Dao Companion Crippled, Coveters Move

Chapter 271 269: Pei Sword Immortal, the Jade Pool Saintess's Name is Lin Qianyan...

Pei Yuhang had no idea that his little disciple was forming some secret clique behind his back.

Right now, he was sitting by the bedside of a certain Holy Daughter, holding Shang Miaoyan's delicate, jade-like feet in his hands. His fingers gently and skillfully kneaded her ankles.

But his gaze was distant; his mind was clearly elsewhere.

He was thinking about what late-night snack to make for Liyuan when he got back, and about making an extra portion to send to Qing Yueqiu to see if Yueqiu would talk to him...

"Xiaohan, now that you're here, can you please focus your attention on me? Just put thoughts of other women aside for a moment~"

Shang Miaoyan's voice, tinged with a playful pout, drifted softly into Pei Yuhang's ears.

Her five jade-like toes, as round and translucent as pearls, were wiggling slightly, as if expressing her displeasure at his inattentiveness.

Pei Yuhang glanced at Shang Miaoyan. She was half-reclined against the headboard, her limpid autumn-water eyes slightly narrowed with a mix of playful rebuke and charm. Her long, slightly curled hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, accentuating the fair, jade-like skin of her swan-like neck.

Who else in the entire world besides Pei Yuhang was fortunate enough to witness such a beautiful sight—the Holy Daughter in a state of languid, bewitching charm? Any other man in his place would likely have been overcome with desire, unable to control himself.

But Pei Yuhang remained completely unmoved. He dutifully stuck to his job of massaging her feet, his fingers deftly and powerfully kneading the tender, delicate skin.

He had not the slightest interest in Shang Miaoyan, who was trying to bewitch him with her gaze.

Seeing that her visual assault was having no effect, Shang Miaoyan felt a pang of frustration.

She lifted her left foot and gently kicked Pei Yuhang's chest, her tone a mix of dissatisfaction and coquetry as she tried to get his attention.

"Xiaohan, this spot is a little sore. Massage it for me a bit more."

"Oh."

Pei Yuhang's reply was flat and indifferent, his tone as calm as if he were dealing with some trivial matter.

His mind had already drifted far away, calculating what late-night snack to prepare when he got back.

'Sweet dumplings and flaky pastries sound good. Both Liyuan and Yueqiu like them.'

'And what about congee? Should I make it sweet or savory? Or maybe I should just use some Spirit Fruits to make a sweet and sour drink?'

He planned the late-night snack menu in his head while absentmindedly massaging her foot.

His fingers unconsciously squeezed the sole of the jade-like foot in his hand, applying a little more pressure. It made Shang Miaoyan's toes curl and a faint blush rise to her cheeks. She couldn't help but let out a soft, comfortable moan, her voice tender and alluring.

When he heard Shang Miaoyan's comfortable moan, Pei Yuhang snapped back to his senses, his brow furrowing.

'Damn it! I was so lost in thought that I subconsciously treated this foot like it was Liyuan's. I actually made this wicked woman feel good!'

'But it's fine. I can still make up for my mistake!'

With malicious intent, Pei Yuhang struck a pressure point on her foot known to be the most painful, showing no mercy with his strength.

"AAAH—! Pei Yuhang! Are you insane?!"

Shang Miaoyan cried out in pain and violently pulled back her small, reddened foot. A flash of anger crossed her eyes, and her cheeks flushed scarlet from the pain and humiliation.

When she saw the subtle curl of Pei Yuhang's lips, she flew into a rage and lunged forward to bite this awful Xiaohan!

"You hurt me, so now I'm going to bite you back!"

...

...

After the scuffle, Pei Yuhang finally left Shang Miaoyan's chambers and stepped out into the night.

The bright moonlight shimmered on his white robes, draping him in a silvery gauze. He raised a hand to his neck, and his brow furrowed as his fingertips touched the faint, raised bite mark there.

'Shang Miaoyan definitely did that on purpose... Biting me is one thing, but on my neck? Is she afraid Liyuan won't see such an obvious mark?'

He looked down and fiddled with his collar, trying to cover the bite mark on his neck, but nothing he tried felt secure enough. Besides, he didn't know what trick Shang Miaoyan had used, but he couldn't even get rid of it with his Spiritual Power...

Just then, the sound of crisp footsteps slowly approaching broke the silence of the night.

Pei Yuhang looked up to see a slender figure in purple robes gracefully walking toward him. The moonlight fell upon her, outlining a dignified and elegant silhouette, like a blooming violet.

"Fairy Fan Ya, is there something you need from me?"

Pei Yuhang raised a slight eyebrow, his tone carrying a faint hint of detachment.

He subconsciously pulled up his collar, trying to hide the mark on his neck as if he didn't want this woman to see him in such a compromising state.

Fan Ya walked up to Pei Yuhang and first lowered her head in an elegant and respectful bow. Then, she slowly began to speak, her voice as gentle as warm water, yet tinged with an imperceptible hesitation:

"Sword Immortal Pei, the Holy Daughter asked me to come and relay a message to you."

"Relay it to me now? Why didn't she just tell me to my face a moment ago?"

Pei Yuhang's brow furrowed slightly, his tone laced with impatience. After all, he was in a hurry to get back and make late-night snacks for his Dao Companion and disciple. What mood was he in to hear news from Shang Miaoyan?

He didn't want to spend another moment in this place, so filled with immoral memories.

In response, Fan Ya pressed her lips together lightly, her gaze lowered to avoid Pei Yuhang's. "The Holy Daughter said that if she told you to your face, it would surely lead to unpleasantness tonight."

Hearing this, Pei Yuhang couldn't help but scoff, his voice laced with scorn. "Tch... Fine, spit it out. What does that woman Shang Miaoyan want to tell me?"

"...The new Saintess of the Jade Pool Sacred Land has been chosen."

Fan Ya lifted her head, a complex look in her eyes.

Her voice was still gentle, but it held a faint trace of hesitation.

Fan Ya's pink lips pursed slightly, and a rare ripple of emotion disturbed her usually calm and dignified face, as if she were weighing her next words, considering whether to continue.

"She's been chosen. So what? What does that have to do with me?"

Pei Yuhang shrugged dismissively, his tone tinged with self-deprecation. "Don't tell me Shang Miaoyan is best friends with this new Jade Pool Saintess or something. Is she planning to drag the Jade Pool Saintess along to join in our debauchery?"

"That wicked woman Shang Miaoyan loves perverted things anyway. If she wants to drag some of her depraved friends into this, what can I do? Why even bother telling me specifically?"

"Anyone who gets involved with Shang Miaoyan can't be any good, so that Jade Pool Saintess must be trash too!"

Facing Fan Ya, Pei Yuhang was visibly agitated, completely lacking his usual calm and composure.

On one hand, this was the woman who knew all about his unbearable past in the Saintess Hall. The moment Pei Yuhang saw her, those memories of being toyed with came flooding back like a tide, filling him with shame and indignation.

On the other hand, there was the matter of Fan Xuan... Facing this wicked woman who had ruthlessly reported her own sister for execution, there was no way Pei Yuhang could interact with Fan Ya calmly.

If Fan Ya hadn't interfered, Fan Xuan might have been able to escape that Demon Cave of the Yin Yang Sacred Land with him.

She might have even joined the Dao Sect with him, and her life would have been completely different. But unfortunately... Fan Ya ruined it all!

Seeing the agitated Pei Yuhang, Fan Ya finally stopped hesitating. She said in a low voice:

"The new Saintess... is named Lin Qianyan."

"..."

Time seemed to stop at that moment.

Pei Yuhang froze as if struck by an invisible force, the self-mocking expression on his face completely stiffening.

That name... He hadn't heard anyone mention it in a very long time.

For a moment, he actually thought he had misheard.

His pupils contracted slightly, the indifference in his eyes instantly replaced by shock.

His lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't make a sound.

"It's the same name, exactly."

Fan Ya seemed to know what Pei Yuhang wanted to ask and offered the answer preemptively.

"What... what did you say?"

He finally spoke, his voice low and hoarse as if squeezed from the depths of his throat.

Seeing this, a trace of pity appeared deep in Fan Ya's eyes. She recalled the Holy Daughter's instructions, lowered her head, and spoke so softly it was as if she were afraid of disturbing something.

"Although it's the same name, it's probably not the same person."

Hearing this, the blankness in Pei Yuhang's eyes was gradually replaced by a sharp edge. His gaze, like the blade of a knife, stabbed straight at Fan Ya. He even strode forward until he was almost pressed against her.

"How can you be sure?"

His low, stern voice was mixed with an undercurrent of surging anger. A faint Sword Qi whistled around them, causing frost to form on the surrounding flagstones.

Fan Ya spoke with a tone that was both respectful and cautious:

"The Holy Daughter's Red Lotus Imperial Guard found no trace or clue connecting this Saintess to the person from the past... However, the Jade Pool Saintess has always been secluded and difficult to infiltrate, so our information is incomplete."

"The information is incomplete, and Shang Miaoyan still dares to tell me it's not her?!"

His voice suddenly rose, carrying a suppressed fury.

But Fan Ya, having served countless days and nights as the personal maid to the mercurial Holy Daughter, had courage far beyond that of an ordinary person. She was not affected by Pei Yuhang's emotional state and maintained her calm demeanor.

She raised her head, a probing look in her eyes, and asked softly:

"Does Sword Immortal Pei hope that it is her?"

"..."

Pei Yuhang was at a loss for words. The anger and doubt in his eyes froze in that instant. Moonlight spilled over him, outlining the somewhat lonely silhouette of the White-clothed Sword Immortal.

Under Fan Ya's gaze, his expression grew complicated, his eyes a mixture of anticipation, hope, panic, and even... fear.

He lowered his head, his voice so low it was almost inaudible. "I... don't know."

Seeing this, Fan Ya bowed slightly, her tone respectful and gentle.

"Finally, Fairy Ye just sent a message to the Holy Daughter. It seems she's complaining that you, Sword Immortal Pei, always cultivate at night instead of accompanying her. The Holy Daughter advises you to return early and tend to Fairy Ye's feelings."

"The message has been delivered. Fan Ya will take her leave."

With that, she turned and left. Her purple figure gradually disappeared into the moonlight, leaving Pei Yuhang standing alone, unmoving for a long time.