"This young master, with such a face like flowers and the moon, would you be interested in becoming my husband?"
A certain beautiful maiden smiled with utmost innocence.
"Th-this... well..."
A certain handsome young man blushed shyly.
"If you become my husband, all this money will be yours." She patted her bulging money pouch.
"P-please allow me to consider it..."
The young man's eyes sparkled at the sight of the money.
"Though an immortal once said I have a husband-killing aura, I’m actually very capable—I can earn money, I’m strong, and I can do all kinds of work. Marry me, and you’ll never have to worry for the rest of your life."
She was an honest girl who never hid the fortune-telling results, lest her future husband accuse her of fraud.
Husband-killing, huh... The young man’s face fell. "Miss, I... I already have wives and concubines at home... I have urgent matters to attend to now, so I must take my leave."
Ah, another one ran away...
Xin Mei gazed wistfully at the fleeing figure of the young man. By morning, this was the tenth person who had turned pale at the mention of "husband-killing." She was sure her father must be gnashing his teeth in regret—he never should have invited that so-called Yuqing Xianren to divine her fate. The words "husband-killing" were far too lethal.
Oh well, a bowl of rice noodles would soothe her wounded heart.
Last night, she had flown all the way from the Imperial Mausoleum, not daring to linger in the nearest town. Xin Mei had traveled for nearly three hours before finally reaching this small city at dawn. Fortunately, the inn was open early. She booked a room and devoured three bowls of rice before finally recovering.
That stingy General Whoremonger was too petty—just for starving her, she couldn’t possibly marry him!
Turning a corner, she suddenly saw a rickety oxcart, so battered it seemed on the verge of collapse, creaking painfully over the cobblestones. The old ox pulling it was covered in wounds, listless and weary.
What a familiar oxcart—but why did it look even more dilapidated than two days ago?
Xin Mei stepped forward and lifted the curtain, meeting a pair of starkly contrasting black-and-white eyes. The reason they stood out so much was because the person inside... Had he been struck by lightning? His entire body was pitch black. She stared for a long moment before suddenly gasping in shock. "Lord Meishan! Were you struck by lightning?"
Meishan Jun, overcome with shame, yanked the curtain shut, pretending not to know her.
Unexpectedly, her head popped back in through the window, scrutinizing him seriously from head to toe before declaring, "This is the karmic retribution for refusing to save a life."
Tears welling in his eyes, Meishan Jun pushed her head back out. His only wish now was to turn back time and never have anything to do with this wretched girl again.
The oxcart wobbled its way toward the largest and most luxurious restaurant in the city. Meishan Jun looked down at his disheveled state, hesitating again and again, too embarrassed to step out and face the humiliation. If only he could use an illusion spell... but his whole body ached, and he had no strength left for immortal magic.
Just as he was torn between choices, the carriage door suddenly opened. Xin Mei stood outside, tilting her head as she looked at him.
"Are you going to this restaurant?" she asked, then stretched out her hand. "Come, I’ll help you."
Meishan Jun covered his face. "No, no, no!"
"Don’t worry, I’m very strong—I won’t drop you." She spread a thin blanket over his legs, wrapped him up, and gently hoisted him onto her back.The private room on the third floor of the tavern had been reserved by him in advance. Xin Mei carried him up the stairs with light steps. Noticing Meishan Jun’s unusual silence, she added, “Lord Meishan, don’t worry. You’re as slender as the bamboo pole we use to hang clothes at home—not heavy at all. I’ve had great strength since childhood; by ten, I could carry my senior martial brother around the streets, and he’s built like a bear.”
He let out a vague murmur, as if suddenly choked and unable to speak.
Fortunately, the third-floor private room was screened with bamboo curtains, shielding them from outside view. Xin Mei called for a basin of hot water, soaked a handkerchief, and gently wiped away the scorch marks on his face.
“Lord Meishan, aren’t you an immortal? How did you end up struck by lightning like this?”
Meishan Jun blushed, tears welling up. “Immortals… come in many types… I’m just—just not cut out for this kind of physical ordeal!”
“Where were you struck?”
She pressed the handkerchief lightly against a scar on his face, making him hiss in pain.
“…These days, the spiritual energy in Turn Tide Mountain’s veins has been fluctuating abnormally. Many demons in the mountains are undergoing lightning tribulations to ascend. Last night, I was observing a dog demon’s tribulation and accidentally got too close… got struck by heavenly lightning.”
Xin Mei nodded understandingly. “Being a gossipy immortal isn’t easy.”
Meishan Jun’s ears buzzed as if swarmed by ten thousand butterflies, unsettling his heart. Xin Mei was applying trauma medicine to his wounds—reportedly a special formula from their estate, exceptionally effective, with a taste akin to simmered bitter herbs and bile for three days and nights.
Yet to him, the scent resembled the faint fragrance from her collar when she leaned close.
Seems even his nose was fried by the lightning, he thought, on the verge of tears.
“There, I’ll leave a bottle of trauma medicine with you. Remember to apply it daily. As an immortal, Lord Meishan, you should recover in no time.” Xin Mei picked up her bundle and stood, ready to leave.
Meishan Jun couldn’t help asking, “You… uh, you’re leaving already?”
“Mm, I still need to go buy a husband. Can’t stay with you. Take care.”
“…Buy a husband?” Meishan Jun was stunned. “Husbands are something you buy?”
Xin Mei grinned. “Money makes the devil turn the millstone.”
For some reason, Meishan Jun felt like crying again. Damn it! His eyes must’ve been fried too!
Xin Mei lifted the bamboo curtain just as someone was about to enter from the opposite side, nearly colliding with him. The man steadied her, his voice warm and gentle. “Miss, be careful.”
She looked up and saw a face… as beautiful as a flower, with a teardrop mole beneath his eye, lending a touch of melancholy. Noticing her gaze, the man smiled softly, like a warm breeze brushing past… definitely not the look of a good man.
She turned and descended the stairs, faintly hearing Meishan Jun’s furious shouts from the private room: “Fu Jiuyun! You’re late again—”
The rest was lost as she stepped out of the tavern, her heart swelling with joy at the sight of the bustling crowd. Her husband must be hiding among these people! She would find him.
That young man in yellow ahead looked promising—round-faced like the full moon, tall and sturdy, clearly someone who could endure hardship.
The one in the blue robe from the alley opposite wasn’t bad either—jet-black hair, broad shoulders, walking with vigorous strides, definitely useful.
And… and… Her eyes suddenly sparkled.The man standing under the crooked-neck tree at the corner had an exceptionally beautiful figure. Even in an ordinary pale green robe, he stood out like a crane among chickens. His jet-black hair gleamed with vitality, and his narrow waist and broad shoulders clearly displayed a powerful physique—definitely not the idle type.
Among the bustling crowd on the street, the moment she saw him, everyone else seemed to fade into insignificance.
Xin Mei smoothed her hair, adjusted her clothes, and checked her purse. Perfect—her appearance was impeccable, and her money was secure.
She approached him and spoke in her gentlest voice, "Young master, I am Xin Mei of the Sinister Clan, of reputable background and good character. Would you care to discuss life ideals and marriage prospects with me?"
The handsome man didn’t turn around. After a pause, he said, "I’d very much like to discuss the matter of you knocking out Si Lan and fleeing on your own."
Huh?
Xin Mei gaped as he turned around, the blade of this peerless weapon once again aimed at her. Panicked, she stumbled back three steps, frantically scanning for an escape route.
With a flick of his hand, a talisman paper landed precisely on her forehead, instantly transforming into a shimmering ribbon that wrapped around her waist. The other end of the ribbon vanished into his grasp, turning intangible. Xin Mei found herself frozen in place, unable to retreat no matter how hard she tried.
Lu Qianqiao stepped forward, an exceedingly rare smile appearing on his face—though it sent chills down her spine.
"Caught you," he said.
"W-w-what do you want?" she stammered in terror.
With a light tug, an invisible force dragged her two steps forward against her will.
"This is called the Demon Binding Rope. It’s usually reserved for capturing the most vicious demons," he explained, his voice laced with amusement—though not the warm kind. It was a cold, mocking laugh. "Now that it’s on you, don’t even think about escaping."
Xin Mei struggled with all her might, but it felt like she was pushing against an immovable wall. Exhausted, she gave up.
"H-h-how did you find me?" Finding one person among countless towns was like searching for a single grain of sand on a beach.
Lu Qianqiao turned and began walking, and she was forced to follow three steps behind.
"The moment you knocked out Si Lan, I knew," he said calmly. "I’ve been following you, waiting to see who you’d contact. Now I know your identity—the young mistress of the Sinister Clan."
Xin Mei’s heart sank. "Don’t you dare trouble my father!"
He remained silent, strolling ahead toward the tavern she had just left.
Her panic flared. "Where are you going?"
"That useless immortal named Meishan is in the tavern, isn’t he?"
Horrified, she grabbed his arm to stop him. "Y-you’re going to kill an immortal?! I never told him about the cloud mist array!"
Lu Qianqiao glanced at her hands, then at her face. She immediately released him, clasping her hands obediently behind her back.
"I need to speak with him."
The stoic man dragged the terrified little rabbit into the tavern.Note: It should actually be "Red OO," but Jinjiang has censored the following character, so this term had to be used as a substitute. It's not a typo, nor is it intentionally humorous—just truly helpless~~
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