su Mo began.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} Unexpectedly, “No. Only I can see your body,” Xu Qingzhu stated seriously, every word deliberate. Su Mo was speechless. This perverse and domineering possessiveness truly shocked her to her core. Yet, considering Xu Qingzhu was an ancient, whose upbringing had always been conservative, it seemed reasonable. In modern times, backless attire, often mistaken for being worn incorrectly, was simply an expression of personal freedom. And then…{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} ‘Damn it, this accursed sense of security!’ Su Mo pursed her lips, feeling both shy and utterly at peace. She also felt a sense of bewilderment. The recent events had been too impactful; her previous ‘male life’ was now shrouded in a veil, indistinct. Instinctively, she wanted to resist, but gazing at his back, she found herself somewhat drawn in, her heart filled with tranquility. She wanted to slap herself, fearing she possessed an innate constitution for homosexuality. But she didn’t know that, through several life-or-death situations, she had been saved by the same person. The power within this connection had already transcended the limits of gender recognition. Who wouldn’t be confused by that? The judgment of her soul, she simply did not understand.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} The two who had decided to ‘cease hostilities’ naturally harbored their own ulterior motives. In reality, it was more like an unspoken agreement for a swift, decisive strike. A single blow, and then it would be over. Why? Dangyang County appeared to have a Demon Suppression Department, with a Golden Core cultivator stationed there. However, the convergence of both righteous and demonic factions made the situation far more complex than it seemed. The dynamics had shifted; neither Xu Qingzhu nor Xiao Yao wished to cause too great a disturbance. Cowardice? No. This was within the Zhang family estate, and Xu Qingzhu had too many considerations. This was also one of the reasons he had failed to cultivate the Heartless Dao in his previous life.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} “May I know Fellow Daoist’s esteemed name?” Xiao Yao stepped forward, hands empty, speaking amicably.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} With a slight smile, knowing Xiao Yao intended to cast a curse and remotely use a voodoo doll, Xu Qingzhu replied with a laugh, “My name remains unchanged in action or repose; I am this old man, Bai Yunbo.” In that instant, his aura transformed. That sense of ancientness and solitude caused Xiao Yao to momentarily waver. He believed it; he believed that the one who had possessed his junior brother was indeed Bai Yunbo. Secretly making a mental note, Xiao Yao pondered which pose would be most satisfying for his voodoo doll. Die here? No, he possessed absolute confidence. Always turning misfortune into good luck, he had long noticed this pattern and suspected himself to be a Son of Destiny!{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} “Fellow Daoist Bai Yunbo, we meet as strangers in battle. Although our encounter was less than ideal, we can still be friends in the future…” Xiao Yao lowered his head.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} “Mm.” Xu Qingzhu dusted his sleeves, nonchalantly. He had long been annoyed by the couple. Of all the people to flaunt their affection in front of, why him, Xiao Yao? With a flick of his hand, a sword concealed within his sleeve shot out. Xiao Yao sneered, as if already seeing his opponent cut in half at the waist.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} “*Whoosh! Whoosh!*” Two small swords flew out, their dark, blackened tips undoubtedly laced with poison. Seeing Xu Qingzhu easily deflect the small swords with his hand, Xiao Yao gave a sinister laugh. “Overestimating yourself! Arrogance will be your demise!”{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} Yet, the expected outcome did not occur. Xu Qingzhu stood calmly, effortlessly taking out another high-grade longsword. This sword, too, he had ‘borrowed’ from Su Mo.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} “What?! You’re not poisoned!” Xiao Yao recoiled, suddenly feeling his body heat up, countless wicked thoughts assaulting his mind. Visions of past alluring scenes surfaced, becoming illusions that consumed his sight. He instantly realized that the person before him had administered an ‘aphrodisiac poison’ to him! Silently, stealthily, a master of poisons!{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} “Die.” Xu Qingzhu focused his mind, and with a single strike, his sword was unleashed. It was a simple, unadorned attack, yet in Xiao Yao’s eyes, it was unavoidable, an absolute hit. The Great Dao reduced to simplicity—a master of the sword! Gritting his teeth, Xiao Yao activated a secret art, burning his life force. In an instant, the sword descended, leaving behind only a right arm, which fell to the ground, splattering blood.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} “*Crack.*” The buildings before Xu Qingzhu, walls collapsing in succession, stirred up dust and wind. As if in delayed realization, sword marks began to appear on the ground, scoring dozens of meters across the earth.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} “…He’s dead?” Su Mo asked, a hint of surprise and delight in her voice.{{NEW_PARAGRAPH}} “He escaped.” Xu Qingzhu sheathed his sword. Just as Su Mo wondered why Xu Qingzhu didn’t pursue, thunderclouds began to churn in the sky. A terrifying aura gathered, and a dazzling ball of lightning flew towards them, descending with immense pressure. Looking closer, they saw the black and white robes of the Demon Suppression Department, along with a dark green mask. This one, however, was more extravagant, adorned with golden trim. The mask’s design was more ferocious, clearly belonging to a ‘big boss’. Amidst this oppressive aura, the two heard the thunder-clad Demon Suppression official coldly declare, “This is Dangyang County. Do you demonic cultivators intend to cause trouble?”