Chapter 31: The Woman in White

After the young man walked over to Luo Xiuxiu, he reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist, a wicked grin on his face. "What's wrong, baby? Who was just here talking to you?"

Luo Xiuxiu chuckled lightly. "Who else could it be? It’s that Li Hongda, of course!"

The young man wore a playful expression. "Oh? That simp from the Li family again? Hmph, why didn't you tell him that you’re already taken?"

"Why bother telling him?" Luo Xiuxiu said dismissively. "He’s a useless wreck now anyway."

The young man laughed, "Oh, baby, you’re so heartless. I hear Li Hongda has sent you countless precious treasures just to win a sliver of your affection, yet you’ve never even looked at him properly. Even so, he still treats you like a goddess."

As he spoke, his right hand moved to the front of Luo Xiuxiu’s body and toyed with her, a lecherous smirk on his face. "But if he knew that the woman he worships as a goddess has already been toyed with by me so many times, I wonder how magnificent his expression would be?"

"Oh, Senior Brother Liu, stop it! You’re tickling me!" Luo Xiuxiu said with a coquettish tone.

The young man replied, "What? Isn't this exactly how you like me to treat you? Why the sudden modesty? Have you forgotten who’s in charge? Let’s see how I handle you!"

Luo Xiuxiu quickly pushed him away, resisting. "I’m sorry, Senior Brother Liu Mang, I’m not in the mood today."

Liu Mang paused, confused. "What’s the matter?"

Luo Xiuxiu explained, "Li Hongda just came to tell me that my father has been bullied, and my younger brother, Luo Shan, has been killed. I’m in no mood to serve you right now, Senior Brother Liu..."

Liu Mang was stunned. "Who did it?"

Luo Xiuxiu’s face darkened. "A man named Qin Xingchen. He is also a disciple of the Wangyue Sect. My brother had a life-or-death duel with him and ended up being killed! I must avenge my brother, but Qin Xingchen has the backing of the three major families and the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce. Even if our sect’s five core elders were to descend upon the Wangyue Sect together, they wouldn't be able to touch him!"

Liu Mang asked, "Oh? There’s such a thing? What makes this boy so special that he’s being protected by the three major families and the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce?"

Luo Xiuxiu frowned. "It is said that he is a second-grade alchemist."

"What did you say?" Liu Mang was shocked. "A second-grade alchemist? No wonder the three major families and the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce are protecting him at all costs! This boy is truly not to be underestimated."

Hearing this, Luo Xiuxiu immediately threw herself into Liu Mang's arms, acting spoiled. "Senior Brother Liu Mang, with the three major families and the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce shielding him, I can't kill him on my own. You are the son of the Marshal of the Imperial Capital—please, help me!"

Liu Mang snorted coldly. "Don't worry, baby. How could I bear to see you so helpless? You are my woman, Liu Mang’s woman. As long as I am here, I will take your revenge for you!"

Luo Xiuxiu quickly said, "Thank you, Senior Brother Liu Mang!"

"Thank me?" Liu Mang wore a wicked grin as he scooped her up. "How are you going to thank me now?"

Luo Xiuxiu blushed and tapped his chest. "Now... I am yours to do with as you please, Senior Brother Liu Mang!"

"You little vixen, just wait and see how I deal with you!"

Liu Mang carried Luo Xiuxiu into the room. Soon, the sounds of clothes being recklessly torn apart drifted from the room, followed by the unmistakable, heavy sounds of intimacy between a man and a woman.

...

Wanjin Chamber of Commerce.

Within the mansion, Qin Xingchen and Yu Yumeng sat on the roof, gazing up at the starry sky.

...

"Sister Yumeng, what are you thinking about?" Seeing Yu Yumeng lost in thought, Qin Xingchen couldn't help but ask.

Yu Yumeng replied, "Xingchen, I’ve never left the Wangyue Sect in all my life. Now that I’ve left, I don't know why, but I feel a strange sense of desolation."

Qin Xingchen was slightly taken aback. "Are you missing the Wangyue Sect and the Sect Master?"

Yu Yumeng froze. She hadn't expected Qin Xingchen to see through her thoughts so easily.

She nodded slightly. "Although the people of the Wangyue Sect weren't kind to me, I grew up there. It was my home. Now that I’ve left, I feel a sense of melancholy, as if I were forced to run away from home." She leaned her head on Qin Xingchen’s shoulder and continued, "But I know that from now on, wherever you are, that is home."

Qin Xingchen smiled faintly.

Yu Yumeng added, "Also, Xingchen, my foster father saved my life and adopted me into the Wangyue Sect. His place in my heart is like a father's, but it has long surpassed that! Because you are an alchemist, you have gained the protection of the three major families and the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce. I believe your future achievements will surely shock this entire kingdom! When you are strong enough in the future, if my foster father and the Wangyue Sect are in trouble, I hope you will help him for my sake, okay?"

Qin Xingchen paused and nodded slightly. "Alright, I promise."

For some reason, he felt as though there was a sense of finality in her words.

At this moment, Yu Yumeng curled up in his arms. "Xingchen, let’s say... what if one day I am forced to leave your side? Would you hate me?"

"How could I ever hate you?" Qin Xingchen shook his head. "Besides, you are my woman; I won’t let you leave my side! And don't forget, I won our bet, so you are officially my fiancée now. You can't go back on your word!"

"Okay!" Yu Yumeng smiled brilliantly.

She looked up at him. "Xingchen, why don't we pick an auspicious day in a few days and officially get married?"

"Hmm?" Qin Xingchen was puzzled. "Why the sudden rush?"

Yu Yumeng smiled coquettishly. "I just want to become your wife as soon as possible."

Qin Xingchen smiled faintly. "Alright, we shall set a date soon."

"Yes..." Yu Yumeng nodded, then looked at him apologetically. "Xingchen, there’s one more thing I want to tell you."

"Go ahead," Qin Xingchen said.

Yu Yumeng explained, "I know it must be difficult when we sleep together at night and I don't let you touch me. But ever since I awakened the Nine-Nether Profound Cold Body, there is a force within me that I cannot control. Whenever I feel desire, this force lashes out at anyone other than myself. I keep you at a distance only to avoid hurting you. I’m sorry."

Qin Xingchen was stunned. So that was the reason. He nodded. "I understand. It’s quite late now; let’s go back to sleep..."

"Alright..."

...

Deep in the night.

After Qin Xingchen fell asleep, Yu Yumeng slipped out of the room and walked to a courtyard hundreds of meters away. She stood still and whispered, "Come out."

As she spoke, a figure appeared behind her—a woman dressed in white.

The white-clad woman bowed respectfully toward Yu Yumeng. "Saintess, have you considered your decision?"

Yu Yumeng turned around. "Are you really sent by my mother?"

Last night at the Wangyue Sect, this woman in white had appeared on Cloud Hidden Peak. Even Qin Xingchen had been unable to detect her presence.

The woman in white looked at Yu Yumeng. "Yes, Saintess, that is correct."

Yu Yumeng’s face darkened. "And what if I refuse to go back with you?"

The woman in white replied, "In that case, I will have no choice but to kill this boy named Qin Xingchen."

"You wouldn't dare!" Yu Yumeng flared with anger, and a bone-chilling frost erupted from her body.

The cold energy surged toward the woman in white, freezing everything in its path into frost. Even a Heavenly Martial Realm expert would have been turned into an ice sculpture instantly, with no hope of resistance.

However, as the icy power swept over the woman in white, she remained completely unaffected. Her face, however, betrayed a look of surprise. "The power of Profound Ice! And it’s growing stronger—the Saintess is truly impressive!"

Seeing the woman was unharmed, Yu Yumeng grew furious. "If you dare touch my man, I will kill you!"

She unleashed a wave of Profound Ice energy, ten times more powerful than the last. Yet, when it struck the woman in white again, she remained unscathed. "Saintess, please don't waste your energy."

The woman extended her right hand, and a terrifying pressure descended upon Yu Yumeng.

Yu Yumeng was forced to one knee under the crushing weight, her expression pained, unable to move.

The woman in white said, "Saintess, I am only following your mother’s orders to bring you back. Please do not resist further, or I will have to take you by force."