Chapter 20

In the kitchen, Qingyuan and Xiyun were preparing the python meat together. Seeing that they were getting along well enough, Tushan Xi left with an easy mind, intending to gather some medicinal herbs outside.

Though the thousand-year python was entirely beneficial for cultivation, given the nature of its original form, certain precautions were necessary. Otherwise, should Xiyun fall ill after eating it, things could get complicated.

As Qingyuan sensed Tushan Xi’s presence fading, he finally spoke. “Immortal Xiyun, are you secretly pleased that I’ll soon be leaving?”

Xiyun, who was washing vegetables, let out a soft laugh. “You jest, Immortal Lord. Whether you leave or stay is not for me to decide. Still, I doubt the Thirty-Three Heavens can do without you for long. You’d best return and resume your authority, lest someone else stir up more trouble.”

With a crisp sound, Qingyuan set aside the freshly cut Biyuan grass and took out a piece of Zixu wood. “On that point, you needn’t worry. The Thirty-Three Heavens are in good hands with other venerable elders. Nothing major will come of my absence.”

He paused. “Immortal Xiyun, I know you bear deep resentment toward me. I am willing to give you a chance for revenge.”

Xiyun, who had been only half-interested, jerked her head up, disbelief in her eyes. “Are you serious?”

Qingyuan nodded calmly, his hands moving unhurriedly as he sliced the wood root, each cut measured and even.

“I used you. It’s only fair that you wish to strike back. Besides, Senior Sister is quite fond of you now. If this matter remains unresolved, her kind heart will surely suffer, torn between us. So, I’m willing to give you this opportunity.”

Xiyun’s gaze turned cold. “So that’s it. You only want to put your sister’s mind at ease—not because you truly regret what you’ve done.”

“Regret?” Qingyuan gave a disdainful chuckle. “What do I have to regret? I merely took a little blood from your Nine-Tailed Fox clan. If you must blame someone, blame your clan for dwindling to a single survivor. Had your people still flourished in those days, if I wished it, their chief would have respectfully chosen the finest fox, opened its heart for blood, and delivered it to my door with gratitude for the honor.”

The careless way he spoke, as if discussing the weather rather than an atrocity, made Xiyun tremble with fury.

“You’re lying. I don’t know the chief you speak of, but how could any leader harm their own?”

Qingyuan nearly laughed aloud at her naïveté. “Remember this, Immortal Xiyun—in the world of cultivation, absolute power is the only truth. Of course, he could refuse. But then, his entire clan would perish. There’s nothing I’ve ever wanted that I could not obtain.”

Xiyun forced a grim smile. “So confident, aren’t you. Do you not fear retribution from the heavens after committing so many evil deeds?”

“The heavens?” Qingyuan shook his head, a brazen smile upon his lips. “And what can the heavens do to me? If I wish, I can bend their laws at any time.”

After finishing, he looked down at Xiyun. “So, Immortal Xiyun, you still haven’t said whether you accept my original offer. If you let this chance slip away, you’ll never get another.”

“You—”

Xiyun raged at being so thoroughly cornered, but he only poured oil on the flames. “Well, do you accept or not? Three, two, on—”

Before he could finish, Xiyun cried out, “I accept! I accept, now speak.”

Seeing her agree, Qingyuan returned to his usual demeanor. “I will tell you my fatal weakness, but only this once. Whether you succeed or not, I expect you never to mention the past before my senior sister again. Can you do that?”

Xiyun’s eyes narrowed. “Is that a threat?”

“No—a transaction. A perfectly fair one. A chance to kill me, in exchange for peace on the surface. Quite the bargain.”

Don’t get angry, don’t get angry—anger hurts the body.

She repeated this mantra in her heart several times before finally agreeing. “Fine. I accept your terms.”

“I knew you were clever, Immortal Xiyun.”

…

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, Tushan Xi returned carrying her basket. “I’m back. How are the preparations?”

Xiyun shook the ingredients in her hand. “Almost done. As you said, we haven’t yet touched the snake soup.”

“Good.” Tushan Xi set down two medicinal herbs. “When you stew the soup, add these two as well. Just remove them before serving.”

“We don’t eat them?”

Tushan Xi shook her head. “No. These herbs will dispel the thousand-year chill from the python. You are of fire affinity—too much cold would hinder your cultivation.”

“I see.” Xiyun nodded, half-understanding. “You truly are thoughtful. I hadn’t considered that.”

Tushan Xi smiled gently at the praise. “As a healer, I can’t help but think of such things.”

As the two chatted, Qingyuan suddenly appeared, inserting himself into their conversation.

“Senior Sister, let me wash these herbs. The kitchen smoke is thick; you should step out before it gets to you.”

He gently pushed her outside. Tushan Xi, bewildered at being shooed out, turned to see Qingyuan and Xiyun working together. Suddenly, she understood.

Ah, he must not want me around, so they can grow closer.

The more she thought, the more certain she became. Yes, that must be it. In such a tiny kitchen, even a turn could bring them into accidental contact—much more romantic than anything she could orchestrate.

Young people really do know how to fall in love.

Feeling sure she had grasped Qingyuan’s intentions, Tushan Xi went to set the table, asking the system for Xiyun’s affection rating.

Normally so direct, the system hesitated. [The male lead’s affection for the female lead is 10%. The female lead’s affection for the male lead is 3%. The female lead’s affection for you, host, is 45%.]

Hearing the last part, Tushan Xi’s smile vanished instantly. Straightening, she asked again, “What did you say her affection for me is?”

[45%, host. You heard correctly.]

“I recall you said it was 50% last night. How did it drop so much overnight?”

Her mind raced, searching for explanations. “Did she resent that I didn’t take her along when fighting the python earlier? But it was far too dangerous—her cultivation isn’t high enough. If something happened, what then? Besides, the Xiyun I know isn’t so petty.”

Gradually, she pinpointed the real issue. “System, did Qingyuan say something to Xiyun while I was gone?”

[Host, I am now replaying all events in the kitchen during your absence.]

“Hurry, I want to see exactly what Qingyuan said.”