Chapter 1356: Xinyu Lantern Festival

Chapter 1356: Chapter 685: Xinyu Lantern Festival

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall erupted in laughter, and the slightly tense, drawn atmosphere vanished at once. Everyone thought to themselves that this youth was quick-witted indeed.

Huangfuming kept an eye on Ning Xiaoxian; seeing the corners of her lips lift, clearly amused as well. The only person he wanted to make laugh was her, and now that his goal was achieved, he said, “Sister, have you eaten your fill? Let us go; the lantern festival is about to begin.”

Right then, Xiang Fen appeared from who knew where and helped her put on her outer jacket. Huangfuming tapped lightly twice on the table with his fingers, and only when Xiang Fen had supported her as she slowly returned to the carriage did he follow behind.

The carriage started moving again. Huangfuming still sat opposite her and suddenly said, “Sister has always been kind-hearted. After hearing what that man said just now, how is it that you made no response?”

Ning Xiaoxian looked up at him upon hearing this and gave him a glance. “The Hidden Stream’s paths are not something I can control; the Hidden Stream’s movements are not something I can command. Since that is so, what is there for me to feel ashamed of?”

Yes, she naturally understood the iron rule that when immortals battled, mortals suffered. In fact, in these ten-odd days since she had regained consciousness, just from leafing through the Hidden Stream’s records and ledgers, she could see in those cold, hard numbers the blood and tears of mortals.

She was indeed a soft-hearted person, but what could she do? The Hidden Stream’s expansion was inevitable—this was a battle for survival; the Blood Covenant between Changtian and Yin Jiu You had to be completed—this was a bond enforced by the Heavenly Dao. For now, the Hidden Stream still had to slaughter one hundred thousand Cultivators, and this atrocity would soon unfold right under her very eyelids. But could she blame Changtian?

Since she could not, then there was no need for so many useless sorrows.

From the day she learned of the bargain between Changtian and Yin Jiu You, she had begun to fortify the defenses of her heart and make ready. All along, Changtian and she had supported each other through so many difficult times; in the days to come, whether the road led straight to Heaven or plunged directly into hell, she would still walk it hand in hand with him. She was nothing more than a blind woman; if she were forced to choose between the Dao and Changtian, she would only choose her man.

When she said this, her expression was as clear and calm as wind and clouds, and it was obvious that the words of that dark, thin man could not shake her resolve in the slightest.

“It is best that Sister can see things so clearly. And here I was, thinking to enlighten you a bit.” Huangfuming sighed inwardly. It seemed this road, too, was blocked.

Ning Xiaoxian shook her head. “I’m very well. Rather, that man who spoke—what did you do to him?”

Huangfuming blinked. “Nothing at all!”

“Tell the truth!”

The youth opposite her curled his lips, the movement still a little boyish, but what came out of his mouth was drenched in blood. “His words were offensive toward you, so I’ve already ordered someone to cut out his tongue. By now it should, maybe, already have been cut out.” Seeing her face darken, he hastily added, “I know you don’t like me killing people, so I spared his life!”

She truly had a certain admiration for him. The most infuriating thing about this boy was that after cutting off another man’s organ, he still put on the air of “I generously spared your life.” If that dark, thin man were here right now, he would probably be so enraged he’d want to fight him to the death.

Then she heard Huangfuming suddenly grumble at her in a sullen tone, “That ugly woman just now set her sights on me, and you actually let her have her way!”

He sounded as if he had suffered a great loss. “How is she ugly? That girl was not bad at all; about your age, and quite fresh and pretty.”

He gave a low snort. “With such a withered-willow figure, she dares put on airs before me!”

Ning Xiaoxian couldn’t help lowering her head with a smile. That little girl was indeed far less good-looking than he was. But most of the women in this world were probably “withered-willow figures” in his eyes, weren’t they? She shook her head slightly and picked up a scroll from the desk to read.

Huangfuming seemed to know what she was thinking. He laced his hands behind his head and leaned back against the carriage wall, grinning as he said, “The woman I like must first be pleasing to my eyes, and it’s best if she’s gentle and lovable. They all say one should marry a virtuous wife, after all. Mm, yes, and her skin has to be fair and tender, and her figure must be excellent! If I like her, then in my eyes she naturally will be Heavenly Fragrance and National Beauty!” His gaze never left her, roaming from her coiled hair, to her delicate, graceful chin, then down to her soft, lovely neck. Yet the beauty sitting opposite him remained expressionless, as if entirely unaware of the hints in his words.

Ning Xiaoxian only felt a wave of heat on her body. Knowing he was sneakily staring at her, her back broke out in a cold sweat. Huangfuming’s temperament was moody and unpredictable; at other times she might not necessarily fear him, but now her body was unwell, and the two of them were a lone man and an unmarried woman sharing a confined space. She had always been extremely sensitive to danger. Though he still observed the rules for now, even his lazy posture was like that of a Leopard coiled and ready to spring.