"Okay! Deal!"
Unbeknownst to Long Jue, a deal in his place was quickly and easily struck...
The servants had prepared breakfast, and Long Jue invited Bai Mo to sit down before noticing that Mu Yuan hadn't come along. This was unusual; although the sect's protectors were used to eating separately, Mu Yuan and Long Jue shared a courtyard, and he often appeared around Long Jue, so the two usually ate breakfast together.
"Young Master Bai, there's no need to wait, let's eat first."
The two had just started eating when Mu Yuan's protest came from outside the door, "Hey, Deputy Manager Long, isn't this going too far?"
Long Jue and Bai Mo turned their heads and were taken aback—it wasn't just Mu Yuan who came in, but also Ning Xian, who walked in arm in arm, clinging tightly to her… She glanced at them with her flirtatious eyes and said, “Yuan Yuan, there are people here I don’t want to see. Shall we go have breakfast by ourselves?”
"Duan Duan, if you don't want to see him, then don't. The table here has already been cleared. It's too much trouble for us to prepare something else, hmm?" He glanced down at her—he didn't see Long Jue here. How could he deprive Long Jue of the opportunity to eat at the same table with him?
—Tch, what a hassle.
The two exchanged glances and reached an agreement, then walked in together with smiles on their faces.
"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and get Lord Jialing an extra bowl and chopsticks. From now on, Lord Jialing will have breakfast here." Mu Yuan instructed leisurely, already pulling Ning Xian to sit down.
Long Jue frowned as he looked at the two guys who had suddenly become so strange, wondering what they were plotting.
Bai Mo had been holding back for a while, but finally couldn't resist. He suddenly pulled up a chair, stood up, and stood behind the two of them. "Excuse me, please move aside." He then stepped between them, arranged the chair, and sat down. The other three people at the table were stunned, somewhat surprised by his sudden action.
Bai Mo gave Long Jue a faint, apologetic smile, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Uncle." Then he lowered his head and ate his food.
Ning Xian and Mu Yuan, this pair of "adulterous women," are separated by their "legitimate husband," and the two look at each other blankly.
Chapter 34 The Rise of Demons
—What's wrong with your husband?
How would I know what happened to him?
While the adulterous woman was exchanging glances, Bai Mo finished eating in a few bites, looked up, and stood between the two of them, saying to Ning Xian, "I have something to tell you."
"But I haven't eaten yet..."
"Then I'll get to the point." Bai Mo straightened his expression. Actually, Ning Xian really wanted to tell him that even if he wasn't serious, he was already quite proper... "Ning Xian, although Young Master Mu Yuan is your cousin, there is still a difference between men and women, so..."
“But he’s not my cousin anymore…” Ning Xian interrupted him in a low voice. Long Jue, who was standing to the side, glanced at them. Although he hadn’t heard of the “cousin” thing before, he could guess what it was. He just ate slowly on the side, not intending to interfere in their “family affairs.”
Bai Mo frowned – “Not now”? Does that depend on the time?
"So who are you...?"
"He is my lover."
— Frozen.
“It’s what people call a harlot or adulterer,” Mu Yuan added in his ear. “The same kind of relationship you have with your mistress.”
"——"
Mu Yuan smiled alluringly, perfectly displaying the charm and professionalism expected of a seductive mistress, awaiting his reaction.
Bai Mo frowned, looking at Ning Xian in silence for a long time—a really long time. Just as her patience was about to run out, Bai Mo finally reacted, taking her hand, "Ning Xian, I know that you live in such an environment, and what you see and hear is different from worldly customs and etiquette, so it's inevitable that your thoughts will be affected. It's not your fault..."
"So... you and your lover are right?" Ning Xian tilted his head, looking innocent and bewildered.
“Ning Xian! I knew her first, and since we are not destined to be together, I naturally won't do anything inappropriate. Emotionally, I can't let go, so I naturally keep her in my heart. Logically, you are my wife, so I will not do anything to betray you! We are not destined to be together in this life; I only ask to see each other often, but I will never violate human ethics, much less take her as a concubine. And you are a woman of virtue, how could you—”
Blinking, Ning Xian racked her brains... This person's thoughts were so strange, so incomprehensible... In the end, she could only secretly glance at Mu Yuan for an explanation, and Mu Yuan kindly summarized it for her—
In other words: it is great to have one's mind wander, but it is not allowed to have one's body wander.
—Huh? So tiring… Why does this person live such a tiring life? He has to be devoted to his lover, he has to be responsible to his wife, and he is stuck in the middle, trying to be a saint who pleases neither side. What is going on in this person's head?
The sound of bowls and chopsticks being set down echoed softly on the table. Long Jue said indifferently, "I'm finished eating. I'll go take care of my teaching duties first. Please enjoy your meal." Completely oblivious to the atmosphere at the table, he got up and left. Before leaving, he glanced at Mu Yuan, signaling him not to go too far. Mu Yuan feigned ignorance with a half-smile, but he knew that normally Long Jue wouldn't tolerate such antics. His current leniency was likely a deliberate attempt to make Bai Mo suffer a little, perhaps to alleviate Ning Xian's neglect at her husband's house.
Long Jue went out, and Bai Mo seemed to suddenly remember something. He smiled gently at Ning Xian and said, "You haven't eaten yet. Eat first. I'll go for a bit."
Ning Xian stared in the direction he left for a long time, her mind still blank, and asked in a daze, "Mu Mu, what kind of person did I marry?"
"Xianxian, you'll get used to it."
Although Bai Mo chased after Long Jue as soon as he left, it took Long Jue quite a bit of effort to catch up.
"Brother Long, please wait!"
Long Jue stopped and turned around, his expression still unchanged. "Young Master Bai, is there something you need?"
"Yes... Brother Long, since this is a demonic sect, is there a sect leader in charge?"
"That's right."
"Brother Long, please introduce me to the sect leader!"
Long Jue paused, seemingly only now truly focusing his gaze on Bai Mo, with a hint of inquiry. He had been observing him earlier, and while his gaze had also fallen upon the person he was talking to, he hadn't seemed to look directly into their eyes.
"I wonder what business Young Master Bai has with the Sect Leader? I am not very capable, but I serve as the Deputy Manager in the Netherworld. Just tell me about any ordinary matters, and I will take care of them."
"No, I still insist on seeing the leader. Please forgive me, Brother Long."
Long Jue pondered for a moment and said, "It's not a matter of forgiveness or not. Young Master Bai is a cautious person with his own ideas, and he must have his own reasons for wanting to see the sect leader. I will make the arrangements for you."
"Thank you, Brother Long."