Chapter One Hundred Sixty-Three: My Ideal Person Isn’t a Hero, But a Demon Cultivator Who Can’t Afford a Rainbow Cloud
Gu Yingmian didn’t pull hard at all.
She only tugged gently at the edge of Young Master Sang’s sleeve, her fingertips turning slightly white.
Sang Zhe fell silent for a moment, forcing out a smile, “Sister Gu, are you really going to miss me that much?”
“It’s not like we won’t see each other again. Why act like it’s goodbye forever?”
“If you think of me later, just write to me; I can come back anytime,” he said.
But Gu Yingmian kept her head lowered.
A hint of bitterness crossed her pale cheeks, and her delicate brows dared not meet Sang Zhe’s gaze.
“… It’s not that.”
“I know. Once you leave, you won’t return.” She seemed to be talking to herself.
Young Master Sang suddenly fell silent.
“I know you’ve lied to me about many things.”
“You made me believe that experiencing human emotions could enhance my swordsmanship, and you deceived me into feeling what it’s like to be in love.”
Gu Yingmian’s voice was filled with desolation: “I actually know everything. Your kindness was just an act, a play you put on.”
I just accidentally took it seriously.
… I’m just reluctant to expose it.
Sang Zhe found himself at a loss for words.
After a long while, he tentatively asked, “… When did I expose myself?”
“When you were teaching Chun Lan and Qiu Ju to practice swordplay.”
Gu Yingmian glanced down: “Your methods of refining their character are quite unique.”
“I always investigate my opponents. That little demon cultivator rumored to be possessed by the Prison Lord Demon has always liked to befriend enemies through bizarre means.”
“And your timing of appearing was just too coincidental.”
She slowly shook her head: “After looking into Demon Cultivation, I suspected that the Prison Lord Demon might not exist at all. I just wanted to see what you were truly after at the Sword Flower Palace.”
“And to understand how you obtained such formidable sword techniques.”
“After all, let’s say I’ll take a thousand steps back, I genuinely like your sword style.”
… In other words.
I knew from the start.
Sang Zhe silently cursed Nian Nian a couple of times in his heart, but received no reply.
He just knew he’d been played again.
What a cursed system.
Is it worth gambling my life and everything for a broken piece of Earthly Zen?
Sang Zhe scratched his head and muttered, “Then why doesn’t Sister Gu just capture me directly?”
“But if I captured you,” she blinked, “who would take me shopping to see the fire flower shows?”
“You’re not afraid that a demon cultivator like me might have ulterior motives?”
“But what if you truly were a wicked demon cultivator? Would you not hesitate to let dirty things touch me?”
Sang Zhe found himself at a loss for words.
After a long time, he could only let out a bitter laugh: “Sister Gu is too easy to fool. There are bound to be people with ill intentions trying to get close to you.”
Gu Yingmian looked deeply at him.
“Then.”
“… Are you one of them?” she asked softly.
Sang Zhe thought for a long time.
But he suddenly realized he couldn’t answer that question at all.
His reasons for approaching Gu Yingmian were anything but pure.
He had been lying to her all along.
Rather, if she were to get angry, feeling humiliated, and even drew her sword to chop him, it would not ease his heart at all.
But she didn’t do any of that.
She just gently tugged at his sleeve.
Reluctant to let him go.
With reddened eyes, softly pleading for him to stay.
In that moment, Sang Zhe suddenly felt dejected and guilty.
This might truly be his worst job ever.
Gu Yingmian still held a glimmer of hope, her eyes misty.
“I really am foolish and easy to deceive.”
“I can’t discern your words’ truth from lies. It’s like how Zixia would only wishfully believe that the Monkey King was telling the truth.”
“I can forgive all your previous lies, all the fabrications you’ve spoken.”
“I just want to ask you one thing.”
“When you said I was beautiful that day, was it sincere, or just a hollow compliment?” she asked softly.
Sang Zhe understood.
What she wanted to know was whether he had been the Monkey King with a sword against his neck or the one before wearing the golden hoop.
Sang Zhe didn’t know the answer either.
Memories of his time in the Sword Flower Palace began to flash before his eyes.
The graceful exchanges during their sparring.
The bustling marketplace adventures together.
Holding hands as they navigated through crowds.
The silent tears of bewilderment in front of the screen.
Under the fire trees and silver flowers, her cheeks were blushing red like iron flowers, gently kissing the moist softness on the side of his face.
In that moment, Sang Zhe suddenly understood many things.
For instance, why Gu Yingmian agreed to pretend to be his lover.
Why she silently wept after watching “A Chinese Odyssey.”
Why she suddenly let him step on stage to spar.
And why, in the end, she still chose to earnestly tell him under the dazzling iron flowers.
… It’s like I finally.
… Understand what that feeling is.
Indeed.
I should have figured it out long ago.
Sang Zhe closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Then he shook his head vigorously, tousling his hair.
Finally, when he opened his eyes again, he spoke with determination and seriousness:
“Alright.”
“If Sister Gu wants to know the answer, then come and find out for yourself.”
In a daze, Gu Yingmian watched as Sang Zhe slowly picked up the wooden sword she had dropped.
Then, he pointed it straight at her.
“Let’s duel again.”
“This time, I’ll wear a mask and fight Sister Gu seriously.” Sang Zhe’s eyes were clear and focused.
“If I win against you, I’ll descend the mountain.”
“If I lose to you, I’ll become a disciple of the Sword Flower Palace and stay by your side for life.”
Gu Yingmian stared blankly at him.
“You, you’re serious—”
“Of course I’m serious.”
Sang Zhe chuckled: “But Sister Gu should be careful. The masked me is really formidable.”
“And besides ‘The Tranquil Floating Life Sword,’ I also have an invincible sword move that could shake the heavens and scare the ghosts, capable of defeating gods and buddhas.”
“Sister Gu, don’t let yourself fall to this sword.”
Gu Yingmian didn’t believe there could be a sword technique stronger than “The Tranquil Floating Life Sword.”
But Sang Zhe seemed quite confident.
Standing there earnestly, he pointed the wooden sword straight at her.
Actually, Gu Yingmian knew.
The moment Sang Zhe said that, he had already given her the answer.
At that instant, Gu Yingmian felt very flustered.
Her eyes reddened almost instantly, and she had to keep blinking, not wanting Sang Zhe to see her awkwardness.
Suddenly, she regretted not wearing a veil today.
But in front of Sang Zhe, she was no longer accustomed to wearing a veil.
At that moment, she gently turned her back, deeply blinking her eyes.
When Gu Yingmian turned back again.
Her slightly reddened eyes, tinged with a pitiful pallor, looked at him with resolve: “Then, you must also be careful.”
“Because this time.”
“I won’t hold back.”
She slowly raised her sword.
Not a wooden sword.
But the Dream Jun Sword.
The Dream Jun Sword now had an ethereal air, appearing even more transcendental compared to the first time Sang Zhe saw it, like an immortal blade untainted by worldly dust.
As it floated gently in her palm amidst the flurry of petals, it gave off an aura of otherworldly elegance.
And the moment Gu Yingmian gripped the Dream Jun Sword.
Sang Zhe, even though he instantly donned the fanged demon mask, nearly fell to his knees under the terrifying pressure.
Gu Yingmian’s presence felt somewhat surreal, and the Dream Jun Sword emitted an enchanting sound.
In that moment, the entire Yaochi Tianshan felt like it had fallen into a dream.
Chun Lan, Qiu Ju, and even all the disciples of the Sword Flower Palace felt their hearts tremble, astonished.
And directly opposite Gu Yingmian, Sang Zhe felt every cell in his body trembling under the overwhelming pressure.
He had to muster all his strength to keep standing.
Struggling to look up at the hopelessly gazing Gu Yingmian opposite him.
Great Ascendance Realm… ah.
Sang Zhe managed a forced smile.
“… Hey.”
After a long time of silence, Nian Nian suddenly spoke: “What sword technique do you have that’s even stronger than ‘The Tranquil Floating Life Sword’?”
“If you keep holding out, you’ll really die.”
“How would I know unless I try?” Sang Zhe maintained a calm expression.
With great effort, he lifted the wooden sword, only to see it crumble to dust under the oppressive aura.
With a bitter smile, he straightened up and quietly watched Gu Yingmian.
“Sister Gu, be careful,” he grinned, “My sword strike is really powerful.”
Gu Yingmian just silently looked at him, her voice a bit cold: “Are you sure? You clearly don’t even have a sword.”
“I’ll have one soon.”
He reached into his robe.
It seemed he was making a strange move as if to draw a sword.
At this moment, even Nian Nian in his mind started to feel uneasy.
Soon? Is he insinuating he’ll forcefully seize control of the Dream Jun Sword?
But even if he gains possession of the Dream Jun Sword now, can he really deal with Gu Yingmian who’s mastered the sword path?
Nian Nian was beginning to find it hard to understand her host.
Gu Yingmian too had deep, sorrowful eyes, holding onto her last shred of reluctance: “I really will go all out.”
“Sister Gu must also be careful.” Sang Zhe kept smiling, bright and cheerful.
“… Alright.”
Gu Yingmian closed her eyes.
Raised her hand.
Drew her sword.
The Dream Jun Sword almost instantly sliced toward Sang Zhe’s neck with clean precision.
At that moment, Gu Yingmian silently recited in her heart.
Goodbye.
Unless.
You truly have a sword technique more powerful than ‘The Tranquil Floating Life Sword’—
In the instant Gu Yingmian drew her sword, Sang Zhe drew his as well.
No one could see what he held in his hand.
But in the end, the Dream Jun Sword stopped at Sang Zhe’s neck.
And Sang Zhe’s “sword” also struck toward Gu Yingmian.
Along with a soft whisper:
“Behave.”
“Open your mouth.”
“…? Mmm!”
Fluffy and soft.
… It was a cotton candy.
Gu Yingmian froze for a moment as the cotton candy was suddenly thrust in front of her face, and before she knew it, she accidentally took a big bite.
It was sweet.
Sweet to the point of almost being bitter.
“Sorry, Sister Gu.”
“Your ideal person can’t afford a rainbow cloud.”
“Anyway, cotton candy is soft and sweet, just like clouds.”
“How about we make do?” Sang Zhe grinned cheekily.
“Let’s just say.”
“Your ideal person has come to marry you.”
(Still two chapters left)
