Translator: CinderTL
"No, I have other matters to attend to, so I won't impose any further," Xu Sanyan declined.
"Heh, if that's the case, I won't insist. Since you're leaving, I happen to have a map here detailing most of the Chaotic Cloud Mountains. I'll give it to you to make your journey easier."
Old Master Chang had already prepared the map. He pulled a piece of animal hide from his robes and handed it to Xu Sanyan.
The purpose of this gesture was clear: to urge him to leave quickly and not linger.
Xu Sanyan was somewhat puzzled. He understood Old Master Chang's intentions, but he couldn't fathom why the sudden change of heart.
Just two days ago, they had sent someone to seduce him, yet today they were rushing him out the door.
Without pressing the matter, Xu Sanyan accepted the map, rose, and bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Uncle."
As he spoke, his gaze naturally swept over the courtyard wall, sensing someone hidden behind it.
"You're welcome, Nephew," Old Master Chang waved casually.
After a few more polite exchanges, Xu Sanyan took his leave.
Watching him disappear into the distance, Old Master Chang finally spoke, "Come out now. He's already noticed you."
Chang Yinu slowly emerged from behind the wall, sauntered over to Old Master Chang, and plopped down on his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and cooed,
"Father, I really like him! Can't you find a way to keep him here?"
Old Master Chang frowned slightly and slapped her hard.
Smack!
"Ouch!" Chang Yinu cried out in pain, a vivid red palm print rising visibly on her buttocks.
"You're not even wearing pants properly!" Old Master Chang scolded. "Look at you—sitting like a slouch, standing like a mess! Can't you learn from your eldest sister? No wonder outsiders call the Chang Family a bunch of perverts. You and your second brother are corrupting our family's reputation!"
Chang Yinu shrugged dismissively. "Tch, that's just how the cultivation method our ancestors left us works. What can I do?"
Seeing her dare to talk back, Old Master Chang pinched her waist hard, eliciting another cry of pain.
"Lust is like a soul-bewitching drug," he warned. "If you can't control it, you'll be devoured by desire sooner or later, just like your grandfather, who died consumed by demonic thoughts."
Chang Yinu rolled her eyes inwardly, thinking, You had your fun when you were younger, now that you can't get it up anymore, you start lecturing us?
But she didn't dare voice these thoughts, instead cooing dismissively, "Alright, alright, I get it! But you still haven't said whether you'll let him stay or not."
Knowing she wouldn't listen, Old Master Chang shook his head in disappointment. "No. The Wang Family sent word yesterday that the mountains have been restless lately. Don't cause any trouble for me—stay home and behave."
Chang Yinu's eyes darted around as she plastered herself against him with a mischievous grin. "Father, what do you mean 'restless'? Tell me everything!"
Old Master Chang recounted what he'd heard the previous night, concluding with a stern warning: "You've never left the Chaotic Cloud Mountains and don't understand the dangers outside. The five great sects of the central region are far more powerful than the Wang Family—we must never provoke them."
Chang Yinu lowered her head slightly, her mind racing. She ventured cautiously, "The five great sects of the central region have sent people? There must be many talented young masters among them, right?"
Old Master Chang cut her off sharply, "Don't get any ideas. Those people are beyond our reach."
Chang Yinu giggled as she sprang up and dashed outside, calling over her shoulder, "I know, I know..."
"Sigh..."
Watching his youngest daughter disappear into the distance, Old Master Chang shook his head helplessly. Not a single reliable heir among the next generation of the family... what would become of them?
Meanwhile, in a small courtyard in a corner of Chang Family Village, Chang Yulian sat on a bamboo chair, lifting her long skirt to reveal her delicate, fair feet. She gently raised one foot from the wooden basin at her feet, bending down to meticulously scrub and wash it.
Chang Yulian gazed at her feet with satisfaction. Their rosy-white complexion was undeniably alluring, even to her own eyes. A faint smile curled her lips as she murmured softly, "Young Master Lin... I've gone to such lengths for you..."
Behind her, a figure stood motionless, its eyes vacant like those of a puppet.
Chang Yulian straightened up, flicking the water droplets from her hand. She turned to look at the man behind her and sighed softly, "Ah... another failure."
The cultivation method she practiced was peculiar. After absorbing the essence, qi, and spirit of a human furnace, she used mystical arts to transform them into puppets, which would become her powerful allies.
Unfortunately, despite using over two hundred people, not a single one had succeeded. The success rate of this method was frighteningly low.
Fortunately, even if the final step failed, it didn't affect the absorption of essence, qi, and spiritual power, which still aided her cultivation.
Chang Yulian flicked her small foot lightly, then beckoned with her hand. A pair of white socks drying nearby floated into her palm. She slipped them onto her feet and gazed at the three pairs of shoes before her, pondering which to wear.
After a moment's thought, she chose a pair of white ankle boots embroidered with a blooming lotus flower, which accentuated the delicacy of her feet.
Chang Yulian tilted her head back to gaze at the darkening sky. "Someone come here," she murmured.
The door creaked open, and a young maid bowed respectfully. "Miss."
Chang Yulian gestured to the man behind her. "Take him to the Second Madam."
"Yes, Miss," the maid replied, unfazed by the sight. She stepped forward, scooped up the man, and turned to leave.
Chang Yulian rose and strode out, heading straight for the small courtyard where Xu Sanyan resided.
Meanwhile, Xu Sanyan sat in the courtyard, gazing up at the slowly setting sun as he contemplated his next move.
Having thoroughly assessed the situation in the Chaotic Cloud Mountains, he planned to first slip away to the Secret Realm World to complete his second blessing.
After that, he would seek to join a faction, preparing to conquer the secret realm fruit.
As he pondered, the courtyard gate creaked open. Xu Sanyan looked up and saw Chang Yulian standing there.
Today, she wore a similar outfit to yesterday: a loose, flowing robe, her hands clasped demurely over her abdomen, exuding an air of refined dignity.
Her small, rosy lips seemed even more alluring in the warm glow of the setting sun.
"Young Master Lin, what are you doing sitting here?" Chang Yulian asked, her steps measured and graceful as she approached Xu Sanyan.
"Just passing the time," Xu Sanyan replied, a peculiar smile playing on his lips. "If you're free, Yu Lian, why not keep me company?" He gestured to the chair beside him.
The stone table in the courtyard had four chairs arranged in pairs. Instead of inviting her to sit across from him, Xu Sanyan had asked her to sit beside him.
"The young master has such refined taste," Chang Yulian said with a smile, gathering her long skirt as she gracefully settled into the chair beside him. "How could I refuse?"
Xu Sanyan's lips curled into a smirk. With practiced ease, he draped his arm casually over Chang Yulian's thigh, his large hand boldly stroking her leg.
The sudden movement startled Chang Yulian, her cheeks flushing crimson. "Young master, what are you doing...?"
"Heh..."
Xu Sanyan leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly as he drew closer to her face. He gently blew into her ear, whispering, "Do you want it?"
(End of the Chapter)
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