Chapter 652: The Person in the Painting
Hearing the words of the Innkeeper of Harmonious Joy Tower, Jiang Huai’s eyes twitched slightly.
“Too decadent! Too much!”
“There’s no need for that. I only want her,” Jiang Huai said softly.
The Innkeeper of Harmonious Joy Tower was momentarily stunned, then nodded gently. “These remaining three Night Lotus fairies, their beauty and figures are all top-notch. I have personally taught them music, calligraphy, painting, and singing. Are you truly not tempted at all, young master?”
“I only want her.”
“Alright,” the Innkeeper of Harmonious Joy Tower’s gaze flickered. She ultimately said no more and then lightly raised her eyes, speaking softly, “Yuning, from this day forward, you are this young master’s property.”
The Innkeeper of Harmonious Joy Tower took out a contract and handed it to Jiang Huai. Jiang Huai was a bit confused. Fortunately, Ning Yuzhu quickly explained, “This is her deed of sale. Now that you hold it, you control her fate.”
Zhu Yuning slowly walked before Jiang Huai. Looking at the junior before her, despite her myriad unwillingness, as one of the Night Lotuses, she had long since heard from the Innkeeper of Harmonious Joy Tower about the Night Lotuses’ purpose. In these years, she had received the shelter of the Harmonious Joy Tower and enjoyed many cultivation resources. Now, it was time to repay the debt to the Harmonious Joy Tower. Therefore, despite her reluctance, she bit her lip gently and slowly said, “From now on, you are my mas…”
“Senior Yuning, please don’t do that,” Jiang Huai quickly interrupted Zhu Yuning, hastily adding, “Over the years, I have received many favors from the Yening Sword Spirit. I long ago promised to help her find a master. I never expected such a twist of fate to lead me to you, Senior. Senior, just come with me with peace of mind. Take this contract. I will find a way later to have my Senior Disciple Sister announce it throughout the Star Soul Domain, forbidding them from troubling you again. How about that?”
Zhu Yuning was stunned for a long while before finally nodding gently, her delicate pink lips moving slightly. “Thank you.”
“You are too kind, Senior Yuning,” Jiang Huai handed the contract to Zhu Yuning before him. Zhu Yuning then came to stand behind him. At this moment, the remaining three Night Lotus fairies looked at each other, feeling somewhat flustered and unsure of what to do.
The Innkeeper of Harmonious Joy Tower also seemed to want to speak but stopped, glancing at Ning Yuzhu. However, after being stared at by Ning Yuzhu, she immediately shut her mouth, not daring to say another word for fear of making more mistakes.
“Since young master does not fancy them, and it is still early, why not let them demonstrate the talents they have learned over the years?” The Innkeeper of Harmonious Joy Tower said softly, even standing behind him, gently kneading his shoulders. Jiang Huai, however, became the most flustered. Before he could speak, Jiang Zhi had already sat beside him, her legs crossed beneath her qipao, her expression arrogant. “Then let’s watch.”
It seemed Jiang Zhi had adapted much faster than him.
So Jiang Huai sat there, watching the remaining three Night Lotus fairies. One played the zither, one sang softly, and one danced. Their figures and appearances were indeed one in ten thousand. Their cultivation levels had already reached the Divine Soul realm, yet they could only obediently display their talents here.
It was indeed particularly interesting. Jiang Huai gradually adapted a bit, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. He was getting used to it.
After one song, with a look from the Innkeeper of Harmonious Joy Tower, the three women began to dance together – a dance they had never performed before outsiders. The gorgeous dresses they wore became fewer and fewer as they danced, until only undergarments remained. Jiang Huai could not bear to watch, yet Jiang Zhi watched with amusement, leaning into Jiang Huai’s ear and saying, “Why not take them all? You can watch them dance and listen to them sing to pass the time when you’re back.”
Jiang Huai casually pinched Jiang Zhi’s face a few times as a form of punishment.
“It’s too stuffy here. I’m going out for some fresh air. Thank you for your warm hospitality, Innkeeper.” Jiang Huai was almost unbearably awkward at their fake, affectionate gazes towards him. He immediately stood up. The Innkeeper of Harmonious Joy Tower wanted to say something but ultimately said nothing more, merely smiling gently, “Then I shall see you off.”
After they left, the Innkeeper of Harmonious Joy Tower also gave Jiang Huai a jade token, telling him that with this token, he would be treated as a distinguished guest wherever he went in the Harmonious Joy Tower. Seeing this token was like seeing her. Jiang Huai could not refuse and could only thank her. However, as soon as they were outside, Jiang Huai casually tossed the jade token to Jiang Zhi. “Since you like watching so much, I’ll give it to you so you can watch to your heart’s content.”
Jiang Zhi chuckled, leaning on Jiang Huai’s shoulder, laughing so hard she couldn’t straighten her waist.
Zhu Yuning still somewhat dazed followed the three of them. It wasn’t until Jiang Huai spoke that he first arranged accommodation for her at the Star Picking Tower, then requested a decree from Ning Yuzhu to send her to the Star Soul Domain, thus preventing the Star Soul Domain from troubling Zhu Yuning again. This, he felt, settled the matter.
After arranging for Zhu Yuning, Jiang Huai parted ways with her for the time being. Zhu Yuning still had to hear from the Yening Sword Spirit about what had happened over the years. Master and disciple had not seen each other for a long time and naturally had much to catch up on. Jiang Huai naturally did not want to disturb them and continued to wander around Shizu Dao Yuan City with Ning Yuzhu and Jiang Zhi.
Jiang Huai looked at Jiang Zhi, who still couldn’t help but smile beside him, and finally couldn’t help but ask, “What exactly is so funny?”
“Nothing, I just find your awkwardness very amusing.”
“…” Jiang Huai was speechless for a moment.
The treatment of a Divine Emperor’s disciple seemed a bit excessive. He had never experienced such excessive leeching before and still needed to adapt. On the contrary, Jiang Zhi had already adapted quickly and was now pulling Jiang Huai towards the place selling women’s clothing. The Divine Emperor’s jade token hung from her waist, making everything she took “zero-cost.”
So she bought a lot and a lot. As expected, a woman’s nature is greed.
Jiang Zhi bought many beautiful dresses. She didn’t forget about Jiang Huai either, selecting a few new outfits for him as well. Everything in Shizu Dao Yuan City was novel. The three of them shopped for nearly a whole day until the evening, when the Lantern Festival Gala officially began.
Lanterns were lit throughout the city, and crowds surged. In the main city’s grand hall, fairies who came to participate in the Lantern Festival Gala had already taken their seats.
Led by Ning Yuzhu, Jiang Huai and Jiang Zhi arrived at the most central and best viewing location in the grand hall. A stage was specially set up in the hall. Tonight’s competition was in music. Jiang Huai then learned from Ning Yuzhu that the women participating in the Lantern Festival Gala were already the best among the various prefectures. The music that entered his ears was melodious, and the woman playing the zither had a serene and beautiful face. The world became exceptionally quiet, and the sky in the distance was a dim blue.
At this moment, Ning Yuzhu and Jiang Zhi sat beside Jiang Huai. Fruits and fine wine were already laid out on the table. Jiang Huai suddenly had a fleeting illusion, as if he were King Zhou of the wine pool and meat forest, gradually becoming intoxicated by the decadent music. Thinking of this, he instantly snapped back to his senses and suddenly asked softly, “Senior Disciple Sister, you said earlier that my Master’s consciousness would descend to this realm at this very moment to observe everything here?”
“Yes.”
“Then has Master arrived?” Jiang Huai asked softly.
“I don’t know, perhaps,” Ning Yuzhu shook her head slightly.
Jiang Huai then looked up at the sky.
The sky was dim, but the moon had already emerged from the clouds. A full moon hung high, casting a serene moonlight. The world seemed to fall silent, with only the gentle strains of the zither in his ears.
Jiang Huai suddenly lifted his wine cup and gestured towards the sky, his gaze fixed on the distant moon. A moment later, he brought the cup back to his lips and took a sip.
Jiang Huai softly inquired, “Senior Disciple Sister, you say Master has cultivated for ten thousand years, what exactly is it for?”
“I don’t know,” Ning Yuzhu shook her head gently.
“Then will Master also be lonely?”
Ning Yuzhu was slightly taken aback, then looked back at him. After a long while, she softly replied, “Perhaps.”
At the Lantern Festival Gala, women dressed in luxurious attire and with stunning beauty took turns appearing, displaying the music they had mastered to the audience below. Jiang Huai quietly listened, saying no more. The maid refilled the wine at each table, but Jiang Huai only drank one cup throughout.
Ning Yuzhu glanced sideways at Jiang Huai. She suddenly noticed that Jiang Huai’s expression was exceptionally serious, not feigned, as if he carried some unspoken sorrow. She wondered what he was thinking.
Midway through the banquet, a cluster of light appeared in the distance. By the time everyone noticed the light, it had already vanished. And in the seat that had been reserved not far from Jiang Huai’s side, a black-haired woman in a black Daoist robe was now seated.
Her waist was straight, and her hair was meticulously combed.
The woman’s appearance was pure and beautiful, yet she seemed to repel others, making one instinctively avert their gaze after a single glance, as if looking at her any longer would be a blasphemy.
The Daoist robe should have concealed her figure, but her chest seemed unusually full, stretching the robe taut. The thin sash tying the Daoist robe at her waist accentuated her slender waist. Her face was clearly cold and pure, yet her figure was so alluring.
She had red lips and black hair, but her eyes seemed to flicker with a deep red. This was a change in eye color due to cultivating the Corrupted Domain’s secret technique. Cultivators from the Corrupted Domain generally did not venture out because they were not well-liked in the other two realms and domains. Yet, the person sitting here at this moment, everyone immediately knew her identity. Initially, there were whispers of casual chatter in the grand hall, but now it fell into complete silence, as if everyone was tacitly performing a mime.
The world knew that she was the former eldest disciple of the Divine Emperor, and she had also been the Divine Emperor’s proxy. Among the Divine Emperor’s two proxies, the one most revered by the world was Ning Yuzhu, because Ning Yuzhu did not concern herself with morality or righteousness. If her Master gave an order, she would simply kill. As for this eldest disciple of the Divine Emperor, it was rumored that although her appearance was cold and aloof, she had a compassionate heart. However, for some unknown reason, she eventually rebelled and went to the Corrupted Domain, becoming its sole ruler.
Her appearance caused even the woman playing the zither on stage to panic and falter, playing a wrong note and then stopping for a long time, unable to continue.
Jiang Huai glanced at her profile out of curiosity. A moment later, his pupils contracted. He suddenly recalled a painting that Chu Xianning had shown him before he left.
The person in that painting was her master, Fang Moye.
And at this moment, Jiang Huai seemed to have seen the person in the painting.
