Dao Companion Crippled, Coveters Move

Chapter 261 259: Shang Miaoyan: That Lu Ruoxi Is Not a Good Woman, Xiaohan, You Must Leave Her

As Pei Yuhang returned to the Cold Palace Sword Mansion, even before he neared the main hall, he heard waves of melodious laughter drifting from within. The sound was as crisp as silver bells, yet it carried an undisguisable, alluring charm, like a spring breeze caressing flowering branches, stirring the heart.

'That voice...'

Pei Yuhang's pupils contracted. He strode forward, pushed open the carved wooden doors, and went inside.

Inside, his Dao Companion, Ye Liyuan, sat on a carved rosewood chair, her eyes crinkling in a smile. She held a cup of tea with a relaxed and carefree expression, beaming at the woman across from her who was clearly entertaining her.

The woman entertaining her was lounging languidly to the side, her posture perfectly showcasing her graceful, alluring figure. A pale green dress adorned with small Honglian lotuses flowed like spring water, setting off her snow-white skin.

This woman was none other than—Shang Miaoyan!

'Why would this Female Demon suddenly show up to see Liyuan? Didn't I promise I'd go over to her place tonight?!'

Pei Yuhang fixed his irritated gaze directly on Shang Miaoyan's face.

The Business Saintess sensed his stare. She slowly lifted her gaze, and their eyes met.

In that instant, a glint of cunning flashed in her eyes. The corners of her lips curved upward in a playful, provocative smile.

"Oh, Ah Han, you're back!"

Ye Liyuan's voice, as clear as a bell and full of pleasant surprise, instantly shattered the tense atmosphere in the hall.

She hurried to Pei Yuhang's side and gently tugged on his sleeve. Her eyes curved into smiling crescents. "Honestly, why did you come back so quietly? You see Sister Miaoyan is visiting, yet you don't even say hello. That's no way for a host to behave!"

Hearing Liyuan's words, Pei Yuhang's expression softened slightly. "Business Saintess, your visit is so sudden... I haven't prepared anything. Please forgive my poor hospitality."

Hearing this, Shang Miaoyan's lips curled upward, a playful glint in her eyes. She gently lifted her teacup, took a sip, her voice soft and charming with a hint of teasing:

"Oh, it's nothing, really. I just came over to chat with Sister Liyuan. A cup of tea is more than enough. Besides, it's not like this is my first visit. How can you call it sudden?"

Shang Miaoyan's playful tone made Pei Yuhang's breath catch in his throat.

His brow furrowed slightly. His gaze landed on Shang Miaoyan once more, his voice laced with an almost imperceptible chill. "What... This isn't your first visit, Holy Daughter?"

Ye Liyuan blinked and quickly explained in a low voice, "Ah Han, Sister Miaoyan has actually been coming over to keep me company these past few days.

You've been so busy helping Senior Sister Lu with her cultivation, of course you wouldn't know."

She said this with a perfectly innocent smile, seemingly oblivious to the turbulent undercurrent between the other two.

Hearing this, Pei Yuhang's expression darkened. His gaze swept back and forth between Liyuan and Shang Miaoyan, a faint sense of unease rising in his heart.

'When did my Dao Companion get so close to Shang Miaoyan?'

'What does Shang Miaoyan want, visiting Liyuan so often?'

'Pei Yuhang hadn't expected this poaching Female Demon, Shang Miaoyan, to be so skilled at seducing women. He'd let his guard down for a moment and almost had his home robbed from under him...'

*Liyuan... what has she been coming here to do all these days?*

Pei Yuhang had secretly sent a telepathic message to his Dao Companion, wanting to figure out Shang Miaoyan's plan.

He was especially wary that the Female Demon, Shang Miaoyan, might have placed a curse on Ye Liyuan!

'Liyuan was frank and kind-hearted, not cautious and careful like him. If she were to be muddle-headedly cursed by Shang Miaoyan masquerading as a good person, it would be a huge problem!'

This was the concerned thought of Pei Yuhang, who was completely unaware that he himself had also been bewilderingly cursed.

*Sister Miaoyan just comes over to chat and have tea with me. She's a really wonderful person! She doesn't put on any airs like you'd expect from a sect leader's daughter, and she doesn't have that artificial manner or the unpleasant, heady scent that Yin Yang Dao cultivators usually have... She's truly a great person!*

*Honestly, Ah Han, you shouldn't be so prejudiced. Stop giving Sister Miaoyan the cold shoulder...*

*Sister Miaoyan told me privately that you're always so cold to her. She said you get impatient after just a few sentences and that she feels like you're about to draw your sword and attack her at any moment. It's really scary.*

Pei Yuhang: "..."

Watching the pair of Sword Immortal Dao Companions communicate telepathically, Shang Miaoyan chuckled softly and set down her teacup.

Her gaze toward Pei Yuhang was as gentle as water, yet held an unfathomable depth. "Palace Master Pei, why so tense? I simply find Sister Liyuan adorable and wanted to keep her company, that's all.

Are you really so unwelcoming to Miaoyan's visits?"

Pei Yuhang's gaze grew cold, his tone distant. "Your Holiness's status is exalted. The Cold Palace Sword Mansion is a humble place; I fear we cannot offer you the reception you deserve."

Hearing this, a cunning glint flashed in Shang Miaoyan's eyes, her lips curling slightly. Her voice was soft yet tinged with provocation. "Palace Master Pei, don't be such a stranger. Sister Liyuan and I are already good friends, so the Cold Palace Sword Mansion is like a second home to me.

Isn't that right, Sister Liyuan?"

Ye Liyuan nodded enthusiastically, her smile pure and innocent. "Yes, yes! Sister Miaoyan treats me like her own flesh and blood. Ah Han, you shouldn't be so cold all the time!"

Watching his Dao Companion get "lured away" by Shang Miaoyan, Pei Yuhang felt a mix of anger and helplessness.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his emotions, and sent a secret telepathic message to Shang Miaoyan:

*Enough! What the hell are you planning, woman? I already promised I'd come over and satisfy you every day. What more could you possibly want?*

*Do you think playing with just me isn't enough? Do you have to drag Liyuan into it to have your fun? If you dare harbor the slightest ill intent toward Liyuan, I'll show you just how sharp a Sword Immortal's blade can be!*

Pei Yuhang's warning made Shang Miaoyan's elegant brows furrow. She replied with a deeply aggrieved tone:

*Why are you being so mean to Miaoyan? I just came over to hang out with your Dao Companion and ease her loneliness. And look at you, painting me as some kind of Female Demon.*

As Shang Miaoyan's message reached this point, her tone suddenly shifted.

*Besides, isn't this all your own fault, Xiaohan? Ditching your own Dao Companion to go have fun with that lewd Senior Sister Lu of yours~*

*You say I'm deceiving Sister Liyuan, but isn't that Lu Ruoxi of yours doing the same? Hmmm~?*

Hearing this, Pei Yuhang finally understood. This was the trap Shang Miaoyan had been laying for him.

*You... How can a Female Demon like you compare to Senior Sister Lu?*

Pei Yuhang's flustered reply almost made Shang Miaoyan laugh with incredulity.

*I can't compare to Lu Ruoxi? How is that? Is she so much nobler than me? Isn't she also using despicable methods to monopolize your body, Xiaohan, using you to advance her cultivation, and deceiving poor Sister Liyuan?*

A flicker of ridicule crossed Shang Miaoyan's beautiful eyes as she looked at Pei Yuhang.

*Or could it be, Xiaohan, that you actually enjoy being used by that wicked Senior Sister of yours? That being used feels good to you?*

*Pei Yuhang, let me tell you something. I may not be a saint, but my feelings for you are genuine. At the very least, if you're with me, you won't have to worry about getting hurt. I won't fail you...*

*That Lu Ruoxi is a deep schemer, a conniving woman. Don't wait until she's broken your bones and sucked out the marrow—until she's used you up and cast you aside—to realize how good I, Shang Miaoyan, have been to you!*

By the end of her message, Shang Miaoyan's voice, usually that of a calm master strategist, was tinged with a rare hint of anger.