Huan Changming returned to the territory of the Flower Demon Clan.
He was in high spirits, walking deeper into the territory, a smile on his lips and brows. If anyone saw him, they would surely be mesmerized by his handsome face.
Huan Changming stopped in a shady spot, squatted down, put the flowerpot in his hand on the ground, and used his fingertips to push aside the weeds that were covering it, revealing a small orchid inside.
That was Lan Jun's true form.
Huan Changming dug through the soil with his bare hands, revealing the orchid's roots. He was about to dig the orchid out to see it when a ghost suddenly rushed in front of him, shouting, "What are you doing!"
Huan Changming chuckled inwardly; as expected, they had arrived.
Mu Lingzi glared at him resentfully, "You're the woman who's with that cultivator boy, what do you want to do to Lan Jun?"
Huan Changming smiled at him and said bluntly, "Mu Lingzi, if you are of use to me, I will spare Lan Jun's life."
Even though he has power, he still needs helpers to accomplish great things.
Although this bamboo spirit's cultivation is not as high as Lu Pianpian's, it is ruthless and decisive in its actions, and he will definitely be able to use it in the future.
By seizing upon his weakness, Lan Jun, and using threats and inducements, Huan Changming was convinced that the bamboo spirit would obey him without question.
Mu Lingzi was furious, but since he was only a wisp of a ghost at the moment, he could not hurt Huan Changming. He could only mock Huan Changming with his words, "That cultivator boy is full of righteousness. He doesn't look like the kind of person who would do such a despicable and shameless thing. He actually hangs out with a vicious woman like you. He must be blind!"
One of his words must have stung Huan Changming, because his face immediately turned cold. "I don't like wasting time talking to people. If you work for me, Lan Jun lives. If you don't work for me, Lan Jun dies."
After he finished speaking, he grabbed the orchid by the base and pulled it upwards a bit. Mu Lingzi was extremely anxious, "I promise you! I promise you!"
"Hmph." Huan Changming's eyes revealed a mocking look.
This bamboo spirit is nothing special; it's willing to be his servant for an inanimate object.
It is clear that those who are tainted by love and affection in this world are all incredibly foolish.
Seeing that he had released the orchid, Mu Lingzi finally felt relieved. "I am now just a wandering soul, and I can't help you with anything you want to do."
"I can help you break the sword formation that imprisons your true form, on the condition that you swear by your life that you will willingly serve me, Huan Changming, as your master. If you dare to disobey me, you will be reduced to ashes."
If she didn't agree, Lan Jun would be killed by Huan Changming at any time. Mu Lingzi gritted her teeth and agreed, "Okay."
"I swear on my life that I will serve Huan Changming as my master. If I disobey him in the slightest, I will be reduced to ashes..."
As soon as the oath was uttered, a mark was imprinted on his soul, proof that the oath was valid.
Huan Changming walked up to the imprisoned true form of Mu Lingzi and read out the secret incantation set by Lu Pianpian with a blank expression, "I wonder what Junior Brother is doing."
This place is thousands of miles away from the country, yet Lu Pianpian still has time to think about his junior brother, which truly shows his deep affection for him.
A flash of white light appeared, and the sword formation that had been imprisoning Mu Lingzi vanished without a trace in the next instant.
Mu Lingzi's soul spontaneously flew into his own body. Once he had adapted, he attacked Huan Changming with murderous intent, shouting, "I'll die with you!"
Huan Changming, anticipating that Mu Lingzi wouldn't obey, was prepared. He picked up Lu Pianpian's sword and struck at Mu Lingzi's direction. Several sword lights burst forth, and Mu Lingzi was knocked down from mid-air and fell to the ground, vomiting a mouthful of blood.
This woman's moves were incredibly powerful, exactly like those of that young cultivator. He had been careless...
Huan Changming had never learned swordsmanship, nor did he know the extent of his current cultivation. He was still somewhat apprehensive when facing Mu Lingzi, but for some reason, he wielded Lu Pianpian's sword with exceptional skill and defeated Mu Lingzi in a single strike.
Huan Changming couldn't help but laugh out loud. Under Mu Lingzi's gaze, he pulled the orchid out by the roots and planted it, soil and all, into the flowerpot he had brought. "Since you miss Lan Jun so much, I'll help you take him out of here so you can see him every day."
Mu Lingzi prides himself on being ruthless and suspicious, but Huan Changming is far more cunning and treacherous.
What allowed him to see Lan Jun every day was simply to keep Lan Jun by Huan Changming's side so that he could blackmail Mu Lingzi into serving him faithfully and becoming his dog!
Huan Changming smiled at Mu Lingzi, then turned and left with Lan Jun in his arms.
As long as this orchid is there, he is not afraid that Mu Lingzi will not risk her life for him.
He thought to himself that love, that foolish thing, would only become a weakness and a shackle in his heart. Even this enchantress was willing to bow down and become his slave, which showed how dangerous it was.
Fortunately, he was very clear-headed and wouldn't let these useless things distract him.
Suddenly a gust of wind swept in front of him. Huan Changming covered his eyes with his sleeve. After the wind stopped, he lowered his arm and found an uninvited guest in front of him.
Langxu didn't bring the wine jar this time. He looked Huan Changming up and down seriously. After a moment, he said with a half-smile, "You can't hide the ambition in your eyes."
Now that Huan Changming had cultivated his skills, he was fearless towards Langxu. "What do you want to do?"
"Don't worry, I'm not here to fight you." Langxu saw through his intention. "I just thought that maybe you'll need my help in the future."
Lang Xu's figure flickered for a moment, and then he appeared beside Huan Changming, patting Huan Changming on the shoulder. "I'm looking forward to seeing what you'll do in the future. I'll be waiting for you in the demon realm."
His sudden movement caught Huan Changming completely off guard. Huan Changming knew this man was no ordinary person and pondered, "Then we'll have to see if you're an enemy or a friend..."
"Hahaha..." Langxu laughed loudly and disappeared. "The answer to this question is in your hands..."
Huan Changming snorted coldly, seemingly not taking his words to heart, "Playing tricks."
Lu Pianpian slept in the inn for seven days in a row. During this time, he vaguely felt his junior sister feeding him water and food so that he wouldn't die of thirst or hunger.
On the eighth day, Lu Pianpian felt a little better and sat up in bed, only to see her junior sister dozing off in a chair.
He staggered out of bed, not wanting to disturb his junior sister, but she woke up anyway and rushed to his side. "Are you feeling better?"
"Much better."
His unusually lethargic state these past few days makes him look like he's been seriously ill.
Huan Changming was about to ask her why she had become like this when Lu Pianpian spoke first: "I have exhausted too much energy from exorcising demons and need to rest to recover. I'm sorry to have troubled you to take care of me these past few days, junior sister."
I see.
Huan Changming had no doubts. "My senior brother has done so much for me, so it is only right that I take care of him."
Lu Pianpian smiled gently at him, and he handed her the hot tea. “Senior brother, we’ve been away for a long time this time. If we don’t return soon, I’m afraid Senior Sister Qu, Senior Brother Huan, and Uncle Lu will all be worried about you.”
Lu Pianpian nodded. "Okay, we'll head back today."
Huan Changming smiled and said, "Mm."
After leaving the inn, they followed the same route and arrived once again at the river that marked the boundary between the demon race and the human race.
Lu Pianpian stood hesitating by the river, her knuckles white as she gripped the sword.
Seeing that he didn't move, Huan Changming asked, "Senior brother, what's wrong?"
“Junior sister, why don’t we take a boat across the river?” Lu Pianpian pointed to the boats that were available for people to travel back and forth in the distance. “We didn’t get to see the scenery along the way properly when we came here.”
Flying on a sword would allow one to cross a river in the blink of an eye, but Lu Pianpian chose the slow boat.
Huan Changming was about to find an excuse to refuse when a gust of wind suddenly blew in his face from the river, making Lu Pianpian's white clothes flutter. His black hair was blown by the wind, and his once bright and energetic face now appeared sickly pale. The young man standing against the wind looked even more frail and delicate.
It was as if the wind would carry Lu Pianpian away at any moment, making her disappear from his sight.
A strange, inexplicable feeling welled up in Huan Changming's heart, and he nodded as if possessed, "Okay..."
They boarded the boat. The river wind was chilly, and Lu Pianpian, feeling cold, hid in the cabin. Huan Changming followed Lu Pianpian in, only to find that Lu Pianpian was starting to feel drowsy again.
Seeing that he was about to fall over, Huan Changming quickly stepped forward and hugged Lu Pianpian, letting him lean on his shoulder.
Lu Pianpian's body was so cold that even Huan Changming felt a chill. Lu Pianpian whispered in his ear, "I'm a little cold. Today, I'm afraid I won't be able to wield the sword..."
“Junior sister, the scenery along the way back to Li Kingdom from the demon realm is also beautiful. Why don’t we rent a carriage and drive back slowly…”
Huan Changming was silent for a moment before speaking, "Senior brother, the country is thousands of miles away."
He felt Lu Pianpian in his arms stiffen. "Yes, it's so far."
How can he bring his junior sister back?
"Senior brother, didn't you say that using the Skin-Controlling Grass would give you the same power as a cultivator? You teach me sword flight, and I'll take you back to Li Kingdom on a sword flight, okay?"
“In the past, my senior brother always guided me. Today, Changming also wants to guide my senior brother to fly on a sword.”
After he finished speaking, he felt Lu Pianpian's body slowly relax in his arms, and after a long time, she nodded slightly.
Huan Changming considerately took off his cloak and draped it over Lu Pianpian, saying sincerely, "My senior brother has shown me deep affection."
A note from the author:
It's a real shame that Changming didn't participate in the Best Actor competition.
Chapter 27
Far from the capital, at the Jingxiang Mansion.
When Chancellor Jing Yuan returned home from court, he saw Jing Yi leaving and called out, "Going out?"
“Father, I am going to the palace.” Jingyi bowed to Prime Minister Jing, and fearing that his father might misunderstand, he added, “His Majesty summoned me.”
"As long as you're not going to see that princess you're already engaged to, I won't interfere with where you go."
The word "engagement" pierced Jingyi's heart. Jingxiang walked up to him and asked, "I heard you've been getting quite close to the Holy Maiden lately?"
"We just share similar interests and get along well."
“I find the Holy Maiden to be dignified and beautiful, and about your age. If you get along well, you might as well make more friends.” Jing Xiang personally straightened his son’s clothes. “In short, do not neglect the young lady.”
Jing Yi was able to shift his attention from Huan Changming to another girl, something Jing Xiang couldn't ask for.
Jingyi didn't know if he had taken his words to heart, but he obediently nodded before leaving.
Although Prime Minister Jing was concerned about his son's marriage, the fact that Jingyi and Qu Surou had been inseparable lately was not unfounded, and even Prince Li had heard about it.
Li Wang thought that Qu Surou and Huan Juntian were childhood sweethearts and originally intended to match them up, but now, seeing how close Qu Surou and Jing Yi are, it proves that he misjudged them.
It seems that the Holy Maiden and the Crown Prince have no romantic feelings for each other. However, Jingyi is the most talented man in the Li Kingdom. A talented man and a Holy Maiden is a beautiful story. The King of Li is willing to help them make their love happen.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," Jingyi said, bowing.
"Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Li Wang scrutinized Jing Yi closely, feeling even more that he and the Holy Maiden were a perfect match. "I've heard that you and the Holy Maiden are deeply in love?"
Jingyi was taken aback, then quickly replied, "This is a private matter of mine, and I dare not disturb Your Majesty."
“Men should marry when they come of age, and women should marry when they come of age; you need not hide it.” King Li laughed. “I only ask you, if I were to bestow a marriage upon you and the Holy Maiden, would you be willing?”
Jingyi's hands, hidden beneath his sleeves, clenched into fists uncontrollably, but he feigned joy on his face, "Your Majesty, I am willing!"
"The Holy Maiden's fate is inextricably linked to the rise and fall of my kingdom. If you were to marry her, what would you do?"
"Your humble servant will certainly treat the Holy Maiden with utmost care and regard her as a precious treasure!"