Chapter 27: A Night Bathed in Moonlight’s Gentle Embrace
Long after the match ended, people were still buzzing about the spectacular showdown.
For many, this had been the final they had anticipated. To witness a battle between Frost Moon Sword Immortal and Silk-Robe Fairy was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
No one seemed to care about the outcome of Yin Mengwan’s match in the other semi-final.
When the crowds dispersed, Chen Yin walked over to the other stage, only to find it deserted. The only evidence of the match was Yin Mengwan’s name on the scoreboard, indicating her advancement to the final.
…As expected, she won without any trouble. Chen Yin sighed softly.
This meant…
Xiang’er would be facing his Senior Sister in the final.
Although Chen Yin knew that Xiang’er hadn’t fully mastered her demonic arts yet and wouldn’t fight Shen Shuanglian to the death, the image of their mutual destruction from his previous life was still deeply etched in his memory.
He really didn’t want Xiang’er and Senior Sister to fight.
On one hand, there was Xiang’er, whom he treated like his own sister. On the other hand, there was his shy Senior Sister, whom he had a good impression of.
No matter who won, Chen Yin wouldn’t be happy.
So for this final, Chen Yin was prepared to intervene at any moment. No matter what happened, he couldn’t let things go down the same path as before.
Of course, he didn’t think it was very likely. After all, the Fairy Conference was a major event, and the organizers wouldn’t host it without proper security measures.
For every Fairy Conference, the Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion would dispatch several Boundless Realm and even Supreme Clarity Realm guest elders to maintain order. Each sect would also send their own elders to accompany their disciples.
These elders were all prominent figures in the cultivation world. They usually wouldn’t even bother showing up in public. They were probably already gathered in the VIP room, sipping tea and enjoying themselves.
With so many elders present, any trouble that arose could surely be suppressed.
While the crowd was still dispersing, Chen Yin lingered for a while before leisurely returning to his room.
***
Back in his room, he found no sign of Xiang’er, only a note saying that she had gone down the mountain to run a small errand for some spirit stones and would return tomorrow.
Chen Yin knew that Xiang’er was probably looking for an excuse to prepare for tomorrow’s match without being disturbed.
So, with no Xiang’er to tease, Chen Yin found himself bored. Unable to find anything to pass the time, he simply went to sleep.
He slept until evening.
As the summer night’s chirping insects filled the air, Chen Yin was awakened by a knock on the door. He rubbed his eyes and opened the door.
“Xiang’er? Didn’t you say you weren’t coming back? Why are you—”
He stopped mid-sentence, stunned.
Standing at the door wasn’t Xiang’er, but a figure in an eye-catching bright red dress.
Luo Qiaoqiao stood there, her hands behind her back, a sweet smile on her face.
“Sister Qiaoqiao? What are you doing here?”
“What? The matches are over, can’t I come find you to play?”
Chen Yin was speechless. Luo Qiaoqiao walked straight into his room and looked around with interest.
“Hey… shouldn’t you at least ask for my permission before entering?” Chen Yin said helplessly.
But Luo Qiaoqiao just stuck her tongue out at him and said mischievously, “Do you have something to hide in your room? Something you’re trying to keep secret?”
“Not really, but what if I did? Wouldn’t it be awkward for you to come in?”
“No.” Luo Qiaoqiao pouted. “What could you possibly have to hide?”
After a pause, a playful expression appeared on her face.
“I heard that the Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion sells special spirit puppets designed specifically for lonely male cultivators during those long, lonely nights. Do you happen to have one?”
…What kind of anime plot is this? Playing with a blow-up doll at home and getting caught by the big sister next door?
Chen Yin rolled his eyes. “Don’t worry. Those spirit puppets are expensive, I can’t afford them. I’d rather spend the money on a brothel in the city below.”
“What’s so good about those mortal women?”
Luo Qiaoqiao plopped onto Chen Yin’s bed without hesitation, striking a seductive pose and winking at him. “I can take care of your needs.”
“…I’d rather not. I’m afraid I’m not experienced enough and would finish in a second.”
“It’s okay, I don’t mind~”
“I mind, okay?!”
This crazy girl was truly shameless. Chen Yin was defeated.
Luo Qiaoqiao pouted and hummed, then got up and grabbed his hand, her grip firm.
“I lost today, and I’m not in a good mood. Come walk with me.”
Chen Yin had no room for refusal and could only let her soft hand lead him out of the room.
Outside was a garden, bathed in the faint moonlight, with fireflies flickering in the distance. The path was covered in shadows cast by the surrounding trees.
Luo Qiaoqiao held Chen Yin’s hand and walked aimlessly, seemingly unwilling to let go.
“…Are you upset about losing to Senior Sister?”
“Yes,” Luo Qiaoqiao said softly. “Very upset.”
“She and I rose to fame at the same time. Wherever I go, people always compare me to her.”
“I’m proud and refuse to admit that I’m inferior to her, so of course I’m unhappy about losing.”
Chen Yin could only offer a generic response, “Victory and defeat are common in battles. You shouldn’t dwell on it too much, Sister Qiaoqiao. Just win next time.”
Luo Qiaoqiao still seemed dissatisfied. She turned around and stared at him with a hint of resentment in her eyes.
“Actually, I lost, but not completely.”
Chen Yin: “…?”
“Chen Yin, before the match, who did you want to win? Me or your Senior Sister?”
She stared intently at him.
Chen Yin couldn’t understand why she was asking him this life-or-death question again. He could only spread his hands helplessly. “On one hand, there’s Sister Qiaoqiao, who’s so close to me. On the other hand, there’s my Senior Sister from my sect. It’s not appropriate for me to answer either way.”
“Tell me what you truly think.”
“Then I can only say that I hoped you would both lose.”
Fight until you exhaust your spiritual energy, then start pulling each other’s hair and clothes, wrestling into a tangled mess.
Who doesn’t love watching a good catfight?
…Of course, out of fear for his life, Chen Yin didn’t dare to say those last words aloud.
Luo Qiaoqiao was still not satisfied. She blinked, then put her hands behind her back, stomping her foot like a sulking child.
Chen Yin cautiously approached her. “Are you angry?”
“Whether I’m angry or not is not important.”
She suddenly turned to him and said seriously, “But you have to coax me.”
…Another straightforward request.
Chen Yin always felt that Luo Qiaoqiao was a very special girl. Unlike other girls, she didn’t want him to guess her mood or figure out what to do when she was unhappy.
She would always tell him directly: I’m unhappy. Coax me.
Simple and straightforward. Yet, there was a certain charm to it.
Chen Yin thought for a moment and said, “Okay, good sister, don’t be angry anymore, okay?”
“Not enough.”
“…Then what else do you want?”
“I want you to say, with your own mouth, that you wanted me to win and didn’t want Shen Shuanglian to win.”
Chen Yin was exasperated. “But… wouldn’t that make me a traitor to my sect?”
“I don’t care.”
She grabbed Chen Yin’s hand tightly and said with a serious look, “It’s just the two of us now, I won’t tell anyone.”
“Even if it’s a lie, just say it to make me happy. I just want to hear you say it.”
Chen Yin fell silent.
Seeing his hesitation, Luo Qiaoqiao’s eyes gradually dimmed with disappointment.
“…Forget it.” She hummed softly, as if talking to herself.
“If you don’t want to say it, then don’t.”
“But as compensation, you have to kiss me.”
Chen Yin hesitated for a moment, then gently cupped her face in his hands.
Seeing Chen Yin’s serious expression, Luo Qiaoqiao suddenly felt nervous. A blush crept onto her fair cheeks, and her breathing quickened.
But Chen Yin didn’t kiss her. Instead, he asked seriously:
“Sister Qiaoqiao, will you push me away again this time?”
Luo Qiaoqiao froze, then realized he was teasing her about their first encounter. She couldn’t help but stomp on his foot playfully.
“Just kiss me! Why are you being so hesitant?!”
With that, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
…It was a completely different feeling from kissing Xiang’er.
Passionate, fiery, as if something was burning. It reminded him of a flower blooming in the night.
Behind the intense passion was a silky smoothness and gentleness.
Chen Yin almost lost himself in the sensation. Finally, he managed to regain his composure, and they reluctantly parted.
Luo Qiaoqiao’s face was as red as her dress. She was panting slightly, but her eyes were bright, as if she was waiting for something.
“Did you enjoy that?” she asked.
“…I didn’t hate it.”
“Hey, don’t play coy after getting a taste of my lips. Do you know how valuable a kiss from Silk-Robe Fairy is? Countless men would give anything for it, but I wouldn’t even look at them.”
Chen Yin retorted, “Then do you know how valuable a shot from Mount Yu’s Number One little steel cannon(young and talented person) is? Those women don’t even have the right to fight for it.”
…Because no one was actually fighting for him.
His words made Luo Qiaoqiao burst into laughter. She said with a smile, “So you’re saying that I took advantage of you?”
“Of course.”
“Then… how about I compensate you?”
With that, her long eyelashes almost brushed against his face.
His lips were once again enveloped in softness.
“…Now that I’ve kissed you twice, we’re even, right?”
“Uh, actually, it seems like I owe you one now.”
“Then pay me back.”
“…Are you exploiting a loophole?”
The moonlight was soft and cool. They sat on the edge of a cliff at the end of the forest, gazing at the moon and chatting.
They talked about many things, sharing everything. Luo Qiaoqiao was like a young girl eager to tell her beloved all her stories, her words flowing endlessly.
Chen Yin didn’t feel impatient but listened with interest.
When they finally grew tired, Luo Qiaoqiao leaned against Chen Yin’s shoulder and fell asleep.
Chen Yin took off his outer robe and draped it over her, then sat quietly beside her.
He didn’t know if Luo Qiaoqiao was truly unhappy about losing the match or just wanted to talk to him.
But it didn’t matter. This was enough.
…The moonlight bathed them in its gentle embrace all night long.
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