Xiao Yue saw Chen Ning off all the way to the seashore.
She pursed her lips as if wanting to say something, but quickly lowered her head in silence.
Noticing Xiao Yue’s hesitation immediately, Chen Ning smiled and said, “If there’s something on your mind, just speak freely.”
Only then did Xiao Yue open her mouth. “Thank you, Young Master. Young Master... do you know of the City of All Demons? If by chance you ever travel to the City of All Demons in the future, could I bother Young Master to take me along?”
The City of All Demons was a city built by numerous powerful demons joining forces. It possessed rules and regulations similar to human society, but it was a vast distance away, making the journey fraught with danger—especially for a mermaid who had not yet assumed human form.
That was precisely where the couple of water ghosts in straw hats were heading. He hadn't expected Xiao Yue to be interested in the City of All Demons as well.
Understanding her thoughts, Chen Ning nodded and agreed, “If I happen to head toward the City of All Demons one day, I can bring you with me.”
“Thank you, Young Master.” Xiao Yue bowed slightly in gratitude, watching as Chen Ning left the sea behind.
...
Two shichen later, Chen Ning rode Xiangqin back to the Imperial Capital.
Although he had tried to save as much time as possible, destroying Qingtian Temple and slaying the Flood Dragon in the deep ocean had still taken a full two days.
“Young Master!”
The moment he arrived home, a graceful silhouette accompanied by a faint fragrant breeze threw herself into Chen Ning’s arms.
Looking up, Qing Yan’s lovely face carried a touch of resentment. Ripples glistened in her clear eyes like autumn waters, resembling a wronged beauty who had waited long for her husband’s return.
“Young Master, why did you only just get back?!”
Yet rather than being bored staying at home alone, this girl was far more worried about his safety.
“I’ve only been gone for two days...”
Mid-sentence, seeing Qing Yan’s cute, aggrieved expression, Chen Ning stopped explaining. Instead, he gently patted her head with a soft smile. “Relax, your young master can regrow flesh on bare bones and regenerate severed limbs. I'm very tough. Besides, I brought you a gift this time.”
“A gift?”
Knock, knock, knock.
Right at that moment, a knock sounded at the door.
Impeccable timing!
Just as Chen Ning expected, the person knocking on the door when he opened it was Murong Yu.
Except...
Murong Yu had sunken eye sockets and a haggard, exhausted complexion. He was practically a completely different person from the refined gentleman he had been before.
“What on earth happened to you?” Chen Ning almost failed to recognize him.
“Brother... Chen.” Murong Yu’s eyes were unfocused.
Only then did Chen Ning remember that the area around Qingtian Temple was tens of li of deserted wilderness. To find a place with carriages, Murong Yu must have walked for a whole day and night on his own.
Poor kid...
“Did you find the house?”
“Found... it.” Murong Yu tremblingly handed over a ring of keys and a map.
Chen Ning gave him a thumbs-up. To still be thinking about the house at this point—he could truly only be called a good brother.
“Xiao Jiu, spit up a bit of dragon blood for me.”
Xiao Jiu’s belly contained a separate small pocket space. Before being absorbed, anything eaten could be spitted out completely intact.
Although an ordinary person couldn't effectively absorb the blood of a Flood Dragon, using it to recover some physical strength shouldn't be a problem.
After drinking the dragon blood, Murong Yu stayed in the room to digest it and rest.
Chen Ning then somewhat mysteriously led Qing Yan away.
“Young Master, where on earth are you taking me?” Qing Yan had never seen Chen Ning act so secretive before, her small face filled with confusion.
“You’ll know when we get there.”
Winding through the streets and alleys, a tranquil courtyard quickly came into view.
Although the courtyard wasn't particularly grand, the scenery was quite charming. Behind an arched gate carved with birds and beasts was a long corridor. Passing through the corridor led to a broad and airy garden.
In the garden sat a crystal-clear pond, in which lotus flowers drifted in tight buds, and nimble fish swam under green lotus leaves.
“Young Master, do you know the owner of this courtyard?” Seeing Chen Ning actually pull out a key, Qing Yan asked curiously.
“Silly girl, this is our home from now on.”
With a creaking sound, the vermilion front gate slowly opened.
Buying a courtyard like this in the Imperial Capital had likely drained every last bit of his saved silver.
Chen Ning felt no heartache whatsoever. Money could always be earned again, but he had to spoil his own maid properly.
“My home... with Young Master...” Qing Yan remained silent for a long time, her starry eyes shining brightly.
In the gentle breeze, the willow branches beside the house swayed softly.
Every single corner of the courtyard made her feel peaceful, comfortable, and incomparably warm.
If there were any single drawback...
“It just feels a little desolate.”
Although the scenery in the courtyard was quaint and antique, perhaps because no one had ever lived here, it seemed to lack a bit of the warmth of human presence.
“It does seem that way.”
Chen Ning suddenly recalled that Divine Ability he hadn't found much use for.
【Fire Trees and Silver Flowers (0/300)】
【Expended 300 Noble Qi.】
【Congratulations, Host! Fire Trees and Silver Flowers upgraded to Great Perfection.】
In the next moment, fiery red lanterns hung across every treetop, and brilliant light reflected off the rooftops.
“How does it feel now?”
Chen Ning looked toward Qing Yan.
He found that her eyes, reflecting the lights, were already as bright as stars.
“Young Master, thank you!”
Unable to help herself, Qing Yan suddenly stood on tiptoe, her cherry lips lightly brushing against Chen Ning’s cheek like a dragonfly skimming the water.
Chen Ning froze.
Qing Yan was thrown even more into complete fluster, her breathlessly gorgeous face covered in a deep blush.
“I-I just spaced out for a second and did that without thinking... Young Master, please don't take it seriously...”
“Ahem, well.”
Chen Ning coughed twice, his own old face flushing red.
Qing Yan’s lips were soft and warm, causing his composure to falter for a frantic moment.
The charm of a fox demon truly couldn't be underestimated.
Of course, it was likely that only his own maid possessed such charm to throw his mind into disarray...
“Right, besides that, I brought you another gift.”
Chen Ning produced the Fox-Teasing Grass he had brought back from the deep ocean.
“Grass? Young Master is being a bit too perfunctory, isn't he?”
“That’s where you’re wrong.”
According to the records in that travel log, the effects of this grass had been repeatedly verified.
To foxes, Fox-Teasing Grass was an ultimate weapon comparable to catnip to cats—and no fox was an exception!
“Young Master looks down on me too much. No matter how you spin it, this is just a single stalk of grass...”
Midway through her words, as the Fox-Teasing Grass swayed gently before her eyes, Qing Yan suddenly felt a throb in her heart.
No, it must just be an illusion!
Qing Yan tried her absolute best to restrain the strange impulse rising in her heart.
Yet very quickly, her gaze was drawn back again.
From disdain, to fighting with all her might to endure, to doubting her very fox existence...
Finally.
“(✪▽✪)!”
Unable to hold back any longer, Qing Yan suddenly pounced toward the Fox-Teasing Grass in Chen Ning’s hand.
Joyfully nuzzling against the captivating little plant, Qing Yan’s fox ears and fox tail emerged without her realizing it, fully relaxed.
When she abruptly snapped back to her senses, the air froze completely for a good long while.
Chen Ning: “...”
Qing Yan: “...”
“Young Master!”
An embarrassed and indignant cry resounded, adding a touch of cozy warmth to the quiet courtyard.
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