Chapter 62: A Bad Habit
Shen Shuanglian had a very bad habit.
She loved to bite.
She loved to bite Chen Yin’s fingers, wrist, shoulder, earlobe.
She would bite hard, leaving marks that wouldn’t fade until the next morning.
No matter how much Chen Yin tried to persuade her to stop, she would just look at him with teary eyes.
So in the end, Chen Yin gave up. If she wanted to bite, then let her bite. It didn’t hurt that much anyway.
…Probably didn’t hurt as much as it hurt her.
***
The next morning, they arrived at the edge of the town.
“Go back soon, and be careful on the way.” Chen Yin reminded her once again.
Shen Shuanglian lowered her head slightly, her expression hesitant.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m a little reluctant to leave you.”
She held Chen Yin’s hand tightly, unwilling to let go.
Chen Yin chuckled and said softly, “Don’t be too greedy. Greedy children don’t get candy.”
Shen Shuanglian was silent for a moment, then whispered:
“…Then if I’m a good and obedient girl, can I get more candy than others?”
Chen Yin was taken aback. After a long silence, he gently ruffled her hair.
“You don’t have to be so obedient.”
“But as long as you’re happy, I’ll always save the most candy for you.”
Shen Shuanglian savored his words, then nodded obediently.
“Then, I’ll be going. Take care of yourself.”
She cast one last longing glance at Chen Yin before slowly turning and walking away.
After she was gone, Chen Yin sighed softly, his hands tucked into his sleeves.
“Thank goodness she didn’t insist on staying.”
“It would have been inconvenient for my next move.”
At that moment, ripples appeared in the void beside him, and a soft voice spoke: “Young Master, what are your plans now?”
“Based on your scouting yesterday, it seems the demonic sect’s main altar is indeed located here.”
Chen Yin said slowly, “I don’t want to barge in and alert them. So there’s only one option left.”
He took out the mask from his pocket.
This time, as he put on the mask, his appearance and physique transformed subtly.
Soon, his handsome face became ordinary and unremarkable.
But it wasn’t an unfamiliar face.
…It was the face of the demonic cultivator, Wang Wei, whom he had captured at the Fairy Conference.
“Let’s go.”
Chen Yin’s voice became slightly higher-pitched. “Let’s see what this demonic sect’s main altar is all about.”
Not long after Chen Yin disappeared, the dark figure that had been following them reappeared.
She looked in the two different directions that Chen Yin and Shen Shuanglian had taken, a hesitant expression on her face.
“…According to the Sect Master’s orders, that man is the culprit who instigated the chief disciple to investigate Changli Palace.”
“It seems that killing him would complete the mission.” She murmured to herself.
Then, her figure flickered like a ghost, chasing after Chen Yin, and vanished in the blink of an eye.
***
Shen Shuanglian hadn’t walked far when she stopped again, her head lowered in silence.
“…Are you just going to let him go like that?” The System’s voice echoed in her mind.
Shen Shuanglian whispered, “System, exchange for a Stealth Scroll.”
“I knew it.”
The System chuckled softly and said, “But are you sure? I’m detecting a plot warning.”
“Which means that if you insist on following that man and continuing your investigation, it could lead to major changes in the plot.”
Shen Shuanglian simply asked, “Can you handle it?”
“Me? Heh, don’t worry about me.”
The System’s voice was emotionless. “I don’t have much time left anyway. Whether I disappear now or later, I might as well join you for a grand adventure.”
“I’m also curious to see what happens when we completely deviate from the plot.”
Shen Shuanglian said apologetically, “…I’m sorry.”
“If I had followed the plot, you might not have to disappear.”
“Don’t apologize.” The System said calmly. “You’re human. I’m something different. You don’t need to apologize to me.”
“You didn’t choose to become my host either. In the end, we both want to end this relationship.”
Hearing this, Shen Shuanglian suddenly asked curiously, “Are all other Systems like you?”
“Who knows? You can ask them yourself.”
As they spoke, a golden scroll appeared before Shen Shuanglian.
“Here’s a bonus: a map of Xianyun Province with an omniscient perspective. I’ve even marked the location of the demonic sect’s main altar for you.”
The System chuckled silently. “Consider it… a small gift for you.”
Shen Shuanglian held the map and the scroll, her lips pressed together. “Thank you.”
“Save those words for your lover boy.”
The System teased, “If you don’t hurry, your lover boy might already have turned the demonic sect’s main altar upside down.”
Shen Shuanglian didn’t hesitate. She nodded resolutely, her azure blue dress transforming into a stream of light as she disappeared.
***
Xianyun Province, a dimly lit and secluded teahouse.
Yu Xiang, dressed in a simple green dress that highlighted her slender figure, held a teacup delicately in her hand, her lips sipping the fragrant tea.
Across from her sat a man with a fawning expression, his face plastered with a subservient smile.
“…This tea is decent.” After a long silence, Yu Xiang finally spoke.
“If the Holy Maiden doesn’t mind, we have over a hundred other fine teas for you to sample.”
The man, dressed like a butler, said eagerly, “If you wish to try them now, Holy Maiden, I’ll have the servants prepare them—”
“No need.” Yu Xiang cut him off coldly. “I’m going to see the Dao Master soon. I’ll have tea when I return.”
“Ah, yes, of course. Forgive my forgetfulness.”
The man continued to flatter her. “It’s a rare occasion for the Holy Maiden to return to the main altar. Naturally, you should report to the Dao Master first.”
“I’ll have the tea ready for you when you return.”
Yu Xiang didn’t say anything more. She expertly concealed the disgust in her eyes and stood up, her dress swirling gracefully.
“Go about your business. Don’t bother me.” With that, she walked away, her figure disappearing down the long corridor.
The man waited until Yu Xiang was gone before his forced smile faded. He sighed wearily.
“Sigh. This Holy Maiden is becoming increasingly difficult to please.”
“I’m so unlucky. Not only do I have to serve tea and run errands, but I also have to rotate guard duty at the entrance later. It’s exhausting.”
“It’s almost time.” The man checked the time and started heading towards the main gate of the demonic sect’s main altar.
After switching shifts with another demonic cultivator, he began to yawn out of boredom.
But the next moment, a mischievous voice rang out, “Hey, brother, wanna smoke some good stuff?”
The man turned and saw a shifty-looking face grinning at him, offering a pipe.
“Special supply from the Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion, super strong!”
The man took the pipe curiously and looked at him. “Who are you? I’ve never seen you before.”
“Heh, of course you haven’t, brother.”
“I’m Wang Wei, from the Fragrance City branch. I’m here with our altar master to witness the grand Nether Ritual!”
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