Dao Companion Crippled, Coveters Move

Chapter 120 - 119: Pei Yuhang, Unable to Face His Disciple and Dao Companion

Yu Gu Nan's consciousness felt like it was soaring into the clouds via Sword Control, then diving back down from the highest heavens—an experience of ultimate bliss and sublime madness.

For someone tasting the forbidden fruit for the first time, it was far too intense.

It was so intense that she quickly passed out cold.

In a daze, she suddenly heard someone softly calling her name.

The gentle voice was like a refreshing breeze, yet it also carried a desolate, sorrowful chill.

"Master?"

When Pei Yuhang saw his disciple finally waking up, he was overjoyed.

But then he looked at his young disciple, wrapped in his own coat to hide her violently torn clothes and the bruised handprints beneath. The guilt in his eyes was beyond measure.

He even considered running himself through with a sword and ending it all.

He no longer knew how he was supposed to face his disciple and his Dao Companion.

Seeing Pei Yuhang avoid her gaze, the corners of Yu Gu Nan's lips curled into a smile, but she quickly forced it down.

'The plan had gone awry,' she thought. 'Or rather, it's completely off the rails.'

Her original plan had been to wait until she was stronger, then use that piece of clothing—left behind by who knows what Fox Spirit—to show to Peng Sword Immortal.

'Master, you wouldn't want your wife to see this, would you?'

Yu Gu Nan was confident that as long as Pei Yuhang couldn't overwhelm her with his strength, she could use that bodice to gain the upper hand and make Peng Sword Immortal submit to her!

But things rarely go according to plan.

Who could have known that following him here on a whim would lead her to fall prey to the poisonous fragrance he unconsciously released during his Cultivation—a scent with a fatal attraction for women...

However, Yu Gu Nan didn't consider herself the type of woman, like her senior sister, who would panic and fall to pieces when something unexpected happened. Since things had already come to this, she might as well try a different method to conquer Peng Sword Immortal.

As long as it didn't interfere with her ultimate plan to tame Peng Sword Immortal, it would be fine.

At this thought, Yu Gu Nan put on a heart-wrenchingly pitiful expression, one that would make any man's heart ache with affection. Her glistening eyes gazed at Pei Yuhang's face, which he didn't dare turn toward her.

"Master, why did you do that to me just now...?"

"After this, how can Gu Nan face your wife? What will my senior sister think of me? *Sob, sob...*"

"I've lost my innocence... I don't know how I can possibly explain this to Xiaoxiao. She's still just a child, full of romantic fantasies. Now that this has happened with the master she respects the most... how could she ever accept this reality? She'll be so heartbroken she might never get married... What am I going to do? *Sob, sob...*"

Yu Gu Nan buried her head in Pei Yuhang's chest and sobbed pitifully. Her hand clutched his robes, but to Pei Yuhang, it felt as if she were squeezing his very heart, making it hard to breathe, as though he were drowning.

'Maybe... I should just run myself through with my sword after all.'

A deathly resolve filled Pei Yuhang's eyes. He decided that as soon as they left this place, he would immediately return to his room, retrieve his Silent Sword, and take his own life. It would be a way to fulfill his promise to Bai Jingjing, too.

Suddenly, a gasp from the young woman in his arms pulled Pei Yuhang from his dark thoughts.

The person he had wronged the most was the one in his arms. Even though he had resolved to atone with his life, he still had to compensate her as much as he possibly could.

Pei Yuhang immediately grabbed Yu Gu Nan's hand and asked urgently, "Gu Nan, what's wrong?"

"Master... my body... it's suddenly so hot and uncomfortable!"

Drenched in sweat, Yu Gu Nan gritted her teeth and curled up in Pei Yuhang's arms, trembling uncontrollably.

This time, she wasn't faking it.

It was truly agonizing.

Seeing his disciple in such agony, Pei Yuhang cast all other concerns aside and quickly lifted the coat covering her body.

Then, Pei Yuhang's pupils shrank.

On the inside of Yu Gu Nan's thighs and across her lower abdomen, blackish-red, thorn-like patterns were spreading. The patterns emanated an aura that was all too familiar to Pei Yuhang—

Evil Yang Fire Qi.

In an instant, Pei Yuhang understood why.

The young woman's body was already weak from having lost her virginity. And at that critical moment, he had poured all of the Evil Yang Fire Qi—a byproduct of reforging his Dao Foundation and pushing for Divinity Transformation—into her.

As a result, her Dao Foundation had been corrupted by the Evil Yang Fire Qi, creating an effect like a Demon-Planting Mark!

Pei Yuhang was no stranger to this phenomenon. During his time at the Yin Yang Sacred Land, he had read many books, some of which described this very Secret Technique—one used specifically to discipline and tame Cauldron Slaves.

A person whose Dao Foundation is corrupted by Evil Fire Qi will develop an "addiction," a craving for the Curser's Life Essence. Without the nourishment of that Life Essence, the afflicted will suffer the agony of ten thousand ants devouring their flesh.

'By some cruel twist of fate, I've given my own disciple the constitution of a Cauldron Slave...'

Before Pei Yuhang had a chance to process this, a sharp pain in his arm drew his attention to the young woman thrashing in his embrace.

"Master, it's unbearable..."

Yu Gu Nan clutched Pei Yuhang's arm, looking up at him with tear-blurred eyes. The intense pain wracking her body made her voice tremble, like that of a frightened kitten.

"Master, you can save me, right?"

"Please, save me... It hurts so much..."

At that moment, Yu Gu Nan truly felt a pang of regret. 'I never should have snuck into the Cold Spring where he was cultivating. I really brought this on myself!'

Just as the young woman was about to pass out from the pain, Pei Yuhang took her by the shoulders.

"Gu Nan, I'm sorry."

"Next, I'm going to cover your eyes... Don't be afraid. I will be as gentle as possible."

His warm, gentle voice seemed to carry an inexplicable magic, causing Yu Gu Nan to grow quiet and pliant.

She allowed Pei Yuhang to blindfold her.

Then, in the utter darkness, soft rustling sounds arose.

The young woman felt her clothes being gently slipped off.

And... someone was tenderly kissing her collarbone.

'It feels so good... Like a piece of delicate porcelain, being handled with the utmost care, cradled in a palm and treated like a priceless treasure.'

...

...

In the courtyard, Ye Liyuan, who had been deep in a state of Self-forgetfulness, suddenly frowned, a sense of unease washing over her. Her qi fell into disarray, forcing her to stop her Cultivation.

'Are the hidden injuries from the Celestial Tribulation acting up? Why do I feel so anxious...?'

Ye Liyuan clutched her chest, her gaze downcast.

Unable to calm her mind, Ye Liyuan decided to stand up and walk around the mansion grounds for a bit.

WHOOSH—

The wind and snow at the Cold Palace Sword Mansion were heavier at night. Even with her Foundation Establishment Cultivation, Ye Liyuan couldn't help but wrap her arms around herself.

"Ah Han, fetch me a heavy cloak," Ye Liyuan said out of habit.

No one answered.

Only then did Ye Liyuan remember that her Dao Companion had gone into seclusion at the Cold Spring.

"Sigh. How pathetic. After the Celestial Tribulation, I've become so dependent on you."

Ye Liyuan raised her head, gazing up at the bright moon amid the wind and snow.

"Ah Han, it's all your fault for spoiling me rotten. You've pampered me so much that I feel like I can't live without you... So, you must never, ever leave me, okay?"